“Runaway” Was Offered To Janet & Michael Jackson As A Duet But They Choose “Scream” Instead

It’s difficult to imagine Janet Jackson‘s breezy 1995 hit “Runaway” as a duet with brother Michael Jackson but it almost happened according to legendary producer Jimmy Jam. The evergreen hitmaker was questioned about his use of samples in the song last night (September 23) on Twitter, which prompted him to reveal that the travel-inspiring anthem was almost a duet.

“No samples in ‘Runaway’ but the track was created for @JanetJackson & @michaeljackson duet,” Jimmy tweeted. “He chose the ‘Scream’ track.” Given everything Michael was going through at the time, it’s not exactly surprising that he went with the darker, angrier option. But perhaps they could have done both. Just imagine MJ dancing with Janet on the Eiffel Tower and Opera House! See the Twitter exchange after the jump.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.

‘Michael Jackson fooled everyone’

Michael Jackson's family say concert promoters AEG Live "ignored red flags" when hiring Conrad Murray and sent the late King of Pop to his death.

As the first day of a $40 billion wrongful death lawsuit got under way in a Los Angeles courtroom yesterday (29.04.13), the family's lawyer Brian Panish claimed the company - who were behind the singer's ill-fated 'This Is It' comeback concerts before his death in June 2009 - failed to properly vet Michael's physician and ignored the 'Thriller' hitmaker's previous drug addiction in order to profit on his residence at The O2 in London.

Speaking in court, he said: "When a red flag comes up, do you turn away or do you look into it? AEG ignored red flags and hired Dr. Murray.

"Michael Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray and AEG Live each played a part in the ultimate result - the death of Michael Jackson."

Murray - who has been stripped of his medical license - is currently serving a four-year jail sentence after being convicted of manslaughter for administering a lethal dose of Propofol, resulting in Michael's death from accidental overdose in June 2009.

The court also heard that AEG, amidst competition from other concert promoters, hastened the late singer's comeback for profit by having Dr. Murray administer Michael drugs - despite his previous addiction troubles.

The lawyer alleged: "You don't do that with white gloves. You do what you've got to do if you want to be number one in this rough business of concert promotions. There were no rules. It didn't matter what it took. They didn't care who got lost in the wash. Forget about helping Mr. Jackson. The show must go on.

"Over the years Michael's family and people who knew him believed he had a problem with prescription medication. His stirring voice, his musical genius, his creativity and his generosity and his huge heart was extinguished forever."

The attorney exhibited evidence to support his claim the company were aware of Michael's issues, reading an email sent by AEG boss Randy Phillips about the 'Thriller' singer's drunken behaviour the night prior to his O2 residency announcement in March 2009.

The correspondence sent to the former head of AEG's parent company, Tim Leiweke, said: "He is an emotionally paralysed mess riddled with self-loathing and doubt now that it's show time. He's scared to death."

However, the organisation's lawyer Marvin Putman denied AEG was aware of Michael's use of Propofol and had no access to private information between him and his doctors.

He said: "Michael Jackson fooled everyone. He made sure no one knew his deepest, darkest secrets."

The trial is expected to last three months and it's thought several stars, including Michael's sister Janet Jackson, singer Diana Ross, filmmaker Spike Lee, musician Prince and music producer Quincy Jones could be called to the stand to give evidence. - Bang Showbiz

MJ Estate Seeks to Pay for Janet Jackson's Condo

via tmz.com

The Michael Jackson Estate wants to pay for a portion of Janet Jackson's mortgage on her posh Las Vegas condo ... TMZ has learned.

The Estate filed documents asking the Probate judge to foot a portion of the bill on Janet's mortgage. Sources tell us ... Katherine Jackson has spent time at the condo and the Estate is willing to pay a pro rata share of the mortgage based on how much Katherine uses Janet's Vegas crib.

A hearing is pending on the Estate's request, which was filed before the whole Arizona thing.

Two interesting things.

-- Thing 1. Given that Janet has become an arch enemy of the Estate, it's kind of a smart move to co-opt her by partially footing the bill.

-- Thing 2. This all may amount to nothing, because we're told Katherine isn't speaking to Janet, so it's unlikely she'll be sleeping in Janet's bed anytime soon.

Janet to Paris Jackson: ‘Stop posting family information on Twitter’

RADAR reports that Janet and her brothers attempted to take MJ’s children to Arizona, but they were stopped by the cops. Janet told Paris to “stop posing family information on Twitter” (after Paris defended her grandmother publicly when she was reported “missing”).

What a mess.

Details:

From RADAR:

Michael Jackson’s children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, met with their court-appointed attorney, Margaret Lodise, on Monday evening after Jermaine, Randy and Janet Jackson attempted to take the kids to Arizona, and Lodise could be going to court on Tuesday to address concerns she has about the kids’ well being and safety, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

A source close to the situation tells Radar: “Paris got into a scuffle with her aunt Janet upon entering the house because she told Paris she had to stop posting family information on Twitter. Janet physically tried to take Paris’ cell phone from her, but she wouldn’t give it up. It was just a very, very unfortunate situation that didn’t need to occur. If Katherine isn’t physically capable of taking care of the kids anymore, then the courts are going to get involved, and very quickly. The kids can’t be caught in the middle of the ongoing drama of the Jackson family, period.”

The situation adds to the ongoing drama with the Jackson family, as Katherine has been in Arizona for more than a week and hasn’t spoken to her grandchildren, of whom she is the legal guardian. “It was just total chaos when Jermaine, Randy and Janet descended on the house,” the source revealed.

 

via rickey.org

 

Michael Jackson Estate -- Executors Seek Guardianship of MJ's Kids

via tmz.com

The executors of Michael Jackson's estate will go to court to seek an emergency guardianship of Michael's 3 kids ... alleging that Katherine has been effectively kidnapped by Michael's siblings and as a result his kids are in danger and without supervision.

Sources very familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the executors feel responsible for protecting the kids ... since the kids are the primary beneficiaries of their father's estate.

As we previously reported, Katherine went off the radar more than a week ago leaving her grandkids behind as Janet, Jermaine, Randy, Rebbie and Tito executed a long-standing plan to convince Katherine that Michael's will was a fraud and the executors had to go.

Sources tell us ... this plan has been in the works for months, but here's the problem ... Even if the will was invalidated, MJ's brothers and sisters would get zilch because the prior will also gives them nothing.

And, although we're told Randy wants to make a move to replace the executors, that would never happen. First of all, the executors will not be removed. And second, even if they were removed, the court would never appoint someone with no background in finances.

We're told the executors are drafting the guardianship papers now and they expect to file in the next few days.

Doctor's conviction could boost Jackson estate

 

Dr. Conrad Murray listens to his defense attorney Ed Chernoff (not pictured) make his closing arguments in Murray's trial in the death of pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles November 3, 2011.

(Reuters) - A manslaughter conviction against Michael Jackson's doctor would boost the late pop star's image and open opportunities for his estate in many markets, including family-oriented products, industry experts said.  

A Los Angeles jury begins deliberations on Friday in the six-week trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter over the singer's 2009 death from the anesthetic propofol and sedatives.

Jackson is already the top-earning deceased celebrity, with sales of $170 million over the past year, according to a list released last month by financial website Forbes.com.

The "Thriller" singer's global appeal has risen since his death, but some experts said Jackson's image was tarnished by his final days taking intravenous drugs to sleep. Those images may be erased if a jury convicts Murray, and Jackson is seen as the victim of his negligent care.

"In order to sell Jackson for the next generation of consumers and for parents to feel confident with Jackson, this stigma needs to be lifted, and that's what a Murray conviction needs to do," said Jo Piazza, author of the forthcoming book, "Celebrity, Inc," which looks at stars and brand image.

Otherwise, Jackson "will always be known as someone who died of a drug overdose," Piazza said.

Children were some of the most ardent consumers of Jackson music and merchandise dating back to his stratospheric rise up the pop charts in the 1970s and '80s. But his appeal was damaged by child abuse allegations as an adult and his 2005 trial and acquittal on molestation charges.

It was after the trial that his finances hit rock bottom, as he amassed over $400 million in debt.

Court records show the Jackson estate, run by Los Angeles attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, has fast paid down the debt as it made $310 million in revenue through 2010. But to keep growing, it needs to reach new markets.

JEWEL IN CROWN

In addition to sales of his own music, Jackson's estate is powered by a stake in the Sony/ATV music publishing catalog, which is estimated to generate over $50 million a year. But his name and likeness are licensed in many different ways.

The latest centerpiece in the late King of Pop's crown is "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" theatrical production from Cirque du Soleil, which launched last month. That show is generating average ticket sales of $1 million a night, according to tracking firm Pollstar.

With the estate's blessing, Cirque is collaborating with Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on a permanent show in 2013.

Some Jackson watchers see the possibility of building a theme park inspired by the singer's famed Neverland Ranch in central California, which itself was a private amusement park.

Jermaine Jackson wrote in "You Are Not Alone Michael" that he and his brother sketched out in 2007 the possibility of creating an attraction in the Middle East called "Crystal City" that would incorporate elements of Neverland.

