Author's Note

The day Michael Jackson was exonerated, I 'was asked what I really thought about the verdicts by FOX star Bill O'Reilly, For months, I had been commenting about the trial for FOX Neuss, saying many thing5 against }<1Ckson, leading viewers to believe the pop star was guilty. "When O'Reilly pressed m~ for:an answer on the "not guilty" verdicts, I was stammering. O'Reilly wanted a stra,igbt answer, and I finally said I thought the jury did rhe right thing.

Bur pan of me was still in shock.

A!, I made one of my lase public comments on the case, I realized that I had become one: of the media folks who had predetermined the outcome of the trial, wrongly. Many people arc und me were so s me: of J a cks on • s guilt. Certain report ~ ers had slanted TV and. radio covcrage to SUl[ the prosecution, and I was one of the people who followed that dangerous trend,

Somehow, 1 had missed the truth.

\'7hen I read the accounts of the NOT GUlL 1Y verdicts in all the nrniipapers} I felr ashamed to have been part of the media. machine tha[ seemed hell-bent on destroying Jackson. Meet I thought about ir for a few hours, I contacted the jury foreman. Paul Rodriguez, who talked (0 me- about Jackson, who asserted that }achon had been a target, The jury foreman said Michael Jackson was truly not guilty of the charges. He felr jad{.)on had been victimized by the media,

Writing a book about Jacksrm's innocence- ric .... cr crossed my mind, not during the rna! in Santa Maria, I respected Tom Mescreau as an attorney, and I came [Q see why the jury voted not guilty on every charge, bur I had no intention of revealing my Own slanted news coverage. Beyond that, I certainly didn't want 1::0 expose any of my media "Irienda" as being one-sided and unfair.

To make it dear: there were twenty-two hundred credentialed media people at the trial, and less than a handful of people admitted their deliberate attempts ro

MI CHAEL JACKS ON CONSPIRACY

portray Michael jackson as guilty. Some: of those media folks 'J,.VI;!re a part of my inner circle. 1 have not named names of any media person in this bunk, other rhan Mr. Martin Bashir, because it would be in bad taste co point fingers. ViC\".ers who followed the trial know who the: culprits are.

X must admit that rnett: was :1 point: during the trial, toward th'C end, when II carne to fed sad abour Jackson, when I felr [he whole media worM was against him. I wanted the fans (0 know that I wasn't happy about [he media coverage arul decided (0 go down to the gates of Ncvcrland ro make peace with. his &n5. I went to rell people that I wasn't trying to be unfair to Michael, [hat I was ju.st reponing dn: fucts. I tried Ito convince them that J didn'c have an agenda.

But the bns didn't believe me. They'd seen my newscasts, and many rhoughc I ..... -.)5 lying. I stayed. for quire a while, trying ro rell people than: I wasn't out to smear Jackson, bur they weren' [ interested .

.ru I listened IO his f.111S, who had flown in from places like Spain, Ireland, and even Iran) they [old me '(heir side of rhc story. J heard them insist that the American media was tainted. that Americans hated Jackson fot all the wrong reasons. Some people brought up the race GIrd. Others talked about Michael's friendships with children as br::ing acceptable in an)' pan of the world=-orher man America,

His fans impressed me. Yes, there were a few overzealous people-cone woman called me a whore in Spanish-but at the sante time, many of his suppcmernvere good-hearted, Some wanted to give:: me the benefir of the doubt,

1 appreciated that,

I took pictures with a few fans ar the from gates of Neverland, which was COY~ ered in hearts by those who loved Michael. After a while, a small group of us btgan to bugh about the Arvizo dan and their crazy rebuttal mpe. \Ve were mimicking Ja.net An<i1.O, who, on rape, supported Michael Jackson as her only "family." On the rebuttal rape. janet wondered why. after the airing of the Bashir interview, mere were so many people suddenly showing care and concern for her, when really, onJr MiLhad was supportive of her family,

An un ison, we repeated J and s lines:

"Where were they, when I couldn't feed my children, even a box of cereal!" "Where were thry, when my children and I would weepr"

"Where were thry, when my children and I were lonelyr'

"W11ere were they, when I didn't have enough. m.oney to pay for bus fare?" "Wbere were rheyi" we asked over and over, and we laughed about Janet's

melodramatic rantings,

Because of rhis visit '[0 Neverland, my reporragc took a slight turn. I became more open ro rhe idea that Michael Jackson '>'(,L'): not guihy, and T tried to Stay

xu

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPI R.ACY

years, all throughout the Jackson trial, rr knew I was bejng trashed 'behind my back. Sometimes I was arracked verbally by reporters, even ro my face.

I wondered why F had been put through so much drama and expense and agony-aU for nothing. ~/heu I tra v eled to New York, I discovered that no American pubjisher wanted to touch any Michael Jackson book at aH-c.spedaUy one "(hilt would. be an. account of jackson's side of the 8mry.

I was devastated.

Rut: then I thought ~lbm.n Michael,

I wondered how hr: fdt, and realized char he was the one who'd been through helL He was {he one who was subjecred to a mainstream media machine that \' .. anted him destroyed, He was the one people: trashed behind his back.

Less [han a month after his acquittal, I learned that Jackson, his three children, and their nann}', had moved to the Persian Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain, and I understood why. At lease as a guest of the royal family's Sheik Abdullah. jackson would have his privacy back, and he: could find a way to rccupemre, [0 unwind, and '[Q think about u comeback. Reportedly, [he star was being asked to open a vineyard or <1:\1 arnusement park, but J~ck.son wasn't illiten::-ste&. Michael Jackson had bigger plans, but for [he moment, he JUS! wanred the nightmare behind him.

Monehs later, I contacted Judg-c Rodney Melville, who W[Q[e at court order allowing me to review and photograph all the evidence from the criminal trial, I spent rime making numerous trips to Santa Maria, pouring over documents, taking pictures of Michael's private Ncvcr!and, recording all theevidence {hat I'd. seen during (he trial, requestingcopies of transcripts. Readers should note that all of the quoted testimony in (his book comes directly from the trial transcripts.

I had an epiphany when I sat in the Santa Maria Superior Court Complex basement, rev iewi ng hours of never-released footage. \ViIh a co urt clerk moniroring my notes, I paused at that moment when me accuser told police that he "wasn't sure" about certain rhings, I rewound the: tape of the poHce interview with the: accuser. and asked the court clerk whar she: thought about it. I wanted to know if she had sons, ifhoys age thirteen already know about their sexuality, The court clerk looked at me ;lind. shook her head.

"Of course boys know about that," she said, "certainly b)' age thirteen."

With thar, I had my answer. rr decided to contact a jackson advocate, Pearl Jr., who also covered rhe jackson trial, and. we had lunch together in Los AIlgdes.

Pearl Jr. ~nc;:our:agcd me to write [he book about the jackson trial. however, I still fdt I would he fighring an uphill battle.

A fev;f'i,VCl!!ks later, I hapFened 1[0 run inro Tom Mesereau, no! once, bur twice.

And I rook ir J.S 3L sign.

Foreword

\X1ben I first observed journalist Aphrodite Jones at (he Santa Maria, California, Courthouse in the Michael Jackson case. I turned the other direction. I wanted nothing to do with Ms. Jones. The ficsr time my eyes met those of Ms. Jones. I threw her a deep, told stare, If lnoks could kill, she was buried.

I associated Aphrodite Jones with an international media juggt.:maut that was heavily invested in seeing Michael Jackson convicted and destroyed, Never in my life or career had I found myself in [he middle of such a crazed, dishonest, and manipulative feeding frenzy. Despite (he presence of many honorable journalists, the ghost of profit seemed ro overshadow much that \'\IUS truthful, accurate, and careful.

Approximately one year ;lifter Michael Jackson was acquitted, I unexpectedly met M~, Jones at an art gallery in Beverly Hills to celebrate (he publication of a series of sketches of high-profile trials. For (he firsr time, I had a candid discussion with M~. ]om;,s, J told her that I had watched television during the Scott Pen:r!>on tria! and observed her aggressively place he. head on Defense Counsel Mark Gtngo,s' shoulder. This appeared on all of the evening newscasts about the PettT50llJ trial and, in my opinion, looked terrible for the defense, Nothing like this was going to happen to me.

Ms. Jones told me she undcrsrood completely and greatly respected my ~tylc and approach in ddt: Mudlad jackson defense, She claimed she was having second thoughts about the way the media treated and reported on the Michael Jackson trial. Silt: even indicated she feLt: some guilt for the way she had been caught up in the media frenz.y to portray Michael Jackson in the 'WOrst light possible. Ms. jones said she: was considering writing; a truthful book about the: rea.lity of tht:

Michael Jackson trial and the: distortion of much of the media reporting,

).'"'11

J\HCHAEl]ACKSON CONSPIRACY

\Vhen Aphrodite Jom:~ asked if she could interview me for this effort. I was skeptical. 1' v Iy law partner and cocounsel in the Jackson defense. Susan Yu, was adamant that 1 have no part: of Ms. JonC5' literary efforts. Nevertheless. something !told me (hat Ms. Jones was being rruthfu], cour:ageous, and professional in her desire (0 ser the record straight about the Michael Jackson defcn~e.

I interviewed with Ms. J ones and reviewed some of tin: initial drafts of her proposed book. Surprised by her candor and dToll'[ to go againsr rhe media flow surrounding Michael Jackson and to rcll me truth, I agreed (0 assist, as long the effort came from an honest place. I refused ro tell her what to write or how to write it and have no financial or profit interest in this book or foreword. As some-one who strongly believes in the power and vahres of ideas and disagreement, I appreciate views different from my own, a." long as (hey tome from a place of inregriry, intelligence, and accurate information. In the Michael Jack s on case, mos. media conclusions were shallow, misinformed, and self-serving, I know in my hean of hearts that Michael jachon was not guil~y of any of these grisly charges.

My purpose in wridng [his forcw-ord is 1:0 underscore how important it is to truthfully report: the workings of our justice system. For [he last fifreen yean, American society has been riveted by media treatment of high. profile trials. T devision coverage. documentaries, reenactments, television 5 cries, movies, and books (both ficdon and nonfiction) have found a massive audience when the subjeer is our justice system. The amount of revcnue-c-literally billions of dollarsthar has been generated around rhe world is staggering. It is critical that professional journalists maintain their values and ethics in the middle of this gargan.ruan explosion. I believe this did. nor happen, for the most paUl in the trial coverage of Michael J ackso n.

"When over seventy Santa Barbara sheriffs raided Michael Jackson's home at Neverland Ranch iIi N6vt:mber of 2003, I was returning to Los Angeles from a much-needed vacation. I was in rhe final stage;so[ preparation for '[he defense of actor Robert Blake, who was charged with murdering his wife. Widlin minutes of activating my cell phone after a nine-dar hiatus, ir started ringing off the hook with calls from associates of Michael Jackson. They wanted rnc to immediately fly to Las Vegas and be his attorney.

I declined (he offer because I did nor fed 1 could ethically rover both the Blake and Jackson C<II5CS at once, The Blake murder trial was set for February of 2004 and would consume all of my time. I had managed to frt:e Robert Ehlke from jail in a preliminary hearing, during which every American legal expert said obtaining bail would be impossible. 1 succeeded in having (he conspjracy charge against

~nCHAEl JACKSON CONSPI RA.CY

ML Sneddon arranged for a Web sire at the Santa Barbara sheriff's deparrmcnr for information on Michael Jackson and hired a PR finn. This was absurd,

In 2004, a third grand jury \~NdS assembled in this ";;<lSC. and Michael Ja~6oDl ", .. 'as indicted. The prosecution had nine fingerprint experts in this case-more than I have seen in any dearh penalty case. The fingerprint evidence went nowhere. They recklessly hired every conceivable expellT in areas such as accident rcccnsrrurrion, computer graphics, DNA, forensic accounting, finance, criminalistics, telephones. acoustics, security systems, child molesraticn, psychology, pathology, and jury consulting. They pulled out all the smps in an effort 1[0 bombard d1c jury with =y conceivable facr [hat might help convict Michael. This included hiring a jill}' consultant who had successfully helped [he prosecutors convict Timothy McVeigh, Martha Stewart, and Soon; Peterson.

One will never really know how much money and how many employee hours were spent b), the district auorney's office. Numerous mock trials were conducted and law enforcement: agencies around. the world wen: conracred. Of course, all of this was at the expense of the taxpayers of Santa Barbara, California.

More accredited media from around the globe:: covered this trial [han rhe total number of reporters , .... ho covered the O. J Simpson and SCOEr Peterson trials corn bined. There has never been a trial covered to this extent, and there- pro bably never will be again. Unfortunately, it was believed that enDrMOUS sums of money would be made in films, shows, reenactments, and books about me rise and faU of Michael J-ackson. However, a conviction \ .. ~J.S necessary to successfully complete any of chest: projects. If Michael Jackson had been sent to prison, it would have

. generated more media coverage than any event in. history. Billions of dollars hung in {he balance.

Because he is: the world's best-known celebrity, Michael Jacbon attracts an endless array of srarstruck '\ .... annahes." These indude lawyers and non-lawyers alike, He was constantly subjected to mediocre and shortsighted advice from self-anointed experts abour how to ddencl. himself People were willing to say anything rhey thought would propel them into the event, arid dealing wirh rhi .... sea of fOQ~s was dostr:.1cting and dangerous.

As an illustration, consider the role of (he accuser's mother in. [he "("rial. I decided vcry early that she 1.\'aS going 1:.0 be a main target of our attack, During my opening statement, I informed the jury that 1 would. prove that [he mother had orchesrrarcd these false allegarions. Having examined her for three hours in a pre [rial hearing, I knew she: wouki be a disaster for rhe prosecution on cress-examination. I informed everyone associnred with the Jackson defense that

U:AB C- I' E )'

..... T S . _ ASY

II[ was me final judgment dOIlY, one- of the biggest verdicts in world history, and thousands of people were Hooding rhe streets around the courthouse. The arrival of Michael Jackson was imminent, and shcriW$ deputies treated '[he crowd like they were in a Nazi boot camp. demanding everyone stand. behind strict lines, demanding order om. of the chaos. As some of the media stood outside under me main "commander" tent, waiting ro see who would be given a scat. people fd[ exhausted <lind emotional.

After five months of covering tile case for every network under (he sun, media folks couldn't agree about what kind ofjustkcovas being served in me case of Tbe People of the StltU a/Califomill v: Michad Joe Jackson. Throughout the week [hat till:;:: jury deliberated, cable nen .... orks were fueling public firc. flashing images of jackson's potential jail cells, Some people expected [he superstar to fuel to show up for court, expected that jackson woul d try to dude his fare,

Ir was midday on Monday, June B. 2005. when final notice was given that the jury reached its verdict, Media from around the world were pumped up, and additional TV p!':oph: and filmmakers had arrived with new- demands and. new camera angles ro decipher. A mass of Jackson fails had set up various camps surro un di ng rh e co urrh ouse: fans with camcorde rs, fa.n~ wi rh cell phone cameras, funs with every conceivable high-tech digital device. Proph:· were competing for the best view of Michael, the besr photo of Michael. the best Tvshirt of Michael, the best poster of Michael, It was madness,

Pt:oplc who camped out in Santa Maria were of every race, size, shape, color, and ;tge. Waiting for breaking news, (here was a frenzy among fans, complete with a half dozen jackson impersonators and a handful of women who w.ished.

v.HC["IAEl JACKSON CONSPIRACY

thgr were "Billie jean." Reprcsenrarives were there from perhaps half of the countries around the world, and they were adnmanr about Jackson's innocence.

For the Jackson fd.IH who stood outside every day, the trial provided a rare opportunity to pm aside differences. People from every corner of the planet became united in their fighr for ju.<;tice. They believed rhar Michael was a media pa,vn, and had shown up in droves [0 support him. People loved Michael as a brother, as an entertainer, as an icon-e-but to the media, Jackson's fans seemed excessive and. eccenrric, They were il;aSily dismissed,

As {_'veryone , ..... aired for [he verdicts ro come in, each passing hour seemed like an eternity, Fans were growing amsy. When the gates of the courthouse opened to the pub lie, the crowd came closer 1:0 the fences, pressing toward [he row of deputies, and. a few chosen lottery winners were allowed through me gates. They filed in quietly, the rhirry-five members of (he public, and. .. vere warided, paned down, and givCrb warnings about outbursts, The lottery winners were escorted inside by armed deputies. 1""hey rook their sears in the public searing area, bardy making a sound.

For each person there, the anticipation of the verdict had grown to mass pro~ portions. Of the rwcnry-twe hundred credentialed media people who covered me trial, only about three dozen would have insider seats. A few dozen producers would warch the verdicts on dosed-circuit TV, homed in an overflow room, isob.ted from fans, bur the bulk of (he media opted to stay just outside [he courtroom dOOTh, guarding their individual tents, with their on-air talent ready to report the "[ackson" news,

The media throng kept looking for any juicy tidbit, anything that might titillate their audience, bur all was quiet. And as (he world's anticipation for the verdiets kepr getting more intense, news producers were suddenly bombarded with a growing number Qf&ns who began to shout, "Michael's innocent!'

And just then. like dockwork, (he Jackson family arrived, complete with Katherine and Jot', janer, La Toya, Rebbie, and Michael's very fumoLlS brothers. As his handlers, his bodyguards, and his glamorous family were being greeted by Michael's defense team. one thing stood our clearly. all of thc~e people put wp::ther were completely outshined by Michael.

It was Michael, hiding behind. rni •. rored sunglasses and his trademark umbrella, who emerged as (he superstar of ali superstars. As Michael approached. the: cnurr, stepping out of his black SpOfl: utility vehicle, the wails of screaming and (ears of t:!nodol1 from everyone around. him-s-madc it seem like the whole earth stood still.

':,wc ." Io~ Easy"

\Xihatevc-r his he-alth. condition was at the time, whatever toll the trial had taken on him-s-Michacl didn't s how it. He .... valtzed up to his lead attorney, Thomas Moe-reau, and, just before he walked behind the: dosed doors of tilt: court, Michael stood. up taIl as he: waved to his fans, h:3lppy to see them out in fuU force. For me people behind the ga~ and cyclone fem:c::.s who were screaming and. cheering, there seemed to be a communion. Something about Michael made hearts pound. Everyom: in his p.r~entt could fi:-cI ~h(,: music, Thc,.'Y could feel th-e dance.

fu it happened, just as the lase media person was allowed into the tiny courtroom. being wanded and scrutinized by deputies at the metal dettc:tot, Michael appeared around the comer. and. for the first time in the proceedings, the supcrsmr looked nervous. His face looked strained. He no longer had a smile, He no longer seemed invincible. In that moment of vulnerability, people could see that the trial had taken irs roll on Michael afier all, It was ObVjOU5 chat he wanted it to be over.

