Katherine Jackson vs AEG Live -Daily Trial Testimony Summary

Status
Not open for further replies.

ivy

Proud Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
16,074
Points
0
Location
USA
To help fans easily follow the updates in the trial these daily summaries are done from media reports about Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Media sources are credited in parenthesis when appropriate.

Please note that as these summaries are made from media reports they might not follow the actual order of testimony.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 1 - April 29 2013 – Summary - Part 1

Hearing about Motions

First day of Jacksons vs. AEG trial started with Judge hearing motions about whether Michael Jackson's medical history will be made public and objections about opening statements. (LATimes &AP). AEG objected a slide that referenced Amy Winehouse, heavy redaction of an email that talked about Murray’s visit to strip clubs. Judge ordered changes to strip club mentions and removal of reference to Amy Winehouse (AP).

Jackson’s lawyers opposed AEG slide that mentioned $40 billion damages. Jackson lawyers stated $40 Billion figure was thrown out there to preserve Jackson family’s rights and not filed with court. Judge allowed AEG to show damages slide to jury (AP).

During the hearing Judge asked if Conrad Murray will testify. AEG said they intend to call Murray as a witness (ABC7).

Opening Statements

First day of trial were attended by Katherine, Randy and Rebbie Jackson; AEG Live CEO Shawn Trell. Conrad Murray’s appellate lawyer Valerie Wass was present and she said to media Murray is innocent (ABC7). 16 media and 2 fans were also in the courtroom.


57ggn.jpg


Katherine sat in the front row with Randy on her left and Rebbie on her right (AP).

Jacksons Opening Statement

Jackson’s attorney Panish started his opening statement by showing a clip of MJ rehearsing for “This is it” (AP). Panish briefly went over MJ’s life stating "Performing since 6 years old; 44 years in show business." (LATimes).

Jackson attorney Panish said that Jackson's death from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol was caused by a combination of factors.

Panish : "Michael Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray and AEG Live each played a part in the ultimate result, the death of Michael Jackson," (Reuters)

Panish told jurors they would be putting together a puzzle, with three pieces being Jackson, Murray and AEG Live.(CTVNews)

Panish: “Michael had a problem, Dr. Murray had a problem and AEG had a problem,” (LATimes)

At his opening statement Jackson’s attorney Panish heavily focused on MJ’s prescription medicine addiction (AP). Jackson’s lawyer Panish stated MJ had developed a problem with prescription medication and at times became “dependent” on the drugs. Panish said MJ’s drug problem started in 1984 when MJ suffered second and third-degree burns while filming a Pepsi commercial. (LATimes)

Panish said MJ began taking Demerol after he was injured while filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984 (Reuters & CNS). Panish also stated that MJ also suffered from anxiety that “became more prevalent when he was going through a rigorous schedule.” (LATimes). Panish said there's no dispute MJ went to various doctors for Demerol and MJ also had problems with sleep and sought Propofol (ABC7).

"It was widely publicized Michael was dependent on pain killers," Panish said, adding that AEG Live should have been aware of the reports. (Reuters)

Jackson’s attorney Panish said MJ’s family and friends knew about MJ’s addiction problems and AEG is the only entity that claims to not know it (AP).

Panish detailed MJ’s prescription drug abuse history, saying the singer regularly used demerol and propofol, and that "people who knew him believed he had a problem with prescription medication." (ABC)

“Michael Jackson’s family suspected he had a problem with prescription medication,” Panish conceded. (CNS)

Panish showed jury the contract between AEG and MJ (AP). Panish stated that evidence will show that AEG and Murray had an oral contract and Murray stockpiled Propofol in anticipation of treating Michael for the tour. Panish also stated that MJ would get daily doses of Propofol for six weeks in May and June, leading up to his death (ABC7).

Panish mentioned Murray’s problems and his debt. Jackson’s attorney showed a slide showing Murray owed back child support and facing foreclosure.

Panish also stated AEG had problems; they were feeling pressure from Live Nation (AP).

Jackson attorney Panish : "You know what AEG’s problem was? They were not No. 1 in the concert business but they wanted to be." “You don’t do that with white gloves,” Panish said. “You do what you gotta do if you want to be No. 1 in this rough business of concert promotions.”

Panish showed several emails between AEG Executives. One of them was an email about TII press conference Phillips wrote to Leiweke that MJ was drunk and refusing to address the fans. Phillips wrote: "This is the scariest thing I have ever seen. He is an emotionally paralyzed mess riddled with self-loathing and doubt now that it's show time. He's scared to death."(CBS).

Another email was Gongaware’s email to Kenny Ortega that said “We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ who is paying his salary”. In his deposition Gongaware repeatedly said he didn’t remember the email or recall what it meant (AP).

Another email was from Phillips after MJ’s death which said “Conrad is nuts. Remind me to tell you about his visits (redaction – strip clubs) the week MJ died.” (AP)

Another email is from when AEG was putting together This is it movie. Email says make sure we take out shots of MJ in red jacket... He looks too thin, skeletal (ABC7)

Panish described to the jury a series of emails where AEG executives talk about backing off the show would be a disaster (ABC7)

Panish told jury that Phillips lied about MJ’s health before he died, and after his death, “The deception by Mr. Phillips doesn't stop.” (AP).

Panish said Kai Chase would testify that meeting between AEG execs, Murray and MJ ended badly. Kai Chase will testify that MJ left the meeting at Carolwood house, meeting with Murray continued for hours after Jackson left and that a vase was broken during meeting (AP).

“There were no rules,” Panish told the jury, when it came to furthering AEG’s success. “It didn’t matter what it took. … AEG had a problem and they wanted to fix it and they didn’t care who got lost in the wash.” “Forget about helping Mr. Jackson. The show must go on.” (LATimes)

Panish "There will be no question in your mind that they were ruthless and they wanted to be No. 1 at all cost," (CNN).

Jackson’s attorney Panish stated that AEG ignored several red flags such as Murray initially asking for $5 Million and eventually agreeing on $150,000 per month (AP). Panish said another doctor had told AEG he would do the job for $40,000 a month as long as Jackson was "clean," meaning not on drugs (CNN). Panish also stated that AEG did not do a background check on Murray (AP).

Background checks would have revealed Murray was deeply in debt and was a cardiologist even though Jackson had no known heart issues, Panish said. (Reuters)

"When a red flag comes up, do you turn away or do you look into it?" Panish said. "AEG ignored the obvious red flags and they hired Dr. Murray." (Reuters)

Murray's "financial condition made him susceptible to pressure and created a conflict between his patient's needs and AEG's needs." (Eonline)

"They put Dr. Murray in a position where if he said Michael can't go or can't play, if he said I can't give you those drugs, then he doesn't get paid," (CNN)

Panish showed a clip of Gongaware’s deposition in which he said they didn't investigate Dr. Murray and he had no supervision (ABC7) Panish said AEG executives lied to Kenny Ortega when Phillips wrote to him “his (MJ) doctor is extremely successful (we checked everyone out) and does not need this gig, he's unbiased & ethical” since they didn't check Dr. Murray, who was in financial distress. But AEG wanted the show to go on (ABC7).

Panish described MJ as “a devoted son to his mother, Katherine Jackson, and a devoted father to his three children.” (CNS).

14257rl.jpg


Panish played “You are my life”, a song MJ wrote for his children Prince, Paris and Blanket, and a note MJ had written for his mother Katherine. It's called "Mother, My Guardian Angel." (ABC7). The note said “All my success has been based on the fact that I wanted to make my mother proud, to win her smile of approval."(AP). The reading of the note brought tears to Katherine’s eyes (AP)

Jackson’s lawyer: "We're not looking for any sympathy... We're looking for truth and justice." (ABC&AP)

Panish said defendants made up that the family was trying to recover $40 billion in special damages. He says it's $1.5 billion economic loss (ABC7). Jackson’s attorney told the jurors that they would be the ones to assign liability for MJ’s death, but they should look at AEG's actions and not focus on MJ’s issues.(AP) Jackson’s lawyer Panish: AEG took advantage of a sick man. No doctor ever gave MJ Propofol at home until Dr. Murray. AEG needs to pay the price.(ABC7)

"Michael paid the ultimate price. He died," Panish said. "Michael has taken responsibility." (AP)

"His stirring voice, his musical genius, his creativity and his generosity and his huge heart was extinguished forever," Jackson’s lawyer Panish said in his opening remarks (AP).
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 1 - April 29 2013 – Summary - Part 2

AEG Opening Statement

AEG's lawyer Putnam said AEG has no choice and they will "show some ugly stuff" because AEG must defend itself from the accusations (CNN)

Putnam told the jury to look at the evidence, what it actually says. "This case is about the choices we make; and the responsibilities"(ABC7).

Putnam: evidence is going to show public MJ was very different from private MJ. MJ erected a wall between him and his family, staff. MJ kept his public and private life separated. He had 40 years to perfect that; he learned very well the cost of being exposed (ABC7)

AEG’s lawyer Putnam said MJ’s private life became known after he died. AEG lawyer says MJ’s guarded private life meant the company was unaware that he was using Propofol (AP).

33nl2so.jpg


"AEG knew nothing about this decade-long propofol use," Putnam said. "They were a concert promoter. How could they know?" (CNN)

Putnam says the company didn't have access to information shared between Jackson and his doctors. AEG’s lawyer Putnam said physician-patient confidentiality kept MJ’s reliance on propofol from becoming publicly known (AP).

Putnam said this also included Murray "He (Murray) couldn't tell anyone about the propofol use” (AP).

AEG lawyer Putnam said there was a public Jackson and a private Jackson, where his secrets were concealed (LATimes)

"The truth is, Michael Jackson fooled everyone," Putnam said. "He made sure that no one, nobody, knew his deepest darkest secrets." (AP & ABC)

AEG Lawyer Putnam: "The public Michael Jackson was very different from the private Michael Jackson. He erected a wall between himself and his family. Even his family wasn't sure what was going on at the house. He kept those who might have been able help him at a distance...AEG, like everyone else, was an outsider. They had no idea. [The propofol use] was going on behind locked doors. As with Mr. Jackson's life, his death was anything but typical." (EOnline)

Putnam: "Mr. Jackson got very, very, good at hiding his addiction. He didn't let anyone see it. Not his staff, not his children. This was the private Michael Jackson." (AP).

MJ’s ability to keep his private side private meant AEG could not see any red Putnam said "They (AEG) didn't see this coming. They (AEG) had no idea." (CNN).

AEG’s lawyer Putnam said Jackson family members will testify about their failed attempts at intervention and their lack of knowledge about what was happening.

"Even his family wasn't sure what was going on at time. They tried intervention and failed. Why? Because MJ was an addicted," said Putnam (ABC7)

Putnam: "If they didn't know what was going on, how could someone else think there was even a problem," (CNN).

Putnam showed jury MJ rehearsing “They Don’t Care About Us.” For This is it. Putnam said AEG executives watched MJ’s TDCAU performance.(AP) AEG’s lawyer argued MJ was amazing, attentive, great performance (ABC7) Putnam: ““He died two days later. That’s what you saw in public.” (AP)

Putnam mentioned the days after MJ’s death. Putnam said it took 2 months to find out what caused MJ's death. MJ had died of overdose of something called Propofol.(ABC7). AEG’s lawyer Putnam urged the jurors to remember that Propofol killed MJ. Putnam told jury they should distinguish between MJ’s painkiller abuse and his abuse of propofol (AP).

AEG’s lawyer Putnam: "One thing became very, very clear. While the world may not have heard of propofol, Mr. Jackson certainly had. The evidence is going to show you that he had been using that drug for years and years." (AP)

Putnam said that everyone knew MJ abused painkillers, since Michael announced it in 1993, ended the tour and entered rehab but AEG didn’t know about MJ’s decade-long Propofol use (ABC7).

Putnam said sometime in 1990s MJ began using Propofol. This was a big secret, so secret no one knew, not even his doctors.( ABC7).

AEG’s lawyer Putnam said jurors will hear from Debbie Rowe, who would tell them that Jackson used the anesthetic in the 1990s (AP). Debbie Rowe, will testify that she assisted in administering propofol to Jackson in the 1990s when she was a nurse. She saw several doctors put Mr. Jackson to sleep in hotel rooms while on tour," he said, including in Munich, London, Paris (CNN).

In 2007, Putnam says MJ approached AEG with the idea for a come back. But he decided he wasn't ready. In 2008, MJ approached AEG again. He was now prepared to go forward, Putnam said, even though he hadn't toured for about a decade. (ABC7)

Putnam mentioned Michael’s finances, his lavish spending and he was spending more than he was making. MJ was almost in $400 Million debt when he died (AP & ABC7)

“This is not a financial difficulty. $400 million is terrifying,” Putnam said. “And AEG didn’t know that.” (AP).

MJ had to bring in some money, Putnam said, so he had to go back Mas do what MJ does best: perform. There was no performer like MJ (ABC7)

AEG’s lawyer Putnam also mentioned Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware to the jury. Putnam said Gongaware made travel arrangements for Jackson’s “Dangerous” tour, but not a bigwig on tour(AP).

Putnam also tells jurors that contract between AEG and Jackson didn't require him to show up to rehearsals. The issue of when Jackson rehearsed was between him and his creative team, i.e. Kenny Ortega. Putnam says “These agreements are never about going to rehearsal, they’re about shows.” (AP)

Putnam described for the jury how a concert happens. The producers advance money so the artist can put the show on the road. Once show is in full swing, the artist pays back the producers and they split the profits. MJ was to get 90% and AEG 10%, Putnam said (ABC7) Production advances, to cover mutually-agreed production costs was $7.5 million, Putnam told the jurors, saying it was MJ who choose the staff. (ABC7)

In February 09, MJ was required to do a physical exam in order to get non-appearance insurance. Putnam said MJ was seen by a doctor selected by the insurance firm and that doctor determined MJ was healthy, no sign if drug use (ABC7).

Putnam says MJ told Gongaware he was going to bring his personal doctor Conrad Murray to the tour with him(ABC7)

AEG’s lawyer Putnam showed the jury contract of Murray and stated that Murray signed June 14th version but MJ did not. Putnam explains the jurors how money on the tour worked -- some talent, staffers paid in advance against Jackson’s payments. Murray’s payments would have come out of Jackson’s payments for “This Is It” tour, Putnam tells jury. (AP)

AEG’s Lawyer Putnam: It was not AEG's choice who Mr. Jackson's doctor is. It's a personal choice by Mr. Jackson and he chose Dr. Murray (ABC7)

Putnam, said Murray was MJ's choice and that AEG executives didn't understand why the singer wanted to bring him to London, where there were any number of excellent doctors. (LATimes)

Putnam said Murray worked for MJ and that the $150,000 a month that AEG was supposed to pay him was an advance to MJ, just as it had advanced him funds to pay for other production costs and his rented mansion in Holmby Hills.(LATimes) MJ expected AEG to assume the payment for Dr. Murray just like he did with everyone else.(ABC7)

2s8fvdh.jpg


Putnam plays a portion of Murray’s interview with the detectives after MJ’s death (AP).

When asked by detectives after MJ’s death Murray replied “I am an employee for Michael Jackson but paid through AEG. Does that help you?” (LATimes)

Putnam told jury that LAPD interview shows Murray considered himself an employee of Jackson (AP). AEG budgeted Murray’s payments but never paid him (ABC7) "AEG Live never paid Dr. Murray anything, ever," (CNN).

Putnam called Jackson an addict and said the company shouldn't be held responsible for his death. (AP) Putnam went back to the addiction to painkillers issue again.

He said MJ would get minor cosmetic or dental procedures and get the drugs (ABC7) Putnam told jury after MJ’s 1993 rehab announcement MJ concealed his painkiller addiction. At one point, Putnam showed a slide labeled “Doctor Shopping” that featured 45 doctors or medical professionals who AEG says treated MJ.(AP) Defense mentioned various doctors who say Jackson asked for propofol, including Dr. Metzger and Cherilyn Lee.(AP)

Putnam said MJ was very secretive even with his own doctors. He wouldn't tell one doctor about what the other doctor was doing (ABC7) Putnam said MJ resisted all attempts to get help. Family tried interventions, he turned down rehab and denied he had any addiction.(ABC7)

Putnam said he wasn't going to talk about damages, because he said he didn't believe there were any. But then he showed info showing that Katherine Jackson's attorneys gave gave AEG estimating $40.2 billion in damages. (AP)

Putnam showed the floor plan of MJ's house. He said no one was allowed in MJ's bedroom, not even the housekeepers. Only Dr. Murray. Putnam said that at night MJ would lock his bedroom's door so no one had access to the room. He said it wasn't for AEG to look into Murray (ABC7).

"This case is about the choices that we make and the personal responsibilities that go with that," countered AEG attorney Putnam in his opening statement. Putnam stated MJ was using propofol as a sleep aid "behind locked doors." (EOnline)

At the end, Putnam urged the jurors to wait until they hear all the evidence from both sides before making a judgment. (ABC7 & AP).

AEG lawyer Putnam talking about MJ’s decision to be treated by Murray said: "This case is about personal choices. Also, it was about his personal responsibility. There's no question that Michael Jackson's death was a terrible tragedy.” (AP)

Putnam ended his opening statements saying: "I believe the evidence will show it was not a tragedy of AEG Live's making," (AP & ABC7)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 2 - April 30 2013 – Summary

2d7asd0.jpg


Katherine Jackson and Randy Jackson attended the second day of civil trial.

Hearing

Court first addressed notes from 2 alternate jurors about availability. One alternate juror has a funeral to attend tomorrow and one alternate jury is moving out of state. The court will only be 1 hour tomorrow (end at 11:00) to accommodate the juror attending a funeral. The juror moving out of state will stay on the jury panel for now (AP).

AEG asked to exclude Randy Jackson from the courtroom because he is listed as a witness (AP). AEG attorney argued that there was "a risk in allowing any of them in the courtroom."(CNN). Jackson lawyer said Randy Jackson is supporting Katherine Jackson in the courtroom and should stay (AP) Jackson lawyer said Katherine needs one son or daughter to sit with her. (CNN)

The judge ordered that only one of Michael Jackson's brothers and sisters can come to court to watch the testimony at at a time -- and then only if Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson is present.(CNN)

Judge said “One is enough. He (Randy Jackson) can remain but you cannot have five in the courtroom” (CNN).Witnesses who aren’t parties generally aren’t allowed to listen to testimony.(AP)

Judge also told attorneys they have to tell her which witnesses are coming up, and how long their testimony is expected to last. (AP)

LAFD Paramedic Richard Senneff Testimony

raw_20110930_senneff_171701.jpg


Richard Senneff had testified during Murray trial. Media reports suggest his testimony is very similar to his testimony at Murray criminal trial

Refresher: Link to Senneff’s testimony at Murray Criminal Trial : http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/t...ussion/page2?p=3816642&viewfull=1#post3816642

Katherine and Randy Jackson left the courtroom when Senneff began testifying (Multiple media)

Jackson Direct

Senneff starts his testimony by telling the jurors what he does as a paramedic and explaind the different machines in a rescue ambulance (AP & ABC7) Senneff mentioned his experiences as a paramedic (AP).

Senneff is wearing his dress uniform, which he tells jury is for “special occasions.” Several jurors, audience members, laugh. Jackson’s lawyer Panish asks: “Have you ever rescued any cats in trees?” (AP)

"I have not rescued a cat," Senneff, who is also a firefighter, joked. "I rescued a dog that was lying in the street." (CNN)

Senneff also shared the ironic story of the next emergency he responded to after leaving MJ at the UCLA.His ambulance was called to a west Los Angeles apartment to help an elderly Russian woman."When she heard the news on TV that Michael Jackson had died, she fainted," he said. She suffered a minor head injury in her fall."She was just deeply emotional when we took her to the hospital," Senneff said. (CNN)

Timeline of paramedics' response, PT
12:22p - dispatched
12:23- rolling down the street
12:25- on scene
13:07 - transported
13:13 – hospital

Senneff stated on June 25, 2009 he responded to a patient not breathing. Senneff said he arrived at MJ's house at 12:25 pm PT and got out of the ambulance with their equipment, EKG monitor, needles, and medicine. (ABC7)

Senneff testified Station 71 in Bel-Air had received the emergency call at 12:22 p.m. and he arrived at MJ's home three minutes later. The ambulance and a fire engine that responded were waved through the gates and parked in front of the house (LATimes).

Once in the house, Senneff said, he was "galloping" up the stairs.(LATimes). Senneff says he was the first paramedic inside MJ’s bedroom (AP).

Senneff saw Murray near the nightstand with a security guard, and MJ lying on the bed.(LATimes) Senneff: He was leaning over the patient, patient laying on the bed, Murray standing there and they were moving the patient to the floor (ABC7)

Senneff told he noticed oxygen tanks, an IV pole and an IV bag in the room, along with Dr. Conrad Murray, who he said told him that he was a cardiologist (LATimes). Senneff told the panel he found an IV pole, oxygen tanks and a nightstand with several medicine bottles on the nightstand. (AP & ABC7)

“Even in Bel-Air it’s unusual to have the personal physician at the house,” Senneff testified. (LATimes)

Senneff: I saw a patient wearing pajama pants and shirt, and some surgical cover over the head. He looked very pale, very weak. (ABC7) Senneff testified MJ’s body was pale and so underweight his ribs were showing.(LATimes)

Senneff said "The patient appeared to be chronically ill to me. He was very pale and underweight. I thought perhaps this was a hospice patient." (Reuters)

Senneff said “To me, he looked like someone who was at the end stage of a long disease process,” (LATimes)

Because of what he saw, Senneff asked Murray if MJ had a “do not resuscitate” order.

"Dr. Murray loked at me blankly at first," Senneff testified. Then the doctor said, "No, no, this just happened."(LATimes)

Senneff said Murray was "frantic.(LATimes)

“He was pale, he was sweating, he was very busy," Senneff said of Murray (Reuters)

Senneff said Murray told him he was treating the patient for dehydration and exhaustion and said Jackson was not taking any medication.(LATimes) Senneff testified that Murray never told him about Propofol (Reuters)

Senneff: "I asked what his underlying condition was.... the doctor said nothing, that he was just treating him for dehydration & exhaustion" (ABC7)

"It just looked a lot more complicated than dehydration and exhaustion," Senneff testified. (LATimes)

Senneff asked what kind of medication patient was taking. Senneff said that according to Dr. Murray, "he was not" (taking any medication) (ABC7)

When he asked Murray when the emergency had happened, he said Murray told him: "Just this minute. Right when I called you.”(LATimes)

Senneff said when he moved MJ, he felt he did not have a pulse. His pupils were fixed and dilated, eyes were quite dried (ABC7).

But when Senneff checked Jackson, he said he could find no pulse. He testified that Jackson’s eyes were dilated and dry, his skin cool, and his lips a faint blue – a sign the singer had been dead as long as an hour.(LATimes) Senneff said MJ's chest was pale white, his hands and feet turned blue from not getting enough ventilation/oxygen.(ABC7) MJ's blue hands, feet and lips, and the singer's dry eyes all signaled to Senneff that MJ was dead and hadn't been breathing for a long time.(AP)

Senneff: "When I picked him up and moved him, he was cool to the touch. I would say less than an hour... Body doesn't get cold that fast"(ABC7)

“To us it didn’t make sense that it had just happened,” Senneff said.(LATimes)

Senneff was asked whether he thought MJ was dead when he arrived at his home. Senneff said yes. (AP)

Jackson family attorney: "He was dead before you got there, wasn't he?" Senneff: "Yes, sir." (LATimes)

Senneff said he contacted UCLA hospital. He also said Dr. Murray then indicated he gave MJ a little bit of lorazepam to help him sleep(ABC7)

Senneff: "I notified the hospital and was told to continue resuscitation efforts."(ABC7)

Senneff testified a paramedic was using the ambu bag to breath for the patient, another connecting the EKG machine and was giving him drugs. As for Dr. Murray, he was trying to help the best he could, Senneff said, and that the doctor "was looking for things in the box". (ABC7)

Senneff: "Dr Murray reached in our box, he gave additional injection of epinephrine (ABC7)

Senneff testified Murray said he felt femoral artery pulse. However, Senneff said no one else, other than Murray, was able to find a pulse. MJ's condition hadn't changed on the way to the hospital.(ABC7)

Senneff "The hospital asked me about calling (time of death). Murray said no."(ABC7)

Murray looked like "a deer in the headlights" when paramedic Seneff went back into MJ's room to gather his equipment (LATimes)
Senneff: Murray had a white plastic bag in one hand. When I came to the door he froze, he was actually surprised to see me (in MJ's room)(ABC7)

Senneff testified Murray rode in the ambulance together. He was standing in the ambulance, holding the top rail, talking on the cell phone. (ABC7)

14j7zms.jpg


It was chaotic outside the house, very difficult to get out. People trying to take pictures, unbelievable amount of commotion. Senneff was shown a picture of MJ inside the ambulance and confirmed it was legit.(ABC7)

Upon arrival at UCLA, Senneff explained to the ER doctor what he had done, like a quick recap, no changes in patient's status. (ABC7)

Senneff said initially he was not able to identify the patient, but as it progressed someone said his name was MJ.

Senneff: "Once someone said his name, I looked at the patient's face and saw it was Michael Jackson."(ABC7)

AEG cross

AEG cross was done by Kathryn Cahan.

AEG Lawyer Cahan: "No one on your team detected pulse? Senneff: No
AEG lawyer Cahan: Was he dead for a period of time? Senneff: Yes" (ABC7)

AEG lawyer asked Senneff if he thought Murray was not telling him the truth."I don't even go there," Senneff said. "I'm not worried about that."(CNN)

AEG lawyer Cahan: Did Murray lied to you? Senneff: I'm not even going there. I was worried about the patient and all the info I can get. (ABC7)

Senneff said he let Murray go through his medical bag since what he was doing was reasonable (ABC7)

Senneff testified it is not unusual for family members, people around the patient not know whether they are taking drugs (ABC7)

Cahan went through the emergency medical service report again. It asks the weight of the patient, Senneff estimated 150lbs, 5'09-ish. Senneff answers 120 calls per month average. He said he got very good at estimating people's weight.(ABC7)

When Senneff asked Murray about MJ's underlying condition: "He said nothing, nothing, I'm just treating him for dehydration, exhaustion."(ABC7)

AEG’s lawyer asked Senneff about his knowledge of propofol. Senneff told her that he knew propofol was a general anesthesia, but had never seen it used. (AP) As to Propofol, Senneff said all he knew it was an anesthetic used in surgeries. He learned through the media that was MJ's cause of death (ABC7)

Jackson re-direct

Senneff told he did not see Dr. Murray actually performing CPR.(ABC7)

Senneff said the American Heart Association indicates CPR is performed on a bed it's less desirable. One must place patient on hard surface. Panish said Dr. Murray performed CPR with Michael Jackson on the bed: "That's not how you're supposed to do it," Senneff opined.(ABC7)

Panish asked Senneff whether he thought Conrad Murray was competent to perform CPR. Senneff said he didn’t believe Conrad Murray was competent enough to perform CPR (AP)

As to Dr. Murray, Senneff said: "I did not believe he was telling me the full story at the time." (ABC7)

Panish: What did Michael Jackson tell you?
Senneff: Nothing, sir
Panish: Because he was dead when you arrived?
Senneff: Yes, sir (ABC7)

Senneff agreed that it is expected that a competent, fit physician be able to revive a patient in respiratory arrest.(ABC7)

LAPD Detective Orlando Martinez Testimony

130204974-630x475.jpg


Jackson direct

Martinez started by explaining his training and background. Martinez learned from his lieutenant that Michael Jackson was the victim. He went to UCLA to begin his investigation. (ABC7)

Martinez said he saw Frank Dileo and Randy Phillips at the hospital as well as Katherine and Randy Jackson and MJ’s kids (ABC7)

Jackson's lawyer Panish: Were you able to speak with Dr. Murray at the UCLA?
Martinez: No
Panish: Why not?
Martinez: He had left (ABC7)

At the hospital, LAPD officers decided to fly MJ’s body to the coroner’s officer so that the transport wouldn't become a spectacle.(AP)

Martinez then went to MJ’s house at Carolwood. Martinez photographed the scene (AP). Lots of photographs were shown to the jurors. Martinez explained the photographs to the jurors. He also mentioned that police made three separate trips to MJ’s home to collect evidence.(AP)

Martinez didn't search Murray's vehicle because he wanted a search warrant. Martinez didn't leave Murray's car at the residence, wanted a reason for the doc to go talk to him. Car was impounded to a police yard (ABC7).

