COMEDIAN TAKES THE STAND
Louise Palanker testifies
After taking the stand late on in Monday's proceedings, comedian Louise Palanker testified yesterday about her relationship with the Arvizo family.
Palanker met the family through a comedy camp in 2000 and went on to visit Gavin Arvizo in the hospital and take part in fundraisers for his cancer treatment. She also provided two $10,000 cheques for each of his parents.
She testified about a phone call she recieved from Janet Arvizo which led her to believe the family were being held captive, her relationship with the family and certain experiences that made her feel uncomfortable.
Yesterday's proceedings ended early as it was a half day, it is not known whether or not Palanker will once again be taking the stand today.
To read our article concerning yesterday's proceedings or join the Messageboard discussion, click on the links below.
# Read March 22nd Article
# Join The MB Discussion
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Louise Palanker Takes The Stand
Michael Jackson arrived to court on time Tuesday, smiling but moving slowly as he did on Monday, when he arrived a few minutes late after another hospital visit in regards to severe back pain.
Comedian Louise Palanker was called to the stand today by the prosecution, to support the conspiracy charge against Michael Jackson. Ms. Palanker testified that she had received a tearful phone call from the mother of the family that led her to believe the family was being held against their will.
Ms. Palanker did not say where the mother was at the time of the call. The comedian said she called her attorney afterward because "I felt that they were being held against their will." According to the report she gave to detectives, her attorney advised her that she could meet with the mother if she wished, but that if the mother was able to call her, she was also able to call authorities.
Ms. Palanker said she met the family at a comedy camp for underprivileged youth run by the Laugh Factory club in Hollywood and began helping them financially after the boy was diagnosed with cancer. She chose to give the family $10,000 to help with expenses. Ms. Palanker was asked for an additional 10,000 only three weeks later. In a detective’s report, she stated that this caused her to become somewhat suspicious. Also, in this report, she spoke of having arranged for a contractor to assist the family in creating a germ free room for the cancer victim. She discovered that the contractor was never paid for the work, despite her having given the family $20,000. She also learned that a large flat screen television and a DVD player were purchased, which she did not feel, at the time, was consistent with what a child his age would need. When specifically asked in the police report, Ms. Palanker claimed that she was approached for monies by David Arvizo or the children, and it was her feeling that, when the children asked for money, they were being “coached” to do so.
Tuesday’s court session was shortened due to Judge Melville’s previous commitment. Court will resume on Wednesday at the regularly scheduled time.
Source: AP/MJJForum
Michael Jackson arrived to court on time Tuesday, smiling but moving slowly as he did on Monday, when he arrived a few minutes late after another hospital visit in regards to severe back pain.
Comedian Louise Palanker was called to the stand today by the prosecution, to support the conspiracy charge against Michael Jackson. Ms. Palanker testified that she had received a tearful phone call from the mother of the family that led her to believe the family was being held against their will.
Ms. Palanker did not say where the mother was at the time of the call. The comedian said she called her attorney afterward because "I felt that they were being held against their will." According to the report she gave to detectives, her attorney advised her that she could meet with the mother if she wished, but that if the mother was able to call her, she was also able to call authorities.
Ms. Palanker said she met the family at a comedy camp for underprivileged youth run by the Laugh Factory club in Hollywood and began helping them financially after the boy was diagnosed with cancer. She chose to give the family $10,000 to help with expenses. Ms. Palanker was asked for an additional 10,000 only three weeks later. In a detective’s report, she stated that this caused her to become somewhat suspicious. Also, in this report, she spoke of having arranged for a contractor to assist the family in creating a germ free room for the cancer victim. She discovered that the contractor was never paid for the work, despite her having given the family $20,000. She also learned that a large flat screen television and a DVD player were purchased, which she did not feel, at the time, was consistent with what a child his age would need. When specifically asked in the police report, Ms. Palanker claimed that she was approached for monies by David Arvizo or the children, and it was her feeling that, when the children asked for money, they were being “coached” to do so.
Tuesday’s court session was shortened due to Judge Melville’s previous commitment. Court will resume on Wednesday at the regularly scheduled time.
Source: AP/MJJForum
MJJForum Presents.......MJJFtv
Are you familiar with it? Have you viewed the exclusive and unique method of getting the daily Michael Jackson news? Would you like to make it an essential part of news on your own website?
Let us introduce you to MJJFtv!
MJJFtv is presented on MJJForum.com everyday to provide significant and factual information on the trial of Michael Jackson. This trial is not only playing out in the court room, but also in the media and court of public opinion.
We will provide you with streaming broadcasts that include facts that the mainstream media doesn't want you to know. We are not bound by a gag order nor are we restricted in anyway from telling you the truth or speaking out on the inconsistencies of testimony happening everyday in the court.
Would you like to see this outstanding new feature of MJJForum for yourself? Visit www.mjjforum.com and click on MJJFtv. We believe you will not only be amazed at this technology, but you will want to add it to your own website.
Please contact us at admin@mjjforum.com.
Heeeej, a to fajne jest! Tego do tej pory nie było? Ha! No trzeba wejść na stronie głównej /limk podany/ do interactive, a potem w MJJFtv. I se oglądać co dają! :)
Ale fajowe! I transkrypty dają! czyli to co najbardziej lubię! Tu mi gada po ang, a jak chcę, to sobie kliknę i mam napisane co gada, to może cos zrozumiem! Ołłł jeeeeeee.
Are you familiar with it? Have you viewed the exclusive and unique method of getting the daily Michael Jackson news? Would you like to make it an essential part of news on your own website?
Let us introduce you to MJJFtv!
MJJFtv is presented on MJJForum.com everyday to provide significant and factual information on the trial of Michael Jackson. This trial is not only playing out in the court room, but also in the media and court of public opinion.
We will provide you with streaming broadcasts that include facts that the mainstream media doesn't want you to know. We are not bound by a gag order nor are we restricted in anyway from telling you the truth or speaking out on the inconsistencies of testimony happening everyday in the court.
Would you like to see this outstanding new feature of MJJForum for yourself? Visit www.mjjforum.com and click on MJJFtv. We believe you will not only be amazed at this technology, but you will want to add it to your own website.
Please contact us at admin@mjjforum.com.
Heeeej, a to fajne jest! Tego do tej pory nie było? Ha! No trzeba wejść na stronie głównej /limk podany/ do interactive, a potem w MJJFtv. I se oglądać co dają! :)
Ale fajowe! I transkrypty dają! czyli to co najbardziej lubię! Tu mi gada po ang, a jak chcę, to sobie kliknę i mam napisane co gada, to może cos zrozumiem! Ołłł jeeeeeee.
MJNI
WEEKLY TRIAL ROUND-UP
Michael gets through back trouble
Welcome to the fourth of our weekly trial round-ups. This is designed to give you a quick bulletin of what has happened during court proceedings over the past week.
We know how difficult and time consuming all of the day to day information can be, so these round-ups are here to provide you with just the simple main points.
Here's what happened in the past week, starting on Monday 21st March...
MONDAY... Michael Jackson Suffers From More Back Problems
* Michael Jackson arrives a few minutes late, looking in pain, becomes apparent that his back problem is flaring up.
* Sgt. Conn Abel takes the stand.
* Testifies he found phone-bugging equipment at Naverland.
* Anthony J. Urquiza - a child psychologist - testifies as an expert witness for the Prosecution.
* Discusses an abused child's behaviour pattern for Prosecution, states under cross-examination 2-6% of children lie about abuse according to his research.
* Flight attendant Lauren Wallace takes the stand.
* Testifies that she served Michael Jackson wine in diet coke cans.
* During cross-examination states she never saw any children drunk on a flight and Michael Jackson was very discreet about his drinking.
TUESDAY... Louise Palanker Takes The Stand
* Louise Palanker takes the stand.
* Testifies about a phone call she received from Janet Arvizo which led her to believe the family were being held against their will.
* Says she gave each Arvizo parent a $10,000 cheque.
* Claims it was the Father, and not the Mother, who was money hungry.
* Acknowledges the money she gave them was for Accuser's cancer treatment and not a large flat TV screen and DVD player, but that no strings were attached when giving the money.
* Claims when Father accused George Lopez of stealing $300 from Accuser, Gavin Arvizo did not back him up.
WEDNESDAY... Computer Images Deemed Inadmissible
* Judge Melville denies Prosecution request to admit adult images seized from computers on the grounds it cannot be proven who, if anyone, had seen the images.
* Detective Craig Bonner takes the stand, testifies about briefcase of adult material seized from Neverland.
