Michael Jackson's Trials

Michael Jackson's Trials

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The Ongoing Trials of The Late Michael Jackson

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Neverland Reopens

It is reported that one month after closing it, Michael Jackson has reopened his Neverland Ranch.

Jackson was ordered to shut down Neverland by local authorities in March, after he fell behind in paying his employees' salaries and their insurance policies.

Jackson has now hired 10 members of staff to take care of the zoo animals, after paying $49K in fines.

Common sense would suggest that it would be better for both Jackson's finances, and the welfare of the animals if they were found good homes and Neverland sold off.

Unfortunately, common sense seems to be in rather short supply.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Six Pieces of Silver

It seems that justice has a price, and that some of those who act as jurors are more than happy to make a buck or two after performing their civic duty.

Jeffrey Welbaum, an alternate juror from Michael Jackson's child abuse trial, has sold official court notes for $2,550 on eBay.

Welbaum sold six notebooks of observations from the courtroom, together with his ID badge and a certificate of appreciation signed by Judge Rodney Melville.

Welbaum is quoted as saying:

"It's something that's probably more important to someone else, like a fan of Michael Jackson's."

I do not think that it is right that jurors profit out of their role in a trial, it taints the validity of their verdicts.