Another interesting article which mirrors the last 2 years

Monday, July 18, 2005Michael Jackson's Quest for Immortality

According to reports Michael Jackson has discussed having his remains cryogenically preserved; so that he might be brought back to life.

Jackson has also allegedly invested millions in DNA research, in the hope of engineering perfect offspring. He has also deposited his own genetic matter in three sperm banks around the world.

A waste of money.

When you're dead, you're dead; it is as simple as that.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005Michael's Makeover
Michael Jackson is attempting to undergo a style makeover in Bahrain; in an attempt to make him seem less weird to the rest of the world, and to ensure that he is able to relaunch his career.

Michael Luckman, author of "Alien Rock: The Rock 'n' Roll Connection", claims that Jackson is living in virtual seclusion; so that he can change his image, and make himself appear more "macho

Courtroom Notes: Inside the Preliminary Hearing of Dr. Conrad Murray

January 4, 2011 - 3:11 PM | by: FOXNews.com Fox News Reporter Sally Arthy was in court today for the preliminary hearing of Michael Jackson’s Doctor Conrad Murray.
Here are her notes from inside the courtroom.

There are no definite witnesses in court today
Judge goes through court proceedings regarding photographs etc/comings and goings/cell phones
There is a lottery for public seating each morning

Judge Walden opening statement 0910
7-8 Day hearing
20-30 witnesses
Show Michael Jackson preparing for important tour in U.K.
Major world event also important for MJ career
MJ crew rehearsal at Staples Centre in the evening
Defendant Murray working as personal psychologist, preventative treated
Murray treating MJ at home in Holmby Hills
Murray going late evening-midnight-1am at night and provide care..6 nights a week at MJ home giving Propofol to help MJ sleep for 2 straight months every night

No indication Propofol can be used for sleep aide

TIMELINE:

June 23rd 2009..MJ normal routine to Staples Centre..rehearsal fabulous
June 24 same routine good rehearsal at staples..MJ optimistic
Returns home at 1am June 25th
Murray’s BMW car in driveway according to security
MJ dropped off at home

June 25
1:30am Court learned through evidence that Murray began treatment
2:00am valium pill administered
3:00am Intravenous diazebeem, IV of benzso
5:00am other treatment
7:30am other drugs through IV
10:40-11am infusing with propofol..at some point he ceases to breathe and dies after that
MJ dead before paramedics arrived

Only 2 pepople in room at the time— MJ and Dr. Murray
11:51am call- lasted 11 mins..witness heard noises at other end of phone
Likely Conrad Murray who realized MJ was not breathing.
12:12pm Call by Murray to Michael Emeer Williams, security, saying he needs help..left a message.
12:15pm Williams returns call and Murray says MJ had a bad reaction.
Williams calls another member of security who is not at house.
12:17pm Williams then calls Alberto Alvarez who is in second trailer outside house, checks permission to go in house, goes upstairs to MJ’s bedroom.
He Sees MJ on bed, Murray doing one handed CPR on the soft bed.
Murray reports MJ had a bad reaction and asks Alvarez to collect medical evidence.
Prosecution says Murray has still not called 911 at this point.
12:21pm Alvarez told to get a bag and Murray collects medical bottles, and IV bag etc., as told and only then is he told to call 911.
Possible that Murray waited 20 minutes to call 911...MJ could have been dead before noon.
12:26pm Paramedics treating MJ on site. MJ’s Eyes fixed and dilated and he was cool to touch. He flatlined so heart action taking place. MJ dead...no observation of appropriate equipment for treatment with propofol, according to paramedics.
Asked Murray about underlying medical condition.
Murray asked what drugs he had given...doesn't mention propofol
Prosecutors says this could have been useful.
UCLA medical center advised futher care on MJ useless..they in contact with paramedics.
1:07pm Paramedics transport to UCLA with MJ
1:13pm Arrive in ER room.
Doctors at hospital only asked Murray what he treating MJ for. Mentioned on drug, valium and flomax..no mention of propofol to UCLA doctors.
Doctors still tried to bring MJ to life.
2:26pm Dr. Cooper at UCLA pronounced MJ dead.
Murray had conversation with security personnel at hospital.
Detectives question Murray next day and then learned of propofol.
Autopsy - acute propofol intoxication

Court will hear from medical experts...extreme deviation from expected standard of care...

