Michael Jackson?s homicide case is almost complete. Sources say that the investigation itself is finished and is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney in about a month. Medical professionals have been called upon to pitch their thoughts about the evidence and the treatment that the King of Pop received from Dr. Conrad Murray, which should be complete into two to three weeks. LAPD detectives will then round up their report and organize the necessary facts before taking it to the DA. According to insiders, the late singer?s doctor will not be arrested until he?s officially charged with a crime.
Madonna was at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards which were held at New York City?s Radio City Music Hall last Sunday. The 51-year old singer spoke during the Michael Jackson tribute at the beginning of the show and even introduced for Janet Jackson?s performance. The Queen of Pop spoke about her love of Michael and the things that were parallel in their lives. She said that the late singer was ?so unique, so original, so rare. He was a king.? I only have one comment for Madonna though. When talking about someone you?re supposed to be paying a tribute to, I don?t think talking about yourself more is an appropriate thing to do.
The past year has treated many artists in the music industry very well but there are also others that didn?t have as much luck with their new releases. The biggest albums of the year sales-wise are Taylor Swift?s ?Fearless? which sold 3.7 million, Michael Jackson?s ?#1?s? which sold 3 million, Beyonce?s ?I Am? Sasha Fierce? which sold 2.4 million and the soundtrack for the movie ?Twilight? which sold 2.2 million. However, not everyone can do well. The Jonas Brothers fever seems to be dying down because the boys only managed to sell 520,000 copies of their new album. Disney starlet Demi Lovato also bombed selling only 240,000 copies of her album. Jordin Sparks, Green Day and Kelly Clarkson are also on the list of so-called failures.
Several members of Michael Jackson?s family say that they are already talking about lawyers who might represent them in a wrongful death lawsuit against Dr. Conrad Murray and others. However, the death of the King of Pop may prove to be such an economic bonanza that it can crush any lawsuit. In California, the late singer?s family could sue for the economic loss, i.e. the financial support that Michael could have provided if he were alive. But the thing is, his death may actually be an economic gain as it is pretty clear that his death is more profitable compared to the last couple of years of his life. There?s a whole lot more of legal jargon involved but the gist of it is, the Jackson family could still come up with goose eggs.
Michael Jackson’s family have agreed to turn Neverland into a spectacular Graceland-like amusement park, according to US reports.
The Jackson family has reached an agreement with the owners of Neverland, private equity firm Colony Capital – and the King of Pop’s famous home could be opened to the public as early as Christmas, according to the reports.
The driving force behind the ambitious plans to transform the 2,676-acre estate into a tourist attraction is thought to be Jackson’s brother, Jermaine, who had initially wanted the music legend to be buried at Neverland.
A Jackson family source said: “This is important to Jermaine – he is really pushing for this. He has a big vision for Neverland as a museum, tourist attraction and concert venue…
“Colony Capital wants to open it up as early as the Christmas holidays and no later than February, but the two obstacles will be the county and the Jackson estate.”
Jacko was finally laid to rest last week at the Forest Lawn cemetery, just outside of Los Angeles.
But despite his entombment being almost 150 miles away from the ranch, his family and Colony Capital are reportedly going ahead with their plans.
Jackson lived at Neverland for almost two decades. But, after he was cleared of child-molestation charges in 2005, he vowed never to return.
A rep for Colony Capital declined to comment.
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A former euthanasia practioner has weighed in on the death of Michael Jackson, saying the singer’s doctor Conrad Murray did not kill him.
Doctor Jack Kevorkian said: “I don’t think he [Murray] was malicious. Murder is defined as malice forethought. Did the doctor have forethought? I doubt it.”
Murray is at the centre of a manslaughter investigation in Jackson’s homicide. He has told police he administered intravenous drugs that were cited in the singer’s autopsy as being present to lethal levels.
Kevorkian said: “Maybe Jackson craved these things so much he pestered the doctor until he got it. The patient got what he wanted. He is the one who said yes or no to take a drug.”
Michael Jackson’s death from a heart attack was concealed for three hours in a bid to change the circumstances of his death, according to claims made in the UK Mirror newspaper.
Police suspect the singer’s body was moved as part of a bid to make circumstances show he killed himself with propofol.
Steven Hoefflin, a doctor and friend of the Jackson family, said after speaking to doctors involved: “They say he had lividity, which means his blood had already sunk to the back of his body. This indicates Michael’s heart had stopped hours earlier.”
