Mothers and Sisters Testify at Michael Jackson Trial

Family of Thursday's witnesses take the stand

Saturday, May 07, 2005

The Mothers and sisters of the two men who testified in court on Thursday took the stand yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Wade Robson and Brett Barnes were victims of molestation by Michael Jackson in the early 90's, allegations the two men have denied under oath. The Defence called their Mothers and sisters to corroborate their claims, first to testify was Robson's Mother Joy.

During direct questioning by lead Defence attorney Thomas Mesereau, Robson complimented Michael, who she claims is a close family friend. "I've known Michael for a long time. I've spent many hours talking to him about everything. I feel like he's a member of my family. I trust him. I trust him with my children." When asked by the attorney what she meant when she stated she loved Michael the witness responded, "He's a very special person ... He's not the boy next door. He's Michael Jackson. He's very unique. He has a very pure personality. To know him is to love him and to trust him."

Speaking of the first occasion her son and daughter slept over in Michael's bedroom Robson stated she was asked by Wade (then 7) and Chantal (Then 10) if they could sleep over with him, "My husband and I sort of looked at Michael and said, 'if that's OK with you.'"

Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon asked Robson during cross-examination about the sleeping arrangements, "You weren't concerned about it at all?" Sneddon asked. "No," she replied. "Someone you just met?" Sneddon continued. "I think there was a certain trust that developed," the witness said. "Nothing ever crossed my mind that something was wrong." Sneddon also asked questions that suggested Robson associated herself with Michael to help her son's career as an up and coming dancer. "Did you in your mind think that by having a connection and a friendship with Mr. Jackson that that could help promote your son's career?" Sneddon asked. "You're trying to make me say that that was the basis for our friendship and that's not true," she said.

The witness claimed that when she referred to child friends of Michael as "special friends" in a previous deposition that she meant nothing sinister by it. "He has a very pure love of children," she said. Robson also testified that she refused to let her son be interviewed by police officers on his own when allegations were made against Michael in 1993 according to the Santa Maria Times. Sneddon asked why she trusted Michael but not law enforcement, "I don't know them," she said. "I know Michael Jackson."

Sneddon asked the witness if she had ever met Jordan Chandler (the '93 Accuser who reached a financial settlement) and his Mother June, Robson stated she spoke with them on a few occasions while they were at Neverland Valley ranch. "My impression of (June Chandler) is she wanted to be mistress of Neverland. She would order the staff around like she owned it. My impression of (her) is she was a gold-digger," said Robson. She also stated she felt Chandler tried to use Michael. Sneddon asked if Robson was jealous of Chandler "because she replaced" her. "Absolutely not," said the witness. "I had no wish to be (her)." Sneddon continued, "I asked if you were jealous of her position," he said acerbically according to the Associated Press. "What position would that be?" Robson asked. "Being close to Michael Jackson," said Sneddon. "I don't know that she was close to Michael Jackson," the witness answered. "My personal knowledge of that weekend was Michael Jackson trying to elude (her) for that weekend."

Once Robson finished her testimony, her daughter (and Wade's sister) then took the stand. "Did you ever see Michael Jackson molest your brother Wade?" asked Mesereau. "No," said Chantal Robson, now 26. During cross-examination, Senior Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss asked the witness if she felt it was appropriate for a 10-year-old girl to sleep in the same bed as a man over 30 years of age, "I think it's appropriate for a 10-year-old girl to sleep in a bed with a friend," she replied. Robson earlier stated she stayed in Michael's bedroom on four occasions with her brother. The witness testified that although Michael was affectionate with her and her brother, it was never sexual, "Always just a friendly kiss on the cheek," she said. Robson, as well her Mother, acknowledged that Michael helped their family immigrate to the United States.

Marie Barnes was next on the stand, her son Brett denied ever being molested by Michael on Thursday. She testified that Michael contacted her family after receiving a fan letter from her son, and she allowed him to tour with Michael as a learning experience. "Did you ever suspect Mr. Jackson of inappropriately touching your son?" asked Mesereau. "Never," she said. Speaking of her son's sleepovers in Michael's bed Barnes said, "I trusted him implicitly." She added, "He's a very nice person. You just know when you can trust someone."

Barnes' daughter Karlee (also sister of Brett) was next to take the stand. The witness enthusiastically denied anything happened between her brother and Michael, and stated she admired him as a friend and an entertainer. When asked what she thought of the Arvizo family, she stated, "I think they're liars."

Court has now recessed for the weekend with Monday's proceedings expected to see more testimony from the siblings as well as testimony from Macauley Culkin expected early next week sometime.

Source - MJNI.COM