A mother testifies that Neverland is a happy place
SANTA MARIA, California (AP) – A woman whose son repeatedly slept in Michael Jackson’s bed at his Neverland ranch testified Friday that she thought of the estate as “the happiest place on Earth” and she never saw anything inappropriate happen there.
“When you are at Neverland you forget all your problems,” said Joy Robson, whose 22-year-old son, Wade, testified Thursday as the defence phase of the trial got under way.
Jackson’s defence attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr asked what the Robson family did on visits to Neverland.
The witness said they watched movies and, in particular, she liked the chimpanzees in Jackson’s zoo.
The Robsons were among witnesses that Jackson’s defence is calling to counter a part of the prosecution case that was intended to show that Jackson has a history of inappropriate behavior with boys. Wade Robson had testified Thursday that Jackson never molested him and directly contradicted a prosecution witness’ account that he and Jackson once showered together.
On cross-examination, District Attorney Tom Sneddon questioned the mother Friday about whether she thought Jackson would help her son, who is now a dancer and film director, succeed in show business.
“Did you in your mind think that by having a connection and a friendship with Mr Jackson that that could help promote your son’s career?” Sneddon asked.
“You’re trying to make me say that that was the basis for our friendship and that’s not true,” she said.
Prosecutors objected to the answer as non-responsive and Judge Rodney S Melville sustained the objection.
Defense attorneys opened their case Thursday after the judge rejected a motion seeking outright acquittal on grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove its allegations. Such motions are common and are rarely successful.
Wade Robson said he has known Jackson since age 5 and stayed at Neverland more than 20 times. He slept in Jackson’s bedroom on all but three or four of those visits, he said.
Robson said his overnight visits involved talking, watching movies, playing video games, and occasional pillow fights. But he said Jackson never touched him in a sexual way.
