Nie wiem, wydaje mi się, że większość dostaje te newsy na maile (dobrze mi się wydaje, czy nie?), ale jak nie, to mogę pokopiować, jak już je sobie otworzyłam przed chwilą.
Ostatnie:
MJJF eNews #508 - Friday Mar 11, 2005
Often Imitated, But NEVER Duplicated
MJJForum first provided Michael's fans with the official court motions... We brought the fans MJJF Talk Radio with Brian Oxman & Gary Dunlap. Then we presented Michael's fans with MJJFtv - The ONLY fan driven, objective and FREE video broadcast and now, we are the ONLY FAN FORUM that will be bringing Michael's fans the OFFICIAL COURT TRANSCRIPTS.
This fan driven initiative started a month ago, when our members decided to raise money for these very expensive transcripts. Once bought, we convert them into the easily downloadable .PDF format.
We do not require ANY FEE to download these transcripts. All you have to do is log into your MJJForum account and see the transcripts on the forum. Or, you can go to MJJForum.com, click on download and then select State v. Michael Jackson.
So revisit MJJForum today as we have new and exciting features. We make good on our promises to the fans and that is Bridging The Gap Between The King of Pop and His Fans!
Source: MJJForum
NEWS - MJJF (podsumowania części procesu)
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Last edited by MJowitek on Sun, 13 Mar 2005, 16:09, edited 1 time in total.
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I wcześniejszy /nie wiem czy już nie było/:
MJJF eNews #508 - Friday Mar 11, 2005
Jackson Prosecution: Number of Molestation Occurrences Still not Decided
Two weeks after the start of the Michael Jackson trial, prosecutors have still not made clear the number the alleged molestation occurred.
Thursday, after Mr. Jackson showed up an hour late due to being in the hospital with “severe back pain”, the young accuser continued his testimony.
The accuser testified that Mr.Jackson twice molested him in Mr. Jackson's bed as he and the singer wore pairs of his pajamas, and that the first incident occurred under a blanket. The accuser said he believed there were more incidents, but that he couldn't remember them.
The 15-year-old boy and his 14-year-old brother have each described two alleged incidents in which the singer allegedly touched the accuser inappropriately. But differences in the boys' accounts have made it difficult to tell whether they were describing four separate alleged molestations, or conflicting versions of two incidents.
The accuser's brother has testified that on two occasions he was walking up the stairs to Jackson's bedroom when he saw Mr.Jackson touching himself and the accuser. In both cases the accuser appeared to be asleep and both Jackson and the accuser were wearing underwear, the brother said.
The brother said he saw vodka during the second incident, which the accuser did not mention.
Adding to the number of possible incidents, the brother was asked in cross-examination by the defense if he told sheriff's investigators that during the second incident he was in the room curled up on a little couch pretending to sleep.
When Mr. Jackson’s attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. asked if his account of the second molestation had changed since he gave that account, the boy interjected that there were actually three incidents, and that he had misstated what happened because he was nervous.
"It is still really hard to figure out if the brother is corroborating these incidents," said Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson, who says the question of how many molestations allegedly occurred remains a "huge issue."
If there are only two incidents, prosecutors must explain why the boys' accounts differ on what Mr. Jackson and the accuser were wearing, whether the alleged victim was conscious, and how alcohol may have been involved.
On cross-examination, defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. alleged the accuser was making up the story.
"Only after you met with Larry Feldman you started talking about inappropriate touching," said Mesereau, referring to a lawyer who handled another boy's allegations against Mr. Jackson in 1993 that ended with a civil settlement.
Mesereau also attacked the boy's testimony that he did not feel that Mr. Jackson had done much for him when he had cancer.
"I didn't see him much," the boy said. "He was my best friend in the world and my best friend was trying to avoid me when I had cancer."
Mesereau, however, said Mr. Jackson called the boy three times a week for conversations of two to three hours, gave him gifts, invited him and his family to stay at Neverland for weeks at a time, had them stay at a Florida resort and had them chauffeured in limousines and a Rolls-Royce.
"Did your family go back and forth and stay at Neverland for free?" Mesereau asked.
"Everybody stays at Neverland for free," the boy answered defensively.
He was asked whether he knew that Mr. Jackson conducted a blood drive for him at Neverland.
"I heard something about a blood drive but I don't remember," he said.
"Can you look this jury in the eye and say that Michael did nothing for you when you had cancer?" Mesereau asked angrily.
Cross examination of the young accuser will resume Monday, while Friday is reserved to handle pending motions.
Mr. Jackson will not be present on Friday.
Source: Associated Press/ MJJForum
MJJF eNews #508 - Friday Mar 11, 2005
Jackson Prosecution: Number of Molestation Occurrences Still not Decided
Two weeks after the start of the Michael Jackson trial, prosecutors have still not made clear the number the alleged molestation occurred.
Thursday, after Mr. Jackson showed up an hour late due to being in the hospital with “severe back pain”, the young accuser continued his testimony.
The accuser testified that Mr.Jackson twice molested him in Mr. Jackson's bed as he and the singer wore pairs of his pajamas, and that the first incident occurred under a blanket. The accuser said he believed there were more incidents, but that he couldn't remember them.
The 15-year-old boy and his 14-year-old brother have each described two alleged incidents in which the singer allegedly touched the accuser inappropriately. But differences in the boys' accounts have made it difficult to tell whether they were describing four separate alleged molestations, or conflicting versions of two incidents.
The accuser's brother has testified that on two occasions he was walking up the stairs to Jackson's bedroom when he saw Mr.Jackson touching himself and the accuser. In both cases the accuser appeared to be asleep and both Jackson and the accuser were wearing underwear, the brother said.
The brother said he saw vodka during the second incident, which the accuser did not mention.
Adding to the number of possible incidents, the brother was asked in cross-examination by the defense if he told sheriff's investigators that during the second incident he was in the room curled up on a little couch pretending to sleep.
When Mr. Jackson’s attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. asked if his account of the second molestation had changed since he gave that account, the boy interjected that there were actually three incidents, and that he had misstated what happened because he was nervous.
"It is still really hard to figure out if the brother is corroborating these incidents," said Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson, who says the question of how many molestations allegedly occurred remains a "huge issue."
If there are only two incidents, prosecutors must explain why the boys' accounts differ on what Mr. Jackson and the accuser were wearing, whether the alleged victim was conscious, and how alcohol may have been involved.
On cross-examination, defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. alleged the accuser was making up the story.
"Only after you met with Larry Feldman you started talking about inappropriate touching," said Mesereau, referring to a lawyer who handled another boy's allegations against Mr. Jackson in 1993 that ended with a civil settlement.
Mesereau also attacked the boy's testimony that he did not feel that Mr. Jackson had done much for him when he had cancer.
"I didn't see him much," the boy said. "He was my best friend in the world and my best friend was trying to avoid me when I had cancer."
Mesereau, however, said Mr. Jackson called the boy three times a week for conversations of two to three hours, gave him gifts, invited him and his family to stay at Neverland for weeks at a time, had them stay at a Florida resort and had them chauffeured in limousines and a Rolls-Royce.
"Did your family go back and forth and stay at Neverland for free?" Mesereau asked.
"Everybody stays at Neverland for free," the boy answered defensively.
He was asked whether he knew that Mr. Jackson conducted a blood drive for him at Neverland.
"I heard something about a blood drive but I don't remember," he said.
"Can you look this jury in the eye and say that Michael did nothing for you when you had cancer?" Mesereau asked angrily.
Cross examination of the young accuser will resume Monday, while Friday is reserved to handle pending motions.
Mr. Jackson will not be present on Friday.
Source: Associated Press/ MJJForum
A tu o finansach...
Ja nie wiem, czy w końcu wklejać to tutaj czy nie? Jak każdy to sobie i tak ma, to po co. ale jak nie każdy, to może jest sens...Zgłasza się ktoś chętny? Ech...bo ja nie wiem. 
MJJF eNews #510 - Friday Mar 11, 2005
Jackson's Finances Relevant to the Molestation Case? - Motions Heard
While Michael Jackson recovers from a severe back spasm, his defense team was present in court on Friday to argue over motions brought forth by both sides.
The Jackson defense team was battling prosecution requests to expose Jackson's financial records which according to the prosecution, is evidence that Jackson is on the brink of bankruptcy. Defense attorneys however argue that the defendant's finances are of no relevance for the time period of the allegation at hand. Defense attorney Robert Sanger angrily objected to deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss' technique of providing "sound bites for the media" in his arguments rather than addressing issues pertinent to the case.
The prosecution though seemed relentless in their pursuit in wanting to subpoena the pop star's financial records and Auchincloss continued to rattle off figures claiming to be liabilities incurred by the entertainer which according to the prosecution "will all come crashing down on him in December of 2005." The relevance of all this to the child molestation and conspiracy charges brought against Jackson remains blurred, though the prosecution claims Jackson's heavy debt led him to hoax the accuser and family into doing a rebuttal video after the airing of the damaging Bashir documentary.
Judge Melville stated that he did not wish to inundate the jury with financial statements and burden the twelve members with financial accounts of the entertainer when they don't necessarily relate a pertinent story. With this, Auchincloss agreed that the prosecution only required a snap shot of Jackson's financial statements in order to prove a panicked action plan instigated by Jackson which allegedly had financial motives. Judge agreed to allow this in but, urged attorneys from both sides to reach an agreement by Thursday next week with regards to the financial statements.
Judge Melville did not allow the jury a visit to Jackson's Neverland Ranch stating that there existed enough video evidence and also refused to hold talk show host Jay Leno under the gag order. Judge Melville stated that Leno could continue to make Jackson jokes and that it was not constitutional to bar Leno from carrying on his livelihood although defense attorney Sanger pointed out that Leno refraining from telling Jackson jokes would not put him out of business.
The judge refused the defense to "relitigate" a lawsuit brought by the accuser's mother against J.C. Penny where the defense planned to show a pattern of sexual abuse charges brought by this woman. Judge Melville also rejected a request by media attorney Theodore Boutrous Jr. to allow television networks to air video exhibits shown inside the courtroom.
Friday, Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bain told the Associated Press that Jackson remained in pain from his back ailment which caused a delayed arrival in court on Thursday causing a stir both inside and outside the courtroom almost over shadowing the day's court proceedings.
"He told me he has never experienced such pain in his life," Bain told of Jackson's painful back and also challenged reports that were swirling stating, "Michael was not intimidated by his accuser," she said. "His defense team has done an exceptional job, and he has been looking forward to facing his accuser."
Source: AP/MJJForum
MJJF eNews #510 - Friday Mar 11, 2005
Jackson's Finances Relevant to the Molestation Case? - Motions Heard
While Michael Jackson recovers from a severe back spasm, his defense team was present in court on Friday to argue over motions brought forth by both sides.
The Jackson defense team was battling prosecution requests to expose Jackson's financial records which according to the prosecution, is evidence that Jackson is on the brink of bankruptcy. Defense attorneys however argue that the defendant's finances are of no relevance for the time period of the allegation at hand. Defense attorney Robert Sanger angrily objected to deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss' technique of providing "sound bites for the media" in his arguments rather than addressing issues pertinent to the case.
The prosecution though seemed relentless in their pursuit in wanting to subpoena the pop star's financial records and Auchincloss continued to rattle off figures claiming to be liabilities incurred by the entertainer which according to the prosecution "will all come crashing down on him in December of 2005." The relevance of all this to the child molestation and conspiracy charges brought against Jackson remains blurred, though the prosecution claims Jackson's heavy debt led him to hoax the accuser and family into doing a rebuttal video after the airing of the damaging Bashir documentary.
Judge Melville stated that he did not wish to inundate the jury with financial statements and burden the twelve members with financial accounts of the entertainer when they don't necessarily relate a pertinent story. With this, Auchincloss agreed that the prosecution only required a snap shot of Jackson's financial statements in order to prove a panicked action plan instigated by Jackson which allegedly had financial motives. Judge agreed to allow this in but, urged attorneys from both sides to reach an agreement by Thursday next week with regards to the financial statements.
Judge Melville did not allow the jury a visit to Jackson's Neverland Ranch stating that there existed enough video evidence and also refused to hold talk show host Jay Leno under the gag order. Judge Melville stated that Leno could continue to make Jackson jokes and that it was not constitutional to bar Leno from carrying on his livelihood although defense attorney Sanger pointed out that Leno refraining from telling Jackson jokes would not put him out of business.
The judge refused the defense to "relitigate" a lawsuit brought by the accuser's mother against J.C. Penny where the defense planned to show a pattern of sexual abuse charges brought by this woman. Judge Melville also rejected a request by media attorney Theodore Boutrous Jr. to allow television networks to air video exhibits shown inside the courtroom.
