News

January 04 : Michael writes a statement on MJJSource, expressing his sympathy to the victims of the Indian Ocean earthquake, urging friends and fans to contribute towards relief efforts.

January 18 : Michael and his children spend the day with Geraldo Rivera from “Fox News”, and agree to an interview before Judge Melville sets up a hearing for the following day to decide the rights to do the interview.

January 19 : After the leaks of the Grand Jury transcripts to the media, Judge Melville gives Michael permission to react. He gives an interview to Geraldo Rivera. During the interview MJ reveals that he is working with his brother Randy on a song to benefit the victims of the Tsunami disaster. MJ is filmed in a recording studio with Randy, Bras Buxer and Michael Prince (the song played is “Beautiful Girl”).

January 21 : ABC airs a 20/20 interview of LaToya & Katherine taped at Hayvenhurst where they defend Michael.

January 30 : Michael releases a video statement approved by Judge Melville, calling leaks from the grand jury “disgusting and false.”, asserting that he “will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told.”

January 31 (Day 1 of Jury selection) : Michael arrives at court without his family and friends due to a lack of space in the courtroom.

February 1 (day 2) : Michael goes to court where Jury selection continues.

February 2 : Michael’s lawyers attend a court hearing for Debbie’s visitation rights.

February 5 : Fox News airs Michael’s interview with Geraldo Rivera. The TV specials features an exclusive tour of Neverland Valley Ranch by Geraldo and a interview of Raymone Bain. Fox News also airs an interview of Katherine at Hayvenhurst.

February 13 : Michael celebrates Prince’s 8th birthday at Neverland.

February 14 (day 3) : Michael goes to court where Jury selection resumes after a break due to Mesereau’s sister death.

February 15 : Jury selection is once again delayed after Michael gets sick on his way to the courthouse. He is taken to the Marion hospital where he spends the night.

February 16 : Katherine, Joe & Jermaine visit Michael at the hospital before he goes back to Neverland to rest.

February 21 : Michael hosts a party for Blanket’s 3rd birthday.

February 22 (day 4) : Michael goes to court where Jury selection continues.

February 23 (day 5) : Michael goes to court where the 8 members of the Jury are selected.

February 24 (day 6) : Michael goes to court where the 8 alternate members of the Jury are selected.

February 25 : Michael goes to court to attend the last preliminary hearing before the trial starts.

February 28 (Day 1 of the trial) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jermaine. District attorney Thomas Sneddon Jr gives his opening statement followed by Thomas Mesereau’s.

March 1 (Day 2) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jackie. Mesereau completes his opening statement. The prosecution opens his case by showing the Martin Bashir documentary to the Jury before calling Bashir as the first witness. His testimony is followed by the one of Ann Gabriel.

March 2 (Day 3) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jackie. Ann Gabriel is cross examined by the defense.

March 3 (Day 4) : Michael goes the court with Jackie & Katherine. The prosecution shows a video of the Neverland search to the Jury. Albert Lafferty testifies followed by Davellin Arvizo.

March 4 (Day 5) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, LaToya & Jermaine. The prosecution shows the rebuttal interview of the Arvizo family made by Michael’s team. Davellin Arvizo is cross examined by Mesereau.

March 7 (Day 6) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. Mesereau finishes Davellin Arvizo’s cross examination. The prosecution presents the audio interview of the Arvizo family to the Jury before calling their next witness : Star Arvizo.

March 8 (Day 7) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. Mesereau cross examines Star.

March 9 (Day 8) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jermaine & Tito. Mesereau completes the cross examination. The next witness is Gavin Arvizo.

March 10 (Day 9) : Michael arrives one hour late and dressed with pajamas with Katherine, Joe, Jermaine & Tito because a terrible back-ache took him to the emergency room of the hospital. Gavin’s testimony resumes.

March 11 : Michael does not attend today’s hearing which is dedicated to motions.

March 14 (Day 10) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jackie & Tito. Mesereau cross-examines Gavin.

March 15 (Day 11) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jackie & Tito. Mesereau completes Gavin’s cross examinations. The following prosecution witnesses are Terry Flaa, Steve Robel & Jeff Klapakis.

March 16 (Day 12) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. The prosection shows to the Jury the erotic material found during the Neverland search. Steve Robel Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross. Paul Zelis Direct, Cross.

March 17 (Day 13) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Fritz Coleman – Direct, Cross & Redirect. Kiki Fournier – Direct & Redirect. Ruby Wolff – Direct & Redirect. Shawn O’Grady – Direct & Redirect. Jeffery Ellis – Direct & Redirect. Conn Abel – Direct & Redirect.

March 18 : Special motions hearing without Michael & the Jury.

March 21 (Day 14) : Michael is once again taken to the hospital because of back pain. He then goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie where a doctor explains the health state of Michael to the judge who agrees to let him go home. Conn Abel Direct & Cross; Anthony Joseph Urquizo Direct, Cross, Redirect & Recross; Lauren Wallace Direct, Cross & Redirect; Louise Palanker Direct.

March 22 (Day 15) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Louise Palanker Direct, Cross, Redirect, Re-cross & Further Redirect.

March 23 (Day 16) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Robert Charles Cooley Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Freddy Padilla Direct, Cross; Craig Bonner Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross Further Direct, Further Cross; Dr. Antonio Cantu Direct & Cross.

March 24 (Day 17) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jackie & Marlon. Dr. Antonio Cantu Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Direct, Further Cross; Lisa Susan Roote Henman Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Direct, Further Cross; Charlene Marie Direct & Cross; Heriberto Martinez JR. Direct & Cross; Timo.

March 25 (Day 18) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Testimonies about Michael & Gavin’s DNA found on the same porno magazine. Timothy Sutcliffe Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Direct, Further Cross; Alicia Romero Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Nancy Diana Torres Direct, Cross; Michelle Shelley Direct, Cross, Re-direct; James Wittenbrock Direct, Cross, Re-di.

March 27 :  Michael gives a one hour long interview to Rev. Jesse Jackson which is broadcast live on the Internet on the radio show “Keep Hope Alive With Rev. Jesse Jackson”. He claims that he is the victim of a conspiracy and says he is completely innocent of child molestation.

March 28 (Day 19) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. 1108 motion ruling; George Lopez Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Ann Serrano Lopez Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Robert Spinner Direct (re-called) (re-opened).

March 29 (Day 20) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Robert Spinner Direct (contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Jamie Masada Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Cynthia Ann Bell Direct, Cross.

March 30 (Day 21) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Cynthia Ann Bell Re-direct, Re-cross, Re-direct continued; Stan J Katz Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; William Dickerman Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Jeff Klapakis (Recalled) Direct, Cross.

April 1 (Day 22) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Jeff Klapakis (Contd) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Jack Green Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Larry Feldman, Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Jesus Salas Direct.

April 3 : Michael celebrates Paris’s 7th birthday at Neverland.

April 4 (Day 23) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Jesus Salas is cross examined. Jesus Salas (Contd) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Jason Francia Direct, Cross. Back at Neverland, Michael is welcomed by many fans who led by Karen Faye have decorated the ranch gates with rose petals. To thank them, he invites them to his home where they meet Prince, Paris & Blanket + get each a signed box set of Michael’s Ultimate Collection!

