Open General discussion - Katherine Jackson vs AEG

[sfosteredi]

Tonight on HLN/CNN, every single lawyer said that Katherine should drop this lawsuit because it is only about money. They said that these children's health and well-being is more important.

Exactly. One of the lawyers said that litigation is extremely stressful to families and this is the 3rd litigation for the Jackson Family. (allegations, CM, and now AEG) He said that families have to hear really awful and sad things said about their loved one, they have to deal with what they are going to say if called, and appearing in the courtroom sucks the energy out of everyone in the family day after day. Also imagine the conversations that must go on daily within the family. No real time for the kids.

Michael is gone. The only things that matter now are his legacy and his kids.
This AEG case will not benefit either of the two.

The only thing this case will accomplish is humiliating Michael, hurt his legacy and his children, and if the Jacksons win, give money to people Michael CHOSE NOT to leave money to. PPB have enough money. They didn't need this.

 

[ivy]

Defiant Concert Promoter Could Still Call Paris Jackson To Testify In Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Despite Suicide Attempt
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Posted on Jun 6, 2013 @ 11:03AM | By jenheger


Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson will fight plans by entertainment powerhouse AEG to still call troubled teen Paris Jackson to testify in her late father’s $40b wrongful death suit, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned.

Lawyers for the Jacksons are preparing to formally oppose the move to put Paris, 15, in the witness box, sources connected to the case said.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, the daughter of the King of Pop slashed her wrist because she was “emotionally distraught” over having to testify in the civil case against AEG.

PHOTOS: Paris Jackson’s History Of Suspicious Slashes On Her Wrists

One source close to the defense said Thursday: “At this point, there are no guarantees that AEG won’t call Paris as a witness. Paris is a plaintiff in the case and Katherine’s lawyers said in the media that she is their primary witness and couldn’t wait to put her on the stand. This was said before the suicide attempt.”

Before Paris was rushed to a Los Angeles area hospital in the early hours of Wednesday after a bid to take her own life, the teenager was listed as a witness along with grandmother and guardian, Katherine, brother Prince Jackson and Jackson’s ex-wives Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have listed 97 possible witnesses and the defense 113.

The suit alleges that AEG negligently hired and supervised Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the “Thriller” singer’s death.

PHOTOS: Paris Jackson Through The Years

The defense insider added that “nobody wants to put Paris, Prince or Katherine, for that matter, on the stand, but they are the ones suing AEG.”

“It’s just a tragic situation all the way around,” the source said.

But a source close to the famed music family told Radar: “The last thing this young lady needs in her life is to get up on the witness stand and be grilled by lawyers. Katherine’s team will argue that since Paris has already been deposed, that should suffice. It can be read into evidence for the jury to hear.”

PHOTOS: Paris Jackson’s Transformation From Shy Child To Rock ‘N Roll Teen

On Wednesday, Kevin Boyle, one of Katherine’s attorneys, told the media that there was no pressure being placed on Paris to testify, from their side.

“It is AEG who is putting this case at Paris’ back door,” he said.

In response, a lawyer for AEG, Marvin Putnam, insisted the concert promoter still had not decided who it was going to call.

PHOTOS: Michael Jackson’s Kids: Three Years After His Death

“We have to know what they’re putting on as a case before we decide what our defense will be,” he said.

“There’s a 15-year-old girl and something incredibly tragic has happened that none of us know why and I think it would really be in everyone’s best interest and particularly in her best interest if rather than blowing this up into something else, that they were given a little bit of privacy to deal with something that has to be a tragic, tragic moment for all of them.”

“She’s 15,” he added. “Someone should give her a break.”

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2...jackson-suicide-attempt/#.UbDQOZ825BE.twitter

 

[LastTear]

I would imagine that if Jacksons don't call her or put her deposition up as evidence, then AEG would have no reason to call her.

 

[ivy]

I would imagine that if Jacksons don't call her or put her deposition up as evidence, then AEG would have no reason to call her.

Unfortunately she did say that Michael talked positively about Murray. Hopefully they'll just use her deposition but she could be called to the stand.

