It is reported that dozens of children have visited Michael Jackson's Neverland Valley ranch, at his invitation.
Buses and mini-vans of children, and some parents, drove through the gates of Neverland yesterday. The hometowns of the children were not identified.
Neverland has theme-park style rides, a miniature train and a small zoo.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Friday, December 17, 2004
Party Time
A children's party will be held at Michael Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch this Christmas.
The event has become something of a tradition during this time of year.
It is not clear as to whether Jackson will attend.
The event has become something of a tradition during this time of year.
It is not clear as to whether Jackson will attend.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Searches Abused
Michael Jackson's defence team want his molestation case dismissed, no secret there then!
They argue that the prosecution have overstepped themselves, by abusing search warrants and unnecessarily raiding Jackson's Neverland Ranch this month. Apparently, more than 100 search warrants have been issued relating to this case.
The prosecution state that the recent raids on Neverland, between 3rd and 4th December, were:
"clearly designed to shock and intimidate the defendant, his family and staff...."
It seems that despite the fact that the search warrant was issued on 24th November, the search was delayed by more than a week. The defence argue that this was done, deliberately, to disrupt their preparations for the last court deadline.
They argue that the prosecution have overstepped themselves, by abusing search warrants and unnecessarily raiding Jackson's Neverland Ranch this month. Apparently, more than 100 search warrants have been issued relating to this case.
The prosecution state that the recent raids on Neverland, between 3rd and 4th December, were:
"clearly designed to shock and intimidate the defendant, his family and staff...."
It seems that despite the fact that the search warrant was issued on 24th November, the search was delayed by more than a week. The defence argue that this was done, deliberately, to disrupt their preparations for the last court deadline.
Jackson Moans
A video, showing Michael Jackson complaining about his fans, has been stolen from his home; and is now being offered to the press.
The video was shot by Jackson's friend, Dr Allan Merger in 1996. It features Jackson moaning about his fans. He does not like them touching him, or invading his personal space.
It is reasonable to assume that this tape will hit the airwaves, at sometime between now and the trial.
The video was shot by Jackson's friend, Dr Allan Merger in 1996. It features Jackson moaning about his fans. He does not like them touching him, or invading his personal space.
It is reasonable to assume that this tape will hit the airwaves, at sometime between now and the trial.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
The Past Comes Back To Haunt Jackson
It is reported that the prosecution, in the Michael Jackson child molestation case, wish to introduce evidence that Jackson has committed other sex crimes in the past that never went to court.
The prosecution argue that this evidence should be admitted under a 1995 California law; that lets relevant previous acts, whether prosecuted or not, be considered in sex crime cases.
The prosecution submitted a 65 page filing, which argued that their evidence will demonstrate Jackson's "propensity" for such crimes; and show how he "created the opportunities to achieve his goal."
Senior Deputy District Attorney, Gerald Franklin, said:
"As a matter of logic, the best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again..".
These alleged previous acts apparently took place at Neverland.
Jackson's defence team have asked for the trial to be postponed by 6 weeks, so that they can go through the 14,000 pages of evidence filed by prosecutors in the past two months.
The defence also claim that the list of 164 witnesses, provided by the prosecution, includes some badly misspelled names and names of some people who do not exist.
The prosecution argue that this evidence should be admitted under a 1995 California law; that lets relevant previous acts, whether prosecuted or not, be considered in sex crime cases.
The prosecution submitted a 65 page filing, which argued that their evidence will demonstrate Jackson's "propensity" for such crimes; and show how he "created the opportunities to achieve his goal."
Senior Deputy District Attorney, Gerald Franklin, said:
"As a matter of logic, the best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again..".
These alleged previous acts apparently took place at Neverland.
Jackson's defence team have asked for the trial to be postponed by 6 weeks, so that they can go through the 14,000 pages of evidence filed by prosecutors in the past two months.
The defence also claim that the list of 164 witnesses, provided by the prosecution, includes some badly misspelled names and names of some people who do not exist.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Defence Puts The Boot In
Michael Jackson's lawyers filed a motion on the 10th of December, which was made public yesterday, to have the child molestation charges against Jackson dismissed.
Their rationale being that the charges are based on "vindictive prosecution and outrageous government conduct."
They also want the start of the trial put back, from its scheduled date of 31 January.
There seems to be a contradiction in their motions; if they want the charges dismissed, then there will be no trial to delay.
