Posted by Defense Arguments Absent from Hearing Coverage? MJEOL Bullet #169 Some observers have noticed a lack of information as to what the defense presented in court today. Some, like us, have been waiting to hear the defenses arguments to some of the things prosecutors have been saying about this allegedly vast conspiracy to kidnap/abduct/imprison the accusers family by Jackson and his associates. What is striking is that in most of the early articles about what happened in court today, only 1-3 sentences are devoted to what Jacksons attorneys said in court, even though it was the defense who caused these witnesses to take the stand in the first place.
The majority of these earlier articles–thus far, from the AP, the LA Times and the likeran with headlines such as Prosecutors Say Jackson Imprisoned Family (LA Times); Jackson built Neverland ranch to entice children: lawyers (AFP); and Michael Jackson Accused of Imprisoning Boy (AFP).
But some information is leaking out through the screaming headlines. Sources inside the courtroom have said that the defense lawyers made the prosecution look like they were involved in misconduct and/or had something to hide. Defense lawyers presented evidence in court showing that police and prosecutors knew that private investigator (PI) Brad Miller, was in fact working for Jacksons first attorney, Mark Geragos. The defense showed letters in courtletters prosecutors had in their possessionshowing the familys first attorney, Bill Dickerman, had written to Mark Geragos where he references Brad Miller. Whats more, Jacksons lawyers say Millers own attorney showed up at the office while police were raiding it, and informed the deputies that Miller does in fact work FOR GERAGOS and not Jackson. Yet, they still continued ransacking the office and removing information. If theres evidence that prosecutors knew or should have known Miller was a defense team member, the search they did of his office is illegal and a violation of attorney-client privilege even if the information is exonerating towards Jackson. If any of this information was presented to the grand jury, it is grounds to have the indictment tossed out. Why is this info not being talking about yet? Whats more, there were probably many bombs defense attorneys dropped in court. After all, it was the defense who subpoenaed the witnesses. One statement from Jacksons attorney, Tom Mesereau, did manage to get through by way of the AP though:
Mesereau ridiculed the assumption that the trips constituted false imprisonment, saying, The idea that they were imprisoned and forced to fly on private jets to Florida, to socialize with celebrities such as Chris Tucker, is absurd on its face. It would be laughed out of court by a jury. (see article)
Prosecutors say Jackson panicked after the Bashir documentary aired because he worried about the collapse of his empire. Prosecutors are also claiming that Jackson forced the boy to do a rebuttal video absolving him of any molestation. Nowhere do they say, however, why Jackson would panic, call in a PR firm, and THEN start to molest the accuser. Some sources say the prosecutions theory simply doesnt make sense. Theyre saying Michael Jackson got the family involved [in a conspiracy] and only thereafter does he begin the molestation? I find that unbelievable, one sources says. Another source brings up a valid point: prosecutors are changing their story once again to claim that the alleged abduction/kidnapping happened BEFORE the abuse. That means the family WAS NOT allegedly kidnapped BECAUSE they wanted to hide abuse, but BECAUSE of the documentary and what that would do to his career Say what? It doesnt make any sense on a number of levels. Jacksons attorneys were preparing to fight against Bashirs fraud in the British courts. They even succeeded in getting Bashirs footage sealed by the court in Britain. Jackson released a statement to the press after the mockumentary was aired in the UK, and he complained to the British Standards Commission. On another level, the footage that Jackson apparently forced the accuser to shootabsolving him of any abusewasnt even shown in Jacksons rebuttal video, which aired on the Fox network in February 2003. And yet on another level, theyre claiming Jackson panicked and kidnapped the family because of the damage the documentary would do to his image. That makes no sense because Jacksoneven after all of this–has shown absolutely NO signs of changing his views on allowing a child to sleep in ones bed while the adult sleeps on the floor. He did an interview with 60 Minutes confirming his opinions. So why would he abduct/kidnap/imprison them BECAUSE of fear of this getting out, then turn around and vehemently defend and confirm his opinions on the subject?? It seems the prosecution is flailing for a theory here. Remember, the changing timeline of abuse now says that Jackson began the alleged molestation towards the end of February 2003, after the LA Child Services investigation began. With the world essentially on his ass about his entire lifestyle, THEN prosecutors are alleging the abuse started. This is after Jacksons has already known the family and this accuser for 2 years. But where is this information addressing these rather obvious holes in the Vito Corleone theory being put forth by prosecutors? All the media has done so far is to run around like their hair is on fire, talking about what prosecutors are alleging, without asking the question as to whether or not any of what they are reporting makes sense. This sort of mysterious black-out has happened before. During the prosecutions ridiculous arguments of why an unconstitutional $3M bail should remain, we were treated to a first-hand recounting of prosecution theoriesabsent any case law or evidence to back-up their claims that Jackson will flee the country. When we finally learned of the extensive argument from the defense, it made the prosecutions theories seem like they were hatched in the offices of a tabloid; totally lacking foundation. The Court of Appeals has since ruled that Melville must show why Jacksons bail hasnt been reduced. If the smiles on Jacksons attorneys faces, as they broke for lunch, are any indication, there were major things going on in court today that set prosecutors in a not-so-favorable light. Now all we have to do is get the damn information from the media. Stay tuned. -MJEOL