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Jacksons vs AEG - Day 44 - July 8 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 44 - July 8 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 44 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 44 - July 8 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

'Smoking gun' evidence expected in MJ's manager's laptop


New York, July 08 (ANI): Michael Jackson's family is set to receive his late manager's laptop, which they hope will have a "smoking gun" evidence in their wrongful death lawsuit against AEG Live.


Jackson family matriarch Katherine's lawyers subpoenaed the computer before the wrongful-death civil trial started in April, but were foiled until an Ohio judge found Frank's daughter, Belinda DiLeo, in contempt of court last week and vowed to jail her if she didn't produce the computer, the New York Post reported.


Sources told the publication that first DiLeo said that she didn't have it, but then she miraculously found it, and is handing it in on Monday. (ANI)


http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsd...idence-expected-in-MJ-s-manager-s-laptop.html
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 44 - July 8 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Kenny Ortega up next in Michael Jackson death trial

By Alan Duke, CNN
July 8, 2013 -- Updated 1714 GMT (0114 HKT)


Los Angeles (CNN) -- Kenny Ortega warned concert promoters five days before Michael Jackson's death that the singer needed "a top psychiatrist to evaluate him ASAP."
The director of Jackson's aborted comeback show testifies Monday about what AEG Live executives did and said in Jackson's final days.

Lawyers for Jackson's mother and children argue in the wrongful death trial against AEG Live that those executives ignored warning signs about his health and mental condition that, if heeded, could have saved his life.

The lawsuit contends the promoters hired, retained or supervised Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's propofol overdose death.
AEG Live lawyers argue that Jackson -- not their executives -- chose and controlled the doctor, who was giving him nightly infusions of the surgical anesthetic in a desperate search for sleep in his last two months.

Ortega, who knew Jackson well and worked with him closely preparing his "This Is It" shows, sounded a warning to AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips in an e-mail on June 20, 2009 -- five days before Jackson's death -- that Ortega did not think the entertainer would be ready for the shows.

He described seeing "strong signs of paranoia, anxiety and obsessive-like behavior" with Jackson. "I think the very best thing we can do is get a top psychiatrist to evaluate him ASAP."


Expert: MJ was 'drug dependent,' not addicted

AEG says Jackson was secretive about his drug use, which the company contends was an addiction, so there was no way of knowing what treatments Murray was giving Jackson in his bedroom.
But a drug addiction expert testified last week that there was "not a lot of evidence to support" the belief that Michael Jackson was addicted to drugs.

If he was an addict, Jackson "would be taking drugs that were not prescribed by a medical professional, taking larger amounts than prescribed and have drug-seeking behavior," Dr. Sidney Schnoll testified.

There was no evidence Jackson ever took drugs that were not given to him by a doctor or that he took more than prescribed, Schnoll said.

The bottles of sedatives found in his home after his death had more pills remaining in them than he would have expected if Jackson was an addict, Schnoll said. This "indicated these were not being taken on a regular basis," he said.

Evidence shows Jackson sought drugs from a number of doctors, but that was not inappropriate because he needed them "to treat a legitimate medical problem," including back pain, scalp pain and dermatologic issues, Schnoll testified.

While not addicted, Jackson was dependent on drugs, he said.

The painkillers that forced Jackson to end his 1993 "Dangerous" tour early so he could enter a rehab program were taken to relieve the pain from scalp surgery needed to repair burns suffered when filming a Pepsi commercial, Schnoll said.

The burns left scars on damaged nerves in his scalp, which becomes "excitable tissue" that "can be firing just like the nerve," he said. The result "can be every painful, like a burning kind of pain -- persistent, sharp, shooting kind of pain," he said. "It's very uncomfortable and one of the most difficult to treat."

Pain relief is a legitimate use of opioid drugs and a person can function normally if they are taken under a doctor's care, he said.

President John Kennedy was opioid dependent to relieve "very severe back pain" while in the White House, he said.

"He did alright as president?" Jackson lawyer Michael Koskoff asked.

"It depends on your political affiliation," Schnoll answered.

The Demerol injections Jackson got during frequent visits to a Beverly Hills dermatologist between April and his death in late June 2009 were given for legitimate medical reasons, Schnoll testified.
If he were addicted to Demerol -- which is a powerful opioid -- he would not have gone 43 days between injections, which medical records show, he said.

Jackson also went roughly 13 years -- from 1993 until 2008 -- without the drug, he said. The doctor conceded under cross-examination by an AEG Live lawyer, however, that a gap in available medical records may be misleading.

Jackson's use of sedatives was an effort to treat his chronic insomnia, Schnoll said.
If the underlying sleep problem could be resolved, the chances of ending Jackson's use of the drugs would have been good, he said.

There was no indication that Jackson was addicted to propofol before Murray began giving him nightly infusions of the surgical anesthetic for 60 days leading up to his death, he said.

Unheeded warning signs?

Ortega, in his e-mail to AEG Live CEO Phillips on June 20, wrote that "I honestly don't think he is ready for this based on his continued physical weakening and deepening emotional state."
He said Jackson was having trouble "grasping the work" at rehearsals.

Production manager John "Bugzee" Hougdahl wrote in an e-mail to Phillips hours earlier that Ortega had sent Jackson home from a rehearsal that night because of his strange behavior.

"I have watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last 8 weeks. He was able to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his ass if he tried now," Hougdahl wrote. "He was a basket case and Kenny was concerned he would embarrass himself on stage, or worse yet -- get hurt. The company is rehearsing right now, but the DOUBT is pervasive."

Phillips replied to Ortega: "Please stay steady. Enough alarms have sounded. It is time to put out the fire, not burn the building down."

By "burn the building down," he meant pulling the plug on the tour that was set to begin in three weeks, Phillips testified last month. "In a highly charged situation like this, I just wanted to keep things calm until we could have the meeting."

Phillips met with Murray, Jackson and Ortega at Jackson's home later that day. While Jackson lawyers argue that meeting was intended to pressure Murray to make sure Jackson was ready for rehearsals, AEG lawyers contend Murray assured producers nothing was wrong.

Phillips testified that he remembered little about the conversation at the meeting and Murray has invoked his constitutional protection against self-incrimination to avoid testifying in the trial. This makes Ortega's testimony crucial for both sides.

Hand over evidence or face jail

A related drama could unfold Monday in another courtroom as a judge in Ohio decides if he'll carry out a threat to throw the widow and daughter of a former Jackson manager in jail for refusing to hand over a laptop computer subpoenaed by Jackson lawyers.

Frank DiLeo, who served as Jackson's manager decades earlier, reappeared in his life in his last months. He died in 2011. Jackson lawyers want to search his laptop for evidence to support their contention that DiLeo was beholden to the concert promoter and not to Jackson.

His daughter, Belinda DiLeo, refused a judge's order last week to disclose where the computer was, prompting the contempt of court order. The judge gave the DiLeo's until Monday to hand it over or face jail.

Jackson changed managers twice in the last three months of his life. In late March 2009, he hired Leonard Rowe -- one of his father's friends -- to replace Tohme Tohme, the manager who initially negotiated the deal with AEG for his "This Is It" tour.

Jackson lawyers argue that AEG Live forced Jackson to take DiLeo, who had worked for him off and on for decades, as his manager in May 2009 because they did not want to work with Rowe.
A cache of 5,000 e-mails has already been recovered and a lawyer in Ohio is reviewing them to redact non-relevant and personal information before handing them over to Jackson lawyers.


http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/08/showbiz/jackson-death-trial/index.html?sr=sharebar_twitter

 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 44 - July 8 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Doctor details his concerns about Michael Jackson's use of painkiller in 1993

Doctor says he thought Jackson had drug problem

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY | Associated Press |

A doctor who treated Michael Jackson during a 1993 concert tour that had to be canceled when the singer entered rehab testified Monday about the signs that led him to conclude the singer had a problem with prescription pain medications at the time.


In videotaped testimony, Dr. Stuart Finkelstein said he was later asked by concert promoter AEG Live to act as Jackson's personal physician during the ill-fated "This Is It" tour in 2009 but wanted to know if Jackson was "clean."

AEG executive Paul Gongaware said he didn't believe Jackson had any prescription drug issues, Finkelstein testified.

Finkelstein's testimony was recorded during a February deposition that was played for jurors hearing a negligence lawsuit by Jackson's mother against AEG Live LLC. Katherine Jackson claims AEG failed to properly investigate another doctor who later gave her son an overdose of the anesthetic propofol and that the company ignored warning signs about her son's health.

Finkelstein said he first suspected Jackson had a dependence on pain medications in 1993 while working on the "Dangerous" tour. He recounted spending 24 hours in the singer's hotel suite and administering morphine intravenously to deal with Jackson's pain.
He said he gave Jackson morphine during their first meeting because the singer's buttocks were scarred from previous unspecified treatments and he was concerned about giving an injection of the painkiller Demerol.

He said he also noticed that Jackson appeared to have a high tolerance for morphine and had on a patch that administered another opiate drug.

Finkelstein said he gave Jackson one other painkiller treatment before the "Dangerous" tour was halted after what he described as an intervention by Elizabeth Taylor and others in Mexico City.

The doctor, who now specializes in addiction medicine and works for concert promoters treating injuries to performers, said he relayed his concerns about Jackson's painkiller use to Gongaware, then a "Dangerous" tour worker.

Gongaware is now a top AEG Live executives and a friend of Finkelstein, the physician said.

Finkelstein said he and Gongaware had five to 10 conversations in 2009 about working on Jackson's "This Is It" shows. Finkelstein said he wanted $40,000 a month and was not hired.

Jackson died after Dr. Conrad Murray administered an overdose of the anesthetic propofol on June 25, 2009. Murray, who agreed to work on the "This Is It" shows for $150,000 a month, provided Jackson with propofol as a sleep aid.
AEG Live denies it hired Murray and says it bears no responsibility for Jackson's death.
Finkelstein is the first medical professional who treated Jackson to testify in the case, now in its 11th week.

Last week, jurors heard from addiction medicine specialist Dr. Sidney Schnoll, a paid expert witness who said he did not see anything in Jackson's medical history that indicated the singer was addicted to any medications. His analysis was based on medical records that dated back to the late 1990s, after the "Dangerous" tour.
Finkelstein said many of his records involving his "Dangerous" tour treatment of Jackson had been stolen.


http://www.newser.com/article/da7dh...chael-jacksons-use-of-painkiller-in-1993.html
 
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
Afternoon break is over, so I've got to head back into the courtroom. Updates will be coming later today.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
The director said he believed he was dismissed because he wasn’t an employee of AEG Live.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Panish mentioned that Ortega was originally a named defendant in the suit. He asked if Ortega knew why he was dismissed. He said yes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Panish asked Ortega whether he was friends with Michael Jackson.
The choreographer said yes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Ortega said he saw Randy Phillips at the Stones’ show as well, but they didn’t speak. Ortega said he's friends with Gongaware, Phillips.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Ortega said he saw the Stones’ show when it was in LA. He saw and talked to Paul Gongaware at the show.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Panish asked whether Ortega has worked with AEG Live since “This is It.” He has, he worked on Rolling Stones’ recent tour.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Ortega added that he reported on financial and scheduling issues to AEG Live. He says he kept them updated on the “creative growth.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Panish asked Ortega about “This Is It” and his role on the shows. The choreographer said he was Michael Jackson’s creative partner.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Ortega: “I actually have hearing loss, so it’s not your fault.” Panish started speaking up, but proceedings became less tense.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Ortega was having trouble hearing Panish and at one point asked him to speak up. Ortega had trouble with a couple questions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Panish and Ortega then went over how the choreographer’s contract for the “This Is It” came about.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Panish then told Ortega, “They’ll be objecting, so try not to let that distract you.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Putnam also objected a couple times to Panish’s questions, saying they were leading. Judge overruled objections.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Panish mentioned that Faye’s deposition was seven days, which drew an objection from Putnam. The lawyers sniped over how many days it lasted
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20m
(cont) ... and his Conrad Murray criminal trial testimony.
He said he didn't review his preliminary hearing testimony.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20m
Panish asked what Ortega reviewed to prepare for his testimony. Ortega said he reviewed his own emails, Karen Faye’s deposition testimony...
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Once Ortega took the stand, the first 8 minutes of his testimony were pretty tense.
Lots of repeating of questions, a few objections.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Panish wanted the adverse witness designation because he claimed Ortega was an “agent” of AEG Live. The company objected to that label.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
The judge agreed the Ortega shouldn’t be deemed an adverse witness to start, but said she would revisit it depending on Ortega’s answers.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish wanted him designated as an adverse witness, but AEG Live’s side said that was improper.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Being classified an adverse witness doens't mean Ortega would be deemed hostile, just changes the way questions can be asked.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
Before Kenny Ortega started testifying, judge heard arguments on whether he should be designated an “adverse” witness.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live trial. Some updates on Kenny Ortega's testimony coming.
He hasn't addressed '09 events.
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AP Entertainment ‏@APEntertainment 1h
Doctor at the AEG wrongful death trial says he thought Michael Jackson had drug problem, reports @mccartneyap: http://apne.ws/1a6Ef5B
Retweeted by Anthony McCartney
View summary
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
About to head back into court for the start of Kenny Ortega testimony in Jackson vs. AEG Live case.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The video is being finalized right now, so jury should be brought in soon. I’ll have updates later this morning.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Court will begin this morning with plaintiffs playing the deposition video of Dr. Stuart Finkelstein.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
We’re back in session in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Katherine, Rebbie and Trent Jackson are all in court this morning.
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 44 - July 8 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4m
Dr. Finkelstein: I spent the next 24 hours in his room intermittently administering medication 'til MJ was capable going on stage in Bangkok
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 5m
Boyle: But you were spending half of your time in addiction medicine?
Dr. Finkelstein: I knew what I was doing and I was qualified, licensed
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 5m
Dr. Finkelstein administered morphine instead. In 1993, the doctor said he was not an expert in addiction.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13m
Dr. Finkelstein said he tried to give him a shot but his butt was so abscessed the needle almost bent. "I thought it was not safe," he said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13m
Dr Metzger said MJ was had severe headache, was in a lot of pain. Dr Finkelstein said he didn't remember if he was told what medicine to use
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15m
Dr. Finkelstein: He appeared to be in pain, I was put on the phone with his treating physician in Los Angeles, Dr. Alan Metzger.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16m
"He said you need to go to the principal." the doctor recalled.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16m
Dr. Finkelstein said he was not hired to treat the artist. But in Bangkok, he was called by security.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 18m
Boyle: Who hired you for Dangerous Tour?
Dr. Finkelstein: Marcel Avram
B: What was your role?
Dr: To be the physician for the crew
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
After he performed, Dr. Finkelstein said he was requested to go to MJ's hotel room.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
Dr. Finkelstein was hired to work on the Dangerous Tour in 1993. He said he was in Bangkok, MJ performed a concert.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
He is a leader in treating addiction for over 20 years and he said he considers himself an expert.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Dr. Finkelstein is a specialist in internal and addiction medicine. He described his experience and residency to the jury.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
Dr. Finkelstein said he worked at Cerritos Family Clinic until 2 years ago with his ex-wife Petra Wong, now works at Stuart Finkelstein, MD.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
The video began playing at 10:37 am PT. It was recorded on Feb 1, 2013.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 23m
Jacksons' attorney called Dr. Stuart Finkelstein by video deposition. He treated MJ 93 Dangerous Tour. Kevin Boyle did the questioning.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 25m
Katherine Jackson present in court wearing silk bright purple jacket. Rebbie is accompanying her.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 25m
Hello from the courthouse in downtown LA. Day 44, Week 11 of Jackson family vs AEG trial under way.
 
ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
For the latest watch @ABC7 and go to http://www.abc7.com . We hope to see you tomorrow for full coverage of the trial. Good night everyone
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish said defendants have 14,000 exhibits on their list, down from 28,000. There are 1353 documents produced by Kenny Ortega.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Judge adjourned trial until tomorrow at 1:30 pm PT. Ortega ordered to return then. Attorneys remained in court discussing exhibits.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega cont'd: Great news, I couldn't be happier for the Team.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega responded:
Yeah! Good for MJ, God knows he's been out through as much negative as any one person should have to go through.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Gongaware responded:
We stopped at 50 sold out shows at the O2 arena. Demand was there for another 50. This is history and you're part of it
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega responded:
I'd say we are off to a good start. Congrats to all
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Email on 3/12/09 from Gongaware to Ortega:
Blew out 30 shows today on the presale. Hot doesn't begin to describe it
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"Honestly, I didn't even know if it was for sure," Ortega said. He testified in his depo he was surprised Phillips didn't tell him anything.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"I didn't know anything had happened and I wasn't there, so there wasn't anything to be surprised about," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
He said had he known, it would have had an impact on whether to go forward with TII.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said Randy Phillips never told him what happened before the TII press conference with Michael Jackson.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
At times, Ortega said he can work in multiple projects, but once one takes off he needs to be exclusive to it.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
At this time, Ortega was working on development of movie for Paramount, "Footloose" remake. He was going to direct it.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said MJ kept referring to the tour as "This Is It," so Ortega suggested the tour should be called TII.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Email on Feb 10, 2009 from Gongaware to Ortega was the first email the director remembers about the TII.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said Paul Gongaware and John Meglan were the ones who contacted him about being part of the TII tour.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: If the show were to go on to other countries, then I would receive royalties, yes
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said TII was going to be in London and there was hope for international tour.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: The scalp burn, I didn't know he was taking medication for it, I knew he was injured from the Pepsi commercial.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish: Did anyone tell you they thought MJ was 'assisted' with something?
Ortega: No
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"He was a little... off, loopy," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish: Did you observe MJ different after seeing a doctor?
Ortega: Yes
P: Please explain
O: Off, a little off
P: Loopy?
O: Yeah
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said he thinks MJ had back problems afterwards. But the director said he never saw MJ take medication.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"I know he hurt his back," Ortega said. MJ jumped up and went back on the stage. "The show must go on."
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said because an improper cable replacement, the bridge came down faster that it was supposed to.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: In Munich, Michael was on a set held up by cables. During the big conclusion of Earth song there was a bridge supposed to float down
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish showed clip of Earth song.

Ortega talked about shows that MJ did for charity.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said the song "What About Us?" showed Michael's deep concern about healing the planet. "And that went deep," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"Greatest example of it is Man in the Mirror," Ortega said. "Change needs to happen within each of us for a change in the world to happen.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish showed video of "HIStory" tour opening. Ortega said MJ wanted his music to inspire change in the world.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said he went on first 6 or so dates on both "Dangerous" and "HIStory" tour. He explained it was the normal amount.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: The video used for the show would have subtitles saying love one another, take care of the planet, take care of the children.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish: Was his creativity or demeanor different?
Ortega: He was still inspired, raised the bar on himself and on everyone working with him
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: We didn't always agree on 100%, we allowed ourselves to have creative joust, to play with the ideas and allowed it to ripe
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
In "HIStory" tour Ortega and MJ were co-creators & co-directors. "We used to call creative jousting," Ortega described the creative process.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
MJ was then transported to the hospital by ambulance. "It could've been exhaustion, I don't know, I don't recall," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said MJ fainted and the show was cancelled.

