Do you think Michael Jackson was guilty?

[InnocentOrGuilty]

Of the sexual abuse of boys.
I'm interested in a poll.
G = you think he was definitely guilty
I = you think he was innocent
(Stemming from a debate with DH last night!)

Guilty
And just because he didn't abuse some of the children he hung around with like MC or CF doesn't mean he didn't abuse others

Guilty

10000% he was guilty. that man was a monster

G

Definitely guilty. In so far as he regarded himself as some kind of Peter Pan, his own life has many parallels with the adult and early life of the creator J M Barrie. Have a read about half way down this article. There are many sinister lines running through Jackson’s life at “Neverland” and his penchant for young boys. https://collider.com/peter-pan-dark-true-story/

One of the FBI agents who took part in the investigation is on record as saying they had good evidence he was guilty. He also said that if Robson and Safechuck had been ready to testify earlier at the time they were investigating the other allegations, Jackson would have gone to prison.

Indeed, if all the boys who made accusations against him, had launched one class action instead of individually, I don’t think he would have gotten away with it.

I’m 100% sure he was guilty.

I’m not sure he even did regard himself as Peter Pan, I think it was a carefully crafted front. He had a working childhood but he was a full grown man with adult sexual appetite and global career. He just happened to be a paedophile.

He’s certainly not the only man to create that image to get access to children - Savile, Rolf Harris, William Mayne (children’s writer) and every teacher, scout leader, children’s choirmaster with a paedophilic bent.

Can you imagine how hounded your child would be if you accused and sent MJ to prison? I would really hope that I would have the courage to see it through but given how powerful MJ was and how deranged his fans were, I could be persuaded to take millions and start again somewhere completely new to protect my children. Having said that, there is not a chance I would be allowing my children to stay with an adult man in his bed alone? I know grooming can be insidious but really?

Great career move, dying.

You are right!

They are sneaky and clever and you do often hear how lonely and trustworthy they were.

Great point!

But if you thought your child had been abused would you be happy with a payout instead of a prison sentence?
That’s another thing I don’t understand.

Guilty
I'm amazed that there is an MJ musical on in the West End and hia music is played on radio stations.
I always change station if he cones on the radio

I’m gobsmacked anyone thinks that’s appropriate.

Yes you do have a point.

I just can’t imagine accepting money for my silence but as you say, these were parents who left their child to sleep in the same bed as an adult man, so perhaps not the best parents in the world.

And he could have preyed on these children because he knew the parents were easy to manipulate.

Guilty. Plain sight peado but got away with it because rich men usually do.

I agree. I think MC in particular was not a victim. Where he was a global, child star, it gave MJ the opportunity to maintain the act of innocence because he had a very influential character who would happily go on record and argue that he didn't do anything to him. The people who were his victims were not famous. Who could possibly compete with MJ?

Yup guilty as sin.

Every manipulative, grandiose offender knows that you never abuse those with power or connections to those in power. He strategically targeted those ‘lost boys’ - yet another JM Barrie reference there - whose parents were so star struck they were willing to overlook their child’s welfare for a little slice of fame, those boys who were likely to not be believed due to their background, past, etc. That’s what every showbiz paedophile does.

G

Totally utterly 100% guilty.

I haven't RTFT so someone else may have mentioned that there have been other MN threads about this in the not too distant past, if you're interested OP.

Totally guilty. I can't bring myself to listen to any of his songs if they play on the radio.

Guilty - absolute nonse 😡 why the radio stations still play his music baffles me and why he's getting a stage show is absolutely infuriating! Not ok, so wrong.

My gut is that he was innocent.

He was certainly messed up from being abused by his father. He was 'stuck' with a child mentality. He liked children but not in a sexual way and would never hurt them.

That's just what I feel, obviously! Who really knows..

@Ankylo i would kind of get that, if he had neverland and then the kids went home, but it was the sleeping over in his bed? Like, why would anyone want a load of random boys sleeping in the same bed as you?

I used to think NG until a few weeks ago. I then changed my mind. I think he did do it. Those poor kids.