April 5 (Day 24) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Jason Francia is cross examined. Then his lawyer Chriss Kallman & his mother Blanca Francia testify.

April 6 : Michael attends the funerals of his old criminal layer Johnnie Cochran.

April 7 (Day 25) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Tito. Ralph Chacon Direct, Cross, Re-dircet, Re-cross; Adrian Marie McManus Direct, Cross.

April 8 (Day 26) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Tito. Adrian Marie McManus (Contd) Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Phillip LeMarque Direct Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross.

April 11 (Day 27) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Tito & Jackie. Bob Jones Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Stacy Brown Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; June Chandler, Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Dwayne Swingler Direct, Cross, Re-direct.

April 12 (Day 28) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jackie. Testimony of Jay Jackson (Gavin’s stepfather). Jay Jackson is cross examined. He is followed by his wife Janet Arvizo Jackson who pleads the 5th amendment to avoid questions about her welfare fraud.

April 13 (Day 29) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Jay D Jackson Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Janet Jackson Direct.

April 14 (Day 30) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Janet Jackson Direct (Contd).

April 15 (Day 31) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. The prosecution shows the Jury surveillance videos of the Arvizo family by Brad Miller. Janet Jackson Direct (Contd), Cross.

April 18 (Day 32) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Janet Jackson Cross (Contd), Re-direct.

April 19 (Day 33) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Janet Jackson Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Victor M Alvarez Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Mario A Ventura, Direct; William F Caldwell Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Rod Forney Direct, Cross; Michael Davey Direct, Cross; Janet Williams Direct, Cross.

April 20 (Day 34) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Brian Barron Direct, Cross.

April 21 (Day 35) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Brian Barron Cross (Contd), Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Stephen Cleaves Direct, Cross; Timothy Sutcliffe (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Timothy Rooney Direct, Cross; Steven Moeller Direct, Cross; Jeff Klapakis (Re).

April 25 (Day 36) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Kassim Abdool Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Jeff Klapakis (Recalled) Direct, Cross; Craig Bonner (Recalled) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Victor Alvarez Direct.

Brian Oxman is fired by Mesereau.

April 26 (Day 37) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Cynthia Montgomery Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Jeff Klapakis Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Hamid Moleshi Direct.

April 27 (Day 38) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie. Hamid Moleshi Cross (contd), Re-direct, Re-cross, Terry Paulsen Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Gabriel Dominguez Direct, Cross; Anne Morie Sims Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Joseph Shebroe Direct, Cross; Jeanne Mulcahy Direct; Deborah Rowe Jackson Direct.

April 28 (Day 39) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie. Deborah Rowe Jackson Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct; Iris Joan Finsilver Direct; Andrew R Dietz Direct; Jeffrey Schwartz Direct, Cross; Crystalee Danko Direct; Jennifer Simmons Direct; Joe J Corral Jr Direct.

April 29 (Day 40) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie. The prosecution shows the Jury a book on children found at Neverland…in 1993! Rosibel Ferrufino Smith Direct; Craig Bonner Direct, Cross; Harry Koons Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Rosibel Smith Direct, Cross; Ian Drew Direct, Cross.

May 2 (Day 41) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Beverly Wagner Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Craig Bonner (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Paul Zelis (Re-called) Direct, Cross.

May 3 (Day 42) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. David Saunders Direct, Cross; Jeff Klapakis (Re-called) Direct, Cross; Craig Bonner (Re-called) Direct, Cross; Paul Zelis (Re-called) Cross (Contd); Steve Robel Direct, Cross; John Duross O’Bryan, Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross.

May 4 (Day 43) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Rudy Provencio Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct.

May 5 (Day 44) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. The defense opens his case with the testimonies of Wade Robson & Brett Barnes (who stay at Neverland with their families).

May 6 (Day 45) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Joy Robson Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Chantal Robson Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Marie Lisbeth Barnes Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Karlee Barnes Direct, Cross, Re-direct.

May 9 (Day 46) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. Francin Contreras Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Gayle Goforth Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Violet Silva Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Ramon Velasco Direct, Cross; Joseph Marcus Direct.

May 10 (Day 47) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Joseph Marcus Direct (contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross.

May 11 (Day 48) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Joseph Marcus Re-cross (contd), Further Re-direct; Macaulay Culkin Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; James F Van Norman Direct, Cross, Re-direct. The defense then shows the Jury the outtakes of the Bashir interviews.

May 12 (Day 49) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Carlos Velasco Direct, Cross, Re-direct; David G. Legrand Direct, Cross.

May 13 (Day 50) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. David G. Legrand Cross (Contd), Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Mark Geragos Direct, Cross. 

May 16 (Day 51) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Jean Lorraine Seamont Direct, Cross; Tiffany Haynes Direct, Cross; Carole McCoy Direct; Kathryn Bernerd Direct; Maria Gomez Direct, Cross; Shane Meridith Direct, Cross; Brian Salce Direct, Cross; Russell Robert Birchim Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cr.

May 17 (Day 52) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Angel Vivanco Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Irene Lavern Peters Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Karen Walker Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Simone Pech Jackson Direct.

May 18 (Day 53) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Simone Pech Jackson Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Rijo Jackson Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Michelle Henriette Jackson Direct, Cross; Christian Robinson Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Vernee Watson Johnson Direct. 

May 19 (Day 54) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. The judge refuses to allow the testimonies of Larry King & Michael Viner because they are “hearsay”. Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Azja Pryor Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Laurence Nimmer Direct, Cross. The defense then proceed by showing to the Jury a video presentation of Neverland.

May 20 (Day 55) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Laurence Nimmer Direct, Cross (contd), Re-direct, Re-cross; Mark Geragos (Re-called) Cross (Contd).

May 23 (Day 56) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Maria Gomez (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Mike Radakovich Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Mercy Dee Manrriquez Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Marian Arvizo Direct, Cross; Connie Keenan Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross. 

May 24 (Day 57) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Jay Leno Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Sulli McCullugh Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Monica De La Santos Wakefield Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Elizabeth Mary Holzer Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Anthony Ranieri Direct; Karen

May 25 (Day 58) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Chris Tucker Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Timothy Patrick Rooney Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Shane Meridith Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Jesus Salas Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Victor Alvarez Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross. 

May 26 (Day 59) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. : Gina Villegas Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Donna Aggers Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; George Erwin Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Theresa Marquez Direct, Cross; William Dickerman Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Christin.

May 27 (Day 60) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Randy. Craig Bonner (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Steve Robel (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross. The prosecution rests their rebuttal by showing the Jury a video of Gavin police deposition in July 2003. The defense declines to make a rebuttal so Judge Melville declares the testimonies over.  Judge Melville’s Jury Instructions. In a final attempt to allow the jurors to convict on any possible charge, in this final evolution of counts Melville allowed the jurors to also convict MJ on “lesser included offenses” – which were also rejected by the jury.

May 31 : Special hearing where the Judge & the lawyers determine the rules of Jury deliberations. Neither Michael, nor the Jury attend court.

June 1 : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Randy where Judge Melville gives the Jury the rules of Jury Deliberations. No witnesses called.

June 2 (Day 61) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Randy, Jermaine & Tito. Ron Zonen gives his closing statement followed by Tom Mesereau who doesn’t have time to finish.

Frank Tyson speaks for the first time to defend MIchael in an interview to Prime Time Live on ABC.