Panish: Can we say he collapsed?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: He called me in because he was unhappy with what was going on with his classic choreography, he didn't want it to be changed.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish: Did you ever become aware he was not well?
Ortega: He was unhappy
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
In 1995, Ortega was acting as a consultant to MJ for an event at Beacon Theater in NY.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish: Did you know Michael was dependent on painkillers?
Ortega: No
P: Never heard of that?
O: No
P: To this day?
O: No
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega said MJ wanted to improve the human condition for children around the world.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
MJ wanted to make sure every child had what they needed, Ortega explained.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
MJ went to an orphanage in Romania before going to his hotel. Ortega said MJ didn't want to do the show before the orphanage was cleaned up.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"It left people breathless," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish showed clip of opening of Dangerous. "It was one of the most spectacular openings that anyone has seen or done," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"He would call that milking the crowd," Ortega explained. "He knew how to work the crowd better than anybody."
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
The "toaster" popped up and gave illusion of flying. Ortega said MJ would then stand still on stage for a few minutes.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega helped prepared the opening of the Dangerous tour in 1992. Michael would enter the stage in what they called "toaster."
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"He always wanted something that was world class and thrilling," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
The opening of the show was significant to MJ. He wanted the audience to think how will be able to top that!, Ortega testified.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"He wanted to rock the world," Ortega said. "He wanted to let them know he was back."
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: It was primarily Michael's vision that I shared. He wanted to put on the greatest show that anyone had ever seen.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Panish showed clip of "This Is It" movie showing the young dancers who had been chosen to dance with MJ and how he influenced them.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"Like no one else in his generation," Ortega said. "I think he was the most influential dancer for generations of kids still even today."
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega has worked in the industry for over 40 years. Panish asked Ortega how MJ influenced other dancers.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega described Michael Jackson:
Musician: world class
Singer: one of a kind
Dancer: the best
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 1h
"It was exciting, stimulating, awesome," Ortega said.
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He said he was co-director of Dangerous with MJ. MJ had a ton of ideas, asked him to realize those on stage.
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"I felt incredible, he was the greatest performer on the planet and as far as I'm concerned. The greatest song and dance man ever."
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Ortega first met MJ in 1990. "MJ called me to help mount the Dangerous Tour," he said.
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Ortega: Choreography is about the movement of the human body, technique, dance language, physical, how to instruct
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Ortega choreographed the 96 Olympics in Atlanta, 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Super Bowl half time, World Cup.
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"He was very generous, very sweet and kind to everyone," Ortega said about Michael Jackson.
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MJ went backstage. "The cast, they were just crying, and screaming, and just speechless," Ortega said.
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"I know for sure Paris was singing, they were all standing and enjoying it," Ortega recalled.
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Panish: How did it make you feel?
Ortega: (long pause) I'm speechless, I can't think
P: Was that a big thrill?
O: Beyond
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Michael and the children went to see High School Musical in Las Vegas.
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HS Musical 1 and 2 were released on TV only, 3 was a movie. "It was the number one opening weekend of any musical ever," Ortega said.
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Panish showed clip of High School Musical. He directed and choreographed 1, 2 and 3.
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Panish showed excerpt of it with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey; snippet of "Newsies," 1st full-length picture he directed/choreographed.
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Panish showed a video clip of Madonna's "Material Girl."

Ortega has been asked to do a new "Dirty Dancing" but he's not sure it will happen
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Ortega did choreography for Cher, Madonna, Kiss, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler.
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Ortega worked on High School Musical 1, 2 and 3, Dirty Dancing, Newsies, Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, etc.
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Travis Payne was MJ's partner for the new choreography in TII.
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Ortega said he didn't do the choreography for the This Is It tour. It was lots of people, some was classic and belonged to MJ for some time.
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Choreographer creates the dance steps, movements in a stage show or concert or musical, Ortega explained.
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Ortega: I was in such awe of him and the brothers. It was such a momentous moment for me, it was like being touched by a star
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"He looked at me and smiled. I was overwhelmed," Ortega said.
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He opened up his own theater company when he was 18. Ortega said around 1963-64, Michael was walking through backstage they made eye contact
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Ortega said he started dancing when he was 4 years old. There was always music at his house, watched his parents dance.
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"I'm not an employee of AEG," Ortega responded.

Ortega said he is from Redwood City, CA, grew up in the Bay area.
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Ortega was originally named a defendant in this case. Panish asked if he knew why he was dismissed from the suit.
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Panish: Do you consider yourself friend with MJ?
Ortega: Yes
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Panish: Do you consider yourself friend with Randy Phillips?
Ortega: Yes
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Ortega's rep dealt with Paul Gongaware in The Rolling Stones tour.

Panish: Do you consider yourself friend with Gongaware?
Ortega: Yes
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Ortega: I believe Mick Jagger just made me an offer and we accepted it. My agent called me, daily offer, I accepted.
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The director said he was called by Mick Jagger to work on the 50th anniversary tour, working with AEG.
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Ortega said AEG was Michael's partner in promoting and producing TII, and they were financers of the project.
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Ortega said for the creative part, he reported to Michael and to AEG regarding budget or scheduling.
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He said he's a director, choreographer and sometimes producer. "My role in This Is It, I was Michael's creative partner in the show."
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Ortega said he has earring loss, so he can't hear well. He asked Panish to speak up.
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Ortega said at one point his rep said the negotiation turned from AEG Live to Michael Jackson. He doesn't know the details, though.
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Ortega said his agent and attorney negotiated his contract with AEG Live. Gongaware represented AEG Live.
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For certain things, Ortega said he reported to Paul Gongaware and Randy Phillips.
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Ortega said he had a contract with AEG Live. "I was working in communication with them," he said.
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The director was deposed in the Lloyds of London litigation for several days.
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Ortega said he read some articles about this trial. He also read Karen Faye's deposition, given to him by his attorney.
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Ortega reviewed his deposition but did not read testimony given at Dr. Murray's criminal trial.
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Full name: Kenneth Ortega

Attorney for Jacksons Brian Panish did direct examination.
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Judge said he isn't adverse witness because he had contract with AEG. But judge said it may be a time where she will allow adverse questions
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Outside the presence of the jury, attorneys arguing about whether plaintiff can call Ortega as hostile witness.
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"Michael had a lot of pain, I administered a shot and left," Dr. Finkelstein said.
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He said he left some records at his mom's house and purged MJ's record from 95 since he wasn't a patient for 7 years.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he kept a journal of everything he did during the tour and he was backstage, his records were stolen.
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Dr. Klein -- would show up at concerts very frequently, Dr. Hoefflin came a couple of times, would spend the weekend, Dr. Finkelstein said.
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Dr Finkelstein said Narcan is antidote to opioids. He had it handy. "If I am going to administer medication I'm going to have a safety plan"
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Dr. Finkelstein was asked to treat MJ in Mexico City when Dr. Forecast wasn't around. MJ had back pain, Dr. Finkelstein gave him morphine.
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"it was compartmentalized and people were separated and segregated," Dr. Finkelstein said.
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"Everything was secretive," Dr. Finkelstein said, explaining
seems like no one ever knew the whole story.
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When other doctors, like Steve Hoefflin and Arnold Klein, would come to a concert to visit, the show would get delayed, Dr. Finkelstein said
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Dr. Finkelstein said his interaction with MJ was very limited. Dr. Forecast was in charge of the artist.
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Cahan asked Dr. Finkelstein is he ever administered Propofol to Michael Jackson. He answered no, laughing.
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The doctor said he believed MJ was in pain every time the doctor administered him morphine.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he gave MJ 10 mg of morphine. The usual starting dose is 2 -4 mg, but MJ had high tolerance to opioids.
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Dr. Finkelstein said the Demerol was prescribed by Dr. Alan Metzger in the name of Karen Faye. The drug was not for her, though.
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The doctor said there were several scars on MJ's buttocks, which led him to conclude MJ was dependent in opioids.
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Kathryn Cahan, attorney for AEG, did cross examination

Dr. Finkelstein said he would administer 50-100 mg of Demerol in MJ, on his buttocks
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"Michael wanted someone else," Dr. Finkelstein said Gongaware told him. "Gongaware was my friend, tried to get me the job, I didn't get it."
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Dr. Finkelstein said there were not a lot of discussions about the tour, since he didn't get the job.
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The doctor's brother, Bob Finkelstein, worked at Concerts West with Paul Gongaware. He knows Randy Phillips socially.
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Dr. Finkelstein said people from all walks of live can become opioid dependent.
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He said the mortality rate in Propofol dependents is really high, about 80%. Most of the dependents are in the medical field.
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Dr. Finkelstein said there are not lot of cases of Propofol dependency, since it is a drug that's really hard to get.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he would charge $40,000/month, $10,000/week. He remembers Dr. Murray asking for a lot of money to go on tour.
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Gongaware told him MJ was clean and passed a physical exam for insurance.
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The doctor explained he would not want to go on tour if MJ had drug problems. "I didn't want to be Dr. Nick," Dr. Finkelstein said.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he asked if Gongaware knew whether MJ was clean. The answer was yes.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he was excited about it, wanted to be MJ's physician, had 5-10 conversations with Gongaware about it.
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Dr Finkelstein testified Gongaware called him about two months prior to MJ's death and told him MJ was going to tour in London, wanted a doc
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Dr. Finkelstein explained his name is out there as a "Rock Doc," so he gets call from show producers and promoters to work at concerts.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he and Dr. Forecast agreed that MJ needed an intervention and detox.
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Boyle: Gongware was aware of problems MJ was having?
Dr. Finkelstein: Yes
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"He was a sweetheart, kind, gentle, fun," Dr. Finkelstein said about MJ. "Based on my observation, he was kind to everyone."
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Dr. Finkelstein: No. I believe it to be either genetically pre-disposed, or people who get exposed to these chemicals their brain changes
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Boyle: Is substance abuse a character flaw?
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Dr. Finkelstein said he and Dr. Forecast were in communications and Dr Forecast was concerned in being blamed for work done by previous docs
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"I saw Dr. Forecast administer pain medication in Mexico City during the deposition," Dr. Finkelstein said.
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Dr. Finkelstein: I know that I administered pain medication one other time when Dr. Forecast was not available.
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Finkelstein and Gongaware are friends, he said.

Boyle: Did you discuss with Mr. Gongaware about MJ's opioid dependency?
Dr Finkelstein: Yes
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Dr. Finkelstein said Dr. Forecast took care of the principal, Mr. Jackson. He does not know who was paying Dr. Forecast.
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The stress increased MJ's urge for opioids, Dr. Finkelstein said.

Elisabeth Taylor personally went to Mexico City to deal with MJ.
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There was also a video deposition of MJ in Mexico City related to the Chandler child molestation case.
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"He didn't collapse," Dr. Finkelstein said. "It seemed it was getting a harder and harder time to manage his pain."
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Dr. Finkelstein said he didn't know exactly who the powers that be were.
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Dr. Finkelstein: The head powers got together. They called in Elizabeth Taylor to do an intervention and took MJ to a Hospital in London.
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Dr. Forecast was the other doctor treating MJ. Dr. Finkelstein said he had enough medication for all 160 people going on tour, any scenario
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Dr. Finkelstein said he wanted to detox MJ in Switzerland and go on tour.
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Dr. Finkelstein said Dr. Forecast broke into his suitcase to get pain medications to give to MJ.
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One day, Dr. Finkelstein said he returned from a pyramid trip and his suitcase with all the medication had been broken in to.
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After Dr. Finkelstein treated MJ, an English doctor was brought in, Dr. Forecast.
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The doctor said they began believing him in Mexico City during the Dangerous Tour.
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Dr. Finkelstein: I was not hired as an addiction specialist but a family doctor to come on tour
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He said he believed MJ had a drug problem. "But no one believed me," Dr. Finkelstein said.
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Dr Finkelstein: When I tried to administer the medication and his butt was abscessed, I tried to give promoters heads up there was a problem
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"You don’t want to overdose a rock star and have a rockstar die on you," Dr. Finkelstein explained.
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Doctor Nick was Elvis Presley's doctor. Dr. Finkelstein said Elvis had about 14 different drugs in his system when he died.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he told Gongaware he didn't want to be a Doctor Nick.
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The doctor said he postponed the Bangkok tour. "I think we are going to have a problem," Dr. Finkelstein told Gongaware.
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Dr. Finkelstein said Gongaware called him to go on a rock tour in 1993. The doctor would be paid by the promoter.
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Paul Gongaware used to be the road manager for Rick James, Dr. Finkelstein said. He and Gongaware used to go skiing together.
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"He had obviously had multiple injections in his buttocks prior to coming to Bangkok," Dr. Finkelstein said.
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Dr. Finkelstein: Yes, the patch, 2 ampules of Demerol from Karen Faye, observation that MJ had a high tolerance and scarring on his buttocks
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Boyle: There were four factors that lead you to believe MJ was an opioid dependent?
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The doctor said the ampules were given to him by the make artist, Karen Faye. They were for MJ.
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Dr. Finkelstein: We are talking about natural opiates and synthetic opiates. The patch, the medication is absorbed through the skin.
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Boyle: You testified about 2 ampules – what were you talking about, the ampules of Demerol?
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Dr Finkelstein: It was early in my training, but it was obviously a concern for me.

Duragesic is also called Fentanyl, another opiate.
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The doctor said he had someone he felt that obviously had received a lot of medication in the past, had a high tolerance to medication.
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Dr. Finkelstein: MJ had 100 micro gram duragesic patch on and there were 2 ampules of Demerol that were sent to him with another crew member
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Dr. Finkelstein said MJ had an opiate problem, dependency.
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The doctor said the publicist told him to go on CNN and say MJ put so much effort in the show and was dehydrated.
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Dr. Finkelstein watched MJ on stage and said he was able to perform. The second concert in Bangkok was postponed for one day.
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Boyle: You became confident he was capable of going on tour?
Dr Finkelstein: Bad question,I administered medicine until he could go on stage
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The doctor said they were watching 3 Stooges and having squirt gun fights. They talked about growing up in Encino on Hayvenhurst.
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The doctor said he administered morphine and IV fluids. MJ was conscious and speaking.
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Dr. Finkelstein: I spent the next 24 hours in his room intermittently administering medication 'til MJ was capable going on stage in Bangkok
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Boyle: But you were spending half of your time in addiction medicine?
Dr. Finkelstein: I knew what I was doing and I was qualified, licensed
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Dr. Finkelstein administered morphine instead. In 1993, the doctor said he was not an expert in addiction.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he tried to give him a shot but his butt was so abscessed the needle almost bent. "I thought it was not safe," he said.
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Dr Metzger said MJ was had severe headache, was in a lot of pain. Dr Finkelstein said he didn't remember if he was told what medicine to use
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Dr. Finkelstein: He appeared to be in pain, I was put on the phone with his treating physician in Los Angeles, Dr. Alan Metzger.
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"He said you need to go to the principal." the doctor recalled.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he was not hired to treat the artist. But in Bangkok, he was called by security.
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Boyle: Who hired you for Dangerous Tour?
Dr. Finkelstein: Marcel Avram
B: What was your role?
Dr: To be the physician for the crew
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After he performed, Dr. Finkelstein said he was requested to go to MJ's hotel room.
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Dr. Finkelstein was hired to work on the Dangerous Tour in 1993. He said he was in Bangkok, MJ performed a concert.
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He is a leader in treating addiction for over 20 years and he said he considers himself an expert.
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Dr. Finkelstein is a specialist in internal and addiction medicine. He described his experience and residency to the jury.
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Dr. Finkelstein said he worked at Cerritos Family Clinic until 2 years ago with his ex-wife Petra Wong, now works at Stuart Finkelstein, MD.
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The video began playing at 10:37 am PT. It was recorded on Feb 1, 2013.
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Jacksons' attorney called Dr. Stuart Finkelstein by video deposition. He treated MJ 93 Dangerous Tour. Kevin Boyle did the questioning.
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Katherine Jackson present in court wearing silk bright purple jacket. Rebbie is accompanying her.
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Hello from the courthouse in downtown LA. Day 44, Week 11 of Jackson family vs AEG trial under way.
 
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The judge sent the jury home a few minutes early, and AEG said it would review the emails before tomorrow’s proceedings.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
AEG Live objected to the emails, saying they weren’t on the exhibit list. Jackson attorneys said they were.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The men also planned a meeting with Jackson at Sony Studios to show off some new effects, the second email showed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
In another email from March 13, 2009, Gongaware told Ortega they stopped selling tickets at 50 shows.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega replied: “I’d say we’re off to a good start LOL congrats to all at AEG!”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Gongaware email to Ortega: “Blew out 30 shows today on the presale. Hot doesn’t begin to describe it!"
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish then showed a couple new emails between Ortega and Paul Gongaware. They were about the “This Is It” ticket sales.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega said if he had known about Phillips’ description of Jackson being despondent, it might have impacted his decision to work on show.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish asked Ortega whether Randy Phillips told him about Jackson’s behavior before the “This Is It” press conference. Ortega said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
AEG Live reached out to Ortega about working with Jackson on the London shows. A few new emails were displayed before court ended.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
After recounting his working relationship with Jackson, Panish started asking about preps for “This Is It.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Jackson continued performing, but Ortega said he was taken to the hospital after the show. MJ reported back pain after that.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega said it was important to Jackson that he inspire change.
He was then asked about the Munich show, when a bridge fell with MJ on it.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
When the video ended, a pod rose from the stage and Jackson appeared. He shed his helmet and suit and began dancing.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The pod went on a roller coaster track through historical places (the Sphinx, Chrysler Building) and historical events played.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish then played the opening video from the “HIStory” tour, which uses computer animations to show Jackson in a pod.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega said he never had any problems working with Jackson. He said MJ described any differences as “creative jousting.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He said he knows Jackson was taken by ambulance, but didn’t know more details. The pair next worked together on the “HIStory” tour.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish asked him whether it would be fair to say he collapsed. Ortega replied, “It could have been.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega described the incident this way: “It appeared that he fainted and the show was canceled.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega: “He didn’t want some of his work changed.” He was there when Jackson collapsed on stage.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The choreographer responded that he knew Jackson was unhappy. He said MJ told him he was displeased because of changes to his dance moves.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega was also asked about preparing Jackson for shows at NY’s Beacon Theatre. He was asked whether he grew concerned about MJ’s condition.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega was asked at one point whether he eve saw Jackson act different after doctor visits. He said yes.
He described MJ as "off."
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The choreographer said he had no role in ending “Dangerous” tour.
Ortega said he knew Jackson suffered pain, but never saw him take meds.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega said he didn’t know, even up until today, that Jackson had problems with painkillers during “Dangerous” shows.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega was asked whether he knew if Jackson was addicted to painkillers on the “Dangerous” tour. He said he didn’t know.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The lawyer also wanted Ortega to describe one of Jackson’s trips to an orphanage in Romania. Ortega said he didn’t recall the visit.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish asked Ortega whether he knew that Jackson donated “Dangerous” profits to charity. Ortega said he didn’t know that.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He said Jackson differed from some other performers. He wanted his concert openings to be huge.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Jackson’s long pause on stage _ to an endless cheer _ was what the singer would call “milking the crowd,” Ortega recalled.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega explained the effects. Jackson emerged from a “toaster” _ a device that “popped you up like a piece of toast.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish then showed Ortega the opening of the “Dangerous” tour. Jackson popped up on stage, stood there for several moments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He said Jackson said “This Is It” was primarily Jackson’s vision. “He wanted to rock the world, he wanted them to know he was back.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish then played the opening of the “This is It” concert film. It’s the part featuring the backup dancers talking about MJ’s influence.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega was very complementary of Jackson. “I think he was the most influential dancer for generations of kids,” he said at one point.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega said he was excited to work with Jackson. “He was the greatest performer on the planet as far as I was concerned.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
This was years after Jackson and Ortega first met. The choreographer recalled MJ calling him in 1990 to work the “Dangerous” tour.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega recounted the cast’s reaction to meeting Jackson. “They were just crying, screaming and speechless,” Ortega recalled.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Prince, Paris and Blanket stood throughout the show, clapping and singing along to some of the songs, Ortega said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega recounted when the “High School Musical” live tour played in Las Vegas, Michael Jackson brought his children to the show.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish played clips from all of the movies and Madonna video mentioned above to show off Ortega’s credentials.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He also did the choreography for “Dirty Dancing,” the Chicago parade scenes in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and Madonna’s “Material Girl” vid.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish then asked Ortega about his credits. He’s directed films in the “High School Musical” franchise, “Newsies.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
“It was such a momentous moment for me, it was like being touched by a star,” Ortega said of seeing Michael Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Ortega: “Michael was walking through the backstage and he made eye contact with me. ... I was in just in such awe of him and the brothers.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He talked about seeing the Jackson 5 in local theater when he was growing up. He saw Michael Jackson after the show.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Panish then asked Ortega about his biography. He was born in Redwood City, Calif. and grew up in San Mateo County.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Some updates coming on Ortega's testimony. It was pretty heavy on biography. Just started getting questions about '09 before testimony ended
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
We're done for the day in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Kenny Ortega will resume testifying tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. PDT.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Afternoon break is over, so I've got to head back into the courtroom. Updates will be coming later today.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The director said he believed he was dismissed because he wasn’t an employee of AEG Live.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish mentioned that Ortega was originally a named defendant in the suit. He asked if Ortega knew why he was dismissed. He said yes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish asked Ortega whether he was friends with Michael Jackson.
The choreographer said yes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Ortega said he saw Randy Phillips at the Stones’ show as well, but they didn’t speak. Ortega said he's friends with Gongaware, Phillips.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Ortega said he saw the Stones’ show when it was in LA. He saw and talked to Paul Gongaware at the show.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish asked whether Ortega has worked with AEG Live since “This is It.” He has, he worked on Rolling Stones’ recent tour.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Ortega added that he reported on financial and scheduling issues to AEG Live. He says he kept them updated on the “creative growth.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish asked Ortega about “This Is It” and his role on the shows. The choreographer said he was Michael Jackson’s creative partner.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Ortega: “I actually have hearing loss, so it’s not your fault.” Panish started speaking up, but proceedings became less tense.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Ortega was having trouble hearing Panish and at one point asked him to speak up. Ortega had trouble with a couple questions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish and Ortega then went over how the choreographer’s contract for the “This Is It” came about.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish then told Ortega, “They’ll be objecting, so try not to let that distract you.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Putnam also objected a couple times to Panish’s questions, saying they were leading. Judge overruled objections.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish mentioned that Faye’s deposition was seven days, which drew an objection from Putnam. The lawyers sniped over how many days it lasted
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
(cont) ... and his Conrad Murray criminal trial testimony.
He said he didn't review his preliminary hearing testimony.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish asked what Ortega reviewed to prepare for his testimony. Ortega said he reviewed his own emails, Karen Faye’s deposition testimony...
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Once Ortega took the stand, the first 8 minutes of his testimony were pretty tense.
Lots of repeating of questions, a few objections.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish wanted the adverse witness designation because he claimed Ortega was an “agent” of AEG Live. The company objected to that label.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The judge agreed the Ortega shouldn’t be deemed an adverse witness to start, but said she would revisit it depending on Ortega’s answers.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish wanted him designated as an adverse witness, but AEG Live’s side said that was improper.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Being classified an adverse witness doens't mean Ortega would be deemed hostile, just changes the way questions can be asked.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Before Kenny Ortega started testifying, judge heard arguments on whether he should be designated an “adverse” witness.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live trial. Some updates on Kenny Ortega's testimony coming.
He hasn't addressed '09 events.
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AP Entertainment ‏@APEntertainment 6h
Doctor at the AEG wrongful death trial says he thought Michael Jackson had drug problem, reports @mccartneyap: http://apne.ws/1a6Ef5B
Retweeted by Anthony McCartney
View summary
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
About to head back into court for the start of Kenny Ortega testimony in Jackson vs. AEG Live case.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9h
The video is being finalized right now, so jury should be brought in soon. I’ll have updates later this morning.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9h
Court will begin this morning with plaintiffs playing the deposition video of Dr. Stuart Finkelstein.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9h
We’re back in session in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Katherine, Rebbie and Trent Jackson are all in court this morning.
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 44 - July 8 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Director of MJ's comeback show takes stand

By Alan Duke, CNN

updated 9:04 PM EDT, Mon July 8, 2013

130401123822-keeney-ortega-jackson-story-top.jpg

In 2011, Kenny Ortega testified at Dr. Conrad Murray's criminal trial.​




Los Angeles (CNN) -- Kenny Ortega, the director of Michael Jackson's aborted comeback show, began his testimony Monday about what AEG Live executives did and said in Jackson's final days.

