Another email from Mesereau
"In my last email, I did not comment on your statement about my concerns that I could be replaced as Michael Jackson’s lead defense counsel.
I learn
ed very quickly that the world of Michael Jackson was a treacherous one. Unsavory, dishonest individuals always lurked. This included lawyers.
The Michael Jackson criminal case was the biggest in history. Lawyers all over the United States wanted to be involved. Many of them were willing to say anything, no matter how dishonest, to achieve this end.
For example, lawyers were telling Michael that they could get the case dismissed. This was ridiculous! I knew that Tom Sneddon would never dismiss this case. I also believed that Mr. Sneddon wanted a showcase trial.
Michael, like any criminal defendant, was nervous and scared. He wanted the case to go away. For this reason, I was concerned that he was unduly vulnerable to dishonest lawyers willing to say anything to be involved.
My integrity was a strength and a weakness. Lawyers were constantly attempting to replace me. Nevertheless, I refused to simply tell Michael what he might want to hear. I was very honest about how well I thought our defense was succeeding. However, I would never guarantee a result or “count my chickens before they hatched”. I knew that various family members were being constantly lobbied by attorneys in an effort to supplant me. Again, this was the world of Michael Jackson. In the end, much of this dishonesty and continual intrigue hurt this very kind person.
Best Wishes,
Tom Mesereau