Michael Jackson To Judge: Talk to the Hand

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 )

Another day, another child sex assault charge, and another courtroom "no show" for pop star Michael Jackson, who was fined $10,000 yesterday for failure to appear at a New Orleans Federal civil case.

Jackson was required to appear in court in July but at the time he was at home in Los Angeles too busy dealing with the Santa Monica child molestation trial to pop over to Louisiana.

The plaintiff, Joseph Thomas Bartucci Jr., claims he was 18 in 1984 when he was lured into Jackson's limousine at the World's Fair by one of the singer's employees, then held against his will for days. He also claims he was sexually assaulted by Jackson (who would have been 26 at the time) during a cross country drive to California and back. He says the memory of the incident had been "repressed" until 2003, when he saw the coverage of the child molestation charges brought against Jackson in the California case.

The judge scheduled a conference Sept. 7 to choose a trial date although it is believed the case won't go to trial. "It's very unlikely," said Jackson's lawyer Charles Gay. "There is probably a problem with the statue of limitations."

Michael Jackson Moving to Neverland East

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

With his frail health and a career in deep doo-doo, troubled singer Michael Jackson has bought a luxury house in the Gulf state of Bahrain, where he can move about in public discretely while wearing flowing robes and headscarves.

According to the reports, Jacko just purchased a 14-acre property near a palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa, a son of Bahrain's King Hamad.

Jackson fits right in wearing traditional local dress -- a white djellaba and head-dress -- and is able to walk the streets undetected in his new adopted country. Don't count on it. It won't be long before he'll be begging for attention again ... my back hurts! my hair's on fire! watch me dangle a baby! it's was only milk and cookies! it was charming! it's wonderful to share your bed!, There has been a string of reports that Jackson was looking at Europe as a possible new home, if he does intend to leave his Neverland Ranch in California forever. His father, Joe Jackson, reportedly told German press last week that the singer intended to move to Berlin.

Adding to all of his legal problems and image trouble, Jackson's recent album of greatest hits bombed in its debut, limping along in the US music charts at a lowly number 128. His old fans already have all of his stuff and he's not gaining many new fans.

And it doesn't look like things are going to get any better any time soon. Noted publicist Max Clifford told a reporter that the pop star had approached him to be his rep, but Clifford said no. "It would be the hardest job in PR after Saddam Hussein and I would be astounded if he could turn things around," Clifford said.

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Why Jacko Was Able to "Beat It"

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

"Celebrity got Michael Jackson into this unholy mess, and damned if it didn't help him get out of it too... After all, the case against him had more holes than a botched nose job and the accuser's mother would surely be painted as a bloodsucking zombie ... and just what would a jury of peers consist of in this case? Twelve skin-lightened, nasally challenged pop stars in military jackets? ..."

Read Michael Musto's well done article in the Village Voice on why Jacko moonwalked.

Jacko Verdict is in. View the Love From His Fans

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Singer Michael Jackson has been found "Not Guilty" of all 10 charges against him this afternoon. And with that, the circus outside the Santa Maria courthouse is all but over.

Let's take a moment then, to look back at a "fair and balanced analysis" on the "Wacko for Jacko" fans in a recorded video as they express their love for the King of Pop.

In case you missed the mass of supporters who came out to give Jacko moral support these past few months, take a look at as Triumph the Insult comic Dog from the Conan O'Brien Show -- the top dog himself -- interviews a number of the singer's fans as they continued their vigil outside the courthouse where the trial was held.

This file is 25 MB, so you may have to wait a second or two for it to load. It's hilarious.

Jacko Has Something To Worry About After All

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

It's widely speculated and believed that Michael Jackson will beat the rap on his more serious child molestations charges, but yesterday the judge threw a curve ball that has the defense and the defendant very nervous.

Far from his earlier trial days when he jumped on an SUV to gaily wave to his cheering fans, Jackson left the courthouse appearing glum yesterday, after Judge Rodney Melville told jurors they may consider a "lesser charge" of "furnishing alcohol to a minor," which is a misdemeanor. That means that the jury does not have to relate the alcohol to an intent to molest.

And that's a problem for Jacko. Even if he's cleared of the 10 more serious charges -- which include four counts of committing a lewd act on a minor, false imprisonment and extortion -- a new alcohol charge carries a sentence of up to one year in county jail.

, The jury only has to accept that the star gave Gavin Arvizo alcohol, which the trial has heard Jackson call "Jesus juice", to find him guilty.

Gavin, both on the witness stand and in a videotaped police interview, said Jackson often gave him alcohol while he was staying at Neverland. The defense team has done little to challenge the use of alcohol and instead concentrated on refuting the allegations of child abuse.

Jackson mouthpiece Raymone Bain told reporters that the pop star is "nervous" and "upset." As well he should be. Maybe Michael Jackson, 46, now realizes it's illegal to pump little kids with liquor to get them drunk. Whether you intend to molest them or not.

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Jay Leno Testifies at Jackson Trial

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Now that the Michael Jackson trial is wrapping up, funny guy Jay Leno is back to his Jacko jokes on the "Tonight Show."

Leno was made to testify for the defense this week, and he talked about his turn in the hot seat: "There was one kinda embarrassing moment. When I took the stand they asked me to point out the defendant ... and I pointed out LaToya."

He joked about rumors of Jackson wanting to leave the country if acquitted: "Michael wants to disappear in Africa ... Africa ... He has a better chance of disappearing in Sweden."