Inside the BMW -- which was registered to Murray's sister in Texas -- he found a contract between AEG Live and Murray saying he would be paid $150,000 a month to work as Jackson's doctor, along with AEG Live President Randy Phillips' business card and cell phone number, he said.(CNN) In Murray's car: handwriten note with 24 hour pharmacies names/numbers; Randy Phillips' business card; contract between Dr. Murray and AEG (ABC7)

The detective said that when he interviewed Murray with two attorneys present, the doctor made up a story to protect himself.

“He was not being honest and forthright,” Martinez testified. (LATimes)

Martinez had already interviewed Dr. Murray prior to the car's search. He attempted to interview him again, but doc wasn't talking anymore (ABC7) Martinez said he was looking for a motive for MJ's death, and the contract could be important financial aspect to investigate.(ABC7)

Seeing pictures of MJ's room, Martinez said he saw IV bag, pill bottles, vials, ambu bag. "It looked like the room had been cleaned up," he said. Martinez: "Things had been removed from the room prior to police's arrival." He took several pictures to document the scene. (ABC7) Martinez says he learned from Dr. Murray that there were 3 bags total of medicine in the closet. He went back to the house to retrieve them. Martinez took fingerprints off the bags and found Dr. Murray's prints on the bottles.(ABC7) (Jurors were shown several pictures of evidence collected and crime scene photos)

Det. Orlando Martinez at first concluded that the cause was accidental or natural. (LATimes) Martinez said at that time the investigation was leading to natural or accidental death, no real signs of foul play, but it was odd.(ABC7)

LAPD Detective Orlando Martinez's testimony focused on Murray's finances as a potential motive for his treatment of Jackson. (AP)

When Martinez discovered the deep financial straits Murray, he shifted his thinking and pondered whether he had discovered a motive for the pop star’s death — “financial gain.” (LATimes)

Martinez told jurors Murray was more than $500,000 in debt and may have been motivated by a large payday for working with MJ.(AP)

Detective Martinez testified that after interviewing Murray and after the search of Murray's car four days after MJ's death, his "thinking at the moment was the crime was negligence." (CNN)

Detective Orlando Martinez testified that he looked into Murray's finances searching for a financial motive for his role in Jackson's death and relied mostly on public records. He turned up that Murray's Las Vegas home was in foreclosure proceedings, and Murray faced several liens for unpaid child support and other unpaid debts.(AP)

His investigation revealed that Murray hadn't paid his mortgage in more than six months, his home was being foreclosed on and he had several liens for unpaid child support and tax debts, Martinez said.(CNN)

Murray's Las Vegas home, which he bought for $1.6 million, was appraised at barely $1 million in 2009, he said. The Las Vegas real estate market had suffered a major decline in home values up to that date.(CNN) The house was in foreclosure (LATimes)

Martinez checked Dr. Murray's credit report. "There was a notice up that his house was either on a lien or being foreclosed on." (ABC7)

Panish showed a document from a title company that said Dr. Murray owed $ 1,644,644.25 for the loan of his house (unpaid principal balance) (ABC7)

As of January 2009, Dr. Murray had not been paying his mortgage and was behind $ 15,165.11. Late charges accruing at rate of $3,477.95 (ABC7)

Martinez says he determined the doctor was more than $500,000 in debt, facing foreclosure and his “office was about to be closed.”(AP)

Murray had closed his office to work with one patient — Jackson, tying his financial future to him, Martinez said. (LATimes)

Orlando Martinez testified that Murray was trying to deal with the large drop in value of his Las Vegas home, unpaid taxes and child support payments for eight children with seven women.(CNN)

The searches led Martinez to conclude that Murray's financial condition was "severely distressed."(AP)

Panish: “Is there any question in your mind that Dr. Murray was in dire financial straits?” Martinez: “No, there was no question.” (AP)

"That's a lot of money for anyone," Martinez said. "Seeing the scene and talking to him about what he had done and how he did it raised questions."(CNN)

Martinez said that led him to believe Murray's actions were motivated by the $150,000 a month he expected to be paid by AEG.(AP)

"Focusing on the financial aspect may have been important for Dr. Murray's willingness to disregard his Hippocratic Oath for financial gain," he testified.(CNN)

Martinez said what he learned about Murray's financial troubles led him "to opine that he may have, for this easy money -- the $150,000 a month -- may break the rules, bend the rules, to do whatever he needed to do to get paid."(CNN)

"He may break the rules, bend the rules, do whatever he needed to do to get paid," Martinez said. "It might solve his money problems." (AP)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 3 – May 1 2013 – Summary

Today’s court session was only one hour as one of the alternate jurors had a funeral to attend.

Nobody from Jackson family was present at court.

LAPD Detective Orlando Martinez Testimony (continued)

Jackson direct(continued)

Det. Martinez’s testimony resumed with him discussing documents on Murray’s finances he obtained during his investigation (AP)

Detective had to explain how he got the documents – authenticate them - so they can be entered into evidence. (AP) Some documents were obtained with subpoena, others public record (ABC7).

Attorneys argued about the docs they want to admit as evidence. Defense objected to a bunch of docs, saying they weren't authenticated. (ABC7) AEG attorney objected to admission of several of the documents, saying it wasn’t clear whether they were public records. Judge sustained many of the objections. Judge also had testy exchanges with Jacksons attorney Panish with Judge telling him to move along. (AP) After several minutes of discussions, Judge said to put the exhibits/evidence issues aside; she wanted better use of jurors' time (ABC7)

Martinez testified about eviction notices for Conrad Murray’s medical offices (2007 & 2009) and other liens issued against doc. The detective also walked jury through Murray’s credit reports, which were obtained through a subpoena (AP)

Income and Expense Declaration filed with San Diego Court shows Dr. Murray's net month disposable income was negative $2,706.33 in July/09 (ABC7).

Panish asked Martinez about 5 day notice to pay rent or quit -- Dr. Murray owed $7,058.38 in business rent, had evicted note and tax liens (ABC7)

One 2007 judgment against Murray in Missouri ordered him to pay $135,000. There were also eviction notices for his medical business and liens for being behind on child-support payments.(LATimes)

Panish: What's the relevance of Dr. Murray having delinquent taxes?
Martinez: shows more evidence of him being in financial dire straits(ABC7)

Panish listed several other docs showing Dr. Murray's liens, unpaid bills in an effort to show the jury the doctor was in financial distress(ABC7)

Panish: did you check Dr. Murray's credit?
Martinez: yes, by serving grand jury subpoena on experian, equifax and transunion (ABC7)

“If anyone would have run the credit report, they would have got the same information?” Panish asked. “Yes,” Martinez said. (NYDailyNews)

The credit report shows Dr. Murray was current in some of his accounts. Panish noted doc he was paying some debts but defaulted in his home(ABC7)

Panish is trying to show the jury that a simple background check on Dr. Murray would show AEG that the doc was in deep financial troubles.(ABC7)

Jackson attorney Panish showed the jury documents showing Murray’s debts, including those for student loans, homeowner association fees, and bills from medical firms and cellphone companies. His Las Vegas home, on which he owed $1.6 million, was in foreclosure. (LATimes)

Student loans, credit cards, credit medical companies, cell phone companies, funding companies, there were all kinds of debts, Panish said.(ABC7)

Orlando obtained docs from state licensing medical boards regarding Dr. Murray to check his status and if he had any disciplinary actions(ABC7).

Martinez told reporters he got Murray’s phone records and focused on a 12 hour period between June 24 and June 25, 2009. (AP)

Martinez: for criminal liability that 12 hours of care, from when he arrived at the house until he called 911, was pertinent (ABC7)

Martinez was asked about the calls Murray made to Nicole Alvarez, including one he made in back of the ambulance on June 25, 2009. The detective said he didn’t know what Murray and Alvarez discussed (AP).

11:26 am-- received phone call, possibly Michael Amir Williams
1:08 pm -- made call to Nicole Alvarez while in the ambulance (ABC7)

Call was a bit over 2 minutes (133 seconds). Martinez did not know for sure what they were talking about, questioned Alvarez about it (ABC7)

Detective Martinez also testified about a search warrant he served on Alvarez’s apartment in August 2009. Martinez said he didn't find any of Murray's belongings (ABC7) The detective said he only found one slip of paper with Murray’s name on it in Alvarez’s apartment. He says he found that odd. (AP)

“He was living there and none of his stuff was there,” Martinez said. (LATimes)

Panish: “Do you have an opinion as to the substance of that call?”
Martinez: “Yes,” explaining that he had interviewed Alvarez and served a search warrant at her house.
Panish: “What was determined?”
Martinez: “I found one piece of paper with Dr. Murray’s name — that had fallen behind the door of a cabinet — in the entire apartment (where) he’d been staying at (for) at least two months,” Martinez replied.
Panish asked whether he found that suspicious.
“Yes,” Martinez replied. “He was living there, and none of his stuff was there.” (NYDailyNews)

Martinez indicated that Dr. Conrad Murray may have requested help from mistress in covering his tracks(NYDailyNews)

LAPD Detective Martinez will continue to testify tomorrow.

Hearing

AEG agreed to stipulate Michael Jackson is dead, but need to think about stipulating that Dr. Murray is the cause of his death. (ABC7)

Panish: "I'm asking for a stipulation that Michael Jackson died and the cause of death. Are you willing to stipulate that Michael Jackson died?"
Putnam: "Absolutely."
Panish: "Are you willing to stipulate that the cause of his death was Dr. Murray?"
Putnam: "That you've never asked before. Let me look at what that means." (CNN)

AEG’s attorney asked judge to take some witnesses out of order, since they have to travel for work. Jacksons added more witnesses too. (ABC7)

Jackson’s lawyers said they believed they could locate Michael’s longtime nanny and confidante, Grace Rwaramba, and plan to call her as a witness as the trial proceeds.
“We couldn’t find her, no one could find her,” lawyer Kevin Boyle said of the last-minute addition. “But we think we’re going to be able to find her, hopefully.” (NYDailyNews)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 4 – May 2 2013 – Summary

Katherine and Rebbie Jackson were at court today.

AEG attorney opposed to Rebbie’s presence as she might be a witness (LATimes). Judge Yvette Palazuelos had ordered that only one Jackson family member accompany Katherine Jackson. AEG wanted it to be Randy every day (ABC7). Judge ruled Rebbie could stay. "I think Mrs. Jackson should have at least 1 support person in the courtroom.” (LATimes)

LAPD Detective Orlando Martinez Testimony (continued)

Jackson direct(continued)

Jackson’s lawyer Panish continued to go over Murray’s credit records. It showed Murray was behind his mortgage (ABC7)

Martinez said he got Dr. Murray's credit reports from Experian and Equifax, but not Transunion, since they didn't accept the subpoena.(ABC7)

Voicemail of Frank Dileo that he left to Murray 5 days before Michael died had been played in the courtroom (AP).

Panish played a voicemail Frank DiLeo left to Dr. Murray on June 20, 2009: "I'm sure you're aware he had an episode last night. He's sick". Also in the voicemail, left on June 20, 09 DiLeo told Dr. Murray he thought MJ needed to get a blood test done to see what was wrong (ABC7)

Phone message to Murray left by Jackson’s manager Frank DiLeo on June 20, 2009.

“I’m sure you’re aware he had an episode last night. He’s sick. Today’s Saturday, tomorrow I’m on my way back. I’m not gonna continue my trip. Uh, I think you need -- I think you need to get a blood test on him today. I -- I -- we gotta see what he’s doing. All right. Thank you.” (LATimes)

Jackson lawyer Panish said he believed that DiLeo had spoken with an AEG executive just prior to making the phone call. (LATimes)

Next Panish showed some documents Martinez retrieved describing that Dr. Murray had lost his privilege at some hospitals. (ABC7)

Panish finish direct examination by getting Martinez to say, one more time, that he thought Dr. Murray was in dire financial straits in 09 (ABC7)

AEG cross

AEG lawyer Putnam is doing the cross of Detective Martinez.

Detectives Dan Meyers and Scott Smith partnered with Martinez. They investigate Dr. Murray in connection with the criminal matter.(ABC7)

As a police officer, Putnam asked Martinez if he had special privileges to do searches. Martinez said private investigators can do it too (ABC7)

Putnam: If I wanted to look up your credit, will I need your permission?
Martinez: I think so (ABC7)

Putnam: there are limits as to what civilians can do in terms of search, like DMV search?
Martinez: I believe so(ABC7)

Putnam asked Martinez if searching someone's credit without consent is a crime
Putnam: it would be a crime?
Martinez: It's a misdemeanor (ABC7)

As to looking for Dr. Conrad Murray at UCLA, Martinez said: "when I sent the other two detectives to go find him, he was gone." (ABC7)

Putnam asked why Martinez wanted to talk to Dr. Murray: "To get straight from the horses's mouth what happened." (ABC7)

Panish: Were you suspicious of Dr. Murray?
Martinez: Yes, if it was medical emergency/natural death why would he be refusing 2 speak w/ us (ABC7)

Investigators attempted to reach Murray but the doctor did not answer his phone or return calls, which seemed suspicious, Martinez said.(LATimes)

“If it was a medical emergency or a natural death, why would he be refusing to speak with us? Why would he leave the hospital after he was asked to stay? Why would he not go back to pick up his car?” Martinez said (LATimes)

“Why would he be refusing to speak with us? Why would he leave the hospital after he was asked to stay?" Martinez on Murray (LATimes)

Martinez said they knew where Dr. Murray was, but he was not answering police calls. "We knew where he was, we were tracking his cell phone"(ABC7)

Murray was tracked through his cellphone and found in Santa Monica. Detectives interviewed him two days after Jackson’s death. (LATimes) When interviewed Murray told Martinez he had spoken with AEG's people while at UCLA. (ABC7)

Putnam asked about all the times Martinez went to MJ's house over the months after MJ's death. Martinez confirmed he was there several times(ABC7)

Judge Palazuelos asked Martinez if the police had secured MJ's property. Martinez said MJ's house was secured from 2:30 pm PT until about midnight on the day MJ died. After midnight, the scene was not secured. After midnight, Martinez said, MJ's house was only secured by MJ's security team and family members could come and go freely. (ABC7)

Putnam showed Martinez picture of the front door of MJ's house. The detective identified the entrance as the one he used to enter the property. Martinez said the house has 3 levels: 1st, 2nd, basement w/ movie theater, exercise room, wine cellar; all very clean and organized. (ABC7) Although the foyer of the Holmby Hills home was pristine — a lavish, open space with ornate gold frames — and the dining room boasted flowing white curtains around giant windows that allowed in streaming sunlight, the second floor presented a scene that was radically different (LATimes) Although the entryway was immaculate, the second floor — where Jackson had been found by paramedics earlier that morning — was a deep contrast.(LATimes)

Next picture showed the second floor's master bedroom -- it was MJ’s master bedroom, but not the one he received treatment. There were a lot of papers on the floor, master bedroom was very messy. (ABC7) the master bedroom on the second floor was in disarray (LATimes) Jurors were shown photographs Thursday of messy, clothes-strewn second-floor bedroom (LATimes) Martinez said curtains were pulled and fireplace was on. (ABC7 & LATimes) When Martinez walked into the upstairs master bedroom,, he found the gas fireplace was burning, the television was on and music coming from the CD player. (CNN)

Pictures of master bedroom showed papers on the floor, clothes hung, books piled, moving boxes. Hall to the closet covered with clothes. One of the many closets in the master bedroom was very disorganized, clothes and boxes all over the place, on the floor. Complete mess. Pictures showed the master bathroom also messy, clothes everywhere, boxes with stuff, shopping bags. (ABC7)

A portable rack was jammed with hangers of clothing. More clothes were strewn about the room, including on the rumpled bedspread. On a desk were stacks of what appeared to be DVDs and papers. Books lay in piles on the floor. Lining the hallway floor that led from the bedroom to the master closet and a bathroom were piles of clothes. Inside the closet was a globe, shopping bags, a dress form with a red coat trimmed in black, and cardboard boxes that overflowed with even more clothes. Papers were strewn about the star’s bathroom, which had another cardboard box stuffed with clothing. Bags and towels lay scattered about. Inside the inlaid marble bathtub were additional towels. Nearby sat fancy glass bottles filled with liquids.(LATimes)

Martinez said the room seemed messy but it didn't seem out of the ordinary. It was night and day compared to the rooms downstairs, he opined(ABC7)

On the 26th, Martinez got a search warrant to search the house since he had obtained more information in the investigation. (ABC7)

Martinez said that when he arrived, Jackson’s children and his brother Randy were at the home. He also saw three cars, including Murray’s BMW. (LATimes)

A search warrant and affidavit said that no adults besides Jackson were known to live at the location and that the staff was only allowed to be present on the ground floor. Martinez testified that the chef was allowed to leave food outside a door upstairs. (LATimes)

Search warrant: ...his staff was allowed to be present on the ground floor. No staff was allowed on the top floors. A chef, Kai Chase, was allowed to go upstairs to drop food off outside the door. (ABC7)

Search warrant: During the course of the investigation, family members notified coroner that they had located luggage on the second floor (ABC7)

Dr. Murray's attorneys called police for interview; lasted 2 1/2 hrs. Martinez said he learned facts that led him to believe this was criminal. Martinez said LAPD doesn't name people as suspects, but "It was common knowledge he (Dr. Murray) was a suspect." (ABC7)

Based on information Murray provided, detectives obtained a search warrant and went back to Jackson’s rented Holmby Hills mansion on June 29 and looked for some medical bags the doctor said were kept on a closet shelf in the singer’s bedroom, Martinez said.(CNS)

“This is (where) all that propofol (was), correct?,” Putnam asked. “Yes,” Martinez said. (CNS)

Martinez said he first noticed the drug Propofol when he found a vial in Jackson's room. (ABC7) The detective said he had previously found a bottle of propofol lying on the floor near Jackson’s bed. Asked by Putnam if he knew anything about propofol at the time, Martinez replied affirmatively and added, “My next-door neighbor is a doctor.”(CNS) Martinez' neighbor is a doctor, he asked for help (ABC7)

Martinez said he believes Dr. Murray's first orders of Propofol were in March 2009. They were shipped from Las Vegas to Santa Monica. Putnam asked Martinez about the medical equipments found at MJ's house: oxygen tanks, IV stand, ambu bag. "It was rented by Dr. Murray". Dr. Murray was the person who paid for the items, Martinez said. Dr. Murray also paid for all the Propofol orders. (ABC7)

Martinez said he first interviewed Katherine Jackson at the hospital. But six months later, he decided to go back to her and check out “some things regarding family meetings about addiction.” (AP) Martinez: Family had attempted several interventions, spoken with other sons about his possible problems with drugs. Martinez said he wrote that the family tried numerous interventions, but didn't know exactly how many. (ABC7)

Martinez has testified that Katherine Jackson told him the family had tried drug interventions for MJ, believing he was addicted to painkillers (AP).

Martinez: “Mrs. Jackson said the family tried to help him but he would have nothing to do with it,” Martinez said. “She had asked Michael if he was taking any drugs, and he denied it.”
Putnam: “What did Mrs. Jackson tell you?”
Martinez: “The family attempted several interventions. She had talked to her son about drugs herself. She said the efforts produced no results because he denied having a problem” (AP)

But Katherine Jackson said her son refused any help, saying he didn't have a drug problem.
Putnam: Do you remember what Mrs. Jackson told you MJ said?
Martinez: That he denied having a problem (ABC7)

Martinez: "Mrs. Jackson stated the family attempted several times to help Michael, however he would have nothing to do with it." (ABC7)

Martinez said Mrs. Jackson thought MJ was taking drugs for back pain. The Detective thought his addition was to painkillers. (ABC7)

Martinez said Katherine Jackson told him she believed her son was taking medicine for back pain and might have become addicted. (AP)

Martinez wrote in a doc that Mrs. Jackson saw Dr. Murray at UCLA for the 1st time. She said she didn't know who he was until Michael's death (ABC7) She told him she had never met nor known about Dr. Conrad Murray until her son died. (LATimes) When asked if Mrs. Jackson had ever met Dr. Murray she stated that she had not and didn’t even know who he was until after Michael’s death.” (WENN)

AEG, also verified that Martinez wrote the following summary about that discussion:

“Mrs. Jackson stated that she last spoke with Michael at his residence on Carolwood approximately one and a half weeks prior to his death. When asked if Mrs. Jackson had ever met Dr. Murray she stated that she had not and didn’t even know who he was until after Michael’s death. “Mrs. Jackson was asked if she or any other family members ever attempted to do an intervention with Michael as it relates to painkillers or any other drugs. She stated that there had been one attempted intervention at Neverland on behalf of Janet, however Michael didn’t want to participate. “Mrs. Jackson stated that she had been informed Michael had been taking drugs, however she had no idea which drugs, and she had never seen Michael take any drugs. Mrs. Jackson stated that the family attempted several times to help Michael however he would have nothing to do with it. She further stated that she had asked Michael if he was taking any drugs and Michael denied it.“When asked if Michael had any chronic medical conditions that she was aware of, Mrs. Jackson stated that he had problems sleeping and that his back frequently bothered him. She stated she thought the back pain was a result of falling off of a stage during a performance.” (LATimes)

Martinez did not interview Michael's children. Another detective did, but they chose not to get into the drug abuse line of questioning. (ABC7) Martinez said he also interviewed Jackson’s son Prince at the hospital. But his handwritten notes of that interview were not allowed in evidence because the interview was not recorded. (AP).

Putnam countered plaintiffs several documents highlighting Dr. Murray's financial distress by saying all the liens belonged to one house.

Putnam asked if Martinez knew if Dr. Murray's license to practice medicine had been suspended before June 25, 2009? He said no.

Putnam: Did Dr. Murray's debts excuse him in anyway for what he did? Martinez: No

Putnam asked Martinez if Dr. Murray being in financial trouble made him a suspect? He said no, it was the totality of the evidence (ABC7)

Jackson re-direct

Panish said Dr. Murray's hospital privileges were suspended because he was late returning phone call while on duty & lack of record keeping (ABC7)

Panish accused AEG of implying Murray was a great doctor. "But that's not true, you found out that he had killed someone else" Panish asked. Putnam objected and Panish rephrased the statement, saying Martinez found out Dr. Murray was sued for wrongful death of another patient (ABC7)

(Note: This could be the other patient they are talking about: http://www.tmz.com/2011/02/15/dr-co...gation-former-patients-murder-wrongful-death/)

About seeing Mrs. Jackson and the kids at UCLA:
Martinez: distraught
Panish: Upset?
Martinez: Very (ABC7)

Martinez said Katherine Jackson did not have attorneys present when he interviewed her. She was cooperative and forthcoming. (ABC7)

Panish : “Is there anywhere in the penal code that says if you have a messy room that’s against the law?” (LATimes) Martinez laughed and said no.(ABC7)

As to the moving boxes, Panish asked Martinez if he knew MJ was planning to go to England the first week of July. He said yes. (ABC7)

Panish: "You've come across scenes that had a messy room?"
Martinez: "Yes."
Panish: "And that's an indication that someone is not doing well, that their health is bad and they can't clean the room?"
Martinez: "Yes."
Panish: "There were moving boxes in the room?"
Martinez: "Yes."
Panish: "Did you know he was planning to go to England? Within a week or two he was leaving that residence?"
Martinez: "Yes." (CNN)

Panish: have you changed your mind?
Martinez: Did not change my mind that Dr. Murray's financial distress was the reason for his actions.(ABC7)

AEG re-cross

Putnam asked if anyone at AEG ever refused to speak with police or produce documents, and Martinez said no. They gave police one email (ABC7)

Putnam noted that the person who died under Dr. Murray's care died of natural causes and no lawsuit was filed. Marinez said he was wrong.(ABC7)

Putnam asked Martinez what was his suspicion. For that amount of money he wondered if Murray would bend rules to be the 1 getting the money (ABC7)

Putnam: the suspicion wasn't about the source of that money, AEG Live?
Martinez: It didn't matter to our investigation (ABC7)

Jackson re-direct

"Did you change your mind that his financial problems were the motive 4 what he did to bend the rules?" Panish asked. "No," Martinez replied (ABC7)

-------------------------------------------

Martinez was excused subject to recall in case defendants want to put him on the stand again. (ABC7)

No court tomorrow Friday May 3, 2013. Jacksons told the judge toxicologist Mr. Anderson and coroner Dr. Rogers are expected to testify on Monday.(ABC7)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 5 – May 6 2013 – Summary

Jackson family did not attend the court.

Toxicologist Dan Anderson Testimony

Jackson direct

Jackson attorney Koskoff is doing the direct examination. Anderson starts testifying about his experience, credentials (AP).

Jurors are shown the pictures of three prescription pill bottles found in MJ’s bedroom: lorazepam, diazepam and Flomax. They are also shown a photo of four bottles of 20ml of the propofol (AP).

Anderson is then asked about a chart which shows the medications, how many doses were issued and how many remained at the time of Michael Jackson’s death. Another series of charts show the propofol and other medications that were found in Jackson’s home. (AP).

Most of the drugs, he testified, were prescribed by Murray (LATimes)

Toxicologist Anderson tells jury it’s highly unusual to find injectable lorazepam and propofol in a home setting. (AP)

Anderson said investigators found injectable lorazepam at MJ's home, a form of the drug "typically found in a hospital setting." (LATimes)

Jackson lawyer Koskoff: "After you heard from investigators that propofol was found in the home, what did you think?"
Anderson: "Propofol collected as evidence, it's highly unusual. It raises a red flag in my eyes as a toxicologist...It's very problematic if it's found outside the hospital setting." (NYDailyTimes)

The discovery of the propofol bottles outside a medical setting also was “highly unusual" and "kind of raises a red flag,” Anderson said. (LATimes)

Anderson also explains where coroner’s staff take samples from within a body, and also how certain drugs are metabolized. The toxicologist then explains to jurors what tests he ordered on Michael Jackson’s body. (AP)

Toxicologist Dan Anderson said blood samples were taken from every corner of Jackson’s body — his heart, femoral artery, liver and behind his eyes. (NYPost)

Dan Anderson : “This particular case, we were looking for everything and anything.” (AP)

Anderson testified that tests of Jackson's blood, urine and internal organs showed traces of the anesthetic propofol, the anti-anxiety drugs Valium and lorazepam, the short-term anesthetic midazolam and lidocaine, a numbing cream that paramedics sometimes use in resuscitation efforts. (LATimes)

Toxicology tests detected six other drugs in Jackson’s system – lidocaine, diazepam, nordiazepam (a metabolite of Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed) and ephedrine – according to Anderson. (CBSLA)

Anderson walks jurors through a chart he prepared of the drugs found in Jackson’s system. Propofol and lidocaine found everywhere. By everywhere, Anderson means blood taken from Jackson’s heart, femoral artery, liver, urine and in fluid behind eye. (AP).

Anderson said propofol and other drugs were found during toxicology tests, noting that propofol was of most concern. (CBSLA)

Anderson: “It raises a red flag in my eyes,” It’s very problematic to find it outside the hospital setting.” (CBSLA)

After morning break, toxicologist Anderson tells jury level of propofol in MJ’s body is consistent with general surgery. (AP) Anderson said that the amount of propofol found in Jackson’s system was what you'd expect in a patient who had just undergone major surgery. (LATimes)

Anderson: “Michael Jackson's body was riddled with the powerful anesthetic propofol when he died - an amount "consistent to major surgery with anesthesia," (NYDailytimes) The level was "consistent with major surgery anesthesia," said Anderson, noting that a level of 3.2 milligrammes per millilitre of blood was found in Jackson's body. (AFP)

Jackson lawyer Koskoff asks Anderson about other cases LA coroner has handled where propofol was involved. Anderson tells jury about preparing a chart of all LA County deaths where propofol was found. Chart created after MJ’s death. Coroner’s office continued to update the chart after Jackson’s death, Anderson tells jury. It now has 31 cases. The first LA County death case where propofol was found dates back to 1999, Anderson says. It's updated as of a couple weeks ago. To put the 31 propofol cases in context, Anderson says coroner handles about 8,000 deaths a year. Roughly 5,000 involve toxicology screens. (AP)

Koskoff also asked Anderson about Demerol. Toxicologist says none was found in Jackson’s system. Anderson told jury Demerol typically dissipates from a person's system with 12-16 hours. (AP)

Sumary of Negative Toxicological Findings. No Alcohol, Barbituates, Demerol, Zoloft, Xanax, Cocaine, Marijuana, Amthamphetamine, Codeine! Anderson said there were no recreational drugs in MJ’s system. (ABC7)

Direct questioning of Anderson ends with him telling jury he didn’t find any recreational drugs in Jackson’s system. (AP)

AEG Cross

Cahan is the attorney handling cross-examination for AEG.

