BB FANS

20th May 2005


Yesterday, Michael Jackson’s legal team scored a victory as jurors were allowed to see a video tour of the singer’s Neverland ranch that a prosecutor condemned as propaganda.


Jurors saw idyllic scenes of amusement park rides, cheerful workers, zoo animals, blooming flowers, and statues of boys and girls at play.

The video also showed many clocks, apparently countering testimony by family members of Jackson’s accuser that they were unable to keep track of time while allegedly being held captive at the ranch.

Melville permitted the viewing over the vehement opposition of District Attorney Tom Sneddon.

Sneddon said the tape, made this year, showed a ranch that was somewhat different from its state on February and March 2003, when the accuser’s family allegedly was held captive.

Sneddon, calling the video “propaganda,” argued that it was designed to make Jackson look good, and cited a scene of a chalkboard containing a note by one of Jackson’s children that said “I love you daddy.”

Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting a boy and plying him with wine. He also is accused of conspiring to hold the boy’s family captive. Prosecutors said he wanted them to rebut a TV documentary in which Jackson said he let children sleep in his bed, although he contended it was non-sexual.
breakingnews

24 May 2005

Jackson team turns heat on mother
Janet Arvizo at the trial of Michael Jackson
Janet Arvizo says Michael Jackson tried to keep her captive
The mother of the boy accusing Michael Jackson of child abuse was a fraudster willing to exploit her cancer-stricken son for money, a court has heard.

Witnesses for Mr Jackson's defence said Janet Arvizo had concealed sources of income while receiving welfare cheques.

They also showed she spent $7,000 (£3,800) shopping and dining out at the same time as she alleges Mr Jackson kept her and her family captive.

Mr Jackson denies charges of child abuse and conspiracy to kidnap.

The allegations are that two years ago the star molested then 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo and plied him with alcohol, and that he conspired to hold the family against their will to force them to speak out in his defence.

If convicted, the singer faces up to 20 years in jail.

'Duped'

Mrs Arvizo refused to testify in court on Monday, pleading the fifth amendment to avoid incriminating herself.

Her former sister-in-law told the court that she had offered to help Mrs Arvizo's son, Gavin, who was ill with cancer, by holding campaigns for blood donations.

But she said Mrs Arvizo swore at her and rejected the offer.

"She told me that she didn't need my blood, that she needed money," said Gavin's aunt, bursting into tears.

Connie Keenan, editor of the Mid Valley News, said she had been "duped" by Mrs Arvizo into running a story about her son's sickness.

"The mother wanted an additional story because she didn't make enough money from the original story - those are her words, not mine," Ms Keenan testified.



The court heard from a government worker who said she handled Mrs Arvizo's welfare forms, on which she claimed she had no other sources of income, despite being awarded more than $30,000 from a lawsuit 10 days earlier.

Mercy Manriquez said anyone who deliberately omits sources of income from the forms is committing fraud.

Chartered accountant Mike Radakovich told jurors that at the same time as receiving welfare payments, Mrs Arvizo was being paid thousands of dollars by Michael Jackson and his associates.

He said financial records showed that she had spent $7,000 on clothes, beauty products and dinners out - billed to Mr Jackson - during February and March 2003, the same time she says she was held captive.

Observers said the defence was trying to portray Mrs Arvizo as a money-grabber who had fabricated a case against Mr Jackson in an attempt to extract money from him.

The defence is expected to call chat show host Jay Leno on Tuesday, before resting its case.
BBC

24th May 2005

SINGER'S BEDROOM ALARM
Michael Jackson's housekeeper has told how alarms were triggered when anyone entered the singer's bedroom.

Maid Maria Gomez's evidence at the singer's trial was intended to discredit an account by the brother of his accuser Gavin Arvizo.

He claimed to have entered the two-storey master bedroom suite at Jackson's Neverland ranch and saw the 46-year-old singer molest his brother.

However, Ms Gomez told the court that when tests were carried out to assess its volume, the alarm sounded as loudly as it had in previous years.

The prosecution had suggested the 'chime' may have been louder during the test than when the boys were in the ranch in 2003.

Jackson's' lawyers are hoping to show the alarm would have alerted the singer to the fact someone was entering the suite.

Later in court, Jackson's lawyers portrayed his accuser's mother, Janet Arvizo, as a liar and a fraudster.

"She was getting money under false pretences," legal analyst Jim Moret said.

