Jay Leno hosted Michael Jackson's defence attorney, Tom Mesereau, on his Tonight Show last night.
Leno kicked off by saying that Jackson could start a show in Las Vegas by "playing Diana Ross in the 'Legends Show.'"
Mesereau, who seemed not to be that happy during the interview, said:
"Michael Jackson is an artist. He's a creative spirit. He likes to sit in a tree and compose music,".
He went on to attack prosecutor Tom Sneddon, saying "he had a personal vendetta".
I thought that these guys were professionals, who didn't take their roles personally?
He said that Jackson's settlement with Jordie Chandler was a mistake, I think that is very true indeed.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Friday, June 17, 2005
Party
Michael Jackson's family plans to throw a party at a casino this weekend, to thank his loyal fans for their support during the trial.
It is not clear if Jackson, himself, will appear.
Frances Snyder, a spokeswoman for Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, reportedly said:
"We don't know who will perform. We're just told the Jackson family is putting together an event for fans they have selected,".
The Jackson family will choose the attendees for the party, to be held on Saturday night.
The casino has been home to some of the Jackson family over the past few weeks, as it is near Neverland.
Why didn't they stay at Neverland?
It is not clear if Jackson, himself, will appear.
Frances Snyder, a spokeswoman for Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, reportedly said:
"We don't know who will perform. We're just told the Jackson family is putting together an event for fans they have selected,".
The Jackson family will choose the attendees for the party, to be held on Saturday night.
The casino has been home to some of the Jackson family over the past few weeks, as it is near Neverland.
Why didn't they stay at Neverland?
The Jacksons
It is reported that Michael Jackson may soon appear in a reality television series, along with his parents and siblings.
This seems to be an attempt to emulate the success of the Osbournes.
The series was allegedly being planned even before Jackson's victory.
If true, how wise is this?
Jackson likes to think of himself as "The King of Pop"; as any monarch will tell you, the more you expose yourself to the scrutiny of the public the more you detract from the "majesty" of your role and image.
This seems to be an attempt to emulate the success of the Osbournes.
The series was allegedly being planned even before Jackson's victory.
If true, how wise is this?
Jackson likes to think of himself as "The King of Pop"; as any monarch will tell you, the more you expose yourself to the scrutiny of the public the more you detract from the "majesty" of your role and image.
Sneddon Won't Return Jackson's Penis
Tom Sneddon has told interviewers that he has no intention of giving Michael Jackson back the photo taken of his penis (Jackson's) during the 1993 Jordie Chandler investigation.
Quote:
"It could turn out to be evidence,".
Let us hope that it doesn't leak.
Quote:
"It could turn out to be evidence,".
Let us hope that it doesn't leak.
Jackson Wants His Stuff Back
A mere 3 days after acquittal, and Michael Jackson's lawyers were back in court.
This time they were on the offensive, asking Judge Rodney Melville to return the 600 items seized by the police in the two raids on Neverland.
Judge Melville ordered that Jackson's passport be returned to the star.
The rumour is that Jackson will leave the USA very quickly.
However, Jackson is still waiting for the rest of his stuff to be returned; including his porn collection and the photos of his penis.
Jude Melville has delayed a decision on Jackson's "stuff," aside from the passport, until the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office clarifies if they still need it.
This time they were on the offensive, asking Judge Rodney Melville to return the 600 items seized by the police in the two raids on Neverland.
Judge Melville ordered that Jackson's passport be returned to the star.
The rumour is that Jackson will leave the USA very quickly.
However, Jackson is still waiting for the rest of his stuff to be returned; including his porn collection and the photos of his penis.
Jude Melville has delayed a decision on Jackson's "stuff," aside from the passport, until the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office clarifies if they still need it.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Another Trial?
Carl Douglas, a lawyer who has represented Michael Jackson in civil cases, is warning that there may be a civil action taken against Jackson by the Arvizos.
Quote:
"He has to send a message to the world: If you're going to come after Michael Jackson, you have to be ready for a war,".
In civil litigation the accuser could force Jackson to testify both in depositions and at a trial.
Additionally, 12 jurors in the criminal case would have had to find Jackson guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt". However, in a civil case the claimant only has to prove their case "by a preponderance of the evidence"; whereby 9 of the 12 need to agree.
