2005 trial of Michael Jackson

In 2005, Michael Jackson went to trial on child molestation charges. The alleged victim was a boy, Gavin Arvizo, referred to as "the accuser." Arvizo was 13 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. Michael Jackson was indicted for conspiracy with five (unindicted) co-conspirators to abduct the accuser, his sister, and his brother, falsely imprison and extort the same children and their mother, and for sexually molesting the accuser. On June 13, 2005, the jury found Jackson not guilty on all charges.

After the trial

Janet Arvizo, the mother of the accuser, was charged with welfare fraud on August 23, 2005 for allegedly collecting nearly $19,000 in payments while making false claims. During her testimony at the Jackson trial, Arvizo cited the Fifth Amendment against criminal self-incrimination in refusing to answer questions about how she succeeded in illegally obtaining welfare payments while having more than $30,000 in the bank. During the defense case, a Jackson lawyer walked a California Department of Social Services representative through Arvizo's welfare applications, pointing out how she repeatedly failed to disclose, as required by law, assets and financial assistance she was receiving. Among many devastating brickbats tossed at Arvizo during the Jackson trial, the welfare fraud allegations were particularly damaging since they appeared to be backed by government documents (not to mention that Arvizo refused to address them for fear of incriminating herself). She has plead not guilty to all charges brought against her. A status hearing has been set for October 28, 2005.

Related Topics:
August 23 - 2005 - October 28

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Jurors have also come out to say that they believed that michael Jackson did abuse the children, but the evidence just wasnt there and it couldn't of been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

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