"I think there could be a theme park, where you infuse the historical elements and memorabilia from his storied career," said Marvet Britto of the Britto Agency brand strategy firm.

If the Jackson estate can lock in the family market, annual revenues from that segment alone could bring the estate $50 million to $100 million, which would keep Jackson at the top of the list of late celebrities, Piazza said.

Cooper Lawrence, author of "The Cult of Celebrity," said the trial had helped the singer's sales potential because it brought him back to the top of the headlines, and that innumerable products would come from the estate.

"I think we haven't even scratched the surface of Michael Jackson," she said.

Forbes: Michael Jackson Top-Earning Dead Celeb

For a second straight year Michael Jackson is the world’s top dead earner, according to Forbes Magazine’s macabre list of stars whose earning power remains undiminished beyond the grave.

 

The King of Pop, who was 50 when he died of a propofol overdose in June 2009, brought in $170 million for his estate over the past 12 months, enough to place him ahead of every other pop music act of the past year – both living and dead – except for Irish rock band U2. Elvis came in second place, earning $55 million, thanks to his evergreen songbook and Love, a hit Cirque de Soleil Las Vegas stage production featuring some of his most popular tunes. In fact, Cirque Du Soleil has turned out to be a huge profit generator for dead celebrities. Jackson’s estate and Cirque Du Soleil are splitting the costs and profits of the Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. The estate also collects performance royalties.

Marilyn Monroe finished third with $27 million in earnings between Sept. 2010 and Sept. 2011. Cartoonist Charles Schulz, the man whose comic strips brought Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts crew to life, was fourth. Beatles’ legend John Lennon tied for fifth place with newly-deceased screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, both earning $12 million. While much of Lennon’s revenues came as payment from other musicians performing his music, Taylor’s largely came from her best-selling fragrance empire. Her flagship scent, White Diamonds, enjoyed gross sales of $54 million in the United States in 2010, according to Forbes analysts. Taylor’s estate could also richly benefit from a December Christie’s auction, which will feature the sale of the late actress’s jewels, art work, and gowns. Experts predict the items could fetch up to $30 million.

Forbes Top 15 Deceased Money Earners Were:

1. Michael Jackson

2. Elvis Presley

3. Marilyn Monroe

4. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz

5. John Lennon & Elizabeth Taylor

7. Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein

8. Children’s author Theodor “Dr Seuss” Geisel

9. Rock legend Jimi Hendrix; Swedish writer Stieg Larsson; Hollywood actor Steve McQueen; and legendary composer Richard Rodgers

10. Beatle George Harrison; pin-up girl Bettie Page; pop art creator Andy Warhol

via popcrunch.com

 

Michael Jackson's family unites as Murray trial nears end

via edition.cnn.com

With the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor entering what could be its last week, Janet Jackson canceled shows in Australia to be with her family in Los Angeles.

Dr. Conrad Murray's lawyers will use the next four days to challenge the prosecution's contention that his reckless use of the surgical anesthesia propofol to help Jackson sleep makes him criminally responsible for the pop icon's death.

Janet Jackson sat with her parents and several siblings during the first five days of the trial, but she has not been at court in nearly three weeks.

"After talking with my family last night, I decided we must be together right now," she said in a statement posted Sunday on her website, announcing that three shows this week in Melbourne are canceled.

The concert promoter told Jackson fans it was "important that Janet is with her family at this critical point in the hearing."

If her flight arrives in Los Angeles before Monday morning, Jackson may see the last hours of the prosecution's key witness, anesthesiologist expert Dr. Steven Shafer.

The defense cross-examination of Shafer grew so heated and personal Friday that the judge called lawyers for a sidebar and ordered them to "cut it out!"
Jackson family: Murray lied to police
Conrad Murray trial: Week 4
Murray defense goes on offensive

The defense is expected to begin presenting its case later Monday.

Murray's lawyers have said they plan to call about 15 witnesses, including three medical experts, a police officer and several of Murray's patients from his clinics in Las Vegas, Nevada and Houston.

Randy Phillips, the head of AEG Live, is set to be among the first witnesses the defense calls.

Murray's lawyers have argued that Jackson was pressured by Phillips, whose company was promoting his comeback concerts in London, to show up healthy and on time for rehearsals or else the tour might be canceled.

Murray told detectives Jackson begged for his "milk," his nickname for propofol, after a sleepless night and just hours before he died from what the coroner said was an overdose of the surgical anesthetic.

Murray, in a police interview, said he was using sedatives to wean Jackson from propofol, which he had used almost every night for two months to fight his insomnia. But after a long, restless night and morning, the lorazepam and midazolam had no effect, Murray said.