Michael's armmey later confided that their team fel! conlldent Jackson would be acquitted on all counts, insisting mat me subject of prison had! not rome up very ofren. Tom Mesereau was unshakable in his belief that Jackson was bdng prosecuted fur crimes he did notcommir, and Michael's mends and fu.mi~r certainly believed in h[m, Still, when Michael was standing ar IDe threshold of me courtroom for those few seconds, being wanded all alone behind me meral detecror-e-the supersmr looked scared,

Inside the court, then: was an dgl·:u~woma:n, Four-man jury who had been presented with six hundred exhibits, who had witnessed what seemed to be a smear campaign launched by the Marrin Bashir documentary, who had listened to twelve years of jackscn's private: history, all laid bare for them by the Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon. In all, Sneddon and. his team had presenred eighty witnesses in an attempt to portray Jackson as a serial criminal, and had been permitted to delve way back into Jackson's life in an attempt to show the [ury a pan:ern of criminal behavior.

As people inside the courtroom awaited the jury's verdicts, the world seemed incredibly small. Every fa!;.;; W<l5 strained, every eye was focused, The Jackson family was only given six seats in the courrroom, and Janet} being gracious. opted to waif: outside during the proceeding, allowing brothers Randy and Tim and Sj5~ ten; La Toya and Rebbie, [0 sir directly behind Michael,

Eleven armed deputies spread Out around rhc room, ready to take care of -any o ur bUP.jts. an d at 2: 10 I'M. ] udge RIO d.n cy M el vill e finally began to open up the v erdict envelopes. AI; each envelope slid open, the judge's face remained still. Nor J_ word was spoken in [he court, but: a few fe::!ml~C jmor.s had tears in their CYC5, Time stood still. It seemed like forever, And [hen • suddenly, die Superior Court Clerk Lorna Ray actually read the words:

i\HCHA El JACKSON CONSPIRACY

"COUtu Qne-c-ccnspiracy-c-not guilty."

"Count T\.~·o--lewd act upon a child-s-nor guilty" "Co lOU Three-not guilty."

"Not guil ry" were the words being read over and over, fourteen times in all A5 the verdicts came down, Katherinc, , ... ·ho had never missed a day of (he trial, had tears in her eyes. Tiro reached over and kissed his mom. The rest of the family hugged and 5qucezed each other. As the news began sinking in, Michael's fans sobbed quietly in the back rows. AmI the media crowd, for the most parr, sat dumbfounded. They seemed really quite surprised mar Jackson hadn't been convicted of anything at all, From the looks on their bees, clearly sorrre media members had been banki n g on seeing (he superstar pur behind bars,

Judge Rodney Melville, who had. handled the case with such dignity and clariry, who had. kept everyone safe and sound, who had not tolerated any disruptions whatsoever, now read a statement to the court:

"\Ve (he jury. feeling the weighr of {he world's eyes upon us, all thoroughly and meticulously studied the testimony, evidence; and rules of procedure pre~ senred 1 n til IS court since Jan ua ry 3] > 2005. Following the jury instructions, we confidently came [0 our verdicts. It is our hope that this Case is a testament to the belief in our justice system's irH-c::grity and rrmh."

\Xlir:h those words, Michael, from behind the dLfense [able, resumed his vast composure. In some strnnge way, Michael seemed to have the appearance of an ancient king. There was something imperial about him. So absolutely commanding with his presence, Michael listened with quiet inrenr as the statement from '[he judge was bdng read. \Vith his head held high, the superstar remained motionless. Only "[hose who could see him dose up. could detect J. slight tear running down Michael's face.

"Mr. Jackson, your bail is exonerated and you an; released," Judge Melville 5aid.. And with that, Michael realized the jury of twelve had rejected [he criminal allegaricns against him on aU COUnts. The King of Pop dabbed his face with a tissue, hugged and thanked his defense attorneys, and slowly proceeded to leave the mom. As he walked out of the court, passing Katherine, Joe; and hi5 siblings, he showed little emotion, Michael Hoaced out of the courtroom, as if he were on air, and would soon be gone, like a puff of smoke.

Oueside, Michael's fans, who'd. heard the verdicts over the live television teed that surrounded every inch of the courthouse, were on the street, dancing and screaming. and going wild. One woman released white doves, others released balloons .. some threw confetti, and hundreds of people screamed and cried rears of

'/IBC , ,. It s&s;,.',

from around the world who were hoping for an inter v iew, With one hand clasped to his heart, Michael jackson brew a: kiss 1O his fans, [hen disappeared into a black Yukon SUV~a free man.

A" people dispersed, certain folks in the media agreed (hat after (lit was said and done, the rr]a1 had become yet anomer hurdle [or the pop star-e-one that might conrinuc to hurt his career. Media folks gossiped about the aIlegation::s against Jackson, focusing em hateful rurnors-c-rhe rumors and innuendos that had millions of people talking trash about the: icon.

To his fans, the ugly trial against Jackson just didn't seem Elir. But fPl:- rhe majority of the media, the Michael Jackson trial had provided great sound bites. His image was manipulated with a new rwisr every day. and news rcpom had gone On ad nauseam about jackson's "special relationships" with children.

The court of public opinion shared the same attitude of many journalists. Peork were certain that: Jacbon violated children. It occurred to some media observers that-t:ven after he'd been exoncrared-i-the 5upelmar WQuld forever be defending his prhoad;c life.

Mcsr people thDught Jackson's image had been sacriticed beyond repair,

A5 the media prepared themselves for their last broadcasts on the: case, many wondered if jackson would reco ... rcr from {his \ .... itch hunt. Beyond all else, some folks had to admir that they had unwirringly taken parr fn the DA's scheme (Q reduce Jackson's Hfe (0 a public circus. But rather than fed sorry rhar they'd been parr of a group thar was so anxious to ruin the pop star, most reporters seemed to bask in Michael's downward spiral,

People loved to hate him, and, as long as the media could perpetuate the image of Jackson as "weird," their racings stayed high. it wasn't until after the trial was allover that a few media insiders admitted that jackson's fans had the last laugh. Throughout the erial. his fans }'1:Ued at the media. screaming. "You don't eyer report rhe truth!"

Perhaps they were right.

As selccr media people began to rethink the five-momh trial, re-examining some of the de mils divulged about Michael's personal ]ife in rhc courtroom, forb agreed that Jackson W<lS able to withstand a scrutiny rhar most people CQulJ never have survived. jackson had been through hell, and everything abcur his life, with the exception of the photos of his private parts, had been 5 pm,'.'!ea am befo rc God, the courtroom, and air the media in (he world,

All along, Jackson fans had insisted that the pop star had. fallen prey to a greedy fami~y and an angry prosecutor, bu. dldr comments were completely ignored. Instead, the media seemed happy [0 report allegations from prosecutors,

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY

anxious co drag Michael's image through the mud. In the end, a hungry media was unable to Sec what twelve ordinary citizens had seen aU a:long: there was no proof that Michael Jackson. had. committed any crimes ar all.

Throughout the criminal trial, the media had been called upon [0 recount the most sordid derails, to report the ditty accusations being made against Michael Jackson, many of which had been sold to rhe tabloids long before they were revealed in court. But j, wasn't until the "not guilty" verdicts were being read aloud. in the courtroom. that people realized that the icon who stood before '[hem-was a person being charged with criminal acts, without any real proof.

Suddenly. ir seemed that rhe case against Jackson was all smoke and mirrors. It occurred to savvy media folks that the case againSI: Michael jackson amounted 1:0 norhlng more than a. tax-paid scandal. But of course, that was never mentioned in news repOfltS.

Looking at Michael on that las. day of court was like looking at two people.

There was Michael the man, in real life, and then all around him was this media image that people were creating, a distorted version of Michael, like a twisted reflection in a "fun home" mirror. The media W".lS selling one thing, and [hey used specific camera angles and lighting ro accentuate his nose, his cheeks, his skin [One . And then there was the real Michael, who was a. well-dressed, highly poised man. who seemed to be a humble spirit. In person, he W<tS a shy and quiet guy who had no relation to that tabloid character, whatsoever

On the day of the vcrd] cts, looking at his facc. h is body l:mguagc. and his aura, it was dear that the man known as the King of Pop-was a kindhearted soul who had become a victim of his own fame. There was nothing <lrrOgam: about him. There 'was nothing weird about his facial features, nothing so crazy about his clothing, armbands and all, What was cra.zy was me menraliry of [he media who were looking to sli-ce and dice Jackson in evc;:ry way possible. People were raking shots at Michael. People had no problem ripping Jackson to shreds.

Michael Jad~$(ln had. become an illusion set by <I medea machine, It "Wa!5 a machine that made millions by perpetuating the notion that Jackson was a freak. It was a dangerous machine that ultimately tried to hring the iccn down, and. afier all, it was a media dIon, the Bashir documentary, that landed jackson in the Sarita Maria court in the first place, Martin B ashir had made a name for himself based on Jackson's goodwin, and. somehow Michael Jackson had. been brought IO Iace criminal charg~ because of it.

For people Like Martin Bashir, with the ba::;hing of Michael Jachon, a career with ABC Neun vas launched. Bashir had promised (0 tell (he rrurh about Jackson. Bashir played. on his candid repormge. and his one-on-one interview with

':.--lEe." Is's Easy"

7

Princess Diana-in order 1:'0 ge~ Michael's complete cooperariou, Yet Bashir's documentary, whkh was presented in full at the start of the criminal trial-e-larer appeared to he the crud and manipulative effort of a seIf-aggrandi1.ing British journalist who had been officially reprimanded in England for "unfair" journalistic practices.

Nonetheless, once Bashir's "Jackson" documentary had aired around the world, irreversible damage had been done. The exoneration of Jackson didn't seem to matter, certainly nor to (he mainstream media. For over a decade, the media had buill: an industry around "the freaky life" of Mlchae] Jackson, and because the Bashir documentary affirmed everyone's suspicions, there was little effort to question the objectivity of rhe Bashir piece. It seemed most of the media had a vested interest in reporting trash about the pop icon, Trash earned them dollars and won them ratings.

With jackson walking a·way triumphant, the media had been trumped.

Mer the verdicts were reported, the media pulled up their tents and wires, rheir saeelliee dishes and campers, and their hair and makeup reams. The: town of Santa Maria seemed ghostly, Tabloid media looked for dirt. Some tried to follow Jackson to the hospital to get photos of him looking run down and sickly. om they had no luck.

There: was some cursory reportage from the gates of Neverland [0 show the jubilation of the fans, but in '[he final analysis, the media was ail about me grit. Th~ media was an about the nasty. WIth nothing more salb.c1ous to report, the media had moved on. For everyone who had access to it microphone, the nev v s about the [rial was reduced. to <II. mini-sound bite.

The days ·of stomping on the King of Pop had come to a grinding halt.

As for the people in the DA's office, mer seemed disappointed that the court of public opinion didn't translate into a conviction. In his own press conference, Tom Sneddon blamed Jackson's exoneration on his "star power" and insisted that his fervent pursuit ofJackson. in [he SallC"a Maria trial-c- had nothillg to do with his past history regarding Michael Jackson.

Torn Sneddon's innuendo-that Michael Jackson had been cleared because he was a superstar-·-was coming from sour gropes, The idea that the criminal case had no merit, was something rhat me DA and his team would never accept, \'7hen it carne IO Michael Jackson. Tom Sneddon had a specific agenda. The pro:securor mistakenly bdie\red that slanted media cmrC:Qge would further his cause, would help put Jackson behind bars.

BUI: it didn't.

M[CH..A.IEL JACKSO~ CONSPlH.ACY

dose relationship to his pet chimp, Bubbles. There were endless dips shown of Jackson holding his infanr son over J. Berlin hotel bakony.

Fans were angry because the media never fully examined the testimony by over a hundred people in the COUrtrOOm, testimony which showed that (here was no proof ab Dud; arnything si nisrer in J acksou' s personal ]jfe. Fans fe! t that the testimouy and photo e ... ulence presented in courr-s-proved that Michael Jackson 'j,\'J.S more down-to-earth, childlike, and L~.iJl1g-than anYDne could have imagined.

Bu.t the media wanted to ignore that.

After me trial '\V'a5 over, Tom Mesereau confided that he was informed that jackson's exoneration actually cost the worldwide media billions of dollars, Apparently, had Michael jackson been sent to prison, the d::3Hoid business would have starred a cot"l"age industry of reports about Jackson's safety in jail> about Jackson's Ufe hehind ~XI{S:, about jackson's suicide watches, about jackson's prison inmates. and the feeding fn.:my would have continued. Mesereau was [OM {hat certain media people had made arrangements to follow Michael's everyday schedule behind bars. 'WllOeVelt' was visiting Michael Jackson-would have ereared a story a day, Wild rumors would have abounded. selling people on the idea that jackson was crazier than ever before-fueling supermarket rabloiJs in pcrpcnury.

As it .... -as, days after the verdict, Star magazine falsely reported that Jackson had plans to throw a patty at the Bdlagro Hotel in Las Vegas, making it seem like Jackson intended to have a victory cclebratinn with his fum. It " r as ludicrous, The media repom were based on rhin air.

An[)tllcr tabloid, London's Daily Mail, splashed headlines that jackson was "hidirug in the Middle Easr desert," reponing that "he now faCC"S yet more sex claims." As it turned out, the allegations were made by an un~n.YD.ry man in New Orleans-c-and they 'WCl"C completely discredited. The man claimed he had been physically assaulted by Jackson wirh a razor blade, rhat Jackson had. drugged him. among other things. The court in Louisiana wanted Michael Jackson, Or a rc:pn::sentative, [0 show up at a public hearing on August: 17.2005, even though the: accuser had a criminal record for harassment and was an admitted bigrunist. Some time later, [he case was dismissed completely.

It was an example of yet another frivolotl5- case against Michael Jackson, one that would mean more humiliation, more damage to his public image, and more problems in U.S. courts for the King of Pop, Because of his unusual conduct, his tremendous wealth, and the nature of his business, Michael Jackson had. become rhe world's greatest target, arid the pop star would find himself in court more aJilId more.

l2

MICRI\EL JA.CKSON CONSPIRACY

that sertlernent had on others who were looking for easy money from Jackson. In the case of the Chandters, Mesereau believed Michael jackson had been the vicrim of had advisors. Mesereau was convinced that Jackson was listening to business associates who were only interested in Jackson making more money. B~ck in 1993, his business advisors weren't writing the checks, Michael Jackson was, and in comparison ItO me e:ar.l1.ing capacity Jackson had. at the time. the dollar amount of a settlement didn't seem to matter to [hose who srood [0 earn big bucks on future deals,

Back then, as ar .... 'a}'S, everyone: around Jackson had. a scheme to produce new Jackson. products, new Jackson music, new Jackson videos-s-and they wanted him ro go on with business as usual. Jackson's advisors seemed ro have had no concern abour what kind of effect a setrlemenr of that size would create in the court of public opinion.

On the: Hip side, many of jackson's fan5 had long been convinced that there was a corporate conspiracy to destroy Michael. Fans wert: certain that powerful people at Sony had helped spread. rumors in order 1:0 min jackson's career. Some fans believed thar Sony executives wanted '[Q force Jackson ]nIO the sale of his srake in the SONY/ATV catalogue, Many fans stood ourside the courtroom each day, holding up signs about Sony, screaming, "Fight, Michael, fight!"

Fans believed. that the campaign to destroy Michael's public jm:agc stemmed frem corpora:tt: gtc:e:d~wh[ch not only fueled. the Santa Maria trial-e-but had been. behind the accusations by other young hays and. their bmiJid as wdL

For the record, transcripts of secretly recorded rapes-some of which dale back [0 1987-him at dubious conduct by m.:any of the people who'd made lurid allegations agains [ Michael Jackson in the pasr. Many of these rapes and their co fresponding transcripts are now being held by the U.S. federal governmem for an existing federal case against .A .. nrhony Pellicano, [he private investigator [0 (he stars, whom Michael Jackson's [earn once hired [0 discover the truth about (he Chandler family.

As fOil" Michad, the superstar has long been public in his claims that conspirarors have hccn try.ing to ruin him as part of an attempt: to regain control of his large stake in the: SONY/ATV music catalogue, which includes songs by Elvis Presley and the Beatlcs. J~cksQllJ made reference to a conspiracy which appeared in a na:sry Vaniry Fairartidc that hit newsstands just days before the verdicts; in Santa Maria. The Vani.ry Fair piece mocked Michael Jackson's alleged belief that the accuser and his family were being paid by "enemies" who wanted to take over the S01\T)'"/ATV musk catalogue, The vicious article poked. fun at jackson, who believed that formo:::.r Sony Records president, Tommy Morrola,

14

M~CH.AEl ]ACK.SOl'''':: CONSI'm.ACY

asked Michael 1;0 derail cxacdy what was in the: SONYIATV catalogue, but Michael didn't want to go down that mad. .

.As Jesse Jackson cried (0 get information about problems surrounding Sony and the: pop icon, Michael was deady afraid to discuss (he subject, \Vhen asked about the rug-of-war over the Sony catalogue, Michael was ,agey. There "WaS only one thing Michael would say abour (he SONY/ATV catalogue: "it's very valuable. It's wcrrh a lot of money. And there's a big fight going on as we speak about that, I can' It comment on it, There's a lor of conspiracy. I'll say that much."

Bue whether or nor anyone at Sony conspired co ruin Michael Jackson {and [here is no evidence to (hat" effect) really was [lot the concern f~u Torn Mesereau in the criminal case. \Xlhat Mcscrcau was sure about-e-throughour the course of the: trial-s-was that he was de:Jing with a whole set: of people who aceed in 8. joint plan, a conspiracy, to destroy Michael jackson's image.

These were people, Mesereau would prove, who were out to gain any kind of fame and fortune for rhemselves=-and Michael jackson was their vehicle. Having made (he decision to fighr Tom Sneddon and the DA',s offitl: once and. for all, Mesereau was the first PCI"50D1 to see the games being 'played behind the scenes. He: came to consider the entire Lase ag:ailllsit Michael Jackson, in itself a conspiracy.

