The threat, in a cease and desist letter from 20th Century Fox, to independent filmmaker Bryan Michael Stoller (an upcoming character witness at Michael Jackson's trial) about his film, "Miss Cast Away," has been resolved.
Fox had threatened to block the release of the film, stating that audiences would confuse it with their Tom Hanks film "Cast Away." Stoller could not afford to fight the claim in court, and therefore changed the title to "Miss Castaway & the Island Girls" to avoid any confusion to Fox's Hanks picture.
Stoller said:
"It's a ridiculous claim. Even my dog can tell the difference."
The distribution plan for the film is now affected by the timing of Jackson's upcoming trial. The film is currently only available via the website www.MissCastaway.com.
All major distributors were afraid to consider the film for distribution, due to Jackson's forthcoming trial.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Jury To Be Summoned
Jury summonses will be sent out next week, in preparation for the trial of Michael Jackson which starts on 31 January 2005.
Jurors will earn $15 a day for their time.
Approximately 4000 summonses will be sent out for the Jackson trial; out of which, maybe, 300 would be able to serve for the estimated 6 month duration of the trial.
The jurors will be taken from those residents, who are citizens over 18 of Santa Barbara County, who live north of the Gaviota Tunnel.
Needless to say, both the defence and prosecution will be looking to select jurors who are most sympathetic to their case.
It will be a case of "many are selected, but few are chosen".
Jurors will earn $15 a day for their time.
Approximately 4000 summonses will be sent out for the Jackson trial; out of which, maybe, 300 would be able to serve for the estimated 6 month duration of the trial.
The jurors will be taken from those residents, who are citizens over 18 of Santa Barbara County, who live north of the Gaviota Tunnel.
Needless to say, both the defence and prosecution will be looking to select jurors who are most sympathetic to their case.
It will be a case of "many are selected, but few are chosen".
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
A Huge Step Backwards
Judge Rodney Melville, presiding over the pre trial hearings in the Michael Jackson case, yesterday rejected attempts by the defence to throw out the child molestation charges or delay the trial by several months.
Judge Melville rejected both arguments, saying that any delay in the trial would be:
"a huge step backwards.....If I continue this case for three months, we'll have 90 more search warrants and 90 more motions...".
The court will begin summoning jurors next week, and the trial will start on 31 January 2005.
Jackson will be required to attend, when jury selection begins next month.
The prosecution's wish to have evidence of "prior sexual offenses" by Jackson admitted to the trial, will not be discussed until early January.
The trial is expected to take about 4 months, and may involve over 150 witnesses.
Judge Melville rejected both arguments, saying that any delay in the trial would be:
"a huge step backwards.....If I continue this case for three months, we'll have 90 more search warrants and 90 more motions...".
The court will begin summoning jurors next week, and the trial will start on 31 January 2005.
Jackson will be required to attend, when jury selection begins next month.
The prosecution's wish to have evidence of "prior sexual offenses" by Jackson admitted to the trial, will not be discussed until early January.
The trial is expected to take about 4 months, and may involve over 150 witnesses.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Another Hearing
Yet another hearing, in the build up to Michael Jackson's trial, will be held today.
The prosecution wish to include evidence of Michael Jackson's alleged past misdemeanors; whilst the defence team wish to delay the trial, which is scheduled to begin on 31 January 2005.
Both these motions will be presented to Judge Rodney Melville today and for the next two days.
The prosecution wish to include evidence of Michael Jackson's alleged past misdemeanors; whilst the defence team wish to delay the trial, which is scheduled to begin on 31 January 2005.
Both these motions will be presented to Judge Rodney Melville today and for the next two days.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Coachloads of Kids
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.
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.
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..."
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