Grand jury indicts Jackson

SANTA BARBARA, California (CNN) -- A grand jury investigating allegations that pop star Michael Jackson molested a 12-year-old boy indicted him Wednesday. The charges in the indictment were not immediately known.

His attorneys said he would plead not guilty at his arraignment April 30 in Santa Barbara Superior Court. No trial date has been set.

Jackson, 45, pleaded not guilty in January to seven felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an "intoxicating agent." (Full story)

His lawyers issued a statement saying they were confident Jackson would be "fully exonerated."

"We also remind the public that Michael Jackson, like any other person accused of a crime, is presumed to be innocent," said the statement from Mark Geragos, Robert Sanger, Benjamin Brafman and Steve Cochran.

"Michael is looking forward to his day in court and wishes to thank the millions of fans throughout the world who continue to support him during this difficult period."

The 19-member grand jury convened March 29 and met for 13 days to decide whether there was enough evidence to indict the singer. (Full story)

In the criminal complaint, prosecutors say the incidents for which the singer has been charged took place in February and March 2003 when the boy was 12.

Thomas Sneddon Jr., Santa Barbara County district attorney, said the complaint includes special allegations that could make Jackson ineligible for probation if convicted in the case, which grew out of an investigation launched following a documentary on the pop singer broadcast by ABC.

The complaint contends that Jackson "had substantial sexual contact with John Doe."

The charges against Jackson were filed in December, nearly a month after authorities raided his house at Neverland, his 3,000-acre ranch in Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles. He has been free on $3 million bond since his formal arrest last November. (Background)

An array of witnesses
Grand jurors heard from more than a dozen witnesses, including the boy, his brother, mother and father and the mother's two attorneys, Larry Feldman and William Dickerman. (Full story)

Feldman represented another boy, 13 at the time, who leveled similar accusations against Jackson in 1993. The singer resolved that case out of court in a multimillion-dollar settlement, and no charges were filed. (Full story)

Psychologist Stan Katz, who reported the current child molestation allegations to law enforcement officials, also testified, sources said.

Katz said the allegations surfaced during a therapy session with Jackson's accuser, who had been referred to him by Feldman.

Feldman also referred the 1993 accuser to Katz, who reported those allegations to authorities.

Sources said other witnesses from the 1993 case appeared before the grand jury as well, indicating prosecutors might have been attempting to establish a pattern of behavior by Jackson.

Jamie Masada, owner of the Laugh Factory nightclub and the man who claims to have facilitated the introduction of Jackson to the latest alleged victim, likewise testified, said another source familiar with the case.

To encourage two former Jackson employees to testify before the jury, prosecutors considered bringing charges against them of intimidating the family of the alleged victim, the source said.

Further allegations being investigated
Earlier this month, Los Angeles police said they were investigating new allegations of child abuse against Jackson from the 1980s.

One of the singer's lawyers said he expected the story will eventually be proved false, and a source told CNN there were "doubts" about whether the accuser was ever with the entertainer.

The one-paragraph statement from police said they were contacted by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office in March. (Full story)

Geragos and Brafman called the new allegations a "smear campaign."

In a documentary made for Britain's Granada Television by journalist Martin Bashir, which was broadcast in the United States in February of last year on ABC, Jackson said he still allowed children to stay with him in his bedroom, despite the notoriety of the 1993 case.

"Why can't you share your bed? The most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone," Jackson says in the documentary.

"You say, 'You can have my bed if you want it. Sleep in it. I'll sleep on the floor. It's yours.' I always give the beds to the company."

CNN's Dree De Clamecy contributed to this report.

Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/04/21/jackson.case/index.html

Police may have doubts over latest Jackson charges


LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Authorities looking into new allegations of child abuse against pop icon Michael Jackson may have some doubts about the accusations, a source familiar with the investigation said Wednesday.

The source said investigators are trying to determine if the accuser was ever with Jackson.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department released a one-paragraph statement saying police were contacted by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office one month ago to look into the claims.

"The victim alleges the acts took place in the city of Los Angeles in the late 1980s," the police statement said. "The Department's Juvenile Division, Child Protection Section, is currently investigating the allegations."

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney's office, confirmed on Tuesday the police statement.

