Discussion
If you are going to commit a crime do not go on TV and talk about it seems to be the omen here.
Judge allows Jackson film showing
Mr Jackson said he was "betrayed" by Bashir over the film
Martin Bashir's documentary Living With Michael Jackson will be shown to jurors at the singer's child abuse trial, the judge has ruled.
The controversial programme contains footage of singer Jackson defending his practice of letting young boys sleep in the same room as him at his ranch.
The defence opposed the move, saying the British journalist's show was heavily edited and unreliable evidence.
Mr Jackson, 46, has denied 10 counts of child molestation and conspiracy.
In another ruling at the last pre-trial hearing before jury selection begins next week, Judge Rodney Melville said material described as erotic and including some images of nude children could be shown.
Defence lawyers argued that the prosecution had not established that the items belonged to Mr Jackson, as around 70 staff at the residence had access to the areas where they were found.
But in a victory for the defence, Judge Melville ruled that Mr Jackson's accuser and his brother would have to testify in open court despite prosecution protests that this would traumatise them.
'Inflammatory'
The judge said a version of Mr Bashir's programme aired on British TV would be shown, rather than a longer documentary shown in the US containing commentary by journalists.
Martin Bashir has asked not to give evidence at the trial
Prosecutors had called the US version "a public relations catastrophe" and said jurors could not understand the impact it had had on the singer without them seeing it in its entirety.
Judge Melville also refused to excuse Mr Bashir from standing as a witness in the trial.
But the journalist, now a correspondent for US television network ABC, could still refuse to answer questions if he takes the witness stand.
Mr Bashir's lawyer Theodore Boutros Jr said that he was protected by the First Amendment and California's state laws.
The defence argued that the programme constituted inadmissible hearsay and contained highly inflammatory material.
The film was the UK's biggest TV export of 2003, sold to 120 countries.
At the time it sparked outrage from the singer, who said he was "utterly betrayed" and "unfairly treated" by Bashir.
Judge allows Jackson film showing
Mr Jackson said he was "betrayed" by Bashir over the film
Martin Bashir's documentary Living With Michael Jackson will be shown to jurors at the singer's child abuse trial, the judge has ruled.
The controversial programme contains footage of singer Jackson defending his practice of letting young boys sleep in the same room as him at his ranch.
The defence opposed the move, saying the British journalist's show was heavily edited and unreliable evidence.
Mr Jackson, 46, has denied 10 counts of child molestation and conspiracy.
In another ruling at the last pre-trial hearing before jury selection begins next week, Judge Rodney Melville said material described as erotic and including some images of nude children could be shown.
Defence lawyers argued that the prosecution had not established that the items belonged to Mr Jackson, as around 70 staff at the residence had access to the areas where they were found.
But in a victory for the defence, Judge Melville ruled that Mr Jackson's accuser and his brother would have to testify in open court despite prosecution protests that this would traumatise them.
'Inflammatory'
The judge said a version of Mr Bashir's programme aired on British TV would be shown, rather than a longer documentary shown in the US containing commentary by journalists.
Martin Bashir has asked not to give evidence at the trial
Prosecutors had called the US version "a public relations catastrophe" and said jurors could not understand the impact it had had on the singer without them seeing it in its entirety.
Judge Melville also refused to excuse Mr Bashir from standing as a witness in the trial.
But the journalist, now a correspondent for US television network ABC, could still refuse to answer questions if he takes the witness stand.
Mr Bashir's lawyer Theodore Boutros Jr said that he was protected by the First Amendment and California's state laws.
The defence argued that the programme constituted inadmissible hearsay and contained highly inflammatory material.
The film was the UK's biggest TV export of 2003, sold to 120 countries.
At the time it sparked outrage from the singer, who said he was "utterly betrayed" and "unfairly treated" by Bashir.
We'd better wait to see if he is convicted before he is publically branded a paedophile.
We wouldn't want our esteemed editor to be sued for publishing libellous material if Mr Jackson is subsequently acquitted.
In the event that he gets the chop, then the world's press will have a field day.
Cheers
Pat
We wouldn't want our esteemed editor to be sued for publishing libellous material if Mr Jackson is subsequently acquitted.
In the event that he gets the chop, then the world's press will have a field day.
Cheers
Pat
I don't like that Martin Bashir, he twists peoples words right in front of you like you are stupid and will believe him.
Why doesn't he want to give evidence?
As for Jackson, well he's different but so what. Saying that though he gives me the creeps and i wouldn't let my kids sleep in the same room as him even if it was the size of a football pitch.
Why doesn't he want to give evidence?
As for Jackson, well he's different but so what. Saying that though he gives me the creeps and i wouldn't let my kids sleep in the same room as him even if it was the size of a football pitch.
parrot of doom said:
When Mr Jackson says that kids sleep in his bedroom, not many people realise that his bedroom is about the size of a large house.
I doubt hes done anything wrong, he may be a bit different to the rest of us, but whose fault is that (if its a fault at all)?
The things is he said that they share a bed with him rather than just a room it might well be harmless and perfectly innocent but is it a wise thing for a grown man with a high media profile and a history of allegations of child abuse to do.
Gazboy said:
The case will be thrown out due to media intervention causing overwhelming prejedice against Jackson. (this is pretty much what happened to the Grosover Hotel gang-rape case- not helped by most of the key evidence 'getting lost' between the hotel and the forensic labs, not to mention a girl posing as the victim in a tabloid tell-all).
there should be a total lock-down regarding the media for ALL trials, cases and legalities, which should only be brought to light once the trial is over.
Hi Gaz,
A 'gag order' has been in place, and will be extended for this trial. Most of the secret stuff is still secret.
See www.thesmokinggun.com for what is happening.
What is being disputed is the evidence to be presented in the trial. The really sad thing, is that the evidence MJ wants blocked is material that he said in previous court cases and the Bashir documentary.
Nothing like being seen on tape saying you like to take 5-10 year old boys to bed that would lead 12 people to believe you might be a kiddie fiddler, eh?
The only thing that has kept MJ out of jail and the gutter is multi-millions and a large staff, which also keeps him from being in touch with reality.
A sad, sad, sick man.
Dave
jonna_rex said:
Did you see the document of him???
Most damning bit of 'evidence' shown, so far. Try this place for what is to come:
www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/010605jackson.html
Guilty.
Dave
simpo two said:
'Trial by media' seems to have replaced 'innocent until proven guilty'.
I have no idea either way, but unless someone had a camera set up in his bedroom or has some forensic evidence, I don't see how you can prove anything.
See link above to view testimony transcripts where a 13 Y.O. boy describes MJ's d
k size, color and shape.
When the cops checked, things 'matched'. :shudder:
Dave
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff