I agree with 144,001: the burden is on the prosecution. I think they have been trying for YEARS to have a good prosecutorial case, and have thought this one out very carefully, due to the nonsense that went on during the OJ trial, and the civil case for MJ before this. I believe that they have an airtight case, at this point, because it seems that they are going to bring on previous victims. I am not sure if this is legal in a California case, but in some states, people that are living victims, previous to the crimes, can testify, because it shows a serial pattern. I think they are preparing a case that is airtight. However, because we have to think of the monetary resources of the defendant, this could put a real dent in it.
I realize that he has been undergoing severe financial crises, but I am sure that he has a lot stashed away somewhere.
Ultimately, it will be up for the Judge and/or the Jury to decide, and I think he will be declared innocent because he will have made some backup deal with this kid and his family, and possibly the previous victims, and there will be some interesting precedents set because of this case that no settlements can be filed outside of the criminal investigation until the jury decides on his guilt/innocence BEFORE the criminal trial.
If you recall, the last time he was brought into the media on these charges, he paid the victim/victim's family millions of dollars to keep their mouths shut so that no criminal charges could be brought against him. I think that California should finally stand up and say enough of *this* and let *all* the evidencebe brought in BEFORE a civil case can be filed.
Just my humble two cents' worth.
CG