The Michael Jackson Case for Innocence Podcast

In this final episode of our rebuttal, we circle back to Part 1 in our series, focusing on how Think Twice doesn't follow journalism fairness standards and rigorously challenge their presumption of guilt. You'll hear examples of applying a "consider the opposite" approach to the Michael Jackson allegations, by asking what else has to be true if he were innocent. We invite hosts Leon Neyfakh and Jay Smooth to engage with innocence advocates. We also put forward an alternative response to...

In this episode, we present a few more examples of how the narrative in Think Twice is one-sided and slanted. There's a wider context and missing information in their stories that's important to consider, which calls into question their own theories and conclusions. We take a look at how Think Twice presents Michael Jackson’s relationship with his father and what they’ve left out of the background regarding Jackson’s Oxford speech. And because Think Twice uses Jackson’s w...

In part 2 of our rebuttal, you'll hear some examples of bias, lack of context and misleading information in Think Twice that undermines their presumption of guilt. The focus of this episode is examining how Think Twice handles the evidence in the first two sex abuse cases against Michael Jackson. What sort of fact checking process have they used to check the claims of the Chandler and Arvizo allegations? What sources are they citing? What sources are they leaving out? Who do the...

Think Twice is an Audible podcast released in April 2023 about the legacy of Michael Jackson. Over its 10-episode series, Think Twice focuses on the theme of why we the public are still listening to Michael Jackson, despite the allegations against him. The Think Twice narrative is that there must be something unique about Jackson in his ability to defy cancellation, and the podcast aims to help us understand why he’s different from other celebrities who have been cancelled after being...

In this bonus episode of the podcast, we critique the use of Michael Jackson in The New York Times Presents documentary series entitled, "Sin Eater." "Sin Eater" is a 2-part documentary about the shady legacy of Anthony Pellicano, a Hollywood private investigator most active in the 1990s. The documentary promotion page says about Pellicano: "Hollywood’s dirtiest private investigator didn’t operate within the law to hide the sins of the rich and powerful." However, we argue i...

Up to this point in the podcast, we’ve been focusing on each sex abuse case separately, in order to address their problems point by point. But by compiling and comparing the evidence in all four cases, there are telling patterns that emerge among Jackson’s accusers. patterns that compound the individual weaknesses of their claims, and build an even stronger case for Jackson’s innocence. You’re going to hear about research into child predator behavior in this episode and how child molesters ta...

How does the science of lie detection and bias factor into the Michael Jackson sex abuse allegations? With an emphasis on the deceit revealed in the Leaving Neverland documentary, this episode focuses on the following questions: What does science tell us about our ability to spot a liar? What steps do deception experts recommend we take when trying to judge if a story is true? And finally, why did so many people get taken in by this film? Website: www.michaeljacksoncaseforin...

The focus of the third and final episode on Leaving Neverland is how filmmaker Dan Reed continues the pattern of deceit in his promotional interviews. Through his responses, Reed reveals that he is not interested in the accuracy of his film, only the impact of this film. The episode concludes by taking a measure of how Leaving Neverland matches up with accepted standards for documentary filmmaking. Website: www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com Twitter: @Case4Innocence Content Advisory: Thi...

One of the most talked about aspects of Leaving Neverland is the very graphic descriptions of sex abuse by both Robson and Safechuck. It was a shock to hear these accusers spell out the specific sex acts at length on screen. These vivid and compelling details are what led to many viewers believing the allegations were true. In this episode, you'll hear 3 arguments for why Robson and Safechuck's unusually graphic accounts of sex abuse should not be taken as evidence for truthfulness. All...

Leaving Neverland Part 2 picks up in 1992, when Robson and Safechuck claim Jackson dropped them for Macaulay Culkin and Brett Barnes. The Robsons express resentment that Jackson didn't take Wade on the Dangerous Tour, and are upset that he took Barnes. You'll hear about the accusers' support of Jackson during the Chandler scandal of 1993, and their improbable claims of being intimidated by Jackson and his lawyers to testify in 2005. The film and this episode conclude with the Robsons and Safe...

In this first part of the series on Leaving Neverland, you'll follow the story as it's presented in the documentary, starting with Safechuck and Robson first meeting Jackson in 1987, and continuing through 1992 when they say Jackson was losing interest in them for other boys. Both accusers present narratives in the documentary that contradict their lawsuits, which were ongoing even at the time of filming for Leaving Neverland. There are many credibility issues that are highlighted in this epi...

James Safechuck is the fourth and final accuser of Michael Jackson. He first claimed abuse in 2013 when he was in his 30s, and then filed a lawsuit against Jackson. The purpose of this episode is to present Safechuck's claims of abuse from his lawsuit and to show how his legal moves are carefully calculated to result in the maximum financial compensation. Through the statements that Safechuck makes in his lawsuit, it's evident that he is willing to repeatedly make misleading and false s...

In this second and final episode on the Robson Allegations, the focus is on Wade Robson's legal maneuvering regarding his lawsuit against Michael Jackson's companies. You’ll hear about the witnesses he uses to support his claims, how the legal aspects of his claims reveal his deceit, and you’ll see how Robson treats his alleged fellow victims in his lawsuit. All source material can be found on our podcast website: www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com Twitter: @Case4Innocence Conten...

