MICHAEL JACKSON - NEVERLAND MANAGER ADMITS HE LIED

The manager of MICHAEL JACKSON's Neverland ranch admitted yesterday (10MAY05) that he lied when he told investigating police officers he had never seen children sleep in the BILLIE JEAN singer's bedroom.

JOSEPH MARCUS told the Santa Maria courtroom that he had, in fact, seen youngsters frequenting his employer's bedroom on numerous occasions - but Marcus maintained he had never seen anything inappropriate in the 18 years he has worked on the Californian property.

Marcus was originally interviewed by police officers in the aftermath of Jackson's arrest in November 2003 following British journalist MARTIN BASHIR's controversial documentary LIVING WITH MICHAEL JACKSON.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 felony charges of child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiracy involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

The trial continues.