Michael Jackson feels that celebrity status has led to his present difficulties, in as much as some people seem to be determined to "get him".
In, what seems to be to me to be, a contradiction; he has decided to air his grievances on TV today, thus generating more publicity about his problems.
Jackson will appear on the Fox News Channel, talking to Geraldo Rivera. He will say:
"The bigger the star, the bigger the target...".
Adding that:
"I'm saying the fact that people come at celebrities, we're targets...".
However, because of the gag order, he does not specifically mention his trial. Instead he lambasts reports about his life:
"It's like looking at a fictitious movie. Because it's fiction. It's like watching science fiction. It's not true...".
Adding:
"I know eventually, the truth will prevail and I'm about truth," he said. "I've become immune in a way too. I have rhinoceros skin, but at the same time I'm human. So, anything can hurt like that, but I'm very strong....".
The rationale, I assume, is that this will bolster his public image. That is all well and good. However, it is the jury that will be deciding his fate; not the public.
The trouble with celebrity status, in my view, is that it is not a one way street designed purely for the benefit of the celebrity. Precisely how much money, and fame, do celebrities need before they decide enough is enough and retire gracefully?
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Debbie Rowe Declaration
The declaration by Debbie Rowe's lawyer, in her child custody battle with Michael Jackson, can be viewed here; Debbie Rowe declaration.
Monday Cancelled
Monday's questioning of potential jurors in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial has been delayed, because of the illness of Tom Mesereau's (his lawyer) sister.
The court released a statement as follows:
"Due to the grave illness of Mr. Mesereau's sister neither he (Michael Jackson) nor the defendant will be in court on Monday..".
However, the prospective jurors must still turn up as scheduled Monday morning for the launch of the second phase in the selection process.
They will not have a terribly arduous day; as they will merely be assigned random jury numbers, before being sent home.
The only possible day next week, when there may be a hearing, is Thursday; however, this has yet to be confirmed.
The court released a statement as follows:
"Due to the grave illness of Mr. Mesereau's sister neither he (Michael Jackson) nor the defendant will be in court on Monday..".
However, the prospective jurors must still turn up as scheduled Monday morning for the launch of the second phase in the selection process.
They will not have a terribly arduous day; as they will merely be assigned random jury numbers, before being sent home.
The only possible day next week, when there may be a hearing, is Thursday; however, this has yet to be confirmed.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Gold-diggers
Hollywood director Brett Ratner, and actor Chris Tucker will reportedly testify at Michael Jackson's trial.
They allegedly met Jackson's accuser, and his relatives, before Jackson had met him.
Seemingly Tucker flew the family back and forth between Miami and Jackson's Neverland Ranch, in California in 2003.
Ratner and Tucker are expected to be supportive to Jackson, labelling the accuser's family as "gold-diggers".
They allegedly met Jackson's accuser, and his relatives, before Jackson had met him.
Seemingly Tucker flew the family back and forth between Miami and Jackson's Neverland Ranch, in California in 2003.
Ratner and Tucker are expected to be supportive to Jackson, labelling the accuser's family as "gold-diggers".
Praise for Jackson
We each of us hurt those that we love; the brave man with a sword, the coward with a kiss.
Seemingly Debbie Rowe opted for plan "B", in respect of her relationship with Michael Jackson.
Debbie Rowe gave up her parental rights to her 2 children in 2001, at that time she lavished praise upon Michael Jackson; she called him "a brilliant father", and said it was in the childrens' "best interest" to be with him.
She told a judge, at that time, that she hadn't seen the children; Prince Michael and Paris for at least a year, and wanted to gracefully exit their lives for good.
Quote:
"These are his children. I had the children for him to become a father. Not for me to become a mother. You earn the title of parent. I have done absolutely nothing to earn that title..".
"Michael is a wonderful man ... a brilliant father. As their mother, it is (in) the best interest for the children".
For good measure, she then went on to say:
"When I was seeing them every 45 days, it felt like an intrusion on their life and they're going to have enough intrusions as it is..".
However, "plus ca change", since late 2003 Rowe has been fighting to get them back.
Doubtless there will be movie about this, in the months to come.
Seemingly Debbie Rowe opted for plan "B", in respect of her relationship with Michael Jackson.