According to Mesereau, it was the accuser's family, acting in accordance with DA Tom Sneddon and prodded by certain members of {he media, who engaged in a highly thought-out plan to uy to bring Michael Jackson to his knees. Atrorney Mesereau, who has long been a champion for civil rights in the African American community, confided that when he firsr looked at the evidence, when he sat down and studied rhe thousands of pages of discovery. he: was able to draw his own concl usio 115.

"The media .WlS basically saying, 'You C<'II1't win this Cil5C. There's no hope: and r didn't really care what they said. to be honest," Mescreau confided. "'I just looked at the evidence, as I always do, and. I got to know the client. 1 dt:dded that this was a winnable case, and also decided that we could. get a fair trial in Santa Maria."

The public officials never considered [he possibiliry that many people in Santa Maria would. have a positive view of Michael Jackson. As it happened, certain residents confided to Mesereau that UH'T felt Tom Sm:ddon had a serious vendetta against rhe pop star, though Sneddon consisteutly denies this. Sauna Maria residents: fd t mat Jackson was at great a_~.5C~ to their community, <'I n d (hey cxp rcsscd a positive sensibility about Jackson. scm, without cameras belng allowed into the

"SHAKE IT, SHAKE IT, BABY))

W'hcn the Jackson trial first got under way, Michael. wearing an all-white suir with a gold. armband • flashed a victory sign toward thl: crowd outside, who cheered at him vehemently. Jackson was more of a draw than any of the roster of celebrity names who were expected as potential witnesses, from Eli-zabeth Taylor to Macaulay Culkin, from Stevie Wonder to Larry King. The media wantex] to hear from J;lckson, and all the major TV networks as well as all the major journals, People Magazine, (he New York Time" USA Today, '>"ere lined up waiting, fighting for positions among journalists from foreign networks and publications fmm al! around {he globe---hoping for a comment from Jackson-a brief gldmp~1: at how the superstar was feding.

Everyone wanted to report something nev .... about Jackson, and though media people were anxious to see th~ parade of stars who would be arriving in coming months, everyone was truly focused on Michael, hopeful that the King of Pop would act outrageously, woukl dance on top of his SUV, would say something crazy to arrracr more wmju",:iae gossip.

The NBC network and irs cable TV subsidiaries had set up a four hundred eighty-square foot platform [0 hold its !;l<tnt ream of reporters, pmducers, and cameras. CNN had consrructed an elaborate seven-foot platform across from the courthouse on Miller Street, giving them a bird's-eye view of (he jackmn spectacle. The rest of (he twenty-two hundred credentialed media, FOX, ABC, and CBS included, were rdegllll:ed [0 makeshift tents directly facing the Santa Maria Superior COL1H Complex, rightly .s:~ow::d in a cordoned-offrow, Surrounding the media were bomb squads and arsenals of ammunition hidden in police- carsthough no one ever (a~ked about rhar,

- 16-

18

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY

commentators agreed on: the jury would mit be: comprised of Michael Jackson fans. If there was going (0 be a. fair ubi, the prosecuticn would be forced £0 weed Jackson fans OUt of {he jury pool.

OI11;:e the jury was selected, the prosecution seemed ro have the deck stacked in its. f .. rvor, Not only were Michael's fan.s eliminated. but, because of the demographies of Santa Maria, which was comprised mainly of a Caucasian and Latino population, there W<lS little prospect: of an African American person being able to serve at the trial, The small rown of Santa Maria, with clghty-C\vo thousand residents, \'VUS a homogenized community, a place mat could have been "Any'> ... hcrc, USA.. .. Wlth its plethora of fmnchi$c~, from Toys "R" Us 1:0 Applebee's ro Home Depot, it was a typical isolated suburban town.

Because it: was considered '(0 be a great chailenge to find the right jury for the case, Tom Mesereau had spent time in Santa Maria prior to [he trial beginning. Dressed in his jeans and a GISUal shirt, Mesereau sat by himself at some of the local watering holes, and he casually spoke to people [0 ask them whitt they though r of the case.

Mescreau had gotten a feel for the town, for the people.

As he spoke to local residents, the defense attorney had the distinct impression [hat the people of Santa Maria liked having Michael jackson as a neighbor. Mescreau \'lJ.S told by many fOlks that Michael was considered a nice person, a good person, who, when he weru into IQ~a~ communities, was nice to everyone, particularly creative people, The locals in Santa Maria seemed ro find Michael to be it very decent and honest guy.

"They were always whitt, Caucasian people or Latino people. I don't think I ever saw one African American person in a resrauranr or bar," Mesereau rccaHecl. "Alrhough the people there were very conservative, very law-and-order minded people. the media was nor reporting how independent-minded they were. These were people who app~ared to be somewhat libertarian."

In the end. Me.~creJ.u didn't care ifhe had a Jury rhar was pre-jackson. He just wanted jurors who would be open-minded and fair, men it came to the case again:st Michael Jackson, long bt:fore jury selection began, Mesereau learned [hat OA Tom Sneddon .. vas "not necessarily trusted" by the locals in Santa Maria.

"There seemed [0 be astwng feeling mall Tom Sneddon had a vendetta against Michael, which might have clouded his judgment and approach," Mesereau confided. "The word uendetta was used J. lot, And 1 fd[ rhar when the truth came om, me jury ...... ould know mat Michael Jackson is a great champion of chUldren around (he world, The]' would know that he has done a Ior to rurtber .he caUSC$ of children around the world. I fde that when the truth about how he

20

!.,.IICHAEL JACKSON CONS['[R1I.CY

As the trial began, people of mixed racesen {he jury panel would become a vcry close-knit group who felt very prorecrivc of each other as they covertly worked their >vay past the stampede of adoring Ems arid the: raging press. They were a rand of eight women and four men, joined br eight alternate jurors who sat watching the trial-induding one young African American man who was selected as: an altcrnarc, It was this small group of average American citizens who would decide what rile real truth was behind me lurid aUt-gallons made against Michael Jackson" A lot ... vas expected of '[hem, and no one was sure that this handful of people would be able to be fair-minded.

"People in the media were very myopic when 11: came to their view of this jury, ~ Mesercau said. "The media kept asking themselves, <How is [his jury going to judge Michael Jackson?' But they never said (0 themselves, 'How is this jury going to jLldge this family Qf accusersr'"

fu it turned out, the jury .J..id make judgments abour ehe accuser's family. \Vhen they later held a brief press conference after the verdicts. some of rhe jurors admined rhar Ga\'in Arvizo's morher, Janet, a key witness in the conspiracy case against Michael, was [usr nor (0 be believed,

Juror No.8, a mother oHom, hinted that janet Arvizo's conduct was uncalled for. The mother of four seemed to agn:e with me defense portrayal ofJanct "Jackson" Arvizo as a con artist who schooled her children "to solicit money." The forty-rwo-year-eld juror told. rhe media that she qucsrioned janer Arvizo's values, stating, "'I wouldn't want any of m)' own children to lie for their own gain."

"The prosecution notion that Neverland W2S a hue, a monstrous SOrt of map set by a pedophile, I thought was ridiculous, and we would disprove it througham the trial," MCS!:feJ.u insisted. "In the end., people who care about children, who are interested in children, would set: the truth about Michael Jackson and know that his motives were very noble, very honest, very sincerely hdd.."

1Ir was on Monday, February 28,2005, the: day rhar opening statements began.

For the fiI"5t time, Judge Melville [cad the ten-count indictment againsr Mr. Jack- 5011, which included four counrs of child molesrarion, four counts of administering: alcohol to commit a felony, one COutu: of attempted rnolesrarion, and one count of conspiracy. k each side presented (heir ;lirgument, dueling images of Michael Jackson emerged. The: prosecution was calling Jackson a sexual predator; the defense made ehe argumt::nt thar Jackson was casy prey. Borh sides revealed derails and inconsistencies about rhe case, and ultimately, jurors would hear two completely conrrasriug accounts about whar allegedly happened in [he spring of 2003 at Michael Jackson's Neycrland Valley Ranch.

11

MI CHA.Et JACKSON CONSPIRACY

them sharing a bed. created a "firesrorm" that threatened the pop star's career, causing Jackson to launch a conspiracy to abduct and exrort the Arvizo ~qniiy.

"Michael Jackson's world was rocked. It didn't rock in the musical sense, it rocked in '[he real-life sense," Sneddon insisted.

The DA asserted that the Beshir documentary. Living with Michael jaclmm, prompted. Jadcson and his "business associares" to conspire to falsely imprison Ga.vin and his family 31:: Neverland Ranch, asserting that jackson [tied (0 force the Arvizo clan ro tape J. rebuttal documentary as an answer to the Bashir piece,

According to Sneddon, the: conspiracy further entailed rak;ng the A.rvizo family to Miami, allegedly for a press conferen-ce that never took pJace, and. also entailed forcing Gavin' s mother to sign a b lan k p ieee of paper that would larer be wed by Jackson in a civil suic against Gmnada TV. the entity rhar produced the Bashir documentary. (The Gr:mad~ suit was reponed I}' settled some time atte:t the criminal trial cnded.) Moreover, Sneddon told jurors that one of jackson's asscciares had signtd. G:l.V]U and Star Arvizo om of schoo], allegedly planning to relocate the Arvizo kids, along with their mother, to Brazil,

As wacky as '[hal might have sounded, what stood our as being the rnosr bizarre claim-was Sneddon's rime lim: regarding the alleged molesrarion, The DA asserted rhar Gavin and. Star Arvizo each said the <1C[:5 of alleged abuse occurred n.ft;:r the Bashir docurnenrary aired. afcer the [rip IO Miami. and amI" the rebuttal rape far FOX w3.S filmed. In other words, the Arvizos were a.c;:cu.~ing Jackson of pt:[forming lewd acts on a child-s-not ar '[he rime {hat Ba;shir taped his damning documentary in 2002-bm rather, their claim was that Jackson acted. inappropriately in 2003, just weeks afcer the Bashir piece aired, in the time period. that Jackson and his PR people were bunching a campaign to battle the very distotted view Bashir h .. ad presented abour the King: of Pop.

It seemed odd,

Torn Mesereau, at the beginning of his opening statement, fiercely attacked Sneddon's theory. relling jUroI05, "These charges are fict.iticw-. They are bogus, and they never happened,"

As Mescrcau spoke, he took control of the courtroom, promising that he would prove: all rhc alkgacion~ against Michael to be false, and further prove that the boy's mother had fabricated similar allegations numerous times. Mesereau rold the jury that Ianer "Jackson" Arvizo had perjured herself had previously alleged sexual molestation, had f.r.mdulently collected welfare:: ruJH.Js, had bilked the jC Penney Corporation for a large civil settlement, and had failed '[0 repon large sums of moner donated for her son's medical expenses.

"Shllk( ft.. Shah It. Babf

23

Everyonc's eyebrows were raised when the defense anomey told jurors [hat Janet Arvizo haJ. solicited donations from celebrities including Adam Sandler, Mike Tyson, and Jim. Caney, aU the while knowing that her ex-husband's insurance paid for her son's medical treatments. Mcscreau further detailed the strange encounters the Arviw dan had with Chris Tucker, Jar Lcno, and George Lopez, promising to produce testimony that would show how Michael Jackson became the Ar .... i1.O fum Hr' S main rouger.

"\Y,fe will prove to you that [he best-known cclebrjry and (he most vulnerable celebrity. Michael Jacbon, became (he mark," Mescreau told jurors. "The molestation allegations starred to form after {he Arvizo faITliIy was unable to get any mom:;: for the Bashir documentary or a rebuttal video they made in praise of Jackson."

Mesereau pJrOmised the jury that [hey would hcal( from Michael [ackson him~df, hinting that tbe P()P srar mighr mke the: stand in order to prove the fube~ hoods created by [he Bashir documentary,

"Bashir wanted to be scandalous, and he wanted to get rich," 1viesen:aCJL said, telling jurors that he would show the outtake footage of jackson's Interview with Bashir that would clear the icon's name.

"Neverland is not a haven for criminal activity, a iure [00:r molestation, as characterized by the prosecution. It's a Disneyland-like place," M!:.~cTeall insisted. "a place for underprivileged and sick children to have a day of Iun."

The defense atwmcy explained rhat, at their mother's urging, Gavin, Star, and Davellin Arvizo had all turned to a new fumer-l'vfichad Jackson-as the man who would make their dreams come true, Tom Mcscreau pointed out that the Arvizo family came. to enjoy vacations, clothes, and g[tt.s, all-expenses-paid by Michael Jackson. Mesereau insinuated (hac the Arvizos didn't want to lost: their meal ticket, As, a way to ensure his presence in their lives. Mesereau told [urors, "The Arvizo kids called him 'Daddy Michael."

011 their first trip to Ncverland, Gavin's brother, Star, had written a note cllanking: Michael for "the time of it; liferirne." Gav~II1'~ sister Davellin had written a letter say[ng, "You helped my brother a lor, Without you, I don't know where we'd. be. You arc so caring and loving. I love you with all my hcarr."

ill Mesereau spoke, Jurors discovered d1~H Michael had given the Arvizo family ;1 car. a cornpurcr, and various gifts to make their live ... a little bir easier. In addition, Michael had allowed the Arvizo kids (0 visit Nevcrland on occasions when he: wasn't even there-anything to put a smile on young GaVJIll'S face. Michael had. hopes that he might help Gavin, rhar the boy might he able hdp he-til bimsdE

24

MICHAll.JACKSON CONSPIRAC{

Among other thid1gs, the jury learned that for years, Michael . .alo.l1g with other celebrities, had tried (0 help die Arvizo family by holding blood drives. by arranging fund-misers, by doing everything possible whelp hea] Gavin of a mysterious form of cancer. More [hail .any other celebrity who made auempts to help the ArvdZO dan, however. it was Michael Jackson who opened up his home and his heart to this family at a critical lime En [heir Jives. To this family of underprivileged Larine .Amerk"'J.n kids, the superstar had become a savior,

"1 WANNA BE WHERE You ARE"

The next morning, Tom Mesereau wid jurors that he would prove to [hem, through testimony of SQff and visitors of Neverland, that the Arvizo kids had become out of control when they stayed at Mkhad's ranch, Mcscrcau wanted the jury to be dear that the alcohol charge ag"diust Jackson did not: stand alone. He wanted the jury to comprehend the nature of the charge: the DA was claiming that Michael Jack...'>on had given alcohol (0 the underaged Arvizu kicl5~Spccifi· cally for the purposes of molesting young cancer victim, Gav]n.

'The alcohol charge is directly teed into allegations of molestation," Mesereau explained. "One doesn't exist without the other in those alcohol charges, And Mr. Jackson absolutely denies this."

As Mesereau detailed the behavior of the Arvizo kids at Neverland, he told jurors thar me Arvizo kids broke in to the wine cellar and were caught drinking alcohol by themselves, explaining that Michael jackson wasn't even presem at the time and knew nothing about it. The attorney said (he Arvizo kids were also Laught breaking jJHO the refrigerator, drinking alcohol in the kitchen, and grabbing alcohol from a cupboard.

"There 15 one wirness who will tell you that Mr. Jackson ordered some alcohol for hims·df and his gue:m, and rhe children stole ir, ~ Mesereau said. "They [the Arvizo kids] were caught intoxicated, They were caught wirh bottles. Mr. Jackson was nowhere around. \Vc will prove (0 you that they JIe now trying ro say rhar he .... 'as behind all this. AmI it's bisc,"

The: dc:fcn5e attorney described the An'im children's behavior ar Neverland, stating that at first, they seemed very well behaved, hur ;IS rime progressed, their actions changed radically, Mesereau ga\'.c: examples, and he talked about rhe

26

MICHAH..jACKSON CONSPIRACY

amusement area at Ncvcrland, and how a worker who was in charge of the rides was "shocked. and horrified" EO Jearn that [he Arvizo kids had memorized (he codes to the [ides, had ridden alone TO the top of the ferris wheel, and were seen throwing objects at elephants and people.

"We win prove that they also did this with various codes in the house. They [rhe Arvizo kids] somehow found a war to roam around the home at will, when Mr. Jackson wasn't even in town," Mcscreau said, "They "Were actually caught in his mom. The witnesses will tt1>tify to those facts, They were OUt of conrrol. ...

When Mesereau made reference (0 the "girly magazines" found in Jackson's home. he said Mr. Jackson fredy admitted rhar he read Pla)'br;yand Hustler from rirnc to tome, -ask~llJg a staff member to pick them up at a local market. However. Michael absolutely denied showing these magazines to children. In bet. Mesereau said, the magazines that Sneddon mentioned in his opening statement, the "girly magazines" that Sneddon alleged Jackson used to lure the Arvizo boys, were actually in a locked briefcase, hidden in a. back closer,

"Mr, jackson will tell you he found those kids going through his magazines and grabbr:d them from them and locked them in his briefcase," Mcscrcau insisted .

.As. Ior the Bashir documentary, which would be rhe first exhibit entered imu evidence at trial, Mesereau wanted to emphasize that Michael Jackson had been paid nothing for his purticipation in that project. The original negotiations between Jackson and Bashir specified that any profit from the project would go to charities in England. In he" Jackson and Bashir had talked about 250,000 British pounds going to charity.

That charitable donation, according [Q Jackson's attorney, was the reason mar Jackson agreed ill do the documentary. Ifill, the past, Michael had been accused uf mn~ng "statements" that were self-aggrandizing or sclf-indulgenr, that was certainly not the Lase with I:hE Bashir piece. In his endeavor with Marrin Bashir, Michael Jackson's agrrrmcnt to open up his nome 'V(IIS based entirely on Jack· son's desire-and Beshir's promise-e-to produce a. him that would help children around [he ... vorld, Mesereau pointed our that Jackson bdic::ved' in Bashor SO wholeheartedly, the pop icon felt [here .... 'as no need for negotiations with the unknown British journalist. jackson W'aS so trusting, he felt no need for intermediaries, for lengthy meetings about schedules or prices,

"Michael trusted that Mr. Bashir was going to present him in an appropriate and. honorable and honest 1igh!:," Mcscreau added, "And rhar's not what happened.

"I 'Vanna Be' W'haE' You An'''

17

""\'V(! will prove ro you mat Mr. Jackson. because of his prC'iencc around the world in the music industry, continually artracrs people who seek profit," Mesereau told the jury. "We will prove (Q you that this creates a problem in his life, and here is the problem that exists; Mr. Jackson. is an artist, He's called a musical genius. He's a creative person who dances ro the ben of a different drummer.

