Deputies Get Michael Jackson DNA Sample
Mood:  incredulous

Sun Dec 5, 9:46 PM ET

By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson (news) voluntarily gave a DNA sample to authorities, returning to his Neverland Ranch estate a day after he left during a search by sheriff's deputies, a source close to the case said Sunday.

When Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies arrived with search warrants Friday, his lawyer instructed him to leave and take his children with him, the source told The Associated Press.


Jackson's attorney, Thomas Mesereau, flew by helicopter from Los Angeles to Jackson's ranch in Los Olivos, 100 miles northwest, when he heard the search warrant had been served, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.


On Saturday, when the deputies returned, they asked for a DNA sample and Jackson returned by car to the estate and supplied the sample voluntarily, the source said.


Authorities had never before asked for a DNA sample, the source said. A cotton swab was used to collect the sample from Jackson's mouth.


It wasn't immediately clear how authorities planned to use the DNA in Jackson's child molestation case.


Also while at Jackson's ranch, sheriff's investigators measured rooms, trying to establish the sight lines from one room to another, the source said.


The 46-year-old entertainer has pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation, conspiracy and administering an intoxicating agent, alcohol, to his alleged victim. He is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 31.


Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor, said she was surprised District Attorney Tom Sneddon had not requested DNA earlier.


"We don't know whether this means they are scrambling or tying up loose ends, or it's just Sneddon going over the top," she said.


From a public relations standpoint, however, the prosecution has scored a coup with the highly publicized searches, she said.


"They've certainly gotten a lot of attention and, even if there's a gag order, they got the message out: 'We've got DNA,'" Levenson said.


Authorities spent more than eight hours at the estate Friday, and less than two hours Saturday.


Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials have refused to discuss the visits except to issue a statement saying they are "part of an ongoing criminal investigation."


Jackson's estate was first searched in November 2003, shortly before he was charged.


Monday is the deadline for prosecutors and defense lawyers to complete the case's discovery process, in which both sides exchange evidence they have gathered during pretrial investigations.

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Investigators search Jackson?s Neverland ranch
Mood:  sad

MSNBC-TV reports search involves Jackson?s bed

MSNBC staff and news service reports
Updated: 5:57 p.m. ET Dec. 3, 2004


LOS OLIVOS, Calif. - Sheriff?s investigators with a new search warrant raided Michael Jackson?s Neverland estate again Friday, just weeks before the pop star is scheduled to go on trial on charges of child molestation.

Authorities would not say why they returned more than a year after dozens of investigators first raided the storybook estate while they were still drawing up charges against Jackson.

In a statement, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff?s Department said only that the search was ?part of an ongoing criminal investigation.? Spokesman Sgt. Chris Pappas said investigators entered Neverland at 9 a.m. and remained there hours later.

Jackson attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. had no comment.

However, MSNBC-TV's Dan Abrams reported that his sources say investigators searched Jackson's bed for DNA.

Attorneys on both sides of the case are barred from commenting by a court gag order.

Jackson was leaving Neverland when the officers arrived, and did not stay around, said a source close to the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Jackson, 46, was charged in December 2003 with molesting a boy and plying him with alcohol. His trial is set to begin Jan. 31.

A new search so late in the proceedings is very unusual, said a former federal prosecutor who has been following the case.

?It may mean that the witnesses they are preparing for trial now are remembering things at the ranch that they did not mention before,? said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School. ?They may want to follow up on how certain things looked.?

However, she said the search could also be connected to a dispute that has been going on between the prosecution and defense over the sharing of evidence. The defense has been resisting turning over material to the prosecution.

Levenson said if the search yields any physical evidence, it could be of dubious value. ?At this stage, if they found anything, if I were Jackson?s folks I?d say it was planted. So I?m not so convinced how valuable this would be,? she said.

The late-stage search could also help the defense win a delay, Levenson suggested. ?How do you go to trial in a case when they are still serving search warrants?? she said.

Neverland, set amid the emerald hills and horse ranches about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles, was first searched in November 2003. At least 60 investigators from the Sheriff?s Department and district attorney?s office took part.

The theme park-like estate has a mansion, zoo, bumper cars, a merry-go-round and Ferris wheel. Jackson hosted many children?s parties there.

? 2004 MSNBC Interactive
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6645815/

Jackson defense denied psychological exam of accuser's family
Mood:  irritated

SANTA MARIA, California (AP) -- The judge in the child-molestation case against Michael Jackson refused on Monday to order Jackson's accuser and the boy's family to undergo psychological examinations.

Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville ruled without hearing arguments in court, and gave no reason for rejecting the request from Jackson's side.

Attorneys could not comment on the decision because of a gag order.

The judge did grant a defense request to release transcripts of the grand jury selection process as long as grand jurors' names remained confidential.

The defense has complained that prosecutors had too much sway over grand jurors.

The pop star is accused of molesting a boy and plying him with alcohol. His trial is set to begin January 31.

Attorneys also argued in court over efforts by the defense to subpoena medical and banking records involving the accuser's family. Prosecutors said the material is irrelevant.

"There are clearly records that are out of bounds, such as the gynecological records of the victim's sister or mother," prosecutor Ron Zonen said.

The prosecutor said the defense had also requested, among other things, 23 years of military records for the alleged victim's stepfather.

Defense attorney Robert Sanger said of the gynecological records: "There's a very good reason for requesting those, and I don't want to go into that right now."



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Michael Jackson asks for psych test of his accusers
Mood:  incredulous
SANTA MARIA, Calif. Attorneys for singer Michael Jackson have asked a judge to order mental evaluations for the family of the boy accusing him of child molestation.

In newly released court documents, Jackson's attorneys allege they could not effectively cross-examine psychologist Stanley Katz if denied access to his reviews.

They also say`the prosecution opened the door to permit a mental examination" by allowing Katz to interview the boy and his family. The motion asks for an evaluation of the boy who made the accusation, his brother and their mother.

Defense attorneys also argued that details of the alleged abuse contained in the complaint filed by prosecutors vastly differ from those those contained int he grand jury indictment.

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Monday in Santa Maria.

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Canadian pleads guilty over email death threats to Michael Jackson
Mood:  spacey
Tue Nov 23, 5:33 PM ET


TORONTO (AFP) - A 26-year-old Canadian man has pleaded guilty to emailing a death threat to pop superstar Michael Jackson (news), police said.


Adrian Poffley received a conditional discharge and 12 months probation after appearing in court Monday in Kitchener, Ontario, west of Toronto, said Waterloo police Staff Sergeant Bryan Larkin.


Police arrested Poffley in August, and charged him with uttering death threats after a joint investigation with police in Santa Barbara County, California.


They acted after a threatening email arrived at the Santa Maria Court House where Jackson was due to appear.


Jackson, 45, has pleaded not guilty to a 10-count indictment that included charges of child molestation.


The "King of Pop" was arrested last November and the scheduled start of his trial is January 31.
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Eminem's Jackson Stunt Rapped
Original Location: Original Article
11/21/2004

Eminem was reportedly banned from mimicking Michael Jackson in his MTV Europe Music Awards performance.

The controversial rap star was planning to dress up as the troubled singer - complete with wig and fake nose - to open the prestigious ceremony at Rome's Tor Di Valle.

Eminem, who dresses as the star in his 'Just Lose It' video, wanted to mock Jackson's performance of 'Earth Song' at the 1996 Brit Awards, where he was surrounded by adoring children.

But organisers reportedly feared the stunt would be too offensive.

However, although he reluctantly agreed to scrap the parody, Eminem - whose band D12 won the Best Hip-Hop award - still caused controversy with his performance of new song 'Like Toy Soldiers'.

As he was rapping, dozens of children dressed in army gear and carrying fake guns emerged from a Panzer tank and stormed the stage.

Eminem continued to be surrounded by kids - this time dressed in hip-hip clothes - as he sang 'Just Lose It'.

In the song, the star takes a pop at Jackson's recent charges, rapping: "Come here little kiddie, on my lap. Guess who's back with a brand new rap? And I don't mean rap as in a case of child molestation accusation."

Copyright ?2004 TeenHollywood.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Release of Documents Could End Jackson Conspiracy Charges
Mood:  incredulous

by Dr. K. C. Arceneaux
November 13, 2004

The release of redacted documents, on November 12, 2004, that are among the evidence in the child molestation case against Michael Jackson could collapse the case, or at the very least, cast serious doubt on the conspiracy charges against him. The documents include correspondence between then Jackson attorney Mark Geragos and William Dickerman, attorney for "Jane Doe," the mother of Jackson's accuser. The letters were sent immediately following the period during which Ms. Doe said she was imprisoned by Jackson employees and was fearful for her life. However, the letters are very mundane, if combative, and concern the return of household belongings. There is no mention of events remotely resembling the accusations made in the Grand Jury indictment.

