'Faith Played Enormous Role' in Boy Overcoming Michael Jackson Sex Abuse Trial, Says Diane Dimond
After attending the wedding a man whose childhood relationship with Michael Jackson became the subject of the singer's 2005 sex abuse trial, a reporter who covered the case credited Gavin Arvizo's faith with his ability to move on from the situation.
"I think his faith played an enormous role in his life post-Jackson trial," Diane Dimond, a reporter who covered the case, told The Christian Post on Wednesday.
"Since the end of the trial, he has embraced faith more and more. He's only 24, and his faith is what carries him every day," Dimond explained.
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Arvizo married Shelby Drake, whose father, Bill Drake, is a former missionary, minister and Christian musician. Drake and Catholic priest Kevin Hargaden co-officiated the wedding ceremony on Nov. 30, The Daily Beast reports.
The ceremony also included Arvizo washing the feet of his new wife, inspired by Christ's actions in the book of John, Drake shared with attendees at the wedding.
Dimond said that Shelby was "perfect" for Arvizo, adding that they had "the same ethics and morals and "served the same God."
"She's a very religious person. I just met her at the wedding and you don't have a conversation with her when she's not praising God," said Dimond.
Arvizo, who grew up in a tumultuous and poor household, was diagnosed with cancer at age 10, that quickly spread all over his body. In the midst of his recovery, Jackson, who had heard of his situation, reached out to Arvizo, sending him a gift while he was in the hospital.
Eventually, Arvizo and his family were invited to the Neverland Ranch, and Arvizo and Jackson began spending more time together, both admitting on camera to sleepovers in Jackson's master bedroom.
Although authorities charged Jackson in 2003 with "child sexual abuse, giving intoxicating substances to a minor to facilitate child sexual abuse, conspiracy to cover up the crimes," two years later he was acquitted of all charges.
In the trial, the defense painted Arvizo, who was 13 when the charges were first handed down, as dishonest and uncredible, and his family as hungry for Jackson's money. They also called a series of young men to the stand who all testified that they had slept in Jackson's bedroom without sexual incident.
Earlier this year, one of those men, Wade Robson, admitted that he had been the victim of sexual abuse.
Since the case, Arvizo, who currently works as a paralegal and is applying to law school, has put himself through community college and later earned scholarships to finish his bachelor's degree at Emory University. There he made the honor role, double-majoring in history and philosophy.
Dimond credited Arvizo's priest Hargaden and two Jewish mentors, Ron Zonen, who prosecuted the Jackson case, and his wife, producer and comedienne Louise Palanker, for helping Arvizo move on from the case.
She also acknowledged her own amazement at his resilience and integrity.
"I've been astounded how Gavin has always chosen the righteous path," she said. "He won't talk about the trial, won't entertain offers for his story. He always says 'I know the truth and the truth will come out when it's the right time.'"