"She was getting money from her boyfriend, she was getting money from Michael Jackson at the same time as she was getting welfare cheques."

Television host Jay Leno is expected to take the stand to testify about a call he says he received from Gavin Arvizo.

The defence claims the Arvizo family targeted Leno and other celebrities for money.

Jackson's lawyers are expected to finish their case in the next day or two.

The singer, 46, denies molesting the 13-year-old, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive
Sky

Michael Jackson may be a bit wierd, but I don't think he's guilty of this charge. There are too many discrepancies and the accusers are obviously just trying to get money out of him, as they have done it before.

I think he is as guilty as sin, Christine. Just because the parents of the accusers are being protrayed as money grabbing leaches doesn't mean he did not abuse their son.

24 May 2005

Jackson accuser 'behaved oddly'

Actress Roseanne Barr told Michael Jackson jokes on Jay Leno's show
US comedian and TV chat show host Jay Leno has told the Michael Jackson trial that he was suspicious of the singer's accuser when they spoke on the phone.

Mr Leno said Gavin Arvizo, who as a cancer sufferer sent him voice messages, sounded "very scripted".

But in a setback for the defence, he said the Arvizo family had never asked him for money, nor had he sent any.

Mr Jackson denies child abuse and conspiracy to kidnap. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in jail.

The allegations are that two years ago the star molested Gavin, then 13, and plied him with alcohol, and that he conspired to hold the family against their will to force them to speak out in his defence.

Mr Leno has made the Michael Jackson trial a central part of the comedy routine he does every night on his chat show.

He ridicules the pop star's lifestyle, constantly implies guilt and has dressed like him.

It was reported that in a statement to the police, Mr Leno also said he believed Michael Jackson was guilty.


Mr Leno said he began receiving voicemail messages from Gavin around the year 2000.

He said he found the messages and subsequent conversations odd, especially as Gavin had called him his hero.

"It sounded suspicious when a young person got overly effusive," he said. "It just didn't click with me."

"I'm not Batman. It seemed a little unusual."

He said he heard a woman's voice in the background. Defence lawyers have suggested Mrs Arvizo coached her son.

The defence had suggested that Mr Leno's suspicions had concerned him so much he went to the police saying he thought the family was seeking to defraud him.

But the comic said he made his concerns known only when the police contacted him.

He added that he had never been asked for money.

Fraudster

Correspondents say the evidence will have come as a disappointment to the defence.

On Monday, the court was told that Gavin's mother, Janet Arvizo, was a fraudster willing to exploit her cancer-stricken son for money.

Witnesses for Mr Jackson's defence said Mrs Arvizo had concealed sources of income while receiving welfare cheques.

They also claimed that she spent $7,000 (£3,800) shopping and dining out at the same time as she alleges Mr Jackson kept her and her family captive. BBC

25th May 2005


DEFENCE REST ITS CASE
The case for the defence has come to an end in the Michael Jackson child abuse trial, and a verdict could come as soon as next week.

The conclusion to the defence's case means that the singer himself will not be taking the stand.

Comedian Chris Tucker was the last defence witness to give evidence.

Tucker told the court that he had warned Jackson two years ago to be wary of the mother of Gavin Arvizo, who has accused the star of sexual abuse.

Tucker recalled traveling to Miami with the accuser and his family on February 4, 2003 where he said he became suspicious of the family.

"I pulled Michael in a room and told him to ... watch out," Tucker said. "I said Michael, something is not right."

Tucker also said that far from being an easily-influenced boy susceptible to Jackson's suggestion, the star's now 15-year-old accuser was "cunning."

"He was really smart, he was cunning at times," Tucker told the court.

Tucker, who befriended the future accuser and the boy's family after meeting them at a fundraising event aimed at raising cash to treat the boy's cancer around 2000 or 2001, also said he felt the family took financial advantage of him.

Tucker also described how the trip to Miami came about, saying it was he who chartered a private jet to Miami after the accuser and his family asked to join Jackson there.

Janet Arvizo had earlier said her children were taken out of school and whisked off to Miami at Jackson's command.

The two sides will now get a chance to rebut evidence presented since the trial began on February 28.

They are likely to present their closing arguments next week before handing the case to the jurors.

Jackson, 46, denies molesting 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive. The trial continues.
Sky

25th May 2005
Jackson judge allows police video
Michael Jackson arriving in court on Wednesday
The defence say they may recall Michael Jackson's accuser
The judge in Michael Jackson's abuse trial has agreed that a video of police interviewing his teenaged accuser can be seen by the jury.

