Michael Jackson Acquitted - 2005 | Today In History | 13 June 17

On June 13, 2005, singer Michael Jackson was acquitted on charges of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor at his Neverland ranch.

Storyline:

Michael Jackson left court a free man on Monday, returning to his Neverland ranch to pick up the pieces of his shattered career and image, after being cleared of all charges in his child-molestation trial.

46 year-old Jackson heard the words "not guilty" uttered 14 times in a deathly still courtroom in Santa Maria, California.

The 'Peter Pan of pop music' could have been sentenced to nearly 20 years behind bars if convicted of charges that he molested a 13 year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003.

Jubilant fans outside the courthouse jumped up and down, thrust their fists in the air, hugged each other and threw confetti as the verdicts were read out.

A woman in the crowd released one white dove as each acquittal was announced.

News of the verdict was broadcast worldwide, triggering celebrations among Jackson's legion of fans across the globe.


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