HotmailJackson attorney speaks out on acquittal
Mesereau: It was very important, but it was not key, in my opinion. I think that she was not the only witness that lacked credibility. I think her children, you know, testified and were contradicted repeatedly. I think other witnesses that the prosecution called to bolster their case really fell apart completely. And it wasn't just her at all. I think their case had too many problems with it because it wasn't true.
Couric: One juror was quoted as saying, quote, "What mother in her right mind would allow that to happen, to just freely volunteer your child to sleep with someone?" And another said, "As a mother, the values and stuff she has taught them and they have learned is hard to comprehend." I mean, how germane is that to the case? I mean, it almost seems as this moth – as if this mother was on trial.
Mesereau: Well, she certainly was cross-examined for days by me, and I did go after her credibility both in this particular case and in other cases. So she didn't help them at all. But she was not the whole problem with their case. They had multiple problems. The accusers had problems with their testimony. They had problems with things they had done in the past. I think we did a very good job investigating the background of this family and doing what we had to do.
Couric: Some jurors are saying this is a not-guilty verdict, not an innocent verdict. One juror said he believes Michael Jackson molested other children, just not this one. So is this really the vindication that Michael Jackson's supporters believe it is?
Mesereau: Yes, it is. Macaulay Culkin came and testified he was never touched. Mr. Robinson testified he was never touched. Mr. Barnes testified he was never touched. I mean, they tried to promote theories of Mr. Jackson's behavior that just fell apart because they weren't true.
Couric: But do you find it troubling, Mr....
Mesereau: I think it's total vindication.
Couric: Do you find it troubling, though, Mr. Mesereau, that a juror is saying, “I believe Michael Jackson molested children or has molested children before'?
Mesereau: No. I don't find it troubling because we won the case, and we should have won the case. He's innocent.
Couric: Let me ask you about this, do you believe that this will lead to a change in Michael Jackson's behavior? Have you advised him, Mr. Mesereau, to stop sleeping with young boys, which he has said, quote, "is the most loving thing you can do?”
Mesereau: Well, he didn't say sleeping with young boys was the most loving thing you could do. He said...
Couric: Sharing a bed.
Mesereau: He said letting people into his room is what he talked about, and he's not going to do that anymore because of the false charges that were brought here. Michael is a very kind-hearted, child-like person. He's been too nice to too many people. He's allowed people to come into his life and run freely through his home, and that's going to change.
Couric: And what...
Mesereau: He's not going to make himself vulnerable to this anymore.
Couric: Finally, what does Michael Jackson do now, in your view?
Mesereau: He's going to live a wonderful life because he is a wonderful person with a wonderful family. He has got an unlimited future, and he will do very well.
Couric: Well, Tom Mesereau, we so appreciate your time this morning. Thanks so much.
Mesereau: Well, thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
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