Anderson remembers when he heard Michael Jackson had died. It was a Thursday, his day off, and his son told him MJ had died. (ABC7)

Anderson was off on day Jackson died -- he found out about it from his child. He tells jury he suggested tests that were conducted. (AP) Anderson tells that he observed part of the autopsy the day after the death. (ABC7)

Much of Anderson's cross examination is him explaining charts he prepared in greater detail.(AP)

Cahan notes that one chart shows 10 medications, with three doctors issuing them: Conrad Murray, Allan Metzger and Arnold Klein. She notes that the doctors were all prescribing certain medications that were supposed to be taken at bedtime. She asks if this is important. Anderson says his staff doesn’t take into account directions for taking meds, but how they’re found in toxicology screens. (AP)

AEG Lawyer Cahan: "Would you agree with me there are three different physicians prescribing medication for Mr. Jackson to take at bedtime (in the months before his death)?"
Anderson : "I would agree," (NYDailyTimes)

Toxicologist Dan Anderson also explains that there were two visits to Jackson’s home where medications were collected. On July 9th, Jackson’s family brought in additional medications they had found and thought investigators should have. (AP)

Anderson testifies by mid-July he knew the amount of propofol found in Jackson’s body was cause of death.(AP)

Cahan asked Anderson about signing his portion of the toxicology test on July 15th. She asked if the level of Propofal was fatal. Anderson responded with a yes...the level was fatal. (ABC7)

Toxicologist Anderson testifies that he found out propofol had been collected from Jackson’s home after he found it in drug screens. (AP)

Jackson redirect

Anderson was also asked about 31 death cases in LA where propofol was found. He makes clear, propofol not cause of death in all those cases. Jackson’s lawyer Koskoff highlighted seven cases where propofol was a cause of death; five cases were in residences. Six of the seven cases where a propofol overdose was a cause of death were deemed suicides, toxicologist Anderson testified. According to Anderson, Jackson’s case was the only one involving someone outside the medical field who overdosed on propofol in a home. (AP)

Anderson testified that Michael Jackson is the only person in Los Angeles County not in the medical field to die of propofol intoxication in their home in the last 14 years. The other six people who died at their homes were doctors or nurses who had access to the tightly controlled anesthetic. (LATimes).


Coroner Christopher Rogers Testimony

69l303.jpg


Jackson Direct

Christopher Rogers is the deputy medical examiner who performed MJ’s autopsy. He walks through his credentials and experience.(AP)

Rogers said he learned about MJ's death while at a conference. “Somebody passed me a note that Michael Jackson had died,” Rogers said. (Wave)

Dr. Christopher Rogers — who determined that Jackson’s death was a “homicide” told the jurors he gave added consideration to detail when determining the cause and manner of the MJ’s death because of the stature of the pop star.(Wave)

Rogers: “Because Michael Jackson was such a prominent individual, there was likely to be a great deal of press attention as well as from members of the public,” (Wave)

A black-and-white photo taken of Jackson’s body before autopsy is shown to the jury. It’s left on the screen for less than a minute. (AP) Rogers said the photo accurately depicted MJ’s condition at the time (wave).

Christopher Rogers testified that the 5-foot, 9-inch MJ weighed 136 pounds at the time of his death and that X-rays showed he suffered from arthritis in his lower spine and fingers (LATimes)

Rogers walks jury through a diagram of puncture wounds and scars on Jackson’s body. Punctures consistent w/ lifesaving efforts, he says. The origin of some of the scars couldn’t be determined. (AP)

Rogers also detailed how Jackson had his lips tattooed pink, his eyebrows and scalp inked with black. There were 3/4-inch scars behind both ears, suggesting he had at least one face lift, according to Rogers’ notes that he shared with jurors. (NYPost)

Rogers also testifies about MJ's vitiligo (AP). Rogers testified that MJ suffered from vitiligo a disease more common in African Americans, in which some areas of the skin are light and others are dark. (LATimes)

"It can be very disfiguring," Rogers said. (LATimes)

Rogers said Jackson’s post-mortem exam revealed no heart disease or Lupus, the autoimmune disease that some, Dr. Arnold Klein, have attributed to MJ (NYDailyNews).

Christopher Rogers said the MJ was in good health before his untimely 2009 death at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray (NYDailyNews)

If not for his death by propofol, Jackson's health appeared good enough for him to live a normal lifespan, Rogers testified. (CNN)

"There was no indication from the autopsy that there was anything anatomically wrong with him that would lead to premature death," Rogers said. (CNN)

Jackson lawyer Koskoff asks Rogers about condition of MJ’s body. Koskoff asked whether Jackson’s body had any characteristics of a street drug addict. (Disease, track marks, liver damage.) Rogers says no. Rogers also testifies about the condition of Jackson’s organs. All were in good shape, other than some lung issues. (AP)

Rogers explained why he concluded that Jackson died from a propofol overdose. Koskoff asked Rogers whether his conclusions regarding Jackson’s death have changed since Aug. ’09. “No,” he responded. (AP)

Jackson lawyer Koskoff: “Would a fit, competent doctor administer propofol for insomnia?” Rogers: “I would not expect that, no,” (NYDailyNews)

Rogers also shot down suggestions that Jackson self-administered his lethal dose of propofol – a cornerstone theory of Murray’s defense.

“One possibility that we considered is that he might have given an overdose of propofol to himself. However based on the history that was available, I don’t believe that that happened,” Rogers said (NYDailyNews).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 7 Tuesday : Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Wohgelernter will testify first out of order. When the he is finished, Dr. Rogers from the Coroner's office will resume. (ABC7)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 6 - May 7 2013 - Summary

Katherine Jackson and Trent Jackson was in court.

Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Wohlgelernter testimony

wohlgelernter.jpg


Jackson direct

Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Wohlgelernter testifying as an expert witness for Katherine Jackson.

He is a Yale Medical School Graduate and has practiced in Southern California since 1985(ABC7) Dr. Daniel Wohlgelernter, who has taught at Yale and UCLA and practices in Santa Monica (LATimes)

During the morning session, Dr. W testified about elements of the contract, including descriptions of med equipment included in the contract(AP)

Murray's agreement to close down his Las Vegas clinic to work full time for Jackson created a conflict, he said. The agreement said Murray could lose his job if the tour was delayed or canceled. (CNN) "It meant that Dr. Murray was entirely dependent on the continuation of the tour for his income," he said. (CNN)

Wohlgelernter also said he was troubled by a section of Murray’s contract that said the doctor was to “Perform the Services reasonably requested by the Producer,” which was AEG. That meant Murray was “responsible and accountable to a third party, namely AEG Live,” Wohlgelernter said, not his patient, leading to a conflict of interest. (LATimes)

Dr. Wohlgelernter testified that Propofol needs to be administered by an Anesthesiologist who is properly trained.(ABC7) Wohlgelernter testified that propofol should be given only in a hospital setting and administered by an anesthesiologist because there is a risk the patient can stop breathing. (LATimes)

Cardiologists, like Murray, “are not competent to administer propofol,” he said. (LATimes)

Wohlgelernter said Murray "was not fit and competent in so far as he administered medications he was not trained and credentialed to administer and administered them in a whole unsatisfactory environment." (LATimes)

Dr. Wohlgelernter said Murray was not the right doctor - not appropriately trained for what MJ had substance abuse, addiction, and a sleep disorder (ABC7)

"Michael Jackson had a history of substance abuse, addiction to medications and sleep disturbance," he said, not heart or cardiovascular problems.(CNN)

Wohlgelernter said Murray did not have the appropriate training to serve as Jackson's physician for the "This Is It" tour. Instead of a cardiologist like Murray, the expert witness said that Jackson needed a doctor who was trained in addiction medicine, substance abuse and sleep disorders.Since Jackson had no evidence of heart disease, Murray was not an appropriate choice to treat him, the witness said. (LATimes)

Attorneys for both sides told the panel last week that Jackson suffered from longstanding prescription drug addiction issues, which Wohlgelernter said Murray had no formal training on how to treat. The former cardiologist was also unqualified to administer propofol, the powerful anesthetic that killed Jackson. (AP)

Wohlgelernter called Murray's treating of Jackson “a mismatch. It’s not what he needs.”(LATimes)

"For Michael Jackson, given that he had no history of heart disease... a cardiologist's experience and skills and credentials would not be appropriate."It's a mismatch, it's not what he needs," he said, adding: "My opinion is that Dr. Murray was not an appropriate choice to serve as Michael Jackson's physician on the 'This is It' tour. It's not the right doctor for this patient." (AFP)

Wohlgelernter said the fact that Dr. Conrad Murray, a cardiologist, shut his practice to care only for Jackson, who had no history of heart problems, “that to me is a red flag,” Wohlgelernter said. He asked why Murray would “leave what he was doing for a patient who doesn’t need his services?” (LATimes)

The physician said he and Murray had received much of the same types of training over the courses of their careers, but that only anesthesiologists should administer propofol and that treating addiction or insomnia requires specialized training. (AP).

Jackson lawyer: Do you believe Conrad Murray was competent and fit for AEG to hire?
Dr. Wohlgelernter: No. (ABC7)

Doctor testified he thought Dr. Murray not up to the Standard of care because of his only admission that MJ had stopped breathing. Dr. Wohlgelernter said Dr. Murray should have opened an airway but instead chose chest compressions. (ABC7)

He testified that Murray gave MJ incorrect treatment when he noticed the singer had stopped breathing as a result of Propofol Murray had administered.(LATimes)

Wohlgelernter told the jurors that Murray improperly focused on Jackson's heart when the singer stopped breathing after receiving propofol and other drugs on the morning of June 25, 2009. (AP). Dr. Daniel Wohlgelernter said that Murray used chest compressions when he saw that Jackson was in distress, rather than focusing on getting his breathing restarted.(LATimes)

"My opinion is that Conrad Murray repeatedly failed (to meet) the standard of care in his treatment of Michael Jackson," he said. (AFP)

Wohlgelernter said Murray made repeated mistakes, including using propofol outside of a hospital, leaving Jackson unattended, focusing on his heart rather than breathing when he found him apparently lifeless, and delaying calling 911. (AFP)

"My opinion is that these departures from the standard of care... were a substantial factor in the death of Michael Jackson," said the senior cardiologist, brought as a witness by Katherine Jackson's lawyers.(AFP)

AEG Cross

AEG attorney Cahan tried to get Dr. W. to change his opinion that Murray was unqualified to treat addiction, sleep issues. Dr. W. stuck to his opinion that Murray was unqualified to treat Jackson. He did say Murray was qualified as an internal medicine. (AP)

Under cross-examination by AEG attorney Kathryn Cahan, Wohlgelernter testified that Murray's training and credentials were reputable and he appeared to be a competent internal medicine physician. (AP)

Dr. W. was also asked about Dr. Murray’s training and education. He said Murray studied, trained at respectable institutions. (AP)

Wohlgelernter, however, said Jackson's request for Murray to be his doctor and Murray's desire to leave other patients behind to work with the singer should have caused AEG some concern. Wohlgelernter said the company should have asked why the two men wanted to work with each other.(AP)

The witness also said that Murray’s request for a CPR machine, written into his contract, a device used when patients undergo heart surgery, should have raised questions. “What is this doctor planning to do?” Wohlgelernter asked. “What are his treatment plans in taking care of Michael Jackson?”(LATimes)

Another warning, he said, was Jackson’s request for Murray, considering the singer’s background with drug use. “It’s a red flag to the extent that Michael Jackson has a history of substance abuse and addiction that he specifically is requesting a given doctor who has no training in any of those areas.… What is the nature of this relationship? Why do these two want each other?” (LATimes)

Cahan asked Dr. W. to testify about Murray’s proposed contract w/ AEG. Doctor said he wasn’t qualified to testify about its elements.(AP)

On Cross - Contract shows that Dr. Murray was hired to be MJ's General Practitioner. (ABC7)

The contract shown was only signed by Dr. Murray not by AEG or MJ. Dr. Wohlgelernter did no know if Dr. Murray was ever paid.(ABC7)

Dr. W. said he has never administered propofol and he’s never written a patient a prescription for propofol. (AP)

Cahan asked Dr. W. about whether he’d heard of different classes of doctors and internists administering propofol. Dr. W. said no each time. Dr. W. also said he’d never heard of an anesthesiologist administering propofol in a residence. (AP)

Cahan Asked Dr. W. similar questions about CPR. He said it was reasonable to expect a cardiologist, internist, etc. to give proper CPR.(AP)

AEG attorney Kathryn Cahan did ask Dr. W. if the company could have asked Murray about Jackson's medical conditions. Dr. Wohlgelernter said they couldn't have because of HIPPA, the medical privacy law. (AP) Jackson's med info could have been disclosed with a waiver, he said.(AP)

Dr. W. concluded his testimony by saying he wasn't aware of any investigation AEG did into Murray's background. (AP)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 7 - May 8 2013 – Summary

Katherine Jackson and Trent Jackson were in the court.

Producer/Dancer Alif Sankey testimony

MJAlif-1.jpg


Jackson Direct


Alif Sankey is a Dancer, Choreographer, and Producer. She was hired the Associate Producer for "This is It"(ABC7). First witness is Alif Sankey, a choreographer, dancer and producer. She spends early part of her testimony describing her experience.(AP)

She first Met MJ working for him as a dancer on the Smooth Criminal music tour. She blew the first audition but got a call back anyway. Her first encounter with MJ he asked her who did her eyes? She said she did and then she wanted to Melt! Sankey said that was the best job she ever had because she got to watch MJ create and see his Genius up close. It has inspired her.(ABC7) Sankey says it took around three months to shoot “Smooth Criminal” music video. Says watching Jackson work influenced her creative process. She also worked with him at a couple live performances, but never went on tour with Jackson. She was later hired to work on “This Is It.”(AP) A few moments into the video, Sankey points out she’s the woman in the brown dress to the right of Jackson. (AP)

"It was magical to work with him ... It was like living a dream.” -Alif Sankey on dancing in #MJ's "Smooth Criminal" video (LAtimes)
“We got to see Michael’s imagination come to life,” she said. “That was my first time as a dancer, as an artist, that I was completely inspired by his craft and inspired by his attention to every detail. … It was magical to work with him, just absolutely magical and I dream still to this day that I will create on that level of magic that Michael created on. It was like living a dream.” (LATimes)

jurors did hear about the pop icon's creativity during Sankey's testimony. "Michael's imagination was endless," Sankey said. "He would visualize it, and it happened. It was amazing." (CNN)

"We got to see Michael's imagination come to life," Sankey said. "That was my first time as a dancer, as an artist, that I was completely inspired by his craft and inspired by his attention to every detail. He was so detailed and he never missed a thing."Working with Jackson was "magical," she said."I dream still to this day that I will be able to create on that level of magic that Michael created," Sankey said. "It was like living a dream of working with an artist like that, and I will treasure it and have it in my memory forever." (CNN)

96i8ht.jpg


Sankey said she was hired at the Associate Producer for "This is It" by AEG. She had worked with Producer Kenny Ortega many years. Dancer auditions started April 6th 2009 and hundreds tried out. They hired about 100 (huge show)!!! Sankey testified that the "This is It" tour was to revive MJ's career. Show the audience something they had never seen before.(ABC7)

The "This Is It" concert would have been "a pretty big show," Sankey told jurors.
"It was going to be huge and it was going to be innovative, different," she testified. "From working with Michael in my past, I knew it had to be something that no one's ever seen. It all had to be new and pioneering." (CNN)

Sankey said she saw MJ for the first time after being hired on the last day of dancer auditions. He looked thin. (ABC7)

Sankey also spoke about Jackson’s relationship with his children. “They loved him, they loved their daddy,” she said, and spoke about sitting at a rehearsal with Paris, who kept a purse full of candy and small framed photos of her father. Jackson himself appeared eager to perform with his children around, she said. (LAtimes)

Sankey: “He was excited to show his kids, finally, to show who he was and what he was all about. He was very happy and excited.” (LAtimes)

"He shared with me that he was excited to do the show," she said. "He was excited to show his kids, finally to show them who he was, what he was all about; he was very excited about that." (CNN)

Sankey said she based some of her impressions of Jackson over the years on how he felt when they hugged. "When I hugged him, he just felt like marble," Sankey said about Jackson early in his career. "But when I hugged, when I saw him briefly in 2006, he didn't feel like that anymore. He felt thin. He just felt thin." He was thin during the "This Is It" preparations, she said, and she became concerned when he missed multiple rehearsals. (AP)

Sankey was at a wardrobe meeting with MJ when he said to her she looked good..Had she lost weight? She said she works out. MJ nice to all (ABC7)

She spoke to MJ's assistant because she noticed MJ had holes in the soles of his dancing shoes. (ABC7)

The singer showed up at one rehearsal with shoes that had holes in the soles, missed rehearsals and appeared much thinner than earlier in his career, Sankey testified.(AP)

Michael Jackson complained his body was sore to "This Is It" choreographer, Sankey testified. (LATimes)

Sankey suggested MJ stretch, have a barre installed at his house, and pilates to get 50 year old body in shape for tour. (ABC7)

In June, MJ kids came to rehearsal. Paris had a purse with candy and pix of MJ. She asked Sankey not to tell MJ about the candy.(ABC7)

Sankey also described meeting Paris Jackson while footage was being shot for the "This Is It" shows.Paris Jackson shared a secret with Sankey, saying she had brought lots of candy stuffed into her purse to the studio and didn't want her father to find out.

There were also several tiny pictures inside her purse — all of her father. "Her purse was full of candy and pictures of her daddy," Sankey said. (AP)

Dancer and choreographer Alif Sankey told a jury that MJ appeared thin and unprepared for the rigors of the shows. She testified that a month before MJ’s death, she wrote an email to tour director Kenny Ortega urging him to try to improve the singer's health and spirits. She says she never received a reply. (AP)

Sankey wrote to Ortega: "Please help me help you to get him back into that Magical Light, please let me help you help him find what was lost, his GRAIL," She wrote that she knew what she could say to Jackson that would make him respond and also offered suggestions to help lessen the pain of rehearsals.(AP)

“I wanted to be a part of him being encouraged, being enlightened, believing in himself, believing that we all believed in him, that he could do this,” Sankey said. (LATimes)

Jackson lawyer Panish asked Sankey if she saw AEG Live take any action to protect the entertainer after she expressed her concerns.

“No,” Sankey testified.

“Were you concerned that nothing was happening?” Panish asked.

“Yes,” she responded. (Law360)

Ortega, she said, was frustrated with Jackson's absences. (LAtimes) Producers expressed concern on MJ rehearsal attendance by the beginning of June. Sankey was worried. Sankey testified MJ was not at rehearsal for the first week of June. He came to rehearsal June 6th. That was after a tough love meeting with MJ and the show Director and Producer that Sankey said was tough love. The Director sent MJ home on June 19th after his costume fitting according to Sankey. She met with Director after. Sankey and Director cried together after MJ left because of their concern for him and his physical condition. So thin... On her way home, she called Director and screamed into the phone that MJ was dying and someone had to do something. She said he had to go to the hospital. She made Director promise to do something. (ABC7)

On her way home, Sankey stopped her car to call Ortega "because I had a very strong feeling that Michael was dying." "I was screaming into the phone at that point," Sankey testified. "I said he needs to be put in the hospital now." (CNN)

"I kept saying that 'Michael is dying, he's dying, he's leaving us, he needs to be put in a hospital,'" Sankey said. "'Please do something. Please, please,' I kept saying that. I asked him why no one had seen what I had seen. He said he didn't know." (CNN)

“I said, 'He needs to be put in the hospital now,' ” Sankey said. “He kept listening to me because I kept going. I kept saying, ‘Michael’s dying, he’s dying.’”Sankey, who was emotional and paused during her testimony, said she begged Ortega to do something.
“Please, please. I kept saying that. I asked him, ‘Why is no one seeing what I’m seeing?’ (LATimes)

Ortega send a series of e-mails early the next morning that resulted in a meeting at Jackson's house between Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray, AEG Live President Randy Phillips and Ortega. (CNN)

Sankey testified that the previous night, Jackson had been at rehearsal for a costume fitting but was sent home because he “was not looking good or feeling good.” (LATimes) According to associate producer Alif Sankey.Jackson, who was at the rehearsal for a costume fitting, appeared "extremely thin" and "was not speaking normally" at the June 19, 2009 (CNN)

Afterward, Sankey said that Ortega was worried about Jackson, who mentioned God was speaking to him. ”MJ told Kenny Ortega that "god was speaking to him," Sankey testified Both became emotional after discussing their concern for Jackson. (LAtimes) Sankey testified that she and Ortega cried together after Jackson left. (CNN) Michael Jackson's appearance and state of mind were so disturbing days before his death it caused producers to burst into tears at a rehearsal Sankey said (CNN)

“[Jackson] was not speaking normally to Kenny,” Sankey testified. “I was very concerned. I was highly concerned that night.” (Law360)

“[Michael] didn’t understand why God was speaking to him. We were both crying. We were crying because he seemed — he was not speaking normally to Kenny.”(LATimes)

"God keeps talking to me," Michael Jackson told Kenny Ortega six days before dying (CNN)

3533wxy.jpg


MJ was at rehearsal on June 23rd and performed most of the concert. MJ showed up for Rehearsal on the 24th wrapped in a huge blanket. Rehearsal was at the Staples Center. (ABC7)

Jackson's last rehearsal was at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles on June 24, 2009. Security camera video shown to the jury Wednesday showed him walking with a blanket wrapped around him as he passed Sankey.
"He didn't look good," she testified. "I asked him if he was cold and he said 'Yes.'"
Jackson sang two songs that last night on stage: "Thriller" and "Earth Song," she said.
"He did it," Sankey said. "He went through it. He wasn't in full performance mode." (CNN)

On June 25th, the company was rehearsing at Staples. When Sankey arrived, she was told MJ was in the hospital. The Director kept the company rehearsing despite MJ hospitalized. Cell phones went off and no one answered...they kept working. (ABC7)

Sankey said she was standing next to Ortega at a rehearsal the next afternoon when Randy Phillips called to tell him Jackson was dead. "Kenny collapsed in our arms," she said. (CNN) The director, Kenny Ortega, took the call from Randy Phillips of AEG what MJ had died. Sankey says Ortega collapsed. (ABC7)

Sankey and Ortega went back to an office and cried. Then Ortega got the company into a circle and told them MJ had died. (ABC7)

AEG cross

On Cross Examination Attorney for AEG questioned Sankey on how close she was to MJ. She testified that she loved MJ but she really wasn't close to MJ. (ABC7)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Makeup artist Karen Faye is going to be tomorrow's witness.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 8 - May 9 2013 - Summary

Katherine Jackson was in court.

Karen Faye Testimony

acvjix.jpg


Jackson direct

Karen Faye MJ's long time Hair and Makeup artist takes the stand. (ABC7). Faye starts out by listing some of her famous clients, including Michael Jackson, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening and Smokey Robinson. (AP)

Faye spends several minutes describing what she does. She talks about having to get close to someone when she’s doing their hair, makeup.(AP)

She says her relationship with MJ grew over the 27 years she worked with him to a brother and sister relationship. (ABC7) Faye and Jackson became "very close" starting in the early 1980s, she said. "It was almost like a brother and sister relationship. If I was having trouble, I could call him and he could call me. You talk, you share, you become very close, and imagine that over 27 years."(CNN)

Faye spent about 90 minutes testifying about her close relationship with Jackson, who hosted her wedding at his Neverland Ranch and enlisted her to travel around the world with him. She breezily described Jackson's meetings with Princess Diana and other dignitaries, his Super Bowl performance, and other larger-than-life moments from the singer's life. Jurors and spectators laughed at times as a parade of photos and videos shot during Jackson's performances were played. "I was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was just very normal," she told jurors. "I found myself working with this magical person." She said Jackson was like a brother to her. Even after she gave birth to her daughter, Jackson enlisted her for another tour."I said, 'I can't go all around the world with you. I'm a mother now,'" Faye recalled."Michael never took no for an answer. 'Yes you can, it'll be great for her,'" she recalled him saying. (AP)

She’s asked about the 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot accident. She says she worked with Jackson after that to mask his injuries.(AP)

Jackson’s scalp was badly burned, she tells jury. “I had to figure out, along with him, how to hide his injury,” (AP)

Faye, a Pittsburgh native, tells jury she traveled the world with Michael Jackson. “I found myself working with this magical person.” (AP)

Panish asks Faye to describe Jackson: “He was a gentleman. He was elegant. He was brilliant.” _ she says as she starts to break down. (AP) After a couple more questions, Faye starts to cry. She gets emotional describing Jackson’s creativity and relationship with his fans. (AP)

The jury is shown a photo of Jackson doing Faye’s makeup, brush touching her face. Panish asks her how Jackson did. “I didn’t like it at the time, but now that I look at it, I look pretty good.” _ Faye says of Jackson's makeup job.Lots of laughter. (AP)

Panish next shows Faye and jury photos of just Jackson where she did his hair and makeup. One of images is an Annie Leibovitz shot for Vanity Fair. “Who’s Annie Leibovitz?” Panish asks. “Really?” Faye responds. There’s laughter. Panish in a continuation of his self-deprecating questioning of Faye, responds to her Leibovitz quip, “Hey, I don’t get out that much.” (AP)

One picture shows MJ with tape on his fingers...Karen explains that it was a trick to get the audience to follow his hands. She says she knew he couldn't wear the glove forever. (ABC7)

Lots of photos are shown, including a smoky image of Jackson standing on tippy-toes. Debate ensues over what brand the shoes are. Panish asks if they’re Air Jordans. No, Faye responds. Judge names another brand. Nope, Faye says. Faye says fans in the courtroom would know the brand of shoes. Before Panish can stop them, two or three voices call out, “LA Gear!” (AP)

Jurors viewed a series of photos of Faye and Jackson together through the years, including one taken in January 1996, the day after Lisa Marie Presley filed for divorce from Jackson.
Jackson was upset because just before filing, Presley called him and begged him not to file for divorce, she said."She begged and begged, saying please don't file," Faye said. Jackson promised not to file, only to see "the next morning it was all over the press that she filed before him." The photo of Jackson out with Faye "was to give the press something to talk about" with Faye being "the mysterious blonde." (CNN) "Lisa Marie Presley was calling Michael the day before (the photo) was shot, begging him not to divorce," she testified. "So he promised her he wouldn't file for divorce. But the next morning, it was all over the press she had gone ahead and filed. He was devastated." (NYDailyNews)

Panish moves to videos of Jackson performances. He starts off with a performance of “Man in the Mirror” in Bucharest from “Dangerous” tour. In the video, fans are screaming, some being carted out on stretchers. Panish asks Faye if this is common for a Jackson concert.
Faye: “You obviously have not seen a Michael Jackson concert in your life.”
Panish: “I’m not answering that. I get to ask the questions.” (AP)

Part of Jackson's 1993 Super Bowl halftime show was viewed, including his rendition of "We Are the World" and "Earth Song." "It was a very big deal, sir," Faye said. "I think it started the trend of having a big artist at the Super Bowl."(CNN)

They viewed several minutes of Jackson's "Thriller," which Faye pointed out was a short film, not just a music video. A clip from a Jackson concert in Bucharest, Romania, showed jurors how fanatical his fans were, dozens of them fainting as he sang "Man In the Mirror."
When his 1995 MTV awards performance was shown, Faye noted, "He can moonwalk in a circle."Jackson's stamina during a show was remarkable, she said. "Some dancers would pass out, but Michael would be fine. He was able to do it."(CNN)

Faye tells jury she was responsible for keeping Jackson hydrated during shows. She says she’s never seen another performer like MJ. “Michael would do five songs to the dancers’ one. I never saw anything like it.” _ Faye says of Jackson’s performances. (AP)

A vintage video of Michael Jackson’s hair catching on fire during the third take of a 1983 Pepsi commercial was played for jurors as a Karen Faye testified about the devastating migraine headaches the pop singer endured because of the injuries.

