Untouchable

by Randall Sullivan

  Sisario, “A Year Later.”

  “2710 Palomino Ln., Las Vegas, NV 89107—Michael Jackson’s Last Las Vegas Residence from 2007 Through 2009.” zillow.com, March 2009 (I).

  CHANDLER CASE

  Barnes, Brooks. “Pellicano and a Lawyer Convicted in Wiretapping.” New York Times, August 29, 2008.

  Bashir, Martin. “Corey Feldman Speaks Out Against Jackson.” ABC-20/20, February 10, 2005 (RT).

  Caruso, Michelle. “Jax Accuser Abuse Claim. Kid Paid Off in ’93 Sez He Was Harmed—by Own Dad.” New York Daily News, September 5, 2006.

  Fischer, “Framed.”

  Friedman, Roger. “Ex-Jacko Accuser in Court Against Dad.” Fox News, August 19, 2006 (I).

  Gumbel, Andrew. “Accusing Jackson of Sex Abuse Ruined the Life of Jordy Chandler.” Independent, November 22, 2003.

  Hall, Carla, and Tami Abdollah. “Pellicano Found Guilty of Racketeering.” Los Angeles Times, May 16, 2008.

  Hodgson, Liz, and Pat Malone. “Jackson Stalker Put on Probation.” Evening Standard, May 25, 1994.

  “Jermaine Jackson: ‘Abuse Victim Claims Michael Jackson Never Molested Him.’” starpulse.com, November 26, 2009 (I).

  Leung, Rebecca. “New Jersey Teenager Reveals Secrets at Neverland Ranch.” cbsnews.com, November 22, 2003 (I).

  “Lisa Marie Presley Interview.” GQ, January 2004.

  Mankiewicz, Josh. “Inside Look at the 1999 Jackson Case.” NBC/Dateline, September 12, 2004 (RT).

  “Michael Jackson Forum: Michael Jackson’s Lover Tells All.” topix.com, January 7, 2011 (I).

  “Michael Jackson Is Innocent.” lacienegasmiled.wordpress.com, August 9, 2010 (I).

  “On This Day, August 24, 1993: Michael Jackson Accused of Child Abuse.” BBC (RT).

  Orth 3/04.

  Sawyer, “Lisa Marie Presley.”

  Smith, Kevin. “Jordy Made a Fortune Out of Michael Jackson . . . Now He’s Alone and Abandoned.” People (London), February 16, 1997.

  Stern, Howard. “Lisa Marie Presley Interview.” Howard Stern Show, February 25, 2003.

  EVAN’S SUICIDE

  Jones, “Killed by the Curse.”

  Parry, Ryan. “Michael Jackson Sex Case Dad Evan Chandler Wanted Justice but Ended Up Destroyed.” Daily Mirror, November 19, 2009.

  Perone, Tim, Lisa Stasi, and David K. Li. “Jacko Molest-Rap Dad Kills Himself.” New York Post, November 18, 2009.

  WIKIPEDIA

  “Gaucher’s Disease.”

  CHAPTER 31

  “Michael was a good person”: Mesereau. Ortega on MJ’s trips to orphanages and hospitals, “never seen Michael . . . embarrass, harm”: Ortega to McLean/the Times of London. Katherine Jackson asked me to “tell the world” MJ was not a pedophile near the end of that meeting where she was introduced to Perry Sanders. Schaffel told me about being sent to purchase the photo and books in one of our last interviews. Three deadbolt locks/secret room: reports police investigators made on the day of the raid on Neverland, part of the court file (as is the fact that MJ installed a chime-sounding alarm to notify him whenever someone was approaching the door of his bedroom). His desire for privacy, as I acknowledged in the text, is undeniable. In the end, I can only say that the feelings I developed for MJ in the course of researching and writing this book were almost entirely tender ones, and that I do sincerely wish he is resting in peace.

  COURT FILES

  Criminal

  SBSC 1133603.

  Civil

  LASC SC026226.

  REFLECTIONS

  Demorest, Steve. “Michael in Wonderland.” Melody Maker, March 1, 1980 (hereafter cited as Demorest).

  McLean, “Ortega.”

  AFTERWORD

  Trial of Dr. Conrad Murray section: facts and quoted statements are from court record. I happened to be in Los Angeles when the trial began, as were Katherine Jackson’s attorneys Perry Sanders and Sandra Ribera, who both shared their observations and analysis of what was taking place. Sandy was in court the first day of the trial, seated with the Jackson family, and not only discussed what she had seen but gave me a copy of the notes she made in court. Nevertheless, I relied mainly upon daily reporting from the courthouse: Ryan and Kim/LA Times, TMZ bulletins. TruTV’s “In Session” program asked me to join their team of reporters and commentators covering the trial, but I declined.

