Good Morning America Transcript

Friday, March 05, 2004
Raymone Bain speaks to Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts: How is Michael doing right now?

Raymone Bain: Michael is doing fine. And one of the things we are concerned about is all of the various messages that are out here about him. But I wanted to just set the record straight on his behalf, he is fine, he is in control, he has not been in detox, he has not been in rehab and several things have been exaggerated but he has not been arrested either for going in Wal-Mart with a mask on.

Roberts: Well you bring up a lot, because these are things being reported in a lot of publications, a lot of allegations floating around there that he is in Aspen, that he is being treated by a herbalist who has a little bit of a controversial background and that he claims he has the cure for AIDS, is he treating Michael?

Bain: No.

Roberts: No?

Bain: He's not, that's absolutely untrue. And that has been a problem for a long time. There are so many reports which we cannot understand what the source of these or who are behind all of these reports, and that's concerning him because people have been lining up for months now, speaking on behalf of Michael Jackson, we know Michael Jackson, I'm a friend of Michael Jackson, I'm a friend of the family of Michael Jackson, and he's really concerned about that and I guess that's one of the reasons I'm here now.

Roberts: So you're setting the record straight that he's not in detox.

Bain: Not in detox.

Roberts: But there was that incident you did refer to that a lot of people saw being in Wal-Mart in Aspen, he has a ski mask on.

Bain: Well, it was four degrees, you know, it's very cold in Aspen and he just walked in the store, he came out, he was in the car, and what happened was, from my speaking to the Sheriffs, is that a car pulled up next to his, beckoned for him to let the window down, "Can we see who's behind the mask?", he did so, "Oh Mr. Jackson, goodbye, nice meeting you", that's it!

Roberts: I know before he was saying he was treated poorly by Police in that past, but how was he treated this time by all authorities?

Bain: Very nice, and really it was not - I think it happened for maybe two seconds, three seconds, four seconds, that's it, "Can we identify who's behind the mask? Oh, it's Michael Jackson, thank you, have a nice day".

Roberts: Raymone, are you able to set the record straight about this possible custody battle with his ex-wife Debbie Rowe, a private Judge is now involved in this family law case, is he involved, Michael Jackson, in a custody suit battle?

Bain: Well I don't address legal issues. I leave that to his capable team, Ben Brafman, Mark Geragos, I think they do a wonderful job. And I cannot address legal issues, simply because Michael is under a gag order number one, and number two, I think they are fully capable of handling those kind of questions.

Roberts: How about this week when we saw all that Jackson family memorabilia that is now no longer in their possession, was Michael even aware of that?

Bain: I am not certain because I don't have a lot of details about that, so I cannot address that issue right now because I don't know much about that situation.

Roberts: A final question to you, of course the big headline is the sex abuse case that is coming up, his emotions, anger? Upset? Nervous? How does Michael feel about that?

Bain: Well, again I can't really address a lot of his feelings with regards to the trial but I can say, Michael Jackson is doing well, he's in control, he's in control of his organisation, he is not being dictated to, I speak to him several times a day, he is absolutely hands on, he has a great team, there is no dissention and Michael Jackson is doing just fine.

Roberts: And will he make himself more available to the public in future?

Bain: He will, you'll see a lot of surprises soon.

Roberts: I'm sure. Raymone Bain, thank you very much.

Bain: Thank you.

Roberts: -Appreciate you coming in this morning-

Bain: Thank you.

Today Show Transcript

Friday, March 05, 2004
Raymone Bain speaks to Katie Couric

Katie Couric: Every day there seems to be a new rumour swirling around Michael Jackson and whether it be drug problems, money troubles or a custody dispute, now his personal publicist and spokesperson Raymone Bain says she wants to set the record straight and she's starting to do that this morning. Raymone Bain, good morning, nice to see you.

Raymone Bain: Good morning to you.

Couric: Tell me where Michael is and how he's doing.

Bain: Michael is in Aspen with his kids on vacation, he is doing fantastic, however as you can imagine, he is getting a bit concerned about all of the rumours, the innuendos, all of the people who have been speaking on his behalf whom he doesn't know, whom he hasn't authorised them doing so, and I think that anyone would now be just a little bit angry and that's putting it mildly.

Couric: I know that it was reported in a New York tabloid that he is in Aspen being treated for drug and alcohol addiction problems-

Bain: Not true. Not true at all, absolutely false. Michael is there on vacation with his kids and it's just amazing, I know, I think they are referring to Dr. Sebi who-

Couric: He is a herbalist I understand, he is described as a 70-year-old therapist who claims to have developed a miraculous herbal treatment called the African bio-electric cell food therapy, this according to the New York Post.

Bain: And you know, I can't answer any of that simply because I think that it gets a bit ridiculous, if I have lunch with a friend who's an Oncologist do I have cancer? If I have a visit from a friend that's a Haematologist do I have a blood disease? I mean Michael has known the Doctor and I don't think that that should indicate that Michael is being treated for anything, he is not in detox, he is absolutely, positively on vacation with his kids and Katie, why would Michael, if he were in detox, leave LA? I mean he can you know, very well had the Doctor come there. Why would he take his kids with him if he were being treated for some kind of dependency of drugs and alcohol, that's absolutely untrue.

Couric: There was a very damaging article, as you know, recently in Vanity Fair magazine that talked Michael's use of alcohol, pouring it in Coke cans, and calling it 'Jesus juice' or 'Jesus blood' and what is his reaction to that? This was not un-named sources, this was a former business manager, who I guess was the source of this information. What is his reaction to those kind of allegations?

Bain: Outrage. And I can't blame him. Because just because someone has been employed does not mean that they tell the absolute truth. I think there are people who, for whatever their reasons are, have been out here making misstatements, turning the truth into something that's untrue, speaking out about issues of which they have no knowledge, and Michael Jackson is frankly sick of it.

Couric: You've been on board for about a month now right?

Bain: I have-

Couric: -In early February, how has his public relation strategy changed since you joined sort of the whole enterprise, and what specifically is your role?

Bain: Well my role is to address all of the issues of the media and to speak on Michael's behalf. Michael has indicated that he is going to be both pro-active and reactive. Pro-active; You might see some surprises in the future. Michael Jackson is going to speak on his own behalf on occasions and then I will speak on his behalf on occasions. Reactive; Because he is really concerned about all of these erroneous reports, I mean, for instance, there is a magazine article coming out either today or next week emphatically stating that he is indeed in detox, and which emphatically indicates how I was brought into the team - factually incorrect! Both.

Couric: Does he plan to see these publications?

Bain: Well he has indicated to me that if it doesn't stop he will. I think we are going to look and see how much co-operation we can get, I have been speaking to members of the media, they've said that in the past they've not known who to speak to, they've not known how to get to him, okay, well now they know.

Couric: What about the allegations against the Mother of Michael Jackson's current Accuser, that have raised suspicions about her credibility or motivation, is this an example of more pro-active moves by the Jackson camp to raise doubts about her?

Bain: We weren't behind that and I can't address that at all but I, certainly as the publicist was not behind that and I don't address issues dealing with any of the legal matters, he has two wonderful lawyers, Mark Geragos, Ben Brafman, who have basically been at the forefront for him in addressing those legal issues.

Couric: What is the role of the Nation of Islam? There have been a lot of reports that they are consulting him, that they are taking a primary role in sort of a lot of his dealings, can you shed some light on that for us?

Bain: Well there is not a role of the Nation of Islam as a group. Michael has known Minister Farrakhan since he was six-years-old, he trusts him and he likes him. Leonard Muhammad he has known for a very long time, he trusts him and he looks to him as an advisor. He is not embracing a religion or a thought as a result of his friendship with the two of them. Each of us has our own various religions and our philosophies and because he relies on me to do a specific responsibility for him, that doesn't mean he is embracing my religion, I think he is separating all of that from how he feels about those individuals ability to talk to him, to advise him, and to perform various services that he is in need of.

Couric: Well, Raymone Bain, thank you for being here-

Bain: Thank you.

Couric: -I'm assuming you will be available to talk with us when certain things surface so you can-

Bain: Twenty Four-hour accessibility.

Couric: -Give Michael Jackson's side of the story.

Bain: All right, and thank you for having me.

Couric: Thank you.

Hollywood Transcript

Friday, March 05, 2004
Raymone Bain speaks to Billy Bush

Billy Bush: Let's talk about some of those allegations, some of the things that are floating around out there. Is Michael in Aspen in drug rehab?

Raymone Bain: Incorrect, that is totally a lie. I'm glad you mentioned that because I've had to deal with that since he stepped foot in Aspen. First, [it was rumoured] he was checking himself in rehab in Denver and that was all over the place and we had to address the fact that he was on vacation in Aspen. So we had to let the whole world know that he decided to take a vacation with his kids because someone called one of the World News organizations and said that Michael Jackson had checked himself into rehab in Denver and he was right there in Aspen... I was never asked and Michael Jackson was never asked to respond.

