Case thrown out as Jackson 'miles away'
A New Orleans, Louisiana, judge threw out a kidnapping and molestation lawsuit against Michael Jackson because the superstar singer provided proof he was miles away from where the alleged abduction took place.
US District Judge Eldon Fallon dismissed Joseph Bartucci Jr's attempt to sue the Thriller singer over claims he was forced into a limousine, molested, threatened with a gun and injured with a razor blade on May 19, 1984.
Bartucci Jr filed suit against Jackson in 2004, after claiming TV reports in 2003 prompted memories of the assault.
However, Judge Fallon tossed out the case after Jackson associate Wayne Nagin provided a sworn statement saying the singer was rehearsing for his Victory tour in California from May 20 to 27, 1984.
Publishing his decision for dismissing the case on the court's website, Judge Fallon wrote: "The calendar reflects a series of appointments each day during the period."
In Jackson's defence, his lawyers claimed Bartucci Jr was a "professional litigator", and had been involved in 18 civil and criminal lawsuits over the past 17 years.
