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SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The stepfather of the boy who accused Michael Jackson of molestation testified Thursday that he asked for payment for the family's participation in a video interview intended to restore Jackson's reputation.
"I said, "This family has nothing and you're making millions from this and what are you going to do for this little family,' " the witness said of a conversation he had with someone he identified only as the "gentleman from Neverland," a reference to Jackson's ranch.
The stepfather, under questioning by the defense, said the person offered to give them "a college education and buy them a house." The stepfather was referred to as "Mr. Doe" to protect his identity and that of his stepson.
The proceedings this week are the product of a defense effort to limit the prosecution's evidence in the trial set to begin Jan. 31. Numerous other pretrial hearings are likely to occur before then.
The so-called "rebuttal video" was meant to answer negative publicity surrounding a British TV documentary on Jackson that included the alleged victim and showed Jackson defending his practice of having young boys sleep in his bed. He said the contacts were nonsexual.
In the rebuttal video, the 12-year-old boy and his family reportedly vouch for Jackson's good character. Prosecutors say the family was coerced into making the video, which has not been released.
Thursday's questioning appeared to bolster defense contentions that the accuser's family tried to "shake down" Jackson for money. Lawyers for Jackson claim the molestation accusations came when no payment was made.
The stepfather also testified that he asked for compensation from a British journalist who came to the family's home after the documentary on Jackson aired. He said the journalists offered $15,000 for the interview.
Jackson, 45, is charged with committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $3-million bail.
During his testimony, the man refused to confirm much of the content of the rebuttal video, saying investigator Bradley Miller ignored him while interviewing everyone else associated with the family.