Bush: Is he in treatment at all?

Bain: Not at all. He is absolutely unequivocally not in treatment.

Bush: The Vanity Fair article is very damning.

Bain: Well, let me just say that even with the Vanity Fair piece, I think that there are so many people out here speaking as if they know everything about Michael Jackson but God knows I would not want friends like that. Because lets say that Michael Jackson were in detox, or lets say Michael Jackson were in rehab... what kind of friend would call up a reporter or Larry King and say he's in rehab. Is that a friend?

Bush: Why is he such a target and who is targeting?

Bain: Well, I mean if you could find out please tell us.

Bush: How does it work with Michael? Can you call him on your cell phone right now?

Bain: I can. I talk to him 5 or 6 times a day... He is hands on. I get my instructions from Michael Jackson. I talk to Michael Jackson and he is involved every step of the way now with his image because, frankly, he's sick of what has been happening.

Bush: I have to imagine he's haemorrhaging money to pay for things. He has to pay for and also the lifestyle, spending nearly $2 million a month. I mean where does he make the money to pay for all of these things?

Bain: Well, let me just say that Charles Koppelman has been a very effective spokesperson in regard to his finances. When there have been reports out regarding Michael's finances I have relied on his business manager because I think he's most effective. I think there is a lot of speculation about Michael's finances, but let me say I've represented recording artists for 13, 14 years and Michael Jackson's finances are not as bad as what people are saying. I mean he sold 60 million copies of "Thriller," most of those songs he wrote -- just off of "Thriller" he could live the rest of his life.

Bush: Who's there for him? I have to think he has days where he just sits on his bed and collapses, balling his eyes out because nobody I think can withstand the amount of scrutiny and the amount of things that are said about him to that degree?

Bain: I'm going to tell you, that's really not true. He doesn't ball his eyes out. He does have really close friends and people whom he contacts. The image that has been portrayed of him is not an accurate one. Yes, he gets angry and I'm sure I would've thrown a few plates around the house. But I think that Michael's emotional state has been quite exaggerated over the past and I'm frankly saying, honestly, I haven't seen that Michael Jackson. The Michael Jackson that I have seen has been very strong, very much in control and very determined that he is going to implement those plans that will help him.

Bush: Let me ask you about his accommodations because ever since Neverland was raided he said it was cursed and he never wanted to go in there. Where is Michael living now?

Bain: Anyone would feel a little reluctant if someone's house is broken into... Michael has several properties that he has been living in and it's not to say he hasn't gone on record saying he's not staying in Neverland. What he said is that it has been an invasion and he doesn't feel as comfortable there as he had and that's understandable.

J.C. Penny's Lawyer: This is a Shakedown
4th. March 2004

Attorney from shoplifting case 6-years-ago says family is trying to scam King of Pop for money

The following comes from the MSNBC website.

New questions are emerging about the family of the boy accusing Michael Jackson of molestation. Are they money hungry? NBC News has obtained documents that critics say raise some serious red flags. NBC Newscorrespondent Mike Taibbi reports.

It was a simple case of alleged shoplifting at a J.C. Penny's store, followed by a brief scuffle, in August of 1998 except that it involved the family of the boy who 5 years later would accuse pop star Michael Jackson of molesting him.

In this case, though the shoplifting charges were dropped, the boy, his brother and mother accused security guards of viciously beating them without provocation.

?It became readily apparent that this was an incident, in my opinion, a scam, to extract money from J.C. Penny," says attorney Tom Griffin.

Griffin represented Penny's, which ultimately paid a $137,500 settlement to the family days before the scheduled trial in 2001. The family had sued for $3 million.

"If it was a cooked-up scam? why pay anything? The worst case scenario is that a jury's going to believe what she said and that they're going to tee off on you," says Griffin.

The public record of the case only briefly describes the stories told by the opposing sides. J.C. Penny's claims that the boy was sent out of the store by his father with an armful of shoplifted clothes and that the whole family was quickly detained with the mother starting that brief scuffle.

The family claims that both boys were modeling clothes for J.C. Penny's, not stealing them and that they'd all been brutally beaten by store security guards for no reason.

But NBC Newshas obtained more than 100 pages of documents not in the public record, including defense deposition excerpts and psychiatric reports and the documents give a far more detailed version of J.C. Penny's case.

The psychiatrist hired by Penny's found the mother to be schizophrenic, delusional and severely depressed, "sad over being a nobody," she'd said, "a sad housewife getting fat."

Her own therapist found her to be anxious and depressed after the incident, but not delusional.

Penny's says that more than 2 years after the incident the mother added on the charge that one security guard had also sexually fondled her breasts and pelvic area for up to 7 minutes.

The Penny's psychiatrist says she "rehearsed" her two sons to back up her "farfetched" story -- in what "sounded like scripted copies of (her) testimony" -- that they and she had all suffered broken bones, in addition to her sexual assault. Penny's insists there was no evidence to back up any of the allegations.

Griffin says, "She just came up with this fairy tale, not a fairy tale, a horror story, and ran with it."

Because of the gag order in the Michael Jackson molestation case none of the principals in that case would comment for this story. Two people who remain close to the family did tell NBC News they still absolutely believe the family's story of what happened at Neverland.

Some might wonder what a 6-year-old shoplifting case has to do with the molestation charges against Michael Jackson: Griffin, J.C. Penny's lawyer, says that based on his experience with the family he can guess about a possible connection.

?They're going for a home run this time, this is a shakedown, shakedown, part 2."

'The Abrams Report' for March 1

Read the complete transcript to Monday's showUpdated: 12:15 p.m. ET March 02, 2004

Guests: Randi Shapiro, Jim Thomas, Jayne Weintraub, Paul Pfingst, Barney Gimbel, John Coffee, Carolyn Kubota, Aitan Goelman, Norm Early, Jeralyn Merritt, Craig Silverman


ANNOUNCER: Now THE ABRAMS REPORT. Here is Dan Abrams.

DAN ABRAMS, HOST: Hi, everyone. An exclusive in the Michael Jackson case. We have an audiotape of what really happened as investigators prepared to question the accuser?s mother and the accuser himself. You decide for yourself whether the mother may have felt intimidated.

Lots of legal developments, but we begin with another ABRAMS REPORT exclusive. Audiotapes of the mother of Michael Jackson?s accuser meeting with Los Angeles Child Service caseworkers. The tapes recorded back in February of last year, right around the same time authorities say Jackson was molesting the boy. But for the first time, we?re hearing the mother?s voice and listening to her interactions both with the caseworkers and with an investigator who had worked for Michael Jackson. After this meeting Child Services found that the allegations of abuse were?quote?

?unfounded.?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ABRAMS (voice-over): The tape begins as representatives from Los Angeles Child Services arrive at the apartment where the mother was staying.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi.

MOTHER: These are the ladies from the Child Social Services.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you?

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: They?re there to interview the alleged victim, age 13, and his brother and sister. When the caseworkers arrive, the children appear to be watching a home video of Jackson and the alleged victim. Jackson?s heard singing.

(MUSIC)

MOTHER: This is something personal.

DCFS REP #1: Oh, OK.

(MUSIC)

ABRAMS: According to this Child Services report, the investigation was prompted by a call from a school official who had seen a documentary with Jackson and some children, including the boy?quote??in which the children had stated that they shared the same bed as the entertainer.? The allegations, sexual abuse by Jackson and neglect by the mother.

DCFS REP #2: OK, this is what we?re going to do. I have to interview. We have to interview each one of you separately...

MOTHER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

DCFS REP #2: So (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it?s confidential so the other people are not going to be able to remain.

MOTHER: I also want to know the?all the allegations...

DCFS REP #2: I?m going to do that, we?re going to go through all of them.

MOTHER: I want to be present when they ask my children questions.

What are my rights? What are their rights?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well you know what, can we?I would like to read you everything...

ABRAMS: One of the most important questions?did the family feel intimidated by the presence of others, including an investigator who had worked with Jackson. On the ?Today? show in January, Jamie Masada, the man who said he introduced Jackson and the boy, said yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The boy and his mother told Los Angeles Department of Family Services that nothing happened between Jackson and the boy. At the time she said that, Jamie...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... do you believe she honestly thought that was true, or do you believe she was being intimidated or felt intimidated?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that at some point she felt intimidated...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... because some representative of Michael Jackson was present at the time they were interviewing her. That?s what I heard.

ABRAMS: But on the tape, Child Services informs the mother they want to interview each person separately and alone, and the mother says she invited the others to be there.

DCFS REP #3: The only people that we are supposed to see are you and your children.

(CROSSTALK)

DCFS REP #3: And I understand that your security...

MOTHER: No, they?re here for my - per my invitation, my request.

DCFS REP #3: OK.

MOTHER: Not...

