In a side show, to the main issues surrounding Michael Jackson's forthcoming trial, it is reported that the appeal court has ordered Judge Rodney Melville to reconsider the size of Jackson's $3M bail.
It seems that the appeal court would like to have clarification from Judge Melville as to why he imposed a bail of $3M, which is considered by the defence to be excessive.
The defence want it reduced to under $500K, they believe that Michael Jackson is unlikely to abscond.
As one person wryly put it, the amount is what a billionaire of Jackson's stature would spend in a weekend in Vegas.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Friday, July 09, 2004
Another Friday, Another Hearing
More news about the legal case that just won't go away, Friday will see yet another hearing in the Michael Jackson trial saga.
As previously noted, the defence team for Michael Jackson are turning their fire on Tom Sneddon the prosecutor. It seems that they believe that he is overzealous in his desire to prosecute Jackson.
I thought that all lawyers were zealous in pursuing their respective cases?
The defence note that Sneddon conducted surveillance of the offices of Bradley Miller an investigator (no, I haven't heard of him either) who was working for the defence team at the time; the prosecution claim not to have known this. The defence also claim, in a story reminiscent of Watergate, that the sheriff's office broke into Miller's office in November 2003.
The reason the defence are getting so "heated" over this is simple, documents and computer discs seized by the prosecution from Miller count (if the defence can prove its case) as information covered under client/attorney privilege.
Meanwhile Theodore Boutrous, acting for the media, is going to challenge the secrecy of the trial hearings.
Splendid knockabout stuff!
As previously noted, the defence team for Michael Jackson are turning their fire on Tom Sneddon the prosecutor. It seems that they believe that he is overzealous in his desire to prosecute Jackson.
I thought that all lawyers were zealous in pursuing their respective cases?
The defence note that Sneddon conducted surveillance of the offices of Bradley Miller an investigator (no, I haven't heard of him either) who was working for the defence team at the time; the prosecution claim not to have known this. The defence also claim, in a story reminiscent of Watergate, that the sheriff's office broke into Miller's office in November 2003.
The reason the defence are getting so "heated" over this is simple, documents and computer discs seized by the prosecution from Miller count (if the defence can prove its case) as information covered under client/attorney privilege.
Meanwhile Theodore Boutrous, acting for the media, is going to challenge the secrecy of the trial hearings.
Splendid knockabout stuff!
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Bully Boy Tactics
It seems that Michael Jackson's defence team are determined to try to stop the trial going ahead in September.
It is reported that they have filed a motion for the charges against Michael Jackson to be dismissed; on the basis that the prosecution is incompetent, and that there is insufficient evidence.
Thomas Mesereau, Michael Jackson's lawyer, is reported to have complained that the prosecutor (Tom Sneddon) bullied and argued with witnesses during the grand jury hearings in March/April.
One witness, it seems, described Jackson as "the devil".
Mesereau is of the belief that Sneddon produced no evidence that implicated Jackson in abduction, imprisonment or extortion. It seems that, in Mesereau's eyes, Sneddon is biased and looking for a "celebrity scalp".
It is reported that they have filed a motion for the charges against Michael Jackson to be dismissed; on the basis that the prosecution is incompetent, and that there is insufficient evidence.
Thomas Mesereau, Michael Jackson's lawyer, is reported to have complained that the prosecutor (Tom Sneddon) bullied and argued with witnesses during the grand jury hearings in March/April.
One witness, it seems, described Jackson as "the devil".
Mesereau is of the belief that Sneddon produced no evidence that implicated Jackson in abduction, imprisonment or extortion. It seems that, in Mesereau's eyes, Sneddon is biased and looking for a "celebrity scalp".
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Reality Bites
It seems that beneath the veneer of showbiz "pazzaz" (is there such a word?), Michael Jackson is dreading going to jail.
Reports indicate that Michael Jackson is terrified about the prospect of ending up incarcerated with murderers and rapists. The reports, which source their "information" from Jackson insiders, claim that Michael Jackson is having trouble sleeping and wakes up sweating.
The underlying fear burning in Jackson's mind, if these stories are to be believed, is that he will die in jail.
I doubt that any rational individual would be entirely at ease about going on trial for child molestation, irrespective of whether they are guilty or innocent.