"I've got to sleep, Dr. Conrad," Murray said Jackson pleaded to him. "I have these rehearsals to perform. I must be ready for the show in England. Tomorrow, I will have to cancel my performance, because you know I cannot function if I don't get to sleep."

Murray said he gave into Jackson's pleas and gave him an injection of 25 milliliters of propofol at about 10:40 a.m.

Shafer testified last week that there was no way Jackson got only that amount of propofol, based on the high level of the drug found in blood taken during his autopsy.

The "only scenario" to explain Jackson's death was that he overdosed on propofol infused through an IV drip set up by Murray, Shafer said.

The Los Angeles County coroner ruled that Jackson's death was a homicide, the result of "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with sedatives.

The defense contends Jackson self-administered the fatal dose, along with sedatives, without Murray knowing.

Shafer said the level of propofol in Jackson's blood taken during his autopsy could not have been from either Murray or Jackson injecting the drug, but only from an IV system that was still flowing when his heart stopped.

Prosecutors, however, opened the door for one scenario in which Jackson, not Murray, could have triggered the overdose.

"Can you rule out the possibility that Michael Jackson manipulated something to cause it to flow?" Deputy District Attorney David Walgren asked Friday.

"That's a possibility," Shafer said. But that is assuming Murray set up the drip and left Jackson's side, he said.

Would Shafer's opinion that Murray was responsible for Jackson's death change if he knew Jackson turned the drip on?

"No, if Michael Jackson had reached up, seen the roller clamp and opened it himself, this is a foreseeable consequence of setting up an essentially dangerous way of giving drugs," Shafer said. "It doesn't change things at all. It would still be considered abandonment."

Defense lawyer Ed Chernoff cross-examined Shafer about the assumptions he used to reconstruct an IV drip system he believed Murray set up next to Jackson's bed. Shafer demonstrated the system in his testimony Thursday.

Jackson died because Murray failed to notice that his patient had stopped breathing while he was hooked up to an IV drip of propofol, Shafer testified. The doctor should have realized Jackson had stopped breathing, he said.

"When you're there, you see it, you know it," Shafer said.

Phone records and testimony showed that Murray was on the phone with one of his clinics, a patient, and then a girlfriend about the time that Shafer calculated the oxygen in Jackson's lungs became depleted, causing his heart to stop beating.

"Had Conrad Murray been with Michael Jackson during this period of time, he would have seen the slowed breathing and the compromise in the flow of air into Michael Jackson's lungs, and he could have easily turned off the propofol infusion," Shafer said.

Toxicology studies of drugs in Jackson's blood and computer models Shafer used to analyze how the singer died were overshadowed Friday when Chernoff focused on the personal and professional rivalry between Shafer and Dr. Paul White, the defense anesthesiology expert.

The experts first met in 1978 when White was an assistant professor at Stanford University and Shafer was a medical student. They became friends and co-authored research papers, but this trial appears to have changed their friendship.

Chernoff accused Shafer of wanting to "shove it down his (White's) professional throat" in a question stricken from the record by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor.

White, who has been sitting in the courtroom listening to Shafer's testimony, was lectured by Judge Pastor about comments about Shafer attributed to him in an online blog.

White admitted Friday that he told a reporter that he had changed his opinion of Shafer after hearing his testimony Thursday. "The truth will come out. It always does," E! News Online quoted White as saying.

White denied calling Shafer "a scumbag," as the website quoted him as saying.

Pastor, who imposed a gag order on all parties in the trial, set a contempt of court hearing for White next month.

Christina Aguilera -- Stripped Down for MJ Tribute

via tmz.com

Looking LIke A BLoated Pregnant Hippo Christina Aguilera Performs At The MJ Tribute

Coroner: No evidence Jackson took fatal dose

LOS ANGELES — A medical examiner struck a major blow to the defense of Michael Jackson's doctor Tuesday, saying it is unreasonable to believe Jackson could have given himself a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol.

Dr. Christopher Rogers, who conducted the autopsy on Jackson, testified it was more likely that Dr. Conrad Murray overdosed the singer when he incorrectly estimated how much of the drug he was giving Jackson to induce sleep to fight insomnia.

Rogers said Murray had no precision dosing device available in the bedroom of Jackson's rented mansion.

 

"The circumstances, from my point of view, do not support self-administration of propofol," said Rogers, chief of forensic medicine in the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Rogers analyzed two possible scenarios for Jackson's death. The first was the defense theory that while Murray stepped away to go to the bathroom, Jackson gave himself an extra dose of the drug he called his "milk."

