Joy Robson, the mother of Wade Robson one of Michael Jackson's regular bed sharing friends, gave testimony at the trial yesterday.
She said that Jackson would pick "special friends", from amongst the boys who regularly visited Neverland, one of these "special friends" was her own son Wade.
Jackson called these children "cousins", apparently so that they would not get jealous.
Ms Robson said that she had never seen any inappropriate behaviour between Jackson and Wade, she then added that her family felt close to Jackson.
Quote:
"We consider us very good friends, if not family..the happiest place on earth ... very serene, very peaceful, very beautiful - inspirational".
Sentimental, deluded claptrap.
Either Jackson's celebrity "status" has totally overwhelmed her reasoning, or else she was simply after his money.
Ms Robson denied suggestions that her "friendship" with Jackson's was designed to help her son's show business career.
Having denied that, she then admitted that Jackson did help her family financially and organised a recording deal for Wade.
Ms Robson described Jackson's love of children as "very pure", and said she had felt no qualms about trusting him with her own children.
She then said, rather disconcertingly, that:
"They enjoyed each other..I remember Michael telling me it was like looking in the mirror. He saw himself all over again."
Normal, responsible, parents would not allow a 30 year old man to become so involved with their children; most certainly, they would not allow a 30 year old man to share the same bed as their children.
It is clear that there were other issues at play here.
Quite simply put, it seems that these parents were enamoured of Jackson's celebrity and his wealth.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Friday, May 06, 2005
Bed Buddies
Michael Jackson's defence kicked off yesterday.
The first up to the witness stand was Wade Robson, a choreographer for stars such as Britney Spears. He knew Jackson a few years ago when he, Robson, was a child.
Robson was asked if Jackson ever molested him. Robson responded:
"Absolutely not,".
It seemed, to observers, that Robson was not comfortable with being cross examined by the prosecution.
They asked:
"The first time you slept with Michael Jackson you were seven years old is that correct?".
Robson said:
"I slept in the same bed,", and confirmed that he had slept with Jackson between 15-20 times as he aged from 7 to 13 years old.
Why would a 30 year old man wish to sleep with a 7 year old?
What were Robson's parents thinking of allowing such a state of affairs?
Robson, despite a former maid claiming that she saw it, denied ever showering with Jackson.
Robson also denied any form of kissing, touching or cuddling.
The prosecution then showed Robson pages from one of the books seized from Jackson's house. They tried to commit him to state that the pictures were pornographic, he did not acquiesce at the first attempt.
However, when shown pictures from a second book involving sodomy, he admitted that he would be concerned about a young boy sharing a bed with a man who read such literature.
Robson said he never saw any pornographic magazines at Jackson's home, and despite the nature of the magazines he was shown, he maintained that he would allow his own children to sleep with Michael Jackson.
Brett Barnes, a roulette dealer from Melbourne, then took the stand; he testified that he met Jackson when he was only 5 years old.
Barnes said that he always slept in Jackson's bedroom; sometimes alone, sometimes with other boys.
He said they would stay up watching movies, playing video games and having pillow fights. He claimed that everyone kept their pajamas on.
Barnes was asked if Jackson had ever molested him. He answered:
"Absolutely not, and I can tell you right now, if he had, I wouldn't be here right now..It's not the type of thing I stand for."
The last time he slept in Jackson's bedroom was when he was 19.
The case continues.
The first up to the witness stand was Wade Robson, a choreographer for stars such as Britney Spears. He knew Jackson a few years ago when he, Robson, was a child.
Robson was asked if Jackson ever molested him. Robson responded:
"Absolutely not,".
It seemed, to observers, that Robson was not comfortable with being cross examined by the prosecution.
They asked:
"The first time you slept with Michael Jackson you were seven years old is that correct?".
Robson said:
"I slept in the same bed,", and confirmed that he had slept with Jackson between 15-20 times as he aged from 7 to 13 years old.
Why would a 30 year old man wish to sleep with a 7 year old?
What were Robson's parents thinking of allowing such a state of affairs?
Robson, despite a former maid claiming that she saw it, denied ever showering with Jackson.
Robson also denied any form of kissing, touching or cuddling.
The prosecution then showed Robson pages from one of the books seized from Jackson's house. They tried to commit him to state that the pictures were pornographic, he did not acquiesce at the first attempt.
However, when shown pictures from a second book involving sodomy, he admitted that he would be concerned about a young boy sharing a bed with a man who read such literature.