 

[LastTear]

I guess her saying Michael spoke highly of Murray helps AEG, so hopefully they won't need to call her. But I do remember Jacksons lawyers being very impressed, almost excited about how her deposition went. If all else fails can they do video testimony, or is that mostly for criminal trials?

 

[bouee]

AEG calling her to testify, or even using her depo, to get her to say that her dad said nice things about the lunatic who eventually killed him would be beyond sick.

They don't need that. We know, the jury knows, it was Michael who wanted Murray.

What else do they want her to say ? that Murray was a nice person and a good doctor ?

He must be. He even offered his "help" to Paris today.

 

[bouee]

I guess her saying Michael spoke highly of Murray helps AEG, so hopefully they won't need to call her. But I do remember Jacksons lawyers being very impressed, almost excited about how her deposition went. If all else fails can they do video testimony, or is that mostly for criminal trials?

It sounds more realistic to me. La Toya was saying a long time ago that Paris said AEG were exhausting Michael, something about a schedule that was too heavy. I don't know if she said something like that in her depo.

I suppose lawyers must have "trained" her before her depo / testimony, that must have been hard. They must have prepared her for all sorts of tough questions, that may never be asked.

 

[Tygger]

Last Tear, I understand however, the 50 shows should not have been sold without written approval.

At least PG was not arrogant on the stand.

Bouee, agreed, however, the below exchange was humorous to me. Presented with options A, B, and C, Phillips chose D.

“So the answer is no? Did you or did you not scream at Mr. Jackson? Yes, no or I don’t remember?” Panish asked.

Phillips said he couldn’t answer the question.

So now even fans believe in this nose falling apart thing?

Virre, agreed. Fans were outraged by Sullivan for similar comments in his book but, some fans are willing to rationalize Phillips belittling comment.

 

[LastTear]

@Tygger, I'm inclined to agree, I would certainly think they should, if for no other reason than to cover themselves.

 

[Justthefacts]

AEG calling her to testify, or even using her depo, to get her to say that her dad said nice things about the lunatic who eventually killed him would be beyond sick.

They don't need that. We know, the jury knows, it was Michael who wanted Murray.

What else do they want her to say ? that Murray was a nice person and a good doctor ?

He must be. He even offered his "help" to Paris today.

Maybe I missed it put who filed this lawsuit and listed the kids in it?

 

[troubleman84]

Wait. Isn't Paris on the Jackson's side of testimony? I don't recall AEG having her on their list?

 

[troubleman84]

Last Tear, I understand however, the 50 shows should not have been sold without written approval.



Bouee, agreed, however, the below exchange was humorous to me. Presented with options A, B, and C, Phillips chose D.





Virre, agreed. Fans were outraged by Sullivan for similar comments in his book but, some fans are willing to rationalize Phillips belittling comment.

Wait... wait a minute...

There are fans who believed what happened to his nose? Are you kidding me? All because "Saint" Randy Phillips said it?

Wow...

 

[bouee]

Bouee, agreed, however, the below exchange was humorous to me. Presented with options A, B, and C, Phillips chose D.

agreed, he has more imagination.... and he sounds like a real rebel who will be fun on the stand !

Maybe I missed it put who filed this lawsuit and listed the kids in it?

So everything AEG does is justified by what the Jacksons do ? They can't think for themselves ?

I said they didn't need her to say that, so if they do that, yes, that's beyond sick and cruel. Personally, I don't think they will, that would be a stupid move on their part. I'm not sure how a jury would react to that.
Actually, i don't know why AEG would call her, I think , with the info we have so far, it would rather be the Jacksons who need her testimony.

 

[troubleman84]

How do we know AEG is calling her?! No one has answered that. :blink:

 

[ivy]

So everything AEG does is justified by what the Jacksons do ? They can't think for themselves ?

