Jackson's accuser told teacher he was not molested

SANTA MARIA, California - The teenager who accuses Michael Jackson of sex abuse stayed cool under tough cross-examination today, although he admitted telling a teacher that the star had never molested him.

Lead defence lawyer Tom Mesereau said the school principal had at one time asked the boy directly if Jackson had ever molested him. According to the transcript of the interview, the boy replied "No," the lawyer said. The boy acknowledged on the stand that he had responded no.

The 15-year-old told jurors last week that Jackson, 46, masturbated him at least twice in February or March of 2003 after nights of heavy drinking at the singer's Neverland Valley Ranch.

Jackson is charged with molesting the boy, who was 13 at the time, plying him with alcohol in order to abuse him and conspiring to commit child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment.

Mesereau also confronted the boy, who met Jackson when he was recovering from cancer, with an interview he gave to police around the time of his alleged molestation by the singer.

In that interview, the boy told police that his grandmother had told him that if men do not masturbate they end up raping women -- almost exactly the comment that Jackson is alleged to have made to the teen.

Standing firm, the boy told Mesereau he discussed masturbation with both Jackson and his grandmother. "Michael tried to explain to me first. He was more pushing it on me ... I guess my grandmother saw I was very confused about sexuality. She didn't make the identical quote."

Before grilling the boy on his central accusations against Jackson, lead defence lawyer Tom Mesereau confronted him with a string of complaints from teachers about disciplinary problems when he was younger, including getting into fights, disruption in class and bad grades.

"You had a meeting with (the school principal) because of allegations you had disciplinary problems," Mesereau said.

"No," the boy replied. "I had a meeting with him because I was a disciplinary problem. ... I wasn't that good of a kid then. I argued with teachers and stuff like that."

Jackson's lawyers, who say the boy's mother dreamed up the sex abuse to extort money from the self-proclaimed "King of Pop," are expected to do their utmost to undermine the boy's credibility.

The boy started his direct testimony last Thursday on a wild day that began with Jackson nearly jailed for missing court. The performer hobbled into the courthouse more than an hour after the scheduled trial start time -- in pajamas, appearing dazed and walking gingerly, as if in pain.

A Jackson attorney said the entertainer had tripped and injured his back while getting dressed, and gone to a hospital for treatment.

Jackson was back to his popstar self today, arriving on time in a bright red jacket and smart black pants with silver piping.

- REUTERS