People at home won't be able to see the legal battle between the Jacksons and AEG Live because cameras are not permitted in the courtroom.
- April 11, 2013
AceShowbiz -
TV stations are banned from bringing their cameras into courtroom for live coverage at the upcoming Michael Jackson wrongful death trial. CNN reports Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos turned down requests made by the news network and fellow station, NBC, to broadcast the proceedings live.
When CNN and NBC first proposed the idea of live coverage to the judge, lawyers for the Jackson family supported it. Meanwhile their opponent, AEG Live, objected to it.
Jury selections have started and the trial will begin soon. There is a limited space for 10 reporters in the courtroom with more than 60 news organizations from around the globe including Japan, France Germany and Australia asking for seats to cover the trial when the Jacksons face off AEG Live.
Michael's mother Katherine and his children Paris, Prince and Blanket sued the concert promoter over the hiring of Dr. Conrad Murray who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the King of Pop's untimely death. They're seeking a reported $40 billion for loss of future earnings and other damages.
AEG called the $40 billion number presented by the family absurd, saying Michael's career was already fading. They argued that they did not hire Murray and could not have foreseen he posed a danger to the singer. They also contended that Michael already had problems with prescription drugs before they signed a deal to work together for "This Is It".
In a pre-trial, judge said the defendants were allowed to revisit Michael's sex abuse case, where MJ was actually acquitted on all counts, as it might be relevant to the late singer's history of drug abuse and despondency.
Katherine, Michael's kids and Murray are all on the witness list, along with Diana Ross, Michel's best pal, and Lisa Marie Presley, his ex-wife. Producer Quincy Jones who frequently worked with the King of Pop on his albums including 1987's "Bad", and filmmaker Spike Lee who helped put together a 2012 documentary film about the 25th anniversary of the monster album are listed as well.
MJ died from an anesthetic overdose before "This Is It" was launched and before Murray could finalize his contract that would earn him $150,000 a month.
