Love letters from Michael Jackson to his accuser ( 2003-11-25 11:14) (Agencies)
One of Michael Jackson's most famous friends, Elizabeth Taylor, has spoken up
for him, but the pop superstar's own words could hurt him, if investigators find
evidence of a sexual relationship in a cache of love letters reportedly sent to
his young accuser.
Michael Jackson's
facelift
Jackson is also facing a challenge to his fitness to be a parent. Attorney
Gloria Allred filed papers with California state child protective services on
Friday to have Jackson's three children temporarily removed from his custody,
alleging that there is substantial risk he will sexually abuse them.
Jackson was accused of molesting a child in 1993, but the case never went to
court and the pop star reportedly paid millions of dollars to settle a civil
suit with the family of the boy who accused him.
In that case, too, letters Jackson wrote the boy were seized by
investigators, but they decided not to pursue the case because the alleged
victim refused to cooperate.
In the search of Jackson's massive estate on Tuesday, investigators
reportedly seized the new letters along with photographs, videos, computers and
discs.
According to a report in The Daily Telegraph of Australia, the letters will
likely be one of the most powerful elements of the prosecution's case against
Jackson.
"The district attorney is convinced these letters will be crucial to the case
against Jackson," a source close to the investigation told the newspaper. "The
boy told investigators about letters and poems and their precise location inside
Michael's home. … They are very explicit and intimate and show a degree of
familiarity. Basically, they appear to be love letters from Michael to the boy."
Taylor defended Jackson in a statement released Sunday, and a teenager said
today on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America that he stayed with the entertainer at
his Neverland ranch and does not believe Jackson could be guilty.
"He has a heart," said Ahmad Eletab, who says he has known Jackson for seven
years. "They're just using this against him because he has a big heart and he
just loves everybody."
He said he knows the boy Jackson is accused of molesting and claims the two
were never alone together.
"There's always like 20 kids, they're never just alone," Eletab said.
"He's like a father to all the kids, even though he's not a father to them,"
the teenager said. "He's a good father to his kids, too. When he's with his
children, he sleeps not just with the other kids but with his own kids in the
same bed as well."
Taylor came to Jackson's defense on Sunday, issuing a statement that said: "I
believe Michael is innocent and that he will be vindicated."
Jackson has been in seclusion with family and friends in Nevada since he
surrendered to Santa Barbara County authorities on Thursday. He was booked on
counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, and then
released on $3 million bail.
Formal charges will be filed sometime after Thanksgiving, officials
said.
