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Winners and losers from Jackson trial

Mesereau, Culkin, Sony among those to benefit from outcome

Image: Jackson
Michael Jackson can try to resume his music career now that he has been acquitted.
Win Mcnamee / Getty Images
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Access Hollywood
updated 8:24 p.m. ET June 13, 2005

The Michael Jackson trial has left its mark on everyone involved. A subjective look at the possible effect of the verdict:

WINNERS
Michael Jackson – The King of Pop avoids prison time, has a chance to resume his career.

Thomas Mesereau and defense team – A grand slam for the defense. Mesereau has a victory for the ages.

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Randy Jackson – Seized control of the family’s dealings during the trial

Santa Maria merchants – A windfall of profits from the hoardes of media and onlookers during the three-month trial.

Sony Music – Will they get a sales bump on Jackson’s back recording catalog?

Macaulay Culkin and other defense witnesses – They stood by a friend in his time of greatest need.

The Trial Jurors – Book deals, chartered flights and much wooing from media bookers.

Debbie Rowe — Did not sell out her ex-husband, despite anticipation that she would prove a damaging witness.

LOSERS
Michael Jackson – His sometimes bizarre life was revealed as never before. Even with his not guilty verdicts, he has a long road to travel to rebuild his career.

Raymone Bain – The former publicist for Michael Jackson was dismissed via a terse statement on Jackson’s web site on the eve of the verdict.

Thomas Sneddon – The Santa Barbara prosecutor has a spectacular crash and burn. Many millions of dollars were spent – zero results.

The accuser and his family – Called grifters, crazy and worse, they now must rebuild lives that have been forever altered and deal with the fact that no one believed them.

Jay Leno – Don’t plan on seeing a one-on-one with Jackson or his friends anytime soon.

Brian Oxman, Mark Geragos – They weren’t around for one of the biggest celebrity trials ever.

Sony Music – The publishing arm was undoubtedly hoping to pick up Jackson’s share of their music publishing partnership at fire-sale prices.

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