Robson said he never saw any pornographic magazines at Jackson's home, and despite the nature of the magazines he was shown, he maintained that he would allow his own children to sleep with Michael Jackson.
Brett Barnes, a roulette dealer from Melbourne, then took the stand; he testified that he met Jackson when he was only 5 years old.
Barnes said that he always slept in Jackson's bedroom; sometimes alone, sometimes with other boys.
He said they would stay up watching movies, playing video games and having pillow fights. He claimed that everyone kept their pajamas on.
Barnes was asked if Jackson had ever molested him. He answered:
"Absolutely not, and I can tell you right now, if he had, I wouldn't be here right now..It's not the type of thing I stand for."
The last time he slept in Jackson's bedroom was when he was 19.
The case continues.
Judge Rejects Mistrial Motion
Judge Rodney Melville rejected calls for a mistrial and acquittal, without explanation, from Michael Jackson's lawyers.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
And So To Bed
The prosecution in the Michael Jackson trial presented its final witness yesterday, and is now resting.
This concludes 10 weeks and 87 witnesses worth of testimony.
At this point the defence team immediately filed a motion for acquittal, contending that Jackson should be acquitted because the prosecution had failed to prove its case.
Judge Rodney Melville will hear this motion on Thursday.
This concludes 10 weeks and 87 witnesses worth of testimony.
At this point the defence team immediately filed a motion for acquittal, contending that Jackson should be acquitted because the prosecution had failed to prove its case.
Judge Rodney Melville will hear this motion on Thursday.
Jackson's Two Voices
It seems that there are two sides to Michael Jackson.
That at least is the case according to Rudy Provencio, who gave testimony in the Jackson trial yesterday.
He contends that Jackson has two voices; one soft, as used in public, and the other deep and stern, this is used when he is agitated.
That at least is the case according to Rudy Provencio, who gave testimony in the Jackson trial yesterday.
He contends that Jackson has two voices; one soft, as used in public, and the other deep and stern, this is used when he is agitated.
Killers Claim
Rudy Provencio, an associate of one of Michael Jackson's associates Marc Schaffel, testified yesterday that a member of Jackson's team once referred to "killers" pursuing the Arvizos.
The prosecution contend that Jackson's associates put together a plan to hold the Arvizos prisoner in 2003, by saying that killers were after them.
This "ruse" would force the Arvizos into performing the rebuttal video.
Provencio testified that a Jackson employee, Vincent Amen, said that the only real threat was from students at Gavin Arvizo's school, who used homophobic insults against him.
He went on to say that at one stage Schaffel had tried to curtail a discussion with him by saying:
"I can't talk right now, they just escaped."
Provencio then claimed that Vincent Amen, also said that he couldn't talk "because the family just escaped."
Provencio contradicted Debbie Rowe's testimony, as to her video being genuine, noting that Schaffel frequently coached her performance.
Quote:
"He would prod her to do it better or say it better, as any producer would,".
It seems that Rowe's tears, in one part of the video, were not enough; and that Schaffel made her do the scene again with more feeling.
I wonder if, at the end of this trial, anyone will come away with their reputations intact?
The prosecution contend that Jackson's associates put together a plan to hold the Arvizos prisoner in 2003, by saying that killers were after them.
This "ruse" would force the Arvizos into performing the rebuttal video.
Provencio testified that a Jackson employee, Vincent Amen, said that the only real threat was from students at Gavin Arvizo's school, who used homophobic insults against him.
He went on to say that at one stage Schaffel had tried to curtail a discussion with him by saying:
"I can't talk right now, they just escaped."
Provencio then claimed that Vincent Amen, also said that he couldn't talk "because the family just escaped."
Provencio contradicted Debbie Rowe's testimony, as to her video being genuine, noting that Schaffel frequently coached her performance.
Quote:
"He would prod her to do it better or say it better, as any producer would,".
It seems that Rowe's tears, in one part of the video, were not enough; and that Schaffel made her do the scene again with more feeling.
I wonder if, at the end of this trial, anyone will come away with their reputations intact?
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
A Job For Forensics
John Duross O'Bryan, a forensic accountant, gave testimony in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial yesterday.
He claims that his investigations have revealed that Jackson was burning cash at the rate of some $20M to $30M more than he earned per annum.
That's quite a cash burn!
Needless to say the defence team argued that Jackson's financial health was not on trial. The prosecution contend that the depth of Jackson's financial troubles made him desperate, so desperate in fact, that he resorted to conspiracy to kidnap the Arvizos in order to prop up his finances.