"We did ask them to conduct an investigation about one month ago," she said in a phone interview. "It's still ongoing, but we have no further comment."

LAPD spokesman Jason Lee told CNN the department would release no further details about the investigation or the allegations.

Ben Brafman, one of Jackson's lawyers, predicted Tuesday in a phone interview with CNN that the new claims would be proven false.

"It is simply not possible, nor productive, to even try and respond to the dozens of baseless rumors and outrageous allegations that surface on almost a daily basis," Brafman said.

"In virtually all of these cases, once the facts have been objectively investigated, they have been found to be entirely without merit. My expectation is that this story, like so many others, will eventually prove to be false and in all likelihood [was] promoted by people who have their own selfish agendas or are otherwise seeking to compromise the right of Mr. Jackson to a fair hearing on the charges presently pending," Brafman added.

A grand jury is currently hearing a child molestation case against Jackson, 45, who pleaded not guilty in January to seven felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an "intoxicating agent."

Prosecutors say the incidents for which Jackson has been indicted took place in February and March 2003.

Jackson was investigated in 1993 after allegations of sexual misconduct involving a 13-year-old boy.

The singer settled that case with the boy's family out of court, and no charges were ever filed.

-- CNN Producer Dree De Clamecy contributed to this report

Find this article at:
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/LAW/04/14/jackson.newcharge

Michael Jackson's official spokesperson, Raymone Bain, speaks with Fox News
Date: Sunday, March 28, 2004

Michael Jackson's official spokesperson, Raymone K. Bain spoke with Fox News' Rita Cosby via a telephone interview on Sunday, March 28, 2004. Ms. Bain spoke with Rita Cosby regarding Michael's upcoming visit to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., where he will receive a humanitarian award by the African Ambassador's Spouses Association.

Ms. Bain said, "Michael has throughout his lifetime given to so many charities and has supported so many wonderful issues and organizations. So as a result of that, he is being honored by the African Ambassador's Spouses Association. The organization is comprised of 51 African and Caribbean countries."

Michael Jackson has given millions to charities worldwide throughout his lifetime. He has given these donations anonymously and publicly through his kindness and loving spirit to others that are less fortunate than him. In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records ranked him as the popstar that has given to the most charities in history.

"He's honored by receiving this award, and rightfully so. He's done so much in his lifetime to the tune of over $50 million worldwide to charities and he is very honored by this award. He does random acts of kindness and he has done that throughout his entire life. He gives a number of monies to charities anonymously. So there are documented and undocumented acts of kindness from Michael Jackson," said Bain.

While visiting in Washington, D.C., he will be "attending private meetings and events with some of his friends and associates whom he has known over the years." Ms. Bain also said that he has a few meetings that are private that will be up on Capitol Hill.

When asked if he could speak to the public right now, what would he say, Ms. Bain replied, "One of the concerns Michael has had has been so many people speaking on his behalf whom he has not known, people whom he has never met, people who he has not seen since he was six or seven years old. I think that is one of the main things he has been concerned about. And of course he has indicated that he does not want that to continue and of course we've had conversations, Rita, about that. I think that has been the most annoying thing to him, to be sitting there looking at various reports and having people speaking on his behalf whom he has never met before, who do not know anything about what's going on and just giving misinformation. I think for a long time that was one of the proble... people speaking who did not have authority to do so, nor did they have the right information."

When Ms. Cosby spoke about how grueling the case must be for him, Ms. Bain reemphasized that, "Michael is doing fine and is basically taking control."


source: WWW.MJJSourse.com

KATHY

4th. accuser story a hoax

Guest: Frm prosecutor Kimberly Guilfoyle-Newsome and Diane Dimond

-Newsome says that she heard 25 minutes of the tape that the prosecution will get
-she says, on the tape, the family are denying anything happened; they're talking about MJ as a father figure and how their father was jealous of Mike's relationship with them.
-Dimond is still insinuating that there could be "something" on the tape.
-Newsome made Dimond look stupid after Dimond asked if there was no abuse why did they make this tape.
-Newsome says that the tape was made as a result of the Bashir uproar and child services investigation, NOT really for a molestation case from the family
-Newsome says by judge allowing prosecution to see this tape, this kinda opens the "flood-gates"
-Newsome says she didn't hear any coaching or anything like that on the 25 minutes she got to hear.

