The wait for justice continues, with James Safechuck and Wade Robson's consolidated lawsuits against Michael Jackson's companies now set to face trial on February 14, 2028. A California judge made the call on Friday, June 12, bringing an end to a series of postponements that had left the case hanging in limbo. The ruling marks another chapter in the long and tumultuous saga of allegations against the King of Pop.
Both men rose to prominence with their heart-wrenching stories of abuse detailed in the powerful 2019 documentary 'Leaving Neverland', where they recounted the alleged traumas inflicted upon them at Jackson's infamous Neverland ranch between the ages of seven and ten. Robson, a talented choreographer, and Safechuck, a writer, actor, and director, have further accused employees of MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures of facilitating and concealing their abuse.
The lawsuits have been on a rollercoaster ride since 2013 and 2014, when the men initially filed separate claims. Those were dismissed, but a subsequent appeal in 2024 revived their cases, paving the way for them to be combined. The appellate court's landmark ruling highlighted that companies could indeed hold a duty to safeguard victims – even if they're solely owned by an alleged perpetrator of abuse.
Despite previous attempts to get the trial underway before the release of the recent Michael biopic, procedural delays have forced another rescheduling. Lawyers from both sides agreed to waive certain deadlines, citing Safechuck's lawyer being tied up in a separate trial and a discovery referee's limited availability. Judge Michael E. Whitaker has scheduled a further hearing for September to ensure the case stays on track.
The ongoing legal battle, combined with the recent release of the biopic, has reignited public debate around the allegations. The film's decision to omit the child abuse claims – particularly given Jackson's first accusation emerged in 1993 – has sparked widespread criticism from many who feel it whitewashes the King of Pop's dark past. The Jackson estate remains steadfast in its denial of all allegations.
This case follows a string of previous accusations against Jackson, including a $25 million out-of-court settlement with the family of Jordan Chandler in 1994 and his acquittal in 2005 on seven counts of child molestation and two counts of intoxicating a minor related to Gavin Arvizo's allegations.