Michael Jackson indicted on counts including molestation, conspiracy; pleads not guilty

<br>SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) _ With a quiet nod to the judge, Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of child molestation and conspiracy involving child abduction and extortion. <br><br>The

Friday, April 30th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) _ With a quiet nod to the judge, Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of child molestation and conspiracy involving child abduction and extortion.

The grand jury indictment, read in court just before the plea, also alleged lewd acts and attempted lewd acts involving a child, as well as administering an intoxicating agent to a child. The acts allegedly happened between Feb. 1 and March 31, 2003.

Jackson, who had been scolded by the judge for showing up late to his last hearing, had arrived 40 minutes early Friday, smiling and waving to fans as entered the courtroom under an umbrella. He wore a dark jacket with a red armband and red tie.

In court, the pop star was calm as his lawyer entered the plea of not guilty. Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville asked Jackson if that was correct, and he nodded.

In brief comments afterward, Jackson's new defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. said the case should not be about lawyers or celebrity.

``This case is about one thing only. It's about the dignity, the integrity, the decency, the honor, the charity, the innocence and the complete vindication about a wonderful human being named Michael Jackson,'' said Mesereau, who took over the case last weekend after Jackson decided to remove the high-profile team of Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman.

Jackson thanked ``the fans around the world for your love and support from every corner of the Earth.''

The indictment, issued in secret earlier this month, replaces charges filed by prosecutors that alleged seven counts of lewd or lascivious conduct involving a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicant to a child under 14.

The judge agreed to requests from the prosecution and defense to seal parts of the conspiracy count, which alleged circumstances of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

The alleged victim was identifed as ``John Doe'' and a witness to some alleged molestation was identified as ``James Doe.''

The alleged child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion are not individual charges. Rather they are alleged as among 28 ``overt acts'' leading to the conspiracy count.

The indictment was released with the names of the alleged co-conspirators deleted. It also said there were ``other uncharged co-conspirators and co-conspirators whose identities are unknown.''

The judge said the transcripts of the grand jury proceedings would be turned over to attorneys Monday but will remain under seal pending a hearing May 28. Jackson waived his right to a speedy trial.

With an indictment, prosecutors don't have to go through a preliminary hearing before the judge to show there is enough evidence to put the pop star on trial.

Outside the courthouse Friday, some fans waved handmade signs toward the throng of television cameras. A banner reading ``Michael _ Being here is the least we could do. To all: Through this media circus don't let your ears deceive you'' was also draped along the fence.

A Web site for Jackson fans had encouraged them to show up and demonstrate support for their idol. A hotel in nearby Solvang gave fans a special rate.

Police Chief Danny Macagni said 42 of Santa Maria's 107 police officers were assigned to the courthouse, along with about 50 sheriff's deputies, to handle the throng.

At his first court appearance Jan. 16, Jackson had showed up 20 minutes late after taking time to greet cheering fans. Judge Rodney Melville told him, ``you have started out on the wrong foot here. I want to advise you that I will not put up with that. It's an insult to the court.''

After that hearing, Jackson danced on top of an SUV for a crowd of 3,000 fans. Experts had said it was likely that Jackson's new lawyer advised him such raucous displays are not in his best interest.

On Thursday night, two to three dozen fans gathered outside the singer's Neverland Ranch about 30 miles from the courthouse for a candlelight vigil. Some wore black ``Free Michael'' T-shirts, and one dressed as the singer.

Pedro Rivero, a 22-year-old from Madrid who said he had met Jackson ``too many times to count,'' said he had a feeling he needed to be at the arraignment.

``Everything that's happening is so unfair,'' said Rivero. ``He's just so genuine, so pure.''