| He also said prosecutors could be helped by a law, passed since the earlier Jackson investigation, that was designed to keep civil suits from interfering with criminal cases Jackson maintained his innocence but reportedly paid the boy's family a multimillion-dollar civil settlement, and the child refused to testify in any criminal proceedings
"He understands the people who are outraged, because if these charges were true, I assure you Michael would be the first to be outraged," Geragos said outside the jail Jackson Booked on Molestation Suspicion
Nov 20, 6:12 PM EST
His hands cuffed behind his back, Michael Jackson was booked on suspicion of child molestation Thursday after arriving by private jet to face charges that could destroy the pop star's career and send him to prison for years "
With Jackson's riches and global fame, the advent of 24-hour cable news channels, and the rise of TV cameras in the courtroom, the allegations set the stage for what could be the most sensational celebrity court case the world has ever seen , in the high-profile Laci Peterson murder case, had arranged Jackson's return from Las Vegas He looks forward to getting into a courtroom as opposed to any other forum and confronting these accusations head on "
"This is what they want to see: him in handcuffs
Sheriff's Sgt
"I'm here to tell you today, Michael has given me the authority to say on his behalf these charges are categorically untrue
The district attorney has said the youngster in the latest case is cooperating with investigators and has no plans to sue This is his second time He considers this to be a big lie You got it said Wednesday that Jackson's warrant soon will be followed by the filing of charges 9 arraignment date
"He's come back specifically to confront these charges head-on," defense attorney Mark Geragos said
Authorities released no details of the case beyond a warrant accusing the 45-year-old Jackson of multiple counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, an offense punishable by three to eight years in prison "
"I love his music, but I don't know if I can support him now
District Attorney Thomas W
A demonstrator outside the jail, college student Cesar Mendoza, held a homemade sign reading "Moonwalk 2 jail But no charges were ever filed
The self-styled "King of Pop" immediately posted $3 million and waved to reporters and flashed a V-sign before leaving the Santa Barbara County jail in a black Suburban escorted by three sheriff's motorcycle officers
Reporters swarmed the airport, the jail and sheriff's headquarters, awaiting Jackson's return
"He is greatly outraged by the bringing of these charges Sneddon Jr I can't believe him anymore," said Mendoza, 22, of Isla Vista
But news reports have said the child was a 12- or 13-year-old boy who visited Jackson at his Neverland Ranch, a storybook playland where the singer was known to hold sleepovers for children and share his bed with youngsters Jackson was given a Jan But it won't be for long, I promise you," Jermaine Jackson said
"
Jackson dominated pop music in the 1980s but was damaged by a similar molestation allegation in 1993
Jackson's leased jet landed at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and rolled its nose into a hangar before those aboard stepped out
Geragos, who also is defending Scott Peterson of Modesto, Calif
Jackson returned to California from Las Vegas, where he was making a video, a day after authorities announced a warrant for his arrest had been issued
Jackson's brother Jermaine denounced the allegations in a CNN interview as "nothing but a modern-day lynching Chris Pappas characterized Jackson and his representatives as cooperative during the 30- to 45-minute booking process A law enforcement convoy took him to the main county jail, where the handcuffed singer, wearing a black coat and pants with a white shirt and white tie, was escorted inside and booked for investigation of child molestation |