The evidence was strong and so was the case, but the game wasn't a contest. There was plenty of clear evidence that Jackson was guilty on several counts, the jury just didn't want to face those facts.
Mesereau made a mess of the case, but it didn't matter. Two other defense attorneys were fired, ...or bailed. They knew he was guilty. They should have had confidence in the shallowness and stupidity of California juries.
No there wasn't. The conspiracy case was laughable - seriously, if kidnapping means eating at fancy restaurants, getting spa treatments and dental work for the kids, then feel free to kidnap me anytime. Secondly, the key witnesses were all admitted liars - there is no reason for a jury to believe them. Thirdly, if you are going to admit prior acts try to make sure that the alleged victims testify for the prosecution and not the defense. Now the alcohol charges may have had more substance but that wasn't that much.