1. Common sense ought to be sufficient to protect children from Jacko. How hard is it to turn down his invitation for sleepovers? 2. Sex-related cases are among the hardest to prove in courts, especially with the child as the only witness and no circumstantial evidence of molestation. There is little chance they would have been able to convict him on criminal charges (ie beyond a reasonable doubt); however, they would have likely made the much lower burden of a civil case, and thus money was all that was ever at stake. Not to mention they probably figured (correctly) that all but Jackson's stalwarts would say settlement as an admission of guilt, and that his career could really only go downhill as a result (although the crap albums he's put out lately certainly had a central role). Even if you are independently wealthy, and the money wasn't your primary motivation for the suit initially, 25 million is more than most people's dignity is worth these days, it seems.
I agree. But felony stupid isn't nearly as criminal as felony child sexual abuse.
I think you're right as far as your assessment of the situation. I remain convinced the guy is a sick wacko. Even if he *doesn't* and never *did* molest any child, he is sick for having these little "sleepovers" in his attempt to remain a child forever. Stunted emotional development seems to be pretty synonymous with mental illness.