TEARS OF JOY FOR STAR: He didn't let down his fans or the people who love him; JACKO FANS THRILLED BY JURY'S DECISION.(News)

Byline: By JIM DOYLE

FANS and friends of Michael Jackson rejoiced around the globe as a jury in California yesterday cleared the pop star of child molestation and conspiracy charges.

As fans in Santa Maria screamed with delight, in Britain Jackson's friend psychic Uri Geller said he couldn't believe the resounding not guilty verdict.

Geller, who helped set up the TV interview in which the singer said he sometimes shared a bed with children, said: "I can't believe it, I'm just so pleased I'm lost for words.

"I always said I want to believe that he's not guilty, and he's not guilty.

"I'm trembling, this is so important, he did not let down his fans and all the people that love him."

Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe said after hearing the verdicts: "I would never have married a paedophile. And the system works."

In Skovde, Sweden, Kent Vilhemsson, 21, returned home yesterday from the United States where he had been waiting outside the courtroom in Santa Maria for two weeks. Vilhemsson, a freelance journalist writing for computer magazines, who was watching the verdict live on television from his apartment in Skovde, added: "The minutes before the verdict were the most nervous moments of my life.

"Now, these are the happiest moments of my life. Now we're going to party."

Media interest in the case was intense around the globe throughout the trial.

In Germany, several news channels carried the verdict live, and the top-selling Bild newspaper quickly posted the headline "Acquittal!" on its website.

Martin Stock, 29, the founder of a Jackson fan club in Germany who stayed up late to watch the outcome, said he was overjoyed, even though he had expected his idol's acquittal. Stock, a 29-year-old employee at Frankfurt's international airport, added: "The whole trial was laughable, and Michael was treated inhumanly. I think people were trying to throw him into prison to get at his money."

He said he would try to organise a party with others among his 40-strong "JAM" fan club.

An overwhelmed Liam Cassidy, speaking for the UK-based Michael Jackson worldwide fan club, said he was "ecstatic" at the verdict. He added: "This is a vindication for Michael but also a vindication for the fans who have stood by him. It's amazing, it's great news."

Mr Cassidy, from Greenwich, south east London, who edits the magazine produced by the fan club, added: "It's exactly what we expected though.

"From the very start we have said nothing but that the whole thing, the trial, the allegations, everything about it was a farce. It was completely untrue." Mary Marsh, director of the NSPCC, said: "It's important that allegations of abuse are fully tested in courts.

"However, it's equally important that this doesn't deter people from raising their concerns about child abuse.

"It's vital that everybody is vigilant about inappropriate behaviour towards children.

"Children need to understand that behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable isn't acceptable and that talking to someone they trust could help stop any abuse they suffer."

Publicist Max Clifford said: "I'm not surprised at the verdict. Obviously Michael Jackson fans must be delighted and he must be hugely relieved.

"But I think there are a lot of things that came out in the trial which have left a bad taste in the mouth of the general public.

"I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that Michael Jackson is, if you like, back on top.

"Certainly some of the stuff that emerged has really left a big question mark with a lot of people. Although he has been found innocent of all charges, I think that the verdict is still slightly mixed for the world's public." Steve Corbett, a reporter on the Santa Maria Times, said he was "stunned" at the verdicts.

He added: "I am stunned that all of the jury have agreed that Michael Jackson has done no wrong.

"I believed they'd be split down the middle. The prosecution made a good case for some of the charges, but Michael Jackson is a free man.

"Now he can go and do whatever he wants. The jurors believed Michael Jackson was victimised by this horrific family who set out to take his money.

"The jury apparently believed this was a family of evil hustlers and they backed Jackson's defence completely.The jurors didn't believe any of the alleged victims, their parents, brothers, sister, or any of the staff at Netherland."

"I was sat beside the Jackson family and it was an odd scene in the courtroom. Although there was the odd tear, by and large the emotion did not erupt. There wasn't the great relief that I expected. But people react in different ways.

Michael Jackson looked a broken man as he left court. Now he must put the pieces back together."

