Jackson bail for Multiple Child Molestation set at $3,000,000!!! (Live Thread)

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Police who searched Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch amid allegations of child molestation were armed with an arrest warrant for the pop icon, NBC television said.

The network cited "many sources" as having seen the arrest warrant for Jackson when authorities swooped down on his ranch near Santa Barbara, California, on Tuesday.

The search, apparently for evidence related to child abuse allegations, continued overnight into Wednesday, NBC said.

Police said they would announce details of the search at 11:00 am (1900 GMT) Wednesday.

Jackson family lawyer Brian Oxfam confirmed reports that the raid was sparked by new child abuse allegations against the 45-year-old father of three.

"The search warrant that was served at Neverland ranch early yesterday morning indicated that there was a 12-year-old boy who was a complaining witness concerning sexual molestation accusations," Oxfam told NBC.

"We don't know the identity of the child, we don't know the specifics of the accusations, and to all intents and purposes, we simply are investigating this and we do not know what it is all about at this point," he added.

The highly publicized swoop -- which took place while Jackson was in Las Vegas, Nevada -- reignited suspicions that have been swirling around Jackson since he was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy 10 years ago.

Between 60 and 70 investigators armed with a search warrant flooded the sprawling estate near Santa Barbara at 8:30 am (1630 GMT) Tuesday, Senior Sheriff's Deputy Tim Gracey told AFP.

The raid coincided with Jackson's release of "Number One," his first album since "Invincible" flopped last year.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

The Santa Barbara District Attorney will be holding a press conference today at 2pm for the east coast folks, 11am for the west coast. This is an updated time.

According to Diane Dimond, Court TV, there are multiple accusers for Jackson.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

This thread is in response to the multiple requests for a live thread for today's press conference. The time was supposed to be 9am PST, but was recently pushed back to 11am. I will monitor Court TV for any updates.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

ping

[mrs tiggywinkle]

bump

[sarasota]

Thanks for the post. Look forward to your updates.

[pubmom]

It hit me last night, he's sculpted his features to resemble the sarcophagus of King Tut.

Is anyone REALLY surprised this is happening?

[Peach]

It's probably unlikely Jackson will turn himself in and I wonder where he'll hide out? Perhaps DNC headquarters; they would be all too happy to shelter a pervert.

[ErnBatavia]

He's gonna love the "Feet back and spread 'em" part...

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

The raid coincided with Jackson's release of "Number One," his first album since "Invincible" flopped last year.

Number one is in deep number two.

[socal_parrot]

Tailgate party?

[Petronski]

Is anyone REALLY surprised this is happening?

I am. I thought he had bought everyone off and would never be called to account for his deeds.

[mountaineer]

From MTV's site:

Warrant Issued For Michael Jackson's Arrest
11.19.2003 8:04 AM EST

Less than 24 hours after authorities in Santa Barbara County searched Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, a warrant has been issued for the pop star's arrest on suspicion of child molestation, according to Court TV.

Jackson is wanted in connection with multiple claims of molestation made by a 12-year-old Los Angeles boy, Court TV said.

Police executed a search warrant on Jackson's Neverland Ranch in central California on Tuesday morning in response to the boy's claims (see "New Allegations Spark Search Of Jackson's Neverland Ranch").

Jackson was not at his ranch at the time, but was in Las Vegas shooting footage for an upcoming CBS special.

The reclusive pop star, whose greatest-hits collection hit stores on Tuesday, issued a statement noting, "These characters always seem to surface with a dreadful allegation just as another project, an album, a video, is being released."

This is not the star's first time facing such allegations. A decade ago, Jackson faced a similar investigation amid allegations that he molested a then-12-year-old boy. Jackson denied any wrongdoing and settled the case out of court. No charges were ever filed.

"We've seen this before; our response is 'Here we go again,' " Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman told NBC News. "Michael has 24-hour-a-day supervision with him for the specific reason to protect him from these claims."

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480513/20031119/jackson_michael.jhtml?headlines=true

[Petronski]

One freeper yesterday said he could anticipate the opening statement at the police press conference:

Because he's bad. He's bad. He's really, really bad.

[isthisnickcool]

If Jackson winds up in jail it should get interesting. Remember Michel Milkin? He had to remove his rug. Or how about Robert Blake? Went from a dark haired guy to a white haired old man. After a month or two in jail would Jackson turn back into a black man from the white women he currently is?

[pubmom]

I am always hopeful that justice will prevail.:)

[Catspaw]

Jackson has invested heavily in lawyers. There won't be any perp walk with Jackson in cuffs. He'll turn himself in, accompanied by an entourage of attorneys.

[RayChuang88]

My worry is that Michael Jackson may try to leave this country on a private jet and end up in another country. Maybe Jackson will end up at Elizabeth Taylor's second home in Switzerland? (Mind you, I think the Swiss would not welcome that type of publicity.)

[sarasota]

I thought he was going for a Diana Ross/Peter Pan look.

[LS]

Are they going to say that Michael Jackson killed Laci Peterson?

[spectre]

Mark Geragos is going to be one busy little bee these days..unbelieveable.

sw