Posted on Wed, Mar. 02, 2005 [b]Witness claims intrigue over Jackson catalogue deal with Sony[/b] By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent Michael Jackson’s infamous relationship with Sony Music became a subtext for testimony at his molestation trial Wednesday, with suggestions by a witness that associates were plotting behind his back to wrest away his co-ownership of a valuable song catalogue that includes the music of the Beatles. The unexpected testimony came from Ann Kite, who was hired briefly in 2003 to work on public relations damage control after the airing of a documentary in which Jackson said he let boys sleep in his bedroom. She suggested that some of the men charged as unindicted co-conspirators in the molestation case were actually enemies of Jackson’s interests who were planted in his inner circle to bring about his downfall. The issue of the catalogue came up during cross-examination of Kite by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. Drawing on Kite’s previous statements to police he suggested there was a backstairs intrigue going on among Jackson’s “team.” “You told the police that you thought Michael Jackson was being slammed by the team?” asked Mesereau. “Yes,” she said. “And your opinion was this team was not out to help Michael Jackson?” asked the lawyer. “That was my opinion,” she said. Jackson’s stake in Sony/ATV, which includes catalogues for the Beatles and many Elvis Presley songs, was estimated by Forbes magazine several years ago to be worth at least $350 million. Jackson bought ATV in 1985 for about $47.5 million and sold it to Sony for about $95 million in 1995, but retained a half interest.
March 2 2005 Trial UPDATE #1
MARCH 2 2005 (3PM EST) — The PR alleged “expert” called by the prosecution is current having her credibility completely destroyed, and it seems rightly so, by Michael Jackson’s defense team. Ann Gabriel (Ann Kite is her real name), was called by prosecutors in an attempt to corroborate the alleged “conspiracy” story. As we’ve learned from previous news reports, Mesereau brought out in court that Gabriel has never even met Jackson, never been to Neverland, and never met the accusing family. According to early reports, she set herself up as some kind of “PR expert”/crisis management “expert” for celebrities, and it turns out she’s only ever had 1 other sort of famous client: a man who does infomercials in Las Vegas. Sky news reports that there was a murmur around the courtroom that no one had ever heard of the man. Also brought out in court is the fact that she was only working with Jackson’s attorney for a grand total of 6 days. If you’ll remember, previous articles had claimed she was on the job for 3 weeks. Well it confirmed as only being 6 days. Early reports from CNN and MSNBC say that Mesereau has quickly turned her into “a wash” as a witness and can’t understand why the prosecution called her. During a discussion on Fox news’s Studio B, the defense attorney says she’s turning out to be a defense witness because the defense can make the point that it’s preposterous that they would bring in a “PR crisis” manager and all be in a panic and only THEN Jackson would start to allegedly molest the accuser. A Sky News update says that Mesereau had successfully stripped Gabriel of her credibility. Mesereau has had her under cross-examination for a while now. She’s been on the stand in total, along with prosecution’s direct examination, approx. 4 hours. Stay tuned for further updates.
Prison threat to Bashir – ThisIsLondon
[b]Prison threat to Bashir[/b] By Valentine Low, Evening Standard 2 March 2005 Martin Bashir faced being thrown in jail today
Questions Bashir would not answer on the stand – Daily Mail
Jackson weeps as Bashir risks jail DAILY MAIL 07:46am 2nd March 2005 Emotional: MJ weeps as he comes face-to-face with
Bombshell Galore on Second Day of Opening Statements MiniBullet #8
Bombshell Galore on Second Day of Opening Statements MiniBullet #8 Update #1 MARCH 2 2005 — To call what was revealed in court yesterday (March 1 2005) as a bombshell is an extreme understatement. The defense from what was reported by the media, really revealed an incredible amount of information. Although there were a number of things that came out, the media still prefers to focus on speculation about whether or not Jackson will testify. Well, lets talk about a few of the actual facts which came out in court instead of speculating about something that may happen in the future. Court TV wisely decided to put another reporter on the Jackson trial along with tabloid reporter Diane Dimond. It was in incredibly marked improvement over their coverage of this case thus far. Savannah Guthrie actually provided insight into what was said in court by the defense without trying to explain it away first or without throwing in unfounded speculation from unnamed sources. Headline number one would have to be that the defense says they will show that Jackson wasnt even at Neverland to commit any molestation during some of the prosecutions timeline of alleged abuse. This is huge. The Arvizo family, including Gavin (the accuser) mysteriously doesnt seem to know the dates of when they were alleged molested/kidnapped/abducted/threatened/whatever. It seems intentionally vague, but they gave a timeline. Well Jackson can prove he wasnt even at Neverland during at least some if not all if the prosecutions timeline. Good lord. As one observer asked, Howd this end up in court?
