Michael Jackson
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As shocking as it might seem to see perhaps the biggest, most beloved pop star in the world charged with 14 counts involving child molestation, the news had been foreshadowed by earlier allegations — and earlier famous acquittals.
When the accusations against Michael Jackson broke in 2003, they echoed a similar case ten years earlier. A 1993 investigation concluded — albeit with some rather disturbing evidence — with no charges filed, and Jackson settled out of court for $23 million.
Things were different in 2003: with the accusations of the past echoing in the public memory, this time Jackson would have to stand trial.
It started in 2002, when a British documentary crew captured Jackson holding hands with a young boy and discussing the fact that they had slept in the same room.
The following year, the documentary aired and the boy and his mother came forward, claiming that Jackson had drugged and molested him.
FlickrThe accusations about beloved pop star Michael Jackson stunned the world — as did his famous acquittals.
The boy and several members of his family testified about many instances in which Jackson molested the boy. Furthermore, a search of Jackson’s home found copious amounts of pornography (which, the prosecution claimed, Jackson showed to underage boys), including a few books with photos of nude boys.
But these claims were undermined when past attempts by the accuser’s family to extort money from other celebrities and organizations came to light. This, along with several conflicting accounts of the alleged molestation from the accuser and his brother, tarnished the prosecution’s credibility.
Then, several key witnesses (including Wade Robson, who many thought Jackson had also abused in the 1980s), testified in Jackson’s defense. In June 2005, Jackson was found not guilty on all counts in what has become one of the most famous acquittals in recent history.
In 2013 and 2014 (by which point Jackson had been dead for several years), Robson reversed his 2005 position and joined another man in coming forward with stories of repeated abuse at Jackson’s hands. Some sources then reported that over several decades, Jackson had paid as much as $200 million to as many as 20 families to keep his secrets.
After this look at famous acquittals, read up on Evelyn Nesbit, the beautiful woman at the heart of one of the 20th century’s most dramatic trials. Then, discover the unprosecuted criminals responsible for these unsolved murder cases that will keep you up at night.