"In order for Mr. Jackson to have administered the propofol to himself, you would have to assume he woke up and although he was under the influence of ... propofol and other sedatives, he was somehow able to administer propofol to himself," Rogers testified.

"Then he stops breathing and all of this takes place in a two-minute period of time," Rogers said. "To me, that scenario seems less reasonable."

"Less reasonable than what?" asked Deputy District Attorney David Walgren.

  Video: Jackson brothers celebrate Michael's legacy (on this page)

"The alternate scenario would be in order to keep Mr. Jackson asleep, the doctor would have to give him a little bit every hour, two or three tablespoons an hour," Rogers said, noting that propofol is a short-acting drug that wears off quickly.

"We did not find any precision dosing device, so the doctor would be estimating how much he was giving," the medical examiner said.

Murray told police he gave Jackson only 25 milligrams of the drug, a very small dose that usually would have kept him asleep for no more than five minutes.

Rogers said he examined evidence found in Jackson's bedroom and noted there was an empty 100 milliliter bottle of propofol.

Rogers said the cause of death was "acute propofol intoxication and the contributing condition was the benzodiazepine effect."

Two sedatives from that drug group — lorazepam and midazolam — were found in Jackson's system after he died.

Rogers said he considered a number of factors in ruling the death a homicide. Among them were Murray's statements to police and the lack of sophisticated medical equipment in Jackson's bedroom, where the superstar had been receiving the anesthetic.

He said there was no EKG monitor and no resuscitation equipment present in the room.

Rogers also testified it would be inappropriate to use propofol outside a hospital or medical clinic.

Later in the day, defense attorney Michael Flanagan spent more than two hours trying to show on cross-examination that Jackson indeed could have self-administered drugs — not just propofol but the sedative lorazepam, which could be taken in pill form.

Flanagan suggested to the witness that once Murray had started an IV drip of propofol for Jackson and left the room, "it would be easy for someone to inject into that IV?"

"Yes, " Rogers replied.

"But if they pushed it all at once, that can stop your heart, can't it?" the lawyer asked.

"Yes," said Rogers.

The implication was that if Jackson was desperate for sleep and in a hurry to administer more propofol before his doctor returned, he might have pushed it through the IV tube all at once rather in the recommended slow drip.

"We don't really know what happened when Dr. Murray went to the bathroom," Rogers said. "So we have to consider what is reasonable."

via today.msnbc.msn.com

 

Michael Jackson Dead, Naked Photo Shown In Court

via mtv.com

The involuntary manslaughter trial of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray got under way again Tuesday (October 11), when the jury viewed photos from Jackson's autopsy for the first time and heard more testimony from the lead police investigator in the case, the rest of a taped interview Murray gave to investigators two days after the singer's death, and potentially damaging testimony from L.A. County medical examiner Dr. Christopher Rogers who pronounced Jackson's death a homicide.

Among the highlights of Tuesday's testimony:

» The jurors heard the rest of a taped conversation between Murray and police, during which the Texas cardiologist said he had no idea what medications Jackson was getting from his other physicians and that the pop icon did not inform him that he was even seeing other caregivers. Murray also repeatedly referred to Jackson's dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, as the one physician he knew of who regularly prescribed drugs to Jackson behind his back.

» One segment of tape had Murray telling police, "When [Jackson] came back [from Klein's office], he was basically wasted and required 24 hours for recovery," adding that the production team on MJ's This Is It shows regularly complained about Jackson's visits to Klein's office.

» The pathologist who performed the autopsy on Jackson, Christopher Rogers, told the jury that the singer was healthier than most 50-year-olds, with no heart disease or abnormalities, and that he found no fluid substances in MJ's stomach, mouth or esophagus, seemingly dealing a blow to the line of reasoning Murray's team is reportedly pursuing: that Jackson swallowed a fatal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol without Murray's knowledge. Rogers emphasized the fact that, based on his findings, "The circumstances do not support [Jackson's] self administration of propofol. We don't know what Murray did when he went to the bathroom," Rogers said. "He had control [of the dosage] and might have accidentally given too much."

» In one of the most shocking moments to date, prosecutors showed an image of Jackson's deceased, naked body on a gurney in the hospital, an image taken just moments after MJ was pronounced dead.

» The Los Angeles Times reported that Defense Attorney Ed Chernoff hammered the LAPD's lead detective in the case, Scott Smith, about what Murray said in that taped interview on June 27, 2009. In one exchange, he asked Smith if there was anything Murray refused to talk about or if there was any question he would not answer, to which Smith replied, "No."

