Content Warning: This article about Michael Jackson discusses sexual abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
A ruling by a US judge has seen the longstanding lawsuit of alleged sexual assault against Michael Jackson shut down.
The lawsuit was brought against the ‘Thriller’ artist in 2013 by Australian man, Wade Robson, as reported by ABC News. Though Wade’s case has now been dismissed, it’s not the first time. Another judge has also closed lawsuits brought against Jackson, by Robson as well as another of Jackon’s accusors, James Safechuck, back in 2017, on the grounds that the “statute of limiations had expired”.
2019 saw the allegations once again come to light, with the lawsuit once again resurfaced after California Governor Gavin Newsom brought about a new law which extended the length of lawsuits for victims of childhood sexual abuse. That same year the Leaving Neverland documentary also premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, in which both Robson and Safechuck spoke on the allegations on camera.
Now as the accusations have continued to unfold in 2021, the latest trial has now once again dismissed the allegations. The judge stated,”There is no evidence supporting plaintiff’s contention that defendants exercised control over Jackson.” They continued, “The evidence further demonstrates that defendants had no legal ability to control Jackson, because Jackson had complete and total ownership of the corporate defendants.”
Robson and Safechuck’s lawyer, Vince Finaldi has stated that he will be appealing the ruling which has landed in favour of Michael Jackson and his corporate entities.
Finaldi said in a statement, “If allowed to stand, the decision would set a dangerous precedent that would leave thousands of children working in the entertainment industry vulnerable to sexual abuse by persons in places of power.” He also said that the judge’s decision had “fatal flaws” and went onto say that he would potentially take the case to the US Supreme Court. “The children of our state deserve protection, and we will not stop fighting until we ensure that every child is safe.”
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