* During cross-examination, Thomas Mesereau asks the witness if Gavin Arvizo or his brother's DNA was found on the briefcase or materials, Bonner said there was not.
* Dr. Antonio Cantu, a U.S. Secret Service agent and forensics expert takes the stand to discuss methods of recovering fingerprints.
* Defence attorney Brian Oxman collapses in court with right lung pneumonia, taken to hospital where he is in stable condition.
THURSDAY... Fingerprints Analysed
* Jurors listen to more expert testimony from Dr. Antonio Cantu.
* A technician, Lisa Hemman, takes the stand.
* Testifies she found Star Arvizo's fingerprints on adult material seized from Neverland.
* Prosecution announce comedian George Lopez will take stand on Monday, and they request Judge Melville to allow Chris Carter to be released from a Las Vegas prison to testify.
FRIDAY... More Fingerprint Evidence
* Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department fingerprint expert Robert Spinner takes the stand.
* Testifies that three of the Accuser's fingerprints were found on a magazine which also contained one fingerprint of Michael Jackson's.
* Says there were two more prints of the Accuser's found on other magazines as well as an adult video calendar. Two prints belonging to his brother were found on more material.
* Judge finishes court 15 minutes early before Defence cross-examine the witness.
The trial will resume tomorrow, with Robert Spinner expected to be cross-examined and comedian George Lopez taking the stand. Judge Melville is also expected to rule on whether or not evidence from the 1993 case can be admitted.
Full information from each day can still always be found in the Timeline at our Support Michael Pages. While you're there, why not visit the other sections of the pages too?
# Case Timeline
# Profiles
# Pledge Your Support
# Articles
Michael gets through back trouble
Welcome to the fourth of our weekly trial round-ups. This is designed to give you a quick bulletin of what has happened during court proceedings over the past week.
We know how difficult and time consuming all of the day to day information can be, so these round-ups are here to provide you with just the simple main points.
Here's what happened in the past week, starting on Monday 21st March...
MONDAY... Michael Jackson Suffers From More Back Problems
* Michael Jackson arrives a few minutes late, looking in pain, becomes apparent that his back problem is flaring up.
* Sgt. Conn Abel takes the stand.
* Testifies he found phone-bugging equipment at Naverland.
* Anthony J. Urquiza - a child psychologist - testifies as an expert witness for the Prosecution.
* Discusses an abused child's behaviour pattern for Prosecution, states under cross-examination 2-6% of children lie about abuse according to his research.
* Flight attendant Lauren Wallace takes the stand.
* Testifies that she served Michael Jackson wine in diet coke cans.
* During cross-examination states she never saw any children drunk on a flight and Michael Jackson was very discreet about his drinking.
TUESDAY... Louise Palanker Takes The Stand
* Louise Palanker takes the stand.
* Testifies about a phone call she received from Janet Arvizo which led her to believe the family were being held against their will.
* Says she gave each Arvizo parent a $10,000 cheque.
* Claims it was the Father, and not the Mother, who was money hungry.
* Acknowledges the money she gave them was for Accuser's cancer treatment and not a large flat TV screen and DVD player, but that no strings were attached when giving the money.
* Claims when Father accused George Lopez of stealing $300 from Accuser, Gavin Arvizo did not back him up.
WEDNESDAY... Computer Images Deemed Inadmissible
* Judge Melville denies Prosecution request to admit adult images seized from computers on the grounds it cannot be proven who, if anyone, had seen the images.
* Detective Craig Bonner takes the stand, testifies about briefcase of adult material seized from Neverland.
* During cross-examination, Thomas Mesereau asks the witness if Gavin Arvizo or his brother's DNA was found on the briefcase or materials, Bonner said there was not.
* Dr. Antonio Cantu, a U.S. Secret Service agent and forensics expert takes the stand to discuss methods of recovering fingerprints.
* Defence attorney Brian Oxman collapses in court with right lung pneumonia, taken to hospital where he is in stable condition.
THURSDAY... Fingerprints Analysed
* Jurors listen to more expert testimony from Dr. Antonio Cantu.
* A technician, Lisa Hemman, takes the stand.
* Testifies she found Star Arvizo's fingerprints on adult material seized from Neverland.
* Prosecution announce comedian George Lopez will take stand on Monday, and they request Judge Melville to allow Chris Carter to be released from a Las Vegas prison to testify.
FRIDAY... More Fingerprint Evidence
* Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department fingerprint expert Robert Spinner takes the stand.
* Testifies that three of the Accuser's fingerprints were found on a magazine which also contained one fingerprint of Michael Jackson's.
* Says there were two more prints of the Accuser's found on other magazines as well as an adult video calendar. Two prints belonging to his brother were found on more material.
* Judge finishes court 15 minutes early before Defence cross-examine the witness.
The trial will resume tomorrow, with Robert Spinner expected to be cross-examined and comedian George Lopez taking the stand. Judge Melville is also expected to rule on whether or not evidence from the 1993 case can be admitted.
Full information from each day can still always be found in the Timeline at our Support Michael Pages. While you're there, why not visit the other sections of the pages too?
# Case Timeline
# Profiles
# Pledge Your Support
# Articles
MJJF eNews #526 - Tuesday Mar 29, 2005
Court Notes
MJJForum Court Reporter T filed this on March 14th. Her name has been blacked out so that she will not be targetted by some media.
MONDAY 3/14/05 Cross examination of Gavin
Off topic:
- Jane Velez Mitchell and some other reporters behind me were commenting on what MJ was wearing. They were mainly commenting on his shoes “he’s wearing cowboy boots. Aren’t cowboy boots really rough on your back, and he’s supposed to have a bad back”…
Masturbation:
- Thomas Mesereau asked Gavin if Michael Jackson was the one that told him about masturbation and Gavin answered “yes”. Mr. Mesereau pointed out that according to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s interview; his grandmother was the one that first told him about the act. Gavin’s response was that Michael told him first, and then his grandmother tried to explain. Mr. Mesereau said “so your grandmother made the identical quote right after Michael Jackson?” The quote was ‘if you don’t masturbate, you could go crazy and end up raping a girl or something similar.
- Gavin denies to being caught masturbating without Michael Jackson there.
JC Penny:
- Mr. Mesereau asked Gavin if his mom added the sexual assault after the initial suit. Gavin’s answer was that he doesn’t remember. He was going through chemotherapy at the same time as the depositions.
Over the weekend / school:
- When asked “did you talk about the case over the weekend,” Gavin answered that he did talk about it with Sneddon.
- When asked what he talked about, Gavin tried to beat around the bush so the questioning went in circles. Mr. Mesereau had to ask the judge to ask Gavin to answer the question. He forcefully answered “my history” and “in school maybe.”
- Later Gavin testified that Sneddon talked about Gerald and Alpert.
- The meeting happened on Sunday at “a house” and it included the prosecutors and Sgt. Steve Robel. Mr. Mesereau asked if Gavin knew about an interview on Saturday and if Tom Sneddon told him that he had talked to Mr. Alpert. Gavin’s answers were “no”.
- Gavin admitted that he had a lot of disciplinary problems and that he would get into fights sometimes.
- Mr. Gerald: Gavin tells that he was a detention teacher and was like a drill sergeant. He accused Gavin of being on drugs.
- ROTC / Sea Cadet: Gavin was in some kind of after school program, but when asked if he was in ROTC he answered “not exactly,” then mumbled some kind of explanation with the sea cadets. Mr. Mesereau asked if he called the sea cadets ‘stupid’ and Gavin said “I may have said that they looked stupid.”
- Dean Alpert: Mr. Mesereau had to refresh Gavin’s memory of who Mr. Alpert was. Gavin admitted that he told Alpert that Michael Jackson didn’t do anything to him (after circling around and trying to avoid the fact).
- Mr. Murphy: Gavin said that he asked to change his class. He said he was given detention (slip) by Mr. Murphy but wouldn’t sign it because he didn’t agree with it.
- Mr. Parker: According to Gavin he was new and was going to replace Mr. Gerald. He admitted to apologizing to Mr. Parker for disrespecting teachers.
- Mr. Collins: Gavin didn’t remember him.
- Ms. Slaughter: Argued with her? “Yes, I had to go to the restroom and she wouldn’t let me.”
- Mr. Finkelstein “Think”: Math teacher. Gavin said “everyone has problems in his class.” When Mr. Mesereau asked if he had problems in his class, Gavin replied with ‘I said everyone had problems, that would include me wouldn’t it’ (not exact words).
