Spokeswoman: Trial 'very tough'
Dismisses rumors on selling Neverland
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 Posted: 5:54 PM EDT (2154 GMT)
(CNN) - With his defense complete and the jury's judgment nearing, Michael Jackson has "a strong grip on reality," but his trial has "been very tough on him, both physically and emotionally," his spokeswoman said Wednesday.
"He has taken this, I think, as best as he could," Raymone Bain told CNN after the defense rested its case. (Full story)
"But there have been some good days, and there have been some bad days. And I'm sure that right now we are going to all be a little nervous, because it is the waiting game about to begin."
Bain also shot down European media reports that Jackson has sold his Neverland Ranch and will leave the United States if acquitted of the child molestation charges against him.
"I want to state for the record, unequivocally: Michael Jackson has not sold Neverland. He is not moving to Europe. That is a rumor," Bain said.
However, Bain did say Jackson has said he would be more cautious about spending time with children other than his own.
"Michael has indicated that he is not going to place himself in this position again," she said. "His love for children has been an innocent one. He has not done anything criminal or anything wrong. And it's unfortunate that we are where we are."
Bain said that "it was a group decision" behind Jackson's not testifying in his own trial. "Michael listened to his defense team, and he was not going to say, 'Well, I just demand on testifying.'"
"His attorneys did not feel, at this point in time in the trial, it was necessary," said Bain.
It was Jackson's lead attorney, Thomas Mesereau Jr., who suggested Jackson would address the jurors directly, saying, "Michael Jackson will tell you" in his opening statement
However, Bain said that jurors have been able to hear from Jackson through hours of interviews -- from the unflattering television documentary, "Living With Michael Jackson," by British journalist Martin Bashir to outtakes and rebuttal videos -- that were played as evidence during the trial.
"Michael Jackson has not gone without a voice in this trial," she said. "He has been heard for hours in his own voice."
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/05/25/jackson....lans/index.html