SANTA MARIA, April 30: The stakes were dramatically raised in the Michael Jackson child molestation case on Friday as the pop superstar was charged with new counts of conspiracy to commit child abduction , extortion and false imprisonment in addition to lewd acts.

The 45-year-old Jackson, sombrely dressed and appearing low-key and serious in contrast to his January court appearance, pleaded innocent to 10 counts handed down by a grand jury earlier this month that heard witness testimony behind closed doors.

Details of the testimony have been kept secret and a judge said on Friday he would not release details of the new charges or the grand jury transcripts in order to protect the identity of the alleged victim and ensure a fair trial. -Reuters