I'm back on the MJ trial beat, having purged the debilitating sludge built up in my system over ten weeks of numbing, debased testimony, which has cast an ugly shadow across virtually everyone within the drama's lurid light: sketchy accusers, former employees with grudges, Jackson-lickspittles — including his former wife Debbie Rowe — whose fawning exudes an oleaginous stench, guilt-wracked mothers who virtually sold their sons to an exceptionally peculiar superstar, and the skeletal figure of Jackson himself, who casts an undertaker's pall over the entire proceeding.
Last week the prosecution wrapped up its case, and now the Jackson defense team headed up by the Supercilious Silver Fox, Thomas Mesereau, is trying to simultaneously impugn the veracity of prosecution witnesses — especially that of MJ's child accuser and the rest of his family — and portray the self-styled King of Pop as a victim of monomaniacal prosecutors, a treacherous inner circle of toadies and henchmen, and a family of rambunctious grifters making false allegations for profit.
On Thursday, the defense called to the stand two young men who slept in Jackson's bed multiple times when they were boys and both said the singer never molested them. "Never, I wouldn't stand for it," said 23-year-old Brett Barnes; not when he was awake, anyway, the prosecution noted.
Jackson has already been portrayed as a victim during the trial, with Rowe testifying that some of his associates were "opportunistic vultures" scheming against him. And Jackson has forever cast himself in the role of the victimized naif in song — "Billie Jean," "Man In the Mirror," and "D.S." among others — and in lore: accusing his father of beating a singing career into him, denying him a childhood, and variously accusing recording industry execs from Berry Gordy of Motown to Tommy Mottola of Sony of turpitude against him.
The singer has also darkly hinted at a conspiracy to wrest his publishing empire away from his trembling achromatic fingers.
After yesterday's court session concluded, Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain had some interesting things to say about the direction the trial might take. "At the end of the day he will listen to what Tom Mesereau suggests. If Tom Mesereau asks him to testify, he will.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - swingingpuss
Thanks Eric for the quick recovery and equally fast post. Since I'm totally ignorant about MJ could you tell me when or whether Culkin would take the stand?
2 - Eric Olsen
Culkin wil take the stand for the defense, but they haven't said when yet
3 - Eric Olsen
and thanks for the kick in the butt!
4 - swingingpuss
lol, sure Eric, butt kicking can be fun, just say when;)
5 - Eric Berlin
undertaker's pall...
That says it right there -- great description.
MJ's gone from a pin-up friendly worldwide icon to a ghoulish, frightening, avert-your-children's eyes figure over the course of a generation.
Perhaps not the Pepsi Generation, though...
6 - RJ
If MJ has any class at all, he will emigrate to a country more friendly to him and his obvious paraphilias (after he's acquitted, of course).
Somewhere in Europe, methinks...
7 - BNS
I am wondering why it is a big deal that Michael have women friends other than his wives. I tried to think of female friends I have other than my wife and I can name only one.
Also, I think it would look worse if Jackson slept with 13 year old girls.
Finally, so what if he had no women sleeping in his room? The last place he should bring a woman he isn't married to is Neverland. The maids, security, etc. that are in that place - why are people upset that he brings no woman to his bed at that ranch? I would rather be in a hotel, her place, or perhaps any number of other properties he may own. I hear there are several houses he could go to and have some privacy.
8 - Eric Berlin
BNS -- The questions you're asking seem completely irrelevant to me, somewhat like a prosecutor pleading with a jury: can't you see my client preferred steak to chicken, whilst weilding the blood-soaked meat cleaver.
And:
Also, I think it would look worse if Jackson slept with 13 year old girls.
Not so good in either case, actually. Not so good at all.
9 - Bob Frapples
It's really quite possible that some of
the boys MJ supposedly molested were gay
and enjoyed it too. This is unlikely in
the case of the pre-pubescents but it is
possible with some of the "older" kids.
I read this theory on another blog site
and it made for some thought anyway as
to why some of these "kids" have never
complained.Maccauley Culkin was brought
up in this argument as he is rumored to
be gay and has been for quite some time.
