Michael Jackson's former lawyer was "worried he would do something stupid" during his child molestation trial.

Tony Capozzola - who oversaw Michael's defence during the 2005 case - has revealed the late pop icon was terrified of going to jail, and even hinted he would rather kill himself than be imprisoned.

Capozzola said: "He would constantly say, 'Tony, do you think I'm going to jail? I need you to be honest with me.'

"He would break down, his voice would tremble and he'd be sobbing. He never said, 'I'm going to kill myself,' but he said, 'I can't go to jail, I just can't.' He implied that he would have to find another way out.

"I tried everything to keep his mind away from that, but I was worried he would do something stupid. In court, Michael was completely quiet, the perfect defendant. He wasn't arrogant, he didn't say a word. He just sat there frightened."

Michael - who died of a suspected cardiac arrest last week - was first accused of sexual abuse in 1993 by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, but he settled the case out of court for $22 million.

In 2003, 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo accused the singer of abuse, but this time the case went to trial.

Michael faced a total of 10 charges, including child molestation, intoxicating a minor with alcohol and plotting to hold his family captive.

He denied all charges - and was eventually acquitted of all counts after a five-month trial - but Capozzola claims the stress of the case affected the singing legend's mental health.

Capozzola explained to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Michael was terrified that he might be convicted and go to jail - that was his worst fear. He called me many, many times after court, he called me late at night. He was very emotional and crying in a lot of the calls, it was a really tough time for him, he was unstable.

"Michael was frightened to be in custody, he knew that if he went to prison as a child molester, terrible things would have happened to him.

"He was scared he would be attacked and even molested by other prisoners. Physically he was very frail and very frightened about that."

The 2003 allegations against Michael were sparked by a TV documentary in which Michael told journalist Martin Bashir he sometimes shared a bed with boys.

Capozzola added even when Michael was in court, he struggled to see what was wrong with his comments.

The lawyer said: "He could not understand society's evil thoughts about him because of his mental set, he was Peter Pan, 'Why do they think I'm evil,' he'd say. 'I don't know why everyone thinks I'm guilty.'

"I had to be very blunt with him, I told him, 'Because you're a 48-year-old man and you got interviewed by Martin Bashir and told him you sleep with children. That doesn't go on in America or in most civilised countries, a man does not sleep with children.'

"He told me, 'That's society's problem and not mine.' In other words they are the dirty old men."

Meanwhile, an online lottery has been launched in which the singer's fans can win tickets to his memorial, which is to be held in Los Angeles' Staples Center - where Michael has been rehearsing for his upcoming London comeback shows - on Tuesday (07.07.09).

People worldwide can enter the draw at www.staplescenter.com, which will see 17,500 tickets be randomly given out.

11,000 fans will receive seats inside the arena, with another 6,500 allowed to watch on screens in the nearby Nokia Theatre.

Hopefuls should register before 6pm US time today (04.07.09), with those who are successful being notified via email.

The service will also be broadcast worldwide on TV and the internet.

Tim Leiweke from the Staples Center said: "It is the family's wish to create a service and celebration that all of Michael's fans around the world can be part of."

It has been claimed as many as 700,000 people could flock to the arena on Tuesday.