June 3 (Day 62) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Janet and LaToya. Tom Mesereau completes his closing arguments.

June 3-13 : While Jury deliberations take place, the whole Jackson family waits for the verdict at Neverland.

June 13 (June 63/Verdict day) : The Jury reaches a verdict. Michael and the Jackson family goes to court where he is acquitted on all counts! They go back to Neverland. The trial is over. Family and friends gather at Neverland to celebrate but Michael is too tired and he goes to sleep early.

June 14 : Michael’s acquittal is seen everywhere in the media. Mesereau gives an interview to Larry King. Michael, Grace and the kids leave Neverland and go to San Diego to stay at Deepak Choprah’s place.

June 17 : Michael’s passeport is returned to him as well as his $3 million bail.

2004

January 12 : While Jermaine gives a press conference outside Hayvenhurst to organize fans’ support, Mark Geragos hosts a big meeting of Michael’s team at the Beverly Hills Hotel attended by Charles Koppleman, Leonard Muhammad, Al Malnik, John Branca, Alan Whitman, Zia Modabber & Kevin Mac Lin.

Marc Schaffel & Dieter Wiesner have lunch with Debbie Rowe at the Ivvy restaurant to talk about her children.

January 15 : Geragos announces that Michael & him have hired top criminal layer Benjamin Brafman.

Gloria Allred asks the Department of Child & Family Services of Los Angeles to remove Michael’s children from his care.

January 16 : Michael arrives 20 minutes late at the Santa Maria Courthouse where he is formally arraigned. Accompanied by Katherine, Joe, Janet, Jermaine, Tito, Randy, Grace, Karen, Frank Dileo & Leonnard Muhammad. He pleads not guilty to all the charges and judge Rodney Melville imposes a gag order preventing both sides from making public comments about the current case.

After going out of the courthouse, Michael gets on the top of his SUV and invites all the fans for an after arraignment party at Neverland!

January 24 : Social workers from the Department of Child & Family Services of Los Angeles go to Michael’s rented mansion in Beverly Hills to talk with Prince, Paris, Blanket & Grace.

Michael goes back to Neverland where he gets the visit of Dominic, Eddie & Frank.

Because of the trial Michael & Frank are prohibited from having contact so that is the last time that they speak until the verdict day 18 month later!

January 31 : The police searches the houses of Marc Schaffel & his assistant Christian Robinson.

February 7 : Michael hires Raymone Bain as new official Spokesperson.

February 12 : Michael writes a letter to Firpo Carr, a spokesperson chosen by his family, asking him to refrain from discussing him in the media.

February 13 : Michael hosts a party for Prince’s 7th birthday with Grace & the children at his friend Ron Burkle’s house in La Jolla.

Geragos & Brafman go to Santa Maria Courthouse where they obtain a delay of the prelimiary hearing to have more time to study the prosecution case.

February 16 : Michael, Grace, the kids, Omer Bhatti & Dr Sebi (Alfredo Bowman) arrive in Old Snowman in Colorado where Michael has rented the Meanwhile ranch (close to Aspen)

February 20 : Raymone Bain denies reports claiming that Michael came to Aspen for a detox programme.

Retired family judge Stephen Lachs accepts to mediate Michael & Debbie litigation over her visitation rights on Prince & Paris.

February 21 : Michael hosts a party for Blanket’s 2nd birthday with Grace, Prince, Paris, Omer Bhatti & Dr Sebi in Old Snowman in Colorado where Michael has rented the Meanwhile ranch (close to Aspen).

March : Michael’s new official website MJJ SOURCE is launched. MJ releases a statement explaining its purpose. Randy Jackson, Karen Faye, and various fan clubs manage the site.

Sneddon sets a Grand Jury proceeding to avoid the preliminary hearing.

Michael, Grace & the kids go to Hawaii.

March 19 : The Department of Child & Family Services of Los Angeles refuses to remove Michael’s children from his care.

March 25 : Secret Jury selection is completed in Santa Barbara.

Michael files a lawsuit in US District Court in Los Angeles to regain possessions that were sold to a European buyer by Henry Vaccaro.

March 29 : Prosecutor Ron Zonen gives his opening statement during the first day of a Grand Jury proceeding where neither Michael nor his lawyers have the rights to appear. Members of the media are also prohibitted from attending.

March 30 : Gavin & Star Arvizo testify before the Grand Jury.

April 2 : Geragos & Brafman go to Santa Maria courthouse where they obtain the Arvizo family court documents in the JC Penney case.

Judge Lachs refuses visitation rights to Debbie but he accepts to nullify her 2001 decision to give up her parental tights which sets a new battle between Michael & Debbie’s attorneys.

April 03 : Michael hosts a big party for Paris’s 6th birthday.

April 8 : Michael, Grace & the kids go to Orlando to visit theme parks.

April 11 : Medias report the allegations of Daniel Kapon, a young man who claims to have been abused by Michael when he was a kid. It turns out that the Santa Barbara Police Department did not find him credible and closed this case after investigating it.

April 21 : Michael who is is a rented mansion in Orlando learns that he has been indicted by the Grand Jury in Santa Barabara. He asks Randy to intervene quickly.

April 24 : Randy hosts a meeting at Michael’s house in Orlando with his civil lawyer Brian Oxman and top criminal lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr.

Michael releases a statement on MJJSource after helicopters, reporters, and paparazzi surrounded his compound, asking media outlets for privacy, for him and his children.

April 25 : Michael announces that he has changed his legal team. Mesereau officially takes over Geragos & Brafman. He also decides to get rid of the Nation Of Islam and to go back to Neverland.

April 30 : Michael arrives on time at the Santa Maria Courthouse with Katherine, Joe, Grace, Randy, Jackie, Mesereau, Oxman & Raymone Bain.

He pleads not guilty to 10 counts retained by the Grand Jury. The new charges indicate a new timeline of allegations + a charge of false emprisonment + abduction of a child with the help of 5 undicted co-conspirators (Schaffel, Wienser, Konitzer, Tyson & Amen) Outside of the court house, Mesereau & Michael give a little speech before returning to Neverland.

May 28 : Mesereau goes to the Santa Maria courthouse with Brian Oxman & Joe Jackson for an hearing where Judge Melville sets September 13 as date for the trial to begin.

June : Randy fires Bob Jones, vice president of MJJ Productions since 1987, after discovering that he is writting a tell all book on Michael. He also stops paying Marc Schaffel.

June 15 : Judge Melville refuses to lower Michael’s bail.

Diane Dimond reveals the details of the Chandler secret financial settlement of 1994…

June 17 : Michael responds to the leaking of the 1993 settlements, and gives the reason on why he very reluctantly chose to settle instead of fight the allegations in court.

June 25 : Mesereau goes to a hearing in Santa Maria .

July 4 : Michael celebrates Independance day in Miami with Grace and the kids.

July 9 : During a hearing in Santa Maria , Judge Melville scolds Michael for violating the gag order in a written statement.

July 27 : Mesereau goes to Santa Maria where he obtains the trial to be pushed back to January 31st 2005…

August 2 : Michael’s lawyers depose a motion against Sneddon for violating the gag order.

August 15 : Michael attends church service with Randy, Mesereau, Oxman & Steve Harvey in South Central, Los Angeles. Later, Michael & Randy visit the Cecil L. Williams Education Center.

