Michael Jackson's blanket of secrecy to be removed?

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  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    Katherine Jackson, Rebbie and Trent turned up in court this morning.

    Travis Payne continued his evidence describing Michael as 'loopy' after visits to Dr. Arnie Klein.
    "Sometimes in rehearsal, Michael would appear just a little loopy," Payne said, adding that the singer appeared to be "assisted or under the influence of something."

    Payne told the court he saw Jackson's unusual behavior several times in the weeks before his death but did not think Michael had a problem abusing prescription medications. Michael missed rehearsals and was seen shivering at some of the final rehearsals.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    Under cross examination....
    .... Payne acknowledged that some of Jackson's behavior, including grogginess, lethargy, insomnia and occasional paranoia, were possible symptoms of prescription drug abuse. He also said that despite testifying earlier that he worked with Jackson one-on-one five days a week, he couldn't recall how many rehearsals the singer actually attended.
    Payne was working for AEG and said he relayed his concerns about Jackson's possible prescription drug use to tour director Kenny Ortega. Jackson was struggling to get into shape for the shows, and Payne said his voice coach suggested using a voice track for fast-paced songs until the singer's stamina improved.

    He said Jackson wanted to use a teleprompter during the shows as "extra security," but it was an aid the performer had not used in his two previous tours.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    Asked by an AEG lawyer about how Michael seemed at rehearsals in June Travis Payne said at times he was lethargic and needed “support” to rehearse. Travis said at one point he and others attempted to bring in a physical therapist to help Michael, but the idea was rejected by Michael as a violation of his personal space.

    Payne said he twice briefly met Conrad Murray, once as they passed on the stairs at Michael's rented home and once after rehearsals. Payne said after the first meeting with Murray he told Kenny Ortega he did not think Murray was an official doctor, he and Ortega were aware Michael had sleep problems.

    Payne was asked if AEG executives knew of Michael's sleep problems, following objections he was only allowed to say “No” as to whether Paul Gongaware knew.

    Travis testified by mid June there was talk by AEG of pulling the plug on 'This Is It'.

    Although Dr. Arnie Klein may not appear as a witness, the medical records he has may appear.

    Payne agreed with the families lawyer that Michael did not attend rehearsals on May 19 and June 22, that yesterday he had mistakenly said Michael was present on May 19.

    Panish the families lawyer ended by asking three questions...
    • Did you see that Michael Jackson appeared to be pressured to get everything done at the Staples last rehearsals?
    • The pressure about the shows started to manifest itself physically in Michael Jackson.
    • You could sense that something was wrong, you just didn't know what it was.

    Travis Payne responed yes to all three questions.

    At this point Travis's demeanor seemed to change and he appeared to be holding back tears.

    On redirect examination, Jessica Stebbins Bina for AEG asked how many rehearsals did Michael attend, Travis could not recall dates or precise numbers but he said it was a 'significant' number.

    Jessica showed a number of pictures taken at the premiere of the 'This Is It' film, one showed Payne smiling with Jackson brothers Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon.

    The families lawyer pointed out Katherine Jackson and her grandchildren didn’t go to the premiere because they weren’t over Jackson’s death. To which Travis responded he didn’t think anyone was over Jackson’s death when the film premiered in late 2009.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 329
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    haphash wrote: »
    Vitiligo isn't a life threatening condition. It can be genetically inherited but it doesn't automatically follow that a child will have it if the parent does. None of MJs siblings appear to have it.
    It seems very unlikely that this is the reason he didn't father the children.

    As for the racial issue it surprises me still that he didn't want a black sperm donor. His family are black and identify themselves as part of African-American culture. If they had a black parent his children would more easily fit in with the rest of the family. I know people will say, what does it matter what colour the kids are, but in America they are more into labelling themselves than we are.


    Hm, you are correct in saying that vitiligo is not life threatening and is not necessarily likely to be passed on (my father has it, but neither I nor either of my sisters do, as far as we can tell), but it can be very unpleasant, particularly for someone who does not have pale skin naturally (which presumably, his children wouldn't have).

