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16
« on: August 31, 2014, 09:24:29 AM »
MICHAEL JACKSON
Kids Visit His Hometown
For Birthday CelebrationPosted 8/31/2014 6.45AM by TMZ Staff. ![]() On what would have been his 56th birthday, Michael Jackson's three kids -- Paris, Prince and Blanket -- visited his hometown of Gary, Indiana for a family celebration. The occasion marked the first time all three Jackson children have been seen together in quite some time. As TMZ first reported, Paris has recently reconnected with her family tried to take her own life by cutting herself a year ago. She's been living in Utah at a boarding school where she's receiving therapy. ![]() Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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17
« on: July 27, 2014, 04:22:39 AM »
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Register or LoginJackson Documentary Tangled In Lawsuitby Richard Johnson July 26, 2014 ![]() The executors in charge of the Michael Jackson estate will be investigated in a documentary, “Follow the Money,” being produced by Edward Bass, who is already in a legal battle with them. Bass — whose credits include 2006’s “Bobby,” which was nominated for a Golden Globe Best Picture and starred Anthony Hopkins, Joy Bryant and Shia LaBeouf — sued lawyer John Branca and music exec John McClain after they obtained a “cease and desist” court order preventing Bass from releasing, “Michael: The Last Photo Shoots.” The documentary includes video footage shot by Jackson’s friend, Hassan Mohammed, of two 2007 magazine shoots — one by Bruce Weber, the other by Matthew Rolston. Bass bought the video from Mohammed, but the estate’s lawyer Howard Weitzman claims the estate owns the footage, which includes “private moments that [Jackson] never agreed could be publicly and commercially exploited.” Bass told me, “Michael loved the footage. He was thrilled when it aired. He would be horrified at what these lawyers are doing.” Bass said the footage was shown and offered to the estate. “After 18 months of negotiations, they turned it down. If you owned it, why would you negotiate to buy it?” His next documentary, “Follow the Money,” will focus on Branca and McClain, who — in the five years since Jackson’s death — have collected far more than the nearly $20 million that has gone to Jackson’s mother, Katherine, and his three children. The estate has also spent $17 million on legal fees. “They don’t mind spending millions of dollars on litigation, because they are paying themselves,” Bass said. “Somebody has to challenge them. We want to set a precedent here,” Bass said. “It’s a matter of principle. We’re not backing off.”
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« on: July 14, 2014, 10:51:31 PM »
I just stumbled across this news story and thought it was worth posting as it involves Zaldy and Travis Payne and it is all about money, This Is It and all that came after it. You are not allowed to view links.
Register or LoginMichael Jackson’s N.Y. Pinoy designer sued by 2 partners MONDAY, 14 JULY 2014 13:41 WRITTEN BY ADMINISTRATOR ![]() Zaldy (above) has styled some of the biggest names in Hollywood like Jennifer Lopez, Mick Jagger, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. A New York City-based Filipino stylist and costume designer, who worked on the stage wardrobe of Michael Jackson’s ill-fated 2009 “This Is It” concert, is being sued by his two business partners charging that the designer owes them as much as $480,000 in commissions. Style guru Zaldy, who has also worked with Mick Jagger, Jennifer Lopez, the Rolling Stones and Gwen Stefani, wrongfully cut the two creative artists out of more than $280,000 in proceeds from work done for the late King of Pop’s wardrobe, the complainants claim in court. Zaldy, a former model whose real name is Nestor Goco, was contracted to design costumes for Jackson’s world tour, though the singer died on June 25, 2009 of an overdose of propofol and benzodiazepine, according to a 2009 profile in W magazine. Zaldy was subsequently paid to allow his designs to be included in an ongoing worldwide tour of Jackson memorabilia and other shows authorized by the Jackson estate, including the “Immortal World Tour” and Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson ONE,” a Las Vegas stage production inspired by his hits. The complainants, Zaldy’s former associates Christopher Demers and Travis Payne, claim in New York County Supreme Court in a case filed June 26 — a day after the pop superstar’s fifth death anniversary — that they signed a four-year contract of artist management agreement with Zaldy on July 10, 2009, related to any and all business ventures “regarding the artist known as Michael Jackson and all entities relating to same or his estate.” Demers and Payne claim they agreed to serve as Zaldy’s managers from July 2009 to secure work with Jackson’s estate in exchange for a 20 percent cut of profits. They say they fulfilled their obligations to Zaldy, but that the designer has stonewalled every time they sought payment for their services. Zaldy “has not only failed and refused to pay any sums due under the agreement, but also failed and refused to provide information concerning his MJ-related income that is required to calculate the precise sum