- Teacher named Moon: Homeroom teacher, Gavin said he had no problems with him.
- Homework: Gavin said that he would never do his homework. He said that Michael Jackson only helped him a little bid one time.
- Gavin went to John Burroughs for 7th and 8th grade. He went to La Cont before then. (SP?)
Cards and letters:
- Mr. Mesereau showed Gavin a number of different cards and letters that he wrote to Michael. They all included “Daddy Michael” numerous times. In one letter he said “daddy Michael” in every single sentence. He called Prince and Paris his little brother and sister and thanked Michael for helping him beat cancer. He would sign “from your son, Gavin.”
- Evvy Tavasci: Michael Jackson’s assistant. Gavin wrote letters to her also and told her he loved her. He also called her often when he couldn’t get a hold of Michael.
- In one letter he asked if he could go to New York and watch Michael record.
Access to Neverland:
- Mr. Mesereau questioned Gavin about going to the recording studio at Neverland. Gavin denied having the code or asking for it, but he said he went in there once without Michael.
- He said he would go to the theatre without Michael.
- Gavin said he was given the codes to the main house and the bedroom. He denies asking for any other codes.
- He denies ever going into the bedroom when Michael was not there.
- Admits to going into the ‘play room’ and helping Grace with lessons. But denies going in there when no one was there.
Michael Jackson avoiding Gavin:
- Mr. Mesereau tries to make a point that Gavin was angry because Michael was avoiding him.
- Gavin admits that he was upset for not seeing Michael after remission.
- He said that Michael’s phone number stopped working and he couldn’t get a hold of him.
- Mr. Mesereau keeps pointing to the family being angry with the fact that Michael rejected them and Gavin keeps denying it. Mr. Mesereau says “until you realized you weren’t going to be part of Michael’s family anymore, there were no allegations.” Gavin twists his answers around. Mr. Mesereau goes in circles with this question.
PC and AOL for Gavin:
- He got his first computer ever a few days after visiting Neverland. But not the first computer he had used.
- Evvy set up an AOL account. Gavin requested account name Gblade2000, screen name Hawk, and at one point changed his password to ‘sexy’. (A bunch of objections at this point).
- At some point the computer broke and they sent it back to Evvy for repair, but they complained to the sheriff that they never got it back.
SUV Given to Family:
-
- Car was crashed when in the family’s possession. They gave it back to Michael for repair, but complained to sheriff that they never got it back.
- Gavin denies asking Chris Tucker for a car.
Magazines:
- Gavin denies ever being caught with magazines while at Neverland without Michael there.
Sleeping Arrangements:
- He stayed in Michael’s room the first night at Neverland. Michael slept on the floor.
- Gavin said they would sometimes sleep in the train house when not staying in their guest unit.
- After first night, Janet didn’t visit Neverland until after Miami. His dad went with him most of the time.
- After Miami, he stayed with Michael in the bedroom every night Michael was there and mom never asked where they were sleeping.
Drinking:
- Gavin now says they drank every night that Michael was there. Contradicts with what he’s said before.
- Denied being caught drinking by employees and denies knowing where the key was to the wine cellar.
- Denies being caught stealing alcohol from the kitchen.
- Gavin says that the only time he tasted wine before Neverland was at church.
Escaping Neverland:
- Gavin was never personally threatened.
- They escaped three times, but never called police.
- Mr. Mesereau goes on to point out many different situations and asks Gavin if they called for help. His answer to all are “no.”
- Feb. 26th: Mr. Mesereau asked if they went on a shopping spree and Gavin says “no.” He only recalls going to anchor blue to see a movie, and Johnny Rockets to eat. Mr. Mesereau gives a long list of places they visited and Gavin says “no” to all of them.
Molesting:
- Gavin says he was first touched after a couple of escapes and returns from Neverland.
- He is now saying that he was molested after the rebuttal video, but originally told Tom Sneddon that he was molested before.
- Says that Michel touched him twice when Star wasn’t there.
- Mr. Mesereau points out that they didn’t contact the police until after they talked to two lawyers. Tom Sneddon objects, is overruled, and Gavin agrees.
Rebuttal video:
- Gavin agrees that in some parts they were telling the truth.
- A few things he says they were told to say.
- Every time Mr. Mesereau asked Gavin if he thought his mom was telling the truth, he would answer like a smart ass and say “I don’t know, you have to ask her.” And Mr. Mesereau would ask “well do YOU think she is”. They went around in circles with this one.
- Gavin recalls signing something in the Library. Michael asked him to sign and Brett Ratner was there. But he says he doesn’t remember his mom signing anything.
What Gavin wants to be when he grows up:
- He said he wanted to be an actor but now he wants to be in “law enforcement”. He went into this cheesy rehearsed explanation of how he’s changed his mind.
Janet Jackson:
- Mr. Mesereau asks if Janet is trying to look like Janet Jackson because she has a curl coming down her face in the rebuttal video. ???
Someone named Rio:
- Mr. Mesereau refreshes Gavin’s memory of this Rio person. But Gavin says they never stayed in the same guest unit or room.
- Did you ever watch TV in the guest unit? Gavin says that they never watched TV, they were always playing.
- Recall telling Rio that you wanted to watch adult movies while at Neverland? Gavin says he doesn’t remember.
- Stealing alcohol from Michael’s room when Rio was there? Gavin answers “no”.
- Recall stealing a laminated $1000 bill? Gavin answers “no”.
- Recall masturbating in front of Rio? Gavin answers “no”.
TUESDAY 3/15/05
Gavin Cross Examination:
- Barbara Shroder: Fox employee. Picked up Gavin and Star and took them to movies and shopping. Gavin said she was just a friend; her employment at Fox had no significance.
- Gary Hern (driver): Mr. Mesereau asks if Gavin recalls him making stops so the family could shop. Gavin says “no”.
- Shane Meredith: Gavin says he doesn’t remember him and when Mr. Mesereau asks if he caught him with an open bottle of alcohol when Michael wasn’t around, he answers “no”.
- Rene Watson (acting teacher/actor on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air): Did Janet ask her for money? Gavin answers “no”.
- Dentist: Gavin was taken to Dr. Seamas where he had his braces removed. He was gone for 5 ½ hours and admits that no one cried for help. When asked who paid the dentist he says “I don’t know”.
- Toys R Us: Went shopping but mom was at Neverland, no one complained. At this point Gavin decides to breakdown how the conspiracy worked. He said that they kept her at Neverland where they could keep an eye on her. He also points out that his mother was the one who was concerned; he liked Neverland and didn’t have any complaints.
- Neverland Guest book: A large, nice, brown album looking book. Written on it “Blowhole and Gavin”. Gavin said that Star wrote on the cover.
- Mannequin: This is the mannequin that they claim Michael humped. Mr. Mesereau asked if Michael ever told him that it was custom made to look like his cousin. Gavin said “no”. Mr. Mesereau asked if Gavin knew who defaced the vaginal portion, and he said “no”. Mr. Mesereau had before and after pictures, but was not able to turn in the after picture as evidence because of “no foundation”.
- Make-up: Mr. Mesereau goes on to talk about Michael’s skin and Gavin says “I wasn’t making fun of him if that’s what you mean”.
- End: Mr. Mesereau ends his questioning by asking Gavin about civil lawsuits and Gavin claims they don’t want his money.
Redirect:
- Gavin is now a good student with no more discipline problems.
- In Jr. High he was asked to join a gang but didn’t, therefore he got jumped.
- Gavin was asked about the relationship of Frank and Michael. He said that Frank is a second cousin and Michael has known him for a very long time.
- When asked if he used to admire Michael, he answers that he only admires God, he used to like Michael and looked up to him. Tries hard to make himself sound like a good little angel.
- Dean Alpert: Gavin told him that “nothing happened” because he didn’t want kids making fun of him.
- Suitcases: They initially bought a series of suitcases for them. The last time they left Neverland, they left the suitcases behind. Frank and Vinnie brought them to the house later. Some underwear and shirts were missing and some other guy’s pants were in there.
- Underwear: Gavin tells a story of one time when he was about to leave Michael’s room and go to his guest unit to shower. Michael said to him “leave your stinking underwear in the hamper”. Gavin said that he didn’t know if Michael was kidding, but he still took off his underwear and left it in Michael’s hamper and never got it back.
- How do you feel about Michael now? Gavin casually answers something like ‘well, I don’t really like him anymore’.