  Arnold Klein had admitted more than once that he administered Demerol to MJ in his office. “Needle phobic”: to Amy Ephron (see Chapter 28); Ephron also recapitulated the work of DEA agents and California Medical Board investigators, some of which was also reported by her colleague Diane Dimond, among others. Pfeiffer’s official claims against Klein: counterclaim against the doctor’s lawsuit against him; Pfeiffer’s unofficial claims (and references to the doctor as “Frankenklein”): postings on his blogspot. Klein prescriptions to Pfeiffer: provided by Pfeiffer for use in Daily Beast articles listed below. Judge Pastor’s ruling that most of the Klein stuff would not be admitted into evidence was made before the trial began. “Essentially gutted our defense strategy”: Chernoff to Ephron (see Chapter 28), though he said nearly the same thing to the LA Times. My opinion that the testimony of the AEG executives had been choreographed was shared by Sanders and Ribera. I can say for certain that the surfacing of the Kenny Ortega e-mail gave the attorneys representing Mrs. Jackson in the AEG lawsuit the sense that they might win that case after all. Gongaware testimony, playing of iPhone message, testimony that follows, etc.: evidence and testimony offered at trial. The autopsy photo of MJ did indeed appear on TMZ’s Web site; I’m not going to cite it. Jackson family reaction to Phillips’s testimony: sources in court, media reporting. Walgren, Pastor, White, Schafer, Waldman: transcripts/open court. “Scumbag”: see below. Scene at courthouse, and appearance of Occupy protesters: Esquival and Rojas/LA Times Web site. “Harrumphing incredulously”: Smith, Wall Street Journal blog. Positioning of La Toya and Janet: observers in court, media. Jermaine story/MJ planning to flee if found guilty: TMZ, which also reported Mesereau’s reaction (“Calls BS”). The quote here, though, was made in a conversation with me. Observations about the Jackson family: my own, though I certainly spoke to people close to the family who shared them. La Toya’s tweet: still online. Scene at the courthouse: again, Rojas and Esquival. Verdict/meaning in terms of sentencing: Blankstein/day of the verdict, ABC/next day; actual sentencing: CNN, USA Today. Murray remarks: “Michael Jackson and the Doctor”/MSNBC. Estate’s attempt to block the documentary: LA Times. “Four years is not enough”: KJ to Los Angeles ABC affiliate, reported on the network’s Web site November 29, 2011. “Upbeat,” “I’ll be out soon”: TMZ, same day as the sentencing.

  Medical Board questioning Klein: first reported by Dr. Klein himself on Facebook, later, Dimond/Daily Beast, Perpetua/rollingstone.com. Hiring publicist: Ryan/LA Times. Klein’s practice shrinking: Schaffel, later, Ryan, Seal. Auctioning off memorabilia: Heger/radaronline.com. Klein’s Facebook posts, still online: Seal. Medical Board demands on Dr. Klein, Klein response: Klein’s lawsuit in Sacramento’s Superior Court. Entertainment Tonight/Liberace’s former lover: see eonline.com. Landlord attempt to evict Klein: Heger/radaronline.com. Klein’s battle with LaChappelle, quote from Detective Hrycyk: Ryan/LA Times. Raymone Bain guilty plea/sentencing: Mather/LA Times Web site; Mesereau on Bain being held accountable for MJ’s failure to pay taxes: Mesereau. Oxman suspension/Jaroscak/related issues: State Bar Court of California Review Department ruling, Mesereau. Permanent disbarment: Friedman, Oxman’s State Bar profile; it was made final after this book was completed.