due,” says the lawsuit. Zaldy also created a Swarovski crystal blanket for Jackson’s coffin. Demers and Payne estimate that Zaldy — a Parsons and FIT-trained designer who has also made clothes for Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Keith Richards, Mary J. Blige and other big stars — has earned at least $1.4 million from his Jackson-related work since 2009, and that the amount could be as high as $2.4 million. As a result, they say, they are owed at least $280,000, “and perhaps upwards of $480,000.” The plaintiffs seek an accounting, money earned and costs. Demers has worked as a brand consultant for stars like Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z. ![]() michael.jackson.2 The late Michael Jackson is seen wearing the stunning jacket created by Zaldy for Jackson’s “This Is It” concert. (Getty Images) The Emmy-nominated Payne was the choreographer for “This is It” and first gained fame as a dancer for Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation tour in 1989. He’s also performed with Madonna, Ricky Martin and Prince. The two are represented by David Trachtenberg, with Trachtenberg Rodes & Friedberg LLP. Zaldy did not respond to requests for comment. Born in the Philippines, Zaldy was costume designer of Lady Gaga’s The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden, and Britney Spears’ The Femme Fatale Tour, both in 2011. Before becoming a designer, he walked runways for Vivienne Westwood, Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier. He also served as consultant to Donna Karan, RuPaul, Shiseido and MAC. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay...is it just me or is this some very weird wording going on in this story here......all business ventures “regarding the artist known as Michael Jackson and all entities relating to same or his estate.”
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« on: June 01, 2014, 08:39:31 AM »
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Register or Login![]() OUR VACATION WITH MICHAEL JACKSON What would you do if the world's biggest superstar suddenly invited himself on your family vacation? Twenty-three years ago this actually happened to the Goldstein family of Orlando, Florida. In a bizarre twist of events Michael Jackson went on vacation to Bermuda with the Goldsteins via child actor Macaulay Culkin. Luckily, Alan Goldstein videotaped the entire trip but never released the footage until now. In a new one hour television special Alan, Lynn and their son, Brock, talk about their phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime experience of hanging with Michael Jackson at the very height of his fame. The program also includes intimate, home-movie footage shot by Alan Goldstein and a wealth of personal photos from the trip. Our Vacation with Michael Jackson not only shows The King of Pop as we've never seen before but provides an intimate glimpse into the troubled yet innocent world he lived in. "I was shocked when he got off that elevator for the first time," says Alan Goldstein. "I didn't believe it was really him but, more importantly, where was everyone else? I mean no handlers, no agents, no groupies, just him, all by himself." This quiet little get-away turned into an extended fun-filled, escapist dream of an adventure. Money was no object and things got wild when the richest star of his day decided to party; five star hotels, a bottomless shopping spree at a toy store, a stomach-churning speed boat ride with Ross Perot, water gun fights, pie fights, ocean swims, and more. This was possibly Michael Jackson's last, fully free, innocent time to do as he pleased before his life started to close in on him with mind-numbing accusations of molestation and criticism for his off the wall behavior. In 1991 Brock Goldstein was ten and an aspiring child actor. He happened to get cast in a Macaulay Culkin film that was shooting in Orlando, "My Girl," and developed an immediate friendship with Culkin. Several months later, when Brock's parents announced that the family was going to Bermuda on a vacation, Brock asked if Macaulay Culkin could come along. Then a few days later Brock mentioned that a friend of Macaulay's wanted to join them in Bermuda. Alan Goldstein explains: "So, I said to Brock-who's the friend? And he goes, 'Michael Jackson' and I thought it was just the fantasy of a ten-year-old. But when we got to Bermuda, who shows up the next day but Michael Jackson!" Michael Jackson was desperate to re-capture his stolen childhood and escape the non-stop glare of the media. Jackson's friendship with Macaulay Culkin apparently allowed the child inside him to come out. The Bermuda footage shows a surprisingly unguarded Michael Jackson literally re-living his childhood with two ten-year-olds. "I think that was one of the few times he was able to have that sort of freedom," says Brock Goldstein. "It seemed like he didn't want the vacation to ever end." Our Vacation with Michael Jackson also explores the motivation behind Michael Jackson's yearning for childhood play and why he was wary of adults. "Kids are honest," Jackson told Lynn Goldstein one evening during the trip. "You can trust them. I haven't been around hardly any adults that haven't ended up wanting something from me." FILM POSTER Click HERE to view the Film Poster.
