Grand Jury Indicts Michael Jackson

Attorneys Say He Will Plead Not Guilty

April 22 — Michael Jackson has been indicted by a grand jury investigating allegations that he molested a boy at his Neverland estate. This means that there is likely to be a trial later this year.

Statement by Michael Jackson's Attorneys in Response to the Announcement of an Indictment

Date: Thursday, April 22, 2004
Official Press Release

If the Grand Jury issues an indictment, on Friday, April 30, 2004, Mr. Michael Jackson will appear in court in Santa Maria, California at which time he will enter a plea of NOT guilty to the charges. Mr. Jackson and his attorneys remind the public that an indictment is merely a formal "accusation." We also remind the public that Michael Jackson, like any other person accused of a crime, is "presumed to be innocent."

Michael Jackson's Attorneys Respond To New Allegations

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Michael Jackson’s attorneys Benjamin Brafman, Esquire and Mark Geragos, Esquire respond to new allegations against Mr. Jackson.

Michael Jackson Investigation Statement from the Los Angeles Police Department

LAPD Press Release
Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department was contacted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office one month ago regarding allegations of child abuse against Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson Grand Jury Hearing Testimony

March 31, 2004

A grand jury hearing testimonies involving the current case against Michael Jackson have reportedly heard from the Accuser making the allegations, according to Sky News.

Michael Jackson Not Expected At Next Hearing

March 23, 2004

Michael Jackson will not be expected to make an appearance at the next scheduled court date (April 2) in his trial according to abs-cbs News.

Yet Another Twist In The Case: Sheriff’s Department previously found allegations unfounded

As previously reported, an investigation into possible child abuse claims against Michael Jackson was conducted by the Sensitive Case Unit of LA's Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) in February of last year, which concluded that the allegations were “unfounded”.

However, according to NBC, an official investigation was conducted by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department as well as the investigation by the DCFS, which lasted two months. The investigation took place within the time frame of the alleged charges the King of Pop now faces.

Television Interview Between Mark Geragos and Geraldo Rivera.
'At Large With Geraldo'
Aired on Fox Television, March 6, 2004

Geraldo Rivera: Do you want to make an opening statement at all?

Mark Geragos: Well, I just wanna say a couple of things that I think have to be said. So many of the rumours and things that have been reported are just plain false. As you know Geraldo, there’s been rumours about whether I’m on the case, there’s been rumours about Michael being in detox, I mean I’m here to tell ya, I mean there’s nothing wrong with somebody who seeks detox, but Michael’s not in detox, Michael went to Colorado and he went there specifically so the kids can see some snow and he spent a little bit of time there and he went onto somewhere else, which is his right, and he’s taken care of his business. He’s got, he’s taken charge of virtually all areas of his life. I mean it’s been an incredible thing to watch, I’ve been with for about a year and I’ve watched him over that year just basically divest himself of people who he thinks have been negative and he’s taken charge and virtually all of his areas, he’s handling and in touch with the legal team at all times and the addition of Ben Brafman has been one of the great things, I mean not just for him, but for me as well, Ben has provided a tremendous asset to the team and is just an outstanding lawyer. Raymone Bain, who he has brought on board is his only spokesperson, I’d like to say tonight that if you see anybody else out there claiming to be his spokesperson or speaking on Michael’s behalf you can discount it immediately because there’s only one person that’s going to speak on his behalf for all things that aren’t legal related and that’s Raymone.


Continue reading the full transcript of FOX's March 6th show...

Michael Jackson Pleads ‘Not Guilty'.
Preliminary hearing set for February 13th.


Michael Jackson entered a plea of “not guilty” to charges of child abuse, in Santa Maria Courthouse yesterday.

Arriving in the Courthouse about 8:51am, and 21 minutes later than he was meant to, the King of Pop was then reprimanded by Judge Rodney S. Melville, “Mr. Jackson, you have started out on the wrong foot here”, he said, according to the Associated Press.

Originally posted on December 19:
Official Felony Complaint Against Michael Jackson

Filed in Superior Court of California, Santa Barbara County on December 18, 2003.



Read the Official Court Filing Here (PDF file)