Michael Jackson - Peter Pan or Paedophile?

[PMC]

I agree with MDMA, I sincerely hope he's innocent because if he isn't then he's got away with it for so long.

On a side issue, he's clearly self-deluded having proclaimed that he suffers from Vitiligo (hence his white skin) and has denied having much in the way of cosmetic surgery.  That doesn't bode well for public perception of him, and I fear that if he proves to be innocent, many people won't believe it.

To have undergone so much cosmetic mutilation, he must have some serious self-image problems IMHO.

[PMC]

Michael Jackson can afford the most expensive lawyers in the business.  The question is whether he'd allow vanity to damage his defence. My theory is that anyone who'd undergo that much cosmetic surgery wouldn't plead insanity for fear of damaging his public image even more - remember his legal bill won't be cheap and he'll need to sell some records (provided he's found innocent) to pay for the case.

Expect him to make himself out as a victim at some point during the trial...  I know I sound like a cynic, but I remember all the media furore during the 80's when he was supposed to sleep in an oxygen tent, have bought the skeleton of John Merrick had a chimp as a best pal etc and then released "Leave Me Alone" which featured them all in a video...

[PMC]

I don't doubt for a minute he's mentally ill.  However, that doesn't make him a paedophile.  

I'm somewhat struck by the symbolic loss of innocence in this case - both of Jackson's public persona as portrayed in the media and the idea that an adult can have a benevolent interest in a child.  It's a sign of the times.

His is certainly a tragic tale, but if he's guilty of the most disgusting crimes against those most vulnernable then I'll have no further sympathy for him.

[PMC]

Well, we can't judge on what we don't know...  The first case was settled out of court, but we don't know what happened because it never came out in a court of law.

Having said that, handing over millions of dollars to someone who's accused you of abusing their child isn't reassuring of innocence.  

[PMC]

Not now the California law's been changed, no.

[PMC]

I'm not saying either way if I think MJ is guilty or not. He sure seems to have some serious personal issues but that doesn't make him a child molester. Let a court of law establish the facts.

I believe that was the gist of my post, but having paid an out of court settlement to an accuser's family isn't a great way of convincing people you're innocent.  

We'll see what happens in court, but speculate the media will...