2024
February 03 : Wade Robson and James Safechuck are now asking the judge to combine their cases and allow them to go to trial together. “This motion is made on the grounds that all actions arise out of the same type of harmful, abusive, course of conduct, by the same Defendants, at the same locations and physical places, in the presence of the same employees, employed by Defendants, during the same time period, in a pattern of abuse that was common to both Plaintiffs,” their lawyers stated in court documents. The trial conference on the motion is still set for February 28 before Judge Mark A. Young for the Robson’s case.
February 09 : Susan Yu was by the side of Thomas Mesereau during the 2005 trial and she has now joined the Michael Jackson Estate defense team against the Robson & Safechuck lawsuit.
February 20 : The Estate agrees to let Robson & Safechuck combine their cases
Lawyers for Michael Jackson’s companies informed the court that they are agreeing with Wade Robson and James Safechuck’s plea to consolidate their lawsuits into one case. This motion to combine cases was filled at the beginning of the month. The Estate also requested to move the case to the Complex Litigation Program which means the case will move court location in Los Angeles.
February 28 : Pre trial hearing in the Robson case : No trial date set. Trial readiness hearing is June 5, 2024. Judge wants their reports by May 22, 2024. All other info I have to wait for. “A lawyer for Jackson’s companies said during the hearing that her clients plan to waive a three-year speedy trial rule because she believes the case won’t be ready for jurors until after December 2026. She said the trial likely would last more than 20 days with dozens of witnesses.” Estate is looking for December of 2026 or later for trial.
MJ Estate attorneys on discovery: “Before this case can be tried, there are numerous discovery issues and legal issues that need to be addressed, making it impractical to have this matter ready for trial within 12 months. …The deposition of third- party Charli Michaels remains open and needs to be completed. Robson’s deposition was also left open. As discussed below, however, there is extensive additional discovery needed as a result of Robson’s participation in the Leaving Neverland film.”
Wade & James express they are open to alternative dispute resolutions via mediation. This is common when hoping to reach a pre-trial settlement. (Contradicting their “we just want a platform to speak!”) The defense is NOT open to any ADR.
February 29 : Taj Jackson : “I am privy to knowing a lot of what is coming way down the MJ pipeline and what isn’t. And because of that, I have access to certain news and info that affects EVERYTHING in the Michael Jackson universe. There really is a strategy to all of this, and like chess…the bigger the pieces, the more important the moves are. The way I do things might not make complete sense at first to some of you, but I am ALWAYS doing what’s best for the project and ultimately my uncle. Even to the detriment to my own self, health, family or career. I do need to find a better balance though.
Which leads me to my next thought. I’m taking you along with me on this journey. Maybe then we will get a better understanding together and you will see the magnitude and progress of the project firsthand. That means vlogs, behind the scenes footage and clips in upcoming updates. But this silence thing is not working for either you or me.
Of course I will still keep some nice surprises along the way, because where’s the fun of knowing everythWe fought side by side these years fighting for MJ’s legacy. I need you side by side with me now. Not in the dark. I’m done with feeling isolated, alone and vulnerable.
I am welcoming more transparency, within limitations of course. And you guys will have to trust that if I cannot say, comment, or address something publicly, there really is a bigger and important reason. That being said, I want you guys to know there has been a slight alteration in the name of the project. Well we actually went back to one of the original names we had. Certain people close to me and also many of you suggested that the phrase “Re_Righting” could have a negative connotation… as if I we were trying to re-write history by altering the facts and truth. Of course this is the farthest thing from what I would do. But that has never stopped the press .
And knowing the media, they would run with this anyway. I could see it now… Mainstream Media Version: The nephew of Michael Jackson wants to re-write his uncle’s troubled past. Or how about the Tabloid version: Michael Jacksons’s nephew desperately attempts to re-write Jacko’story… not so fast!
So we are back to…. “Righting HIStory” Just as strong, powerful and direct.. In the end I am righting the wrong about my uncle’s legacy.”
March 23 : Thomas Mesereau has filed a 14 page questionnaire which will grill former Neverland Ranch Security Guard who previously claimed to have seen Michael Jackson touching accuser Wade Robson. Charli Michaels, former employee at the Neverland Ranch, claimed to have witnessed the inappropriate behaviour and came to light in 1993 during the Jordan Chandler trial.
April 09 : The Estate is fighting to keep sealed photos of Michael from 1993 : Michael Jackson Estate is fighting to keep sealed court records out of the hands of Robson and Safechuck ahead of trial. Robson and Safechuck’s lawyers have subpoenas the county sheriff’s offices and the district attorneys of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties to obtain sealed police records from the 1993 case. The Estate believes that Robson and Safechuck’s are after those photos taken by the police.
April 28 : In a new emotional and determined post on his GoFundMe page, Taj Jackson has announced that a website for his documentary “Righting HIStory” will be ready next month.
May 09 : Jennifer Keller, part of the MJ Estate attorney group who are defending MJ’s companies has filed a Motion for Order to enforce John Carpenter, Robson/Safechuck attorney to comply with California Rules of Professional Conduct. Keller’s claims are that Carpenter is trying the case in the press, giving improper interviews to Rolling Stone, Variety, TMZ, The Daily Beast and The Daily Mail. Court date is requested for July 1, 2024.
