$20m Jackson boy accuses own father of abuse

KiwiCoromandel · September 5, 2006

The boy who got a $20 million settlement from Michael Jackson after accusing the pop star of sexual molestation in 1993 is battling his own father in a US court over charges of life-threatening physical abuse, according to court documents obtained by the New York Daily News.

The accuser, now 26, says his ex-dentist dad Evan Chandler "struck him on the head from behind with ... (dumbbell) weight ... sprayed his eyes with Mace or pepper spray, and tried to choke him" last year, according to court documents filed in New Jersey.

It's a mystery why the son and the father, who became millionaires in 1994, thanks to the Jackson sex-abuse settlement, were fighting in August 2005 - just two months after the singer's acquittal in another kiddie-sex case involving a teenage cancer survivor.

Santa Barbara County prosecutors had begged the 1993 accuser to testify at Jackson's 2005 trial, hoping he could bolster that alleged victim's similar story of fondling at the pop star's hands. But the dark-haired college graduate refused to get involved.

Instead, his mother, June Chandler, who's divorced from his father, came forward. She testified Jackson threw a tantrum when she initially refused to let her then-13-year-old son sleep in the singer's bed in March 1993.

"He was sobbing, crying, shaking, trembling," Chandler said, describing Jackson.

She testified the angry pop star shouted: "We're a family. Why won't you let (him) be with me? ... Why can't (he) sleep in my bed? ... Why don't you trust me?"

Finally, she gave in. The next day Jackson rewarded her with a pricey gold Cartier bracelet.

From then on, she allowed her son to sleep with Jackson dozens of times until the alleged abuse came to light in July 1993.

After that, Evan Chandler obtained custody of the boy, who eventually severed ties with the mother.

At Jackson's trial last year, June Chandler tearfully acknowledged she hadn't spoken to her son in 10 years.

Evan Chandler has reportedly had health problems in recent years.

The settlement Jackson paid the family included a $15.3 million annuity for the son, $1.5 million for each parent and several million in legal fees.

The latest dispute landed in appeals court in New Jersey because the son was dissatisfied with the August 2005 ruling by a Hudson County Family Court judge who dismissed the case and refused to grant a final restraining order - even though he believed the father had attacked the son.

That judge did, however, grant a temporary restraining order to remain in effect "pending outcome of the appeal".

At the time of the attack, the son and father were living together in New Jersey.

Three months ago, two appellate judges ruled the judge was wrong to toss the case and ordered a trial.

In siding with the son, the judges faulted the family court's reasoning.

"The judge found that the (dumbbell) weight could cause serious bodily injury or death. Thus, the judge was satisfied that (the son) had provided evidence, which if believed, would support a finding of aggravated assault. Despite that finding, the judge refused to issue a final restraining order," the appellate judges wrote.

"Given the nature of the attack ... (a judge) could infer immediate danger."

It is unclear whether a trial will indeed occur or if the matter has been resolved.

A Hudson County Family Court spokesman refused to answer questions about the case or allow a reporter to view the file, citing confidentiality.

The son's lawyer, Brian Schwartz, did not return calls.

And the dad's lawyer, Raoul Bustillo, was mum.

"I won't comment - not even on the status of the case," he said.