It's one of the very basic rights to face your accuser. In civil trials this happens through depositions. One of the parts of a wrongful death lawsuit is non economic damages and it brings the questions about where a person was when the person died and how they are affected by it. A deposition was expected. Yesterday a lawyer Lisa Bloom said the same thing on HLN. Once you bring a lawsuit you should pretty much be ready to be deposed and called a witness. Also in California age is not a factor, any child regardless of how young they are can be called to testify / deposed as long as they can understand the questions, can express themselves clearly and knows the difference between truth and lie.

So the moment Jacksons filed the lawsuit with the kids as plaintiffs they should have expected being deposed and called to testify.

 

[Soundmind]

The Jacksons are the ones who said Paris told them all sorts of things about AEG ; that the information she gave were essential to their case and she was listed on Katherine witness list .

By the way according to media reports Grace Rawamba visited Paris yesterday, Randy has been looking for her for sometime now, Jacksons' lawyers added her to their witness list .They told the judge they tried hard to locate her with no success .However, they believe eventually they would.

We do know the type of testimony the Jacksons expect from her .

 

[bouee]

It's one of the very basic rights to face your accuser. In civil trials this happens through depositions. One of the parts of a wrongful death lawsuit is non economic damages and it brings the questions about where a person was when the person died and how they are affected by it. A deposition was expected. Yesterday a lawyer Lisa Bloom said the same thing on HLN. Once you bring a lawsuit you should pretty much be ready to be deposed and called a witness. Also in California age is not a factor, any child regardless of how young they are can be called to testify / deposed as long as they can understand the questions, can express themselves clearly and knows the difference between truth and lie.

So the moment Jacksons filed the lawsuit with the kids as plaintiffs they should have expected being deposed and called to testify.

yes, thanks I understand that. But I don't understand your answer.

I was talking about AEG calling Paris or using her depo to say her dad said good things about Murray.

What I don't understand is justifying everything AEG does with this argument. AEG can think for themselves, and not everything they do is justified by what the Jacskons do. They choose their defense.

It's not a black/white situation with angels on one side and evil people on the other.

For some people here, Jacksons are evil, so necessarily AEG are saints, and everything they do or say is justified. Some people are explaining Phillips' nose comment, some even anticipate and justify things that have not been said yet, and some will even justify calling Paris, Michael's own daughter, to say THAT ? Please. Let's be just human for 10 seconds. I'm not a big supporter of AEG, but I don't think they would do THAT.

Thinking about it, I even have ideas as to why AEG would want Paris to testify, and that wouldn't be THIS.

And I'm not a fan of the Jacksons either. As incredible as it seems, it's not either one or the other for me.

 

[ivy]

Phillips testified he said "Murray is successful" because it was what he was told. Paris said similar things in her answers. So putting Paris on stand or using her deposition will help AEG to demonstrate that it was Michael who said highly positive things about Murray. It could help AEG to show that Phillips wasn't making up "Murray is successful" on his own, he was repeating what he heard from Michael.

As for what will AEG do or not do, we will have to wait and see.

 

[bouee]

It's obvious Michael would have told him that, it's what he thought. Murray had been Muchael's family doctor for 3 years. Who would choose a doctor knowing he is unseccessful ?

They don't need Paris to confirm that, or if they do, they just need to ask her how long Murray had been their doctor, and if there had been problems before May / June 09. No need to make her repeat what Michael told her. Does AEG want her crying on the stand ? I don't think so.

 

[Vici]

How did Jacksons lawyer know that Randy Phillips and Dr Thome met one month ago for lunch? Lol. Panish was all like "people saw you there and photographed you". Did they hire some private investigators? Lol!!

Ps. Since Putnam was present at that meeting I wonder if Randy told the truth about the meeting not being about the trial but rather about Dr Thomes case against the Estate. I guess he could be since Randy is a witness in that case but is Putnam his personal lawyer for that case? If not then why was Putnam there if the lunch had nothing to do with the trial.

 

[ivy]

Putnam has been representing AEG for some time. Refer back to the summaries you will see Putnam was also present when LAPD interviewed Gongaware and Phillips etc. 4 years ago. so Putnam is their lawyer in general for a long time, it's not limited to this trial.

 

[jamba]

As incredible as it seems, it's not either one or the other for me. Bouee

That makes perfect sense to me. I understand some of your comments more. Thanks.

