Jacko in party mood after court appearance
Michael Jackson stood on top of his chauffeur-driven van, waved to his fans and invited them all to a party, shortly after pleading not guilty to abusing a teenage cancer sufferer.
Jackson had hundreds of fans in a frenzy outside the courthouse in California yesterday, as he was heaved on top of the vehicle to give a small dance and flash victory signs.
The incredible spectacle came after Jackson, wearing sunglasses, a dark suit and a medallion, appeared 20 minutes late before a judge who called his tardiness an “insult”.
Inside the court, in Santa Maria, Jackson caused a further stir when he asked to go to the toilet and his entourage followed him.
Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville told 45-year-old Jackson that he had “started out on the wrong foot” by being late.
“I want to advise you that I will not put up with that. It’s an insult to the court,” he said.
During the hearing Jackson nodded when asked if he understood the charges and said: “Not guilty”.
He is charged with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine.
The offences allegedly happened at his Neverland Ranch near Santa Barbara.
If convicted, he faces a maximum of 21 years in prison.
Several hundred Jackson fans had gathered outside the court to glimpse their idol, who arrived in a van with blackened windows.
He got out of the vehicle and was shielded from the sun with an umbrella. Despite being late, he stopped to shake hands with a few fans, waved and clenched his fist and shouted “I love my fans”.
The fans, some who had travelled from Europe for the event, waved banners, which read “Jackson is innocent”, “leave him alone” and “1,000% innocent”.
Also watching the spectacle were security staff from the black separatist group the Nation of Islam, which has become close to the star in recent weeks.
Helicopters buzzed overhead as Jackson’s father Joe, mother Katherine, brother Jermaine and sister Janet walked into the court.
Jackson was asked to pass through a metal detector twice before a security guard swiped a metal detector wand across the pop star.
Inside, a small group of fans wearing Michael Jackson t-shirts had secured seats and applauded each time a member of the Jackson family walked in, despite requests by court staff not to do so.
Some fans wept with the emotion of the moment.
After Jackson had given his not guilty plea, the judge set a date of February 13 for a pre-trial hearing.
Nearly two hours after arriving, Jackson left the court, holding hands with his mother and sister. He was seen to have make-up applied before he faced the crowds.
When he reached his van he leapt on to its roof, waving to fans, flashing a victory sign, blowing kisses and giving a small dance.
He was joined on top of the vehicle by a cameraman, who Jackson directed to film the crowd.
Police officers strained against a fence to prevent fans from surging forward towards their hero.
Lawyer Benjamin Brafman, who joined the Jackson team on Thursday, told reporters: “I have never seen anything like this.”
He said: “He is Michael Jackson, he is an entertainer. There is no rule book for how Michael Jackson as an entertainer performs.
“I think spontaneously he wanted those close enough to see him.”
He added: “I think the outpouring of love for Mr Jackson is extraordinary and there are people out there from all over the world.”
He apologised to the court for Jackson’s lateness and said it would not happen again.
But he said “on balance” it was a “good day”.
Jackson’s long-time lawyer, Mark Geragos, tried to explain his client’s late arrival by the “gridlock” in the area, caused by interest in the court case.
Jackson’s bodyguards then handed out cards to the fans, inviting them to a party at the Neverland Ranch.
The invitations read: “In the spirit of love and togetherness, Michael Jackson would like to invite his fans and supporters to his Neverland Ranch. Please join us Friday, January 16, 2004, from 11am to 2pm. Refreshments will be served. We’ll see you there.”
Among the assembled fans was Melanie Dowland, 28, from London, who said: “I campaign for everything I believe in and I believe in Michael.
“He stands for so much – all the goodness in the world and innocence.”
There was a carnival atmosphere outside the court, with vendors selling food and Michael Jackson merchandise.
It is estimated that around 600 journalists, producers and television crew members are in Santa Maria to cover the story.
The case has taken a series of twists since November last year when the Neverland ranch was searched by police and Jackson was arrested and later charged.
Soon after Jackson’s arrest, doubts were raised about the credibility of his accuser.
It emerged that an earlier investigation, in Los Angeles, into fears that Jackson was molesting the boy declared the claims “unfounded“.
Weeks later Jackson gave an interview on American television, repeating his belief that it was appropriate to share a bed or bedroom with an unrelated child.
“If you’re gonna be a paedophile, if you’re gonna be Jack the Ripper, if you’re gonna be a murderer, it’s not a good idea. That, I’m not,” he said.
On New Year’s Eve, Jackson was told by Santa Barbara Sheriff Jim Anderson he may face new charges of “false reporting” if claims that police mistreated the star in custody turned out to be untrue.
A day earlier there were reports that the black separatist group, the Nation of Islam, was gaining increasing influence over Jackson’s security arrangements and business affairs.
Claims that he was being held a “virtual prisoner” by the group were denied by the Jackson team.
After Jackson’s impromptu show outside the court, he got into the van and was driven away, with bodyguards running alongside.
At one point the vehicle stopped and fans leant through the windows trying to get to their idol.
Police had to intervene to remove the fans before the vehicle pulled away.
Later, Jackson fans gathered outside Neverland, hoping for another glimpse of the accused pop star.
