US: Pop star Michael Jackson yesterday demanded "his day in court" as he prepared to face trial on child sex abuse charges. He said information leaked into the media in recent weeks was "disgusting and false" and vowed he would be acquitted.
In a court-approved video statement released on his website, Jackson (46) said: "In the last few weeks, a large amount of ugly, malicious information has been released into the media about me.
"The information is disgusting and false. Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court."
"I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen. I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told."
Graphic details of grand jury testimony were leaked earlier this month to thesmokinggun.com and ABC News, despite the efforts of Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville to keep the 1,900-page transcript secret.
The source of the leaks remains the subject of speculation. The prosecution has not commented on the leaks, but Santa Barbara County sheriff's investigators have denied they were responsible.
Judge Melville said on Friday he will release the grand jury transcripts and other sealed material once a jury is seated.
Jury selection is set to begin today and could last a month as lawyers screen as many as 750 prospective jurors. The trial itself could take five more months.
Jackson was indicted last April on charges of molesting a boy and conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. Some counts accuse him of administering alcohol to further child molestation.
The trial could then last up to five months and, while court sessions will not be televised, media organisations are gearing up for blanket coverage similar to the OJ Simpson murder trial of 1995.
If convicted, father-of-three Jackson faces a maximum of 21 years in prison. The investigation was triggered by the British documentary Living with Michael Jackson, broadcast in 2003. During the interview Jackson admitted, and staunchly defended, letting boys sleep in his bedroom.
Charges were brought nine months later after police raided his sprawling fairytale estate.
When a warrant was issued Jackson turned himself in to Santa Barbara police and was handcuffed under the glare of the world's media. He was released on bail of $3 million. The prosecution case is expected to be based on evidence from four key witnesses - the accusations of the now 15-year-old boy, his brother, sister and mother.
Jackson's ranch, which includes a zoo, ferris wheel, rollercoaster and video arcade, was "designed to entice and attract children", they claim.
The Jackson defence team is expected to portray the Thriller star as a harmless "Peter Pan" who donates huge sums to charity.
His lawyers will question the credibility of the alleged victim's story, arguing that the family once denied Jackson had been involved in any wrongdoing and that they are simply hoping to profit from financial settlements.
According to legal papers, the family has launched two other abuse-related lawsuits in the past. - (AP)