Michael Jackson on trial

The week's news at a glance.

Santa Maria, Calif.

Michael Jackson, accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy suffering from cancer, formally went on trial in California this week. Hundreds of fans cheered the pop star from behind a chain-link fence as jury selection began. The trial could take months, but the prosecution’s case has already leaked. ABC News reported that investigators found a pair of boys underwear, size small, at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, along with a pornographic video called Barely Legal and a book titled The Boy: A Photographic Essay. The accuser, now 15, reportedly told the grand jury that Jackson plied him with alcohol before masturbating him two years ago. Jackson called the accusations “disgusting” and false. “Please keep an open mind,” he said, “and let me have my day in court.”

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