# Does anyone think Michael Jackson is innocent?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [February 2, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010 "2005-02-02T17:39:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/1 "2005-02-02T17:39:08Z")
From the British Biography and other film appearances he appears to think he has done nothing wrong. For me to say, ‘he did it’ would be pure conjecture.
However, the evidence is quite overwhelming for his guilt. If he is convicted of molestation, I would be shocked, but not surprised. And I would only be shocked that his lawyers were not able to prove reasonable doubt, because I think MJ may in fact have molested that child. He is not new to being accused of molestation. Personally, I think he did touch the boy innappropriately…And that scares the Bejeezus out of me given his fame and popularity.
What do others think?
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### Author:  [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/2 "2005-02-02T17:50:32Z")
Keeping in mind I’ve paid ZERO attention to this thing, I still imagine he could be innocent, simply because I could see the motivation of the other side being, “my kid spent the night at Michael’s and I’m gonna get my money”.
And, (I could be WAY WAY WAY OFF here because I _really_ don’t know) I didn’t think there was physical evidence of molestation, or eye-witness accounts of it.
Could the kid have made a lot of it up, with prodding from his parents? Sure.
I heard that he gave the kid alcohol? Is this KNOWN? Was the kid ever found drunk or with alcohol on his breath?
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### Author:  [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/3 "2005-02-02T18:02:59Z")
I don’t think he’s innocent, but I consider it possible. Unlikely, but possible.
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### Author:  [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/4 "2005-02-02T18:19:54Z")
I think it’s entirely possible that he did not molest that boy at that time. He is an easy target for people trying to make a buck, and the timing and history of the case is pretty suspect. Only the trial will tell.
I think it’s somewhat less likely, but possible, that he did not molest any boys. I am sure he has some very big issues and likes the company of children in a different and disturbing way, but there is a small chance that he was able to restrain himself when it came to actually touching genitals.
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### Author:  [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/5 "2005-02-02T18:24:46Z")
> [@even sven](#):
>
> I think it’s entirely possible that he did not molest that boy at that time. He is an easy target for people trying to make a buck, and the timing and history of the case is pretty suspect. Only the trial will tell.
>
> I think it’s somewhat less likely, but possible, that he did not molest any boys. I am sure he has some very big issues and likes the company of children in a different and disturbing way, but there is a small chance that he was able to restrain himself when it came to actually touching genitals.
I agree.
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### Author:  [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/6 "2005-02-02T18:30:00Z")
The guy’s got some serious issues, no matter what really happened. Anyone who would leave him alone with their kids has got some pretty serious issues as well. The evidence mounting over the years points, in my mind, to guilt; not only in this case, but probably in dozens before. Who knows what the court will do, but I’ll feel a lot better if/when the creep is behind bars.
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### Author:  [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/7 "2005-02-02T18:32:30Z")
The biggest reason that makes me doubt that he did this is that the parents of the child he supposedly molested a few years ago were just fine with a settlement! I’m not a parent, but I can’t imagine that any parent would not fight tooth and nail to get the bastard who molested their child put away forever. It just does not compute. Even if he was innocent of that charge, it doesn’t mean that he’s innocent of newer charges, but he’s a very easy mark, being both very rich and very, very odd. Many, many people believed he was guilty with no proof, simply because he’s weird.
Even if he did molest these boys (or any boys), I feel sorry for him. I believe that he thinks he’s done nothing inappropriate or wrong. He is still a child in his own mind, I think, and I don’t think he’s able to see the line between what is appropriate and inappropriate when he’s with children. This doesn’t prove he molested them, though. Guilty or not, he needs psychological help.
I’ll withhold my judgement until I see some more concrete evidence.
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### Author:  [@MissGypsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissGypsy)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/8 "2005-02-02T18:40:55Z")
I’m on the fence, here. I’m fairly positive that he behaved inappropriately, and he used extremely poor judgment (sleeping in a bed with other peoples’ kids, for example, even more so after being accused of molestation previously). I’m not at all convinced that he molested that kid.
But frankly, I wouldn’t really be surprised either way. He’s obviously one troubled individual, and his sense of boundaries is way screwy. He seems to have no sense of what is and is not acceptable and “normal,” just based on every other publicly known factor of his life, like his extensive cosmetic surgeries and facial modifications. Just plain weird.
He’s a sad, freak-show of a person, and it’s a shame that such a musical talent (and I’m referring to his older work, like _Off The Wall_ and the Jackson Five stuff) has come to this.
I don’t think the trial will bring out any truth. I predict a media circus/judicial farce, and nobody but those two people will ever know what really happened. He’s already been crucified by public opinion, and I doubt he’ll ever regain his artistic credibility. Just a sad, sad story, all around. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t had a total meltdown and killed himself, by now, because I’ve been expecting that for the past few years.
