Singer Jackson pleads not guilty

Mr Jackson arrived at court with several minders

Singer Michael Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 child molestation charges including a fresh charge of conspiracy to abduct a child.

The pop star was appearing in a court in California to hear the charges after a grand jury decided there was enough evidence for him to face a trial.

The new conspiracy count includes 28 allegations of "overt acts" including false imprisonment and extortion.

Outside the court Mr Jackson thanked his fans and family for their support.

"I would like to thank the fans around the world for your love and support from every corner of the earth, my family, my brother Randy who has been incredible, and the community of Santa Maria," said Mr Jackson.

This case is about the dignity, integrity decency, innocence and the complete vindication of a wonderful human being Thomas Mesereau Michael Jackson's lawyer

During the hearing, Mr Jackson also pleaded not guilty to four counts of lewd acts involving a minor, one count involving an attempted lewd act upon a child and four counts of administering alcohol.

All the allegations relate to one child.

The alleged child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion are not individual charges but are alleged as the circumstances leading to the conspiracy count.

Mr Jackson's new lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, entered the "not guilty to all charges" plea on behalf of the singer.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Mesereau spoke highly of his client.

"This case is about one thing only. It's about the dignity, the integrity, the decency, the honour, the charity, the innocence and the complete vindication of a wonderful human being named Michael Jackson," he said.

CHARGES READ OUT IN COURT One conspiracy count involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion Four counts of lewd acts involving a minor One count involving an attempted lewd act upon a child Four counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a child

Mr Mesereau was hired after the pop star fired high-profile lawyers Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman last week.

The judge said the $3m (£1.7m) bail order would remain in place.

He set the date of the next hearing for 28 May, when a decision on whether to release other details of the conspiracy charge will be taken.

Fans' support

About 50 fans of the singer sat at the back of the courtroom.

Mr Jackson, who arrived 40 minutes early for the hearing, wore glasses and a suit as he underwent security checks in the court's foyer.

During his last hearing, Mr Jackson was reprimanded by the judge for arriving 21 minutes late to his last hearing.

In pictures: Jackson indicted Tight security around Jackson's court date

Fans turned up outside the court but the atmosphere was more subdued after the star made a personal plea on his website for calm following scenes at his last court appearance in January when he was mobbed by cheering supporters.

About 75 fans boarded a bus bound for Santa Maria on Friday morning in Los Angeles.

They waved banners reading, "What time is it? Jackson time!" and "Caravan for Justice".

"I'm showing my grandsons there is a way to protest, a way to show your support," fan Cathy Youngblood told KABC-TV.

Several fans also gathered outside the singer's Neverland Ranch about 30 miles (50km) from the courthouse.

Michael Jackson has denied any wrongdoing

Uncertain

On 21 April, the grand jury in Santa Barbara county decided there was sufficient evidence to warrant taking Jackson to trial.

The indictment has not been made public ahead of the hearing and it is not known if and how the charges differ from the ones he pleaded innocent to in January.

Mr Jackson was originally arrested in November amid accusations that he molested a 12-year-old boy, but has continually denied any wrongdoing.