What is the status of the criminal investigation into the allegations of sexual molestation made against Michael in 1993?
In September 1994, Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti and Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon announced that after a 13-month investigation in which 400 witnesses were interviewed, no charges would be filed against Michael Jackson. The boy who had accused him of misconduct had declined to testify against him in court in any possible prosecution. Under California law, a child cannot be forced to testify against his alleged molester. The case technically remains open, although the formal investigation is concluded. According to Garcetti, if the boy changed his mind and decided to testify, they would “re-evaluate our case at that time.” The statute of limitations expires in 1999, six years after the crime was claimed to have occurred. Lightweight news outlets that refer to “charges” of child molestation against Michael are incorrect, as this word carries the distinct legal meaning that an actual criminal prosecution was begun against him. Neither of two grand