Part 1: Defense Opening Statements Feb 28 2005
:nav Part 1: Defense Opening Statements Feb 28 2005 Totally devastating information was revealed by the defense against Janet Arvizo
Jury views controversial Michael Jackson documentary – AP
[b]Jury views controversial Michael Jackson documentary[/b] By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent Tuesday, March 1, 2005 (03-01) 15:08 PST Santa
Michael Jackson’s lawyer opens case – Reuters
Tuesday March 1, 07:42 PM [b]Michael Jackson’s lawyer opens case[/b] SANTA MARIA, California (Reuters) – Michael Jackson’s lawyer says the
Prosecution Pundits Try to Shill for lousy Opening Statement MiniBullet #7
Prosecution Pundits Try to Shill for lousy Opening Statement MiniBullet #7 Should felons get the benefit of the doubt because the media wants Michael Jackson to be guilty? That question was posed after hearing a number of pro-prosecution sympathizers trying their damnedest, however unsuccessfully, to explain away the familys felonious behavior and the prosecutions rocky start. The argument from these people is that even if the family are a bunch of dastardly, conniving extortionists, its still possible Jackson could have molested the accuser ..based solely on their word. Uh, no. Sorry. Con artists who have left a string of scammed celebrities behind them all the way up to Jackson dont deserve to get a blanketed, unquestioned benefit of the doubt without evidence. On that same token, one could argue that its possible the world will end within the next two seconds. Thats doesnt make it probable. .1 ..2 ah look! Were still here. Its possible that George Bush will resign today, but the probability of that happening is non-existent. Its possible that the NY Post will suddenly become of Nations paper of record tomorrow, but the probability is non-existent. So maybe these hack pundits at Court TV and the like need to gain a fundamental understanding of the difference between possibility and probability. And all the excuses in the world wont be able to save the prosecution from having to rely on the word of people who have lied under oath at least twice already.
MAJOR BOMBSHELLS – March 1 2005 Update #2
Updates from [b]Pokey[/b] at MJEOL -28 objections in 30 minutes when Bashir was being questioned -Bashir has been required to return to court -Bashir may well be in contempt of court..the Judge is looking into it -On the way out Michael apparently said he was angry
BOMBSHELL galore today from Michael Jackson attorney Tom Mesereau. The following are notes from Court TV reporter Savanna Guthrie, who by the way, is an incredibly marked improvement over simply allowing Diane Dimond to solely cover this trial. Here are some of the things she reported today: (Mez = Thomas Mesereau, Jackson’s attorney) Savanna Guthrie says Jackson found these children rifling through the magazines and was horrified and took the magazines away -Mez says it’s false that Jackson showed these magazines to these kids -Mez says investigators never found any DNA from the accuser or his brother anywhere in Jackson’s bedroom -Mez said none of the alleged co-conspirators are charged. Sneddon objected. -Mez said Ron Konitzer and Deiter Weisner (Germans) came in and tried to insert themselves into Jackson’s business affairs planning to take over -Mez says Jackson gave power of attorney to Konitzer and Weisner, and that they were out there possibly up to no good -says Mez said one of Jackson’s attorneys, David LeGrand, had started an investigation into Konitzer and Weiser — LeGrand is a former securities prosecutor who knows about white collar crimes — LeGrand started investigation to see whether Konitzer and Weisner were stealing money from Jackson -Mez said no sooner did he start the investigation than Konitzer and Weisner talked Jackson into firing LeGrand —says there was an investigation prepared, but not completed -Larry King is connected through Feldman -says Mez said Feldman had lunch with Larry King where Feldman specifically told King the mother wanted money -says Mez says the mother told LA police officers she knew she had until they turned 18 to file a civil suit, so she knew the law :shock Stay tuned to the main topic discussion at MJEOL for up-to-the-minute updates, or to this page for a periodic collection of updates