Michael Jackson's family furious after documentary reopens sexual abuse controversy, calls it 'public lynching', details inside

Michael Jackson's family members said on Monday, 28 January 2019  that y are "furious" that two men who accused him of sexually abusing m as boys have received renewed attention because of a new documentary about m.

family released a statement deuncing 'Leaving Neverland', a documentary film featuring Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck that premiered last week at Sundance Film Festival and is set to air in spring on HBO and U.K.'s Channel 4.

Read | Michael Jackson Bio- Musical Title Unveiled

"Michael always turned or cheek, and we have always turned or cheek when people have gone after members of our family - that is Jackson way," statement said. "But we can't just stand by while this public lynching goes on.... Michael is t here to defend himself, orwise, se allegations would t have been made."

family points out that Jackson was subjected to a thorough investigation which included a surprise raid of his home, Neverland Ranch, but was still acquitted at his criminal trial in 2005, in a case involving ar young man. Robson testified at that trial, saying he had slept in Jackson's room many times, but that Jackson had never molested him. Safechuck made similar statements to investigators as a boy. Jackson died in 2009.

Both men filed lawsuits in 2013 saying stress and trauma had forced m to face truth and admit y were sexually abused. suits have been thrown out on technical grounds but are under appeal. Jackson statement calls men "perjurers" because of this reversal, saying family is "furious" that media outlets without evidence have chosen "to believe word of two admitted liars over word of hundreds of families and friends around world who spent time with Michael."

film's director Dan Reed has said he has doubts about men's validity.  family insists that truth and evidence are on ir side. "We are proud of what Michael Jackson stands for," statement said. MJ's nephew also tweeted out his outr after documentary came out.