The case against Jackson hinged on conflicting portrayals of his character and behaviour. Prosecutor Tom Sneddon described him as a cunning sexual predator who targeted young boys from troubled backgrounds.
The defence team of Thomas Mesereau and Susan Yu depicted him as a childlike innocent who was an easy mark for a family of liars and con artists.
The jurors said they 'expected some better evidence, something more convincing -- but it just wasn't there'.
Judge Rodney S Melville announced in the court to Jackson: 'Your bail is exonerated and you are released.'
Photograph: John G. Mabanglo-Pool/Getty Images and Aaron Lambert-Pool/Getty Images
Also See: Prosecutor denies vendetta