Wacky,I know but it is food for thought.
10 - Claire
Interesting theory....and might i add, very disturbing. But there may be some truth to it. Every thing seems so uncertain in this trial as it is anyway.
Its never been really established his sexual preference (aside from what he is accused of)In my opinion it seems to be leaning towards an aquittal. Ive changed my mind so much about wheather he is guilty or not im sort hesitant in expressing opinions!! Unfortunalty in Ireland the coverage is not that great so my knowledge is a little hazy.
11 - Pete
"It's really quite possible that some of
the boys MJ supposedly molested were gay
and enjoyed it too. This is unlikely in
the case of the pre-pubescents but it is
possible with some of the "older" kids."
In that case why isn't Elvis' name slung to mud for having sex with Priscilla Presly when she was 14? and he was much older?
12 - Connie Palmer
I feel it is really sad that we live in a society where the rich can do anything they please. The even sadder thing is if he is found not quilty then he will only continue his preverted sexual lifestyle.
13 - adis
Eric,
I have read almost all your post on MJ. You started off with an explicitly bias against Jackson. As the events progressed with the arraignment of dubious prosecution witnessed and the Rowe explosion, you turned to a speculative theorising that twist even the details favourable to Jackson into propositions that point towards his guilt. You have claimed to be a writer and I must remind you that if you are who you are, you owe society a responsibility to inform them and not to postulate slanderous propaganda. You propagate hatred against this individual and that is apparent even in you responses to the most bigoted posts on this blog.
I am more afraid of people like you than Jackson because speculatively, I fell that your bias against Jackson runs deeper than the individual he is. It may be a broader bias against a more general section of society or a response to your own experiences. In this case you may need some help.
Whatever it is, the rule of any reporting with integrity is that you remain objective and not perpetually leaning on the side of crucifixion
14 - Eric Olsen
just calling it like I see and have never pretended otherwise
15 - claire
Adis,
I have read some of your posts (This is getting addictive) but if Eric seems to be leaning towards a crucifixion, you are most certainly leaning the other way. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and you express yours very well. But maybe you are not looking at things from the broader prospective. I would like to think he is not guilty I have always been a fan.
But regardless of wheather any molestation actually occured, it is blatantly obvious that a man in his forties does NOT sleep with children. Its not immoral, it is just plain common sense. In this day and age how can anyone not pass judgement on a man who does this. He has left himself open to this circus.
The one and only piece of evidence which has been proven (from my knowledge) is that he sleeps with very young children.
Michael Jackson is not God. He may be a very loving man who is perfectly innocent but he has no immunity from accusations like this. He had a very troubled childhood and i find it really hard to believe that he still sees so much innocence.
16 - Eric Olsen
thanks Claire
Adis, I have tried to make it clear I do not KNOW whether or not he crossed the line and did anything illegal, but his emotional relationships with these boys have been utterly improper, and I am allowed to comment on that, am I not?
17 - jarboy
Pete wrote:
In that case why isn't Elvis' name slung to mud for having sex with Priscilla Presly when she was 14? and he was much older?
Yo, Pete, even Pricilla Presley will tell you that she and Elvis did not have sex until after they were married -- when she was 18.
18 - Eric Olsen
I have the impression MJ wishes he could have married Jordy Chandler - seriously
19 - claire
Why is that?
20 - Eric Olsen
the nature of the relationship, the amount of time and effort put into it, the visual similarities of subsequent "special friends," etc
21 - claire
You know standing back from it all......and looking at it as you would from a great distance it really gets to me how sick it all is. Plus i spent so much money on his cds. Fickle point but there ya go.
22 - Eric Olsen
you can be a fan of the music and not the behavior
23 - claire
Your right of course but i still would have serious problems listening to his music if he was without question guilty. And excuse my ignorance but happens to his money if he is convicted. Would profits go to his next of kin?
24 - Eric Olsen
nothing happens to his money unless he is fined or sued
25 - Krissi
Macauley Culkin took the stand today, according to the AP.