-Dimond says this 4th accuser story was a "hoax".
-Dimond says this person was very specific and detailed with their allegation, but it didn't stand up. Says that 4th accuser talked about being given "jesus juice" and drugs, and being left at Neverland by his father, etc.
-Police ruled that to be a hoax
-Dimond says the 93 "victim" (her word) has not testified in front of the grand jury (which we all knew he wouldn't) and may testify at the trial (yeah right)

-Dimond claims the grand jury could also indict other people who held the family against their will (yeah right)

New Jackson abuse claims probed

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Los Angeles police are investigating new allegations of child abuse against pop icon Michael Jackson from the 1980s, according to a police statement.

One of the singer's lawyers said Tuesday he expected the story would eventually be proved false.

The one-paragraph police statement said police were contacted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office one month ago.

"The victim alleges the acts took place in the City of Los Angeles in the late 1980's," the police statement said.

"The Department's Juvenile Division, Child Protection Section, is currently investigating the allegations."

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney's office, said the police statement was correct.

"We did ask them to conduct an investigation about one month ago," she said in a phone interview.

"It's still ongoing, but we have no further comment."

LAPD public information officer Jason Lee told CNN the department would release no further details about the investigation or the allegations.

Ben Brafman, one of Jackson's lawyers, predicted in a phone interview with CNN the new claims would be proven false.

"It is simply not possible, nor productive, to even try and respond to the dozens of baseless rumors and outrageous allegations that surface on almost a daily basis," Brafman said.

"In virtually all of these cases, once the facts have been objectively investigated, they have been found to be entirely without merit.

"My expectation is that this story, like so many others, will eventually prove to be false and in all likelihood [was] promoted by people who have their own selfish agendas or are otherwise seeking to compromise the right of Mr Jackson to a fair hearing on the charges presently pending," Brafman added.

A grand jury is currently hearing a child molestation case against Jackson, 45, who pleaded not guilty in January to seven felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an "intoxicating agent."

Prosecutors say the incidents for which Jackson has been indicted took place in February and March 2003.

Jackson was investigated in 1993 after allegations of sexual misconduct involving a 13-year-old boy.

The singer settled that case with the boy's family out of court, and no charges were ever filed.

-- CNN Producer Dree De Clamecy contributed to this report


Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/04/14/jackson.newcharge/index.html

Judge orders audiotape handed over to Jackson prosecutors

SANTA MARIA, California (AP) -- Reversing his previous position, the judge in the Michael Jackson molestation case ruled Friday an audiotape of an interview conducted for Jackson's legal team should be turned over to the prosecution.

In March, Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville barred the prosecution from using the audiotape, which was seized from the office of a private investigator working for Jackson's legal team.
Mark Geragos, Jackson's lawyer, had said the audiotape included an interview that could identify areas of defense strategy and should remain secret.

Melville had previously agreed, but he reversed course after the prosecution asked him to reconsider.
In his ruling, Melville said the tape largely focused on "the obvious need to ascertain basic facts" and does not include "any sort of record of any attorney's or agent's theories or impressions."
The tape was among several items taken from the office Nov. 18, the same day Jackson's Neverland Ranch was searched.

The tape's release to the prosecution will be delayed for 15 days to give the defense a chance to appeal.
Jackson is charged with seven counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under age 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to the child. He has pleaded innocent.

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

Fans cheer Michael Jackson in second day on Capitol Hill

Embattled star makes no comment

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A crowd of shrieking fans followed embattled pop star Michael Jackson out of a Capitol Hill office building Wednesday after he met with lawmakers to discuss lending his celebrity to the fight against AIDS in Africa.

"There's never been a meeting in Congress like this particular meeting," said Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Illinois. "This man, Michael Jackson, is going to lead the global effort to make sure that we provide all of our resources -- all of our attention -- to eliminating and dealing with this scourge called AIDS."

It was Jackson's second visit to Capitol Hill in as many days, and, this time, he met with more lawmakers.

About 50 onlookers cried "Michael! Michael!" as Capitol Police and security guards helped Jackson push through the crowd in the corridor of a House office building on his way into and out of the meeting.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said Jackson has committed to an African concert tour to raise money for anti-AIDS efforts.