DCFS REP #3: OK, I understand that but what I?m saying to you is that because we, of the way we work and the confidential?confidentiality laws that we have we can only talk to you and your three children being present. We can?t have anybody present during the interview process. They can?t know what the allegations are...

ABRAMS: Later on the tape the mother even seemed to work with the Jackson investigator, trying to tape the interviews.

JACKSON REPRESENATIVE: This is the tape recorder.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: All right. So it won?t be suspicious I?m just going to leave it there.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You just need a place to put it when they are interviewing you...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You don?t have to do nothing. It?s working...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You just need a place?I don?t know what you want to do.

MOTHER: OK, I am going to put it right here.

ABRAMS: The mother also expresses concern that word of the allegations might leak out to the public.

DCFS REP #3: This is between our department and you and your children, no one else.

MOTHER: And the world...

DCFS REP #3: No, well no, it?s not. That?s what I?m saying and that?s exactly why we?re trying to do this as discreetly as possible. All the cases are sealed. No one has any records or anything. I know that you know 10 years ago when other allegations came out regarding Michael Jackson things got in the news, what have you. That?s the reason that our unit was developed.

ABRAMS: But the boy?s mom also seemed worried that she was the target of the investigation.

MOTHER: You know why I?m at the highest cautious (sic) because you know...

DCFS REP #2: I understand...

MOTHER: ... worldwide it?s...

DCFS REP #2: Right.

MOTHER: ... in billboards, bad mother and all these things...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: The tape ends as the first interview begins.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To call that an investigation is a misnomer. It was an interview.

ABRAMS: It?s unlikely anything on the tape would change the view of the district attorney, who?s minimized the significance of the report and its findings that the allegations were unfounded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that?s all it was, and that particular department has a lot of problems.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABRAMS: All right. The Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services responded to our report with a statement.

Quote??It is critical that we maintain confidentiality when speaking with clients to make sure that they feel safe when working with the department.?

Meanwhile, Stu Riskin with the Los Angeles Department tells us his department is launching an internal investigation into who leaked the tapes. Riskin says they will investigate whether the leak was internal or whether the tapes come from someone outside the DCFS.

So, what do the tapes tell us? Did these caseworkers follow the proper procedure when they conducted the interview? Might the mother still have been intimidated? Joining us now is former Florida Child Protective investigator Randi Shapiro. Thank you very much for coming on the program. We appreciate it.

RANDI SHAPIRO, FMR. FLORIDA CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR: Thank you.

ABRAMS: So based on what you heard from that tape as to the protocol and the way they were going about talking to the mother, et cetera, does that seem like standard operating procedure to you?

SHAPIRO: It?s standard operating procedure to interview the children

and the mother independently, without anybody else present, the children

each individually. And taping it the way that it was taped, I don?t think

? it obviously shouldn?t have been done. I don?t know who had the tape recorder set up. It sounded like the mother and the Jackson investigator, am I correct?



ABRAMS: I?m not going to talk about you know who...

SHAPIRO: Oh, you don?t know? OK.

ABRAMS: Yes, I mean I don?t know that I even know the answer to that question, but I can?t tell you sort of where I got this tape.

SHAPIRO: OK, I understand that. But I don?t think that having anybody else present is what I would do. I would never have anybody else present. In fact, it would only be the children individually and the mother individually.

ABRAMS: And what if it were a high-profile case and the person you go to interview says, look, these people are here because I?ve asked them to be here, you know, there was one other person there who was a family friend that you can hear on the tape and the mother talks about how important that family friend is to her. Can you allow people to stay for support?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mike dropped.

ABRAMS: Randi, can you hear me?

SHAPIRO: No (UNINTELLIGIBLE). No, I can hear you now.

ABRAMS: OK. I was asking whether you can have other people allowed to stay there for support.

SHAPIRO: No, I would not. It?s statutory in the state of Florida that the children are independently interviewed without anybody else present. If I had a problem with other people present, then I would most likely?more than likely call law enforcement to be there present with me, and they would ensure that this is an individual?an independent interview.

ABRAMS: Yes and I should point out that again, what we?re talking about is everything that leads up to the actual interviews. Again, there?s nothing on the tape to indicate that someone else was present when the actual interviews occurred.

Randi Shapiro, thank you very much for coming on the program. We appreciate it.

SHAPIRO: Thank you.

ABRAMS: Up next, more on the developments in the Michael Jackson case. Can these audiotapes be used in court? Our panel weighs in next. And Jackson launches a new Web site with a new message.

Plus, the Martha Stewart trial begins with what could be?or it begins what could be the make or break phase of the trial?the closing arguments.

And the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape expected to testify in a Colorado courtroom tomorrow. Bryant?s lawyers will get a chance to question her face to face for the first time.

What do you think? Your e-mails abramsreport@msnbc.com. I?ll respond at the end of the show.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ABRAMS: Coming up, closing arguments in the Martha Stewart trial.

How bad does it look for Martha?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: This is the tape recorder.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: All right. So it won?t be suspicious I?m just going to leave it there.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You just need a place to put it when they are interviewing you...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You don?t have to do nothing. It?s working...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: ... you just need a place?I don?t know what you want to do.

MOTHER: OK, I am going to put it right here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABRAMS: That was the mother of Michael Jackson?s accuser talking with an investigator who had worked for Jackson discussing how to tape what was supposed to have been a confidential meeting between the mother and Child Service caseworkers.

Let?s bring in our legal team now to talk about these tapes, former Santa Barbara County sheriff and MSNBC analyst Jim Thomas, MSNBC analyst and former prosecutor Paul Pfingst, and criminal defense attorney Jayne Weintraub.

JAYNE WEINTRAUB, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi Dan.

ABRAMS: All right, Sheriff Thomas, first of all, your reaction to this tape.

JIM THOMAS, FMR. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF: Hey Dan. I?you know I think there would be two reasons that Jackson camp would want to make that tape. Number one, to see if there were any evidence that would come out in the interview either with the mother or the children, and number two, to know exactly what the mother and the children said in that confidential interview, and I think that that would have a real chilling effect on the mother.

ABRAMS: Jayne Weintraub, I mean I?look, it?s interesting that since this came out, I?ve heard from both sides who seem angry, the Jackson camp, a lot of them, the family members, et cetera, saying you know this looks bad for us, because sort of what is an investigator doing there, why is he at the home? And on the other side, I?ve got people who are on the prosecution?s side saying to me you know this looks bad for us because it impugns the credibility of the mother. I don?t know. What do you make of it Jayne?

WEINTRAUB: Well as a defense lawyer, number one, you know you asked in the teaser whether or not the tapes would be admissible in court. And I think as a defense lawyer, number one, it?s very important to have those tapes, although it quite?quote??may have looked bad for Jackson?s camp?, he?s darned lucky that he had an investigator there. Because what we do know is that the allegation was denied. We know that we?re dealing with a 13-year-old, Dan. We?re not dealing with a 5 or 6-year-old toddler accuser, we?re dealing with a 13-year-old...

ABRAMS: So does the tape come in, even though the tape doesn?t have anything on it specifically...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: ... about guilt or innocence?

WEINTRAUB: Well, I think that the tape will be used by the defense to impeach the accuser and/or the mother. That?s how I think the tape will come into court. I don?t think that the prosecutors would want to introduce this as evidence at all.

ABRAMS: But Paul, only if the mother, I would think, gets on the witness stand and says you know I felt intimidated, right?

PAUL PFINGST, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Well, I think this tape stinks. I think a lot of people are going to say why does Michael Jackson have an investigator at the mom?s house in advance of this investigation? Because that?s something that makes a lot of us very uncomfortable, because you do get a feeling that that person is there to make?not just to make sure that there?s active investigation, to be part of a proactive defense strategy to make sure that information does not come to light. So I?m not so sure that this is something that the defense is going to look forward to. But it does show that there are two periods in this?in the victim?s life. One when the victim and his family were very closely connected with the Jackson family. The second is when they split from the Jackson family and complained about the behavior. This tape sort of illuminates that relationship in some degree, but I think it?s going?we?re going to hear more about what caused that split, which is ultimately...

ABRAMS: And I guess the question is?I guess the question is what was the investigator doing there? Meaning was he invited or asked to come? I mean, you did hear on the tape...

WEINTRAUB: The mom said so.

ABRAMS: ... the mother says I invited them to come. You know that?s different than...

PFINGST: Yes...

ABRAMS: Go ahead Paul.

PFINGST: Oh no...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dan.

PFINGST: ... when you invited them to come, I mean what?defense investigators and most investigators are pretty smart. They know what?s going to happen, is that this is going to be the subject of a legal examination later on at a trial, if criminal charges are brought. So I said I invited them to come?a lot of people can weasel an invitation, but a jury is not going to sit there and be oblivious to the fact that why is there a defense investigator present at this mother?s home when she?s being interviewed by child investigative services?

