Attn: Independent Sources Readers:

As you probably know, competition between news outlets has been growing fiercer and fiercer. This is particularly true in the area of being first to report a major event.

Since the Michael Jackson verdict is likely the most highly anticipated media event in the country, we have decided to ensure that Independent Sources is first to report the verdict by reporting it before it even happens. Much like CBS’s use of forged documents in the Rathergate, we hope you understand that our little shortcut is being used for what we have determined is your own good. Unlike CBS’s report, we have a 50% chance of being right.

Most importantly, we believe that openly reporting events before they happen represents the dawning of a new age of journalism.

*****

 SANTA MARIA, California (IndependentSources) — A jury of eight women and four men returned a verdict of guilty on all counts against former pop star Michael Jackson

A loud gasp was heard across the packed courtroom followed by members of the press corp scrambling to get outside to phone the news of the guilty verdict. Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville twice threatened to clear the courtroom before allowing the jury’s foreman to read the verdicts.

Jackson, 46, was found guilty of  all counts against him: four counts of committing a lewd act on a child; one count of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion; one count of attempting to commit a lewd act on a child; and four counts of administering an intoxicating agent to assist in the commission of a felony. The charges stemmed from incidents involving his then 13-year-old accuser in February and March 2003.

Sentencing was scheduled for August 15th where it is likely he will receive a jail term of five or more years.

Last week Judge Melville decided to allow the jury to consider the lesser included charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor, a misdemeanor, on the final four charges.This had lead some observers to believe that Jackson might be found guilty on those charges but escape the more serious molestation felonies.

Jackson’s spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain, who just Friday was denying that she had been terminated by Jackson, read a prepared statement from Jackson thanking is lawyers, family and fans and once again proclaiming his innocence. His attorneys left the courtroom without releasing a statement or making any comments but it is widely believed they will file an immediate appeal.

The scene outside the courtroom following the verdicts could only be described as mayhem. Over 40 Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies had trouble keeping the Jackson fans from attacking the press, particularly Court TV anchor Diane Dimond who fans believe has been responsible for generating anti-Jackson sentiment. Even as Dimond was escorted out of the melee by the sheriffs, a throng of chanting, sign-waving fans chanting pro-Jackson slogans chased after her .

According to legal experts the guilty verdict showed that the prosecution was able to get the jury to look beyond questions about the motives of the teen’s mother and particularly the claim that Jackson was a victim of a shakedown. Instead, the jury focused on the statements of the accuser.

According to experts, the videotaped police interview conducted with Jackson’s accuser in July 2003 was the key piece of evidence in securing the guilty verdict. In it the victim said he was masturbated by Jackson, who allegedly told him the act was natural. “There was no way this jury was going to acquit Jackson after seeing that. It was truly damning” said one legal observer.

In an interview immediately following the verdict, a triumphant Ron Zonen, prosecutor of the case, said the consistency of the family’s testimony during their 12 days on the stand was the key to his victory. 

Zonen promised to ask the judge for maximum prison time when the sentencing arguments are heard.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 13th, 2005 at 2:00 pm by Insider and is filed under Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.