Over here in Europe we only get to see snippets, so anybody care to tell how it went? Me curious :d

SpcMs said:

Check out CNN.com. You will get all the details there.

He looked very relaxed and quite calm. Good to see some support there for him too.I think the fans should have taken out the media scum, cut a few wires and stuff.


[This message was edited Fri Jan 16 12:42:22 PST 2004 by Marrk]

Search warrant to singer's home remains sealed
Friday, January 16, 2004 Posted: 2034 GMT ( 4:34 AM HKT)


SANTA MARIA, California (CNN) -- Pop superstar Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty to child molestation charges Friday and then waved to a huge crowd of supporters and international media as he left the hearing.

As he departed the Santa Maria courthouse, Jackson held up his right hand in a victory sign and threw kisses to a crowd. He then hauled himself atop his sport utility vehicle, did a few dance moves, and waved to the cheering throng from beneath a big umbrella while a supporter filmed the crowd.

The hearing began about 20 minutes after its scheduled 8:30 a.m. time, prompting a warning from the judge.

"Mr. Jackson, you started off on the wrong foot with me," said Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville, adding that he expected him to arrive on time for future appearances.

Melville then read the charges and asked Jackson how he pleaded. In a low voice, Jackson said he pleaded not guilty to all the charges he faces.

The judge then set February 13 as the date when he will set a preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will have to show they have enough evidence for a trial against the singer.

Melville also issued a gag order on all participants but said he would consider proposals to allow either side to answer reporters' questions about rumors surrounding the case. The judge said he would not unseal the search warrant used in the case. CNN was a party involved in both issues.


The 45-year-old singer was charged in December with offenses that allegedly happened nearly a year ago.

Jackson faces seven felony charges of child molestation involving a boy under 14 years of age, and two felony charges of using an intoxicant to help seduce a child in the same case.

On Thursday, Jackson attorney Mark Geragos announced the addition of Benjamin Brafman to the defense team. Brafman is known for his defense of music producer Sean "P Diddy" Combs in a bribery and weapons case in 2001. Combs was acquitted on the charges.

Geragos said Brafman would share lead co-counsel duties.

Friday morning, Jackson's family and attorneys arrived at the Santa Maria courthouse before the singer's arrival. Some 60 fans who won a lottery were already inside the courtroom, witnessed the arraignment.

Buses in the "Caravan of Love" brought supporters from Los Angeles, 170 miles away, and Las Vegas. Security forces from the Nation of Islam stood guard to ensure the crowd did not get out of hand.



Reporters from a number of countries, including Japan, Britain, Germany and Australia, were in this city of 82,000 people.Police increased security around the Santa Barbara County courthouse for the Friday arraignment.

Mobs of banner-toting fans, hawkers and news people greeted Jackson's arrival to the Santa Maria courthouse, and welcomed him as he left with his attorneys.

Wearing a white shirt and a dark suit -- a white armband wrapped around his right sleeve -- Jackson made his way slowly from the SUV toward the courthouse. Asked by one person what he thought about the crowd, Jackson said, "I love it. I love it."

During the court appearance, Jackson's bodyguards and representatives handed the crowd members invitations to an event Friday at the singer's Neverland Ranch.

"In the spirit of love and togetherness Michael Jackson would like to invite his fans and supporters to his Neverland ranch," the invitation read. "Please join us January 16, 2004, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served. We'll see you there!"

The invitation included directions to the ranch, which is about a half-hour drive from the courthouse, and said those attending must have either a driver's license or passport to gain access.
[This message was edited Fri Jan 16 12:48:30 PST 2004 by Marrk]

does the Truth need so many Spectors to stand tall.
or can the Truth stand on its own, without the need of a 3 ring circus..

Janet, Jermaine, and their parents were there.

ElectricPurple said:

You can't seriously blame him for the fact people show up in force to support him.

Marrk said:

Even some psychos from NAMBLA, apparently. He doesn't need supporters like that. But really, you have to question the state of mind of someone who just drops their life, and flies halfway across the globe to support a celebrity at a short court appearance. No matter how much you like their music, that's a bit much IMHO.
[This message was edited Fri Jan 16 13:03:49 PST 2004 by VoicesCarry]

I'm actually a little surprised that Janet attended the arraignment and didn't keep her distance because of the new album coming out relatively soon. I know she supported Michael in the past, but I didn't expect her to publicly become involved.


And as a sidenote, she looked beautiful.

theVelvetRoper said:

I'm not suprised she showed at all. Her heart's in the right place.

theVelvetRoper said:

she been eatin too "horny:

Marrk said:

I agree. And she's keeping her mouth shut, handling this with dignity. Unlike Jermaine, who won't shut the fuck up when he needs to. Guess he's just happy to be able to talk to the media again.

VoicesCarry said:

But I| htink th e family and MJ probably delegated him in the position as the spokesperosn for the fmaily

Marrk said:

I know, she's always quietly backed Michael and she defends him whenever questioned about it, but she usually likes to avoid it as much as possible. Jermaine needs to shut the hell up because him opening his mouth on Mike is the only thing keepin' him famous and he doesn't help much.

rdhull said:

Too bad. Janet would have been a much more reasonable choice, but she probably would have refused to do it considering her career.

rdhull said:

There's a picture of her there on www.janet-xone.com if you click on news of the day or go to the 2004 section of the gallery. I tried to put it here but it won't come up.

Ahh...






Here she is next to Mike.

Aw, she looks so cute at the child molestation hearing! Lol.

I'm kind of surprised he wore black. You'd think he wouldn't want to look "devilish" (to use his own words).

VoicesCarry said:

Randy was there too, if you noticed.

VoicesCarry said:

He looked a lot "devilish" with those friggin' eyebrows.

janet looked extremely hot! better than she looked
during the 'all for you' period; too artificial imo. her
she looked beautiful, natural. yeah, let's focus more
on her during this period. hope she'll go to court
more often. lol.

purpleone said:

Lol, I agree she's looking better and more natural than in the All For You era.

Janet was Jackie-O stylish understatement. She looked great. And I agree, less buff, more natural please for this album era.

VoicesCarry said:

i am kinda suprised he wore so much makeup.

VoicesCarry said:

She looks better that way (with a little more meat and less makup) because though she's gorgeous, her features are so strong with her small nose, high cheekbones and big eyes that when she wears dramatic makeup and her body is really chisled the overall look is too much. She looks so much more beautiful with natural-looking, understated makup, and she's one of the few people that look so much better without any makeup.

and why did he wear that silly outfit? everyone else shows up in conservative, nice clothing, which is aways good in court, he shows up looking like he is waiting to be coronated for something

theVelvetRoper said:

I agree. I liked her look during the RN era best.

cborgman said:

I was going to mention it, but it is significantly less bizarre than most ensambles of his. But you think he's give it up for a court appearance! Too weird.