WEINTRAUB: Paul, hold on a minute...

PFINGST: That doesn?t have a good feel to it.

ABRAMS: Jayne?I?m going to let Jayne respond...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dan...

ABRAMS: Let me let Jayne respond then...

WEINTRAUB: Paul, there is nothing wrong at all with a defense lawyer?s investigator going to take a statement from a witness. You know, that is really, you know, what I would call unfair. The accuser doesn?t belong to the prosecution?s team. The prosecutor is supposed to be seeking justice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But again...

(CROSSTALK)

PFINGST: No...

(CROSSTALK)

WEINTRAUB: Justice...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: But to me that?but that?s a general point. To me the point is that I hear on that tape the mother saying I invited these people here defending the fact that she?s got other people present?Sheriff Thomas.

THOMAS: Dan, I think this brings into question again the thoroughness of the initial investigation or the interview. Number one, in the memo that was leaked by DCFS, they said that Los Angeles Police Department was present during the investigation, and we know now that they were not. Number two, they held the interview in an uncontrolled situation...

ABRAMS: They said they were part...

(CROSSTALK)

THOMAS: ... done in the first place.

ABRAMS: They said part of the investigation. They didn?t say that they were necessarily...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: ... present during the interview.

THOMAS: At one point I think they did. But the other part is that they had an uncontrolled situation that allowed this tape to happen. We know, again, that they were recontacted in June by a therapist who said that a molestation had occurred and they refused to reopen the case. So I think this really brings some question on the conclusion that DCFS made initially.

ABRAMS: Jayne?Paul, is this admissible?

WEINTRAUB: It?s not admissible from the state?s point of view to bring it in. And frankly, Dan, they wouldn?t want to bring it in, because it doesn?t help their case. It?s going to be admissible as impeachment evidence. It?s going to show the discrepancy if the child takes the witness stand and says now something different than he said on the tape. On the tape we?re sure that there?s a denial as with the mother. The mother is now...

ABRAMS: Paul...

WEINTRAUB: ... pretending that she doesn?t know what the...

ABRAMS: Paul, very quickly, yes or no.

PFINGST: Yes, it?s admissible to show the nature of the investigation and the steps that law enforcement took that led them to this criminal charge.

WEINTRAUB: Prior consistent statement won?t be admissible...

ABRAMS: All right...

WEINTRAUB: ... $5 on it, Paul.

ABRAMS: All right...

PFINGST: OK, you?ve got it.

ABRAMS: All right, we shall see. Sheriff Thomas, Paul Pfingst, Jayne Weintraub, thanks a lot.

WEINTRAUB: Thank you.

Source: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4430138/
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'The Abrams Report' for March 1
Read the complete transcript to Monday's showUpdated: 12:15 p.m. ET March 02, 2004

Guests: Randi Shapiro, Jim Thomas, Jayne Weintraub, Paul Pfingst, Barney Gimbel, John Coffee, Carolyn Kubota, Aitan Goelman, Norm Early, Jeralyn Merritt, Craig Silverman


ANNOUNCER: Now THE ABRAMS REPORT. Here is Dan Abrams.

DAN ABRAMS, HOST: Hi, everyone. An exclusive in the Michael Jackson case. We have an audiotape of what really happened as investigators prepared to question the accuser?s mother and the accuser himself. You decide for yourself whether the mother may have felt intimidated.

Lots of legal developments, but we begin with another ABRAMS REPORT exclusive. Audiotapes of the mother of Michael Jackson?s accuser meeting with Los Angeles Child Service caseworkers. The tapes recorded back in February of last year, right around the same time authorities say Jackson was molesting the boy. But for the first time, we?re hearing the mother?s voice and listening to her interactions both with the caseworkers and with an investigator who had worked for Michael Jackson. After this meeting Child Services found that the allegations of abuse were?quote?

?unfounded.?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ABRAMS (voice-over): The tape begins as representatives from Los Angeles Child Services arrive at the apartment where the mother was staying.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi.

MOTHER: These are the ladies from the Child Social Services.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you?

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: They?re there to interview the alleged victim, age 13, and his brother and sister. When the caseworkers arrive, the children appear to be watching a home video of Jackson and the alleged victim. Jackson?s heard singing.

(MUSIC)

MOTHER: This is something personal.

DCFS REP #1: Oh, OK.

(MUSIC)

ABRAMS: According to this Child Services report, the investigation was prompted by a call from a school official who had seen a documentary with Jackson and some children, including the boy?quote??in which the children had stated that they shared the same bed as the entertainer.? The allegations, sexual abuse by Jackson and neglect by the mother.

DCFS REP #2: OK, this is what we?re going to do. I have to interview. We have to interview each one of you separately...

MOTHER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

DCFS REP #2: So (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it?s confidential so the other people are not going to be able to remain.

MOTHER: I also want to know the?all the allegations...

DCFS REP #2: I?m going to do that, we?re going to go through all of them.

MOTHER: I want to be present when they ask my children questions.

What are my rights? What are their rights?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well you know what, can we?I would like to read you everything...

ABRAMS: One of the most important questions?did the family feel intimidated by the presence of others, including an investigator who had worked with Jackson. On the ?Today? show in January, Jamie Masada, the man who said he introduced Jackson and the boy, said yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The boy and his mother told Los Angeles Department of Family Services that nothing happened between Jackson and the boy. At the time she said that, Jamie...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... do you believe she honestly thought that was true, or do you believe she was being intimidated or felt intimidated?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that at some point she felt intimidated...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... because some representative of Michael Jackson was present at the time they were interviewing her. That?s what I heard.

ABRAMS: But on the tape, Child Services informs the mother they want to interview each person separately and alone, and the mother says she invited the others to be there.

DCFS REP #3: The only people that we are supposed to see are you and your children.

(CROSSTALK)

DCFS REP #3: And I understand that your security...

MOTHER: No, they?re here for my - per my invitation, my request.

DCFS REP #3: OK.

MOTHER: Not...

DCFS REP #3: OK, I understand that but what I?m saying to you is that because we, of the way we work and the confidential?confidentiality laws that we have we can only talk to you and your three children being present. We can?t have anybody present during the interview process. They can?t know what the allegations are...

ABRAMS: Later on the tape the mother even seemed to work with the Jackson investigator, trying to tape the interviews.

JACKSON REPRESENATIVE: This is the tape recorder.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: All right. So it won?t be suspicious I?m just going to leave it there.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You just need a place to put it when they are interviewing you...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You don?t have to do nothing. It?s working...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You just need a place?I don?t know what you want to do.

MOTHER: OK, I am going to put it right here.

ABRAMS: The mother also expresses concern that word of the allegations might leak out to the public.

DCFS REP #3: This is between our department and you and your children, no one else.

MOTHER: And the world...

DCFS REP #3: No, well no, it?s not. That?s what I?m saying and that?s exactly why we?re trying to do this as discreetly as possible. All the cases are sealed. No one has any records or anything. I know that you know 10 years ago when other allegations came out regarding Michael Jackson things got in the news, what have you. That?s the reason that our unit was developed.

ABRAMS: But the boy?s mom also seemed worried that she was the target of the investigation.

MOTHER: You know why I?m at the highest cautious (sic) because you know...

DCFS REP #2: I understand...

MOTHER: ... worldwide it?s...

DCFS REP #2: Right.

MOTHER: ... in billboards, bad mother and all these things...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: The tape ends as the first interview begins.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To call that an investigation is a misnomer. It was an interview.

ABRAMS: It?s unlikely anything on the tape would change the view of the district attorney, who?s minimized the significance of the report and its findings that the allegations were unfounded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that?s all it was, and that particular department has a lot of problems.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABRAMS: All right. The Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services responded to our report with a statement.

Quote??It is critical that we maintain confidentiality when speaking with clients to make sure that they feel safe when working with the department.?

Meanwhile, Stu Riskin with the Los Angeles Department tells us his department is launching an internal investigation into who leaked the tapes. Riskin says they will investigate whether the leak was internal or whether the tapes come from someone outside the DCFS.

So, what do the tapes tell us? Did these caseworkers follow the proper procedure when they conducted the interview? Might the mother still have been intimidated? Joining us now is former Florida Child Protective investigator Randi Shapiro. Thank you very much for coming on the program. We appreciate it.

RANDI SHAPIRO, FMR. FLORIDA CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR: Thank you.

ABRAMS: So based on what you heard from that tape as to the protocol and the way they were going about talking to the mother, et cetera, does that seem like standard operating procedure to you?

SHAPIRO: It?s standard operating procedure to interview the children

and the mother independently, without anybody else present, the children

each individually. And taping it the way that it was taped, I don?t think

? it obviously shouldn?t have been done. I don?t know who had the tape recorder set up. It sounded like the mother and the Jackson investigator, am I correct?



ABRAMS: I?m not going to talk about you know who...