His first hours on the stand Monday afternoon were spent discussing Jackson's creativity, saying his voice, songs and dancing were "like no one else in his generation." He will return Tuesday to resume his testimony.

Lawyers for Jackson's mother and children argue in the wrongful death trial against AEG Live that those executives ignored warning signs about his health and mental condition that, if heeded, could have saved his life.

The lawsuit contends the promoters hired, retained or supervised Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's propofol overdose death.
AEG Live lawyers argue that Jackson -- not their executives -- chose and controlled the doctor, who was giving him nightly infusions of the surgical anesthetic in a desperate search for sleep in his last two months.

Ortega, who knew Jackson well and worked with him closely preparing his "This Is It" shows, sounded a warning to AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips in an e-mail on June 20, 2009 -- five days before Jackson's death -- that Ortega did not think the entertainer would be ready for the shows.

He described seeing "strong signs of paranoia, anxiety and obsessive-like behavior" with Jackson. "I think the very best thing we can do is get a top psychiatrist to evaluate him ASAP."

Expert: MJ was 'drug dependent,' not addicted

AEG says Jackson was secretive about his drug use, which the company contends was an addiction, so there was no way of knowing what treatments Murray was giving Jackson in his bedroom.

But a drug addiction expert testified last week that there was "not a lot of evidence to support" the belief that Michael Jackson was addicted to drugs.

If he was an addict, Jackson "would be taking drugs that were not prescribed by a medical professional, taking larger amounts than prescribed and have drug-seeking behavior," Dr. Sidney Schnoll testified.

There was no evidence Jackson ever took drugs that were not given to him by a doctor or that he took more than prescribed, Schnoll said.

The bottles of sedatives found in his home after his death had more pills remaining in them than he would have expected if Jackson was an addict, Schnoll said. This "indicated these were not being taken on a regular basis," he said.

Evidence shows Jackson sought drugs from a number of doctors, but that was not inappropriate because he needed them "to treat a legitimate medical problem," including back pain, scalp pain and dermatologic issues, Schnoll testified.

While not addicted, Jackson was dependent on drugs, he said.

The painkillers that forced Jackson to end his 1993 "Dangerous" tour early so he could enter a rehab program were taken to relieve the pain from scalp surgery needed to repair burns suffered when filming a Pepsi commercial, Schnoll said.

The burns left scars on damaged nerves in his scalp, which becomes "excitable tissue" that "can be firing just like the nerve," he said. The result "can be every painful, like a burning kind of pain -- persistent, sharp, shooting kind of pain," he said. "It's very uncomfortable and one of the most difficult to treat."

Pain relief is a legitimate use of opioid drugs and a person can function normally if they are taken under a doctor's care, he said.

President John Kennedy was opioid dependent to relieve "very severe back pain" while in the White House, he said.

"He did alright as president?" Jackson lawyer Michael Koskoff asked.

"It depends on your political affiliation," Schnoll answered.

The Demerol injections Jackson got during frequent visits to a Beverly Hills dermatologist between April and his death in late June 2009 were given for legitimate medical reasons, Schnoll testified.

If he were addicted to Demerol -- which is a powerful opioid -- he would not have gone 43 days between injections, which medical records show, he said.

Jackson also went roughly 13 years -- from 1993 until 2008 -- without the drug, he said. The doctor conceded under cross-examination by an AEG Live lawyer, however, that a gap in available medical records may be misleading.

Jackson's use of sedatives was an effort to treat his chronic insomnia, Schnoll said.
If the underlying sleep problem could be resolved, the chances of ending Jackson's use of the drugs would have been good, he said.

There was no indication that Jackson was addicted to propofol before Murray began giving him nightly infusions of the surgical anesthetic for 60 days leading up to his death, he said.

Unheeded warning signs?

Ortega, in his e-mail to AEG Live CEO Phillips on June 20, wrote that "I honestly don't think he is ready for this based on his continued physical weakening and deepening emotional state."

He said Jackson was having trouble "grasping the work" at rehearsals.
Production manager John "Bugzee" Hougdahl wrote in an e-mail to Phillips hours earlier that Ortega had sent Jackson home from a rehearsal that night because of his strange behavior.

"I have watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last 8 weeks. He was able to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his ass if he tried now," Hougdahl wrote. "He was a basket case and Kenny was concerned he would embarrass himself on stage, or worse yet -- get hurt. The company is rehearsing right now, but the DOUBT is pervasive."

Phillips replied to Ortega: "Please stay steady. Enough alarms have sounded. It is time to put out the fire, not burn the building down."

By "burn the building down," he meant pulling the plug on the tour that was set to begin in three weeks, Phillips testified last month. "In a highly charged situation like this, I just wanted to keep things calm until we could have the meeting."

Phillips met with Murray, Jackson and Ortega at Jackson's home later that day. While Jackson lawyers argue that meeting was intended to pressure Murray to make sure Jackson was ready for rehearsals, AEG lawyers contend Murray assured producers nothing was wrong.

Phillips testified that he remembered little about the conversation at the meeting and Murray has invoked his constitutional protection against self-incrimination to avoid testifying in the trial. This makes Ortega's testimony crucial for both sides.

Hand over evidence or face jail

A related drama could unfold Monday in another courtroom as a judge in Ohio decides if he'll carry out a threat to throw the widow and daughter of a former Jackson manager in jail for refusing to hand over a laptop computer subpoenaed by Jackson lawyers.
Frank DiLeo, who served as Jackson's manager decades earlier, reappeared in his life in his last months. He died in 2011. Jackson lawyers want to search his laptop for evidence to support their contention that DiLeo was beholden to the concert promoter and not to Jackson.

His daughter, Belinda DiLeo, refused a judge's order last week to disclose where the computer was, prompting the contempt of court order. The judge gave the DiLeo's until Monday to hand it over or face jail. A hearing will be held Wednesday to determine of the women complied with the order.

Jackson changed managers twice in the last three months of his life. In late March 2009, he hired Leonard Rowe -- one of his father's friends -- to replace Tohme Tohme, the manager who initially negotiated the deal with AEG for his "This Is It" tour.
Jackson lawyers argue that AEG Live forced Jackson to take DiLeo, who had worked for him off and on for decades, as his manager in May 2009 because they did not want to work with Rowe.

A cache of 5,000 e-mails has already been recovered and a lawyer in Ohio is reviewing them to redact non-relevant and personal information before handing them over to Jackson lawyers.


http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/08/showbiz/jackson-death-trial
 
Michael Jackson Death Trial: Dr. Stuart Finkelstein Says He Thought Singer Had Drug Problem

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY 07/08/13 07:32 PM ET EDT



Pop superstar Michael Jackson gestures to his supporters as he departs from the Santa Barbara Superior Court in Santa Maria, California following the 59th day of Jackson's child molestation trial. May 24, 2005 (Photo by E. Neitzel/WireImage)


LOS ANGELES — A doctor who treated Michael Jackson during a 1993 concert tour that had to be canceled when the singer entered rehab testified Monday about the signs that led him to conclude the singer had a problem with prescription pain medications at the time.

In videotaped testimony, Dr. Stuart Finkelstein said he was later asked by concert promoter AEG Live to act as Jackson's personal physician during the ill-fated "This Is It" tour in 2009 but wanted to know if Jackson was "clean."

AEG executive Paul Gongaware said he didn't believe Jackson had any prescription drug issues, Finkelstein testified.

Finkelstein's testimony was recorded during a February deposition that was played for jurors hearing a negligence lawsuit by Jackson's mother against AEG Live LLC. Katherine Jackson claims AEG failed to properly investigate another doctor who later gave her son an overdose of the anesthetic propofol and that the company ignored warning signs about her son's health.

Finkelstein said he first suspected Jackson had a dependence on pain medications in 1993 while working on the "Dangerous" tour. He recounted spending 24 hours in the singer's hotel suite and administering morphine intravenously to deal with Jackson's pain.


He said he gave Jackson morphine during their first meeting because the singer's buttocks were scarred from previous unspecified treatments and he was concerned about giving an injection of the painkiller Demerol.

He said he also noticed that Jackson appeared to have a high tolerance for morphine and had on a patch that administered another opiate drug.

Finkelstein said he gave Jackson one other painkiller treatment before the "Dangerous" tour was halted after what he described as an intervention by Elizabeth Taylor and others in Mexico City.

Jurors also heard Monday from Kenny Ortega, a choreographer and director who worked with Jackson on preparations for the "Dangerous" tour and later shows, including "This Is It." Ortega was not present on the "Dangerous" tour at the same time as Finkelstein and testified that he never saw Jackson take any medications.

Ortega, who raised concerns about Jackson's health during rehearsals for the "This Is It" shows, has not yet testified in details about his interactions with the singer in his final months. Ortega will resume testifying on Tuesday afternoon.

The doctor, who now specializes in addiction medicine and works for concert promoters treating injuries to performers, said he relayed his concerns about Jackson's painkiller use to Gongaware, then a "Dangerous" tour worker.

Gongaware is now a top AEG Live executives and a friend of Finkelstein, the physician said.

Finkelstein said he and Gongaware had five to 10 conversations in 2009 about working on Jackson's "This Is It" shows. Finkelstein said he wanted $40,000 a month and was not hired.

Jackson died after Dr. Conrad Murray administered an overdose of the anesthetic propofol on June 25, 2009. Murray, who agreed to work on the "This Is It" shows for $150,000 a month, provided Jackson with propofol as a sleep aid.

AEG Live denies it hired Murray and says it bears no responsibility for Jackson's death.

Finkelstein is the first medical professional who treated Jackson to testify in the case, now in its 11th week.

Last week, jurors heard from addiction medicine specialist Dr. Sidney Schnoll, a paid expert witness who said he did not see anything in Jackson's medical history that indicated the singer was addicted to any medications. His analysis was based on medical records that dated back to the late 1990s, after the "Dangerous" tour.

Finkelstein said many of his records involving his "Dangerous" tour treatment of Jackson had been stolen.
___


Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 45 - July 9 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 45 - July 9 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 45 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 45 - July 9 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Court then adjourned. Jury ordered back at 9:45 am PT tomorrow with more Kenny Ortega on the stand. We hope to see you then!
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Ortega said the intention was to get assistance in trying to help Michael in every way possible so he could go to rehearsal.
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On Jun 14, Ortega wrote to Gongaware that MJ was not allowed to attend the rehearsals the day, asked about MJ's nourishment/therapy.
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June 13th, Payne wrote an email saying MJ was taking a sick day, per doctor's order.
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Ortega: The choreographer is not responsible for the artist's physical/emotional, but if they see something they are to report to director
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Panish showed an email from Alif Sankey expressing concerns about MJ on June 4.
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Panish: Did you think he was communicating with clarity?
Ortega: No. For part of the evening. He got better
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Panish: Did he seem lost?
Ortega: Yes, on the 19th
P: Did he seem paranoid?
O: Yes
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Regarding MJ's balance, Ortega said there was a period of time it wasn't as good as it had been.

Ortega said MJ complained of back pain.
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Panish: How about losing weight?
Ortega: I had a concern, yes

Panish: How about balance issues?
Ortega: Yes
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Ortega said on June 19th MJ was cold, shivering. "He was slow at growing into the show," Ortega explained.
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Ortega explained it was hard for him as a director to work like that, so he went to AEG's high ups.
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On June 19, there was a fitting to take place. Michael showed up but very late, Ortega said.
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They were going to rehearse in London as well. As of June 19th, Ortega hadn't seen MJ for a week or more.
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Panish: You had serious doubt?
Ortega: Yes
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"On the 19th I had more than a serious concern that the show could go on," Ortega said.
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They were supposed to leave for London on July 3, so they has 10-12 rehearsals remaining.
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Before June 19, Ortega said MJ hadn't come to rehearsals for a "good week," but it could've been more.
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Ortega: I remember there was plan to get schedule in order, it was my feeling we weren't going to make it, there was plan to make it clear
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Ortega's first phone call was at 11:25 am and MJ was not at rehearsal.

Panish: Did you learn they had an intervention?
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On Jun 19, there were several calls between Ortega and Dr. Murray. Ortega remembers this date because there was an issue with MJ.
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Ortega said MJ was his directing partner, he needed the artist to get the show on the road.
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"That all we worked, MJ and I, this dream, this goal he and I had, tis desire, was going to fall away," Ortega explained.
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Panish: Remember yourself having serious frustration on June 18th?
Ortega: Yes
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MJ wasn't showing up at all at rehearsals in June, Ortega testified. "I recall MJ not coming to rehearsals for a period of time in June."
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Panish: Were you ever involved in a show where you called a doctor of an artist when he was not coming to rehearsals?
Ortega: No
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Panish: Every scheduled day?
Ortega: That I don't know
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Panish: Was Michael coming every day to rehearsal in June?
Ortega: No
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"My own frustrations" Ortega said explaining Murray was creating the schedule, which wasn't working. "He was my lifeline so to speak"
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Ortega said they were already in rehearsals and the only reason KO would call Murray was to inquire about MJ's non-appearance at rehearsals.
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There were 4 calls between Dr. Murray and Ortega on June 18. One lasted 30 minutes.
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"At some point, it became my number one concern," Ortega said about MJ showing up at rehearsals.
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"I just wanted him to come to rehearsal," Ortega said. "In terms of when he came I was willing to structure everything around that."
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Panish asked if Ortega had ever seen a situation where a CEO of a company was responsible for the artist's schedule/attendance. Ortega: No
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Email cont'd: & structure in consultation with MJ. Randy Phillips and Dr. Murray are responsible for MJ's rehearsal and attendance.
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Email on June 23, 2009 from Timm Wooley to Bob Taylor:
Changes are structural only:
KO has responsibility only for the show content
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Panish: Was there a time you were concerned MJ wasn't showing up at rehearsals?
Ortega: Yes
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Dr. Murray would give Ortega the schedule rehearsal. Ortega said it was not unusual, but he never had a doctor give him artist's schedule.
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"First it was Dr. Murray and then Randy helped," Ortega said about MJ's rehearsal schedule.
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Panish: Who was responsible for the content of the show?
Ortega: Michael Jackson
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It was either Phillips or Paul Gongaware who told Ortega Dr. Murray would be making MJ's schedule and would help MJ get to rehearsal.
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MJ went to 2 rehearsals at Staples, June 23rd and 24th. Ortega said Dr. Murray was involved in creating Michael's scheduling for rehearsals
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Ortega met Dr. Murray at the Carolwood home in April or May. He remembers the doctor going to rehearsals once or twice.
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Phillips is quoted in release that "this is a one-off adjustment do purely technical reasons and we don't anticipate any further changes."
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"The show got so big," Ortega explained, saying he needed an extra week to get it ready.
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Ortega said they were exaggerating, and that he thought the press release was "creatively misleading."
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Email cont'd: another planet" or "never before seen staging." We are not doing the Chinese Olympics.
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Email cont'd: I feel strongly that it is unnecessary and misleading to both of the press and fans to suggest things as "staging is from
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Email on 5/19/09 from Ortega regarding the postponement of the show:
I'm uncomfortable with the way the release reads at this moment.
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"As a director of the show, I didn't feel we would be ready for the show's original dates," Ortega said.
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Ortega: Michael and I both wanted to extend our time before opening, so I felt comfortable taking the heat (of postponing it).
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The concerts were supposed to start in London on July 8.
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The contract says Ortega could get a total of $1.5 million, plus $100K for each of the five territories and $250K for the US.
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Contract: and incorporated herein by this reference.
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Contract cont'd: confirmed in emails between the parties' representatives, which such emails are attached hereto as Exhibit "A"
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Contract cont'd: (the "Agreement) between Company, on the one hand, and Employer and Employee, on the other hand, as previously
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Ortega Contract:
The principal terms and conditions of Employer and Employee's engagement for the Concerts are set forth in the agreement
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Ortega did not have a written agreement when he did the dancers audition.
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Ortega doesn't know when he signed his contract. Panish showed a copy of Ortega's contract. It was executed on April 25, 2009.
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Ortega said he performed auditions for dancers, singers, band and interviewed various people for various designer's role.
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Ortega: It would all work out and I kept the faith that that would happen.
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He and Payne continued working without a contract. "It was my hope and in the end we would come to terms," Ortega said.
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Ortega didn't think the negotiations were dead. He kept working in good faith. Ortega and Payne share the same agent (Julie McDonald).
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Panish asked if this was a negotiation tactic? Ortega smiled and answered perhaps.
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Panish: Were you surprised?
Ortega: Was I surprised? No

"Not what I expected, but sometimes negotiations take time," Ortega explained.
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Judge asked what "financial requirements" meant to him, and Ortega said it referred to his salary.
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"I remember it had to be approved by Mr. Jackson," Ortega said about the email. He testified he never spoke about money with MJ.
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Email cont'd: I know, but I haven't been able to find a way to make this work. My deepest, most sincere apology.
Paul G
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Email cont'd: I'm totally bummed by this. Couldn't sleep last night trying to figure it out. We need to move forward quickly.
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Email on March 25, 2009 from Gongaware to Ortega:
Kenny,
I'm afraid we may not be able to meet your financial requirements for a deal.
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Panish: Did you ask Bugzee to write an email on your behalf?
Ortega: Not that I recall
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"I wouldn't have called him stage manager," Ortega said about Bugzee (Houghdahl).
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Ortega said Bugzee was not the stage manager. He worked under Paul Gongaware as accountant, Ortega explained.
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Ortega said Karen Faye reached out to him, had already spoken with MJ about being part of the crew.
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Panish showed an email with names of artists who were to be involved in the "This Is It" tour.
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Ortega said he obviously wanted to make Michael look good, but the intention was to tell the story.
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"My goal was to edit together the pieces to tell a story about what Michael's goals for the show were," Ortega explained.
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Ortega said the turns are called pencil turns, and he compared MJ to the famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov.
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"I think Baryshnikov and Michael battled it up to see who could do more multiple 360s," Ortega testified.
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Jackson and Travis were more involved in the actual dance steps and performances, Ortega said.
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Ortega had not worked with MJ for more than 10 years. In terms of creativity, Ortega said not much had changed between the two.
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"I didn't discuss financing with MJ," Ortega said.
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Panish asked if AEG wanted to do production within reasonable costs. "I think that's general position of responsible producers," Ortega said
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Ortega said he was only involved in the negotiation of Travis Payne's payment.
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"In order to get into each other's head and for me to be in the same page with MJ on where his plans were for the show," Ortega explained.
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Panish asked if at times Ortega would want to meet with MJ alone. Ortega said yes.
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Rebbie entered the courtroom. She's wearing a bright pink jacket, sitting next to Mrs. Jackson.
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Panish: Because you cared about MJ's condition?
Ortega: Yes
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Panish: Less wanting to do it?
Ortega: Yes
P: Less wanting to do it because of MJ's condition?
O: Yes
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Panish asked how Ortega would've been impacted had he known MJ's condition on the day of the press conference.
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Ortega said he's not familiar with the details of his contract. Ortega chose his attorney for this case, but AEG is paying for it.
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Ortega said he didn't want to change any of his testimony from yesterday. His lawyer drove him home yesterday.
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Katherine Jackson is present in court wearing a black and white polka dot jacket. Director Kenny Ortega back on the stand.
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Hello from the courthouse in downtown LA. There was only afternoon session today in trial between Jackson Family vs AEG.
 
