One Year Later: Michael Jackson Gestures During Trial Were Telling

Pop star Michael Jackson gestures during a break in his testimony in his trial in Santa Maria, California in this December 3, 2002 file photo. Fans, museums and some members of Michael Jackson's family will mark Friday's one-year anniversary of the singer's death on June 25, 2010 with special exhibits, tributes and flash mob dances from Manila to Manhattan.

Michael Jackson was known for holding up the peace gesture, what is interesting about this time is while at trial he does not hold it up as confidently as he usually does- his fingers are bent. This could have several meaning...



I do not know if I have ever commented on his guilt or innocence of the charges on this blog? I'll cut to the chase: He was guilty of inappropriate contact with children. His defense was he "never hurt a child" or "could never hurt a child," "I love children." This is very true, but is still illegal under the eyes of the law. Abuse and the abuser usually do not have contact that "feels bad" and certainly does not "hurt" in cases where the child is groomed for physical contact. Did you know that the exhilarating rush you get from riding roller coasters releases the same chemical in our brain as sex does? For children this can be confusing; Neverland Ranch was probably a very confusing place for every guest and visitor.

In the book Crime Signals the author discusses a similar case where a grown man offered fast rides on his motorcycle to get boys excited, touched them on their legs while riding, then later abused them because they were familiar with certain feelings (that mimic sexual feelings) in the presence of this man.

Jackson himself admitted to being sexually abused, and his less than ordinary life lead him to become peers with children. To him he was just one of the boys, and it was consensual sex, where both partners are freely and willingly agreeing, or consenting, to whatever sexual activity is occurring. In his mind there was nothing wrong with his actions, but we all know this is an area where the bending of reality does not excuse inappropriate contact with a minor and the experience(s) forever changes a child's personality and life.

He never directly denies the allegations in any interview or statement given. If you are interested search the Internet with his name and statement analysis...

Psychologist Leigh Baker of the Trauma Treatment Center of Colorado is an expert on sexual predators and abuse; Leigh has developed the five stages of sexual predators' progression to abuse and is must for anyone working in the field and/or anyone who wants to learn how to protect our young children. Without Baker's work this post would not be possible.◦

One Year Later: Michael Jackson Gestures During Trial Were Telling