Santa Maria, Calif. ? The child molestation case against Michael Jackson went to the jury Friday after the defense begged the panel to acquit the singer, portraying Jackson as a victim of grifters trying to pull “the biggest con of their careers.”

Prosecutors painted a vastly different picture during their closing argument – one of Jackson as a serial child molester and his Neverland Ranch as a predator’s lair.

Jurors spent about two hours deliberating before going home for the weekend.

The jury got the case on a day marked by an impassioned plea by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. for Jackson’s acquittal. He said the pop star is not the “monster” that prosecutors have portrayed, and he said the accuser and his family fabricated the molestation allegations to take advantage of Jackson.

“They are trying to profit from Michael Jackson. They think they have pulled it off. They are just waiting for one thing – your verdict.”

He added: “If you look in your hearts do you believe Michael Jackson is evil in that way? Is it even possible? It really is not.”

During his rebuttal, Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Zonen sought to answer the defense lawyer’s question.

“Why would Mr. Jackson do it? Because he could,” Zonen said. “This child was in love with him. This child would do anything he said.”

Michael Jackson leaves the courtroom during the second day of closing arguments in his child molestation trial. Jackson has appeared gaunt in recent days, and officials at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital in Solvang disclosed Friday that he had visited the emergency room overnight.

Soon after, as the jury went to work, a grim-looking Jackson left the courthouse and walked slowly to his entourage’s waiting vehicles in front of the courthouse. He drove off without comment.

Jackson felt nervous in court but was physically fine and was relieved the trial is nearly over, said his spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain.

“He’s very strong and he has a strong faith in God and the justice system. He is not falling apart. He has been a true soldier in all of this,” Bain said.

Jackson, 46, has appeared gaunt in recent days, and officials at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital disclosed Friday that he had visited the emergency room overnight.

Hospital spokeswoman Janet O’Neill refused to discuss why Jackson was there.

He arrived at court on time with his parents, sisters Janet and LaToya, and brothers Jermaine, Tito and Randy. He clutched his mother’s arm as he walked in.

“Michael’s innocent!” came shouts from some in a crowd of about 75 people outside.

Jackson is charged with molesting the boy, then a 13-year-old cancer patient, in 2003. He allegedly plied the boy with wine and conspired to hold his family captive to get them to rebut the documentary “Living With Michael Jackson.”

He could face several years in prison if convicted of all charges.