Key points made by Prosecution:
-Lack of appropriate equipment
-Propofol doesn't help imsomnia
-Cocktail of drugs
-Ineffective CPR
-Failure to call 911 immediately
-Failure to maintain appropriate medical records

End of opening statment from prosecution

No opening statment from defense.

Kenny Ortega called to stand.

Kenneth Ortega states name.
Told to speak in loud voice

Walden starts questions:
Job?
Director and Choreographer in theatrical production
How long?
Chore since 1970’s and director since 1980’s

First meet MJ?
1991

MJ interested in creative partnership and directing tour dangerous world tour which Ortega did.

1991-2009 relationship?
Most of time when rehearsing production..MJ looking to do something at right time when appropriate..most time spent working together.

This is it tour...did u discuss w MJ?
Talks started April 2009...MJ and me co-directed productions.

April interaction from then on with MJ?
3-4 days a week before prod then 4-5 days when rehearsing per week

MJ demeanor?
Called and invited..great about this ...like u to work with me...excited about it...tremendous potential to be creative..MJ shared reasons for wanting to do it.

Reason?
Good time to perform again, his kids appreciate it, for his fans, remind people to take care of planet and each other.

Plans beyond tour
MJ asked about going to India....wanted Ortega to go..MJ asked if Ortega had visited Japan...taking show to these places.

Professionally...MJ post tour?
After tour MJ wanted to help direct with Ortega on motion pictures. MJ liked film making and wanted to dev movie ideas.

Rehearsals prior to June 25...were u at rehearsals at Burbank at start before moved to staples?
Yes...at beginging of May and April.
Transitioned to forum in L.A. in June...then to staples..large scale rehearsals.
Yes

U on staples every day?
Yes
When start staples?
At some point in June moved to staples

Demeanour of MJ at staples...excited?
Yes
General schedual at staples?
Diff call times for crew, dancers, MJ etc

What mj sched?
Late pm
Evening?
Yes
Length?
6 hours max...4 days a week
MJ involved in every creative decision.

Friday June 19 2009...incident at rehearsal...what?
Ortega: at staples..MJ arrived he didn't appear well at all. MJ chilled soft spoken seemed not well...
Did u have concerns?
Absolutely
He wasn't in condition to be at rehearsal..he didn't seem well enough to be there...he didn't rehearse and didn’t want to go home..asked for choreography to do his part and watch from arena..this happened for a while. He just appeared very lost it was scary..it felt scary..said MJ
Asked--would you rather go home..he said would u be ok with that..Ortega said absolutely.

Previously like this?
Meeting next day at MJ home on June 20th.
Did u know what meeting about? No
Who there?
MJ there. Murray there (Ortega asked to i.d. Murray in court)...Frank Deleo MJ manager and Randy Phillips.

What next?
Quickly clear meeting about me that Murray upset I had sent MJ home and not allow to rehearse and voiced my concerns about MJ health..Murray said not my responsibility..to leave MJ’s health to him
Murray scolding towards me...
Response?
Tried to explain..choice made together...MJ in danger and others if went on stage..it was MJ’s choice and I supported it.
Better for all if I focus on show
MJ physically and emotionally fine according to Murray.

Tues June 23 rehearsals resumed. How was this?
Fantastic, MJ in great form..MJ we all knew...
Weds june 24?
Involved active participation in rehearsal...
Discussion at end w MJ...?
2 wonderful days of rehearsing...was feeling good and confident..MJ asked if happy? He said was happy..MJ said he was happy..asked to thank crew for all hard work and talked regarding next days rehearsal..
Practicing illusion..
Said goodnight

Thurs june 25
Learned news of MJ
Had phone call to Staples....
I was on way to rehearsal and Randy going to pick up MJ for rehearsal..Randy said calling for different reason and I am at house for different reason there is ambulance outside

Prosecution finished:

Chernoff cross examine Ortega:
Tour would enhance your reputation?
If dancers etc
If u created show was poor
Would that affect reputation?
It could
Meeting at house..who called meeting?
I don't know.
Why manager there?
Who is Randy Phillips...high up in AEG?

