# Legal buffs, can Jacko beat the rap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 18, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859 "2003-12-18T22:11:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/1 "2003-12-18T22:11:54Z")
I’m not asking whether or not he performed the lewd acts against a minor for which he is being charged and I usually don’t really care much for celebrity or legal matters, this is really just a passing thought maybe destined for IMHO. Anyway, is it possible to be so wealthy you are basically granted immunity from regular law, I guess, so wealthy you can buy your way out of most anything? Will we see a dream team, intimations of racism(I’ve already heard the “high-tech lynching” soundbite somewhere) and talk of dirty cops, then a civil payoff? Usually, the accused has a limited amount of resources and the prosecution can outspend them(think Ray-gun versus the commies), however, finances won’t be a problem here. So, what say ye dopers, will jacko walk? ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/2 "2003-12-18T23:28:24Z")
Any defendant can be found not guilty of the crimes of which he/she is accused. Wealth may or may not be a factor. A “true believer” public defender can often achieve the same verdict. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/3 "2003-12-18T23:29:38Z")
The prosecution outspending the defense? Hm, maybe in some jurisdictions but certainly not all of them. Back to the OP- of course he could. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/4 "2003-12-18T23:39:18Z")
It’s hard to evaluate a case without knowing what the evidence is. If the prosecution has a smoking gun (reportedly the search of Neverland resulted in the recovery of some explicit “love letter” fro MJ to the victim) then Jacko could be sunk. If it comes down to word against word, Michael could walk. It all depends on the evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Pencil\_Pusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Pencil\_Pusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pencil_Pusher)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/5 "2003-12-18T23:41:11Z")
Of course wealth is a factor. I firmly believe Bill Gates could walk into a 7-11, wave to the security camera, clip his nails and place the clippings in a bowl labled “DNA evidence” and then put bullets into everybody there without being convicted. With enough money the media will be singing Bill’s praises, demanding the prosecution stop their witch-hunt, and explain how the evidence was all fabricated. And, yes, public opinion does matter to prosecutors who hold elected office and to the jurors who are selected to hear a case. In Jackson’s case, every single piece of evidence will have doubt casted on it. Every person who has anything bad to say about him will have their history examined until something bad can be said about them. Of course Jacko will walk. ---
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/6 "2003-12-19T00:31:00Z")
To clarify, the accused usually has a limited amount of resources in comparison to a prosecution backed by an entire state. Pencil Pusher, you strike me as just a tad cynical toward the American justice system 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Pencil\_Pusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Pencil\_Pusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pencil_Pusher)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/7 "2003-12-19T03:40:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by labmonkey \* > \*\*To clarify, the accused usually has a limited amount of resources in comparison to a prosecution backed by an entire state. Pencil Pusher, you strike me as just a tad cynical toward the American justice system 😉 \*\* The prosecution simply does not have free access to the state’s coffers. Although it is a common enough thing for the defense to argue, a prosecutor simply cannot divert, for example, 1/2 the police force to investigate his one case. The prosecution has a budget, and a fairly limited one at that. And yes, I am a tad cynical. What possible reason would I have to be otherwise? The only reason [Robert Durst](http://www.courttv.com/trials/durst/102103_ctv.html) might be convicted is he clearly hasn’t thrown enough money at this. Another million dollars to a publicist would almost certainly gain him his freedom. Michael Jackson has made no such mistake. He has created [his own website](http://www.mjnews.us/), launched an [offensive against the media](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/18/entertainment/main584273.shtml), and has been attempting to create his own [positive publicity](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3230338.stm). The prosecution doesn’t have a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/8 "2003-12-19T06:27:58Z")
And remember, the state trying MJ is California, we of the rather large _cough… billions… cough_ deficit! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/9 "2003-12-19T06:28:59Z")
Of course the prosecution has a chance. MJ has very little credibility with a jury, regardless of his legal team. Wait, I said that about Orenthal too… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/10 "2003-12-19T06:51:10Z")
