It is reported that Sholeh Bocchelli, an actress, filed a paternity suit on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Michael Jackson.
She claims that Jackson is the father of her newborn twins, produced via an in vitro fertilization procedure.
She alleges that Jackson got custody of the twins and gave her about $3K per month, but the payments stopped last August. She alleges that he hasn't given her access to the babies.
The lawsuit quotes her as saying:
"He initially was calling every day, to advise me about their conditions, but the calls stopped after New Year's. I need immediate access to my children."
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Friday, January 14, 2005
Ruling Delayed
The judge in the Michael Jackson case has delayed his ruling, on whether past accusations of sexual impropriety should be admitted to the forthcoming trial.
The prosecution team want them admitted, in order to establish a pattern of behaviour; whilst the defence team don't want them admitted, as they are in their view unreliable.
The judge said:
"The reason I feel strongly about this is because of one bad experience I've had as a judge when I allowed evidence of this type to come in and did not require the prosecution to put on the (current) evidence first...I need to have a full understanding on what this case is about . . . before I rule on the other one...".
The judge wants the prosecution to prove their charges against Jackson, before the old allegations can be used.
The next pre-trial hearing will be on January 21st.
The prosecution team want them admitted, in order to establish a pattern of behaviour; whilst the defence team don't want them admitted, as they are in their view unreliable.
The judge said:
"The reason I feel strongly about this is because of one bad experience I've had as a judge when I allowed evidence of this type to come in and did not require the prosecution to put on the (current) evidence first...I need to have a full understanding on what this case is about . . . before I rule on the other one...".
The judge wants the prosecution to prove their charges against Jackson, before the old allegations can be used.
The next pre-trial hearing will be on January 21st.
Open Court
The prosecution in the Michael Jackson case have asked that the courtroom be kept open during hearings, on whether to admit into evidence allegations of prior sexual offences by Jackson.
ABC news show "Primetime Live" have "set the cat among the pigeons", by reviewing over 1900 pages of grand jury testimony on air.
The accuser is reported to have told the jury that Jackson allegedly masturbated him and offered him alcohol. He also noted that Jackson's bedroom at Neverland had a sensor on the door and 7 locks.
It should be noted that the defence team, as is the norm, was not present during the grand jury hearing.
ABC news show "Primetime Live" have "set the cat among the pigeons", by reviewing over 1900 pages of grand jury testimony on air.
The accuser is reported to have told the jury that Jackson allegedly masturbated him and offered him alcohol. He also noted that Jackson's bedroom at Neverland had a sensor on the door and 7 locks.
It should be noted that the defence team, as is the norm, was not present during the grand jury hearing.
Fair Comment
The Defence Counsel, Tom Mesereau, in the Michael Jackson trial has released a statement deploring the media leaks.
"We strongly object to the "leak" of the Grand Jury testimony in this case. This Grand Jury material had been ordered sealed by Judge Melville in open court.
The witnesses who testified before the Grand Jury were never subjected to cross-examination or impeachment by the defense. By law, no judge or defense lawyer was allowed to be present in the Grand Jury room. Furthermore, the defense had no opportunity to call its own witnesses to refute or criticize this one-sided proceeding.
This case will be won in the courtroom and not through "leaks" in the media. When he has his day in court, Michael Jackson will be acquitted and vindicated..."
He makes a fair comment, the case must be tried in court not in the media.
"We strongly object to the "leak" of the Grand Jury testimony in this case. This Grand Jury material had been ordered sealed by Judge Melville in open court.
The witnesses who testified before the Grand Jury were never subjected to cross-examination or impeachment by the defense. By law, no judge or defense lawyer was allowed to be present in the Grand Jury room. Furthermore, the defense had no opportunity to call its own witnesses to refute or criticize this one-sided proceeding.
This case will be won in the courtroom and not through "leaks" in the media. When he has his day in court, Michael Jackson will be acquitted and vindicated..."
He makes a fair comment, the case must be tried in court not in the media.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Bashir Summoned
Martin Bashir, the British television interviewer and producer, has been summoned to testify at the forthcoming trial of Michael Jackson.
Bashir worked for 8 months with Jackson, and his team, producing the documentary "Living With Michael Jackson".
This was shown in February 2003, and revealed that Jackson slept with young boys in his bed.
Bashir has been ordered to appear on March 1.
One 12 year old boy told Bashir that he slept in Jackson's bed. Jackson said he had slept on the floor that night, quote:
"I see God in the face of children...And man, I just love being around them all the time..."
Bashir is also known for his interview with Diana, Princess of Wales; where she claimed that Camilla Parker-Bowles was the third person in her marriage to Prince Charles, and said that she wished to be known as the Queen of Hearts.
Bashir worked for 8 months with Jackson, and his team, producing the documentary "Living With Michael Jackson".
This was shown in February 2003, and revealed that Jackson slept with young boys in his bed.