Debbie Rowe gave up her parental rights to her 2 children in 2001, at that time she lavished praise upon Michael Jackson; she called him "a brilliant father", and said it was in the childrens' "best interest" to be with him.
She told a judge, at that time, that she hadn't seen the children; Prince Michael and Paris for at least a year, and wanted to gracefully exit their lives for good.
Quote:
"These are his children. I had the children for him to become a father. Not for me to become a mother. You earn the title of parent. I have done absolutely nothing to earn that title..".
"Michael is a wonderful man ... a brilliant father. As their mother, it is (in) the best interest for the children".
For good measure, she then went on to say:
"When I was seeing them every 45 days, it felt like an intrusion on their life and they're going to have enough intrusions as it is..".
However, "plus ca change", since late 2003 Rowe has been fighting to get them back.
Doubtless there will be movie about this, in the months to come.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Unsealed
The settlement that Michael Jackson's ex wife, Debbie Rowe, signed ending her marriage to Jackson will be unsealed and made public.
Rowe is fighting a custody battle for her's and Jackson's children; Paris and Prince Michael.
Originally Jackson's lawyer, how many legal battles does Jackson actually have on his plate?, had been trying to seal the confidentiality agreement signed between Rowe and Jackson. However, yesterday, the motion was dropped.
Seemingly the agreement, made between Jackson and Rowe, prevents Rowe from commenting on Jackson's personal life; eg his alleged drug use and sexual behaviour.
Failure to comply, will land her with a large bill.
Rowe will appear at Jackson's child molestation trial, I assume she will have to comment on Jackson's private life there.
Rowe is fighting a custody battle for her's and Jackson's children; Paris and Prince Michael.
Originally Jackson's lawyer, how many legal battles does Jackson actually have on his plate?, had been trying to seal the confidentiality agreement signed between Rowe and Jackson. However, yesterday, the motion was dropped.
Seemingly the agreement, made between Jackson and Rowe, prevents Rowe from commenting on Jackson's personal life; eg his alleged drug use and sexual behaviour.
Failure to comply, will land her with a large bill.
Rowe will appear at Jackson's child molestation trial, I assume she will have to comment on Jackson's private life there.
Defence Frets
Michael Jackson's defence team are fretting that there are not enough questions, in the 7 page questionnaire, about how the potential jurors feel about Jackson.
The questionnaire has been given to the 250 potential jurors to complete, and will be used in the next stage of juror elimination by both the prosecution and defence teams.
Fret they may, but Judge Rodney Melville is keeping to his strict timeframe; the trial resumes Monday.
The questionnaire has been given to the 250 potential jurors to complete, and will be used in the next stage of juror elimination by both the prosecution and defence teams.
Fret they may, but Judge Rodney Melville is keeping to his strict timeframe; the trial resumes Monday.
Jurors Open Their Mouths
In a remarkable display of indiscretion, two potential jurors have "open their yaps" to the press; telling the world what it was like to be in the jury pool.
The procedure, apparently, went something like this:
The procedure, apparently, went something like this:
- The potential jurors were shown 10 minute video about court procedures
- They were then told that they would be on the Michael Jackson case
- The potential jurors then filed into the courtroom, facing Michael Jackson and his lawyers
- All 250 eligible jurors filled out a seven-page questionnaire that asked among other questions; if they had any relationship to Michael Jackson, with any law enforcement officers, or if they had any experience with child molestation
- Those that did not seek deferrals were asked to return on Monday for a further session
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Greed and Opportunism
The defence team in Michael Jackson's trial are pushing to have details of prior litigation brought by "Jane Doe", mother of Jackson's accuser, made public.
They argue that "Jane" is a "liar" and a greedy opportunist; who has a history of launching lawsuits, aimed at extorting money from people.
It is reported that "Jane" obtained $137K from a United States department store which she sued in 2001, she claimed that security guards had assaulted her and her two sons.
"Jane" and her family also reportedly sued Los Angeles child welfare officials, seeking financial damages over the leak of a confidential memo; this said a departmental investigation had found there was no evidence to suggest Jackson had sexually assaulted the boy.
It is also reported that the defence team want to raise issues concerning "Jane's" medication, and alleged extra marital activities.