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« on: May 27, 2014, 11:13:36 PM »
Just some thoughts on the album Xscape and the billboard Illusion. This is not thought out, but just as it comes .......
The Estate chose to revisit the Dangerous era for the billboards awards hologram performance. Maybe their reasoning for this was because this is supposedly the era that the song Slave to the Rhythm was worked, but it never made the cut to the album at that point in time. Common sense would tell me this is why this era and not for example Bad was chosen, but the hoax glasses make me see a little differently.
Is there something more here. This may be a stretch, but here goes anyway......
I also couple this era [Dangerous] in my mind when Michael's trouble started in earnest. Before the chandler allegations MJ was sitting securely upon his throne. The King undisputed, but along come the chi/mo allegations fuelled by the tabloid feeding frenzy and it started a process that Michael never totally recovered from in the eyes of the world.
Looking at a couple of tracks on Xscape [the album name itself speaks volumes] for example A Place With No Name, maybe it holds more than pointing to the crypt at Forest Lawn. The lyrics for the track start out with Michael singing about driving his jeep and getting a flat tyre and finding himself stuck on the side of the road.
Maybe it is just me and my imagination again, but it made me think of the situation when MJ's jeep broke down and he was brought into contact with the chandler klan.
Here are the first few lines of the song....
As I drove across on the highway
My jeep began to rock
I didn't know what to do so I stopped and got out
And looked down and noticed I got a flat
So I walked out, parked the car like sideways
So I can find what I can fix
I looked around there were no cars on the highway
I felt a strange feeling like a mist
I walked down towards the end of the road
And in the fog a woman appeared
She said don't you worry my friend I'll take care
Take my hand, I'll take you there
Another interesting inclusion is the track Do You Know Where Your Children Are. This is a very ballsy inclusion IMO, cause it confronts the hearers and puts sexual abuse of minors in the forefront of the listeners thinking because of the lyrics.
Chicago talks about a woman who was still married and had a family but deceived this man [ in the song] . Hmm. Maybe I'm way off and it's just my overhoaxed brain, but June could fit this description here too.
That's it for now, as I watch MJ [figuratively in a hologram/ impersonator form] walk back up those stairs and reclaim that throne that is rightfully his and yeah....totally own it.
