Jackson accuser's mother ends five-day testimony
The mother of Michael Jackson’s accuser rejected a final attack on her credibility before leaving the stand after five days of rambling testimony at the pop star’s child abuse trial.
Janet Arvizo insisted allegations that she was viciously beaten by a department store’s security guards were genuine.
She told Santa Maria court, California that photographs taken immediately after the alleged altercation were proof of the attack, despite suggestions they were the result of domestic violence.
Her family won a €115,000 ($150,000) settlement after claiming to have been beaten by the guards after Jackson’s young accuser, Mrs Arvizo’s son Gavin, was accused of shoplifting.
The incident is not related to the current trial but has been used widely by the defence in an attempt to paint the family as money grabbers, all too familiar with making false claims to win a payout.
The photographs, introduced by the prosecution, were used by the Jackson team in an attempt to undermine Mrs Arvizo’s credibility.
There was some discrepancy over when the bruises were contracted and the singer’s lawyer, Tom Mesereau suggested they were actually from a beating by her former husband.
“That’s incorrect,” she said.
Mrs Arvizo claimed the pictures were taken immediately after the altercation but was lter forced to acknowledge that she had previously told police the marks did not show up straight away.
She left the stand after a volatile performance during which she was alternately painted as a greedy opportunist and a mentally unstable victim.
The woman repeatedly clashed with lawyers, gave impromptu outbursts and directed lengthy statements at the jury.
Mrs Arvizo’s mother later briefly testified that she had faked an illness to help get her grandchildren away from Jackson’s Neverland ranch.
She said Gavin, then 13, had changed when he returned home for the last time and was rude and badly behaved.
In a surprise development, the prosecution indicated that it would wrap up its case next week.
Jackson denies molesting Gavin Arvizo, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.
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