Attorney General Bill Lockyer Issues Statement in Response to Santa Barbara Sheriff's Request for Independent Investigation in Michael Jackson Case

Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today issued the following statement in response to Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Anderson's request to the Attorney General to conduct an independent investigation into whether Michael Jackson was inappropriately treated by authorities:

"At the request of the Santa Barbara Sheriff, I have directed special agents from my Division of Law Enforcement with the assistance of senior attorneys from my Civil Rights Enforcement Section and Criminal Law Division to conduct an independent investigation into whether the rights of Michael Jackson were violated when he was booked and arrested earlier this month. I cannot predict when our investigation will be completed, but we will work as quickly as possible to conduct a thorough and fair investigation and review all of the facts before reaching a conclusion. Once our investigation is completed, we will make our findings public and ensure that appropriate action is taken as necessary."

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