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A California jury on Monday acquitted pop superstar Michael Jackson of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland ranch, backing the singer's argument that he was a victim of an extortion attempt.

* INDEPTH: Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson waves as he leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria, California. (AP photo)

The jury, which delivered its verdict around 5:15 p.m. EST, found Jackson not guilty on all 10 charges, including conspiring to keep the boy and his family on the grounds of the estate and giving alcohol to a minor.

Jackson dabbed his eyes when the eight-woman, four-man jury delivered its verdict as people in the crowds outside the Santa Maria courthouse cheered, danced and hugged one another. A woman in the crowd released 10 white doves for each "not guilty."

The screams reached a deafening pitch as a frail-looking Jackson appeared outside, giving a timid wave to his supporters. His entourage of black SUVs immediately left the courthouse for the 50-kilometre journey back to Jackson's home.

The verdict ends four months of arguments that cast the 46-year-old singer as either an eccentric child molester who lured children to his ranch or an innocent victim of an extortion attempt by the mother of the 13-year-old cancer survivor.

Jackson extortion victim: lawyers

During the trial, prosecutors showed explicit magazines and photos taken from Jackson's home, alleging the singer showed the children the material. The boy, now 15, testified Jackson masturbated twice while the two were under the covers in his bed.

Servants at Neverland testified they witnessed Jackson groping young boys, including a security guard who said the singer showered with one boy.

Defence lawyers argued the mother of the boy masterminded an extortion attempt, focusing on an earlier settlement she received from J.C. Penney after alleging the store's security guards roughed her up. Defence witnesses testified Jackson paid for shopping sprees while the family lived on the ranch, as well as paying for dental appointments for the woman's two boys.

A number of celebrities testified at the trial, including late-night comic Jay Leno and actor Chris Tucker, who said he warned Jackson to be careful when dealing with the family. Actor Macaulay Culkin testified nothing improper happened when he slept in Jackson's bed as a child.

Jackson had been charged with 10 counts:

* Four counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than 14.
* One count of attempted lewd conduct.
* Four counts of administering alcohol to facilitate child molestation.
* One count of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment or extortion.

Jackson had complained of poor health throughout the trial, showing up late one day in his pajamas, saying he had been receiving treatment at a hospital.

The jury began deliberations on June 3 after Judge Rodney S. Melville handed the eight-woman, four-man jury 98 pages of instructions.

The case went to trial on Jan. 31, 2005.

Robert Walper wrote:Assuming he is indeed innocent, you think he'll wise up and not fucking have a kid in his house again? You'd think he'd have learned that already. :|

Petrosjko wrote:Jackson is a sad little freak who never had a chance to develop into something resembling a functional human being.

That much I could sympathize with, but for the fact that I find his behavior highly suspicious, acquittal or no.

However, the show is going to end fairly soon. According to his financials, he's outspending his income by three to one, and he's going to have to unload his music interests soon just to stay afloat. Once the money dries up, the enablers around him will vanish in a flat second.

I really do feel sorry for his kids.

Welcome to the board, Corp.

Cynical Cat wrote:I hope no one here was delusional enough to expect a convictiion of a celebrity in California.

Cpl Kendall wrote:If you think Jackson is fucked up due to his upbringing just imagine what being raised by Jackson will do to you! Those kids are going to be some of the most maladjusted and screwed up on the planet, whom I'm sure will continue the media saga when they come of age. Even if MJ drops of the face of the Eart for life, as soon as the kids are old enough to write a book they'll be all over the news again and on Dr. Phil and Oprah. It'll never fucking end.

Petrosjko wrote:
I was extremely bored the other night while waiting my food to come out at a restaurant the other night, which is how I ended up reading an article about Jackson and his finances in the newspaper. They had a pic of him, his daughter, and I think his eldest son. I can't quite describe the getup his son was in, but the girl was in an outfit that was positively burqa-esque. Rather chilling image.