Monday, December 29, 2003

By David Bauder, Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Michael Jackson says he was manhandled by authorities when arrested last month on child molestation charges -- and suffered a dislocated shoulder from the way he was handcuffed.

"It's hurting me very badly," Jackson told Ed Bradley of CBS's "60 Minutes" in a Christmas night interview broadcast yesterday. "I'm in pain all the time."

The pop music star denied the charges against him and said he still believes it's acceptable to have children sleep in his bed. Jackson, 45, is charged with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent. After surrendering to Santa Barbara, Calif., authorities Nov. 20, he was set free on $3 million bail.

Representatives of the Santa Barbara County sheriff's department did not immediately return a call seeking comment yesterday. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Thomas Sneddon has said Jackson was treated fairly while in custody.

Bradley pressed Jackson, a father of three, on whether he would allow his own children to sleep in a bed with a 45-year-old man and if he understood the way this appeared to others.

"People think sex," Jackson said. "They're thinking sex. My mind doesn't run that way. When I see children, I see the face of God. That's why I love them so much."

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