A Friday night party to thank Michael Jackson’s fans

Michael Jackson’s fans, several family members, Robert Senger—one of his defense attorneys—and one of his jurors held a celebration of music and dancing on Friday night at a casino near Neverland. The number of guests at the party was said to reach 400.

Catherine, Michael’s mother; Janet, one of his sisters; Tito, Michael’s brother; and also Michael’s friend the magician, who calls himself Majestic Magnificent, were there—but Michael himself was the big absence on Friday night.

Pauline Coccoz, the juror who issued Michael’s acquittal verdict just a few days earlier, said that when she entered the casino and after hearing Michael Jackson’s song playing, “I understood the magnitude of what had happened.”

“They were playing the song ‘Beat It,’ and I almost started crying.”

She said that her role as a juror in Michael Jackson’s accusations case was “the hardest thing she has done in her entire life.”

Reporters were unable to get into the casino, and even an Associated Press reporter who managed to enter was removed by the police. Casino officials explained that they had been instructed by the Jackson family to prevent reporters from entering.

Tito Jackson performed on stage with his group during the event.

Tito had previously said he planned to perform some of Michael’s songs. He also announced that one of Michael’s impersonators would join him on stage to perform his brother’s songs.

Before the ceremony began, bracelets were distributed among those who wanted to attend the celebration, and only those who had these bracelets were allowed to enter the casino.

Coccoz said that when someone had given her several bracelets, she decided to invite her family to the party as well—an indication that she fully believes in the verdict issued by the jurors.

Source: eMJey / Associated Press