Terry Flaa:
- Referrals of complaint were assigned to him on Feb. 20, 2003. He was going to interview the family, but DCFS said they already interviewed them on Feb. 20th. First referral was from LA Child Services and 2nd was in response to the airing of Bashir. He says that DCFS never forwarded the report to SB Sheriff.
- Cross: First referral was from Carol Lieberman, who Mr. Mesereau points out has never met Michael or the kids. Flaa says that he read the referral but didn’t do anything about it and that the second referral was the focus of investigation. Mr. Mesereau points out that in the second referral Gloria Allred complained.
Lt. Klapakis:
Sgt. Robel:
- He specialized in sex assault and child abuse. First interview with family was on July 7, 2003. Star said he saw Gavin molested 2 times, possibly a 3rd. He found a cardboard box by Michael’s bed. In it were some magazines and two books (Chop Suey Club and an old book of naked women). Pictures shown of the box and items found inside and turned in as evidence. Also turned in a bag found in Michael’s nightstand (but didn’t tell us what was in the bag, just showed it to Robel). Robel said that he took fingerprints and palm prints of Gavin (5/5/04) and Star (9/14/04).
- Cross: Mr. Mesereau clarifies that none of the witnesses saw the items in the box and they are not illegal to possess. Mr. Mesereau asks Robel if he knows that the book with naked women is a collector’s item. He says “I don’t know”. He asks if he knows that Bruce Webber (author of Chop Suey Club) sent books to Michael, that he used to photograph the J5, that Liz Taylor’s picture is in that book. Robel answers “I don’t know” to all. Mr. Mesereau asks how the seizing of items happened on the Nov. 18th raid. Robel explains that in the main house there were people seizing items and bringing them downstairs to a stationed person who was documenting them. He says that hundreds of items were seized. Then the questioning goes into the interviews they had with the family and the timeline of interviews. Investigators didn’t find out about the existence of the rebuttal tape until January 2004.
I spoke to two ladies in the bathroom (who didn’t know I was a fan or supporter). One of them was a ‘friend of someone in court’ and she told me that she thought it was all a set up. The other, a local, told me that she is very conservative but she’s not buying this case one bit.
Source: MJJForum
Court Notes
MJJForum Court Reporter T filed this on March 14th. Her name has been blacked out so that she will not be targetted by some media.
MONDAY 3/14/05 Cross examination of Gavin
Off topic:
- Jane Velez Mitchell and some other reporters behind me were commenting on what MJ was wearing. They were mainly commenting on his shoes “he’s wearing cowboy boots. Aren’t cowboy boots really rough on your back, and he’s supposed to have a bad back”…
Masturbation:
- Thomas Mesereau asked Gavin if Michael Jackson was the one that told him about masturbation and Gavin answered “yes”. Mr. Mesereau pointed out that according to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s interview; his grandmother was the one that first told him about the act. Gavin’s response was that Michael told him first, and then his grandmother tried to explain. Mr. Mesereau said “so your grandmother made the identical quote right after Michael Jackson?” The quote was ‘if you don’t masturbate, you could go crazy and end up raping a girl or something similar.
- Gavin denies to being caught masturbating without Michael Jackson there.
JC Penny:
- Mr. Mesereau asked Gavin if his mom added the sexual assault after the initial suit. Gavin’s answer was that he doesn’t remember. He was going through chemotherapy at the same time as the depositions.
Over the weekend / school:
- When asked “did you talk about the case over the weekend,” Gavin answered that he did talk about it with Sneddon.
- When asked what he talked about, Gavin tried to beat around the bush so the questioning went in circles. Mr. Mesereau had to ask the judge to ask Gavin to answer the question. He forcefully answered “my history” and “in school maybe.”
- Later Gavin testified that Sneddon talked about Gerald and Alpert.
- The meeting happened on Sunday at “a house” and it included the prosecutors and Sgt. Steve Robel. Mr. Mesereau asked if Gavin knew about an interview on Saturday and if Tom Sneddon told him that he had talked to Mr. Alpert. Gavin’s answers were “no”.
- Gavin admitted that he had a lot of disciplinary problems and that he would get into fights sometimes.
- Mr. Gerald: Gavin tells that he was a detention teacher and was like a drill sergeant. He accused Gavin of being on drugs.
- ROTC / Sea Cadet: Gavin was in some kind of after school program, but when asked if he was in ROTC he answered “not exactly,” then mumbled some kind of explanation with the sea cadets. Mr. Mesereau asked if he called the sea cadets ‘stupid’ and Gavin said “I may have said that they looked stupid.”
- Dean Alpert: Mr. Mesereau had to refresh Gavin’s memory of who Mr. Alpert was. Gavin admitted that he told Alpert that Michael Jackson didn’t do anything to him (after circling around and trying to avoid the fact).
- Mr. Murphy: Gavin said that he asked to change his class. He said he was given detention (slip) by Mr. Murphy but wouldn’t sign it because he didn’t agree with it.
- Mr. Parker: According to Gavin he was new and was going to replace Mr. Gerald. He admitted to apologizing to Mr. Parker for disrespecting teachers.
- Mr. Collins: Gavin didn’t remember him.
- Ms. Slaughter: Argued with her? “Yes, I had to go to the restroom and she wouldn’t let me.”
- Mr. Finkelstein “Think”: Math teacher. Gavin said “everyone has problems in his class.” When Mr. Mesereau asked if he had problems in his class, Gavin replied with ‘I said everyone had problems, that would include me wouldn’t it’ (not exact words).
- Teacher named Moon: Homeroom teacher, Gavin said he had no problems with him.
- Homework: Gavin said that he would never do his homework. He said that Michael Jackson only helped him a little bid one time.
- Gavin went to John Burroughs for 7th and 8th grade. He went to La Cont before then. (SP?)
Cards and letters:
- Mr. Mesereau showed Gavin a number of different cards and letters that he wrote to Michael. They all included “Daddy Michael” numerous times. In one letter he said “daddy Michael” in every single sentence. He called Prince and Paris his little brother and sister and thanked Michael for helping him beat cancer. He would sign “from your son, Gavin.”
- Evvy Tavasci: Michael Jackson’s assistant. Gavin wrote letters to her also and told her he loved her. He also called her often when he couldn’t get a hold of Michael.
- In one letter he asked if he could go to New York and watch Michael record.
Access to Neverland:
- Mr. Mesereau questioned Gavin about going to the recording studio at Neverland. Gavin denied having the code or asking for it, but he said he went in there once without Michael.
- He said he would go to the theatre without Michael.
- Gavin said he was given the codes to the main house and the bedroom. He denies asking for any other codes.
- He denies ever going into the bedroom when Michael was not there.
- Admits to going into the ‘play room’ and helping Grace with lessons. But denies going in there when no one was there.
Michael Jackson avoiding Gavin:
- Mr. Mesereau tries to make a point that Gavin was angry because Michael was avoiding him.
- Gavin admits that he was upset for not seeing Michael after remission.
- He said that Michael’s phone number stopped working and he couldn’t get a hold of him.
- Mr. Mesereau keeps pointing to the family being angry with the fact that Michael rejected them and Gavin keeps denying it. Mr. Mesereau says “until you realized you weren’t going to be part of Michael’s family anymore, there were no allegations.” Gavin twists his answers around. Mr. Mesereau goes in circles with this question.
PC and AOL for Gavin:
- He got his first computer ever a few days after visiting Neverland. But not the first computer he had used.
- Evvy set up an AOL account. Gavin requested account name Gblade2000, screen name Hawk, and at one point changed his password to ‘sexy’. (A bunch of objections at this point).
- At some point the computer broke and they sent it back to Evvy for repair, but they complained to the sheriff that they never got it back.
SUV Given to Family:
-
- Car was crashed when in the family’s possession. They gave it back to Michael for repair, but complained to sheriff that they never got it back.
- Gavin denies asking Chris Tucker for a car.
Magazines:
- Gavin denies ever being caught with magazines while at Neverland without Michael there.
Sleeping Arrangements:
- He stayed in Michael’s room the first night at Neverland. Michael slept on the floor.
- Gavin said they would sometimes sleep in the train house when not staying in their guest unit.
- After first night, Janet didn’t visit Neverland until after Miami. His dad went with him most of the time.
- After Miami, he stayed with Michael in the bedroom every night Michael was there and mom never asked where they were sleeping.
Drinking:
- Gavin now says they drank every night that Michael was there. Contradicts with what he’s said before.
- Denied being caught drinking by employees and denies knowing where the key was to the wine cellar.
- Denies being caught stealing alcohol from the kitchen.
- Gavin says that the only time he tasted wine before Neverland was at church.
