African-American groups rally behind Jackson
 |
Jackson fans rallied to support the singer Thursday.
Story Tools
|
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Chanting "you are not alone" and "we got your back," representatives of African-American groups Thursday stressed Michael Jackson is innocent until proved guilty and accused the news media of unfairly portraying the pop star.
Danielle Carr, a 22-year-old woman, who eight years ago spent a weekend at Jackson's Neverland Ranch, spoke at the event.
"I would just like to say that nothing ever happened at the Neverland Ranch. It was a wonderful experience and he's totally innocent and I support him 100 percent," said Carr, who held her young daughter as she spoke.
Asked if she would let her child stay at the ranch, she said, "Absolutely I would."
She said she went to the ranch on a Saturday when she was 14. She visited its zoo, theater, arcade and amusement park.
"We had a wonderful time, and it was an innocent time," she said. "I have no problem sending my child over there."
Project Islamic Hope and the other African-American groups represented said they plan to file a friend of the court brief on behalf of Jackson.
Meanwhile, the lawyer for the father of Jackson's accuser told CNN he is planning to file a petition seeking to give the father custody of the child and his two siblings.
Attorney Russell Halpern said he is going to ask a court for a psychological examination of the mother to establish "mental competence."
Jackson, 45, was booked November 20 on charges of child molestation in Santa Barbara and is free on $3 million bond. Formal charges will be brought in mid-December, according to a source close to the investigation.
Jackson and his lawyers say he's innocent, and contend that the boy and his family have brought the case for financial gain.
The singer is scheduled to be arraigned January 9 in Santa Barbara Superior Court. A single count of child molestation can carry a prison sentence of up to eight years.
