Michael Jackson heart problem

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

I could never (and I think most men would agree) pay off someone who said I slept with their child. I can't comprehend circumstances when I would do that and neither can any of my friends. Your name and self respect is all you have really at the end of the day.

I understand how US law works but had he defended the Chandler case and won, he would never have faced the cases that followed in 1995.

I have never had chance to weigh up the 'evidence' but my instinct says that I would have fought the allegations down to my last cent.

I loved Michael Jackson as a kid, but I have to say that's my exact feelings on the matter. I can't really listen to his music in the same way now.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Lawyer aside you are a very decent man!

I could never (and I think most men would agree) pay off someone who said I slept with their child. I can't comprehend circumstances when I would do that and neither can any of my friends. Your name and self respect is all you have really at the end of the day.

I understand how US law works but had he defended the Chandler case and won, he would never have faced the cases that followed in 1995.

I have never had chance to weigh up the 'evidence' but my instinct says that I would have fought the allegations down to my last cent.

Just my $0.02, but back then I believe he had a new album and tour to promote, so I suspect that he nor his people would have wanted a prolonged, scandalous trial. And heaven forbid the ****storm that would have ensued from a guilty verdict. Ultimately, innocent or guilty, I don't think MJ's career would have withstood a full trial. It's bad enough that MJ will forever be known as the peddler of 'Jesus Juice' to young boys. I'm sure far worse details that would have emerged at trial.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Lawyer aside you are a very decent man!

I could never (and I think most men would agree) pay off someone who said I slept with their child. I can't comprehend circumstances when I would do that and neither can any of my friends. Your name and self respect is all you have really at the end of the day.

I understand how US law works but had he defended the Chandler case and won, he would never have faced the cases that followed in 1995.

I have never had chance to weigh up the 'evidence' but my instinct says that I would have fought the allegations down to my last cent.

I cannot tell you how many times people have said to me or other lawyers I know that they will spend their last dime defending their name, etc. Then, they realize the cost and cave. I mean $22 million to MJ then was comparatively $500 to us normal folks when you consider the trial would have taken years and he likely could not work during much of that time. So, I think he made what at the time was a smart business decision.

But, to each their own. I mean had he fought it and won - he likely stood to gain more. However, he did Spend the $$$ and win in 2005 and it did not make him more popular. Etc. So, who knows.

In the end, the 2005 jury saw past the freakish looking grown man who sleepovers with kids and found MJ not guilty.

I think the facts supported neither case - but, there was clearly something creepy about MJ notwithstanding. Do I think he molested little boys - probably not in that there were too many people around. But, that is just my opinion.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

.....I'm sure we're not worthy......but we get to use this board!

If you check out the BBC (UK) or if you speak Italian, French or German and check out their press today, the theme is the same. Sad he's dead for his families sake, sad he had a difficult upbringing but............. he shared a bed with adolescent boys and paid the family of one $22m. Sadly that is overshadowing the brilliant talent he had.

I know.

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Just my $0.02, but back then I believe he had a new album and tour to promote, so I suspect that he nor his people would have wanted a prolonged, scandalous trial. And heaven forbid the ****storm that would have ensued from a guilty verdict. Ultimately, innocent or guilty, I don't think MJ's career would have withstood a full trial. It's bad enough that MJ will forever be known as the peddler of 'Jesus Juice' to young boys. I'm sure far worse details that would have emerged at trial.

Yep - I get your point. But in life there is always a line to be drawn. Being accused of child abuse isn't a comercial consideration - it is something you would want to defend to your last breath (imo). Jackson didn't have Altzimers, he made the calls himself - his reputation would have been enhanced if he'd taken a different approach (maybe).

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Yep - I get your point. But in life there is always a line to be drawn. Being accused of child abuse isn't a comercial consideration - it is something you would want to defend to your last breath (imo). Jackson didn't have Altzimers, he made the calls himself - his reputation would have been enhanced if he'd taken a different approach (maybe).

I think that's debatable. Example- if you believe what Michael publicly stated in the last days/months of his life, he had no knowledge of/interest in extending the London run from 10 shows to as many as 50. Of course he has people acting on his behalf, but AEG sure as hell wouldn't have committed to the project if they didn't have every assurance that they needed that Michael was on board for all 50.

When it comes to legal matters/contracts/obligations, Michael was no mastermind. You can't really presume anything with him.