May 25 : Robson & Safechuck’s trial potentially pushed to 2026
According to court documents, the Robson and Safechuck’s trial might be set to August 17, 2026. Depending on the judge’s confirmation on June 5, it seems that all parties are in agreement despite earlier reports that the “plaintiffs” wanted the court date to be before the release of the upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic next April. Court documents also showcase that Robson and Safechuck proposed a settlement stated that the Estate admit that Michael Jackson abused them during their childhood. However, the Estate’s team has no interest in settling saying those allegations are “unequivocally” false.
June 01 : Taj Jackson : “I am thrilled to finally be able to share with you that Sheryl & June Valone, from the incredible “The Michael Jackson Case for Innocence “podcast, are officially working on “Righting HIStory”. Their involvement, knowledge and perspective over the past year has been invaluable.”
June 25 : On the 15th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, his nephew Taj Jackson has announced that Brett Barnes has joined his documentary project as a co-producer. He has also launched a website for the project : https://www.rightinghistory.com/a-statement-from-brett-barnes/
Taj’s Statement:
I had the pleasure to meet and get to know Brett Barnes and his family during the 2005 trial. Not only did we immediately bond over our mutual love for Michael, but we have remained friends ever since.
Last month I got to catch up and hang out with all of the Barnes family in person after nearly 2 decades and that amazing bond was strengthen even more. I am happy to finally be able to publicly announce that Brett will officially be joining our production team as a Co-Executive Producer of Righting HIStory. It is imperative to me that besides righting the wrong regarding the various lies about Michael Jackson, that my uncle’s spirit and love shine through this project as well. I know Brett will help me make sure of that.
— Taj
Brett’s Statement:
I first met Taj during the 2005 trial. We immediately hit it off and have remained good friends since then. I have found that we share the same admiration and respect for Michael Jackson. Taj has personally taken it upon himself to keep the legacy of Michael Jackson alive from his numerous media appearances as well as working behind the scenes on other campaigns. Today I am happy to announce that I have officially joined Taj’s Righting HIStory production team to help ensure that Michael’s real essence and soul are captured in this project. The world will finally get to know the true Michael Jackson. I am entrusting Taj in telling my family’s close relationship with Michael. I look forward to working together with Taj on Righting HIStory to expose the many lies and rumors about my friend, Michael Jackson.
— Brett
August 22 : Judge says no to use the precedent criminal case files
A California judge ruled in favor of Michael Jackson’s estate on Thursday (August 22), denying a request by accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck to access “the entirety of the criminal file” related to child molestation allegations against Michael Jackson in Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County dating back to the early 1990s. The request included photographs of Michael Jackson’s nude body and genitalia taken during a 1993 criminal investigation. Although the plaintiffs disagree with the structure of the discovery and motion schedule proposed by the defense, they have agreed to the defendant’s request for a trial date in 2026 or sooner, depending on the availability of the court and defense counsel. During an April 26, 2024, meet-and-confer, the defendants proposed a trial date of August 17, 2026. The plaintiffs did not object to this date or suggest any alternatives. The next court date is scheduled for October 22.
October 30 : Update on the trial readiness hearing
Currently, the next tentative court date has been scheduled for December 20, 2024. However, Carpenter noted he might be on vacation during this time, potentially requiring further adjustments.
November 15 : Taj Jackson : “2 Months Since My Pop’s Death.
For the first time since starting this project, I have had to take a selfish break from “Righting HIStory”. Since September 15, the day my dad died, I have felt completely lost. My dad was my biggest supporter and the one who believed in me when no one else did. Whenever I doubted my abilities, he was there to push me to overcome that doubt. He believed in “Righting HIStory” so much that he even wrote and signed a quick statement in order to help me secure outside investors for this project. Losing my dad wasn’t just a personal loss—it was a loss for “Righting HIStory” as well. His unwavering support was irreplaceable, and it feels like this journey is missing a vital piece without him.
A lot of the strength and courage I draw upon to fight for my uncle Michael’s legacy came directly from watching my dad. He was always calm, cool, and, most importantly, authentic. My dad’s steadfast loyalty to Michael never wavered. He was a tireless advocate for his brother, always ready to stand up and correct misconceptions. He did it with a quiet dignity that showed the depth of their bond. Watching him defend Michael with such passion and grace taught me so much about loyalty, integrity, and standing up for what you believe in. I will forever be grateful for the example he set.
My dad’s brotherly pride in Michael was immeasurable. He celebrated every one of Michael’s milestones as if they were his own, cherishing each moment of his brother’s success. Even after Michael passed, my dad dedicated himself to protecting his younger brother’s character, sharing personal stories that revealed the kind, generous man Michael truly was. I know the strength I have to continue fighting for Michael’s legacy comes from my dad. He wasn’t just Michael’s bigger brother—he was his friend, protector, and one of his most loyal supporters. I’m proud to carry on that fight, inspired by the man who taught me how.
I wrote all this because although it will personally be a hard road ahead for me, I am more determined than ever to knock “Righting History” out of the park for both MJ and Poppa T.”
December 20 : Today’s Trial Readiness Conference : Judge only discussed time/date. Judge building in cushion (readiness/status/motion dates) to anticipate issues for a trial target date of Nov 23rd 2026 Another Status Conference: March 14th 2025.
In a new interview given to the MJCast, Taj Jackson reveals that his docuseries #RightingHIStory has been postponed after #MichaelMovie so at best late 2025 or early 2026.
Jackson Dynasty 