“I never saw anything like that in my life," Karen Faye testified. "This was someone I knew and he was on fire." (LATimes)

She says when MJ was burned shooting the Pepsi commercial he did not know it and just kept singing. His friend Miko had to tackle him. He suffered migraines after that injury. He had several surgeries to try to repair the damage to his scalp. (ABC7)

“He was dancing. He didn’t know he was on fire,” Jackson’s trusted makeup artist Karen Faye testified, describing the footage. “His hair was gone.There was smoke coming off his head.” (NYPost)

Faye recalled that when Jackson's hair caught on fire, he continued dancing down the stairs, having no idea he was burning. Finally, a friend of his ran onto the stage and wrestled him to the ground to put it out."All his hair was gone and there was smoke coming out of his head." Jackson, she said, suffered intense migraines while the burns were healing, Faye said. (LATimes)

"His hair caught fire, but he kept dancing," she said, as jurors watched the infamous video of pyrotechnics igniting Jackson's head as he danced down stairs on a stage. "I was screaming and Miko (Brando) got through somehow and had to wrestle him to the ground, because he had no idea he was on fire. Miko put the fire out with his hand."The fire burned off a section of hair, which doctors tried to repair with surgery to stretch his scalp, she said. Jackson suffered migraine headaches after that, she said. (CNN)

Instead of suing Pepsi, she said, Jackson asked Pepsi to build a burn center at Brotman Medical Center in Culver City where the singer was treated. "Everybody thought he'd sue Pepsi because it was a mistake," the makeup artist said.(LATimes)

Jackson attorney Panish played a video of MJ falling several stories during a concert in Munich. Faye said Jackson fell three or four stories when a prop he was standing on collapsed. “When I saw what happen, I thought he could be dead,” Faye said.But Jackson, she said, pulled himself up and continued performing. "I can't disappoint the audience," she said he later told her. When he finished, he collapsed and security took him to the hospital, she said. (LATimes)

Later, a bridge suspended above a stage collapsed as Jackson danced on top of it during a show in Munich, Germany, she said."When I saw what happened, I thought he could be dead," Faye testified. But Jackson held onto his microphone, stood up and finished the song. "He said 'I can't disappoint the audience,'" she said. So he finished the show finale but collapsed in the dressing room when it was over, she said. "He suffered back pain from that moment on," she said.(CNN)

The fall, she said, left Jackson with back pain that flared when he was under physical or emotional stress. (LAtimes)

She said MJ had so much adrenalin while performing 2 hours that it took him a day or two to calm down and rest. On the early concert tours there was enough time between concerts for him to get rest but later tours got longer and show got closer (ABC7)

Jackson "was so buzzed by his own adrenaline after a show" it would "take him 24 hours to relax his body and, sometimes it would take two days to be able to sleep," said Faye.
"As the tour went on, shows got closer and closer, and he would have trouble sleeping," she said. "It would start out OK, but it would get worse and worse. He tried to find ways to deal with it."Dealing with it involved a series of doctors, she said.
"Michael always believed that a doctor had his best interest at heart," Faye said. "He believed if he got something through a doctor that it was safe and OK for him to use it."(CNN)

She says Jackson trusted the advice of doctors to help him sleep and deal with pain from injuries and performances. (AP)

He was doing a short film for the Adams Family - and suffering pain because of scalp surgery. Debbie Rowe would come with pain meds. (ABC7)

Faye says during the "Dangerous" tour, promoters asked that she give Jackson injections of pain medications, but she refused. She says a tour manager who later became a top AEG executive then enlisted a doctor to treat Jackson.(ABC7)

That Pepsi burn touched off Jackson’s reliance on painkillers -- though Faye said she really didn’t grasp it until his “Dangerous” tour in 1992-93. Faye said there were always two doctors around Jackson on that tour, willing and able to give him as many painkillers as necessary.(NYPost)

“I came to learn there was a balance of medication,” Faye said. “They [medication] had to be strong enough to overcome Michael’s pain but not so strong that he couldn’t perform.” (NYPost)

On one concert tour, Rowe asked Karen to carry pain medication and learn to give an injection. Karen said no. (ABC7) "Debbie Rowe asked me to learn how to give injections," she said. "I thought about it and said 'No.' I am not qualified to handle any kind of medications."(CNN)

Despite being asked by tour promoters, Faye said she refused to give the performer injections for pain. She said Paul Gongaware, a promoter who later became a top executive with AEG Live LLC, then brought in doctors who treated Jackson in 1993 on his "Dangerous" tour, which she told jurors had to be halted early due to the singer's prescription drug addiction.(AP)

A Doctor was added to the tour in Bangkok. He met Karen in the lobby of the hotel with the medication she refused to carry. The package had vials and syringes. The Doctor told her she might not have gotten into the country with the package. (ABC7)

When the tour was on its way to Bangkok, Thailand, Faye was asked to carry a package she was told contained medicine patches for Jackson's pain, she testified. She refused to travel with it, she said.Faye testified that the tour doctor -- Dr. Stuart Finkelstein -- later told her "I'm glad you weren't carrying it. It has vials and syringes. If you had brought this in, you might not be here." The implication was she could have been arrested for smuggling drugs. Gongaware, now the Co-CEO of AEG Live, was in charge of logistics for the "Dangerous" tour and was involved in the incident, Faye said. (CNN)

In Singapore she saw MJ stumbling and fell into a tree in his dressing room. She was afraid for him and told the Doctor. She told the doctor he couldn't go on in that condition but the Doctor said he could go on. She was afraid for his life. (ABC7)

Karen Faye testified that before a concert in Bangkok, Michael Jackson was having a hard time walking, seemed to be in a daze and stumbled over a potted tree in his dressing room before finally being led on stage to perform. (LAtimes)

Faye testified that while backstage in Bangkok, she turned to someone she knew as “Dr. Forecast” and urged him not to let the wobbly Jackson take the stage.

"I put my arms around Michael and said, `You can't take him.' "

“Forecast replied, 'Yes I can,' " she testified.

The makeup artist testified the man, who she said was “an insurance doctor,” backed her up against a wall and put his hands on her neck, choking her until she couldn't breathe.

"He said, `You don't know what you're up against,' " Faye testified.

The doctor, whose full name was not mentioned, took Jackson on stage to perform, she said. (LATimes)

Later in the tour in Singapore, Jackson stumbled into his dressing room before a show, she said. "He was having a very hard time walking," she said. "He was glazed over. He fell over a tree."
She told the tour doctor -- whom she identified as Dr. David Forecast -- that "Michael can't go on."
His show opened with him being thrust onto the stage by a "toaster," which requires him to "curl up and be shot up" from a small enclosure under the stage, she said.
"His arm could be severed," Faye said. "I feared for his safety, I feared for his life. I told Dr. Forecast 'You can't make him go out. You can't take him.' And he said 'Yes, I can.'"
The doctor "backed me up against the wall and put his hands around my neck and said 'You don't know what your doing,'" she testified. "I nearly fainted, and he grabbed Michael and took him to the stage." (CNN)

She said Dr. Forecast marched a disoriented Jackson to the stage, but the concert was cancelled nonetheless. (NYDailyNews)

Faye said she never witnessed the singer's treatments, but he appeared to become more dependent on prescription drugs in the years following the "Dangerous" tour. she said she worried every time she saw a doctor arrive to treat Jackson."I was always worried that Michael was in pain," Faye said under questioning by Brian Panish, an attorney for Jackson's mother. She said Jackson had a low pain tolerance except while performing.(AP)

MJ on tour when the first allegations of Child Molestation hit the papers. MJ under a lot of stress. The world thinks he is a pedophile. That tour ended when Elizabeth Taylor came to Mexico to accompany MJ to a rehab facility. (ABC7) The tour, though, would soon come to an end in Mexico City, when Elizabeth Taylor flew down to take the singer to a rehab facility outside London, she said."Everyone knew Michael had a problem," Faye said. (LATimes) The tour ended early when it reached Mexico City "because everybody knew Michael had a problem," she said. Elizabeth Taylor came down to Mexico to get Jackson, and "we all went home."Faye later flew to England to join Michael at a rehab facility, which she described as a beautiful country home.(CNN)

35bh63q.jpg


Witness Karen Faye also recalled how Jackson's reliance on medications coincided with the first time he was accused of child molestation in the early 1990s."Michael had to go on stage every night knowing that the whole world thought he was a pedophile," Faye said, shaking her head and crying. (AP)

Faye also recalled an odd incident before Jackson performed at Madison Square Garden in fall, 2001.When she went to his hotel room to make up his face before a show, Faye testified that a doctor stopped her and said: “I just gave Michael a shot, he’s going to be asleep for the next five or six hours.” “I said that can’t be, he’s set to perform,” Kaye said she responded.She eventually got into Jackson’s room, woke him up and fed MJ bagels to keep him awake and ready to perform, that makeup artist testified.(NYPost)

The media put Michael Jackson "on display" during his molestation trial, Faye said, wiping tears. During that trial, MJ would wake, play classical music, watch 3 Stooges-anything that made him happy- before heading to court. Michael Jackson took care with his hair and dress but couldn't eat during the trial and lost weight, Karen Faye said. (LATimes) Faye cried as she described dressing him and washing his hair. They would get on their knees and pray, then hug each other and cry. They would play classical music and watch "Three Stooges" videos.While Jackson tried to be brave, “he couldn’t eat. He was afraid," she testified. "The pain got worse. He got thinner. " (LAtimes)

She was with him during the trial. She would do his hair and makeup for the "red carpet" at the courthouse. He wouldn't eat or drink during the trial for fear he had to go to the bathroom one of the guards would have to escort him. He was too shy. (ABC7)
Faye also described working with Michael during the 2005 molestation trial that ended with his aquittal. She would go to Neverland Ranch each morning before daybreak to help him wash and dress, she said.
"I wanted people to think he still looked good and was still strong," she testified. "I'd wash his hair in the shampoo bowl (and) blow it dry. We'd play classical music and watch 'The Three Stooges.'"
She said it was a particularly difficult time for the superstar.
"He was losing weight," she said. "He couldn't eat because he didn't want to throw up because he had to watch all these people he loved and cared about tell all those lies."
He also refused to drink in the mornings because he hated using the courtroom bathroom, she said.
He eventually got so frail that one morning he fell and had to go to the hospital, she said. That event led to the infamous "pajama" incident, in which Jackson arrived at court in his nightclothes because a judge threatened to send him to jail if he didn't appear immediately.
"There was no time (to change him)," she said, crying and dabbing tears with a tissue. "He went into court without his hair done in his pajamas." (NYDailyNEws)

Jackson's condition worsened during the singer's 2005 trial on child molestation charges, Faye said. Although he was acquitted, the pressure of the case and media attention took its toll, she told jurors."He couldn't eat," she said. "He was afraid. He was in pain. He got thinner. His physical pain, his back pain, it all kicked in." (AP)

Karen Faye said MJ asked her to be on the "This is It" tour and she said yes. (ABC7) Jackson attorney Panish asks who Faye negotiated with. She says AEG executive Paul Gongaware negotiated her rate to work on tour.(AP) Gongaware signed Karen Faye’s contract, which was finalized in May 2009. She was with Jackson a lot during "This Is It" preparations. (AP)

Faye, said she was concerned when she first saw the schedule for Jackson's 50 "This Is It" shows at London's O2 arena. "On looking at that, I said, 'He can't do this,'" Faye testified. "The shows are far too close together. I knew what he needed between shows. I thought he might last a week." When she raised the matter with show director Kenny Ortega, "he kind of fluffed it off," she said. "Michael's adrenaline and what it takes for him to perform with that much effort and what he himself puts into a show, he needed a lot more time to at least get some rest and sleep, and to be healthy and maintain that kind of longevity," she said. (CNN)

Panish asked Faye whether Jackson ever expressed concerns about the “This Is It” production. She says yes, but AEG objects. The attorneys went into a lengthy sidebar on whether Faye can tell jury what Jackson’s concerns were. AEG argued it’s hearsay. Katherine Jackson's attorneys had to tell Faye not to automatically say what other people told her, especially if AEG objected. (AP)

Faye testified that MJ wanted to do the Tour for his children. they had never seen him perform. He also wanted to do it for his fans. (ABC7)

Jackson appeared "very, very excited" in early production meetings, but "the first time he actually got up on stage and rehearsed, I saw the change in him.""The turning point was when he had to get up on stage and actually start performing," she said. (CNN)

She said the first time MJ went on stage to perform at the This is It rehearsals, she saw a change in him. (ABC7)

She said MJ's skin was very dry, his eyes were dry, he was losing weight, and he kept repeating himself. (ABC7)

She testified that MJ was showing signs of paranoia. That MJ had to see her when he was on stage always. He would repeat over and over (ABC7)

She had concerns about MJ and expressed those concerns to Kenny Ortega. (ABC7)

Jackson tried to avoid rehearsing for "This Is It," Faye testifies"They had to make him rehearse," she says. Eventually, "they had to make him rehearse," she said. "They're insisting to the point of going to his home." (CNN)

She said Director Kenny Ortega and AEG CEO Randy Phillips insisted MJ rehearse.She overheard Paul Gongaware from AEG yell into the phone to MJ security to get MJ out of the bathroom.(ABC7)

AEG executives continued to push Jackson, Faye said. She testified she overheard a phone conversation in which AEG executive Paul Gongaware told Jackson's assistant to get him out of a locked bathroom and to a rehearsal. Faye described Gongaware, AEG Live's co-CEO, as "angry and kind of desperate" in the conversation. She testified Gongaware told the assistant to do "whatever it takes."Faye said the only people she saw insist that Jackson rehearse were Gongaware and tour director Kenny Ortega. (AP).

At one point, Jackson locked himself in a bathroom at his home, refusing to leave for rehearsals at the Forum. AEG Live Co-CEO Paul Gongaware, who was in charge of the production, was "angry and kind of desperate to get Michael to the Forum," she said.
She overheard a phone call in which Gongaware was telling Jackson's security guard "to get him out of the bathroom. Do you have a key, do whatever it takes," she said Gongaware screamed. (CNN)

After a meeting between MJ, Ortega, and Phillips, Faye was told not to follow MJ's instructions anymore. She should show tough love. (ABC7) She said that after Jackson missed several rehearsals, Phillips told her to ignore the singer's instructions. (AP)

She became more concerned for MJ's health in the last few days. She forwarded several emails to producers and included her own concerns. Faye said Randy Phillips told her that he had read her emails and tried to do everything he could for MJ. That was at the funeral. (ABC7) Faye testified that Phillips told her at Jackson's funeral that "he tried to do everything he could."Did she believe him, Jackson lawyer Brian Panish asked.
"Sir, Michael Jackson is lying in a casket only a few feet away from me," she said. "I had no words to respond. That's not everything you can do." (CNN)

Faye said she informed Ortega, Jackson's manager and AEG Live co-CEO Randy Phillips about her concerns about Jackson's health during the preparations for the shows. She said Jackson was frustrated and after a costume fitting days before his death repeatedly asked her, "Why can't I choose?" (AP)

Faye, choking back tears, read portions of an email from one of Jackson's fans that she forwarded to his now deceased manager, Frank Dileo. It described the singer as a skeleton."If we do nothing, he will die," the fan wrote. "I know people who work for him cannot tell him anything. I know his own family tried to help him but he won't listen."Faye said she wrote Dileo that she agreed with the assessment, but the manager never responded in writing. By this point, Jackson was often cold to the touch and was becoming increasingly paranoid. Faye said he became obsessed with her being within sight when he was rehearsing onstage. (AP)

Michael Jackson appeared paranoid, repeating himself and shivering from chills in his final days, Karen Faye testified. "This was not the man I knew," Karen Faye testified. "He was acting like a person I didn't recognize." (CNN)

At a rehearsal in mid-June, Jackson was talking to himself, she said. "When I was around, he was repeating himself an awful lot, saying the same thing over and over again." (CNN)

Faye, who had to touch Jackson when she put on his makeup, said it was "like I was touching ice." At one rehearsal, she covered him with blankets and put a space heater next to him, she said. (CNN)

Faye said she raised her concerns once in June with AEG CEO Randy Phillips. He told her, "Yeah, this is bad. It's not so good. I had to scrape Michael off the floor in London at the announcement because he was so drunk," she said.(CNN)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 9 - May 10 2013- Summary

Katherine Jackson is not at court.

Karen Faye Testimony

21aa15t.jpg


Jackson direct

Faye described how Jackson's health had changed over 27 years. She said that his legs, once muscular, were thin, and his face was skeletal. She said that Jackson was not strong enough for the rigorous concert schedule set by AEG. (KABC)

Michael Bush appeared upset after he finished up a June 2009 fitting inside Jackson’s bathroom at Staples Center, Karen Faye said.

“He said 'Oh my god, Turkle. I could see Michael’s heartbeat through the skin in his chest,'” Faye recounted.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos then asked Faye about Bush's tone of voice at the time.

“It was like, 'Oh my god,'” Faye said. “He was pretty much in shock.”

Around the same time, Faye said she tried to warn Jackson’s manager, Frank DiLeo, about Jackson’s health.

“[Frank] was saying pretty much, 'I got it under control, don’t worry about it,'” Faye said.

“I said, ‘But he’s losing weight rapidly.’ … I said, ‘Why don’t you ask Michael Bush to verify taking in his pants and how much weight he’s actually losing?’”

Faye said DiLeo went to speak to Bush and she overheard the manager say, “Get him a bucket of chicken.”

“It was such a cold response,” Faye said. “I mean, it broke my heart.” (LATimes)

It was Kenny Ortega who came to her, hugged her and told her MJ had died. She said she became weak in the knees (ABC7).
Faye said she prepared MJ's body for the family to see him after he died. (ABC7)

She was asked to work on the "This is It" film touching up MJ in the footage. She refused. She thought that would be a lie and couldn't(ABC7)

Faye felt the MJ “did not have enough muscle mass to do a concert” as he was prepping for his “This Is It” comeback tour.She said Jackson realized he didn't look good in a video that was filmed to be used on giant screens during the concert series. At his request, she said, she assisted technicians retouching the singer’s image on the footage.(LAtimes)

But Karen Faye said that although she was asked, she did not help retouch the posthumous “This Is It” documentary.“Everybody was lying after he died, sir, that Michael was well,” Faye said to the Jacksons’ attorney, Brian Panish. “And everybody knew he wasn’t. I felt retouching Michael was just a part of that lie.” (LATimes)


AEG cross

Karen Faye said under cross- examination by defense attorney Marvin Putnam that Jackson went into a rehab program in England that was recommended by Elizabeth Taylor.

“I said I was afraid Michael could die,” Faye said in recalling different stages of the “Dangerous” tour. “Personally, there were times when he was OK and times when I was worried.”(CNS)

Under Cross Examination Faye said she was released not fired from the HIStory Tour after the first leg.(ABC7)

She said Debbie Rowe who was then MJ's wife had a role in her being removed from the tour. Debbie was pregnant and very in love with MJ. Faye said Rowe was jealous of their closeness. (ABC7)

Faye said she parted ways with Jackson during the HIStory World Tour due to problems with the tour manager as well as with Debbie Rowe, Jackson’s wife at the time.

“[Debbie] told me that she was jealous of me being there as Michael’s makeup artist,” Faye said. “She thought that Michael liked me better than her.”

After a few years, Faye said she returned to working with Jackson and that Rowe apologized.(LATimes)

When Faye went back to work for MJ after the HIStory tour he made Debbie apologize to Faye for having a role in getting her fired. (ABC7)

Faye did the makeup when MJ made the announcement that he was going to rehab. She said she put false eyelashes on him for the video.(ABC7).

Faye said she had two prescriptions in her name for MJ - Propecia (grow hair) and Latisse (grow eyelashes) for the This is It tour. She also consulted with a doctor about Botox for MJ for sweating. He wore a hairpiece and she was concerned with sweat. (ABC7) Faye said she did request prescriptions in her name for Latisse, which is used to lengthen eyelashes, and the hair-growth drug Propecia so that she could give them to Jackson. She also inquired about Botox as a way to remedy Jackson’s onstage sweat that often caused problems with his hair extensions, but said she ultimately did not get that drug. (LAtimes)

Faye said she expressed her drug abuse concerns about Jackson’s health with his oldest sister, Rebbie Jackson, after the woman reached out to her requesting information about the singer. Faye said she could not recall the time period when the conversation occurred.

She said she also had more abbreviated discussions about the same topic with another two of the singer’s other siblings, LaToya Jackson and Randy Jackson.

Faye said that in later years Jackson’s family members unsuccessfully tried to get him to return to rehab.

“I never knew them to be successful, sir,” Faye told Putnam. “I’m sure they were trying to help him in any way they could.”(CNS)

Faye could not remember when she discussed her fear of MJ's drug use with his sister Rebbie. Rebbie approached her for information(ABC7) She testified that she believed the family was not successful getting MJ into a rehab facility despite trying.(ABC7)

Faye said she sometimes spoke about Jackson’s addiction with his siblings, Rebbie, Randy and LaToya. It was her understanding, she said, that the family had attempted additional interventions with Jackson that were unsuccessful. (LAtimes)

During cross-examination by an AEG attorney, Faye clarified and said she had been torn about working on the documentary. “My initial feeling was that I didn’t want to lie, and the second, my other thing that was tugging at my heart, was that if this movie was going out, I wanted him to look good.” (LATimes)

500cau.jpg


Faye recounted multiple incidents that she says alarmed her about Jackson's use of painkillers from the time he was burned during the filming of a Pepsi commercial, to the stress of his criminal trial on molestation charges, to the day at rehearsal before he died.Yet under cross-examination, Faye said she never had a single conversation with Jackson about his drug use, and that there was a period of time after Jackson went through rehab in 1993 that he seemed to be fine. (KABC)

Karen Faye said she never saw Jackson use drugs and that there was only one instance when the singer asked her if she had painkillers.(LAtimes)

Karen Faye testified she never broached the subject of his addiction with him. Karen Faye said that during Jackson’s 2005 trial she would spend a lot of time with the performer, arriving at 3 a.m. to help him get ready, and felt it was not appropriate to confront him about his misuse of prescription drugs. (LATimes)

Faye said she did not discuss Jackson’s drug problem with him personally.

“I just avoided that issue like the plague, sir, the molestation and the drug areas,” she told Putnam today.

Asked by Putnam if Jackson ever sought drugs from her, Faye replied affirmatively.

“He asked me one time if I had pain killers,” Faye said. “I said no, I didn’t.” (CNS)

“I was a place of safety for him, and peace,” Faye said. “And I didn’t want to bring up the allegations in my time with him. I wanted that to be a really safe place.” (LAtimes)

Faye said she also became concerned during Jackson’s 2005 trial and acquittal on molestation charges that he was using drugs again, saying she based her assumptions on his appearance and his demeanor. She said she got up early every morning to get Jackson ready for court. She said he was hospitalized for part of the molestation trial because of the back pain that likely dated from the Munich accident. She said she decided again to avoid confronting Jackson about possible drug abuse.(CNS)

“It was my job and my duty as a friend to make that time … calm and peaceful,” Faye said. “I didn’t want to confront him with anything. No matter what he was doing, I could never blame him for that because of the pain.” (CNS)

Faye said it was her duty as Jackson’s longtime friend to keep him calm before he had to go to court.

“And no matter what he was doing, I could never blame him for that because of the pain,” Faye said, referring to the singer’s psychological pain over the charges as well as his physical pain from suffering injuries from a fire and a fall during a performance.(LATimes)

Putnam brought up Faye’s Twitter account and blog and asked her if she had posted unfavorable things about AEG, she stood firm. “I’ve stated the truth as far as my experience,” she said. (LAtimes)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Monday, AEG attorneys are expected to call their first witnesses, choreographers Stacy Walker and Travis Payne. Because the two must leave for a show in Tokyo, Judge Yvette Palazuelos has allowed the defense to call them early. Faye will return afterward. (LATimes)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 10 - May 13 2013- Summary

Katherine and Rebbie Jackson are in the courtroom.

Stacy Walker and Travis Payne – witnesses for AEG- are testifying out of order as they will be leaving for Japan for work.

Stacy Walker Testimony

2e1db2g.jpg


AEG direct

AEG attorney Bina is doing the direct examination.

Stacy Walker was the Associate Choreographer for "This Is It" tour. She's choreographer, director. Worked w/ MJ, Gaga, B. Spears, Usher, others. Stacy Walker said she 1st worked w/ MJ in 96 on a 40-minute movie, "Ghost." "He never made a music video, only made movies," Walker said. On the "History" tour, Walker worked about 6 months. She was one of the two girl dancer in The Way You Make Me Feel. "I feel it's my song" (ABC7). Walker had worked as a dancer on Jackson's 40-minute video "Ghost" in the mid-1990s, a job that she said was the big break of her career, and toured with him. (LATimes)

History tour: dancers rehearsed by themselves in LA. Then went to France, rehearsed in a studio at Disneyland. MJ showed up one or two times. Walker didn't remember if MJ had doctor on staff while on History tour. She never saw any signs of drug abuse, saw MJ on stage, amazing! (ABC7)

Walker told the jury Travis Payne was the main choreographer for "This Is It." She thinks she was an independent contractor hired by AEG. Walker said the casting of dancers began in April 2009. She was the associated choreographer, got direction from Payne/Ortega and Michael. (ABC7)

Walker said for the "This is It" tour a lot of choreography was done many years ago. The only new was "Drill" and everyone worked together. Drill" was like a soldier marching dancing, Walker said. "MJ said we can't use guns, since it was not good for the kids," Walker recalled.(ABC7)

Walker said during rehearsals for "This Is It" in April/May 09, MJ was there occasionally, but they were teaching dancers the choreography (ABC7)

During rehearsals at the Forum, MJ was supposed to be there more often, Walker said. Payne worked w/ MJ, she was in charge of dancers.(ABC7)

Walker: "I can remember being frustrated at times, he (MJ) wasn't coming when we were hoping he would." (ABC7)

"I wasn't shocked he wasn't coming, I was irritated, but I wasn't shocked," Walker said, noting that maybe MJ wanted to stay with his kids (ABC7). She said she wasn't "shocked" Jackson was missing rehearsals. "I was irritated he wasn’t coming.”(LATimes)

Walker said she never saw MJ sick. She said he seemed normal to her, he was much thinner, but she never felt he was acting intoxicated. (ABC7)

"He looked much thinner to me than in 97," she said, but she doesn't remember noticing a dramatic difference between April and June of 09. (ABC7) Walker also testified that Jackson was much skinnier than he had been when she had worked with him previously. (LATimes)

Walker: I remember 1 night he excused himself to his room, wasn't feeling well. He didn't say anything, it was a general understanding (ABC7)

Walker remembered MJ wearing jackets/layers but didn't think of him being insanely cold. "Different artists like different temperature." Walker: He wore a lot of jackets, I assumed he was cold but he never said anything. I never saw him shivering. He just wore a lot of jackets (ABC7)

Walker said she attributed Jackson's multilayered wardrobe to a personal preference. She said she recalled one incident in which Jackson may have appeared groggy or drugged, but she said she couldn't remember whether she witnessed or heard about it from others on the show. (AP)

Jessica Bina: Did you ever see MJ drink any alcohol?
Walker: No (ABC7)

"My only concern was that he was really thin and I wish he ate more," Walker recalled. (ABC7)

Walker got emotional when she said she wasn't looking for things that could be wrong w/ MJ at the time. "I wish I was," she said. (ABC7)

Walker said she never saw any of shivering and appeared unprepared, although she acknowledged that her job was to work with other dancers and not Jackson directly. "I wasn't looking for things at the time," she said. "I wish I was." (AP)

When she talked about MJ's last two rehearsals, Walker cried saying he was great. "He was great, I finally saw what I wanted to see." "He was great, very bratty and sassy as he was. He was just a funny guy at times," Walker said. (ABC7)

Walker testified she was frustrated the singer was missing rehearsals but that her concerns were swept away during the last two preparation sessions for his anticipated “This Is It” comeback concerts in London. (LATimes)

“I finally saw what I was looking to see,” said Stacy Walker. (LATimes)

Walker said she called her mom after the rehearsal and asked her to buy a ticket for the opening and she did. "It was great." (ABC7) Walker said she was so encouraged she told her mother to buy a ticket for opening night in London. "I was very excited and relieved and hopeful,” she testified. (LATimes)

Bina: Any doubts he could perform the tour?
Walker: Not after those two nights (June 23 and 24) (ABC7)

She said despite Jackson missing multiple rehearsals, she was convinced based on his performances the last two days of his life that he was ready for the series of shows.(AP)

On Jun 25, Walker was rehearsing Michael's disappearing act. She said Payne called saying he heard on the radio MJ was in the hospital. Walker: "I remember telling them don't worry, everything will be fine. I didn't believe, I thought that everything was going to be ok." (ABC7)

Bina: when you heard MJ passed away, were you surprised?
Walker: Yes, it was shocking, 12 hours ago he did "Beat It" and "Thriller" (ABC7)

When asked if Walker was familiar with the name Dr. Conrad Murray, she said yes, but she never met him or knew who he was prior to June 25. (ABC7)

Travis Payne had a loving, trusting relationship with MJ, Walker testified. Payne would go over to MJ's house around 1PM PT to work (AP) Walker was associate choreographer on "This Is It," working mainly with the dancers. Choreographer Travis Payne, she said, would often rehearse with Jackson in another room or at his rented mansion. (LATimes)

Walker said she felt MJ was more open this time around. In "Ghost" she said they didn't talk at all, but that he was so nice to everybody. Walker said she remembers telling MJ about McDonald's -- he had never been and she told him he had to go. (ABC7)

Regarding the "This Is It" tour, Walker doesn't know if MJ was excited. "He always seemed happy, he liked to watch the dancers dance" (ABC7)

Walker said MJ was the nicest person ever, they were not friends. "Guarded is a strong word, he let people see Michael Jackson, not Michael" (ABC7)

"I just never in a million years thought he'd leave us," Walker said crying. "I was frustrated but never thought that would happen" (ABC7) Walker: "I just never in a million years thought he would leave us, or pass away. It just never crossed my mind." (AP)

Walker didn't remember MJ having cold/stomach flu. "I've seen people that were drunk or high and he didn't appear to be that way" (ABC7)

Jackson cross

35m2jcz.jpg


Planitffs attorney Kevin Boyle did the cross examination. Boyle asked Walker if her job was to focus on dancers and not MJ. She said yes.