» Though Chernoff said Smith took very detailed notes of the exchange, he never once mentioned in them the state of a key piece of prosecution evidence: a bottle of propofol found inside an IV bag. Earlier in the case, a coroner's investigator admitted that she found the bottle but never photographed or documented it in her notes.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter. He faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

Beyonce, Cee-Lo Green, Smokey Robinson Perform At Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

Beyonce, Ce-Lo Green and Smokey Robinson were among a host of musicians that performed at a special tribute concert to Michael Jackson in Cardiff last night (October 8).

Members of the Jackson family also turned out at the Millennium Stadium

to pay tribute to Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50.

Beyonce's

pre-taped performance of 'I Wanna Be Where You Are' was introduced by Jackson's three children Prince, Blanket and Paris who all wore outfits reflecting different periods of Jackson's career, reports BBC News.

Sister La Toya Jackson, who came out of retirement to perform at the 'Michael Forver' show, told the audience: "I have put musical performance behind me for roughly two decades," she said. "But there will never be another magical moment such as this to celebrate Michael with his fans to perpetuate the importance of his legacy.

''I am honoured to share the stage with the incredible performers in this line-up, and I'm certain nothing would make my brother smile bigger or brighter than this tribute concert.''

JLS, Gladys Knight, Craig David, Leona Lewis also performed at the event.

The gig has been besieged by setbacks, the most recent of which being Black Eyed Peas'

decision to drop out earlier this week.

Remembering the King of Pop

via gigwise.com

Black Eyed Peas drop out of Jackson tribute concert

via reuters.com

The band was one of the biggest draws in the lineup for the show on Saturday.

"Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Black Eyed Peas will be unable to perform at this Saturday's Michael Forever event," said Chris Hunt, head of Global Live Events which is staging the concert.

"It is with regret that we announce the removal of Black Eyed Peas from the Michael Forever bill, but I look forward to a great night with other earth shattering artists.

"The event is really getting into gear and is going to be a fantastic evening for all."

Performing on the night will be artists including Jackson's sister La Toya, some of his brothers, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson.

Among the British stars will be Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS and Diversity, while Beyonce will appear in a video performance.

The concert has divided Jackson's family, with brothers Marlon, Tito and Jackie and sister La Toya defending the event and Jermaine and Randy opposing it, partly because it coincides with the U.S. trial of the late singer's doctor Conrad Murray.

Jackson doctor never mentioned propofol at hospital

via uk.reuters.com

Prosecutors in the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor sought to prove Monday that his physician misled hospital doctors on the day of the singer's death, and was busy on his phone around the time the pop star stopped breathing.

Los Angeles hospital doctors testified that Jackson was already dead when he arrived there on June 25, 2009, and that there was nothing they could have done to save the pop star.

The involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray entered its second week Monday. Medical examiners have determined Jackson, 50, died from an overdose of propofol and sedatives.

"Mr. Jackson died long before he became a patient I was personally responsible for," said UCLA Medical Centre emergency room doctor Richelle Cooper.

Nevertheless, lengthy attempts were made to revive Jackson before he was formally pronounced dead.

Cardiologist Thao Nguyen said Murray pleaded with staff not to give up. "He sounded desperate and he looked devastated," Nguyen testified.

Murray told the doctors that he had given Jackson only the sedative lorazepam.

But Cooper acknowledged that even if Murray had told her about giving the powerful anaesthetic propofol to Jackson, there was nothing that could have been done at the hospital to revive him.

Two days after Jackson's death, Murray admitted to police that he gave the singer 25 milligrams of propofol as a sleep aid on the day he died. Prosecutors have said Murray gave Jackson that propofol at about 10:45 a.m.

SMALL DOSE OF PROPOFOL

Murray's defence attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, asked Cooper how long a patient who received the relatively small dose of 25 mg of propofol would remain sedated.

"If it did achieve sedation, I would expect if he didn't have any medical problems, within seven to 10 minutes it would probably be worn off," Cooper said.

Prosecutors are seeking to prove that Murray acted irresponsibly by administering propofol, and failed to monitor him properly.

Defence attorneys also claim that after Murray gave Jackson propofol, the pop star took another, fatal, dose of the drug when Murray was out of the room.

Murray, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

Cooper testified that when she administers propofol, there is a doctor and a nurse on hand, and that there is equipment to monitor heart and breathing.

Paramedics have testified they did not see such machines in Jackson's bedroom.

"Have you ever heard of propofol being used outside of a hospital in someone's bedroom residence?" deputy district attorney David Walgren asked Nguyen.

"That would be a first. I never heard of that." she said.

Cooper said Jackson's children were at the hospital and that, after their father was pronounced dead, "They were crying, they were fairly hysterical."

