It seems that even Tom Sneddon, who is leading the prosecution of Michael Jackson in his forthcoming child molestation trial, needs a little help with PR.
It is reported that Susan Tellem, a public relations expert, is offering her advice to Sneddon for free. She is reported to have felt that his first press conference, in November 2003, was badly handled; and that he could do with some help.
There I was, thinking that the trial was about truth and justice!
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Friday, July 16, 2004
Suppression After Suppression
It is reported that Judge Rodney Melville, who is handling he pretrial hearings of the Michael Jackson child molestation case, has ordered the suppression of the details of an application by Michael Jackson's lawyers to postpone the trial.
The Judge did not give a reason, nor did he say how long a postponement has been sought.
The original date for trial has been set for 13 September; but now, who knows?
This makes the 12th suppression ordered by Melville.
The Judge did not give a reason, nor did he say how long a postponement has been sought.
The original date for trial has been set for 13 September; but now, who knows?
This makes the 12th suppression ordered by Melville.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
What's In a Name?
In a bizarre irony, the mother of the child accusing Michael Jackson of molestation has got married; to a certain Jay Jackson.
The ceremony took place in Las Vegas on May the 29th, she is now called Janet Jackson.
Confused?
I am sure that there will be more twists and turns in this ongoing saga, to increase the sense of confusion.
The ceremony took place in Las Vegas on May the 29th, she is now called Janet Jackson.
Confused?
I am sure that there will be more twists and turns in this ongoing saga, to increase the sense of confusion.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
The Jackson Letters
It is reported that the mother of the child, who is accusing Michael Jackson of molestation, has filed a legal action against Jackson and his colleagues.
She is alleging that letters, written by Michael Jackson to her son, have been stolen by employees of Jackson.
It seems that Bradley Miller, the investigator whose offices Tom Sneddon raided in 2003, is the central player in the "who stole the letters?" conspiracy.
Miller is alleged to have placed family possessions in storage, whilst the family hid to avoid the press, when the possessions were returned they came back minus the letters.
The question now on everyone's lips is "what is the contents of these letters?", if indeed they do exist.
She is alleging that letters, written by Michael Jackson to her son, have been stolen by employees of Jackson.
It seems that Bradley Miller, the investigator whose offices Tom Sneddon raided in 2003, is the central player in the "who stole the letters?" conspiracy.
Miller is alleged to have placed family possessions in storage, whilst the family hid to avoid the press, when the possessions were returned they came back minus the letters.
The question now on everyone's lips is "what is the contents of these letters?", if indeed they do exist.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Shut Your Mouth
It is reported that Judge Rodney Melville has given a verbal rebuke to Michael Jackson, for responding in public to child molestation allegations relating to an earlier case. This public response violates a gag order about the current child molestation case.
The issue centres on the 1993 child molestation case, where Jackson paid $23M to settle out of court.
Thomas Mesereau, Michael Jackson's lawyer, argues that the gag order is not relevant to an 11 year old case.
The issue here though, according to the judge, is whether evidence from the 1993 case will be used in the current child molestation case. Until that is decided, theoretically commenting on the 1993 case violates the gag on the current case.
Under these circumstances, the best thing that Jackson can do is keep his mouth shut; no matter how much he may wish to speak up.
The issue centres on the 1993 child molestation case, where Jackson paid $23M to settle out of court.
Thomas Mesereau, Michael Jackson's lawyer, argues that the gag order is not relevant to an 11 year old case.
The issue here though, according to the judge, is whether evidence from the 1993 case will be used in the current child molestation case. Until that is decided, theoretically commenting on the 1993 case violates the gag on the current case.
Under these circumstances, the best thing that Jackson can do is keep his mouth shut; no matter how much he may wish to speak up.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Turning The Tables
It is reported that Judge Rodney Melville, who is presiding over the pre trial hearings relating to the upcoming Michael Jackson trial, has ordered DA Tom Sneddon to explain why he searched the offices of Bradley Miller a private investigator.
When the offices were searched in November 2003, video tapes and disc drives were seized. It seems that Miller may have been working for the defence team at this stage; hence the seizure could be a breach of client/attorney privilege.
Tom Sneddon, who is leading the prosecution of Michael Jackson, has claimed he didn't know Miller was working for the defence.
The legalistic "punch up" in court between prosecution and defence teams, over this issue, had been expected to occur on Friday. However, Robert Sanger a defence attorney has asked for more time so that he may review the evidence.
Judge Melville was reportedly "pissed off" at this delay.
I am reminded of the scene in a Laurel and Hardy film, where Stan rushes down a flight of stairs in an apartment block telling everyone "there's going to be a fight". Everyone ends up in the street, waiting for a fight between Olly and another resident; in the end members of the crowd start to fight with each other.
When the offices were searched in November 2003, video tapes and disc drives were seized. It seems that Miller may have been working for the defence team at this stage; hence the seizure could be a breach of client/attorney privilege.
Tom Sneddon, who is leading the prosecution of Michael Jackson, has claimed he didn't know Miller was working for the defence.
The legalistic "punch up" in court between prosecution and defence teams, over this issue, had been expected to occur on Friday. However, Robert Sanger a defence attorney has asked for more time so that he may review the evidence.
Judge Melville was reportedly "pissed off" at this delay.
I am reminded of the scene in a Laurel and Hardy film, where Stan rushes down a flight of stairs in an apartment block telling everyone "there's going to be a fight". Everyone ends up in the street, waiting for a fight between Olly and another resident; in the end members of the crowd start to fight with each other.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
How Much Is Too Much?
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.
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.
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?
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