August 16 (Day 1 of pre-trial) : Even though his presence is not complulsory, Michael goes to the Santa Maria courthouse. Accompanied by Katherine, Joe, Janet, LaToya, Jermaine, Jackie, Randy, Grace, Karen, Mesereau & Oxman to watch district attorney Tom Sneddon testify about the search of Brad Miller. After the court Michael & the family go to Neverland to spend time with Prince, Paris & Blanket.

August 17 (Day 2) : Testimony of Stanley Katz (Gavin’s psychologist)

August 19 (Day 3) : Testimonies of Jay Jackson & William Dickerman. The defense plays a video tape of the Neverland search.

August 20 (Day 4) : Testimonies of Joseph Marcus & Violet Silva about the Neverland search.

August 23 (Day 5) : Because she has just given birth to a baby boy, Janet Arvizo Jackson can’t go testify so the pre-trial is delayed…

August 30 : For his 46th birthday, Michael takes all the Jackson family (including Janet, JD, LaToya & Jeffre) to the Noe Restaurant at the Omni Hotel of Los Angeles.

September 3 : TV show Dateline reveals that Michael made a second financial settlement with Blanca Francia in 1995 to avoid a new scandal involving her son Jason.

Michael gives reasons for his reluctant settlement in 1993, and gives the necessary context of the trial in a statement for CNN.

September 13 : New controversy around the book of Raymond Chandler, Jordy’s uncle who never met Michael Jackson but pretends to know the truth about his relationships with children…

Debbie gives an interview to Entertainment Tonight. Considering that she has violated her confidentiality agreement, Randy decides to cancel her annual 1$ million payment.

September 15 : Police search the house of Evvy Tavasci, Michael ‘s assistant since 1991!

September 16 (Day 6) : The pre- trial resumes in Santa Maria .

September 17 (7th day): Even though his presence is not complulsory, Michael goes to the Santa Maria . Accompanied by Katherine, Joe, Janet, LaToya, Jermaine, Jackie, Randy, Grace, Karen, Mesereau & Oxman to watch Janet Arvizo Jackson testify.

Mesereau gives a speech to state that Michael regrets the settlements he has done on the past.

The Jackson family returns to Neverland where Michael has invited the fans and later they all have dinner at the Epihany Restaurant in Santa Barabara.

October 4 : Michael’s lawyers present a motion to withdraw Tom Sneddon from the case because of his too personal involvment.

October 12 : Michael calls the Steve Harvey Morning Radio Show to ask TV networks not to air Eminem new video which makes fun of him. BET accepts but not MTV which creates a new controversy.

October 13 : At Hayvehurst, Jermaine, Alejandra, Genevieve, Randy Jr, Donte, Jaafar & Jermajesty are interviewed for the CBS Early show. They all defend MJ.

October 14 : Michael and his spokesperson Raymone Bain call EUR’s Lee Bailey to talk about Eminem’s new video ‘Just Lose It’ and the upcoming “Ultimate Collection” release.

Michael’s layers go to the Santa Maria Courthouse where Judge Melville refuses to withdraw the case and to suppress any elements taken during the search of Neverland and Brad Millers’ offIce.

LaToya is a guest on the Frank Skinner Show in the UK where she defends Michael.

October 15 : Steve Cochran leaves Michael’s legal team.

November 4 : Michael’s lawyers go to the Santa Maria Courthouse where Judge Melville refuses to withdraw Tom Sneddon from the case.

A man called Joseph Bartucci files a civil complaint in New Orleans claiming that Michael abused him in May 1984 when he was 18 and he supposedly suppressed that from his memory until 2003…

November 16 : Marc Schaffel files a civil complaint in Los Angeles seeking 3 $ millions for money loans. He reveals that he has written a tell all book about Michael with Stuart Backerman.

Michael makes a phone call Geraldo Riveira on MTV Rally in New York to thank his fans and speak against the Eminem video.

November 29 : Michael’s lawyers go to the Santa Maria courthouse where Judge Melville refuses them the right to have a psychiatrist analyse the Arvizo family.

December 3 : More than one year after searching Neverland, the Santa Barabara Police investigators come back to the ranch to make pictures and measures…

December 4 : Michael accepts to provide a sample of his saliva to the police for DNA testing.

December 17 : Michael (accompanied by Karen & Raymone) welcomes 200 unprivilged children to spend the day at Neverland. 50 journalists are also invited including Geraldo Rivero whom Michael thanks for his support.

December 20 : During a hearing at the Santa Maria Courthouse, Judge Melville refuses defense request to delay the trial for 6 weeks.

Michael records a video message to thank his fans on his MJJ SOURCE website.

December 21 : Hamid Moslehi (Michael’s videographer from 96 to 2003) files a civil complaint agains’t Michael for non payment of his work on Take 2 and Private Home Movies.

December 24/25 : Michael spends Christmas at Neverland with Prince, Paris, Blanket & Grace.

2000

August 27 : Michael invites Rabby Schmuley Boteach & his family to spend one week at Neverland so they can work on their projects for the children (a book and a new foundation). The same day, he invites 10 year old cancer victim Gavin Arvizo & his family (his parents Janet & David, his brother Star & his sister Davellin). Gavin & Star ask him to sleep over in his room, Michael offer them his bed and sleeps on the floor with Frank Cascio.

August 29 : The Arvizo and Boteach kids arrange a small party for Michael 42nd birthday at Neverland with the Cascios, Prince & Paris.

2002

September 26 : Michael is at Neverland with Martin Bashir to shoot an interview with young Gavin Arvizo who says Michael saved him from cancer. At one point, he holds Michael’s hands and reveals that he has slept over in his bed (Michael adds that he slept on the floor).

2003

February 01 : The Cascios join Michael in Miami (Frank, Aldo & Marie Nicole). Mark Lester is also there. Wiesner & Konitzer try to block the airing of Martin Bashir’s documentary after obtaining the final transcrpit.

February 03 : “Living With Michael Jackson”, the Martin Bashir Documentary is premiered in on ITV and gets phenomenal ratings!

February 04 : A huge controversy arises in the UK over Michael’s admission that he loves to share his bed with children & his interview with Gavin Arvizo.

Gavin’s mother, Janet Arvizo agrees to give an interview to the London Daily Mail where she defends MIchael against $4000!

Michael calls gavin and asks him to come to Miami to do a press conference. Following Marc Schaffel’s idea he also calls Debbie to ask her to do an interview for him.

Jenny Winnings on X : “I saw MJ the morning after the Bashir doc aired in London, a day before it aired in US. He had tears rolling down his face, we had no idea why. He kept saying “they are saying I am doing these bad things again. I’m not! You know I would never!””

February 05 : Gavin, his mother Janet, brother Star & sister Davellin go to Miami on a private Jet with Chris Tucker. Once arrived, they check in the Turnberry Isle Resort where Michael & his friends stay.

Marc Schaffel convinces Debbie to come to his house and do an interview for Michael by promising her that she will get to see her children. Debbie gives a long interview to journalist Ian Drew in the presence of her lawyer/friend Iris Finsilver, Marc Shaffel, his assistants Christian Robinson & Rudy Provencio, as well as Michael’s new spokesman Stuart Backerman.