Los Angeles County Coroner experts reportedly found the pattern of lividity, or livor mortis, was interrupted.
Forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht, who is not involved in the Jackson case, said: “If someone carried the body from one room to another, the livor would be broken where contact with the body was made. If one person held his ankles and the other held him under his arms, there would be corresponding white interruptions of livor mortis in those spots.
Michael Jackson may have collected a huge fortune during his career, $1,360,839,979 to be exact, but there was little cash to be spent before the King of Pop passed away. According to financial documents, the late singer?s cash only totalled to just 0.05% of his net worth, about $668,215. His assets include real property worth $73,475,000 (Neverland and Encino home), restricted cash of $10,696,764, media archival materials worth $20,000,000, MJ Publishing Trust worth $85,000,000, professional equipment worth $1,000,000, and automobiles, antiques, collectibles and other personal property worth $20,000,000. That?s a lot of money in assets. I don?t know whether he?s a hoarder or just smart.
The film which documented the final weeks of Michael Jackson?s life as he prepared for his comeback tour will be released by Sony worldwide on October 28th and will only have a limited run of just two weeks in theater. The studio describes the film, ?This is It?, as an ?intimate portrait of Michael Jackson as you’ve never seen him before.? It will showcase the King of Pop as he rehearsed for his upcoming shows at London?s O2 Arena that were supposed to kick off mid-July. The director, Kenny Ortega, also talked about the film, saying ?This film is Michael’s gift to his fan. It’s a very private, exclusive look into a creative genius’s world. With this film, we get a rare portrait of Michael as he prepares for his final curtain call and what I believe was going to be his master work.?
Michael Jackson’s love interest in the Thriller video, Ola Ray, is a creditor of his estate, court records show.
Ray, an actress, alleged in April that the late King of Pop failed to pay her royalties on the video for the past four years.
Ray’s attorney filed paperwork in Los Angeles last week stating she is a creditor to the singer’s estate and is owed an undetermined amount of money.
That suit, and two others filed by Thriller director John Landis, is yet to be settled. One of Landis’s lawsuits claimed he was not paid royalties on the Thriller video for several years.
Tickets for Michael Jackson’s tribute concert in Vienna have already been applied for by one million people, according to reports.
Michael’s older brother Jermaine is organising a tribute show in Vienna with stars such as Whitney Houston, John Mayer and Lionel Richie lined up to perform, with more artists yet to be announced.
Fans of Jacko rushed to snap up the 85,000 tickets, and the website failed to cope with the pressure and soon crashed.
A memorial service was held at the Staples Center in LA in July where family, friends and other artists paid their respects.
Michael Jackson’s doctor has posted a bizarre video on YouTube – speaking for the first time to tell family and friends he is ‘fine’.
Dr Conrad Murray is currently under investigation over The King of Pop’s sudden death on 25 June.
Dressed in a suit and tie, Murray protests his innocence in the one-minute video, insisting: “I have done all I could do. I told the truth and I have faith that the truth will prevail.”
He reveals on the video that because of the ongoing police investigation that he is afraid to call friends or family – or even use his email – and has posted the video on YouTube because he is unable to contact them personally.
Dr Murray says in the video: “I want to thank all of my patients and friends who have sent such kind emails, letters and messages…
“Because of all that is going on, I am afraid to return phone calls or use my email, therefore I recorded this video to let all of you know that I have been receiving your messages.
“I haven’t to been able to thank you personally, which you know is not normal for me.?
So far, less than 250 people have viewed the video on YouTube.
The medic’s offices in Houston and Las Vegas have both been raided as authorities seek to find what, if any drugs, including Propofol, were illegally prescribed to the pop icon and if that is what led to his untimely death.
Source: Splash News
A pair of tribute concerts for Michael Jackson tribute have been cancelled.
The shows were originally to take place at London’s O2 Arena on August 29 and 30. Organisers, however, failed to seal deals with performers.
AEG, the promoters of Jackson’s UK tour, said it still hopes to sponsor an event to honour the late king of pop, who died suddenly on June 25.
A source close to the event said, “If they ever happen, it will not be until next year. We didn’t want to rush out something that was substandard ? we would rather wait until we have got the best possible people.”
