bloodrayne
02-10-2005, 01:51 PM
Corey Feldman Subpoenaed In Michael Jackson Case
Prosecutors Want Former Child Star to Testify Against 'King of Pop'
Former child star Corey Feldman has been subpoenaed to testify against Michael Jackson in his child molestation trial, ABC News has learned.
With jury selection under way in Jackson's molestation trial, "20/20's" Martin Bashir interviewed actor Corey Feldman, who spoke about his relationship with "The King of Pop" during his youth.
Feldman said, "I started looking at each piece of information, and with that came this sickening realization that there have been many occurrences in my life and in my relationship to Michael that have created a question of doubt."
Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting a now-15-year-old boy who spent time at his Neverland ranch and is believed to be a cancer survivor who appeared in Bashir's 2003 British documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." The pop star has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that include felony conspiracy with 28 overt acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
As a teen, Feldman — known for his roles in movies such as "Gremlins," "The Goonies" and "Stand by Me" and who appeared in the first season of the celebrity reality show "The Surreal Life" — became good friends with Jackson. They were often seen together, dressed in similar outfits.
However, in an exclusive interview, Feldman, now 33, speaks out with surprising new claims about his relationship with Jackson. Until now, the actor has stood by Jackson, and he tells Bashir why he is now coming forward with allegations about their friendship.
Feldman says he feels that for him, speaking out has finally become a responsibility and a duty. "This child — if he's telling the truth — and the other children like him — if they're telling the truth — they're small voices, they're weak voices," he said. "I was a child who was a celebrity, who was well-known, and I don't think that a pedophile of that caliber would be stupid enough to take advantage of that final straw. But with a child that doesn't have a voice, with a child that's weak and has no support, where are the boundaries?"
"So I'm here to say I hope and I pray that these things never happened, and if they never happened, then there's some real sickness with a lot of people. But if they did happen, then there's a lot of sickness with one person. And that person needs to be punished."
Re-Evaluated Friendship
Feldman stressed in his interview with Bashir that Jackson never molested him or touched him improperly and that there was no sexual contact between them. But he said he has re-evaluated his friendship with Jackson and has concluded that there were things that happened in their relationship that were inappropriate and wrong.
In 1993, when a 12-year-old boy accused the singer of molestation, Feldman defended Jackson publicly and to investigators.
"He never did anything out of line. I mean anything, you know," Feldman said in a 1993 audiotape made by authorities. "I mean, the closest he ever came to touching me was maybe slapping me on the leg once."
Jackson always denied any wrongdoing in that case, and has denied ever harming any child. Santa Barbara County, Calif., prosecutors did not pursue charges against him after they said the alleged victim refused to testify. "The King of Pop" settled a civil suit filed by the boy's family for a reported $20 million.
Feldman said he defended the singer in 1993 because he thought he was being a loyal friend.
"I did what I believed was right as a friend," Feldman said. "I defended him up and down. … I did so publicly, and I did so behind closed doors with police."
Could Feldman's 1993 Statements Help Jackson?
Harvey Levin, executive producer of "Celebrity Justice," came into possession of Feldman's 1993 audiotaped statements to investigators and says they could ultimately help Jackson's defense. Levin says they show authorities were convinced of Jackson's guilt then and could suggest they have a vendetta in the current case against him.
"It might give jurors some pause because it seems like the cops had made up their mind during this interview [with Feldman] that Michael Jackson was a child molester," Levin said.
Since Bashir's interview with Feldman, prosecutors have subpoenaed the actor, and he has been placed under the same gag order imposed on all parties in the case. Bashir has also been ordered to testify about his extensive interview with Jackson in "Living With Michael Jackson."
Prosecutors Want Former Child Star to Testify Against 'King of Pop'
Former child star Corey Feldman has been subpoenaed to testify against Michael Jackson in his child molestation trial, ABC News has learned.
With jury selection under way in Jackson's molestation trial, "20/20's" Martin Bashir interviewed actor Corey Feldman, who spoke about his relationship with "The King of Pop" during his youth.
Feldman said, "I started looking at each piece of information, and with that came this sickening realization that there have been many occurrences in my life and in my relationship to Michael that have created a question of doubt."
Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting a now-15-year-old boy who spent time at his Neverland ranch and is believed to be a cancer survivor who appeared in Bashir's 2003 British documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." The pop star has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that include felony conspiracy with 28 overt acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
As a teen, Feldman — known for his roles in movies such as "Gremlins," "The Goonies" and "Stand by Me" and who appeared in the first season of the celebrity reality show "The Surreal Life" — became good friends with Jackson. They were often seen together, dressed in similar outfits.
However, in an exclusive interview, Feldman, now 33, speaks out with surprising new claims about his relationship with Jackson. Until now, the actor has stood by Jackson, and he tells Bashir why he is now coming forward with allegations about their friendship.
Feldman says he feels that for him, speaking out has finally become a responsibility and a duty. "This child — if he's telling the truth — and the other children like him — if they're telling the truth — they're small voices, they're weak voices," he said. "I was a child who was a celebrity, who was well-known, and I don't think that a pedophile of that caliber would be stupid enough to take advantage of that final straw. But with a child that doesn't have a voice, with a child that's weak and has no support, where are the boundaries?"
"So I'm here to say I hope and I pray that these things never happened, and if they never happened, then there's some real sickness with a lot of people. But if they did happen, then there's a lot of sickness with one person. And that person needs to be punished."
Re-Evaluated Friendship
Feldman stressed in his interview with Bashir that Jackson never molested him or touched him improperly and that there was no sexual contact between them. But he said he has re-evaluated his friendship with Jackson and has concluded that there were things that happened in their relationship that were inappropriate and wrong.
In 1993, when a 12-year-old boy accused the singer of molestation, Feldman defended Jackson publicly and to investigators.
"He never did anything out of line. I mean anything, you know," Feldman said in a 1993 audiotape made by authorities. "I mean, the closest he ever came to touching me was maybe slapping me on the leg once."
Jackson always denied any wrongdoing in that case, and has denied ever harming any child. Santa Barbara County, Calif., prosecutors did not pursue charges against him after they said the alleged victim refused to testify. "The King of Pop" settled a civil suit filed by the boy's family for a reported $20 million.
Feldman said he defended the singer in 1993 because he thought he was being a loyal friend.
"I did what I believed was right as a friend," Feldman said. "I defended him up and down. … I did so publicly, and I did so behind closed doors with police."
Could Feldman's 1993 Statements Help Jackson?
Harvey Levin, executive producer of "Celebrity Justice," came into possession of Feldman's 1993 audiotaped statements to investigators and says they could ultimately help Jackson's defense. Levin says they show authorities were convinced of Jackson's guilt then and could suggest they have a vendetta in the current case against him.
"It might give jurors some pause because it seems like the cops had made up their mind during this interview [with Feldman] that Michael Jackson was a child molester," Levin said.
Since Bashir's interview with Feldman, prosecutors have subpoenaed the actor, and he has been placed under the same gag order imposed on all parties in the case. Bashir has also been ordered to testify about his extensive interview with Jackson in "Living With Michael Jackson."