SHAPIRO: Oh, you don?t know? OK.

ABRAMS: Yes, I mean I don?t know that I even know the answer to that question, but I can?t tell you sort of where I got this tape.

SHAPIRO: OK, I understand that. But I don?t think that having anybody else present is what I would do. I would never have anybody else present. In fact, it would only be the children individually and the mother individually.

ABRAMS: And what if it were a high-profile case and the person you go to interview says, look, these people are here because I?ve asked them to be here, you know, there was one other person there who was a family friend that you can hear on the tape and the mother talks about how important that family friend is to her. Can you allow people to stay for support?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mike dropped.

ABRAMS: Randi, can you hear me?

SHAPIRO: No (UNINTELLIGIBLE). No, I can hear you now.

ABRAMS: OK. I was asking whether you can have other people allowed to stay there for support.

SHAPIRO: No, I would not. It?s statutory in the state of Florida that the children are independently interviewed without anybody else present. If I had a problem with other people present, then I would most likely?more than likely call law enforcement to be there present with me, and they would ensure that this is an individual?an independent interview.

ABRAMS: Yes and I should point out that again, what we?re talking about is everything that leads up to the actual interviews. Again, there?s nothing on the tape to indicate that someone else was present when the actual interviews occurred.

Randi Shapiro, thank you very much for coming on the program. We appreciate it.

SHAPIRO: Thank you.

ABRAMS: Up next, more on the developments in the Michael Jackson case. Can these audiotapes be used in court? Our panel weighs in next. And Jackson launches a new Web site with a new message.

Plus, the Martha Stewart trial begins with what could be?or it begins what could be the make or break phase of the trial?the closing arguments.

And the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape expected to testify in a Colorado courtroom tomorrow. Bryant?s lawyers will get a chance to question her face to face for the first time.

What do you think? Your e-mails abramsreport@msnbc.com. I?ll respond at the end of the show.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ABRAMS: Coming up, closing arguments in the Martha Stewart trial.

How bad does it look for Martha?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: This is the tape recorder.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: All right. So it won?t be suspicious I?m just going to leave it there.

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You just need a place to put it when they are interviewing you...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: You don?t have to do nothing. It?s working...

MOTHER: OK.

JACKSON REPRESENTATIVE: ... you just need a place?I don?t know what you want to do.

MOTHER: OK, I am going to put it right here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABRAMS: That was the mother of Michael Jackson?s accuser talking with an investigator who had worked for Jackson discussing how to tape what was supposed to have been a confidential meeting between the mother and Child Service caseworkers.

Let?s bring in our legal team now to talk about these tapes, former Santa Barbara County sheriff and MSNBC analyst Jim Thomas, MSNBC analyst and former prosecutor Paul Pfingst, and criminal defense attorney Jayne Weintraub.

JAYNE WEINTRAUB, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi Dan.

ABRAMS: All right, Sheriff Thomas, first of all, your reaction to this tape.

JIM THOMAS, FMR. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF: Hey Dan. I?you know I think there would be two reasons that Jackson camp would want to make that tape. Number one, to see if there were any evidence that would come out in the interview either with the mother or the children, and number two, to know exactly what the mother and the children said in that confidential interview, and I think that that would have a real chilling effect on the mother.

ABRAMS: Jayne Weintraub, I mean I?look, it?s interesting that since this came out, I?ve heard from both sides who seem angry, the Jackson camp, a lot of them, the family members, et cetera, saying you know this looks bad for us, because sort of what is an investigator doing there, why is he at the home? And on the other side, I?ve got people who are on the prosecution?s side saying to me you know this looks bad for us because it impugns the credibility of the mother. I don?t know. What do you make of it Jayne?

WEINTRAUB: Well as a defense lawyer, number one, you know you asked in the teaser whether or not the tapes would be admissible in court. And I think as a defense lawyer, number one, it?s very important to have those tapes, although it quite?quote??may have looked bad for Jackson?s camp?, he?s darned lucky that he had an investigator there. Because what we do know is that the allegation was denied. We know that we?re dealing with a 13-year-old, Dan. We?re not dealing with a 5 or 6-year-old toddler accuser, we?re dealing with a 13-year-old...

ABRAMS: So does the tape come in, even though the tape doesn?t have anything on it specifically...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: ... about guilt or innocence?

WEINTRAUB: Well, I think that the tape will be used by the defense to impeach the accuser and/or the mother. That?s how I think the tape will come into court. I don?t think that the prosecutors would want to introduce this as evidence at all.

ABRAMS: But Paul, only if the mother, I would think, gets on the witness stand and says you know I felt intimidated, right?

PAUL PFINGST, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Well, I think this tape stinks. I think a lot of people are going to say why does Michael Jackson have an investigator at the mom?s house in advance of this investigation? Because that?s something that makes a lot of us very uncomfortable, because you do get a feeling that that person is there to make?not just to make sure that there?s active investigation, to be part of a proactive defense strategy to make sure that information does not come to light. So I?m not so sure that this is something that the defense is going to look forward to. But it does show that there are two periods in this?in the victim?s life. One when the victim and his family were very closely connected with the Jackson family. The second is when they split from the Jackson family and complained about the behavior. This tape sort of illuminates that relationship in some degree, but I think it?s going?we?re going to hear more about what caused that split, which is ultimately...

ABRAMS: And I guess the question is?I guess the question is what was the investigator doing there? Meaning was he invited or asked to come? I mean, you did hear on the tape...

WEINTRAUB: The mom said so.

ABRAMS: ... the mother says I invited them to come. You know that?s different than...

PFINGST: Yes...

ABRAMS: Go ahead Paul.

PFINGST: Oh no...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dan.

PFINGST: ... when you invited them to come, I mean what?defense investigators and most investigators are pretty smart. They know what?s going to happen, is that this is going to be the subject of a legal examination later on at a trial, if criminal charges are brought. So I said I invited them to come?a lot of people can weasel an invitation, but a jury is not going to sit there and be oblivious to the fact that why is there a defense investigator present at this mother?s home when she?s being interviewed by child investigative services?

WEINTRAUB: Paul, hold on a minute...

PFINGST: That doesn?t have a good feel to it.

ABRAMS: Jayne?I?m going to let Jayne respond...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dan...

ABRAMS: Let me let Jayne respond then...

WEINTRAUB: Paul, there is nothing wrong at all with a defense lawyer?s investigator going to take a statement from a witness. You know, that is really, you know, what I would call unfair. The accuser doesn?t belong to the prosecution?s team. The prosecutor is supposed to be seeking justice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But again...

(CROSSTALK)

PFINGST: No...

(CROSSTALK)

WEINTRAUB: Justice...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: But to me that?but that?s a general point. To me the point is that I hear on that tape the mother saying I invited these people here defending the fact that she?s got other people present?Sheriff Thomas.

THOMAS: Dan, I think this brings into question again the thoroughness of the initial investigation or the interview. Number one, in the memo that was leaked by DCFS, they said that Los Angeles Police Department was present during the investigation, and we know now that they were not. Number two, they held the interview in an uncontrolled situation...

ABRAMS: They said they were part...

(CROSSTALK)

THOMAS: ... done in the first place.

ABRAMS: They said part of the investigation. They didn?t say that they were necessarily...

(CROSSTALK)

ABRAMS: ... present during the interview.

THOMAS: At one point I think they did. But the other part is that they had an uncontrolled situation that allowed this tape to happen. We know, again, that they were recontacted in June by a therapist who said that a molestation had occurred and they refused to reopen the case. So I think this really brings some question on the conclusion that DCFS made initially.

ABRAMS: Jayne?Paul, is this admissible?

WEINTRAUB: It?s not admissible from the state?s point of view to bring it in. And frankly, Dan, they wouldn?t want to bring it in, because it doesn?t help their case. It?s going to be admissible as impeachment evidence. It?s going to show the discrepancy if the child takes the witness stand and says now something different than he said on the tape. On the tape we?re sure that there?s a denial as with the mother. The mother is now...

ABRAMS: Paul...

WEINTRAUB: ... pretending that she doesn?t know what the...

ABRAMS: Paul, very quickly, yes or no.

PFINGST: Yes, it?s admissible to show the nature of the investigation and the steps that law enforcement took that led them to this criminal charge.

WEINTRAUB: Prior consistent statement won?t be admissible...

ABRAMS: All right...

WEINTRAUB: ... $5 on it, Paul.

ABRAMS: All right...

PFINGST: OK, you?ve got it.

ABRAMS: All right, we shall see. Sheriff Thomas, Paul Pfingst, Jayne Weintraub, thanks a lot.

WEINTRAUB: Thank you.

Source: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4430138/

Jackson Videos on D.A.'s Charts

by Josh Grossberg
Mar 2, 2004, 10:40 AM PT
back to story

For the latest in the Michael Jackson case, let's go to the videotape...and phone records and photographs and computers.

