Twenty years later, the courtroom doors are finally opening. A new Michael Jackson documentary on Netflix titled Michael Jackson: The Verdict promises to take viewers inside the 2005 child molestation trial using the people who were actually there. The three-part series, directed by Nick Green, premieres June 3 and focuses exclusively on the explosive legal battle that ended with the singer’s acquittal.
The 2005 trial verdict revisited comes at a moment when Jackson’s legacy is once again under public debate. Unlike previous documentaries that relied on outside commentary, this project centers on firsthand accounts from jurors, courtroom reporters, and individuals connected to both the prosecution and defense teams.
When the 14-week trial unfolded in Santa Maria, California, cameras were banned from the proceedings, and a gag order was in place. The public only saw fragmented media coverage and televised analysis from commentators who weren’t present for key moments. The filmmakers describe their approach as a “forensic look” at the trial as a whole, reconstructing events through eyewitness testimony rather than secondhand speculation.
Jackson faced 10 felony charges involving 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo. After approximately 32 hours of deliberation over seven days, the jury of eight women and four men returned not-guilty verdicts on all counts on June 13, 2005. The singer had faced the possibility of more than 20 years in prison.
The series features new interviews with jurors who weighed the evidence, media figures who observed the proceedings from inside the gallery, and individuals connected to both legal teams . One juror explains in the newly released trailer: “What has to be proven is beyond a reasonable doubt. Can you doubt that happened?”
The release arrives amid renewed interest following the box office success of the biopic Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson. While that film focused on the singer’s rise to superstardom, this documentary stays entirely inside the courtroom. For a case that captivated millions but remained partially hidden from public view, these firsthand accounts may finally offer the complete picture.