Friday, Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bain told the Associated Press that Jackson remained in pain from his back ailment which caused a delayed arrival in court on Thursday causing a stir both inside and outside the courtroom almost over shadowing the day's court proceedings.
"He told me he has never experienced such pain in his life," Bain told of Jackson's painful back and also challenged reports that were swirling stating, "Michael was not intimidated by his accuser," she said. "His defense team has done an exceptional job, and he has been looking forward to facing his accuser."
Source: AP/MJJForum
MJJF eNews #511 - Saturday Mar 12, 2005
MJJForum is Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap....
March 11, 2005
As Week 2 in the Michael Jackson child molestation case draws to a close, the entertainer's accuser and the boy's siblings have already taken to the witness stand. While some continue to suggest that the three teenagers have done well under the pressure of defense cross-examination, others argue that they've done nothing but botch their own credibility, as well as that of the District Attorney.
From the moment of the raid on Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch, it had been suggested that prosecutor Thomas Sneddon has a vendetta against the singer. This has repeatedly been dismissed as hosh-posh and "Jackson spin." However, it seems as though there may exist some level of truth within this proclamation.
Sneddon's opening statement has been publicly characterized as disorganized, overly detailed, and confusing. We at MJJForum would like to add that it was also in conflict with itself, his own case, as well as later testimony given by his key witnesses.
In his presentation, Sneddon promised jurors and observers that he intends to show that Jackson kidnapped, falsely imprisoned, and extorted the accusing family in an effort to rehabilitate his image and his finances. He also promised that he'd show that during these efforts, Jackson molested his now 15-year-old accuser.
As absurd as that may sound, Sneddon continued on, outlining what members of the boy's family would say happened. He said it was also his intention to call public relations persons to testify that the Martin Bashir documentary was so devastating to Jackson that he believed the only remedy was to kidnap and force a family into speaking kindly of him on several occasions. Not in those particular words, but that's what he and the family are alleging.
More than too much detail is given as to specifics in his case, including a timeline that would soon enough prove itself to be beyond faulty.
Sneddon told of times the boy's mother and/or the family "escaped" from Neverland more than once with the help of Jackson employees. The prosecutor also painted a sympathetic picture of the accuser as a cancer-survivor exploited by Jackson, presenting the teenager as a boy who went into Neverland innocent and unsuspecting, and came out corrupted and deviant. In his own words, "people who walk in [Neverland] with manners walk out and can be described by some of the staff as hellions, rude, obnoxious."
For all the bluster that existed in the opener, one important matter of curiosity is the timeline that has been presented by Sneddon. During testimony by the accuser and his siblings, all three of them had remained entirely vague as to specific dates during which they claim what they witnessed transpired. Not a single pinpointed day comes from any of them; not even from the boy who says he was molested. Their entire testimony is instead based relative to events, rather than solid dates.
It can be argued that it is "normal" for an abuse victim to "forget" dates, but how "normal" or common is it that they consistently mix up and alter the same details and circumstances? Real victims will tell you that forgetting anything regarding your abuse is damn near impossible. If you cannot recall the exact date, you surely would remember a lot more than what has been presented by this boy and his family.
Besides, what's the excuse for the accuser's siblings not recalling specific dates? Amnesia? Absolutely not! You see, what had happened was Jackson kept the entire family away from the numerous clocks in his house and those displayed all over his property, so as to confuse them as to what day it was. Or was it that Jackson didn't exactly keep them away from clocks, but the timekeepers were all intentionally set wrong to throw the family off from knowing actual dates and times?
If only we were making this up.
Direct examination of the witnesses by Sneddon had the three relate all allegations of misconduct by Jackson to several events: their trip to Miami; their return to Neverland after Miami; their return to their grandparents place by Jackson's then house manager Jesus Salas; the filming of the rebuttal and interview with Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services; their stay at a Calabasas hotel; and the period between their return to Neverland from Calabasas and their eventual departure.
Some would say that that's good enough to establish a timeline. However, in a case of this caliber, there's got to be more. There's no space for vagueness and uncertainty. It's necessary to know whether the alleged perpetrator was present on the scene during a specified period in order to determine possibilities of a crime's committal.
Regardless of the abundance of sketchy information, the prosecutor has continued forth with star witnesses practicing convenient amnesia and timeline acrobatics. Sneddon revealed in his presentation that he determined Jackson's presence or absence at his home from logs kept at Neverland. Those dates were given in the opener and they will be discussed in a minute.
While being directly examined by Sneddon, the accuser's brother testified to several things that allegedly occurred between the family's arrival at Neverland from Miami and their departure from the ranch with Salas. He testified that Jackson was present during this time period; that he and his brother spent their nights in Jackson's bedroom; that they drank alcohol "a lot of times" with Jackson at various locations in the home; and that he saw Jackson intoxicated.
Logs from Neverland and future "testimony from individuals involved," according to Sneddon's opener, places Jackson and the family simultaneously at his ranch from March 2-5, 2003, and again from March 9-12, 2003. These are the dates for which the prosecution has determined that the pop star was at home at the same time that the accusing family was present.
The time period within which the family stayed at Neverland and then departed with Salas is February 7-12, 2003. With the prosecutor offering the dates that Jackson and his house guests were together present at his ranch to be early March 2003, how then could the accuser's brother's allegations of boozing every day have occurred in early February 2003?
Brother confused about the dates? How could he be when he offers none? This is a problem that Sneddon and his team have created on their own. Jackson was liquoring it up with these children in February, yet, by the District Attorney's own admission, Jackson wasn't even present together with the family until March!
The mind boggles. Certainly this isn't enough to suggest that prosecutor Sneddon is out to get Jackson, but it sure is enough to have you scratching your head.
Much more to come from "Bridging the Gap."
Source: MJJForum
MJJForum is Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap....
March 11, 2005
As Week 2 in the Michael Jackson child molestation case draws to a close, the entertainer's accuser and the boy's siblings have already taken to the witness stand. While some continue to suggest that the three teenagers have done well under the pressure of defense cross-examination, others argue that they've done nothing but botch their own credibility, as well as that of the District Attorney.
From the moment of the raid on Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch, it had been suggested that prosecutor Thomas Sneddon has a vendetta against the singer. This has repeatedly been dismissed as hosh-posh and "Jackson spin." However, it seems as though there may exist some level of truth within this proclamation.
Sneddon's opening statement has been publicly characterized as disorganized, overly detailed, and confusing. We at MJJForum would like to add that it was also in conflict with itself, his own case, as well as later testimony given by his key witnesses.
In his presentation, Sneddon promised jurors and observers that he intends to show that Jackson kidnapped, falsely imprisoned, and extorted the accusing family in an effort to rehabilitate his image and his finances. He also promised that he'd show that during these efforts, Jackson molested his now 15-year-old accuser.
As absurd as that may sound, Sneddon continued on, outlining what members of the boy's family would say happened. He said it was also his intention to call public relations persons to testify that the Martin Bashir documentary was so devastating to Jackson that he believed the only remedy was to kidnap and force a family into speaking kindly of him on several occasions. Not in those particular words, but that's what he and the family are alleging.
More than too much detail is given as to specifics in his case, including a timeline that would soon enough prove itself to be beyond faulty.
Sneddon told of times the boy's mother and/or the family "escaped" from Neverland more than once with the help of Jackson employees. The prosecutor also painted a sympathetic picture of the accuser as a cancer-survivor exploited by Jackson, presenting the teenager as a boy who went into Neverland innocent and unsuspecting, and came out corrupted and deviant. In his own words, "people who walk in [Neverland] with manners walk out and can be described by some of the staff as hellions, rude, obnoxious."
For all the bluster that existed in the opener, one important matter of curiosity is the timeline that has been presented by Sneddon. During testimony by the accuser and his siblings, all three of them had remained entirely vague as to specific dates during which they claim what they witnessed transpired. Not a single pinpointed day comes from any of them; not even from the boy who says he was molested. Their entire testimony is instead based relative to events, rather than solid dates.
It can be argued that it is "normal" for an abuse victim to "forget" dates, but how "normal" or common is it that they consistently mix up and alter the same details and circumstances? Real victims will tell you that forgetting anything regarding your abuse is damn near impossible. If you cannot recall the exact date, you surely would remember a lot more than what has been presented by this boy and his family.
Besides, what's the excuse for the accuser's siblings not recalling specific dates? Amnesia? Absolutely not! You see, what had happened was Jackson kept the entire family away from the numerous clocks in his house and those displayed all over his property, so as to confuse them as to what day it was. Or was it that Jackson didn't exactly keep them away from clocks, but the timekeepers were all intentionally set wrong to throw the family off from knowing actual dates and times?
If only we were making this up.
Direct examination of the witnesses by Sneddon had the three relate all allegations of misconduct by Jackson to several events: their trip to Miami; their return to Neverland after Miami; their return to their grandparents place by Jackson's then house manager Jesus Salas; the filming of the rebuttal and interview with Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services; their stay at a Calabasas hotel; and the period between their return to Neverland from Calabasas and their eventual departure.
Some would say that that's good enough to establish a timeline. However, in a case of this caliber, there's got to be more. There's no space for vagueness and uncertainty. It's necessary to know whether the alleged perpetrator was present on the scene during a specified period in order to determine possibilities of a crime's committal.
Regardless of the abundance of sketchy information, the prosecutor has continued forth with star witnesses practicing convenient amnesia and timeline acrobatics. Sneddon revealed in his presentation that he determined Jackson's presence or absence at his home from logs kept at Neverland. Those dates were given in the opener and they will be discussed in a minute.
While being directly examined by Sneddon, the accuser's brother testified to several things that allegedly occurred between the family's arrival at Neverland from Miami and their departure from the ranch with Salas. He testified that Jackson was present during this time period; that he and his brother spent their nights in Jackson's bedroom; that they drank alcohol "a lot of times" with Jackson at various locations in the home; and that he saw Jackson intoxicated.
Logs from Neverland and future "testimony from individuals involved," according to Sneddon's opener, places Jackson and the family simultaneously at his ranch from March 2-5, 2003, and again from March 9-12, 2003. These are the dates for which the prosecution has determined that the pop star was at home at the same time that the accusing family was present.
The time period within which the family stayed at Neverland and then departed with Salas is February 7-12, 2003. With the prosecutor offering the dates that Jackson and his house guests were together present at his ranch to be early March 2003, how then could the accuser's brother's allegations of boozing every day have occurred in early February 2003?
Brother confused about the dates? How could he be when he offers none? This is a problem that Sneddon and his team have created on their own. Jackson was liquoring it up with these children in February, yet, by the District Attorney's own admission, Jackson wasn't even present together with the family until March!
The mind boggles. Certainly this isn't enough to suggest that prosecutor Sneddon is out to get Jackson, but it sure is enough to have you scratching your head.
Much more to come from "Bridging the Gap."
Source: MJJForum
MJNI-podsumowanie ubiegłego tygodnia
WEEKLY TRIAL ROUND-UP
Accuser Takes The Stand
Welcome to the second 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 7th March...
MONDAY... Accuser's Brother Testifies
* Tom Mesereau finishes cross-examination of Davellin Arvizo.
* Jury hear audiotape recorded by Brad Miller where accusing family are heard praising Michael Jackson.
* Star Arvizo takes the stand, questioned by Tom Sneddon.
* Testified that he and his brother were shown adult material on the internet by Michael Jackson and Frank Tyson.
* Jurors shown pictures of briefcase containing adult material and a mannequin they claim Michael Jackson simulated sex with.
* Brother admits to knowing seurity codes at Neverland.
* Claims Michael Jackson enetered a room naked with an erection claiming it was natural.
* Claimed on a flight Michael Jackson offered him wine and licked his brother on the head.
* Said Michael Jackson was always present when he and his brother drank alcohol.
* Claims he witnessed Michael Jackson molesting his brother on two different occasions.
* Admitted no telling anyone until speaking to psychologist Stan Katz in March 2003.
TUESDAY... Accuser's Brother Cross-Examined
* Star Arvizo claims Michael Jackson told him and his brother not to tell anyone they had been drinking.
* Tom Sneddon finishes Prosecution questioning.
* Thomas Mesereau cross-examines the witness.
* Points out date on adult material that the brother claims Michael Jackson showed him as being August 2003, months after his family left Neverland for good.
* The boy admits to lying under oath in a previous case.
* Mesereau brings up the fact Michael Jackson has an alarm that rings when anyone enters the hallway leading to his bedroom, the brother didn't mention this in Monday's testimony and claimed under cross-examination that the alarm rang on both occasions he claims he witnessed molestation - but that neither his brother or Michael Jackson heard it.
* Mesereau points out several inconsistencies in the brother's previous testimony with his current testimony.
