Jurors in the Michael Jackson trial now have the weekend off, before returning on Monday to resume their deliberations. They spent two hours Friday discussing the case, before adjourning.
The trial began 14 weeks ago.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Friday, June 03, 2005
Michael Jackson Collapses
Michael Jackson was admitted to hospital during Thursday night, after collapsing at Neverland.
Jackson was treated for dehydration, and released from the emergency room of the Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital.
Less booze, more water would be advisable.
Jackson was treated for dehydration, and released from the emergency room of the Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital.
Less booze, more water would be advisable.
The Bets Are On
With the Michael Jackson trial nearing its close, gambling on its outcome is widely in evidence on the Internet.
Most people apparently tending to bet on an acquittal for Jackson.
My guess, for what it is worth, is that he will get off the main charge of molestation, but will be done for supplying alcohol to a minor.
Most people apparently tending to bet on an acquittal for Jackson.
My guess, for what it is worth, is that he will get off the main charge of molestation, but will be done for supplying alcohol to a minor.
Defence Concludes
In the closing arguments of the Michael Jackson trial, Tom Mesereau for the defence reiterated his claim that Janet Arvizo coached Gavin to lie under oath in order to extort Michael Jackson.
The defence team highlighted discrepancies in the testimony by Gavin, his two siblings and their mother. They pointed out that the Arvizos kept returning to Neverland, and had plenty of opportunities to call for help, if indeed they had been held against their will.
The jury will now begin their deliberations.
The clock is ticking, the media hold their breath.
The defence team highlighted discrepancies in the testimony by Gavin, his two siblings and their mother. They pointed out that the Arvizos kept returning to Neverland, and had plenty of opportunities to call for help, if indeed they had been held against their will.
The jury will now begin their deliberations.
The clock is ticking, the media hold their breath.
Defence Failed
The prosecution yesterday accused the defence of failing in their task of exonerating Michael Jackson in his trial.
They stated that Michael Jackson targets vulnerable boys to bring them "into the world of the forbidden,".
Deputy District Attorney, Ron Zonen, said that the defence failed to keep promises made to the jury in opening statements; the defence's only strategy had been to attack the credibility of Janet Arvizo.
Zonen said that that Jackson has a pattern of going after susceptible boys and when he brings children to his Neverland ranch he separates them from parents and authority and fills their days with candy, video games and other amusements.
This is part of the "grooming process", he said.
He said that Jackson lowered their inhibitions by showing them pornography, appearing naked before them and simulating a sex act with a mannequin.
Quote:
"This case is about the exploitation and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old cancer survivor by an international celebrity,".
Zonen reminded the jury that the defence had said that Janet Arvizo had asked Mike Tyson, Adam Sandler and Jim Carey for money.
Quote:
"Did you see any of them come in here?...There's no evidence she received anything from the three of them."
Zonen said Mesereau also failed to prove that Janet Arvizo tried to negotiate for money, during the making of the rebuttal video, and that she tried to use Gavin's illness to make money.
Zonen said that Jackson never visited Gavin when he was in hospital in Los Angeles in 2000.
Zonen quoted from a letter written by Jackson to Gavin:
"But you have to really be honest in your heart that I AM your DAD and will take good care of you. DAD."
Another note said:
"I want you to have a great time in Florida. I'm very happy to be your DADDY. Blacket, Prince and Paris are your brothers and sister. Love Dad."
Zonen noted that Jackson had misspelled his son's (Blanket) nickname.
He also said that Jackson had urged the Arvizos to come to Florida, contradicting defence suggestions that the family had found out Jackson was there and wanted to get to him.
They stated that Michael Jackson targets vulnerable boys to bring them "into the world of the forbidden,".
Deputy District Attorney, Ron Zonen, said that the defence failed to keep promises made to the jury in opening statements; the defence's only strategy had been to attack the credibility of Janet Arvizo.
Zonen said that that Jackson has a pattern of going after susceptible boys and when he brings children to his Neverland ranch he separates them from parents and authority and fills their days with candy, video games and other amusements.
This is part of the "grooming process", he said.
He said that Jackson lowered their inhibitions by showing them pornography, appearing naked before them and simulating a sex act with a mannequin.
Quote:
"This case is about the exploitation and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old cancer survivor by an international celebrity,".
Zonen reminded the jury that the defence had said that Janet Arvizo had asked Mike Tyson, Adam Sandler and Jim Carey for money.
Quote:
"Did you see any of them come in here?...There's no evidence she received anything from the three of them."
Zonen said Mesereau also failed to prove that Janet Arvizo tried to negotiate for money, during the making of the rebuttal video, and that she tried to use Gavin's illness to make money.
Zonen said that Jackson never visited Gavin when he was in hospital in Los Angeles in 2000.
Zonen quoted from a letter written by Jackson to Gavin:
"But you have to really be honest in your heart that I AM your DAD and will take good care of you. DAD."
Another note said:
"I want you to have a great time in Florida. I'm very happy to be your DADDY. Blacket, Prince and Paris are your brothers and sister. Love Dad."
Zonen noted that Jackson had misspelled his son's (Blanket) nickname.
He also said that Jackson had urged the Arvizos to come to Florida, contradicting defence suggestions that the family had found out Jackson was there and wanted to get to him.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Jury Given Instructions
The jury in the Michael Jackson trial were given their instructions on Wednesday.
Closing arguments will begin Thursday, and the jury will be given the case Friday.
Judge Melville listed the 10-count indictment against Jackson, which includes four counts of committing a lewd act on a minor. The indictment also alleges one count of an attempted lewd act, one count of conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion, and four counts of administering alcohol for the purpose of committing a child molestation.