According to search warrants unsealed Monday, all that stuff is among the laundry list of items Santa Barbara police seized from the home of Jackson's videographer in their quest for evidence in the embattled entertainer's child-molestation case.

Media groups have been fighting for months to make the documents available to the public per California law. But Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville initially resisted doing so, fearing it would further fuel the circus atmosphere surrounding the case. Then, last month, perhaps feeling things were already way beyond Ringling Bros., he finally agreed to release the warrants, but in heavily redacted form.

The court papers reveal the trove of materials confiscated Jan. 30 from an unidentified property that law enforcement officials later confirmed to be videographer Marc Shaffel's home in Calabasas, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles.

The raid turned up a DVD of Jackson hosting a party at Neverland Ranch, six computer hard drives, three CDs containing videos of Jackson, dozens of videotapes, four black-and-white photos and a hundred pages of phone records.

While the public has a better idea of the evidence authorities might use against the 45-year-old Moonwalker, it's less certain whether such items show he's a criminal, smooth or otherwise.

That's because the heavily censored documents omit some key information, including where the warrant was served and descriptions of what was taken (some tidbits were filled in later by police officials). The released records also inexplicably have blacked-out telephone numbers for a warrant dated Jan. 22.

That happened to be the same day comedy-club owner Jamie Masada, who introduced Jackson to his alleged victim, claimed at a news conference that he had received harassing phone calls warning him not to discuss the allegations.

Shaffel could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. Jackson's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said he could not respond because of Melville's gag order imposed on lawyers for both sides.

Jackson has pleaded innocent to seven felony counts of lewd acts on a boy under the age of 14, plus two felony counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a minor. If convicted on all charges, he could face more than 20 years in prison.

Meanwhile, Jackson received a vote of confidence on Sunday from Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, which has been linked to Jackson's camp in recent months.

"We don't believe Michael is guilty. And there are a lot of people that know the mother who is accusing him and the little boy that he helped to heal, and they don't believe Michael is guilty," Farrakhan told Nation of Islam members, per a Chicago Tribune report.

"What happened to the presumption of innocence? See, black people are always guilty until they are proved innocent; white people are innocent until they are proved guilty."

Finally, Jackson himself has put up a new message on his Website in the wake of his brief run-in with police last week while shopping at a Colorado Wal-Mart while wearing a ski mask.

Jackson attempted to put to rest rumors that he was in Colorado to battle an addiction to painkillers.

"I am appalled. Let me state for the record, that I have not checked myself into any rehabilitation center in Aspen, Colorado; I am here for a few days with my children," he said. "This is simply another of a litany of false rumors that are being circulated by people who are simply lying to further their own agenda."

Subject: Michael Jackson Voicemail Project
The following the is site produced the song "We You're Inocent". He need our support.
-----------------------------------------------------
"
Hi,

Please make a report at your website about the following and help us to make this a real big "United Michael Jackson Fans" project.

Please spread this mail to all Michael Jackson Fans, fan clubs and message boards...

United Fans For Michael (U2FM)

The Michael Jackson Voicemail Support - Song



CALL:

0049- 12 12 6 UNITEDFANS



(0049- 1212- 6- 86 48 333 267)



and leave your personal message to Michael.


After releasing the U2FM ?We know you're innocent? ?Song more than 100 000 people downloaded the song.

Now we're going to produce another Support Song for Michael that contains your own messages of support and encouragement.

Samples from fans all over the world shall be in this song, so it's in the full sense of the word a "United Fans" Project. We will send this song to Michael's team and also publish it on our website.



Call 0049- 12 12 -6- UNITEDFANS (Using the letters above the numbers on your phone)

(0049- 1212- 6- 86 48 333 267) or within Germany: 0 12 12 - 6- UNITEDFANS



You can also send your messages in WAV or mp3-file format, that should be no longer than 20 seconds along with a short notice, that it is Ok to use it in the song. A short information about you and where you come from would be nice, too.

Please send them to the address:

mike2b@web.de

We gonna produce this song in the middle of March and it's going to be released at the beginning of April. Please call or send in your files within the next two weeks.

Please spread this among other Michael Jackson Fans and let them know about the project.


Take part in supporting Michael !

Visit our website at:

www.united-fans-for-michael.de


Thank you very much



Mike2b

Police Stop Michael Jackson at Wal-Mart
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. ? Pop star Michael Jackson (search) was pulled over by police and asked to identify himself after shopping at a Wal-Mart while wearing a ski mask.

An employee called police after the masked man shopped in the store Tuesday, police Lt. Bill Kimminau said. The employee gave a description of the vehicle and Jackson was stopped a short time later.

Authorities asked Jackson to identify himself, which he did by removing his mask.

"There were no problems, and that was it," Kimminau said.

Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain said the incident was a trifle.

"The police car pulled to the side and just asked that he show his face, and he did, and that was it," Bain said. "There was no altercation or any kind of encounter."

Jackson is staying at a 56-acre ranch in Old Snowmass (search) while vacationing with his children. He has been keeping a relatively low-profile in area, but has been spotted at several shops in nearby Aspen.

The pop star is currently facing child molestation charges in California and is fighting for the custody of his own children.

Jackson's visit to Aspen was announced in a press release Bain issued Feb. 20 to address rumors the singer had checked himself into a drug rehabilitation facility in Colorado.

"Michael's children indicated to him a few days ago that they'd like to see and play in the snow," Bain said. "Mr. Jackson was enjoying his getaway until ... someone deliberately and viciously began reaching out to media organizations with this claim."

Bain also released a statement from Jackson that said: "I am appalled. Let me state for the record that I have not checked myself into any rehabilitation center in Aspen, Colorado; I am here for a few days with my children. I am outraged by these constant rumors."

Videographer Christian Robinson Speaks Out
? MJJForum.com
February 26, 2004
--------------


Videographer Christian Robinson Speaks Out


An exclusive interview between ABCNEWS' Cynthia McFadden and private videographer Christian Robinson was shown on ABC Good Morning America. Mr. Robinson was employeed to record Michael Jackson on tape for two years.

Most compelling is that he conducted his own taped interview with the accuser and his family soon after 'Living With Michael Jackson', the documentary made by Martin Bashir, was aired on TV in February 2003. He asked them on the tape if there had ever been any inappropriate sexual behavior between Michael and the accuser. "Yeah. I asked. And they answered and they were very up front and they, of course, said absolutely not." "All of the them, every single one," he said.

"And just to clarify that even a little bit more, during this interview I told them to speak truthfully probably more than 30 times. I kept on reminding them, I'm like I want you guys to tell the truth. You know, I know how passionate you guys are about this. I just want, I want you guys to tell your story. And they told it," Robinson said.

It has been reported that the boy's family didn't know about the alleged abused when this interview was conducted. They said the mother didn't know anything about claims of abuse until months after the interview was recorded.

"In my mind, you know, I was doing an interview to show the accurate side of Michael Jackson," said Robinson. He says his hour and a half interview with the boy and his family convinced him that Michael is innocent.

"I will tell you this, the family was not coached. The family was incredibly passionate, not just the accuser and his family, but the other two siblings. There were tears, they were holding hands, they were talking about Jesus and God and Michael as the ultimate father figure." He does not know if this tape still exists or if it does, it has probably been subpoenaed by the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office.

He says that he thinks he also asked about sleepovers. "Yes, I think I did...I guess they both slept in the bed, and Michael slept on the floor." He recalls that the younger boy elaborated by saying they watched movies and played games before they and Jackson would fall asleep. "You know, they, the families, were very close at this point. You know? So i saw nothing wrong with it," Robinson said.

He said that the family told him that they credited Jackson with helping to save the boy who suffererd with cancer. "He'd felt, they all felt like a miracle had taken place."

He also spoke about viewing intimate moments between Michael and his own children. "They operate much like any other family. People look at the kids and think they must be so screwed up, having those things (scarves) on their faces. But when you're in a room with them and they take their things off and they're playing with all the other kids and running around tipping things over and they're just like any other kids."

Ian Buckley, a still photographer who was also employed by Michael Jackson, said he and Robinson were with Michael in Las Vegas the day before the Neverland Ranch had been raided by authorities. He said they were instructed to "get shots of the fans" that day. That was the last day they had contact with Michael.

Robinson says he believes the Nation of Islam has isolated Michael over the last few months. "Absolutely...I think it's hopefully, it's the closest thing to a jail he'll ever see." "Vulnerable people end up in some strange situations."

Source: ABCNews/MJJF

Exclusive: Debbie Rowe Wants Respect, Not Custody

Big stuff yesterday as Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, the mother of his two eldest children, filed secretive sounding papers yesterday in Los Angeles family court.

Today you will read breathless accounts of how Rowe is demanding custody of Prince and Paris, that she has her doubts about Michael's parenting skills and is worried that the Nation of Islam is going to mistreat her kids because they are Jewish by birth. (Rowe converted to Judaism for her first marriage, I am told.)

