Ready to lose yourself into the wild world of true crime and famous worldwide mysteries? Buckle up because my series is your free ticket to a rollercoaster ride through the darkest corners of human history and the most baffling unsolved puzzles. Fro...
Michael obviously denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. The trial, known as the "People v. Jackson," commenced on January 31, 2005, in Santa Maria, California.
While the trial continued, Michael experienced significant stress, which took a toll on his health, leading to further weight loss. By the trial's conclusion in May, he had become reclusive. If convicted, he faced a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
As a result, the 2005 trial turned into a media circus, with fans, detractors, and film crews swarming the courthouse. Over 130 people testified, including Macaulay Culkin, who stated he was friends with Michael as a teenager and had no issues during his stays at Neverland Ranch.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Michael's accuser described how he was given wine and molested. However, the jury noticed inconsistencies in his testimony, as well as in his mother's.
As a result, Michael was acquitted of all charges. However, the trial severely damaged his reputation and financial stability, leading him to move to Bahrain as a guest of Sheikh Abdullah. The prince of Bahrain assisted Michael by covering his legal and utility bills and even constructed a recording studio for him.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
In return, Michael allegedly promised to collaborate with the Al-Khalifa label on a new album, write an autobiography, and produce a play. However, these projects were never completed, and Michael faced a $7 million lawsuit from Sheikh Abdullah for not fulfilling his promises and was ultimately forced to leave Bahrain.
In 2006, Michael faced severe financial difficulties. His financial managers urged him to sell part of his stake in the ATV catalog to avoid loan bankruptcy. To cut costs, the main house at Neverland Ranch was closed, and the ranch itself was pledged as collateral for the loan. Approximately 30 of Michael's employees did not receive their salaries on time, resulting in wage arrears amounting to $306,000.
In November 2006, Michael invited the Access Hollywood camera crew into a studio in Westmeath, where MSNBC reported that he was working on a new album with will.i.am as the producer. On November 15, Michael performed "We Are the World" at the World Music Awards in London and accepted the Diamond Award for selling over 100 million records. This performance turned out to be Michael's last public appearance.
