July 6, 2009 6:29 PM
- Text
Jackson Trial Costs County $2.7M
(AP)
Santa Maria County taxpayers are on the hook for $2.7 million for the unsuccessful prosecution of Michael Jackson on child molestation charges, and the bill is climbing.
Most of the money went to sheriff's deputies who were posted at the Santa Maria courthouse from January 2004, when pretrial hearings began, through mid-June, when the 14-week trial ended. Crowd control also consumed a substantial amount of the money.
Not included in the costs are prosecution, investigative and grand jury expenses, Jette Christiansson, business manager for the County Executive Office, said in a statement.
A jury acquitted Jackson on June 13 of four counts of child molestation, four counts of administering alcohol to a minor to commit a felony, one count of attempted molestation and one count of conspiracy.
On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville ordered that the District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Department to return videotapes, audiotapes, books, magazines, documents and other items that were seized from Jackson's Neverland Ranch and other sites.
Most of the money went to sheriff's deputies who were posted at the Santa Maria courthouse from January 2004, when pretrial hearings began, through mid-June, when the 14-week trial ended. Crowd control also consumed a substantial amount of the money.
Not included in the costs are prosecution, investigative and grand jury expenses, Jette Christiansson, business manager for the County Executive Office, said in a statement.
A jury acquitted Jackson on June 13 of four counts of child molestation, four counts of administering alcohol to a minor to commit a felony, one count of attempted molestation and one count of conspiracy.
On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville ordered that the District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Department to return videotapes, audiotapes, books, magazines, documents and other items that were seized from Jackson's Neverland Ranch and other sites.
Popular Now in Entertainment
- Adele in Whitney's shadow as Grammys start
- Leslie Carter dead at 25
- Adele wins 6 Grammys, including album of the year
- Zsa Zsa at 95: Husband releases birthday photos
- Beyonce, Jay-Z post photos of Blue Ivy Carter
- Watch: Whitney's final performance
- "Idol": Carrey's daughter out, and then disaster
- Bobbi Kristina on alleged coke snorting photos
- Whitney Houston's final performance
- Beyonce shows off her post-baby body
- Whitney's mother: "We are devastated"
- Mariah Carey on Twitter: "Heartbroken"; Others react
- Schwarzenegger, Stallone have hospital run-in
- Remembering Whitney Houston 1963-2012
- Gender-bending model a runway sensation
- Whitney Houston's body moved from hotel
- Celebs mourn Whitney Houston at Clive Davis event
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
- Tropical Latin theme lightens up post-Grammy party
- Syrian rebels repel government troops in key town
- The nations weather
- Red Wings match record with 20th straight home win
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