Jackson wore a sequined scarlet tunic with sergeant's stripes on the sleeves for his two-hour meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and African diplomats. He did not speak at a news conference that followed the meeting but gave an occasional thumbs-up or peace sign to support points made by other speakers.

The Washington visit comes the same week that prosecutors in Santa Barbara, California, have begun presenting a child molestation case against him to a grand jury. The 45-year-old singer has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. defended the "sideshow," saying reporters would not have covered an anti-AIDS meeting without the King of Pop.

"The Congressional Black Caucus has held dozens of press conferences on this subject," the Illinois Democrat said. "We have met with our colleagues about this, and we have seen no change in the substantive numbers that can address the scourge of AIDS on the continent of Africa."

The congressman -- no relation to the singer -- said the Bush administration had failed to follow through on its $15 billion pledge to fight the spread of the disease.

Michael Jackson has been charged with seven felony counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an "intoxicating agent." He has denied any wrongdoing.

In planning the Capitol Hill visit, his publicist had requested a meeting for the singer with the entire Congressional Black Caucus, but was turned down. The caucus cited scheduling conflicts, but aides privately acknowledged that many members didn't want their picture taken with the embattled star.

Lee, the vice chairwoman of the caucus, said Jackson is not the first person accused of wrongdoing to visit Congress, and said his legal problems "will be addressed in a court of law."

"No one is taking lightly these charges," she told CNN. "No one is condoning any of the actions that are alleged. But this is a people's house."


Find this article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/31/jackson.congress/index.html

For the transcript go to our Hotmail Group

Secrecy for Grand Jury Participants

Nineteen members and six alternates were chosen on Thursday as the grand jury in the Michael Jackson case.

Although The restrictions were contained in a "decorum order" issued by the judge the day before barring journalists from approaching even the dismissed grand juror candidates, the media used their time to interview friends and family members who were waiting outside.

Judy Forbes, whose husband was a prospective juror, waited ooutside. Her son is a former security guard at Mr. Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch. "We don't follow the case," said Mrs. Forbes. "It's not that important to us. In the grand scheme of things, we'd rather spend time with our grandchildren."

"We planned to go down the Ohio River on the Dixie Queen May 9 and have already invested about $3,000 into this vacation," said Mr. Hill whose wife was among the initial 1,000 called for jury service.

The possibility of his wife serving on the grand jury is coming at a bad time, Eric Beltz said "We're thinking about changing jobs and moving, but if she has to be here for awhile, that's the way it goes."

Media attorney Ted Boutrous filed a request on Thursday for an emergency hearing before presiding superior Court Judge Clifford R. Anderson III to argue the restrictions.

Not many journalists were on hand on Thursday. They knew that asking questions and recording or writing down people's answers, all while in a public place, would cause them trouble with the judge. Even KEYT-TV cameraman Herb Tuyay was asked by a sheriff's deputy what he was taping. Mr. Tuyay said he was only shooting prospective jurors' feet and their shadows. Recording faces could be considered a misdemeanor.

Although Mr. Sneddon was not at the jury hall Thursday, he was seen leaving the underground garage at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse at 11 a.m., two hours after prospective jurors were to appear. However Senior Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen and Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss were in the jury hall most of the day.

Who will be on the grand jury is a secret. The total of 25 members will have been selected from a 200 person pool.

This is the first step in the process and they are expected to hear from the first witness on Monday. As are all grand jury proceedings, this will be held in secret.

Source: Newspress/MJJForum

? MJJForum.com

Major Love
Eve - The Music Lady

Witnesses testify in Jackson case

A number of witnesses alleging child abuse against singer Michael Jackson will testify in front of a grand jury in Santa Barbara, California.

The witnesses will be part of the prosecution's attempt to show there was a "pattern of seduction", according to District Attorney Tom Sneddon.
A grand jury hears evidence in private and decides if a trial can go ahead.

Jackson is facing trial over allegations of child abuse. He has denied all charges.
Mr Sneddon is taking the evidence to a grand jury because he does not want pre-trial evidence to be heard in public.
"They will be bringing in every piece of evidence that might be relevant," Loyola University Law Professor Laurie Levenson said.