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« on: May 17, 2014, 08:00:18 PM »
Billboard Awards Preview
Michael Jackson Imagery Is "As If He's Still Alive"May 17, 2014 by Robin Leach.![]() A “real-life” Michael Jackson will appear halfway through the 2014 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday at MGM Grand Garden Arena despite last-minute lawsuits and court filings to block the spectacle. “It’s as if he’s still alive. He’s totally real. It’s absolutely uncanny. People who have seen just a little of it have become so emotional, they have tears running down their face. They are sobbing because it’s as if he didn’t die,” I was told. Late Friday, federal judge Kent Dawson ruled here that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove that patents on previous hologram 3D images held by two companies and an individual had been violated. The emergency lawsuit had been filed against the King of Pop’s estate and its trustees John Branca and Howard Weitzman by Hologram USA Inc., Musion Das Hologram Ltd and businessman Alki David, who says that he control rights to hologram technology. A veil of secrecy has been lowered over the Billboard extravaganza. The only official word from ABC and Dick Clark Productions is that “it will be a history-making performance.” My original story about the imagery was posted at Vegas DeLuxe on Tuesday when Michael’s new album “Xscape” was released. But I learned exclusively Friday night that Michael’s image to be unveiled about halfway in the three-hour ABC telecast is brand new technology. “It was two years in development and took an additional six months to create for this network premiere,” I was told. “This is way, way beyond a hologram. It is way, way beyond what you know as 3D. This isn’t even digital. It is far more advanced and a totally new process.” “This lawsuit to attempt to stop the broadcast was just a stunt. It was ludicrous,” snapped L.A. attorney Howard Weitzman, who represented Michael’s estate and Dick Clark Productions, who is staging the BBMAs for ABC. “The court’s decision is not surprising.” I also exclusively learned that Michael will be seen dancing with a cast of dancers. He will be seen moonwalking back and forth the entire MGM Grand Garden Arena stage. He also will be seen dancing up and down stairs. “This is the most emotional piece of television we have ever produced in our 40-year TV careers,” two Dick Clark Productions execs told me. “A few people have seen it, a tiny portion of it, already in the arena and have been crying — it’s that powerful. Incredibly, it plays even better on the TV screen, so imagine how viewers will react at home. “They will be in a state of disbelief. It’s as if he’s still alive at the height of his career.” I learned that Michael’s estate trustees came across undiscovered L.A. Reid recorded footage of Michael that they didn’t know existed. The lawsuit says the music will be a new song, “Slave to the Rhythm.” “They didn’t know what they originally wanted to do with it or make with it except just wanting to capture him alive forever. That became the background format for this new technology. It might have gone to Cirque du Soleil. They might have found a way to complete the This Is It tour. “This has never been done before. It is 100 steps beyond anything anybody has ever thought you’d experienced as a hologram. It is so real, it is so lifelike, there is no way an audience would know the artist is not there in front of them. So real an artist would actually never have to go out on tour again or need makeup for an appearance. The artist is there without being there. You cannot tell the difference. “That will be proven Sunday night with Michael Jackson, just like he’s done before time and time again as a pioneer with music-technology breakthroughs.” A few key major city radio DJs were given a 30-second sneak preview of the spectacle after signing secrecy agreements. Under strict promises of remaining anonymous, I was told: “Within 10 seconds, I was shaking. Then I started sobbing. Michael was alive. I had goose bumps. He was as real as the day I last saw him alive. “I cannot tell you what he does, but his fans from this point on will never believe that he died. It will be four minutes they will remember forever.” No plans for its future use have yet been revealed, but I am told that plans will be forthcoming and will be expanded to include other song material later. Meantime, another lawsuit has yet to be determined. Cirque and MGM Resorts International have until next Friday to answer a case in Los Angeles Federal Court filed by Hologram USA claiming unlicensed use of the digital rendition used in Cirque’s “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay. You are not allowed to view links.