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I cannot tell you how many times people have said to me or other lawyers I know that they will spend their last dime defending their name, etc. Then, they realize the cost and cave. I mean $22 million to MJ then was comparatively $500 to us normal folks when you consider the trial would have taken years and he likely could not work during much of that time. So, I think he made what at the time was a smart business decision.

But, to each their own. I mean had he fought it and won - he likely stood to gain more. However, he did Spend the $$$ and win in 2005 and it did not make him more popular. Etc. So, who knows.

In the end, the 2005 jury saw past the freakish looking grown man who sleepovers with kids and found MJ not guilty.

I think the facts supported neither case - but, there was clearly something creepy about MJ notwithstanding. Do I think he molested little boys - probably not in that there were too many people around. But, that is just my opinion.

My bro runs Google's legal firm so I get the point of making a deal even when you're right/innocent.

However the charge in this case was particularly serious. I get the Chandlers were after cash and the evidence may have been inadmissible in a court room in 2009. I get there were witnesses who supported MJ but………

………..the worst thing I could be accused of (as a father of 3) is abusing kids. As I posted earlier I just couldn’t ‘settle’ out of court cos I had a lucrative tour coming up. I’d have to defend myself - it is the worst thing anyone could say about you. I just don’t understand why he didn't take a stand if he was innocent……..

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by LukeA

I think that's debatable. Example- if you believe what Michael publicly stated in the last days/months of his life, he had no knowledge of/interest in extending the London run from 10 shows to as many as 50. Of course he has people acting on his behalf, but AEG sure as hell wouldn't have committed to the project if they didn't have every assurance that they needed that Michael was on board for all 50.

When it comes to legal matters/contracts/obligations, Michael was no mastermind. You can't really presume anything with him.

Good point about 2009 when he was desperate to raise cash and full of drugs (it would seem) but.........

.....we're talking about 1993/95. A lot of his complex Sony deals were done around this time and I think he knew what he was doing.........

[shackin'up]

Originally Posted by David

When he was a youngster, he had a great R&B voice: pliable, pyrotechnic, swinging.

As an adult, he developed a series of mannerisms -- hiccups, warbly vibrato, breathiness -- that marred his singing, to my ears.

If I may say so: as a youngster -and I mean KID here, he was a great singer and even dancer. His mannerisms came soon: not only in his singing, but also in his dancing. All those hooked movements, the pulling up of trousers, his hand on his weeny ( I can't simply type "d*ck here in the case of this "man". AGAIN: if you are so talented it is a pity that you stick to just some format. And after Ben he never ever wrote one decent ballad anymore. All kitsch. Brrrr.

[shackin'up]

BTW: I never hated the man personally until he hung his newborn kid out of the hotelwindow. That is not a deranged popstar. That is a firstclass nutcase, who will never/ever have my advantage of the doubt in his sexual harrassment cases.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Good point about 2009 when he was desperate to raise cash and full of drugs (it would seem) but.........

.....we're talking about 1993/95. A lot of his complex Sony deals were done around this time and I think he knew what he was doing.........

Jackson checked into rehab in Fall '93 due to his increasing addiction to painkillers- apparently spurred by stress due to Chandler's allegations that publicly surfaced summer of that year.

I have no doubt that his involvement with these drugs at this point helped to influence the settlement in the hopes that it would make it all (the addictions included) go away.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Jackson checked into rehab in Fall '93 due to his increasing addiction to painkillers- apparently spurred by stress due to Chandler's allegations that publicly surfaced summer of that year.

I have no doubt that his involvement with these drugs at this point helped to influence the settlement in the hopes that it would make it all (the addictions included) go away.

I think so too - though at the time I thought the rehab thing was BS.

I also think that at the time he say History coming out and did not want to do anything to jeopardize it and the cash cow it turned out to be. The Double Album History sold 20 million (40 million in units) world wide and the tour was wildly successful. So, what was $22 million (some of which may have been covered by Sony who was heavily invested in the record - but who knows) in those terms?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by shackin'up

. . . who will never/ever have my advantage of the doubt in his sexual harrassment cases.

Did you read the facts of the cases?

They hardly portray a credible claimant and/or their parents

Thus, though MJ was a nutcase, he likely did not molest those children. They are two sep. issues

[David]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

The Double Album History sold 20 million (40 million in units) world wide and the tour was wildly successful.

Ah, but was Jackson the toast of the Congress of Vienna?

[strandinthewind]

^^

I have no clue