Escaping Neverland:
- Gavin was never personally threatened.
- They escaped three times, but never called police.
- Mr. Mesereau goes on to point out many different situations and asks Gavin if they called for help. His answer to all are “no.”
- Feb. 26th: Mr. Mesereau asked if they went on a shopping spree and Gavin says “no.” He only recalls going to anchor blue to see a movie, and Johnny Rockets to eat. Mr. Mesereau gives a long list of places they visited and Gavin says “no” to all of them.
Molesting:
- Gavin says he was first touched after a couple of escapes and returns from Neverland.
- He is now saying that he was molested after the rebuttal video, but originally told Tom Sneddon that he was molested before.
- Says that Michel touched him twice when Star wasn’t there.
- Mr. Mesereau points out that they didn’t contact the police until after they talked to two lawyers. Tom Sneddon objects, is overruled, and Gavin agrees.
Rebuttal video:
- Gavin agrees that in some parts they were telling the truth.
- A few things he says they were told to say.
- Every time Mr. Mesereau asked Gavin if he thought his mom was telling the truth, he would answer like a smart ass and say “I don’t know, you have to ask her.” And Mr. Mesereau would ask “well do YOU think she is”. They went around in circles with this one.
- Gavin recalls signing something in the Library. Michael asked him to sign and Brett Ratner was there. But he says he doesn’t remember his mom signing anything.
What Gavin wants to be when he grows up:
- He said he wanted to be an actor but now he wants to be in “law enforcement”. He went into this cheesy rehearsed explanation of how he’s changed his mind.
Janet Jackson:
- Mr. Mesereau asks if Janet is trying to look like Janet Jackson because she has a curl coming down her face in the rebuttal video. ???
Someone named Rio:
- Mr. Mesereau refreshes Gavin’s memory of this Rio person. But Gavin says they never stayed in the same guest unit or room.
- Did you ever watch TV in the guest unit? Gavin says that they never watched TV, they were always playing.
- Recall telling Rio that you wanted to watch adult movies while at Neverland? Gavin says he doesn’t remember.
- Stealing alcohol from Michael’s room when Rio was there? Gavin answers “no”.
- Recall stealing a laminated $1000 bill? Gavin answers “no”.
- Recall masturbating in front of Rio? Gavin answers “no”.
TUESDAY 3/15/05
Gavin Cross Examination:
- Barbara Shroder: Fox employee. Picked up Gavin and Star and took them to movies and shopping. Gavin said she was just a friend; her employment at Fox had no significance.
- Gary Hern (driver): Mr. Mesereau asks if Gavin recalls him making stops so the family could shop. Gavin says “no”.
- Shane Meredith: Gavin says he doesn’t remember him and when Mr. Mesereau asks if he caught him with an open bottle of alcohol when Michael wasn’t around, he answers “no”.
- Rene Watson (acting teacher/actor on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air): Did Janet ask her for money? Gavin answers “no”.
- Dentist: Gavin was taken to Dr. Seamas where he had his braces removed. He was gone for 5 ½ hours and admits that no one cried for help. When asked who paid the dentist he says “I don’t know”.
- Toys R Us: Went shopping but mom was at Neverland, no one complained. At this point Gavin decides to breakdown how the conspiracy worked. He said that they kept her at Neverland where they could keep an eye on her. He also points out that his mother was the one who was concerned; he liked Neverland and didn’t have any complaints.
- Neverland Guest book: A large, nice, brown album looking book. Written on it “Blowhole and Gavin”. Gavin said that Star wrote on the cover.
- Mannequin: This is the mannequin that they claim Michael humped. Mr. Mesereau asked if Michael ever told him that it was custom made to look like his cousin. Gavin said “no”. Mr. Mesereau asked if Gavin knew who defaced the vaginal portion, and he said “no”. Mr. Mesereau had before and after pictures, but was not able to turn in the after picture as evidence because of “no foundation”.
- Make-up: Mr. Mesereau goes on to talk about Michael’s skin and Gavin says “I wasn’t making fun of him if that’s what you mean”.
- End: Mr. Mesereau ends his questioning by asking Gavin about civil lawsuits and Gavin claims they don’t want his money.
Redirect:
- Gavin is now a good student with no more discipline problems.
- In Jr. High he was asked to join a gang but didn’t, therefore he got jumped.
- Gavin was asked about the relationship of Frank and Michael. He said that Frank is a second cousin and Michael has known him for a very long time.
- When asked if he used to admire Michael, he answers that he only admires God, he used to like Michael and looked up to him. Tries hard to make himself sound like a good little angel.
- Dean Alpert: Gavin told him that “nothing happened” because he didn’t want kids making fun of him.
- Suitcases: They initially bought a series of suitcases for them. The last time they left Neverland, they left the suitcases behind. Frank and Vinnie brought them to the house later. Some underwear and shirts were missing and some other guy’s pants were in there.
- Underwear: Gavin tells a story of one time when he was about to leave Michael’s room and go to his guest unit to shower. Michael said to him “leave your stinking underwear in the hamper”. Gavin said that he didn’t know if Michael was kidding, but he still took off his underwear and left it in Michael’s hamper and never got it back.
- How do you feel about Michael now? Gavin casually answers something like ‘well, I don’t really like him anymore’.
Terry Flaa:
- Referrals of complaint were assigned to him on Feb. 20, 2003. He was going to interview the family, but DCFS said they already interviewed them on Feb. 20th. First referral was from LA Child Services and 2nd was in response to the airing of Bashir. He says that DCFS never forwarded the report to SB Sheriff.
- Cross: First referral was from Carol Lieberman, who Mr. Mesereau points out has never met Michael or the kids. Flaa says that he read the referral but didn’t do anything about it and that the second referral was the focus of investigation. Mr. Mesereau points out that in the second referral Gloria Allred complained.
Lt. Klapakis:
Sgt. Robel:
- He specialized in sex assault and child abuse. First interview with family was on July 7, 2003. Star said he saw Gavin molested 2 times, possibly a 3rd. He found a cardboard box by Michael’s bed. In it were some magazines and two books (Chop Suey Club and an old book of naked women). Pictures shown of the box and items found inside and turned in as evidence. Also turned in a bag found in Michael’s nightstand (but didn’t tell us what was in the bag, just showed it to Robel). Robel said that he took fingerprints and palm prints of Gavin (5/5/04) and Star (9/14/04).
- Cross: Mr. Mesereau clarifies that none of the witnesses saw the items in the box and they are not illegal to possess. Mr. Mesereau asks Robel if he knows that the book with naked women is a collector’s item. He says “I don’t know”. He asks if he knows that Bruce Webber (author of Chop Suey Club) sent books to Michael, that he used to photograph the J5, that Liz Taylor’s picture is in that book. Robel answers “I don’t know” to all. Mr. Mesereau asks how the seizing of items happened on the Nov. 18th raid. Robel explains that in the main house there were people seizing items and bringing them downstairs to a stationed person who was documenting them. He says that hundreds of items were seized. Then the questioning goes into the interviews they had with the family and the timeline of interviews. Investigators didn’t find out about the existence of the rebuttal tape until January 2004.
I spoke to two ladies in the bathroom (who didn’t know I was a fan or supporter). One of them was a ‘friend of someone in court’ and she told me that she thought it was all a set up. The other, a local, told me that she is very conservative but she’s not buying this case one bit.
Source: MJJForum
COMEDY CLUB OWNER AND FLIGHT ATTENDANT TESTIFY
Jamie Masada and Cynthia Ann Bell take the stand
The man who claims to have introduced Gavin Arvizo to Michael Jackson (although he admits he never met him) took the stand in court yesterday.
Jamie Masada testified that he felt the Arvizo family were being held against their will at Neverland Valley ranch after he received a phone call from Janet Arvizo. He also said that it was the Accuser's Father, and not the Mother, who was the money-hungry parent.
Masada admitted to never have met Michael, "This is the first time I've seen him," he said, turning to him and asking, "How are you?" Michael waved. When leaving the courthouse, reporters asked Michael about the sometimes light-hearted nature of the proceedings, "You can use a little comic relief sometimes," he said according to the Associated Press.
During cross-examination, Masada talked back to lead Defence attorney Tom Mesereau, repeating what Palanker had told him about her experience in court last week, "She said that you have made this court like O.J.'s court or Robert Blake's court, and you lied and changed the words around," he said.