 

[jamba]

It's obvious that the comment about Mj's nose is just a bad, unoriginal joke playing on the fact that MJ had lots of plastic surgery. People have been making bad jokes like that for a long time, and this is no different to any other nose joke over the last 25 years. MJ is dead and we have a coroner's report which would have stated if there was a 'detachable nose', so we have a proof that Randy's statement is not true. This email just shows a lack of respect for the artist. It shows how two faced those guys at AEG were, and the use of these emails is intended to build a picture for the jury of a company that is not interested in looking after MJ and is using him to get what they want - money at all costs, leading to MJ's death at the hands of a doctor that was not treating his patient in the manner that he should have been. The Jackson lawyer has (IMO) done a good job of showing AEG's lack of interest in MJ's well being, but he hasn't proven that AEG are responsible in any way for MJ's death. After all, it was the doctor's own negligence that directly caused MJ's death - that has already been proven in a court of law - and there is very little evidence to indicate that AEG had employed him or had any responsibility for his actions. There is no signed contract. The only evidence I have read about is the email where Gongaware says AEG are paying his salary, but I don't believe that is enough.

I agree with your comment except this part--I would say it's not a lack of interest in his well-being but rather a disrespect that has come out in some emails. But again, these emails have been selected to show this and others withheld that might show another side. I think they did show an interest in his well-being--they were scrambling to find out what was wrong on the 19th and suggesting various professionals to bring in to help him--nutritionists, physical therapisrs, shrinks, etc. I think you can argue their interest was not strong enough but not that it wasn't there at all. That would be so crazy when they had put 30 M into the shows to have comlete lack of interest in the artist's well-being.

 

[Vici]

Putnam has been representing AEG for some time. Refer back to the summaries you will see Putnam was also present when LAPD interviewed Gongaware and Phillips etc. 4 years ago. so Putnam is their lawyer in general for a long time, it's not limited to this trial.

What I assumed. Thanks

 

[Ashtanga]

These people should have compassion for Paris and leave her it out of this hot mess. errin:

 

[Petrarose]

Some are blaming AEG for Paris' problem. How about taking Paris and her brothers names out of the trial. Let grandma use her name only and get the money she needs.

 

[Aquarius]

^^That'll be the right step to take, for the sake of the children. But I believe they won't do it if that means to lower the amount the compensation. Remember, they're after justice which to them it means money.

 

[serendipity]

Yes the right thing to do would be to remove the kids as plaintiffs IMO. But we know the Jacksons care more about getting high damages than the children's emotional well being.

 

[AliCat]

When Phillips attempted to contest the "ungodly" costs of retaining Murray, Jackson pushed back.

"Michael looked me in the eye, and he's strong and he was stubborn and wanted something," Phillips said. "He looked me in the eye [and said], 'Look, this is the machine,' pointing to his body, 'that fuels this entire business. OK? I need a doctor 24/7. He's my doctor. I am comfortable with him, he's an incredible guy and he makes me feel good about myself.'"

Phillips said that contractually, AEG wanted Jackson to perform on stage for 80 minutes, but Jackson's sheer passion and desire for perfection pushed the concert well over that time marker.

"We wanted to conserve his strength. ... There were a lot of shows, even though they were spread out over nine months," Phillips said. "He couldn't do it. His obligation to his fans, his reverence for his fans -- and a lot of artists feel this way -- was so strong that the show ... started to creep well over two hours. And that's the reality."
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MichaelJackson/story?id=7990611&page=1#.UbFMsfmTiSo

I think Michael Jackson did push himself too hard in the preparation. It was why the first 4 Shows were rescheduled to the beginning of March. It just goes to show that AEG Live did support Michael in his Vision for the best Shows. One almost wishes Michael Jackson had kept the shows to 80 minutes.

 

[CherubimII]

Yes the right thing to do would be to remove the kids as plaintiffs IMO. But we know the Jacksons care more about getting high damages than the children's emotional well being.

Sadly, I acknowledge you have stated the truth.