Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENTERTAINMENT
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

Tuesday, 25 January, 2005, 10:42 GMT

Sheriff denies Jackson leak claim

Michael Jackson The Santa Barbara Sheriff's department has denied being the source of leaks in the Michael Jackson child abuse case.

In a statement, the department said some details leaked to the media were covered by Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville's gag order.

It added that an investigation has been started to find who might have released the confidential transcripts, reports, and documents about the case.

Mr Jackson has denied 10 counts of child molestation and conspiracy.

"We consider the release of these materials to be a violation of the law," the Sheriff's department said.

Irresponsible

"Some media commentators have alleged that we are responsible for these leaks. We are not. These accusations are irresponsible, unfounded and untrue."

The statement came in part as a response to a recent ABC news report that quoted from transcripts of grand jury testimony given in the case.

The network has not revealed how it received the 1,900 page document, in which Jackson's accuser described the singer's alleged crimes in graphic detail.

Grand jury transcripts are normally made public in California 10 days after a defendant receives them, but Judge Melville has kept the Jackson transcripts sealed, along with most of the other documents in the case.

Last week, prosecutors also requested that testimony from Mr Jackson's accuser and his brother be conducted in secret, with the media and public only allowed to listen via audio-feed.

They have also said they want to display "erotic materials" seized from the singer's Neverland ranch at the trial.

Prosecutors said in court documents the books, magazines and videos revealed his motives in touching a young boy were sexual. Judge Melville has censored the exact details of the material.




E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Michael Jackson profile
Michael Jackson on 1Xtra
Michael Jackson music
Michael Jackson official news
Michael Jackson fan club
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©