    As for the 'not using a black donor' thing... This is just my reasoning... Whilst his family may have identified themselves with black culture, I am not sure Michael did. Look at his plastic surgery, all procedures that made his features less like that of a black person (or any kind of person really, but still), and his hair that was turned straight, and non-afro.... He certainly doesn't strike me as someone who was happy with the way he looked and was proud of who he was, he may have thought that passing on his 'bad' genes would have not been good for the kids.
  • haphashhaphash Posts: 21,448
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    Thanks for posting the interesting updates i4u.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 9
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    There's topless photos of one of his boys with the same condition under his arm...
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    The court was not in session yesterday and won't begin again till this afternoon (evening UK).

    During her evidence Karen Faye said she had in her name the prescription drug 'Propecia' for Michael. Today it featured on TV as a drug purchased online without a prescription that should never be prescribed to a woman. The TV programmes medical expert warned the drug would have serious consequences regarding childbirth for a woman.

    So how was Karen getting that drug in her name and where from?

    Faye also mentioned Dr. Stuart Finkelstein as being the doctor on tours, soon after Michael's death Roger Friedman wrote...
    Ironically, Dr. Finkelstein lists himself as an addiction specialist. When I tried to talk to him last week, he read me a statement and got off the phone. Finkelstein has gotten a lot of publicity for working with Britney Spears and Robert Downey Jr., among others. One article referred to him as “the rock and roll doctor.”

    Friedman's annoymous source said...
    According to one observer, Dr. Finkelstein would supply Michael with the drugs he wanted, then tape the “antidote” to what he’d given him to the singer’s headboard.

    “I refused to take part in any of it,” says this longtime Jacko friend. “I was asked to transport ‘patches’ to Bangkok during the ‘Dangerous’ tour. I refused. When I arrived the doctor found me and said it was’ good thing I didn’t because it was syringes and liquid opiates and I would have been hanged in Thailand for bringing them in without being a doctor.”

    Sounds very similar to what Karen Faye told the court.

    The secret source ;) also said Michael was addicted. The doctors would ‘balance’ his drugs, just enough, so he could perform and make his benefactors rich. The source threatened doctors, but new ones would appear.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    So back in court yessterday was a short day with a fair amount of legal discussions beginning with emails to and from Frank Di Leo which the Jackson family wish to produce in court. Originally AEG represented Di Leo's widow in an Ohio court over the emails now her own lawyer is going to sift through the emails and hand them to both sides next week.

    There was a legal arguement over allowing Conrad Murray's statement to used as evidence without him present. The judge suggested it was ambiguous and did not clarify the situation.

    Eventually Julie Hollander, a vice president and controller of event operations for AEG Live was was called as an adverse by the Jackson family. She gave evidence relating to budgets, the money allocated to pay Conrad Murray.

    The case continues....
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    In tweets by ABC 7 there is more on Hollander's evidence...
    Hollander: "My understating was that Dr. Murray was part of the budget, is listed on the budget for the tour at the request of the artist."

    "Timm Wooley advised me that Dr. Murray was being engaged at the request of the artist," Hollander testified, saying contract with AEG Live

    Hollander: There was $300,000 listed on the budget for Dr. Murray, yes. That budget was approved by Mr. Gongaware.

    Memo: MJ wishes to have permanent physician available on call thru pre-tour/operational period. There are 2 months at $150K newly budgeted.

    Panish showed the jury the budget from 5/16/09 for 27 shows: Management Medical --300,000; 450,000; 750,000
    Total: $1.5MM to pay Dr. Murray
  • honeythewitchhoneythewitch Posts: 37,237
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    Rei wrote: »
    Hm, you are correct in saying that vitiligo is not life threatening and is not necessarily likely to be passed on (my father has it, but neither I nor either of my sisters do, as far as we can tell), but it can be very unpleasant, particularly for someone who does not have pale skin naturally (which presumably, his children wouldn't have).

    As for the 'not using a black donor' thing... This is just my reasoning... Whilst his family may have identified themselves with black culture, I am not sure Michael did. Look at his plastic surgery, all procedures that made his features less like that of a black person (or any kind of person really, but still), and his hair that was turned straight, and non-afro.... He certainly doesn't strike me as someone who was happy with the way he looked and was proud of who he was, he may have thought that passing on his 'bad' genes would have not been good for the kids.

    I dont think Michael Jackson would have used a donor to prevent passing on vitilligo (and the children may very well be genetically his) because Debbie Rowe appears to suffer from it herself.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    Yesterday morning the families lawyer decided not to call a propofol expert instead they sat and watched a deposition video by another expert witness.