"Mr. Bashir expressed sUJrpr]sc: when Michael said to him. 'I have a nee on my proptTlty, and 10[s of rimes, I go up and sit in that (fee alone, and I'm peaceful and still, and 1 meditate. And very ofien, God gives me [he creative spark that II need to do the work that 1 excel in:

"We will prove to you," Mescrcau said, "that Mr. jackson will often wake up at three o' dock in me morning at Ncvcrland. He will .... 'Ol.lk out of his house alone, and he will walk under (he stars, under the moon, under the sky. He will meditare in his own ,vay, and wair for ideas and inspiration IO come."

As the first day of rcsrirnony began, Michael, dressed like a mifitary general, wearing gold armbands, a red vest, and a jacket with go~d trim, kept completely silcn t as he sar behind the defense 1l<l ble. Michael was always quiet. He somehow had a quiet command over people. Katherine and brother Jackie were the only family members with him, and that morning, [usr as Mtchad approached rhe defense: table, Katherine reached over and pulled a loose thread off her son's Jacket. Ever the penulrirnate mom, Katherine was the essence of grace under pressure.

As he did every day. Michael smiled at the jurors when they filed on, his wire-rimmed gla..o;;scs making him seem much more serious and adultlike that ever before. JWt before: the proceedings began, speaking in whispers, people in the: media would point out things like Michael's white powder makeup. The media liked ro chatter about obscure things, looking for new reasons [0 pick on the superstar. Media people talked about him like he was a down. Behind his back, then: was incessant gossiping. Even inside a Cnlifornia court of law, where things were SerlQUS and real, where Jackson's actions didn't gi v e reporters any reason ro Jay he .... 'aS wacko orwejrd, that's all people seemed to hope for.

Media people commented about his skin being light. They wondered about Michael's vitiligo, the skin condition that resulted in 105$ of pogmcm:uion and white: parches of skin. I\':[OSI fdt certain that Michael had chosen to alter the color of his skin. Some people were an!¥}' that M1chae! wou.ld never admit ~Q that. Man}' fodt ir was [heir right to judge him.

28

M[CH..o\.H JACKSON CONSPIRACY

Even though Michael had explained his skin condition in TV interviews. talking about the emotional pain he suffered from having skin that was spotted, most folks refused. to accepr his Story, Rather dian see Michael as a person who rransccnded race, many Americans seemed perplexed about Jackson's skin-and believed rhar the slIperstar had deliberarely turned his skin Hght.

Gary Coleman, a former TV star who was out.<,ide the courtroom doing cornrnentary for a comedy show, had already started [he public jokes about Michael, Earlyon, Coleman remarked [halt Michael Jackson had found a jury of his peers:

"He hasn't been black since 1988," Coleman quipped.

'Xthen the prosecution bunched their case-in-chief, they first called Manin Basih.~[ 1;0 the srand, A TV journalist from Britain 'I,vih.o'd been at the BBC, who'd been working in [he business for twenty years, told the jury that prior to the jackSOn dccumenrary, he'd done a film about "Satanic Lovers," and had produced a one-hour film about a serial killer, Those were Bashir's claims 1:0 fame before 1995, when he sn~crged an interview with Princess Diana. Bashir had produced an hour-plus documentary about Diana that aired on lTV, England's largest commercial network,

Men Bashir h1;"51 enrered the courrroom, KmncrirJe stood up and. walked out.

She couldn't stand to be in (he same room with a man who hac! so unabashedly deceived her SOH. Though Katherine would return to sir through pan of (he TV documentary-c-it wasevidcnr that she was disgusted by its content, and was enraged by yer another "rncdi a trap" thar her son had fuIlen into.

Bashir told the jury that his documentary, Lh1ing with Miclme] Jackson, produced by GJcJ.nada Productions, had first aired in February 2003. And, as the documentary was offered. into evidence, the judge admonished. the jury that the DVD was not being offered tor the truth, The judge explained [hat the DVD would have passages within it that would be: identified as "truth," warning the jury panel to regard the rest of [he program as hearsay.

Then, as the first exhibit began to play on the giant courtroom screen, (he jury and the courtroom observers were transported to a world where they were reminded of Michael's; Iarger-d~an~life image. As they sat wide-eyed, staring at Jackson's b,vish place called Nevcrland, [hey were captivated by the icon that was Michael Jackson. Everyone in (he courtreom , .. ·as bouncing. ]istening to his runes. which Bashir had used conspicuously in (he background. As Michael's music filled the courrroorn, it made people gror:n'[: and sway. Some: of the jumrs were tapping their hands to the heat of the music, and even Michael was unable to stop himself fmm Lohbing hi.'): head with the rhythm,

30

MICHAEl JACKSON CONSPIRACY

make :II mockery of Michael, He traded on Mjchacl's good\,,·ilI. and, having sold his documentary to the ABC network in the United Stares, Bashir landed himself a rlIC\:I.' career and a substantial salary at the ABC television offices in New York. Because of the jackson documentary, Bashir had become one of the prime rime correspondents for .l1BC Neus, a colleague of Barbara \Xi':a[rers.

& [he DVD continued to play for (he jurors, Martin Bashir, who ... vas a ccntral character in (he piece. had a stran!;e look on his face, sitting among the COUrtroom audience, watching people as they judged his clc .. 'cr handiwork. \'\.'ha'[ jurors would notice a'> rhgr studied Bashir's interview. watching the journalist act like he was in complete awe of the pop srar, 'was Bashir's bair-and-swirch routine. In hindsight, Bashir was such an absolute traitor. Ir wasn't long into the documentary bd1:H'C jurors would hear Basbi['s voice go from sweet ro menacing.

As Bashir smiled and. joked with Jackson, his voice-over comments began to :suggest there was something very wrong wid. Jackson'~ !ifc-'i.'.,oth Jackson's obsession with his fac.::. with Jackson's relationship with children.

"How do you write a song?" Bashir asked. "Teach mel" Bashir pleaded, beg~ ging Jackson IO show him how to dance, how to sing.

Michael, who seemed self-conscious, said he was shy. He said he was "embarrassed" and didn't want to ger up and dance in front of the camera. However, coaxed by Ba.shir's feigned schoolboy curiosity, Jacbon agreed "(0 do the Moonwalk,

As Michael slid across the: wood floor, Bashir made: a feeble atrernpr "(0 [OH01Y him, It was an ugly game Bashir was; playing. He was sucking up beyond words. anxious ro make (he enrerrainer comfortable and happy. As courtroom observers watched, it was: dear (hat Michael fikt:d. having rhe attention, that he liked being tr~ated like a "special entity." B:ashir seemed to' know how [0 work On Michael's weakness, and the journalist praised. him to the high heavens.

"Slide back on your heel, nor on your toc;:,"Ivfichad said.

But It: W<l.5 obvious that Bashir couldn't dance at all. Beshir was JUSt jooking for interesting: footage, and his cameras would. shift from Michael in the dance studio to a paiming chat hung overhead. Ir was a painting of Michael as an angelic figure surrounded br cherubs of all creeds and colors. The focus on (he palming, as Michael spoke about his sOIlI;\'i'riting, about how the music "comes when it wants to," Was Ba_,<;hir's Jttempr to make Michael look sdf~ob5C5scd_

W'hcn jura,s began ro see fooragc: of Jackson's Neverland home, decorated with castles and ![Oy rooms all1d life-sized mannequins everywhere, a few of [hem looked snmned to see (he childish sensibility rhat overshadowed the lavishness of lvfichad's ornate home. Nonetheless, ti1(!}, rocked to the beat as: jackson f dips

32

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIH..A(:'{

"I remember hearing my mother scream, 'Joe, you're gonna kill him! You're gonna kill hirnt'" Michael admittecl, "He cou1dn't catch me half the time, but when he would catch me, it was bad. We were terrified of him. Terrified. I don't think he realized, to this day, how scared we were:'

Michael confided that he W<Ji5 so afraid of his fdthcr, rhar sometimes he'd faint, and his bodyguards "would have to hold him up. He: mentioned '[bat he himsdf would never by a finger on his own children. It was dear thad: the memories from (hiny years prior were ver:r vivid for Michael.

"He didn't allow us (0 can him Daddy," Michael whispered. "He'd say. 'fm Joseph to you. I'm nor Daddy.' So I do rhe opposite. I don't let my children call me Michael, My children call me Daddy."

Courtroom observers watched as Bashir followed Michael around the world, joining Michael on shopping sprees in Las Vegas, joining Michael in his lavish hotel suites, where the two would talk about private, inrirnare subjects. At. he spoke about his firM crush, Tatum O'Neal, Michael had a vcry bashful atrirude toward sex. Michael admitred that in his early years, he couldn't bring; himself [0 "do it" with Tatum, He apologized for revealing that trurh, and told Bashir that back when he was young, he was "roo shy" 1:0 take his clorhes off.

Later, when they approached a Las Vegas mall for a shopping ext~~g<lnza, Bashir wanted ro know if Jackson ever bought any [e .. vclry,

""I buy jewelry fur my mom, for Liz Taylor. and for the girl I like at the moment," Jackson said.

"Do you have one now?" Bashir asked, "No."

In the Vegas mall, Michad couldn't wait to ge( upstairs to his favorite store, He wanted to show Bashir all the beautiful, ornate pieces of art and furnirure he'd recently purchased. Jackson pointed .0 a dozen giant Urns, then he focused on ~ couple of large marble: pf~es, priced at $275.000 each. k, Michael 'went: through the store, Bashir pointed om that 80 percent of the place had been bought by the pop star. Bashie questioned the volume of his spending, and Jackson, like a. child playing a game, pointed IO [he Store manClger and said. "But he's going to give us a bargain. Celebrities like bargains too!"

As the documentary evolved, what was becoming obYIOUS was that the bargain lvli-chacl had made with Manit} Bashir. was a complete and utter mistake, Bashir was getting everything for free-from Michael's open sadness about being made run of as a pimple-faced kid, to unprecedented visits with Michael's three children. And in return. ] .... Iichae] had become Bashir's vehicle. an unwitting victim in a home of cards that was about to fan down around him ..

34

MICHA.fl. JACKSON CONSPIRACY

tryjng to calm his baby who deariy didn't like Bashir's cameras-the whole Thing seemed quire innocent, In tacr, it seemed Michael was not so Cfa.:z;y after all.

It was dear that the Berlin bakony scene happened became Michael had wanted to please his fans. There were thousands of people outside in a 6:cnry, hovering below his balcony, begging for Michael to show them his new infant son. men Michael went outside to (he balcony, he quickly lifted up his infant so that falt15 could ca tch a £1 i m psc,

For J ackson fans in the courtro om, it was disturbing to sit and watch J acksc 11' 5 innocent gesture in Berlin, as compared co (he American media footage, which ran 50 many times over. The media showed the Jackson dip in a \vay that made him look (;razy, always with nasty comments and rumors :Hying about Jackson having his children taken aV'Iay f["Om him. The media couldn't get enough of Jackson's "baby dang[ing,'" and ~he}' harped On his irresponsibility as a pare:nt.

No wonder Jackson hated (he media.

Ir was ironic that he would admir that (0 Beshir.

A s the: Bashir documc;:ntal:Y continued to play, the piece became more amagonistic wward Jac.ksOD1, and some courtroom observers believed rhar Bashir ''IaS our (Q humiliate J:lck.son at every opportunity, When jackson went on a trip 1;0 (he zoo wi rh his kids. Bashir made J acksun lock like an unreasona bl c person fa r wanting 1[0 accompany his kids Out in public, where they would be subjected to paparazzi. Bashir was suggesring that, had Michael srayed Out of the: picture, hi.s children, Prince and Paris, would have never been subject to such a feeding fumy, pointing out that Prince almost gor trampled by paparazzi, Michael said that he didn't trust anyone else to take his kids outside. He saud he was overpwtecrive of them because he loved them more than life.

Toward the end of the footagc, when Bashir turned the attention back ro Neverland, everyone watched Jackson spend the day at Neverland with a group of disadvantaged children. The kids were happily touring Neverland Ranch on jackson's full-sized train, and Michael acted ~9kc a ~(id> caring ice cones with them, just having a ball watching inner-city ch.ildren with sparkles in their eyes,

Then, om of left field, Bashir suddenly made .reference to th c "m ali 0 ns" J ackson once paid to a kid who had. slept over-ten ye.u.~ prior. & Bashir's sinister voice-over fi~Icd the courtroom, [he documentary switched to a scene involving Michael and the Arvizo kids=-Gavin, Star, and. Davemn-whkh W()U~d. change {he LOne of the: room comr~c,dy.

Michael was shown with. twelve-year-old Gavin, as Gavin rested his head on Michael's shoulder, and the: [1.'10 of them held hands. Michael talked about how grear it: was rhnr Gavin no longer had cancer. Michael said the docto(~ had P[O-

«W B S ' 5 "

ANNA· E TARTIN OMETHING

W'hen the: documentary was over. with Tam Sneddon having no further qU~$~ dons for the British journalist, ir was Tom Mcsercau's rurn to cross-examine Bashir, and the clefe:nsc attorney seemed ready to duel,

"Mr. Bashir, in ardell" to produce the show \ .... e just watched, you had to speak to Mr. Jackson, m..l.et Mescrcau asked, his tone somewhat frie:ndly,

"Correct," Bashir said.

"Mr. Bashir, you had Michad Jackson sign an agreement without a lawyer

. h ~,.

present, 1$ t at truer

"Mr. Jackson 5tgned rwo agreements, in which he asked for no conditions whatsoever, and agreed that I was free to make the film with him," Bashir said. 1\5. Tom Mesereau began his litany of questions, it was obvious rhar he'd don.:; his homework, Mescrcau wanted to know why Ba .. hir had been reponed in England for "unfair" journalistic practices on three separate occasions.

"Mr. Bashir, haveyou been sanctioned by [he BmaJc;J.sl;ing; Cornplainrs Commission]" Ivfe.serc::au asked.

"The answer ro that question is, three complaints were made against me, ~ Beshir restHlcd. "Two of the key complaints were entirely rejc::cted, and they were to do with balance and faiul!.:.'\S. One of the three was upheld, Just so I can explain so people will undersrandr"

~r_ . D "

o...,A;rt.unLY·

"The Brirish Standards Commission is nor a legal body," Bashir [Old jurors, "and it has no particular merit in it legal setting."

"Nevertheless, a complaint <lg-aimr you 3:$ ;;Ij journalisr was upheld. [ruod"

"Wd.fllm Be Starzin • Somahing"

37

"As I said, sir, three complaints were made. The tWO key complaints were entirely rejected, One complaint W;;t.S upheld of the three," Beshir testified.

To Mesereau, Bash.ir admitted that: he'd been accused of "unfairness" and of "breaching an agreement," Bashir (estified that, while these two complaints were "rejected," the third complaint agaillist him was C', .. ruse for him 1:0 be sanctioned, The complainr alleged that Bashir was unbalanced in his reportage, rhar he was "not representing the entirety" of [he subjcct-e-the same alleg.ltion. Mkhad jackson would later make ag:a.lmt Bashir,

.At, Mcsereau asked questions about the joumalitt's problematic background, it was obvious that Bash ir had nor expected anyone to hJW known unflauering details about his past. Bashir tried to shrug 11: 10ft: but courtroom observers could see that the mention of his "unfair" journalistic practices made Bashir highly uncomiortable,

Tom Mcsereau asked questions about Bashir's representations to Jackson. about BJshir's many promises to Jackson, which were used to lure Jackson into full and unfettered cooperation woth the Ba5hir pro-jeer. Though MC5creau founu himself being blocked by Beshir's high-powered attorney, Theodore Boutrous, a man who represented the ABC network, Mesereau continued his line of quesrions, Often, the objections were susrained on [he grounds that Bashir was prorecrcd by [he California Shield Law. 'which stares [hat reporters cannot be fDrced. to testify about rhings they le-' . urn while working on a story.

Bashir's lawyer, Theodore Boutrous, was seen as a "fix:ture" in high-profile cases, and media observers were not surprised to see him appear on behalf of Martin Bashir and ABC News, ABC was not on!)' Bashir's current employer, the ABC nerwork had aired the Bashir documentary just days after ir ran in England, and now Boutrous was in court to protect Marrin Bashir and ABC news. Boutrous was a heavyi ... dgh[-and he was at the Jackson trial, not only to repn:~ sent ABC News, but also EO represent (he interests of NBC Universal. CBS Broadcasting, FOX News, and Cable News Network. among others.

Throughout Bashir's testimony, Boutrous interrupted the proceedings, objectttl!; on the grounds that Mesereau's questions violated the California Shield Law arid Bashir's First Amendment rights. MCSe[.f".lU was wdl aware that Marrin Bashir had nor wanted to resrify in the case against Jackson, he was aware that Bashir did not. want ro be cross-examined because ju.sr weeks prior to [he trial, Bashir filed a motion asking J udge Ivldville [Q d.(:ny the DA' s rcqueSI: ro have him restiry. But Bashir's motion was rejected,

Of course, Bashir didn't want ro be subject [0 questioning, Instead, Bashir wanred the ABC Ncr, .. -ork ro vcrif)' his documentary, and [hen let the docurnentary speak for icsdf. Bashir was hoping to avoid facing z.,.·1ichad Jackson

38

.r...1~CHI\Et lACKSO~ CON5Plfu\CY

altogether, However, Judge Melville required. {hal Marrin Bashir show up in court, So there: he was, .kc:-cping his head turned away from Jackson, being shielded by his ABC lawyer, refusing to answer most questions posed by Mcscrcau on the grounds rhat they violated his rights as a journalist.

"Mr, Bashir, in me show you prepared, which we'vt:. just seen, Mr. Jackson made statements to rhe effect: that nothing sexual. happened in his bed, correct!" Mcsereau asked.

«Correct," Bash i r testified.

"To obtain that interview you had with Mr. Jackson when he made that statemen" you told him he 'i .... as underappreciated, [rue?"

That particular question. like many questions before it. was objected to by the ABC tawyt:.r under the Shield Law, hut Judge Mdville overruled the ooj«:r.fon, asking Bashir to respond. The: jury was stunned to see that Mr. Bashir rt:.fuscd to answer, felling the court, "I'm standing on the broadcast privilege and the Shield Law, Your Honor."

"Mr. Bashir, you wrote to Mr. Jackson's assistant and said you would very much like to ft:.atu[t:. Michael with a. large: group of chi1drcn, around fifty, welcoming them Ed sharing wIth them his extraordinary home so that, for one day, their lives can be enriched, right~" Mesereau asked.