100 candidates

"They're casting a wide net. And it gives them a dress rehearsal for the trial."
The boy at the centre of the current allegations is expected to be one of the witnesses.
Candidates for the grand jury received summonses earlier in the month telling them they would need to report for duty on Thursday.

Choosing the 19 grand jurors from the more than 100 candidates could take several days.

Gagged

Former Santa Barbara County sheriff Jim Thomas said the jurors may need to be shuttled to different locations every day to avoid media attention.
Court-imposed gagging orders have been placed on both the prosecution and the defence teams to avoid them talking about the current case in public.
Jackson was charged on 18 December with seven counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under the age of 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a child.

A pre-trial hearing is expected to take place on 2 April.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/music/3563889.stm

Published: 2004/03/24 11:54:45 GMT

? BBC MMIV

Jermaine weighs in on Lisa Marie's comments

Source: MSNBC/Doughouse Radio Yahoo Group

Stacy Brown, a Jackson family friend who is acting as a consultant
on the case for MSNBC TV, conducted this interview with Jermaine
Jackson. Jermaine Jackson has found that keeping busy in a recording studio and behind a typewriter has allowed him to ignore constant media reports concerning the legal woes of his younger brother, Michael Jackson. The elder Jackson, who found success as a solo artist in the 1970's and 1980's with hits such as "Daddy's
Home," "Let's Get Serious," and "Let Me Tickle Your Fancy," has been busy recording new material he hopes to release in the near future.

Jermaine Jackson has also been busy writing a television drama he
hopes will catch the attention of networks such as HBO, Showtime,
FX, NBC and others. But despite his unwillingness to listen to the
constant media reports about Michael Jackson, who is due back in
court April 2 for a hearing on the 7 counts of child molestation his
faces in Santa Barbara, Calif., Jermaine Jackson couldn't ignore
statements recently attributed to his younger brother's ex-wife,
Lisa Marie Presley, and former CBS Records executive Walter
Yetnikoff.

In an exclusive conversation with MSNBC, Jermaine Jackson said many
people appear to be trying to cash in on Michael's misfortunes.

MSNBC: First, let's talk about your projects, they seem very
interesting.
JERMAINE JACKSON: I'm recording a lot of new music, I'm in the
studio all the time, non-stop. It's a lot of hard work, but it's fun.

MSNBC: Does it help you take your mind off things?
JACKSON: It does and I'm getting a lot accomplished. You've got to
keep moving. Keep busy.

MSNBC: Are you happy with what you've done in the studio so far?
JACKSON: Yes. I think everyone will love it. I'm excited.

MSNBC: Is it just you or are you recording with your brothers too?
JACKSON: I'm doing things and we as a family are trying to do
things. It would be great to do new material with my brothers. We
have a lot of music still in us and I know the fans would love it.

MSNBC: Would you like to tell people about the drama you're writing?
JACKSON: It's called "Chicago Times" and it's about a very wealthy
black family who runs a number of high-profile businesses in
Chicago. My vision is for it to be like (The 1980's hit) `Dallas'
where you have a character that everybody loves to hate and where
you have so many sub-plots. The story is coming along really well
too. There are several actors I've already spoken with about it and
they love it. They all say that a network like HBO, where "Sex and
the City" is over now or Showtime, where they've canceled `Soul
Food,' should like it because it has everything that makes a show
great. It has drama, lots of intrigue, a great plot, loads of juicy
sub-plots and it's original. It's a can't miss. Viewers will be
tuning in with great interest all the time.

MSNBC: What else is in store?
JACKSON: Lots of stuff. I'm doing so much. You'll see.

MSNBC: I know that you don't want to talk much about your brother
and his current problems, but I must get your thoughts on a couple
of things.

JACKSON: Go ahead. Just a couple of things.

MSNBC: During a recent interview with an Australian television
reporter, Lisa Marie Presley, intimated that she knew things, which,
of course, was easily interpreted as perhaps she saw inappropriate
behavior between Michael and young children. Today, she released a
statement that read, in part, "Unfortunately due to the recent media
frenzy surrounding Michael Jackson, my comments on a recent
Australian television interview regarding him were completely taken
out of context and erroneously read into. In saying "I saw things" I
was specifically referring to things in that relationship with us,
that went on between us, at the time as husband and wife and that
dynamic." Jermaine, what do you make of her comments?
JACKSON: Why would she say any of that stuff in the first place? I
don't understand why would she do that. I think everybody wants
attention and they are using my brother where they can to get the
attention.

