Day 39 of the AEG Trial: TJ and the Jackson kids Broke Down in Tears on the Stand
On this day, Taj and TJ Jackson, the sons of Tito Jackson and Michael’s beloved nephews, took the witness stand. Their grandmother, Katherine Jackson, was also present in court.
Testimony of TJ Jackson
Last summer, after the turmoil that broke out in the Jackson family, TJ was appointed as an assistant to Katherine Jackson in the guardianship of Michael’s children. Katherine is their primary guardian. Tito Jackson named his third and last son after himself, and therefore TJ’s real name is Tito Joe.
Kevin Boyle, the attorney for the Jacksons, asked TJ whether he had testified before. TJ, who was taking the stand one day after Prince’s 16th birthday, said this was his first time and that he was a bit nervous.
At 34 years old, TJ said he grew up in Encino, like most family members. He studied at Buckley School, where Prince is now also enrolled. TJ has three children (two girls aged 2 and 5, and a 13-year-old boy) and two adopted children (aged 12 and 21).
Alongside his older brothers, TJ is a member of the three-person music group 3T. TJ said he works mostly alongside his brothers, Taj and Taryll, on music.
Boyle: “I know you’re a humble person, but you’ve sold several, several million records.”TJ: “Yes.”
TJ’s wife is a fitness trainer, and they run their own gym. TJ also has a license to work as a real estate broker, but he is not currently working in that profession.
TJ: “My priority is my children, my cousins, and my family.”Boyle: “So you don’t have much free time?”TJ, laughing: “No, I don’t.”
TJ lives in Corona. He said that when Royal, his first child, was born, he decided to settle in a quiet city. When he lived in Encino, he was the only Black child in the school, and it was very difficult for him. TJ avoids coming to Calabasas, where Michael’s children live, during street traffic hours. Sometimes he stays in Calabasas for six days straight, and sometimes for one day a week.
TJ has a Honda Accord and Prince has a Ford pickup. Prince, who said in yesterday’s session that he learned to drive as a child from his father, got his driver’s license at age 15. There are no luxury and expensive cars like Ferrari, Porsche, or Maserati in their household.
What was TJ’s relationship with Michael like?
When Boyle asked TJ about his relationship with Michael, he became emotional, lowered his head for a few minutes, and cried. TJ said that after his mother, Doulors—known as D.D.—was murdered, he was raised by his father and his two brothers, and whenever he needed guidance or help, Michael was there for him.
TJ: “A month after I turned 16, my mother was murdered. My world fell apart, and Uncle Michael saved me. He was really, he was always there for me. He made sure I didn’t lose my motivation. He was always ready to help me. He was everything to me. He took us under his wing. He cared for us, asked about our school.”
TJ said his mother called him and his brothers “T3T” (three T’s—because all their names began with T), and that’s why they named their group 3T.
Michael bought musical instruments for TJ and his brothers and encouraged them, but he wanted the kids to build their own careers and not use his power and influence for their benefit. He showed them the way and supported them.
TJ: “He wanted us to pull our own rug out from under the water.”Boyle: “Was your uncle your teacher?”TJ: “Absolutely.”
TJ said Michael was very important to him and had a major impact on him.
Boyle showed the court a video clip of the song “Why” by 3T featuring Michael.
TJ said Michael wanted TJ to go to college. TJ, who was interested in business, applied for admission to LMU, UCLA, and the University of Pennsylvania—three of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the United States. TJ was accepted to all three, but in the end he didn’t go because he and his brothers were touring in countries around the world and were very successful. TJ said most of the success of their career was due to their Uncle Michael. However, Michael tried to push TJ to continue his studies at Wharton University in Pennsylvania, and today TJ said he regrets turning down his uncle’s request.
Michael’s generosity toward his nephews and his involvement in charitable work
Michael was very generous, and his support for TJ and his brothers was not only emotional or related to their profession. Michael always gave them pocket money. Once, he had set up a drawing contest among the three brothers, and TJ won; Michael gave him a $200 prize.
TJ: “My uncle gave us a lot of cash. Whenever I or my brothers or anyone else was with him, he would give us several hundred dollars.”
Of course, Michael’s generosity wasn’t limited to relatives and acquaintances.
TJ: “We would drive to poor neighborhoods and give them $100 bills so their lives could be a little better.”
When talking about Michael’s charitable activities, TJ referred to his charity foundation, “Heal the World,” and said his uncle visited hospitals around the world. Michael also worked with the “Make a Wish” foundation.
