Michael Jackson's Trials

Michael Jackson's Trials

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The Ongoing Trials of The Late Michael Jackson

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Joe Jackson's Money Worries

Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father, is reportedly worried about his son's finances following the trial.

Joe is reportedly worried that Michael Jackson has been left physically and financially crippled by the stress of the trial, and the poor advice from those close to him.

Quote:

"Am I worried about his financial problems? Yes, I am! If he didn't trust the wrong people, he wouldn't have been in this situation."

A cynic might suggest that part of his fear is based on the realisation that Michael will not be making as much money for him (Joe) as he did in the past.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Trial Cost Over $3M

The cost to the taxpayer of investigating and trying Michael Jackson is estimated to exceed $3M.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department spent more than $3M, out of an annual budget of $84M, investigating Michael Jackson on child-molestation charges and providing security for his trial.

The costs of prosecuting the Jackson case were not available from the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office.

Monday, June 27, 2005

Jackson Documentary

Digital Classics share price rose by 10% today, as investors took heart from the company's proposed documentary about Michael Jackson.

The company issued a statement:

"Management is currently aggressively marketing the production and is in discussions with six U.S. television channels, three of which are major U.S. networks,"

It made the Jackson documentary in 2003, but could only finish the film after the end of the trial.

God Dried My Tears

Michael Jackson has issued his first public statement, on his website, since the end of his trial for molestation.

He claims that God and his (Jackson's) supporters/fans "dried my tears", and helped him through trial.

Quote:

"Your love, support and loyalty made it all possible. You were there when I really needed you. I will never forget you..Your ever-present love held me, dried my tears, and carried me through. I will treasure your devotion and support forever. You are my inspiration."

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Jackson To Give Interview

Michael Jackson is reportedly going to give a US TV interview, for a $10M fee.

Needless to say the networks are trying to outbid each other, for the rights to interview him.

If the interview goes ahead Jackson, mindful of the Bashir debacle, will lay down the rules about editorial control.

Jackson Starved Himself

Michael Jackson starved himself during his trial, he allegedly only drank water for 30 days.

This caused his weight to drop to 94 pounds.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Jackson To Be Sued

It seems that, despite being acquitted on child molestation charges, Michael Jackson's legal woes may not be completely behind him.

Donna Kyman has filed a lawsuit, alleging that a dog escaped from Jackson's Encino home and attacked her.

Kyman alleges that Flash, a husky belonging to Jackson's sister-in-law, attacked her whilst she was in her garage without provocation.

Flash was captured and tested negative for rabies. Kyman alleges that she still suffered "great mental, emotional and physical pain" that may "result in some permanent disability."

Kyman goes open the describe the hapless Flash in the most prosaic of terms:

"possessed of vicious and dangerous propensities and was inclined to attack people and other animals without provocation."

Kyman, in her suit, claims that Jackson and his sister-in-law Alejandra Jackson "knew of the viciousness and dangerousness of their dog and of its inclination, or reasonably should have known these facts", and that they "negligently, carelessly, and wrongfully permitted their husky dog to go, without a leash, onto public streets."

The suit is seeking compensation for medical, travel, incidental and legal expenses.

As ever, it comes down to money.

The question is, how on earth can Flash afford to pay damages if he is convicted?

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Katherine Jackson Speaks Out

Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, gave an interview to the Today show on MSNBC yesterday.

She said that the trial took everything out of Jackson, both physically and mentally.

Quote:

"One of the reasons why it devastated him, he would tell me, 'Mother, when they say 'call your next witness,' and I look around and I'm surprised. It's people that I've helped, and they're up there trying to make money off of me by lying. I don't understand how people can do that.'"

Adding that:

"he'd been proven not to be a child molester, and they know he's not. But some people just believe what they believe and I can't stop that. But I wish they would stop and think about it. That he is not a child molester. He is not a pedophile. He doesn't give liquor to children. These kids were bad kids."

Mrs Jackson said that she feels sorry for the Arvizos:

"I feel sorry for them, too. From what I hear about their past, I feel sorry for their future if they don't change their way."

However, she was less forgiving about Tom Sneddon:

"My son is a better person than he is. What he did to my son, my son would never do to anyone else."

Toast

It seems that some people are very easily parted from their money.

There are slices of toast that allegedly contain the image of Michael Jackson, that are being offered for sale on eBay.

The toast is going for $300 a slice. The owners of this toast claim that it popped out of their toasters at the exact moment Jackson was acquitted a week ago.

One seller claims:

"As I was watched the jury's verdict being announced on June 13, 2005, my toast popped up just as Michael was Acquitted!,".

One slice of toast, which bore Jackson's face, has fetched $300.

Ridiculous!

Monday, June 20, 2005

Juror Lets Herself and Her Fellow Jurors Down

Pauline Coccoz, one of the jury who found Michael Jackson not guilty of molestation, attended Jackson's celebration party last Friday.

400 people attended the party, which was held at the Chumash Indian Casino.

Pauline Coccoz reportedly told journalists that:

"They were playing 'Beat It' and I almost started to cry,"

Jackson's mother, Katherine, told the fans at the party:

"We couldn't have done it without you,".

Coccoz claimed that she decided to bring her family to the party, partly as a public display of her confidence in the jury's verdict.

To my mind for a juror to openly fraternise with the person/associates of the person that they have just acquitted, sends out a very bad signal indeed re the independence of that juror.

She was, in my view, very unwise to attend and has let her fellow jurors down.

Could there be grounds for the prosecution to claim mistrial, on the basis of this juror not being seen to be independent?

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Final Party

There was a final victory party held this weekend, for 400 family and fans of Michael Jackson.

The event was held at the Chumash Indian casino, where Joe Jackson stayed during the trial.

The guests included; Katherine Jackson, Robert Sanger the defence lawyer, and Pauline Coccoz, one of the jurors who acquitted him.

Is it appropriate that an "independent" member of the jury attend a party thrown to celebrate Jackson's acquittal?

Michael Jackson did not attend, and hasn't been since the trial.

Jackson Going Into Exile

It seems that Michael Jackson may be preparing to leave the USA, for exile abroad, as early as this week.

His lawyers are seeking the speedy return of his passport, and his financial advisers are waiting for approval to put Neverland up for sale to raise £40m towards his debts of £200M.

The remaining animals in the Neverland zoo are being removed, and the fairground rides are being dismantled.

All things turn to dust.