Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409240042
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
Jackson won't be charged for now because the boy has refused to cooperate with authorities since reaching an out-of-court settlement with Jackson in February, Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti said. Terms of the agreement were confidential but it has been reported that Jackson paid the boy as much as $15 million.
The investigation began in August 1993, when the boy, now 14, claimed Jackson had sex with him several times during a five-month relationship last year.
Garcetti said charges could be filed against Jackson if the teen-ager changes his mind within five years, the time left under the statute of limitations. ``We have a very important witness who has told us `I'm sorry. I do not want to and will not testify,''' Garcetti said. ``And I'm telling you that if he steps forward a month from now, two months from now, and says `Now I want to testify,' we would re-evaluate our case at that time.''
The announcement was a relief for Jackson, who was recording an album in New York.
``I am thankful that the investigation has reached a conclusion. I've continually maintained my innocence,'' Jackson said in a statement. ``Lisa Marie and I look forward to getting on with our lives,'' he said, referring to his new wife, Lisa Marie Presley.
Jackson lawyer Johnnie Cochran Jr. said he would have preferred the district attorney exonerate Jackson. ``I would have liked a clean bill of health, you always like that.''
Attorney Larry Feldman, who represents the teen-ager, insisted the settlement of the boy's lawsuit did not affect his decision on testifying. ``There wasn't a deal,'' he said.
The boy decided not to testify because of stalkers, death threats and constant surveillance by tabloid TV shows, he said.
``He felt that the criminal system as it exists today could not ensure him further vindication,'' Feldman said.
The molestation allegations were investigated by prosecutors in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. There were more than 400 witnesses, including 30 called before grand juries in the two counties about 100 miles apart.
The investigation uncovered two other alleged victims in Santa Barbara County, where Jackson has his Neverland Ranch, Garcetti said. But charges won't be filed in those cases because those people also refuse to testify. The cases were considered weaker than the Los Angeles case.
by CNB