The prosecution had asked to show the interview to disprove defence claims that Gavin Arvizo had changed his story over time.

The video shows a police officer questioning the boy in July 2003.

Mr Jackson denies 10 charges against him, including child abuse and conspiracy to kidnap.

The prosecution's request came as part of the rebuttal stage - which allows both sides to call more witnesses to clarify certain issues.

Michael Jackson's lawyers have tried to undermine the credibility of Gavin Arvizo by suggesting that the details of his story have changed since he first made his allegations against the singer.

Judge Rodney Melville agreed to the request as prosecution lawyers began calling a string of witnesses to rebut defence claims.

In response, Mr Jackson's defence lawyers have warned that they may call the 15-year-old accuser and his mother back to the witness stand.

Mr Jackson's lawyers asked the judge to ensure that Gavin, his mother and a lawyer and psychologist she hired are available to testify in the trial's final days. BBC

Prosecutors may show jurors in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial a videotape of his accuser's original police interview in 2003 but will not be allowed to show photographs of the pop star's genitalia, the judge ruled Thursday.

Jackson's attorneys said that if the prosecution shows the tape during its rebuttal case, the defense would want to call the boy back for questioning during its rebuttal.

Defense attorneys said they may also want to call back the boy's mother, psychologist Stan J. Katz and Larry Feldman, the attorney who sent the boy to the psychologist after the family's association with Jackson ended in 2003. Katz reported suspected molestation to authorities.

Prosecutors, who began calling rebuttal witnesses Wednesday, contend the videotape will show that the boy's story has been consistent.

The tape shows the first time the accuser confessed to authorities that he believed he was molested. It's apparently very emotional and Jackson's defense team is worried it could sway the jury.

"Boy, that child was so credible on the stand," said CBS News Legal Analyst Wendy Murphy, a former prosecutor.

"No question, the biggest problem they have is this young man looking at that jury and saying, 'that guy touched me,'" agreed CBS News Legal Analyst Mickey Sherman, both on The Early Show.

Defense attorney Robert Sanger argued that the tape contains "prejudicial material" including officers telling the boy, "You're really brave, we want you to do this."

Judge Rodney S. Melville sided with prosecutors but suggested cutting down the tape.

"The court will allow the playing of the tape," he said. "It's awful long. It seems to me that playing a half hour of it would be enough."

But the judge rejected the prosecution's last-minute bid to admit an explosive piece of evidence from a molestation investigation of Jackson 12 years ago — photographs of Jackson's genitalia.

In 1993, when prosecutors were trying to gather evidence against Jackson, they served a subpoena at his home that allowed them to photograph his genitalia.

They then had the boy involved in the case draw a picture of what he thought the genitalia looked like. They then claimed the picture contained a blemish that was unique to Jackson's anatomy.

Arguing for use of the pictures, Senior Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen said the prosecution wanted to show jurors a child's description "of a unique feature of his (Jackson's) anatomy."

Judge Won't Allow Jackson Pics

Zonen said it would show that Jackson's relationships with boys were "not casual."

In written motions Zonen had claimed he was offering the evidence to show that Jackson was not shy or modest, but defense attorney Robert Sanger said that obviously was not the intent.

He also said prosecutors had "not even hinted that they were going to try this tactic in advance."

"There is unfair surprise," he said, quoting a U.S. Supreme Court decision which says a judge is supposed to avoid dramatic evidence at the end of a trial that could be prejudicial.

"This is really a stretch to come up with any kind of reason to bring this in as evidence," Sanger said, arguing that it would be "very shocking" for the jury to see and "tremendously prejudicial."

The boy in the 1993 investigation and his family eventually received a multimillion-dollar civil settlement from Jackson and no charges were filed against the pop star. That boy is now a young man and has been unavailable to serve as a witness in Jackson's trial.

The judge ruled that the prejudicial effect of the photos would far outweigh any probative value in the case and he noted that the defense would have no one to cross-examine.

Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting a 13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine and conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a documentary in which the boy appeared with Jackson as the entertainer said he let children into his bed but it was non-sexual.

CBSNEWS

28th May 2005

DEFENCE RESTS ITS CASE
The defence in the Michael Jackson case has rested its case, in a shock move.

It was expected lawyers would recall some witnesses, including Jackson's accuser Gavin Arvizo, but Jackson's attorney Thomas Mesereau told the court their case was over.

