Cops, deputies everywhere as fans,
journalists invade Santa Maria.
P H O T O S E N L A R G E W H E N C L I C K E D
No verdict yet. Just that simple. Jurors arrived at 8:10 on the dot, left for the weekend at about 2:25 this afternoon. They asked no questions of the judge and asked for no read-backs of testimony.
Dozens of reporters stood on the sidelines as the jurors filed into the white, unmarked vans. They will be taken to a secure parking lot near Santa Maria’s airport where their cars are parked.
“I think this jury knows that the world is watching ‘em” says Bremner. “But I don’t think they’re timid in any way. I just think they’re hard working and want they want to make sure justice is done.”
Meantime, at Neverland...
What’s the Jackson family going through right now? NBC legal analyst Susan Filan says “Their empire is falling down around them. I think they probably are bracing for a conviction on something. If there’s a hung jury they know they’re going to have to go through this all over again.”
“I know Michael Jackson’s health has taken a turn for the worse,” says Bremner. “Some say that he weights 87 pounds now, he doesn’t eat — he doesn’t sleep. They say they see him wandering around Neverland at three and four in the morning.”
Jackson publicist Raymone Bain fired
by Randy. Will Michael intercede?
The week began with Michael Jackson’s father wandering across the courthouse complex asking “Where’s my son?” It ended with Michael Jackson’s publicist asking “Where’s my job?”
Reports swirled Friday morning that publicity Raymone Bain had been booted, though Bain herself called the media pool around noon to say the rumors were false. Could have been Raymone’s final shot at disinformation. I ran the item once along including Bain’s denial, then dropped the story.
Around 7:15pm Friday, I’m stuck in traffic in Santa Barbara, driving home to Venice. There, stuck in the lane to my right was Fox News correspondent Roger Friedman, convertible top down, chatting on his cell. Roger shouts out, “Hey! Raymone Bain’s been fired!” “For real?” I asked. Freidman confirmed. Check out his Fox 411 column at FoxNews.com Moday for the details, but it looks like Raymone was axed by Randy Jackson. Raymone is said to be trying to get through to Michael for, uh, clarification.
Late Friday, Jackson’s official web site www.mjjsource.com, posted this farewell note to Raymone: "MJJ Productions regretfully announces the termination of Raymone Bain and Davis, Bain & Associates. We thank you for your services."
You’d think Randy Jackson would know better. His unceremonious firing of Jackson publicist Bob Jones, after thirty years of service, has led to the upcoming tell-all book “Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask.” Lord knows what tales Bain could tell. So what do you suspect’s going on at Neverland these days? Susan Filan thinks the Jackson clan is probably fighting like cats and dogs.
In front of the courthouse — police show
no tolerance for spray-painted angels
And still they pour in. Hundreds of fans, protestors and curious townsfolk packing the fenced-off mosh pit in front of the courthouse.
A young woman was apprehended by Santa Maria police for spray-painting an angel on the sidewalk.
Santa Maria police are keeping a close watch, and often separating the Jackson faithful chanting, “Michael’s innocent” from those chanting back, “Peter Pan or Pedophile!” So far, no serious scuffles.
As many as 200 additional police officers are standing by to be brought in as soon as the one-hour warning comes down before the verdict is read. Up to a thousand spectators are expected to be here.
If the scene is too volatile to get a freshly-convicted Jackson past as many as a thousand fans and the curious, deputies are standing by to chopper Jackson to jail in Santa Barbara. They’ll lift off from the Little League baseball field next to the courthouse.
Superfan BJ and Court TV
anchorwoman at odds
Three guards are standing watch outside the Court TV trailer complex on the west end of the parking lot. Anchor Diane Dimond, who’s been outspoken in her belief Jackson is guilty, has taken out a restraining order on fan B.J. Hickman (left) who has been here since January from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Hickman has been shouting all kinds of nasty stuff at Dimond, whose tempered-steel take on Jackson has been relentless, irking the hardcore fans, big time. Dimond said Hickman had subjected her to “emotional and physical intimidation for three months.” Dimond’s leather-tough skin may actually be thinner than most thought. But Hickman disputes Dimond’s claim that he has impeded her First Amendment rights.
At a news conference this morning, (he now has an attorney and a publicist) Hickman said “Yesterday, Diane Dimond filed a complaint against me saying that I had threatened her and intimidated her. These allegations are not true. I have never threatened her or harmed her in any way. I simply disagreed with how she is reporting this case and I have expressed my feelings on this freely and have the right to do so.”
Hickman said he will abide by the restraining order to remain 20 yards from Dimond. A hearing to make the order permanent will take place June 29. When it’s an 18-year-old fan whose local address is in care of the skateboard shop, Santa Maria, versus a trailer packed with lawyers, who will prevail?
Fans broke into song. Okay, a chant: “B.J.’s Inn-o-cent! B.J.’s Inn-o-cent!”
A mini-United Nations with journalists from 34 nations on six continents. The Czech Republic checked in late yesterday and we’re meeting new colleagues from all over. Just chatted with two new arrivals from Ireland and Austria. It’s weird, but this “We Are the World” thing has kicked in. Here we all are, we are the world. Michael Jackson has brought us all together, as one. Just like he said he would. Ironic, no?
...and watch out for the Jackson suicide spam
A dangerous new email message is circulating on the web, saying that Michael Jackson has attempted suicide. Internet security experts say whatever you do — don’t click the link to the story. That site will download malicious software into your PC — Trojan horse software that allows spammers to use your computer to send junk email.
Stay tuned!
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