* The boy claims that when being allegedly imprisoned they were not allowed to see clocks or calenders so they couldn't tell what day it was, Mesereau points out two huge clocks on the lawn and the boy admits to being able to roam around Neverland.
WEDNESDAY... The Accuser Takes The Stand
* Thomas Mesereau continues questioning Star Arvizo.
* Showed the boy and the jury a video of Michael Jackson and the Accuser when he was cancer-stricken.
* The brother plays down how much Michael Jackson helped his brother through cancer.
* A video entitled "The Neverland Channel" is shown where the brother is seen hosting a mock show at the ranch.
* Asked is he was exited to make the video he replied that he was too sleepy.
* Brother was shown the rebuttal video his sister had seen, when questioned about his Mother's words he said he didn't remember, he was too sleepy and said the recording was forced.
* Mesereau brings it to the attention of the brother that he has testified that the two occasions he claims to have witnessed molestation he did so from the doorway, but in a previous interview with investigators he said he witnessed it from a small couch at the side of the bed.
* Boy blurts out that it was a third act he witnessed, which has previously never been alleged. Claims he was nervous during the interview.
* The Accuser Gavin Arvizo takes the stand near the end of the day.
* Talks about his cancer, Jamie Masada's comedy camp he attended where he met George Lopez and how Jay Leno is his favourite comedian.
* Claimed his Father abused him, his siblings and his Mother.
* Corrobarated his brother's story about Frank Tyson and Michael Jackson showing him adult material on the internet.
* Claims he was coached by Michael Jackson to say certain things in the Bashir documentary.
* Says Michael Jackson wasn't really there through his cancer but George Lopez and Chris Tucker were.
THURSDAY... Michael Jackson Late For Court
* At 8:30 am, Thomas Mesereau explains to Judge Melville Micahel Jackson is in hospital with serious back trouble, but is on his way.
* Judge responds angrily issuing a warrant for Michael Jackson's arrest and his bail forfeited if he doesn't show up within the hour.
* Michael Jackson shows up shortly after the hour he was given, the Judge decides the sanctions imposed were no longer necessary and the arrest warrant is revoked.
* Tom Sneddon continues questioning the Accuser Gavin Arvizo.
* Witness claims Michael Jackson showed him explicit materials that were found in a briefcase belonging to Frank Tyson.
* Claims he was repeatedly given alcohol despite raising concerns over his one kidney.
* Claims he was given wine referred to as "Jesus juice" on the flight back from Miami in February 2003.
* Says Michael Jackson entered a room naked and left quickly, not corroborating with his brother's claims that he had an erection and sat down to tell them it was natural.
* Describes two alleged incidents of molestation.
* Mesereau cross-examines the witness at the end of the proceedings.
* The witness admits that he and his family visited two civil attorneys before making the allegations to a psychologist.
* Mesereau points out to the Accuser that he returned to Neverland several times after he claims that he had "escaped".
* During heated questioning the Judge admonishes the witness and Mesereau for arguing.
Friday was a day for the attorneys to argue over several motions as the trial's normal proceedings were set to resume on Monday.
The trial will resume tomorrow, with Tom Mesereau's cross-examination of Gavin Arvizo still to be completed. Psychologist Stan Katz is then expected to take the stand, it's unsure when the Accuser's Mother will be called as a witness.
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
Accuser Takes The Stand
Welcome to the second 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 7th March...
MONDAY... Accuser's Brother Testifies
* Tom Mesereau finishes cross-examination of Davellin Arvizo.
* Jury hear audiotape recorded by Brad Miller where accusing family are heard praising Michael Jackson.
* Star Arvizo takes the stand, questioned by Tom Sneddon.
* Testified that he and his brother were shown adult material on the internet by Michael Jackson and Frank Tyson.
* Jurors shown pictures of briefcase containing adult material and a mannequin they claim Michael Jackson simulated sex with.
* Brother admits to knowing seurity codes at Neverland.
* Claims Michael Jackson enetered a room naked with an erection claiming it was natural.
* Claimed on a flight Michael Jackson offered him wine and licked his brother on the head.
* Said Michael Jackson was always present when he and his brother drank alcohol.
* Claims he witnessed Michael Jackson molesting his brother on two different occasions.
* Admitted no telling anyone until speaking to psychologist Stan Katz in March 2003.
TUESDAY... Accuser's Brother Cross-Examined
* Star Arvizo claims Michael Jackson told him and his brother not to tell anyone they had been drinking.
* Tom Sneddon finishes Prosecution questioning.
* Thomas Mesereau cross-examines the witness.
* Points out date on adult material that the brother claims Michael Jackson showed him as being August 2003, months after his family left Neverland for good.
* The boy admits to lying under oath in a previous case.
* Mesereau brings up the fact Michael Jackson has an alarm that rings when anyone enters the hallway leading to his bedroom, the brother didn't mention this in Monday's testimony and claimed under cross-examination that the alarm rang on both occasions he claims he witnessed molestation - but that neither his brother or Michael Jackson heard it.
* Mesereau points out several inconsistencies in the brother's previous testimony with his current testimony.
* The boy claims that when being allegedly imprisoned they were not allowed to see clocks or calenders so they couldn't tell what day it was, Mesereau points out two huge clocks on the lawn and the boy admits to being able to roam around Neverland.
WEDNESDAY... The Accuser Takes The Stand
* Thomas Mesereau continues questioning Star Arvizo.
* Showed the boy and the jury a video of Michael Jackson and the Accuser when he was cancer-stricken.
* The brother plays down how much Michael Jackson helped his brother through cancer.
* A video entitled "The Neverland Channel" is shown where the brother is seen hosting a mock show at the ranch.
* Asked is he was exited to make the video he replied that he was too sleepy.
* Brother was shown the rebuttal video his sister had seen, when questioned about his Mother's words he said he didn't remember, he was too sleepy and said the recording was forced.
* Mesereau brings it to the attention of the brother that he has testified that the two occasions he claims to have witnessed molestation he did so from the doorway, but in a previous interview with investigators he said he witnessed it from a small couch at the side of the bed.
* Boy blurts out that it was a third act he witnessed, which has previously never been alleged. Claims he was nervous during the interview.
* The Accuser Gavin Arvizo takes the stand near the end of the day.
* Talks about his cancer, Jamie Masada's comedy camp he attended where he met George Lopez and how Jay Leno is his favourite comedian.
* Claimed his Father abused him, his siblings and his Mother.
* Corrobarated his brother's story about Frank Tyson and Michael Jackson showing him adult material on the internet.
* Claims he was coached by Michael Jackson to say certain things in the Bashir documentary.
* Says Michael Jackson wasn't really there through his cancer but George Lopez and Chris Tucker were.
THURSDAY... Michael Jackson Late For Court
* At 8:30 am, Thomas Mesereau explains to Judge Melville Micahel Jackson is in hospital with serious back trouble, but is on his way.
* Judge responds angrily issuing a warrant for Michael Jackson's arrest and his bail forfeited if he doesn't show up within the hour.
* Michael Jackson shows up shortly after the hour he was given, the Judge decides the sanctions imposed were no longer necessary and the arrest warrant is revoked.
* Tom Sneddon continues questioning the Accuser Gavin Arvizo.
* Witness claims Michael Jackson showed him explicit materials that were found in a briefcase belonging to Frank Tyson.
* Claims he was repeatedly given alcohol despite raising concerns over his one kidney.
* Claims he was given wine referred to as "Jesus juice" on the flight back from Miami in February 2003.
* Says Michael Jackson entered a room naked and left quickly, not corroborating with his brother's claims that he had an erection and sat down to tell them it was natural.
* Describes two alleged incidents of molestation.
* Mesereau cross-examines the witness at the end of the proceedings.
* The witness admits that he and his family visited two civil attorneys before making the allegations to a psychologist.
* Mesereau points out to the Accuser that he returned to Neverland several times after he claims that he had "escaped".
* During heated questioning the Judge admonishes the witness and Mesereau for arguing.
Friday was a day for the attorneys to argue over several motions as the trial's normal proceedings were set to resume on Monday.
The trial will resume tomorrow, with Tom Mesereau's cross-examination of Gavin Arvizo still to be completed. Psychologist Stan Katz is then expected to take the stand, it's unsure when the Accuser's Mother will be called as a witness.
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?
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BBC NEWS -podsumowanie/tego nie ma na mailu ale mi tu pasuje
Jackson trial: Week two
A day-by-day account of the Michael Jackson trial, with all the key evidence, quotes and witnesses.
Thursday 10 March
Wednesday 9 March
Tuesday 8 March
Monday 7 March
FRIDAY 11 MARCH
The defendant:
After Thursday's late arrival, blamed on back problems, Michael Jackson was allowed to recuperate on Friday while lawyers argued about issues including whether details of the star's finances should be used as evidence.
"He told me he has never experienced such pain in his life," said spokesperson Raymone Bain.
"Michael was not intimidated by his accuser. His defence team has done an exceptional job and he has been looking forward to facing his accuser."
In court:
"We have reason to believe that Mr Jackson is on the precipice of bankruptcy. He is in debt to the tune of over $300m [£156m]," Santa Barbara County deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss said.
"Michael Jackson has a billionaire's spending habit but a millionaire's budget," he added.
"Mr Auchincloss just loves to have soundbites for the media," defence lawyer Robert Sanger responded. He said the singer had more money than prosecutors estimated but "liquidity from time to time may be a problem".
THURSDAY 10 MARCH
Witness: Gavin Arvizo, the boy accusing Michael Jackson of sex abuse.
Key quotes:Gavin Arvizo said Mr Jackson had told him about masturbation. "[Mr Jackson] said if I didn't know how then he would do it for me. He put his hands in my pants and he started masturbating me," he said.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson arrived late in court wearing pyjamas
"He said not to tell anyone about the Jesus Juice and said this is like a testimony that we'll be friends forever," he said, referring to allegations that Mr Jackson gave him wine, vodka and brandy.
The boy said his mother was scared about leaving Neverland ranch after Martin Bashir's documentary.
"She told me that she was afraid they were going to kill us and that she wanted to leave," Gavin Arvizo said.
Outside court:
Judge Rodney Melville was incensed when Mr Jackson failed to turn up for court on time as the singer had gone to hospital for back pain. Mr Jackson eventually arrived an hour late wearing pyjamas.
Jackson accuser tells of 'abuse'
Click to return
WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH
Witnesses: Mr Jackson's accuser Gavin Arvizo, 15, and brother Star, 14.
Key quotes:
"I thought he was the coolest guy in the world. He was my best friend ever," Gavin Arvizo said about his feelings when he first met Mr Jackson.
"He said: 'Tell them you call me Daddy and Daddy Michael'," the boy said of instructions Mr Jackson gave him about what to say in Martin Bashir's documentary.
"He told me to say he helped me and that he pretty much cured me of cancer."
Earlier, Mr Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, accused Star Arvizo of changing key details of events in interviews with police. "I was nervous when I did the interview," Star Arvizo said.
Jackson's accuser in witness box
Click to return
TUESDAY 8 MARCH
Key witness: Star Arvizo, now 14, brother of Michael Jackson's accuser.
Key quotes:
"One time, me and my brother and [another boy] were sitting on the bed and [Mr Jackson] told us not to tell anyone what happened, even if they put a gun to your head," Star Arvizo said.
Mr Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, asked about a lawsuit the Arvizo family brought against a retailer five years ago.
"When you were asked if your dad ever hit you, you said 'never'. Were you telling the truth?" he asked. "No," the boy replied.
"Did someone tell you to lie?" Mr Mesereau asked. "I don't remember," the boy said.
Outside court:
"The scurrilous and salacious accusations and details, all untrue, were hurtful and embarrassing to Mr Jackson," the singer's spokesperson, Raymone Bain, told reporters.
Jackson witness admits oath lie
Jackson reveals courtroom 'hurt'
Click to return
MONDAY 7 MARCH
Key witness: Star Arvizo.
Key quotes:
"I saw directly onto the bed. I saw my brother was outside the covers. I saw Michael's left hand in my brother's underwears and I saw his right hand in his underwears."
Talking about a similar incident two days later, he said: "I went upstairs. The same thing was happening but my brother was on his back. My brother was asleep. Michael was masturbating while he had his left hand in my brother's underwears.
"He had his eyes closed. I didn't know what to do. I went back to my guest room."
Speaking about a trip on a private plane in 2003, the boy said his brother felt sick and leaned on Mr Jackson's chest. "I saw Michael's head licking the top of my brother's head. He was licking his head," the boy said.
Outside court:
"I'm sorry, I'm under a gag order," Mr Jackson said when asked his opinion on the testimony.