I think Jackson has a very good chance. Money aside, a lot of information has been discovered that seriously weakens the prosecution’s case, mostly by calling the honesty and of the woman and her child into question. > [@](#): > > With enough money the media will be singing Bill’s praises, demanding the prosecution stop their witch-hunt, and explain how the evidence was all fabricated. What the hell are you talking about? “The media” loves nothing more than celebrities in legal trouble. How do you think it would work - Bill just pays money to newspapers and they write good things about him? After all, the news media was really soft on OJ, right? ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/11 "2003-12-19T08:10:12Z")
There is that little problem of the DCFS report that the prosecution has to overcome. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/12 "2003-12-19T08:22:33Z")
That report means nothing. The evidence will speak for itself. A prior fruitless interview is not a hurdle. If the prosecution has mash letters from Michael to the kid then Michael is toast. The report won’t matter a bit. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/13 "2003-12-19T08:49:12Z")
Doesn’t that depend on the content of those letters, **Dio?** There’s a world of difference between “I really enjoyed our time together and will always remember the fun we had” versus “I can’t get the thought of rubbing our naked bodies together out of my mind,” after all. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/14 "2003-12-19T09:14:49Z")
I think the DA had to be pretty damn sure to bring this case. I think the letters must be pretty incriminating or he wouldn’t have done it. I know it’s hardly a reputable cite but the National Enquirer also reported that the kid described pornographic videos which MJ had shown him and told investigators where they were hidden. The NE also said that the kid’s older brother is willing to testify that he witnessed at least one of the sexual episodes. I know, I know, it’s the Enquirer but they’ve gotten some genuine scoops on accasion. If the prosecuters can prove that MJ showed the kid porno AND wrote him love letters (assuming the letters contain a high enough creep factor) MJ could be in real trouble. I don’t know for sure, I’m just saying it’s _possible_ that the state has some good physical evidence. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/15 "2003-12-19T09:24:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*I don’t know for sure, I’m just saying it’s _possible_ that the state has some good physical evidence. \*\* Let’s hope it’s not a glove. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/16 "2003-12-19T11:03:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > \*\*“The media” loves nothing more than celebrities in legal trouble. How do you think it would work - Bill just pays money to newspapers and they write good things about him? After all, the news media was really soft on OJ, right? \*\* The media were and are manipulated by Bill Gates’ publicists. His publicists were caught generating letters of support for Gates and Microsoft, and sending them to letters to the editor pages under the names of various indivduals, during Microsoft’s trial for restraint of trade. Microsoft also grants exclusive access and story feeds to reporters and media outlets who have been sympathetic to Gates and Microsoft. This tactic is by no means unusual — it’s common practice in public relations. But they use it as well as any. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/17 "2003-12-19T11:35:24Z")
dont ask: > [@](#): > > Let’s hope it’s not a glove. With Michael Jackson, how can it not be? ---
**Author:** ![patchbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dc4da7/32.png) [@patchbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/patchbunny)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/18 "2003-12-19T15:34:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by don’t ask \* > \*\*Let’s hope it’s not a glove. \*\* I seem to recall that Michael is missing one… –Patch ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/19 "2003-12-19T19:09:38Z")
> [@](#): > > The media were and are manipulated by Bill Gates’ publicists. His publicists were caught generating letters of support for Gates and Microsoft, and sending them to letters to the editor pages under the names of various indivduals, during Microsoft’s trial for restraint of trade. That’s definitely scummy, but it’s not a case of the media being biased toward Gates, it sounds like a case of editors of papers being lied to. Either way, I don’t think this affected the trial. > [@](#): > > Microsoft also grants exclusive access and story feeds to reporters and media outlets who have been sympathetic to Gates and Microsoft. This tactic is by no means unusual — it’s common practice in public relations. It’s low, but as you said, everyone does it. You see even more of it in politics. Popular perception of Bill Gates is still not very positive, I’d say. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859/20 "2003-12-19T20:17:25Z")
There are some crimes that money can’t remove the stink from. I think drugging and molesting a child is one of them. This case will probably never make it to trial at all, but it’ll be fun trying to find an untainted jury pool. “Michael WHO?” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-buffs-can-jacko-beat-the-rap/219859.md?page=2)