TJ: “He spent a lot of his time on charitable work—anything that put a smile on children’s faces.”
Michael was very humble
TJ said that despite Michael’s fame and the intense feelings people had for him, he was very humble, and this contradiction is surprising to him. Michael never told the kids about his fame, and TJ didn’t know until he was 19 how famous his uncle was.
TJ: “During the History tour, I think I was 19. My uncle had a show at a stadium. Everyone was cheering for him. That was the first time I realized the impact he had on the world. He was so humble, extremely modest.”
He recalled an incident in Spain, where people formed an eight-kilometer line in the street to see Michael, but Michael faced the event with great humility.
Caring for Michael’s children after his death
TJ said Michael always wanted to be a father, and in the end his children were everything to him—his love and the joy of his life.
After Michael’s death, TJ had the opportunity to make up for his uncle’s love by taking care of his children. TJ said he teaches Michael’s children how to be ambitious, generous, kind, and honest, and how to climb the steps of success.
Regarding Katherine, TJ said: “My grandmother is a queen. She is the CEO, and I help her as much as I can with the daily work related to the kids.”
TJ arranges medical appointments, checks in with the children’s school, reviews their extracurricular activities, and deals with security matters. TJ said taking care of the children requires a lot of time and energy because of their high profile.
TJ: “Grandma is the supervisor and caretaker. She knows about everything that happens. She is with the kids every day and makes decisions. If the kids want to go out, like to the movies, they know they have to ask her for permission.”
TJ feels responsible toward Michael’s children.
TJ: “If I didn’t help my cousins become who my uncle wanted them to be, I wouldn’t be able to continue living. I really can’t imagine myself away from them until I’m sure they’ve grown up and become who they’re supposed to be.”
Boyle then proceeded to ask questions about each of the children individually.
TJ said Prince is extremely smart and sharp, reads a lot, and has always been Michael’s little assistant.
“Prince is an amazing human being—very alert and very strong. He’s the smartest kid I’ve ever seen. He always devours books. He’s very dignified and ambitious, very loving. He’s very mature and grown-up. I think my uncle knew Prince needed to be very sharp and clever. Prince has always been older than his age. My uncle trained him for things and prepared him by talking to him about his business dealings.”
Kevin Boyle said he didn’t want to go into details about Paris, but asked TJ how this 15-year-old girl has coped with her father’s death. Paris attempted suicide earlier this month by cutting her hand.
TJ said he can’t find any words to explain Paris’s situation. He described Paris as a daddy’s girl who is still dealing with her father’s death.
“Paris also has a heart of gold. I think my uncle’s death hit her differently. She has hard days. But we give her our love and support her until she reaches the situation she needs to be in. My uncle was her whole world. My uncle gave her so much love, and it’s not easy at all to tolerate having that love taken away from her. It’s hard for all of them, but it’s even harder for Paris, who was her father’s princess.”
TJ said Blanket, the youngest child, always stood by his father and clung to him, hiding behind Michael’s leg. He was shy.
“Wherever my uncle was, Blanket was there too. My uncle was everything to Blanket.”
TJ said Blanket misses his father a lot too, but he tries to have a normal life. He goes to karate class every Tuesday.
After Michael’s death, photos of the children being followed by photographers and reporters are published in every printed magazine or on the internet. TJ spoke about these intrusive photographers (paparazzi):
“To be honest, they really cause trouble and pain. It’s awful. I think something should be done about it.”
TJ said the paparazzi’s behavior toward the children has made their father’s mourning and their healing process more difficult. TJ said Michael’s three children don’t like the media attention. Like actress Halle Berry, he believes a law should be passed to ban paparazzi from following children, and he supports this idea 100%. TJ added that last Tuesday he should have decided whether Blanket would attend or not attend karate class, because that day marked the fourth anniversary of his father’s death—and TJ said he knew the media wanted to capture a photo of Michael’s 11-year-old son on that day.
Jessica Stebbins Bina, the company’s lawyer, asked him whether, as the second guardian of Michael’s children, he receives a salary. He said:
“Accepting this money was hard for me. My grandmother insisted, and I agreed, and I’ve been receiving a salary for a few months now.”
Since Michael’s death, TJ has been taking care of Michael’s children, but only for the past few months has he been paid for his services. This money is paid by the Michael foundation.