"Objection," Boutrous argued,

"Mr. Bashir, did you reqUe5r that Michael jackson bring Macaulay Culkin so you could film him ar Neverland]"

"Objection, Shidd law." Boutrous said.

"In the pm[t:.5~ of putting this film together. Mr. Bashir, did you write to Michad Jackson.'s assistant and say that you ..... 'anrcd to film the beautiful land:scape, encouraging all of us to become as little: children again?"

~ Obj ection, Shield Law, First Amendrnenr," Bou trOUS repeated,

As irritating as ir Wa.5, virtually every question that Me:se:rcau. asked was objecred to by Boutrous, and [he objection was sustained. On the few occasions when Mesereau framed a question in such a \'V:ly rhar ir was: nor objectionable, Marcin Bash i r mad e roo attempts (0 answer,

Bashir refused ro respond, and he let {he jury know that he had the right ro do that as a journalist. A" the non-testi m 0 n Y contin ued to frusrrare the defense team, e"'eryoue in the courtroom became miffed, indud[ng: Michael, who was watchung Bashir slither his way om of having 1:0 answer for anything.

"Mr. Bashir, in the show about Michael Jackson, Mr. Jackson says {hal: nothing ,s..~U::1~ wenr on in his bedroom. To obtain that: sraternenc, you told. Mr. jackson that your romantic development was panially shaped by his records, tmc?~

40

M] CHAH J ACK5 ON COt'{ S l' j RACY

In order to gel: the sl:lperstar to cooperate in the makong of a British fiint without pay. Tom Mesereau finally decided 1:0 ask Beshir, point-blank, jf he was going ro answer any questions about how he managed to get '"fao::·to·fucc" time with M~dlad J ache) n, ab OU t Bash i r' s a.l]tgttl promise:> to Michael J ackson, and. again, [he TV journalist looked over (0 his ABC anomer for it. cue.

At that point, the: high-po\>;_'ered attorney, Theodore Bourrous, interrupted the proceedings, tdling the court that Bashir was not going to givl:': Mesereau J. response. Bashir had riglus as a journalist,

Tom Mesereau tried every possible angle he could. The defense attorney used every-vein in his body to find a 'i.vay to get Ba:;;hir to tell the jury something, any kind of truth. But in me: end, the witness had. ttl be excused, subject to a possible recall,

During an afrernoon break in the day's session, when questioned by media abour how he was feeling, Michael said softly, "I'm angry." It would be one of the last times he would address any member of media during the tria].

Though Bashir was never recalled, Mesereau had sent the mess~oe to [he jury; Beshir misrepresented himself to gel [he interview with Michael Jackson. It wasn't necessary for Marcin Bashir [0 testify about the specifics. Through. Mesereau's highly crafred questions. the jury learned that Bashir had. done everything to win jackson over. Bashir capitalized on his "friendship" with Princess Diana. He Ratted jackson for h05 parenting .skilLs. Ba5hir played up his love for Jackson's music, roaming runes and. joking with the: pOIP Star. AmI more than anyrhing, Beshir complimented jackson for all the charity work, for all '[he rime and money Jackson donated to help children throughout the world,

Of all the inconsistencies Mesereau mentioned, the one tangible thing rhar would become most viral to (he defense was the outtake fooruge of [he Bashir documentary, which would later be entered into evidence as pan of [heir case-in-chief

During Beshir's raping of his documentary, Michael Jackson had asked his. own personal vidcographer to roll tape the entire time. The never-before-seen footage existed, and since the: judge allowed the Bashir documentary into evidence, me outtake footage would also be aliowro in.

Because Michael had supplied [he entirety of the Beshir footage to the defense. rhe jury would evenrually see the raw footage of Jackson, rhc "uncut" version of what Jackson had really cold Bashir, Jackson's defe:nst:: team wou[J later prove just how vulnerable and guHIMc: Michael jackson had. been throughout the months; of taping with Martin Bashir,

42

! ... ~~(J IlIf.I. JACKSO~ CO;-";.'iPIRA(;Y

VcgaS;J and adrnirred rhar LeGr:md had gO['(CD1 her paid J. $.10,000 advance on what was W be a one-month $20,000 contract.

Arm Kire restified [hal she wanted to formulate a "clear plan of arrack" aga[!l:St all the negative press, that _0;.11t.: wanted ro pm J!. halt to the "downward spiral" that ehe BasniJ[ documentary miglu produce. Kite said she was concerned about documenrs that had been released 0.11 the Internet, which added further d.amage to Michael's image. Apparently, the: Court TV site, thesmokinggun.com, had po~teJ documents pt:u.aining to d~t: [ordie Chandler settlement. de [ailing '(he explicit allegarlons about sexual molesrarion made by '(he 11993 accuser,

Arlin Kite rold (he COUH rhar she .... 'V';lS (['ying to fight media who were attacking Jackson personally, and explained there was .';0 much ne:gati~ prtss, she felt the media haJ. gone overboard. Kite recalled that e .... en pediatricians were weighing in on Tv=-concerned abour what [ype of baby formula Michael was seen feeding hU5 infant-e-questioning Michael's abilities as J. farher.

Ms. Kite felt that Michael should be proactive in the: PR matter, She felr J;ii,-tkson should "come: out to the world" by making a public statement himself Apparently, Michael Jackson had II':iO inrenrion .of doing ihar, and instead, had enlisted Fire Mountain Corporation, along with producer Marc ShafTd, ro develop a rebuttal film about him rhar was slated [0 air on FOX.

According ro Ms. Kite, FOX nerv .... ork had agreed to give Marc Shaffd a "degree of creative control" III making [he film. She testified that :r:ox outbid ABC for the rights to air the production, The lvfi.chael jdCks{)n Interview: '[he Footage You \\,"lae Never Meant to See. It would include rebuttal statements from people like Debbie: Rowe, rhe Arvizu f.dmily, amJl the original sraremerus made [0- Bashir by Michael Jad·<,_sml himself

But Ann Kite felt that a rebuttal video=-which would not air for weeks 0[' monrhs=-was nor enough [0 combat (he seventy two hours of adverse publicity the Bashir film had already generated. She knew that Jackson was going {O face another barrage of negative publicity, and wid Jackson's advisors rhar the problcrn needed to be addressed immediately.

Ann Kite said that she begaGlJ her mission to "save" Mechad on Valentine's Day, February 14,2003_ Prim to that date, she restificd that .she>d seen a statement fwm Bdl Yard on EnglanJ, something regarding Janet Arvizo. which was going to he released to the media at some future dare,

As. Assistant DA Auchincloss worked his v;,"J!.y through the questioning, rhe jury understood that Ann Kite:' v v as testifying in funherance of the conspiracy charge agaimt Michael jackson, and M~. Kite: was asked abo LIt a call she received from Marc Shaflcl on February 13, 2003. Kite told jurors [hal; Marc ShaH'e] was

''l'famra B" SrartilJ' Scmu:thing"

"extremely agitated" when he called w report that janet Arvizo had taken her kids and had left Neverlaml Ranch, and recalled that sometime later, Sha.ffel called her back to r~porr rhar the siruarion had been "contained." Shaffd allegedly told Kite [hat, within twelve hours, the Arvizo family had been brought back to Neverland,

Ann Kite mid the Assistant DA that when Shaffe! used '(he word "contained," it made her feel very uncomfortable. Ms. Kite seemed a bit air-headed as she failed to recall certain names and documents pertaining to her testimony, hut her statement, nevertheless, did seem to help establish the reason for the conspiracy charge agaios( Jackson.

Ms. Kite testified that when she spoke to David leGrand, she confirmed rhar janet Arvizo had. left Ncvcrland Ranch. but (hen had. returned back to Neverland from Los Angeles, ] uJgIng her tone of voice. it seemed that Ms. Kiee was worried about what "las happening with the: Aniws.

"Don't make me believe that these people were hunted down like dogs and brollght back to the ranch," Kire Iarer asked leG rand.

"1 can't discuss this right nov.'," LeGrand allegedly told her,

In another conversation with LeGrand. Kite testified that leGrand made mention of the ream's plam to destroy the name of the Arvizo mom: "He said. that they no longer had to worry about [lance Arvizo] because they had her on rape, and they were going 1:0 make her look like a crack whore."

Ms. Kite nlnher testified that afier her chat with LeGrand, she also spoke (0 Ronald Konirzer, who was rhe man "in charge:" of the damagc-conrrol ream for Ja.ckson. When she asked Konitzer about the Arvizo family, he told her that "the situation has been taken care of."

Apparently, Konitzer's answer made her fed even more untasy.

Kire testified that she had made an auangemem [0 go on the TV show Acec-lS Hollywood, prepared to make a pro-jackson statement on Valentine's Day. Kite rold the COlin thar she was actually wi red and made-up, sitting on the Set with Pat O'Brien, when suddenly ?vb.rk Gcragos placed a call (0 (he Hollywood set, and insisted that (he interview be held off.

Ann Kite Slid rhar, while still On the set of Acass Holly'wood, she gO( on the phone with Gerag05, and was told to stay in LA overnighr, to come visit [he Geragos & Geragos offices the next morning. When Kite arrived there, Artoruey Mark Geragos ru.legedly asked her IO sign a conhdenriality agreement, which she refu')cd to do. She rold the court, "I believe ir 'was desjgnLd to shut me: LIP'"

Kire testified [hat she was later rerminated bye-mail. without C~U5e.

On cross-examination, MdeJI'eaU quickly established that Ann KDfe's public relations agreement was not with Michael jackson, that she'd never mer with or

44

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY

spoken to Michac] jackson, nor had she spoken to the Arvizo family, for that matter, Ms. Kin: hadn't been (0 Neverland, and had. only worked with "Michael's team" far less: than a week Furthermore, the jury learned that Ann Kire had one other diem in rhe time period that she worked for Jackson's team, and that was he. own oompany.

Kite described hen-york as rhe president of\Vebcasters Alliance, her company that was working on getting 1egoslatian passed that would. a]low webcasters to play music on rhe Internee, Other than working for her own company, Ms. Kite didn't seem ro have much else going on in her professional life, She WJ:S certainly not versed. in the ways of celebrities, nor did she seem to be savvy about the music industry, As Mesereau questioned her, tin: jury discovered that Ms. Kite was a very .mange choice to represem the King of Pop in a "public relations crisis." It became dear that Ann Kite had never represented any celebrity as a PR person, whatsoever, which made people on the jury wonder just how much Jackson knew-e-abour any ofhi5 "handlers,"

~rm asking yOtll:O answer a question," Mesereau said. "You really weren't v~ry experienced. in handling media crisis managemem for celebrities before you joi n ed {his team, righri"

"I believed I iVOl,S," Kire testified. "Because you. represented oncr" "Because I've seen a lot."

"l'm not asking what you've seen," Mesercau said. "I'm a5king; you what

you've done, okayr"

"Yes, I have represented one penon that was a cdebJ[jty, sir." "Okay. his name was Sylver?" Mesereau wanted to confirm. "Marshal Sylver, yes. S~Y~L~V~E~R.," Kite answered.

"To your- knowledge, is he on television a lor?"

"He had been at the: rime. I don't believe he is anymore." "He had been on television in v ... hat capaciryi"

"He had produced. infomercial~."

\\7hen j[ carne to being a public relations wiz, when it came 1:0 bE:ung an o:pe:rt about anything do ro with Michael jackson, Ms. Kite was neither. To courtroom observers, the idea that '[his woman 'was handling Jackson's "crisis management," even for a minute, was mind-boggling,

Then as: Mcscrcau brought up the subject of Ann Kite's police ,cport> which included a narrative summary of whar she'd told Santa Barbara police, even more mind-blowing things began popping up about the people who were "'handling'" Michael Jackson in his time of crisis. In her police: report, Ann Kite told [he Sarna

('RoCK WITH You"

\'Vith the trial in full gear, the 1V chatter surrounding it added a surreal dirnension, not only on cable rlL'WS, but on entertainment shows around tnt: world.

E' News wanted to take their viewers inside the courtroom, and. the cable network, known for purr pieces, known for promoting Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie and Other "living dolls," was presenting a serious reenacrmenr of '[he trial.

Hosted by james Curtis, the E' News presentation of rhe Michcel Jackson trial was expected to be a hi r, A mock trial had aired successfully during the o. J. Simpson ci vi ~ trial. a nd now B cxp cered to capitalize once agai n, usi ng the J ac bon buzz ro bring an audicn ce of J ackson -srarvcd fans who had no ',yay 0 f kn owi 11 g what was actually going 0 Dl inside the COurU-OOm.

The idea sounded great, bur in reality. it was a disaster,

Their first mistake was hiring an actor who once parodied. the King of Pop in Scary Movie 3. II wasn't the actor's fault, There was just no l,vay for anyone [Q credibly reenact the real Michael Jackson. The idea rhar E! thought Jackson fans would buy into this was bizarre. Jackson fans wanted Michael, not some skinny actor wearing costumes arid Bayers of face makeup.

As for the media, most: people present at the rrial absolutely refused to watch the E! reenactment show. A~ it was, media people were overwhelmed with the right schedule, consurned with the constant batrle between Michael, the media, and his fans. The media concerned thernselves with the ritillanng details about Michael. The idea of reliving w ha t was really happening, by watching seco I""b d· rate actors, seemed Ludicrous.

Ed M05:5, rile guy who played Michael Jackson, had a difficult job, WLth hiswire-rimmed glasses and all rhe makeup in [he world, he tried ro ncr pensive and.

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48

MICHAEL JACK.'SON CONSPIRACY

exemption from the: gag order, Lena asked that he be limited, solely, '[Q nor being able to reveal anything that he had firsrhand knowledge about regarding the case,

~A!, par, of his role on The Tonight Show, Mr. Leno comments and engages guests on noteworthy and oom:empomneou:s issues of public interest," the motion said. "Unci] Mr. Jackson served Mr. Leno with a subpoena, nobody em.tid even argue that Mr. Leno was limited In any wa.r from commenting on, and discussing at wIll, issues related to the case."

The motion, filed by Theodore Boutrous, hoped to clear up me question as to whether or not Jay Lcno could. make nightly "jackson" Jokes during (he trial, Atrorncy Boutrous, acting on behalf of NBC, wanted to remove (he threat of a COUrt sanction. Mr. Bourrous didn'r want (he gag order to be interpreted in such a way as [0 limit Mr. Leno's ability "(0 speak publicly about Michael Jackson.

\':'h]le waiting for Judge Mdvalc':s ruling, as a way to get around the court sanctions, Jay Leno decided to bring other people on m.ge co make fun of the daily happenings surrounding the crimina] trial, Ir was easy enough to have "unknowns" come forward to deliver lines that poked fun at Jacbon's mislortune, and people seemed eager to he! p LcQ10 out.

People had no problem doing mat.

People loved maldng jokes about Michael's plight,

As ir happened, ] lJ.oge Melvine ruled that Jay Leno co uld indeed make pu bl ic jokes about the trial, and he Iimired [he gag order '[Q Leno's personal knowledge about certain facts that the comedian would eventually testi fjr about. For Jay Leno, once the gag order was lifted, all bets were of[ The late-night star held back no punches, Poking fun was M:; job, as a comedian, but.lit seemed unkind, really. that Leno would make more jokes about Jackson Jmjng the trial man he ever had before. Mr. Lerro, without care, W'.iS adding fud to the court of public opiniona court that was already on fire ab Out Michael's stm.llge lifesryle,

"Michael Jackson's lawyer said that he win nOI[ play the face card-mainly because he can'! figure am what race Michael is," Leno said, opening his monologue to a gaggle of laughter,

As {he Tonight Show went back to irs old tricks, the: lost of Jay Leno's jokes abour Michael Jackson became even longer, Everything the media was reponing became daily rocfclcr for Lcno's team of producers. But no matter how much the trial seemed like a joke, the life and reputation of Michael Jackson was really on the line. The prosecutorial ream was not laughing about seeing Michael Jackson PU( behind bars. They wanted {he entertainer to serve hard prison. time.

On day three, Michael=-dressed in a dark suir accented by an embroidered white vest, and an expensive bauble hanging from his neck-c-locked crisp. Tcsti-

5D

MJlCHAEL JACKS ON CONS [lIMCY

There was a constant push-and-pull between the funs, the media, and the courtroom officials, who seemed to take extreme pleasure in slapping d.own media peacocks, Media folks were nor allowed to have warer, not allowed to chew gl1m, not allowed. to even whisper, as the trial was in prm::;t:Ss. Most media member,,> wanted to be rescued from me scene; they wanted. their privacy back. Ironically> media people didn't enjoy me feeling of being scrutinized for (!Very little move they made, They wished they could find an exit, an escape from the constan t eyeball i n g.

As media watched Michael handle all the adult ego:s with an undeniable charm, ir became obvious, so crystal dear, as to why J ackson needed to create a life that was free of adult ccnstrainrs, Givc-n the constant scrutiny, the ever-present expectations fwm adults, it seemed. understandable that Michael had taken such great palm to build a self-courained world ar his home. Neverland was his gemway from the TV cameras. the flashbulbs, the gossip columns, the gawkr ers, the whole universe of adults who placed him in a fishbowl f.rorn the time he first became H'IIf.

In court that afternoon, Deputy Sheriff Alber! Laflerry wok the stand ro detail his: involvement with the mid that wok place at Neverland Ranch on November 18,2003. As (he deputy testified, confirming that he videotaped Ncvcrland in its entirety, courtroom observers were rold they were going to be given an insieler's view of Michael's home. The way Michael lived, his most private rooms, and all of his personal pO~~C5-}iOn5 were going to be on display, As a DVD was Inserted, an image of Neverland popped up on the big screen in the courtroom. For the first time ever, rhe jury, the judge, and the entire media world were given the chance to examine Michael's private life, They gawked ar his art pieces, they made notes about his rooms of toys, his Slacks of junk-piled up in his private baths and his bedroom suire. What a nightmare for jackson. NQ one on earth would want the public to see every inch of their closets, their cubby hoJcs, their bathroom drawers,

Alben laff'crty testified that he was part of the forensics unit in the criminal investigation division of the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs office, saying it was his job to Jocutnent crime scenes, 1:0 collect and preserve evidence. Of the severl1:Y law enforcement members who raided Neverland in November 2003, Alht:rt Lafferty was assigned [0 shoot video footage and take photographs of the main residence, Lafferty explained that he captured all photo evidence before .any police search was conducted, and testified that he documented rhe "scene" before anything was disturbed by Iaw enforcerncnr. Llitrny told the jury that he processed. the Jackson fDotage, and placed it into evidence,

"52

J\UCH.o\H _TACK-SO;': COK.'iIlIR .. \CY

and the search of Neverland did not end until late in '[he night. laHi::n} said rhar at 8:40 Pivl, the search of the main residence had been completed, except for the master bedroom. He [Old jurors that at approximately 10:38 P}'[, the video documeruarion of Mich;ld's bedroom began. Ir \',.';.15- a two-level bedroom suite, and it rook I.affcrt), almost rwenry minutes ro ge[ video footage OfjU5( that area alone.