The defence have also asked the judge to suppress all evidence seized under the latest search warrants in the case.
Their rationale being that the charges are based on "vindictive prosecution and outrageous government conduct."
They also want the start of the trial put back, from its scheduled date of 31 January.
There seems to be a contradiction in their motions; if they want the charges dismissed, then there will be no trial to delay.
The defence have also asked the judge to suppress all evidence seized under the latest search warrants in the case.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Fingerprints
It is reported that fingerprints belonging to Michael Jackson, and the boy accusing him of child molestation, were found on pornographic magazines seized from Jackson's Neverland ranch last year.
It is assumed that, if the reports are true, the prosecution will try to use this as evidence that Jackson was showing the boy pornography; as a precursor to molesting him.
The defence will, on the other hand, argue that the boy may have read the literature without Jackson's knowledge.
It is assumed that, if the reports are true, the prosecution will try to use this as evidence that Jackson was showing the boy pornography; as a precursor to molesting him.
The defence will, on the other hand, argue that the boy may have read the literature without Jackson's knowledge.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
More Support
Michael Jackson received support from Stevie Wonder yesterday.
Stevie Wonder criticised Eminem for ridiculing Jackson in his video "Lose It".
Eminem refers to Jackson's plastic surgery, and the child molestation charges faced by Jackson.
Stevie said:
"Kicking someone when he's down is not a good thing....I was disappointed that he (Eminem) would let himself go to such a level..."
Stevie Wonder criticised Eminem for ridiculing Jackson in his video "Lose It".
Eminem refers to Jackson's plastic surgery, and the child molestation charges faced by Jackson.
Stevie said:
"Kicking someone when he's down is not a good thing....I was disappointed that he (Eminem) would let himself go to such a level..."
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Faith
For some, the innocence or guilt of Michael Jackson is merely a matter of faith.
Deborah Dannelly, the president of the Michael Jackson fan club, is reported to have said:
"Obviously I believe that he's innocent and the experience I've had with him and the times I've been with him...This isn't the man I know at all..."
Deborah Dannelly, the president of the Michael Jackson fan club, is reported to have said:
"Obviously I believe that he's innocent and the experience I've had with him and the times I've been with him...This isn't the man I know at all..."
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Threats
Ray Chandler, the uncle of the boy who accused Michael Jackson of molestation in 1994, gave an interview to Good Morning America.
He said that the boy's parents did not go forward with a criminal case because they felt threatened and were denied a request to join a witness protection program.
Quote:
"They only refused because they requested protection. They wanted to be put in witness protection program, and that request was refused."
Prosecutors did not pursue charges against Michael Jackson then, after they said the alleged victim refused to testify. The boy and his family received a reported $20M settlement from Jackson.
Chandler said that the family decided not to pursue a criminal case against Jackson, because of the multiple death threats received from his fans.
Quote:
"Jackson fans had flown in from Europe to Los Angeles and had come to the father's office, had phoned in bomb threats as late as April 1994, four months after it [the case] was settled.."
"..The father was forced to leave his dental practice because his staff and his partner would no longer allow him in there because fans were coming to the office. It was a very serious threat..."
He said that the boy's parents did not go forward with a criminal case because they felt threatened and were denied a request to join a witness protection program.
Quote:
"They only refused because they requested protection. They wanted to be put in witness protection program, and that request was refused."
Prosecutors did not pursue charges against Michael Jackson then, after they said the alleged victim refused to testify. The boy and his family received a reported $20M settlement from Jackson.
Chandler said that the family decided not to pursue a criminal case against Jackson, because of the multiple death threats received from his fans.
Quote:
"Jackson fans had flown in from Europe to Los Angeles and had come to the father's office, had phoned in bomb threats as late as April 1994, four months after it [the case] was settled.."
"..The father was forced to leave his dental practice because his staff and his partner would no longer allow him in there because fans were coming to the office. It was a very serious threat..."
Monday, December 06, 2004
Two Searches and a Swab
Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch was searched for two days, Friday and Saturday, after which a swab of saliva was taken from his mouth.
Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials have refused to discuss the visits, except to issue a statement saying they are "part of an ongoing criminal investigation".
Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials have refused to discuss the visits, except to issue a statement saying they are "part of an ongoing criminal investigation".
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Saliva
If reports are to be believed, it seems that the police have taken a sample of Michael Jackson's saliva.
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