Posted by Defense Denounces Recent Leaks, May Seek Legal Action MJEOL Bullet #198 Observers inside the courtroom today (Sept 16), for day one of a schedule two day hearing in the Michael Jackson case, report that the defense has complained about recent leaks to the media and the tirade by Ray Chandler (Charmatz) concerning the 1993 case. Reporting through MJJF, those inside the courthouse say Jackson attorney Tom Mesereau argued that there are only a certain number of people who have their hands on certain information which has been leaked to the press.
One issue was the leaking of a police video interview with the accusers mother that was shown on the show The Insider and was leaked to reporter Art Harris. The video shows the mother making outrageous claims of being threatened by Jacksons people. They say that the mother is lying about her claims.
For the record, Harris is only one of two reporters who did an interview with Tom Sneddon before initial charges were filed against Jackson in December 2003. That other reporter, by the way, was tabloid reporter Diane Dimond. Harris has been one of many to report pro-prosecution information, and he just-so-happens to be the recipient of this leak as well. How mighty lucky of Harris. Too lucky. No right-thinking person believes that the leaking of this videotape came from the defense. It is completely one-sided and deals with unproven allegations against Jackson. Mesereau said in court that it was certainly not leaked by the defense, which drew a protest from Sneddon claiming it wasnt leaked by him either. Outside of the defense, that leaves either the prosecutors office or the Santa Barbara Sheriffs department as the source of this leak. Sources inside the courtroom say that Mesereau and Jacksons other attorney, Steve Cochran, addressed the Ray Chandler media interviews about the 1993 investigation as well. They cited a list of programs Chandler has been on in his effort to pump-out one-sided information about that investigation. Mesereau said that the story being told to the media is false. Cochran said this is hurting his client, Michael, and that they must investigate and respond, reports one courtroom observer. Papers are being filed right now (because of it). What are those papers? Will there be an investigation into who leaked the videotape? Another interesting moment in the courtroom came when Sneddon told the judge that he has a client to defend concerning a different issue. The judge became angry and immediately shut him down by saying hes had enough. For the record, prosecutors dont have clients. They represent the people and are suppose to seek the truth. Sources say this is a prime example of Sneddon being too close to the case. Court is over for today because prosecutors were not prepared for something, reporters say. More reports about the judges anger towards prosecutors, the defense seeking discovery about the 1993 investigation, and an emergency phone hearing concerning Dateline NBC later. Stay tuned. -MJEOL