MICHAEL JACKSON was found not guilty on all ten counts of child molestation, kidnapping and extortion yesterday.

The verdict will leave the state of California with a multi-million-dollar legal bill and raise the question of whether jurors are overly influenced by wealth and fame.

Jackson, 46, leant back in his seat as the court clerk read out “not guilty” to each of the counts against him. Sitting next to him was his mother, Katherine, his sister, La Toya, and his brother, Tito.

If convicted, Jackson could have spent 20 years in jail. He is now a free man, able to reclaim his passport and $3 million (£1.66 million) bail. The singer is believed to be planning to celebrate his freedom by opening a Neverland amusement park for African children.

The cost of the trial may worsen Jackson’s financial problems, however, and could hasten the sale of his back catalogue and his interest in the Beatles’ songbook.

In a tense build-up to the trial’s climax, Judge Rodney Melville spent six minutes reading Jackson’s 30-page charge document after being handed it by the foreman of the jury.

The jurors stared at the judge, not Jackson or Thomas Mesereau, his lawyer, throughout. The court was almost silent as the verdicts were read out, although Mr Mesereau’s assistant wept openly. Jackson dabbed at his eyes as his siblings kept reaching over to touch him.

At 2.26pm, after being declared a free man, Jackson stood up and hugged each one of his lawyers. He was then walked to a blacked-out SUV waiting to take him back to his Neverland ranch.

The singer waved once to his fans, but did not smile, raising suspicions that he may have taken some form of sedative. One fan released dozens of white balloons into the air as he left the courthouse, while a woman released a white dove for every “not guilty” verdict read out.

Outside the court, fans chanted “innocent!”, others “damn you!” More than a dozen police officers on motorcycles looked on, while two helicopters hovered above.

There were about 1,000 people crammed up against tall railings outside the tiny courthouse, with camera operators and photographers using cranes, makeshift platforms and rooftops to get a better view of the entrance.

Judge Melville read out a statement from the jurors after the verdict.

“We the jury feeling the weight of the world’s eyes upon us all thoroughly and meticulously studied the testimony, evidence, and rules and procedures presented in this courtroom since January 31, 2001,” it said.

“Following the jury instructions we confidently came to our verdict. It is our hope that this case is a testament to the belief in our justice system’s integrity and truth. We respectfully request that the world allow us to return to our private lives as anonymously as we came. Thank you.”

Speaking after the verdicts were delivered, Tom Sneddon, the lead prosecutor, said: “My past history with Mr Jackson had absolutely, unequivocally nothing to do with our evaluation of this particular case.

“That’s been a nice little 30-second soundbite the media has used to try and justify this thing, but it never had anything to do with either the sheriff’s investigation or our decision to file.”

The charges

Counts 7 to 10: Serving alcohol to a child in order to seduce
Not guilty

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