Leno also commented about the allegations: "Well, after -- what, 12 weeks of trial -- Michael Jackson's attorneys have finally admitted that Michael slept with children but it was about love, not sex.... It just goes to prove that line works for all guys."

And Leno joked about his role as a witness: "I was called by the defense ... apparently, they've never seen this program."

Alice Cooper Has Words of Advice to Jacko

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

From another music legend who has take on the Michael Jackson trial, rocker Alice Cooper tells itv.com: "He can't possibly go to any jail that exists right now. My idea was that they build him a fantasy jail like Captain Hook's ship because he's so into this Peter Pan thing."

Yup, that's Alice Cooper himself criticizing someone for wearing make-up. But in Jackson's case, it's not just the powder and lipstick and bleaching, it's the rest of it: the combination of the pasty, fish belly-colored white skin, the clownish red lipstick, the nose carving surgeries, the pointed chin ... the enlarged alien eyes. Not to mention Jacko's gestapo collection of weird military uniforms, ribbons, and medals., Alice also suggested the bleached-skin brother tone down the stage show. " It’s just so bizarre. I’ve known him since he was three years old and he’s so bizarre. He goes into court with red lipstick on and I’m going ‘you’re fighting for your life here son, come on.’ I don’t know, it’s the most theatrical thing I’ve ever seen. But it’s a horrific crime if he did it."

But Harland Braun, a Los Angeles defense attorney, sees Jackson's bizarre appearance and courtroom theatrics as working in Jackson’s favor. He said Jackson's unusual history with children gave him the framework of an alibi. "His own strangeness is his best defense," the lawyer said. "Everyone knows he's strange…. In this case, it helps him."

As does his high priced defense lawyers. In Santa Monica, the defense continues to score points this week with a host of witnesses testifying as to the solid character of Jackson. At this point, the real shock of this trial would be if Jackson is actually convicted on any of the nine charges.

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Prosecution's Case Falls Apart at Jacko Trial

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

After all, it is California. We shouldn't be surprised that the star witness for the prosecution turned out to be an excellent cheerleader for the defense team, as Debbie Rowe took the stand for the second day yesterday at Michael Jackson's trial in Santa Monica.

She was such a true friend to the defense, in fact, that she was seen hours later having dinner at the fabulous Four Seasons hotel ... with the Defense Lawyers!
, Her testimony during her two-days in the witness stand was patty-cake and was in no way dangerous to the "Bad" singer and his case. The prosecution of the child molestation case has been so inept that the defense has likely won before they even have presented their witnesses who will try to defend Jackson. Don't be surprise if Jackson walks after all is said and done.

Rowe made it clear in her testimony that she still is fond of Jackson and hopes that they'll one day be reunited as friends. Asked whether she still considers him a friend, Rowe said, "Yeah. If he'd talk to me." Then she looked at Jackson and said: "Sorry."

She also said that the pop singer was easily manipulated by "opportunistic vultures" in his own inner circle who wanted to make millions from his troubles.

Rowe stated that she hasn't seen the couple's two children since their divorce when she gave up her parental rights and is petitioning a court for visitation rights. She may get what she wants too, now that she's proved she is watching Michael's back.

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Who's Your Daddy? Ex-wife may Reveal ALL at Jacko's trial

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Who really sired those blonde-haired, blue-eyed kids that belong to pop star Michael Jackson? Today is "D-Day," or "Debbie Day" for the prosecution's case in the pop star's child molestation trial.

Debbie Rowe, the singer's ex-wife and mother of his two older kids, will be on the stand and could do some real damage to the singer's reputation. It's being speculated that she could let "slip" the identity of the real father of Prince, 8, and Paris, 7.

Sources have been saying all along that Debbie was artificially inseminated for her two pregnancies and the children were not conceived in the usual grunt and thanks way with Jacko. London tabloids published that rumor last year and it's been said that Debbie has also admitted as much to her friends, as well as other juicy tidbits about her (non) marriage to Jackson ...

Pimp Your Kid to Michael Jackson

Posted by Fara Kearnes at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 )

Jay Leno joked during his Tonight Show monologue on Monday night, "This week, Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, is scheduled to testify against him at his sexual molestation trial. His ex-wife ... He thought his face was white before ... oh my gosh! ..."

More Leno: "Hey, you know who else is going testify? Macaulay Culkin. Macaulay Culkin is going to testify for the defense. He's expected to say that he was never, ever molested by Michael. How about that? They finally found a kid that wasn't."
, So the judge in the Jacko child molestation trial in Santa Maria has ruled that he will allow the singer's ex-wife to testify in court this week, which could be very damaging to Jackson's defense.

There was a confidentiality clause in their divorce settlement that had prevented Debbie from speaking about paternity issues, Jackson's mental and physical condition, or his lifestyle. But now that a subpoena has been issued by the prosecution, it cancels out the civil agreement and the court was told she will testify. And she's ready to tell all . . .

One of the things, Debbie is expected to talk about is that she was offered visitation rights with her children ONLY if she praised Jackson in a taped interview. Prosecutors say the taping occurred at the same time the accuser's family was forced to make a similar video to make Jackson look good.

Debbie hopes to eventually win custody of her two kids back from Jackson, even though she pimped them to him years ago for big cash and a nice house. But her score was nowhere near the $22 million Jacko gave the family of his first kiddie victim 10 years ago to keep quiet. It's going to be an interesting week ...

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