  AEG lawsuit/strategy, impact of Kenny Ortega e-mail and other information discovered in the lawsuit: confidential/KJ attorneys/advisors. MJ estate vs. Lloyds of London: TMZ; I heard a good deal more than they know about that from confidential sources closer to the action, especially about the backdoor communications on this matter between the estate and AEG. Katz-Vaccaro-Vaccaro’s-attorney taped conversation: see chapter 27; I have a copy of that recording. P
ressure on Perry Sanders, Segye Times lawsuit settlement: KJ advisors, Sanders; also re. settlement, TMZ, including information about the loan I wasn’t aware of. Tax issues facing MJ’s estate: Tax Notes, which thoroughly explained the issues that surround valuation of a dead celebrity’s estate. Branca/Weitzman Piers Morgan Tonight appearance: watched first airing, discussed with my sources, who agreed that the IRS must have been made aware of the claims about the value of MJ’s publishing rights. Settlement terms/Segye Times/loan from estate: confidential sources as above; the deal with the estate included some sort of provision for KJ and kids to fly to Montreal and enthuse about the Cirque du Soleil show. Sanders praising Branca: I was among those to whom he did. As noted previously, Sanders’s tone was changing again, and so was the attitude of Mrs. Jackson’s advisors, in the spring and summer of 2012. Sanders-LiCalsi meeting, Sanders-KJ meeting and advice about Branca/McClain: confidential source. Sanders’s spring 2012 questions for estate/Weitzman: Sanders, people involved in AEG lawsuit. Sanders praise of Branca for renegotiating MJ debt: Sanders, others to whom he spoke about it. Pepsi deal, Ola Ray settlement: contactmusic.com, others. Kimberly Griggs lawsuit, right to sell Hayvenhurst: TMZ; Sanders’s displeasure and estate explanation: Sanders, to me and to TMZ. Estate accounting statement: copy of document filed with Judge Beckloff, notated by Sandy Ribera. Jackson siblings’ questions about executor earnings, mounting pressure on Sanders: confidential sources, Sanders. Ribera précis to clients of accounting statement: Ribera, confidential source; Sanders needing a full accounting: confidential sources, Sanders. Randy/Janet pressure to take Branca on in court: my sources, as it was happening. The two youngest Jacksons have long been closer to each other than to others in the family. Janet/divorce: a number of people told me about how changed she was by her settlement with Elizondo—even Mesereau had heard about it. Divorce terms: papers and settlement via SmokingGun.com. Janet’s demand that Michael put up for boat first: two anonymous sources. $40,000 Forest Lawn deposit: Katherine Jackson told a number of people who later told me about Janet’s insistence on being repaid before MJ could be buried; the only one I can name is Schaffel; Janet wishing her siblings had their own money: same sources. What might appear to be hard-heartedness on Janet’s part should probably be placed in the context of her two divorces; she allowed herself to be taken advantage of financially by her ex-husbands to a degree that may be unmatched by any other female celebrity in U.S. history.

  KJ personal growth early 2011 through third anniversary of MJ’s death: Sanders and Ribera; others remarked upon it also. KJ refusal to hear criticisms of Randy/her other children, refusing Randy’s demands re. replacing her lawyers: same confidential sources. Ribera quotes: Ribera. Description of Prince: consistent across confidential sources; Prince questioning Sanders in Montreal: Mann, a confidential source. Prince’s trip to Berlin: Mann, who sent along a film crew; another source. Paris quotes: to DeGeneres and Winfrey. Janet Jackson quote to Prevention: below. Fiddes claim to be Blanket’s father: Fiddes to the Globe via contactmusic.com, aol.com. Paris’s tweets and online posts: Goldberg, CNN. Murray at Los Angeles County Jail: TMZ, including Murray’s quotes, contactmusic.com.

  Promotion of Unity tour, Jermaine quote: “Michael Jackson Remembered By Brothers”/Daily Telegraph. KJ preparing to go on the road to follow her sons: KJ advisors, Ribera. KJ disappearance in July of 2012 and return home: Sanders and especially Ribera; also, Mann/one of his attorneys on their litigation with the estate. I also spoke to one of Mrs. Jackson’s other advisors. The entire debacle was thoroughly chronicled in the tabloid media and on the Internet and the hearing before Judge Beckloff where KJ regained custody and the facts of her disappearance were entered is part of the BP 117 321 court file. Roger Friedman and TMZ led the way, as described in the text, relying heavily on what they heard from Sanders and Ribera, who were telling me a lot more than they were telling anyone else. All that came from secondary sources should be obvious to anyone reading the list of citations below.

  COURT FILES

  Criminal

  LASC SA073164.

  Civil

  2:11-bk-12718-RN.

  2:11-ap-02407-RN, 6/27/11.

  2:11-ap-02407-RN, 8/3/11.

  07-O-11968;08-O-12328;07-O13696;09-O12276 (State Bar Court of California, Review Department) In the Matter of Rickey Brian Oxman and Maureen Patricia Jaroscak, January 13, 2012.

  34-2012-80001201 (Sacramento County Superior Court) Arnold Klein, M.D. v. Medical Board of California, July 17, 2012.

  BP 117 321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Second Account Current and Report of Status Petition for Settlement Thereof, Estate of Michael Joseph Jackson, July 2, 2012.

  BP 117 321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Response of Executors John Branca and John McClain to Katherine Jackson’s Request for Production of Supporting Documents for Account Current, August 20, 2012.

  DOCUMENTS

  “Brian Oxman—CA State Bar Profile.” February 10, 2012.

  “Request for Production of Supporting Documents” submitted by Perry R. Sanders Jr. on behalf of Katherine Jackson to the Michael Jackson Estate, June 29, 2012.

  PRE-TRIAL/KLEIN/PFEIFFER

  Dimond, Diane. “Secret World.”

  “Dr. Klein Hands Over Michael Jackson’s Records.” TMZ, April 6, 2011 (I).