Befurc he Iefr (he stand, LaHcrt), testified [hat The: last (hing he did at the residence was to go back into Michael's formal dining mom, where rhe offidal search warrant was laid out. Lafferty videotaped the search warrant, showing that it had bet:n left [or iv1khad J a cks on at hi5 residence, Thar night, when he returned to the S;J:r1:(a Barbara sheriffs station, Laflerry placed the video and film footJ:ge in a. locker in the forensics unit property area.

Entered into evidence, People's cxhiLi~ 336, \V;o5 a tv .. ·dve::~minute DVD rhar documented Mich;;u:l's private Neverland,

The video starred off in the main toyer, where a SGJ.[ue of J. butler greeted guests. But then the camera quick~y turned. lerl., leading jurors down a hallway toward t ... Iichael's bedroom suire. Michael's bedroom door, though ir had key code alarms, had alrcadv been unlocked bv law enforcement.

.) .'

The video showed the master bedroom's fir::;t Ind. ""'i[11 its fircphcc and giant

sirring mom, complete with ;:a grand piano. It breezed past the master suite's lower bathroom area and proceeded up the stairs ro 511.oW Michael's king-sized bcJi, covered with a glit~c[y b~lae comfcrter [bar made ir twinkle, A s~range paio.ing of Michael in a version of "The L1.S( Supper" hung directly over [he bed. It \V~lS hard 1;0 determine ail the figures in the painting, but, like Jesus, Michael was depicted in the center of twelve men. Rather than seeing aposdc5. jurors strained ti1(:ir CJles to decipher dl05C depicted at Michael's lefr: Abe Lincoln, JrK, Thomas Edison, and Albert Einsrcin. The video footage \V~-5 too fuzzy to allow jurors to see who was scared to t v Iichael's rsght, rhough one of the: figures looked like l[ttle Richard.

It was h izarre.

And then "The LaS( Supper" image disappeared .

. ~ the jury watched (he DVD presentation, raking notes 'without turning their heads away from rhescrccn, the DVD footage moved quickly. Fascinated hy the images of Michscl's private sanctuary, people in the courtroom could not believe their eye~.

In the grand foyer, , .... here things were organized and formal, people gawked ar cherubs, big marble statues rhur Led Through [he entryway [0 the house. Life-sized nude figurines of cherubs standing on ornate parquet floors \ v ere overshadowed by expensive wall hangings, by paiurings of Michael surrounded by children trorn

54

,\·fKHJ\Et JACKSON CONSPIiRA:CY

puppets, there was a stork carrying a baby "package" and a hoard of stuffed ani- 11I1a1s. AU around the bedroom (here were cartoon characters reprcscntcd-e-Irom Mickey Mouse to Fantasia ItO the Ninja Turtles, Life-sized action figures and cardboard cutouts of personal heroes included people like Michael Jordan arul Bruce Lee. Peter Pan \"'<.1:> depicted everywhere-s-and was prominently fc::a.tured ill a m ural on the wall.

Photos of children were in frames aLI over (he tables. Images of children were displayed all along the fireplace mantle and along me bedroom wails-e-anvwhere Michad could. find room. The clutter made [he place feel busy, but it was shocking to see that Jackson fdt the need to surround himsdf with so much "sruff,"

Apparently, Mkhael relied on "objects" as company.

On one wall, a. menagerie of jeweled items were on display. The: American Flag, a ruby-red apple, a great big heart-c-all sorts of miniature: jeweled figurines. Prominent among (hem: Peter Pan and Tinkerbel].

Burr the DVD moved quickly, and. [he jeweled items became a blur.

In their place, jurors began (0 see giant cardboard images of fumou5 spotts heroes. The jury tm..JJ see numerous statues made om of papier-macht:, bur as the footage moved Faster, the lifelike mannequins of characters from. spons, of characters from films, and the iifc:rsiz~d images of knights in shining armor; all rneshecl together.

In Michael's downstairs closet, everything "vas extremely neat and organized, His cloches were color codcd-e-a series of black pants, a series of white shins, a series of red shim-his closer looked like a very expensive boutique, That was until d1C camera shifted its angle up above the clothing. where Michael's: shelf space was chm:k-fuIl of children's memorabilia and unopened toys,

Upstairs. in the bedroom suite, around the perimeters of Michael's bed, there were multiple Spiderman figures, black felt hats, [ennis rackets, unopened £oJ's, stacks of books and CDs, four different TVs, speakers \ ... ·ith a sound sys[em that looked like I[ was hooked up 1:0 an elaborate flat screen computer, as well as a baby's crlb-e-the place Wa5 absolutely crammed. Next to Michael's twinkle-bed, there was so much ro look at, it was hard to distinguish all of the cartoon character figures, Still in their boxes were DaffY Duck, Cap~ain Hook, and Alice in Wonderland, and mixed in with ocher roys and games, there were stacks of presents that were left half-wrapped.

It was me biggest kid's room in the world.

Among [he photos of Peter Pan, Shirley Temple, and Tinkerbell, there were posters of the V{lizard of Oz; [he Three Stooges, Pinocchio, Charlie Chaplin. SMr

"STOP! 'TI-iE LOVE You SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN"

The eighteen-ycaH}Id. sister of Gavin Arvizo, Davellin, 1V:15 reserved and sofr-spoken when it was her turn [0 take the witness stand, As .s;ht.: adjusted the microphone, the young lady seemed nervous, She refused to look in Michael's direcrion, other than to identify him as the defendant in the- case, whom she hadn't scm in two years.

Davellin was asked to go back to a lime in 1'999, " ... hen she was accepted as <I. student at Hollywood High School in los Angeles, being bused there from her fami~r's one-room studio apanmem on [he other side of town. Davellin said she was a "magner student," derailing her good grades and inreresr in the performing arts, explaining that she was given special entry into a school [hat was 6.r from her home in East L\.

Tom Sneddon asked Davellin to describe the size of her family residence on Soto street, ;:Ii place that was so small, the young lady was able ro point to the railing of the jury box and men poinr over to the: court clerk, indicating that: aU jive of her family members lived in space that was. perhaps, less than five hundred square feet,

Davellin talh..J about how she and her brothers were introduced to Jamie 1\.·13.53.oa. the: owner of a legendary dub, the Laugh Factory', located on the Sunset Strip. She explained that she and her brothers were parr of J. "comedy camp" for inner-city kids, and told the jury rhar in the: summer of 1999. they'd been raughe comedy techniques from stars such as Paul Roddgucz. Sha"~'11 \V,,}'il.ns, and

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58

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY

ing herself with Michael. and in his :rage., he due' .... a soda can at her and stormed out of the guest unit, le::iV]ng her mother in tears, \"Vhe:n asked if she'd seen her mother being hie by David on other occasions, Davellin said, «Yes." She told the jury that her mom had been hh; 50 Dften, on so many occasjonsrthere wert: "too many ro COUllIt." She also testified that her father had hit her and. her brothers "lors."

\'\'hen the: DAnsked Davellin ro recount her first visit to Neverland, she ta~kcd about the whole family having dinner with Michael in his formal dining mom, reailling [hair. while at the table, Gavin asked his pare.lUS if he and Star could stay with Michael in (he main house. She told jurors that Gavin asked to Stay in Michael's bedroom, which the Arvizo parents had no objection to.

The next time she:: and her brothers would visit N~,t;dand, Davdlin said, was on a trip with Chris 'Tucker, who accompanied the Arvizo family there on two occasions; one, when Michael wasn't presem, and the: other, when Bashir filmed his infamou:s documentary. In berween those visits, Davellin resrified char her brothe::rs had gone to Neverland on numerous trips in the company of their dad, but she: had not been presem.

Sometime during rhar same year, by the end of 2000, the Arvizo parents had separated. According to Davellin, the AmzCl family suffered once David was gum:, and their mother, Janet, had to snuggle even harder (0 ge( Cavin to his doctor appoirumenrs, Because Gavin was not m'CT his cancer, because Janet no ]onger had access to David's aurornobile, the family approached Michael for help. Davellin told Jurors (hat Michael jackson had givc:n her mom a car to uSc-;;!. Ford Bronco.

As Sneddon questioned (he young, dark-haj:re:d girl, mosr of her resrimony related to the allegations (hat I' v !ichad Jacbon and his five associates had conspired 10 abduct, falsely imprison, and extort till: Arvizo family in February and March of 2003. Da v ellin testified about a "conspiracy" that starred [usr afrer the Bashir documentary aired in England. at which time she, her brothers, and her mom were flown. to see Michael on a jet chartered hy Chris Tucker.

Davdlin stared char during her family's stay with Michael ,u Miami's Turnberry Isle Resort, the family was prevented from watching me U.S. airing of the Bashir documentary 011 ABC television. She testified thar she and her family, though they had their own hotel room, felt that theywere caprive, unable to leave Michael's hotel suite, She said she witnessed her brother being taken into rooms to ralk > ... nth ] ackson and his associares "privately," and said that on three occasions, her brother was acting differently, explaining that Gavin became "very hyper, running around, very ralkarive, and playful."

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPl Mey

EXl-IlBIT SOOO·A in the case of The People f}ftll~ Stau of California v. Michael Joe Jackson was a transcript of me interview givt:n to BrJ.d Miller. That exhibit would show rhar on February 16, 2003, the Arvizo family had expressed semiments about Michad Jacbon that dudn't seem to match anything .haI Davcllin had testified about.

On the tape, j[ W[I:S clear that: (he Arvizo family, janet and her children, each participated in the interview willingly, They had given permission ro have it audiotaped, and were very chipper and upbeat as they spoke, At that time, Davellin was age sixteen, Gavin was age: thirteen, and Star was age twelve, Emu MHIc{ started with J anet, asking her how the family came to meet Michael Jackson, and Jane, W<J;S anxious ro ralk about [he year of chemorherapy and radiation that G;Qvln received, which had somehow saved his Me.

As jancr spoke of Gavin's extensive cancer trearrnenr all" Kaiser Pcrrnanenre Hospital on Sunset Boulevard, she explained that a team of twelve dO(;WIS was unable to state what type of cancer Gavin suH"l::r~d from. At was stilI a my.~t:ery that her son was alive and cancer-free.

For the record. Janer stared mar Gavin ~OSt his kidney to cancer, his Iefe adrenal gland, (he rip of his pancreas, his spleen, and multiple lymph nodes. She told Miller rhar doctors also extracted a sixteen-pound tumor from Gavin; and. that the stage-four cancer had gonen into Gavin's lungs as well. Gavin had undergone multiple blood transfusions, both white and red Mood cd! transfusions, some-times simultaneously.

When the private investigator asked Gavin about his fricnd;ship with Michae], the boy said, "Michael wid me to hurry up and finish yom chemotherapy and come 1:0 Neverland." On tape, Gavon recalled bcing in the hospital, always thinking of going to Neverlarnl, of seecng Michael Jackson in person. "Thar would always make me h~ppr." Gavin said, '''caLIS!: Michael would always pm a smile on my race."

Brad Miller warned to know if Michael had ever gone £0 rhe hospital ro visit Gavin, and Gavin said that Michael was always (raveling. stating that rather than visit, Michael would call and sometimes talk for hours on the phone, speaking from remote places all around the world. Gavin feIt like Michael was a great friend. and told Miller, "I would be able to cal] him at any time and talk to him."

As. for J<lQ1~t, 5~C: insisted that the role Michael played was to be "a father figure" to Gavin, as well as 1:0 S ... ar and Davellin, She said that Michad "knew than: an rhree of them needed him," especially since their real dad, David Arvizo, had treated. the family poorly. Janet claimed that David's role was ro "make sure malt

(;2

M lCHA£L JACKSON CONSPIRACY

II; was touching, watching the rhree of them move quietly over small bridges, near beautiful ponds, under giant oak trees, with Michael's angelic voice piercing the hearr of anyone who listened.

<!lI'n be rhe-eere '"

"1' 11 be the-cere "

"just call my name ... and I'll be there."

As the dip was played for me jury, all eyes were glued to the image of Mlchael with th!s frai], young child in the wheelchair. Many people watching were teary-eyed, and courtroom observers could fl;d a lump in their throats.

But Gavin's happiness at Ncvcrland was not quite as simple, not as c::asy, as Michael's heart-wrenching song made it seem. J mer would tell Brad. Miner that David Arvizo had his own plans about who would be friends with Michael at Neverland. She claimed rhar David no longer allowed her IO visit Neverland bcca usc he was afraid that Janet was going to .• rell Michael everything abou t what the chiIdren were undergoing." Janet said she was afraid of David and his "demonic ways," and wished that Michael could protect her from him.

janet described a particular visit to Ncverland when she and Michael were dancing, h30 vim g fun, and David la ter fh:w into such a rage:, he beat her up so badly that Michael never saw her again during the rest of that trip. She described Michael as "a family man," as someone who 'Would protect her and her kids. Each of her children rold Brad Miller that mer considered Michael to be "like a father," They said Michael had. given diem safety, had given [hem love, and bad tried to make them "as happy as possible" because he didn't want Gavin's cancer to come back.

On the tape, Gavin told B rad Miller rhar he'd been ro N everland with David "more than ten rimes" and explained that on each visit, during which time Gavin stili had cancer, they would sray overnight. Sometimes, Gavin would sm.y in a gue:~t unit with l1is futher, but he said that he felt safe with Michael and preferred tel stay in the main home, in Michael's worn. On more chan one occasion, Gavin told Miller, he and h~s brothel" would sleep ill Michael's bed. Sometimes Michael would sleep on the HOQr, but sometimes they all slept to~thcr-Michad, Gavin, and Star.

Cavin insisted that Michael had never acted. inappropriately with him, and repeatedly said that he thought of Michac::l "like a father." According to Gavin, Michael wanted [0 make sure that the cancer would go away and stay gone. The boy:saed that: Michael loved him so much. Gavin told the private invesrigaror that Michael did everything he could to keep him from feeling unhappy. Michael didn't want Gayin to be stress cd om abcur the cancer.

64

MICHAEL JACKS ON CONSPIRACY

For Cavin, the backlashIrom the Bashir documentary was more (han upse(ring. Ir was frustraring and spiteful. Gavin SJGd he felt sony rhar the media h<td done: this to him, and felt sorry that they had done this to Michael Janel: felr equally upset, especially because he. pan::nts were bdng hounded. in (heir own front yard every day.

"My parents are trusrworthy, They are suong on their virtues," janet told Miller. "They sec how important and what a bC::<lI.utifi..J impact Michael has had on me and Gavin and. Star and Davellin, and there's no, no amount of money rhar could make [hem sell [a story] because what's more important in this whole life Is love, Everything begins with love. everything is colored by love, and everything ends with 10""."

These wen; the words from Janl;t and from the mouths of her babes on Sunday night, February 16, 2003. And it was that same night, before "[he audio recording ended, rhar [he Arvizo children swore, under penalty of perjury, under [he Jaws of "[he Stare of California, that everything [hey had stated during their interview about Michael Jackson was true,

"Do You REMEMBER THE TIME?"

At {he end of the court day, Thursday> March -1, when Michael was asked about Davellin Arvizo's resrimony, he told the media he found it: "Irustraring.' ActuaHy, that comment from Jackson would be his last, at least when it came to the media throng, because his attorney would not permit any further comments. Mesercau loathed the t'rledia who were present, and felt that the media was there [0 capitaliz.c on sensarional accounts of Michael Jacbnn's folly. Of course, nor even Mescrcau could have predicted the worldwide sensation JacksoCl would generate on the day he went into C.OUl'I: wearing his pajamas.

"Pajama Day" happened in the days following Davellin and Star's testimony, just as: Gavin Arvizo rook the srand. Leading up to Gavin's appear<llru;;e, Davellin and Srar had told the jury that [hey lied on prevlcu, .. occasions, both siblings tesritYing that the), were forced to cornplimene Michael Jackson. \XtrH;n Star Arvizo g<1ve his own account about Michad's alleged sexual acts. SEar's testimony would later be contradicted by Gavin. who recalled a different version of the "incidents." Between (he admitted lies and the contradictory testimony, (he ... I\.r .... izos seemed to have the jury confused,

As Michael listened to accusations being hurled around the courtroom by the Arvizo siblings, the superstar looked like he was getting sick to hb stomach. \V£!:[ching these kids twist the facts around, hearing them try [0 convince the jury than: Michael hadn't helped them, that they were his victims, 'was making: Michael il"lcrc~singI}' m.

On the morning of GJlvln's testimony, rather than head srrraigh. ro court, Michael went to sec a doctor nr a ne arb r hospital. In chambers, Mcsereau .. vent to talk to Judge Melville to ask rhat Jackson be afforded some special consideration,

- (is -

GG

MICHAH. JACKSON CONSPIRACY

but Mdvillt: did.n't want to hear .it. Melville i'eqt..l~.Ii'ed that everyone appear in colin precisely at 8:30 AM-and jackson was no exception.

Thall: morning, the judge ordered Michael jackson to ap.pt:ar in COurt within ant:' hour, and threatened to have the su.perstar arrested and thrown in jail if lackson did not comply. Following Judge Melville's command, jackson and h[5 entourage drove at high speeds. and Jackson arrived to the court wearing a jacket over a pair of pajama bottoms, looking dazed and tired as he ernerged ftom his SUV. For Jacksoll, it wasn't a publicity stunt. For Jackson, ir wasn't an act: of disrespect.

Some people were convinced. tha t (his was J ackson' s arrern pt to gain rym pathy from the jury, But insiders knew char the jury wasn't brought into the courtroom until afrer Michael \'VaS seated behind the defense cable. The jury could only see Ja~ksoUl from the waist u.p, so they d~dn't knew Michad was wear]ng pajama borroms at all,

Still, it was the perfect type of weird thing char occurred in Michael's life. one that allowed the media to continue calling Jackson a freak. The image of Iaclrson in pajamas would. be splashed on the front page of (he New Yark Times and other major newspapers around rhe world. In America, Michael going to court in his pajama bottoms was a mp news story, and the "wacke" image filled TV screens for days. For the media, ir became an excuse to talk about Michael's instability, For J. while, the media became 50 obsessed with pajamas. pcoplcforgot that a criminal trial W<l:S in progress.