Boy's brother 'saw Jackson abuse'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/e ... 328381.stm
A day-by-day account of the Michael Jackson trial, with all the key evidence, quotes and witnesses.
Thursday 10 March
Wednesday 9 March
Tuesday 8 March
Monday 7 March
FRIDAY 11 MARCH
The defendant:
After Thursday's late arrival, blamed on back problems, Michael Jackson was allowed to recuperate on Friday while lawyers argued about issues including whether details of the star's finances should be used as evidence.
"He told me he has never experienced such pain in his life," said spokesperson Raymone Bain.
"Michael was not intimidated by his accuser. His defence team has done an exceptional job and he has been looking forward to facing his accuser."
In court:
"We have reason to believe that Mr Jackson is on the precipice of bankruptcy. He is in debt to the tune of over $300m [£156m]," Santa Barbara County deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss said.
"Michael Jackson has a billionaire's spending habit but a millionaire's budget," he added.
"Mr Auchincloss just loves to have soundbites for the media," defence lawyer Robert Sanger responded. He said the singer had more money than prosecutors estimated but "liquidity from time to time may be a problem".
THURSDAY 10 MARCH
Witness: Gavin Arvizo, the boy accusing Michael Jackson of sex abuse.
Key quotes:Gavin Arvizo said Mr Jackson had told him about masturbation. "[Mr Jackson] said if I didn't know how then he would do it for me. He put his hands in my pants and he started masturbating me," he said.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson arrived late in court wearing pyjamas
"He said not to tell anyone about the Jesus Juice and said this is like a testimony that we'll be friends forever," he said, referring to allegations that Mr Jackson gave him wine, vodka and brandy.
The boy said his mother was scared about leaving Neverland ranch after Martin Bashir's documentary.
"She told me that she was afraid they were going to kill us and that she wanted to leave," Gavin Arvizo said.
Outside court:
Judge Rodney Melville was incensed when Mr Jackson failed to turn up for court on time as the singer had gone to hospital for back pain. Mr Jackson eventually arrived an hour late wearing pyjamas.
Jackson accuser tells of 'abuse'
Click to return
WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH
Witnesses: Mr Jackson's accuser Gavin Arvizo, 15, and brother Star, 14.
Key quotes:
"I thought he was the coolest guy in the world. He was my best friend ever," Gavin Arvizo said about his feelings when he first met Mr Jackson.
"He said: 'Tell them you call me Daddy and Daddy Michael'," the boy said of instructions Mr Jackson gave him about what to say in Martin Bashir's documentary.
"He told me to say he helped me and that he pretty much cured me of cancer."
Earlier, Mr Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, accused Star Arvizo of changing key details of events in interviews with police. "I was nervous when I did the interview," Star Arvizo said.
Jackson's accuser in witness box
Click to return
TUESDAY 8 MARCH
Key witness: Star Arvizo, now 14, brother of Michael Jackson's accuser.
Key quotes:
"One time, me and my brother and [another boy] were sitting on the bed and [Mr Jackson] told us not to tell anyone what happened, even if they put a gun to your head," Star Arvizo said.
Mr Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, asked about a lawsuit the Arvizo family brought against a retailer five years ago.
"When you were asked if your dad ever hit you, you said 'never'. Were you telling the truth?" he asked. "No," the boy replied.
"Did someone tell you to lie?" Mr Mesereau asked. "I don't remember," the boy said.
Outside court:
"The scurrilous and salacious accusations and details, all untrue, were hurtful and embarrassing to Mr Jackson," the singer's spokesperson, Raymone Bain, told reporters.
Jackson witness admits oath lie
Jackson reveals courtroom 'hurt'
Click to return
MONDAY 7 MARCH
Key witness: Star Arvizo.
Key quotes:
"I saw directly onto the bed. I saw my brother was outside the covers. I saw Michael's left hand in my brother's underwears and I saw his right hand in his underwears."
Talking about a similar incident two days later, he said: "I went upstairs. The same thing was happening but my brother was on his back. My brother was asleep. Michael was masturbating while he had his left hand in my brother's underwears.
"He had his eyes closed. I didn't know what to do. I went back to my guest room."
Speaking about a trip on a private plane in 2003, the boy said his brother felt sick and leaned on Mr Jackson's chest. "I saw Michael's head licking the top of my brother's head. He was licking his head," the boy said.
Outside court:
"I'm sorry, I'm under a gag order," Mr Jackson said when asked his opinion on the testimony.
Boy's brother 'saw Jackson abuse'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/e ... 328381.stm
mjjforum
MJJF eNews #512 - Tuesday Mar 15, 2005
Jackson Accuser: “Michael Did Nothing To Me”
The young accuser acknowledged under cross-examination Monday that he told an administrator at his school that the pop star "didn't do anything to me."
The teenager was asked about conversations he had with Jeffrey Alpert, the dean at John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles, where the boy had a history of acting up in class.
"I told Dean Alpert he didn't do anything to me," the boy said under questioning by Mr. Jackson’s attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. "I told him twice."
Mesereau, during his cross-examination of the boy, quoted Alpert as telling the youngster: "Look at me, look at me. ... I can't help you unless you tell me the truth - did any of this happen?"
When asked when the conversation occurred, the boy said: "I believe it was after I came back from Neverland."
Mesereau also attacked the boy’s behavior in school. Mesereau confronted the teenager with school records that showed that nine teachers had complained about the boy's disruptive behavior, events that the boy acknowledged.
Of one teacher, he said, "I felt as if he didn't deserve respect as a teacher. I didn't respect him as a person."
The boy also admitted that he spent time in detention and "would get into fights sometimes at school."
The young accuser also acknowledged that during the time he and his family were supposedly held hostage at Neverland, he never personally felt threatened. In the weeks after Bashir documentary aired, when the family was staying at Neverland, the boy said he did not want to leave "because I was having lots of fun."
The boy testified that the family twice left Neverland and returned, before leaving the ranch for the final time in March 2003. Mesereau, with some sarcasm, referred to the three departures as three "escapes," and he got the boy to admit that no one in the family ever contacted police after any of them.
Cross examination continues today.
Source: AP News/CNN/MJJForum
Jackson Accuser: “Michael Did Nothing To Me”
The young accuser acknowledged under cross-examination Monday that he told an administrator at his school that the pop star "didn't do anything to me."
The teenager was asked about conversations he had with Jeffrey Alpert, the dean at John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles, where the boy had a history of acting up in class.
"I told Dean Alpert he didn't do anything to me," the boy said under questioning by Mr. Jackson’s attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. "I told him twice."
Mesereau, during his cross-examination of the boy, quoted Alpert as telling the youngster: "Look at me, look at me. ... I can't help you unless you tell me the truth - did any of this happen?"
When asked when the conversation occurred, the boy said: "I believe it was after I came back from Neverland."
Mesereau also attacked the boy’s behavior in school. Mesereau confronted the teenager with school records that showed that nine teachers had complained about the boy's disruptive behavior, events that the boy acknowledged.
Of one teacher, he said, "I felt as if he didn't deserve respect as a teacher. I didn't respect him as a person."
The boy also admitted that he spent time in detention and "would get into fights sometimes at school."
The young accuser also acknowledged that during the time he and his family were supposedly held hostage at Neverland, he never personally felt threatened. In the weeks after Bashir documentary aired, when the family was staying at Neverland, the boy said he did not want to leave "because I was having lots of fun."
The boy testified that the family twice left Neverland and returned, before leaving the ranch for the final time in March 2003. Mesereau, with some sarcasm, referred to the three departures as three "escapes," and he got the boy to admit that no one in the family ever contacted police after any of them.
Cross examination continues today.
Source: AP News/CNN/MJJForum
MJNI
ACCUSER ADMITS: [MICHAEL] "...DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME."
Accuser's Admission a Blow to the Prosecution
After a week of (frankly) dubious testimony from the Prosecution's witnesses (see At a Glance) the already- laughable 'case' against Michael Jackson has endured another massive blow. Once again, it was a witness for the Prosecution that did it. And this time, it was the star witness himself - Michael's accuser, Gavin Arvizo.
Under cross-examination by lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau, Arvizo was questioned about a conversation he had with Jeffrey Alpert, the dean at John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles.
According to Mesereau, Alpert told Arvizo, "Look at me, look at me. ... I can't help you unless you tell me the truth - did any of this happen?"
"I told Dean Alpert he didn't do anything to me," replied Arvizo, "I told him twice."
Furthermore, that conversation with Dean Alpert took place after the dates the alleged abuse happened, but before the family met with Stanley J. Katz.
Katz was the Beverly Hills psychologist of Jordan Chandler, the boy who accused Michael Jackson of molestation in 1993.
Tom Sneddon's Triad
According to a February 2004 NBC Today Show report by Mike Taibbi, Katz is just one of three key figures in the prosecution's triad who also were involved in the allegations made against Michael more than ten years ago. (Tom Sneddon and Larry Feldman complete the trio.)
Taibbi postulated that "...the names common to both cases suggest an agenda, even a vendetta."
The most outstanding piece of news taken from that report (but largely overlooked by the world's press then and now) was a quote from Dr. Katz addressing the Accuser; "Look, if you go ahead with this... ...your family will get money if they win."
# Case Timeline
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Accuser's Admission a Blow to the Prosecution
After a week of (frankly) dubious testimony from the Prosecution's witnesses (see At a Glance) the already- laughable 'case' against Michael Jackson has endured another massive blow. Once again, it was a witness for the Prosecution that did it. And this time, it was the star witness himself - Michael's accuser, Gavin Arvizo.
Under cross-examination by lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau, Arvizo was questioned about a conversation he had with Jeffrey Alpert, the dean at John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles.
According to Mesereau, Alpert told Arvizo, "Look at me, look at me. ... I can't help you unless you tell me the truth - did any of this happen?"
"I told Dean Alpert he didn't do anything to me," replied Arvizo, "I told him twice."
Furthermore, that conversation with Dean Alpert took place after the dates the alleged abuse happened, but before the family met with Stanley J. Katz.
Katz was the Beverly Hills psychologist of Jordan Chandler, the boy who accused Michael Jackson of molestation in 1993.
Tom Sneddon's Triad
According to a February 2004 NBC Today Show report by Mike Taibbi, Katz is just one of three key figures in the prosecution's triad who also were involved in the allegations made against Michael more than ten years ago. (Tom Sneddon and Larry Feldman complete the trio.)
Taibbi postulated that "...the names common to both cases suggest an agenda, even a vendetta."
The most outstanding piece of news taken from that report (but largely overlooked by the world's press then and now) was a quote from Dr. Katz addressing the Accuser; "Look, if you go ahead with this... ...your family will get money if they win."
# Case Timeline
# Profiles
# Pledge Your Support
# Articles
MJNI 7
ACCUSER GRILLED ON THE STAND
Admits telling teacher nothing happened
During intense cross-examination by lead Defence attorney Thomas Mesereau, the Accuser Gavin Arvizo admitted telling a former teacher that nothing untoward had happened between him and Michael Jackson, after the alleged abuse was meant to have taken place.
The witness was also questioned about contradictory statements he had previously made to sheriff's investigators, including a claim that molestation occurred before the taping of the February 20th 2003 rebuttal video which he now denies, as well as his behaviour problems at school and implications that he was caught at Neverland drinking, searching for pornography and masturbating while Michael Jackson was not there. Mesereau also implied a motive for the family making the allegations, saying that they were angry once Michael did not want them to be part of his family anymore.
At the end of the proceedings, Michael was asked if he was pleased with the cross-examination by reporters, "Mesereau did a great job" he answered. Gavin Arvizo's cross-examination is expected to continue today.
To read our article concerning yesterday's proceedings or join the Messageboard discussion, click on the links below.
# Read March 14th Article
# Join The MB Discussion
Admits telling teacher nothing happened
During intense cross-examination by lead Defence attorney Thomas Mesereau, the Accuser Gavin Arvizo admitted telling a former teacher that nothing untoward had happened between him and Michael Jackson, after the alleged abuse was meant to have taken place.
The witness was also questioned about contradictory statements he had previously made to sheriff's investigators, including a claim that molestation occurred before the taping of the February 20th 2003 rebuttal video which he now denies, as well as his behaviour problems at school and implications that he was caught at Neverland drinking, searching for pornography and masturbating while Michael Jackson was not there. Mesereau also implied a motive for the family making the allegations, saying that they were angry once Michael did not want them to be part of his family anymore.
At the end of the proceedings, Michael was asked if he was pleased with the cross-examination by reporters, "Mesereau did a great job" he answered. Gavin Arvizo's cross-examination is expected to continue today.
To read our article concerning yesterday's proceedings or join the Messageboard discussion, click on the links below.