The letters reveal a prolonged and acrimonious exchange between the attorneys, beginning on March 26 and ending on May 17, 2003. The letters concern return of items that had been removed from Ms. Doe's home and placed in storage. In the letters, there is squabbling about when and where to deliver the belongings, and concern about who would make payments on a storage facility. And yet, this exchange occurs immediately after the period that Ms. Doe claims she and her children were falsely imprisoned by Jackson's staff. The question here is simple. If Ms. Doe thought she and her children had been imprisoned and her life threatened, as she later claimed, why did she not tell Dickerman, her attorney? Kidnapping is a much more serious issue than who will pay for the storage of furniture.

Ms. Doe's accusations against Jackson are similar to charges she made against her now-ex husband in a divorce dispute. About the Jackson case, Ms. Doe said in a police interview leaked to the media in September, 2004, that she felt that "Somebody was going to kill the kids and me. Mostly the kids." In the divorce dispute, she accused her husband of molesting their daughter, kidnapping, and threatening her life. In judge's chambers, the daughter recanted statements she had made earlier, and said that the father did not make death threats. Russell Halpern, attorney for the boy's father, said that he believes the mother scripted her children. Halpern said the father once showed him a script his wife had allegedly written for their children to use when they were questioned in a civil deposition. "She wrote out all their testimony. I actually saw the script. I remember my client showing me, bringing the paperwork to me."

The charges against Michael Jackson are not the first time Ms.Doe has leveled charges of sexual abuse against someone. It is the third. In addition to the charges made against her husband, Ms. Doe also accused security guards of sexually abusing her by fondling her breasts and crotch in a parking lot. The guards had followed her son and husband from the store and accused them of shoplifting. The boy reportedly was carrying a stack of unpaid-for clothing. Ms. Doe alleged that the abuse went on for seven minutes, as her family apparently looked on helplessly. As in the Jackson case, there was a memory delay before accusations were made. Ms. Doe remembered two years after the parking lot incident that she had been (allegedly) sexually abused; these accusations were added to her three million dollar civil case against J.C. Penney.

Tom Griffen, Penney's attorney, said in an interview by Mike Taibbi on the Abrams Report, March 4, 2004,"It became readily apparent that this was an incident, in my opinion, a scam to extract money from J. C. Penney." The case was settled out of court, for a reported $137,000. According to Griffen, the settlement was to avoid the risk of losing in a jury trial. One also assumes that the negative publicity would not have been desirable for the company. The psychiatrist retained by Penney to examine Ms. Doe said that he felt she scripted her children's stories to match hers.

Veracity seems to be a serious problem with this family. In the first indictment Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation. In the second indictment, by a grand jury presided over by Santa Barbara prosecutor Tom Sneddon, the instances of molestation had declined from seven to three, with one alleged molestation attempt. Where did the other three molestations go? Did the boy in question, now a mature teenager, testify to seven instances of molestation and then remember that three of them did not happen? Or, now that he is older and wiser, is he less cooperative? Inexplicably, the grand jury indictment added charges not present in the first indictment. Jackson now has been accused of conspiracy to commit twenty-eight felony acts, including conspiring to commit child abduction; false imprisonment; extortion; committing lewd acts upon a child; attempting to commit a lewd act; and administering an intoxicating agent to a child.

The timeframe of the alleged molestations has changed, as well. In the first indictment, the dates were given as from February 7, 2003, to March 10, 2003. These dates were changed in the grand jury indictment, from February 20 to March 12. In a pre-trial hearing on November 8, 2004, Jackson attorney Susan Yu said, "The chronologies are critical to the defense because the dates of the alleged molestations in the original complaint (in December) are different from the dates in the indictment (in April)." Yu said, "These dates are different because the (accuser's) family changed their story. They changed their story because they are not telling the truth."

Copyright, first American serial rights, Nov. 14, 2004

Source: MJRedemption/MJJForum

Discuss this article on MJJForum: MJJForum Article

At Least 300 Michael Jackson Fans Attend Support Rally in NYC
Mood:  a-ok
Date: Friday, November 12, 2004

Source: Team MJJsource

Contrary to many published reports, there were conservatively 300 Michael Jackson fans attending the support rally yesterday. The rally took place at 45th and Broadway in New York City.

After reading these reports, members of the media have conveyed their concern that the reported fan count was highly inaccurate from the actual number of fans that attended. It is unfortunate that the genuine support and dedicated efforts of Michael Jackson's loyal fans have been unacknowledged. It is our hope that the Associated Press and others will correct their error. This would be appropriate, out of respect for the many fans that took the time to organize and attend the event.

