Jackson claims to be victim of conspiracy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Declaring himself "completely innocent" of child molestation charges, Michael Jackson said he is the victim of a conspiracy and asked fans around the world to pray for him.
In an interview broadcast on the internet with the civil rights leader, the Rev Jesse Jackson, the entertainer would not elaborate on his conspiracy belief, citing the court-imposed gag order that prevents him from discussing his trial in detail.
But he said he believes he is just the latest of several "black luminaries" to be unjustly accused, citing former South African president, Nelson Mandela, and former heavyweight boxing champions Muhammad Ali and Jack Johnson as others.
"I just want to say to fans in every corner of the earth, every nationality, every race, every language, I love you from the bottom of my heart," Mr Jackson said, toward the end of the hour-long interview. "I would love your prayers and your goodwill, and please be patient and be with me and believe in me because I am completely, completely innocent. But please know a lot of conspiracy is going on as we speak."
Mr Jackson said he was in "intense pain" since falling in the shower earlier this month, an accident that cause him to be late for court that day. The injury, he said, still caused him to cough up blood and was so painful it had brought him to tears in court on several occasions.
He also denied rumours he is on the verge of bankruptcy saying the stories were part of a conspiracy to drag him "through the mud". However he said he was involved in a battle over the catalogue of songs he owns.
Mr Jackson, a Jehovah's Witness, said prayer is helping him get through his trial, which resumes today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments