# Michael Jackson Verdict Reached!!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [June 13, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130 "2005-06-13T19:29:07Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 9
### Author:  [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/161 "2005-06-13T22:08:57Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> No, you misunderstand me. People who say, 'Well, maybe he just likes little kids" ignore the fact that he doesn’t like to hang around little kids-only little boys, usually around 10-15 years old. It’s like he targets a specific type. Michael Jackson specifically seems fixated on boys, but yes, girls are molested (actually, aren’t more girls molested than boys?)
Sorry I did. That’s what I get for skimming.
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### Author:  [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/162 "2005-06-13T22:08:57Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#):
>
> Do you sleep in the same beds with those kids? Have any kids ever accused you of showing them the magazines? have you ever paid a kid 20 million dollars not to testify against you? Do you give the kids Jesus juice? Have you had romantic/sexual relationships with adults? Do you have “special friends” who you hold hands with and kiss and bring on your airplane with you, and are those special friends always the same age and gender and physical type? Do you write them love letters?
>
> It’s more than just one thing. The collective circumstancial evidence for Jackson being a pedophile is all but undeniable.
Am I worth untold millions of dollars?
God, I can’t believe I’m defending Jacko…
**Dio** , he may very well have molested children. The jury might have gotten it wrong. But don’t you think it’s at least in the realm of possibility that IN THIS CASE the plaintiffs were just after money?
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### Author:  [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/163 "2005-06-13T22:11:21Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#):
>
> Actually, sometimes they do, when they have plenty of money and just want a nuisance to go away. There’s no admission of guilt.
Not in child molestations cases they don’t. Some things are just too devastating to a reputation and a career. Jackson wasn’t just settling a nuisance suit, it was a bribe to a witness not to testify in a criminal case. The prosecutors and police in that case never said they thought Jackson wasn’t guility and the victim in that case has never said that either.
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### Author:  [@BrattiAtti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrattiAtti)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/164 "2005-06-13T22:14:21Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#):
>
> I don’t believe _everyone_ could be bought off; if there was something there, _something_ would’ve come up.
When I was molested by a family “friend” at the age of 10, he was dealing with very similar accusations from a girl who was a foster child of some other friends of his. When I was asked by an acquaintance of the man’s to speak up if he had ever touched me inappropriately, I kept my mouth shut. The man never asked me to, never told me to, never threatened me, but I still kept quiet. While I regret that now, if I could go back, I doubt I would say anything even with this magic gift of hindsight. It’s just the type of child I was. I’m sure MJ didn’t molest _every_ boy he came across; I doubt any pedophile does. But really, that’s not to say he couldn’t have or didn’t do it to someone else who’s just staying quiet out of a fucked-up sense of loyalty.
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### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/165 "2005-06-13T22:14:44Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#):
>
> OTOH, who the hell would buy a book like “The Boy” unless he was keenly interested in such photos?
Thank god for the Patriot Act, now we can arrest anyone who checked that book out of the library.
> [@](#):
>
> I have the feeling that “The Boy” is the item that MJ overlooked in a preventive house-cleaning.
Too bad the jury couldn’t hear your testimony, ‘feelings’ are a defense attorney’s worst nightmare!
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### Author:  [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/166 "2005-06-13T22:15:33Z")
I don’t think that Jacko deserves jail time, neccessarily, but isn’t there some type of reverse restraining order possible? Like if he invites pre-pubescent boys to Neverland ever again, they’ll arrest his ass, no question?
IMO he needs some major psych eval. I think he is guilty of at least not acting in the best interests of the children. Unfortunately, that is not a crime.
I do wish we had the Scottish “not proven”.
I still come back to this: how in hell can ANY parent allow their child to go there? I don’t care that he is a “star” and is wealthy. I don’t get it.
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### Author:  [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/167 "2005-06-13T22:22:29Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#):
>
> I do wish we had the Scottish “not proven”.
This is, I think, the crux of the verdict. In this country, no matter what you gut tells you, it’s guilty or not guilty. The prosecution’s case was flimsy as hell, what with the mother having discredited herself. ‘Not Proven’ would fit.
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### Author:  [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/168 "2005-06-13T22:22:43Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#):
>
> Not in child molestations cases they don’t. Some things are just too devastating to a reputation and a career. Jackson wasn’t just settling a nuisance suit, it was a bribe to a witness not to testify in a criminal case. The prosecutors and police in that case never said they thought Jackson wasn’t guilty and the victim in that case has never said that either.
Because most people aren’t in the presence of children enough to have such claims met with any credibility. Celebrities get accused of just about everything. Some guy just wrote a book claiming Bill Clinton raped his wife, and that Chelsea was conceived as a result. How fucking unbelievable is that.