# Read March 14th Article
# Join The MB Discussion
MJNI 8
ACCUSER FINISHES HIS TESTIMONY
Tom Sneddon questions him again
Michael Jackson's Accuser Gavin Arvizo finished his testimony yesterday after finishing cross-examination by lead Defence attorney Thomas Mesereau and then redirect questioning by District Attorney Tom Sneddon.
The Accuser testified about never wanting to leave Neverland, his explanation as to why he never told his teacher that any abuse happened when asked and how he doesn't like Michael anymore.
Once he left the stand, police workers were the next to testify, including Sgt. Steve Robel who was the lead investigator in the case, during his cross-examination by Defence attorney Robert Sanger inconsistencies were pointed out about the Accuser's testimony as well as his own way of thinking being brought into question. Terry Flaa, a former detective also took the stand, he testified about how he looked into the initial complaints made following the Bashir documentary and once the Accuser and his family said nothing happened he recommeneded the case be closed.
As per usual, Michael was asked a daily question as he left the Santa Maria courthouse, this time he was asked how he was doing and how he was feeling after his back injury last week, "I'm feeling pretty good, but i'm in pain," he said. Steve Robel is expected to take the stand once again today.
Tom Sneddon questions him again
Michael Jackson's Accuser Gavin Arvizo finished his testimony yesterday after finishing cross-examination by lead Defence attorney Thomas Mesereau and then redirect questioning by District Attorney Tom Sneddon.
The Accuser testified about never wanting to leave Neverland, his explanation as to why he never told his teacher that any abuse happened when asked and how he doesn't like Michael anymore.
Once he left the stand, police workers were the next to testify, including Sgt. Steve Robel who was the lead investigator in the case, during his cross-examination by Defence attorney Robert Sanger inconsistencies were pointed out about the Accuser's testimony as well as his own way of thinking being brought into question. Terry Flaa, a former detective also took the stand, he testified about how he looked into the initial complaints made following the Bashir documentary and once the Accuser and his family said nothing happened he recommeneded the case be closed.
As per usual, Michael was asked a daily question as he left the Santa Maria courthouse, this time he was asked how he was doing and how he was feeling after his back injury last week, "I'm feeling pretty good, but i'm in pain," he said. Steve Robel is expected to take the stand once again today.
mjjforum
MJJF eNews #513 - Wednesday Mar 16, 2005
"I Was Actually Happy To Be At Neverland The Whole Time"
In an attempt to fix the damage done by the revelation made Monday by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. that the accuser had told the dean of his school, Jeffrey Alpert, that nothing had ever happened between Jackson and himself, the accuser explained that he was afraid of being teased.
The accuser claimed that following the documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" featuring the then 13-year-old boy holding hands with Jackson, he was ridiculed in school which caused him to be involved in alot of fights.
Due to the fights, the boy was called into the dean's office and claimed nothing had ever happened in an attempt to stop the ridicule. "I didn't want them to think it happened" he explained.
The redirect by District Attorney Thomas Sneddon came after Thomas Mesereau Jr. had finished his cross examination, questioning whether the accuser knew of a possible profit if he filed a lawsuit against Jackson, something the boy denied.
When asked why none of the family members ever alerted authorities during their alleged captivity, the accuser offered no other explanation than "they hardly ever let us be apart. They wanted to keep us together," and that he "was actually very happy to be at Neverland the whole time."
"I was having a lot of fun," he said. "My mother was the one that was worried. I didn't realize 'til the last time that I didn't want to be there."
Sneddon's redirect ended with the question of what the accuser thinks of Jackson now, to which the accuser replied "I don't really like him anymore. I don' really think he's deserving of the respect I was giving him as the coolest guy in the world."
Afterwards, a series of law enforcement witnesses were called by the prosecution.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Robel showed items seized during the first of two searches of Jackson's Neverland Ranch, including an adult magazine called "Teenage", a black & white image of a nude woman, and a book by photographer Bruce Weber called "The Chop Suey Club."
Robel said he found the items in a closed box at the foot of Jackson's bed.
However, defense attorney Robert Sanger attacked the relevance of the items, stating that no witnesses claimed to have seen the items, and that none of the items are illegal to possess, and both were confirmed by Robel.
When asked more specifically about the items, Robel acknowledged that he did not know that the book "Chop Suey Club" was sent to Jackson unsolicited by Weber, and that it contained a photo of Jackson friend Elizabeth Taylor.
Terry Flaa, a former sheriff's investigator testified that he made the decision not to investigate two child welfare complaints by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred and psychologist Carole Lieberman due to an interview by Los Angeles County's children services authorities, in which the boy and his family all said nothing had happened.
The last witness of the day was that of sheriff's Lt. Jeff Klapackis who said he ordered the Jackson investigation re-opened after talking to the family's attorney Larry Feldman and psychologist Stan Katz.
Prosecution claims that the molestation allegations appeared during the boy's interviews with Katz.
Source: AP/MJJForum
"I Was Actually Happy To Be At Neverland The Whole Time"
In an attempt to fix the damage done by the revelation made Monday by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. that the accuser had told the dean of his school, Jeffrey Alpert, that nothing had ever happened between Jackson and himself, the accuser explained that he was afraid of being teased.
The accuser claimed that following the documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" featuring the then 13-year-old boy holding hands with Jackson, he was ridiculed in school which caused him to be involved in alot of fights.
Due to the fights, the boy was called into the dean's office and claimed nothing had ever happened in an attempt to stop the ridicule. "I didn't want them to think it happened" he explained.
The redirect by District Attorney Thomas Sneddon came after Thomas Mesereau Jr. had finished his cross examination, questioning whether the accuser knew of a possible profit if he filed a lawsuit against Jackson, something the boy denied.
When asked why none of the family members ever alerted authorities during their alleged captivity, the accuser offered no other explanation than "they hardly ever let us be apart. They wanted to keep us together," and that he "was actually very happy to be at Neverland the whole time."
"I was having a lot of fun," he said. "My mother was the one that was worried. I didn't realize 'til the last time that I didn't want to be there."
Sneddon's redirect ended with the question of what the accuser thinks of Jackson now, to which the accuser replied "I don't really like him anymore. I don' really think he's deserving of the respect I was giving him as the coolest guy in the world."
Afterwards, a series of law enforcement witnesses were called by the prosecution.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Robel showed items seized during the first of two searches of Jackson's Neverland Ranch, including an adult magazine called "Teenage", a black & white image of a nude woman, and a book by photographer Bruce Weber called "The Chop Suey Club."
Robel said he found the items in a closed box at the foot of Jackson's bed.
However, defense attorney Robert Sanger attacked the relevance of the items, stating that no witnesses claimed to have seen the items, and that none of the items are illegal to possess, and both were confirmed by Robel.
When asked more specifically about the items, Robel acknowledged that he did not know that the book "Chop Suey Club" was sent to Jackson unsolicited by Weber, and that it contained a photo of Jackson friend Elizabeth Taylor.
Terry Flaa, a former sheriff's investigator testified that he made the decision not to investigate two child welfare complaints by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred and psychologist Carole Lieberman due to an interview by Los Angeles County's children services authorities, in which the boy and his family all said nothing had happened.
The last witness of the day was that of sheriff's Lt. Jeff Klapackis who said he ordered the Jackson investigation re-opened after talking to the family's attorney Larry Feldman and psychologist Stan Katz.
Prosecution claims that the molestation allegations appeared during the boy's interviews with Katz.
Source: AP/MJJForum
Jojoj, nie było mnie długo, wklejam tylko dwa ostatnie, nie wiem o czym, bo mi się nie chce czytać...
MJJF eNews #516 - Friday Mar 18, 2005
Will Jackson’s Past Settlements Come Into Current Case?
The judge presiding in the case against Michael Jackson may very well hold hearings on whether or not the prosecution can add in past allegations made against the pop star. The judge had already told the prosecution that he wanted to see if they had a strong case against Mr. Jackson before bringing in the past allegations.
The prosecutor’s have asked for a hearing on the matter "sooner rather than later”. Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville indicated that it may come next week. He told the defense to file a motion in opposition before this Friday. The defense said that they too would want to call in some witnesses.
District Attorney Tom Sneddon has put on the accusing family first to get to whether or not he can bring in the 1993-1994 allegations made against Mr. Jackson by two families.
The first family ended up filing a civil lawsuit against Mr. Jackson before any criminal proceeding could get under way. The attorneys for Mr. Jackson requested that the civil lawsuit be put on hold until after the criminal trial had taken it’s course, but the civil judge denied that motion.
Mr. Jackson ended up settling that lawsuit out of court for an estimated $15-20 million. The entertainer maintained his innocence throughout and only settled on negligence. The “molestation” accusation made by the family was taken out of the settlement papers.
The second lawsuit came from a former maid at Neverland who accused Mr. Jackson of touching her son in 1994. This lawsuit was settled out of court for a reported $2 million dollars.
With the current case in shambles because of the current family’s inconsistencies and memory loss in their testimony, the district attorney is hoping that the judge will grant him this life-saver by bringing in these past accusations made against Mr. Jackson.
"It's crucial," said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola School of Law who is observing the trial.
Although California law allows evidence of a defendant's disposition to commit sex crimes to be introduced at trial, the law also leaves the decision up to the judge.
The judge could include all, some or none of the evidence, Ms. Levenson said.
Whatever the judge decides, both sides are anticipating that at least some of Mr. Jackson's past interaction with boys will be part of the trial.
Defense attorneys said the prosecutors want a group of "disgruntled former employees, paid tabloid informants and other disreputable characters" to testify about Mr. Jackson’s past.
The prosecution needs for Mr. Jackson’s past to come into play because they need to counteract the defense’s assertion that the current allegations "were fabricated by the victim and his family for financial gain," said Senior Deputy District Attorney Gerald Franklin in a motion filed earlier this year.
California's evidence code was changed a decade ago to allow prosecutors to include past crimes and even uncharged allegations of a crime in sex offense cases.
"As a matter of logic, the best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again," Mr. Franklin said.
The only caveats are that such evidence must be relevant and support the prosecution's theory regarding a defendant's intent, motive, opportunity and plan or scheme to commit the charged offense.
A Court of Appeal opinion upholding the law said, "The Legislature has determined the need for this evidence is 'critical' given the serious and secretive nature of sex crimes and the often resulting credibility contest at trial."
The author of the 1995 legislation, former Assemblyman James Rogan, R-Glendale, a one-time prosecutor and judge, said it was important to include this sort of evidence.
”The law allows a judge to make a "common sense" assessment of the evidence, and if it is allowed, gives juries a chance to make a rational assessment of the probability or improbability for the defendant to commit such a crime,” Mr. Rogan said.
The prosecution is claiming that there are other boys that Mr. Jackson was allegedly involved with around 1993-1994, but once the first accusing family accepted the settlement, the case fell apart.
They could not explain, however, why these other alleged victims of Mr. Jackson couldn’t testify against him in a criminal court without the first family involved.
Currently, the prosecution only has the former Neverland maid’s son, who is now in his twenties, willing to come forward.
It was reported by prosecution insiders that the first boy, also in his twenties, would only take the stand if his testimony was necessary to convict Mr. Jackson. However, other sources have contradicted that notion and said that he is either not a willing participant or he may eventually testify on behalf of Mr. Jackson.
MSNBC consultant and a prosecution mouth piece, former Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Thomas said that the prosecution wants to use the evidence to show a pattern of behavior.
"I think it's very important, because it would show the jury that there's a past pattern and practice," said Mr. Thomas.
The more parallels prosecutors can show, the more it bolsters the claims of the current accuser, he said. The focus of the case might also turn from the problems of the accuser and his family to Mr. Jackson.
"If it comes in, I think the momentum of the case changes," Mr. Thomas said. "The defense will continue to discredit these witnesses, but the jury at some point might say, 'Wait a minute, all these people can't be lying.'"
However, the defense contends that the 1993 case was a blueprint for other potential accusers to come in and say that Mr. Jackson did something to them.
Defense attorney Robert Sanger said in court papers that prosecutors have for more than a decade had a sort of "open casting call for witnesses who are willing to make these types of allegations."
It has been reported by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s department that the case in 1993 is still active to this day.
Sources: News-Press/MJJForum
Former Neverland Housekeeper and LA Weatherman Testify On The Stand
Kiki Fournier, a former Neverland housekeeper, testified as a witness yesterday for the prosecution in the trial against Michael Jackson.
She was a reluctant to be a witness against her former employer claiming that she has nothing to do with this case.
In her direct examination by prosecutor Gordon Auchincloss, she described children at the ranch “became wild” during their long stays without parent supervision. She also claimed that on about five times, children appeared to be “drunk”.