Scheffel also hires David LeGrand, a new layer based in Las Vegas

February 06 : Jordy Chandler’s 1993 deposition is leaked on the Smoking Gun website which create a new controversy.

In Miami , Wiesner & Konitzer ask Janet Arvizo to sign a complaint against Granada Television, the company which produced LWMJ.

LWMJ is aired on American’s network ABC. Michael is devastated.

Michael makes a personal statement regarding the documentary, feeling “more betrayed than perhaps ever before” about “this terrible and unfair program”.

February 7 : Michael decides to cancel the press conference and return to Neverland to give an interview. He leaves Miami in a private Jet with Prince, Paris, Blanket, their nannies Grace & Patricia, his physician Dr Alex Farschian, Marie Nicole & Aldo Cascio, the bodygards Mike LaPerruque, Chris Carter & Danny Crawford as well as Gavin, Star, Davellin & Janet Arvizo.

February 8 : CBS Entertainment (Ed Bradley & Jack Saussman) arrive at Neverland in order to interview Michael for their show 60 Minutes but Michael cancels the interview when he hears about the leak of the Chandler deposition. Bradley does get to meet Gavin & his family (who volunteer to give an interview to defend Michael!) as well as Mark Geragos, Michael’s freshly hired criminal lawyer who came to Neverland to meet Michael and make Gavin’s mother sign a release stating that Michael’s relation with Gavin was never innapropriate.

With the outtakes from the Martin Bashir interviews captured by Michael’s cameraman Hamid Moslehi, Michael asks his team (Schaffel, Wiesner & Konitzer) to produce & sell a rebuttal TV documentary.

February 9 : David LeGrand hires his girlfrend Ann Gabriel as a consultant for Michael’s PR Team.

Gavin, Star, Davellin, Marie Nicole, Ann & Silvana Ruiz go shopping close to Neverland.

February 11 : Janet Arvizo gets a body wax in a beauty shop close to Neverland.

Michael’s friends, Mark Lester, Robert Evans, Miko & Karen Brando (with their children Prudence & Shane) come to Neverland to support him.

Wiesner & Konitzer (with his family) also stay over at the ranch to work on the TV rebuttal.

February 12 : After an argument with Wiesner & Konitzer, Janet Arvizo asks Jesus Salas (a Neverland employee) to take her & the children to her parent’s house in El Monte . He accepts to take the family out of Neverland in the middle of the night…

February 13 : Michel hosts a Spiderman theme party for Prince’s 6th birthday at Neverland with many kids (his cousins Rijo and Simone, the Cascios, the Lesters and the Brandos).

Franck Cascio arrives at the ranch and he calls Janet Arvizo on the phone (recording the conversation) to ask her to come back to Neverland in order to avoid the media frenzy.

February 14 : The Los Angeles Family Service opens an investigation on Michael Jackson’s relationship with Gavin based on a phone call made from his school…

Janet & her children go to her boyfriend’s appartment, Jay Jackson.

February 15 : Ann Gabriel is fired by Mark Geragos after wanting to appear on US TV show Access Hollywood as Michael’s Spokesperson.

February 16 : Bradley Miller (Geragos’ private investigator) comes to Jay Jackson ‘s to record a tape interview of Gavin, Star, Davellin & Janet where they defend Michael. Just after, the Arvizos are taken back to Neverland by Michael’s chauffeur Gary Hearn but once they arrive, Janet asks Michael’s bodygard Chris Carter to take her back to her boyfriend’s appartment leaving her children at the ranch with Michael…

February 17 : LA Family Service calls Janet Arvizo to set an interview between her children & social workers on February 20.

February 18 : Santa Barbara Police Department opens an investigation on Michael Jackson based on a letter from Gloria Allred & Carol Lieberman…

February 19 : Hamid Moslehi goes to Neverland to pick up Gavin, Star & Davellin and take them to his house while Vinnie Amen (a friend of Franck) pick up Janet Arvizo & Jay Jackson. In the presence of Wiesner, Brad Miller, Christian Robinson & Jay Jackson, Janet & her children tape a long interview where they defend MIchael. After the taping ends, Vinnie takes Janet back to Jay Jackson’s and the Arvizo kids back to Neverland. The interview is supposed to be included in the TV rebuttal but Moslehi asks $ 400 000 that he is owed for the Bashir outtakes which Schaffel & Wiesner refuse.

Michael is spotted by fans leaving the Neverland gates in a limousine with his children and Fox TV presenter Maury Pochich. Michael tells them he is on his way to Miami and he invites them to spend the day at Neverland. At night the fans have dinner with Miko Brando, Maria Nicole Cascio and Gavin Arvizo and his siblings.

February 20 : Michael flies to Miami with his children and they stay at Al Malnik’s mansion.

Three social workers come to Jay Jackson’s to interview Gavin & his family. Once again they defend Michael and say nothing innapropriate ever happended. Chris Tucker’s girlfriend Azja Pryor is there to support the family and after the interview she takes the children to Neverland while Vinnie takes Janet to a federal office in LA in order to obtain birth certificates of the family that they will need to get visas & passeports for a planned trip in Brazil.

“TAKE 2 : The Footage You Were Not Meant To See” is aired on FOX TV. It includes the outtakes of the Bashir interview & the interviews of Debbie, the Jackson family, Karen Faye, Hamid Moslehi & Jamie Massada. The Arvizo family interview is not included after all.

February 21 : Janet Arvizo is back at Neverland and she defends Michael to Fox News’ journalist Rita Cosby who came to the ranch to meet them. Following the advice of her friend Jamie Massada, Janet consults a lawyer named William Dickerman.

Michael hosts Blanket’s first birthday party at the Malnik’s house in Miami.

February 25 : Franck & Vinnie take Janet Arvizo to the Laugh Factory where she has a second meeting with Dickerman. After that, they take the family to the Calabasas Inn where they stay for 5 days in order to obtain the Visas and look for a new appartment paid by Michael for the family.

March 1 : The family’s appartment is emptied at the mother’s request and their belongings are put into storage (paid by Michael).

March 2 : Franck & Vinnie take the family back to Neverland where they meet Michael & his children who are back from Miami.

March 3 : Michael’s cousins, Rijo & Simone Jackson arrive at Neverland.

March 5-9 : Michael & his children stay at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The Brazil trip is cancelled.

March 9 : On his way back to Neverland, Michael invites several fans that he knows well (Joanna Thomae, Jen Winings, Souhil Giroud & Ahmad Elatab) to spend the day with him at the ranch and on a shopping spree at the local Toys ‘R Us with Franck Cascio and the Arvizo kids. They all witness the complicity between Michael & Gavin. Later Michael’s fans spend the night at Neverland’s theatre.

March 10 : Vinnies takes Gavin to the hospital for a urine test. On the way back, he drops Janet Arvizo at her boyfriend’s and takes Gavin back to Neverland.

March 11 : Vinnie takes Janet Arvizo to the Los Angeles family court where she obtains an increase of her ex husband child support.

March 12 : Janet Arvizo calls Franck & Vinnie to ask them to take her children to their grandparent’s in El Monte because they are supposedly sick. The Arvizo family officially moves into Jay Jackson’s appartment and cuts every contact with Michael & his team..

March 26 : William Dickerman sends a letter to Mark Geragos asking for the family belongings to be returned.