You forget that MJ was a huge star at the time, and that the only thing worse than those accusations would have been a lengthy trial in which he would probably have to testify and lose any privacy he had.
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### Author:  [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/169 "2005-06-13T22:24:55Z")
Well, shit.
That’s all I’ve got, really.
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### Author:  [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/170 "2005-06-13T22:26:06Z")
:sigh:
I was expecting this, like Larry Mudd said, the case was weak in many counts, but I was expecting that at least he was going to be punished for giving alcohol to minors, you mean that that was not one of the charges? 😕
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/171 "2005-06-13T22:27:09Z")
One member of the jury was bitching about the mother snapping her fingers. “Don’t you snap your fingers at me, lady.” Apparently the one with the book deal.
Stupid hag, you don’t base your choice on THAT.
Either way, it comforts me at least that it ain’t over for PedoPan. He’s almost flat broke, his career is a joke, everyone think he got away with molestation, etc. I’ll bet months from now, we’ll hear that Mesereau is suing because Pedo didn’t pay his legal fees.
Did you hear how he’s trying to get to perform on Live8, no matter how many times they tell him to get lost?
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### Author:  [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/172 "2005-06-13T22:27:33Z")
If the BEST evidence that the prosecution had was that nutty family… :wally
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### Author:  [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/173 "2005-06-13T22:30:03Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#):
>
> I’m watching the TV coverage. There’s some blonde woman in a green outfit, she’s got a cageful of white doves, and as each not guilty verdict is broadcast she hauls out a bird, kisses it, and releases it.
Now here’s a frightening thought: What was she planning on doing to the doves on “guilty” verdicts?
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### Author:  [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/174 "2005-06-13T22:33:02Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> Either way, it comforts me at least that it ain’t over for PedoPan. He’s almost flat broke, his career is a joke, everyone think he got away with molestation, etc.
So…his job’s joke, he’s broke, and his love life’s DOA?
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### Author:  [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/175 "2005-06-13T22:33:24Z")
> [@Hal Briston](#):
>
> Now here’s a frightening thought: What was she planning on doing to the doves on “guilty” verdicts?
“We the jury find the defendant Guilty…” _SNAP_ _kathunk_
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### Author:  [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/176 "2005-06-13T22:36:08Z")
Jackson must be pretty damned excited.
Betcha he gets laid tonight.
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### Author:  [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/177 "2005-06-13T22:36:18Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> Oh please. [He fits the profile of a molestor TO A TEE.](http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/psychology/pedophiles/7.html?sect=19) Child erotica (that’s just subtle enough NOT to be illegal). Always hanging around boys. Not girls, not even children, BOYS. And most of them are the same age and look the same.
>
> His home is like a kiddy diddler’s paradise. Multiple accusations throughout the years. ADMITTING he sleeps in bed with children.
Doesn’t matter. The only question the jury could look at was, did he do those things at the times and places specified in the indictment? AFAIK there’s no law against sleeping in a bed with children. There needed to be proof beyond reasonable doubt that inappropriate touching or other sexual activity took place. That’s the bottom line. We see the type of person he is and it doesn’t look good, and for all I know he is actually guilty. But the jury is only allowed to consider the admitted testimony.
Sure he’s weird as all get out, but being weird isn’t a crime. Neither is possessing barely legal erotica.
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/178 "2005-06-13T22:36:40Z")
> [@brickbacon](#):
>
> Because most people aren’t in the presence of children enough to have such claims met with any credibility. Celebrities get accused of just about everything. Some guy just wrote a book claiming Bill Clinton raped his wife, and that Chelsea was conceived as a result. How fucking unbelievable is that.
>
> You forget that MJ was a huge star at the time, and that the only thing worse than those accusations would have been a lengthy trial in which he would probably have to testify and lose any privacy he had.
No one ever accused Fred Rogers of molestation, or Bob Keeshan, or anyone from Sesame Street.
Of course, one big difference is that all those people were very much the adult when they were with kids. Just the fact that MJ was saying stuff, in the Bashir docu, like “I’m twelve” and “wah, wah, my lost childhood” was already setting off alarm bells.
**Guin** , what’s Live8 and who’s trying to get on it?
All I can do now is hope and pray that MJ goes bankrupt.
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### Author:  [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/179 "2005-06-13T22:38:34Z")
> [@inkleberry](#):
>
> So…his job’s joke, he’s broke, and his love life’s DOA?
He still seems to have fans. He could probably go on tour. Might be the best thing for him…and America’s young boys too.
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### Author:  [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-verdict-reached/308130/180 "2005-06-13T22:38:48Z")
I always said this would be the verdict. I actually think it’s a fair one, too. My opinion from the beginning was that he has odd relationships with young boys, but not insidious, evil, perverted, sexual ones.
We’ll probably never know until he dies and some private journals are discovered.
Sam
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