Michael Jackson awaits child sex verdict

LOS OLIVOS, California – Michael Jackson endured a weekend of agony at his scandal-tainted California hideaway waiting for jurors to decide whether he is child molestor who fondled a 9-year-old cancer survivor.

But the handful of fans lounging at the gates of the fantasy-filled ranch had little doubt the 12 men and women of the jury must clear him of the charges that could send him to jail for more than 18 years. The jury was due to resume deliberations today, three days after holding its first, two-hour session at the conclusion of 14 weeks of often painful testimony and fiery legal arguments.Members of Jackson’s famous musical family were with the ‘King of Pop’ at his darkest hour, according to spokeswoman Raymone Bain, who insisted the world-renowned entertainer was confident he would be vindicated in the end.”He’s trying to relax as much as he can, this is going to be the worst part of the trial,” said Bain, adding that Jackson “is being sustained by a strong faith in God.”Outside the sprawling ranch, nestled in the rolling hills of California’s sun-baked wine country, a dozen adoring fans kept a faithful vigil for the 46-year-old father of three they believe could not harm a child.A German fan sat, lost in concentration as she wrote a letter that started with the words “Dear Michael.”A bouquet of flowers, a photo-montage of children proclaiming their love for Jackson, and banners of support testified to the fans’ devotion to their embattled idol.Beyond the locked gates, on the road leading to the pop star’s inner sanctum, a bright yellow sign bears the words: “Children at play”.It is at the bizarre ranch, named after Peter Pan’s storybook realm of eternal youth, that the middle-aged entertainer allegedly fondled a 13-year-old boy two years ago, conspired to hold him captive and used alcohol to seduce the recovering cancer patient.In their closing statements on Friday, Jackson’s prosecutors insisted that far from being a place of innocent children’s laughter, Jackson’s home was an evil empire of vice, where porn and booze served to break down young boys’ sexual inhibitions.- Nampa-AFPThe jury was due to resume deliberations today, three days after holding its first, two-hour session at the conclusion of 14 weeks of often painful testimony and fiery legal arguments.Members of Jackson’s famous musical family were with the ‘King of Pop’ at his darkest hour, according to spokeswoman Raymone Bain, who insisted the world-renowned entertainer was confident he would be vindicated in the end.”He’s trying to relax as much as he can, this is going to be the worst part of the trial,” said Bain, adding that Jackson “is being sustained by a strong faith in God.”Outside the sprawling ranch, nestled in the rolling hills of California’s sun-baked wine country, a dozen adoring fans kept a faithful vigil for the 46-year-old father of three they believe could not harm a child.A German fan sat, lost in concentration as she wrote a letter that started with the words “Dear Michael.”A bouquet of flowers, a photo-montage of children proclaiming their love for Jackson, and banners of support testified to the fans’ devotion to their embattled idol.Beyond the locked gates, on the road leading to the pop star’s inner sanctum, a bright yellow sign bears the words: “Children at play”.It is at the bizarre ranch, named after Peter Pan’s storybook realm of eternal youth, that the middle-aged entertainer allegedly fondled a 13-year-old boy two years ago, conspired to hold him captive and used alcohol to seduce the recovering cancer patient.In their closing statements on Friday, Jackson’s prosecutors insisted that far from being a place of innocent children’s laughter, Jackson’s home was an evil empire of vice, where porn and booze served to break down young boys’ sexual inhibitions.- Nampa-AFP