First Jackson Accuser to Testify for Grand Jury
L O S A N G E L E S, March 25 -- Grand jurors in the Michael Jackson molestation case could hear from the young man who accused the pop star of molestation more than a decade ago.
While the grand jurors being chosen today at the Santa Barbara Courthouse can expect to hear from Jackson's current accuser in coming weeks, it's possible they'll also get to hear from the young man who received a reported $20 million settlement after accusing Jackson of similar actions back in 1993.
Court TV reporter Diane Dimond believes Jackson's first accuser, who was just 12 years old at the time, is looking forward to telling his story to a jury.
"From what I understand he is this close to agreeing to testify before the grand jury voluntarily," Dimond says. "He wants to do this."
While no criminal charges were ever brought against Jackson in that case, the young man could turn out to be a star witness for the prosecution if he ends up on the stand.
His testimony would be admitted under recent California law which allows so-called propensity evidence — testimony that suggests a sex-offense defendant has shown a pattern of behavior.
"All the literature tells us that sex offenders are repeat offenders," comments Nancy O'Malley, the assistand district attorney in Alameda County, Calif. "They will commit that crime until they're stopped."
While the young man's legal settlement stops him from talking publicly, the restriction doesn't apply to a grand jury.
Detective Bill Dworin, who interviewed the young man 11 years ago, thinks he will be a great witness for the prosecution.
"I believed the boy," Dworin says. "I believed what he said. He was consistent in his statements. We corroborated many of the things he said."
Sources tell ABCNEWS prosecutors are confident they have the evidence to back up what the boy says, and that this grand jury will indict Jackson.
Dimond added the young man is doing well these days, although he reportedly no longer talks to his mother due to the scandal.