O'Bryan used his skills to trace Jackson's assets and liabilities from 1999 to 2004.
One balance sheet, from June 30, 2002, showed Jackson with a negative net worth of minus $285M. Jackson had assets of $130M, but his liabilities were $415M.
O'Bryan testified that he warned Jackson that he might have to sell off his two greatest assets, the catalogue of his own songs and the Sony-ATV catalogue which contains rights to the works of numerous other artists including the Beatles.
However, according to O'Bryan, even if Jackson sold all his assets it may be that he would still owe Sony around $40M.
O'Bryan testified that Jackson owes the Bank of America at least $235M on a loan and a line of credit.
The funny thing about banks is that the more that you owe them, the nicer they are to you.
He claims that his investigations have revealed that Jackson was burning cash at the rate of some $20M to $30M more than he earned per annum.
That's quite a cash burn!
Needless to say the defence team argued that Jackson's financial health was not on trial. The prosecution contend that the depth of Jackson's financial troubles made him desperate, so desperate in fact, that he resorted to conspiracy to kidnap the Arvizos in order to prop up his finances.
O'Bryan used his skills to trace Jackson's assets and liabilities from 1999 to 2004.
One balance sheet, from June 30, 2002, showed Jackson with a negative net worth of minus $285M. Jackson had assets of $130M, but his liabilities were $415M.
O'Bryan testified that he warned Jackson that he might have to sell off his two greatest assets, the catalogue of his own songs and the Sony-ATV catalogue which contains rights to the works of numerous other artists including the Beatles.
However, according to O'Bryan, even if Jackson sold all his assets it may be that he would still owe Sony around $40M.
O'Bryan testified that Jackson owes the Bank of America at least $235M on a loan and a line of credit.
The funny thing about banks is that the more that you owe them, the nicer they are to you.
Jackson A Sociopath?
As has been demonstrated time and time again with the Michael Jackson trial, nothing is really what it seems
Last week Jackson's ex wife, Debbie Rowe, gave testimony about Jackson in which she called him her friend and praising his parenting skills.
Her testimony was blown out of the water yesterday, by California detective Steve Robell.
He claims that she was not complimentary about Jackson in a taped interview that he conducted.
Robell claims that Rowe had given him a very different story when he interviewed her in March, 2004.
Rowe allegedly told him that Jackson was "a sociopath", and that their two children were seen as his "possessions."
Robell also testified that when he asked Rowe if the statements she made in the videotaped rebuttal, which aired on TV in 2003, were true, she said they were false.
As ever, the jury will have to wade their way through the stench of lies and greed that pervade this trial.
Last week Jackson's ex wife, Debbie Rowe, gave testimony about Jackson in which she called him her friend and praising his parenting skills.
Her testimony was blown out of the water yesterday, by California detective Steve Robell.
He claims that she was not complimentary about Jackson in a taped interview that he conducted.
Robell claims that Rowe had given him a very different story when he interviewed her in March, 2004.
Rowe allegedly told him that Jackson was "a sociopath", and that their two children were seen as his "possessions."
Robell also testified that when he asked Rowe if the statements she made in the videotaped rebuttal, which aired on TV in 2003, were true, she said they were false.
As ever, the jury will have to wade their way through the stench of lies and greed that pervade this trial.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Jackson Drops Charges
Michael Jackson is dropping his suit against Xtrajet.
He sued the charter flight company XtraJet in November of 2003, one day after he flew from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara to surrender on child molestation charges.
Jackson claimed that XtraJet surreptitiously videotaped the flight, and tried to profit by selling the tape.
Now he is dropping the case, reportedly because he doesn't want to be questioned by XtraJet lawyers in a deposition.
Xtrajet have claimed that Jackson simply filed the suit to take attention away from the molestation charges.
As a stratgey, that doesn't seem to have worked.
He sued the charter flight company XtraJet in November of 2003, one day after he flew from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara to surrender on child molestation charges.
Jackson claimed that XtraJet surreptitiously videotaped the flight, and tried to profit by selling the tape.
Now he is dropping the case, reportedly because he doesn't want to be questioned by XtraJet lawyers in a deposition.
Xtrajet have claimed that Jackson simply filed the suit to take attention away from the molestation charges.
As a stratgey, that doesn't seem to have worked.
A Hefty Withdrawal
Beverly Wagner, a manager of a Los Angeles-area bank, gave testimony in the Michael Jackson trial yesterday.
