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American Morning
Michael Jackson Could be Facing Another Allegation
Aired December 05, 2003 - 08:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Michael Jackson could be facing another allegation that he molested a child, CNN has learned. Back in 1993, a child who accused Jackson of molestation accepted a financial settlement. But it turns out there was a second accuser at that time.
We get more on that from CNN's Gary Tuchman.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A decade ago, Michael Jackson settled a lawsuit with an alleged child molestation victim. But now word from the former Santa Barbara County sheriff that there were actually two alleged victims back then.
JIM THOMAS, FORMER SHERIFF, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: The one who settled for a large amount of money in the civil suit was one. And then another boy, who alleged molestation not quite as serious as the initial one, but one that also took place over a period of time.
TUCHMAN: Former Sheriff Jim Thomas's account is backed by two current law enforcement sources working on this case. But why didn't the second alleged victim pursue legal action?
THOMAS: I do recall that the boy was embarrassed. He did not want to become involved. He was reluctant. He was afraid that his friends would find out and decided that he did not want to testify on his own. Perhaps had the other boy testified, he might have. But he was reluctant to do so.
TUCHMAN: A source close to Michael Jackson says he believes his attorneys are aware of this claim. The prosecution says its case is strong and that formal charges will be filed soon.
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: You are not alone!
TUCHMAN: However, a coalition of civil rights groups says it has its doubts charges will be filed, saying they believe the case is falling apart and that Jackson is being targeted because he is a wealthy, successful African-American.
NAJEE ALI, PROJECT ISLAMIC H.O.P.E.: We think these allegations are nothing more but extortion.
TUCHMAN: In an interview last week with CNN, the Santa Barbara County district attorney said that is untrue. TOM SNEDDON, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: It just doesn't make any sense that the sheriff and I would do something is doomed, in the long run, to fail. We have a responsibility. We didn't go looking for this case. It came to us.
TUCHMAN: But back at the news conference, a 22-year-old woman who says she spent a weekend at Neverland eight years ago says it's inconceivable Michael Jackson could be guilty of this crime.
DANIELLE CARR, JACKSON SUPPORTER: We had a wonderful time. And it was an innocent time. It was a time that kids would have. And I have no problem sending my child over there.
TUCHMAN (on camera): As far as the filing of formal charges goes, authorities say it's still scheduled for some time during the week of December 15.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, of course, Jackson is free on $3 million bail and is due back in court next month.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 5, 2003 - 08:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Michael Jackson could be facing another allegation that he molested a child, CNN has learned. Back in 1993, a child who accused Jackson of molestation accepted a financial settlement. But it turns out there was a second accuser at that time.
We get more on that from CNN's Gary Tuchman.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A decade ago, Michael Jackson settled a lawsuit with an alleged child molestation victim. But now word from the former Santa Barbara County sheriff that there were actually two alleged victims back then.
JIM THOMAS, FORMER SHERIFF, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: The one who settled for a large amount of money in the civil suit was one. And then another boy, who alleged molestation not quite as serious as the initial one, but one that also took place over a period of time.
TUCHMAN: Former Sheriff Jim Thomas's account is backed by two current law enforcement sources working on this case. But why didn't the second alleged victim pursue legal action?
THOMAS: I do recall that the boy was embarrassed. He did not want to become involved. He was reluctant. He was afraid that his friends would find out and decided that he did not want to testify on his own. Perhaps had the other boy testified, he might have. But he was reluctant to do so.
TUCHMAN: A source close to Michael Jackson says he believes his attorneys are aware of this claim. The prosecution says its case is strong and that formal charges will be filed soon.
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: You are not alone!
TUCHMAN: However, a coalition of civil rights groups says it has its doubts charges will be filed, saying they believe the case is falling apart and that Jackson is being targeted because he is a wealthy, successful African-American.
NAJEE ALI, PROJECT ISLAMIC H.O.P.E.: We think these allegations are nothing more but extortion.
TUCHMAN: In an interview last week with CNN, the Santa Barbara County district attorney said that is untrue. TOM SNEDDON, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: It just doesn't make any sense that the sheriff and I would do something is doomed, in the long run, to fail. We have a responsibility. We didn't go looking for this case. It came to us.
TUCHMAN: But back at the news conference, a 22-year-old woman who says she spent a weekend at Neverland eight years ago says it's inconceivable Michael Jackson could be guilty of this crime.
DANIELLE CARR, JACKSON SUPPORTER: We had a wonderful time. And it was an innocent time. It was a time that kids would have. And I have no problem sending my child over there.
TUCHMAN (on camera): As far as the filing of formal charges goes, authorities say it's still scheduled for some time during the week of December 15.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, of course, Jackson is free on $3 million bail and is due back in court next month.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