None of this true, my friends. I know what Debbie Rowe wants. Debbie Rowe wants respect. That's RESPECT. And so far she's not getting it from Michael Jackson.

Rowe in fact does not want full time custody of Prince and Paris. What she wants, I am told, is for Michael to start including her in his inner circle as his child molestation case proceeds. Believe it or not, Jackson has not spoken to Rowe since the news of the scandal broke back on Nov. 17, 2003. Not a word, not a phone call. You might ask, how dumb is Jackson? Shouldn't he be making sure this woman is happy?

"Yes," says my source out here in Los Angeles. "But you are talking to a wall."

What Rowe wants: actual scheduled visits several times a year with those kids, which is not unreasonable. She wants to know that the kids are safe, and that Jackson is healthy, mentally and physically, so he can care for them. She wants someone in Jackson's camp to return a phone call. So far, no one has.

So that's the big story of Debbie Rowe. No full time custody, that's not what this is about. Frankly, it would seem like she's sending a message to Jackson. The problem is, he's not receiving it. Maybe someone rational can explain this to him. This is the kind of case he can make go away. Or can it blow up into something else.

Meantime, much as I love them, George Rush and Joanna Molloy of the New York Daily News sort of got it wrong yesterday about Michael Jackson's assets ? i. e. song catalogs ? being sold or used for collateral. Jackson's own catalog, called MiJac and administered by Warner Chappell Music, is not being sold for any reason. It has been used in the past to borrow money against, and it will be used again for the same reason. Yes, it is worth about $100 million, but that's an asset that Jackson must and will retain. The catalog contains his own songs like Billie Jean and Beat It, as well many hundreds of others including the hits from Sly and the Family Stone.

Michael Jackson, ex-wife hire family law judge

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) --Pop star Michael Jackson and his ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, have hired a retired judge to help them resolve an undisclosed "family law" matter, according to papers filed in a Los Angeles court.

Former Superior Court Judge Stephen M. Lachs was "appointed as judge for all purposes in the subject 'family law' matter," according to an order from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl. His decisions in the case will be binding, Friday's order states.

The documents do not indicate why Jackson and Rowe, divorced since 1999, are back in court. Neither Rowe's attorney, Iris Finsilver, or Jackson's attorney, Lance Spiegel, returned calls from CNN.

The couple have two children together: Prince Michael, 7, and Paris, believed to be 5 or 6 years old.

Jackson pleaded not guilty in January to nine felony charges against him -- seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent.

That case is pending in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.

The retired judge who will hear the matter between Jackson and Rowe works with Action Dispute Resolution Services, a private company that offers private mediation or arbitration services to people involved in civil disputes.

"If you had a high-profile case and you didn't want it to be public, you would come here," Lucie Barron, ADR Services' president, told CNN. "If you have a situation where you don't want a lot of adverse publicity or scandal, you come to us because it is totally private. It is completely confidential."

Barron said the hourly amount for an adjudication judge ranges from $350 to $450 per hour.

Lachs served on the bench for 20 years in Los Angeles Superior Court and had been the supervising judge for its family law courts. His resume states that he "has had considerable experience at the delicate task of overseeing cases involving public figures."

No date has been disclosed for a hearing on the Jackson matter before Lachs.

Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/02/25/michael.jackson/index.html

The Jackson Bombshell: Debbie vs. Michael
February 24, 2004

ET broke the news yesterday that court papers had been filed to allow a retired judge to mediate an issue concerning MICHAEL JACKSON and ex-wife DEBBIE ROWE's divorce agreement. Today, our BOB GOEN sat down with the judge who will hear the case.

Retired Judge STEPHEN M. LACHS can't reveal whether or not the case involves child custody, but he did say that in other family law disputes, criminal charges against one of the parties is often brought up. Judge Lachs' ruling is binding, though it can be appealed.

While Judge Lachs isn't at liberty to discuss specifics of "Deborah Rowe Jackson vs. Michael Jackson," a source tells ET the "family matter" noted in court papers is indeed about custody of 7-year-old PRINCE MICHAEL and 5-year-old PARIS. The move is only the first step in a long struggle as Rowe tries to get the kids, according to the source. ET is told Rowe's tactic in her fight will be to claim that Jackson violated many aspects of the divorce agreement, which allegedly includes the stipulation that Jackson gets sole custody of the children.

Seeking custody may be a long shot for Rowe, who reportedly gave up custody of the kids and, in the past, has praised her ex as a father. Rumblings that Rowe's feelings had changed began in mid-January when, after years of lying low, she surfaced on Jan. 12 for a very public lunch at the posh Ivy restaurant in Los Angeles. It was the same day Jackson's advisors gathered to strategize on Jackson's future.

Rowe has reportedly been getting increasingly frustrated because her many attempts to contact him have failed. It's an allegation more than one of Jackson's former friends and advisors have made, frequently blaming Jackson's inaccessibility on his association with the Nation of Islam. Rowe is reportedly unhappy with the singer's involvement with the N.O.I. on another front. She is Jewish and the organization has been accused of anti-Semitism.

Watch ET for the latest info on the Jackson bombshell.

MJ to His Amazing Fans!!!!!!
Hello everyone, let me clarify that I'm not for certain that the information below is true, or in fact, if it is actually from Michael. However the information was emailed to me, and quite naturally, I will share with all of you. So, if you wish, take it with a little grain of salt.... (smile)

Major Love
Eve - The Music Lady

Message Below:

This is the private message from MJ to his amazing fans. ENJOY!
Feb 22, 2004
Burn Tabloids

To my beautiful fans worlwide and to the children all over the
world.

As you know I am etching through incredibly hurtful hardships in the
recent months that have passed by ever so slowly. And though you all
know that I cannot speak to you on the serious matters and false
accusations for which I am accused of now in any detail, I want to
lend my gratitude, and my deepest love to all my fans who have
supported me and will keep on supporting me, whose loyalty is
undying, you are all so dear to me and I am so sensitive to your pain. For all those who have known the truth from the very beginning, and for all of those whose love is unconditional, pure, and healing for me. It is an antidote for my pain and my spirit.

Though I must continue to fight against and endure these hardships, I will be strengthened by
all your magical love and caring, which nurtures my soul ever so
greatly. I ask that you all wait and see, the truth, as it finally
will come to light and shine so brightly. I love you all from the
bottom of my heart now and forever.

Love, MJ

Squash Goes The Rumor

While most Michael Jackson fans have not yet heard about a new rumor that he entered a drug rehabilitation facility in Colorado, Access Hollywood was contacted by Mr. Jackson's spokesperson who had just spoken to him regarding this claim.

Mr. Jackson absolutely denied this rumor, saying that he is "outraged, outraged."

Access Hollywood confirms that he is in Aspen, Colorado on vacation with his children. In fact he was sledding down a hillside with his children when he heard this rumor.

Join in the discussion about how quickly Team MJ responded to this rumor at: http://www.mjjforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25114&st=0


Thanks MJJforum for information.

Major Love

Eve - The Music Lady

Dick Gregory Continues to Support Michael Jackson

In a recent article, Mr. Gregory had this to say about the charges filed against Michael:


"If Michael did it, I did it," said Gregory, who has been married 45 years; he and his wife Lil raised 10 children and now have 12 grandchildren.


Gregory, who recently ended a 40-day fast for Michael, insists Jackson didn't molest his young guests. Instead, Gregory said, Jackson was merely offering a form of hospitality common in Southern black culture - in which company sleeps in your bed, and you sleep on the floor.


"That's what Michael was talking about," Gregory said.


Source: tribnet.com/MJJF

Mark Geragos Requests Modification of Gag Order
-------------
MJJF eNews #213
? MJJForum.com
February 22, 2004
--------------

Mark Geragos, attorney for Michael Jackson, submitted a proposal to the Court on Thursday recommending a modification to the current gag order that was issued on January 16, 2004.

The modification reads as follows:

Notwithstanding the above restrictions on statements by the Prosecutor and Defense Counsel and those under their supervision or control as contemplated by the protective order, a statement by either the Prosecutor or Defense Counsel, or by them jointly, may be made to address questions or issues that may have been raised in the media concerning the case, the parties, their counsel, or witnesses in the matter, under the follow limited circumstances:

1. The premise of the rumor, question or issue is false, mistaken, or otherwise materially misleading, and, unless promptly rebutted or otherwise clarified, poses a reasonable likelihood of prejudice to the parties' right to a fair and impartial jury trial; and,

2. The response is limited to what is necessary to succinctly address, rebut, or otherwise clarify the question or issue; and,

3. The responsive statement shall be made in person, in writing by way of a press release or in a prerecorded videotaped statement and shall be served simultaneously on the other side.