The day's testimony ended with flight attendant Cynthia Ann Bell taking the stand. She testified that Michael was an extremely nervous flier, and that he once had a plane land due to turbulence. She said he drank wine on flights to ease his anxiety, and refuted a Prosecution claim that she was ordered to put wine into Coke cans, stating it was her idea. "Michael Jackson is a very private drinker," Bell said, adding that she never saw any children drink any alcohol. She also testified that the Accuser was obnoxious and very demanding.
On her way out of the courthouse Bell took the time to shake hands with Michael, she will continue her testimony today.
To read our article concerning yesterday's proceedings or join the Messageboard discussion, click on the links below.
# Read March 29th Article
# Join The MB Discussion
FORMER ATTORNEY DIES
Johnnie Cochran passes away
Former attorney and friend of Michael Jackson, Johnnie Cochran, died yesterday.
He was 67-years-old and had an inoperable brain tumour. Cochran is most famously known for his Defence of O.J. Simpson in 1994, and was well known for his civil-rights cases. He was Michael's lead Defence attorney in the 1993 case.
In response to his unfortunate death, Michael released this statement;
"I am saddened to hear of the death of my friend, Johnnie Cochran. I would like to send my condolences to his family. Johnnie Cochran was a true gentleman who embodied class, brilliance, honesty and integrity. His fight for justice transcended color, age or economic status. So many have been touched by his life of service as well as his infectious smile and personality. Johnnie Cochran was a great humanitarian. I loved him, and I will miss him. I am proud to have called him my friend."
Jamie Masada and Cynthia Ann Bell take the stand
The man who claims to have introduced Gavin Arvizo to Michael Jackson (although he admits he never met him) took the stand in court yesterday.
Jamie Masada testified that he felt the Arvizo family were being held against their will at Neverland Valley ranch after he received a phone call from Janet Arvizo. He also said that it was the Accuser's Father, and not the Mother, who was the money-hungry parent.
Masada admitted to never have met Michael, "This is the first time I've seen him," he said, turning to him and asking, "How are you?" Michael waved. When leaving the courthouse, reporters asked Michael about the sometimes light-hearted nature of the proceedings, "You can use a little comic relief sometimes," he said according to the Associated Press.
During cross-examination, Masada talked back to lead Defence attorney Tom Mesereau, repeating what Palanker had told him about her experience in court last week, "She said that you have made this court like O.J.'s court or Robert Blake's court, and you lied and changed the words around," he said.
The day's testimony ended with flight attendant Cynthia Ann Bell taking the stand. She testified that Michael was an extremely nervous flier, and that he once had a plane land due to turbulence. She said he drank wine on flights to ease his anxiety, and refuted a Prosecution claim that she was ordered to put wine into Coke cans, stating it was her idea. "Michael Jackson is a very private drinker," Bell said, adding that she never saw any children drink any alcohol. She also testified that the Accuser was obnoxious and very demanding.
On her way out of the courthouse Bell took the time to shake hands with Michael, she will continue her testimony today.
To read our article concerning yesterday's proceedings or join the Messageboard discussion, click on the links below.
# Read March 29th Article
# Join The MB Discussion
FORMER ATTORNEY DIES
Johnnie Cochran passes away
Former attorney and friend of Michael Jackson, Johnnie Cochran, died yesterday.
He was 67-years-old and had an inoperable brain tumour. Cochran is most famously known for his Defence of O.J. Simpson in 1994, and was well known for his civil-rights cases. He was Michael's lead Defence attorney in the 1993 case.
In response to his unfortunate death, Michael released this statement;
"I am saddened to hear of the death of my friend, Johnnie Cochran. I would like to send my condolences to his family. Johnnie Cochran was a true gentleman who embodied class, brilliance, honesty and integrity. His fight for justice transcended color, age or economic status. So many have been touched by his life of service as well as his infectious smile and personality. Johnnie Cochran was a great humanitarian. I loved him, and I will miss him. I am proud to have called him my friend."
MJJF eNews #529 - Saturday Apr 2, 2005
Attorney says: No plans of civil lawsuit
Larry Feldman, the attorney who first interviewed Michael Jackson's accuser testified Friday, that he was never asked, to file a lawsuit against the singer.
However, he did acknowledge under cross examination, that the boy and his younger brother could file civil lawsuits until they turn 20 years old, the accuser being 15 years old now.
The prosecution had called Feldman to explain how the alleged molestation came to the attention of the authorities, but the defense used his appearance to try to show its belief, that the accuser and his family were out to get money from Jackson.
Jackson's defense lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr., grilled Feldman about the the impact of a criminal conviction, whether or not it would make a financial judgment against easier.
"If Mr. Jackson was convicted of felony child molestation in this case, (the boy or his brother) could use that case to win a civil case alleging similar of same facts against Mr. Jackson, is that correct?" asked Mesereau.
"That is correct" said Feldman.
The two lawyers sparred over the exact requirements of a civil suit, and Feldman denied accusations of encouraging the criminal action, in an attempt to avoid incurring costs involved in preparing a civil lawsuit.
However, Feldman insisted that there would still be litigation expenses.
District Attorney Tom Sneddon asked Feldman whether he was planning a lawsuit at the time, that he referred the accusing family to Santa Barbara prosecutors, to which Feldman replied "There was no lawsuit and there were no plans to file a lawsuit. It was up to you to investigate"
Feldman was permitted to tell jurors of a previous accusation against Jackson in 1993, where Feldman represented another boy, who won a monetary settlement. Jurors were not told how much the boy was paid, but Feldman said there were no trouble collecting it. An amount which has been reported to be millions of dollars.
Sneddon projected a photograph of the boy from the previous allegations on a courtroom screen, and asked Feldman to identify him.
"He was much better looking at that age. He was adorable," Feldman said, a remark which the judge ordered stricken from the record.
The picture showed a boy who many believe bears a striking resemblance to the current accuser.
Feldman said that while he met with the current accuser's mother many times after he ceased to represent her officially, he has "never been asked to file any lawsuit against Michael Jackson"
When Feldman walked outside the courthouse in an afternoon break in testimony, fans yelled "liar", "tell the truth" and "you're making money off the backs of these people".
Feldman said, he was first contacted by the family because of a dispute over the boy's appearance in the documentary, Living With Michael Jackson" where he appeared holding hands with Jackson. Feldman then referred the family to psychologist Stan J. Katz "to make out some heads and tails of what was being told to me by the family"
Katz reported suspicions of molestation to authorities after interviewing the family.
Also on the stand Friday, was an an investigator who testified that linens seized by police from Jackson's bed, had failed to yield any DNA linked to the teenage accuser or his brother.
In other testimony, sheriff's Lt. Jeff Klapackis defense the scale of the effort, when 69 investigators serves a search warrant at Neverland on Nov. 18, 2003.
The large number of investigators were needed, he said, because they had only been allowed one day to carry out the search, because the district attorney didn't want to "burden the ranch and its employees with our presence longer than that," Klapackis said. He also said that there were large buildings to search at the 2,800-acre ranch.
Klapackis also said, that they took all bedding during the search, because that is where the accuser and his brother claim to have frequently slept, and where they allege the molestation took place.
During cross-examination, Klapackis said authorities did not test bottle and glasses containing alcohol for fingerprints - found in Jackson's bedroom as well as the home's wine cellar and kitchen. Nor did investigators test furniture, boxes, mannequin toys and rails along Jackson's stairwell, or his bedroom doors for fingerprints.
When asked on redirect why, Klapackis said, "It didn't enter in the investigation at the time."
However, they did test pornographic magazines. The boy's brother testified how Jackson showed them magazines. A fingerprint analyst has testified earlier, that the prints of Jackson and his accuser were recovered from the same magazine.
Jack Green, president of a Ventura telephone systems company, testified that he had inspected Neverland's phone systems. He explained that it had a function to allow someone to listen in on other's calls, but there was nothing to prevent anyone from calling 911.
Prosecutors allege the family's calls were monitored by Jackson, whereas the defense say the family could have called for help, if they truly were captives.
Source: AP/CNN/MJJForum
Attorney says: No plans of civil lawsuit
Larry Feldman, the attorney who first interviewed Michael Jackson's accuser testified Friday, that he was never asked, to file a lawsuit against the singer.
However, he did acknowledge under cross examination, that the boy and his younger brother could file civil lawsuits until they turn 20 years old, the accuser being 15 years old now.
The prosecution had called Feldman to explain how the alleged molestation came to the attention of the authorities, but the defense used his appearance to try to show its belief, that the accuser and his family were out to get money from Jackson.
