Michael Jackson cleared of all charges

(14 Jun 2005)

1. Michael Jackson's convoy arriving at court - Jackson gets out and walks into court with family members and entourage
2. Shot of crowd of Jackson supporters
3. Various of Jackson going through security in court lobby, walks into court with defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr.
4. AUDIO of verdict being read out under shot of crowd of supporters who cheer every time "Not Guilty" count is read out (six of ten counts read out)

JACKSON ACQUITTED

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.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...