Any statement made by the Prosecutor or Defense Counsel under the auspices of this "safe harbor" that is later determined by the Court to have been made unnecessarily or in bad faith shall be a violation of the protective order. The Court may set a hearing for the purpose of evaluating necessity sua sponte or upon ex parte application by the Prosecutor or Defense Counsel. In the event an ex parte application is made to the Court and a hearing on the merits is conducted, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, costs and expenses. Any attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses awarded under this paragraph shall be payable by the Prosecutor or Defense Counsel.

Source: Mark Geragos/Court Proceedings/MJJF

Travel Agent Sues Michael Jackson

Cynthia Montgomery, the travel agent who handled arrangements for Michael Jackson to travel via XraJet from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara to surrender himself to authorities, has filed a $50,000 lawsuit.

Ms. Montgomery claims that she arranged for the XraJet charter, paying the $18,000 herself. Although she has handled travel for Mr. Jackson for several years, she says that this is the first time that she has not been reimbursed. Robert T. Moore II, attorney for Ms. Montgomery, said he had been trying to negotiate payment with Mr. Jackson's attorneys to no avail.

This is the same jet that had two cameras secretly placed in the plane's cabin taping the trip by Mr. Jackson and Mark Geragos, his attorney, as they made their way to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport on November 20, 2003.

Mr. Geragos immediately filed a temporary restraining order against XraJet, barring any release of the taped footage.

Source: ap/MJJF

? MJJForum.com
This news can be reposted with a credit to MJJForum.com

Harry Belafonte backs MJ
MJJF eNews #209
? MJJForum.com
February 18, 2004


Entertainer/children's rights champion Harry Belafonte rallied in support of Michael Jackson today, saying the pop legend should be afforded the same rights as any other American. "Michael Jackson is innocent until proven guilty by the court of law," Belafonte said from Nairobi, where he is on a visit to promote free education for children on behalf of UNICEF.

"I cannot charge my colleague on the basis of media reports and television programs," said Belafonte, who became the first African-American man to win an Emmy award for his 1959 television musical special, "Tonight With Harry Belafonte".

The King of Pop, was charged with seven counts of performing lewd and lascivious acts with a 13-year-old boy and on two counts of plying a minor with alcohol. He faces a hefty jail sentence if proven guilty. Mr. Jackson maintains his innocence and promises to fight this to the end. Since the allegations broke his fans and family have been right by his side. One at a time, his friends and colleagues are stepping up to the plate in his defense.

Belafonte charged the US media of choosing to ignore the plight of children who have suffered as a result of US invasion in Iraq. Lashing out at them for their, "insatiable appetite" for Jackson. "This is travesty of journalism. It is inappropriate for the media to start asking what ifs and what abouts ... (concerning Jackson). What about the children who suffered in Iraq?" he asked.

Belafonte continued his praise of Jackson, saying: "No single individual has had influence in the world like Jackson." Bringing attention to his "We Are the World" project. Written by Michael and performed by 45 US artists to raise money for famine relief in Africa in the 1980's.

Mr. Belafonte stated the US media was guilty of "false morality" for their over exposer of the alleged charges facing Jackson, while "some US catholic priests" had sexually abused many children in the US. When the subject of Mr. Jackson's character was question Belafonte simply called Mr. Jackson ``A gifted singer.''

Source: AFP/MJJF


? MJJForum.com
This news can be reposted with a credit to MJJForum.com

MJJSource.com - New Michael Jackson Website To Launch March 1st
? MJJForum.com
February 15, 2004
--------------

MJJSource.com - New Michael Jackson Website To Launch March 1st

Our very own Patricia Brown, along with business partner Ron Sweet (Ropa Promotions) will be responsible for design, implementation and updates of this new exciting site. And we are very proud to announce that MJJForum is a sponsor of the official site.

Jackson comes out fighting to defend image
By Cesar G. Soriano, USA TODAY

Fed up with bad press, pop star Michael Jackson is launching a counteroffensive to combat rumors and innuendo that he says could prejudice a jury in his child molestation case.

In an effort to salvage his public persona, Michael Jackson has hired Raymone Bain as his new spokeswoman.

Jackson has hired a new publicist, made personal appeals to journalists and will soon launch a Web site aimed at the media.

"Michael Jackson is stepping up to the plate and taking control of his personal image," says Raymone Bain, his new spokeswoman. Bain also represents tennis star Serena Williams, boxer Mike Tyson and singer/producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

Bain says Jackson has become "increasingly angry" about people claiming to speak on his behalf.

"Michael is concerned about how he has been portrayed in the media and will work more proactively to turn that around," she says. Jackson also will respond to what he considers inaccurate or untrue reports.

For example, on Thursday, the singer's music manager, Charles Koppelman, quickly denied a New York Times article that said Jackson is in financial trouble.

Jackson personally phoned Fox News reporter Geraldo Rivera and conservative pundit Armstrong Williams last week to stress that he maintains control of his empire.

Jackson has not had a full-time spokesman since late December, when Stuart Backerman left after a dispute with Jackson's camp.

Since then, questions have arisen about Jackson's involvement with the Nation of Islam, and he has been the subject of a stinging article in Vanity Fair.

Meanwhile, Jackson faces a lengthy criminal process. On Friday in Santa Barbara, Calif., Judge Rodney Melville delayed setting a date for a preliminary hearing after Jackson's legal team said it needed more time to examine the evidence. All sides are due back in court April 2. Melville said he wants Jackson's trial to begin by December.

Jackson's new Web site, MJJSource.com, which will be launched March 1, will include press releases, interviews, a calendar of court dates, biographies of Jackson's legal team and background on his career.

Jackson has long used the Internet to communicate directly with his fans. But will these image-control efforts help Jackson's cause?

L.A. criminal defense attorney Dana Cole says they could, if Jackson himself maintains a low profile. His attempts to defend himself, like the 60 Minutes interview, have been unsuccessful, Cole says, "because his responses are so bizarre. If he gets involved in high-profile charity events and concentrates on what he does best ? music ? he would do wonders in turning his image around."


Source: usatoday/MJJF





? MJJForum.com
This news can be reposted with a credit to MJJForum.com

major love



Eve - The Music Lady

Serious issues on stage in Jackson hearing

Defense seeks change in gag order

SANTA MARIA, California (AP) --The sideshow in the Michael Jackson child molestation case is over and serious legal matters are taking center stage.

Lawyers return to court Friday to set a date for Jackson's preliminary hearing. Jackson's attorney, Mark Geragos, said the entertainer did not plan to attend Friday's pretrial hearing. Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville told the defendant last month that he was not required to attend most pretrial sessions. "There are no surprises planned," Geragos said. "It should be a quiet hearing."

Jackson is charged with seven counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an "intoxicating agent." He pleaded innocent January 16. Unlike the atmosphere surrounding last month's arraignment, there was no sign Thursday of the media hoards that camped outside the courthouse or the caravans of fans who came in buses to see Jackson at his arraignment.

"We don't anticipate many fans coming," Santa Maria police Lt. Chris Vaughan said. "There'll really be nothing for them to see."

Docket details
Some 3,000 fans packed the street after Jackson's arraignment on January 16, and the entertainer rewarded them with a performance -- climbing atop his black sports utility vehicle and doing a few dance steps as his songs blasted from speakers. Supporters from as far away as Japan trekked to Santa Maria, and Jackson responded to the adoration by throwing open his Neverland Ranch for a party attended by fans and their families.

No such events were planned Friday. Jackson's new spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, said "He is tired of the circus-like atmosphere surrounding him." On the court docket for Friday were discussions of a publicity gag order that prevents everyone in the case from commenting outside court. The defense has asked for what it called a "safe harbor" provision that would allow lawyers to respond to rumors and misinformation being circulated in the press.

Melville has said he would be open to such an exception if it can be structured to his liking.

Media lawyers will be asking to unseal many documents in the case including search warrants and affidavits which allowed the seizure of a dozen computer hard drives belonging to Jackson.

Search warrants for the Neverland estate also remain sealed. Normally, such warrants become public record 10 days after they are executed. Prosecutors have asked to keep them sealed on grounds that a special privilege applies in cases where allegations of molestation are involved.

Deep debt
Meanwhile, Jackson's music manager denied a report Thursday that the singer is in financial trouble and must make a $70 million payment to a lender by Tuesday.

Charles Koppelman said no payment was due in that amount to Bank of America or anyone else. The New York Times reported that Jackson owed $70 million to the bank under a long-standing loan agreement.

In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Koppelman said Jackson's assets far exceed his debts but declined to go into detail about the singer's money. He said Jackson, like most people with large assets, also has large debts and Jackson routinely renegotiates loans.

He said Jackson would be involved in a significant financial transaction in the next few days but declined to provide details. "Michael is an individual who has the ability to generate huge sums of money," Koppelman said. Bank of America spokeswoman Jennifer Tice declined comment on the report.

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/02/13/jackson.hearing.ap/index.html