MSNBC: And Lisa Marie Presley's comments come on the heels of former
CBS Records president Walter Yetnikoff's new book "Howling At The
Moon," where he calls Michael "weird" and says your brother "was a
strange guy, a little baby."
JACKSON: I don't know why these types of books continue to get
published. All this negativity. Why can't they publish a book that's
positive? That's what I'd like to do, a positive story. Yetnikoff is
obviously just trying to sell his book with those comments. What is
sad is that everybody is trying to kick Michael while he's down. I
will say that once this (molestation case) is over, he's now got to
know without a doubt who his real friends and enemies are.

New revelations in Michael Jackson case

Mother of alleged victim initially said, ?I trust my children with him"By Mike Taibbi
NBC News correspondent
Today show

Updated: 9:26 a.m. ET March 16, 2004Michael Jackson has called the charges that he molested a 12-year-old cancer patient "a big lie," insisting he's totally innocent. But what exactly does the alleged victim and his family say that Jackson did? And what are they saying now? NBC News correspondent Mike Taibbi has explosive details in this exclusive report.

When the controversial British documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" aired in the U.S. on February 6th last year, Beverly Hills psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman was among a handful of child advocates who quickly fired off a detailed complaint.
"I felt enough was enough. I just couldn't believe that the world was standing by and letting these children be potentially harmed."

On the day of the broadcast, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon said what appeared on screen was no substitute "for credible, cooperative victims," but later would dismiss as unimportant an early investigation by Los Angeles County that said allegations that Jackson abused his eventual accuser were ?unfounded.?

Sneddon says, "To call that an investigation is a misnomer, it was an interview plain and simple and that's all it was."

NBC News can report exclusively that just two weeks after that documentary aired, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department began its own official investigation of Jackson?s possible abuse of his alleged victim and that Dr. Lieberman's letter of complaint was a key reason the probe was started.

It was February 18th, last year. The investigation of "Suspected Child Abuse" was given a case number and daily report number.

One early entry, from last March 10th: an account of an interview by three Los Angeles social workers of the accuser and his brother, sister and mother at the apartment of the mother's boyfriend.

From the accuser, then a 12-year-old cancer patient: "Michael is like a father to me, he's never done anything to me sexually." And the boy "never slept in bed with Michael," his "mother... always aware of what goes on in Neverland."

From his mother: "Michael is like a father to my children, he loves them and I trust my children with him."

She said Michael's kind, and misunderstood and "an important part of (her son's) recovery" from cancer. Sometimes, the mother said, her kids "would be on Michael's bed, watching TV and eating S?mores. But as for the allegations that they share a bed, it is 'no.'" Her children "were never solely alone with Jackson...there's always someone around." She said Michael has, "never been anything but wonderful. My children have never felt uncomfortable in his presence. Michael has been a blessing."

The accuser's older sister was ?teary eyed," according to the report, adding, "Michael is so kind and loving."

The father, interviewed separately, says "there's no reason to suspect any wrongdoing" by Jackson, adding that he too "attributed (his son's) recovery to Jackson."

On April 16th, the Santa Barbara's sheriff's department reached a conclusion.

"Based on the interviews with the children and their father, it was determined that the elements of criminal activity were not met. Therefore, this investigation was classified as a suspected sexual abuse incident report, with no further action required. Case closed."

Case closed after a two-month investigation that took place much of the period when Jackson is said to have molested his alleged victim 7 times.

But the case wasn't closed. NBC News learned that on June 13th last year it was dramatically resumed, when Santa Barbara?s investigators heard -- as NBC News is reporting for the first time -- version number two of the story told by the accuser and his family in their own words.

The family told this version of the story to psychologist Dr. Stan Katz.

In the documents we reviewed, Katz told Santa Barbara's investigator the details.

The records quote Katz saying the accuser claimed he "drank alcohol every night and got buzzed? whiskey, vodka and Bacardi," and that when his head hurt from the drinking, "Michael said keep drinking, it will make it feel better."

He said Michael "showed (him) pictures of naked women on the computer," that he once "saw Michael just standing there, naked for a moment," and that Michael told him "he (Michael) had to masturbate or he'd go crazy."