Jackson's defense lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr., grilled Feldman about the the impact of a criminal conviction, whether or not it would make a financial judgment against easier.
"If Mr. Jackson was convicted of felony child molestation in this case, (the boy or his brother) could use that case to win a civil case alleging similar of same facts against Mr. Jackson, is that correct?" asked Mesereau.
"That is correct" said Feldman.
The two lawyers sparred over the exact requirements of a civil suit, and Feldman denied accusations of encouraging the criminal action, in an attempt to avoid incurring costs involved in preparing a civil lawsuit.
However, Feldman insisted that there would still be litigation expenses.
District Attorney Tom Sneddon asked Feldman whether he was planning a lawsuit at the time, that he referred the accusing family to Santa Barbara prosecutors, to which Feldman replied "There was no lawsuit and there were no plans to file a lawsuit. It was up to you to investigate"
Feldman was permitted to tell jurors of a previous accusation against Jackson in 1993, where Feldman represented another boy, who won a monetary settlement. Jurors were not told how much the boy was paid, but Feldman said there were no trouble collecting it. An amount which has been reported to be millions of dollars.
Sneddon projected a photograph of the boy from the previous allegations on a courtroom screen, and asked Feldman to identify him.
"He was much better looking at that age. He was adorable," Feldman said, a remark which the judge ordered stricken from the record.
The picture showed a boy who many believe bears a striking resemblance to the current accuser.
Feldman said that while he met with the current accuser's mother many times after he ceased to represent her officially, he has "never been asked to file any lawsuit against Michael Jackson"
When Feldman walked outside the courthouse in an afternoon break in testimony, fans yelled "liar", "tell the truth" and "you're making money off the backs of these people".
Feldman said, he was first contacted by the family because of a dispute over the boy's appearance in the documentary, Living With Michael Jackson" where he appeared holding hands with Jackson. Feldman then referred the family to psychologist Stan J. Katz "to make out some heads and tails of what was being told to me by the family"
Katz reported suspicions of molestation to authorities after interviewing the family.
Also on the stand Friday, was an an investigator who testified that linens seized by police from Jackson's bed, had failed to yield any DNA linked to the teenage accuser or his brother.
In other testimony, sheriff's Lt. Jeff Klapackis defense the scale of the effort, when 69 investigators serves a search warrant at Neverland on Nov. 18, 2003.
The large number of investigators were needed, he said, because they had only been allowed one day to carry out the search, because the district attorney didn't want to "burden the ranch and its employees with our presence longer than that," Klapackis said. He also said that there were large buildings to search at the 2,800-acre ranch.
Klapackis also said, that they took all bedding during the search, because that is where the accuser and his brother claim to have frequently slept, and where they allege the molestation took place.
During cross-examination, Klapackis said authorities did not test bottle and glasses containing alcohol for fingerprints - found in Jackson's bedroom as well as the home's wine cellar and kitchen. Nor did investigators test furniture, boxes, mannequin toys and rails along Jackson's stairwell, or his bedroom doors for fingerprints.
When asked on redirect why, Klapackis said, "It didn't enter in the investigation at the time."
However, they did test pornographic magazines. The boy's brother testified how Jackson showed them magazines. A fingerprint analyst has testified earlier, that the prints of Jackson and his accuser were recovered from the same magazine.
Jack Green, president of a Ventura telephone systems company, testified that he had inspected Neverland's phone systems. He explained that it had a function to allow someone to listen in on other's calls, but there was nothing to prevent anyone from calling 911.
Prosecutors allege the family's calls were monitored by Jackson, whereas the defense say the family could have called for help, if they truly were captives.
Source: AP/CNN/MJJForum
kolejne podsumowanie
WEEKLY TRIAL ROUND-UP
Previous Accuser testifies
Welcome to the sixth of our weekly trial round-ups. This is designed to give you a quick bulletin of what has happened during court proceedings over the past week.
We know how difficult and time consuming all of the day to day information can be, so these round-ups are here to provide you with just the simple main points.
Here's what happened in the past week, starting on Monday 4th April...
MONDAY... Previous Accuser Testifies
* Jesus Salas resumes testimony.
* Testifies he drove Arvizo family out of Neverland when Janet Arvizo came to him crying.
* Says he was told off by Dieter Weisner and Frank Tyson for not letting them know the family were leaving.
* Says under cross-examination that the Mother "at no time was she held at Neverland Ranch against her will".
* Testifies he saw three teenagers drunk, was not sure if Michael Jackson was present.
* Claimed he delivered alcohol to Michael Jackson's bedroom when Gavin Arvizo, his brother and two other teenagers were present, although he also took soda for the children.
* Jason Francia, who's Mother reached a financial settlement with Michael Jackson in 1994, takes the stand.
* Claims he was molested three times between the ages of 7-10 during "tickling games".
* During cross-examination, Tom Mesereau points out that as well as the '94 financial settlement, Francia's Mother received $20,000 from TV show Hard Copy.
* Witness claims he does not remember if he answered an investigators question by saying "I'll have to work on that."
TUESDAY... Jason Francia Cross-Examined
* Jason Francia is cross-examined by Tom Mesereau.
* Mesereau implies that investigators pushed Francia into saying Michael Jackson fondled him fifteen years ago.
* The witness continually states he cannot remember when answering questions.
* Francia's attorney Kris Kallman takes the stand.
* States he reached a financial settlement with Michael Jackson's then attorneys in 1995 or 1996, an agreement that stated there was no admission of guilt on Michael Jackson's part and he was only paying to protect his name and image.
* Jason Francia's Mother Blanca takes the stand.
* Claims she was concerned about Michael Jackson's behaviour with her son, as well as claiming she saw Michael Jackson in the shower with another boy and in bed with Macauley Culkin.
THURSDAY... Former Bodyguard And Maid Testify
* Court resumes after jury have a day off.
* Ralph Chacon, a former Neverland bodyguard, takes the stand.
* Describes several acts of molestation he claims to have witnessed between Michael Jackson and Jordan Chandler.
* Tom Mesereau attacks Chacon's credibility during cross-examination pointing out a lawsuit for wrongful termination seeking $16 million in damages he and four other employees brought against Michael Jackson and lost, being ordered to pay a combined £1.4 million.
* Adrian McManus, a former Neverland maid, takes the stand.
* Claims to have witnessed acts of molestation by Michael Jackson on young boys including Macauley Culkin and Jordan Chandler.
* Mesereau points out that McManus was another of the five employees who sued Michael Jackson.
* Attorney also brings up another lawsuit against McManus and her husband in which they were found to have defrauded three children of more than $30,500 from their estate.
FRIDAY... Former Neverland Chef Testifies
* Adrian McManus continues her testimony.
* Tom Mesereau brings up that McManus sold a story to a tabloid discussing Michael Jackson's sexual relationship with his then ex-wife Lisa-Marie Presley.
* Phillip LeMarque, a former Neverland chef, takes the stand.
* Claims he saw Michael Jackson's hand down Macauley Culkin's shorts while in the arcade room.
* Witness admits that he and his wife (also a former Neverland chef) considered selling their story to the tabloids and that he asked for $500,000 but it never happened.
Next week is expected to see more Prosecution witnesses taking the stand to testify about decade old allegations, including Jordan Chandler's Mother June.
Previous Accuser testifies
Welcome to the sixth of our weekly trial round-ups. This is designed to give you a quick bulletin of what has happened during court proceedings over the past week.
We know how difficult and time consuming all of the day to day information can be, so these round-ups are here to provide you with just the simple main points.
Here's what happened in the past week, starting on Monday 4th April...
MONDAY... Previous Accuser Testifies
* Jesus Salas resumes testimony.
* Testifies he drove Arvizo family out of Neverland when Janet Arvizo came to him crying.
* Says he was told off by Dieter Weisner and Frank Tyson for not letting them know the family were leaving.
* Says under cross-examination that the Mother "at no time was she held at Neverland Ranch against her will".
* Testifies he saw three teenagers drunk, was not sure if Michael Jackson was present.
* Claimed he delivered alcohol to Michael Jackson's bedroom when Gavin Arvizo, his brother and two other teenagers were present, although he also took soda for the children.
* Jason Francia, who's Mother reached a financial settlement with Michael Jackson in 1994, takes the stand.
* Claims he was molested three times between the ages of 7-10 during "tickling games".
* During cross-examination, Tom Mesereau points out that as well as the '94 financial settlement, Francia's Mother received $20,000 from TV show Hard Copy.
* Witness claims he does not remember if he answered an investigators question by saying "I'll have to work on that."