She testified that she saw children that appeared to be intoxicated three or four times in Mr. Jackson’s presence.
One of the incidents was when she served Mr. Jackson and his young guests dinner at the table. She claims at least three of them appeared to be intoxicated.
However, she also testified that she never saw Mr. Jackson give alcohol to a minor nor did she ever remember that the entertainer was intoxicated in the presence of the children.
She also claims she does not remember seeing the current teenage accuser or his siblings intoxicated at the ranch.
She also testified that if children stayed long, they would often sleep in Mr. Jackson’s private quarters of his home rather than the guest rooms that were initially assigned to them.
"The beds weren't slept in when you went to clear the room," she said.
Ms. Fournier, who worked for Mr. Jackson for ten years before her departure in September 2003, testified that Mr. Jackson paid particular attention to boys who’s ages range from 10 and 15 years old, including actor Macauley Culkin and the current accuser and his brother.
The former housekeeper referred to Neverland as “Pinocchio’s Pleasure Island” due to the atmosphere at the ranch where she claims children stayed for weeks at a time without their parents and were giving “free reign” of the ranch.
"With the absence of authority figures, these children became wild," Fournier said.
She testified that the children were allowed to watch movies, eat all the candy they wanted and were allowed to stay up as late as they wanted. She said that the children often became “pretty rambunctious”.
However, under cross-examination by lead defense attorney Thomas Messereau, she testified that she never saw Mr. Jackson serve alcohol to minors. She also said if the children got “too rowdy”, Mr. Jackson would tell them to “behave”.
She also believes the accuser and his brother stayed in their assigned guest rooms instead of Mr. Jackson’s living quarters during the timeline of February and March 2003. This is the time Mr. Jackson is charged with molesting the teenage boy.
She thought that the accuser and his brother stayed in their assigned guest room because when she would clean up the room, it was torn apart with garbage and food strewn about, drinks spilled and glasses broken.
During her testimony, she claims that the accuser’s brother became “ornery” and demanding and once pulled a knife on her while the two of them were in the kitchen and the boy was trying to cook.
She did not say what led to the knife-pulling incident or how it was resolved.
Mr. Mesereau also asked whether, given that Neverland was designed to be a fantasy land for children, would it be surprising that the children "would go a little wild."
"No, that would not be unusual," she said.
She also described Mr. Jackson as a “detail oriented” person who usually communicated with her through the ranch manager, but on occasion would communicate directly with her.
When asked by the prosecution to describe the relationship between Mr. Jackson and one of the alleged unindicted co-conspirators, she said that they were close friends. She said that Mr. Tyson would stay at the ranch for a month at a time, although there would be gaps of six months between stays.
Under cross-examination by Mr. Mesereau, she admitted that what she knew of Mr. Tyson’s business relationship with Mr. Jackson came from Mr. Tyson. When Mr. Messereau suggested that he might have exaggerated the extent of his relationship with the entertainer to promote himself, she agreed that he was egotistical.
Mr. Tyson is one of the alleged unindicted co-conspirators that the prosecution claims that helped intimidate and silence the accusing family. In the family’s testimony, they claim that Frank showed the boys pornographic sites over the Internet, while Mr. Jackson was in the room during their first overnight stay at the ranch.
The indictment also alleges that Jackson paid Tyson $1 million on March 31, 2003 -- about two weeks after the accuser and his family left Neverland for the final time.
Another witness in the case today testified that he met the accuser and his family during a comedy camp for disadvantaged children in 1999 at a Los Angeles comedy club called the Laugh Factory where he was an instructor.
Fritz Coleman, a Los Angeles weatherman for KNBC and part-time comedian described the accusing family’s children as “personable, polite and charismatic.”
He testified that he and another comedian, Louise Palanker, delivered Christmas presents to the family at their “very small” apartment in a low-income area of East Los Angeles, so that the children could have a Christmas.
He said that one time in 2000 when the accuser became ill with cancer, he visited him in the hospital. On his last visit at the hospital, the boy was beaming because he got a huge box of gifts from the entertainer.
Mr. Coleman said when the Laugh Factory decided to throw a benefit for the family, he made an announcement about the event on KNBC, but he wasn't involved in putting the benefit together.
He also claims he had met the boy's mother only three times, and she never tried to solicit money from him. He heard of conversations around the comedy club about the boy's father soliciting money from celebrities, but the father had never asked him directly for money.
Sources: CNN/ MJJForum
MJJF eNews #516 - Friday Mar 18, 2005
Will Jackson’s Past Settlements Come Into Current Case?
The judge presiding in the case against Michael Jackson may very well hold hearings on whether or not the prosecution can add in past allegations made against the pop star. The judge had already told the prosecution that he wanted to see if they had a strong case against Mr. Jackson before bringing in the past allegations.
The prosecutor’s have asked for a hearing on the matter "sooner rather than later”. Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville indicated that it may come next week. He told the defense to file a motion in opposition before this Friday. The defense said that they too would want to call in some witnesses.
District Attorney Tom Sneddon has put on the accusing family first to get to whether or not he can bring in the 1993-1994 allegations made against Mr. Jackson by two families.
The first family ended up filing a civil lawsuit against Mr. Jackson before any criminal proceeding could get under way. The attorneys for Mr. Jackson requested that the civil lawsuit be put on hold until after the criminal trial had taken it’s course, but the civil judge denied that motion.
Mr. Jackson ended up settling that lawsuit out of court for an estimated $15-20 million. The entertainer maintained his innocence throughout and only settled on negligence. The “molestation” accusation made by the family was taken out of the settlement papers.
The second lawsuit came from a former maid at Neverland who accused Mr. Jackson of touching her son in 1994. This lawsuit was settled out of court for a reported $2 million dollars.
With the current case in shambles because of the current family’s inconsistencies and memory loss in their testimony, the district attorney is hoping that the judge will grant him this life-saver by bringing in these past accusations made against Mr. Jackson.
"It's crucial," said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola School of Law who is observing the trial.
Although California law allows evidence of a defendant's disposition to commit sex crimes to be introduced at trial, the law also leaves the decision up to the judge.
The judge could include all, some or none of the evidence, Ms. Levenson said.
Whatever the judge decides, both sides are anticipating that at least some of Mr. Jackson's past interaction with boys will be part of the trial.
Defense attorneys said the prosecutors want a group of "disgruntled former employees, paid tabloid informants and other disreputable characters" to testify about Mr. Jackson’s past.
The prosecution needs for Mr. Jackson’s past to come into play because they need to counteract the defense’s assertion that the current allegations "were fabricated by the victim and his family for financial gain," said Senior Deputy District Attorney Gerald Franklin in a motion filed earlier this year.
California's evidence code was changed a decade ago to allow prosecutors to include past crimes and even uncharged allegations of a crime in sex offense cases.
"As a matter of logic, the best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again," Mr. Franklin said.
The only caveats are that such evidence must be relevant and support the prosecution's theory regarding a defendant's intent, motive, opportunity and plan or scheme to commit the charged offense.
A Court of Appeal opinion upholding the law said, "The Legislature has determined the need for this evidence is 'critical' given the serious and secretive nature of sex crimes and the often resulting credibility contest at trial."
The author of the 1995 legislation, former Assemblyman James Rogan, R-Glendale, a one-time prosecutor and judge, said it was important to include this sort of evidence.
”The law allows a judge to make a "common sense" assessment of the evidence, and if it is allowed, gives juries a chance to make a rational assessment of the probability or improbability for the defendant to commit such a crime,” Mr. Rogan said.
The prosecution is claiming that there are other boys that Mr. Jackson was allegedly involved with around 1993-1994, but once the first accusing family accepted the settlement, the case fell apart.
They could not explain, however, why these other alleged victims of Mr. Jackson couldn’t testify against him in a criminal court without the first family involved.
Currently, the prosecution only has the former Neverland maid’s son, who is now in his twenties, willing to come forward.
It was reported by prosecution insiders that the first boy, also in his twenties, would only take the stand if his testimony was necessary to convict Mr. Jackson. However, other sources have contradicted that notion and said that he is either not a willing participant or he may eventually testify on behalf of Mr. Jackson.
MSNBC consultant and a prosecution mouth piece, former Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Thomas said that the prosecution wants to use the evidence to show a pattern of behavior.
"I think it's very important, because it would show the jury that there's a past pattern and practice," said Mr. Thomas.
The more parallels prosecutors can show, the more it bolsters the claims of the current accuser, he said. The focus of the case might also turn from the problems of the accuser and his family to Mr. Jackson.
"If it comes in, I think the momentum of the case changes," Mr. Thomas said. "The defense will continue to discredit these witnesses, but the jury at some point might say, 'Wait a minute, all these people can't be lying.'"
However, the defense contends that the 1993 case was a blueprint for other potential accusers to come in and say that Mr. Jackson did something to them.
Defense attorney Robert Sanger said in court papers that prosecutors have for more than a decade had a sort of "open casting call for witnesses who are willing to make these types of allegations."
It has been reported by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s department that the case in 1993 is still active to this day.
Sources: News-Press/MJJForum
Former Neverland Housekeeper and LA Weatherman Testify On The Stand
Kiki Fournier, a former Neverland housekeeper, testified as a witness yesterday for the prosecution in the trial against Michael Jackson.
She was a reluctant to be a witness against her former employer claiming that she has nothing to do with this case.
In her direct examination by prosecutor Gordon Auchincloss, she described children at the ranch “became wild” during their long stays without parent supervision. She also claimed that on about five times, children appeared to be “drunk”.
She testified that she saw children that appeared to be intoxicated three or four times in Mr. Jackson’s presence.
One of the incidents was when she served Mr. Jackson and his young guests dinner at the table. She claims at least three of them appeared to be intoxicated.
However, she also testified that she never saw Mr. Jackson give alcohol to a minor nor did she ever remember that the entertainer was intoxicated in the presence of the children.
She also claims she does not remember seeing the current teenage accuser or his siblings intoxicated at the ranch.
She also testified that if children stayed long, they would often sleep in Mr. Jackson’s private quarters of his home rather than the guest rooms that were initially assigned to them.
"The beds weren't slept in when you went to clear the room," she said.
Ms. Fournier, who worked for Mr. Jackson for ten years before her departure in September 2003, testified that Mr. Jackson paid particular attention to boys who’s ages range from 10 and 15 years old, including actor Macauley Culkin and the current accuser and his brother.
The former housekeeper referred to Neverland as “Pinocchio’s Pleasure Island” due to the atmosphere at the ranch where she claims children stayed for weeks at a time without their parents and were giving “free reign” of the ranch.
"With the absence of authority figures, these children became wild," Fournier said.
She testified that the children were allowed to watch movies, eat all the candy they wanted and were allowed to stay up as late as they wanted. She said that the children often became “pretty rambunctious”.
However, under cross-examination by lead defense attorney Thomas Messereau, she testified that she never saw Mr. Jackson serve alcohol to minors. She also said if the children got “too rowdy”, Mr. Jackson would tell them to “behave”.
She also believes the accuser and his brother stayed in their assigned guest rooms instead of Mr. Jackson’s living quarters during the timeline of February and March 2003. This is the time Mr. Jackson is charged with molesting the teenage boy.
She thought that the accuser and his brother stayed in their assigned guest room because when she would clean up the room, it was torn apart with garbage and food strewn about, drinks spilled and glasses broken.
During her testimony, she claims that the accuser’s brother became “ornery” and demanding and once pulled a knife on her while the two of them were in the kitchen and the boy was trying to cook.
She did not say what led to the knife-pulling incident or how it was resolved.
Mr. Mesereau also asked whether, given that Neverland was designed to be a fantasy land for children, would it be surprising that the children "would go a little wild."
"No, that would not be unusual," she said.
She also described Mr. Jackson as a “detail oriented” person who usually communicated with her through the ranch manager, but on occasion would communicate directly with her.
When asked by the prosecution to describe the relationship between Mr. Jackson and one of the alleged unindicted co-conspirators, she said that they were close friends. She said that Mr. Tyson would stay at the ranch for a month at a time, although there would be gaps of six months between stays.
Under cross-examination by Mr. Mesereau, she admitted that what she knew of Mr. Tyson’s business relationship with Mr. Jackson came from Mr. Tyson. When Mr. Messereau suggested that he might have exaggerated the extent of his relationship with the entertainer to promote himself, she agreed that he was egotistical.
Mr. Tyson is one of the alleged unindicted co-conspirators that the prosecution claims that helped intimidate and silence the accusing family. In the family’s testimony, they claim that Frank showed the boys pornographic sites over the Internet, while Mr. Jackson was in the room during their first overnight stay at the ranch.
The indictment also alleges that Jackson paid Tyson $1 million on March 31, 2003 -- about two weeks after the accuser and his family left Neverland for the final time.
