Not Guilty

I just heard the news through Zoomba on #joeuser irc (he was kind enough to relay the verdict for us in that channel). Frankly I was surprised. I realized that I assumed he was guilty because of the prior accusation and settlement, and because the snippets of circumstances I heard sounded suspicious. In truth, though, I haven't followed the trial at all and perhaps there was information in there that really did prove he wasn't guilty. Perhaps I judged him to harshly...or not. But yes, I was surprised.

I wasn't. I mean, come on. He's a celebrity. Frankly, how could he not get off? I'm fairly certain he's guilty, but no, not surprised at all.

This is one of those times people need to make it painfully clear that not_guilty != innocent.

I just heard the news through Zoomba on #joeuser irc (he was kind enough to relay the verdict for us in that channel). Frankly I was surprised. I realized that I assumed he was guilty because of the prior accusation and settlement, and because the snippets of circumstances I heard sounded suspicious. In truth, though, I haven't followed the trial at all and perhaps there was information in there that really did prove he wasn't guilty. Perhaps I judged him to harshly...or not. But yes, I was surprised.

Truth be told, I dont know if he is guilty or not.  But I did follow the trial and I knew he would not be found guilty.  The DA had a bad case and MJ's lawyers destroyed it.  There was a question of guilt on the Misdemeanor lesser charges when the Judge said they could find on them, bt the Jury thought otherwise.

I wasn't. I mean, come on. He's a celebrity. Frankly, how could he not get off? I'm fairly certain he's guilty, but no, not surprised at all.

I dont think that is the answer.  It was the defense.  They tore apart the DA's case.  The jury may believe he is guilty, but the evidence did not support that verdict.

This is one of those times people need to make it painfully clear that not_guilty != innocent.

Truthfully?  I dont know.  I know he is weird.  But I dont know.  And now let us leave this behind us and get on to the important things.  Like the next regularly scheduled cleaning of the septic tank.

You know, just from what I've read/heard through the years (sleeping with young boys, paying families large amounts of money and having them live with him, posession of pornographic "art" books with naked little boys in them, numerous separate accusations, etc.), I personally believe that he is guilty.

However, so long as he has money, greedy parents will put their children at risk in his home.

I would hate to see him in prison, though. He's not stable or even sane, and prison would not only be dangerous for him (while I'm sure he would be kept separated from the general population, there's still great risk to his life), but I'm not sure it would even be the appropriate place for him.

I don't know for sure whether he is truly guilty or not. All I know for sure is that he's wierd.

Reply By: Texas Wahine

Tex, instead of repeating your whole answer, let me just say, personally, I do agree with it.  All of it.

But what we believe is not the issue.  WHat can be proven is.  And maybe he is just weird and now will be reigned in.

I don't know for sure whether he is truly guilty or not. All I know for sure is that he's wierd.

You see we agree!  Welcome to the dark side!

the jury in an interview said" except for a select few {the maid, housekeeper, gardener} none of the other witnesses were credible.

Thankx for the info, i didnt know! And yeah i think he's a werido too... Can i get a light saber now? I'd like a pink one if possible

the jury in an interview said" except for a select few {the maid, housekeeper, gardener} none of the other witnesses were credible.

Was it because the defense painted them as money grubbers?  You know in that regard I do agree.  I think the fault is with the DA.  He should never have gone to trial.  No one is innocent here.  All are sleezy.

Thankx for the info, i didnt know! And yeah i think he's a werido too... Can i get a light saber now? I'd like a pink one if possible

Zimmmm, Zimmmm. 

Sure, come over to the dark side!

Don't know that he's innocent so much as that they were unable to convict without reasonable doubt. Prosecution had a crappy case... witnesses were shady from the get-go. Sad. I pray, for the sake of children who might be put at risk in the future, that he's innocent. Doubt it though. Hope this is enough to get him to change the way he operates though... somehow I don't think he could survive a third trial, should there be one.

And any parent who is foolish enough to send their child to Neverland? I pray for them too.

Not guilty? Not guilty like OJ? Who can blame him for being different, he is Peter Pan, his doctors made him so.

You see we agree! Welcome to the dark side!

agree, we do. The path to the dark side, this is.

Don't know that he's innocent so much as that they were unable to convict without reasonable doubt. Prosecution had a crappy case... witnesses were shady from the get-go. Sad. I pray, for the sake of children who might be put at risk in the future, that he's innocent. Doubt it though. Hope this is enough to get him to change the way he operates though... somehow I don't think he could survive a third trial, should there be one. And any parent who is foolish enough to send their child to Neverland? I pray for them too.

You are a wise person HC.

I think the celebrity factor played some in his verdict. If Joe School Teacher or Mike the Soccer Coach or your local cub scout leader was doing this stuff, he'd be guilty of something. Just because Michael is wealthy and famous, he's "eccentric" rather than "predatory". Not guilty doesn't mean innocent, it just means the case wasn't proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.

Also, and this may be off topic, where do you find a jury of peers for a guy as unique as Michael Jackson?

agree, we do. The path to the dark side, this is.

Wise are you.  Soon will be a part of the real force, you will.

where do you find a jury of peers for a guy as unique as Michael jackson?

Carnival freak show?

Carnival freak show?

Tried that...said they didn't want to have their name tarnished by associating with a weirdo.

Tried that...said they didn't want to have their name tarnished by associating with a weirdo.

I can understand that.

it doesn't matter who's wrong or right, just beat it.

it doesn't matter who's wrong or right, just beat it.

... clever.