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### Author:  [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/9 "2005-02-02T18:48:22Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#):
>
> He’s already been crucified by public opinion, and I doubt he’ll ever regain his artistic credibility. Just a sad, sad story, all around. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t had a total meltdown and killed himself, by now, because I’ve been expecting that for the past few years.
That would require a greater grip on reality and capacity for remorse than Jacko apparently displays.
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### Author:  [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/10 "2005-02-02T18:54:37Z")
Well, I don’t think he did it - I think it’s some greedy parents out for a buck.
That being said, I think there’s a possibility that he could be convicted anyway.
Also, he’s really, really wacky.
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### Author:  [@MissGypsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissGypsy)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/11 "2005-02-02T19:04:57Z")
> [@Loopydude](#):
>
> That would require a greater grip on reality and capacity for remorse than Jacko apparently displays.
Oh, I wouldn’t expect his meltdown from a sense of remorse. I expect it to stem from his perception of persecution and martyrdom, when he gets to that point of “I JUST CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE…”
I don’t believe that he feels he’s done anything wrong, at all. Whether he has or hasn’t in the eyes of the law, I think he firmly believes in his own innocence.
His grip on reality is obviously flimsy, at best.
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/12 "2005-02-02T19:08:52Z")
I think that the judge in this case is going to be verym very careful to not screw up anything.
We all agree, I feel certain, that he is one messed up former-musical genius who probably supports most of his family and a whole bunch of other hanger-on’s even though he has financial troubles as of late.
I would love to be on this jury. It would be fascinating to see everything unfold oh-so-slowly and see if Jackson does anything weird.
Do I think he is being persecuted?
Well, this kind of thing keeps on happening to him…it makes you wonder: is he that dense that he keeps on doing the same thing or is he that predatorial?
Oh, and the white shirt, pants, shoes and belt thingie…it’s.got.to.go.
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### Author:  [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/13 "2005-02-02T19:21:55Z")
Whether he’s guilty or not, I think the kid’s parents should be held accountable for allowing their child to spend the night there. This is not the first time he’s been accused of molestation. I cannot imagine letting my son spend the night at the house of someone who had previously been accused of molestation.
Maybe MJ molested the boy, maybe he touched him “inappropriately”, maybe nothing happened. But truth be told, if the kid hadn’t been allowed to spend all that time with him, nothing would have happened.
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### Author:  [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/14 "2005-02-02T19:53:19Z")
I think he may be innocent. Warped and sad, but not guilty of actually molesting anyone.
The problem with MJ is that while we (meaning people smarter than me in these things) can pretty accurately predict how child molesters in everyday society act, I think his life is so far removed from everyday society that there is no way we can begin to categorize any of his behaviors by accepted standards. For instance, “many” child molesters may exhibit a typical behavior, be it the toy collection or whatever, and we can look at a collection of those behaviors as being pretty indicative. But in his case, I don’t know if our experience holds–his life is so completely different than what we know to be within the range of normal that I think it’s kind of like trying to predict how Martian child molesters may behave. We just don’t know.
At least, that’s m’theory. And I’m not saying he IS innocent, I’m saying I believe the possiblity is definitely there. When you grow up the way he did, it’s perfectly understandable that you wouldn’t expect to live according to the standards set by most of society.
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### Author:  [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/15 "2005-02-02T20:02:59Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#):
>
> Maybe MJ molested the boy, maybe he touched him “inappropriately”, maybe nothing happened. But truth be told, if the kid hadn’t been allowed to spend all that time with him, nothing would have happened.
One could only hope that if MJ is found guilty, there is some law defining criminal negligence that is relevant to the behavior of these so-called parents. I doubt anything will happen to them regardless, but in a sane world these morons would be in the hot seat right next to Jacko.
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### Author:  [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/16 "2005-02-02T20:03:28Z")
I happen to believe that he is guilty.
From what I’ve understood though, this isn’t about money. I thought I remembered hearing that the parents agreed not to file a civil suit because this isn’t about money, and instead opted for criminal charges. If I understand it correctly, they agreed to only file a civil suit if/when he is found guilty of the charges he stands for now.
I could be wrong though.
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### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/17 "2005-02-02T20:18:30Z")
As I’ve said in other threads, I’m positve that he’s guilty of…something.
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### Author:  [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/18 "2005-02-02T21:04:47Z")
I believe everyone is innocent until _proven_ guilty.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/19 "2005-02-02T21:07:53Z")
I suppose there is a small possibility he didn’t do it. But everything keeps adding up-all the accusations, he fits the profile of a child molestor to a tee, all the different evidence, the article on the Smoking Gun about Jordie Chandler…all of it is just too much to be coincidence.
Oh, and [look who’s testifying for the prosecution](http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/til/jsp/modules/Article/print.jsp?itemId=16293334)?
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### Author:  [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-michael-jackson-is-innocent/288010/20 "2005-02-02T21:33:31Z")
I was wondering when she would turn up!
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