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Journalism of Courage
Michael Jackson is a lover, not a fighter, so as his attorneys traded jabs with prosecutors on Friday over charges that he molested a young boy, the self-declared King of Pop prepared for a party in his honour.
Jackson, who was charged on Thursday with nine counts of child molestation, was expected to attend the get-together scheduled for Saturday afternoon at his Neverland Valley Ranch in the foothills above Santa Barbara, his spokesman said.
Stuart Backerman said friends of Jackson — who famously told ex-Beatle Paul McCartney during a duet that he was ‘‘a lover, not a fighter’’ — were throwing the party and that most of his large family would be there. ‘‘There will be a goodly chunk of people, including celebrities,’’ Backerman said. The guest list originally included about 300 names, he said, predicting that twice that many people could show up, including children.
The 45-year-old entertainer, who has been largely in seclusion since police raided Neverland in November looking for evidence, was then expected to travel to Britain, a trip that required return of his passport from prosecutors. He must be in a California court, on January 16 for a hearing. British newspapers and children’s rights groups were up in arms against the visit. ‘‘Beat it’’ said The Mirror, echoing title of a Jackson song. —(Reuters)
