Wednesday, June 15 2005 08:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Los Angeles: In his first public statement since his acquittal on child sex abuse charges, Michael Jackson yesterday (Jun 14, 2005) thanked his fans for their support and love during his gruelling four-month trial.

"Thank you to my family, friends and fans for all your love and support," read a statement that flashed up for barely a second on the star's website. "I will never forget I love you all. Michael," the message said.

The brief personal statement marked the first public words from the "King of Pop" since a jury on Monday (Jun 13, 2005) found him not guilty on 10 charges that could have seen him jailed for up to two decades.

The message flashed up under the banner "VICTORY" at the end of an animated display celebrating the superstar's freedom and his winning the battle against the charges against him.

The jury in the California town of Santa Maria, near Neverland Ranch where the star was yesterday holed up with his family, found Jackson was innocent of abusing a 13-year-old cancer patient, plying the boy with alcohol and plotting to kidnap him and his family.