Elizabeth Taylor Says Michael Jackson Is Innocent

Reuters ^ | November 23, 2003

[sarcasm]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress Elizabeth Taylor said on Sunday that she believes pop star and good friend Michael Jackson is "absolutely innocent" of child molestation charges and will be "vindicated."

In a statement, Taylor also criticized the press for behaving "abominably" toward the self-styled King of Pop, who was arrested this week on suspicion of sexually abusing a young boy.

"Their whole reaction is that he is guilty. I thought the law was 'innocent until proven guilty.' I know he is innocent and I hope they all eat crow," Taylor said of the press.

The veteran actress, who flew to Singapore to lend support to Jackson on tour when he was last accused of child molestation a decade ago, said she would not be giving interviews to the media because of the way they have treated Jackson.

"I believe Michael is absolutely innocent and that he will be vindicated," Taylor said in her statement.

It was her first public comment on the charges since some 60 police officers stormed Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch in the hills above Santa Barbara on Tuesday, looking for evidence to substantiate the allegations of an unidentified young boy.

On Friday, Taylor had declined comment on the charges lodged against Jackson.

Jackson has not spoken publicly about the child molestation charges but has said in a statement that the allegations are outrageous lies and predicted he would be exonerated.

Jackson -- who was whisked from Las Vegas to California and back just long enough to surrender to police, hand in his passport and post $3 million bail on Thursday -- was due in court for an arraignment on Jan. 9.

Prosecutors have said Jackson will be charged under a California law that defines molestation as "arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions or sexual desires of" the offender or a child under age. The charge carries a penalty of three to eight years in prison.

It was the second time in 10 years that such allegations have been made against the performer, who rose to fame as the young lead singer of the Jackson 5 during the 1960s, and made one of the best-selling albums of all time, 1982's "Thriller."

In August 1993, police launched a criminal probe after a 13-year-old boy told his therapist Jackson sexually molested him for four months.

But in January 1994, Jackson settled a civil suit filed by the boy's family, and prosecutors said they would not file criminal charges because the boy refused to testify.

[BunnySlippers]

I wonder how many carats the little bauble is that he is giving her to say this.

[Charles Henrickson]

The Day of the Jacko

Jacko's NAMBLA,
Jacko's sick,
Jacko's over--the scandals stick.

[Chantal]

ET came to the wedding with no shoes on and had misplaced the ring....a bit confused, wouldn't you say?

[WaterDragon]

Of course, he is guilty. And it's Liz who'll be saying she is shocked! Just shocked! when he is convicted.

What morons.

[Chantal]

"state your name please"

more like..


"Who am I and what am i doing here?."

[BunnySlippers]

[Mr. Mojo]

Nice wedding. Gest is the freakiest-looking one in that photo (which says quite a bit), followed closely by Jacko, then Liz, and Liza trails the field. Take away Taylor's outer garment and she looks like she's dressed for a funeral. ......which, considering Liza's violent streak and Gest's fagginess, makes a certain amount of sense.

[Mr. Mojo]

Geez, excuse me while a puke.

[Stop Legal Plunder]

The Day of the Jacko

Jacko's NAMBLA,
Jacko's sick,
Jacko's over--the scandals stick.

LOL. But may I suggest a slight revision:

Jacko be NAMBLA,
Jacko be sick
Jacko's over; the scandals, they stick.

[ladyinred]

"Their whole reaction is that he is guilty. I thought the law was 'innocent until proven guilty.' I know he is innocent and I hope they all eat crow," Taylor said of the press.

Let's see Liz, if the media can't react like he is guilty, then you can't react with he is absolutely innocent either. I highly doubt you were in that bed with him and the little boys. Or were you?

[Dante3]

Seems to me she has several children. One appeared on "Hee Haw" and one might have died from AIDS. I put Liz Taylor Todd on google and got just a bunch of porn listings.

[Maria S]

"In her day, Liz Taylor was a great actress. Sad that she has become such a caricature of a Michael Jackson puppet."

You're right; she was a splendid (and SO beautiful!) actress in her time. Too bad that she's become a caricature of herself...the chin implant is the worst of all the surgeries she's had done. I wish she had just chosen to age gracefully, without all the plastic stuff.

[Maria S]

"I don't think she had kids. I could be wrong."

I think she had three of her own; two sons with Michael Wilding, and a daughter with Michael Todd. I think she and Richard Burton adopted a little girl. I think it was the ex-wife of one of the sons that has AIDS.

[gorush]

If she is right, it will say alot about her credibility. If she is wrong, it will say alot about her credibility.

[leila]

It always bothers me when the news media seeks out celebrities reaction to news events. What makes them think they're going to get a credible response to their question? Liz Taylor is a friend of Michael Jackson's and as such, her comments are EXPECTED to be biased in his favor. I'd rather hear the opinion of the average man-in-the-street, who's likely to have an un-biased viewpoint.

[lonevoice]

Well, she did ask him to move in with her and there were stories a few years ago that the two were considering getting married. The story goes that MJ finally rejected the idea because he was afraid she'd expect him to have sex with her. (I'm not sure which of them should've been the most grossed out at the thought of it!)

[AnnaZ]

I really prefer to remember her this way:

 

 

 

 

She really was unbelievable... so talented, and so incredibly beautiful. (Hate to say it, but sometimes it's better when they die young.

[leila]

Liz Taylor had two natural children (boys) by her second husband, Michael Welding, a director. This was prior to Michael Todd and Eddie Fisher. She adopted a little girl when she was married to Michael Todd. Sometime after Eddis Fisher, she adopted another little girl. The boys would have to be about 50 by now, and the two adopted girls in their late 30's or early 40's. I think one of the boys is named Christopher.....although not sure of this.

[general_re]

Gosh, Liz never struck me as a fan of single-malt scotch...

[Osage Orange]

CRIKEY!!!

BTW, is that...underarm hair?

FRegards,