Michael Jackson's Trials

Michael Jackson's Trials

Text

The Ongoing Trials of The Late Michael Jackson

Thursday, June 24, 2004

The 1993 Settlement

It seems that the release of the details about Michael Jackson settling an allegation of molestation in 1993, for a cash sum, has raised a few hackles.

Geraldine Hughes (author of Redemption, which deals with the 1993 case) has asked a Michael Jackson fan site to make it clear that the money that paid the settlement did not come from Michael Jackson personally. It is alleged that it came from his insurance company.

The site notes that the insurance settlement was due to the fact that Michael Jackson's constitutional rights had not been protected.


Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Not The Only Case in Town

Up until now, Michael Jackson's court appearances in Santa Maria had a certain exclusivity. That was primarily due to the fact that, owing to holidays etc, the rest of the court rooms were closed.

However, it is expected that once the Michael Jackson trial for real starts on the 13th of September the other court rooms will be open.

This means that cases, with less celebrity status, but doubtless equally important to the participants will be taking place at the same time.

This poses a major headache to the courthouse staff and local police. Aside from trying to maintain the integrity and security of the Michael Jackson case, there are also more practical issues such as parking to be considered.

There is also the vexed question as to where to put the media and their technology (cables, phones etc). Doubtless the local sheriff's department have a few private thoughts about where they would like to put them!

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Where The Nuts Come From

It is reported that Michael Jackson had sent the people who had accused him of molestation to Brazil, for a 3 day trip in March 2003, before they decided to go ahead and press charges against him.

It seems that earlier suggestions by one of Michael's former employees, Vinnie Amen, that the trip lasted 3 weeks were a little "exaggerated". Vinnie Amen is, I understand, being investigated for alleged abduction.

As charming a place as Brazil undoubtedly is; I have no idea quite what was expected that a 3 day trip, with Jackson's assistants, there would achieve.

Monday, June 21, 2004

Walls Have Ears

Emulating the spirit of WWII campaigns such as "Walls have ears", which warned people to be careful about what they say in case the enemy overheard it; the Michael Jackson team, on his official website, have warned fans to be careful about what they say on the net.

It seems that the team have just noticed that fans are discussing Michael Jackson's forthcoming trial on the net.

Whilst Michael's team note that they support freedom of speech, they caution that fans should be careful about what they post; in case the media and other parties pick it up.

They helpfully suggest that people with information contact them.

Big Brother is Watching You!

Sunday, June 20, 2004

It Never Rains, But it Pours

During the conference on the 10th of June, about Michael Jackson's forthcoming trial, Judge Rodney Melville asked both the defence and prosecution teams to come up with proposals as to how the grand jury transcript in the case should be edited.

Based on these proposals, Judge Melville would then decide what to release from the transcripts after the motion to dismiss is filed.

In a flurry of Michael Jackson related legal activity, Superior Court Judge Zel Canter agreed to release most of the documents from Jackson's 1997 civil trial.

This case related to a wrongful termination of employment claim, which was filed by 5 members of Michael Jackson's staff at the time.

Jackson was found innocent, by a Santa Maria jury, of charges which included; wrongful dismissal, harassment, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, assault, eavesdropping and breach of contract.

The media will have a field day picking over these old charges.