April 16 : The Santa Barbara Police Department closes his investigation with no elements against Michael. Dickerman sends the family to consult Larry Feldman (the lawer who negociated the civil settlement between Michael & the Chandlers).

May 15 + 29 : Larry Feldman sends Gavin, Star & Davellin to consult Stanley Katz. (the psychologist who “analysed” Jordy Chandler).

June 13 : After weeks of backgound plotting, Feldman & Katz finally report the allegations of the family to the Santa Barbara County Sherriff. District Attorney Tom Sneddon asks Feldman not to file a civil suit before he has completed a criminal investigation…

July 06 : The Arvizo family gives depositions to the Santa Barbara Police Department.

November 18 : The Number Ones CD & DVD are released in the US. Tom Sneddon chooses this specific day to raid Neverland with a search warrant accompanied by 7O members of the Santa Barbara County Sherriff.

Diane Dimond is the first “journalist” to report the news for Court TV (she was informed of this raid by Sneddon).

Other searches are done at Bradley Miller (Mark Geragos’ private investigator) & Hamid Moslehi (Michael’s videographer) ‘ houses.

The second day of filming of the “One More Chance” short film is canceled.

Michael issues a statement through his spokesman Stuart Backerman.

Katherine, Randy, Rebbie, LaToya, Jeffre & Jermaine visit him at the Mirage Hotel where he just had a nervous breakdown.

November 19 : While the news of the Neverland search is covered by every media around the world, DA Tom Sneddon & Sherriff Jim Anderson give a press conference to announce that they have a stop warrant against Michael in connection to new allegations of child molestation made by a 12 year old boy. Media learn that the boy accusing Michael is Gavin.

After destroying his hotel suite Michael is asked to leave the Mirage Hotel with Grace & the Kids. They move to the Green Valley Ranch on the southern outskirts of Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada. Aldo & Marie Nicole Cascio fly back home to New Jersey.

November 20 : Michael arrives at the Santa Barbara airport in a private Jet with Grace & his attorney Mark Geragos where he is handcuffed and taken to the Santa Barbara County main jail. He is allowed to walk free after posting a $3 million bail, posing for a mugshot and being advised of the charges against him.

Geragos gives a press conference to refute those allegations.

Michael flies back to Las Vegas. Back to Green Valley Ranch, TV trucks and reporters surround the hotel. Michael and his entourage move again to the Ritz Carlton Hotel on the south-western outskirts of Las Vegas.

November 21 : Michael’s mugshot is on the front page of every newspapers in the world. A media frenzy explodes in America & Europe with tons of talk shows being dedicated to this new controversy.

November 24 : Michael & Mark Geragos sue Extra Jet for illegally taping them during their flight from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara.

Late november : A delegation from the Nation Of Islam (the NOI) led by Louis Farrakhan, his son and son-in-law Leonard Muhammad meet Michael in his Ritz Carlton suite. Soon after the NOI take over Michael’s security. His former bodyguards are fired. NOI cut contacts between Michael and his team (Dieter Wiesner, Ronald Kontizer & Marc Schaffel).

Dieter Wiesner flies back to Germany.

Early December : Michael, who does not consider Neverland as his home anymore, moves in a rented mansion named Coldwater Canyon House in Beverly Hills with Grace & the kids.

December 18 : Prosecutors formally charge Michael with seven counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administrating an intoxicating agent to a child for the purpose of committing a crime during a timeline going from February 7 to March 20 2003.

Mark Geragos denies all these allegations during a special interview at the Larry King Show featuring also Jermaine who alleges that Michael was mistreated by the police during his arrestation.

December 20 : Michael returns to Neverland for the first time since it was searched for a private get together entitled “You Are Not Alone” which about 600 friends & family attend (including Janet & LaToya). The event is organised by Grace. Michael attends the celebration surrounded by his parents and siblings. Many friends and family members give speeches of support. Michael also gets to hug his biggest fans like Joanna and Talitha.

December 24 : Michael celebrates Christmas with Prince, Paris, Blanket, Eddie, Aldo & Dominic Jr at the Coldwater Canyon House.

December 25 : From the Beverly Hills Hotel, Michael gives an interview to Ed Bradley (shown on CBS’s 60 minutes 3 days later) in the presence of Mark Geragos, Leonard Muhammad & Grace.

December 30 : Stuart Backerman resigns because of the presence of the Nation Of Islam.

December 31 : While the media claim that the NOI has taken over Michael’s business, a worried Debbie who can’t get in touch with Michael & her children decides to file for visitation rights.

The Santa Barbara Sherriff Jim Anderson gives a press conference to denies Michael’s claim that he was manshandled by the police during his arrestation.

Michael spends New year’s eve at the Coldwater Canyon House with Mark Lester.

June 07 : Trial Date Moves to 2028… What’s Another Couple of Years? : “According to the latest case status report filed by both parties, the mutually proposed trial date has now been pushed back yet again, this time to February 14, 2028. James Safechuck is scheduled to be deposed on June 18, while another witness considered critical to the case may not be available until September 2026 due to health issues. The Discovery Referee is also expected to participate in certain depositions but has limited availability. Meanwhile, attorney Vince Finaldi’s law partner, John Carpenter, reportedly has scheduling conflicts through June because of other trial commitments.”

September 11 : The Safechucks: Time to testify : “According to the latest court scheduling information, James Safechuck is scheduled to be deposed on September 14, 2026, while his mother, Stephanie Safechuck, is scheduled for depositions on October 15 and October 20. After that, discovery continues and the case moves another step closer to its eventual trial, currently scheduled for February 2028.”

October 05 : “Wade & James Case Status—Fall 2026 Edition This month, MJ’s side plans to depose Stephanie Safechuck on two dates. This follows James’s on 9/14 and Adrian McManus’s on 9/17. Chabre (CEO MJJ Enterprises ’92-96) TBD. The status conference has been delayed until October 16th. Importantly, both sides have noted the single appointed discovery referee has had limited availability to address disputes, causing “substantial delay” in completing that process. To help remedy this, they have requested two additional discovery referees to oversee this process.” Source : @MJJRepository on X

October 14 : WADE & JAMES CASE: New Proposed Timeline (Late-2028)

Ahead of an upcoming hearing, another joint status update has been filed.

Both sides proposed another extended delay:

Feb. 28, 2028 – Written Discovery Cut-Off

May 15, 2028 – Deposition Cut-Off

November 13, 2028 – Trial

Source : @MJJRepository on X

2025

January 16 : Regarding the Safechuck/Robson lawsuit against the MJJ companies, the judge has ordered a trial date of November 23, 2026. Next hearing is on March 14, 2025.

February 20 : Be aware and prepared: Mockumentary part 2 lands next month

Last May, we told you that Dan Reed, the bold mastermind behind Leaving Neverland, was working on a sequel—he was even spotted filming during court proceedings in Los Angeles last year. Now, it seems Reed and Channel 4 couldn’t wait for the trial to wrap up (or maybe they already know it won’t end well for Safechuck and Robson), so they’ve decided to air Leaving Neverland 2 on March 18—choosing not to wait for the final verdict in 2026!

‘Leaving Neverland’ Sequel ‘Surviving Michael Jackson’ Set for March

February 26 : ‘Leaving Neverland’ Sequel ‘Surviving Michael Jackson’ to Premiere on YouTube in U.S.

