Sex abuse charges plagued, tarnished Michael Jackson's career
Friday, June 26th 2009, 9:00 AM
Djansezian/AP/AP Michael Jackson goes through security as he arrives at Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, Calif. in 2005
AP A photo from Jackson in 1994 during an investigation that began when a 13-year-old boy accused the pop star of seducing him.
To one generation, Michael Jackson was a charismatic child star.
To another, he was "Wacko Jacko," suspected child molester.
The sex scandals that plagued the increasingly erratic singer dated to the early 1990s, when he was first linked to the repeated abuse of a 13-year-old boy at his lavish Neverland Ranch.
Jackson, eventually accused of molesting three boys, was never convicted of any crimes.
But multimillion-dollar settlements with two victims, along with his bizarre persona, convinced many something odd was happening at his California home/kiddie theme park - and it crippled his career.
Jackson made no secret of his preference for the company of kids over adults, insisting it was all innocent as he welcomed "many children" into his bed.
His high-profile house guests included "Home Alone" star Macaulay Culkin and child star Corey Feldman.
Jackson - even after his 2003 arrest on molestation charges - seemed clueless about the furor caused by his lifestyle.
Asked on "60 Minutes" if he thought it was okay to share his bed with a child, Jackson replied, "Why not?"
"If you're going to be a pedophile, if you're going to be Jack the Ripper, if you're going to be a murderer, it's not a good idea," Jackson said. "That, I am not."
His explosive 2005 trial on sex charges drew international attention. Prosecutors portrayed the fortysomething Jackson as a sexual predator who plied victims with wine and girlie magazines.
Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor - allegations that put him back in the headlines long after his musical career slowed to a crawl.
During the three-month trial, the teen recounted Jackson giving him wine - the singer called it "Jesus juice" - before fondling him as they lay on a bed inside Neverland.
Jackson reportedly encouraged the boy to masturbate before groping the teen.
Millions in payouts
The jury also heard from another purported victim, who testified Jackson molested him when he was between the ages of 7 and 10.
The young man, the son of a Neverland maid, received a $2.4million settlement from Jackson.
The jury also heard that in 1993, Jackson paid a $20 million settlement to a 13-year-old boy.
The youth's mother testified that Jackson browbeat her into letting the teen share a bed with the pop star - and rewarded her the next day with a gold bracelet from Cartier.
The mom recounted on the stand how the "sobbing, crying, shaking, trembling" singer shouted in anger when she balked at the sleeping arrangements.
"We're a family!" he reportedly yelled. "Why can't [he] sleep in my bed? ... Why don't you trust me?"
The youth then slept with Jackson dozens of times from March to July 1993, she said.
The singer's lawyer insisted the payments were made because Jackson didn't like "courtrooms and lawyers," preferring to focus on his musical career.
"He is idealistic and naive," defense lawyer Thomas Mesereau said.
Mesereau also called Culkin to testify there was nothing sexual about his sleepovers in Jackson's bed.
'Human sexuality'
Jackson's collection of gay pornography was introduced as evidence. One book, prosecutors said, "shows everything one man could possibly do to another man."
Prosecutors charged he provided young guests with unlimited candy and video games by day - and sexual assault by night.
"In the evenings, they entered into the world of the forbidden," prosecutor Ron Zonen told the California jury. "They learned about human sexuality from someone who was only too willing to teach them."
Yet the jury acquitted Jackson, even though some of its members believed the superstar had victimized other children.
"I feel that Michael Jackson has probably molested boys," juror Raymond Hultman said.
"To be in your bedroom for 365 straight days and not do something more than just watch television and eat popcorn, that doesn't make sense to me."
Jury foreman Paul Rodriguez offered the "King of Pop" some unsolicited advice after the verdict: "We would hope he doesn't sleep with children anymore."
Jackson - who never testified at his trial - became a virtual recluse after the verdict. He spent time with his own three kids, but was rarely seen in public with other children.
Sex abuse charges plagued, tarnished Michael Jackson's career