First Jackson Accuser to Testify for Grand Jury

L O S   A N G E L E S, March 25, 2004 -- 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.The young man still has personal security because he continues to be bothered by angry Michael Jackson fans. But Dimond says he appears to be getting on with life despite his past.

"I think he's fine. In fact I think he's grown into a fine young man. I understand he's got a girlfriend, he's a college graduate, he's learned to manage his own money by going to business school," Dimond adds.

Among other potential witnesses before the grand jury is comedian Chris Tucker, who may have taken a plane ride with Jackson and his current accuser. And the accuser himself is expected to testify.

The boy, now 14, is expected to tell grand jurors why he and his family initially denied any wrongdoing by Jackson.

The defense is expected to say the child and his family made allegations of molestation because they were rebuffed in an effort to get money from Jackson.

Due to the media attention surrounding the case, Judge Clifford Anderson has issued orders threatening contempt charges against anyone who communicates with a grand juror, prospective juror or witness, or reveals secret testimony. The judge's order also prohibits photography of jurors or prospective jurors.

Jackson, 45, was arrested in Santa Barbara County on multiple counts of child molestation after his 14-year-old accuser alleged Jackson sexually abused him during visits to the star's Neverland Ranch. The boy was 12 at the time of the alleged abuse. Jackson has labeled the allegations "a big lie. He is free on $3 million bail pending trial.

ABCNEWS' Brian Rooney reported this story on Good Morning America.