Michael Jackson fans demonstrated over MTV's refusal to stop airing the Eminem video that demeans Michael Jackson. Unlike MTV, Black Entertainment Television (BET) stopped running it last month, at Mr. Jackson's request.

In a phone call to Geraldo Rivera at the rally, Mr. Jackson stated regarding Eminem and the video, "It's demeaning and disrespectful," Jackson said. "And I also want to make it clear that it's not just about Michael Jackson... but about a pattern of disrespect that he has shown to our community. He needs to stop it, and he needs to stop it now."

Speaking of his deep appreciation for his fans, Michael Jackson said, "Its because of my fans that I am calling in today.... I feel that I have the best fans in the world... I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.... I love them so so much."

Gerlado Rivera also reiterated his strong support for Mr. Jackson when he said, "Michael, let me just say that I support you because I believe you are getting a raw deal not just by Eminen but in a lot of other aspects of life that I don't need to mention..."

source: MJJsource

Geraldo Rivera Interviews Michael Jackson LIVE on FoxNews
Mood:  happy
MJJForum eNews #421 - November 11, 2004

Geraldo: ...I think we may have on the telephone right now, a surprise caller in his first live interview on Network Television in at least a year as far as I know. I believe Michael Jackson is there. Are you there Michael?

Michael: How are you Geraldo... Hello?

Geraldo: Ok buddy, let me ask you.. How do you feel, Michael, about the continuing support you've gotten from your fans despite all you've gone through.

Michael: Well, Geraldo, its because of my fans that I am calling you today. I mean, I feel they are the best fans in the world and I decided rather than having anyone else speak for me that I would do it myself you know. And I want to thank my fans for their strong support over the years. They could have been anywhere today, you know, and they chose to be in New York in Times Square. And I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. They have written thousands and thousands of letters, and have made hundreds of calls regarding the Eminem video. And I love them so, so much. In London over 4000 people showed up on my behalf. And I want to thank Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton, Minister Farrakhan [sp], The Source, Steve Harvey, Bob Johnson and BET, Jesse Hughes and Radio One, and all the many others who have supported me. And Geraldo, I want to also thank you for your friendship and everything, all the wonderful things you have been doing. Thank you so, so much. I made my message clear about the Eminem video. I think that its demeaning and disrespectful, but I also want to make it clear that its not just about Michael Jackson.. But a pattern of disrespect that he has shown to our community. He needs to stop it, and he needs to stop it now.

Geraldo: Michael, let me just say that I support you because I believe that you are getting a raw deal. Not just by Eminem, but in a lot of other aspects of life that I don't need to mention. But let me go on the positive side for a minute. What do you have coming up? Anything that we can announce to these people? Something that can give them some optimism?

Michael: Yes, I'm always working on wonderful music. I've been working on several albums right now, I've been working on music today. I'm working on something as we speak Geraldo, and I'm in the process of making plans to do some other wonderful things that I'll be announcing to the fans very, very soon. And I look forward to that Geraldo, you know. And I'll give you a call too, soon.

Geraldo: I bet you do, I bet you do. Ok, please do. But before I let you go, anything else you want to say?

Michael: I love my fans, I love you and thank you so much for being there on my behalf. And thank you Geraldo again, thank you so so much.

Geraldo: Ok Michael, thank you. Thanks for calling in. Michael Jackson everybody.
---

Many thanks to TSColdMan for the transcript.

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Michael Jackson's Statement- November 4, 2004
Mood:  hug me
November 4, 2004

To my loyal fans and supporters,

I would like to sincerely thank all those who have spoken out and taken action against the most recent attempt to defame me as a person and an entertainer. My team has told me of the thousands of calls that have been made and the thousands of emails that have been sent by you, on my behalf. I am so grateful and inspired by you all.

To my fans in the UK, I want to you to know how touched I was to hear about the demonstration in London that took place on October 31st and the thousands of people that attended. I am so overwhelmed by these beautiful expressions of love from my fans. Thank you.

Recently, I have been informed that there is an event being planned for me, by the fans, to take place in New York very soon. I wanted take this opportunity to thank these fans from the bottom of my heart for your love and support.

As always, I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR NOT BEING AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT.

God Bless,

Michael Jackson

Jacko wants veto on court sketch
Mood:  incredulous

26/10/2004


Michael Jackson wants to be able to approve sketches drawn of him in court and even wants to handpick the court artist.

