ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h "Wherever we would go, there would be fans there," LaPerruque testified. He said fans wanted to meet MJ, take pictures.
LaPerruque: There was always a concern of kidnapping him or his children to hold for ransom.
LaPerruque explained he not only try to protect the client from outside sources, but from embarrassing himself.
LaPerruque said MJ had thousands of fans everywhere in the world. Chang showed a picture of LaPerruque helping MJ with a left foot casted.
Total time LaPerruque worked for MJ was 3 years. The only time he saw MJ under influence of drugs in 2001-2004.
About the Documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" by Martin Bashir. LaPerruque was present, thought MJ trusted Bashir.
Chang: Was he devastated for what he believed to be violation of that trust? LaPerruque: Very devastated!
LaPerruque said MJ was in pain after the release of the documentary. Chang wanted to play a snippet of the documentary, but changed her mind
Chang: You know what, because he (AEG attorney) was threatening to show other parts of it, I'll withdraw my request.
Chang: Did you believe the Arvizo charges to be false? LaPerruque: Correct. "I came out in full support of him," LaPerruque recalled.
LaPerruque asked how MJ reacted in regards to the accusations, when all he wanted to do was to take care of children.
LaPerruque: Yes, it devastated him. Chang: Was he emotionally and physically wrecked in pain? LP: Yes C: Have you seen him cry? LP: Yes
LaPerruque said he knew MJ had vitiligo and needed treatment. He said MJ complained of back pain.
Chang asked if most of the times LaPerruque heard MJ slur his voice on the phone was during the night. He said yes.
Chang: Could he have taken a sedative such as sleeping pill, or Xanax pill? LaPerruque: It's a possibility
Chang: Drink wine or vodka? LaPerruque: It's a possibility C: Or combination of drinking and sedatives? LP: Yes
LaPerruque never saw any prescription drug in MJ's room, never saw him hooked up to IV lines. He only saw MJ drink wine once in a plane
LaPerruque said he always had full access to MJ's room, had keys to his hotel room.
The security head said he would not be able to say MJ was addicted to Demerol or painkillers.
He knows MJ wanted to be clear and was motivated in the worse way. Chang: And you believed him? LaPerruque: I did
ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h LaPerruque said the majority of time he traveled with MJ he wasn't under the influence.
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Chang asked if LaPerruque saw MJ doing anything that could put the kids at risk, if he would've called Child Services. He said absolutely.
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Chang: Were you very proud of working for MJ? LaPerruque: I was
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LaPerruque received phone calls from President Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Marlon Brando, world leaders looking for MJ
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Chang showed video of Liz Taylor presenting Michael Jackson. LaPerruque said MJ's fans were deafening, nothing like he had ever seen before.
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Chang: How would you describe MJ that night? LaPerruque: He was fantastic Shows were on Sept 7 and Sept 10, 2001, day before 9/11.
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LaPerruque said MJ was very down to earth, never bragged about all the awards he received.
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Judge then adjourned trial. There is no court today, session resumes 10 am PT on Monday. LaPerruque ordered back to resume testifying