Ankita
Proud Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2004
- Messages
- 1,225
- Points
- 0
Raffles van Exel, Founder and CEO of Raffles Entertainment and longtime friend of Michael Jackson's, has spoken out about the Conrad Murray documentary airing Friday. In a statement released Thursday, van Exel said, "Michael Jackson was a tragic victim of a homicide. Michael's life was taken from him by Dr. Conrad Murray. A jury of his peers convicted Dr. Murray of Involuntary Manslaughter on November 7, 2011. During the trial, Conrad Murray had the chance to defend himself and tell his side of the story. Murray chose not to, which was his right." States Raffles van Exel. "However, it is troubling that Murray would give an interview to NBC while a court mandated gag order was in effect. Adding insult to injury, according to a report published by Radaronline.com, NBC Universal allegedly paid over 300,000.00 for the documentary that is set to air shortly. My friend, Michael Jackson can no longer defend himself against any accusations. What's being done is deplorable."
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor issued a gag order in the trial on September 30, 2011 which strictly prohibited Murray, his lawyers and anyone associated with the case to speak to media outlets. Murray, however, conducted an interview with NBC News Correspondent Savannah Guthrie during the trial.
Van Exel went on to say, "I have remained silent regarding the circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson's death. But with MSNBC's decision to air this questionable documentary, I must speak out for my friend whose voice was forever silenced on June 25, 2009. I stand with the fans of Michael Jackson, whom Michael called his Army of Love. These fans are requesting NBC Universal and MSNBC not to air this documentary. I ask all of Michael Jackson's friends and family to join me in support of Michael's fans and fan clubs in their pursuit of media fairness and responsibility for Michael Jackson."
Raffles van Exel is not the first Jackson friend to speak out against the airing of the documentary. He joins Jack Wishna, Founder and CEO of rockcityclub.com, who released his own statement Thursday calling on NBC Universal to cancel the documetary.
"Michael was a very caring and trusting human being and it is horrible how Conrad Murray took advantage of Michael for his own gain, and did not care enough about him to help him through his pain. And now NBC is giving Murray a reward by focusing a show on his opinions and views and having him further tarnish the image of a great talent, human being and humanitarian," Wishna said. "It is our hope that NBC Universal and MSNBC will show compassion to Michael Jackson's family, his loyal fans, and the many real friends Michael had and reverse their decision to air this unnecessary documentary."
Source: MJFC / prweb.com / sacbee.com
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor issued a gag order in the trial on September 30, 2011 which strictly prohibited Murray, his lawyers and anyone associated with the case to speak to media outlets. Murray, however, conducted an interview with NBC News Correspondent Savannah Guthrie during the trial.
Van Exel went on to say, "I have remained silent regarding the circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson's death. But with MSNBC's decision to air this questionable documentary, I must speak out for my friend whose voice was forever silenced on June 25, 2009. I stand with the fans of Michael Jackson, whom Michael called his Army of Love. These fans are requesting NBC Universal and MSNBC not to air this documentary. I ask all of Michael Jackson's friends and family to join me in support of Michael's fans and fan clubs in their pursuit of media fairness and responsibility for Michael Jackson."
Raffles van Exel is not the first Jackson friend to speak out against the airing of the documentary. He joins Jack Wishna, Founder and CEO of rockcityclub.com, who released his own statement Thursday calling on NBC Universal to cancel the documetary.
"Michael was a very caring and trusting human being and it is horrible how Conrad Murray took advantage of Michael for his own gain, and did not care enough about him to help him through his pain. And now NBC is giving Murray a reward by focusing a show on his opinions and views and having him further tarnish the image of a great talent, human being and humanitarian," Wishna said. "It is our hope that NBC Universal and MSNBC will show compassion to Michael Jackson's family, his loyal fans, and the many real friends Michael had and reverse their decision to air this unnecessary documentary."
Source: MJFC / prweb.com / sacbee.com