The self-proclaimed King of Pop is concerned that he could be made out to look strange unless he has control over the sketches and has asked his lawyers whether he can have "final approval", the Daily Star reports.

Jackson is due at court on child abuse charges and wants to make sure he is not portrayed in a bad light.

"Michael is well aware that he gets stick from critics and the media about his looks, his thinning hair, his pale looks for a black man and his odd-shaped nose," a source told the Star.

"He is seriously worried that since cameras can't go into the courtroom then the drawings might make him look like a freak or a clown. He wanted an artist who would draw him in a flattering light."

But court officials are unlikely to succumb to the pop star's demands, insisting that he will be treated the same as anyone else ordered to attend court.

"We do not allow defendants to choose who does the daily sketches," a spokesman for the Santa Monica court told the newspaper.

"The judges will not even hear an application to that effect."

Jackson denies all ten charges against him.

? 1998-2004 DeHavilland Information Services plc. All rights reserved.

JACKSON'S CHILDREN TO MEET THEIR MOTHER
Mood:  don't ask




Two of MICHAEL JACKSON's children will finally get to meet up with their mother DEBBIE ROWE for the first time in close to four years.

US WEEKLY reports that in a closed courtroom on 22 October (04), judge STEPHEN M LACHS ruled that seven-year-old PRINCE MICHAEL and PARIS, six, can visit former dermatologist's nurse Rowe - possibly before Jackson's child molestation trial begins in January (05).

A source says, "They will finally get to know that (rowe) is there for them. Michael can no longer keep the children from their mother."

Rowe, who was married to Jackson from 1996 to 1999, is keen to reverse a custody settlement she signed off on the couple's two children. She now wants an active role in their lives.

27/10/2004 21:09

Michael Jackson may commit suicide if he is convicted!
Mood:  sad

[Hollywood News]: London, Oct 20 : Michael Jackson's family fears that the pop icon may commit suicide if he is convicted of sexual assault.

Close relatives of the 'Thriller' star are, in fact, holding weekly meetings to decide the best possible way to bail him out of trouble.

"Michael ain't going to jail, he's going to commit suicide first," The Sun quoted a source quoting Jackson's brother Jermaine as saying.

The 46-year-old singing sensation is set to face trial early next year on charges of nine counts of child molestation. (ANI)

JACKSON HIT WITH HOTEL BILL
Mood:  sad
JACKSON HIT WITH HOTEL BILL


The troubled pop superstar has reportedly been slapped with a hefty bill from bosses at the MIRAGE, where cabaret stars SIEGFRIED AND ROY used to perform, for wrecking a villa he stayed in with his entourage a year ago (03).

Insiders tell American tabloid GLOBE that bosses have been patient, but Jackson, who uses the name JONATHON PARKER when he checks into the Mirage, has still to pay the alleged $250,000 (GBP138,900).

The source says, "I'm told he left an absolute mess behind. The carpeting was completely destroyed. The hotel found food, candy and whatever smashed into the carpeting throughout the place and there were drinks spilled all over it."

Jackson and his entourage vacated the villa when a warrant was issued for his arrest on child molestation charges.

21/10/2004 21:07

MICHAEL JACKSON SPEAKS PUBLICLY ABOUT EMINEM?S VIDEO
Mood:  hug me
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2004

On Tuesday, October 12, 2004, at 8:00AM, P.D.T., Michael Jackson appeared on ?The Steve Harvey Morning Show,? 100.3 / The Beat, a Radio One station, regarding Eminem?s video. In an exclusive interview with Steve Harvey, Michael Jackson made the following statement:

?I would like to thank you, Steve, Radio One, the African-American community, my fans from around the world, and some of the members of the media, for the support that you have given to me. I would also like to thank Mr. Robert Johnson, Chairman and Founder of BET for pulling the Eminem video from BET?s airplay. I appreciate very much the love and support that you all have shown me.

?I am very angry at Eminem?s depiction of me in his video. I feel that it is outrageous and disrespectful. It is one thing to spoof, but it is another to be demeaning and insensitive.

?I?ve admired Eminem as a artist, and was shocked by this. The video was inappropriate and disrespectful to me, my children, my family, and the community at large. It is my hope that the other networks will take BET?s lead and pull it.?

