SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) - Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty Friday to a grand jury indictment charging him with child molestation and a conspiracy count involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
The indictment also included four counts of lewd acts involving a minor, one count involving an attempted lewd act upon a child and four counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a child.
The alleged child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion are not individual charges. Rather they are alleged as the circumstances leading to the conspiracy count.
After being given copies of the indictment, Jackson and his attorneys went into a room next to the courtroom to read it.
Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville then agreed to a prosecution request that portions of the indictment regarding the conspiracy count be sealed. He also agreed with a defence request that parts of three lines be removed.
In brief comments afterward, Thomas Mesereau Jr., the pop singer's new attorney, said: "This case is about one thing only . . . the complete vindication of a wonderful human being named Michael Jackson."
Jackson thanked his fans for their support and said Santa Maria was a "wonderful" community.
The indictment, issued in secret earlier this month, replaces charges filed by prosecutors that alleged seven counts of lewd or lascivious conduct involving a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicant to a child under 14.
Copies of the indictment, with the requested deletions, were not immediately released to the public, and it was not known whether the new charges involved the same child mentioned in the original charges, or what the conspiracy and extortion counts referred to.
The judge said the transcripts of the grand jury proceedings would be turned over to attorneys Monday but will remain under seal. He said he will hold a hearing on the sealing May 28. Jackson waived his right to a speedy trial.
Mesereau, a veteran criminal defence attorney, took the case last weekend after Jackson decided to remove Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman, the two high-profile lawyers who had been directing his defence. The singer said he wanted lawyers who could devote full time to his case.
With an indictment, prosecutors don't have to go through a preliminary hearing before the judge to show there is enough evidence to put the pop star on trial.
Jackson, who was scolded by the judge for being late to his previous arraignment, arrived 40 minutes early. He waved to several hundred fans as he entered the courtroom under an umbrella.
Outside the courthouse Friday, some fans waved handmade signs toward the throng of television cameras. A website for Jackson fans had encouraged them to show up and demonstrate support for their idol. A hotel in nearby Solvang gave fans a special rate.
At his first court appearance Jan. 16, Jackson had showed up 20 minutes late after taking time to greet cheering fans. Melville told him, "you have started out on the wrong foot here. I want to advise you that I will not put up with that. It's an insult to the court."
After that hearing, Jackson danced on top of an SUV for a crowd of 3,000 fans. Experts said it was likely that Jackson's new lawyer advised him such raucous displays are not in his best interest.
"The indictment means things are getting serious," said Loyola University Prof. Laurie Levenson. She said Jackson's behaviour at the arraignment sets the tone for the rest of the case.
On Thursday night, two to three dozen fans gathered outside the singer's Neverland Ranch 48 kilometres from the courthouse for a candlelight vigil. Some wore black "Free Michael" T-shirts, and one dressed as the singer.
LINDA DEUTSCH
© The Canadian Press, 2004
Michael Jackson indicted on child molestation and conspiracy
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