Also Monday, phone company officials testified that after 10:45 a.m. on the say Jackson died, Murray made and received a series of phone calls ending around 11:56 a.m. -- when prosecutors say he interrupted a phone conversation because he had just discovered Jackson was no longer breathing.

A 'perfect storm of drugs' killed pop star Michael Jackson, a court has been told

JURORS were shown a picture of Michael Jackson lying dead on a hospital trolley yesterday as the manslaughter trial of the singer's former doctor began.

Randy Jackson and Janet Jackson hold hands as they arrive at Los Angeles Superior Court.

Dr Conrad Murray is charged with causing the death of the King of Pop by negligently administering an overdose of propofol, a powerful hospital anaesthetic.

In the first five minutes of the trial, the jury was shown a picture of Jackson's pale, lifeless body, partly covered by a white sheet. It was juxtaposed with a picture of the singer taken the previous day, looking well and rehearsing on stage.

 

Several members of the singer's family were in court to hear the opening statements, including Jackson's mother, Katherine, and father, Joe; and siblings Jermaine, Janet, LaToya, Randy, Tito and Rebbie.

Dr Conrad Murray, flanked by his defence attorneys, listens to the prosecution's opening arguments in his involuntary manslaughter trial in Los Angeles.

Dr Murray, who was being paid dollars 150,000 a month to care for Jackson, has denied the charge, claiming that he was trying to wean the singer off the powerful drug that killed him.

"The evidence . . . will show that Michael Jackson literally put his life in the hands of Conrad Murray," David Walgren, the lead prosecutor, told the court in Los Angeles in his opening statement. "That misplaced trust . . . cost Michael Jackson his life."

Dr Murray showed no emotion and made notes during proceedings. His defence team will argue that Jackson, suffering from chronic insomnia and desperate for sleep, gave himself the fatal overdose.

A photo tendered to the court shows the body of Michael Jackson lying dead on a gurney during the involuntary manslaughter trial of his doctor, Conrad Murray.

The singer "caused his own death", Ed Chernoff, Dr Murray's lawyer, said. He added that Jackson swallowed eight 2mg lorazepam pills, pushing his blood concentration of the drug to 0.169 micrograms per millilitre, enough to put six people to sleep.

The singer did this when Dr Murray was not around, he said, claiming that Jackson also gave himself an extra dose of propofol, creating a "perfect storm in his body".

The trial is expected to last about five weeks.

Michael Jackson's parents Katherine Jackson and Joe Jackson arrive at Los Angeles Superior Court.

 

via theaustralian.com.au

 

Michael Jackson trial: Late singer's family feel the support of fans

It was always going to be a difficult day for the Jackson family, but as they arrived at the Los Angeles Superior Court this morning, they seemed visibly comforted by Michael's many fans.

The late superstar's sister La Toya Jackson seemed to take strength from the outpouring of emotion in particular, as she clasped a sunflower from a well-wisher on her way into the courtroom.

Sad day: The two youngest Jackson children, Randy and Janet, arrived at court holding hands today

But it wasn't just La Toya that embraced the crowds.

The normally reticent Katherine, Joe, and even Janet Jackson - hand-in-hand with youngest brother Randy - nodded to the throngs of well-wishers and reporters.

The clan arrived in a black SUV, shepherded by the Los Angeles Police Department  as they made their way to the high-profile trial dressed smartly in sombre hues, with touches of Jackson razzmatazz.

 

Police escort: LaToya Jackson was accompanied by the Los Angeles police department as she made her way into court this morning

 

Touched: La Toya was moved by the support of Michael's fans, and clutched a sunflower she was given

 

Michael's brothers Tito and Jermaine also turned out in smart suits with the latter making a well-received peace sign to the assembled throng.

Dr Conrad Murray, on the other hand, sagely took the back entrance.

It was a wise move, as there was obvious hostility towards the Bad star's private physician, who stands accused of manslaughter.

 

Peace: Jermaine makes the peace symbol to the fans as he arrived

 

Show of support: Tito Jackson seems bemused by the crowds outside the court today

 

Death of an icon: Michael Jackson died back in June 2009

The trial will be streamed all over the world, and is expected to last until the end of October.

Prosecutors claim that Murray caused Jackson's death by giving him the powerful anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid at the singer's Los Angeles mansion in June 2009 and then failed to monitor him.

Millions of people around the world are expected to watch as the trial gives a glimpse into final days of the King of Pop.

 

 

Mother and father: Joe Jackson suited up for the occasion, in one of his son's favourite colour combinations - red and black, while wife Katherine wore a blue and white spotted dress

 

 

Greeting: Wearing sunglasses, both Joe and Katherine waved to the waiting crowds as they arrived in the courtroom

 

 

Grand entrance: The family arrive amongst hordes of placard waving fans

 

There is expected to be crowds outside the court from the early hours every day, where there is a daily lottery drawn for a handful of seats for the public gallery.

