Arts & Entert ainment ‘Prior bad acts’ permitted in Michael Jackson case

KIMBERLY WHITE STAFF WRITER KMW722@CABRINI EDU

Conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment, extortion, three counts of committing lewd acts upon a child, attempted lewd acts upon a child and four counts of administering intoxicating agents to assist in the commission of a felony: these are all charges for which Michael Jackson is being tried.

The trial, based on a 13 yearold boy’s inconsistent story, has been taking place for quite some time now. Jackson pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts on April 30, 2004. If Jackson is convicted, he faces more than 20 years in prison. For those who are not upto-date with the case, this article will serve as a brief summary.

Michael Jackson, 46, has been on trial for allegedly molesting a 13 year old boy at his “Neverland” ranch in 2003. The boy says that Jackson molested him at least seven times, although he can only recall two of the occasions. While being questioned at the hearing, the boy was unable to discuss the specific events in which he was supposedly molested. Also, an official from the school that the boy attends stated that the boy told him the molestation never took place.

However, jurors at the trial were told that police who were investigating the case by searching Jackson’s ranch found bags of pornographic videos and pictures of small children who were bathing at Jackson’s home.

On March 18, witnesses testified that Jackson keeps pornographic magazines in his bedroom and in his bathroom. The same witnesses also stated that Jackson was seen drinking with minors on many different occasions.

It is apparent that young boys were indeed at Jackson’s “Neverland” ranch and that they did seem to be intoxicated, according to Kiki Fournier, Jackson’s housekeeper. Fournier testified that she was present when underage boys, who seemed to be intoxicated, were at Jackson’s “Neverland” ranch viewing pornographic material. She also said Jackson and the boys were quite rowdy at times and the boys were allowed to do whatever they wanted while they were at the ranch.

Fournier, however, also stated that she never saw Jackson serve alcohol to the minors, and also that the young boys slept in a