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Post by mjsiris on May 3, 2011 11:50:38 GMT -5
Thank you for the explanation Mal. It makes sense that such a long delay is because of scheduling conflicts. I can believe the delay is hard on the Jacksons. They really must want the trial to be over as soon as possible. They must have been mentally preparing themselves for it, just like we have, and it must be very hard for them that it is delayed now, so shortly before it was finally supposed to begin.
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Jul 20, 2011 16:00:52 GMT -5
Murray's defense team met with Judge Pastor today, asking for another delay! Thankfully, the judge shot that request down, and jury selection starts on September 8 and opening statements on September 20 as scheduled.
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Jul 22, 2011 16:37:22 GMT -5
Update on Wednesday's meeting with Judge Pastor and the defense team. They had also asked the judge to consider sequestering the jury, to guard against them hearing from all the pundits on news channels... more about this in a new thread coming soon! The judge doesn't like the idea of sequestering the jury, since it's very expensive to keep jurors in hotel rooms for 6 weeks or so. Here is more on that, and listen to the defense team on local radio discussing this subject... very interesting! www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2011/07/21/19973/sentenced-to-jury-duty-indefinitelyOn a different subject, here's info from Bruce Edwin who worked with Michael, and his beef about doctors who over-prescribe to celebrities. www.mjjcommunity.com/michael-jackson-news/starpower-management-to-supply-evidence-for-michael-jackson-murder-trialBy the way, the defense team and Prosecution meets with Judge Pastor again on Monday, July 25th... he will make his decision on how much and which footage of Michael rehearsing will be allowed during the trial. I have a strong feeling that the judge has to have some sympathy while watching the footage, since all indications are that Michael did NOT look ill or drugged or even tired. Even one of the defense lawyers commented that even on a bad day, Michael looked GOOD! Hah, there goes their argument that he was sick!
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Post by mjsiris on Jul 23, 2011 12:05:58 GMT -5
www.mjnewsalerts.com/2011/07/23/sony-wants-subpoena-for-mj-footage-quashed/I just read in this story that one of the defense lawyers called viewing the rehearsal footage "a big waste of time". Apparently they can't find much to support their theory of Michael's ill health in the days before his death. If they can't find evidence of his supposed ill health, how are they going to argue it in court? Was that not going to be one of the biggest point in the defense? I actually think this may be seen as a small victory already.
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Jul 23, 2011 16:28:42 GMT -5
Yes Iris, that was going to be one of their arguments. So if even they are admitting that Michael was healthy, they can't pursue that route. It's too bad that the judge won't be viewing any more footage at Sony this weekend. I really hope that we, and the jury, get to see as much of Michael on stage as possible. How can anyone not marvel at his genius?
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Jul 25, 2011 12:54:54 GMT -5
Good news! This just posted on TMZ:
Big Blow to Defense In MJ Manslaughter Trial 16 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
The judge in the Michael Jackson manslaughter trial just undercut a big part of the defense, by ruling 16 hours of rehearsal footage for the "This Is It" tour doesn't show MJ to be in poor health.
Dr. Conrad Murray's lawyers wanted the outtakes to prove Jackson was very ill in the days before his death. The argument goes -- he was already dying, so Dr. Murray can't be held responsible for his death.
But Judge Michael Pastor ruled ... the outtakes were valuable to Sony Pictures -- which objected to turning over the footage -- and the video did not show MJ in poor health.
If the hours of video show a healthy Michael, it undercuts a major line of defense for Murray.
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Aug 25, 2011 6:46:29 GMT -5
Well now that Murray's team can't use the "not healthy" defense, they will be going with a "mentally unstable" defense, according to something I read which I can't find now! They will also push the addiction defense, calling a few of Michael's former doctors to the stand, including Howard Klein and a Dr. Neil Rutner, who administered propofol to Michael during the HIStory tour. Yes Michael was an addict and used or maybe abused prescription drugs, but we know from the coroner's report he was NOT using any prescription drugs while in rehearsals for This Is It. However, it doesn't look good, as Murray's lawyers will keep bringing up the addict defense, all the while blaming Michael for his fate. Also today (Thursday), Murray's team meets with the judge to again request that the jury be sequestered. I seriously doubt Judge Pastor will agree to this, but we'll have to see. As mentioned below, what they say about this trial is true... it really WILL be the most publicized in history! www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/25/california.murray.case/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Aug 25, 2011 15:26:08 GMT -5
Breaking news! Just as I suspected, Judge Pastor has ruled the jury will NOT be sequestered. This is good news for us... it is obvious from his ruling that a sequestered jury is an unhappy jury, and bound to rush through the evidence to come up with their verdict. Look what happened with the Casey Anthony trial... they rushed through their decision-making and set Casey free. www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18755945?nclick_check=1You will also note that opening arguments will be pushed back one week, to start on September 27th.
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