March 04 : Leaving Neverland 2’ Trailer: Sequel Follows James Safechuck & Wade Robson’s Fight For Justice After Accusing Michael Jackson Of Sexual Assault

March 17 : These are the channels Michael Jackson fans should boycott.

Piers Morgan interview on LN2

April 09 : Legal Clash in Michael Jackson Case Over Confidentiality
As discovery formally ramps up after years of preliminary motions and procedural delays, both parties have come to a joint proposal for the timeline. According to this schedule:

Written discovery requests may proceed through October 2025

Factual discovery will continue through February 2026

Depositions may be conducted until June 2026

Final discovery submissions are due by July 31, 2026

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 11, 2025. As discovery continues, the court will likely revisit the issues of confidentiality, complex case treatment, and the evolving boundaries of what can be shared and with whom.

July 09 : CASE UPDATE: Extended Timeline : “The long-running legal saga involving Wade Robson and James Safechuck’s civil cases against the Michael Jackson Estate continues, with yet another extension of the timeline. According to recent court filings, both the plaintiffs’ attorneys, the Estate’s legal team, and the appointed discovery referee have jointly agreed to extend all discovery deadlines by six months. The new proposed deadline is February 10, 2027. This comes amid a series of scheduling challenges and delays that have impacted the process on both sides. A status conference is still on the calendar for July 11, where the judge will consider this proposed extension. If approved, it means any potential trial in these cases would likely be pushed to spring 2027 at the earliest.”

September 24 : Michael Jackson’s Accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck Demand 9-Figure Sum Over Alleged Abuse (Exclusive) : 3Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who have accused Michael Jackson of sexually assaulting them as children, are demanding $400 million in court, Us Weekly can exclusively report. John Branca and John McClain, the two men in charge of the late pop star’s estate, dropped the revelation in court documents related to Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson’s separate request about legal fees.

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.

December 24 : The MJ Cast Episode 174 is released : Season Ten Christmas Special with Taj Jackson, Elise Capron, Jamon Bull, Charles Thomson, and Charlie Carter.

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.

2023

June 27 : Wade Robson’s case to go on trial

The California Court of Appeal just cleared the way for Robson to make his case in court. The trial court favoured the Estate’s argument, but the Court of Appeal begged to differ, and according to a tentative ruling the case will be sent back down for trial. Robson sued the MJ corporation in 2013 and The California Court of Appeal has reversed the 2021 decision dismissing his case. The case was originally dismissed in 2017 after a judge found it was filed past the statute of limitations. However, a new law extending the time for child victims to file legal claims revived the case in 2019. Then, in 2021, the judge ruled that Michael’s company had no legal duty to protect Robson from any alleged harm.

August 18 : Michael Jackson sexual abuse lawsuits revived by appeals court : “LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California appeals court on Friday revived lawsuits from two men who allege Michael Jackson sexually abused them for years when they were boys. A three-judge panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal found that the lawsuits of Wade Robson and James Safechuck should not have been dismissed by a lower court, and that the men can validly claim that the two Jackson-owned corporations that were named as defendants in the cases had a responsibility to protect them. A new California law that temporarily broadened the scope of sexual abuse cases enabled the appeals court to restore them.”

APPEALS UPDATE: Court Publishes Final Opinion – Unchanged from Tentative. The court has reversed both dismissals of Wade/James back to trial court. Based on the tentative and judge demeanor in oral arguments, this is no surprise. The litigants continue.

Statement from the estate on the appeal reversal : “…We remain fully confident that Michael is innocent of these allegations, which are contrary to all credible evidence and independent corroboration…motivated solely by money. We trust that the truth will ultimately prevail.”

September 07 : Within less than 24hrs, the court of appeal of the State of California has already denied the Petition for Rehearing deposited by the Michael Jackson Estate on September 05. The court appeal has denied the petition on September 06, meaning that they will not revise their decision for the Robson case to go to trial. However, fan experts in US laws are positive about this as it seems this was expected and planned by the Estate. The Estate’s plan is to go to the Supreme Court of the United States as this is the ultimate power decision in the US court system. The petition being denied will build their case for the Supreme Court and reverse the Appeal court decision.

September 18 : Taj Jackson sat down on September 2 with Charles Thomson for the MJCast and he gave few updates on his documentary. Taj first talked about his family, going to Las Vegas for the Estate’s Michael Jackson Sapphire Celebration, Myles Frost and MJ The Musical and the Biopic. Taj also confirmed that the documentary is still looking for funding as the two deals he announced last year never materialised. He confirmed that he will release the series before the Robson’s trial and before the Biopic which is supposed to be out in 2024.

September 26 : The Estate of Michael Jackson files petition to the Supreme court

The estate of Michael Jackson has just filed a 42-page petition seeking review from the California supreme court in the Robson/Safechuck case. The Estate hopes to that the Supreme court will reverse the court of appeal of the State of California that was denied at the beginning of the month. We will update you as soon as the Supreme Court issued an answer. The petition was filed on September 26, 2023.

October 02 : Taj Jackson : “This docuseries WILL clear Michael Jackson’s name once and for all. That has always and will always be its main purpose and focus. It will tackle the topics and crap that those of us who defend Michael daily have to deal with. The series will finally educate the uninformed/ill-informed public. That being said, It is equally important to also humanize Michael Jackson and show him as a real person and human being. Otherwise the general public won’t bother empathizing or sympathizing with him. I need them to feel all the horrors he was put through. It still amazes me to this day how strong my uncle was.

Although the last 4 years have taken its toll both mentally and physically, I will NEVER EVER stop fighting for my uncle. This docuseries is the top priority for me.
And for those of you who have fought right there alongside me on the front lines … I am eternally grateful. We have held each other up.
Last but not least… I truly appreciate all the love, support and confidence you guys have continuesly shown me. Together we can and will Right HIStory. That is a promise.”

November 16 : The estate of Michael Jackson’s petition for review of the appeal’s reversal has been denied. The Robson/Safechuck case will therefore go to trial so brace yourself for another years of fighting for justice.

December 14 : Taj Jackson : “I’ve tried for so long to keep this project under the radar and hide it from the general media and public. My strategy was…they can not stop what they do not know. However, I don’t 100 percent feel like this tactic is as effective anymore.
All it really does is frustrate you guys and keep you totally in the dark with questions and no answers. Another alternative is me considering the open and transparent angle. This would be pretty new to me regarding this project, but I am willing to entertain that idea now.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts or concerns about either route.

If the open and transparent angle route is the right way to go for most of you, we can start early 2024 off that way. After all, this is not just my project, this is OUR project.
We have been on this MJ battlefield fighting together and have the permanent battle scars to prove it. And while others might now feel safe enough to swoop in to reap all the rewards from OUR wins and efforts.. I will continue to remind them that WE were the ones on those front lines, not them. That is why you guys will always have my gratitude and respect.”

2022

March 21 : Taj Jackson : “The other day I was editing never before seen footage of my brothers and I with my uncle Michael and it brought back all these amazing feelings.
I even said out loud to myself while it was still playing…
”I got you uncle Michael”.
Looking back, It was a strange thing to say out loud when you are all alone… but I meant it with every single fiber of my soul.
I got him!…matter of fact….WE got him.
His legacy WILL be cemented in history as the incredible person and human being he undeniably was. WE will make sure people know THE TRUTH. And I am so grateful to have your continued support and trust on this journey. WE GOT THIS!

