On Trial
In December 2003, months after the airing of the Living with Michael Jackson documentary, in which Jackson held hands with a child and outlined his habit of sharing a bed with young boys, Jackson was charged with child molestation and alcohol and conspiracy charges that carried a potential sentence of nearly 20 years in prison. The allegations came from a then 13-year-old boy who alleged that earlier in 2003, the King of Pop had plied him with alcohol at Neverland Ranch, shown him pornography and molested him. The sensational trial kicked off in spring 2005 in Santa Maria, Calif. It was a circus from the start; thousands of fans traveled to the courthouse to support the entertainer, and on the first day, Jackson, free on $3 million bail, showed up late for court, wearing pajamas. Among the more than 130 witnesses called to testify was former child star Macauley Culkin, who had spent time at Neverland Ranch. In June 2005, after some 30 hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted Jackson of all charges.