Needless to say the prosecution team, keen not to destroy the credibility of their witness, want this evidence blocked.
Judge Rodney Melville will consider the request at a hearing, on February 10.
Sounds like this is going to get nasty.
They argue that "Jane" is a "liar" and a greedy opportunist; who has a history of launching lawsuits, aimed at extorting money from people.
It is reported that "Jane" obtained $137K from a United States department store which she sued in 2001, she claimed that security guards had assaulted her and her two sons.
"Jane" and her family also reportedly sued Los Angeles child welfare officials, seeking financial damages over the leak of a confidential memo; this said a departmental investigation had found there was no evidence to suggest Jackson had sexually assaulted the boy.
It is also reported that the defence team want to raise issues concerning "Jane's" medication, and alleged extra marital activities.
Needless to say the prosecution team, keen not to destroy the credibility of their witness, want this evidence blocked.
Judge Rodney Melville will consider the request at a hearing, on February 10.
Sounds like this is going to get nasty.
An Elegant Sufficiency
Judge Rodney Melville, presiding over the Michael Jackson trial, said yesterday that he had a sufficient pool of about 250 prospective jurors; who were willing to sit through the expected six month trial.
This means that jury selection is moving on more quickly that originally expected.
Next Monday, prospective jurors will be individually questioned by the defence and the prosecution teams. The ultimate goal is to find a jury of twelve, with eight reserves.
This means that jury selection is moving on more quickly that originally expected.
Next Monday, prospective jurors will be individually questioned by the defence and the prosecution teams. The ultimate goal is to find a jury of twelve, with eight reserves.
The Stealth Juror
Celebrity status carries its own risks and rewards, as Michael Jackson will discover during his trial.
One aspect of the risk/reward issue is the nature and stealth agenda of the potential jurors.
Michael Jackson returned to court yesterday, wearing black and giving a V for victory sign.
It seems that the "celebrity status" of this trial is already manifesting itself with regards the jury.
Normally, when selecting from a jury pool, you can expect a drop out rate of people who don't want to serve of around 75%. However, in this case, over half (176 out of 350 to date) have said that they are willing to sit on the jury for the next 6 months.
The key task, for both the defence and prosecution teams, will be to "weed out" those potential jurors with a hidden agenda; these are known as "stealth jurors".
One aspect of the risk/reward issue is the nature and stealth agenda of the potential jurors.
Michael Jackson returned to court yesterday, wearing black and giving a V for victory sign.
It seems that the "celebrity status" of this trial is already manifesting itself with regards the jury.
Normally, when selecting from a jury pool, you can expect a drop out rate of people who don't want to serve of around 75%. However, in this case, over half (176 out of 350 to date) have said that they are willing to sit on the jury for the next 6 months.
The key task, for both the defence and prosecution teams, will be to "weed out" those potential jurors with a hidden agenda; these are known as "stealth jurors".
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Moby Lambasts Jackson Video
Moby launched a broadside at Michael Jackson's video appeal, calling it the creepiest thing he's ever seen.
Speaking as a guest on the return of TRL last night, Moby lambasted Jackson's video in which he asked for "a fair trial like any other American citizen."
Seemingly Moby saw a clip of the video on MTV News, as he sat in the TRL green room.
Quote:
"That video was terrifying...That was the creepiest thing I've ever seen. That was so scary!"
Adding:
"He (MJ) looks like Elizabeth Taylor hit by a truck. Does he know how terrifying he is? Does he know that kids have nightmares about him? It's really scary."
Call me cynical, but I suspect the vehemence of his attack may have something to do with wishing to make the headlines.
Speaking as a guest on the return of TRL last night, Moby lambasted Jackson's video in which he asked for "a fair trial like any other American citizen."
Seemingly Moby saw a clip of the video on MTV News, as he sat in the TRL green room.
Quote:
"That video was terrifying...That was the creepiest thing I've ever seen. That was so scary!"
Adding:
"He (MJ) looks like Elizabeth Taylor hit by a truck. Does he know how terrifying he is? Does he know that kids have nightmares about him? It's really scary."
Call me cynical, but I suspect the vehemence of his attack may have something to do with wishing to make the headlines.
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