Quote:
"He has to send a message to the world: If you're going to come after Michael Jackson, you have to be ready for a war,".
In civil litigation the accuser could force Jackson to testify both in depositions and at a trial.
Additionally, 12 jurors in the criminal case would have had to find Jackson guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt". However, in a civil case the claimant only has to prove their case "by a preponderance of the evidence"; whereby 9 of the 12 need to agree.
Jackson To Sue Sneddon?
Tom Mesereau, Michael Jackson's defence attorney, is reportedly urging Jackson to go back to court and sue Tom Sneddon for "malicious prosecution".
I would have though that the best thing for Jackson would be to get away from lawyers and courts for a while, and to make an attempt to rebuild his brand.
I note that there are also rumours that he may sue Martin Bashir, in London, for his 2003 documentary.
Mesereau made his suggestion, about suing Sneddon, on Larry King Live.
Quote:
"Do I think this was done maliciously and unfairly? Absolutely...I think that he was treated in a way that no one else would have been similarly treated. It's because he's a mega-celebrity."
Adding:
"I think their biggest problem was they were not objective about their case, they believed things they wanted to believe, they tried to prove theories that were absurd and they tried to demonise Michael Jackson."
Sometimes though, even in victory, it is better to get on with your life and let the dust settle.
I would have though that the best thing for Jackson would be to get away from lawyers and courts for a while, and to make an attempt to rebuild his brand.
I note that there are also rumours that he may sue Martin Bashir, in London, for his 2003 documentary.
Mesereau made his suggestion, about suing Sneddon, on Larry King Live.
Quote:
"Do I think this was done maliciously and unfairly? Absolutely...I think that he was treated in a way that no one else would have been similarly treated. It's because he's a mega-celebrity."
Adding:
"I think their biggest problem was they were not objective about their case, they believed things they wanted to believe, they tried to prove theories that were absurd and they tried to demonise Michael Jackson."
Sometimes though, even in victory, it is better to get on with your life and let the dust settle.
Jackson To Appear At Live 8?
There are rumours circulating that Michael Jackson is preparing to make a comeback, by appearing at the Live 8 concert on 2 July.
Harvey Goldsmith, promoter of Live 8, is quoted as saying:
"Of course we'd consider it..Whether it's appropriate or not is another issue, whether he's in a fit state to work is another issue, whether he can work is another issue and whether he can work live is another issue."
Harvey Goldsmith, promoter of Live 8, is quoted as saying:
"Of course we'd consider it..Whether it's appropriate or not is another issue, whether he's in a fit state to work is another issue, whether he can work is another issue and whether he can work live is another issue."
Jackson Might Leave USA
Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson's brother, gave an interview on CNN's "Larry King Live" in which he hinted that Jackson might leave the USA.
When asked as to whether Jackson might leave, Jermaine said rather cryptically:
"We've always had a love for other places outside the US."
When asked as to whether Jackson might leave, Jermaine said rather cryptically:
"We've always had a love for other places outside the US."
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Jackson To Stop Sleeping With Children
The above headline highlights just how bizarre this whole case has been.
Precisely why some parents allowed their children to sleep with a middle aged man, or why he would wish to, has never been answered satisfactorily.
I can't but help speculate that had Jackson been poor, then the parents would never have allowed their children to "sleep over".
Money and celebrity seems to allow people to break normal codes of behaviour.
Be that as it may, Jackson's lawyer Tom Mesereau has stated that Jackson will now no longer sleep with children.
How very wise!
Quote:
"He's not going to do that anymore..He's not going to make himself vulnerable to this anymore."
Jackson's official website, www.mjjsource.com, equates the acquittal with; Martin Luther King's birthday, the day Nelson Mandela was freed and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Hubris is a dangerous reaction, and often comes to bite you back.
There are two lessons to be learned from this sorry tale of depravity, greed, manipulation and dishonesty:
1 Middle aged men should not sleep with children
2 Parents should not allow middle aged men to sleep with their children
The thing is, we all knew that anyway.
Precisely why some parents allowed their children to sleep with a middle aged man, or why he would wish to, has never been answered satisfactorily.
