Does Payoff Equal Extortion?

The most damning "proof" for Michael’s innocence offered by the apologists is that the Chandler family accepted a $23 million settlement from Jackson. Surely, comes the cry, this proves that Michael’s claims that it was an extortion scam are true. Here are two postings that dispute that:

Apologist Logic

Any parent whose child was molested would never accept money from the molestor. They would want to see justice done--and that justice can only come from a long, stressful, uncertain court case. It proves they are extortionists...

BUT

Of course Mikey paid out the cash even though he's innocent. Obviously he could've cleared his name, but he didn't want to sit through a long, stressful, uncertain court case. Anyone would have done the same.

Once again the apologists apply one set of values to Mikey, and a seperate (and often entirely opposite), set to the alleged victims.

Let's put in simple terms: If it is acceptable for Michael to avoid the emotional stress of a trail by shelling out cash to his accuser, then it is equally acceptable for the accuser to accept the cash to avoid the same emotional stress.

Settlement = Extortion?

We constantly hear the cry "if MY child were molested there is no way anyone could pay me enough to make the court case go away". This is their biggest (and often only) "proof" that the accusation is extortionate. So let’s examine that premise.

Suppose your child has claimed that mikey touched them inappropriately. Mikey’s lawyers offer you money—a lot of money--not to testify. Outraged, you refuse, saying that no amount of cash can make things right. Then Mikey’s lawyer gives you rundown of what to expect:

1) Your child is going to spend at least the next year of his life in and out of court, being forced to relive his ordeal through testimony and in the press.
2) The Lawyers are going to do everything in their power to have your child labeled a pathological liar, neurotic, attention seeker and extortionist.
3) The suggestion will be made that your son was co-operative, the instigator, offered encouragement, enjoyed it and/or is gay.
4) Mikey’s defense team are going to use every trick that they know to ensure that everything about your families’ past is paraded through the court and the media, presented in the worst possible light.
5) The media are going to make your life a living hell. Between the press and the private detectives hired by Mikey, you will have no privacy.
6) Your child will have to run a gauntlet of jeering, ravening jackson supporters every time he appears in court. These "fans" will protest outside your home, issue death threats and expose whatever "background" the defense team wants broadcast.
7) Every PR resource at Mikey's disposal will be charged with that task of spreading rumours, innuendo, distortions and even outright lies about you.
8) In the trial, your child’s credibility will amount to nothing compared to a celebrity with a history of charitable works and a bottomless pocket.
9) In the unlikely event that Mikey is found guilty he will probably get probation, or a token sentence in a government sponsored summer camp.
10) Other children may or may not have already accepted money

Given the situation, I know what I would do: I’d take the cash. I’d use it to set up my family in a new home, pay for my child’s therapy and create a trust fund for his education. Then I’d find two or three guys with no-necks and the willingness to do severe damage to another human being and hire them to tap-dance up and down Mikey’s spine until he’s incapable of ever touching another child ever again. And when I got out of jail I’d hope my child understands what I did and why.

The parents acceptance of the settlement is totally understandable under the circumstance, and is no-where near as incriminating as Jackson's offer of a settlement.

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