Michael Jackson thanks fans who 'dried my tears'

NEW YORK - In his first public statement since being acquitted of child sex abuse charges, Michael Jackson thanked his fans for the love and support he said "dried my tears" during the four-month trial.

In a statement posted on his website (www.mjjsource.com), Jackson said he could not have made it through "without God, my children, my family and you, my fans."

"You were there when I really needed you. I will never forget you. Your ever-present love held me, dried my tears, and carried me through," he said in the statement, which was signed "love, Michael Jackson."

Jackson, 46, was cleared two weeks ago of all charges in the sex abuse trial that had threatened to destroy his career and send him to prison for nearly two decades.

He had been charged with 10 counts of lewd acts with a child, giving a minor alcohol and conspiring to commit child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment.

Hundreds of fans had camped outside the Santa Maria, California, courthouse to show their support for the entertainer during the trial. The verdict, which was broadcast around the world, triggered a frenzy of relief and excitement among them.

"I will treasure your devotion and support forever. You are my inspiration," Jackson said.

On the day of the verdict, a posting on the same website showed a hand giving the V for victory sign as the words "The truth runs marathons" scrolled across the screen.

The site also described the verdict as a historic moment and compared it to such events as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the release from prison of South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

- REUTERS