This episode focuses on Wade Robson's narrative of abuse as presented in his lawsuit. Robson's account includes how he met Jackson in Australia, and moved to the states 4 years later to advance his career. The contradictions, falsehoods, and improbable scenarios of his account are highlighted. All source material can be found on our podcast website: www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com Twitter: @Case4Innocence Content Advisory: There is discussion of sex abuse allegations involving...

This final episode in the Arvizo series focuses on the abuse of power by the district attorney and the lack of media accountability in the Michael Jackson criminal trial. The show centers around the following questions: 1. How did this case ever get to court? 2. Why doesn't the public understand the evidence that these are fraudulent claims? All source material can be found on our podcast website: www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com Twitter: @Case4Innocence...

In this episode, you'll hear testimony from the defense witnesses, including celebrity witnesses MacCauley Culkin, Jay Leno, and Chris Tucker. Many of these witnesses testify to being victims of the Arvizos' scamming. The picture they paint is not just of the mother doing the scamming, but the whole family takes part. The witnesses all describe entitled, confident, and destructive behavior by Gavin and his brother, and Gavin comes across as not afraid to stand up to anyone. The defense also b...

In this episode, you'll hear from the remaining prosecution witnesses. The state's case focuses on the following: *Evidence that this family was held against their will and that Jackson knew about it *Evidence that Jackson had employees and handlers protecting him *Evidence of molestation or suspicious behavior by Jackson around Gavin Arvizo or any other child *Evidence of Jackson giving Gavin or any other child alcohol You'll hear the prosecution's arguments against Michael Jackson, and how ...

The Michael Jackson criminal trial begins in February 2005, with the Santa Maria courthouse overwhelmed by the massive media presence covering the proceedings. The lawyers on both sides present their opening statements, and then the prosecution starts calling their approximately 87 witnesses . The focus of Part 2 is coverage of the Arvizo family testimony, highlighting the cross examinations that discredit their accounts. You'll hear from the accuser, Gavin Arvizo; his brother, Star; hi...

The focus of this first episode in the Arvizo series is to present the background of the case and the lead up to the trial. The Arvizo family is introduced and how they got to know Michael Jackson beginning in 2000. The case background includes details about the family's history of grift, and how the mother uses her kids in her money schemes. You'll hear how the Martin Bashir documentary about Michael Jackson sets off a media frenzy that leads directly to allegations of abuse. The episode con...

In this final episode of the Chandler Allegations series, the cumulative evidence from the past 4 episodes is combined and sorted to make the case that the evidence supports Michael Jackson's innocence in this first sex abuse claim against him. All source material can be found on our podcast website: www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com Twitter: @Case4Innocence Content Advisory: There is discussion of sex abuse allegations involving minors in this episode.

In this final chapter on the Chandler Allegations timeline, you'll hear about how District Attorney Tom Sneddon takes his criminal case against Michael Jackson to 2 grand juries. Despite failing to get an indictment, Sneddon doesn't close the case against Jackson, and continues to make media appearances where he lets it be known that all he needs is a willing victim to come forward. Hard copy reporter Diane Dimond and Victor Gutierrez are involved in promoting the scandal that there is ...

This episode focuses on the psychiatrist interview of Jordan Chandler from October 1993. As arranged by their lawyer, Jordan and his parents flew to New York from Los Angeles to be interviewed by Dr. Richard Gardner, who was known at the time as an expert in false allegations of abuse. This step was likely taken to help the Chandlers prepare for questioning if their civil case went to trial. Highlights from the interview are detailed, including direct quotes from the exchanges bet...

In part 2 of the Chandler allegations, you’ll hear about the media frenzy after Jordan's allegation becomes public. District Attorney Tom Sneddon and police are convinced of Michael Jackson's guilt before any real investigation begins, which biases their later interviews with children who knew Jackson. The Chandlers and their lawyers take thoughtfully planned steps to pressure Jackson into settling the civil lawsuit that's filed in September 1993. The episode concludes by covering the s...

In this episode, you'll hear how the Chandlers begin and develop their friendship with Michael Jackson. The accounts presented in this case primarily come from the Chandlers themselves. The Chandler family first visits Neverland Ranch in February 1993, and Jordan will later say the abuse began a few months later. The controversy over the reliability of Jordan's confession is detailed and his father's questionable motives and behavior are explored. The episode concludes in August 1993 with the...

In this first episode, Sheryl and June explain why they made this podcast. June relates her experience as a Michael Jackson fan, and shares some of the difficult situations that arose in the wake of the Leaving Neverland documentary release. Sheryl presents her motivations behind researching the claims of Leaving Neverland, and offers her top 7 takeaways from the research that convinced her of Jackson's innocence. Website: www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com Twitter: @Case4Innocence

In this trailer, you'll meet your hosts, Sheryl & June, and find out why this mother and daughter teamed up to create a podcast about the Michael Jackson sex abuse allegations. You'll hear about June's fandom of Michael Jackson, and her mom's worry after these accusations came out publicly. They explain how the podcast is evidence-based, narrated with the help of voice actors, and all of the source material is fully accessible to listeners on their podcast website. www.michaeljackso...