MJJsource

HIP-HOP COMMUNITY DEFENDS MICHAEL JACKSON, CONDEMNS NEW EMINEM VIDEO
Mood:  happy

Date: Thursday, October 14, 2004



Source: RONN TOROSSIAN

-- RACISM AND DISRESPECT FOR BLACK CULTURE AND ITS ICONS NOT TO BE TOLERATED SAYS MAGAZINE CEO RAY BENZINO--

NEW YORK, NY, October 13, 2004- The Source Magazine, the largest magazine devoted to hip-hop music, culture and politics applauded today as BET (Black Entertainment Television), pulled the newest Eminem video ?Just Lose It? from its video rotation. BET Chairman and Founder Robert Johnson personally removed the video, which mocks cultural icon Michael Jackson and shows an overall level of disrespect for black culture and its icons.

Eminem?s latest racial misstep comes on the heels of racist charges first leveled against him nearly two years ago by The Source?s CEO Ray Benzino. These charges intensified last November, after tapes where Eminem, real name Marshall Mathers, is heard rapping using blatant racial epithets and making disparaging remarks about black women. The ?Just Lose It? video is vindication for Benzino and The Source who were accused of overreacting by mainstream media outlets, other artists, and so called ?hip-hop activists.?

?For too long influential people in the hip-hop community have stood by Eminem while he has made a mockery of the culture that inspires and motivates our young people to achieve and be proud of their black heritage,? said Ray Benzino, CEO of The Source. ?I am proud of both Robert Johnson of BET for pulling the video, and for comedian Steve Harvey for urging MTV and VH1 to do the same. We as the leaders in the Hip-Hop community and music industry need to step up and realize that Eminem?s lyrics and actions are tearing down the very culture that people like Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, and Public Enemy have built from the ground up. I urge all members of hip-hop to come out and support Jackson, one of the most important, cultural icons of our time. No one should stand behind this mockery and only by supporting the airplay of ?Just Lose It? are we giving Eminem a way out.

Furthermore, The Source called upon Eminem?s management to pull the single from his upcoming album, and to publicly apologize to Michael Jackson for his offensive portrayal of the King of Pop. As one of Black America?s most visible icons, the magazine views any criticism of Jackson as a direct snipe at the culture itself.

The Source has weathered a consistent storm of criticism since first going after Eminem two years ago. Portrayed in the mainstream press as having a vendetta against Eminem, despite the publication having actually given the rapper his first big break when it featured him in its March 1998 ?Unsigned Hype? section, the magazine has never backed off its claims that Eminem is a racist and an imminent danger to the hip-hop community.

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Statement From MJJForum Fan Community Regarding Eminem's video, "Just Lose It."
Mood:  cool
MJJForum eNews #397 - October 13, 2004

REVISED


MJJForum.com, one of the largest Michael Jackson support groups on the internet, officially protests MTV?s continued promotion of Marshal Mathers, known as Eminem, and his video, "Just Lose It". Mathers, an artist who has condoned crimes against women, intolerance of sexual diversity, and domestic violence, has now added racial denigration to the litany of anti-social behaviors he exemplifies. The image of a member of the majority race vomiting on a black man reawakens age-old memories for segments of the black population who can still remember when vile acts such as this were perpetrated against them and their loved ones in order to keep them in their place.

We find it quite suspect that Mathers would choose Michael Jackson, the most famous black entertainer in history, as the target for his personal subjugation. In the 1980?s, Mr. Jackson broke through the glass ceiling of discrimination in the music industry and opened the door for many black artists to achieve success. It is obvious that Mathers, a white artist who has exploited a musical genre originated by African Americans, now intends to symbolically put Mr. Jackson where Mathers believes he belongs. Those days are over, and no African American should stand for this.

We agree with Robert Johnson, President of BET, who has called this video ?inappropriate and offensive,? and has wisely removed it from the station?s play list. We find it unacceptable that MTV, who has profited from the airing of Mr. Jackson?s own work for more than 20 years, continues to broadcast this open insult to Mr. Jackson and to the black community.

Furthermore, we find it reprehensible that MTV insists to air a video that is prejudicial to Mr. Jackson in a way that could negatively affect the legal proceedings he is involved in at the moment. MTV is grossly out of line in its interference in serious judicial proceedings by its support of one person?s slanted view of a situation which has yet to be resolved. MTV and Mathers should, themselves, be held accountable for their actions in a court of law.