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live. Kenny Ortega resumes testifying tomorrow at 9:45 am PDT.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
A lot of Ortega's testimony today seemed to have been covered during the Murray crim case, but we're getting closer to events of June 19 '09
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
I've got a couple meetings in the next few hours, so won't get updates out for a good while. May jump on later tonight.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Tomorrow's testimony from Ortega should get into more detail about Jackson's health in the days before he died and AEG exec's involvement.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish asked if Ortega wouldn’t have worked on the shows knowing the problems because he cared about MJ. Ortega said yes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Ortega said yesterday he wasn’t told about problems preceding the conference. He said it would have impacted decision to work on “TII.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish asked Ortega about the Randy Phillips emails about the “This Is It” press conference.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The director-choreographer said he hadn’t consulted with his attorney since yesterday about trial testimony.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Ortega was then asked who was paying his lawyer’s fees. Ortega said AEG Live was paying for his lawyer, but he picked the attorney.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish began testimony by asking Ortega if he was familiar with his “This Is It” contract. Ortega said he’d need to see it to talk about it.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish is continuing his questioning of Kenny Ortega.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Will only have a few updates this break.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Kenny Ortega will be back on the stand.
Yesterday, plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish was just starting to get into 2009 events.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
We're about to go back in session for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live. Katherine Jackson went into the courtroom a bit ago.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 46 - July 10 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 46 - July 10 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 46 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread
 
Director says Jackson's behavior frightened him

Updated: Wednesday, 10 Jul 2013, 3:15 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 10 Jul 2013, 2:45 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The director of Michael Jackson's ill-fated comeback concerts told a jury on Wednesday that he was frightened when Jackson was shivering and seemed lost at one of his final rehearsals.

The rehearsal occurred six days before Jackson died in June 2009, Kenny Ortega testified during a lawsuit filed by Jackson's mother.

"I saw a Michael that frightened me," Ortega said, calling Jackson's appearance "very, very troubling."

Jackson's condition prevented the singer from rehearsing that day. Ortega said.

The director-choreographer also said Jackson had missed numerous rehearsals for his planned "This Is It" concerts and appeared to be under the influence of a substance on at least four occasions when he did attend the sessions.

Jackson's state was "fairly obvious" to others involved in the production, he said.

Ortega later broke down while reading an email he sent to the CEO of concert promoter AEG Live LLC describing Jackson as a "lost boy." The singer's mother Katherine Jackson also appeared to cry during the court proceedings in which her son's final days were described.

Ortega testified in the negligent hiring lawsuit filed by Jackson's mother against AEG Live.

She claims the company missed warning signs about her son's health and failed to properly investigate the doctor later convicted of involuntary manslaughter after giving him an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.

AEG denies it hired Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray. The company also says there was no way it could have known the doctor was giving Jackson propofol as a sleep aid.

Ortega previously detailed his observations about the June 19, 2009, rehearsal during Murray's criminal trial.
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 46 - July 10 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Kenny Ortega feared Michael Jackson's tour would fail days before death
By Alan Duke, CNN
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/10/showbiz/jackson-death-trial/index.html
July 10, 2013 -- Updated 1735 GMT (0135 HKT)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"I had more than a serious concern," Kenny Ortega testifies
The famed director and choreographer is on the witness stand for a third day
Dr. Conrad Murray became Ortega's "lifeline" to getting Jackson to rehearsals
"We discussed that unless things changed," they might have to "pull the plug"

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The director of Michael Jackson's comeback concerts was convinced six days before the pop icon's death that the tour would not happen.

"On the 19th (of June) I had more than a serious concern," Kenny Ortega testified. "I didn't think it was going to go on."

Jackson had missed "a good week" of rehearsals and the only way to reach him was through Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician who was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death, Ortega said Tuesday, the second day of his testimony in the wrongful death trial of the concert promoter.

"We discussed that unless things changed," they might have to "pull the plug" on the tour, the famed director and choreographer testified Wednesday, his third day on the stand.

Jackson's mother and three children are suing AEG Live, contending the company's executives hired, retained or supervised Murray, who admitted to police he was giving the singer nightly infusions of propofol. The coroner ruled Jackson's June 25, 2009, death was the result of an overdose of the surgical anesthetic, which Murray said he was using to treat Jackson's insomnia.

AEG Live lawyers argue it was Jackson who chose and controlled Murray and their executives had no way of know the dangerous treatment he was giving Jackson in the privacy of the entertainer's bedroom.

Ortega, who had worked with Jackson on other tours and projects, testified that he would have been less likely to agree to direct "This Is It" if he had known what happened the day Jackson was to appear in London to announce the tour.

AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips testified last month that he "slapped" and "screamed" at Jackson because he was "nerve-racked" on that day, March 5, 2009. Phillips recounted that it was "a miracle" that a "drunk and despondent" Jackson finally appeared at the London event. AEG was hosting thousands of Jackson fans and hundreds of journalists for the anticipated announcement, which was to be seen live around the world.

"I screamed at him so loud the walls were shaking," Phillips wrote to AEG parent company CEO Tim Leiweke. "Tohme (Jackson's manager) and I have dressed him, and they are finishing his hair, and then we are rushing to the O2. This is the scariest thing I have ever seen. He's an emotionally paralyzed mess, filled with self-loathing and doubt now that it is show time. He is scared to death. Right now I just want to get through this press conference."

AEG Live executives did not tell Ortega about the incident when they approached him days later to direct the show, he said. He would have been "less likely" to accept the job had he known, because of his concern about how the preparation for the tour would affect Jackson emotionally and physically, he said.

Ortega worked closely with Jackson in April and May preparing for the July debut, but Jackson "was slow at growing into the show" and he began missing rehearsals in June, he said.

After a poor rehearsal on Friday, June 13, and a missed rehearsal the next day, Ortega expressed his concern in an e-mail to AEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware: "Were you aware that MJ's Doctor didn't permit him to attend rehearsals yesterday? Are Randy and Frank (DiLeo, another Jackson manager) aware of this? Please have them stay on top of his health situation without invading MJ's privacy. It might be a good idea to talk with his Doctor to make sure everything MJ requires is in place."

The AEG Live executives later told him they met with Murray and put him in charge of getting Jackson to rehearsals, Ortega said. The director said he was told that if he needed to know if Jackson was coming to a rehearsal, he should call the doctor. Ortega was given Murray's cell phone number, which he said he programmed into his own phone.

After Jackson was a no-show for another week, Ortega had a 30-minute conversation with Murray.

"I was told he was creating the schedule and the schedule wasn't working," Ortega testified. "He was my lifeline, so to speak." Ortega said he was venting his frustrations with Jackson and was "crying out."

Although Jackson showed up on June 19, he was "cold, shivering" and unable to rehearse, Ortega said. "On the 19th I had more than a serious concern. I didn't think it was going to go on."

With just a dozen days left for rehearsals before the touring company moved to London for the opening, Ortega testified, he was worried "that all that we had worked for together, Michael and I -- this dream, this desire -- was going to fall away."

He sent a series of e-mails to AEG Live executives warning that Jackson needed "a top psychiatrist to evaluate him ASAP."

Ortega and Murray exchanged 11 calls that next day, according to phone records.

They discussed "a plan to get the schedule in order, because it was my feeling that we weren't going to make it," Ortega testified.

Jackson lawyers argue that Murray was influenced by a conflict of interest, created by his arrangement with AEG Live, that influenced his decision to continue the dangerous -- and eventually fatal -- propofol infusions to help Jackson rest for rehearsals.

He was in $1 million in debt and had abandoned his medical practice two months earlier to serve as Jackson's personal physician for the tour. If he failed to get Jackson to rehearsals, the shows might be postponed or canceled and he would be out of a job, they argue.

The trial, which is in its 11th week, is expected to conclude sometime in August. The Jackson lawyers said they should call their last witness next week, which would be followed by AEG Live presenting its defense.
 
Tour director in tears as he recalls Michael Jackson's decline



By Jeff GottliebJuly 10, 2013, 1:56 p.m.


The director of Michael Jackson's ill-fated "This Is It" concert series in London broke down on the witness stand Wednesday as he read an email he wrote five days before the singer died in which he described Jackson's deteriorating physical and mental condition and suggested the performer needed to see a therapist.

The June 20, 2009, email from Kenny Ortega to Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, had been shown to the jury previously in the wrongful death case, but it never packed the emotional wallop of Ortega's reading.

“My concern is, now that we’ve brought the doctor in to the fold and have played the tough love, now or never card, is that the artist may be unable to rise to the occasion due to the real emotional stuff," Ortega wrote. "He appeared quite weak and fatigued this evening. He had a terrible case of the chills, was trembling, ranting and obsessing.

“Everything in me says he should be psychologically evaluated. If we have any chance at all to get him back in the light, it’s going to take a strong therapist to help him through this as well as immediate physical nurturing.... Finally, it’s important for everyone to know, I believe that he really wants this. It would shatter him, break his heart if we pulled the plug.

“He’s terribly frightened it’s all going to go away. He asked me repeatedly tonight if I was going to leave him. He was practically begging for my confidence. It broke my heart. He was like a lost boy. There still may be a chance he can rise to the occasion if we get him the help he needs.”

As Ortega read the email out loud, he paused between words, then began to cry. He took off his wire-rimmed glasses and wiped his eyes with a tissue. "I'm not OK right now," he said, and the judge called a 10-minute recess.

Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, also was wiping away tears.

When Ortega returned to the courtroom, he could be overheard telling Brian Panish, the Jackson family's attorney: "It's devastating."

Katherine Jackson and Michael's three children are suing AEG Live and two of its executives, saying they negligently hired and controlled Conrad Murray, the doctor who gave the singer the fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol on June 25, 2009. AEG says that Murray worked for Jackson and that any money the company was supposed to pay him was an advance that the singer would have had to repay.

Ortega's email came after Jackson, who had been coming to rehearsal sporadically, failed to show up several days in a row. He finally showed up in a condition that alarmed Ortega and others, less than three weeks before the first concert was scheduled in London.

"I saw a Michael that frightened me," Ortega testified.

He said Jackson, who had come to the Forum, where rehearsals were taking place, for a costume fitting, looked emaciated.

"I observed Michael like I had never seen him before, and it troubled me deeply, " Ortega said.

The director, who had worked with Jackson on his "Dangerous" tour in the early 1990s and on several other occasions, called Murray several times but never spoke to him that night.

He said there was no question Jackson needed a doctor.

“I wanted someone who was a professional to be aware that Michael had showed up in this condition,” he said.


http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-michael-jackson-decline-20130710,0,7522912.story
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 46 - July 10 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Ortega: I really didn't know what Dr. Murray did, but Michael showing up in this condition, I had a concern.
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Panish: Did you have a concern about Dr. Murray at this time?
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Ortega said he doesn't remember speaking with the doctor. He said he believes he did the best he could to reach him, though.
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Panish showed phone records of Ortega where he called Dr. Murray several times on June 19th.
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After the break, Ortega apologized to everyone. Testimony resumed.
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"I'm not ok right now," Ortega said. Judge asked if he wanted a break, he asked for a few minutes. Judge gave a 10-minute break.
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Email ends: He was like a lost boy. There still may be a chance he can rise to the occasion if we get him the help he needs.
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Ortega began to cry while reading this part of the email.
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Email cont'd: He asked me repeatedly tonight if i was going to leave him. He was practically begging for my confidence. It broke my heart.
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Email cont'd: he wants this. It would shatter him, break his heart if we pulled the plug. He's terribly frightened it's all going to go away
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Email cont'd: outside his door, but no one offering him a cup of hot tea. Finally, it's important for everyone 2 know, I believe that really
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Email cont'd: him in blankets to warm his chill, massaging his feet to calm him and calling his doctor. There were four security guards
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Email cont'd: responsibility (caring for) for him on a daily basis. Where was his assistant tonight? Tonight I was feeding him, wrapping
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Email cont'd: costume fitting with his designer tonight they noticed he's lost more weight. As far as I can tell, there's no one taking
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Email cont'd: to help him through this as well as immediate physical nurturing. I was told by our choreographer that during the artists
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Email cont'd: psychologically evaluated. If we have any chance at all to get him back in the light, it's going to take a strong Therapist
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Email cont'd: evening. He had a terrible case of the chills, was trembling, rambling and obsessing. Everything in me says he should be
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Email cont'd: is that the Artist may be unable to rise to the occasion due to real emotional stuff. He appeared quite weak and fatigued this
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Email cont'd: My concern is now that we've brought the Doctor in to the fold and have played the tough love, now or never card,
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"Trouble At The Front" Email:
Ortega wrote:
I will do whatever I can to be of help with this situation.
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Ortega said he didn't respond to the chain of emails, but was only offering his accounting of the day.
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Ortega said he remembers having thoughts at the Staples Center and typed his email probably while still there.
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Ortega: I didn't leave MJ's side until he left. I wanted to be with him, I didn't want to leave his side.
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"I made him aware of the situation," Ortega said about Hougdahl. "I don't even know I personally said it to him or sent someone else."
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"This isn't my email, I didn't ask him to write this email, I asked him to reach out to Paul and Randy" Ortega said. "These aren't my words"
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Email ends: The company is rehearsing right now, but the DOUBT is pervasive. Time to circle the wagons.
Bugzee
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Email cont'd: and Kenny was concerned he would embarrass himself on stage, or worse yet - get hurt.
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Email cont'd: Kenny asked me to notify you both. MJ was sent home without stepping foot on stage. He was a basket case
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Email on 6/19/09 from John Hougdahl to Gongaware and Phillips
Subject: Trouble at the front
Paul/Randy
I'm not being a drama queen here...
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Ortega: I thought Michael had a problem on the 19th. I wasn't thinking about the production on the 19th. I was only thinking about Michael!
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Email from Leiweke to Phillips asking to set up a meeting. Then Phillips forwarded the email to KO asking him to be present at the meeting.
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Ortega took a deep breath. Panish asked him if he was alright. He answered lets keep going, please.
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Panish showed email chain "Trouble At The Front".

Ortega said he sent emails to AEG only when he thought it was absolutely necessary.
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Panish: Did you try to tell AEG there was a problem?
Ortega: I believe you have records of it
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Panish: And you did everything you could?
Ortega: Yes, that I could think about it
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P: Overreacting?
O: No
P: Being a drama queen?
O: No
P: Serious concern?
O: Yes
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Panish: Were you crying because you were concerned with Michael?
Ortega: Yes
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Panish: Do you remember crying?
Ortega: Yes
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Ortega said Michael asked that Travis Payne be on stage and be him, so he could seat with the director and see it.
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Ortega said he cut up the salad, Michael ate, they talked and Michael said he didn't want to go home, he wanted to watch the rehearsal.
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In the overflow room, several fans raised their hands at this point saying they would rub his feet anytime!
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Ortega said MJ told him he never had his feet massaged before. "I couldn't believe it!" Ortega said.
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Ortega: We talked, Karen put a heater on the floor, took off his shoes, I began rubbing his feet, he said it felt very good
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Ortega: I know that I did my best to provide for Michael. I don't recall if the doctor ever answered the phone or I kept leaving voicemails.
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"I wanted someone who's a professional to be aware that Michael showed up in that condition," Ortega explained.
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"I remember asking for food, I asked if MJ had eaten" Ortega recalled. "I remember calling the doctor, I was very upset and I was concerned"
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Panish: Did you ever seen his like that before?
Ortega: No
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Ortega said MJ was covered when he saw him on June 19th, so he didn't see him like the photo.
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Panish: Is that how he always looked?
Ortega: No
P: What was different?
O: His body, he looked very thin
P: A little emaciated?
O: Yes
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Ortega: No. I didn't see him in T-shirt, so I wouldn't know he was that thin.
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Panish showed picture of MJ's fitting on June 19th and asked if that's how he always looked.
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Ortega: I was in a room, right off the main room. I think MJ was already in the room. Karen called me and asked me to come in to the room
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Panish: Did you feel something was wrong?
Ortega: Yes. Not well enough to rehearse
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Ortega: He seemed to warm up and feel a little better, but he wasn't well.
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Ortega said MJ was coherent. "I think when he first came in he didn't seem coherent, but when I started talking to him he became better."
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"I observed Michael like I had never seen him before," Ortega said. It troubled me deeply, he appeared lost, cold, afraid."
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Panish: Did it appear he had lost weight?
Ortega: Yes
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Panish: Skinny?
Ortega: Skinny? No, he wasn't a heavy person to begin with. It wasn't weight I was concerned on, it was his appearance.
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Panish: Troubling?
Ortega: Very troubling