I can't but help speculate that had Jackson been poor, then the parents would never have allowed their children to "sleep over".
Money and celebrity seems to allow people to break normal codes of behaviour.
Be that as it may, Jackson's lawyer Tom Mesereau has stated that Jackson will now no longer sleep with children.
How very wise!
Quote:
"He's not going to do that anymore..He's not going to make himself vulnerable to this anymore."
Jackson's official website, www.mjjsource.com, equates the acquittal with; Martin Luther King's birthday, the day Nelson Mandela was freed and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Hubris is a dangerous reaction, and often comes to bite you back.
There are two lessons to be learned from this sorry tale of depravity, greed, manipulation and dishonesty:
1 Middle aged men should not sleep with children
2 Parents should not allow middle aged men to sleep with their children
The thing is, we all knew that anyway.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Arvizos In Hiding
As one door opens, so another closes; so it would seem to be the case for the Arvizo family.
It is reported that, following Michael Jackson's acquittal, they are now in hiding; fearing a backlash from Jackson's fans.
They are now living in a secret location, in a suburb in southern California.
Their home has been fitted with a panic button, so that a team of police officers can rush to their rescue in the event of an attack.
It is reported that, following Michael Jackson's acquittal, they are now in hiding; fearing a backlash from Jackson's fans.
They are now living in a secret location, in a suburb in southern California.
Their home has been fitted with a panic button, so that a team of police officers can rush to their rescue in the event of an attack.
Fallout
Martin Bashir, the journalist who fronted the infamous 2003 documentary about Michael Jackson, now faces the possibility of a lawsuit from Michael Jackson.
Jackson began legal moves against Bashir and Granada, which made the documentary, in 2003 claiming breach of confidence.
It was claimed that Bashir broke a promise to allow Jackson to vet the programme before it was broadcast.
Jackson also said Bashir reneged on an agreement not to film his children without the masks they wear in public. A High Court action was due to start in late 2003, but was halted after Jackson was arrested and charged with child abuse.
Jackson began legal moves against Bashir and Granada, which made the documentary, in 2003 claiming breach of confidence.
It was claimed that Bashir broke a promise to allow Jackson to vet the programme before it was broadcast.
Jackson also said Bashir reneged on an agreement not to film his children without the masks they wear in public. A High Court action was due to start in late 2003, but was halted after Jackson was arrested and charged with child abuse.
Jury Suspected Jackson Was Guilty
It is reported that members of the Michael Jackson jury suspected that he was guilty of child abuse, but did not have enough evidence to find him guilty of the trial charges.
Two of the jury are quoted as saying that Jackson had probably molested young boys, who were guests at his Neverland ranch, in the past.
Raymond Hultman said:
"I feel that Michael Jackson probably has molested boys. I cannot believe that this man could sleep in the same bedroom for 365 straight days and not do something more than just watch television and eat popcorn. I mean, that doesn't make sense to me. But that doesn't make him guilty of the charges that were presented in this case and that's where we had to make our decision. That's not to say he's an innocent man. He's just not guilty of the crimes he's been charged with."
The jury foreman, Paul Rodriguez, also said that he had not ruled out that Jackson had abused boys.
Quote:
"The allegations of past abuse were considered credible to some extent. There are not too many grown men we know that would sleep with children but we had to base it on the evidence presented to us. There were a lot of things lacking."
One juror summed up the feelings of many people, not just the jury, in relation to the idea of letting children sleep with a middle aged man.
Quote:
"As a parent you spend every moment of your day protective of what happens to your children. What kind of mother in her right mind would allow that to happen, to freely volunteer your child to sleep with anyone, not just Michael Jackson, but anyone?"
Two of the jury are quoted as saying that Jackson had probably molested young boys, who were guests at his Neverland ranch, in the past.
Raymond Hultman said:
"I feel that Michael Jackson probably has molested boys. I cannot believe that this man could sleep in the same bedroom for 365 straight days and not do something more than just watch television and eat popcorn. I mean, that doesn't make sense to me. But that doesn't make him guilty of the charges that were presented in this case and that's where we had to make our decision. That's not to say he's an innocent man. He's just not guilty of the crimes he's been charged with."
The jury foreman, Paul Rodriguez, also said that he had not ruled out that Jackson had abused boys.
