Posted on 06/08/2005 3:14:42 PM PDT by SkyPilot
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - In an unusual development with jury deliberations under way, the judge in the Michael Jackson case planned to release a statement Wednesday. The subject of the statement and the timing of its release were not immediately known.
The jury in Jackson's child molestation case ended deliberations for the day around 2:30 p.m. They finished and left the courthouse minutes after the plan to issue a statement was announced.
Word that the statement was planned came after attorneys on both sides met in chambers with Judge Rodney S. Melville, said Peter Shaplen, the news media pool coordinator for the trial.
The jury has now finished three full days of deliberations on the child molestation charges that could send the pop star to prison. The panel meets daily from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with three 10-minute breaks.
The defendant remained away from the courthouse Wednesday but his longtime friend, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, came by to advocate on his behalf before the news media.
Rev. Jackson charged that the jury was being subjected to "psychological warfare" because of a television report in which a former Santa Barbara County sheriff showed a jail where the singer might go if convicted and immediately ordered into custody.
"One might call it a kind of psychological warfare," Rev. Jackson said. "With an unsequestered jury, they are saying here is where he will stay."
In the Tuesday report, former sheriff Jim Thomas, a consultant for NBC, appeared at the main jail in Santa Barbara with MSNBC host Dan Abrams. Thomas showed Abrams the outside of the jail and talked about what would happen if Jackson is convicted and taken there. Pool video footage of the inside of the jail was shown.
Asked if the defendant was upset by the visuals of the jail, Rev. Jackson said, "He's not watching television."
Thomas responded to the Rev. Jackson's statements Wednesday, saying, "I think the jurors are quite capable of figuring out where he'll go, if he's convicted, without my help." The jury has been ordered to avoid all news reports on the trial.
Rev. Jackson said he spent four hours with the pop star Tuesday. He said the singer's parents, brothers and sisters were with him at his Neverland ranch.
"I came here as his friend and minister," he said. "I've known Michael since he was 8 years old. When people's backs are against the wall they turn to God."
The 46-year-old Jackson is charged with molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2003, giving him wine, and conspiracy involving an effort to hold the boy and his family against their will to get them to rebut a damaging documentary about Jackson.
That's funny, we had a similar discussion at work today.
You do know of course they are one in the same, so if they're trailing LaToya, it's still Michael.
So, basically, you are saying that anyone could molest those children and get away with it because of their mother?
Remember Roman Polanski? when he fled it was shocking then after a few weeks in Paris the whole thing was forgotten and Polanski resumed his "normal" public life
"pheasants in t-shirts...with one little white glove on their leg.."
Wouldn't you if you were on the jury? I would unless they told me not to, in which case I'd have to get a friend to take extreme measures to make sure I didn't, the temptation would be too great.
"Surrounded by fans and media yesterday, a confused Joseph Jackson asked: 'Where is Michael? Where is my son at?'"
"The judge has determined that Michael Jackson will not have to be present for the reading of the verdict due to medical issues, I'm guessing."
But of course.
This was all pre planned by MJ's lawyers and advisors.
Expect MJ to suffer from back pains from now until the verdict. I'm gussing here that at this time he's either approaching south of the borders, or he's already there, and ready to flee. And if the MSM ask where Jacko is, his lawyers answer will be: "Home suffering from back pains."
"He couldn't afford to live in a place so upscale they can afford to clothe all their game birds."
A Note from Michael Jackson and the Jackson Family Regarding Unauthorized Statements
Created: Wednesday, 08 June 2005
The efforts of Michael Jackson's friends and supporters are noticed and very much appreciated at this time. However, only Michael Jackson's attorneys of record have been authorized to speak on his behalf.
Source: MJJsource
I think you pretty much nailed her. :-)
Joe should not end his sentences with prepositions during.
It's got a bad dye and weave job on that head.
As soon as he is convicted, they cuff and and take him away. He will not show for the verdict. he is long gone already. The only down side, is the penalty for bail-jumping if he were actually acquitted.
The jury probably agreed on a verdict long ago. What they have to continue to work on is their strategy for insuring that they all get as much as possible from the book, TV and movie deals. They need to be sure they're all on the same page and that they have a collective strategy for negotiating their contracts with the studios.
FWIW-
My guesses:
1. Latoya switcheroo (funny, but unlikely)
2. Whatever the verdict is Jackson won't leave Neverland (can he ever?). Judge will get mad, but not to burden the jury will proceed with reading their decisions. If guilty, watch a caravan of LEOs proceed to Neverland.
He's already gone. What is the down side? A bail-jumping charge if he is found Not-Guilty. Any other scenario, it is still better for him.
They pulled my MICHAEL JACKSON HAS FLED THE COUNTRY VANITY POST...(I guess Michael got the word to the powers at FR to keep it hush hush)
Latoya could be used for that purpose...
Jesse Jackson said this:
"Reverend Jackson said he spent several hours with Jackson in his bedroom Tuesday and also had counselled the star's mother Katherine and father Joe and siblings Janet, LaToya, Rebe and Randy."
In his bedroom? Ick.
BTW, my second scenario, I foresee at the moment of his apprehension Michael Jackson will be in one of his favorite places, eg his tree or Merry-go-round, forlorn about his loss of Neverland. A touching moment (ugh).
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