Reports indicate that Michael Jackson is terrified about the prospect of ending up incarcerated with murderers and rapists. The reports, which source their "information" from Jackson insiders, claim that Michael Jackson is having trouble sleeping and wakes up sweating.
The underlying fear burning in Jackson's mind, if these stories are to be believed, is that he will die in jail.
I doubt that any rational individual would be entirely at ease about going on trial for child molestation, irrespective of whether they are guilty or innocent.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
A Busy Year
Michael Jackson seems to be having a rather litigious year.
In addition to his forthcoming court case, in respect of child molestation charges, he also has a legal battle regarding the custody of his children.
It is reported that, Evveyln Tavacci, one of Michael Jackson's aides has been called to give a deposition in the child custody battle between the Jackson and Debbie Rowe his ex wife.
It seems that Tavacci is alleged to have exacerbated the problems between Jackson and Rowe. The fight is now on to see who gets custody of Prince Michael and Paris (the child not the city).
Rowe is reported to be claiming the Jackson has violated the divorce agreement.
I wonder if Michael will have time to write any songs this year?
In addition to his forthcoming court case, in respect of child molestation charges, he also has a legal battle regarding the custody of his children.
It is reported that, Evveyln Tavacci, one of Michael Jackson's aides has been called to give a deposition in the child custody battle between the Jackson and Debbie Rowe his ex wife.
It seems that Tavacci is alleged to have exacerbated the problems between Jackson and Rowe. The fight is now on to see who gets custody of Prince Michael and Paris (the child not the city).
Rowe is reported to be claiming the Jackson has violated the divorce agreement.
I wonder if Michael will have time to write any songs this year?
Monday, July 05, 2004
Wank Mags Seized
Say it how it is, that's my motto.
It is reported that police seized a pile of pornographic magazines and dvd's from Michael Jackson's Neverland homestead. The magazines and dvd's were said to be located by his bed.
The magazines were, by all accounts, adult not child orientated. Now at first sight this would be a rather innocuous find; there are, I suspect, a large percentage of men with such reading matter secreted about their household.
However, the lurid twist being suggested by the prosecution is that this material may have been used to arouse the child allegedly abused by Michael Jackson.
Tacky and sordid, isn't it?
It is reported that police seized a pile of pornographic magazines and dvd's from Michael Jackson's Neverland homestead. The magazines and dvd's were said to be located by his bed.
The magazines were, by all accounts, adult not child orientated. Now at first sight this would be a rather innocuous find; there are, I suspect, a large percentage of men with such reading matter secreted about their household.
However, the lurid twist being suggested by the prosecution is that this material may have been used to arouse the child allegedly abused by Michael Jackson.
Tacky and sordid, isn't it?
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Happy Independence Day
Independence day seems as good a day as any, to remember the fundamental principles of the foundation of the USA; namely, freedom of speech and freedom of access to information.
Unfortunately it seems that Judge Rodney Melville, who is presiding over the pre trial hearings of the Michael Jackson case, has forgotten this.
It is reported that on Friday he sealed yet more information about the Michael Jackson case.
This time he has decided to seal a defence motion, that seeks dismissal of charges against Michael Jackson.
The request for sealing the motion came from Jackson's defence lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, who is reported to be of the opinion that the sealing was needed to ensure that Michael Jackson receives a fair trial.
This means that the citizens of the USA, and the onlookers from around the world, will not know on what grounds Jackson is challenging the indictment against him.
It seems that Theodore Boutros, the lawyer representing media organisations, will be mounting a challenge to this sealing order before the next hearing; which is scheduled to take place on the 9th of July.
As I have noted before the USA, in raising the level of secrecy in the Michael Jackson trial day by day, is becoming as secretive as its colonial cousins the Brits.
Happy Independence Day!
Unfortunately it seems that Judge Rodney Melville, who is presiding over the pre trial hearings of the Michael Jackson case, has forgotten this.
It is reported that on Friday he sealed yet more information about the Michael Jackson case.
This time he has decided to seal a defence motion, that seeks dismissal of charges against Michael Jackson.
The request for sealing the motion came from Jackson's defence lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, who is reported to be of the opinion that the sealing was needed to ensure that Michael Jackson receives a fair trial.
