Juror Changes His Mind

Ray Hultman, one of the jurors in the Michael Jackson trial, has changed his mind about writing a "tell all" book about the trial.

He is now taking legal action to try to get out of writing the book.

Hultman claims that he was talked into signing a book deal with California publisher Larry Garrison.

Hultman now wants to end his contract, and is seeking unspecified damages for mental and emotional stress.

Funny how money always comes into these things, isn't it?

Hultman claims that he was due to co-write a book about the case, entitled "The Deliberator", with writer Stacy Brown. However, Hultman now says that he was shocked by reports that his book proposal contained material plagiarised from a Vanity Fair magazine article.

He said this damaged his reputation, one might be forgiven for asking "what reputation?", and the book deal.

He claims that he had to "expend substantial time in writing portions of a book proposal which turned out to be valueless give the aforementioned plagiary,"

Now, correct me if I'm wrong but:

1 Don't all authors have to expend substantial time writing?

2 Do all authors get published? No!

3 Doesn't the fact that he admits the plagiarism, be it intentional or accidental, negate the validity of his claim?

To add further to Hultamn's loss of face, it turns out that Stacy Brown is now claiming never to have met him or indeed ever having agreed to write the book.

Brown is quoted as saying:

"I had no intention of writing their book nor did I believe what was in their book,".

I don't see that this legal action exactly does Hultman's reputation any good.

Website Wins Award

No, not this one!

Santa Barbara County Superior Court officials received a statewide award this week, for the website that they created to post public documents during the Michael Jackson trial.

Congratulations.

A Song For Katrina

Michael Jackson has identified a way to bring his brand back from the dead, he will record a song for the victims of hurricane Katrina.

He has written a song called "From The Bottom of My Heart" and, in an attempt to emulate "Live Aid", is trying to enlist other musicians to join him in a recording project to raise funds for the relief of Katrina's victims.

Jackson's spokesman said:

"In response to the widespread devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, recording superstar Michael Jackson has been moved to pen a song, with the working title, 'From the Bottom of My Heart,'

Within 24 hours, Mr Jackson will be reaching out to other recording superstars asking that they join him in this project to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina

All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

Jackson will record the song on Two Seas Records, a label owned by Prince Abdullah Hamad Alkhalifa of Bahrain.

Jackson is quoted as saying:

"It pains me to watch the human suffering taking place in the Gulf Region of my country

My heart and prayers go out to every individual who has had to endure the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy. I will be reaching out to others within the music industry to join me in helping to bring relief and hope to these resilient people who have lost everything."

Janet Jackson In Court

Janet Jackson (nee Arvizo) went to court again yesterday.

This time, instead of being a witness for the prosecution, she was appearing on her own behalf to enter not guilty pleas to charges of welfare fraud.

You will doubtless recall that she is the mother of Gavin Arvizo who unsuccessfully accused Michael Jackson of molestation.

Arvizo was arrested on August 23, and was arraigned a day ahead of schedule.

She pleaded innocent to five felony charges, one count of aid by misrepresentation and four for committing perjury by false application of aid. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in state prison.

She was released on her own recognisance, and ordered to return to court on October 28.

She is accused of defrauding the state of $19K in welfare payments, from 2001 to 2003. Prosecutors allege that she failed to report a six-figure lawsuit settlement, as well as rent assistance from her future second husband, then her boyfriend.

Doubtless Michael Jackson and his fans will be hoping that justice will be done.

Michael's Makeover

Michael Jackson is attempting to undergo a style makeover in Bahrain; in an attempt to make him seem less weird to the rest of the world, and to ensure that he is able to relaunch his career.

Michael Luckman, author of "Alien Rock: The Rock 'n' Roll Connection", claims that Jackson is living in virtual seclusion; so that he can change his image, and make himself appear more "macho".

Luckman claims that Jackson is undergoing an intensive exercise regime, with a personal trainer, involving weight lifting for bulk; he is also going to discard his wigs and makeup.

This change in image is, so Luckman claims, to enable Jackson to win a live residency at a Las Vegas casino.