TtH; most: ;:ntcn;~ting thing :a.bo14t Star Arvizo's restirnony was his reaction to Mescrcau durcng cross-examination, which had members of the jury snatching their heads. Star told the jury about a dt:posrtian that he'd given some years prior, confirming that the Arvizo family filed a civil suit against the JC Penney Corporadon. For the jury, Scar mnfirmt:d that he: had previously lied, but when Me-sereau asked him to recall an ai]egoo molestation that Star witnessed in ::l ]C Penney parking Jot in 1998, Star said he couldn't remember much about the event.

With Srar claiming to have witnessed multiple acts of molestation at N everland, Mesereau kept asking about what type of molestation allegedly happened ro his mom, Janet, in a JC Penney parking lot. Tom Mesereau was referring back to Star's JC Penney deposition, hut Star was stalling. Ultimarely, the jury discovered. that an "incident" occurred in 1998, afrer Gavin Arv]:1;O had taken an item of clothing from a]C PeJllrDE:Y store, supposedly to "trick" his f.l.lher into buying it. They learned that because of Gav.in's rhett, JC Penney guards follawcd the Arvi-

68

MICHAEL JACKSON CONSP]RACY

"You told. Stanley Katz that Michael Jackson had his left hand on Gavin's

crotch, rlghti" Mesereau asked.

"Yes," Star testified.

"YOIJ. never told him that Michael Jackson was masrurbaringGavin!" "He wasn't masrurbaring, he was just feeling," Star said.

"He was just feeling him~"

'Yes,"

"Do you remember yesterday you told the jury he was masturbating him?"

M esereau asked.

"No, I said Michael was feeling my brother while he was masturbating." "Okay. Did you ever tell {he jury yesterday that Michael was masturbating your brother?

"NOaH

"Did YOLI ever tdl that to =yboJy?" "No," Star ins~sted.

But Sta.r had implied that he witnessed Jackson masturbating his brother, That was Star's direct: testimony [he day prior, Now, in from of Mesereau, the judge. and. the jury, Star seemed 1:0 he backpedaling. The boy seemed to be making things up:as be went along.

"Do you remember when you described for Stanley Katz. a second time that you went up the stairs and observed Michael rouching your brother]"

"Yes, ~~

"Did you tell Stanley Katz that Michael jackson had his hand On your

brother's crotch?"

"Yes,"

"That's not really what you told him at all, is it?" Mcsercau quipped. "\Xi'ha t are you talki ng about!" Star sa ad. H ustered.

"\Vell, you told Stanley Katz that Michael Jackson 'W<t5 rubbing his pen1:5 against Gwin's buttocks, didn't you?"

.:.a.No~~

"Would it rcm5h your recollection [f I showed yOU! his grand jury testimony?' Mcscreau pulled out SWH1icy Katz's grand jury testimony, hut Star didn't: want to ::iCC; it. Stan: denied ever rclling Kat7. any thong about Gavin's buttocks, and Mescrcau quickly moved to another subject.

"You tried to tel] Stanlt.:y Katz mat )'TIU smelled marijuana, didn'r yOT...IIt "No." Star eescified,

"Would it refresh your recollection if 1 showed you thar page of his resnrnony?"

"Do l'im &mcmbrr the Time?"

69

"Okay. Now, are you saying thar you never told Michael JJ!ckson you wanted to he an actor?"

"Never told him that at all?" Mesereau asked again. ~No."

Though Star denied that he ever wanted to be an entertainer, [he boy had been in dance school, 1H.~'d been in comeJy schoo], and Star had. even been the host of a video rhac was made ar Neverland, The jury later viewed [he video and saw Star pretending [0 be a Ncvcrland tour guide. presenting an ad campaign fOr the Disney-like place. In [he yjdeo. Star seemed overly zealous, anxious to be on camera, The boy was auditioning, beaming as (he centerpiece in a tour of Neverland. II: was obvious rhar Srar hoped that this would be his "big break" in show b us i ness.

But Star told jurors that he didn't care about making die Nevcrland video.

Star acted like he was doing jackson a favor b)· hosting a video WUJ[' of Ncvcrland, As. Mescreau moved to another topic, the uefmsc attorney wanted Star to explain how he and his brother, Gavin, had gained knowledge of all the alarm codes ar Neverland, \Vhen Srsr testified that he and his b.mthcr had gOl[en into Mich .. d's main house "hundreds of times." jurors looked surprised. They learned that the Arvizo family was given the house alarm cede after their trip to see l' ... Iichael in Miami. Star rcsrified that, once he: knew the code to the main howe, ht:: had access to c::vt:ry mom in rhe place, including Michael's bedroom.

Ac one point, Mesereau asked Star to recall an occasion where he and his brother were caught drinking wine in Michael's wine cellar without Michael being pre>Lnt, Stu denied [his ever happened, but admitted that he and Gavin knew where the wine cellar key was located, Star denied that he and! his brothel' had ever been caught drinking alone on any occasion. However, Neverland $taff members would later [esdfy that they saw Star drink liquor, which (he boy had added ro his milkshake, 011 other occasions, Neverland ~taff had witnessed Star Arvizo drinking alcohol=-with jackson nowhere in sighr,

Star wanted fa ;lppear innocent. But, observing Star on the stand, he was s clearly a bo)' with an attitude, a boy wirh a. chip on his shoulder. k jurors remained glued to Sitar's testimony, people 011 rhe panel were becoming suspidous.

Star dt:nied ever having done: anything \o,'rong at Ncverland: he denied having rummaged through Michael's closers and drawers, However, he did admit rhar he

70

MICHAEL 1ACKSO N CO N')pmACY

and Gavin were once caught sleeping in Michael's room, when Michael was not on the property.

When Mcscreau brought om a hriefcase filled with "girly magazines," which Srar had identified as rhe magazines [hat Michael she ... vcd him and his brother, the defense attorney questianed. Star about a particular mag=inc, Bard}' Lrgal, and Srar testified. rhar this was the exact magazine Michael had. shown them. Star was positive that he'd handled that magazine, until Mesereau pointed out: the: date on il: was August 2003. months after the: Arviaos had lefr Neverland for good.

Another rhing Mesert'au brought up was that Star had. the weird nickname "Blov .... hole," which was canoed into we; cover of [he Neverland Valle), Ranch guest book. As Mesereau questioned the boy abour it, Star admitted he had made that name up for himself. saying zhar he "got stuck with rhar name."

For courtroom observers. it was unsettling to note that Sur Arveo admitted to carving up Jackson's leather-bound guest book, Michael's personal keepsake, which was filled with "thank you" notes from celebrities such as Marlon Brande and Jessica Simpson,

The more he testified, the more Star Arvizo had people wondering how anyone could be so brazen, cou.lJ deface another's property and thfIllk nothing of it.

Later. when Star '1N<lS shown a card that he had written to Michael for Father's Day, in which he referred to Michael as his "super, super best, be-st fril::rlld," (he card was signed by "Blowhole Star Arvizo." The card emphatically seared, "Iviichad, we Jove you. unconditionally, to infiniry and beyond forever. Thank you, Michael, for being our family,"

Mesert"'.l.u introduced a number of cards and nores written (0 Michael by the Arvizos, all of which seemed diametrically opposed to the characterization that Srar A..r'V]W had given the jury about Michad Jackson. In one card. StU wrote, "When we gc:t our hearts broken into tiny little pieces, we always still love, ned, and care about YDU with every tiny little piece of our hearr, because you heal us in

".1 ..,

a very s peaaJ. way.

Scar [Old [he jury that he had written mat card to Michael when he was age ten, claiming that he didn't mean whar he'd written, asserting that he "copied" the words from a card that his grandmother bough~ in a supermarket, AU through his testimony, Sur \"'3$ trying [0 geE around the bct that he and his sib· li91g.." had been referring to Michael Jackson as "family." Star d~nied that Michael had acted "like a father" toward them. S'-1f downplayed Michael's charitable role as much as poss [hie.

('ASKIN' HIM TO CHANGE HIS WAYS"

\Vith every word of Star's testimony under scrutiny, with [he "Neverlancl Chan. ncl" demo mpe scarring Star Arviz.o still fr~h in jurors' minds, courtroom observers were struck by Star's glee as he led a group of kids through rides, games, and popcorn fights. The person in {he video was entirely differeor from (he young man who sat before the jury. Michael jackson, warching Star say that he didn't care about narrating the video, claiming thar he was "kind. of tired" when he raped [he "demo" piece, sat extremely still behind the defense: table <11,5 the young man testified. Michael never moved a muscle. He sat frozen in his seat, 'watching Star reveal opinions that, frankly, were just not believable.

\'<'hen another DVD was played that showed Gavin looking sickly, people: saw a vision of Michael Jackson that 'was contrary to any of (he dazzling images malt Michael W:lS synonymous with. The: jury watched Michael walking very slowly with the dying boy, leading Gavin toward a fountain near a pond. Ir was darling, watching Michael and Gavin walking wgeclu:.'·r, holding each other's back in a very gentle: embrace. In a voice-over, Star made rhe comment. "I feel really bad about my brother, All they know about his cancer is it's aggressiv-c and everything."

In (he background of the DVD, Michael was heard singing the words, "Smile, though your heart is breaking ... smile, though yoUIt' heart is aching." IE was Michael's arrempr (Q ]ight Ulp Gavrn's life, and Gavin was being brave, trying IO hide traces of sadness. But it was heavy> that little video dEp. The jury saw [hat Michael was trying so hard 1:0 lifr Gavin's spirits, bur little Gavin was so sickly, the supcr:scar could hardly get a smile out of h.im.

"Askin' Him to ChilliEr iii! W"')'J ~

73

Tom Mesercau asked Star if Michael spent a lot of time rrying to help cure Gavin. if Michael tried to help rid Gavin of his cancer, at which point Star became hostile on the stand. Star didn't recall Michael telling Gavin to we a visualization technique, to suggest that Gavin Ilym "eat up all the bad cancer cells." Ifanything. Star seemed. angered by Mescreau's questions, because he wanted the jury to believe rhar Michael had little to do with Gavin's eventual recovery,

\Vhen Mesercau introduced the Avrizos' "reburtal video," Exhibit 340, it starred off with the Arvizos getting seated and situated in a grouping of [our~ Janet and Gavin in tlie fin;t row, Davellin and Star seared directly behind them, on a small platform. k janet and her kids whispered to each other, tl-u;ir cornments were audible. Clearly they didn't realize that they were being taped rhe entire time, [hat the outtake foorage of the reburral video-and all of it- ... vould be used in Calm.

An unidcmified! man calkd for quiet On the set, and Hamid Moslehi, Jackson's videcgrapher, let the A[1Iizos know [hat he wanted [hem 1:0 fed comfortable. He assured them that if there were any questions they didn't want to answer, if there was anything [he Arvhos didn't \V'"J.nI: to discuss, (hey could speak up, and the matter would be dropped .

.As the tape started off, janet Arvizo seemed to be orchestrating her children, telling them. to sir up straight, giving them commands as she prepared [0 talk about: Gavin's cancer. To the camera, Janet explained that "this beautiful relationship [beD:l. .... ccn Michael and her son] was born from something that was very traumatic that Houri:shed into something wonderful,"

Gavin derailed the exact moment when he got the first call from Michael, and expresser] his shock and thrill when he heard Micnad's voice on his grandmother's telephone. Gavin said he and Michael talked for a while about his [ancer and confessed that when Michad fir~t mentioned coming 1:0 visit Nevcrland Ranch, he had nor heard of Neverland before. Gavin thought: Michael was talking about a dude ranch with "horses ana stuff, M

The boy explained how exciting it was 1:0 pack his overnight bag. to ge[ into a limo with his family. (0 rake a t\'i .. o-and-a-half-hour drive to one of the mOST beautiful places he'd ever seen. Gavan described Michad as "cool." He said that when the ~mi[}' first arrived there, Michael was eating something, [hat Michael came over and gave everyonl: a hug and men "left real quick because he had to go do something. "

G;J:vin recalled that first afternoon, when he and Michael "starred hanging out together," and said (hac he asked Michael if he could star in Michael's room, He said his brother. Srar, wanted ro stay with Michael too. The idea ~hat Gavin pre-

74

MICHAEL JACKSON CONS['iIt.'\CY

ferred to stay wirh Michael in the main house, rather than stay in a guot unit with. his pJ.renrs, ..... "as evident fmm the tone of his voice.

"If it's okay with your parems, it's okay with me:' Michael told him.

Guvjn said he was really happy co hear his parents give their approval, Gavin talked about being in Michael's room, about Mkhad pulling out a lot of blankets, I:diil1_g him and Srar II) sleep on the bed, Michael offering to sleep on the floor. Gavin said that he and Michael went back and forth abour it, that Michael finally said. "Okay, if you love me, go sleep on the bed:'

Gavin said it was fun sleeping on Michael's big king~si2:cd bed and said that Mi!:;ha,d. along with his frIend. frank, packed up a bunch of soft i:&ankets and slept 011 the Roor that nighr, the night of G a yin's very first visi t to N everland,

Gavin's impression of Michael 'Was that he was a "kind, loving, and humble man." He said that "when you talk (Q him for awhile, ir feels like you've known him for a long rime." Gavin asserted that he "rook to Michael" really quickly and claimed he could feel Michael's "goodness and happiness."

janet's firsr impression of Michael ... vas similar. She was thrilled to meet the super:star, and ro sec her SOil'S face light up the w-ay it did-s-just took her breath <!'i.'.'ay. Janet said that Michael was an an5'YC[" to her _praye[s. Jam:t swore that the: doctors had said there was no \'Vay to cure Gavin, that all the treatments "Were experimental, rhat UIl: doctors were saying that Gavin's cancer was: violent and aggres.}lve. Janet destribe::d Michael as "a much ne::cess:u), love in a very traumatic time in Om Iife."

"You bring him to me, and we win coat him w]th love," Michael once mid Janet. \'<'"hen the doctors were saying there was no chance for Gavin to live, J anet told the camera, "Michael would say. 'I will not have [bar: \Vhen the doctors said there was no hope, Michael said {here was hope.

"By God's grace, God works through people," janet explained, "and God elected [0 work in Michael to breathe life imo Gavin and rc my [1,1,'0 other children and. me."

JaneL wem on to describe the fatherly acts [hal Michael "rook upon himself" She said that Gavin needed so many blood rransfiisions, became he had a rare blood type, 0 negative. She explained rhar Michael took <lin: "active fa.hc-dy dury" ro make sure rhar Gavin had enough blood, even hosting a fimd~[aiser so Gavin would have no worries abour future blood rransfusions,

Janet said that as Mrchad began hdprrlig Gavin mere actively, the relationship between Michael and her [ a mily starred growing. Michael was taking the kids "under his wing,'" Janet rold the camera, and she was dated because with Michael ;.1.fOI.Hlid, "[hey lacked 110 father."

76

MiCHAlEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY

depem.l~d 011 those wards offaith to get him through many munds of chcrnotherapy.

W'hen the interview turned to the subject of me Bashir documentary, the A.rviw famity becameagitated. They each expressed disgu;st with the ' .... ay Marrin Bashir l\·;isted Gavin'::; relationship with Michad into something rhar might seem dirt)' and wrong. In particular. they were angr'}' that Bashir had made Gu\'in and Michael's relationship seem sinister. They resented the sexual innuendos. and fdt [hat the media was out for Michael's Mood, that [he media was dragging: [hem through a scandal [hat had no merit,

For the record, Janel: defended her position <L5 a mom, staling that whenever she had been at Neverland with her family, she had "fun access to go anywhere in the: hOU5e.~

"They [the media] were the ones with the diro/ minds." Davellin said. 'They're rhe ones that stirred all [his up," Gavin said. "They're me ones that have problems themselves."

"It disturbs me terribly, anyone who is thinking wrong. who is making innuendos;" Janet said, "Gavin. om of all three, has had the most traumatic endurance, and Michael was giving him 5uppon. They were both on camera [in the Bashir documentary] and holding hands was a natural thing. Tell me, you fathers Out there, or the ones [hat wish they could be a father, or the ones that were once a child, Didn't you wanr your farller to hold your hand? Especially through the most troubling times? EsptciaUy when you knew and were given no chance to live?'"

Janet looked into the camera and said than: [he doctors had told her EO "plan for a funeraL" She said [he doctors told her rhar if rhc cancer didn't kiU Ga\lDI1, the chemotherapy would. \X!hen Janel complained to Michael that her son was "nor going to make ir," Michael would tell her not to listen to that. Michael jru:i5.ed. that Gavin would ]ivc:. Years later, Gavin wculd be told by doctors that {here was no scientific explanation for him to be alive, that his cancer cure was <I!. "miracle."

As she continued to praise Michael. janer called Michael a "very fit parent" who wok every opportunity to givt expressions of love and affection to his own children, as well as her three: rascals. Sbe said that Michael , .... as: very proud of Gavin "a:5 a little warrior" in his fight ~ins( C"..1I1CC:r.

