Jesse Jackson’s remarks on the third day of jury deliberations
After the third day of jury deliberations ended, the jurors returned home without issuing a verdict so they could resume their session tomorrow morning. In the meantime, Jesse Jackson—pastor and Michael’s spiritual friend who has been praying for him and with him during this period—was the headline figure today.
In a press interview outside the courtroom, where in one of its rooms the jury was deciding Michael Jackson’s fate, Jesse Jackson said that Michael believes in winning this case and is very optimistic. He said this optimism shows, first, that Michael is innocent, and second, that he trusts the jury members.
He said Michael was upset about being accused of appearing weak to gain public sympathy and claiming that he suffers from severe back pain.
On Sunday, Michael was hospitalized for the third time in the past three months due to back pain. Previously, he had also been taken to the hospital once for the same issue, and once because he had the flu.
Stating that Michael’s back pain is serious, Jesse Jackson said that Michael “has severe pain, but he fights it.”
He added that Michael is not confined to bed all day, and during this time he also walks occasionally.
Jesse said, “Michael is not paralyzed by fear of going to prison. He has to choose between fear and hope, and Michael has chosen hope—and amazingly, he is optimistic. He trusts his defense attorneys and public support.”
Recalling Michael’s supporters and fans, he acknowledged that Michael should not feel alone or think that he has been abandoned.
He said:
“During the trial, Michael was betrayed by the people he trusted. Although he felt that in the witness stand they were put into question. Michael is not angry at anything right now; he only has hope and self-confidence while waiting for the jury’s verdict.”
When asked whether Michael has thought about who his children would be placed with if he were convicted, Jesse Jackson answered, “He is thinking about being acquitted.”
At the end, he was asked why he came to court during the days when the jury is deciding this case. Jesse Jackson’s response was:
If his friends aren’t standing behind him, then you will ask, “So where are they?”
Source: MTV News / Associated Press