    The video was of Marty Hom a freelancer tour manager who's worked for AEG Live and Live Nation with such acts as the Eagles, Bette Midler, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson and other big-name acts.

    Asked by the families lawyer given ties to AEG how he could convince the jury he was objective. He said he'd worked with Janet Jackson and met Katherine a few times.

    Hom said he'd never hired a doctor to go on tour with an artist, he'd use local doctors if an artist took sick. He'd never worked on a tour where an artist brought along a doctor.

    He said would not hire a doctor to give an opiate-dependent artist Demerol. Neither would he hire a doctor if it was known the doctor was feeding an artist's chemical dependency.

    The families lawyer asked if he hoped to continue working for AEG, to which he replied yes and also Live Nation.

    AEG's lawyer asked if Hom knew of any tours where a doctor had been included he said there had been one on a previous Rolling Stone tour and a Blink-182 tour.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    AEG executive Julie Hollander returned to continue her evidence about budgets....

    The families lawyer produced documents that showed AEG had budgeted Conrad Murray as “preproduction cost.” The $300k for Murray was not listed under terms MJ was supposed to pay. Murray was never paid.

    Part of Hollander's deposition testement was played to the court, it was the first time she’d seen costs for an artists’ physician included in a tour budget.

    After Michael's death some vendors complained about not being paid. Karen Faye threatened to complain to Randy Phillips that a $11,500 payment for wigs had been stopped.

    When Phillips was informed he responded, “Pay it immediately,” Phillips wrote in an email. “Do not stiff any vendors.”

    AEG began their questiioning of Julie Hollander by asking about advance payments made to Michael Jackson. Hollander said she was instructed not to pay Murray until Jackson signed the physician’s contract.

    Hollander said, “A budget is just a tool,” a guide for the tour, the contract’s terms dictate the payments.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    More details from last Friday by ABC7 Court News....

    Some additional info Panish lawyer for the family told @ABC7 decided not to call his Propofol expert as would add nothing new to the case.

    Regarding those wigs Randy Phillips emailed Holland: "This is from Karen Faye who did MJ's hair and make up...She bought three wigs for use in the tour and one of them is going to be used for his final rest."

    The families lawyer Panish told the previous witness on tape he had evidence AEG paid Michael Jackson's manager. Panish asked Holland about Tohme Tohme she said she knew Tohme was terminated before MJ died, therefore had no legal power to sign on his behalf.

    Panish said $36 million was spent in MJ's project.

    Timm Wooley prepared on June 18, 2009 what he thought was "equitable division of expenses between MJ and The Tour."

    AEG would pay for an entertainment arcade & bowling alley because of precondition in terms of what MJ needed at the house as and part of the bargain. AEG would pay for three of the local houses: Bush, Faye and Murray (wardrobe dresser, make-up/hair & personal physician).

    Michael Jackson would pay for additional furniture, staffing, security, nanny, food.

    The following day Paul Gongaware approved the allocation and the charges.

    Hollander testified that if the tour failed to go ahead Michael Jackson was responsible for 100% of the production costs, but if the tour went ahead AEG would pay 5% and Michael Jackson 95%.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    Having indicated Michael Jackson was a known addict and wafer thin and unfit they are implying why would AEG take the unusual step of employing a doctor to go on tour with Michael.

    AEG look to be arguing they had no wish to have Murray be on the tour and it was Michael who wanted Murray with him.

    The family want to show AEG had budgeted $300,000 for Murray and therefore intended to pay him for his work but not as part of any advance.

    AEG are going to argue the budget is merely a guide and they only pay when a contract has been signed and in this case neither Michael Jackson or themselves had signed the contract.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 7,363
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    I really despise the Jackson family trying to pin Michael's death on everyone but Michael.
    Why can't they just let him rest in peace if only for his children's sake.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    Report by Associated Press of yesterday's goings on.