"Because Michael believed, " .... e all bdieved," janer said. "\'7hen Michael makes expressions oflove towards my children-for someone to taint [hat and make it a dismrbi!l1g turmoil and spin it out of control, I could only say to reach inside

'(IF You WANNA MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE~TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF AND MAKE A CHANGE"

When Iifreen-ycar-cld Cavin took [he stand, he looked clean-cut, wearing a blue burron-down shirt with dark dress pams. Gavll1 talked about (he one-room bachelor apanme:m that he and his famity had lived in on Sow Srrccr, to-rif),ing that the whole family slept in one bed rogerher, Gavin explained rhar alter he got cancer, he moved into his grandparents' home to live in a sterile room, and during char rime, his mom and dad "would fight every day" over bi[[s ant] other "conrrol" issues. Gavin said he witnessed physical violence between his father and mother. He then talked about his introduction to the Laugh Factory, where he received coaching from comedian George Lopez,

Once he became sick with cancer, Cavin testified, he made a rc.:que~( IO rneer Jay Leno, Gavin thought Leno was a "rcally nice comedian," and 5:I~d rhar Lena 'iVJ!S someone he alW:I.)'S wanted ro meet. Through Jamie Masada, Gavin was given Lcnn's phone number, but according to Gavin, he only spoke to an answering machine, where he left numerous mess:ages for uno, without ever talking to theentertainer,

Of all the celebrities Gavin met during his fight with cancer. induding Chris Tucker and Kobe Bryant, he said Michael J ackson was his favorite. Gavin testified that other celebrities had held "benefit" performances at the Laugh Factory in order [0 help pay for !his cancer trearmenrs, and testified that, once Michael Jackson started balling the hospital, man: than twenty phone conversations tran-

BG

MICH.AEl]ACK50N CONSPIRACY

rhough he said he wasn't sure what tin: "meeting" was about. Ga\l]n testified that when he arrived ar Nevcrland, Michael ralkcd to him about another young man. a burn victim. named. David, whose father h:Jld poured gasoline all over his body. To Gavin, Jacbonexplained that Mr. Bashir was doing a documentary about some of the kids whom Michad had helped. In his tcstirnony, Gavin chimed rhar Michael made i[ seem ~Dkc: this would be Gavin's opponuuiry to "act" and "audition" for [he camera, emphasizing that Michael personally requested rhar Gavin rope an intervi cw wI th Bashir,

As Gavin answered questions, he seemed (0 be tdling the jury lh;.u his Bashir interview ... vasn't genuine. that Michael had coached him, rhae Michael had asked him to call him "Daddy" or "Dad." Gavin intimated that Michael had asked him to purtta}' a certain image for the camera, that Michael wanted Gavin to give {he impression that the [WU of them were like "family," Gavin testified that jackson wanted Beshir to ~mm"r how much he helped him, and claimed that Michael told him (0 say "he prett}" m urn cu red me: of cancer. ~

Gavin trashed the Bashir documentary, parricalarly the scene where Gavjn had PL.lDSI:J Michael and had spoken highly of Michael's care and concern as a father figure in his life. On the witness stand, Gavin denied almost everything be told Beshir. Gavin [old the jury that Michael "was hardly even there" during his cancer treatments, rhar it was Chris Tucker and Gwrge Lopez who visited him in [he hospital. Gavin ,V;1:5 hard-pressed to admit his admiration for Michael, and though he couldn't completely deny the nice things he'd said about Michael in :the Bashir intervie .. v, GavIn no. longer wanted to credit Michael with healing him.

On the stand, Gavin seemed [0 be annoyed with Michael. explaining char just hams after [he B:1.snir footage was raped, Michael had left Nevcrland, and seemed to vanish into thin air. Gavin testified that he and his siblings stayed in a guest unit [or one night. but they never saw Michael Jackson. again on that parricular visit, nor did Gavin hear from Michael ~gain-utl[il afrer (he Bashir documenrary aired, several months later.

~'A HI DAY IN THE JACKSON CAsE"

"JACKSON AVOIDS . 'T DURING DR.A1.1A-FILLED DAY"

It was the nexr morning, March 10, 2005, when Michael Jackson had not shown up (0 court on time. Inside [he court, Mesereau explained to the judge that Jack- 5011 was receiving medical treatment at J nearby hospital, Everyone could see that Judge Melville was visibly upset, and the judge ordered lvfescreau to produce Michael J ackson by 9 ;3,0 A lvi-or have Jackson face arrest and f 0 rfei tu re 0 f his $3

"!fYou lFa1.!t1a Afa}..y: the lfor:td a Bettsr f%.ct7 .,. «

81

minion bail. Outside, [he media was all af!mter. watching Tom Mesereau talking on hi~ cell phone in the parking lot, looking concerned and anxious over his diem's whereabouts,

As the media conrinued to gather outside under [heir rents, placing wagers about whether Jackson would make it" to court in time, news producers 'lNCfC" tracking Jackson's motorcade via helicopter updates. Reporters in helicopters supplied news [ea.IUS on the ground with a minute-by-minute account of Jackson's motorcade. which was sported about forty-five minutes away from the courrhouse and was traveling at speeds exceeding ninety miles an hour.

Everyone "WOndered if Melville would actually throw Michael in jaii for being late, and people were placing ima:g[nary bets on the outcome of the morning, wondering if Melville would revoke jackson's hall if the ;superstar didn't malllage:: (0 make it: through traffic. As Michael and his motorcade wen: fighting ro beat [he dock, fans were clinging [0 the courthouse fences, hoping to overhear de roils about Michael's progress. Many fans were tuning into the news by using [heir car radios, The bun was tremendous, People , v ere on their cell phones, people were text m cssagi n g-. it was clear (hat everyone was nervous,

And then-our of a cloud of cheers-Michael's car appeared about five miJ1J.utcs after the deadline. Fans were going nuts as Michael walked slowly from his vehicle, Wearing blue pajama borrorns, slippers, <t whire Tvshirt, and a dark blue blazer, c::yerYOilll: was gawking a the concocted ourfir, People in the media were dumbfounded, U nab re to make sense out of i r, for fans, rh ere was ju bila rion "(hat Michael had tnmnageJ on make it to court on time, For the media, there was ;Ii mix of reactions, primarily geared. ar tc;;qrillig Michael down.

"Oh my Goa, he's wearing pajamas!" people were whispering. Cell phones and BlackBerrys were huz:z.ing, and live reports were being broadcast about Michael looking ~g[Qggy" as In: made his way into Judge Melville's COUH. As observers watched Mithxl take his 5COH behind rhe defense table, people couldn't scop making comments about Michael's "crazy pajamas." Some media folks talked about his hair being out of place, and concluded that Michael was wearing a w~g rhar hadn't been combed. Others asserted that Michael was "overmedica[cd~ and noted rhar his sreps were ~luggish. EVCryOrlf; had remarks they whispcrcd under their breath-e-and all were in agreement that Michael's appearance was mot going to be 'appreciated by the judge.

Regardless of what anyone: thought of Michael's bizarre appearancc.:, the courtroom bU7.?. quickly ended as Judge MdviUt: entered the room. \"{'hen the jury filed in, they were politely told by Melville, "I'm sorry for the dda.y. Mr. Jackson

.82

M ICHA El. J {\CKSON CONS [1"1 RACY

had a medical problem [his morning, and it was necessnry for me to order his

"

ap r== D"H;:C:.

With those: words, Gavin Arvizu was brought into court via a special entrance, and that morning, Thursday, March 10, the boy's graphicaUtgati ons against Michael Ja-ckson would describe rwo acts of specific molestation.

Everyone in the court wondered why Gavin's account of these alleged acts difftrtd gn:ady from the account that Star had :3Jn:ady given about the same two incidents. But people were giyjng the WiUH:SS the bCl1dJt of the doubt.

Regarding the alleged molestations, no exact time or date: was given by Gavin, but "(he boy testified rhar the alleged acts occurred in [he weeks following his family's trip to Miami, just after the airing of the Bashir documentary. To courtroom ObSCi"'\.·CD"5, the time line seemed weird, especially when evidence was presented that showed the list of media who were hounding Ncverland Ranch in rhc afrcrmath of the Bashir pOIT~. Apf1arc::nt~y, "Jackson';:; people" were bdl1g bombarded. for days. and the phones at Nevtrland rnng off the hook.

The messages left [or Michael Jackson, specifically on Fcbmary 6. 20.0.3, Came from Entertainment Tonigbt, Extra, Good Morning America. jack Sussman, the !tOp executive ar CBS, Larry King Live, Connie Chung at CNN, SkyNews London, Bell Yard in London, and Barham Waher:s on behalf of 20120 for.ABC .A . .nd that was only the first round of messages.

Imide sources would confide rhar for days, [he whole ,i .... orld was calling, [rying desperately to gain an interview wirh Michael about me mysterious boy, the canccr victim with whom Michael had held hands, with whom Michael had admittcd 11;0 ~hal"ing his bed. Though Mkhael told Bashir Ch~I their relationship was innocent, that he and Gavin and other children slept in his bed together, the media didn't believe Michael when he said thar "sharing your bed" was J. loving act, The media wanted more. The)' wanted dint.

in front of til c jury, Gavin claimed that Jackson molested him in the wake of a bre\VdrJg scanda], with the media world calling, with authorities beginning investigatiom-bul: his manner and tone just didn't seem right. Gavin would give specific testimony about the 1;\'10 alleged acrs, He would talk about being masturbated by Jarbnn. Hut then; was something abour his calm demeanor that seemed staged. GavirD'~ recollection appeared (0 be questionable.

Gavin told the jury that Michael had reached inro his pajamas, rhar Michael had said {hac masturbation .. ",J£. narural-e-buc those were the same words that had been used in the jordie Chandler suit. Because Gav]n admitted that he: and hU:5 family had goule to see J ordie's lawyer before ever going 1[0 [he police, peop]e in the courtroom were trying the read between (he lines, A[ first, Gavin' s testimony

84

MICHAEL jACKSO N CONS [>1 H.ACY

Then Sneddon showed. G-avin a note, allegedly handwrirren [0 him by Michael:

""I want you ro have a good rime in Florida. I'm very happy ro be your DADlJY. Blanker, Prince, and Paris are your brothers <lind sisters. Bur you really have '[Q be honest in your heart that I am your DAD and wil] rake good care of you." DAD

As Sneddon continued his line of questioning, Gavin Arvizo admiued rh .. at at the rime of the rebuttal video, February 20.2003, "nothing bad happened" when he stayed with Michael Jackson in h1S bedroom. Gavin fimhcr testified that on the same day th .. U the family taped their rebuttal video, they had also been OI1(C(viewed by til ree social wor kers who worked for the Deparrrn en t o f Chi] drcn :10':11:1. Family Services in los Angeles,

That interview, Gavin said, was conducted at [he home of Major Jay Jackson, his mom'." new boyfriend. \Vhe(l the three lA social 'WOrkers asked the Arvizo famjIr a series of questions about Michael jackson-e-once again, Gavin would insist that "nothing had happened" with Michael in his bedroom.

As. Gavin spoke to the members of rhc jury. Michael sat stone-faced.

Ar rimes, the superStar wouki .}h:3,~(~ his head in disbelief especially as Tom Sneddon continued to proJ the: hoy for answers. Gavin W<lS able ro recall things he had rold the grand jury and mentioned that Michael had once walked into the master bedroom naked, telling the ArvizCJ boy:; that bc:ing nude was "natural." Contrary (0 his brother's testimony, Gavin said that Michael was not in an aroused srare when he happened to .... 'alk by the mirror in the nude. The jury seemed a bir perplexed '[Q hear that Gavin's version of events didn't mesh with his brother's resrimony,

Many things rhar Gavin swore to were in direct contrast ro toe testimony of his siblings. Bur as (be jury watched Ca,,·jrli weave his story, there was only one ~h1ng: they wanted to focus on: [he specific claims about moie.~t:OItlon.

Though it '\V;\5 difficulr for people in the COurt to hear Gavin ra~k about it, the rm.Hug boy didn't seem unccmforrable. Gavin spoke in "rnartcr-of-facr' terms. There were no tears from the boy. There was Iitde emotion, really, whatsoever, "$0 you were: in che room a while, and the dt::fclldant started talking to you abour masrurbation!" Sneddon wanted to know.

"Yes, ~ Gavin said.

"What did !-H': .~a}' to you?"

MICHAEL JAC:iK~ON CONSPIRACY

"Now, tell us WbJ.I happened,' Sneddon asked.

"The same thing happen cd again." Gavin said. "He said that he wanted to teach me . And we were laying there, and he started doing it to me. And then he kind of grabbed my hand in a way to rry [0 do it to him.1I..nd. I kind of pulled my hand away, because I didn't wnnr to do ir,"

"How long do yOLl. think it lasted the second time?" Sneddon asked. <The same time,' Gavin said.

"Did you ejaculate [he second timer" "1 think I did,"

\Vhen Gavin told (he jury thar there was no other occasion where Mr. Jackson had done anything inappropriate: to him, Tom Sneddon had nothing further. The boy was now Mesereau's witness, and as he die! with every person who rook the stand, the defense • .momey spoke the words:

"My name is Tom Mesereau, and I speak for Mr. J::II:~on, okay?" Gavin :S~Dd okay.

"I'm on h[s side, all righr]" Mesereau wanted Gavin to be sure, "IllI right,'" Gavin answered,

As. Meser=u reassured Gavin that he was nor on [he gove-mmem's side, that he was on me side of Michael jackson, [he defense attorney made it very dear to Gavin that be wanted the young man to speak up if there was anything about a question rhar h~ didn'!: l.I!ndl;-r~t:lnd.

"Now, you've told the jury that it was not until afier your interview with three social workers [hat any inappropriate touching happened, righr?" Mesereau asked.

"Hmmmrnmr"

"Did you tell [he jury that it was not until :lncr your interview with three social workers in Los Angeles that Mr. J ackson inappropriately touched you?"

"I t was afrer," Gavin said.

"I ft·gh ?"

,t was it erv n [.

"Yes."

"Now, in than: interview, you. eold tnt: three social workers that Mr. Jackson W8l.S a good guy, righI?" Mesereau asked.

"Yes,"

To Mcscreau, Gavin admitted that he'd wId the social workers that Michael was "a f.ather figure." As Mesereau seemed to spin Gavin around 001 the stand, it wouldn't be IODlg bcfor.c: Mcsereau established that the alleged molestation incident'S didn't occur until aftet the Arvizo family visited a civil ;,uwrney. about a week before the A ... .izos left Ncvcrland Ranch for rhe 1<151: time.

7/ You Wdm:Ul Md'f tbe World a Better Place , , . ~

87

Tom Mcsereau decided not 1:0 treat Ga,,.jn Arvizo as IT. child_. He wok his chances, auJ. sunk his teeth into the witness, using a sraccaro-sryle of questioning, quick and to [he point. The gamble paid off, it seemed, because the jury carne to see another side of Gavin Arvizo, one that wasn't so sympathetic. The channing side of the bor-- which was apparem in the reburral rape and In the Bashir documenrary-=had suddenly disappeared. \X/irh Mesereau at the helm, Gavin Arvizo quickly became [esty and argumentative.

"So what you're telling [he jury is that after you were interviewed by three social workers investigating Michael Jackson, and after all the commotion that followed the Ba~hi[ docurncntary, somehow, Mr. Jackson starts to improperly touch YOLl, correct?" Mesereau wanted to know.

"No, it was more toward the end," Gavin said. "Toward when we were about to leave, afier we'd been urinking alcohol and ali (hat sruff. Ir was maybe a week before Vile left Neverland [or good," Gavin said.

At times, during his l'rlany days of testimony, Gavin would took over at Michael and Aash the superslar disapproving looks. Octa.sionally, the boy would mumble under his breath, especially when Tom Mesereau would insinuate that Gavin Arviz:o and his siblings were liars; coached by their mother, Mescrcau would sysrematically bring up (he JC Penney case, reminding jurors that the Arvizo kids had lied in the past-and had gained 3. financial civil setrlcrnene out of rhe ]C Penney Corporation.

The implication was the Arvizos would say anything to get monty.

About the conspiracy theory, about the Arvizos being held against their " .. ·ill at Neverland=-Mesereau would argue that this was nonsense, TIle defense a~tori1!:::y was able to prove that the AnlEzoslcn Neverland=-then returned-e-on as many as: three occasions. Outing that time, while the Arvizos claimed they were being hdJ. "captive," Janet an,J_ her children were treated [0 hotel-style Jiving at Ncverland. In addition, Janet and her kids were being escorted ro local eowns by Michael's drivers, (hey were going to sec denrists and were purchasing toys-----aH at Michael's expense. Mcsen:au produced a list of financial transactions ~howing [hat Neverland ValJey Emerra[nmenlt had paid "several thousand dollars' for cosmetics, clothing, beauty treatments, meals, and lodging.

"\'{!e proved that these children were taughr (0 He under oath, that was one of our argutncnr!i to the jury," Y\'lesere<l.u later confided. ~The Arvizo kids ~t:arnc:-d to work with lawyers at an carjy :lge. We were wing the j C Penney case as an example of that, \"'fe hoped. to show the jury that rhese children were taught [0 exaggemte, to make thing.~ up, to support [heir mother and [uher',s_ alli:gatiom, whether they were true or not, ar an early age."

83

JI,.,nCH..'\EL)ACKSON CONSP[R.KY

The ]nfo[madOrl about Janel Arvizo's previous allegations, about her funar' ... claims rhar janet had been assaulted and sexually molested by JC Penney guards, would be more (han devastating for the Arvizos, A s Gavill was asked basic que.sdons about the case-e-abour the Arvizos receiving a .s 152,000 settlement from the IC Penney Corporation-e-thc boy seemed unable to dig himself out of a hole,

"\Yle felt: rhe Arvizos' claims were outrageous," Mesereau continued, "We proved that the mother alleged that]C Penney guards had done ben}' flops on top of her in the: parbng lot, "\\'hen the incident happened ill the: Fark~ng lot of]C Penney, tlue Arviz.u parents were arrested. looking ar 1 aner > s intake forms OIT1 the Jay she was arrested, she ]IlJiGu:ed that she didn't need any medical attention. Ianer claimed she didn't have any medical problems. W'hen we looked ar [he booking phoros, janet Arvizo didn't have: a hair out of place, \T(le think rhar evidence was devastating. "

Ron Zonen would introduce photos of Janet Arvizo's aHcgcd bruises, asserting that Janet Arvizo had been badly bearen, But Mesereau would later prove rhar janet was not beaten on the day of her arrest, The attorney ~holl1g]H:: that perhaps the photos were fakc. or perhaps they were taken some time after her arrest and release. In the: fa,ct: of police booking iniormation-c-none of the Arviz.os could provide testimony that explained the evidence Mesereau presented, which indicared rhat janer had been beaten up da)'J after the]C Fenney incident. Mesereau>s research would show that some time after the facr, Jailer Arvizo brought photos of herself'full of bruises," hamling them over (0 an a(tomey in order to file a civil suit against ] C Penney . To her civil attorney, Janet claimed chat the bruises had shown up days later, even though 011 the day of her arrest axJe Penney.janet had filled out a police booking form stating that she needed "no medical treaunenr." To fonifY her case, Janet used Gavin and Star Arvizo, both of whom swore that they witnessed a brutal sexual and physical assault of their mother on the cement ground of a parking lot.

"You went [0 rwo lawyers ami a psychologist, whom Larry Feldman referred you ro, before you wenr to any police officer, right!" Mesereau asked, returning back to the subject of Iackson,

"Yes." Gavin admined,

"Now, rhese weren't the Erst attorneys you've ever talked [0, correct?" "I've ralked ro other attorneys before."

"You had an ~1[IOrney representing you OIT1 the JC Penney case, correct?" "I think so, I'm preuy sure."

"You l:estJncJ under oath in rhac ca .... c, correcri" "Yes, ~ Gavin said.