As to his physical condition, Ortega said MJ was shivering, just seemed fragile.
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Ortega: He, I thought there was something emotionally going, on, deeply emotional, thought something physical going on. He was cold.
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"I saw a Michael that frightened me, a Michael that was shivering and cold," Ortega said.
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Ortega said MJ arrived at night to rehearse on June 19, probably in the evening around 9 o'clock.
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Ortega doesn't recall whether MJ was at the rehearsals on June 16, 17 and 18. He knows MJ was at the rehearsal on June 19.
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Ortega explained he doesn't remember anyone telling him not to go to the June 16th meeting.
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"I could've had this meeting, but there were just so much going on, I could've been there on the 16th, I just don't recall," Ortega said.
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"I would call the meeting on the 20th an intervention," Ortega said.
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Ortega doesn't remember if he went to MJ's house on June 16. He's not disputing he did, though.
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"Not necessarily to be done, but things I needed Michael to give his input," Ortega said.
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Email cont'd: tonight for band work. How many individual vocals are we talking about? If he put his mind to it, how long would it take?
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Email cont'd: I will add your concerns/requests 2 an ever growing list of items I already plan 2 discuss w/ MJ. The plan is he's joining us
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Response on June 16, 2009 from Ortega
I have a 2:30 at MJ's house today with Frank, Randy, Paul and he Doctor.
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This exchange happened about 18 days prior to opening day.
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Ortega explained MJ was still building back his voice, that's what Bearden was referring, to have power to sing/dance the entire show.
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"He wasn't vocal ready yet, not in shape to sing and dance," Ortega said about MJ.
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Email cont'd: of the show live. His voices sounds amazing right now, he just needs to build it back up.
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Email cont'd: his stamina back up. Once he's healthy enough and has more strength I have full confidence he can sing the majority
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Email cont'd: MJ is not in shape enough yet to sing this stuff live and dance at the same time. He can use the ballads to sing live and get
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Email cont'd: and take out ad libs and such to try to make it feel new.
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Email cont'd: the stuff we need on the 22nd (our proposed media day). I we can get everything we need from the vault I can use what we have
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Email cont'd: I'd like 2 try 2 get some alternate takes or un-processed leads from the vault if we can. I can go in with M Prince and re-mix
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Email On June 16 from Bearden to Ortega:
Hey guys! on MJ's lead vocal re-sings. I'm not sure if we're going to get what we need in time.
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Panish asked if Bearden was also concerned with MJ's health. "He may have, yes," Ortega responded. Bearden is brilliant, successful musician
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Michael Bearden was the musical director in "This Is It" in charge of the music. Ortega said he's top notch, very respected in the business.
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"I did think she was looking after Michael's best interests," Ortega said about Faye. She did not keep MJ secluded this time around, though.
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Ortega and Faye don't get along on a personal level, Ortega said.
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"I don't think everyone spoke about it, but they were aware and concerned," Ortega said.
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Ortega said Karen Faye, Travis Payne, Alif Sankey, assistants Stacy Walker and James Faris raised concerns about MJ's physical condition.
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Ortega said he had been insured for big events, like the Olympics. He took physical examination for it.
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Panish: Do you know if at this time AEG had sick cancellation?
Ortega: No
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Ortega: I don't recall the conversation, but most likely yes, I'm not disputing his testimony.
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Ortega said he's not a specialist in drug addiction. Panish asked if he had discussion with Payne about it.
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Panish: You saw, at least 4 times, MJ come to rehearsal in a condition you'd describe as under the influence?
Ortega: Yes
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"I just didn't need Mr. Payne to make me aware of it," Ortega said, explaining he could see the problems himself.
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Ortega: I believe I was under the impression Michael was seeing doctor. I believe when he showed up like that he had been to a doctor
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Ortega said he doesn't recall the conversation with Payne about MJ being treated for sleeping problems. He doesn't dispute that he may have
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"I don't have any idea in which capacity, but I knew he was, he was introduced to me as his doctor," Ortega said about Dr. Murray.
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Ortega said he understands being assisted to mean under the influence of something.
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Panish asked if Payne ever told Ortega MJ looked assisted when coming 2 rehearsal. Ortega said he doesn't remember if he used that word
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Panish: Would it be fair to say as of June 14, 2009, everyone was under pressure?
Ortega: Yes
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Panish: Would it be fair to say as of June 14, 2009, you thought the show was in jeopardy?
Ortega: Yes
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As to Gongaware's email, Ortega said he didn't know whether he discussed it with Gongaware.
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Email ends: We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ who is paying his salary. We want him to understand what is expected of him.
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Email on Jun 14, 2009 from Gongaware to Ortega:
Frank and I have discussed it already and have requested a face-to-face meeting with doctor
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Ortega said he just wanted to make sure MJ had all health benefits available to be able to do the show.
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Email ends: and Staples for all the remaining rehearsals as well as the few we have at the O2 in July. Thanks, KO
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Email cont'd: he can meet the schedule or there are going to be consequences. We need a healthy, rested and ready MJ at the Forum
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Email cont'd: Travis asking him to come to the house. MJ needs to be told that it's time to get real. He must take care of himself so that
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Email cont'd: and to arrive us at our goals. Every time he is late or cancels it chisels away that possibility. There can be no more calls 2
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Email cont'd: we can't let him slip. I'm doing all I can every day 2 build up his confidence & to create schedule that will help 2 ready him
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Email cont'd: He is not in great physical shape. I believe he's hurting. He has been slow at grabbing hold of the work. We have twenty days
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Email cont'd: As I mentioned I truly believe he needs nourishment guidance & physical therapy (massage) for his fatigued muscles & injuries
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Email cont'd: We must do all that we can as a team to stay on top of his needs everyday. He required more attention and management.
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Email cont'd: He has been habitually late (the norm). I realize he's up against a lot. I have ton of love/sympathy 4 what he's been through
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Email on June 14, 2009 from Ortega to Gongaware:
Paul,
MJ did not have a good Friday and he didn't show on Saturday.
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@patrickvanhalen It is my pleasure!
View conversation
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Panish: Have you ever been on a show where doctor told artist not to rehearse?
Ortega: I think I worked in a show where artists were sick
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About email Ortega sent Gongaware asking if he knew Dr. Murray ordered MJ not to rehearse, Ortega said he wanted to alert AEG about it.
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Panish: Did you use term "pull the plug?"
Ortega: I may have
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Ortega said he discussed with Phillips if things didn't change they might've to stop show."Without Michael I don't know how we can continue"
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The discussion happened when MJ was absent from rehearsals, Ortega said. The director wrote an email suggesting to stop the show.
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Panish: Did Mr. Phillips talk about pulling the plug?
Ortega: I don't know if he used that terminology, but we did discuss stopping the show
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Panish asked if Ortega suggested to pull the plug on MJ. Ortega responded: "I may, not regarding MJ, but the show."
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Panish: Pull the plug, is that a term you use?
Ortega: Yes
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AEG is paying for Ortega's attorney in this case and he's getting a witness fee of $35/day.
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Ortega received a daily rate to work in The Rolling Stones tour. The amount was negotiated/set by his agent.
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Katherine Jackson was present in the courtroom wearing royal blue jacket. Ortega said he didn't review anything since yesterday.
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Hello from the courthouse in downtown LA. Day 46 of Jackson family vs AEG trial (Week 11) has wrapped up. Kenny Ortega testified all day.
 
Director says Jackson's condition frightened him
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ANTHONY McCARTNEY 3 hours ago
CelebritiesArts & Entertainment

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The director of Michael Jackson's ill-fated comeback concerts told a jury on Wednesday that he was frightened when Jackson was shivering and seemed lost at one of his final rehearsals for the "This Is It" shows.

The rehearsal occurred six days before Jackson died in June 2009, Kenny Ortega testified during a negligence lawsuit filed by Jackson's mother against AEG Live LLC, the promoter of the concerts.

"I saw a Michael that frightened me," Ortega said, calling Jackson's appearance "very, very troubling."

Jackson wasn't coherent when he arrived that day but improved somewhat as the night went on, Ortega said. The singer didn't rehearse that night — the first time the director recalled seeing him after numerous missed rehearsals.

Court proceedings were briefly recessed when Ortega broke down while reading an email he sent to the CEO of AEG Live LLC hours after the rehearsal in which he described Jackson as a "lost boy." The singer's mother Katherine Jackson also appeared to cry during the proceedings.

Ortega said he was trying to alert AEG Live officials about Jackson's condition and trusted them to get the singer appropriate care.

Instead, Ortega said he was confronted by Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, during a tense meeting the following day. Ortega said Murray assured him and AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips that Jackson was capable of rehearsing.

Ortega also recalled that Phillips didn't speak up during the meeting, which he left after about 15 minutes.

The director said on cross-examination that he believed Phillips and another top executive, Paul Gongaware, cared for Jackson. "I felt they loved him," Ortega said, adding that he doesn't think that sentiment has changed since they were sued by Katherine Jackson.

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FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2012 file photo, Director Kenny Ortega arrives at the opening night of the M …
Jackson's mother is suing AEG Live, claiming the company missed warning signs about her son's health and failed to properly investigate the doctor later convicted of involuntary manslaughter after giving the singer an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.

AEG denies it hired Murray. The company also says there was no way it could have known the doctor was giving Jackson propofol as a sleep aid.

Ortega also said Jackson appeared to be under the influence of a substance on at least four occasions when he did attend rehearsals. Jackson's state was "fairly obvious" to others involved in the production, he said.

He told jurors that he sent the email describing Jackson's poor condition during the rehearsal to Phillips to suggest the singer needed professional help. He also said that based on Jackson's condition, he didn't believe the "This Is It" shows could go forward, but he hoped there would be a turnaround.

The director said he repeatedly called Murray that night, and his only concern was for Jackson's health. Ortega and Jackson worked on two previous concert tours and had been friends for years.

"I tried the doctor who I thought would be the most natural person" to help, Ortega said. "Then I reached out to AEG, Michael's partners, to make sure they were aware of how I felt and what I saw."

Jurors hearing the case have heard about Jackson's inability to rehearse from other witnesses, but Ortega was the highest-ranking tour worker to testify at the civil trial and had the most direct contact with AEG executives and Jackson.

Ortega said it was the only concert he had ever worked on where he had to coordinate a rehearsal schedule with a performer's doctor and concert promoter.
 
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 55s
With that, court recessed for the day. Putnam told Ortega, “I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks, sir.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
He said he believed the execs cared for Jackson “because of the way they supported him throughout the entire venture.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
Ortega said there wasn’t any reason for him to think that Phillips and Gongaware didn’t still love Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
Putnam asked Ortega about how he thought Phillips and Gongaware viewed Jackson. “I felt they loved him,” he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Putnam asked Ortega if it was understandable that Phillips may have been confused by the conflicting info he was receiving. Yes, he replied.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Putnam showed Ortega the span of time between Bugzee’s email reporting problems to Phillips and some of the exec’s responses, abt 15 hours.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Then Putnam asked about Ortega’s impressions of Phillips. “I thought he was a professional,” Ortega said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
The lawyer went over the “trouble at the Front” email from production manager John “Bugzhee” Hougdahl.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Putnam: “The fact that you don’t remember a specific email doesn’t mean you were being evasive?” Ortega replied no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Putnam asked about Ortega’s lack of recollection about certain emails. The director said he didn’t read every email at the time.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Ortega said he only saw Murray three or four times before the meeting on June 20, 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Putnam asked about when Ortega first met Murray. He said it was in March or April, and Murray was introduced as MJ’s personal doctor.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Putnam asked whether Phillips or Gongaware were involved then. Ortega said no. (And AEG Live wasn’t in existence.)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
The director said Jackson seemed anxious about that show and changed that were being make creatively.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Ortega said the other time was in 1995 during preparations for an HBO special. It wasn’t as bad then, he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Putnam asked whether the night of June 19, 2009 was the first time Ortega was worried about Jackson’s psychological state. He said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Ortega: “They probably wouldn’t want to pay my legal fees,” he said. Ortega said the payments didn’t sway his testimony.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Putnam asked about AEG paying Ortega’s legal fees. Ortega said it was because they were contractually obligated to.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam took over. He told jury that Ortega would be leaving for a few weeks, so he had to hurry.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Panish asked about Jackson’s love for his mother, which Ortega said was “very clear, very obvious.” He then ended his questioning.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
“He gave them Christmas every day of the year,” Ortega said.
There were also paper airplanes thrown everywhere, he recalled.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
The director recounted going to Jackson’s mansion in April and finding Christmas decorations everywhere.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Ortega said he thought the masked child was Prince, but wasn’t sure. Panish then asked about Jackson’s children.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Panish apologized, and then they tried to figure out whether it was Prince or Paris in the photo because he/she was wearing a mask.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Ortega, who’s phone calls had been discussed earlier, quipped, “You don’t show my telephone number, but you show my profile.”
Jury laughed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Panish then showed several photos of Jackson and Ortega together. One was a side-shot of them walking, and one of MJ’s children was there.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Panish couldn’t remember it either, so the lawyer turned and bent down into the audience and asked Katherine Jackson. “Captain Eo,” she said
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
When they returned, Panish asked about Jackson’s passion for filmmaking. He struggled to remember the name of one Jackson work.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Panish asked Ortega several questions about the making of “This Is It” before taking the afternoon break.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
He said he thought it was a prank call and didn’t believe it. Gongaware somehow convinced him he was telling the truth.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Ortega then recounted the call from Gongaware about Jackson’s death. Gongaware said, “’Our boy is gone,” the director said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Ortega said on June 25th, he was under the impression that Randy Phillips was on his way to Jackson’s home to pick him up for rehearsals.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
“Those places are like refrigerators,” Ortega replied. He said Jackson had a blanket wrapped around him, but not like 5 days earlier.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Panish played a clip of “Earth Song” in which Jackson is wearing a long jacket. The lawyer asked Ortega if Staples Center was cold.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Ortega began to get emotional again. He was taking deep breaths at points. He recounted hearing that Jackson had died from Gongaware.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Panish then asked Ortega about the last song Jackson performed. It was “Earth Song” on the night of June 24, 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
It seemed like Jackson had gotten some “real sleep,” Ortega said of Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
Ortega said Jackson’s transformation led him to doubt himself. He said he was like someone who had a short illness.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
Ortega of Jackson on June 23, 2009: “For some reason, all of a sudden, he looked like he had risen from the dead. He had a metamorphosis.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
Panish asked whether Ortega knew if Jackson’s recovery was because Murray stopped giving him medications. Ortega said he didn’t know.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 15m
“All of a sudden, it was a miraculous recovery,” Ortega said. “Whatever the flu or whatever it was, wasn’t there.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 15m
The production was off for a few days, then Jackson returned to rehearsals on June 23rd. It was miraculous,” Ortega said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 15m
Ortega said Jackson then told him not to be afraid and he would “’take the reins. You’ll see,’” he recalled Jackson telling him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 15m
That led to Murray and Jackson getting in a disagreement. It wasn’t with the same intensity, though, Ortega said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
He said Jackson came to his defense, but only after he prompted him. He said it seemed like Jackson told Murray different versions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
Ortega referenced his long showbiz career and said he’d been in some difficult meetings, but had never been talked to that way by a doctor.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
Panish: “Have you ever been treated like that.” Ortega replied, “Oh sure.” Jury laughed at the response.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
He said Murray told him that Jackson was fine and could handle the show. “I was flabbergasted,” Ortega said. He said he was insulted.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
Ortega said Murray was upset with him, told him not to be an amateur physician or psychiatrist. Ortega said he was shocked at the reaction.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
Panish asked Ortega to use a word to describe the meeting. He asked for a moment, then replied, “Accusatory.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16m
He then recounted the June 20 meeting at Michael Jackson’s mansion. He said he stood for most of the meeting.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Ortega said he’d never seen Jackson in as poor condition as he was on the night of June 19, 2009. He said this left him stressed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20m
Panish: “Given what ultimately happened to Michael, do you think you were overreacting?” Ortega replied, “No.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Ortega said he trusted Phillips and he got the impression that the executive was going to try to get to the bottom of Jackson’s problems.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Ortega: “I saw something that troubled me deeply and I thought it needed attention.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Ortega said he was trying to concern Phillips because he was alarmed by what he’d seen on night of June 19th.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Panish asked Ortega whether he knew that Phillips had written others say that the director was starting to concern him. Ortega said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
The Phillips response is one of several emails Ortega says he’s seen, but can’t remember receiving or reading it in June 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Kenny Ortega’s response brought some laughter to the courtroom, including from the jury.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Panish asked Ortega whether he was the “kind of guy that yells at people and throws tantrums, or tries to work with them?” Ortega: “Both.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Phillips also said they needed to “surround Mike with love and support.” Ortega said that’s what he’d been trying to do.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Ortega had only had one previous conversation with Murray. He said he didn’t know if he was successful, ethical or had been checked out.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
The email included Phillips’ statement that AEG Live had checked out Conrad Murray and that he was “unbiased and ethical.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
That afternoon, he said he received an email from Phillips urging him and everyone not to “become amateur psychiatrists or physicians.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
He said after sending a reply to Phillips, he got a call telling him about a meeting at Jackson’s mansion later that day.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
... the other in this weakened and troubled state.” (Ortega email, Part 3 of 3)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
Ortega email cont: “One (deep inside) trying to hold on to what he was and still can be and not wanting us to quit him, ... (Pt 2 of 3)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
But Ortega knew MJ wanted to keep going. Ortega email to Phillips: ““It’s like there are two people there. (cont 1 of 3.)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
Ortega said he was torn about whether “This Is It” should continue. “My instinct was we should stop,” he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 24m
Phillips also questioned how effective a therapist would be. Panish: “Were you stymied about getting a therapist involved?” Ortega said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 24m
Phillips added that despite Ortega’s suggestion that Jackson needed a therapist, Phillips said he was “stymied” about who to bring in.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 24m
Phillips, after reading Ortega’s email from earlier that day, wrote back that he would call “when I figure this out.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m
After the lunch break, Panish asked Ortega about emails he exchanged with Randy Phillips on June 20, 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m
In the "better late than never" category,u pdates from Jackson vs AEG Live trial’s afternoon session coming up.
Lots to cover...
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Updated story on Kenny Ortega's testimony today in Jackson vs. AEG case: http://yhoo.it/12i9BkG
(Corrected tweet)
View summary
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Jury will also likely hear from a damages expert tomorrow.
The trial won't be in session on Friday.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Kenny Ortega has to travel for work, so he won't resume testifying until August 1st.
Plaintiff's side finished their questioning.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live -- jury returns tomorrow at 9:45 a.m.
Taj Jackson will be back on the stand.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
AP's Linda Deutsch has latest on Conrad Murray's efforts to overturn his involuntary manslaughter conviction: http://bit.ly/1dkbzFW
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Probably won't get many updates out now.
Panish's questioning of Kenny Ortega continues
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
I'm headed back into the courtroom, will have updates later today.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
"I think it would have severely injured the possibility of the show going on," Kenny Ortega said.
Shortly after this, court broke for lunch.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega said he was willing to walk away from the show at this point, leaving it without a director.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
The director said he called Murray repeatedly that night, that he was most natural person to reach out to for help. Then he informed AEG.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Kenny Ortega agreed when plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish asked him whether the email was a “cry for help.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish asked Ortega about a line in his email in which he described feeding Jackson. Ortega said he didn’t literally feed him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega said he wanted Jackson to be evaluated by a professional, someone other than Murray.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
After the break, Panish asked Ortega if he was concerned about Conrad Murray. Ortega said yes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
When the court recessed so Ortega could compose himself, Katherine Jackson rubbed her eyes with a tissue.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
During some of this morning’s testimony, Katherine Jackson appeared to be crying. Trent kept his arm around her for one long period.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
“I’m not OK right now,” he told the court. The judge asked if he needed a break. He said he just wanted a second, but judge ordered recess.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega broke down while reading the email. After reading the line, “It broke my heart. He’s like a lost boy,” he had to stop.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
The court took a 10 minute break around this point. When they came back, Ortega read one of his emails sent after the June 19 rehearsal.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega appeared bothered when Panish asked him about being concerned for the production. “I was only thinking about Michael,” he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
“I thought Michael had a problem on the 19th,” Ortega said. “I wasn’t thinking about the ('This Is It') production on the 19th.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega’s testimony about the June 19, 2009, rehearsal is covered in this story: http://bit.ly/11CWvn8
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
It was that then that Ortega testified about the night of June 19, 2009 and being “frightened” by Jackson’s condition.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish asked whether things got better or worse after the June 16 meeting at MJ’s house. Ortega said they got worse.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega said he had so much going on at the time, he just doesn’t remember it. “I could have had this meeting,” he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish showed Ortega an email indicating he was planning to go to a meeting with Randy Phillips, others.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish then asked Ortega whether he went to Jackson’s house for a meeting on June 16, 2009. KO said he didn’t remember going to the house.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Michael Bearden email: “His (voice) sounds amazing right now, he just needs to build it back up.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Bearden in the email wrote that Jackson’s voice was fine, he just wanted strong enough to dance and sing at the same time.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Singing the ballads would give him time to work up to full strength, music director Michael Bearden suggested.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish then showed Ortega other emails dealing with Jackson’s voice. In one, it was suggested that MJ only sing the ballads during the show.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish: “It was fairly obvious, wasn’t it?” Ortega: “Yes.”
(in reference to Jackson being at concerts while impaired.)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega said he saw Jackson under the influence of something _ he didn’t know what _ during at least 4 rehearsals.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
The director also said that Stacy Walker, who previously testified, expressed concern.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Later, Ortega would identify Payne, Karen Faye, and Alif Sankey as workers who expressed concerns about Jackson being under the influence.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
He said he didn’t recall Travis Payne telling him Jackson looked “assisted” but he doesn’t dispute it happened.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega was then asked about Jackson showing up to rehearsal and being under the influence of something.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega said he had serious concerns at this point whether or not the “This Is It” shows would happen.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
This email was sent roughly a month before “This Is It” was scheduled to premiere at the O2 Arena.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega email snippet: “He is not in great physical shape. I believe he’s hurting. He has been slow at grabbing hold of the work.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Kenny Ortega discussed emails he sent on June 14, 2009 regarding Jackson’s missed rehearsals, poor condition.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish asked Ortega whether he was aware of AEG Live execs wanting to “pull the plug” on him.
He said he wasn’t.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega: “I don’t think we discussed stopping the show. I think we discussed that unless things changed, we might have to.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega initially said he thought that he and Phillips discussed stopping the show, but then clarified.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Ortega said it’s a phrase he uses, but he didn’t recall AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips using it re: “This Is It.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
At the start of his testimony, Kenny Ortega was asked about the phrase “pull the plug” in reference to “This Is It” shows.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Will get out a few updates from the morning session in Jackson vs. AEG Live before we go back into court...
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
"I saw a Michael that frightened me" _ Kenny Ortega tells jury about his interactions with Jackson, AEG Live execs: http://yhoo.it/12i9BkG
View summary
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
"This Is It" Director Kenny Ortega tells jury Michael Jackson's demeanor frightened him in final days: http://bit.ly/11CWvn8 (update)
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AP Entertainment ‏@APEntertainment 8h
"This Is It" director says Michael Jackson's behavior days before death was frightening, reports @mccartneyap: http://apne.ws/189e1T0
Retweeted by Anthony McCartney
View summary
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Panish then asked whether Ortega was being paid by AEG for his testimony. Ortega said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish asked Ortega about how he was paid when he worked with the Rolling Stones. Ortega said he got a per diem.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Just a couple updates while I'm waiting on a story link...
Katherine and Trent Jackson are in attendance today.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
We're on the lunch break in the Jackson vs. AEG Live suit. I'll have a story shortly.
Lots of emotional testimony from Kenny Ortega today.
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 46 - July 10 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 9m
Erk is supposed to offer info on how much MJ would've earned, mostly from the concert.
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Court adjourned until this morning. Plaintiffs will finish up Taj Jackson and then call Arty Erk -- an entertainment earnings expert.
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Putnam said he's looking fwd to seeing Ortega again in a few weeks. The director has business engagement overseas, won't be back for weeks.
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Putnam: Why?
"Because of the way that they supported him throughout the entire venture," Ortega said.
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Putnam: Any reason to believe they didn't?
Ortega: No