Another witness in the case today testified that he met the accuser and his family during a comedy camp for disadvantaged children in 1999 at a Los Angeles comedy club called the Laugh Factory where he was an instructor.
Fritz Coleman, a Los Angeles weatherman for KNBC and part-time comedian described the accusing family’s children as “personable, polite and charismatic.”
He testified that he and another comedian, Louise Palanker, delivered Christmas presents to the family at their “very small” apartment in a low-income area of East Los Angeles, so that the children could have a Christmas.
He said that one time in 2000 when the accuser became ill with cancer, he visited him in the hospital. On his last visit at the hospital, the boy was beaming because he got a huge box of gifts from the entertainer.
Mr. Coleman said when the Laugh Factory decided to throw a benefit for the family, he made an announcement about the event on KNBC, but he wasn't involved in putting the benefit together.
He also claims he had met the boy's mother only three times, and she never tried to solicit money from him. He heard of conversations around the comedy club about the boy's father soliciting money from celebrities, but the father had never asked him directly for money.
Sources: CNN/ MJJForum
MJJF eNews #517 - Friday Mar 18, 2005
Defense Mistrial Request Denied; Prosecutors Drop Request for Grand Jury Testimony
Defense to Establish a Pattern of Scamming from the Accuser and Family
Friday Jackson nor the jurors were present in court to hear both sides battle out several motions.
Judge Melville presiding over the Michael Jackson trial denied the defense a call for a mistrial. Jackson’s defense attorneys argued that on Thursday the prosecution deliberately asked witness Kiki Fournier, a former Jackson maid, leading questions regarding special relationships Jackson built in the past with young boys. Jackson’s defense argued that by asking the ages and the type of relationship Jackson built with these youngsters paved the way for jurors to infer or conclude that these relationships were inappropriate. "You can't un-ring the bell," defense attorney Robert Sanger said.
Among the boys mentioned were child movie star Macauley Culkin; the accuser in the current criminal case against Jackson; the accuser's younger brother; and a boy whose family reached a multimillion dollar financial settlement with Jackson in 1993 after alleging molestation. Judge Melville agreed with the prosecution citing that this was not the first time the jurors had heard about 1993 allegations and said that it was not 'damaging' to the defense.
However, a ruling on whether prior molestation allegations should enter the trial is yet to be heard. The judge set March 28th as a date to hear arguments from both sides before deciding if he wants to hear testimony from witnesses about the earlier incidents. This ruling includes the possible entry or dismissal of a 1993 molestation accusation that beleaguered Jackson where, an out of court multi million dollar civil settlement was reached.
One of the three prosecutors in the case Deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss said he would testify to rebut defense accusations of the way in which evidence was handled during the grand jury proceedings in April. The debate was prompted after a sheriff who took the stand earlier on in the week conceded during cross examination that no finger print tests had been carried out on the sexually explicit material seized during a November 2003 raid of Jackson's Neverland Ranch.The prosecution contends that in these magazines, the fingerprints of Jackson, the accuser and his brother's are to be found.
The transcripts state that the accuser was allowed to handle the evidence during the grand jury proceedings, although it states of no preventive measures taken to avoid contamination. "If it's not in the transcript, that's too bad," said Sanger; "They know how to take a record." Prosecutors asked the judge to allow the foreman to testify about the handling of the evidence while the defense argued that then it is only fair that they be allowed to interview the grand jury who may have a different recollection. The prosecution then recanted their request and said Auchincloss would testify about the handling of the magazines.
Judge Melville calling the prosecution request to subpoena Jackson’s financial statements too broad, although not dismissing the motion, told prosecutors they were not allowed to fine tooth comb Jackson’s financial records leading up to the year 2003. The judge wants Jackson to turn over a statement of his general financial position to him, who will keep custody of his records. The prosecution claims that Jackson's poor financial health is what motivated him to hold the accuser and his family against their will and force the family into submitting a rebuttal video for the damaging Martin Bashir documentary.
The judge granted a defense motion to subpoena comedian George Lopez who one time befriended Jackson’s current accuser. The defense claimed that the accuser and his family upon a failing relationship accused the comedian of stealing $300 from the boy’s wallet. Defense attorney Sanger said, "There is a good-faith belief here that there are parallel patterns. When there is a falling out there is an accusation". When Jackson’s attorneys during cross examination brought this matter up, the prosecution repeatedly objected with the objections being upheld by the judge. However, the judge said he has since then changed his mind regarding this issue.
Source: CNN/NBC4/MJJForum
Defense Mistrial Request Denied; Prosecutors Drop Request for Grand Jury Testimony
Defense to Establish a Pattern of Scamming from the Accuser and Family
Friday Jackson nor the jurors were present in court to hear both sides battle out several motions.
Judge Melville presiding over the Michael Jackson trial denied the defense a call for a mistrial. Jackson’s defense attorneys argued that on Thursday the prosecution deliberately asked witness Kiki Fournier, a former Jackson maid, leading questions regarding special relationships Jackson built in the past with young boys. Jackson’s defense argued that by asking the ages and the type of relationship Jackson built with these youngsters paved the way for jurors to infer or conclude that these relationships were inappropriate. "You can't un-ring the bell," defense attorney Robert Sanger said.
Among the boys mentioned were child movie star Macauley Culkin; the accuser in the current criminal case against Jackson; the accuser's younger brother; and a boy whose family reached a multimillion dollar financial settlement with Jackson in 1993 after alleging molestation. Judge Melville agreed with the prosecution citing that this was not the first time the jurors had heard about 1993 allegations and said that it was not 'damaging' to the defense.
However, a ruling on whether prior molestation allegations should enter the trial is yet to be heard. The judge set March 28th as a date to hear arguments from both sides before deciding if he wants to hear testimony from witnesses about the earlier incidents. This ruling includes the possible entry or dismissal of a 1993 molestation accusation that beleaguered Jackson where, an out of court multi million dollar civil settlement was reached.
One of the three prosecutors in the case Deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss said he would testify to rebut defense accusations of the way in which evidence was handled during the grand jury proceedings in April. The debate was prompted after a sheriff who took the stand earlier on in the week conceded during cross examination that no finger print tests had been carried out on the sexually explicit material seized during a November 2003 raid of Jackson's Neverland Ranch.The prosecution contends that in these magazines, the fingerprints of Jackson, the accuser and his brother's are to be found.
The transcripts state that the accuser was allowed to handle the evidence during the grand jury proceedings, although it states of no preventive measures taken to avoid contamination. "If it's not in the transcript, that's too bad," said Sanger; "They know how to take a record." Prosecutors asked the judge to allow the foreman to testify about the handling of the evidence while the defense argued that then it is only fair that they be allowed to interview the grand jury who may have a different recollection. The prosecution then recanted their request and said Auchincloss would testify about the handling of the magazines.
Judge Melville calling the prosecution request to subpoena Jackson’s financial statements too broad, although not dismissing the motion, told prosecutors they were not allowed to fine tooth comb Jackson’s financial records leading up to the year 2003. The judge wants Jackson to turn over a statement of his general financial position to him, who will keep custody of his records. The prosecution claims that Jackson's poor financial health is what motivated him to hold the accuser and his family against their will and force the family into submitting a rebuttal video for the damaging Martin Bashir documentary.
The judge granted a defense motion to subpoena comedian George Lopez who one time befriended Jackson’s current accuser. The defense claimed that the accuser and his family upon a failing relationship accused the comedian of stealing $300 from the boy’s wallet. Defense attorney Sanger said, "There is a good-faith belief here that there are parallel patterns. When there is a falling out there is an accusation". When Jackson’s attorneys during cross examination brought this matter up, the prosecution repeatedly objected with the objections being upheld by the judge. However, the judge said he has since then changed his mind regarding this issue.
Source: CNN/NBC4/MJJForum
MJJF
MJJF eNews #518 - Sunday Mar 20, 2005
On The Flip Side of the Michael Jackson Trial - Ammunition for the Defense
In the Jackson trial the star defendant Michael Jackson is certainly not the only one being tried as evident by the way Jackson's defense counsel is setting the stage for their case. The accuser and family are a far cry from a typical ‘victim’; in fact, it is quite the contrary with the family carrying a load of excess baggage themselves.
Jackson's defense is likely to strategically exploit the family's money troubles, past litigations, the accuser's mother's mental health, an abusive father and a divorce which has left the family in many desperate situations.
Already the accuser and his two siblings, deemed as the most important witnesses in the Jackson trial, has given conflicting testimonies in front of a jury with defense attorney Thomas Mesereau successfully chipping away at their credibility.
The mother who had aspirations for her brood to reach Hollywood riches instead found ways to extract money from some of Hollywood's who's who. Only Jackson's legal team knows how much potentially damaging information it has on the family. Available public records contain allegations regarding the mother's mental health, the parents' 1993 bankruptcy and the family's attempts to profit from the son's cancer, as well as from the case against Jackson.
Celebrities linked with the now infamous 'Laugh Factory' a comedy camp where the accuser and his siblings attended lessons have brought forth claims which corroborate with the defense's contention of a family scheming to extort money while using the accuser's then battle with cancer as leverage.
Defense attorneys could use a JC Penney's lawsuit win in which the family was detained for shoplifting. Authorities in the retail store claim that the boy and his father were guilty and ignored calls from security men who later had to restrain the father and handcuff the mother after she tried to attack the security guard as court papers reveal. In September 2001, the family received a $152,000 out-of-court settlement.
At least two court documents refer to the mother having been diagnosed as "delusional and schizophrenic" by psychiatrists in the Penney's case. One of Jackson's attorneys, in subpoenaing depositions from that case, said the material being sought included "the diagnosis of [the mother] with paranoid schizophrenia with delusions".
The accuser's parents divorced in 2001 leaving the mother with sole custody of her three children after a judge granted a request for a restraining order against her ex-husband for being abusive. In 1993, while still married, the couple filed for personal bankruptcy, listing assets of $2,795 and liabilities of nearly $30,000, including almost $11,500 in credit card debt.
The Jackson trial somewhat strangely is deeply rooted in the Bashir documentary of the entertainer, 'Living With Michael Jackson', which is said to have prompted investigations into the star's relationship with children, particularly Jackson's current accuser who was featured in the documentary. The defense contends that molestation allegations materialized as a result of the mother's failed attempts at extracting money from Jackson for her son's appearance in the documentary although in her grand jury testimony last year, she denied asking for money from Jackson. "I don't want the devil's money," she said.
The conspiracy charges stem from what the prosecution claims as an attempt by Jackson and his co-conspirators to hold the family under duress in order to force them to record a rebuttal video to the damaging documentary.
The mother told a grand jury when asked how she managed to look sincerely pleased and thankful towards Jackson's charitable gestures in the rebuttal video, the woman claimed that she was used to 'pretending' to look happy amidst adversity as her years of enduring abuse from her ex-husband had given her that experience. She went on to state "So, yes, I got really good at smiling. I got really good at pretending everything was OK".
Source: LATimes/ MJJForum
On The Flip Side of the Michael Jackson Trial - Ammunition for the Defense
In the Jackson trial the star defendant Michael Jackson is certainly not the only one being tried as evident by the way Jackson's defense counsel is setting the stage for their case. The accuser and family are a far cry from a typical ‘victim’; in fact, it is quite the contrary with the family carrying a load of excess baggage themselves.
Jackson's defense is likely to strategically exploit the family's money troubles, past litigations, the accuser's mother's mental health, an abusive father and a divorce which has left the family in many desperate situations.
Already the accuser and his two siblings, deemed as the most important witnesses in the Jackson trial, has given conflicting testimonies in front of a jury with defense attorney Thomas Mesereau successfully chipping away at their credibility.
The mother who had aspirations for her brood to reach Hollywood riches instead found ways to extract money from some of Hollywood's who's who. Only Jackson's legal team knows how much potentially damaging information it has on the family. Available public records contain allegations regarding the mother's mental health, the parents' 1993 bankruptcy and the family's attempts to profit from the son's cancer, as well as from the case against Jackson.
Celebrities linked with the now infamous 'Laugh Factory' a comedy camp where the accuser and his siblings attended lessons have brought forth claims which corroborate with the defense's contention of a family scheming to extort money while using the accuser's then battle with cancer as leverage.
Defense attorneys could use a JC Penney's lawsuit win in which the family was detained for shoplifting. Authorities in the retail store claim that the boy and his father were guilty and ignored calls from security men who later had to restrain the father and handcuff the mother after she tried to attack the security guard as court papers reveal. In September 2001, the family received a $152,000 out-of-court settlement.