On 19th observed MJ to be chilled. First time MJ came to rehearsal and looked sick?
First time came and looked like he couldn’t perform?
Yes
For most part we were headed to greatness...but MJ sometimes didn't show up..created anxiety for me...difficult to move forward...if not there
Why not present?
Don't know

19 June: anything else observed?
Ortega: seemed to be in state that he wasn’t present...I was troubled by his appearance.

Eighteen months on, the Jackson circus comes to town again

With a fanfare fit for the King of Pop, trial of singer's doctor opens in Los Angeles

By Independent - Guy Adams in Los Angeles


A Jackson fan outside the preliminary hearing for Dr Conrad Murray, in Los Angeles yesterday

The curtain rose yesterday on the opening round of the legal battle to determine whether Michael Jackson died in a sad accident, or if he was instead the unwitting victim of a criminally negligent doctor.


At a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, prosecutors began outlining details of their manslaughter case against Dr Conrad Murray, who had been hired to attend to the 50-year-old singer during a series of comeback gigs at the O2 Arena in London.

Jackson died on 25 June 2009, after suffering a cardiac arrest at a rented home in Holmby Hills. At least six different drugs, most of them sedatives which should not usually be mixed, were later found in his bloodstream.

Related articles
More Americas News
Search the news archive for more stories
They had apparently been prescribed to help him overcome chronic insomnia. According to the coroner, the fatal dose was a 20ml shot of Propofol, an anaesthetic which can be highly-addictive and is known as "milk of amnesia". Dr Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, denies administering the drug in dangerous quantities.


The case

This is not an actual homicide trial. Not yet, at least. Instead, the court is holding a "preliminary hearing" at which prosecutors hope to convince the judge that they have sufficient evidence to justify a jury trial. Normally, a preliminary hearing lasts only a few hours and features perfunctory evidence from a couple of witnesses. But very little about Michael Jackson is ever normal and the current hearing is scheduled to see almost 30 people called by prosecutors, over almost a fortnight. This has surprised legal experts.

"On one hand, the extended hearing might be PR for the prosecutors and the evidence they unveil could even persuade Dr Murray to cop a plea bargain," said Royal Oakes, a courtroom analyst for NBC. "But it gives the defence a huge chance to look for inconsistencies in their argument, so it's something of a gamble."


The defendant

Conrad Murray, 57, was paid $150,000-a-month as Jackson's personal doctor. He is accused of acting as an "enabler," paid an outrageously large salary to recklessly feed his client's addiction to prescription medication.

Although Murray claims to have carefully monitored Jackson in the hours before his death, mobile phone records reveal him to have been on the phone between 11.18am and 12.05pm on 25 June, roughly the time of the fatal heart attack.

The prosecution say this was criminally negligent. They claimed yesterday that in an effort to cover his tracks, Dr Murray tried to administer CPR, and delayed calling an ambulance until it was too late to save Jackson. The defence, for its part, hopes to argue that the singer may have killed himself, using a syringe left by his bed to take a oversized dose of Propofol while Dr Murray was briefly visiting the bathroom.


The witnesses

Don't expect the fireworks to start quite yet. This being a preliminary hearing, prosecutors will keep the biggest stars up their sleeve. The defence won't call anyone at all: they will merely sit and listen, looking for holes to pick when the case reaches a full trial.

The biggest cheese to speak yesterday was This is It's director, Kenny Ortega. He said that Jackson turned up at rehearsals in Los Angeles a week before his death seeming "lost" and too weak to perform.

"It was scary," he recalled. At an emergency meeting of the singer's staff and management the following day, Dr Murray insisted, however, that Jackson was well enough for the show to go on. "Murray... asked me to not act like a doctor or psychologist, and leave Michael's health to him," he said.


The lawyers

The star of the show is Michael Pastor, an experienced judge who has handled several celebrity cases, including one involving topless photographs of Cameron Diaz.

Prosecuting Dr Murray is David Walgren. He is LA's Deputy District Attorney and has recently made headlines for spearheading so-far-unsuccessful efforts to secure the extradition of film director Roman Polanski on charges of child molestation.

The defence is headed by Ed Chernoff, whose team intriguingly includes Michael Flanagan, one of LA's top drink-driving defenders who is famed, in legal circles, for his ability to pick holes in the evidence of police blood analysts.