According to the documents Katz said the accuser's brother told him, ?That on a flight back from Miami he saw Michael ?licking (the accuser's) head? as the boy slept against Michael's chest.? That Michael provided "wine, vodka and tequila on numerous occasions." That one of Jackson's security guards "told us he'd kill us and our parents if we told about the alcohol."

And that Michael "talked a lot about sex." He said he and his brother "constantly sleep in Michael's room with Michael and (his brother) in Michael's bed." He gave graphic details NBC News will not repeat about at least two incidents of inappropriate sexual touching initiated on the accuser by Michael.

The documents quote Katz saying the accuser's sister told him Michael "gave her some wine," and that she saw Michael "kissing him on the cheek, hugging him, always rubbing him."

According to the report Katz said the family claimed, about their earlier interviews, "they made them say Michael's a father figure, he's great, he'd never do anything bad." Katz said he believed the family was telling him the truth. ?I don't get the feeling the mom is lying about anything, though she may distort -- I really felt the kids were credible."

Credible enough that formal charges of molestation have been brought against Michael Jackson.

But we now know the details of the two totally opposite stories told by the family for the record and thus the question remains: which story to believe?" The one about Michael as a loving father figure, a safe haven, a blessing? Or the one that describes a predator who plied his vulnerable young victim with alcohol and his own sexual obsessions?

Both stories, and any explanations, would surely be tested at a trial which NBC News has been told won't begin until well into 2005.

? 2004 MSNBC Interactive

Jackson wins child custody case

A lawyer who asked authorities to remove Michael Jackson's children from his custody had her request denied.

Gloria Allred represented a teenage boy who accused the star of abuse in 1993, which was settled out of court.Although she has no involvement in his latest case, in which he denies child molestation, she said she feared for the safety of his three children.

Los Angeles authorities disagreed with her but she says she is now taking the matter to a juvenile court judge.

Ms Allred first applied to Santa Barbara authorities to investigate the children's welfare before going to the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services in January when he moved to the area.

Her application to have the children made wards of court was turned down, although department officials said they could not comment on individual cases.

But one of Mr Jackson's lawyers, Benjamin Brafman, accused Ms Allred of persuing her own agenda.
"I think it would be best if people who have nothing to do with these proceedings stayed out of them rather than looking at Mr Jackson's case as a vehicle through which to engage in self-promotion," he said.
Mr Jackson has three children under the age of seven.

Two are from his marriage to nurse Debbie Rowe, who is believed to be seeking custody of them. A judge has been appointed to mediate in a dispute between the parents.

Mr Jackson has never revealed who the mother of his third child is.

He has pleaded innocent to seven counts of performing lewd of lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/music/3523424.stm

Published: 2004/03/18 13:21:24 GMT

? BBC MMIV

Lisa Marie Fires Back

March 17, 2004

LISA MARIE PRESLEY is firing back. Speculation that MICHAEL JACKSON's ex may be called to testify in front of the Grand Jury on the Jackson case was ignited after she made some eyebrow-raising comments on Australian TV. Now, the 35-year-old daughter of ELVIS says her words were misconstrued. In a statement, Lisa Marie reacted to the controversy: "In saying, 'I saw things,' I was specifically referring to things in that relationship with us, that went on between us, at the time as husband and wife and that dynamic."

During the interview, when Lisa Marie was asked about the demise of her marriage to Jackson, she replied, "I mean only, uh, powerless in a lot of ways, in terms of you know, realizing that I was part of a machine, um, and seeing things going on that I couldn't do anything about, you know, and don't ask me what sort of things, 'cause I'm not going to answer. But just stuff." With her ex-husband Jackson facing seven felony counts of molesting a cancer-stricken boy, and two counts of plying him with an intoxicating substance, exactly what "stuff" she may have witnessed set off an alarm. But Lisa Marie points out, "I was in no way referring to seeing something inappropriate with children and, as I have stated before in other interviews, I never have."

As the ex-wife of the accused, and with the added new comments, legal experts tell ET that Lisa Marie could find herself subpoenaed to appear in Santa Barbara. Due to a gag order on the case, the Santa Barbara District Attorney's office is unable to comment.

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