This means that the citizens of the USA, and the onlookers from around the world, will not know on what grounds Jackson is challenging the indictment against him.
It seems that Theodore Boutros, the lawyer representing media organisations, will be mounting a challenge to this sealing order before the next hearing; which is scheduled to take place on the 9th of July.
As I have noted before the USA, in raising the level of secrecy in the Michael Jackson trial day by day, is becoming as secretive as its colonial cousins the Brits.
Happy Independence Day!
Saturday, July 03, 2004
The View From Iraq
A good chum of mine sent this picture to me of how the Michael Jackson trial is viewed in Iraq, disgraceful!
Friday, July 02, 2004
Seal and Be Dammed
It seems that Judge Rodney Melville, who is presiding over the pre trial hearings of Michael Jackson's child molestation charges, feels that the amount of evidence in the public domain is excessive.
"Extolling" the spirit of "freedom of speech", that is the moral backbone to the USA's political and legal system; Judge Melville is reported to have said yesterday (Thursday), that he wants to avoid media reporting and analysis of the evidence.
The Judge did release a large number of search warrant request forms, that are reported to show the extent of the nationwide search for evidence including; searches of banks, shops and the internet.
However, three key pieces of information were missing from this pre trial "appetiser":
1 The identity of the accounts being searched
2 What was being searched for
3 What was found
Judge Melville is reported to believe that any information revealed, would be subject to intense scrutiny and analysis by the media. This in turn could possibly contaminate the potential jury pool.
Whilst there is a semblance of logic in what he says, by performing a "teasing strip show" with the evidence will only stir up speculation and rumour. The media will go into a frenzy of speculation, causing people to conclude that "there is no smoke without fire"; and forming a judgement before the trial has even started.
I would say, from my humble perspective of being "the man in the street", that this will probably do more damage than good to the chances of conducting a fair trial; it will also taint the image of the American legal system as a whole.
Needless to say attorney Theodore Boutrous, the media's lawyer, has a different perspective to that of Judge Melville.
No surprise there then!
"Extolling" the spirit of "freedom of speech", that is the moral backbone to the USA's political and legal system; Judge Melville is reported to have said yesterday (Thursday), that he wants to avoid media reporting and analysis of the evidence.
The Judge did release a large number of search warrant request forms, that are reported to show the extent of the nationwide search for evidence including; searches of banks, shops and the internet.
However, three key pieces of information were missing from this pre trial "appetiser":
1 The identity of the accounts being searched
2 What was being searched for
3 What was found
Judge Melville is reported to believe that any information revealed, would be subject to intense scrutiny and analysis by the media. This in turn could possibly contaminate the potential jury pool.
Whilst there is a semblance of logic in what he says, by performing a "teasing strip show" with the evidence will only stir up speculation and rumour. The media will go into a frenzy of speculation, causing people to conclude that "there is no smoke without fire"; and forming a judgement before the trial has even started.
I would say, from my humble perspective of being "the man in the street", that this will probably do more damage than good to the chances of conducting a fair trial; it will also taint the image of the American legal system as a whole.
Needless to say attorney Theodore Boutrous, the media's lawyer, has a different perspective to that of Judge Melville.
No surprise there then!
Thursday, July 01, 2004
The Ghosts of The Past
It seems that the ghosts of the past are haunting the upcoming trial of Michael Jackson.
There are reports circulating, that current and former employees of Michael Jackson are afraid to come forward and testify at Michael Jackson's trial; as a result of the treatment meted out to those employees, who came forward in relation to the 1993 allegations.
It seems that 5 employees, who worked with the authorities, were dismissed by Jackson after the 1993 allegations. They took their case to court, and claimed wrongful dismissal.
In the case they noted that there was a culture of fear in Neverland, and that the atmosphere was more akin to a cult.
They further alleged that Michael Jackson's private security service (the OSS), bugged phones and threatened those that talked to the press.
The employees, who brought the claim for wrongful dismissal, lost their case; the jury felt that they were trying to extort money. However, reports in the media are speculating about the effect that this has had on those who may have information pertinent to the current allegations against Michael Jackson.