Boyle: And it wasn't your job to look if MJ was sick?
Walker: It was not (ABC7)

She also agreed that it wasn't her job 2 supervise Dr. Murray or observe MJ's health. Walker didn't have info if Dr. Murray gave MJ Propofol (ABC7)

Walker: I was relieved because he was there, he was going full out. Last 2 rehearsals it was the first time we saw everything come together (ABC7)

Boyle plays clip of film "Ghost". Walker said MJ was pretty impressive, played 5 different roles. "Probably one of the hardest jobs I had." "He was a huge risk taker, was very innovative as a dancer and choreographer," Walker opined, saying he was an excellent dancer, confident (ABC7)

Walker said MJ and her were not friends, they had a work relationship. Walker never went to his house, had dinner or social interaction. MJ never told Walker about his health, never discussed Propofol use since they didn't talk about that stuff. (ABC7)

Boyle: Did you ever see MJ covered in blankets watching rehearsal with heaters?
Walker: I never saw heaters or blankets (ABC7)

Walker heard MJ had problems with prescription drugs from the press. She also heard about the sleeping problems. Walker said she knew Ortega kept on Michael about eating and thinks they had a massage therapist come in for him.(ABC7)

"I've seen other artists bring chefs, masseuses, trainers sometimes," Walker said. The idea of bringing a doctor on tour didn't surprise her (ABC7)

Walker: MJ didn't want to change the choreography, it wasn't broken, so why change it? She thought it was going to be a great show. (ABC7)

“Did Mr. Phillips ever tell you he instructed Mr. Gongaware in writing to take out footage that (made Jackson) look like a skeleton?” lawyer Kevin Boyle asked choreographer Stacy Walker.

“He didn’t tell me that,” Walker replied. (NYDailyNews)



Christopher Rogers Testimony



Jackson direct

Dr. Christopher Rogers, a deputy medical examiner, began testifying last week, but was interrupted to take other witnesses.(AP)

Rogers testifies that he found no conditions during Michael Jackson’s autopsy that would affect his long-term survival.(AP) Death was not due to trauma and was not caused by natural disease. "He died of acute Propofol toxicity," Dr. Rogers said.(ABC7)

Koskoff: did you find any factors that could impact MJ's long-term survival?
Dr. Rogers: From the autopsy, no I did not.(ABC7)

AEG cross

AEG lawyer Kathryn Cahan did the bulk of the afternoon questioning of Rogers. She focused on prescription drug aspect of Jackson’s death. In response to a Cahan question, Rogers says Jackson’s death was considered a polypharmacy death. That means it involved multiple drugs. Rogers noted that propofol was the main drug that killed Jackson, but told jury that other drugs (benzodiazepines) were present. (AP)

Dr. Rogers said MJ's doctor, Dr. Murray, made a statement to the police saying MJ wasn't breathing but he felt a faint pulse.(ABC7)

Cahan also asked Dr. Rogers whether he knew about other doctors treating Jackson before his death. Rogers says yes. Rogers says he became aware that dermatologist Arnold Klein was treating Jackson.(AP) Dr. Rogers said he was uncertain who MJ's primary physician was, he understood he was seeing several doctors.(ABC7)

Cahan also asked whether he ever concluded that any other doctors contributed to Jackson’s death. “I don’t believe so,” Roger said. (AP) (Note: there have been conflicting reports about this AP say they checked the transcripts and their version is correct).

Cahan also asks about Jackson’s weight at the time of his death. He weighed 136 pounds, with a Body Mass Index of 20.1, Rogers tells jury. Rogers testified that Michael Jackson’s Body Mass Index was within the normal range. A BMI figure below 18.5 would be underweight. (AP) At the autopsy, Dr. Rogers said MJ weighed 136 lbs, was 5'9. His body mass index was 20.1, which is within the range of normal weight. (ABC7)

“He looked thin in comparison to most people,” Rogers said. He says Jackson did not appear emaciated. Says singer didn't appear emaciated. Dr. Rogers said Jackson’s body didn’t have characteristics of someone who starved to death. Rogers said Jackson’s health appeared excellent. (AP) "He looked thin in comparison to most people," Dr. Rogers said. MJ didnt look one who died from starvation or anorexia. (ABC7)

Roges testified that Jackson was not underweight when he died and appeared to be in excellent health. Despite testimony from some witnesses that Jackson appeared emaciated, Dr. Christopher Rogers said the singer did not bear the signs of someone who was starving when he died.(AP)

Cahan: Did you rule out starvation as possible Mr. Jackson's cause of death?
Dr. Rogers: Yes (ABC7)

Cahan: Was his general health excellent?
Dr. Rogers: As far as the autopsy goes, yes(ABC7)

There was more testimony about the condition of Jackson’s lungs, which were damaged in a way that might lead to pneumonia or other problems.(AP) Autopsy report: MJ had lung damage, which wasn't cause of death but made this individual especially susceptible to adverse health effects.(ABC7)

Dr. Rogers said MJ had a bit of degeneration of the lower thoracic spine, degenerative osteoarthritis of lower lumbar. Not sure how painful(ABC7)

Rogers testified he was interested in role of prescription drugs in Jackson’s death based on finding propofol and other meds at the scene.(AP) Dr. Rogers said he had some concerns about drug abuse due to the investigator's report listing all the medications found at the house. Dr. Rogers said he didn't find any opiates, opioids, Demerol in MJ's body. He had 1 other case of Propofol overdose, person in medical field (ABC7). Dr. Rogers testified that propofol shouldn’t be given in a home setting, and when someone is sedated they need to be continuously monitored. Rogers said he’s only worked one other propofol overdose case. That person was a medical professional, he said. (AP) He also said that Jackson was only the second coroner’s case he had worked on in which the person had died of propofol toxicity. The other person worked in the medical field, he said. (LATimes)

Propofol, he said, “caused his death by sedation. “Essentially, he was so sedated his vital functions stopped.”(LAtimes)

Jackson re-direct

Plaintiff’s attorney Michael Koskoff asks Rogers about whether hospital treatments might have added weight to Jackson’s body. Koskoff doesn’t state how much weight might have been added to Jackson based on IV treatments by paramedics, hospital staff. (AP) under questioning by Jackson attorney Michael Koskoff, Rogers said that by the time the pop star was weighed, intravenous fluids had been administered to him in the ambulance and at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, which could have increased his weight. (LATimes)

Rogers did say that Jackson’s body had some fat, but that most of his weight appeared to be in the singer’s muscles.(AP) Rogers testified that Jackson didn’t have much fat on him. (LAtimes)

"I don't know what his normal weight would be," Dr. Rogers expressed. He said MJ didn't have a great deal of fat, but there was some(ABC7)

Rogers testified that Jackson’s organs didn’t show any sign of lasting damage. With that, he’s done testifying.(AP)



Travis Payne Testimony

AEG direct

Travis Payne took the witness stand and began explaining his experience. (AP) Payne worked with Paula Abdul, Brandy, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, Marilyn Manson, MJ, among others.(ABC7)

He tells the jury about working on tours, music videos, video games. Travis Payne worked on the “Michael Jackson Experience” video game. In the game, he taught players Jackson’s dance moves. Payne first worked with Jackson on the “Remember the Time” film/music video. He was a dancer in the film. Many witnesses have told jury that Jackson called his music videos films. Jackson treated them more like films than videos, they’ve said. He then worked as a dancer and choreographer on Jackson’s “Dangerous” tour. By that point, he’d developed a rapport with Jackson. He helped choreograph moves for Jackson’s song “Dangerous” and “Jam” on the “Dangerous” tour, Payne testified. Payne says it was goal since being a child to be a dancer and work with Michael Jackson. The “Dangerous” tour was realization of that dream. “On the “Dangerous” tour at that tour, I was really very ecstatic. I was working with my idol,” choreographer Travis Payne, on Jackson.(AP) During "Dangerous" relationship with MJ grew. Payne said all he knew pain was an ongoing issue for MJ since the Pepsi commercial accident (ABC7)

Payne worked with MJ in "Ghost" in 1995/96, then "History" tour, other tv shows and commercials and culminated with "This Is It."(ABC7)

On the “HIStory” tour, Payne said Jackson rehearsed both with and without his backup dancers.(AP) Rehearsals for "History" tour was very extensive, Payne said. He was involved w/ selecting dancers, ideas for costumes and whatever needed. Payne said MJ rehearsed with the dancers and separately. Dancers would get up to speed in the beginning, MJ was good at giving space 2 learn (AbC7)

Travis Payne also worked with Jackson on “One Night Only” show that was canceled after incident in which Jackson fainted on stage. (AP) Payne worked with MJ in the "One Night Only" show, one time performance by MJ and dancers in New York. The show never happened. Payne: Michael had an incident, appeared to faint, we were asked to leave the theater and were told later the show was not going to happen(ABC7)

Payne worked privately with Jackson on “This Is It” rehearsals. He says he didn’t see any signs of drug abuse by Jackson at this time. (AP)

Payne says dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein and nurse Debbie Rowe were only medical professionals of Jackson’s that he met.(AP) Payne said he knew there were physicians tending to MJ, only ones Payne personally met were Dr. Klein and Debbie Rowe. (ABC7)

The choreographer also testifies that he never saw Jackson drink alcohol or take any medications. He says he saw no signs of addiction.(AP) Payne said he never saw MJ take drugs, medication or alcohol. "Nothing." (ABC7)

Payne said he worked with Kenny Ortega for many years. Payne and Ortega were in Vegas when MJ called Ortega asking to work in new project. Payne didn't personally meet with MJ until after the press conference announcement. He said he was excited to work with him again. (ABC7)

After mid-afternoon break, Payne resumed testifying about how he came to work with Jackson on “This Is It” preparations. “I believe he missed performing. I believe he missed direct contact with his fans,” Travis Payne says about why Jackson wanted to tour. (AP)

Payne said he knew MJ was excited about the tour and his children, to share this experience with them. Payne met w/ MJ in late March/2009.(ABC7)

"He looked fine to me health wise, I thought he was thinner from what I have seen him in the past, but nothing alarming," Payne recalled.(ABC7)

Payne said he found out that his role would not include dancing, he would choreograph and would be the associate director in "This Is It"(ABC7) Travis Payne served as an associate director for the “This Is It” shows. He wouldn't be dancing in the concerts, he said. Payne testified “This Is It” would be different from Jackson’s previous tours. AEG would be a partner, not a sponsor. The choreographer said Jackson explained to him that having AEG would be a good thing for the “This Is It” shows. (AP) "This is It" was a partnership with AEG. Payne said this new way of doing business would revolutionize the way tours were done.(ABC7)

Payne attended an April meeting at Michael Jackson’s home. Said he saw no signs of impairment, drug abuse by the singer.(AP)

Payne, who rehearsed one-on-one with Jackson and helped craft the creative vision for the show, said he never saw signs that Jackson was ill or impaired in early preparations."I thought he was thinner than he was in the past, but I didn't have any reason to be alarmed," Payne said. (AP)

Payne also testified that Jackson was involved in almost every detail of his scheduled shows, such as costume, wardrobe and set design, choosing the dancers and the bandleader. (LATimes) Payne: Everything started with Mr. Jackson, always. As his support team, we would contribute with ideas. MJ had the final word.(ABC7)

They auditioned 5,000 dancers, MJ chose the final ones. Payne said MJ chose the band director also.(ABC7)

Payne spent several minutes describing details of the “This Is It” show, including a torch and costume that would light up. Jackson wanted a torch in the Italian Baroque design. Actually, he wanted two, in case one broke, Payne tells jury. Payne also shown an email in which he described a costume for “Billie Jean” in which the clothing material would light up. When Payne was describing the illuminated “Billie Jean” costume, he looked out into the audience and nodded at Katherine Jackson. (AP) Bina shows an email Payne wrote. It said MJ was very persistent about having a torch, a concept that meant a lot to Michael.(ABC7)

Payne was then asked about his one-on-one rehearsals with Jackson at the singer’s home. These were scheduled for 5 days a week.(AP) Payne said they started rehearsing after the press conference, and stopped the day before MJ died. He spoke with MJ every day. MJ told Payne he expected him to be in every show. He wanted Payne to take notes to make sure show was as perfect as possible. "Customarily, we would see each other every day," Payne said. Rehearsal with MJ was scheduled five days a week.(ABC7)

He also ate lunch with Jackson on many days. He said MJ’s appetite depended on the day. (AP &ABC7) Payne, however, worked with Jackson individually almost every day for the last three months of the singer's life. He ate lunches with Jackson, saying the star's appetite varied daily. (AP) The choreographer said that on most days he would rehearse with Jackson at the singer’s rented Holmby Hills mansion for several hours, but as show time approached, he missed some rehearsals with the full crews, causing “production” to worry whether he would be ready.(LAtimes)

Payne said MJ's dancing seemed fine to him. He said they were working on things created decades before to make them age appropriate, dynamic (ABC7) MJ was able to perform many of his familiar dance moves, although they had to be modified because the singer was 50 years old and not as limber as he had been decades earlier. He said Jackson was tired for some of the sessions and that "some days would be better than others." (AP) Payne and associate choreographer Stacy Walker said they were working to modify Jackson’s dance routine to his age. “I was realizing that’s Michael Jackson, but he’s not 20 or 30 any more,” Walker testified, “he’s 50 and how is that going to be? We have to figure it out.” (LATimes)

"Drill" was the last thing they worked together, Payne said. Michael had a great love for military precision. (ABC7)

"He seemed very tired, we all were," Payne said.(ABC7)

Payne testified that production wanted MJ to be more in attendance with all the cast, rather than just MJ rehearsing by himself at his house. Payne: because there was inconsistency with MJ appearing at the rehearsal, production was concerned they would not meet their goals.(ABC7)

AEG attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina asked Payne whether he thought Jackson could have finished “This Is It” show. Payne said yes.(AP)

Payne said Jackson’s goal was to sing every song in “This Is It” live. Jackson had used vocal-assist tracks on previous shows, he said.(AP) Travis Payne said Michael Jackson told him that on the “This Is It” concerts, he wanted to sing all the vocals live, “which he had not done in the past on every tour…. This was a goal he set for himself.”(LATimes) "MJ told me he wanted to sing all the songs live," Payne said. "He had not done that in the past." Some songs were vocalist tracked 2 assist. By June 25, Payne said MJ had not developed the goal of singing and dancing at the same time.(ABC7)

Payne said that Jackson had never performed a complete show with just his live vocals.He said Jackson had not reached his goal by the time he died June 25, 2009, but the choreographer thought he could have pulled it off. (LAtimes)

----------------------------------------------------
Payne will continue to testify

After jurors left, Judge Palazuelos said she sustained plaintiffs objection and will not allow defense to use Dr. Murray's intvw w/ LAPD. In it, Dr. Murray said he was hired by MJ to be paid by AEG. Plaintiffs said it's hearsay and judge agreed.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 11 - May 14 2013- Summary

Katherine Jackson, Rebbie and Trent are at court.

Choreographer Travis Payne and Katherine Jackson spoke briefly in the courtroom before the jury came in. They seemed cordial.(AP)

Travis Payne Testimony

v33sqv.jpg


AEG direct

Payne is wearing a black jacket with a gold emblem on the shoulders with the words “MJ” and a pair of wings. (AP)

Payne said he was concerned about MJ missing rehearsals. He didn't know why he wasn't showing up, but MJ was also working on album and book (ABC7)

Payne said he did not think that Jackson had a problem abusing prescription medications. He acknowledged that Jackson missed rehearsals and he saw the singer shivering or appear cold in some of his final rehearsals.(AP)

He worked with Jackson beginning in the 1990s and testified that he never saw Jackson drink alcohol or take any medications. The singer also never discussed his medical treatments, Payne said.(AP)

Payne told the jury he advised MJ he was looking thin and MJ said he was getting down to his fighting weight. "I had no reason to doubt him" (ABC7) Michael Jackson said, "I'm getting down to my fighting weight," Payne testified.(LAtimes) Payne said he noticed that Jackson looked thin but was satisfied with the singer’s response.

“He said, ’I’m getting down to my fighting weight,' which I took to mean that he was preparing for the performances,” Payne testified. (LAtimes)

Payne said there was one day when MJ was cold. He thought the frustration had MJ on edge, but he took it that he was fighting a cold. (ABC7) When Jackson needed to be layered in blankets and required a heater to be comfortable, Payne said, he believed Jackson was merely fighting a cold. (LAtimes)

"There were times he was tired and had to be not convinced but supported," Payne recalls.(ABC7) "Sometimes he was tired and lethargic and had to be, not convinced, but supported throughout rehearsals," Payne said. (CNN)

Payne said that in April, May, June, MJ missed 5 rehearsals with the whole group. He said one time Ortega sent MJ home. (ABC7)

Bina shows an email from Ortega to Gongaware on Jun 14: "We're you aware that MJ's doctor didn't permit him to attend rehearsal yesterday? Without invading MJ's privacy, it might be good idea to talk to his doctor to make sure everything MJ requires is in place. Who is responsible for MJ getting proper nourishment/vitamins/therapy every day? Personally, I feel he should have a top Nutritionist and Physical Therapist working with him on a regular basis. The demand on this guy is mentally and physically extraordinary! The show requirements exhaust our 20 year olds. Please don't underestimate the need to stay on top of this" (ABC7)

Another part of the same email chain, from Gongaware: "Frank and I have discussed it already and have requested a face-to-face meeting w/ the doctor... We want to remind him that it's AEG not MJ who's paying his salary We want him to understand what is expected of him. He has been dodging Frank so far.” (ABC7)

Payne said his understanding was that AEG was paying Dr. Murray's salary not Michael. The doctor was there 2 oversee many things, Payne said. Payne explained he didn't have much of reason to question Dr. Murray since he thought that a doctor selected to work with MJ was top notch. (ABC7)

Payne said he met Dr. Murray at the Carolwood house. "I was going up the steps, Dr. Murray going downstairs, Michael introduced us." Payne was coming up from the basement to the middle floor. Studio was at the basement. Payne said he never went 2 the top floor of the house (ABC7) Stebbins Bina asked Payne whether he ever met Conrad Murray. The choreographer says he met Murray twice. Payne says the first time was at Jackson’s Carrolwood Drive home. The men passed on a stairway and Jackson introduced them briefly. Payne says the second time was at the Staples Center, after a rehearsal and Jackson was leaving for the day. Both meetings were brief. (AP)

On June 19, Payne said he believed he was looking at someone who had blankets and heater. No one else was cold. He had flu-like symptoms. (ABC7)

On June 23/24, as to how MJ performed, Payne though it was in process, not at show standards, but MJ was rehearsing. "He was having his process, I didn't expect him to be like he would in front of a crowd," Payne explained. (ABC7) "He was not at show standards ... I didn't expect him to be as he would be in front of a crowd." Travis Payne on #MJ in 6/09 . Payne: "It ebbed and flowed. Some days were good, some days were not as good." (LATimes) Payne said the performance would float, some days were good, some days were not good. The last two days were good. "I thought he was in his way to the goals he set himself," Payne told the jury. He didn't have any question that MJ would be able to perform (ABC7)

Jackson "was not at show standards, but he was rehearsing," last two nights. Jackson was "on his way to the goals he had set for himself" before his death, Payne says (CNN)

Travis Payne testified he had no doubts about Michael Jackson’s ability to perform in the series of comeback concerts after seeing the singer at rehearsal in the days before his death.

“I thought he was on his way to the goals he had set for himself,” Travis Payne said, adding that he and others were impressed while watching Jackson rehearse at Staples Center on June 23 and 24, 2009.

“He was not at show standards but he was rehearsing,” Payne said. “He was processing — he was having his process. I didn’t expect him to be as he would be in front of a crowd.”(LAtimes)

Payne, though, said Jackson's rehearsals the last two nights were "impressive" when he "was able to do chunks of the show." "He was not at show standards, but he was rehearsing, he was processing," he said. "I didn't expect him to be as if he was in front of a crowd. The last two days were pretty good." (CNN)

Payne described the day MJ died: He was headed to rehearsal at MJ's home, got a call from his mother who said she saw reports on the news. Payne heard news on the radio, called Staples Center spoke to Stacy Walker, she said they were rehearsing. He was told to go to Staples. "We were optimistic of his arrival," Payne said explaining they were expecting MJ to rehearse at the Staples Center. Payne said Ortega got a series of calls. He remembers Kenny say 'tell me something that will make me know it's you and that this is true' " I remember him (Kenny Ortega) collapsing in his seat and crying," Payne testified. (ABC7)

Payne said he never saw MJ drink alcohol or take medication. "Sometimes, in rehearsal, Michael would appear just a little loopy," though. He recalled Michael being under the influence of something; said it happened mostly when MJ would come to rehearsals after seeing Dr. Klein. Payne also said he appeared groggy in the morning sometimes, which he attributed to lack of sleep.(ABC7)

"Mr. Jackson just explained to me that he had trouble sleeping, that he was tired, and that satisfied me," Payne testified. (CNN)

AEG attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina began day by asking Payne about how Jackson seemed at rehearsals in June. Payne told jury that at times Michael Jackson was lethargic and needed “support” to rehearse. The choreographer said at one point, he and others tried to bring in a top physical therapist who works with Olympic athletes to help MJ. Payne said Jackson didn’t want the physical therapist to work with him, thought it would be a violation of his personal space. (AP) Jackson didn't work w/physical therapist flown in for him. "He was just not comfortable with the invasion of personal space." (LATimes)

“At the last minute we realized that Michael was not going to go through with it,” Payne said. “He was just not comfortable with the invasion of personal space.”(Latimes)

MJ sometimes appeared "loopy" or "groggy" at rehearsals, Payne said.(LATimes) Payne testified MJ appeared "a little loopy" after visits with his longtime dermatologist in the weeks before his death. Travis Payne said he witnessed Jackson's unusual behavior after the singer visited Dr. Arnold Klein, who Payne believed was performing cosmetic treatments on the singer so that he would be comfortable performing onstage again. (AP) Payne said he understood MJ was undergoing "cosmetic procedures so that he could feel great and do a great job." (LATimes)

"Sometimes in rehearsal Michael would appear a little loopy, under the influence of something, but mostly when he would come to the rehearsals from the dermatologist," Payne testified. That happened two to four times in the weeks before his death, he said. "Michael was undergoing personal cosmetic procedures, so he could feel great and do a good job," Payne said. (CNN)

Payne testified that he saw Jackson appear "loopy" two to four times over the course of his sessions with the singer. He says the incidents always followed visits with Dr. Arnold Klein. Payne told that he didn't think Jackson had a problem with prescription drugs but was having cosmetic procedures done to help him feel comfortable returning to the stage for his planned "This Is It" concerts.(AP) Payne said that his understanding was that Michael was undergoing cosmetic procedures so he could feel great and do a good job.(ABC7)

"Sometimes in rehearsal, Michael would appear just a little loopy," Payne said, adding that the singer appeared to be "assisted or under the influence of something." (AP) Payne didn't deem MJ being loopy as a problem with drug addiction. He said that from what he observed he was not concerned at all.(ABC7)

Payne, the choreographer, said he witnessed Jackson's unusual behavior several times in the weeks before his death. The singer also appeared groggy during some morning sessions, Payne said, and Jackson occasionally complained he was having trouble sleeping.(AP)

Payne said Mr. Jackson explained to him he had trouble sleeping. He's not sure how much weight MJ had lost.(ABC7)

Payne mentioned one day in particular at a meeting with Andre Crouch and singers, MJ seemed a little out of it.(ABC7)

Bina played clip of "This Is It" from Jun 4 showing the green screen and making of "Drill" and Michael talking about the cool moves, dancing. Payne said the idea was to show the rehearsals and how things came together. The footage himself wasn't altered, but there was editing. Payne said they picked the best of the rehearsal to include in the documentary. He wanted to reshoot some scenes but was not allowed. (ABC7) Payne, who was an associate producer on the “This Is It” documentary, said the footage of Jackson had not been retouched or altered. (LATimes)


Jackson cross

Attorney Brian Panish cross examined Payne. He asked if MJ ever performed the entire show from beginning to end. Payne said no.(ABC7)

Was he ready to perform for an audience, Panish asked.
"I thought he was on his way to the goals he had set for himself," Payne answered. "All I saw was improvement and getting closer to the goals."(CNN)

Payne purchased copy of his deposition and watched it prior to coming to testify. He talked to Stacy Walker yes but not about her testimony (ABC7)

Payne's impression was that MJ loved being a father. He said he saw the beauty of their relationships, loyalty one another. "When we rehearsed, we had meals togethers," Payne recalled, talking about MJ and all three children. Payne thought the relationship between MJ and Prince was awesome, Michael was a proud father, great to see how they interacted. Prince wanted to be a director, Michael would point out things to him during rehearsal should that be his career, Payne remembered. As to Paris Jackson, Payne said be saw a very protective young lady, smart, astute, with knowledge of the production, very hands on. Payne said Paris seemed beyond her age, she was the female of the house, had lots of responsibilities, loved it, protective of the family. Paris was coming to find out MJ's global success, Payne said, adding that she would bless the food they ate. Payne said Paris was the most vocal of the children, always concerned about things in the house, asked what they wanted 2 eat, handled a lot. Blanket was the most quiet of the 3, Payne said, but was always very close by, in the rehearsal room. Michael guided and mentored him. Payne said he would be proud if MJ was his father and agreed the children suffered a tremendous loss. (ABC7) When rehearsing with Jackson at his Holmby Hills residence, Payne said the singer clearly delighted in being a father. Jackson encouraged his son Prince’s dreams of being a director, allowed son Blanket to attend his dance rehearsals, doted on his daddy’s girl, Paris, and shared meals with all three. (LATimes)

“I saw the beauty of their relationships. I saw their loyalty to their father, I saw his loyalty to them."-Travis Payne (LATimes)

Panish: Was Paris a Daddy's girl? Payne: Yes, I believe so (ABC7)

