Former Bodyguard and Maid Testify at Michael Jackson Trial

Friday, April 08, 2005

Two of Michael Jackson's former employees at Neverland Valley ranch who had previously lost a lawsuit against him a decade ago testified yesterday that they witnessed him molest young children. Former bodyguard Ralph Chacon and former maid Adrian McManus were two of five former employees who sued Michael for millions of dollars for wrongful termination in a trial that lasted six months and which Michael won - forcing the employees to pay him a total of $1.4 million.

Chacon was the first to take the stand and was questioned by Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon. The witness claimed that in late 1992 or early 1993 he looked through a pool house window and saw Michael performing oral sex on Jordan Chandler, the boy who reached a financial settlement in 1994. Chacon also claimed to have witnessed Michael being "passionate" with Chandler as they took a dip in an outdoor Jacuzzi and showered according to the Associated Press. The witness said he saw Michael kiss Chandler's head and shoulders and then moved his hand "down to his private area," he also described an alleged incident where they went to a Peter pan display by golf cart and Michael kissed him again.

Lead Defence attorney Thomas Mesereau utilised his cross-examination to strongly question the credibility of Chacon. Mesereau claimed the witness made these stories up "to get even" with Michael for losing a lengthy trial in which he tried to "extort" $16 million and ended up having to pay out. "After a six-month trial, this is a good way to get even with him, isn't it?" Mesereau asked Chacon, which quickly prompted an objection by the Prosecution.

Mesereau concentrated on the lawsuit Chacon and others filed, and the witness acknowledged that he was ordered by a jury decision to pay Michael $25,000 for stealing his property, although he claimed it was only a candy bar. Chacon also admitted that he and the others who filed the lawsuit sold their stories to tabloid publications, but he claimed the $17,000 they were given went straight to their lawyer to cover legal costs. When asked by Mesereau whether or not his story was drafted at the attorney's office, Chacon replied, "I probably did ... It's been a long time." Mesereau quickly retorted, "Well it's no longer than some of these events you claim to have witnessed with Mr. Jackson." After a pause the witness said, "I probably did. I did."

The witness denied Mesereau's implications that he had added "more lurid facts" each time his story was told, but admitted he recently remembered new information after meeting with Sneddon this week. "Did you say you forgot to say things about Mr. Jackson molesting young men in 1993?" asked Mesereau. "Yes, sir," said Chacon. "And now you remember them in 2005?" Mesereau said. "Vaguely, yes," the witness replied.

McManus was next to take the stand; she was a maid at Neverland from 1990-1994. The witness claimed she saw Michael kiss Macauley Culkin on the cheek while holding his bottom. Culkin (who is godfather to two of Michael's children) has always denied anything inappropriate happened between him and his good friend. McManus described similar incidents with two other boys and an incident involving Jordan Chandler.

She acknowledged that when subpoenaed in the lawsuit that eventually resulted in Chandler receiving a financial settlement she didn't tell attorneys she witnesses Michael touching him. "I didn't tell the truth. I said I didn't see anything," she said. During cross-examination, Mesereau had to repeatedly show McManus her own deposition to remind her as she frequently stated she could not remember what she had said. "Do you know how many times you lied under oath in the ... deposition?" asked Mesereau. "The whole time," she said. "I believe I didn't tell the truth." She claimed she didn't say anything as she needed her job and at that point she was the sole income for her family with a house payment due.

Mesereau pointed out to the jury that the witness was judged to have stolen a sketch of Elvis Presley by Michael, which she sold to tabloids and was assessed $30,000. As well as concentrating on the lawsuit the former employees brought against Michael, Mesereau talked about a separate lawsuit in which McManus and her husband were found to have defrauded three children of more than $30,500 from their estate.

Today's proceedings are set to see McManus resume her testimony.

- Source - MJNI.COM