Stay the Night

Chapter 71

April 7th, 2005

Michael sat at the bench with his lawyers as he watched the prosecution's next witness take the stand. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes as one of his former employees walk to the front of the courtroom, Ralph Chacon.

This clown right here.

Sneddon gleefully stood up to question Chacon. Michael pressed his lips into a thin line as he watched the smear campaign against him continue. 

"Mr. Chacon, did you used to work at Neverland Valley Ranch?" Sneddon inquired.

Ralph nodded. "Yes, sir,"

"During what period of time?"

"Between '91 and '94," Chacon answered. 

"And prior to working at Neverland Valley Ranch, where -- what employment did you have?" Sneddon asked.

"I used to repo vehicles in Thousand Oaks," Ralph replied.

Michael started to zone out as Sneddon and Chacon briefly discussed Thousand Oaks.

Who cares where he was born?

"And during the time that you were at Neverland Valley Ranch, what was your position?" Sneddon continued.

"Security," Ralph answered.

Sneddon gestured to the jury. "And could you describe to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury generally what your responsibilities were as a security officer?" 

"Secure Neverland property, front gate, fence lines, around the main house, keeping intruders out, and also taking care of the temperatures in the animal areas," Chacon responded.

And you weren't even good at your damn job.

Sneddon adjusted his glasses. "What shift did you work at the ranch?" 

"Graveyard,"

"Would you tell us what 'graveyard,' what that entails? What are the hours?" Sneddon inquired.

Chacon rubbed his nose. "From 10:00 till 6:00 in the morning,"

Sneddon continued. "Now, do you recall a time when you were working at the Neverland Valley Ranch in which Mr. Jackson was the subject of an investigation?"

Now I see why he's here. 

Michael kept his stoic expression, he didn't want to let Sneddon see him lose his cool. However, he could feel the heat rise in his chest. Some of his former employees would say anything to slander his name. That was exactly what Sneddon was banking on.

Sneddon continued. "Now, during the time that you were employed at Neverland Ranch, did you personally observe anything that you felt was inappropriate with regard to Mr. Jackson's behavior --"

Chacon cut him off. "Yes, sir,"

"-- or conduct?" Sneddon glanced at Chacon. "And do you recall approximately what year that was?"

Chacon paused. "I want to say late '92 or early '93. I am not -- I'm not positive,"

You're not sure because you're lying.

Michael sat up in his chair, bracing himself for what ever lies Chacon was about to spew to the jury.

"Do you recall what time of day or night it was?" Sneddon asked.

"It was -- well, I had come on graveyard shift, so it had to have been about probably midnight, or before midnight,"

"And do you recall what the weather was like that night?"