  Ephron, “Trial.”

  Pfeiffer, Jason. “The Truth According to Jason: Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures.” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, April 2, 2010 (I).

  ———.”The Truth According to Jason: I Have Not Said a Lot Lately . . .” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, November 14, 2011 (I).

  ———. “The Truth According to Jason: Trapped Like a Rat.” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, March 20, 2012 (I).

  ———. “The Truth According to Jason: What Goes Around Comes Around . . . Is It Mr. Klein Yet?” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, December 10, 2011 (I).

  ———. “The Truth According to Jason: Your House of Cards . . .” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, August 16, 2011 (I).

  Ryan, Harriet, and Victoria Kim,. “Another Setback for Murray’s Defense Strategy.” Los Angeles Times, August 29, 2011.

  Seal, “Doctor Will Sue.”

  TRIAL

  Finn, Natalie, and Baker Machado. “Conrad Murray Defense Witness Calls Propofol Expert a ‘Scumbag.’” E!online.com, October 20, 2011 (I).

  Kim, Victoria. “Michael Jackson Trial: Day 2 to Start with ‘This Is It’ Producer.” LATimes.com, September 28, 2011 (I). (These articles by Kim are cited chronologically.)

  ———. “Conrad Murray, in Taped Interview, Recalls Being Hired by Jackson.” LATimes.com, October 7, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Whether Jackson Swallowed Sedative Is Debated.” LATimes.com, October 7, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Detective Questioned on Propofol Bottle.” LATimes.com, October 11, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Michael Jackson Autopsy Photo Shown to Jurors During Testimony.” LATimes.com, October 11, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Testimony Strikes at Heart of Jackson Doctor’s Defense.” Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Witness: Conrad Murray More Like Employee Than Doctor to Jackson.” LATimes.com, October 19, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Witness: A ‘Possibility’ That Michael Jackson Caused Own Death.” LATimes.com, October 21, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray: Judge Issues Another Blow to Defense.” LATimes.com, October 25, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray Witness: Jackson Wanted Unorthodox Sleep Drug.” LATimes.com, October 25, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray Patient: ‘I Am Alive Today Because of That Man.’” LATimes.com, October 26, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Caving In to a Patient’s Demands?” LATimes.com, October 27, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Michael Jackson ‘Probably’ Addicted to Demerol—Defense Witness.” LATimes.com, October 27, 2011 (I).

  ———.
“Defense Expert Concedes Conrad Murray Violated Medical Care Standards.” LATimes.com, October 31, 2011 (I)

  ———. “Key Conrad Murray Witness Faces New Contempt of Court Charge.” LATimes.com, October 31, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray’s Fate Soon to Be in Jury’s Hands as Testimony Ends.” LATimes.com, November 1, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Defense Calls Conrad Murray a Victim as Case Goes to Jury.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray Lied to Police About Jackson’s Death, D.A. Says.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011.

  ——— “Conrad Murray’s Defense Employed ‘Junk Science,’ D.A. says.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Conrad Murray Guilty Even If Jackson Injected Himself, D.A. says.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011 (I).

  ———. “Lawyers for Conrad Murray Seek Test of Drug Vial.” Los Angeles Times, July 31, 2012.

  Kim, Victoria, and Harriet Ryan. “Conrad Murray Trial: Jackson Doctor Makes Frantic Call, but Not to 911.” LATimes.com, September 28, 2011 (I). (These articles by Kim and Ryan are cited chronologically.)

  ——— and ———. “Jackson Begged for ‘Some Milk,’ Murray Says in Recording.” Los Angeles Times, October 7, 2011.

  ——— and ———. “Witness: Murray Gave Jackson 40 Times More of the Drug Than He Told Police.” LATimes.com, October 20, 2011 (I).

  ——— and ———. “Michael Jackson Probably Caused His Own Death, Witness Testifies.” Los Angeles Times, October 29, 2011.

  ——— and ———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Prosecution to Cross-Examine Defense Expert.” LATimes.com, October 31, 2011 (I).

  ——— and ———. “Murray’s Defense Ends with Him Taking the Stand.” Los Angeles Times, November 2, 2011.

  Kim, Victoria, Harriet Ryan, and Andrew Blankstein. “Murray’s iPhone Offers Snapshot of Jackson’s Final Weeks.” LATimes.com, October 6, 2011 (I).

  “MJ’s Lawyer Calls BS on Jermaine Jackson.” TMZ, September 11, 2011 (I).

  Ryan, Harriet and Victoria Kim. “Michael Jackson Was Too Sick to Dance at Rehearsals, Director Says.” LATimes.com, September 27, 2011 (I). (These articles by Ryan and Kim are cited chronologically.)