Payne was often inside Jackson's home rehearsing with him during his final weeks. He got an intimate view of what he called "the beauty" of Jackson's relationship with his three children.
Payne saw "their loyalty to their father" and their father "enlightened them and taught them," he testified. "I was very proud to see Michael as such a loving father."
His description of the close relationship Paris, 15, and Prince, 16, had with their father four years ago could foreshadow the significance of the children's testimony later in the trial.
Paris, who was 11 at the time, was "a very retentive young lady who was very, very smart, very astute," Payne testified.
"She had full knowledge of the day-to-day operations, from the time of lunch and what it was going to be, she was hands on -- far beyond her age," he said. "She had a lot of responsibility, which I think she welcomed.
Payne said she was "the female of the house," and also "a daddy's girl."
"She really loved her father," he said. "At that time, she was coming to find out his global successes and presence, so she would wear her Michael Jackson t-shirt, headband and bag," he said.
It was Paris who would bless the food when they were have lunch with their father at home, he said.
"She was always the most vocal of the three children and was very concerned about many of the details of the house, was the temperature correct, what do you want to eat," Payne testified. "She just handled a lot for her young age."
Jackson's relationship with son Prince, then 12, was "awesome," Payne said.
"It was great to see how they interacted," he said. "Prince wants to be a director, so Michael would share conversations with him about that process and point out things during our rehearsals,."
Blanket, who was 7 his father died, liked to watch his father rehearsing his dances with Payne in the basement studio of their home, Payne said.
"He was quiet, but always right there with his dad," he said. (CNN)

Payne always carries a video camera with him and shot videos of rehearsal. AEG took the footage that Payne shot and never returned to him. Email from Randy to Paul: "Make sure you take out the shots of MJ in that red jacket... He looks way too thin and skeletal." Payne said he was not aware of the email. He said MJ looked thin, but not skeletal. He doesn't know if Paul/Randy took any the footage out (ABC7) He told the jury he thought Jackson was thin, but told the jury he wasn't aware of an email that AEG executives sent seeking to remove footage of Jackson rehearsing from the "This Is It" film in which he was described as looking like "skeletal." The email was not displayed for the jury.(AP)

As to MJ's relationship with Katherine, Payne said there's no secret MJ loved his mother very much. It is kind of common knowledge (ABC7)

Karen Faye is a make up artist. She designed the make up, was always there when Michael was there, Payne testified. Payne said Faye and MJ had a long term working relationship. They spent a lot of personal time together. Faye was concerned and frustrated how Michael looked. She went to Payne kind of in an aggressive way. Payne told her to report to Ortega. (ABC7)

Payne said he wanted MJ to have a physical therapist, nutritionist, massage, have his family around. He said this was a different scenario. "This was the first time MJ was working with AEG," Payne testified, saying he had always been hired by MJJ production before. Payne said this was the first time MJ was not the sole producer of the show. Payne started working without a signed contract. This was the first time he was hired by a company other than MJJ. He was being paid by AEG. Panish showed Payne's written contract. It is between Payne and AEG, beginning April 1, 2009. The contract said only AEG could cancel it. (ABC7) Payne, who had worked with Jackson in the past, said he was usually hired by MJJ Productions and that the concerts represented the first time Jackson didn’t have full control. He testified that there was a delay in his contract with AEG because the salary was not in line with his standard charges, but that things worked out after he had a conversation with Jackson. Payne also said he believed AEG was paying Murray’s salary, not Jackson. (LATimes)

Payne was hired and paid by AEG. His contract was with AEG.
Panish: Who could fire you. AEG?
Payne: I'm sure (ABC7)

Payne said AEG didn't want to pay what he regarded as his standard operating cost. Jackson said to pay him what him and his agent requested (ABC7)

Panish asked if Payne remembers receiving a text message from Karen Faye asking him why he was lying to the media after MJ died. "I do not remember receiving text message from Karen Faye asking why I was lying to the media," Payne explained. (ABC7) Payne asked about text msg from Faye after MJ's death, accusing him of lying to media. Payne did not recall such a thing (LATimes) Things became heated when Panish inquired about a text message Jackson's hair and makeup artist Karen Faye sent to Payne that accused him of lying to the media. Payne said he didn't recall such a message. He said that earlier Faye had approached him in an "aggressive" way about her concern for Jackson's health but he told her to take her concerns to Ortega.(LAtimes)

Panish: Were you upset when MJ died?
Payne: Yes (ABC7)

Panish shows a picture of Payne at the red carpet premiere of "TII" documentary. He agreed he was happy about the premiere. (ABC7) During cross-examination, Payne was shown several photos of premieres for the documentary “This Is It.” In one, Ortega and AEG executive Randy Phillips flank Jackson’s manager, Frank DiLeo, who has a cigar hanging out of his mouth. All three are grinning. Brian Panish, the attorney for Jackson’s family, remarked that everyone looked pretty happy. (LAtimes)

Payne said he wasn't privy to details of what was expected of Dr. Murray. AEG was producer/promoter, but MJ was the star, had to be happy(ABC7)

Panish reminded Payne that he had testified in his deposition that AEG was trying to protect its “investment.”

“I don’t have a dog in this race so I’m not on either side,” an aggravated Payne countered. “I’m just saying I don’t want to be painted as somebody who’s trying to mask anything.” (LAtimes)Payne got frustrated with Plaintiffs attorney: "I don't have a dog in this fight," he said, adding that he felt Panish was being aggressive (ABC7) After several hours of testy exchanges with Panish, his voice quivered and he dabbed his eyes with a tissue.

"I don't have a dog in this race," Payne said at one point. "I'm just trying to have a conversation with you and tell the truth." (AP)
Panish asked Payne if defendants' attorney approached him during lunch to show him some documents. He said yes, saw parts of his deposition. (ABC7)

Under cross examination, Payne acknowledged that some of Jackson's behavior, including grogginess, lethargy, insomnia and occasional paranoia, were possible symptoms of prescription drug abuse. He also said that despite testifying earlier that he worked with Jackson one-on-one five days a week, he couldn't recall how many rehearsals the singer actually attended.(AP)

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish after lunch break got Travis Payne to concede Jackson wasn't present for a May 19, 2009 rehearsal. Payne also conceded that Jackson was a no-show for a June 22, 2009 rehearsal. (AP) Panish confronted Payne saying that yesterday he said he was with MJ at a dance studio on May 19, that they were up on their feet, danced.

Panish: Sir, MJ was not with you May 19, 2009, was he?
Payne: No
Panish: He was at the doctor
Payne: If you're saying, I'm not disputing
Panish said that on May 19, MJ was having a cyst removed at Dr. Klein's office, so he could not have been rehearsing with Payne.
Panish then said on Jun 22 MJ wasn't there either, "wasn't he?"
Payne said he didn't know. Panish said MJ was at another doctor's office (ABC7)

Payne said he may have made a mistake about Jackson’s whereabouts, and he didn't know the pop singer’s personal schedule. Travis Payne had testified yesterday that he and Jackson ran through certain songs on May 19th. He said today he was testifying based on the schedule and notes he compiled and that his recollection might be wrong.(AP)

"We're human, sometimes we make mistakes," Payne explained, saying he's not disputing that MJ was or wasn't there on those dates. (ABC7)

Payne said there was always something for MJ to do. "He needed to come to rehearsal, it was part of the job." (ABC7)

Payne said MJ had hard time picking up some of the material. Email from Ortega to Gongaware: "He has been slow at grabbing hold of the work" (ABC7) Jackson was having trouble learning dances, choreographer Travis Payne says (CNN)

"Prior to June, I notice Mr. Jackson was thinner than I recognized him," Payne said, noting he never saw sudden weight change in MJ. (ABC7)

Second time Payne saw Dr. Murray was the night before MJ died at Staples Center. "I wanted Michael to go home and go to sleep" Payne recalls. Payne said he felt that Dr. Murray didn't look like a doctor to him and didn't feel he was an official doctor who should be working for MJ. Payne knew MJ had sleeping problems and that Dr. Murray was treating him for that. Ortega also knew; Payne thought Gongaware was aware too (ABC7) Payne also said he and Ortega knew that Jackson was having sleep problems. Attorney Brian Panish asks if AEG executives knew. There were several objections, and Payne was only allowed to answer “No” as to whether Paul Gongaware knew about Jackson’s sleep problems. (AP) (Note : There’s a conflicting info here)

Something about Murray felt off, Payne said. “He didn’t feel like an official doctor,” he said. (LATimes)

Panish asked Payne about choosing Jackson’s dancers for “This Is It.” Payne says they were whittled down from 5,000 applicants. (AP) Applicants submitted video clips and their submissions were used to cull down potential dancers from there. (AP) Payne said they received 5,000 applications for dancers, about 2,000 showed up 4 the audition. Payne says about 2,500 people showed up for a casting call. He taught them some dance moves, and the pool was further narrowed down. One note about the backup dancers _ Michael Jackson chose them from a group of finalists. (AP)

Panish then asked Payne whether he knew how many doctors AEG interviewed to work with Jackson on “This Is It.” “No,” Payne says. (AP) He didn't know how many doctors AEG screened (ABC7) Payne also says he isn't aware how much interviewing or investigation into Murray that AEG did. (AP) (Panish’s point appears to be that there was more scrutiny of Jackson’s backup dancers than Conrad Murray. AP)

During preparations for his anticipated “This Is It” performances in London, Michael Jackson at times seemed “under the influence of something” during rehearsals and once couldn’t take the stage because he appeared incoherent, Payne testified. Travis Payne said Jackson had trouble picking up some of the show’s choreography and requested a teleprompter to help him with lyrics — something the singer had never done before. (LATimes)

Payne said he was aware that Jackson had problems sleeping and chalked up the singer’s sometimes erratic behavior to sleep aids or sedatives from his dermatologist visits. (LATimes)

“You have to understand that one always says hindsight is 20/20,” he said. “In the moment I had no inkling of what, ultimately, what was revealed until Mr. Jackson’s passing.” (LATimes)

Payne saw MJ tired and fatigued. He agreed that those symptoms could be signs of drug addiction. Payne was aware that MJ was losing weight during rehearsals and he had not seeing him lose weight like that before. "He was not in great physical shape and was sore," Payne said. Payne felt that the reason MJ was groggy was because he was getting some sort of sleeping medication. "He just seemed assisted" (ABC7)

Payne says at one point, he told Kenny Ortega that Jackson appeared “assisted” _ meaning that he thought he was on drugs\meds. (AP)

Payne said some people were concerned about the goals not being met, including Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware. (ABC7)
Payne said that he thought MJ was under some type of sedative after the came back from Dr. Klein's office; he would have cosmetic work done. Payne learned what Demerol was after MJ died. He also remembers a mention of Demerol in the song "Morphine". (ABC7)
"He was losing weight, he was sore, working up his stamina. Lack of sleep and proper nourishment were starting to show," Payne explained. (ABC7)

Panish asked if MJ knew the lyrics of his songs. "I think he did, he knew most of them, but he wanted to have a TelePrompTer for safety" Michael asked for the TelePrompTer, he didn't want to make any mistake, 2 refresh his memory. Also to use for sequence of songs, Payne said . Payne agreed that it was very unusual for MJ to have TelePrompTer with the lyrics of his own songs. He never used it before. (ABC7) He also asked that a teleprompter be placed near the stage to help him remember song lyrics, something Jackson had never used before during a concert, he said. (CNN) He said Jackson wanted to use a teleprompter during the shows as "extra security," but it was an aid the performer had not used in his two previous tours.(AP) Payne didn't specify which songs Jackson wanted teleprompter for, but said MJ had never used one on tour before. It was plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish who questioned whether Jackson could remember words to his songs. Travis Payne said the teleprompter was "extra security" for Jackson and would inform of him of changes in show, words for speeches.(AP)

Payne said a body double was requested for MJ. Misha Gabriel was MJ's body double, but shorter than him. Some of the scenes in the documentary are with the body double, Payne testified. Payne remembers at the Culver Studios in Smooth Criminal there was a stunt and Misha was asked to jump thru glass plate. (ABC7)

Payne said most it the time, MJ was present at rehearsals. "It wasn't s big deal," he expressed.(ABC7)

Panish showed an email from the band leader Michael Bearden: "MJ is not in shape enough yet to sing this stuff live and dance at the same time," Bearden wrote. "He can use the ballads to sing live and get his stamina back up, Once he's healthy enough and have more strength I Have full confidence he can sing the majority of the show live. His voice sounds amazing right now, he needs to build it back up. I still need all big dance numbers to be in the system so we can concentrate on choreography." (CNN)

Payne was aware that AEG was considering in mid June pulling the plug on the show. He said MJ looked exhausted and paranoid on Jun 19 (ABC7) Jackson's condition and missed rehearsals led to talk within the last 10 days of Jackson's life that AEG Live LLC, which was promoting "This Is It," might cancel the concert series.(AP) "It was 'We've got to get this together or the plug may be pulled,'" Payne says (CNN)

"It was 'We've got to get this together or the plug may be pulled,' " Payne testified. Jackson was having trouble learning some of his dances in the final weeks, he said. The jury saw an e-mail from show director Kenny Ortega saying Jackson had "been slow at grabbing hold of the work." (CNN)

Payne was working for AEG and said he relayed his concerns about Jackson's possible prescription drug use to tour director Kenny Ortega. Jackson was struggling to get into shape for the shows, and Payne said his voice coach suggested using a voice track for fast-paced songs until the singer's stamina improved. Travis Payne said he expressed concerns to the director of the "This Is It" shows that Jackson might be misusing prescription medications and was exhibiting troubling signs of insomnia, weight loss and paranoia in his final days. (AP)

Payne went to MJ's house on June 20. He was cold and had to light the fireplace and rub his hand and feet to warm himself up. (ABC7)

Panish showed a picture of MJ on June 24 rehearsing Thriller. Payne said MJ improved but was not at his best yet. (ABC7)
Payne knows of one incident, June 19 at the Forum, where MJ had to be wrapped around in a blanket and be in front of a heater. (ABC7)

Panish: Around June 20, was Ortega in the mindset that MJ was not ready for this?
Payne: Yes (ABC7)

Payne said MJ was not ready, it was not the MJ he knew. He died four days later. But he didn't see anything that alarmed him on June 23/24 (ABC7)

Panish: Did you see that MJ was getting pressured to get everything done in the last days?
Payne: Yes (ABC7)

Payne said he could sense something was wrong, but didn't know what it was. (ABC7) "You could sense that something was wrong, you just didn't know what it was?" plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish asked. Yes, Payne replied. (AP)

Payne said he had not seen MJ in the condition he saw him on June 19. Last two days were better. (ABC7)

Payne cried when he said he never doubted MJ and that part of his responsibility was to help getting him there, ready for the tour. (ABC7)

Payne said Jackson’s performances in the final days of his life were impressive, and it felt “like we were definitely on an upswing.”

“I never doubted Michael because he was the architect of this and he wanted to do it, so part of my responsibility was to help him get there,” Payne said, his voice racked with emotion. (LATimes)

Panish ended his direct examination of choreographer Travis Payne with three questions.
Panish: Did you see that Michael Jackson appeared to be pressured to get everything done at the Staples last rehearsals?
"Yes," Payne said
Panish: "The pressure about the shows started to manifest itself physically in Michael Jackson."
"Yes," Payne replied.
Panish: You could sense that something was wrong, you just didn't know what it was."
Payne responded "Yes." (AP)

AEG re-direct

Payne’s demeanor changed after Panish finished questioning him. He was holding back tears when AEG attorney started re-direct examination. For the next several moments, Payne blinked and dabbed both eyes with a tissue. It was first time he’d gotten emotional on stand. (AP)

Bina in re-direct asked: Do you think you could get him there?
Payne: Absolutely! (ABC7)

On re-direct examination, AEG attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina asked Payne again about how many rehearsals Jackson attended. Payne replied that it was a “significant” number, but he couldn’t recall dates, precisely how many that Jackson attended. (AP) Payne said MJ was present a significant amount of the days he was scheduled to work. (ABC7)

As to Gongaware email regarding what was expected of Dr. Murray, Payne said the inconsistencies with MJ missing rehearsals warrant a talk. Payne said he thought Dr. Murray was there to care for his patient, making sure right nutritionist was there, to get him ready for the show. Payne never discussed with MJ about his doctors or personal affairs. Payne and Faye were professionals with each other, but not friends. (ABC7)

"Production felt he wasn't coming to rehearsals enough, and that was frustrating to some of the staff," Payne testified. "I had a concern we needed to create a show Michael would enjoy doing it," Payne explained. (ABC7)

She also showed Payne photos from the “This Is It” premiere. Photos were of the choreographer with Jackson’s brothers. FStebbins Bina also showed another image of smiling Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon with Payne at “This Is It” premiere. First photo is of Payne shaking Jermaine Jackson’s hand at the “This Is It” movie premiere. Stebbins Bina also showed another image of smiling Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon with Payne at “This Is It” premiere. (AP)

Payne said Jermaine was at the premiere. Bina shows pic of Payne and Jermaine shaking hands; pic of Jermaine, Kenny, Tito, Jackie, Marlon. Payne cried saying he had been through so much and the rough part was behind them. He was pleased to show the fans what the show was to be. (ABC7)

Jackson re-cross

In re-cross, Panish notes that none of MJ's brothers are part of this lawsuit. (ABC7)

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish then asked Payne whether Katherine Jackson and singer’s kids went to premiere. They didn't. Panish says Katherine Jackson, her grandchildren didn’t go to “This Is It” premiere because they weren’t over Jackson’s death. Payne said he didn’t think anyone was over Jackson’s death with the film premiered in late 2009. (AP)

Payne said he saw MJ cold once at his house, MJ asked him to feel his hands, another at Staples -- MJ was wrapped in a blanket, w/ heaters (ABC7).

Payne's understanding was that Dr. Murray was to provide what the artist needed, as far as nourishment, rest. As to Gongaware's email, Payne said he took to understand that Mr. Jackson needed to have proper nourishment, care, and masseuse. Payne believed the doctor needed to assure comfort of the star so they could have productive rehearsals. (ABC7)

“My understanding was that Dr. Murray was to provide whatever the artist needed as far as nourishment, the ability to rest well, so he could have productive rehearsals,” Payne said.(LATimes)

------------------------------------------------------------

No court on Wednesday May 15 as one of the jurors will be attending a funeral. Court resumes Thursday May 16 afternoon.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 12 – May 16 2013 – Summary

Motions

There was a motions hearing during the morning session about Frank Dileo emails and Conrad Murray’s police interview.

Jacksons is trying to get Frank Dileo’s emails. Jacksons believe there may be discussions between DiLeo and AEG about MJ/his health (ABC7). David Regoli, a lawyer for Mrs. Dileo, said Mrs. DiLeo asked him to review the subpoena by Katherine Jackson's attorney, go thru the emails and produce anything relevant to the parties. Media (AP) also reported that the same law firm represented Dileo family in regards to the subpoena but they no longer represent Mrs. Dileo.

Jackson's attorneys want to make sure AEG turned over all the email conversations AEG had with everyone about MJ. If it's proven they didn't, it could be a problem for AEG's attorney. Everyone is on standby. (ABC7)

Judge ruled that Murray’s June 27 LAPD interview is considered hearsay and it can’t be presented to the jury. Judge said Murray’s statement might be admissible if the former doctor testified in court.


Julie Hollander Testimony

jsy4xf.jpg


Jackson Direct

In the afternoon session Julie Hollander, AEG's VP of Controller and Event Operation, has testified. She has been called as an adverse witness by Jacksons. (ABC7)

First part of her testimony was explaining who hired her (Timm Wooley) and what a CEO/CFO does. She works for AEG Live, under AEG.(ABC7)

Hollander said that in 2009 Wooley was more than just a tour accountant. Wooley came back to work in the "This Is It" tour. (ABC7)
Hollander says she reports directly to the CFO. She is in charge of financial report and accounting for the events produced by AEG Live (ABC7)

Hollander said she was responsible for overseeing 'the books' (accounting term) for anything related to the project "This Is It." "I'm responsible for making sure the books are maintained for the tours," Hollander described. The book is an electronic accounting system. (ABC7)

Hollander was responsible for the financial/accounting for "This Is It" tour. She estimated she worked on about 20 tours --several concerts. Hollander said she didn't prepare the budgets for TII tour. Wooley did. (ABC7) Hollander was responsible for overseeing the books and the general ledger of all transactions related to “This Is It,” but said it was AEG executive Timm Woolley who actually created and managed the budget and made sure people got paid. (LATimes)

She reported the budget primarily to Paul Gongaware. Hollander said budget was the costs expected to incur in the tour with developing the shows, taking show on the road, getting gear to London. Other budgeted costs: traveling for people involved, housing for some people involved and insurance. (ABC7)

Hollander said the company had a policy manual saying payment would be predicated upon the execution of the contract. “We had situations where contracts were signed later," Hollander said. "Due to abrupt end of the tour the contracts were being negotiated." (ABC7) She said, however, that there were situations where contracts were signed after Jackson’s death because “due to the abrupt end of the tour, deals were renegotiated.” (LATimes)

Hollander: "My role was to execute payments pursuing to executed contracts." (ABC7)

Hollander: "My understating was that Dr. Murray was part of the budget, is listed on the budget for the tour at the request of the artist." (ABC7)

She agreed she saw Dr. Murray's contract, but says it was un-executed, since it was not signed by all parties. (ABC7)

Panish: you don't know whether Dr. Murray was performing services for MJ?
Hollander: I don't know, I can't say for sure, not me, personally (ABC7)

Woolley advised her that Murray was “engaged at the request of the artist,” Hollander said, and added that the budgets were ultimately approved by Gongaware. (LATimes)"Timm Wooley advised me that Dr. Murray was being engaged at the request of the artist," Hollander testified, saying contract with AEG Live (ABC7)

Julie Hollander, vice president/controller of event operations for AE Live, testified in the wrongful death trial that Murray’s salary of $150,000 each for the months of May and June that year was included in a budget approved by executive Paul Gongaware. (LATimes)

Hollander said she used the term draft because the contract was not fully executed. Fully executed means all partied signed the contract. Hollander said that if all the terms of the contract were met and remained consistent, Dr. Murray would be paid retroactively from May 1, 09 (ABC7)

Hollander called the doctor’s contract with AEG a “draft” because, although it was signed by Murray, neither Jackson nor AEG had signed it.

“If Michael Jackson didn’t die and AEG signed, then AEG would owe the money, right?” Brian Panish, the Jackson family’s attorney, asked.

“If all parties signed it would have been a fully executed contract, yes, and I would have to — if the costs were approved — it would be no basis for me to say I’m not going to pay that,” Hollander said. (LATimes)

Hollander: There was $300,000 listed on the budget for Dr. Murray, yes. That budget was approved by Mr. Gongaware. (ABC7)

Panish: For London there was more than 1 million dollars in the budget to pay Dr. Murray, right?
Hollander: I don't recall a figure of $1Million (ABC7)

Brian Panish shows Hollander a large binder with 80 documents she reviewed to refresh her recollection.(ABC7)

Panish: AEG advanced money to MJ, is that right?
Hollander: Yes, it was an advance, recoupable in some capacity (ABC7)

Panish showed email from 5/18/09 from Hollander to Wooley: "Were in process of quickly putting together urgent re-forecast for Mr Anschutz"(ABC7)

On May 18, 2009, Hollander wrote an email to several executives asking for information that would help give AEG owner Philip Anschutz an idea of the upcoming tour profits.

“We are in the process of quickly pulling together an urgent re-forecast for Mr. Anschutz and need the latest and greatest on MJ,” her email read. “I recall that you were working on an update. Is it ready for consumption? I need something by tomorrow at the latest.… Once the numbers are in, I need direction from you with respect to the split between UK and US.”

Panish asked Hollander, “They weren’t asking you how the rehearsals were going, were they?”

“No.”

“They wanted to know how much money would be made for the U.S. and how much money would be made for the U.K., correct?”

“Yes.” (LATimes)

Panish: Do you know if AEG ever performed a background check on Dr. Murray?
Hollander: I'm not aware of anything in that regard (ABC7)

Hollander said she did not know who negotiated the compensation for Dr. Murray. He was the only doctor budgeted for the tour. Memo: MJ wishes to have permanent physician available on call thru pre-tour/operational period. There are 2 months at $150K newly budgeted. (ABC7)

Hollander: I talked to Mr. Wooley about the inclusion of Dr. Murray in the budget. I talked to Mr. Trell as to the conditions he'd be paid (ABC7) Hollander said she spoke with Woolley about the inclusion of Murray on the budget and to AEG’s in-house attorney Shawn Trell about conditions under which the doctor would be paid. (LATimes)

Panish showed the jury the budget from 5/16/09 for 27 shows:
Management Medical --300,000; 450,000; 750,000
Total: $1.5 Million to pay Dr. Murray (ABC7)

Hollander verified a document created May 16, 2009, that listed dozens of changes to the “This Is It” budget. Murray was listed as item 29.

“MJ wishes to have a permanent physician available on call throughout the pre-tour period on operational period,” the document said. “There are 2 months at $150,000 newly budgeted.” (LATimes)

On April 30, 2009, Panish showed a document with $300,000 budgeted for management medical. (ABC7)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Emery Brown , Propofol expert from Harvard, is announced as the next witness to be called.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 13 – May 17 2013 – Summary

Katherine, Rebbie and Trent Jackson are in court.

Jackson attorney Brian Panish has decided not to call Dr. Emery Brown a propofol expert. (AP) Panish told ABC7 he thought Dr. Brown's testimony wasn't going to add anything new to the jury. (ABC7)

There’s no witness available now to testify in the morning session, so Jackson attorney Panish plays video deposition of Marty Hom, defense expert witness. (AP & ABC7)

Marty Hom Video Depostion

Marty Hom has been in the music industry 25-30 years. (ABC7) Hom is a tour manager who’s worked with the Eagles, Bette Midler, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson and other big-name acts. (AP).

The artist is usually who hires and pays him, Hom said. He gets a check from the artist. Hom doesn't know if MJ was paying Gongaware. Hom said his role changes from one tour to the next. He has to adapt quickly to the artist's need, since they are just very different. (ABC7)

Live Nation and AEG Live are the biggest companies in the business, Hom said. He's been friends with Randy Phillips for probably 10 years. Hom said he worked with Phillips and AEG Live once in the Bette Midler Tour in Las Vegas. Hom has no social relationship with Phillips. (ABC7) Hom said he knows AEG executives Paul Gongaware and Randy Phillips, who he called a friend. Hom said he and Phillips weren’t close -- they didn’t visit each others’ homes or otherwise socialize. (AP)

The music business in general is very small, Hom said, and Randy Philips used to manage a former client of his,Lionel Richie. Hom said he's never worked w/ Paul Gongaware. He knows him for many years, ran into each other all the time. He considers Gongaware a friend (ABC7)

“This business is a very, very small business. I probably know most of the people in this business,” Hom said during his deposition. (AP)

Jacksons attorney Kevin Boyle asked if Hom's friendship with Phillips and Gongaware, defendants in the case, would sway his testimony. Hom said he worked w/ Janet Jackson and met Mrs. Jackson as well. "I probably know everyone in the business, this is a very small business" (ABC7) He was questioned by plaintiff’s attorney Kevin Boyle, who asked Hom given his ties to AEG how he could convince the jury he was objective. Hom said he’s worked with Janet Jackson, and had met Katherine Jackson on a few occasions. (AP)

This is Hom’s first case serving as an expert witness. (AP) Hom said defendant's attorney called him asking if he'd be interested in being an expert witness in this case. Hom thought about it, agreed. Hom told the atty he didn't know what an expert witness makes. He was told they make between $400 - $500 an hour. They settled on $500/hour. (ABC7)

Hom: They just wanted me to testify in general scope on what I do for living. I think they were looking for someone who knew the tour biz (ABC7).