Let me say one last thing as I think it needs repeating.
I will NOT STOP fighting for my uncle and the truth. I also have NEVER stopped working on this docuseries and will never stop until it is completed and released, as promised.”

June 13 : Brett Barnes gives his first interview since 1993 on the MJ Cast podast to defend Michael.

2021

February 19 : Taj Jackson : “Unfortunately because we are still in a pandemic, things are moving way slower than I ever wished. Fortunately there is a light at the end of this COVID tunnel and I look forward to quickly getting things moving again once restrictions lighten up more. And it’s not like I have just been sitting on my hands waiting either. . Everyday I am either doing interviews fighting for my uncle’s innocence, or working on this project and how to best and most effectively get it done with the greatest impact.
I heard some people publically doubt that this project will ever be finished. And although I really do understand their frustrations, I don’t think anybody understands the strength of my love for my uncle and the incredible bond we had. This is a promise I made to him over 25 years ago and I still remember it as if it were yesterday. I promised to always stand up for him and his legacy. Even when others wouldn’t.
I won’t stop until this project is done and something he would be proud of me for.
Now more than ever I am excited and optimistic because “a change is gonna come “(to quote the late great Sam Cooke) and I can see it happening already.
I got this , we got this!
L.O.V.E.
Taj”

April 26 : Wade Robson’s case dismissed by Judge

The Los Angeles Superior Court ruled against Wade Robson in case this morning in claims against corporations owned by Michael Jackson and/or the Estate of Michael Jackson and dismissed his case again. “As of today, a summary judgment AGAINST Wade Robson has been granted three different times by two different judges of the Superior Court.

May 6 : Michael Jackson’s Estate is preparing for battle with HBO in their arbitration case over the documentary, “Leaving Neverland.” They’ve added to their legal team Thomas Mesereau. The other members of the team are Bryan Freedman and Jonathan Steinsapir.

July 30 : Taj Jackson : “The past 2 years I have purposely not shared some things with you guys because I didn’t want my personal problems to interfere or question your confidence in me and this project.

First, I have never lied about this project being one of the most important projects in my life. Nor have I ever lied about my love and dedication to it and my uncle. However, there are some personal stuff behind the scenes that I have had to deal with and it has definitely affected both my mental and physical health. I am doing much better now but I want to finally share 2 examples.

Ok, where do I start…
Last year my wife and I came face to face with the horrors of a miscarriage. I didn’t reveal it back then because we had no idea how to handle this loss. The effects were absolutely devastating for us.
That day, we went to my wife’s OB/GYN(doctor) to finally find out the gender of our new baby. It was suppose to be an exciting day. Instead we found out that our little precious baby no longer had a heartbeat. Nothing prepared us for that shock. I hid this pain well from you guys and the public. I still did many interviews regarding my uncle and livestreams after that painful day. You would have never known what happened.

Which brings me to my next situation…
Well two months ago I went to my doctor for the first time in nearly a decade. I knew I hadn’t been taking good care of myself and the results clearly showed.
Not only was my blood pressure and blood sugar super high, I also had some other health complications. Not to mention I was already 60 pounds overweight. Luckily everything was still fixable and not permanent. But I had a pretty decent health scare for awhile. So if I wasn’t as active on social media as I had been in the past, or didn’t answer or respond to your messages or comments, now you know why. I really had to focus on getting better and healthier…For my family, for the project, and for me.

Why am I telling all this.
Because it felt weird and hypocritical to be working on a series that humanizes my uncle by showing all the external crap and struggles he had to deal with, while at the same time I am hiding my own personal struggles and crap from you guys. I am also telling you this because I want you to fully understand that through out all this drama, my commitment to this project has never faltered. I have been constantly working and pushing things forward since I first put this Go Fund Me page up. Even with my hardships these years, I have always made time to fight for and defend my uncle’s legacy. And I will never stop that fight until everyone learns and knows the truth.

Am I frustrated about the speed at which this series is moving, of course I am. But I could have never predicted that a world wide pandemic would slow down things everywhere and last this long. So unfortunately we have to be patient.

That being said…There is no doubt in my mind that this series will be finished and distributed globally . I’m ready to hit the ground running once it’s safe to do so. I want to thank everyone for their continued support. Whether monetary support or emotional support, I am so thankful for my uncle’s defenders and advocates. This series will be executed in a way that will forever vindicate my uncle Michael once and for all. It will cement his legacy as not only the greatest entertainer that ever lived, but one of the greatest and kindest human beings to ever walk this planet. My uncle, Michael Jackson, deserves that.

Yes this series is a huge undertaking, but as I said before, your support makes this possible. I truly thank you guys for believing in this project and me. We are going to make a difference for many generations to come.

Shamone!
Taj”

2020

January 04 : Accusers can pursue lawsuits against Michael Jackson’s companies, court says.

A California appeals court ruled that Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who appeared in the movie “Leaving Neverland,” could pursue their claims because of a change in California law. A lower court had dismissed lawsuits brought by the two men in 2014 because California’s statute of limitations required that claims of childhood sexual abuse be filed before an accuser’s 26th birthday. However a new law, which came into effect on 1 January, extends the timeframe up to a person’s 40th birthday.

January 06 : The German TV channel SAT1 is airing the documentary Michael Jackson – Auf der Suche nach der Wahrheit (Michael Jackson: In Search of the Truth), featuring numerous previously unseen interviews with La Toya Jackson, Taj & Brandi Jackson, Tom Mesereau, Bill Whitfield, Dieter Wiesner, Aphrodite Jones, and most notably the Schleiter family — a German family speaking publicly for the first time on television about their relationship with Michael Jackson. (In March 2019, following the broadcast of Leaving Neverland, the Schleiter family had published a lengthy message of support for the singer on their website, titled “Enough is Enough.”)

February 29 : HBO Seeks Dismissal of ‘Leaving Neverland’ law suit

April 03 : Dan Reed wants to film Safechuck/Robson court cases

October 21 : James Safechuck court case dismissed

The judge Honorable Mark A. Young has dismissed James Safechuck’s case against MJJ Productions Inc and MJJ Ventures Inc on October 20, 2020 in the Superior Court of California. In the court document of 10 pages, the judge explained in details every six causes of action.

December 08 : Taj Jackson : “First I’d like to say that your continued patience through production delays caused by this pandemic is greatly appreciated. I thank each and every one of you for your generous past donations and emotional support. I assure you that you will be pleased once you see the completed series. I have utilized this “off” time to put together an awesome team of people that I am extremely excited about. At the beginning of next year I will announce this team and their various roles.

This project will be what my uncle deserves and something he would be extremely proud of. Not just in the outcome, but the dedication, support, and love surrounding it. We will permanently change the misconceptions and narratives built by opportunists and the media. Lies will be exposed! The Truth will finally be cemented. That said, I ask for a little more time and patience while we get through this pandemic. I look forward to returning to production(filming) soon.

Together, we will Re-Right HIStory.

Taj”

December 15 : MJ Estate wins appeal against HBO