TUESDAY... Jason Francia Cross-Examined
* Jason Francia is cross-examined by Tom Mesereau.
* Mesereau implies that investigators pushed Francia into saying Michael Jackson fondled him fifteen years ago.
* The witness continually states he cannot remember when answering questions.
* Francia's attorney Kris Kallman takes the stand.
* States he reached a financial settlement with Michael Jackson's then attorneys in 1995 or 1996, an agreement that stated there was no admission of guilt on Michael Jackson's part and he was only paying to protect his name and image.
* Jason Francia's Mother Blanca takes the stand.
* Claims she was concerned about Michael Jackson's behaviour with her son, as well as claiming she saw Michael Jackson in the shower with another boy and in bed with Macauley Culkin.
THURSDAY... Former Bodyguard And Maid Testify
* Court resumes after jury have a day off.
* Ralph Chacon, a former Neverland bodyguard, takes the stand.
* Describes several acts of molestation he claims to have witnessed between Michael Jackson and Jordan Chandler.
* Tom Mesereau attacks Chacon's credibility during cross-examination pointing out a lawsuit for wrongful termination seeking $16 million in damages he and four other employees brought against Michael Jackson and lost, being ordered to pay a combined £1.4 million.
* Adrian McManus, a former Neverland maid, takes the stand.
* Claims to have witnessed acts of molestation by Michael Jackson on young boys including Macauley Culkin and Jordan Chandler.
* Mesereau points out that McManus was another of the five employees who sued Michael Jackson.
* Attorney also brings up another lawsuit against McManus and her husband in which they were found to have defrauded three children of more than $30,500 from their estate.
FRIDAY... Former Neverland Chef Testifies
* Adrian McManus continues her testimony.
* Tom Mesereau brings up that McManus sold a story to a tabloid discussing Michael Jackson's sexual relationship with his then ex-wife Lisa-Marie Presley.
* Phillip LeMarque, a former Neverland chef, takes the stand.
* Claims he saw Michael Jackson's hand down Macauley Culkin's shorts while in the arcade room.
* Witness admits that he and his wife (also a former Neverland chef) considered selling their story to the tabloids and that he asked for $500,000 but it never happened.
Next week is expected to see more Prosecution witnesses taking the stand to testify about decade old allegations, including Jordan Chandler's Mother June.
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Case of the Ex – employees
In the trial of Michael Jackson, prosecutors in the case called upon ex-employees of Mr. Jackson to give their account of ‘alleged’ acts they supposedly witnessed which would be deemed inappropriate.
The ex-employees of Mr. Jackson all confessed to having sold salacious stories to the highest profiting tabloid. These professed stories contained information on Mr. Jackson and his personal relationships with his long-time friend, Mr. Macauley Culkin and ex-wife, Lisa Marie-Presley. In testimony by Adrian McManus, she admitted she did not have knowledge on the personal relationship between Ms. Presley and Mr. Jackson, yet she signed contracts agreeing to give insight on how they spent their intimate time together.
It was also said by Ms. McManus that all the ex-employees used ‘media brokers' to profit off of hearsay to pay for the multi-million-dollar wrongful termination suit against Mr. Jackson; this case they lost in court and were given the mandate to pay Mr. Jackson $1.4 million.
Ralph Chacon, an ex-security guard who was also a part of the suit against Mr. Jackson, gave a testimony giving explicit details on an act Mr. Jackson allegedly committed with a young child. The defense for Mr. Jackson depicted Mr. Chacon’s account as a way ‘to get even’ for being pushed into filing bankruptcy due to a court’s judgment in favor of Michael Jackson.
In addition to the ex-employees, former chef Phillip LeMarque requested $500,000 to tell a tabloid that he witnessed Mr. Jackson’s hand in an inappropriate place on Macauley Culkin when he was a child. Mr. LeMarque has said, “Everybody was trying to sell our stories.” Although Mr. Culkin has always remained grounded with his statement that nothing improper has ever taken place between Mr. Jackson and himself, he has been quoted by his spokesperson that he will not have anything to do with the current case against Michael Jackson.
It is an inquiry among experts whether the testimonies given by the ex-employees helps or damages the case against Michael Jackson. Loyola Law Professor and former prosecutor Laurie Levenson speaks, “These witnesses are totally eclipsing the current case. Tom Sneddon is trying the case he didn’t get to try in 1993.” She is also noted saying, “For prosecutors the Achilles’ heel of presenting this type of evidence is they have these low-life witnesses who sold their souls to the tabloids.”
However CBS News Analyst and author of Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness, J. Randy Taraborrelli, stated that as he was researching for his book twelve years earlier, he interviewed several Neverland employees that are now testifying. He decided not to quote them due to their financial motives. Mr. Taraborrelli said, “If these people did not have this baggage and if their stories ended with, ‘And then I went to the police’, my reaction would be - ‘Oh my God,’" he said. “But if you saw these things, a normal person would call the police; you don’t call the National Enquirer.”
It is true that none of the ex-employees phoned the authorities until after they were contacted and were asked for evidence against Mr. Jackson. What kind of a person would wait to telephone protection for someone who was allegedly abused in such a foul manner?
“The legislation was never intended to just take all the garbage you can find in the defendant’s past and smear him enough to convict him. At this point, the case is looking like a smear campaign. It’s a legal free-for-all.” – Laurie Levenson, Loyola Law School Professor.
Source: AP/MJJForum
In the trial of Michael Jackson, prosecutors in the case called upon ex-employees of Mr. Jackson to give their account of ‘alleged’ acts they supposedly witnessed which would be deemed inappropriate.
The ex-employees of Mr. Jackson all confessed to having sold salacious stories to the highest profiting tabloid. These professed stories contained information on Mr. Jackson and his personal relationships with his long-time friend, Mr. Macauley Culkin and ex-wife, Lisa Marie-Presley. In testimony by Adrian McManus, she admitted she did not have knowledge on the personal relationship between Ms. Presley and Mr. Jackson, yet she signed contracts agreeing to give insight on how they spent their intimate time together.
It was also said by Ms. McManus that all the ex-employees used ‘media brokers' to profit off of hearsay to pay for the multi-million-dollar wrongful termination suit against Mr. Jackson; this case they lost in court and were given the mandate to pay Mr. Jackson $1.4 million.
Ralph Chacon, an ex-security guard who was also a part of the suit against Mr. Jackson, gave a testimony giving explicit details on an act Mr. Jackson allegedly committed with a young child. The defense for Mr. Jackson depicted Mr. Chacon’s account as a way ‘to get even’ for being pushed into filing bankruptcy due to a court’s judgment in favor of Michael Jackson.
In addition to the ex-employees, former chef Phillip LeMarque requested $500,000 to tell a tabloid that he witnessed Mr. Jackson’s hand in an inappropriate place on Macauley Culkin when he was a child. Mr. LeMarque has said, “Everybody was trying to sell our stories.” Although Mr. Culkin has always remained grounded with his statement that nothing improper has ever taken place between Mr. Jackson and himself, he has been quoted by his spokesperson that he will not have anything to do with the current case against Michael Jackson.
It is an inquiry among experts whether the testimonies given by the ex-employees helps or damages the case against Michael Jackson. Loyola Law Professor and former prosecutor Laurie Levenson speaks, “These witnesses are totally eclipsing the current case. Tom Sneddon is trying the case he didn’t get to try in 1993.” She is also noted saying, “For prosecutors the Achilles’ heel of presenting this type of evidence is they have these low-life witnesses who sold their souls to the tabloids.”
However CBS News Analyst and author of Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness, J. Randy Taraborrelli, stated that as he was researching for his book twelve years earlier, he interviewed several Neverland employees that are now testifying. He decided not to quote them due to their financial motives. Mr. Taraborrelli said, “If these people did not have this baggage and if their stories ended with, ‘And then I went to the police’, my reaction would be - ‘Oh my God,’" he said. “But if you saw these things, a normal person would call the police; you don’t call the National Enquirer.”
It is true that none of the ex-employees phoned the authorities until after they were contacted and were asked for evidence against Mr. Jackson. What kind of a person would wait to telephone protection for someone who was allegedly abused in such a foul manner?
“The legislation was never intended to just take all the garbage you can find in the defendant’s past and smear him enough to convict him. At this point, the case is looking like a smear campaign. It’s a legal free-for-all.” – Laurie Levenson, Loyola Law School Professor.
Source: AP/MJJForum
"LIES RUN SPRINTS, BUT THE TRUTH RUNS MARATHONS"- Michael Jackson
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