AEG Lawsuit Trial Becomes Official: Clear Contradictions

Yesterday, the trial regarding Katherine Jackson's lawsuit—Michael's mother and his three children—against the concert company AEG (AEG) in Los Angeles became official, and the selection of the jury began.

In 2009, Michael was killed by his doctor Conrad Murray on murder charges just two weeks before the start of the This Is It tour, which AEG was organizing. Katherine Jackson believes the company hired Dr. Murray and is therefore directly responsible for Michael's death. Murray killed the King of Pop with an injection of an anesthetic drug on June 25 at noon, four years ago.

This trial will last two to three months. The Jackson family wants the court sessions to be televised, and the judge is expected to announce soon her ruling on this matter. Katherine supports CNN's request to broadcast the court sessions live, while the company says such an approach will cause fan chaos.

Also, in yesterday's session, the company's lawyer raised the question of why Katherine Jackson didn't sue Conrad Murray. Katherine's lawyer said that Prince and Paris, Michael's children, told investigators that Murray is a "good person" and they don't want to file a lawsuit against him. Katherine Jackson also didn't sue Murray due to financial issues. At this time, the judge said that this question also applies to the company. The company's lawyer explained that because Murray doesn't have money to pay compensation.

It seems that the statement by Michael's children—calling Murray a "good person"—is a hint at Murray's very "proper" behavior toward the Jackson family. Murray has refused to take responsibility for his actions and apologize to the Jackson family. Long ago, Katherine Jackson had said she was very upset by Murray's lies. On the other hand, this statement by Michael's children may reflect something they heard from their father: Michael trusted Conrad Murray and made him his personal doctor. He told his children that Murray was a good person. Michael's trust in Murray may be seen in the words of Michael's children.

A day before this, Katherine Jackson's lawyers were supposed to go to prison to question Murray, but this plan was canceled at the request of Katherine and Michael's children because Murray had sworn that he wouldn't say a word.

Kevin Boyle, Katherine's lawyer, said the case would proceed even without Murray's testimony.

But before yesterday's session began, Marvin Pontame, the company's lawyer, told CNN that Michael was responsible for his own death and revealed many contradictions: "I don't know how you can ignore Mr. Jackson's responsibility. He was an adult man. Mr. Jackson was known for pressuring his doctors. He gave contradictory ads to his different doctors."

Pontame also pointed out that the case of sexual abuse charges against Michael, which ended in 2005 with the King of Pop's acquittal, is connected to the current court because Michael's use of medications prescribed by doctors (sedatives) had intensified during that period.

"That case caused Mr. Jackson's use of drugs to increase significantly."

Regarding the testimony of Michael's two oldest children, Pontame said Katherine Jackson's lawyers decided to subpoena the children to the witness stand in order to stir the jury's emotions. He also commented on the claim by Katherine Jackson's lawyer about Murray's alleged mistreatment of Michael's children during the interrogation session (News) and said:

"They want the world to believe that we mistreated these children, but take a closer look. It's them who decided to bring the children to the stand to testify. And this is something I'm sure Michael would never have wanted."

He said the only weakness of AEG in this case is that the jury becomes emotional because Michael's children are present in court.

Pontame added that Murray had been employed by Michael for four years and this had nothing to do with the company. AEG only got to know him after Michael decided that Murray would be his personal doctor during the tour. Murray signed the tour contract the night before Michael's death, but this document had not been approved by Michael and the company. However, Katherine's lawyer believes that to prove the company's guilt, there is no need for an employment form.

The company's lawyer also said that Murray's salary was paid by Michael the whole time. This is while, in an email disclosed from the company, it is stated that the company is responsible for paying Conrad Murray's salary. (News) The company's lawyer said that AEG only acted as Michael Jackson's credit card, but decisions were made by him personally.

Also, Pontame commented on an email that Kenny Ortega sent to Randy Phillips, the company's CEO, after a This Is It tour rehearsal. Ortega warned about Michael's severe weakness and wrote that he needed medical care as soon as possible. Pontame said yesterday that Michael only had the flu:

"Mr. Jackson wasn't able to perform rehearsals onstage because signs of the flu were visible in him. He was cold, he was shivering, and as a result he didn't perform that night. What people were worried about was only the flu."

Katherine Jackson believes this issue was caused by the prescription of drugs for her son by Conrad Murray.

Pontame added that following this email, on June 20—five days before the King of Pop's death—a meeting was held at Michael's home to address the matter:

"Mr. Jackson emphasized that his physical condition was excellent. He said, 'You all are worrying for no reason. Look at me, I'm fine.'"

Unlike emails previously leaked that showed the company had doubts about Michael's health (News), Pontame added yesterday:

"Apart from minor illnesses like this, before Mr. Jackson's death, there was never any complicated issue that would upset and worry the company. If Mr. Jackson was unwell, the company would have had no problem postponing the concert tour until he recovered. The concerts were supposed to take place for a year in the O2 arena, which is owned by the company, so the company could easily delay the show. Contrary to what has been said, the company was eager to know about Mr. Jackson's problems. The company didn't need to rush."

On March 5, 2009, in London, Michael announced at a press conference that he would hold his final concerts (This Is It) in London. Early in the morning before this conference, Randy Phillips wrote an odd email to the company's president:

"Michael has locked himself in the hotel room. He's discouraged and drinking alcohol. I'm trying to keep him awake. I yelled at him so loudly that the walls shook. Now that it's time for the show, emotionally he's paralyzed and filled with self-hatred. He's terrified to the point of death."

Pontame dismissed this email, saying: "Randy Phillips was heavily influenced by Mr. Jackson. That day he met a man who was very committed, eager, smart and understanding."

According to Pontame: "Mr. Phillips had limited meetings with Mr. Jackson, but he asked the tour staff about him, and each time he was told that Mr. Jackson was extremely committed to his work, very eager to do the tour, and in excellent condition."

Pontame says the emails in question were selected from among many emails and arranged in a way that reflects Katherine Jackson's intended message, not the truth.

Pontame also said that the company had no doubts about Murray: "He had the right to practice medicine in four states, he was never reprimanded, and there was no problem."

Randy Phillips met him once and considered him a skilled doctor and was pleased that Murray didn't seem like a flattering opportunist.

This conversation is part of a documentary titled «Michael Jackson: The Final Days», which will air on CNN this coming Friday.

Source: eMJey.com / CNN & huffingtonpost