Uncle of 1993 Jackson Accuser Speaks Out

Dec. 6, 2004 — -- The uncle of the boy who accused Michael Jackson of molestation in 1994 says the boy's parents did not go forward with a criminal case because they felt threatened and were denied a request to join a witness protection program.

"One of the biggest myths that has been perpetrated since then is that the family refused [to cooperate with prosecutors]," Ray Chandler told "Good Morning America" in an exclusive interview today. "They only refused because they requested protection. They wanted to be put in witness protection program, and that request was refused."

Jackson, 46, is scheduled to go on trial in January for allegedly molesting a now-14-year-old boy who spent time at his Neverland ranch. In the current case, Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that include felony conspiracy with 28 overt acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

The case is reminiscent of the scandal Jackson faced in 1993, when he was similarly accused by a 12-year-old boy. Jackson was never criminally charged in that case and has always denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors did not pursue charges against him after they said the alleged victim refused to testify. The boy and his family received a reported $20 million settlement from Jackson.

The uncle of the alleged victim said the family decided not to pursue a criminal case against Jackson because of the multiple death threats received from his fans. The family, he said, was primarily concerned about its personal safety.

"Jackson fans had flown in from Europe to Los Angeles and had come to the father's office, had phoned in bomb threats as late as April 1994, four months after it [the case] was settled," Chandler said. "The father was forced to leave his dental practice because his staff and his partner would no longer allow him in there because fans were coming to the office. It was a very serious threat."