    Yesterday's main witness was AEG General Counsel Shawn Trell who told the court tour director Kenny Ortega was being paid without a fully executed contract...
    "Kenny Ortega is different from Conrad Murray," Trell testified

    Trell said top AEG were informed 5 days before Michael's death by Kenny Ortega via email that Michael was in poor health...
    "There are strong signs of paranoia, anxiety, and obsessive-like behavior," Ortega wrote to AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips. Jackson's symptoms were reminiscent of behavior that led to the cancellation of an HBO concert earlier in the decade. Ortega wrote.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    Katherine Jackson, Rebbie and Trent Jackson were in court to see Julie Hollander finnish giving evidence.

    She mostly repeated what she said last week. Additional information was that AEG spent a total of $24m producing the 'This Is It' tour.

    Hollander believed Michael Jackson signature was required on Murray's contract because of the personal nature of the doctor's services. Murray's contract was the only one she had ever seen in which an artist had to approve a contract for services on a tour.

    At the start of the day the judge 'admonished' those watching the case for approaching jurors.

    The main witness yesterday was AEG general counsel Shawn Trell whowas described as the person who drafted and edited Michael Jackson's contract.

    The families lawyer Brian Panish asked Trell what he knew of Michael Jackson's desire to produce movies with an AEG film group. Trell said he was aware of Michael's interest in producing movies but not specifically with AEG.

    Trell testified that including Murray as a production cost in the budgets and a letter tsent in July 2009 to Jackson's estate was a mistake.

    Under Michael's agreement with AEG Live the former manager Tohme Tohme was to be paid $100,000 a month, Trell said after the contract was signed he discovered Michael Jackson had not authorised the payments.
    "If Michael Jackson didn’t authorize it, it wasn’t going to get paid."

    Trell was questioned about cancellation insurance for Michael, insurers in London had concerns about Jackson's health and the insurance broker was for a medical examination of Jackson before agreeing a policy.

    In emails he was said Jackson was being 'mauled' by the tabloids over health concerns. Trell said there was concern Michael had skin cancer. In January 2009 Trell and the insurance broker exchanged emails attempting to decide which doctor should examine Michael, eventually a New York doctor was chosen.

    Trell never saw the results of the examination, in March the insurers wanted another medical examination of Michael in London. The second examination would cover illness but insurers wanted another examination and to attend a full dress rehearsal.

    Trell told court he inquired about life insurance for Micahel as AEG had done for other artists.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    What purpose had New York doctor David Slavit been given to examine Michael Jackson ?

    AEG informed Lloyds of London that since the trial June 2005 other than for cosmetic surgery Michael Jackson had seen no other doctors. It could be AEG were only repeating what Miachael Jackson told them.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    More on yesterday's evidence from ABC7, details of email exchanges regarding Jackson's health.
  • haphashhaphash Posts: 21,448
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    LIZALYNN wrote: »
    I really despise the Jackson family trying to pin Michael's death on everyone but Michael.

    So do I. He engaged Murray as his doctor and was the one who had an addiction problem (which he tried to keep secret). The family are not dong MJ any favours here by trying to blame his death on the promotors. MJ obviously was under pressure but its the same for all perfomers. The fact remains that he is responsible for his own death.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    AEG Live General Counsel Shawn Trell continued to give evidence yesterday...Associated Press report.

    The day began with Trell correcting his evidence from the previous day, having checked Kenny Ortego did signed a contract in April 2009.

    AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips sent an email to parent company AEG executives that Jackson had missed
    rehearsals and didn't appear ready for his comeback. A few hours later John Branco was said to have emailed and offered to enlist a spiritual and substance abuse specialist to help Jackson.

    This was said to be the day Phillips and others met with Jackson and Murray at the singer's home. Shortly after the meeting Phillips emailed Ortega and wrote...
    "This doctor is extremely successful — we check everyone out — and he does not need this gig so he (is) totally unbiased and ethical," Phillips wrote.

    Trell had testified no checks had been carried out on Murray, questioned about the email Trell said...
    "I know this statement is not accurate, but you'd have to speak with Mr. Phillips about what he thought or meant in saying it,"
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    AEG attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina began questioning Shawn Trell, he explained Michael's estate requested an estimate of the cost of the tour when Jackson died.

    The AEG attorney then produced information the families lawyer had not shown to the jury,

    Murray’s fee on the document had a footnote. Trell read what that footnote which explained why estate wasn’t asked for Murray’s fee...
    “Contract is not signed by Michael Jackson and such signature was condition precedent to any payment obligation.”