It means there will be no more evidence in the trial.

Closing arguments by the prosecution and defence are now expected to begin on Wednesday.

Earlier, the jury was shown a videotape of a police interview in which Gavin first told authorities of his allegations against the singer.

Prosecutors began playing the tape after Judge Rodney S. Melville instructed jurors "only to observe the demeanor of the witness".

Gavin, now 15, testified at the start of the trial. The prosecution asked to introduce the tape during its rebuttal case, which began after the defence rested earlier this week.

After lengthy arguments, Judge Melville admitted the tape for limited purposes.

With his head down and frequently pausing, the boy described the alleged molestation in a low voice. The account was similar to the one he gave on witness stand.

On the tape he said Jackson ********** him "five or so" times

After jurors saw the tape the defence announced it would not present any witnesses.

Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then 13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine and conspiring to hold his family captive at Neverland ranch. SKY

1st June 2005


Jackson jury awaits instruction

The jury could retire to consider their verdict by the end of the week
The jury in Michael Jackson's child abuse trial could begin deliberating its verdict by Friday, the judge said.

Judge Rodney Melville discussed instructions to be given to the jury at the close of the three-month Santa Barbara Superior Court case.

"I want to get the case out late Friday," he told prosecution and defence lawyers on Tuesday.

Mr Jackson denies 10 charges, including child abuse and conspiracy to kidnap. Lawyers rested their cases last Friday.

Closing statements

Tuesday's court hearings of a technical nature and were not attended by Mr Jackson or jury members.

Once they have been completed, the eight women and four men of the jury will be called back to the court to hear the closing statements. The judge will then give his legal direction.

Jurors will then be expected to work behind closed doors for about six hours a day until they either reach verdicts or announce a deadlock.

Correspondents say the closing arguments will be a chance for the prosecution and defence to present their side of the case.

Uncharged allegations

Jurors will be told to consider previous uncharged allegations of child abuse against Mr Jackson only if they show a potential pattern of molestation.

Reading from a draft copy of proposed jury instructions, Judge Melville said on Tuesday: "This evidence, if believed, may be considered by you only for the limited purpose of determining if it tends to show character, method, plan or scheme similar to the one in this case."

He ruled that in considering four alcohol charges against Mr Jackson, the jury could determine that the singer gave teenage accuser Gavin Arvizo alcohol but did not abuse him. Under that scenario Mr Jackson could be convicted of a lesser charge.

The jury heard 130 witnesses during three months of testimony that concluded last week with the playing of a taped interview of Mr Jackson's accuser.

In the video, Gavin Arviso, then 13, said the singer had given him alcohol and touched him inappropriately, telling him it was okay and natural.

If convicted, Mr Jackson faces up to 20 years in prison. BBC

2nd June 2005

SHOW NO PITY OR PREJUDICE
Michael Jackson is feeling "nervous and upset" as he awaits the outcome of his child abuse trial.

The singer sat motionless as Juge Rodney Melville began to close the hearing by telling jurors to show no "pity or prejudice" in deciding his fate.

The judge wants the jury to begin considering verdicts by Friday, a fact weighing heavy on Jackson, 46.

His spokeswoman Raymone Bain said the singer was "nervous and upset".

She went on: "He realises in the next few days there will be jury deliberations.

"It's a very difficult situation to sit in there and know your life is in the balance.

"He has strong faith in God and in the judicial system. He knows his fate is in the hands of 12 jurors."

Directing the jury, Judge Melville told them not to infer anything from the fact that Jackson had not given evidence.

He had earlier said that in considering the four alcohol counts against Jackson, the jury could decide that the singer gave his young accuser alcohol but did not abuse him.

Jurors will have to decide whether Jackson is guilty or not of four counts of sexually abusing Gavin Arvizo when aged 13 and four counts of plying the cancer patient with alcohol in order to abuse him.

They will also have to rule on one count of conspiracy and one count of attempted sexual abuse.

Jackson denies all 10 charges but if convicted he faces more than two decades in prison.
Sky

2nd June 2005
Michael Jacksons Father Denies Being A Bad Dad


JOE JACKSON: 'I WASN'T A BAD DAD'.

MICHAEL JACKSON's father is still forgiving his son after the pop superstar revealed the extent of the family patriarch's tough love in controversial documentary LIVING WITH MICHAEL JACKSON.

