Michael's police booking photo in 2003![]()
D.L. picture TMZ claims was filed in 2005 ![]()
I stumbled onto an article that was posted the day Michael's new license photo was "taken"...
Rulings On Seized ItemsJudge Rodney Melville ruled on
Thursday July 21, 2005 that most items seized from Michael Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch should be returned - but not photos of the singer's genitalia.
Prosecutor Tom Sneddon did not want the photos returned:
"I don't believe it would be appropriate for the court to consider (releasing) them. They were never entered into evidence." The judge agreed with Sneddon:
"I think (the photographs) are subject to the 1993 order and not subject to this court's order. I will be making an order that they will be maintained under the previous order."
The judge said a prior order dictates that those images must remain locked in a safe-deposit box.
Sneddon also said he opposed returning what he characterized as "contraband" seized from Neverland, near Los Olivos, during the search.
"Demerol, syringes, clothing that contained Demerol," Sneddon said, listing the items at Judge Melville's request. "There was a number of prescriptions that were in other people's names."
Sneddon said the prescriptions were for Xanax and various antibiotics, and that one of the prescriptions was in the name of a Neverland employee.
Judge Melville ruled that items seized from Neverland and not entered into evidence, including about nine computers, should be returned.
"Anything you have seized that was not brought to court and was not contraband, should be returned to Mr. Jackson."
The judge also ruled that all other seized items should be returned to their owner, after the media has time to examine them. However, Melville indicated he would not allow reporters to view numerous videotapes featuring Jackson, the accuser's family or both.
"Those have privacy issues and copyright issues and in all likelihood, I would not order their release."
Sneddon said he was concerned about returning adult magazines seized from Neverland, because the items underwent a chemical fingerprinting process.
"They bear a seal on the binder that say they are toxic. I believe there should be some kind of a release signed by Mr. Jackson ... if he or one of his children has a toxic reaction to one of those materials."
Sneddon also indicated that the boy and the family who accused Jackson of conspiracy and child molestation wanted some of their possessions returned, including a jacket and watch that Jackson gave the youth.
The family also requested the return of their passports, birth certificates and visas, along with applications for those materials. They also wanted several photographs and books returned.
Michael Jackson's defense had petitioned for the return of all items seized from the singer. Attorney Stephen Dunkle represented Jackson in court Thursday, but did not make oral arguments.
"The District Attorney and the Sheriff's Department are not entitled to retain seized property," Dunkle wrote in his motion. "...This case is over. Law enforcement is merely holding the seized materials for the Court and has no independent right of possession."
Source: MJFC / Santa Maria Times
