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LI has plenty of opinions on Michael

LIers say former King of Pop was victim of gold diggers, believe money, fame helped win acquittal

BY JENNIFER MALONEY | STAFF WRITER

June 14, 2005

Some were shocked. Some were relieved. And plenty were quick to offer Michael Jackson advice now that he has been acquitted in his sensational child-molestation case.

Tim Caughman, 55, said the verdict was a "good thing," but he had a simple suggestion for the superstar: "I think he needs to stay away from children," said the Rockefeller Center maintenance worker.

On Long Island, many people had made up their minds about the self-proclaimed King of Pop, with reactions ranging from disgust to delight.

Clarence Vareen of Wheatley Heights, browsing at Tower Records in Huntington, said he was stunned by the news.

"It's unbelievable. He admitted on TV that he slept with kids in his bed," said Vareen. "I wouldn't let him sleep with my child. A man in his 40s should not be sharing his bed with a minor. If that had been me -- I'm 43 -- I'd be found guilty on all charges."

Jeffrey Schneider, 45, of West Islip, said he believed the alleged molestation victim's mother was suspect. "I think the jury probably did the right thing because the prosecution didn't prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt," said the engineer for the city Department of Environmental Protection.

Nick Balan, 16, a junior at Walt Whitman High School in Huntington, said, "He's a pedophile," he said of Jackson. "Just look at his appearance. He's always grabbing his crotch."

Many Long Islanders, both fans and detractors, said money and fame played a role in the verdict.

Jane Redmond and her daughter, Olivia, both of Bayville, heard the verdict in the car on their way to the Broadway Mall in Hicksville. Jane Redmond, 53, said she believes Jackson is guilty. Olivia Redmond, 19, who listens to Jackson's music, said she is happy he will not go to jail.

"I feel Michael Jackson's celebrity helped him get off," she said.

Others, such as Taneshia Dennis, 21, said Jackson was the victim of gold diggers. "Perfect," she said, giving a thumbs-up for the verdict. "It's just all about greed, because if the woman had seen him do what she said he did, what mother would have allowed it?"

Meanwhile, Nick Nappy, 24, of East Northport, said he didn't know what all the fuss was about.

"The whole entire ordeal is out of proportion," Nappy said. "There are much more important things to be concerned about than Michael Jackson -- I don't know, like, the war in Iraq, Social Security."

Staff writers Leah Messinger, Keiko Morris, Christian Salazar and Pete Bowles contributed to this story.