Tom Sneddon, who prosecuted Michael Jackson on child molestation charges, dies at 73

By The Associated Press
January 08 2025 09:41 PM

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The prosecutor who sought twice to try Michael Jackson on child molestation charges and was disparaged in one of the pop star’s songs has died.

Retired assistant district attorney Patrick McKinley says former Santa Barbara County district attorney Tom Sneddon died Saturday at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after a battle with cancer. He was 73.

McKinley says he learned of Sneddon’s death from Sneddon’s wife.

News of his death was first reported by the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Sneddon investigated Michael Jackson on child sexual abuse allegations twice. The first case fell apart after a young boy’s family accepted a settlement from Jackson. The probe closed with no charges.

The second set of allegations resulted in a televised trial in 2005 that ended with Jackson being acquitted.

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