Bashir has been ordered to appear on March 1.
One 12 year old boy told Bashir that he slept in Jackson's bed. Jackson said he had slept on the floor that night, quote:
"I see God in the face of children...And man, I just love being around them all the time..."
Bashir is also known for his interview with Diana, Princess of Wales; where she claimed that Camilla Parker-Bowles was the third person in her marriage to Prince Charles, and said that she wished to be known as the Queen of Hearts.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Will He, Won't He?
Seemingly there is some confusion over reports that Macaulay Culkin will appear at the forthcoming Michael Jackson trial.
It seems now that he will refuse to testify.
It is reported that he will use his "financial resources" to block appearing.
I thought that he was a friend of Jackson, precisely why is he refusing to appear?
It seems now that he will refuse to testify.
It is reported that he will use his "financial resources" to block appearing.
I thought that he was a friend of Jackson, precisely why is he refusing to appear?
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Stars To Attend
The prosecution in the forthcoming Michael Jackson trial are rumoured to be seeking testimony from the likes of Macaulay Culkin, Corey Feldman and pop choreographer Wade Robson.
In addition to seeking high profile celebrities for the witness stand the prosecution are also looking for Jordan Chandler, the 12 year old who was at the centre of 1993 allegations, to come forward; plus others, including the son of a former employee.
Culkin, Robson and Feldman have all "stayed over" in the past with Jackson; but all claim nothing inappropriate happened.
California law allows previous offences to be considered in sex-crimes cases, even if there was never a criminal charge.
In addition to seeking high profile celebrities for the witness stand the prosecution are also looking for Jordan Chandler, the 12 year old who was at the centre of 1993 allegations, to come forward; plus others, including the son of a former employee.
Culkin, Robson and Feldman have all "stayed over" in the past with Jackson; but all claim nothing inappropriate happened.
California law allows previous offences to be considered in sex-crimes cases, even if there was never a criminal charge.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Daft Rumour
There are many rumours circulating on the web, regarding the Michael Jackson affair.
However, one of the daftest in my view is this one; apparently, Martha Stewart has offered to consult to Jackson about how to behave if he goes to jail.
I really don't think a course in "practical housekeeping", when in jail, is something that will be of much use to Jackson.
Nor, given Martha's rather arrogant behaviour prior to going to jail, would I suggest that she is the best person to take advice from.
However, one of the daftest in my view is this one; apparently, Martha Stewart has offered to consult to Jackson about how to behave if he goes to jail.
I really don't think a course in "practical housekeeping", when in jail, is something that will be of much use to Jackson.
Nor, given Martha's rather arrogant behaviour prior to going to jail, would I suggest that she is the best person to take advice from.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Secret Hearings
Michael Jackson's defence team are seeking to exclude the public from the pre trial hearing, scheduled for Wednesday this week.
The hearing will "hear" (sorry!) evidence and statements from both prosecution and defence teams, as to whether previous sexual abuse allegations relating to Jackson should be admitted in the trial.
The request for a closed hearing was made on Friday.
The defence argue that the admission of allegations of previous abuse would prejudice the forthcoming trial, and that public disclosure in the pretrial hearing would contaminate the jury pool.
That may well be so, but it is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted; the allegations are already in the public domain, and the jury pool would have had to be living on Mars not to be aware of them.
The defence argue that the prosecution case for admitting previous allegations is weak; citing the fact that the prosecution are planning to bring in only one alleged victim, but will be using testimony from disgruntled ex employees and others.
Two allegations that are most definitely in the public domain are:
I have said it before, and will say it again, in this particular case the US legal system by seeking to bury this trial in gag orders etc seems to be trying to emulate the British obsession with secrecy.
The hearing will "hear" (sorry!) evidence and statements from both prosecution and defence teams, as to whether previous sexual abuse allegations relating to Jackson should be admitted in the trial.
The request for a closed hearing was made on Friday.
The defence argue that the admission of allegations of previous abuse would prejudice the forthcoming trial, and that public disclosure in the pretrial hearing would contaminate the jury pool.
That may well be so, but it is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted; the allegations are already in the public domain, and the jury pool would have had to be living on Mars not to be aware of them.
The defence argue that the prosecution case for admitting previous allegations is weak; citing the fact that the prosecution are planning to bring in only one alleged victim, but will be using testimony from disgruntled ex employees and others.
Two allegations that are most definitely in the public domain are:
- The report on the news program "Dateline NBC", on September 3 2004, that Jackson paid $2M to the son of a maid at his Neverland Valley Ranch in 1990; to avoid a child molestation accusation.
- In 1993, Jackson paid the family of another boy $15M to settle a different set of child molestation accusations. Jackson admitted no wrongdoing.
I have said it before, and will say it again, in this particular case the US legal system by seeking to bury this trial in gag orders etc seems to be trying to emulate the British obsession with secrecy.
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