I personally had lost track of Michael Jackson until his trial in 2004 - 2005.  I had heard the allegations surfacing in the news on T.V., but I was going through my own personal trials at that time, dealing with a divorce and watching my life fall apart before my eyes.  I didn't have time for Michael Jackson.  I said a brief prayer for him and knew he would beat the charges, because I knew as before, he was innocent.  What I didn't know, is what it would do to him until later.

It wasn't until two weeks after Michael's death in June of 2005, that I began to dig into what had happened to Michael between 1993 and 2005 . . . and between 2005 and his death on June 25th of 2009.  Because Tom Sneddon, the District Attorney in office during both trials was also involved, there was understandably some bleeding over of the two cases, specifically where Tom Sneddon's investigations and vendetta made another appearance.

From my own personal observations after viewing months of interviews of Michael Jackson, his appearances and speeches after 2005, Michael began dying during the 15 week criminal trial.  I was dying watching his face in each interview continue to lose it's light.

This case angers me more than any other burden Michael had to wrest from his shoulders during his life, because it involved the use of Michael's intense advocacy of children against him.  It was liking taking a man's soul from his body and using it to destroy what was left of him.  I am angry at the media, I am angry at the very people who turned their backs on this man (including myself) when he was in his time of need, and I am angry that people continue to see Michael as an opportunity instead of a human being, even after watching him get crucified.

Remember at this time, Michael had children of his own.  They were also subjected to having their home torn apart (again) by the same D.A. that tried to build a non-existent case against their father before.  These children did not understand the hatred directed at their father.

It was shortly after the raid on Neverland Ranch and his trial (he was aquitted of all charges on June 13th of 2005 after 15 weeks), that he left his home and went abroad because he no longer felt safe.

This is the background of the 2003 accusations, the Arvizos family and the blurring of the lines between a possible conspiracy financed by Sony to bring the singer down and complete their takeover of his ownership in the Sony/ATV catalog.

It all began with an agreement to a documentary that Michael was hoping would clear the air with his fan base, and help people understand the real "him".

Bashir, ushered into Michael Jackson's circle of trust by his then spiritual advisor Uri Gellar, spent eight months with Michael Jackson at his home and around the world.  Michael let his guard down and answered some of the most personal and painful questions about his childhood, his trial, his loneliness, his faith, family, children, and more. 

If you have time, this is a nine part series of YouTube videos taken from the original documentary.  Afterward, Mauri Povich conducted another documentary, with permission from Michael, using the footage filmed by Michael's cameraman during the same time Martin  Bashir's interviews were taken place.

This is very important because it shows what editing powers can turn a story into and how truth can be completely twisted around. 

The Martin Bashire "Living with Michael Jackson" touched off the second round of accusations and the trial in 2005.

Here are the links to the 2003 Bashir Documentary "Living with Michael Jackson":

Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3,  Part 4,  Part 5,

Part 6,  Part 7,  Part 8,  Part 9

The links to the Maury Povich Interview rebutting the Bashir Interview with Michael's own footage of the same Bashir Documentary:

Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3,  Part 4,  Part 5, 

Part 6,  Part 7,  Part 8,  Part 9

In 2003, Jackson was charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in order to commit a child sexual abuse felony against Gavin Arvizo, who was under 14 at the time. Earlier that year, a Granada Television documentary, called Living with Michael Jackson, showed the pop star holding hands and discussing sleeping arrangements with Arvizo. Jackson denied these allegations, saying that the sleepovers were in no way sexual in nature. Sneddon again led the effort to prosecute Jackson.

These prosecutions led to complaints that Sneddon was motivated by a "vendetta" against Jackson. Evidence to support these claims include Sneddon joking about Jackson's greatest hits album being released on the same day as his arrest and saying, "Like the sheriff and I really are into that kind of music." He then proceeded to call Jackson "Wacko Jacko" and shouting "We got him, we finally got him" to the media, when he had only just began an investigation and had gathered limited information or evidence.The People v. Jackson trial began in Santa Maria, California, two years after Jackson was originally charged. During the trial, the judge allowed the prosecution to bring in evidence needed to determine whether or not a defendant had a propensity to commit certain crimes. This meant that the prosecution was allowed to use any evidence it had against Jackson from the 1993 allegations to help secure a conviction.  Although evidence from 1993 was used, Jordan Chandler did not appear in the Jackson trial. The trial lasted five months, and Jackson was found not guilty on all counts in June.

Included is a 2 part interview Geraldo conducted with Tom Mesereau, who was Michael Jackson's attorney during the grueling 2005 trial.  Tom Mesereau was hired as an attorney and came away as a friend of Michael and one of his biggest supporters.  Here is Tom in his own words regarding the trial and Michael's torment.

Part One Interview Tom Mesereau

Part Two Interview Tom Mesereau

I am still collecting resources on this trial and sifting through the bookmarks and information I have.  Please check back for updates to this page.  Thank you so much for taking your time to learn more about what this man endured.

During this interview with Ed Bradley for 60 Minutes, you see a distinctly different Michael. This was after he was arrested and his home raided but before the actual trial began.  This interview began the turning point for me.  If ever emotional torture was so classically exhibited, it was during this interview, showcased in Michael's face.

Toward the end of the interview, it hit home with me, the pain this man was going through.  After six weeks of watching interview after interview, in chronological order, I realized I was watching the death of Michael Jackson by emotional destruction.  You can see the entire interview, again in parts (I'm sorry!) buy clicking these links:

Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3,  

Michael's Video in answer to the media allegations before his trial.  Here