Created: Tuesday, 01 March 2005
Michael Jackson is angry. After the completion of Day Two of the trial and coming face to face in the courtroom with British Journalist Martin Bashir whose documentary, ‘Living With Michael Jackson’ seemed to spark this entire case, Mr. Jackson has stated definitively that he is doing good, but he is angry. When asked why Mr. Jackson “is angry”, his publicist, Raymone Bain explains, “He is sitting there being vilified listening to all these lies. He has maintained his innocence and has watched this circus of lies going on for over a year now. Anyone would feel angry when portrayed in such a way. He has consulted with his attorneys. He has confidence in the court system and his right to a fair trial. He knows he will be vindicated when the truth is told, but he is angry and he is glad he is finally getting a chance to clear his reputation.”
Many assumed that this was to have been the Prosecutor’s day. But media sources indicated to MJJsource.com that it seems to have backfired. In spite of the fact that District Attorney Tom Sneddon attempted to shock the jurors by airing Martin Bashir’s documentary ‘Living With Michael Jackson’ the only thing shocking was Bashir’s own very obviously slanted commentary and subsequent refusal to answer questions when asked.
The jurors were riveted to the video, which was played in its entirety, approximated 90 minutes. Jurors watched the documentary after prosecutors called its first witness, British journalist Martin Bashir, to the stand. The documentary, taped in 2002 and aired in 2003, led to the investigation that ultimately resulted in the charges against Mr. Jackson.
As the jurors watched on a large screen in the hushed courtroom, some leaned forward in their seats, a few smiled or laughed when Mr. Jackson said humorous things, and a few bobbed their heads along with Mr. Jackson’s music. Some smiled when the video showed Mr. Jackson singing “smile while your heart is breaking” as he left a hotel.
Although prosecutors tried to emphasize Michael Jackson’s comments about allowing children to sleep in his bed (even though he firmly states that he sleeps on the floor) it seemed to have a much softer impact and instead exposed jurors to a sympathetic portrayal of Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson is seen racing go-carts and climbing trees, as well as teaching Bashir how to “moonwalk.”
One juror had tears roll down their face when Michael Jackson spoke of his difficult childhood and his extremely strict, disciplinarian father. “I remember hearing my mother scream, ‘Joe, you’re going to kill him,”‘ Michael Jackson says at one point.
The documentary also referred to Michael Jackson’s relationships with adult women.
At one point, Mr. Jackson appears with the accuser and his brother and sister. The children do a dance routine in Mr. Jackson’s kitchen.
Later the boy holds hands with Mr. Jackson and says the pop star is perpetually childlike and understands children.
“He’s really a child at heart,” the boy tells an interviewer. “You’re an adult when you want to be one.”
When the boy says that Mr. Jackson once told him and his brother, “If you love me you’ll sleep in the bed,” Mr. Jackson tells the interviewer that the children slept in his bed and he slept on the floor in a sleeping bag.
Holding the boy’s hand tightly, Mr. Jackson says, “My greatest inspiration comes from kids. It’s all inspired by that level of purity. I see God in the face of children.”
After the viewing, Mr. Mesereau sought to have Bashir’s testimony and the documentary stricken when Bashir refused to say how many hours of videotape were recorded during the making of the program.
Judge Rodney S. Melville refused to strike the video or the testimony.
Once on the stand, Martin Bashir refused to at least 30 of the questions, citing the shield law for reporters and the First Amendment, that says that a journalist does not have to answer questions about unpublished materials. But his refusal to answer questions seemed to even more assuredly reinforce the fact that he was acting deceptively in his intentions towards Michael Mr. Jackson in the documentary. Consequently, Martin Bashir may face contempt of court charges.
Mr. Jackson appeared slightly agitated when Bashir was on the stand, at one point putting out his arms as if to tell him to speak up. Bashir was testifying in a near-whisper.
Bashir seemed caught off guard and somewhat annoyed when Mr. Mesereau brought up the fact that he was brought before the Broadcasting Standards Commission in Britain after being accused of blackmail by one of his interviewees (see article below ” I Was Blackmailed by Bashir” from the UK Newspaper ‘The Mail’).
As Mr. Jackson left court, reporters asked him how he was feeling. He said, ” I’m angry. I’m good, but I am angry.” He thanked reporters and walked away.
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