Michael Jackson indicted by grand jury, reports say

King of Pop Michael Jackson recently was indicted by the grand jury that investigated child molestation allegations against the singer after three weeks of closed witness testimony, including that of a 14-year-old boy who claims the superstar sexually Michael abused him, according to news reports.

Several newspapers and television networks cited unidentified sources saying the Santa Barbara County grand jury had indicted Jackson. None of the reports included details about the indictments, and there was no official confirmation or announcement.

Jackson's legal defense team issued a statement at JET press time that did not confirm an indictment but said: "Mr. Jackson and his attorneys are confident that after a trial on these charges Mr. Jackson will be fully exonerated and that the allegations contained in the indictment will be shown to be patently false."

A judge has issued a gag order that prohibits attorneys on both sides from discussing the case with the media.

The closed-door grand jury proceedings replaced a preliminary hearing, which is open to the public. Both proceedings are to determine whether there is enough evidence for a case to go to trial. Transcripts of the secret grand jury proceeding will be provided to Jackson's defense team, and then will be made public after that unless Jackson's attorneys can convince a judge doing so would prejudice a future jury pool.

Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain told the Associated Press that she had spoken with Jackson at JET press time, but would say only that the singer "is out and about."

Santa Barbara County sheriffs deputies arrested Jackson last November and county prosecutors charged him with seven counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine. Jackson pleaded innocent in January to those charges and has been free on $3 million bail.