The family

The opening day was attended by Jackson's mother, Katherine, along with his brother, Jackie, and sister, LaToya. Other relatives are expected to appear throughout proceedings.

Jackson Kremlinologists will perhaps be most fascinated to see whether father Joe, who was cut off from his will, puts in an appearance. The other important players are the late singer's children, Paris, Prince Michael, and Prince Michael II. They were not in court, but may eventually be called to give evidence.


The circus

Fifty satellite trucks, hundreds of reporters, and a smattering of fans descended on LA Superior Court yesterday, and are likely to keep up their vigil for as long as the case lasts.

There are only 15 spaces in court for journalists, but an overflow room, with a video link-up, will house the rest of the media circus. Sadly, for the nation's cable TV networks, Judge Pastor has ruled that cameras will be banned from the courtroom, to minimise the usual hooplah of a celebrity trial.


The victim

Like so many artists, Jackson found that dying was one of the best commercial decisions he could make.

Though he had barely performed or released a record in the final eight years of his life – and had fallen hundreds of millions of dollars into debt – his estate now has an estimated value of half a billion dollars. His old albums have returned to the top of the charts and a documentary of his final weeks made $260m at the box office.

People vs. Dr. Conrad Murray

People vs. Dr. Conrad Murray
1/4/2011 2:55 PM PST by TMZ Staff


MJ Bodyguard -- Murray Asked, "Does Anyone Know CPR?"

Faheen Muhammad, one of Michael Jackson's bodyguards, just testified he was in Michael's room after Murray noticed MJ stopped breathing. Faheen told the prosecutor, Murray was on his knees doing compressions on MJ in a panicked state, when he turned to Faheen and another bodyguard and asked, "Does anyone in the room know CPR?"

Faheen recalled how Prince and Paris were near the room and Paris was on her hands and knees crying. The nanny took them away.

Faheen also said after Michael was pronounced dead at UCLA, Dr. Murray told him he was hungry and wanted to leave. Faheen said he told Murray to eat at the hospital, but Murray left.

On cross-examination, Ed Chernoff got Faheen to admit Murray spoke with MJ's family and police before leaving.

Michael Jackson's Lead Single -- 'Hold My Hand'

Michael Jackson's Lead Single -- 'Hold My Hand'

Cirque du Soleil to perform to Michael Jackson music

BY STEVE BYRNE and BRIAN McCOLLUM
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS

A tour featuring the music of Michael Jackson and the big-top performance art of Cirque du Soleil will be hitting Detroit in 2011.

Click Here

“Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour” was announced this morning by the Cirque franchise, which earlier this year had indicated plans to work with the Jackson estate.

Tickets for the show -- to play Joe Louis Arena on Oct. 15, 2011 -- will go on sale to the public at noon Saturday. Seats run from $50 to $250.

Detroit will be an early stop on a lengthy North American tour that is scheduled to kick off in Montreal. The show marks the most significant Jackson-related tour since the star's death last year, and will likely be a hot topic on the 2011 pop landscape.

The event, to feature 60 performers, was described in a news release as "once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production (that) will combine Michael Jackson music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture.”

Tapped as director is Jamie King, an in-demand concert producer whose ornate scenes and choreography have adorned tours by acts such as Britney Spears (Circus) and Madonna (Sticky & Sweet) -- shows that elicted frequent comparisons to Cirque du Soleil.

This isn't the first foray into pop music for Cirque, which has become a Las Vegas institution and touring staple since its 1984 founding: The company's acclaimed "Love" show, an extravaganza based on the music of the Beatles, has been the resident show at the Mirage in Vegas since 2007. "Viva Elvis" debuted at the Aria Resort & Casino earlier this year.

Cirque's productions come with a distinct fantasy ambiance, combining dance, acrobatics and music in elaborately staged sequences.

Cirque Club members and MichaelJackson.com subscribers gained exclusive access to purchase presale tickets online beginning at 10 a.m. today.


Read more: Cirque du Soleil to perform to Michael Jackson music | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101103/ENT04/101103028/1320/Cirque-du-Soleil-to-perform-to-Michael-Jackson-music#ixzz14I7jNa4x

Welcome

We want to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to this blog. I know we are small in numbers, but we are hopeful that things will turn around once LKL closes his site or at least stops posting about Michael News.