Quote:
"The allegations of past abuse were considered credible to some extent. There are not too many grown men we know that would sleep with children but we had to base it on the evidence presented to us. There were a lot of things lacking."
One juror summed up the feelings of many people, not just the jury, in relation to the idea of letting children sleep with a middle aged man.
Quote:
"As a parent you spend every moment of your day protective of what happens to your children. What kind of mother in her right mind would allow that to happen, to freely volunteer your child to sleep with anyone, not just Michael Jackson, but anyone?"
Civil Case
Before the champagne has even gone flat, as fans and Jackson celebrate his acquittal, there are those who say that Gavin Arvizo may mount a civil suit against Jackson for alleged abuse.
It may not yet be over.
It may not yet be over.
Rowe Issues Statement
Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's ex wife and mother of Prince and Paris, said that she was "overjoyed" at his acquittal.
Quote from her attorney:
"Debbie is overjoyed that the justice system really works, regardless of which side called her to testify at the trial,".
Rowe testified at Jackson's trial, saying that he was a "great father" and a generous man surrounded by "vultures."
This testimony was in spite of, or because, she was fighting with Jackson to have the right to visit her two children.
Rowe had pledged earlier, in return for a multimillion-dollar settlement, never to talk about Jackson's purported drug use, "sexual behaviour" and whether/how he fathered her children.
Money talks!
Quote from her attorney:
"Debbie is overjoyed that the justice system really works, regardless of which side called her to testify at the trial,".
Rowe testified at Jackson's trial, saying that he was a "great father" and a generous man surrounded by "vultures."
This testimony was in spite of, or because, she was fighting with Jackson to have the right to visit her two children.
Rowe had pledged earlier, in return for a multimillion-dollar settlement, never to talk about Jackson's purported drug use, "sexual behaviour" and whether/how he fathered her children.
Money talks!
The Future
With the not guilty verdict delivered in the Michael Jackson trial, thoughts are now focused on what the future holds for Jackson.
It is widely assumed that Jackson is in serious financial trouble. Despite the fact he is not guilty, his brand image has been severely tarnished by the case. Therefore it will not be easy for him to simply "go back to work" as normal.
It is widely assumed that he may have to sell his share of the Beatles music collection, in order to pay off debts (legal fees alone are thought to top $20M).
His liabilities are estimated to exceed his assets by around $60M.
In addition to holding a "fire sale", he needs to work to earn a living. One option is that he could go on the "Vegas" circuit, a lucrative earner for stars whose popularity is on the wane.
His priority is now to rebuild the brand.
It is widely assumed that Jackson is in serious financial trouble. Despite the fact he is not guilty, his brand image has been severely tarnished by the case. Therefore it will not be easy for him to simply "go back to work" as normal.
It is widely assumed that he may have to sell his share of the Beatles music collection, in order to pay off debts (legal fees alone are thought to top $20M).
His liabilities are estimated to exceed his assets by around $60M.
In addition to holding a "fire sale", he needs to work to earn a living. One option is that he could go on the "Vegas" circuit, a lucrative earner for stars whose popularity is on the wane.
His priority is now to rebuild the brand.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Voice of America
If you want to hear a recording of today's Voice Of America show about the Michael Jackson trial, in which I am one of the guests, please click this link Voice of America.
Michael Jackson Trial Verdict
The verdict has just been announced in the Michael Jackson trial.
He is innocent on all counts.
Michael Jackson has left court, and returned to Neverland, a free man.
He is innocent on all counts.
Michael Jackson has left court, and returned to Neverland, a free man.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Mesereau 1 Bain 0
It seems that Tom Mesereau has won the power struggle, reported on this site a few days ago, as to who should be the official voice of Michael Jackson during the jury deliberation phase.
Raymone Bain, on Friday, issued a short statement to reporters that denied rumours that she had been fired. However, Jackson's MJJ Productions later put out a statement on its Web site saying she had been fired.
Even Jesse Jackson has been quiet for the last few days.
Raymone Bain, on Friday, issued a short statement to reporters that denied rumours that she had been fired. However, Jackson's MJJ Productions later put out a statement on its Web site saying she had been fired.
Even Jesse Jackson has been quiet for the last few days.
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