Putnam: Any reason to believe they don't?
Ortega: No
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Putnam asked what Ortega thought Phillips and Gongaware felt about MJ: "I felt they loved him," Ortega responded.
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In one hand, Ortega was saying there was a problem. On the other hand, Dr. Murray said everything was ok. Ortega answered yes.
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Putnam asked if Ortega understands why Phillips was having difficulty figuring out what was going on.
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"Because we were all on the same team," Ortega responded. "I thought we needed to help Michael."
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Ortega didn't contact AEG himself, but asked someone to do it on his behalf. Putnam asked why he wanted to alert AEG about MJ.
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Ortega: Michael wanting to stay and watch, we went on stage, Travis stood in for MJ, we did pyrotechnics if I'm not mistaken, then MJ left.
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@DamoneNavandii It begins at 9:45 am PT tomorrow. Be there by 9 am. ;) Sorry for the delay...
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After the calls to Dr. Murray, Ortega said Michael was eating, they had late conversation, he was rubbing his feet.
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Putnam showed Ortega's phone records on June 19th. There are 2 calls from Ortega to Dr. Murray and 1 from Murray to Ortega, all very short.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 17m
Ugh!!! Twitter jail again!!! Frustrating, but we want to bring you all the details of the testimony. Please bear with us...
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Putnam: Are you trying to be evasive?
Ortega: No, I'm trying to do my best
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Ortega said the 1st day he met Murray, MJ introduced him as "my doctor." Putnam asked if MJ said Murray was the tour doctor. Ortega said no
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MJ got better as the night went on on June 19th. "He was just more articulated, in the room, warm, engaged and calmed," Ortega said.
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Ortega had never seen MJ physically weak like he saw him on the 19th.
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Ortega explained the 1995 one was the only experience he had with MJ that was similar.
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No one from AEG was present during the 95 incident. Ortega said it was different from the 19th, though. In 95, he was anxious, unhappy.
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Ortega said he had been worried about MJ's mental state before during the HBO Concerts in 1995. "I thought he was anxious," he said.
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Putnam referred back to June 19th. Ortega reiterated that he didn't everything he could that night.
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Ortega said AEG is paying his legal fees because it is their contractual obligation to do so. It's written in his contract.
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Panish said he has no further questions at this time. AEG's attorney, Marvin Putnam, did cross examination.
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"He loved her dearly," Ortega said about MJ and Katherine Jackson. "He cared deeply about her."
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Regarding the children, Ortega said: "They loved their father, it was very clear, very evident, it was obvious."
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Ortega: He was just there for them, he was concerned about them, he was parental.
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Ortega said MJ gave them Christmas every day of the year. "There was just evidence of fun."
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Ortega: Along w/ the way he talked about his mother, the kids were the single greatest blessing, brought the greatest happiness to his world
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Photo of MJ, Ortega and young Prince:
"Attractive," Ortega joked. "You didn't show my phone number, but showed my profile!
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"Anything Michael wanted to do with me I was interested in," Ortega said.
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Panish showed picture of MJ looking at the viewfinder of the camera used to film movies, Ortega next to him.
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Ortega recalled they had a chance to work together on "This Is It," they made 4 short films.
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Ortega said MJ was fantastic songwriter, singer, musician, dancer and also a filmmaker. "We worked together really, really well" Ortega said
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Panish asked what was MJ's background.
Ortega: He invented music video, the list goes on and on. He raised the bar in every are he worked in
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Panish: How did you react?
Ortega: Yes, please!
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Ortega said MJ had intention to do movies inspired in his songs "Thriller" and "Smooth Criminal."
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Judge asked why he'd get bonus if his job was done. Ortega said it's like getting royalties, since he was one of the creators of the show.
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Ortega said MJ's intention was 2 take the show out 2 the world one more time and end it in the US. Ortega would get bonuses if that happened
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Ortega said he believes Sony kept all the film in a vault so the video would not get leaked.
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Ortega believes AEG paid him everything they owed him for the work done. Sony paid him for the musical documentary.
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Ortega said they never did a full run-through of the show.
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Phillips never said anything at the meeting on the 20th, was more like a bystander, Ortega said.
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"I wanted to believe it was some weirdo calling me, it was a very awkward phone call and I didn't want to believe him," Ortega testified.
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"You have to sit down and get a hold of yourself," Gongaware told Ortega on the phone. "Listen to me, Michael's gone."
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Ortega said Gongaware told him to sit down. Ortega asked Gongaware to tell him something only the 2 would know 2 prove it was Gongaware
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But Ortega said he didn't believe him. "I said I'm not trusting this is Paul Gongaware."
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Gongaware called Ortega from the hospital. "Our boy is gone," Ortega said Gongaware told him.
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Phillips was to pick MJ up at the Carolwood house to bring MJ to rehearsal. Obviously, he never showed up, Panish noted.
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Ortega's favorite songs are:
1- Man in the Mirror
2- Billie Jean
3- 100 other songs all tied in the 3rd place
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Panish show video of Earth song. This is the last song he rehearsed, Ortega said. He was bundled up in several layers of clothing.
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"I was standing on the stage, waiting for Michael," Ortega recalled. The director said Staples Center was like refrigerators, so cold.
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Panish: What happened the next day?
Ortega: Michael died (Ortega's voice cracked a little)
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Earth song was the last song Michael rehearse. Panish asked if MJ did it well. Ortega smiled and answered yes. Ortega takes very deep breath
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Panish: Do you know if Dr. Murray had stopped giving MJ Propofol?
Ortega: I had no idea
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"I doubted myself, I remember going did I see something?" Ortega said. Michael just didn't seem the Michael he saw on June 19th.
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"He had a metamorphosis," Ortega said, in awe. "Pretty extraordinary."
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Ortega said everyone noticed the drastic change. "I didn't know anything about any medication."
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Ortega: Whatever the flu, whatever it was, it was just not present. I didn't ask questions, I was just overjoyed.
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When Michael Jackson showed up at rehearsal on June 23, Ortega said: "It was miraculous!"
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Panish: And 5 days later Michael was dead
Ortega: Yes
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Ortega said MJ responded 'I know, I know, I love you, I will take the reins.'
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"Michael said no, no, no, they were in disagreement too," Ortega said. The director told MJ he only cared about MJ.
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MJ stood up, gave Ortega a hug before he left. "The doctor suggested that MJ had told him one thing and now was saying another" Ortega said
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Ortega testified he asked Michael to explain to Dr. Murray that MJ asked to stay, but the evening was different. And MJ did just that.
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Ortega said Dr. Murray told him to stick with his job and to leave the doctor job to him.
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Ortega: Dr. Murray said MJ was physically and emotionally capable to handle all the responsibilities of the performance.
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Ortega: He (Dr. Murray) was upset with me, and he said I had no right to not let MJ rehearse.
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Panish: Did Michael stick up for you?
Ortega: Yes
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Ortega: Have I ever being talked down, hurt, insulted? Yes, so many times I can't tell you!
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Panish asked if he was ever treated like that in his long career. "Oh sure!" Ortega responded.
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"I was flabbergasted! Because I didn't believe that was possible," Ortega testified, saying he felt hurt, insulted.
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Ortega said he excused himself. Dr. Murray said MJ was fine and could handle all responsibilities for the show.
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Ortega: I was shocked because what he was saying it wasn't at all reflecting of what happened.
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Ortega said Dr. Murray was angry at him at the meeting, "I was shocked," Ortega explained.
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Panish; Was he mentally able and stable?
Ortega: I certainly didn't think on June 19th.
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Panish: Did you think MJ was in decline?
Ortega: Yes
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Ortega said all he's familiar with is that Phillips had a lengthy conversation with Dr. Murray at some point.
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Panish: Did Phillips ever tell you that he had a phone conversation, for 20 minutes, on June 20th with Dr Murray?
Ortega: Yes, through email
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Dr. Murray was upset with Ortega, the director said.
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Ortega described the meeting as "accusatory."

Panish: Who was the one being accused?
Ortega: Me
P: Who was accusing you?
O: Dr. Murray
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Ortega said Dr. Murray began the meeting. He said he had a feeling the meeting would be about the night before and the depth of his concerns
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Ortega left by himself. The others stayed: Jackson, Dr. Murray and Phillips.
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Ortega did not stay very long at that meeting. He estimates 10-15 minutes, definitely under a half an hour.
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Ortega said when he realized the meeting was about him, he stood up to express his feelings.
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Meeting on the 20th was between Michael, Dr. Murray, Randy Phillips and myself. It happened at the parlor in the house.
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Gongaware told Ortega about the meeting on the 20th. Neither Phillips nor Dr. Murray ever told Ortega they spoke on the phone for 20 mins.
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Panish: Do you know how you felt?
Ortega: I was stressed
P: Distraught?
O: Yes
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"I just wanted Michael to be ok," Phillips said. He trusted both Phillips and Gongaware.
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Panish: In all the time you knew MJ, did you ever see him in the condition he was on June 19th?
Ortega: No
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Ortega: I wanted it to be taken care of, whatever it was, I wanted it looked into and taken care of.
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Dr. Murray, in some capacity, tried to tell Ortega what was happening. But the director never got an answer to what was wrong with MJ.
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Panish: Did Randy Phillips ever tell you what the problem with MJ was?
Ortega: No
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"I got the impression that Randy would be looking over and investigate himself," Ortega explained.
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Phillips testified he thought Ortega was entrenched in the situation and not being open minded. Ortega disagreed with Phillips' perception.
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Ortega: Yes, because they were talking about a person's health, I was more concerned about Michael's health than anything else at that time.
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Panish: If Phillips were more concerned about getting the show on the road rather than MJ, would that worry you?
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"I felt Michael was in trouble and needed help," Ortega said.
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Ortega: I had seen something deeply troubling and I wanted to be taken seriously.
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"I saw something that troubled me deeply and I felt it needed attention," Ortega said.
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Panish: Were you trying to concern Mr. Phillips about this situation?
Ortega: Yes
P: Why?
O: Because I was concerned
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 12h
Panish: Do you think you were trying to sound an alarm?
Ortega: Yes
P: Raise a red flag?
O: Yes
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Ortega didn't think Dr. Murray was giving good care to MJ.
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Ortega said he does not know whether Dr. Murray was ever successful, unbiased and ethical. The director did not check the doctor out himself
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Phillips responded to Ortega that he not be an amateur psychiatrist. Ortega said that was not his intention.
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Ortega: 'There's nothing to be afraid of, we are going to do this, This Is It.' That's the Michael I had allegiance to.
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"There was no question in my mind that Michael wanted to do the shows," Ortega said.
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Ortega: Obsessive behavior: he was repeating for me not to quit or eave him
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Ortega: He was afraid for one thing I was going to leave him. Anxiety: he was anxious he didn't want me to leave or quit
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Email ends: to quit on him, the other in this weakened and troubled state.
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Email cont'd: It's like there are two people there. On (deep inside) trying to hold on to what he was and still can be and not wanting us
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Email cont'd: and obsessive-like behavior. I think the best thing we can do it is get a top Psychiatrist on to evaluate him ASAP.
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Email cont'd: and I remembered just before he fainted causing the HBO Concerts to be canceled. There are strong signs of paranoia, anxiety
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Email cont'd: based on his continued physical weakening and deepening emotional state. It is reminiscent of what Karen, Bush, Travis
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Ortega responded Phillips:
Randy,
I'm at home awaiting your call or instructions. I honestly don't think he is ready for this
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Ortega: I didn't want to break Michael's heart, I was torn. My instinct was to stop the show, but I didn't want to break Michael's heart.
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Panish: You were not concerned with the business side, but with Michael Jackson?
Ortega: Yes
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Email ends: and how they can get through to him in such a short time.
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Email cont'd: We will bring her back ASAP and Frank, too, however, I'm stymied on who to bring in as a therapist
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Email from Phillips:
Kenny, I will call you when I figure this out. We have a person like that, Brigitte, who's in London advancing his stay
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Ortega said he doesn't remember an email response from Randy Phillips to his email.
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"I said I thought it would break his heart," Ortega explained.
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Panish: How would MJ be if show was canceled?
Ortega: I know how deeply it mattered to him to do these shows
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Panish: Did you discuss with Randy Phillips, 5 days before MJ's death, about pulling the plug?
Ortega: Not that I recall
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Ortega said he didn't see Randy until next day, on the 20th, when he was at the meeting at Carolwood house.
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Ortega said he believes his email was a strong suggestion that MJ needed to be seen by a doctor for his psychological condition.
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"He seems lost, not like the Michael I'd seen," Ortega said. "I couldn't see his body but his physical presence wasn't what I had seen last"
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"I didn't believe it could go fwd at this point, at this night" Ortega said. "I wanted it for him, I know it was what he wanted for himself"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
Ortega said he could've walked away, and MJ would've been left without a director.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
Ortega: I tried the doctor, who I thought it would be the most natural, and then reached out to AEG, Michael's partners, for help
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
Panish: Were you scared about Michael?
Ortega: Absolutely in the beginning, a little less in the end, when he was a little warm, better
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
"I was not feeding (MJ) literally, I did not feed Michael," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
Panish asked if Ortega thought MJ was not being cared for. "Not at the level I'd expected Michael deserved," he answered.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
Panish: And you had a real concern with Dr. Murray?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
Ortega: I'm not a doctor, I just felt there was something going on, more than physical. My response was to have a professional evaluate him
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
"It was real emotional stuff," Ortega testified. "I just felt he wasn't present, he wasn't there.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
"I believe this was something else, it was not the tough love, you have to show up of this is not going to happen," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
"The doctor in the fold means he was in charge of Michael's schedule and it involved me," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
@DamoneNavandii The trial is at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown LA, Dept 28. Hope to see you there!
View conversation
ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
Apologies... exceeded number of tweets again! Here's more of Kenny Ortega's testimony today.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13h
"I was concerned about Michael being in this state when he had a doctor," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: I really didn't know what Dr. Murray did, but Michael showing up in this condition, I had a concern.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Did you have a concern about Dr. Murray at this time?
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he doesn't remember speaking with the doctor. He said he believes he did the best he could to reach him, though.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish showed phone records of Ortega where he called Dr. Murray several times on June 19th.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
After the break, Ortega apologized to everyone. Testimony resumed.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I'm not ok right now," Ortega said. Judge asked if he wanted a break, he asked for a few minutes. Judge gave a 10-minute break.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email ends: He was like a lost boy. There still may be a chance he can rise to the occasion if we get him the help he needs.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega began to cry while reading this part of the email.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: He asked me repeatedly tonight if i was going to leave him. He was practically begging for my confidence. It broke my heart.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: he wants this. It would shatter him, break his heart if we pulled the plug. He's terribly frightened it's all going to go away
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: outside his door, but no one offering him a cup of hot tea. Finally, it's important for everyone 2 know, I believe that really
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: him in blankets to warm his chill, massaging his feet to calm him and calling his doctor. There were four security guards
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: responsibility (caring for) for him on a daily basis. Where was his assistant tonight? Tonight I was feeding him, wrapping
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: costume fitting with his designer tonight they noticed he's lost more weight. As far as I can tell, there's no one taking
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: to help him through this as well as immediate physical nurturing. I was told by our choreographer that during the artists
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: psychologically evaluated. If we have any chance at all to get him back in the light, it's going to take a strong Therapist
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: evening. He had a terrible case of the chills, was trembling, rambling and obsessing. Everything in me says he should be
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: is that the Artist may be unable to rise to the occasion due to real emotional stuff. He appeared quite weak and fatigued this
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: My concern is now that we've brought the Doctor in to the fold and have played the tough love, now or never card,
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"Trouble At The Front" Email:
Ortega wrote:
I will do whatever I can to be of help with this situation.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he didn't respond to the chain of emails, but was only offering his accounting of the day.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he remembers having thoughts at the Staples Center and typed his email probably while still there.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: I didn't leave MJ's side until he left. I wanted to be with him, I didn't want to leave his side.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I made him aware of the situation," Ortega said about Hougdahl. "I don't even know I personally said it to him or sent someone else."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"This isn't my email, I didn't ask him to write this email, I asked him to reach out to Paul and Randy" Ortega said. "These aren't my words"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email ends: The company is rehearsing right now, but the DOUBT is pervasive. Time to circle the wagons.
Bugzee
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: and Kenny was concerned he would embarrass himself on stage, or worse yet - get hurt.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: Kenny asked me to notify you both. MJ was sent home without stepping foot on stage. He was a basket case
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email on 6/19/09 from John Hougdahl to Gongaware and Phillips
Subject: Trouble at the front
Paul/Randy
I'm not being a drama queen here...
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: I thought Michael had a problem on the 19th. I wasn't thinking about the production on the 19th. I was only thinking about Michael!
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email from Leiweke to Phillips asking to set up a meeting. Then Phillips forwarded the email to KO asking him to be present at the meeting.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega took a deep breath. Panish asked him if he was alright. He answered lets keep going, please.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish showed email chain "Trouble At The Front".

