
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993                   TAG: 9311160185
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: New York Daily News
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JACKSON `BARELY ABLE TO FUNCTION'

Drug-ravaged Michael Jackson remains missing in action - possibly in England, possibly in Switzerland, possibly in France, possibly all or none of the above.

Jackson's lawyer in Los Angeles wasn't saying. The vanished pop megastar is in rehab at a secret location, "barely able to function on an intellectual level," said attorney Bertram Fields.

Fields refused to disclose Jackson's precise whereabouts. But he said it is "flatly false" that he is staying overseas to avoid returning to the United States - and continuing allegations that he molested a 13-year-old boy.

"If Michael Jackson wanted an excuse to stay out of the United States, all he had to do was stay on his tour," Fields said.

"His intention is to come back after treatment," he said. "America is his home, and there is no question of him not returning."

For the first time, though, Jackson's camp appeared to concede there is a chance the singer will face criminal prosecution. Another Jackson attorney, Howard Weitzman, said Monday he had heard reports that U.S. authorities intend to serve a search warrant once Jackson returns - to inspect the singer's genitals. The 13-year-old reportedly gave investigators a description of Jackson's distinctive physical characteristics.

"As intrusive an action as can be imagined," Weitzman said. "I would hope the police and district attorney would not go to those lengths."

The announcement capped the game of international hide and seek that followed Jackson's sudden disappearance last week. But it remained unclear where he is, has been or will be next.

Keywords:
INFOLINE

by CNB