Bina asked about the children’s presence in the media after their father’s death—for example, interviews with Oprah or Prince’s work on the E! network.
Bina: “As legal guardian, you didn’t prevent them from being in public view.”TJ: “It’s hard because they are 15 and 16. It’s hard to keep that private life. For Prince, it was very important to succeed in his job. It’s hard to stop him when all his grades are straight A’s and he’s an outstanding student and has won awards. If he wants to do it 100%, then he should be able to. I encourage them to be children first and foremost. Paris wants to be an actress. Prince wants to act and then become a producer. They want to have their own careers, and E! was a step toward Prince becoming an actor. When he knows his duties and responsibilities and is aware of the hardships and problems, it’s difficult to stop him. I didn’t release songs until I was 16 or 17. I liked doing it artistically. But I want a quiet, private life for myself.”
The return of Chef Kai Chase
Kevin Boyle asked about Michael’s former chef, Kai Chase, who had testified earlier in court. TJ said he hadn’t expected Kai to be called as a witness. He said that until Prince, Paris, and Blanket asked for him to be at the house, he hadn’t heard anything about him.
Boyle: “Who hired Kai Chase?”TJ: “I suggested it. Some employees had been fired, and as the second guardian, it was my job to hire the chef and the nanny. The kids really liked Kai—they wanted him. I asked my grandmother, and she allowed it.”
Boyle asked whether Chase was hired with the intention of using his testimony in court. TJ said that was a stupid idea and that it wasn’t like that. TJ also said he had gone through a lot to bring Kai back.
Nanny Grace Rouamba
Grace Rouamba, the nanny for Michael’s children, was fired in December 2008. In earlier court sessions, it was established that Gang Wer, the head of AEG, had told Grace that they no longer needed her services because AEG was looking to reduce Michael’s costs.
TJ said that after Michael’s death in the summer of 2009, Grace was called back to work. She came to the home of Michael’s children to live with them, but circumstances arose that forced Grace to leave the house.
(At the time, it was said that Grace had argued with the children’s aunt, Ruby. Apparently some of the kids’ aunts and uncles were unhappy with Grace being in the house. Grace wanted to continue Michael’s way of raising the children, but these people prevented her. Read about Grace’s firing in this.)
TJ: “I was disappointed that she was forced to leave the house. She and my grandmother were like mothers to the kids. I don’t know exactly what happened, but there were conflicts between Grace and other members of the family.”
TJ said Michael raised his children differently: they read a lot of books, they didn’t watch TV during the week, and if they behaved well, they could watch a movie once a week.
“When my uncle passed away, they came to my grandmother’s house, and it was hard to keep their previous way of life. Grace intended to do that, and so did my brothers and I. We wanted to continue my uncle’s way of raising the children.”
Katherine Jackson
After their father’s death, the children lived in the Hayenhurst home with their grandmother. TJ said they lived two streets away from Hayenhurst and he often visited them there.
TJ: “My grandmother was really dear to my uncle. She named everything after him—from the mountain to the house. I think my grandmother was everything to my uncle.”
Regarding the impact of Michael’s death on Katherine, he said: “It’s very hard. As a grandchild, I don’t know what to tell her or what to do. I try to help her with the kids’ matters. The kids should live longer than their parents, and that has been very difficult for my grandmother.”
Last July, several of Katherine’s children—Rebbie, Randy, Janet, and Jermaine—wrote in a statement that their mother’s health was not good. They then moved her from Los Angeles to another city and kept her in an unknown location without informing the rest of the family. Michael’s children announced that their grandmother was missing, and after a widely publicized and controversial family scandal, the Jacksons returned Katherine to the home—where she had been unaware of everything. Paris also wrote on Twitter that her grandmother’s condition had been completely fine, and Prince called his uncles and aunts liars and warned them.
Jessica Stebbins Bina, the company’s lawyer, asked TJ about Katherine’s health problems over the past year. TJ said Katherine had no issues.
The last time TJ saw Michael
TJ said that before his uncle died, he spoke with him every few months. He remembers at least one meeting with Michael in 2009.
TJ said he hadn’t gone to his uncle’s home in Carolwood until after Michael’s death. He last met his uncle at a wedding anniversary ceremony held for his grandparents. The ceremony took place on May 14, 2009, and most family members were there.
On that day, TJ said Michael was “in good spirits, happy, and talking about the kids. He was joking.”
TJ said he couldn’t remember whether his uncle had become very thin, but he indicated that nothing had caused him concern that would have forced him to check his uncle’s health.