I wanted to also open up the blog for any general comments as well. There has not been much in the news lately; however, if you feel like you want to say something on any topic relating to MJ or general comments on life, healing, LOVE, peace and any other topic you feel you want to share, please feel free to blog your heart out.

Lisa Marie Presley: Michael Jackson couldn't be saved

By Sara Hammel, PEOPLE.com
October 22, 2010 12:21 p.m. EDT


Over a year after the death of her ex-husband Michael Jackson, Lisa Marie Presley
says she regrets not reaching out to him in his time of need.
“I wish I’d saved him,” the singer told Oprah Winfrey on Thursday. "I know it's naïve to think that I could’ve... I think that was a train heading in a certain direction that no one could have stopped.”

She also opened up about getting the news that the then-50-year-old entertainer had died from an overdose of the powerful sedative Propofol in June 2009. “John Travolta was one of the first texts I got, asking, ‘Are you all right?’" she recalled. But she was far from all right, saying, “I was floored. Honestly floored. Real honest to goodness shock, not even tears.”

More: Lisa Marie "Gutted" By Michael Jackson's Death, Blames Leeches
Lisa Marie, who was married to the King of Pop from 1994 to 1996, hadn't spoken with him in years prior to his death, noting their last “coherently good” conversation in 2005. To this day, she regrets that call, saying she believes he reached out to her for help. “He asked if I still loved him... I told him I was indifferent and he didn’t like that word. He cried,” she said. “The final part of the conversation was him telling me that someone was going to try and kill him to get a hold of his catalog and estate. And I really didn’t know what to do with that.”

As for talk that their brief marriage was a sham, she denied it, saying, “He and I were united together" and “it was the highest point of my life.” She admitted they “had the rough patches,” but “were really in love.”

Lisa Marie, daughter of Elvis Presley, now lives in London with her fourth husband, Michael Lockwood, and their 2-year-old twin daughters, Harper and Finley. She also has two grown children, model Riley Keough, 21 and Benjamin, 18, from her first marriage to Danny Keough.

Michael Jackson Posthumous-Release Flood Continues

Michael Jackson Posthumous-Release Flood Continues
10/14/10 at 09:00 AM


Following the new Michael Jackson album, the new Michael Jackson museum, and the new Michael Jackson Cirque de Soleil show comes the new Michael Jackson career retrospective DVD. The three-disc set, called Michael Jackson's Vision, will be out in November and will feature 40 videos spanning from the obscure to the "Thriller." Take that, YouTube! [Reuters]

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/10/micheal_jackson_posthumous_rel.html

Radio Stations Devoted to The Beatles, Michael Jackson Dominate RadioTime’s New Channel - KansasCity.com

Radio Stations Devoted to The Beatles, Michael Jackson Dominate RadioTime’s New Channel - KansasCity.com

Michael Jackson Agreed to Help Cover Father's Living Expenses

Michael Jackson Agreed to Help Cover Father's Living Expenses

New Jackson DVDs on the Way, But Not That New

New Jackson DVDs on the Way, But Not That New
10/2/2010 12:40 AM PDT by TMZ Staff



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

Loyal Michael Jackson fans will do anything for new material ... and a new three-DVD set will put that theory to the test.


TMZ has learned a new box set called "Vision" will be released on the 47th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination -- November 22. A source close to the estate tells TMZ the three DVDs feature a vast collection of previously released Michael Jackson videos ... and one new video that has never been seen. Yes, just one.

Better be one hell of a video.

'Sisterella' will be staged in Los Angeles

Tuesday, October 5, 2010
'Sisterella' will be staged in Los Angeles
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Advertisement

LOS ANGELES -- A production of "Sisterella," a pop-rock update of the Cinderella fable that had been backed by Michael Jackson, is being planned for Los Angeles next spring.

Jerry Greenberg and Frank Dileo will produce the Larry Hart-written musical, which first debuted in Los Angeles at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1996. Jackson was the executive producer.

Greenberg was president of Jackson's jointly owned record label with Sony Music for 11 years. Dileo was the pop icon's manager.

Casting and further details were expected later. Raymond G. del Barrio will be the show's choreographer -- the same role he held when the musical debuted.