Unfortunately, MJJForum cannot make that happen. We can, however, make our voices heard by informing fellow fans of all races, and from all over the world, of the position MTV has taken on the matter, and to encourage these millions of fans to take whatever action they see fit. We believe that MTV should follow the example BET has set by taking a stand and refusing to allow racial insults to infect our airwaves. The removal of this video from the MTV play list is certainly warranted.

contact: Barbara Chauvin, Editor - MJJForum.com
bchauvin@mjjforum.com

DISCLAIMER: Neither MJJFORUM.COM, CLUBMJJF.COM, MJJF-EUROPE.COM, nor the opinions expressed in any and all writings/posts/eNews messages located anywhere on this site, are in any way affiliated either expressly or implicitly with Michael Jackson, MJJsource.com, MJJProductions, his management, his attorneys, etc.


Source: MJJForum.com

JACKSON TO SUE EMINEM?
Mood:  loud

Troubled singer MICHAEL JACKSON will allegedly sue rapper EMINEM over his new music video, which mocks the THRILLER star.

The JUST LOSE IT promo features Eminem dressed as Jackson, losing his cosmetically enhanced nose, jumping on a bed with young children, being vomited on by the real Eminem and dousing his flaming hair by sticking his head down a toilet.

Jackson has branded the video "disrespectful" and is to determined to have it banned, reports Britain's DAILY SPORT newspaper.

Jackson's spokesperson says, "The Jackson family feels the video is demeaning and disrespectful. Michael is very displeased and doesn't want it shown."

A source close to the 46-year-old says, "The entire video is a send-up of Michael Jackson. Michael is very upset and is going crazy over it. Don't be surprised if he sues over this.

"He is moonwalking and has greasy hair. Eminem's hair catches on fire, just like Michael's did in the famous Pepsi commercial. He runs into a public toilet and douses the flames in a toilet."

10/10/2004 14:16

Jackson Prosecutor ?blinded by zeal?
Mood:  surprised
MJJForum eNews #393 - October 8, 2004

Defense lawyers for entertainer Michael Jackson have argued that District Attorney Thomas Sneddon and his team of prosecutors should be removed from the case due to a conflict of interest.

The motion, originally filed on October 4th, was unsealed on Thursday revealing further details of the DA?s alleged vendetta against the superstar.

Jackson supporters and members of the media have for some time speculated that Sneddon is too personally involved in the case following his failed attempt to prosecute the singer in 1993.

The 34-page motion, still partially blacked out, claims Sneddon is "blinded by his zeal to convict Michael Jackson" and should be removed from the case. The defense further states the DA?s office "have an actual conflict of interest . . . that is so grave it is unlikely that Mr. Jackson will receive a fair trial."

Much of the document?s content had previously been included in a motion to dismiss the indictment against Mr. Jackson. Both motions cite Sneddon?s bias during grand jury proceedings. Judge Rodney Melville has yet to rule on the motion to dismiss the grand jury indictment.

In the unsealed documents, defense attorney Steve Cochran points out that the accuser?s mother was allowed to refer to Mr. Jackson as ?the devil? during her testimony to the grand jury. He further claims that she "prejudiced the grand jury with wild tales of 'killers' and secret conversations in 'code' despite a total lack of support for this version of events by other witnesses, including her own family."

Jackson?s team also contends that prosecutors "poisoned the well" during the hearings by allowing testimony about the 1993 case. It is also alleged that former county Sheriff, Jim Thomas, was allowed to leak prejudicial information about the case to the media.
This followed Judge Melville?s ruling that Thomas, now an NBC consultant, was not covered by the gag order preventing anyone involved in the case speaking publicly about it. The former Sheriff has said that while he does have a friendship with Sneddon, they do not discuss the current case and claims he did not leak information.

The tenuous relationship between the accuser?s parents was also highlighted during grand jury proceedings. Rocky relations between the two resulted in divorce and a restraining order being placed against the father.

At one point, it is revealed, he took photographs of his then wife as she came towards him with a stick. Prosecutors implied the boy?s father had sold this photograph to a tabloid newspaper. Jackson?s team claim this was an attempt by the prosecution to "sully the jurors' opinion" of the boy?s father. He still denies having sold the pictures.

The motion further points out that the investigation itself only began following the airing of a British documentary, ?Living with Michael Jackson?. The program left a "misimpression that Mr. Jackson had slept in the same bed with (the victim.)" Mr. Cochran notes that both Jackson and the boy say in the documentary that the singer slept on the floor while his accuser used the bed.

Jackson?s defense team also attacked Sneddon?s public demeanor during a news conference held to announce the arrest warrant again Mr. Jackson late last year. Many felt his jovial behavior was inappropriate.

