Of course. Shut up the witnesses, and you have no trial DUHHHH!
It certainly wasn't paid out to establish his innocence.
Getting your reputation ripped to shreds after a life of hard work and dedication...publicly in the media...will certainly cause one to search for an alternative solution. An unfair trial would be a guarantee with a person such as Michael Jackson. Hence, the payoff. If you child was molested...would you take the money, or seek prosecution to the fullest extent?