Ortega said he sent emails to AEG only when he thought it was absolutely necessary.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Did you try to tell AEG there was a problem?
Ortega: I believe you have records of it
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: And you did everything you could?
Ortega: Yes, that I could think about it
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
P: Overreacting?
O: No
P: Being a drama queen?
O: No
P: Serious concern?
O: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Were you crying because you were concerned with Michael?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Do you remember crying?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said Michael asked that Travis Payne be on stage and be him, so he could seat with the director and see it.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he cut up the salad, Michael ate, they talked and Michael said he didn't want to go home, he wanted to watch the rehearsal.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
In the overflow room, several fans raised their hands at this point saying they would rub his feet anytime!
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said MJ told him he never had his feet massaged before. "I couldn't believe it!" Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: We talked, Karen put a heater on the floor, took off his shoes, I began rubbing his feet, he said it felt very good
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: I know that I did my best to provide for Michael. I don't recall if the doctor ever answered the phone or I kept leaving voicemails.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I wanted someone who's a professional to be aware that Michael showed up in that condition," Ortega explained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I remember asking for food, I asked if MJ had eaten" Ortega recalled. "I remember calling the doctor, I was very upset and I was concerned"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Did you ever seen his like that before?
Ortega: No
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said MJ was covered when he saw him on June 19th, so he didn't see him like the photo.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Is that how he always looked?
Ortega: No
P: What was different?
O: His body, he looked very thin
P: A little emaciated?
O: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: No. I didn't see him in T-shirt, so I wouldn't know he was that thin.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish showed picture of MJ's fitting on June 19th and asked if that's how he always looked.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: I was in a room, right off the main room. I think MJ was already in the room. Karen called me and asked me to come in to the room
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Did you feel something was wrong?
Ortega: Yes. Not well enough to rehearse
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: He seemed to warm up and feel a little better, but he wasn't well.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said MJ was coherent. "I think when he first came in he didn't seem coherent, but when I started talking to him he became better."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I observed Michael like I had never seen him before," Ortega said. It troubled me deeply, he appeared lost, cold, afraid."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Did it appear he had lost weight?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Skinny?
Ortega: Skinny? No, he wasn't a heavy person to begin with. It wasn't weight I was concerned on, it was his appearance.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Troubling?
Ortega: Very troubling

As to his physical condition, Ortega said MJ was shivering, just seemed fragile.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: He, I thought there was something emotionally going, on, deeply emotional, thought something physical going on. He was cold.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I saw a Michael that frightened me, a Michael that was shivering and cold," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said MJ arrived at night to rehearse on June 19, probably in the evening around 9 o'clock.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega doesn't recall whether MJ was at the rehearsals on June 16, 17 and 18. He knows MJ was at the rehearsal on June 19.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega explained he doesn't remember anyone telling him not to go to the June 16th meeting.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I could've had this meeting, but there were just so much going on, I could've been there on the 16th, I just don't recall," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I would call the meeting on the 20th an intervention," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega doesn't remember if he went to MJ's house on June 16. He's not disputing he did, though.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"Not necessarily to be done, but things I needed Michael to give his input," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: tonight for band work. How many individual vocals are we talking about? If he put his mind to it, how long would it take?
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: I will add your concerns/requests 2 an ever growing list of items I already plan 2 discuss w/ MJ. The plan is he's joining us
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Response on June 16, 2009 from Ortega
I have a 2:30 at MJ's house today with Frank, Randy, Paul and he Doctor.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
This exchange happened about 18 days prior to opening day.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega explained MJ was still building back his voice, that's what Bearden was referring, to have power to sing/dance the entire show.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"He wasn't vocal ready yet, not in shape to sing and dance," Ortega said about MJ.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: of the show live. His voices sounds amazing right now, he just needs to build it back up.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: his stamina back up. Once he's healthy enough and has more strength I have full confidence he can sing the majority
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: MJ is not in shape enough yet to sing this stuff live and dance at the same time. He can use the ballads to sing live and get
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: and take out ad libs and such to try to make it feel new.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: the stuff we need on the 22nd (our proposed media day). I we can get everything we need from the vault I can use what we have
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: I'd like 2 try 2 get some alternate takes or un-processed leads from the vault if we can. I can go in with M Prince and re-mix
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email On June 16 from Bearden to Ortega:
Hey guys! on MJ's lead vocal re-sings. I'm not sure if we're going to get what we need in time.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish asked if Bearden was also concerned with MJ's health. "He may have, yes," Ortega responded. Bearden is brilliant, successful musician
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Michael Bearden was the musical director in "This Is It" in charge of the music. Ortega said he's top notch, very respected in the business.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I did think she was looking after Michael's best interests," Ortega said about Faye. She did not keep MJ secluded this time around, though.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega and Faye don't get along on a personal level, Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I don't think everyone spoke about it, but they were aware and concerned," Ortega said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said Karen Faye, Travis Payne, Alif Sankey, assistants Stacy Walker and James Faris raised concerns about MJ's physical condition.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he had been insured for big events, like the Olympics. He took physical examination for it.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Do you know if at this time AEG had sick cancellation?
Ortega: No
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: I don't recall the conversation, but most likely yes, I'm not disputing his testimony.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he's not a specialist in drug addiction. Panish asked if he had discussion with Payne about it.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: You saw, at least 4 times, MJ come to rehearsal in a condition you'd describe as under the influence?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I just didn't need Mr. Payne to make me aware of it," Ortega said, explaining he could see the problems himself.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega: I believe I was under the impression Michael was seeing doctor. I believe when he showed up like that he had been to a doctor
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he doesn't recall the conversation with Payne about MJ being treated for sleeping problems. He doesn't dispute that he may have
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
"I don't have any idea in which capacity, but I knew he was, he was introduced to me as his doctor," Ortega said about Dr. Murray.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he understands being assisted to mean under the influence of something.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish asked if Payne ever told Ortega MJ looked assisted when coming 2 rehearsal. Ortega said he doesn't remember if he used that word
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Would it be fair to say as of June 14, 2009, everyone was under pressure?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Panish: Would it be fair to say as of June 14, 2009, you thought the show was in jeopardy?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
As to Gongaware's email, Ortega said he didn't know whether he discussed it with Gongaware.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email ends: We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ who is paying his salary. We want him to understand what is expected of him.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email on Jun 14, 2009 from Gongaware to Ortega:
Frank and I have discussed it already and have requested a face-to-face meeting with doctor
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Ortega said he just wanted to make sure MJ had all health benefits available to be able to do the show.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email ends: and Staples for all the remaining rehearsals as well as the few we have at the O2 in July. Thanks, KO
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: he can meet the schedule or there are going to be consequences. We need a healthy, rested and ready MJ at the Forum
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: Travis asking him to come to the house. MJ needs to be told that it's time to get real. He must take care of himself so that
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: and to arrive us at our goals. Every time he is late or cancels it chisels away that possibility. There can be no more calls 2
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15h
Email cont'd: we can't let him slip. I'm doing all I can every day 2 build up his confidence & to create schedule that will help 2 ready him
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Email cont'd: He is not in great physical shape. I believe he's hurting. He has been slow at grabbing hold of the work. We have twenty days
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Email cont'd: As I mentioned I truly believe he needs nourishment guidance & physical therapy (massage) for his fatigued muscles & injuries
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Email cont'd: We must do all that we can as a team to stay on top of his needs everyday. He required more attention and management.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Email cont'd: He has been habitually late (the norm). I realize he's up against a lot. I have ton of love/sympathy 4 what he's been through
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Email on June 14, 2009 from Ortega to Gongaware:
Paul,
MJ did not have a good Friday and he didn't show on Saturday.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
@patrickvanhalen It is my pleasure!
View conversation
ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Panish: Have you ever been on a show where doctor told artist not to rehearse?
Ortega: I think I worked in a show where artists were sick
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
About email Ortega sent Gongaware asking if he knew Dr. Murray ordered MJ not to rehearse, Ortega said he wanted to alert AEG about it.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Panish: Did you use term "pull the plug?"
Ortega: I may have
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Ortega said he discussed with Phillips if things didn't change they might've to stop show."Without Michael I don't know how we can continue"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
The discussion happened when MJ was absent from rehearsals, Ortega said. The director wrote an email suggesting to stop the show.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Panish: Did Mr. Phillips talk about pulling the plug?
Ortega: I don't know if he used that terminology, but we did discuss stopping the show
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Panish asked if Ortega suggested to pull the plug on MJ. Ortega responded: "I may, not regarding MJ, but the show."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Panish: Pull the plug, is that a term you use?
Ortega: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
AEG is paying for Ortega's attorney in this case and he's getting a witness fee of $35/day.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Ortega received a daily rate to work in The Rolling Stones tour. The amount was negotiated/set by his agent.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Katherine Jackson was present in the courtroom wearing royal blue jacket. Ortega said he didn't review anything since yesterday.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16h
Hello from the courthouse in downtown LA. Day 46 of Jackson family vs AEG trial (Week 11) has wrapped up. Kenny Ortega testified all day.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 47 - July 11 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 47 - July 11 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 47 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 47 - July 11 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4m
Judge is now in her chambers waiting for the attorneys to talk amongst themselves to see if they agree on a resolution.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 7m
However, this morning Mrs. Jackson thanked the fans for the flowers and hugged them.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 7m
Side note: Yesterday, some fans brought flowers for Mrs. Jackson. They were not allowed to give them to her, though.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 8m
Session has started this morning. The attorneys are discussing with the judge whether to allow jurors to see some hand notes MJ wrote.

------------------

Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 4m
More notes may come in -- they're talking about those now.
I'll have additional updates after testimony gets started and we get a break.
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 6m
The notes include on that Paris wrote to her father, and the other is one that Jackson wrote about Blanket's words.
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 7m
Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos will allow Taj to talk about notes he found in his uncle Michael's possessions.
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 8m
Testimony hasn't yet resumed in Jackson vs AEG Live case. Judge has been hearing arguments before Taj Jackson takes the stand.
 
MJ manager’s kin acquiesce to judge’s order

July 11, 2013

By DEANNE JOHNSON - Staff Writer (djohnson@mojonews.com) , Morning Journal News

​

LISBON - The widow and daughter of the former manager of pop star Michael Jackson turned over a laptop and cell phone on Monday after they were found in contempt of court last week.

During a court hearing in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, Judge Scott Washam said Linda and Belinda Dileo reportedly provided the requested items to a computer expert, David Wilkeson of Tech Advisor LLC of Canfield, before noon on Monday.

Wilkeson had already used a computer program to make a duplicate copy of the items on the laptop and the cell phones, items believed to have been the working property of Frank Dileo who was assisting with the "This is It Tour" Jackson was preparing to launch at the time of his death in 2009. Frank Dileo died in 2011.

Wilkeson returned the items to Frank Dileo's widow, Linda, and his daughter, Belinda, in the courtroom on Wednesday. There were more than 40,000 emails on the laptop, items Wilkeson is currently in the process of analyzing along with other data received.
Despite the Dileos complying with the court order to turn over the laptop and phones, Washam refused for now to purge the contempt of court violation he issued last week. Washam said he would first wait for the items to be analyzed to make certain they were the correct items requested.

The Dileos' attorney, Chris Amato said his clients were ordered to produce one laptop and the phone. Now that they had done so, he said the contempt should be lifted.
Washam set a further hearing for July 25 in order to again consider whether or not to purge the contempt of court.

Local attorney David Tobin was commissioned by the California Superior Court to obtain depositions from the the Dileos, which was requested in March in connection to the Michael Jackson civil trial occurring in Los Angeles at this time. The Jackson family is currently involved in the lawsuit filed against AEG Live LLC. The laptop and cellphone or phones of Frank Dileo were reportedly being sought in hopes of finding emails or documents related to the health of Michael Jackson between Jan. 1, 2009 and June 25, 2009 - the date of Jackson's death.

At one point, Linda Dileo had reportedly said she gave the laptop to her daughter, who in turn gave it to a friend. She had offered to try to get the item back for them. When her statement was taken Belinda Dileo had reportedly refused to give the name of the friend. The reported lack of cooperation had led to Tobin filing a contempt of court motion against the Dileos and prompted last week's hearing.

Washam said Tobin could choose to file a motion prior to the July 25 hearing offering to purge the contempt if it is determined the items were the proper laptop and cellphone.
The Dileos live in the Wellsville area.


http://www.morningjournalnews.com/p...ge-s-order.html?nav=5006#sthash.BqmlXl7R.dpuf
 
July 11th

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
The judge agreed to allow him to be “subject to recall” which means he may return to the witness stand if necessary.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Cahan quickly moved on and asked a few more questions before ending her examination. Taj was released shortly after that.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
After reading it, Taj said, “That’s not the same. That’s Nancy Grace.”
There was laughter in the courtroom.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish objected to showing Taj the document, but the judge allowed it.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
It was a Twitlonger post urging people not to give credibility to a report by Roger Friedman. He mentioned a Grace at the end of the post.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj responded yes in response to a question asking whether Grace was truthful. Cahan then wanted to show a post from Taj’s Twitter account.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Cahan then asked about Taj’s Twitter account, and questioned him about nanny Grace Rwaramba and whether he thought she was honest.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
After court, AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam said it was paternity that was subject to the order.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
The plaintiff’s side had said before going into chambers that the mention of Rowe’s status was a violation of a pretrial order.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
The judge read it very fast, but the gist was telling the jury that Rowe’s “relationship with the children, if any, is not an issue” in case
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
The sidebar in total lasted quite a while. The judge read a jury instruction when they came back in session, probably 1/2 an hour later.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj said Rowe had started a relationship with Paris, as far as he knew. The plaintiffs then asked for a sidebar.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj: “From what I know, yes.” Cahan: “She’s Prince and Paris’ mother, yes?” Taj: “Biological mother, yes.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
The attorney then asked about Debbie Rowe and whether she had become involved in the children’s lives recently.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Cahan asked about Taj’s relationship with Prince, Paris and Blanket. He said he has been there for him since their father died.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Cahan asked a few questions about Taj’s music career, then moved on to questions about Michael Jackson’s kids.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj responded that wasn’t surprising, his uncle wanted to partner with Peter Jackson and other filmmakers.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Cahan asked Taj whether his uncle ever mentioned he wanted to partner with Kenny Ortega on films.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Jackson’s statement was made in May 2009 at a 60th anniversary party for Joe and Katherine Jackson, Taj said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Cahan asked Taj about his uncle’s movie aspirations. Taj said the last time he saw his uncle, MJ told him, “After this, we’re doing films.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
They went into a sidebar that the judge requested. Cahan asked a couple more questions about the security computer, but moved on.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj wasn’t sure of the dates when he received the computers, or when he turned the machine over to the estate.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj said he turned over the computer because Jackson’s estate was looking for hard drives with Michael Jackson music.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj said he asked Williams for the password and got one, but it didn’t work. He said the estate wasn’t interested in the computer.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
The second computer was password protected and was apparently used by MJ’s assistant, Michael Amir Williams.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj said one contained music and was turned over to Michael Jackson’s estate. The other one was used by security at MJ’s mansion.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
The Mac computers were given to Taj by LaToya Jackson’s business partner at the family’s Encino home, he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
There was a lot of discussion about the box, and then Cahan moved on to questions about two computers that Taj received at a later time.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj said he also picked up some of his uncle’s motivational notes. He said he didn’t remember who handed him the box.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Cahan then asked about Taj going to his uncle’s mansion after he died. He received a box of documents while there.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
He said reluctantly agreed to let his uncle pay him to take care of the storage units.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
“He had been betrayed his whole life. He knew he could trust me,” Taj Jackson said of his uncle Michael.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Asked why Jackson would want his possessions transferred over, Taj said there were “very few people my uncle trusted.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
One of the facilities, the largest, housed items from Neverland Ranch. Two smaller ones had personal keepsakes, Taj said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
He said his family lost many of his mother’s possessions after she was killed due to a lien, and his uncle didn’t want the same to happen.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21h
Taj said his uncle wanted him to be responsible for the storage lockers and wanted to transfer them into his name.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Cahan asked several questions about storage lockers that Michael Jackson wanted his nephew Taj to be responsible for.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Taj added that Jackson was always working on new music. “I don’t think he would have stopped recording.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Cahan asked how Taj knew MJ was recording new music. He said he thought he heard about it on the news or from relatives.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Taj also said he talked to his uncle when he was trying to stop an auction of his possessions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Cahan then asked how often Taj saw his uncle in late 2008-2009. Taj said he saw him once at Bel-Air hotel, and again at an anniversary party
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Cahan asked if he ever saw drugs in his uncle's hotel rooms. Taj said no and he never saw MJ use drugs, or under the influence of any meds.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
She asked Taj about all the time he spent around Jackson. She asked Taj about staying with his uncle on tours.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Chang’s questioning of Taj ended at this point. AEG Live defense attorney Kathryn Cahan then began her cross-examination.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Chang also showed a note that Jackson wrote about Blanket’s favorite letters at age 6, one of which was D for “Daddy.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Paris’ note: “Dear Daddy I love you so much & I’m so glad I got a goodnight hug. Sleep well, I love you & good night.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
The court broke for lunch. After the case resumed, Chang showed Taj a note written by Paris Jackson to her father.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
The notes will be used by an expert for the plaintiffs who will estimate the damages if AEG Live is found liable in the case.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
AEG Live wants to argue against allowing the notes to be shown to the jury. Jackson’s attorneys want them shown.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
There were several notes that Taj authenticated were written by his uncle, but they weren’t shown to the jury.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
He said he saw hundreds of these notes, both when he lived at Neverland Ranch for a year and after his uncle’s death at his mansion.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Taj said his uncle organized notes in three categories: Inspirational, Loving keepsakes and “To Do” topics for meetings.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
They showed some of Jackson’s inspirational notes, which included one that read, “Love No Violence Ever.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Taj said some of the notes and writings Michael Jackson kept were sentimental. This included keeping his sister Janet’s report card.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
After discussing films, Chang asked Taj about his uncle’s custom of writing notes. He said his uncle had a system of taking notes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22h
Updates from Jackson vs AEG Live coming up. We're done for the week.
Jury returns at 10 a.m. PDT on Monday.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23h
He said Jackson told him to study 3D filmmaking. Michael Jackson “loved the technology” and wanted to do “groundbreaking” work with it.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23h
Taj said his uncle was interested in several films, including one based on King Tut, another called “Chicago 7” and an updated “Thriller”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23h
He said Michael Jackson would study film, and even was taking a class from a USC film school teacher.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23h
Taj said a scene in Jackson’s “Moonwalker” was inspired by his love of the “Transformers” cartoon.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23h
Taj said he wished he had paid more attention, since Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas were involved.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23h
After discussing films, Chang asked Taj about his uncle’s interest in films. Taj recounted being on the set of “Captain Eo.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23h
Taj also mentioned that his uncle kept up with new artists and liked finding new collaborators. He cited MJ’s song with Akon.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Jackson played the song “She Drives Me Crazy” by the Fine Young Cannibals for Taj, his brothers, so they could learn to listen to music.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He also recounted his uncle working with his nephews to teach them about what makes great music.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Taj said Michael Jackson’s voice was spent from recording a rock song that day, but he performed his part of the song in one take.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He recounted how Jackson sang with 3T on the “I Need You.” He said his uncle came into 3T’s studio to record vocals after his own session.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Taj gave lots of recollections about his uncle and how he mentored him. “He was a perfectionist when it came to his craft, whatever it was.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
That note was written on stationary from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Chang showed Taj a note that his uncle wrote him. “Taj I love you and am proud of you,” the singer wrote. “P.S. Please rehearse.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Taj is Tito Jackson’s oldest son and Michael Jackson’s nephew. He described Michael Jackson as a “father figure” to him, his brothers.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Plaintiff’s attorney Deborah Chang did the questioning and asked for a refresher on his role in the family.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The following are some updates from the morning session in Jackson vs AEG Live. Taj Jackson resumed testifying.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
I'll have updates on this issue once it's resolved.


