.

Grand Jury Indicts Jackson

Singer to be arraigned next week

April 22, 2004 12:00 AM ET

Michael Jackson has been indicted by a Santa Barbara grand jury in his child molestation case, according to reports.

The grand jury was conducted in private, with gag orders placed on both the prosecution and defense, to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to have the case to go trial. The grand jurors heard three weeks of testimony from witnesses including the fourteen-year-old boy who accused Jackson of molesting him.

Jackson is expected to enter a not guilty plea at his arraignment on April 30th. "Mr. Jackson and his attorneys are confident that after a trial on these charges, Mr. Jackson will be fully exonerated and that the allegations contained in the indictment will be shown to be patently false," a statement from the Jackson camp read. "Michael is looking forward to his day in court and wishes to thank the millions of fans throughout the world who continue to support him during this difficult period."

The charges in the indictment won't be revealed until it is unsealed next week.

Jackson pleaded not guilty to seven charges of committing lewd acts on a child and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent on January 16tyh. He's currently free on $3 million bail.

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