There are reports circulating, that current and former employees of Michael Jackson are afraid to come forward and testify at Michael Jackson's trial; as a result of the treatment meted out to those employees, who came forward in relation to the 1993 allegations.
It seems that 5 employees, who worked with the authorities, were dismissed by Jackson after the 1993 allegations. They took their case to court, and claimed wrongful dismissal.
In the case they noted that there was a culture of fear in Neverland, and that the atmosphere was more akin to a cult.
They further alleged that Michael Jackson's private security service (the OSS), bugged phones and threatened those that talked to the press.
The employees, who brought the claim for wrongful dismissal, lost their case; the jury felt that they were trying to extort money. However, reports in the media are speculating about the effect that this has had on those who may have information pertinent to the current allegations against Michael Jackson.
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Shutting The Stable Door
It seems that yesterday the lawyers acting for Michael Jackson, in respect of his upcoming trial for child molestation, did something rather strange.
Robert Sanger, Jackson's defence lawyer, asked the judge presiding to seal certain motions relating to the case. One of these is reported to be their own request to have the charges against Michael Jackson dismissed.
It seems that their rationale was that, if the documents were made public, then possible evidence would be disclosed that may not be used at the trial.
Now I am not lawyer, but I have to confess I find this a little strange. It has already been widely reported that they wish to try to have the charges against Michael Jackson dismissed; what possible benefit can it be to them to have this covered up, after the event?
It seems to me that the three wise monkeys would be well placed to be involved, in both the prosecution and defence of Jackson, viz:
Needless to say, the lawyers acting for the media are already reported to be "fired up" at this further threat to the "public's right to know"; news ratings as well may come in to their thinking too, methinks.
The level of secrecy threatening to engulf the trial of Michael Jackson is more akin to standard procedure in UK trials, rather than the "freedom of expression and information society" of the USA.
As the saying goes in showbusiness; "this is going to run, and run!"
Robert Sanger, Jackson's defence lawyer, asked the judge presiding to seal certain motions relating to the case. One of these is reported to be their own request to have the charges against Michael Jackson dismissed.
It seems that their rationale was that, if the documents were made public, then possible evidence would be disclosed that may not be used at the trial.
Now I am not lawyer, but I have to confess I find this a little strange. It has already been widely reported that they wish to try to have the charges against Michael Jackson dismissed; what possible benefit can it be to them to have this covered up, after the event?
It seems to me that the three wise monkeys would be well placed to be involved, in both the prosecution and defence of Jackson, viz:
- Hear no evil
- See no evil
- Speak no evil
Needless to say, the lawyers acting for the media are already reported to be "fired up" at this further threat to the "public's right to know"; news ratings as well may come in to their thinking too, methinks.
The level of secrecy threatening to engulf the trial of Michael Jackson is more akin to standard procedure in UK trials, rather than the "freedom of expression and information society" of the USA.
As the saying goes in showbusiness; "this is going to run, and run!"
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Never Ending Hearing After Hearing
At last Friday's hearing, on the never ending saga of the Michael Jackson trial, Judge Rodney Melville in addition to keeping the sealing order in place made a couple of other announcements.
He ordered that Michael Jackson's previous lawyers, Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman, turn over various documents and information (the details of which were not made public)to Jackson's current legal eagles.
It is not clear as to whether there is a problem with regard to them handing the information over. However, Judge Melville did make it clear that if they did not comply with this order; he would require Mark Geragos to appear before him at the hearing, scheduled for the 9th of July.
The judge also set another date for yet another hearing, on the subject of Michael Jackson's trial, this time for the 16th of August. This will be of particular interest to fans of Michael Jackson, as the judge requested that Michael Jackson has to turn up to this one.
He ordered that Michael Jackson's previous lawyers, Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman, turn over various documents and information (the details of which were not made public)to Jackson's current legal eagles.
It is not clear as to whether there is a problem with regard to them handing the information over. However, Judge Melville did make it clear that if they did not comply with this order; he would require Mark Geragos to appear before him at the hearing, scheduled for the 9th of July.
The judge also set another date for yet another hearing, on the subject of Michael Jackson's trial, this time for the 16th of August. This will be of particular interest to fans of Michael Jackson, as the judge requested that Michael Jackson has to turn up to this one.
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