Michael Jackson acquitted on all charges

A California jury on Monday acquitted pop superstar Michael Jackson of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland ranch, backing the singer's argument that he was a victim of an extortion attempt.

The jury, which delivered its verdict around 5:15 p.m. ET, found Jackson not guilty on all 10 charges, including conspiring to keep the boy and his family on the grounds of the estate and giving alcohol to a minor.

Jackson dabbed his eyes when the eight-woman, four-man jury delivered its verdict as people in the crowds outside the Santa Maria courthouse cheered, danced and hugged one another. A woman in the crowd released 10 white doves for each "not guilty."

The screams reached a deafening pitch as a frail-looking Jackson appeared outside, giving a timid wave to his supporters. His entourage of black SUVs immediately left the courthouse for the 50-kilometre journey back to Jackson's home.

The verdict ends four months of arguments that cast the 46-year-old singer as either an eccentric child molester who lured children to his ranch or an innocent victim of an extortion attempt by the mother of the 13-year-old cancer survivor.

Jackson didn't comment, but his lawyer Thomas Merereau said: "Justice was served."

District Attorney Thomas Sneddon denied having a vendetta against Jackson.

"We all did our job, did it conscientiously," said Sneddon.

In a news conference following the verdict, jury members said they spent the 30 hours of deliberation seriously studying the evidence, testimony and jury instructions. One member said they looked at Jackson "like any other person and not as a celebrity."

"We all just looked at the evidence and pretty much agreed," said an unidentified member.

Jackson extortion victim: lawyers

During the trial, prosecutors painted Jackson as a child molester who offered children a fantasy life on his ranch, which has an amusement park and zoo, before giving them wine in his bedroom.

Prosecutors showed explicit magazines and photos taken from Jackson's home, alleging the singer showed the children the material. The boy, now 15, testified Jackson masturbated twice while the two were under the covers in his bed. His brother testified he saw Jackson grope the boy.

Servants at Neverland testified they also witnessed Jackson groping young boys, including a security guard who said the singer showered with one boy.

Defence lawyers characterized the boy's mother as a welfare cheat and serial scam artist, focusing on an earlier settlement she received from J.C. Penney after alleging the store's security guards roughed her up.

Witnesses for the defence testified Jackson was trying to give the family a better life, paying for shopping sprees and dental appointments for the two boys.

A number of celebrities testified at the trial, including late-night comic Jay Leno and actor Chris Tucker, who said he warned Jackson to be careful when dealing with the family. Actor Macaulay Culkin testified nothing improper happened when he slept in Jackson's bed as a child.

Jackson had been charged with 10 counts:

• Four counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than 14.
• One count of attempted lewd conduct.
• Four counts of administering alcohol to facilitate child molestation.
• One count of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment or extortion.

Jackson, who appears to have lost weight during the trial, had complained of poor health, showing up late for court one day in his pajamas.

The jury began deliberations on June 3 after Judge Rodney S. Melville handed them 98 pages of instructions.

The case went to trial on Jan. 31, 2005.