At least two court documents refer to the mother having been diagnosed as "delusional and schizophrenic" by psychiatrists in the Penney's case. One of Jackson's attorneys, in subpoenaing depositions from that case, said the material being sought included "the diagnosis of [the mother] with paranoid schizophrenia with delusions".
The accuser's parents divorced in 2001 leaving the mother with sole custody of her three children after a judge granted a request for a restraining order against her ex-husband for being abusive. In 1993, while still married, the couple filed for personal bankruptcy, listing assets of $2,795 and liabilities of nearly $30,000, including almost $11,500 in credit card debt.
The Jackson trial somewhat strangely is deeply rooted in the Bashir documentary of the entertainer, 'Living With Michael Jackson', which is said to have prompted investigations into the star's relationship with children, particularly Jackson's current accuser who was featured in the documentary. The defense contends that molestation allegations materialized as a result of the mother's failed attempts at extracting money from Jackson for her son's appearance in the documentary although in her grand jury testimony last year, she denied asking for money from Jackson. "I don't want the devil's money," she said.
The conspiracy charges stem from what the prosecution claims as an attempt by Jackson and his co-conspirators to hold the family under duress in order to force them to record a rebuttal video to the damaging documentary.
The mother told a grand jury when asked how she managed to look sincerely pleased and thankful towards Jackson's charitable gestures in the rebuttal video, the woman claimed that she was used to 'pretending' to look happy amidst adversity as her years of enduring abuse from her ex-husband had given her that experience. She went on to state "So, yes, I got really good at smiling. I got really good at pretending everything was OK".
Source: LATimes/ MJJForum
MJNI podsumowanie tygodnia
WEEKLY TRIAL ROUND-UP
Accuser Finishes Testimony
Welcome to the third 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 14th March...
MONDAY... Accuser Grilled On The Stand
* Thomas Mesereau continues cross-examination of the Accuser Gavin Arvizo.
* Witness admits telling school teacher that nothing happened when asked after the alleged molestation took place.
* Mesereau talks about Accuser's behaviour problems at school, witness claims that he didn't get on well with the nine teachers named by the Defence.
* Accuser is asked why he changed his story about Michael Jackson telling him that men have to masturbate, as he previously told investigators his grandmother had said that. Witness says both told him.
* Mesereau asks why he has testified since Thursday that two acts of molestation took place after February 20th 2003 when in a previous interview with investigators he claimed one happened before. Witness stands by recent testimony.
* Mesereau implies that Accuser was caught by a Defence witness named Rio drinking, searching for pornography and masturbating at Neverland while Michael Jackson was not there. Witness denies everything.
* A motive is implied by Mesereau that the accusing family were angry with Michael Jackson once he didn't want them to be part of his family.
TUESDAY... Accuser Finishes Testimony
* Thomas Mesereau continues cross-examination of Accuser Gavin Arvizo.
* Witness claims it was his Mother who wanted to escape Neverland and he never wanted to leave.
* Mesereau asked the Accuser if he knew that he could profit financially if he filed a lawsuit before he was 18, the witness claimed he did not.
* Cross-Examination finishes, Tom Sneddon begins redirect questioning.
* Witness claims that kids at his school teased him saying that Michael Jackson "raped" him, he didn't tell his teacher when asked because he would be further teased.
* Sgt. Steve Robel of the Santa Barbara County sheriff's department takes the stand.
* During cross-examination by Robert Sanger the witness confirmed he was pushing the case forward as lead investigator, Sanger accuses the witness of not having an open mind for seeking justice.
* Robel admits not knowing about the rebuttal video and audiotapes until November 18th 2003 searches. Admits family never told him, and when asked the Accuser said 99.9 percent of what was said was not true, despite his testimony on Monday saying most of what was said was true.
* Robel admits Accuser claimed initially Michael Jackson molested him five times, but dates provided didn't match as Michael Jackson was not at Neverland on some of those dates.
* The witness also admits that the Accuser changed his story from claiming abuse happened before the interview with child welfare services, then claiming it happened after, and then saying it happened before and after. The Prosecution now states all acts allegedly occurred after the interview.
* Terry Flaa, a former sheriff's department detective, takes the stand.
* Testified he was contacted by the state Children and Family Services Division after complaints were made by attorney Gloria Allred and psychologist Carole Lieberman after the Bashir documentary.
* Flaa said he looked into the complaints but found no evidence of any abuse after interviews with the Accuser and his family so the case was closed.
WEDNESDAY... Police Officers Take The Stand
* Sgt. Steve Robel testifies again.
* Discusses his initial interview with Gavin Arvizo.
* Robert Sanger suggests that investigators were anxious to arrest Michael Jackson and didn't investigate properly.
* Detective Paul Zelis takes the stand.
* Admits that adult material had not been tested for fingerprints before Grand Jury proceedings, Sanger suggests the Accuser handled the material during those proceedings.
* Lt. Victor Alvarez takes the stand, Tom Sneddon shows him adult material seized in a search on Neverland.
* Jury were shown adult materials seized from Neverland on November 18th 2003.
* Officers who take the stand all admit under cross- examination the adult material is legally and commercially available and that some materials were published or released after the Arvizo family left Neverland for good.
* Judge Melville tells attorneys he plans to hold a hearing next week on whether or not to admit evidence from the 1993 case against Michael Jackson into this current case.
THURSDAY... Former Maid And TV Personality Testify
* TV weatherman Fritz Coleman takes the stand.
* Testifies he met the Arvizo children through a comedy camp, found them to be polite.
* Says that he gave money for the Arvizo's Christmas and helped raise money by performing comedy as well as have a blood drive for the Accuser.
* Visited Gavin Arvizo in hospital during his cancer, once saw a huge box of gifts from Michael Jackson.
* Tom Mesereau cross-examines the witness.
* Witness claims he did not know Arvizo's were given $100,000 dollars in a civil lawsuit by J.C.Penney or that he was named by Janet Arvizo in that case. Or that he was named by her again to police officers in a dispute with her husband.
* Kiki Fournier, a former maid of Neverland takes the stand.
* Testifies children have the run of the house and can get quite wild when visiting Neverland.
* Claims seeing three children intoxicated at a dinner table with Michael Jackson present, admit not seeing him provide the alcohol however.
* Mesereau cross-examines Fournier.
* She testifies the Accuser and his brother had no respect and were very demanding. They made a huge mess of their room and she believes they slept in their quarters during their last few weeks at Neverland despite Prosecutors alleging abuse took place during that time period in Michael Jackson's room.
* Claims Star Arvizo pulled a knife on her once when she was in the kitchen.
FRIDAY... Judge Rules On More Motions
* Michael Jackson and jury have day off as attorneys argue motions.
* Judge Melville says he will decide whether or not 1993 evidence can be admitted on March 28th.
* Melville denies Defence request for mistrial.
* Allows Defence to question George Lopez about disagreement with the Arvizo family where they claim he stole $300 from Arvizo.
* Judge does not want grand jurors to be witnesses so allowed Prosecution volunteers and court reporter from Grand Jury proceeding to be interviewed by Defence about adult material that was handled during proceedings before being forensically tested.
* Allows Prosecutors to subpoena Michael Jackson's financial records.
The trial will resume tomorrow, with the Prosecution expected to question more witnesses as they near to resting their case.
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
Accuser Finishes Testimony
Welcome to the third 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 14th March...
MONDAY... Accuser Grilled On The Stand
* Thomas Mesereau continues cross-examination of the Accuser Gavin Arvizo.
* Witness admits telling school teacher that nothing happened when asked after the alleged molestation took place.
* Mesereau talks about Accuser's behaviour problems at school, witness claims that he didn't get on well with the nine teachers named by the Defence.
* Accuser is asked why he changed his story about Michael Jackson telling him that men have to masturbate, as he previously told investigators his grandmother had said that. Witness says both told him.
* Mesereau asks why he has testified since Thursday that two acts of molestation took place after February 20th 2003 when in a previous interview with investigators he claimed one happened before. Witness stands by recent testimony.
* Mesereau implies that Accuser was caught by a Defence witness named Rio drinking, searching for pornography and masturbating at Neverland while Michael Jackson was not there. Witness denies everything.
* A motive is implied by Mesereau that the accusing family were angry with Michael Jackson once he didn't want them to be part of his family.
TUESDAY... Accuser Finishes Testimony
* Thomas Mesereau continues cross-examination of Accuser Gavin Arvizo.
* Witness claims it was his Mother who wanted to escape Neverland and he never wanted to leave.
* Mesereau asked the Accuser if he knew that he could profit financially if he filed a lawsuit before he was 18, the witness claimed he did not.
* Cross-Examination finishes, Tom Sneddon begins redirect questioning.
* Witness claims that kids at his school teased him saying that Michael Jackson "raped" him, he didn't tell his teacher when asked because he would be further teased.
* Sgt. Steve Robel of the Santa Barbara County sheriff's department takes the stand.
* During cross-examination by Robert Sanger the witness confirmed he was pushing the case forward as lead investigator, Sanger accuses the witness of not having an open mind for seeking justice.
* Robel admits not knowing about the rebuttal video and audiotapes until November 18th 2003 searches. Admits family never told him, and when asked the Accuser said 99.9 percent of what was said was not true, despite his testimony on Monday saying most of what was said was true.
* Robel admits Accuser claimed initially Michael Jackson molested him five times, but dates provided didn't match as Michael Jackson was not at Neverland on some of those dates.
* The witness also admits that the Accuser changed his story from claiming abuse happened before the interview with child welfare services, then claiming it happened after, and then saying it happened before and after. The Prosecution now states all acts allegedly occurred after the interview.
* Terry Flaa, a former sheriff's department detective, takes the stand.
* Testified he was contacted by the state Children and Family Services Division after complaints were made by attorney Gloria Allred and psychologist Carole Lieberman after the Bashir documentary.
* Flaa said he looked into the complaints but found no evidence of any abuse after interviews with the Accuser and his family so the case was closed.
WEDNESDAY... Police Officers Take The Stand
* Sgt. Steve Robel testifies again.
* Discusses his initial interview with Gavin Arvizo.
* Robert Sanger suggests that investigators were anxious to arrest Michael Jackson and didn't investigate properly.
* Detective Paul Zelis takes the stand.
* Admits that adult material had not been tested for fingerprints before Grand Jury proceedings, Sanger suggests the Accuser handled the material during those proceedings.
* Lt. Victor Alvarez takes the stand, Tom Sneddon shows him adult material seized in a search on Neverland.
* Jury were shown adult materials seized from Neverland on November 18th 2003.
* Officers who take the stand all admit under cross- examination the adult material is legally and commercially available and that some materials were published or released after the Arvizo family left Neverland for good.
* Judge Melville tells attorneys he plans to hold a hearing next week on whether or not to admit evidence from the 1993 case against Michael Jackson into this current case.
THURSDAY... Former Maid And TV Personality Testify
* TV weatherman Fritz Coleman takes the stand.
* Testifies he met the Arvizo children through a comedy camp, found them to be polite.
* Says that he gave money for the Arvizo's Christmas and helped raise money by performing comedy as well as have a blood drive for the Accuser.
* Visited Gavin Arvizo in hospital during his cancer, once saw a huge box of gifts from Michael Jackson.
* Tom Mesereau cross-examines the witness.
* Witness claims he did not know Arvizo's were given $100,000 dollars in a civil lawsuit by J.C.Penney or that he was named by Janet Arvizo in that case. Or that he was named by her again to police officers in a dispute with her husband.
* Kiki Fournier, a former maid of Neverland takes the stand.
* Testifies children have the run of the house and can get quite wild when visiting Neverland.
* Claims seeing three children intoxicated at a dinner table with Michael Jackson present, admit not seeing him provide the alcohol however.
* Mesereau cross-examines Fournier.
* She testifies the Accuser and his brother had no respect and were very demanding. They made a huge mess of their room and she believes they slept in their quarters during their last few weeks at Neverland despite Prosecutors alleging abuse took place during that time period in Michael Jackson's room.
* Claims Star Arvizo pulled a knife on her once when she was in the kitchen.
FRIDAY... Judge Rules On More Motions
* Michael Jackson and jury have day off as attorneys argue motions.
* Judge Melville says he will decide whether or not 1993 evidence can be admitted on March 28th.
* Melville denies Defence request for mistrial.
* Allows Defence to question George Lopez about disagreement with the Arvizo family where they claim he stole $300 from Arvizo.
* Judge does not want grand jurors to be witnesses so allowed Prosecution volunteers and court reporter from Grand Jury proceeding to be interviewed by Defence about adult material that was handled during proceedings before being forensically tested.
* Allows Prosecutors to subpoena Michael Jackson's financial records.
The trial will resume tomorrow, with the Prosecution expected to question more witnesses as they near to resting their case.
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