Supporters of both Dr Murray, 57, and Jackson, who died aged 50 in 2009, stood outside the courthouse with signs reading: 'Fair trial for Dr Murray' and 'Doctors are expected to heal not kill'.

A woman had to be stopped by court officers as she rushed towards Dr Murray as he walked through a courthouse corridor.

 

Protestors: Dr Murray entered by the back door to avoid attention from fans who believe he killed Michael

 

Both sides of the story: But Murray also had his supports, who raised their concerns about him being allowed a fair trial

She reportedly said she just wanted to speak to the doctor, it is not clear if she has been detained.

The list of potential witnesses in the case includes the singer's eldest children Prince Michael, 14 , and Paris, 13 , who are reported to have  said that they want to take to the stand to testify.

 

Devotion: There were dozens of characters lining the pavements outside the court

 

Murray denies the charge of involuntary manslaughter but faces a prison sentence of up to four years if convicted.

His defence team are expected to argue that Jackson was addicted to various painkillers and sedatives and gave himself the fatal dose of propofol, possibly by swallowing it.

His children Prince, Paris and nine-year-old Blanket weren't present today.

 

Anger: Hordes of fans believe that Michael was murdered

 

Conrad Murray Manslaughter Trial -- JURY SELECTED

via tmz.com

The twelve people who will decide Dr. Conrad Murray's fate have been chosen.

A jury of seven men and five women was selected out of 84 prospective jurors in Michael Jackson's manslaughter trial. The selection process began more than 2 weeks ago.

The trial is set to begin on Tuesday.

Michael Jackson Estate To Distribute $30 Million To Katherine Jackson And The Children

via huffingtonpost.com

The executors of Michael Jackson's estate say they will distribute $30 million to the Jackson Family Trust for the benefit of the singer's mother, his three children and charities, under the terms of Jackson's will.

The executors said in documents filed Tuesday that since Jackson's death in June 2009, the estate has generated more than $310 million, enabling them to pay off dozens of debtor claims and refinance loans at lower interest rates.

They also disclosed that Katherine Jackson wants to sell the family's famous compound in Encino, Calif., and find a new residence for her and the children.

The family has been living in a temporary home in Calabasas while the Encino property was being refurbished. A hearing for a judge's approval of the plan is set for Sept. 28.

Aaron Carter: I NEVER Said MJ Gave Me Coke!!!

via tmz.com

The controversy stems from an article that ran in OK! Magazine in Australia, written by international journalist Daphne Barak. In the article, Carter was quoted as saying, "Yes, [MJ] gave me wine. I mean, I could have refused, but I was 15. As for drugs? He gave me cocaine."

But Carter's rep tells TMZ, "Nothing was said that was reported" ... and directed us toward a YouTube video of the interview with Barak ... which seems to back up Aaron's side of the story.

Aaron Carter Says Michael Jackson Gave Him Cocaine

via popeater.com

Two years after his death, Michael Jackson continues to leave an indelible mark on his pop peers and disciples -- and some of it isn't so good. In a revealing interview with OK! Magazine (via Long Island Press) singer/rapper Aaron Carter tells a tale of drug use and underage drinking with the former King of Pop.

"I never talked about it... This is the first time. I do... I miss Michael... I have spent such incredible times with him. I did things with him that nobody else did... But I was also troubled about what he did to me... Yes, he gave me wine. I mean, I could have refused, but I was 15."
The 23-year-old brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter is known for his 2000 hit 'Aaron's Party (Come Get It)' and for his venerable anecdote of defeating an NBA superstar in 'How I Beat Shaq.' After riding the top of the pop wave, Aaron was introduced to Michael Jackson, who supposedly introduced the young singer to drugs.

"He gave me cocaine. I felt weird about that and other stuff... We spoke afterwards, hours and hours, on the phone. I admired Michael, but his behavior bothered me a lot. Then my mother called the police..."

Back in 2004, Carter's mother openly spoke with 'Access Hollywood' about a night Aaron spent unsupervised at Jackson's Neverland Ranch, suggesting that the elder singer gave her son drugs. "I don't do drugs. I didn't do them with Michael Jackson and I don't do them with anyone else," Aaron subsequently told People magazine.

But now it seems that Carter has finally come to terms with the past. This news comes days after the National Enquirer (via Perez Hilton) reported that the singer's former manager Aldo DiSorbo has been holding a crystal-studded jacket (given to Carter by Jackson) as collateral over a $100,000 loan.