Hom said he's seen artists travel w/ physical therapists, masseuses, cooks, but he's not been on tour where artist takes doctor on the road. Hom said he hired doctors in individual cities when artist was ill, wanted B12 shots, crew was sick. Hom said the tour paid the doctor.(ABC7) Boyle asked Hom whether he’d ever hired a doctor to go on tour. Hom said no. He hires local doctors if an artist is sick or needs treatment. Marty Hom said he’d never worked on a tour in which the artist or artists’ brought along a doctor. (AP) Hom said he knew the Rolling Stones have physician on tour, Blink-182 also had doctors on tour, but he didn't know what their agreements are (ABC7)

"The doctor should look for the best interest of the artist," Hom opined, "I'd never put artist on stage if it wasn't for his best interest" (ABC7)

Boyle asked if Hom knew Kenny Ortega. Hom said yes. Boyle asked if Ortega would ever falsely sound alarm about artist health. Hom said no (ABC7)

Hom said it was not appropriate for the tour manager or promoter to inject themselves into the doctor-patient relationship. (LAtimes) Hom said he never injected himself in doctor-patient relationship. He said he didn't believe it was appropriate 4 concert promoters to do it. Hom: Is it appropriate? I don't know, but it's a question I have to ask for best interest of the show. I think it's a legitimate question. (ABC7)

Hom said he didn't see a problem asking the doctor questions. It's up to the physician to set the limits, he opined.(ABC7) Asked if it would be OK for someone to speak to the performer's doctor without the artist present, he answered, "I thought it was the doctor's responsibility to say no." (LATimes)

He said he knew of no instance where a promoter or producer had a private conversation with the artist's doctor.(LATimes)
Hom said he needs to know if artist can perform and/or for how long he needs to be on leave. That's why he'd ask doctor status of the artist. Hom said he would ask the doctor questions to determine what kind of condition the artist/dancer would be and his capability to do the tour (ABC7)

He testified that when performers were ill, "my natural instinct is to go to that doctor and ask him, 'Is that dancer going or musician going to be able to make that show in a week?”(LATimes)

He said he’d never gotten involved in a doctor-patient relationship. He said he does ask doctors about prognosis for injured artists. He said it’s a legitimate question to ask “How long is that musician going to be sick?” and similar questions for the sake of the tour. (AP)
Hom said it was proper for AEG lawyers to inquire of Murray whether Jackson would be able to perform all of the scheduled shows in London. (CNS)

He’s also worked with AEG on a couple occasions, including the Alicia Keys tour. He was approached about working on the Rolling Stones tour. (AP) Timm Wooley contacted Hom earlier this year to ask if he would be willing to be the tour manager for the Rolling Stones show. Hom said he was pretty busy this year, but since it's the Rolling Stones, he would like to throw his resume in the pot. Hom said AEG ended up hiring someone else to be Rolling Stones' tour manager. (ABC7)

Hom said that Dr. Murray asking for $5 million raised a red flag. "It's outrageous." (ABC7 &AP)

Hom said he's never seen a draft agreement between promoter/producer and a doctor. He's been in the business for 30 years. (ABC7)
Hom said he wasn't aware of promoter/producing ever paying artist personal manager. Plaintiff says they have evidence AEG paid MJ's manager (ABC7) (Panish said outside court that he will later introduce evidence that AEG was paying Jackson's managers, which could be a conflict of interest. – LATimes)

Boyle: Would you ever hire a doctor to give an opiate-dependent artist Demerol?
Hom: No

Boyle: Would you hire a doctor to be feeding the chemical dependency of the artist?
Hom: I would not (ABC7)

Hom also said he would never tell a director he had checked out a doctor if he hadn’t, a reference to claims by the Jackson family about an AEG executive (LATimes)

Hom said he had no opinion whether the defendants hired Dr. Murray. Hom never talked with Phillips, Gongaware or Wooley about MJ.(ABC7) Marty Hom said he had never talked to Gongaware and Phillips about Michael Jackson. (AP)

Plaintiff’s attorney Kevin Boyle asked Hom several questions about whether he wanted to work with AEG Live in the future. Hom said yes. (AP) Hom said he'd like to work with AEG Live in the future, not for them. He said the promoters don't have any saying on who hires him. Hom said he works for an artist, he's hired and paid by the artist, promoters have no say on his contract. (ABC7) Hom noted that AEG and Live Nation are the two biggest concert promoters. He wants to keep working with both of them, he said. (AP)


Julie Hollander Testimony

Katherine and Rebbie Jackson was not present for the afternoon session.

Jackson Direct

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish walked her through "This Is It" concert budgets, both those generated before and after MJ’s death. The documents show that AEG budgeted to pay Murray for his work with Jackson as “preproduction cost.” Murray was never paid. (AP)

Panish showed Hollander a document from April 30, 2009. It shows management medical for $300,000. Hollander said her job was to facilitate payments and sometimes she approved payment as well. (ABC7)

Panish asked Hollander if people worked for AEG without fully executed contracts. She said yes, they may start work in general terms. Standard company police is that no payments are made without fully executed contract, Hollander said. The contract could get executed later. (ABC7)

"People commence work before their contract is executed, yes" Hollander said. (ABC7)

Panish said people did the work before MJ died, but got paid after he died. Hollander said she didn't recall specifics. Hollander said there were people who had contracts renegotiated after MJ's death. Hollander said AEG renegotiated contracts after MJ died to mitigate the burden on MJ's Estate. (ABC7)

Panish shows email from 7/10/09 asking Hollander to sign a tour contract so vendor could get paid. Hollander signed it after MJ had died. Panish shows email from 8/4/09 showing another vendor who negotiated contract after MJ died and got paid for prior services. (ABC7)

Panish also displayed several emails about how other vendors were paid, including makeup/hairstylist Karen Faye. The emails show some vendors were complaining about that they weren’t being paid after Jackson’s death. Hollander said many were paid. (AP)

One of the emails was regarding $11,500 that Karen Faye charged AEG for wigs she purchased for Jackson. After he died, AEG stopped a payment. Faye was upset that they rescinded the payment and was threatening to go to AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips. (AP)

Email from 6/30/09 from Randy Phillips to Holland: "This is from Karen Faye who did MJ's hair and makeup. She bought three wigs for use in the tour and one of them is going to be used for his final rest.” (ABC7) He was copied in on a message. “Pay it immediately,” Phillips wrote in an email. “Do not stiff any vendors.” (AP)

The amount for the wigs was $11,500, which Hollander said it's a nominal amount, thus there's no need for contract. (ABC7)

From time to time, Mr. Gongaware asked Hollander to expedite payment, she testified. He's an impatient person, vendors are important to him(ABC7)

As to Tohme Tohme, Hollander knows who he is, but is aware that at some point he was released from duties as MJ's manager. Hollander says she knew Tohme was terminated before MJ died, therefore had no legal power to sign on his behalf. (ABC7)

Panish said $36 million was spent in MJ's project. He asked if Hollander knew AEG filed claim against Lloyds of London 2 collect insurance. Hollander said she knew it through the press. She doesn't have recollection of specifically providing information for an insurance claim. (ABC7)

Panish shows Pre-Tour Cost Projection from 5/20/09 where AEG was to pay Dr. Murray $300,000. It was pursuant to the contract, Panish said. Budget prepared by Wooley, approved by Gongaware showed "Management Medical" and amounts to be paid to Dr. Murray are listed "Per Contract" (ABC7)

On 6/18/09, Hollander received email from Brigitte Segal, who worked on the tour for the estimated cost 4 some living arrangements in London. AEG pays for entertainment arcade & bowling alley because of precondition in terms of what MJ needed at the house as and part of the bargain. AEG pays for 3 of the local houses: Bush, Faye and Murray (wardrobe dresser, make-up/hair & personal physician). Pays for additional furniture, staffing, security, nanny, food. (ABC7)

Gongaware response on June 19, 2009: "I agree with Timm's allocation and the charges. Approved" (ABC7)

Hollander said AEG had to pay those costs pursuant to the terms of the contract for the tour, as advance payment. (ABC7)

Panish shows a pre-production budget vs what was paid. Dr. Murray still appears budgeted on 7/1/09 for $300,000. Hollander said she did not see a contract with Dr. Murray signed by AEG. Panish: If the $300,000 was supposed to be advance for MJ to be repaid, it would be under category "Artist's Advances". Hollander agreed. (ABc7) There was $300k listed for Murray under “preproduction costs” in “This Is It” budgets. It wasn't listed under terms MJ was supposed to pay. (AP)

Panish: Dr. Murray was supposed to be paid $150,000 per month, correct?
Hollander: Yes, according to the un-executed contract (ABC7)

Brian Panish ended his direct examination of Hollander by playing testimony from her deposition about 20 tours she’d handled finances for. (AP) Hollander said that "This Is It" tour was the first time she saw the situation where AEG Live hired a physician for the tour. It was also the first time she saw AEG Live pay for an artist's personal physician, Hollander said. (ABC7) Hollander said “This Is It” was the first time she’d seen costs for an artists’ physician included in a tour budget. (AP)

AEG Cross

AEG attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina started her questioning of Julie Hollander. Her early questions focused on money advanced to Jackson. Hollander told Stebbins Bina that it was her first time testifying and that’s why she was so nervous answering questions. (AP)

Hollander explained what advance meant, it was like cash advance and, depending on the contract, it would be paid back by the artist. Hollander testified that MJ was responsible for 100% of the production costs should the concert not go forward. But if the tour went forward, MJ was responsible for repayment of 95% of the costs and AEG would pay 5%. (ABC7)

Hollander said that if something is on the budget, it means it was planned to be paid. But things changed very often. (ABC7)

In the "This Is It" tour, Hollander said she had contracts with staging, lighting, choreographers, sound equipment, etc. She testified that only the contract that had been drafted for Dr. Murray required Michael Jackson's signature. (ABC7)

"My understanding was that Mr. Jackson had asked to include Dr. Murray in the tour personnel," Hollander explained. "Mr. Murray was requested by the artist, and that was my understanding," explained Hollander. (ABC7)

"I was instructed that no payments were to be made until MJ signed the contract," Hollander said, due to the personal nature of the services (ABC7) Hollander told jurors she was instructed not to pay Murray until Jackson signed the physician’s contract. (AP)

Hollander: Tour manager maintains the budget, negotiates some of the vendor's contract, may be involved in mitigating tax exposure. "My role (in TII tour) was to make sure the items created were in line with the budget made," Hollander described. (ABC7)

Hollander said she never saw a version of Dr. Murray's contract signed by AEG or MJ. AEG never paid Dr. Murray, Hollander said. (ABc7)

Before court adjourned, Hollander made the point that a budget is a guide for a concert tour. “A budget is just a tool,” Hollander said. She said sometimes an executed contract differs from the budget. In that case, the contract’s terms dictate the payments, Hollander said. (AP)

----------------------------------------------

Hollander resumes testimony Monday morning, then AEG's general counsel Shawn Trell takes the stand.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 14 – May 20 2013 – Summary

Katherine, Rebbie and Trent Jackson were at court.

Before testimony starts, Judge Yvette Palazuelos admonished the audience that no one is allowed to talk to jurors. Someone approached one of them. Apparently someone (person wasn’t identified) spoke with a juror, which is a big no-no. Could lead to a mistrial. (AP&ABC7)

Julie Hollander Testimony


AEG cross

Each member of the crew, dancers, musicians had an agreement as to weekly payment, Hollander explained. (ABC7)

Hollander said AEG never paid Dr. Conrad Murray because the contract had not been fully executed. Based on the contract, Hollander said payment for Dr. Murray should be to GCA, the doctor's employer. (ABC7)

Contract: Dr. Murray represented he's licensed cardiologist practicing in Las Vegas and that he acts as the Artist's general practitioner. (ABC7)

Hollander says Dr. Murray could only be paid after the contract was fully executed, including signature of MJ, due to nature of the service (ABC7) AEG attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina went over part of Conrad Murray’s contract related to how he would have been paid. Julie Hollander testified she was told not to pay Murray until the contract was signed by all parties, including AEG and Jackson. Hollander said last week that she was told not to pay Murray until Jackson’s signature was on the contract. (AP)

Hollander said she has never seen an agreement where the artist had to sign off on a contract for services. (ABC7) Hollander said last week that she was told not to pay Murray until Jackson’s signature was on the contract.AEG exec Julie Hollander re-iterated last week’s testimony that she Murray’s contract was only one she saw requiring MJ’s signature. She said today that she hadn't seen any other contract that required artist’s signature in her experience. Hollander said she thought Jackson’s signature was required due to the personal nature of the services. (AP)

Hollander explained that budget is a tool where you plan your future expenses. The book documents the actual expenses incurred. Bina showed Hollander report she prepared on 10/21/09 that was sent to MJ's Estate with the costs incurred as advances for the TII tour.

Next document Bina showed a comparison of Budget v. Actual expenses as of Oct. 2009.(ABC7) Julie Hollander told a jury the tally involved expenses compiled through October 2009, roughly three months after the death of the pop star. Budget documents shown Monday in the Los Angeles courtroom show the production was more than $2 million over budget, and that AEG made no payments to Conrad Murray (AP).

Budget Total:
Budget: $22,228,000
Actual: $24,835,011

Management Medical
Budget: $300,000
Actual: Zero

Public Relations
Budget: $18,000
Actual: Zero

Rehearsal Per Diems:
Budget: $175,000
Actual: $89,751

Rehearsal Facilities:
Budget: $871,000
Actual: $1,553,558 (ABC7)


Jackson re-direct

In re-direct, Panish asked Hollander if it was true that public relations was not paid $18,000 because MJ died. She said no. (ABC7)

Panish: Do you know what that $18,000 is for?
Hollander: No (ABC7)

Panish: Budget and actual payment for rehearsals per diem were different because Mr. Jackson died, correct?
Hollander: No (ABC7)

Hollander didn't know the per diem schedule, so she said she didn't know the answers. (ABC7)

Panish: You didn't pay Dr. Murray, did you?
Hollander: No

Panish: That's why it's not there (on doc shown)
Hollander: Yes (ABC7)

But all the estimates include payment for Dr. Murray, Panish asked. "That's what shows in this paper," Hollander responded. (ABC7)

Contract: promoter shall make advanced to cover mutually-approved production costs up to but not exceeding $7.5 million. (ABC7)

Panish shows Dr. Murray's contract and asked Hollander if anywhere in the agreement is says this was a draft agreement. In my experience, a draft is a term used to describe an agreement that has not been signed by all parties involved, Hollander explained. Panish: Is it your experience people sign draft agreements? Hollander: My experience is that until everyone signs, it can be changed. If this version had been signed by everybody, would've been final, Hollander said. The contract was from 5/1/09 until the end of TII tour (ABC7)

I was told it was put in there at the request of the artist, Hollander said. Panish asked if MJ had to approve $150K payment for Dr Murray (ABC7)

I've never been involved in a tour where AEG hired a doctor, Hollander said. "It's never happened before." I know in my experience it's not typical for a promoter or producer to hire a doctor, Hollander said. (ABC7)

Panish questioned Hollander about Dr. Murray's company and she said it was a LLC in Nevada. "Do you know what GCA is? Does it sell popcorn?" (ABC7)

Panish asked Hollander if there's written policy against someone working for AEG without executed contract? She said she isn't aware of any. Hollander said there's a policy against paying people without fully executed contract. (ABC7)

Hollander said tour promoters don't get involved in what it takes to actually put the show together. The artist does. AEG Live is more promoter than producers of shows, Hollander said. They promoted upwards of 100 tours, produced only few, she testified. Acting as producer you get more money than just as promoter, right? Panish asked. Hollander agreed, saying they have earning potentials. (ABC7)

Hollander said the Michael Jackson Estate approved the cost of the tour expenses incurred by AEG. (ABC7)

Panish: You don't know whether the artist was supposed to approve the cost while it was incurred and not after his death, correct? (ABC7)

Panish asked Hollander how it was that she testified last week she worked in 20 concerts and today she said it was more than 100. Hollander said she looked through materials at work and it refreshed her recollection. Panish said he wants to see the list of tours. My estimates was 20 tours up until 2009, Hollander said. From 09 to today, she said it's upward of 100. (ABC7)

Panish: Do you have any understanding whether Dr. Murray expected to get paid? Hollander: Only along those lines, yes (ABC7)


Julie Hollander was then excused subject to recall if needed.



Shawn Terrell Testimony

Jackson Direct

Katherine Jackson's attorneys called Shawn Trell as next witness. Brian Panish doing questioning, Trell is an adverse witness. (ABC7)

Shawn Trell is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for AEG Live for 10 years. He's been with the company for 13 years. (ABC7)

Trell said he met with defendants attorneys for a few hours Saturday and Sunday, reviewed documents to refresh his recollection. (ABC7)

I'm the client's representative in the court, Trell said. (ABC7)

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish asked Trell about his relationship with AEG’s trial counsel, Marvin Putnam.Putnam and Trell went to law school together, but Trell said he’s only known Putnam for three or four years. (AP). Marvin Putnam and Trell went to Georgetown Law School together, but only realized they went to same school after trial started. (ABC7)

Attorney Shawn Trell was the one who drafted and edited Michael Jackson’s contract with AEG Live. (AP) Panish: Did you enter in a contract with Mr. Jackson for TII tour? Trell: Yes

Trell said he was involved in drafting the agreement, but in his deposition, he said he had drafted it himself. (ABC7)

Panish also asked Trell about his knowledge of Michael Jackson’s interest in producing movies with an AEG film group. Trell said he knew Jackson wanted to produce movies, but he wasn’t aware that MJ wanted to work specifically with AEG. (AP) Trell said he's aware MJ wanted to produce films and Anschutz has a film company. He wasn't aware that MJ and Anschutz met about TTI movie (ABC7) Trell said he never heard that Randy Phillips spoke with DreamWorks about producing a MJ movie. (ABC7)

Trell said he never discussed with Tim Leiweke, former AEG's CEO, about MJ. Leiweke is no longer with AEG, Trell said.(ABC7)

Trell was interviewed by LAPD. "I think they were interested in what we knew about Dr. Murray," she testified. (ABC7) Trell said he produced all the materials LAPD asked of him. Panish asked if he turned over only one email, and he said he didn't recall. (ABC7)

Trell said he's confident he turned over all the material requested of AEG Live. Outside the presence of the jury, Jessica Stebbins Bina said there are about 200,000 pages of documents. Panish said Trell has been designated in 24 categories as having knowledge and being the most qualified to speak on behalf of AEG. Panish said the witnesses he will spend most time on are Randy Phillips, Paul Gongaware and Shawn Trell. (ABC7)

Panish asked if AEG Live sent a letter to MJ's Estate after he died trying to recoup money. Trell said he didn't recall. Panish showed an AEG Live letter written to MJ's Estate with costs incurred for the tour. It was signed by AEG's CFO. "This report was sent to the Estate as an accounting and an effort to recoup the money based on the agreement," Trell said. The report indicated around $30 million had been spent on the production of the tour. The report included $300K to pay Dr. Murray. Panish noted that the report was sent to MJ's Estate to recoup money "spent." AEG never paid Dr. Murray. "To me, it was a mistake," Trell said about including payment to Dr. Murray. (ABC7) Plaintiff's attorney showed Trell a July 2009 letter to Jackson's estate aiming to recoup production expenses, including $300k for Murray. Trell said including Murray as a production cost in the budgets and letter to Jackson estate was a mistake. (AP)

Trell, testifying Monday in the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial, also said his company's chief financial officer made another major error by classifying Dr. Murray's fees as "production costs" and not "advances" in all of the budgets for Jackson's "This It It" tour. (CNN)

"Mistakenly, yes," Trell said.
Despite these "mistakes," Trell called the CFO "a very detailed-oriented guy." (CNN)

MJ was given $5 million in advance: $3 million was to pay settlement of a lawsuit, $100,000/month for Carolwood house lease. Trell said MJ was already in the house at Carolwood when they entered into the agreement. AEG was to assist MJ to get $15 million in credit line, or would advance the money, so MJ could buy a house in Las Vegas, Trell testified. (ABC7)

Trell said Tohme Tohme was acting as MJ's manager at the time and was to be paid no more than $100,000. Panish asked if AEG Live ever had a contract that included pay for artist's personal manager's salary: "I don't recall one." "This was the only time we paid a personal manager," Trell testified. AEG Live's producer's fee: 5 percent of net tour income. (ABC7)

Panish asked if Dr. Murray was listed in every budget after May 8, 09: "He was listed incorrectly as production cost," Trell said. (ABC7)

After lunch break, Panish asked Trell is AEG was getting 5% as producer and 10% as promoter of the show, and he said yes. Panish shows a document with AEG Mission Statement. One of bullet points is "to create land maximize revenue streams." (ABC7)

As of June 2009, Trell said AEG was not sure the extent of Jackson's assets to secure the interests of the company. "There's an inherent risk in any commercial undertaking," Trell said. It wasn't a sure thing that AEG would get back the $35 million spent. By the time they spent $35 million, tickets were already been sold, Trell said and they knew tour was sold out. The development of a tour is a fluid thing, there were conversations between our side and MJ's side all the time, Trell said. "I don't know when I became aware the production cost exceeded $7.5 million," Trell testified. As to non-appearance insurance, Trell said he got insurance for $17.5 million. (ABC7)

Panish: After MJ died, you drafted an agreement to approve productions costs?
Trell: Yes (ABC7)

The letter was drafted on June 28, 2009, 3 days of MJ's death. "I wouldn't characterize it as trying to get the monies back," Trell said. Panish explained the letter was to get confirmation of all the money spent so AEG could recoup the money spent. (ABC7)
Trell said there was nothing in writing saying Mr. Tohme was an officer of MJ's company. He said Mr. Tohme verbalized it to him, though. "I had nothing in writing," Trell said about Tohme representing MJ. "Presumably they could've objected if they felt it wasn't true." Trell said Mr. Tohme represented to him he was representing MJ. "I had no reason not to believe him," Trell said. (ABC7)
He was also asked about a letter he sent to Tohme Tohme, MJ’s onetime manager. Jackson’s agreement with AEG Live called for Tohme to be called $100,000 a month, but Tohme was never paid. (AP) Trell said he drafted the agreement that Mr. Tohme was going to be paid by AEG as part of production cost. "We were making that payment." Trell said he didn't know who came up with the $100K figure to pay Mr. Tohme. "AEG was facilitating an agreement between MJ and Dr. Tohme." Tohme was not paid. "That was because there were some conditions in the agreement not met." (ABC7) Shawn Trell testified that he found out after the contract was signed that Jackson didn’t authorize Tohme’s payments.(AP) "Subsequently, I learned Mr. Jackson had not approved the payment," Trell testified. "MJ didn't authorize, so it wasn't going to get paid," Trell said, explaining he learned it either from Randy Phillips or Frank DiLeo. (AB7) “If Michael Jackson didn’t authorize it, it wasn’t going to get paid,” Trell said regarding Tohme Tohme’s payments. (AP) On 5/5/09, MJ wrote: "At my direction and effective immediately, Dr. Tohme Tohme is no longer authorized to represent me in any capacity" (ABC7)

Panish: are you license to practicing law in CA?
Trell: no, not in all aspects (ABC7)

Trell is registered as in-house counsel for AEG. He's never taken the CA bar test.(ABC7)

Bob Taylor is an insurance broker, Trell said, and Lloyds of London is one of the underwriters of the type of insurance they were seeking. Panish shows a document where MJ was required to have a physical exam so broker could take the results to the insurance companies. Trell said he asked the question why insurance broker had chosen Dr. Slavit in NY and not a doctor in LA. The payment of the doctor was going to be 50/50 between the insurance broker and AEG, Trell said. Trell testified that it was the broker's belief that without physical exam there would be no way to get insurance. An email shows Trell inquired if it was really necessary to incur $10K in expense to get the medical exam completed. Trell said he never saw Dr. Slavit's report, or any other report, regarding MJ's physical exam; didn't know what kind of doctor he was. Trell said he learned through Taylor they wanted to get a number of years about MJ medical history. "They were concerned he had skin cancer" "The policy was otherwise issued, but this was to add illness," Trell said. They required 2nd examination in London; wanted to see rehearsal. Trell said he never saw a request for a second medical exam in any tour. (ABC7) Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish also questioned Trell extensively about concert cancellation insurance for Jackson. An insurance broker was pressing AEG for a medical examination of Jackson before agreeing to write the policy. Emails between Trell and the broker showed there were concerns by insurers in London about Jackson’s health. One of the emails said Jackson was getting “mauled” by tabloid press over health concerns. Trell said concern was Jackson had skin cancer. Trell and the broker went back-and-forth a lot over in Jan. 2009 which doctor would do the exam. In the end, a NYC doc examined Jackson. Trell said he never saw the results of the medical examination. In March, insurers wanted another exam of Jackson in London. The second examination would cover illness, but insurers wanted another med exam and to attend full dress rehearsal, Trell said. Trell said he also inquired about life insurance for Jackson. He said AEG had inquired about that for other artists, but didn't specify. (AP)

Panish: the insurance wanted additional medical exams because they were concerned, weren't they?
Trell: I have no idea (ABC7)

Panish showed email from the insurance broker to AEG execs with several question: details of coverage required, if artist had doctor on tour. Trell said he doesn't know whether this email with the requests was ever sent to MJ's people. Trell said Dr. Murray was asked later to help with these answers. "It was thought that he might be of some help." Panish asked if Trell sought life insurance on MJ where they would be the beneficiaries. "An inquire of that was made to Mr. Taylor." "We have no coverage against MJ sickness unless and until MJ submits to another medical in London." "It was important to get that medical done," Trell testified. He said policy would kick in on death, but not illness. (ABC7)

Panish: You were working on getting insurance on the day MJ died, weren't you sir?
Trell: I don't recall (ABC7)

Given the hour MJ died, Trell said he thinks he was not on the phone with Bob Taylor negotiating more insurance for MJ. (ABC7)
Panish showed email from Gongaware to the insurance broker on June 24, 2009:
"Dr. Murray can comment on the availability of the records." (ABC7)

Panish said the amount of coverage was the maximum the underwriters were willing to cover, Trell agreed; it was effective April/early May. Two days before MJ died, Trell asked broker for longer insurance coverage: "Term insurance is a reference to a form of life insurance" Trell said he was looking for other options to cover the gap for what had already been spent. (ABC7)

AEG made a claim on the insurance, Trell said.
Panish: You made the claim the night MJ died, didn't you?
Trell: I don't recall the date; it wasn't Jun 25th when I sent letter to Taylor
Panish: Were you speaking with Taylor about MJ being sick on the day he died?
Trell: I don't recall speaking with Mr. Taylor on the 25th (ABC7)

Panish asked if Trell discussed w/ Taylor about recouping Dr. Murray's production cost. He said they'd typically pass along the costs. (ABC7)

Trell said he spoke with Randy Phillips about MJ's health and physical condition, as well as Phillips' interaction with Dr. Murray.

Panish: Did Mr. Phillips tell you MJ was in bad shape prior to June 25?
Trell: Yes, on June 19 (ABC7)

Trell said there were no AEG employees at rehearsal on June 19. He learned about MJ's feeling ill during the executive management meeting. Trell said he never spoke with Dr. Murray about MJ's condition. Randy Phillips learned about MJ's physical condition through Kenny Ortega, the tour director for TII, Trell said. (ABC7)

Panish: Within one week of MJ's death, the executive management was told about MJ poor physical condition?
Trell: The events on June 19, yes (ABC7)

The tour's director Kenny Ortega was being paid based on an agreement laid out solely in emails, AEG General Counsel Shawn Trell told jurors. (AP) "Ortega's contract was a series of emails between us" Trell said. "He didn't have agreement of the nature as other people had on the tour". Trell: I don't recall, but I know initially it was more informal agreement. He (Ortega) was being paid based on the email agreement. (ABC7)

Dr. Murray was an independent contract, Trell said. An agreement is a term of conditions, not only agreement on compensation. "He was rendering services to Mr. Jackson; he had not been engaged for TII tour," Trell testified. (ABC7)

Panish: And Dr. Murray had an agreement with AEG based on the emails?
Trell: No, Dr. Murray didn't have an agreement with AEG (ABC7)

In court, attorneys for Katherine Jackson displayed emails sent to Murray a month before the death of MJ in which Murray's contract terms were laid out. Trell said those emails did not demonstrate an employment relationship.Trell acknowledged, however, that Ortega was paid for his work on the shows despite working under terms laid out only in a series of emails."Kenny Ortega is different from Conrad Murray," Trell testified. (AP) Panish said Ortega didn't have a memorialized agreement. "Kenny Ortega is different from Conrad Murray," Trell said. (ABC7)

Email from Dr. Murray to Wooley on May 29, 2009:"I have performed and continue to fulfill my services to the client in good faith. Therefore, I am asking you to deposit my fee for May in reciprocity of good faith on your part as per our agreement the usual and customary date for deposit is around 15th of each month, by today's date we're 13 days beyond my monthly fee.”
Trell said they had agreed on the compensation for Dr. Murray, but needed to memorialize the deal in an agreement. (ABC7) Email from Wooley to Murray on May 8, 09 details terms of the contract: contracting company, mode of travel, living arrangements in London. Another email shows Wooley asking Dr. Murray for a cancelled check for direct deposit of his monthly compensation. (ABC7)

Email from Gongaware to Brother Michael on 5/6/09 regarding Dr. Murray:
"Done at $150K per month, per MJ."

