February 23, 2005
A "Celebrity Justice" exclusive.
In a stunning development, "Celebrity Justice" has learned that the Santa Barbara Sheriff's department closed its case against Michael Jackson, clearing him just months before then arresting him on child molestation charges.
On February 20, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., three social workers with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services visited a Los Angeles apartment and interviewed Jackson's accuser, his brother, sister and mother. Sources tell "CJ" those interviewed all said, in no uncertain terms, that Jackson did not molest the boy.
"CJ" Executive Producer Harvey Levin reports that the three social workers returned to their office, only to get an unusual phone call at 3:00 p.m. the same day. According to Levin's sources, a lieutenant from the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department called and said, "Do not interview the boy or his family." According to the source, the social workers were puzzled. They had "never gotten a request like that before."
"CJ's" sources say the social workers then forwarded their information to the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department. A detective investigated the matter and, in April 2003, closed the case against Jackson -- squarely clearing him. "CJ" has learned the sheriff's department no longer employs that detective.
Prosecution sources tell "CJ" they have evidence that has not yet been made public that will show the mother was coerced and threatened by Jackson's people, even though, they say, nobody from Children's Services detected it. According to Levin's sources, however, the social workers say there was absolutely no evidence of duress. They say they've "done this for a long time" and it was "clear" to them this family spoke freely, without hesitation and without threat.
http://celebrityjustice.warnerbros.com/news/0502/23a.html
A "Celebrity Justice" exclusive.
In a stunning development, "Celebrity Justice" has learned that the Santa Barbara Sheriff's department closed its case against Michael Jackson, clearing him just months before then arresting him on child molestation charges.
On February 20, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., three social workers with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services visited a Los Angeles apartment and interviewed Jackson's accuser, his brother, sister and mother. Sources tell "CJ" those interviewed all said, in no uncertain terms, that Jackson did not molest the boy.
"CJ" Executive Producer Harvey Levin reports that the three social workers returned to their office, only to get an unusual phone call at 3:00 p.m. the same day. According to Levin's sources, a lieutenant from the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department called and said, "Do not interview the boy or his family." According to the source, the social workers were puzzled. They had "never gotten a request like that before."
"CJ's" sources say the social workers then forwarded their information to the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department. A detective investigated the matter and, in April 2003, closed the case against Jackson -- squarely clearing him. "CJ" has learned the sheriff's department no longer employs that detective.
Prosecution sources tell "CJ" they have evidence that has not yet been made public that will show the mother was coerced and threatened by Jackson's people, even though, they say, nobody from Children's Services detected it. According to Levin's sources, however, the social workers say there was absolutely no evidence of duress. They say they've "done this for a long time" and it was "clear" to them this family spoke freely, without hesitation and without threat.
http://celebrityjustice.warnerbros.com/news/0502/23a.html