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22
« on: May 17, 2014, 02:53:43 AM »
Jackie JacksonI'm In Tears Over MJ's New Album22 minutes ago By TMZ STAFF ![]() Michael Jackson's new album could cause a whole new rift in the Jackson family -- Jermaine told us he was against it ... but brother Jackie says he's so excited about the new cd, it made him cry. Jackie tells TMZ he's listened to the entire cd and thinks producer L.A. Reid "hit it right on the head," adding, "It brought tears to my eyes to see that they felt Michael was in the room when they made the record." Jackie says he loves "Xscape" so much, he went out and bought copies for himself and friends. Think he'll give one to Jermaine? Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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23
« on: May 16, 2014, 01:11:54 PM »
Michael Jackson Hologram
LAWSUIT THREATENS BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS PERFORMANCE5/16/2014 7.13AM PDT by TMZ STAFF ![]() A hologram performance by Michael Jackson -- the main event at Sunday's Billboard Music Awards -- could be put to sleep before it even hits the stage ... thanks to a last-minute lawsuit. Alki David -- who says he controls the rights to the hologram technology -- filed suit late Thursday against the Michael Jackson Estate, MJ's production company and Dick Clark Productions ... to stop them from showing a hologram of Michael using David's technology. According to the suit -- obtained by TMZ -- a life-size, projected 3D image of Michael will showcase a never-before-released Jackson song, "Slave to the Rhythm." The MJ spectacle is similar to the Tupac Shakur hologram at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival ... which David claims was based on the same technology. David says if Billboard goes ahead with the Jackson performance Sunday ... it will destroy his plans for a similar, high-profile holographic MJ performance. He wants a judge to stop it ... STAT. Howard Weitzman, the lawyer for the MJ Estate, tells TMZ, "This is another Alki David stunt, no different than his claiming that Brandon Howard was Michael Jackson's son. It is ludicrous ... and the show goes on." Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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24
« on: April 11, 2014, 08:42:32 AM »
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Register or LoginDebbie Rowe--I've Changed My MindI'm Marrying Marc Schaffel4/10/2014 PDT by TMZ Staff. ![]() Debbie Rowe has had a change of heart and decided to marry long-time friend Marc Schaffel ... and the flip flop has to do with her health. Rowe -- who was famously married to Michael Jackson and had 2 kids while she was married to him -- tells TMZ ... when Schaffel gave her what looked like an engagement ring 3 weeks ago, she made it clear she would NOT marry him ... largely because she feared she had terminal cancer. Rowe says she got the word from her doctors Wednesday ... she has sarcoidosis -- an auto-immune disease which is NOT cancer and not life-threatening. She has decided to now say yes to Schaffel's proposal, telling TMZ, "He loves me, knows my kids, loves my kids and we'll see where this goes." Rowe says they have not set a date. ![]() Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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25
« on: March 14, 2014, 04:07:38 AM »
I found this on line recently where Bjork was asked a question from Michael during an interview back in 2003. I loved her response :smiley_abuv:
This is a transcript of her reply.
In 2003, Björk did an In Camera interview at showstudio. One of the questions came from the King of pop himself!
Michael Jackson, Santa Barbara, California : I have always loved and admired your creativity. Nature's struggle to survive alongside mankind has been an inspiration for me: given the natural beauty of your Icelandic homeland, how does nature inspire your work?
Björk : I hope this doesn't sound too naff, but being alone in nature, especially after walking for hours, just puts you in your place and you realise how small you are and how plenty of everything is all around you. Then you just let go and surrender, become part of it. I'm so chuffed you asked me a question! I have to say you're the best, keep fighting and it angers me how cruel everybody is to you. It's like in the US right now, it's illegal to be an eccentric. Maybe people would have been more understanding if you were a contemporary of Ludwig II of Bavaria, who comissioned Wagner and lived with the swans. I listen to Butterflies off your last album all the time. You are a true artist! Thanks for fighting and believing in magic even though the rest of the world have forgotten about it.
