Michael Jackson surrendered himself to California authorities
today on child molestation charges ('lewd or lascivious acts with a
child under age 14'), was booked, and was released on $3 million bail.
He'll be formally charged 'after Thanksgiving', and his arraignment is
scheduled for January 9.
According to Jackson's
spokesman, 'Michael would never harm a child in any way. These
scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a
courtroom. Naturally, the implications are distressing to everyone who
hears them, which is precisely the point.' It's very possible, of
course, that Jackson's interpretation of 'harming a child' and the
legal system's definition might not coincide.
Jackson's legal team is
led by Mark Geragos, currently in the news as Scott Peterson's
attorney in his upcoming trial for the murder of his wife Laci
Peterson and their unborn child Conner.
Jackson faced similar
child molestation accusations in 1993, and reportedly paid the family
between $15 and $40 million to settle the case. The boy then declined
to testify, leading to a change in California law to compel alleged
victims of child abuse to testify in criminal court if they receive
civil settlements.
High-profile California
attorney Gloria Allred has asked child welfare authorities to remove
Jackson's three children from his custody while he's awaiting trial.
Allred, while not currently involved in this case, had represented the
family that brought the 1993 molestation charges against Jackson; and
she's currently representing Amber Frey, the former girlfriend of (and
potential witness against) Scott Peterson.