A separate tribute concert in Vienna was announced on Monday. World Awards Media, the promoter, said high profile stars and members of the Jackson clan would join the performance currently slated for late in September.
The only ‘star’ who was officially confirmed for the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna has already pulled-out.
Shawn King – the singer wife of U.S. journalist Larry King – had appeared on her husband’s TV show with Jermaine Jackson to officially announce the tribute.
Showing clear affection for Jermaine, Shawn had shown excitement for the September 26 show, promising “a lot of surprises”.
But now, despite being the only confirmed act, Shawn has announced she will not be attending.
Adding to rumours of troubles for the show, Shawn’s spokesman cited “prior commitments” – even though the singer had appeared on TV to talk about her involvement and excitement.
Although many big names have been touted around – including Madonna and U2 – no one has been confirmed, and some of those rumoured to be going have stated they are not involved.
Shawn’s spokesman insisted: “She still has great love and respect for Jermaine.”
When she helped Jermaine announce the show last week, Shawn had said: “I’m doing it because I love music. I love Jermaine. I love the Jackson family. And everything has come together so beautifully, and so perfectly, it’s meant to be. There’s no question in my mind.”
Jermaine said: “We’re going to pay a tribute to my brother – some of the world’s greatest entertainers are going to be there.”
Jermaine insists Vienna was a “very dear place for Michael”: “He loved castles, and we’re going to have this huge celebration in front of a castle. We’re expecting hundreds of thousands of people.”
AEG is finally putting their money where their mouth is as they have followed through with their promise to donate the money they raised at the Michael Jackson memorial to the LA Police Foundation. According to the LA Times, the company has donated $90,000 which they made from the sale of 18 suites for the July 7th memorial of the King of Pop at the Staples Center. It?s being said that part of the money will go to build a memorial for fallen officers in front of the new police headquarters. However, the LA City Attorney believes that AEG should still pay for sanitation, transportation, street services and LAPD protection expenses for the late singer?s memorial.
Katherine Jackson’s lawyers have filed court papers in a renewed attempt to gain control of her son’s estate.
In legal documents filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Katherine’s lawyers argue that the “purported will” presented by Michael Jackson’s attorney, John Branca, is not valid.
Katherine’s attorneys note that the 2002 will has a “no contest” clause, meaning that anyone who wants to dispute the will gets nothing. They want to know if the court would deem it a violation of the no contest provision of the trust if she objects to the appointment of executors or requests the appointment of an executor or administrator.
Katherine’s lawyers say they are “continuing to collect and review relevant information”. She lost an earlier bid to become administrator of the estate on July 6.
Branca and music executive John McClain are currently the executors and administrators of Michael’s estate.
An Andy Warhol portrait of Michael Jackson is back on the auctioneer’s block.
The 1984 silk screen and synthetic polymer painting of the late king of pop is available to the highest bidder after being removed from a sale that closed for less than $300,000 last Sunday.
The Vered Gallery in East Hampton, New York, had blocked the sale. Gallery co-owner Janet Lehr said the 30-by-26-inch [76x66 cm] painting is now available.
Michael Jackson appears in a red jacket from his Thriller heydey in the 1980s in the portrait, which belongs to a private collector. There is no title for the work reported.
As for its price, Lehr said it was anyone’s guess right now. Art connoisseurs, meanwhile, say it could fetch $10 million. She explained: “We stopped the auction. It was supposed to close on July 12th, but there were too many people making inquiries.”
She also said: “Bidding already is up to $800,000 – three times what the anonymous owner paid for the work in May. Prospective buyers must register with the gallery to bid by way of e-mail, phone or in person. The auction closes August 18.”
A few months ago, A&E commissioned a one-hour special following the Jackson brothers, excluding Michael, as they readied a new Jackson 5 album and reunion tour. The special, titled ?The Jackson Family?, following Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy, was set to air next year, but due to the sudden passing of the King of Pop, plans may change. Network executives said ?We have started discussing internally and with the family but have not yet decided what direction to take with the show. We are respecting the family’s wishes right now, and at the appropriate time we will all decide what direction this program to take, so stay tuned.?
Tito Jackson recalled his late brother Michael’s strength during child molestation charges and a court trial in 2005.
“I don’t think he was 100 per cent during the trial because it was the strangest thing to go through. Michael didn’t know if the jurors were believing the stories that were being said in court.
