SANTA MARIA, California, Jan 30 (AFP) - Pop superstar Michael Jackson said Sunday "disgusting" charges of child molestation had made his life a nightmare, but insisted he would be found innocent at his trial which starts Monday.
He angrily dismissed accusations leaked from grand jury sessions in which his now 15-year-old accuser told in graphic detail how the entertainer allegedly fondled him and plied him with alcohol two years ago.
"In the last few weeks, a large amount of ugly, malicious information has been released into the media about me," Jackson said in a brief videotaped statement released on his website on Sunday.
"Apparently, this information was leaked through transcripts in a grand jury proceeding where neither my lawyers, nor I, ever appeared. The information is disgusting and false," said Jackson, who was wearing a bright blue shirt.
The transcript quotes the alleged victim as saying that as he and Jackson lay in bed, "he put his hand down my pants and he started rubbing me, my private area -- he was masturbating me."
Jackson said he had wanted to help the cancer-stricken boy when he invited him and his family to his Neverland amusement park home near the small city of Santa Maria where the trial gets under way on Monday.
"I allowed this family into my home because they told me their son was ill with cancer and needed my help. Through the years, I have helped thousands of children who were ill or in distress."
A 46-year-old father of three, Jackson said the "events have caused a nightmare for my family, my children and me. I never intend to place myself in so vulnerable a position again."
One of the biggest celebrity trials ever, the court case is expected to go on for months, with jury selection alone likely to last for several weeks.
As the process of picking 12 jurors was set to get underway, Jackson pleaded for fairness.
"I love my community and I have great faith in our justice system. Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court. I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen. I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told."
Jackson has pleaded innocent, and claims the accusations are "a big lie" concocted by a greedy family.
The case has drawn worldwide attention because of the superstar status of the defendant, known for his catchy tunes, moondancing steps and signature crotch-grabbing, but also for his eccentric behavior and frequent plastic surgeries.
He had already been accused of child molestation in 1993, but settled the case out of court in a multimillion dollar deal.
His hard-core fans are convinced the "King of Pop" could not harm a child, and point out he is like a child himself -- his Neverland ranch is named after the magical kingdom of Peter Pan, the storybook boy who would not grow up.
Outside the small Santa Maria courthouse, a handful of fans held up a banner proclaiming that Jackson "is a wonderful Dad who loves his children."
"It`s a vendetta, he was set up," said Sheree Wilkins, 33 who resigned her job of 13 years as a kindergarten teacher to show her support to Jackson and "fight for justice for an innocent man." She and a few others intend to show up daily outside the courtroom for the duration of the trial.
A fan since she was a young child, she said she`d met Jackson several times. She smiled as she recalled the first time: "He was so humble, he gave us a chance to hug him."
She hopes she`ll see a lot of her idol, since the judge has ordered Jackson to show up for every day of the trial, even during jury selection.
Last year, Jackson delighted his fans by dancing briefly atop his car after arriving 20 minutes late for his arraignment.
But tough-talking Judge Rodney Melville made it clear he would brook no such nonsense this time around, and also warned the lawyers to behave as the eyes of the world would be on his courtroom.
01/30/2005 19:26 GMT - AFP