Michael Jackson freed, cleared of all charges

SANTA MARIA, Calif (Reuters) - Pop superstar Michael Jackson was cleared of all charges on Monday, including child sex abuse, ending a bitter four-month trial that could have sent him to prison for nearly 20 years. 

Fans outside the courtroom in central California hugged each other and set free white doves as the jury cleared the pop star on four counts of child molestation, one count of attempted molestation, four charges of giving alcohol to a minor and one charge of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.