Live from Neverland about allegations (1993)
I am doing well and I am strong. As you may already know, after my tour ended
I remained out of the country undergoing treatment for a dependency on pain
medication. This medication was prescribed to soothe the excruciating pain that
I was suffering after recent reconstructive surgery on my scalp.
There have been many disgusting statements made recently concerning allegations
of improper conduct on my part. These statements about me are totally false. As I have
maintained from the very beginning, I am hoping for a speedy end to this
horrifying, horrifying experience to which I have been subjected.
I shall not, in this statement, respond to all the false allegations being made
against me, since my lawyers have advised me that this is not the proper forum
in which to do that. I will say I am particularly upset by the handling of this mass matter by the
incredible, terrible mass media. At every opportunity the media has dissected
and manipulated these allegations to reach their own conclusions. I ask all of
you to wait and hear the truth before you label or condemn me. Don't treat me
like a criminal because I am innocent.
I have been forced to submit to a dehumanizing and humiliating examination by
the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police
Department earlier this week. They served a search warrant on me which allowed
them to view and photograph my body, including my penis, my buttocks, my lower
torso, thighs, and any other area that they wanted. They were supposedly looking
for any discoloration, spotting, blotches, or other evidence of a skin disorder
called vitiligo which I have previously spoken about.
The warrant also directed me to co-operate in any examination of my body by
their physician to determine the condition of my skin, including whether I have
vitiligo or any other skin disorder. The warrant further stated that I had no
right to refuse the examination or photographs and if I failed to co-operate
with them, they would introduce that refusal at any trial as an indication of my
guilt.
It was the most humiliating ordeal of my life - one that no person should ever
have to suffer. And even after experiencing the indignity of this search, the
parties involved were still not satisfied and wanted to take even more pictures.
It was a nightmare, a horrifying nightmare. But if this is what I have to endure
to prove my innocence, my complete innocence, so be it.
Throughout my life, I have only tried to help thousands upon thousands of
children to live happy lives. It brings tears to my eyes when I see any child
who suffers.
I am not guilty of these allegations. But if I am guilty of anything, it is of
giving all that I have to give to help children all over the world. It is of
loving children, of all ages and races, it is of gaining sheer joy from seeing
children with their innocent and smiling faces. It is of enjoying, through them,
the childhood that I missed myself. If I am guilty of anything, it is of
believing what God said about children: "Suffer little children to come
unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven." In no way
do I think that I am God, but I do try to be God-like in my heart.
I am totally innocent of any wrongdoing and I know these terrible allegations
will all be proven false. Again, to my friends and fans, thank you very much for
all of your support. Together we will see through to the very end. I love you
very much and may God bless you all. I love you. Good bye.