    Stebbins Bina then showed a Sept. 2009 report of “This Is It” finances to Michael Jackson’s estate. Murray’s fee was not listed in that document.

    The court was shown the agreement with Kenny Ortega which was signed in April 2009. The agreement was three pages long plus several pages of emails attached. Trell told the court he reviewed the agreement overnight having earlier testified that there wasn’t a formal contract.

    Trell explained 3 scenarios as how concerts can be paid....
    1) Artist pays for production up front

    2) Promoter gives artist an advance, and then they use the money to put together the show

    3) Artist pays someone like AEG Live to produce and promote the show, with costs to come out of their pay.

    Trell called the last 2 options an interest free loan. AEG agreed to a 90/10 split of show's proceeds Jackson would have received the 90 percent portion. Jackson also faced a 5% production fee.

    Regarding tour insurance policies and an agreement with former manager Tohme Tohme, Trell was shown a contract signed by Michael Jackson in January 2009 to pay Tohme Tohme $100,000 a month.

    Trell said the Tohme's agreement was predicated on Jackson getting tour cancellation insurance by a certain date. The deadline passed by which time Tohme was no longer Jackson's manager and wasn't entitled to be paid his monthly fee.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    More details about yesterday from ABC7 Court News...

    In emails from Bob Taylor who I think was acting as insurance broker he stressed a full medical examination of Michael was required..
    Email cont'd: "They may restrict illnes cover or death from illness cover until this examination has taken place."

    "We have no coverage against MJ sickness unless and until MJ submits to another medical in London"

    A Harley Street doctor had set aside 2 hours on July 6 2009 to examine Michael Jackson.

    According to an email from Kenny Ortega, Conrad Murray would not allow Michael to attend rehearsal on June 14 2009.

    (It was 19 June, Michael was sent home from rehearsals)

    The production manager emailed Gongware and Phillips...
    He was a basket case and Kenny was concerned he would embarrass himself on stage, or worse yet, be hurt.

    Interestingly part of the advance to Michael Jackson was $3m to pay off a settlement agreement in a London court, a company owned the rights for Jackson's live performance. "The rights needed to be freed up," Trell said.

    It was said Production Advances were capped to $7.5 million.

    to pay off the settlement agreement of $3 million in London court.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    AEG Live General Counsel Shawn Trell continued to give evidence...
    LOS ANGELES (AP) - A lawyer for the parent company of AEG Live LLC called Michael Jackson a freak on the day the singer signed a multimillion contract for a series of ill-fated comeback concerts, emails displayed for a jury on Wednesday showed.
    Jessica Stebbins Bina, a trial defense lawyer for AEG, said the emails were shown merely to embarrass AEG.
  • i4ui4u Posts: 54,804
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    In his evidence Shawn Trell told of an agreement with Michael Jackson for possibly 3 films. The agreement would have Jackson to get $1 million to develop a script for an AEG-owned film company. The initial project was connected to 'Thriller', June 2009 was the deadline for the offer of the agreement but no film company showed. AEG offered to extend the deadline for a another 3 months, but Jackson never signed the extension.

    Trell was then asked by the AEG lawyer about cancellation insurance, Trell said it was only to recover costs..
    We don’t secure cancellation insurance to secure anticipated profits

    Trell told of difficulty obtaining cancellation insurance due to false media speculation that Michael had skin cancer. The insurance broker suggested a New York doctor who would carry out blood & urine tests, have a questionaire completed and review 5 years of Jackson's medical records.

    Trell never saw the doctor's report but after the examination in early February 2009 the broker's words to Trell were...
    Other than a slight case of hay fever, he passed with flying colors.

    AEG Live were then obtained a $17.5 million cancellation policy for 30 of Jackson’s “This Is It” concerts at the 02. Michael was shown as 'Mark Jones' on the insurance policy, which Trell said was unusual in his experience.

    On re-examination Brian Panish for the family asked Trell if he aws sure Michael signed the 'This Is It' contract on 26 January 2009. Trell conceeded he may have got the date wrong, at this point Panish produced the 'freak' emails.

    Pannish asked is this the type of respect your lawyer (AEG's) showed to Michael.

    Outside of the court Pannish said he was just getting started.
    "That was just the tip of the iceberg," he said of the emails.
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