Thirty-Ninth Session—Debbie Row Called Michael a Victim of Opportunistic Vultures

During the second day of her appearance on the witness stand, Debbie Row described Michael Jackson as a “good father” who had become a victim of opportunistic vultures within his team—people who were trying to get money by exploiting his problems and troubles.

Debbie said those employees had asked her to praise Michael in a video. She continued that the employees then sold that video and split the money among themselves.

Debbie added that Marc Schaffel, the organizer of this affair, bragged to her about how much money he was getting from Jackson.

“He was hitting Michael. And besides that, he was hitting my children too.”

Debbie Row’s testimony was sometimes accompanied by tears, and at other times she spoke with sarcasm and, to some extent, bitterness.

At one moment, when she was confused by a question from the prosecutor, she told him, “Damn you.”

When the defense attorney asked Debbie whether she still considers Michael her friend, she said sadly:

“Yes, if he had been talking to me.”

In response to the defense attorney’s request that she describe Michael, after taking a deep breath she said:

“Too generous, a good father, absolutely wonderful with the kids—someone who puts others before himself—and a prominent businessman.”

Debbie’s eyes filled with tears when she spoke about her feelings for Michael. Michael also wiped his eyes at one moment.

Debbie Row only had good things to say about her former husband.

She called Schaffel and two other Jackson employees—whom the prosecution has described as Michael’s accomplices—opportunistic vultures.

Source: Associated Press