Jackson lawyer fumes over secret taping ( 2003-11-26 08:51) (Agencies)
Michael Jackson's attorney
vowed to "land like a ton of bricks" on anyone who attacks the singer and
charged that the molestation allegations against him were motivated by money,
saying Jackson "is not going to be a pinata."
Michael Jackson's
attorney, Mark Geragos, speaks during a news conference in Los Angeles,
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003, regarding revelations that he and the entertainer
were secretly videotaped while flying on a private jet to Santa Barbara
last week for Jackson's surrender.[AP]
"If
anybody doesn't think based upon what's happened so far that the true motivation
of these charges and these allegations is anything but money and the seeking of
money, is living in their own Neverland," attorney Mark Geragos said, referring
to the singer's storybook playland.
Geragos' pledge to mount a vigorous defense against those who damage
Jackson's reputation followed revelations that he and the entertainer were
secretly videotaped while flying on a private jet to Santa Barbara last week for
Jackson's surrender.
Geragos said he obtained a temporary court order barring anyone connected to
the airline from showing the tapes.
Michael Jackson
fans hold support signs while standing near their icon's star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California.
[AP]
"Michael Jackson is not going to be
abused," Geragos said. "Michael Jackson is not going to be slammed, is not going
to be a pinata."
Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara County district attorney pushed back the
anticipated filing of molestation charges against Jackson to mid-December.
The delay will allow development of a Web site for public posting of
court-related information in the case, District Attorney Thomas W. Sneddon said.
Sneddon had told a Nov. 19 news conference that charges would be filed "in a
very short period of time." By week's end he announced that the charges would
not be filed until after the Thanksgiving holiday.