She stated that Jackson's associate, Marc Schaffel, withdrew $1.5M from her branch two months after the Bashir documentary aired.
She said that cashed one cheque for $1M on April 2, 2003, and another for $0.5M a few days later. The cheques were for cash, against the account of Neverland Valley Entertainment.
The prosecution claim that Schaffel conspired with Jackson to use the money to hold the Arvizos captive.
She stated that Jackson's associate, Marc Schaffel, withdrew $1.5M from her branch two months after the Bashir documentary aired.
She said that cashed one cheque for $1M on April 2, 2003, and another for $0.5M a few days later. The cheques were for cash, against the account of Neverland Valley Entertainment.
The prosecution claim that Schaffel conspired with Jackson to use the money to hold the Arvizos captive.
Phone Records
The prosecution in the Michael Jackson trial presented phone records to the court yesterday.
They claim that these substantiate their contention that Michael Jackson's associates tried to intimidate, and control, the Arvizos.
Sgt. Craig Bonner, a Santa Barbara County sheriff's investigator, used a chart to outline the 40 calls among the Jackson entourage, some of whom have been named as unindicted co-conspirators in the case.
The calls were made from hotel rooms in Florida and California, and a chartered jet in the days following the Bashir broadcast.
None of the calls outlined were made from a phone that specifically belonged to Jackson, neither did Jackson make any of the calls.
The calls were made to:
-The Arvizo grandparents in California
-The Gavin Arvizo's father
-Several members of Jackson's entourage
-Jackson videographer Hamid Moslehi
-Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe
They claim that these substantiate their contention that Michael Jackson's associates tried to intimidate, and control, the Arvizos.
Sgt. Craig Bonner, a Santa Barbara County sheriff's investigator, used a chart to outline the 40 calls among the Jackson entourage, some of whom have been named as unindicted co-conspirators in the case.
The calls were made from hotel rooms in Florida and California, and a chartered jet in the days following the Bashir broadcast.
None of the calls outlined were made from a phone that specifically belonged to Jackson, neither did Jackson make any of the calls.
The calls were made to:
-The Arvizo grandparents in California
-The Gavin Arvizo's father
-Several members of Jackson's entourage
-Jackson videographer Hamid Moslehi
-Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe
Video Shown
ABC News has obtained and shown the videotape that prosecution claims shows that Michael Jackson's associates were keeping track of the Arvizos.
The videotaping of the Arvizos was conducted in the days following their departure from Neverland. Private detective Ed Santiago is claiming that he and a friend were hired to watch and follow the Arvizos, and to make sure that Janet Arvizo returned to Neverland and did not try to sell her story to tabloids.
He is quoted as saying:
"It is my understanding that there was some concern about her stability, her emotional stability, and her movements and the people she was interacting with, specifically the tabloids,".
The tape has been shown in court.
The videotaping of the Arvizos was conducted in the days following their departure from Neverland. Private detective Ed Santiago is claiming that he and a friend were hired to watch and follow the Arvizos, and to make sure that Janet Arvizo returned to Neverland and did not try to sell her story to tabloids.
He is quoted as saying:
"It is my understanding that there was some concern about her stability, her emotional stability, and her movements and the people she was interacting with, specifically the tabloids,".
The tape has been shown in court.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
The Great Escape
Judge Rodney Melville barred the prosecution from entering the testimony of Ian Drew, a journalist, into Michael Jackson's trial.
Drew allegedly overheard Ronald Konitzer, a former associate of Jackson, speak of the Arvizo family "escaping" from Neverland.
This testimony bolstered their contention that there was a conspiracy to hold the Arvizo's against their will.
Drew said:
"I was told they (the Arvizos) had disappeared...I believe the word 'escaped' was used."
Drew admitted that he may not have heard Konitzer say "escaped."
Quote:
"I was on deadline trying to get a story done..I remember the tone of the conversation more than his exact words."
The prosecution seem to be grasping at straws.
Drew allegedly overheard Ronald Konitzer, a former associate of Jackson, speak of the Arvizo family "escaping" from Neverland.
This testimony bolstered their contention that there was a conspiracy to hold the Arvizo's against their will.
Drew said:
"I was told they (the Arvizos) had disappeared...I believe the word 'escaped' was used."
Drew admitted that he may not have heard Konitzer say "escaped."
Quote:
"I was on deadline trying to get a story done..I remember the tone of the conversation more than his exact words."
The prosecution seem to be grasping at straws.
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