“He was really happy and in high spirits, and I was happy to see him and the kids. We talked mostly about the kids. I told him I want to have more children. We talked about the film. Before leaving the gathering, he asked me if I would join him in London. I said 100%, and he replied, ‘Very good, then I’ll see you there.’”
TJ said Michael was excited about the plan to visit him in London. He also said he didn’t know whether Michael’s happiness was because of the London tour or because he was with his family.
Doctors and drug use
TJ was with his uncle on the Dangerous and History tours. He said he doesn’t remember having a doctor present on these tours. Of course, he was familiar with Dr. Alan Metzger, who had been one of Michael’s doctors in the past.
TJ also said that until after his uncle’s death, he hadn’t heard anything about Conrad Murray and propofol.
“I had heard many rumors about my uncle that weren’t true.”
TJ said he doesn’t think his uncle had a drug problem; he had never seen Michael take anything. TJ doesn’t think that if Michael had been dealing with a problem, he would have told him.
TJ: “He told me things about some matters, but I’m not sure if he was telling me anything about this. I don’t think so.”
Meeting Randy Phillips
Bina referred to a basketball game after Michael’s death that TJ had gone to watch with his cousins.
TJ: “Me and my cousins went to watch the Lakers play. They wanted to go to ESPN first, and that’s where I saw Randy Phillips.”
Bina asked TJ whether he thanked Phillips, the CEO of AEG, for getting tickets for them. TJ said he didn’t know Phillips had arranged the tickets. TJ had previously said in his interrogations that he had thanked Phillips for the tickets.
Kevin Boyle asked TJ whether at that time he knew that Randy Phillips had private meetings with Dr. Murray. (Private meetings that Prince had said took place without their father being present at their home.) TJ denied knowing about this.
TJ explained that they didn’t go to the Lakers game with Phillips; rather, Randy was there.
Boyle: “Do you think Michael’s children should have been allowed to go to Lakers games?”TJ: “I think they should be able to go wherever they want.”
Michael’s financial situation
Bina asked about Michael’s wedding gift to TJ. TJ said Michael gave him $30,000 in cash as a gift. Michael originally wanted to pay for the wedding expenses, but the wedding had already happened. TJ said he accepted the very large amount of money Michael gave him as a gift, though he did so reluctantly.
Bina asked whether Michael was financially struggling and having trouble preparing the wedding gift. TJ said he didn’t know. They never discussed Michael’s financial situation. TJ said Michael was a very private person.
Bina then asked about Michael’s expensive lifestyle.
TJ: “It’s hard for me to compare myself to my uncle. He loved art. He enjoyed collecting memorabilia, and he loved the best of the best. As for houses, yes, that was the case—he wanted beautiful houses. As for cars, it’s yes and no.”
TJ added, however, that his uncle wore pajamas and a seven-neck T-shirt and wrapped his wrists with watches featuring Mickey Mouse designs for hours.
Michael was intentionally taken to the grave
Like other Jackson family members, TJ believes Michael was murdered on purpose. TJ said that in the middle of the 1990s to the middle of the 2000s, Michael told him he would be murdered. TJ said at first he didn’t believe it, although he knew anything can happen to people—because his own mother had been murdered for money.
Bina: “Is it hard for you to believe that he died from an overdose of drugs?”TJ: “It’s hard for me to understand that he is gone.”Bina: “Do you think your uncle was murdered on purpose?”TJ: “Yes. I believe so because he had told me and some of his brothers several times that, because of his position, he had become a target.”
Testimony of Taj Jackson
Deborah Chung, the Jacksons’ attorney, completed the questioning of Taj Jackson.
Taj said his real name is Taryano Jackson, he is 39 years old. He is the first male grandchild in the Jackson family and says that his love and affection were spoiled on him.
Relationship with Michael
Taj had a close relationship with Michael.
“My uncle, besides being our role model in music, was like an older brother to us. He guided our lives; he was everything to us. After his death, sometimes I feel lost because he isn’t here. When my mother passed away, he entered our lives to make sure our world wouldn’t be destroyed. He helped us with schoolwork, paid for my college. He encouraged us to work hard for our mother, to make her proud.”
Taj said his mother and father loved each other but they divorced: “They loved each other; I never found out the reason for their problems.”
Taj said their mother took Michael as a role model: “My mother took my uncle as a role model. She relied on him a lot. My uncle was satisfied with the way my mother raised us. Everyone knew my mother put us first.”