“I remember at the time thinking, ‘Gosh, he is so strong. I could not go through this’. Physically, I was always much stronger than Michael, but mentally he had to be so strong to go through that.”
The Jackson siblings gathered at Michael’s home during the trial, Neverland, to hear the jury’s verdicts, Tito said. “We rushed down to the courthouse. I could tell Michael was a little bothered, a little nervous ? that was only to be expected. But he was more concerned about his children than himself.”
Parents Joe and Katherine had accompanied their son to the court that day. On the way, Michael had said to his mother: “If this doesn?t go right, take care of my kids. Make sure my kids are fine.”
Michael Jackson’s fitness trainer has revealed the late superstar was unable to lift even the lightest of weights in the run-up to his comeback tour.
Lou Ferrigno, who had previously trained the singer for his History World Tour, was brought in to get Jackson in shape for his 50 concerts at London’s O2 arena.
Ferrigno admitted that Jackson found even the smallest dumb-bells too much for his frail body.
“He didn’t want to do these,” Ferrigno said, pointing to a tiny weight. When asked if it was too heavy for the King of Pop, Ferrigno admitted: “Yes.”
He added: “No, but 20 years ago, he used it, it’s light, but he just loved being here.”
Ferrigno, who played the part of The Incredible Hulk in the 1970s TV series, demonstrated the abdominal exercises and light resistance work using an elastic rope he had instructed Jackson to do in preparation for the comeback tour.
The unlikely pair became close after meeting 20 years ago, and the former actor revealed that Jackson was able to relate to his TV alter ego.
He said: “He was a huge fan of the Hulk because it’s about power, he had that power through music and I have that power through the Hulk. Because every one of us has a little Hulk inside of us, Michael felt like a little Hulk he told me because of all the pain and anger.”
Few have come forward to try and set the record straight about the rumors surrounding Michael Jackson?s sudden death. However, on Good Morning America, reported real father of the 3 children and the singer?s dermatologist, Arnold Klein, spoke to Diane Sawyer about the allegations. The doctor offered an ambiguous denial that he is the father of the Jackson children saying ?To the best of my knowledge, I am not the father of these children. I can’t answer it in any other way. I don’t want to feed any of this insanity that is going around.? He also firmly denied ever prescribing the late King of Pop any powerful painkillers.
Michael Jackson’s body is being “stashed away” in an empty crypt while his family fight over what to do with him.
Jackson’s gold-plated casket was last seen at his public memorial service.
But reports say it is being kept at Motown boss Berry Gordy’s crypt at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
And the New York Post insists the reason for the delay is because Jacko’s family keep “bickering” over what to do with him.
The Post says: “On one side are Jackson’s brother Jermaine and father, Joseph, who are insistent the Gloved One be buried at Neverland Ranch so the family can profit off a proposed Graceland-style museum there – a process that could take years.
“On the other are Jackson’s mother, Katherine, and most of the rest of the siblings, who want his body laid to rest elsewhere out of respect for his wish, following his acquittal on child-molestation charges, to never return to Neverland.
“The fight had become so contentious that Jermaine rode in a separate Rolls-Royce limousine to Jacko’s public memorial at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, even though his mother had wanted all the brothers to ride together.”
Most of the kids and Katherine are onboard with a proposed documentary about the family that could bring in $20 million, the source said.
“They’re doing this documentary because with the kids, they will get $20 million,” the source said, adding Katherine is pushing all her children to be a part of it.
John Mayer performed ?Human Nature? at the Michael Jackson public memorial service which was held at the Staples Center this past Tuesday in Los Angeles. The 31-year old singer said ?I?m honored to have been asked to play at MJ?s memorial service. I will be representing all of us who can?t be there. Going to say goodbye from all us kids. I also want you to know that I?m going not to ?perform? but to contribute? Proud to be a musician.? John didn?t actually sing the song but rather played it wonderfully on his guitar. It?s his own way of honoring Michael.
Entertainment author and TV host Robin Leach recently posted a disturbing blog entry about Michael Jackson?s final days. According to Robin?s source, two nights before the sudden passing of the King of Pop, Michael was ?in a high state of stress and emotional drama, fearing that he would never be able to complete the 50-concert run in London, and it would kill him.? The singer was hoping that AEG would let him perform the concert as a ?one-night world spectacular? with simulcasts in theaters and arenas around the world as well as a subsequent CD and DVD release. AEG told Michael that the show must go on, even though the singer reportedly said at his last rehearsal ??We can’t go on. I’ll never make all 50. It will kill me.? With the rejection of his proposed plan, Michael became ?more stressed than he’d ever been in his life? and wrestled with insomnia. The source believes that this is what drove Michael to seek out the strong sedatives found in his home.
Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher has hit out at the press coverage of Michael Jackson’s death, saying it’s “dragging on a bit”.
Gallagher made the comment before the band’s performance at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on the day of Jackson’s memorial.
He said: “This Mike Jackson thing’s dragging on a bit, innit? Who do they think he is, Jade Goody? Listen out for the dedication tonight. There’s bound to be one. If it’s during Live Forever I may do a little poo-poo… then vomit.”
Michael Jackson’s memorial service could cost Los Angeles taxpayers $1.4million after a website to recoup costs crashed.
City chiefs set up the donation site for Jackson fans that wanted to help pick up the tab to relieve financial pressure caused by the event. But the site failed for more than 12 hours after receiving massive amounts of traffic.
City officials say they have received just $17,000 in donations so far but are hoping for more after the site was fixed.
The overall cost for policing and cleaning up after the memorial came to $1.4 million, a spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced.
The amount includes salaries for the more than 3,000 police officers deployed to secure the streets around the LA Staples Center plus traffic control and cleanup costs.
Sources have revealed the exact division of Michael Jackson?s assets, according to his will. The singer?s mother, Katherine Jackson, will get 40% of his assets. Michael?s three children will also be getting 40% and the remaining 20% will be divided up for several children?s charities. No specific charities were specified in the document, so the California state Attorney General, who is in charge and regulates the state?s charitable foundations, has filed legal papers to ensure that the funds actually go to charity. There?s still no word as to gets the 50% share holdings at Sony/ATV music publishing catalogue, which controls many of the songs from the Beatles.
Members of Michael Jackson’s family are reportedly arguing over where the star will be laid to rest.
The King of Pop’s memorial recently took place in LA, and it is claimed that his brother Jermaine wants Jacko to be buried at his Neverland Ranch, but laws prevent the burial from taking place on private property ? although the music legend?s ashes could be scattered there if he is cremated.
But it is claimed that Jackson’s mother Katherine does not want his ashes or body to be buried anywhere near Neverland.
A source said: “Michael left Neverland for good, never to return. He felt violated by law enforcement after his molestation trial. He felt this place he had built had been tainted.
“Katherine continues to be her son’s protector even after his death.”
Michael Jackson?s brother Marlon hit back at the pop legend?s critics in an emotional speech after the memorial?s musical finale, saying: ?Maybe now Michael they will leave you alone.?
Sobbing Marlon told the memorial: ?I stand here trying to find words of comfort, solace. Trying to understand why the Lord has taken our brother to return home from such a short visit here on earth.
?Michael, when you left us a part of me went with you and a part of you will live forever within me, but also a part of you will live forever within all of us.
?Michael I will treasure the good times, the fun we had, singing, dancing, laughing.?
And in comments that appeared to be aimed at his famous brother?s detractors, he said, ?We would never, never understand what he [Michael] endured, not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathering around him, being judged, ridiculed.
?How much pain can one take?
?Maybe now Michael they will leave you alone?
?So I thank you, Michael, for all the smiles that you placed in many people?s hearts and I thank you for everything you have done for others across this globe in the Lord?s name?
?I love you Michael and I miss you.?
As the moving ceremony came to an end, a tearful Jermaine said: ?On behalf of my family, myself, the fans and friends, nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers, I would like to thank everyone for coming out.
?As you know, I?m lost for words?
?We thank you. That?s all we can say, we thank you very much.?
It seems that the legendary pop singer was very keen with the idea of creating a small version of himself, especially after he attended a conference on cloning with psychic Uri Geller. Michael Jackson?s driver, Al Bowman, who took the two at the conference related the following: “Jackson was very excited. He bounced out of that conference like a small child. He was smiling and on a high. I heard him and Uri talking in the back of the limo. He was talking about the prospect of being cloned. He grabbed Uri by both arms and told him, ‘I really want to do it Uri and I don’t care how much it costs.’? Right, this must be why Michael Jackson?s brain will be staying out of the ground. This might even bring up a few ideas as to the origins of Blanket.
