Michael Jackson prosecutor says new documentary is haunting and convincing
The new explosive documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’ garnered a strong reaction from former Santa Barbara County prosecutor Ron Zonen.
Zonen, along with former District Attorney Tom Sneddon and prosecutor Gordon Auchincloss, brought the sexual abuse charges against Jackson in a Santa Maria courtroom in 2005.
During an interview with NewsChannel 3, Zonen said he watched part one of the documentary and found it, “haunting” and “difficult to watch.”
Zonen said the documentary proves what prosecutors knew all along–the pop star sexually abused children.
“We knew the amount of time they spent with him and the fact they were the kids selected by him to be in his room, for weeks, months at at time,” Zonen said. “We were certain they had been molested too.”
In the documentary which aired on HBO on March 3 and 4, Wade Robson and James Safechuck claim Jackson sexually abused them at Neverland Ranch and other locations.
Robson’s claims are dramatically different from the testimony he gave as a key defense witness during the trial.
Zonen said he’s not surprised by Robson’s reversal, years later.
“Victims disclose their abuse in their own time. They disclose when they can’t deal with it anymore, when they have small children and looking in the face of their children,” Zonen said.
If Robson or Safechuck had come forward before or during the trial, Zonen said he is, “absolutely convinced,” the outcome would have been different. Jackson was acquitted on all counts.
Although, Jackson’s celebrity status worked in his favor, especially with the jurors, fans and the media circus outside the courtroom, Zonen said the pop star was, “menacing.”
“The damage and destruction he caused in many children’s lives is something that should not be ignored, never mind his talent as a considerable singer,” Zonen said.
In Zonen’s opinion, the documentary is validation for Gavin Arviso, who is the only child who testified against Jackson in a court of law and whose claims prompted the trial.
“They’ve now given testimonials essentially, in front of a camera, in front of millions of Americans where they have now said what happened to Gavin happened to them as well,” Zonen said.