Cochran again pointed out that Sneddon overstepped his boundaries as prosecutor when he personally led surveillance of an office belonging to a private investigator working for then Jackson attorney, Mark Geragos.

In an unusual move, Sneddon was called to testify in August and claimed his decision to personally conduct the surveillance was made out of convenience, as he happened to be in the area that day.

Also in the defense spotlight is Court TV and former Hard Copy journalist, Diane Dimond, who has been reporting on Jackson since 1993. In the newly released documents, defense attorneys have requested copies of any notes Sneddon had made of meetings with Dimond.

Prosecutors have requested that the motion to remove Sneddon not be heard during the next pre-trial hearing on October 14th. It is not yet known which motions will be heard on this date.



Source: SBNews-Press/NYPost/MJJForum

Michael Jackson Yale Conference Media Coverage Inaccurate
Mood:  blue

"Regarding Michael Jackson: Performing Racial, Gender, and Sexual Difference Center Stage" a conference at Yale University that brought together scholars from many disciplines for two days, Sept. 23-24. The A.P. report by Diane Scarponi was inaccurate in saying that the legal case against Michael Jackson was not discussed.

(PRWEB) September 30, 2004 - The conference, "Regarding Michael Jackson:Performing Racial, Gender, and Sexual Difference Center Stage" brought together scholars from many disciplines for two days at Yale University, Sept. 23-24. Michael Jackson has both a private and a public personae. The Yale conference focused on Jackson as he presents himself as a public figure and in his artistic production. In a sense, the conference was a preview and a validation of the many ways he will be studied in the future as a cultural force, as someone who has pushed the limits of not only music, dance, video and film, but also the limits of the right to self-expression within a cultural framework.

The papers, respondents and discussions focused not on speculations about Jackson's motivations for personal and artistic choices, but on how those choices have altered the terrain of performance, music, and culture itself. His cultural influence can be seen in the multi-disciplinary nature of the conference, drawing people from musicology, fine arts, English, culture/media studies, critical theory and photography. Each presenter brought a different optique within the context of a thorough knowledge of and appreciation for the significance of Jackson's work.

The papers fell into two broad categories: 1)Jackson's cultural influence as he has tested boundaries of stereo-typical, cultural conceptions of race and gender through his self-expression, and 2) analyses of Jackson's music, videos and films. Uri McMillan's paper, "White Ambition: Michael Jackson, Racial Erasure, and Aesthetic Surgery" was not a discussion of specifics about Michael Jackson and plastic surgery, as the title suggests, but comprised a historical view of the uses of plastic surgery by various races and ethnicities as a strategy for coping with prejudice and seeking economic mainstreaming.

Musicologist Jason King discussed Jackson's vocals in his earlier, adult music, comparing them to others of his contemporaries. Nora Morrison presented her readings of themes of racial tension in Jackson's films (Beat It, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and The Wiz), as in each of these pieces, Jackson subdues unruly crowds through music and dance. Rose Theresa's paper, "Michael Jackson, the King of Melodrama: Innocent until Proven Guilty," was enlightening about the theatrical genre of melodrama, which was explored through Jackson's short film, "Ghosts."

Todd Gray's paper was an exception to the two categories, in that he brought personal knowledge of Jackson to his presentation, as Michael Jackson's personal photographer for many years, (and designer of the "feet logo"). Gray showed installations and imagery of exhibitions of his photographs of Jackson. He said that Jackson had specific ideas about how he wanted to be represented to the public, and exerted full editorial control over each photograph that was published.

The A.P. report by Diane Scarponi was inaccurate in saying that the legal case against Michael Jackson was not discussed. K. C. Arceneaux's paper, "Michael Jackson: Media and Mythologies," presented facts about the child-molestation case against Jackson that have been suppressed or omitted by media, and explained how media taps into mythologies in order to raise ratings and "sell" the news. Refreshingly, the conference did NOT concern gossip about Jackson's personal life, nor mention tabloid stories, nor rumors. Instead, the conference was a serious look at Jackson's work and his vanguard position within culture by scholars who were thoroughly familiar with his artistry. It should be noted that popular culture, as a kind of ongoing, contemporary history, is a frequent topic in university classes, seminars, and conferences, and that other celebrities have also been the focus of serious study as they take their places in the history of art, music, and theater. This kind of serious study is a needed, balancing counterpoint to the often inaccurate media coverage of Jackson.

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