The judge told the jurors that they may consider a "lesser charge" of "furnishing alcohol to a minor," a misdemeanour. The instruction means the jury would not have to relate the alcohol to the purpose of molestation.
Judge Melville paused at one point to ask if the jurors were paying attention.
"You know I read to my wife at night so she'll go to sleep. Am I having that effect here?".
I like the judge, he has managed a difficult trial well and with dignity.
Closing arguments will begin Thursday, and the jury will be given the case Friday.
Judge Melville listed the 10-count indictment against Jackson, which includes four counts of committing a lewd act on a minor. The indictment also alleges one count of an attempted lewd act, one count of conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion, and four counts of administering alcohol for the purpose of committing a child molestation.
The judge told the jurors that they may consider a "lesser charge" of "furnishing alcohol to a minor," a misdemeanour. The instruction means the jury would not have to relate the alcohol to the purpose of molestation.
Judge Melville paused at one point to ask if the jurors were paying attention.
"You know I read to my wife at night so she'll go to sleep. Am I having that effect here?".
I like the judge, he has managed a difficult trial well and with dignity.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Michael Jackson Faces Jail
Michael Jackson faces a year in jail, even if he is not convicted of child abuse.
Jackson will be charged with giving alcohol to a minor.
This is less worse than being accused of plying a minor with drink, in order to sexually abuse him.
If the jury agrees that Jackson gave Gavin Arvizo alcohol, he will go to jail for up to 12 months.
If he is found guilty of molestation, he will face up to 20 years in jail.
Jackson will be charged with giving alcohol to a minor.
This is less worse than being accused of plying a minor with drink, in order to sexually abuse him.
If the jury agrees that Jackson gave Gavin Arvizo alcohol, he will go to jail for up to 12 months.
If he is found guilty of molestation, he will face up to 20 years in jail.
Joe Jackson Bats For Michael
Michael Jackson's father, Joe, has again told the media that he is worried about Michael's health.
He claims, in an article in New York Daily News, that Michael has stopped eating and barely sleeps as a result of the trial.
Joe Jackson says that the accusations have devastated the Jackson family.
Quote:
"It's the worst experience I've ever had,".
Adding:
"We always mention to him about it, but he says, 'I'm going to eat. I'll eat some.' But he doesn't eat enough. He takes a couple of bites,".
I can appreciate that the family may well be concerned. However, Joe had already aired these concerns last week.
It seems to me that there may be more than a hint of media manipulation going on here, just a day before the jury hears the closing arguments.
Too much "pulling of the heart strings" for my taste.
He claims, in an article in New York Daily News, that Michael has stopped eating and barely sleeps as a result of the trial.
Joe Jackson says that the accusations have devastated the Jackson family.
Quote:
"It's the worst experience I've ever had,".
Adding:
"We always mention to him about it, but he says, 'I'm going to eat. I'll eat some.' But he doesn't eat enough. He takes a couple of bites,".
I can appreciate that the family may well be concerned. However, Joe had already aired these concerns last week.
It seems to me that there may be more than a hint of media manipulation going on here, just a day before the jury hears the closing arguments.
Too much "pulling of the heart strings" for my taste.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Final Arguments
Michael Jackson's lawyers are preparing their final arguments in the Jackson trial.
The defence, prosecution and judge will meet today, when they will discuss the instructions they will give to the jurors.
Wednesday will probably see the closing arguments delivered to the jury.
The defence, prosecution and judge will meet today, when they will discuss the instructions they will give to the jurors.
Wednesday will probably see the closing arguments delivered to the jury.
Jackson's Children Not His Own
It is being reported that Paris, Prince and Blanket (an absurd name) are not Michael Jackson's children.
The "Outtakes Tape", the video that Jackson's cameraman Hamid Moslehi made of Martin Bashir, was discussed between the prosecution, defence and judge in Jackson's trial.
In the tape Jackson tells Bashir that his children genetically his, and that he had slept with Debbie Rowe to conceive Prince and Paris. Regarding Blanket, he seemingly used a surrogate whose egg had been fertilised with his own sperm.
Defence council Sanger is reported to have said during the discussions:
"The circumstances that relate to the birth of the children wouldn't be admitted for the truth of the matter. Only his love of the children."
District Attorney Tom Sneddon had threatened to show that Jackson lied about the paternity.
Not that showing Jackson had not fathered the children would prove that he was a child molester.
The "Outtakes Tape", the video that Jackson's cameraman Hamid Moslehi made of Martin Bashir, was discussed between the prosecution, defence and judge in Jackson's trial.
In the tape Jackson tells Bashir that his children genetically his, and that he had slept with Debbie Rowe to conceive Prince and Paris. Regarding Blanket, he seemingly used a surrogate whose egg had been fertilised with his own sperm.
Defence council Sanger is reported to have said during the discussions:
"The circumstances that relate to the birth of the children wouldn't be admitted for the truth of the matter. Only his love of the children."
District Attorney Tom Sneddon had threatened to show that Jackson lied about the paternity.
Not that showing Jackson had not fathered the children would prove that he was a child molester.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Sartorial Elegance
There is now speculation, amongst those with nothing better to do in their lives, as to what Michael Jackson will be wearing as and when the jury deliver their verdict at the end of his trial.
His tailors Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins, who have been kitting out Jackson for 20 years, are sworn to secrecy.
Doubtless they are being inundated with enquiries.
His tailors Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins, who have been kitting out Jackson for 20 years, are sworn to secrecy.
Doubtless they are being inundated with enquiries.
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