Weighing the pros and cons of the not guilty verdict in the Michael Jackson child-molestation case is befuddling. It's only fair that he got off the hook, but it was his wealth that enabled this. On the other hand, the verdict is a windfall for a man who has been besmirched despite the good music he's created and the kind acts he's done.

So did he really do it? Who knows. His reputation probably doesn't exist for nothing, yet this doesn't necessarily mean that he broke the law in this case.

To complicate the matter, Jackson throws a monkey wrench at the justice system because his is unlike the cases normally dealt with. For one thing, he can afford the best lawyers money can buy. For another, it's hard to find an unbiased jury for him. Everyone's heard of him and knows his reputation. Finding a truly unbiased jury of his peers would require some unusual work to say the least. The only consolation is that such cases are few and far between - even the Martha Stewart case pales in comparison.

It's not clear what Jackson's future will hold now that he's been acquitted. Legal fees might put financial strain on him, perhaps motivating him to avoid anything risky involving children in the future. According to his lawyers, he has stated that he will be good.

All said and done, it seems justice has been served. The victims' testimony was so full of holes that the not guilty verdict was only proper. In the eyes of the public, however, Jackson still is a suspicious character, even if he still is widely admired by fans. But guilty is such a harsh word, and Jackson's history is so unclear that he can't be summed up so easily. Strange or odd might work. Wonderful? Maybe. Pedophile? Many would think so.

This suspicion hovering over Jackson should be enough of a punishment to satisfy anyone who wishes to see him behind bars. The man has been unfairly hounded by paparazzi for years. He is a public spectacle, a joke.

For his fans and others who are glad to see him free, the not guilty verdict was a blessing. One person even released a dove for every count on which Jackson was found not guilty. A little bit of honor has been restored to his name.

Case closed.