CAPTION(S):

DELIGHT: A fan after the verdict; PARTY TIME: News reaches New York; RELIEF: Agony is over for this fan; VICTORY: Micahel waves to fans after the verdict yesterday; CAPTION: Pal Uri Geller

TEARS OF JOY FOR STAR: He didn't let down his fans or the people who love him; JACKO FANS THRILLED BY JURY'S DECISION.(News)

Byline: By JIM DOYLE

FANS and friends of Michael Jackson rejoiced around the globe as a jury in California yesterday cleared the pop star of child molestation and conspiracy charges.

As fans in Santa Maria screamed with delight, in Britain Jackson's friend psychic Uri Geller said he couldn't believe the resounding not guilty verdict.

Geller, who helped set up the TV interview in which the singer said he sometimes shared a bed with children, said: "I can't believe it, I'm just so pleased I'm lost for words.

"I always said I want to believe that he's not guilty, and he's not guilty.

"I'm trembling, this is so important, he did not let down his fans and all the people that love him."

Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe said after hearing the verdicts: "I would never have married a paedophile. And the system works."

In Skovde, Sweden, Kent Vilhemsson, 21, returned home yesterday from the United States where he had been waiting outside the courtroom in Santa Maria for two weeks. Vilhemsson, a freelance journalist writing for computer magazines, who was watching the verdict live on television from his apartment in Skovde, added: "The minutes before the verdict were the most nervous moments of my life.

"Now, these are the happiest moments of my life. Now we're going to party."

Media interest in the case was intense around the globe throughout the trial.

In Germany, several news channels carried the verdict live, and the top-selling Bild newspaper quickly posted the headline "Acquittal!" on its website.

Martin Stock, 29, the founder of a Jackson fan club in Germany who stayed up late to watch the outcome, said he was overjoyed, even though he had expected his idol's acquittal. Stock, a 29-year-old employee at Frankfurt's international airport, added: "The whole trial was laughable, and Michael was treated inhumanly. I think people were trying to throw him into prison to get at his money."

He said he would try to organise a party with others among his 40-strong "JAM" fan club.

An overwhelmed Liam Cassidy, speaking for the UK-based Michael Jackson worldwide fan club, said he was "ecstatic" at the verdict. He added: "This is a vindication for Michael but also a vindication for the fans who have stood by him. It's amazing, it's great news."

Mr Cassidy, from Greenwich, south east London, who edits the magazine produced by the fan club, added: "It's exactly what we expected though.

"From the very start we have said nothing but that the whole thing, the trial, the allegations, everything about it was a farce. It was completely untrue." Mary Marsh, director of the NSPCC, said: "It's important that allegations of abuse are fully tested in courts.

"However, it's equally important that this doesn't deter people from raising their concerns about child abuse.

"It's vital that everybody is vigilant about inappropriate behaviour towards children.

"Children need to understand that behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable isn't acceptable and that talking to someone they trust could help stop any abuse they suffer."

Publicist Max Clifford said: "I'm not surprised at the verdict. Obviously Michael Jackson fans must be delighted and he must be hugely relieved.

"But I think there are a lot of things that came out in the trial which have left a bad taste in the mouth of the general public.

"I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that Michael Jackson is, if you like, back on top.

"Certainly some of the stuff that emerged has really left a big question mark with a lot of people. Although he has been found innocent of all charges, I think that the verdict is still slightly mixed for the world's public." Steve Corbett, a reporter on the Santa Maria Times, said he was "stunned" at the verdicts.

He added: "I am stunned that all of the jury have agreed that Michael Jackson has done no wrong.

"I believed they'd be split down the middle. The prosecution made a good case for some of the charges, but Michael Jackson is a free man.

"Now he can go and do whatever he wants. The jurors believed Michael Jackson was victimised by this horrific family who set out to take his money.

"The jury apparently believed this was a family of evil hustlers and they backed Jackson's defence completely.The jurors didn't believe any of the alleged victims, their parents, brothers, sister, or any of the staff at Netherland."

"I was sat beside the Jackson family and it was an odd scene in the courtroom. Although there was the odd tear, by and large the emotion did not erupt. There wasn't the great relief that I expected. But people react in different ways.

Michael Jackson looked a broken man as he left court. Now he must put the pieces back together."

CAPTION(S):

DELIGHT: A fan after the verdict; PARTY TIME: News reaches New York; RELIEF: Agony is over for this fan; VICTORY: Micahel waves to fans after the verdict yesterday; CAPTION: Pal Uri Geller