Some updates from morning session coming up now...
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The sidebar was called by plaintiff's attorney's after AEG Live attorney Kathryn Cahan started asking about Jackson's children.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The second sidebar went on for about 15 mins before the court took the recess. They'll reconvene in a bit to finish discussing the issue.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
We're on a short afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. There have been two sidebars since AEG Live's attorneys started questioning Taj.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
"Sometimes it takes time to come to a decision," Judge Yvette Palazuelos told jurors. She told them not to hold delays against the attorneys
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The judge apologized to jurors for keeping them waiting for more than an hour. She explained that she needed time to work out legal issues.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Jury only heard about 40 mins of testimony this morning from Taj Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
More notes may come in -- they're talking about those now.
I'll have additional updates after testimony gets started and we get a break.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The notes include on that Paris wrote to her father, and the other is one that Jackson wrote about Blanket's words.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos will allow Taj to talk about notes he found in his uncle Michael's possessions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Testimony hasn't yet resumed in Jackson vs AEG Live case. Judge has been hearing arguments before Taj Jackson takes the stand.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The Jackson vs AEG Live trial resumes tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. I'll be back in court then.
My last story here: http://yhoo.it/12i9BkG
View summary
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
With that, court recessed for the day. Putnam told Ortega, “I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks, sir.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He said he believed the execs cared for Jackson “because of the way they supported him throughout the entire venture.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said there wasn’t any reason for him to think that Phillips and Gongaware didn’t still love Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam asked Ortega about how he thought Phillips and Gongaware viewed Jackson. “I felt they loved him,” he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam asked Ortega if it was understandable that Phillips may have been confused by the conflicting info he was receiving. Yes, he replied.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam showed Ortega the span of time between Bugzee’s email reporting problems to Phillips and some of the exec’s responses, abt 15 hours.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Then Putnam asked about Ortega’s impressions of Phillips. “I thought he was a professional,” Ortega said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The lawyer went over the “trouble at the Front” email from production manager John “Bugzhee” Hougdahl.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam: “The fact that you don’t remember a specific email doesn’t mean you were being evasive?” Ortega replied no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam asked about Ortega’s lack of recollection about certain emails. The director said he didn’t read every email at the time.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said he only saw Murray three or four times before the meeting on June 20, 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam asked about when Ortega first met Murray. He said it was in March or April, and Murray was introduced as MJ’s personal doctor.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam asked whether Phillips or Gongaware were involved then. Ortega said no. (And AEG Live wasn’t in existence.)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The director said Jackson seemed anxious about that show and changed that were being make creatively.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said the other time was in 1995 during preparations for an HBO special. It wasn’t as bad then, he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam asked whether the night of June 19, 2009 was the first time Ortega was worried about Jackson’s psychological state. He said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega: “They probably wouldn’t want to pay my legal fees,” he said. Ortega said the payments didn’t sway his testimony.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Putnam asked about AEG paying Ortega’s legal fees. Ortega said it was because they were contractually obligated to.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam took over. He told jury that Ortega would be leaving for a few weeks, so he had to hurry.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish asked about Jackson’s love for his mother, which Ortega said was “very clear, very obvious.” He then ended his questioning.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
“He gave them Christmas every day of the year,” Ortega said.
There were also paper airplanes thrown everywhere, he recalled.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The director recounted going to Jackson’s mansion in April and finding Christmas decorations everywhere.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said he thought the masked child was Prince, but wasn’t sure. Panish then asked about Jackson’s children.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish apologized, and then they tried to figure out whether it was Prince or Paris in the photo because he/she was wearing a mask.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega, who’s phone calls had been discussed earlier, quipped, “You don’t show my telephone number, but you show my profile.”
Jury laughed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish then showed several photos of Jackson and Ortega together. One was a side-shot of them walking, and one of MJ’s children was there.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish couldn’t remember it either, so the lawyer turned and bent down into the audience and asked Katherine Jackson. “Captain Eo,” she said
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
When they returned, Panish asked about Jackson’s passion for filmmaking. He struggled to remember the name of one Jackson work.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish asked Ortega several questions about the making of “This Is It” before taking the afternoon break.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He said he thought it was a prank call and didn’t believe it. Gongaware somehow convinced him he was telling the truth.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega then recounted the call from Gongaware about Jackson’s death. Gongaware said, “’Our boy is gone,” the director said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said on June 25th, he was under the impression that Randy Phillips was on his way to Jackson’s home to pick him up for rehearsals.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
“Those places are like refrigerators,” Ortega replied. He said Jackson had a blanket wrapped around him, but not like 5 days earlier.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish played a clip of “Earth Song” in which Jackson is wearing a long jacket. The lawyer asked Ortega if Staples Center was cold.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega began to get emotional again. He was taking deep breaths at points. He recounted hearing that Jackson had died from Gongaware.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish then asked Ortega about the last song Jackson performed. It was “Earth Song” on the night of June 24, 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
It seemed like Jackson had gotten some “real sleep,” Ortega said of Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said Jackson’s transformation led him to doubt himself. He said he was like someone who had a short illness.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega of Jackson on June 23, 2009: “For some reason, all of a sudden, he looked like he had risen from the dead. He had a metamorphosis.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish asked whether Ortega knew if Jackson’s recovery was because Murray stopped giving him medications. Ortega said he didn’t know.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
“All of a sudden, it was a miraculous recovery,” Ortega said. “Whatever the flu or whatever it was, wasn’t there.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The production was off for a few days, then Jackson returned to rehearsals on June 23rd. It was miraculous,” Ortega said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said Jackson then told him not to be afraid and he would “’take the reins. You’ll see,’” he recalled Jackson telling him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
That led to Murray and Jackson getting in a disagreement. It wasn’t with the same intensity, though, Ortega said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He said Jackson came to his defense, but only after he prompted him. He said it seemed like Jackson told Murray different versions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega referenced his long showbiz career and said he’d been in some difficult meetings, but had never been talked to that way by a doctor.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish: “Have you ever been treated like that.” Ortega replied, “Oh sure.” Jury laughed at the response.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He said Murray told him that Jackson was fine and could handle the show. “I was flabbergasted,” Ortega said. He said he was insulted.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said Murray was upset with him, told him not to be an amateur physician or psychiatrist. Ortega said he was shocked at the reaction.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish asked Ortega to use a word to describe the meeting. He asked for a moment, then replied, “Accusatory.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He then recounted the June 20 meeting at Michael Jackson’s mansion. He said he stood for most of the meeting.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said he’d never seen Jackson in as poor condition as he was on the night of June 19, 2009. He said this left him stressed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish: “Given what ultimately happened to Michael, do you think you were overreacting?” Ortega replied, “No.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said he trusted Phillips and he got the impression that the executive was going to try to get to the bottom of Jackson’s problems.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega: “I saw something that troubled me deeply and I thought it needed attention.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said he was trying to concern Phillips because he was alarmed by what he’d seen on night of June 19th.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish asked Ortega whether he knew that Phillips had written others say that the director was starting to concern him. Ortega said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The Phillips response is one of several emails Ortega says he’s seen, but can’t remember receiving or reading it in June 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Kenny Ortega’s response brought some laughter to the courtroom, including from the jury.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Panish asked Ortega whether he was the “kind of guy that yells at people and throws tantrums, or tries to work with them?” Ortega: “Both.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Phillips also said they needed to “surround Mike with love and support.” Ortega said that’s what he’d been trying to do.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega had only had one previous conversation with Murray. He said he didn’t know if he was successful, ethical or had been checked out.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
The email included Phillips’ statement that AEG Live had checked out Conrad Murray and that he was “unbiased and ethical.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
That afternoon, he said he received an email from Phillips urging him and everyone not to “become amateur psychiatrists or physicians.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
He said after sending a reply to Phillips, he got a call telling him about a meeting at Jackson’s mansion later that day.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
... the other in this weakened and troubled state.” (Ortega email, Part 3 of 3)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega email cont: “One (deep inside) trying to hold on to what he was and still can be and not wanting us to quit him, ... (Pt 2 of 3)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
But Ortega knew MJ wanted to keep going. Ortega email to Phillips: ““It’s like there are two people there. (cont 1 of 3.)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Ortega said he was torn about whether “This Is It” should continue. “My instinct was we should stop,” he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Phillips also questioned how effective a therapist would be. Panish: “Were you stymied about getting a therapist involved?” Ortega said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Phillips added that despite Ortega’s suggestion that Jackson needed a therapist, Phillips said he was “stymied” about who to bring in.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Phillips, after reading Ortega’s email from earlier that day, wrote back that he would call “when I figure this out.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
After the lunch break, Panish asked Ortega about emails he exchanged with Randy Phillips on June 20, 2009.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
In the "better late than never" category,u pdates from Jackson vs AEG Live trial’s afternoon session coming up.
Lots to cover...
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Updated story on Kenny Ortega's testimony today in Jackson vs. AEG case: http://yhoo.it/12i9BkG
(Corrected tweet)
View summary
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Jury will also likely hear from a damages expert tomorrow.
The trial won't be in session on Friday.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
Kenny Ortega has to travel for work, so he won't resume testifying until August 1st.
Plaintiff's side finished their questioning.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11 Jul
We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live -- jury returns tomorrow at 9:45 a.m.
Taj Jackson will be back on the stand.
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Michael Jackson’s handwritten letters with his children reveal caring father, says lawyer

The King of Pop’s nephew Taj Jackson authenticated the handwriting during his testimony at the highly covered trial over the singer’s untimely death. Defendant AEG Live fought against having the notes presented to the courtroom.

By Nancy Dillon / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS




Touching handwritten notes that give an intimate glimpse of Michael Jackson’s relationship with his kids were shown to a jury Thursday after a bitter legal battle.

The King of Pop scrawled one of the notes on a scrap of paper to remember a tender exchange with his younger son, Blanket.


“Words of Blanket my son 6 years young,” the pop superstar wrote to introduce a quote attributed to his third-born child.

“What’s your favorite letters Daddy? Mine is ‘G’ for God and ‘D’ for Daddy,” reads the quote written in black pen on white paper.

“Words of Blanket my son 6 years young,” Jackson wrote. “What’s your favorite letters Daddy? Mine is ‘G’ for God and ‘D’ for Daddy,”


blanketnote-web.jpg





Jurors also saw a pencil and paper note Jackson’s daughter carefully composed for her dad with ample eraser marks and a heart used to dot the “i” in her name.

“Dear Daddy, I love you so much & I’m so glad I got a goodnight hug,” Paris wrote. “Sleep well, I love you & good night. I’ll see you tomorrow! XOX Goodnight. Lots of love, Paris Jackson”


parisjacksonnote-web.jpg



Lawyers for Katherine Jackson fought for days to get the notes admitted saying they show the immense love Michael had for his kids and the depths of the family’s loss with his untimely death on June 25, 2009.

Katherine Jackson is suing concert promoter AEG Live for wrongful death saying the company’s executives negligently hired the doctor who overdosed her son and should be held financially liable.



AEG denies any wrongdoing, claiming Jackson personally hired the doctor and secretly begged for the intravenous anesthetic that accidentally killed him.

AEG fought against admission of the notes, saying it was impossible to say when and where the notes were written.


The judge finally agreed to admit them, along with testimony from Michael’s beloved nephew Taj Jackson that authenticated their handwriting.

The son of Michael’s older brother Tito Jackson, Taj Jackson said he found them in a box in Jackson’s master bedroom after his death.

Taj Jackson, 39, also said Thursday that his famous uncle planned to make movies with him and Jackson’s older son, Prince, once his ill-fated “This Is It” concert series ended.

Taj Jackson said the promise came during a family party celebrating Katherine and Joe Jackson's wedding anniversary in May 2009.

“His last words to me were, ‘After this, we’'re going to do film,’” Taj Jackson testified at the end of the 11th week of testimony in the Los Angeles case.




Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai...ve-notes-kids-article-1.1396997#ixzz2YsHri98Z
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 47 - July 11 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Lawyer confuses Nancy Grace with nanny Grace in Jackson death trial

By Alan Duke, CNN

July 12, 2013 -- Updated 1040 GMT (1840 HKT)


Los Angeles (CNN) - An AEG Live lawyer made an embarrassing mistake in the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial -- confusing HLN host Nancy Grace with the Jacksons' former nanny.

It happened Thursday as attorney Kathryn Cahan cross examined Taj Jackson -- Michael Jackson's oldest nephew -- who had just described a close and lovely relationship between the late pop icon and his three children.

Did Taj Jackson think Grace Rwaramba -- who served for years as the nanny for Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson -- was "dishonest at times," Cahan asked.
The judge ordered him to answer, overruling a Jackson lawyer's objections that the question was irrelevant to the case.

"I have not experienced her dishonesty," Jackson answered.
Cahan then presented something she apparently thought would discredit Jackson's testimony, showing he was not being honest. It was a "TwitLonger" message posted online by him on December 11, 2011. TwitLonger is a service that allows users to post longer messages on Twitter.

Taj Jackson was discussing his dislike of journalist Roger Friedman, who he called "anti-Jackson" and a "sneaky snake."

"Sorry... but there are a couple of people who truly disgust me. And to me, he belongs in the same category as Grace, Dimond, and Bashir," he wrote.

Does that document refresh his recollection of your opinion of Grace Rwaramba, Cahan asked.
"That's not the same," he responded. "That's Nancy Grace!"

It took several seconds for the loud laughter in the courtroom to subside.

Dimond is Diane Dimond, a journalist unpopular with many Jackson fans for writing a book about Jackson's child molestation trial, and Bashir is the journalist who conducted a series of interviews with Jackson that fans blame for triggering the molestation charges.
Grace Rwaramba -- not the TV host -- is expected to testify in the next week about her observations of Michael Jackson's relationship with his children.

If jurors decide that AEG Live is liable for damages in Jackson's death, they will have to place a monetary value on the emotional loss his children suffered. Two handwritten notes found in Jackson's bedroom by the family were read to jurors Thursday in an effort to demonstrate the love.

Taj Jackson identified one as the handwriting of Paris, who was 11 when her father died: "Dear Daddy, I love you so much & I'm so glad I got a goodnight hug. Sleep well. I love you and good night. I'll see you tomorrow. XOX Goodnight. Lots of love Paris Jackson"
The other note was Michael Jackson's handwriting: "Words of Blanket my son, 6 years young. 'What's your favorite letter Daddy? Mine is 'G' for God and D for Daddy' age 6, Blanket."

Jackson lawyer Deborah Chang suggested the father's note showed how dedicated he was to his children since he took time to write down what his young son said.

An expert in entertainment economics will be on the stand when the trial enters its12th week Monday in a Los Angeles court. Certified Public Accountant Arthur Erk, who audits the earnings of some of the world's biggest entertainers, will give his opinion on how much income Jackson would have earned had he not died of a propofol overdose while preparing for a comeback tour four years ago.

Jackson's mother and three children contend that AEG Live, the promoter and producer of the "This Is It" concerts, was liable for the the negligent hiring, retention or supervision of Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

AEG Live lawyers argue it was Jackson, not their executives, who chose and controlled Dr. Murray and that they had no way of knowing about the dangerous propofol infusions he was giving Jackson to treat his insomnia.


http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/12/showbiz/jackson-death-trial/index.html?sr=sharebar_twitter
 
Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 47 - July 11 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Doctor: Promoter knew about Michael Jackson's drug dependency
By Alan Duke, CNN
updated 2:31 PM EDT, Sun July 14, 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Katherine Jackson's testimony will be followed by defense from AEG Live lawyers
CNN obtained video clips from the deposition of a former Jackson tour doctor
"I think we're going to have a problem," Dr. Stuart Finkelstein said he told Paul Gongaware
AEG Live exec Gongaware denied Finkelstein told him about Jackson's drug use

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's elderly mother will soon tell jurors about her most famous son, as the wrongful death trial of his last concert promoter reaches a midpoint.

Jurors heard one of Jackson's former doctors testify last week that the top producer of Jackson's comeback concerts knew about the singer's drug dependency on a previous tour.

Katherine Jackson, 83, has sat on the front row of the Los Angeles courtroom almost every one of the 46 days of testimony. She's shed tears, sometimes laughed, and at one point last week shouted out the name of one of her son's movies when a witness couldn't remember it.

Her emotional testimony will be followed by AEG Live lawyers presenting their defense, which they've warned will include "ugly stuff" to prove that Michael Jackson was responsible for his own death.

Jackson's mother and three children contend AEG Live is liable because it hired, retained or supervised Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the pop icon's overdose death. Murray admitted giving Jackson nightly infusions of the surgical anesthetic propofol, which the coroner ruled killed the singer on June 25, 2009.

AEG Live lawyers argue their executives had no way of knowing that Murray -- whom they say Jackson chose and controlled -- was giving him the dangerous infusions in the privacy of Jackson's bedroom to treat his insomnia.
"They were a concert promoter. How could they know?" AEG lead lawyer Marvin Putnam asked during his opening statement 12 weeks ago.

"Don't be a Dr. Nick"
Jackson lawyers argue that AEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware -- the top producer of Jackson's "This Is It" comeback tour -- should have known the hazards of hiring Murray because of his personal experience with Jackson and his work with other artists, including as a promoter on Elvis Presley's last tour. Gongaware denied in his testimony that he ever knew that Jackson had drug dependency problems while touring.

But video testimony shown to the jury last week contradicts Gongaware's claim. CNN obtained video segments from the deposition of Dr. Stuart Finkelstein, who served as Jackson's doctor during his 1993 "Dangerous" tour, which ended early because the singer entered a drug rehabilitation program.

"I said I think we're going to have a problem," Finkelstein testified that he told Gongaware, who was then serving as a tour manager on the "Dangerous" tour.

Jackson lawyer Kevin Boyle: "Did you tell Mr. Gongaware that you thought Mr. Jackson had a dependency on opiates?"

Finkelstein: "Yes."
Boyle: "And what did Mr. Gongaware say to you?"
Finkelstein: "He said, 'Don't be a Dr. Nick.'"
Boyle: "And by Dr. Nick, was he talking about Elvis?"

Finkelstein: "Yes. He was Elvis' doctor. And I think Elvis died with like 14 different chemicals in his system. And he was kind of warning me that, you know, don't get all infatuated where you start administering meds to a rock star and have the rock star overdose and die on you."

Dr. George Nichopoulos, known as "Dr. Nick," was "the doctor whose overprescription of drugs to Elvis had led to Elvis' death," according to a court filing by Jackson lawyers.

Presley collapsed in the bathroom of Graceland, his Memphis, Tennessee, mansion, on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. While his death was ruled the result of an irregular heartbeat, the autopsy report was sealed amid accusations that abuse of prescription drugs caused the problem.

Nichopoulos said later he was treating Presley for insomnia. He was charged with overprescribing drugs to Presley, but he was acquitted. He later lost his medical license in another case.

Presley's death came days before he was to begin a new tour organized by the concert promoter Concerts West, the company that gave Gongaware his start in the music industry. One of his jobs was working with Presley in his last years on the road, he testified.

Jackson "needed to be detoxed"
Finkelstein testified that he and Gongaware had discussions about Jackson's use of Demerol, morphine and other opiates during the "Dangerous" tour.

"We thought we needed to do an intervention, that he needed to be detoxed," Finkelstein said.
The tour came to an early and abrupt end when actress Elizabeth Taylor flew to Mexico City to lead an intervention that convinced Jackson to enter a rehab facility in London.

Finkelstein said Gongaware called him again in the spring of 2009 as preparations for Jackson's comeback tour were beginning.

"Hey, Stewie, you may have another chance," the doctor quoted Gongaware as saying. "Michael's doing another tour to London and he's going to want to take a physician."

"Were you interested in going on that tour to London?" Boyle asked.
"Very much so," Finkelstein replied.

Finkelstein said he had five to 10 conversations with Gongaware about the job with Jackson and he offered to take it for $40,000 a month. But Finkelstein, who is now an addiction specialist, said he had one requirement -- that Jackson be clean of drugs.

Instead, Gongaware agreed to pay Murray $150,000 a month to work as Jackson's personal physician.
Drug dependent, not addicted

A drug addiction expert testified earlier this month that there was "not a lot of evidence to support" the belief that Michael Jackson was addicted to drugs, but that he was "drug dependent."

If he was an addict, Jackson "would be taking drugs that were not prescribed by a medical professional, taking larger amounts than prescribed and have drug-seeking behavior," Dr. Sidney Schnoll testified.

Evidence shows Jackson sought drugs from a number of doctors, but that was not inappropriate because he needed them "to treat a legitimate medical problem," including back pain, scalp pain and dermatologic issues, Schnoll testified.

The painkillers that forced Jackson to end his 1993 "Dangerous" tour early so he could enter a rehab program were taken to relieve the pain from scalp surgery needed to repair burns suffered when filming a Pepsi commercial, Schnoll said.

The burns left scars on damaged nerves in his scalp, which becomes "excitable tissue" that "can be firing just like the nerve," he said. The result "can be very painful, like a burning kind of pain -- persistent, sharp, shooting kind of pain," he said. "It's very uncomfortable and one of the most difficult to treat."

Pain relief is a legitimate use of opioid drugs and a person can function normally if they are taken under a doctor's care, he said.

Jackson went from 1993 until 2008 without using Demerol, Schnoll said. The doctor conceded under cross-examination by an AEG Live lawyer, however, that a gap in available medical records may be misleading.
Finkelstein testified that many of his records for Jackson had been lost.

Jackson's use of sedatives was an effort to treat his chronic insomnia, Schnoll said.
If the underlying sleep problem could be resolved, the chances of ending Jackson's use of the drugs would have been good, he said.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 48- July 15 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 48- July 15 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 48 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread
 
Posted: 4 minutes ago
Expert: Jackson would have earned $1B on comeback

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson could have earned $1.1 billion or more if he had performed a worldwide concert tour and created a Las Vegas show before his death, an accounting expert familiar with the singer's earning potential told jurors on Monday.


Arthur Erk, a certified public accountant who conducts royalty audits for musicians, told jurors that Jackson may have earned $1.5 billion for the shows if he had charged higher ticket prices during later shows on the "This Is It" tour.


Erk said he was using conservative estimates to figure Jackson's earning potential if he had lived for several more years, completed a worldwide tour and created a Las Vegas show based on his music. The estimates took into account endorsements and royalties that Jackson could have earned and are heavily dependent on the idea that Jackson would have performed a 37-month world tour.


His testimony was meant to show jurors the superstar's earning potential in the case brought by Jackson's mother against concert promoter AEG Live LLC.


Katherine Jackson claims AEG Live is liable for her son's death because it failed to properly investigate the doctor convicted of giving the singer an anesthetic overdose.


AEG denies it hired the doctor or bears any responsibility for Jackson's death at age 50 in June 2009.


Erk's figures also account for an estimated $134 million the singer would have likely spent before retiring from show business at age 65, Erk said.


AEG will likely contest the estimates, and the defense objected to the accountant offering his opinion in several areas. A judge overruled those objections.


Jackson had signed on for only 50 shows in London, although contracts for the shows indicated longer tour was a possibility.


Jurors will have to determine the amount of any damages in the case if they find AEG Live is liable for Jackson's death.


Erk said Jackson contemplated doing a Las Vegas show based on his music and archival footage that would have generated new royalties for the singer. Plaintiff's attorney Kevin Boyle said the estimates anticipated the Vegas show would run 10 years.


Jackson also contemplated a film career, according to testimony from his nephew Taj Jackson and the singer's longtime creative collaborator, Kenny Ortega. Erk will not offer any estimates on how much Jackson may have earned if he had a successful film career.


Erk is testifying as an expert witness. The accountant also performed royalty audits on companies that released Jackson's music during the height of his popularity in the 1980s, he said.

Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
 
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