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« on: March 03, 2014, 09:14:38 AM »
Michael Jackson's Pianist..Conrad Murray Screwed MeOut Of 'This Is It' Riches.3/3/2014 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF ![]() Michael Jackson's pianist could have been huge -- hauling in nearly half a million bucks -- if Conrad Murray didn't kill MJ ... so now he's threatening to sue Murray for all the money he lost. Morris Pleasure was in the band for the "This Is It" tour, and last fall -- while Conrad was still in jail -- he fired off a letter accusing the doctor of robbing him out of what would have been his "highest-paying job." Pleasure's no stiff -- he's performed with Earth, Wind & Fire, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, and Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack and many more -- but the MJ gig would have been his pinnacle of his career. We're told Mo P stood to make about $400,000 over 2 years of touring with Michael. By law, Murray had 90 days to work out a settlement -- but the piano man's attorney tells us they've heard nothing ... so the next step will likely be a lawsuit for the lost wages. Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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27
« on: February 09, 2014, 06:59:44 AM »
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Register or LoginBEATLES GURU
TAXMAN WAS RIGHT
MJ COLLECTION WORTH A FORTUNE2/9/2014 12.55AM PST by TMZ Staff ![]() The Michael Jackson Estate is insane for trying to value MJ's Beatles collection at ZERO for tax purposes ... so says one of the most prominent Beatles experts in the world ... who also happens to be a tax attorney. The Estate is in a dogfight with the IRS ... which claims MJs people stiffed the government on more than a half a BILLION dollars in taxes by undervaluing assets ... including MJs interest in songs by MJ and the Beatles. The Estates says the asset is worth NOTHING. The IRS says the Estate should have declared a value of $469 million. Beatles guru and attorney Bruce Spizer tells TMZ, "No one could value that collection at zero with a straight face." Spizer, who has written 8 books about the group that changed the world 50 years ago tonight on "The Ed Sullivan Show," says the IRS may have "slightly inflated" the value of the catalog, but believes it's definitely worth minimum $300 million and could be as much as $400 million. Spizer says, "For the Estate to list the value at zero, they lose all credibility." Reps for the MJ Estate tell TMZ, they dispute the entire IRS analysis of MJs assets. The reps say they used nationally-recognized experts to determine value while the IRS wallows in speculation. The reps say the Estate paid more than $100 mil in taxes and fully complied with the law. Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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28
« on: February 03, 2014, 09:10:39 PM »
Hey guys.
I noticed that Souza has added some off topic categories to the site and one of them was for conspiracy theories.
I have recently stumbled onto this great read from 2008. It is long, [ I am presently up to part 10, and I can't stay away]
Every one seems to get a mention and attention in this read, including Frank Zappa, Lennon, Elvis's backing band , the Manson family, Jim Morrison, Crosby Stills and Nash and the fact that 99 % of these pioneering artists came from military families. The author has done an excellent job of piecing together the story of this rather strange, but apparently orchestrated timeline of events.
Here is the link to part one for anyone interested. You are not allowed to view links.
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29
« on: December 26, 2013, 07:46:15 AM »
MICHAEL JACKSON
GUARDIAN OF KIDS......
Back Off Stupid Cousin!12/26/2013 12.40AM PST by TMZ Staff ![]() TJ Jackson -- the guardian of Michael Jackson's 3 kids -- is not in the XMAS spirit when it comes to a cousin who is trying to yank guardianship away from him ... we've learned TJ has gone to court asking a judge to blow this dude out of the water. Anthony Jackson II filed legal docs asking a judge to appoint him guardian, but TJ says he never explains why. The petition sounds like BS, but what's interesting is TJ revealing a little bit about his role. He says both he and Katherine are doing a great job as co-guardians. TJ says Paris, Blanket and Prince all like the way it is. TJ makes no mention of Paris Jackson's attempted suicide earlier this year. Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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30
« on: December 14, 2013, 04:15:58 AM »
KATHERINE JACKSON
THE JURY BAMBOOZLED
I WANT A NEW TRIAL12/13/2013 5.09 PST by TMZ Staff ![]() Katherine Jackson has just formally asked for a new trial in the Michael Jackson wrongful death case, claiming the judge screwed up by not letting the jury consider that Conrad Murray acted like a nincompoop AFTER he was hired by AEG. Katherine lost because the jury decided when AEG hired Murray, there was no reason to believe he was incompetent. The answer to that question ended the case. Katherine feels the judge should have allowed jurors to go further -- even if Murray seemed competent at the beginning, he proved reckless and irresponsible during the months leading up to Jackson's death, and AEG did nothing to stop it. The documents formally asking for a new trial include statements from 4 jurors, who say they feel the verdict was wrong. One juror says, "I feel so cheated ..." Another juror felt Katherine should have won, and complained the jury instructions made that impossible. And still another juror said, "This was a very unfair and upsetting way to end the case. There was no question in my mind that AEG Live was liable." Katherine wants a second bite of the apple. Read more: You are not allowed to view links.
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