(Two months ago, Taj revealed that as a child he had been sexually abused by his uncle, but Michael found out and warned his mother: News)
“I was the first person in the Jackson family to go to college. My uncle was very proud of me.”
Taj, like his brother TJ, studied at Buckley School. After finishing high school, he went to Loyola Marymount College to study music, film, and television.
Taj also said, like his brother, that Michael was his teacher. They also played baseball, and their father Tito led their team.
Taj listed three things in which he and his uncle were similar: music, film, and “Three Heads” (Three Stooges), which Michael loved.
“He bought my first camera for me.”
With that camera, Taj recorded his brothers’ and his mother’s family films while they were still alive in 1994. He keeps his most emotional possessions inside a safe. A note from Michael is also kept in that safe. In the note attached to the gift, Michael wrote: “Taj, I saw these and thought they’d be perfect for you. I always love you, Uncle Doo Doo*.”* Uncle Doo Doo — Michael’s nickname for himself
Deborah Chung showed the video of “Brotherhood” featuring these three brothers, and it was funny. Some jurors laughed. Chung asked whether they had made their uncle proud. Taj said yes—Michael was very proud of them.
Taj then took responsibility for looking after Michael’s belongings and storage.
Today, the name Lionel Richie was brought up again in court. Previously, Randy Phillips had said that Richie’s wife had met with Michael’s spirit and said things.
Taj said his uncle and Lionel Richie had a very close friendship.
Chung asked Taj who Michael’s role model was.
Taj: “Definitely my grandmother. She told me, you could see it. My mother was my teacher, and my mother’s teacher was my grandmother. They both had pure hearts. My grandmother was my uncle’s compass. She always tried to make my grandmother proud.”
Neverland, a place for Michael’s charities
Taj talked about Michael’s famous ranch, Neverland, where many children spent their childhood. He said he lived in Neverland for six months, and his grandmother was there the whole time.
Taj: “He used to tell us that Neverland is for helping people.”
All around Neverland there were candies and sweets.
Taj: “My uncle didn’t eat sweets; they were for sick children who came to Neverland.”
Taj said Michael brought hundreds of people from the “Make a Wish” charity foundation to Neverland.
“He wanted to make them feel better—he felt he could.”
One of these kids was Ryan White, a teenager suffering from AIDS, who became a symbol of the fight against this disease in America. TJ said that at a time when everyone feared AIDS, his uncle invited White to Neverland. Ryan was expelled from school because families were afraid of his illness. Taj said Ryan and Michael had a strong relationship, and unlike the general public, Michael wasn’t afraid of AIDS.
Taj: “My uncle brought him to Neverland. They swam together in the pool.”
Taj compared Neverland to Disneyland. Neverland was their Disneyland. Michael named the Neverland train station after his mother, Katherine. A plaque with Katherine’s name was installed at the station. When Ryan died, Michael dedicated the song “Gone Too Soon” to him. Deborah Chung showed the court a video of this song.
Taj said the impact Michael had on their music: “He taught us how to be musicians and leave an impact of ourselves—not just to make music, but to create positive change in the world. He always tried to help people.”
Taj also added that there are many things the media doesn’t know about Michael Jackson.
Michael and his children
Taj said they encouraged Michael to have children because they knew he would become an amazing father. He said becoming a father made Michael excited.
“That’s why he was alive—for his children and for my grandmother. ”
When Michael died, they immediately got to work to help his children. Taj explained through tears:
“It was harder for them because my uncle was both mother and father to them. He was everything to them. When you lose your mother or father, your life changes forever. This is especially harder for you during the important stages of your life. I just got married, and my mother wasn’t there with me.”
Taj told the jury that he held his wedding ceremony at Hayenhurst because that was where his mother and uncle were present. On the day of the celebration, he lit a candle for his mother. Taj also informed the jury that he and his brothers wrote the song “Everything” at Hayenhurst.
Today was another tearful session for Katherine. She wiped her eyes with a tissue.
At the end of the session, the lawyers discussed submitting handwritten notes from Michael’s children to their father, and they also spoke about summoning Phil Anschutz, the owner of AEG, which the judge did not approve.
Deborah Chung also said that Paris is a little girl who has been through a lot of pain and suffering, and for that reason she will not come as a witness to court.
Source: eMJey.com / NBC & ABC7 & AP & LA Times