JOE JACKSON, who has been by his son's side throughout his child molestation trial in California, urged the pop star not to give an interview to British journalist MARTIN BASHIR, and still smarts when he's reminded of what the singer said about him.
In an exclusive interview with US news show THE INSIDER, Joe Jackson was shown the footage of the Bashir interview, where his weeping son told the interviewer he was badly beaten by his dad.

Joe recoiled, "Come on... He did not get whipped."

He went on to state his wife KATHERINE "whipped him more than I did."


Joe Jackson insists his son lied in the documentary, and they've put aside their differences privately.

He added, "Maybe he did lie but I'm not gonna call him out on national television."

In a special TV message to his son, Joe concludes the chat by reaching out to his troubled son: "Michael, I'm there for you all the time and I love you. People's gonna talk but I still love you and hope you do well." femalefirst

2nd June 2005

Jackson jury hears final speeches
Michael Jackson arriving in court on Thursday
Advisers say Michael Jackson is ready for the verdict
The family of a boy accusing Michael Jackson of sexual abuse are liars and con artists, the star's defence lawyer has told jurors in his final argument.

Thomas Mesereau used his closing speech to rebuff prosecution claims that the star routinely preyed on young boys.

"The issue in this case is the life, the reputation, the future of Michael Jackson," he told the California court.

Mr Jackson denies 10 charges, including abusing a 13-year-old boy, giving the boy alcohol and conspiracy to kidnap.

The star could be jailed for up to 20 years if convicted on all charges.

The jury of eight women and four men is expected to be sent out on Friday. They will first have to choose a spokesperson, so deliberations may not start until Monday.

Delivering his closing argument to the Santa Maria court, Mr Mesereau homed in on the mother of Mr Jackson's now 15-year-old accuser, Gavin Arvizo.


At night they entered into the world of the forbidden. They learned about sexuality from someone only too willing to be their teacher
Ron Zonen, prosecutor
Janet Arvizo was a scam artist who the prosecution repeatedly needed to "prop up," Mr Mesereau said.

"There is no way in the world you can find [the Arvizos] trustworthy beyond reasonable doubt."

'Forbidden world'

Earlier, prosecutor Ron Zonen told jurors that the case was about a young cancer survivor being abused by an international celebrity.

In a speech lasting almost three hours, Mr Zonen outlined prosecution argument that "something terribly illegal" happened at Mr Jackson's Neverland ranch after the Arvizo family went to stay with the singer in 2003.

Fans outside the Santa Maria court house
Michael Jackson fans have kept a constant vigil during the trial
He told jurors that while Janet Arvizo had "shortcomings", she was quick to remove her children from Neverland when she discovered that the singer was allegedly giving her frail teenage son alcohol.

Mr Jackson's Neverland ranch was depicted as a land of pleasure and plenty for visiting children.

"They rode rides, went to the zoo, ate whatever they wanted - candy, ice cream, soda pop. There was only fun," Mr Zonen said.

"And at night they entered into the world of the forbidden. They learned about sexuality from someone only too willing to be their teacher."

Mr Zonen recalled testimony from Gavin Arvizo and his younger brother, Star, which alleged that the Gavin was molested as he stayed with Mr Jackson in his private quarters.

He reminded jurors that Mr Jackson possessed pornographic magazines and books detailing explicit sexual acts.

"Are you comfortable with a middle-aged man who possesses this book getting into bed with a13-year-old boy?" Mr Zonen asked the jury.

Jackson 'ready'

Jurors will be expected to work behind closed doors for about six hours a day until they either reach verdicts or announce a deadlock.

The marathon trial, which opened in late January, has taken a visible toll on Mr Jackson, who incurred the judge's wrath early on when he was late for a court session, citing ill health.

A spokeswoman for the singer said he has reconciled himself to the impending end of the trial.

"It's a very difficult situation to sit in there and know your life is in the balance," Raymone Bain said on Wednesday.

"He has strong faith in God and in the judicial system. He knows his fate is in the hands of 12 jurors."
BBC

Times up.
----
Jury sent off to go decide the fate of one of the 20'th centuries most bizarre, and most talented music artist.

Hmm. Frankly, I've very little idea about what will happen. After the whole O.J debacle, I've little faith in the '12 good men' system.

If he walks free..he'll be tainted for life.
If he gets sent down...its all over.

Either way...it ain't good, a truly sad sorry mess.

Calrissian: Judge.. jury and..executioner