I reckon this is the best form for this to be in. If not, please move as necessary
Just a few minutes ago I was watching MSNBC, so sorry that I don’t have a cite or reference article for this (someone else will find one, I’m sure).
A man is claiming that in May of 1984 he was molested by Michael Jackson. His attorney says that the man was so traumatized that he repressed the memory for 20 years, but the last trial brought what happened back to light.
Jackson’s attorney came on and said that the Jackson camp has proof that on the days in question Jackson was meeting with President Reagan and Willy Nelson (I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere). The man’s attorney says he has an affidavit from the limo driver who says Jackson never met with Willy.
The host (Rita something) asked the man’s attorney what he wants out of this accusation. The attorney said (not a direct quote, but well enough), “Well, in the past Jackson has given multi million dollar settlements…:::pauses:::… but, um, due to his financial situations we wouldn’t really be able to collect a settlement and uh…”
And the segment ended.
Seems to me like the guy is out to get money. Either that or his attorney is a complete idiot.
Repressed memories huh? That is so 1980’s style deathray fraud. This guy managed to turn Michael Jackson from a freak into a genuine victim that deserves all our support. I didn’t think it could be done.
I WAS MOLESTED BY MICHAEL JACKSON 20 YEARS AGO TOO! It just totally sank in— and of course I don’t remember it, because it’s repressed! (To think that freak would actually hire a private jet to interrupt his tour and come to a farm in middle-of-nowhere Alabama and molest me just makes me wanna add another $8 million to my suit.)
Anybody want to make it a class action suit? I’m sure some others have memories they can’t remember about Michael Jackson, which just proves how vicious they are.
There are statutes of limitation for civil suits, as well as criminal suits. Which is why the “repressed memory” “it only just came to light” thing is critical. Depending on the jurisdiction, the statute for personal injury (i.e., battery, sexual assault, etc.) is likely one to four years. So if a man alleges he was molested 21 years ago, the statute has run. (Note that some jurisdictions also have a “minor’s rule,” namely, that a statute of limitation for an assault on a minor does not begin to run until the minor turns 18.)
But bottom line, it sounds to me like the repressed memory is an attempt to do an end run around the statute.
I dunno . . . a lot of people believe “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
Depite warnings to the contrary, many jurors do come with preconcieved opinions. Some may secretly feel outraged that he “got away with it” two times previously, and may be inclined to convict even if the evidence is not so great. Sort of like cumulative justice.
I don’t care if he did it or not, it’s more a question of wolf being cried. He’s been charged twice without a conviction by an overzealous district attorney. If this DA does it again he’ll be seen as a guy who rang the bell one too many times.
If Jackson does get charged again, there better be photographs of his cock in the boy’s mouth or it’ll never fly.