Trell said Gongaware was authorized to negotiate with Dr. Murray, but he was still subject to an AEG contract.(ABC7) Another email said executive Paul Gongaware informed others that Murray would be "full time" on the tour by mid-May.(AP)

Panish asked if before a contract is written, the "meeting of the minds" is necessary. Trell agreed. (ABC7)

Panish: And Dr. Murray was working for AEG Live in May of 2009
Trell: No, I would totally disagree with that statement (ABC7)

Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish asked Trell to agree with a statement that Murray was working for AEG. "I would totally disagree with that statement," Trell said, noting that Ortega and Murray were considered independent contractors. (AP)

Trell testified that five days before Jackson's death, top AEG executives were informed the singer was in poor health. By that point, Ortega had sent executives an email titled "Trouble at the front" detailing Jackson's problems.(AP)

Email from Ortega to Phillips on 6/20/09
Trouble at the Front
"I honestly don't think he's ready for this based in his continued physical weakening and deepening emotional state. It is reminiscent if what Karen, Bush, Travis and I remembered just before he fainted causing the HBO Concerts to be canceled. There are strong signs of paranoia, anxiety and obsessive-like behavior. I think the very best thing we can do is get a top Psychiatrist in to evaluate him ASAP. It’s like there are two people there. One (deep inside) trying to hold on to what he was and still can be and not wanting us to quit him, the other in his weakened and troubled state … I honestly felt if I had encouraged or allowed him on stage last night he could have hurt himself. I believe we need professional guidance in this matter." (ABC7 & LA Times)

Phillips turned down the request for a psychiatrist. In emails previously published by The Times, Phillips wrote, "It is critical that neither you, me or anyone around this show become amateur psychiatrists or physicians." (Latimes). Trell said Phillips did not contact a psychiatrist, doctor or any other medical provider, but they had a meeting that same day. "I think someone took it seriously," Trell said. He was not present at the meeting, but it was with Dr. Murray. (ABC7) Trell said the company’s response was to hold a meeting that day with Jackson and his doctor, Conrad Murray. “…so I think they took it seriously,” he said. (LAtimes)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shawn Trell will continue to testify and is expected to last all day on the witness stand. Paul Gongaware is next witness. He'll be at the courthouse first thing on Wednesday, assuming they finish with Trell by then. (ABC7)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 14 – May 20 2013 – Summary

Katherine, Rebbie and Trent Jackson are at court.

LATimes reported that Jacksons offered a settlement.

Kevin Boyle , a lawyer for Katherine Jackson and MJ’s kids , said they offered to settle lawsuit against AEG, but that they never got an answer. Kevin Boyle said the family made the offers in January and March. Boyle would not provide details but said AEG’s insurance would have paid, “which means they could have settled the case without them paying a dime of their money.” He said AEG has never offered to settle “and they haven’t apologized.” (LATimes)

Marvin Putnam, an attorney for AEG, said it was inappropriate to discuss settlement discussions.“We don’t settle matters that are utterly baseless,” he said. “We believe that is the case in this matter. I can’t see why we would consider a settlement as anything other than a shakedown.” (LATimes)

CNN Reports there was a snack controversy during trial: AEG lawyers gave a bag of peppermint candy to the bailiff to hand out to the jury this week. Even Katherine Jackson enjoyed the treat. But Jackson's lawyer raised an objection Tuesday afternoon, suggesting jurors might be influenced if they realized the source of the sweets. A compromise was reached. Each side can provide snacks for jurors, but they'll be placed at the bailiff's desk before jurors enter court so they have no clue who brought it. (CNN)


Shawn Trell Testimony

10px3cl.jpg


Jackson direct

AEG Live General Counsel Shawn Trell told jurors that he had forgotten that Kenny Ortega was working under a signed contract. (AP)

Trell said he met with his attorneys last night and reviewed one doc -- Kenny Ortega's contract. "He had a written contract," Trell said. "I remember the email dynamic. I'm not too proud to admit that I didn't recall the cover contract," Trell said. Trell said he was changing his testimony from yesterday to add that Ortega had a written contract, not only emails between him and AEG. (ABC7)

Next topic was Insurance: Cancellation/Non-Appearance/Sickness. Trell said he started working on insurance for MJ tour in November of 2008. Panish showed several chains of emails where the parties talked about the insurance for the tour. (ABC7)

Email from Bob Taylor insurance broker to Trell on 1/7/09: prior to speaking w/ carriers we ask the artist to attend medical with a doctor... A full medical with both blood/urine tests. The doctor also wants to review the medical records over the last 5 years to ensure full disclosure. Insurers require further medical examination to be carried out by their nominated doctor. They may restrict illness cover or death from illness cover until this examination has taken place. (ABC7)

Email from 4/30/09: Wooley to Trell : "We have no coverage against MJ sickness unless and until MJ submits to another medical in London” (ABC7)

Email from 5/28/09: Trell to Taylor:"We really need to get that medical done" (ABC7)

Email from 6/23/09: Trell to Taylor : "Any update on the availability of Term insurance?" (life insurance) (ABC7)

Trell said if they secured life insurance, they would get money if MJ died. "We would get the money owed to us, yes," Trell testified. (ABC7) Trell also said he continued discussions with an insurance broker about additional coverage to recoup AEG Live's investment if the tour had to be canceled. (AP)

Email from 6/24/09: Taylor to Trell : Insurers have refused to move on this. Huge amount of speculation in the media regarding artist's health. They feel if they're to consider providing illness to cover this particular artist, they must have very through medical report (ABC7)

Email from 6/25/09: Gongaware to Taylor : "If we don't get sickness coverage, we are dropping this policy" (ABC7)

Email from 6/25/09: Taylor to Gongaware : The consultation in London is critical. The doctor is holding the afternoon of the 6th July open at Harley St. But keep in mind the visit could take 2 hours plus (ABC7)

Next topic: Budget/Costs. Panish showed an email from AEG's Rick Webking to MJ's Estate with 1st report of artist advances/expenses. This was a letter sent to the estate containing the expenses incurred, Trell said. "It seems to me we submitted this report for their review, I don't see any request for payment," Trell said. (ABC7)

Trell said he spoke with Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware about Michael Jackson's physical condition prior to coming to testify. "I had heard about rehearsals in which Mr. Jackson was fantastic," Trell said. (ABC7)

Trell said he's aware of email from Ortega saying doctor was not allowing MJ to attend rehearsal on June 14, 2009. "I was aware of MJ's doctor not allowing him to attend rehearsal," Trell said. (ABC7)

Email from 6/17/09 from Phillips: ...Ortega, Gongaware, Dileo, and his doctor Conrad from Vegas and I have an intervention with him to get him to focus and come to rehearsal (ABC7)

Email from 6/17/09 from Gongaware to Phillip's assistant: "We need a physical therapist and a nutritionist" (ABC7)

Email from Production Manager - Gongaware/Phillips on 6/19/09 : “Paul/Randy I'm not bring a drama queen here. Kenny asked me to notify you both MJ was sent home without stepping foot on stage. He was a basket case and Kenny was concerned he would embarrass himself on stage, or worse yet, be hurt. The company is rehearsing right now, but the DOUBT is pervasive. (ABC7)

Email from Randy Phillips to Tim Leiweke on 6/19/09 : "We have a huge problem here." (ABC7)

"I think he recognized there was a problem on the 19th," Trell said. "I would take it seriously, as I believe Mr. Phillips did." (ABC7) Trell agreed with a statement by plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish that company executives knew by then there was a "deep issue" with Jackson.(AP)

Does Trell consider that exchange a "red flag" that AEG Live should have noticed, Panish asked. "I would take it seriously, as I believe Mr. Phillips did," Trell answered. "I don't know I would use the word 'red flag.'" (CNN)

One of the emails shown to jury was from Jackson estate co-executor John Branca, sent 5 days before Jackson’s death. Branca wrote Phillips, Gongaware and other AEG execs on June 20th that he had an spiritual/substance abuse expert who could work with MJ.(AP) John Branca, Jackson’s attorney, also chimed in, sending an email marked “confidential” to a handful of people, including Phillips, Gongaware and Leiweke. (LATimes) Branca asked whether there were substance abuse issues, but wrote that the issue might be best discussed on the phone. The email was sent the same day that a meeting was held at Jackson’s home with Murray. No further info given to jury. (AP)

Email from John Branca to Phillips, Gongaware, Joel Katz, Frank DiLeo, Michael Kane on 6/20/09 : "I have the right therapist/spiritual advisor/substance abuse counselor who could help (recently helped Mike Tyson get sober and paroled) Do we know whether there is a substance issue involved (perhaps better discussed on the phone). (ABC7)

Trell said Mr. Phillips never told him about this email. (ABC7)

Email from Ortega to Randy Phillips on 6/20/09: (chain of emails) : "I honestly don't think he is ready for this based on his continued physical weakening and deepening emotional state”

Trell said he didn't see these emails. He said he spoke with Randy Phillips about Phillips' perception of MJ in order to prepare for testifying, but not about specific emails. Trell has been designated as the most qualified person to speak on behalf of AEG. (ABC7)

Email from Phillips to Gongaware on 6/20/09 at 1:52 am : Tim and I are going to see him tomorrow, however, I'm not sure what the problem is Chemical or Physiological? (ABC7)

From Gongaware to Phillips, on 6/20/09 at 5:59 am : Take the doctor with you. Why wasn't he there last night? (ABC7)

From Phillips to Gongaware, on 6/20/09 at 2:01 pm : He is not a psychiatrist so I'm not sure how effective he can be at this point obviously, getting him there is not the issue. It is much deeper. (ABC7)

Trell said Randy Phillips went to a handful of rehearsals, three at the Forum and two at Staples Center. The head of the marketing department attended rehearsal on June 23, 2009. "She was blown away by it," Trell testified. (ABC7)

He said he was unaware of issues with Jackson at rehearsals.“I knew of no problems with Michael Jackson at all,” Trell testified. (LATimes)

Trell said he never saw the emails from Phillips directing people to exclude images from TII of MJ looking "skeletal" while rehearsing. "What were his observations of MJ's physical condition during rehearsal," Trell said. "I asked for his (Phillips) personal opinion." (ABC7)

Next line of questioning is about human resources and background checks. Trell said they can be valuable and useful tools when hiring. Background check costs around $40 to $125. Trell said AEG Live could afford this fee. "We don't do background checks on independent contractors," Trell said. Trell said he was involved in the hiring by AEG Live for the TII tour. His department was responsible for retaining independent contractors. Trell said he is not familiar with background check process for hiring. (ABC7) "I am not familiar with the process of doing background checks," Trell said. "No training." (CNN)

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish also asked Trell about background checks. Trell said AEG doesn't do checks on independent contractors. Panish said an AEG-retained expert testified at deposition that a background check on Murray would cost $40-125 dollars. Panish: “Could AEG afford that?” “Sure,” Trell responded. (Re: background checks for contractors) (AP)

Panish: There was no hiring criteria for the TII tour, correct?
Trell: Not to my knowledge (ABC7)

Trell testified that when it comes to independent contractors, they have either worked with the artists, AEG or known in the industry. Trell agreed that no background check was done on anyone working on "This Is It" tour. (ABC7) AEG Live General Counsel Shawn Trell told jurors that no legal or financial checks were done involving Conrad Murray or anyone else who worked as an independent contractor on the "This Is It" shows. (AP)

Depending on the nature of the position, a background could be done, Trell said, like for potential employees in the financial area.(ABC7) Trell said he thought a background check would be appropriate for people working in financial roles, but not tour personnel who weren't employees of AEG.(AP)

As to independent contractors, Trell said there's no supervision and monitoring like there's for employees. (ABC7)

Panish: you don't do anything to check into background, supervise or protect the artist?
Trell: No, safety is a concern (ABC7)

"When they leave the environment, what they do on their own time is their own business," Trell said. (ABC7) Trell said that AEG did not hire Murray, that the doctor was like many independent contractors, "what they do on their own time is their own business." (KABC)

Trell testified he doesn't believe the artist is more at risk because AEG Live doesn't do background check. (ABC7)

"We did nothing to monitor Dr. Murray," Trell said. "We did not monitor whatever it was that he was doing, no." (ABC7)

"It called for Michael Jackson being able to terminate Dr. Murray at will," Trell said about the contract. "If the concerts didn't go forward, and he was terminated under this provision, Dr. Murray would not be paid going forward," Trell explained (ABC7)

As to Dr Murray being under dire financial straits, Trell said that he doesn't know if he agrees with it, everyone's perception is different. (ABC7)

Trell: I certainly wasn't aware of it at the time
Panish: Because you didn't check, right?
Trell: That's right (ABC7)

"I don't think conflict of interests are a good thing, and we would want to prevent it," Trell said. (ABC7)

Email from Kathy Jorie to Shawn Trell on 6/24/09 at 12:54 am:
Subject: Revised agreement with GCA Holdings/Dr. Murray
It had two attachments Attachments:
Revised Michael Jackson -AEG GCA Holdings Murray Agreement 6-18-09
Final MJ -- AEG GCA Holdings Agreement (Dr. Murray) 6-23-09 (ABC7)

Email chain from 6/23/09, 5:39pm from Jorrie to Wooley, Murray
Subject: RE: Michael Jackson - Revised Agreement with GCA Holdings/Dr. Murray
Email: I have redlined the Word version so that you can see all of the revisions. In addition, I've attached clean PDF version for execution
The email says that if Dr. Murray approved it, he was to print it, sign and send it back to Jorrie. (ABC7)

Panish: Did Ms. Jorrie call this contract a draft?
Trell: She called it a Final Version (ABC7)

"Every document is a draft until it is executed," Trell said. (ABC7)

Panish showed emails exchanged among AEG executives that contained drafts of Murray’s contract. On June 23, 2009, attorney Kathy Jorrie emailed Murray and said she had “attached a clean pdf version which is ready for execution.” Although Murray had signed a contract with the company, neither Jackson nor anyone from AEG had added their signatures. Trell testified that a copy of the contract had never been sent to Jackson. (LATimes)

With Trell on the stand, Jackson lawyer Brian Panish played part of an interview that AEG Live President Randy Phillips gave to Sky News television soon after Jackson's death.
"This guy was willing to leave his practice for a very large sum of money, so we hired him," Phillips said. Panish also showed jurors an e-mail between AEG lawyers suggesting that Phillips told other interviewers AEG Live "hired" Murray. (CNN)

Panish: Isn't it true that Randy Phillips made numerous comments that AEG Live hired Dr. Murray?
Trell: I know he has made that statement (ABC7)

On July 1st, within 5 days of MJ's death, Phillips gave an interview to SkyNews saying AEG Live hired Dr. Murray. "I don't know what you mean about admitted, he made that statement," Trell said. (ABC7)

Panish said AEG higher-ups became concerned after Phillips made such admission. Trell said he didn't know if that was true. Bruce Black is the General Counsel for parent company of AEG and AEG Live. Michael Roth is AEG's media relations. (ABC7)

Email from Kathy Jorrie to Bruce Black and Michael Roth on 8/25/09:
Subject: AEG Live president says AEG Live hired Dr. Conrad Murray (ABC7)

Panish shows Trell a deposition, under oath, given by insurance broker Bob Taylor on another case. Trell said he has never seen or read it. Trell denied having a telephone conversation with Mr. Taylor where Trell asked him if a doctor's compensation was covered in the insurance. (ABC7)

Panish: Does that refresh your recollection that AEG was employing Dr. Murray?
Trell: Mr. Taylor has this completely wrong (ABC7)

After lunch break, Brian Panish asked if Shawn Trell wanted to change anything else in his testimony, to which he said no (ABC7)

Bruce Black, attorney for Anschutz, was present in the meeting with LAPD. Trell met with the police on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Trell told the police that day that Dr. Murray would receive $150,000 compensation per month. Trell also said that Dr. Murray requested and AEG would provide necessary medical equipment and a nurse. (ABC7) The interview with detectives was in January 2010. A detective wrote in a summary that AEG told them it agreed to pay Murray $150k and also provide a nurse and medical equipment for the care of Jackson.(AP) More than five months after Jackson’s death, Trell said, he informed LAPD detectives that Murray initially requested $5 million to join the tour but eventually agreed to a salary of $150,000 a month for 10 months. AEG also agreed to provide medical equipment and a nurse, he testified. (LATimes)

Panish: as far as you know, all the agreements written for TII tour was done under AEG Live Productions, right?
Trell: Yes
Panish: Was Dr. Murray trying to help AEG get insurance?
Trell: The policy was in both names, so he was helping both parties. (ABC7)

Trell said Dennis Hawk, who represented MJ, was in touch with Taylor regarding the insurance. (ABC7)

Panish: As of June 2009, you don't even know whether Mr. Jackson had a personal manager working for him, right?
Trell: Well, my understanding at the time there were a couple of people acting in that capacity. (ABC7)

Email on 6/2/09 from Randy Phillips to Jeff Wald: "Jeff, remember getting MJ to focus is not the easiest thing in the world and we still have no lawyer, business manager, or, even real manager in place. It is a nightmare!" (ABC7)

Trell said the only time he saw an artist's signature required to retain an independent contractor was for Dr. Murray. Trell said his understanding was that Dr. Murray worked for MJ for 3 years; didn't know how many times MJ saw Dr. Murray. "I've never spoken with Dr. Murray ever. And I met/spoke with Mr. Jackson once," Trell said. (ABC7)

"He was a significant expense," Trell testified about Dr. Murray. Trell said AEG Live didn't do anything to check Dr. Murray's competency as doctor, other than checking his physician license. Trell said AEG didn't do anything to determine Dr. Murray's financial conditions in 2009. (ABC7)

Jury was shown an email that Phillips sent to Kenny Ortega on night of June 20, 2009. It was email urging Ortega to stand down. (AP)

Email on 6/20/09 Phillips to Ortega : Kenny it's critical that neither you, me, anyone around this show become amateur psychiatrist/physicians. I had a lengthy conversation with Dr. Murray, who I am gaining immense respect for as I get to deal with him more. He said that Michael is not only physically equipped to perform & discouraging him to will hasten his decline instead of stopping it. Dr. Murray also reiterated that he is mentally able to and was speaking to me from the house where he had spent the morning with MJ. This doctor is extremely successful (we check everyone out) and does not need this gig so he totally unbiased and ethical. (ABC7)

Panish asked Trell whether Phillips’ characterization to Ortega, given no background check was done, was a lie. Trell responded that he didn’t know what Phillips knew or was thinking when he wrote that email to Ortega. Trell also said he expected Randy Phillips to testify at some point during the trial, so he could address the email himself. (AP)

Panish then asked Trell, “Sir, you never checked out one single thing about Dr. Murray -- you’ve already told me that, correct?”
“As of the date of the email, that would’ve been correct,” Trell said. (LAtimes)

When pressed by Panish, Trell said that Phillips’ statement that Murray had been checked out, along with the executive’s claim that the doctor “does not need this gig” were inaccurate. “I don’t know where Randy’s understanding or impression comes from,” Trell said.(LATimes) Trell testified that Phillips might have been “misinformed” or simply was stating his impression of the Las Vegas cardiologist.(NYDailyTimes)

Panish: But no one at AEG checked Dr. Murray to see if he was successful or not, isn't that true?
Trell: Yes (ABC7)

Panish then asked several pointed questions about whether Shawn Trell agreed with Phillips telling Ortega they’d checked Murray out. One of Panish’s questions was whether Trell thought Phillips’ email was “acceptable conduct.” (AP)

Panish called Phillips' statement "a flat out lie" and asked Trell whether he agreed with it or if it signified how AEG did business. Trell said he didn't know what Phillips thought he knew when he wrote the message. "I know this statement is not accurate, but you'd have to speak with Mr. Phillips about what he thought or meant in saying it," Trell said. (AP)

Panish: That's a flat out lie, isn't it sir?
Trell: I don't know what Mr. Phillips intended to say, this should be a question to him (ABC7)

Panish: You don't know if he was successful or facing bankruptcy, did you?
Trell: No (ABC7)

Trell: I know the statement is not accurate. You have to speak with Mr. Phillips about what he meant to say. (ABC7)

Panish: Do you agree w/CEO of your company making untrue statements?
Trell: I don't know that he didn't know it wasn't true when he said it (ABC7)

Trell said Phillips never told him that he checked Dr. Murray out. As to reference in Phillips' email about Dr. Murray being unbiased, ethical, not needing this gig, Trell said it was Phillips' impressions (ABC7)

He said AEG typically only runs background checks on candidates applying for full-time jobs with AEG, not independent contractors.
(KABC)

Panish: Isn't it true AEG Live does not do background check on independent contractors?
Trell: That's true (ABC7)

Trell said that no one from AEG interviewed Dr. Murray because he was an independent contractor. (ABC7)

“Did anyone from AEG ever at any time interview Dr. Murray?” asked Brian Panish
“No,” Trell replied. (LATimes)

Panish showed a document used by AEG entitled "Disclosure and Authorization to Conduct Background Check". Doc is used for employment, promotion, retention, contingent or the rate staffing, consulting, sub-contract work, or volunteer work. Panish asked if there was any reason why Dr. Murray was not given a background check. "He wasn't an employee, he wasn't applying for a full time position with the company," Trell explained. Trell said theoretically they could've asked to check Dr. Murray's background and credit. (ABC7)


AEG Cross

Jessica Bina began her examination by showing the letter submitted by AEG's CFO to the Estate of Michael Jackson for their review. (ABC7) She asked Shawn Trell about the estimate presented to Jackson’s estate that included Murray’s $300k fees. She asked why it was prepared. Shawn Trell said it was done at the request of the estate. He said Jackson’s estate wanted to know state of tour finances when Jackson died. (AP) Trell said the report was requested by the Estate after a series of meetings after MJ's death. The purpose of the meeting was to wind up the business affairs of the tour due to MJ's death, Trell said. "It was my understating in June Tohme was back in the picture in some capacity. I'm not sure which, Mr. DiLeo was in it too," Trell said (ABC7)

Bina: Is there any request for payment?
Trell: No, there's no demand for payment, it's for review (ABC7)

Stebbins Bina asked about the inclusion of Murray’s fee in the document. She said she wanted to show something Panish didn't. (AP) Bina showed the report that was attached to the letter. (ABC7) Murray’s fee on the document had a footnote. Trell read what that footnote said, and explained why estate wasn’t asked for Murray’s fee. (AP) Next to "Management Medical" there's a reference to footnote 3. Note 3: contract not signed by Michael Jackson and such signature was a condition precedent to any payment obligations.(ABC7) “Contract is not signed by Michael Jackson and such signature was condition precedent to any payment obligation.” _ Footnote on Murray fee.(AP) Trell testified Webking, the CFO for AEG, did not ask MJ's Estate for payment of Dr. Murray's salary. (ABC7)

“You testified you were somewhat confused (by the inclusion of the $300,000)?” AEG defense lawyer Jessica Stebbins Bina asked Trell as she projected the list, dated July 17, 2009, on a screen for jurors.

“Do you see there’s something in parentheses?” Stebbins Bina asked, zooming in to blow up a footnote from AEG CFO Frederick Webking that stated Michael Jackson never signed Murray’s contract, so its terms were not enforceable.

“Is Mr. Webking asking the estate to pay?” Stebbins Bina asked Trell.
“No,” he replied, explaining that upon reflection he believed Mr. Webking was just being “thorough” by including the $300,000 as a budgeted cost.

“Did Mr. Webking make a mistake as you thought yesterday?” she asked.

“No,” Trell answered. “He did not.” (NYDailyNews)

Second report made to the Estate on Sept. 18, 2009, there was no amount next to management medical. (ABC7) Stebbins Bina then showed a Sept. 2009 report of “This Is It” finances to Michael Jackson’s estate. Murray’s fee not listed in that document(AP)

Trell went thru his job description with AEG. He said he has five lawyers in his department and has worked on thousands of agreements. Trell explained what PMK is -- Person Most Knowledgeable, identified by the company to testify on its behalf. Trell said he didn't know about all the topics he was designated, so he had to do some studying and interviews with people.(ABC7)

As to Ortega's contract, Trell said he was aware ofa string of emails being at least a part of original agreement with Kenny. "When we were done here yesterday, I looked at Kenny Ortega's original agreement," Trell said. Trell noted he hadn't looked at Ortega's agreement since it was entered into in 2009. Bina showed copy of Ortega's contract. (ABC7) Before the afternoon break, Trell and jury were shown Kenny Ortega’s tour agreement. It was signed in April 2009. The agreement was three pages of legalese, with several pages of emails attached that confirmed the terms. The first three pages included some paragraphs that described who owned the rights to “This Is It” content. (AP) A large number of emails are part of the agreement as exhibits. Trell said he recalled the emails exchange and admitted again not being proud of forgetting the cover contract portion. Bina showed Ortega's executed contract with everyone's signature on it. Trell said Kenny Ortega was paid after his contract was signed. (ABC7)

Trell, Phillips and Kathy Jorrie were involved in drafting and negotiating the contract with Michael Jackson. For MJ, Trell said Dr. Tohme Tohme and attorneys Dennis Hawk and Peter Lopez represented him. He said there were multiple drafts. "It's my understanding they were talking to, or at least receiving offers from, a competitive of ours, Live Nation," Trell said. (ABC7) Trell also said that before signing an agreement with AEG, Jackson had been considering a tour offer from its main competitor, Live Nation. (LATimes)

Bina showed the jury the final tour agreement. Trell said he went to MJ's home at Carolwood to sign it. Upon arrival, Trell said Mr. Jackson got up from where he was seated, and said 'Hi, welcome, I'm Michael." Trell said it was pretty funny, since he was a very distinct person. Trell said they shook hands, he had a good firm handshake and his voice was not what people think. (ABC7)

"He popped up, came over, introduced himself, was very cordial, there was a real positive energy, good vibe in the room," Trell said. "He seemed genuinely enthused," Trell added. "He had the contract in front of him, said he read every page, seemed very enthused." Trell said they all signed it and Mr. Jackson was really keen on the 3-D stuff, that he was already down the road in his mind. "I was probably there just a little less than an hour. And that was the only time I met him," Trell recalled. (ABC7)

“There was a real positive energy and vibe in the room,” Trell said. “He seemed genuinely enthused, we sat there for some time and he had the contract out in front of him. He said he had read every page; he was flipping through it. It just felt -- he just seemed so enthused by the whole thing.” (LATimes)

Bina discussed the contract for the tour agreement: A first class performance by Artist at each show on each of the approved itineraries. Contract: Artist shall perform no less than 80 minutes at each show, and the maximum show length for each show shall be 3.5 hours. Artist shall approve a sufficient number of shows on itineraries proposed by promoter or producer as to recoup the advances made. Trell said compensation was agreed on 90-10 split. Artist received 90% of what's defined contingent compensation.(ABC7)

Trell explained to jury how concerts get paid for. One scenario is artist pays for production up front. A second scenario is that the promoter gives artist an advance, and then they use the money to put together the show. The third option, Trell said, is the artist pays someone like AEG Live to produce and promote the show, with costs to come out of their pay. Trell called the second and third option like an interest-free loan. In Jackson's case, AEG agreed to a 90/10 split of show's proceeds. Jackson would have received the 90 percent portion, Trell said. Jackson also on the hook for a 5% production fee. (AP)

AEG Live was promoter and producer. "We advanced the money necessary to mount the tour," Trell explained. "It's interest free money". (ABC7) Trell testified Tuesday that Jackson’s advance, which covered his $100,000-a-month rent on his mansion and a $3-million payment to settle a lawsuit that would free up his performance rights, was considered a loan to be paid back to AEG. (LATimes)

Part of the advance was to pay off the settlement agreement of $3 million in London court. The underlying dispute was that a company owned the rights for Jackson's live performance. "The rights needed to be freed up," Trell said. The advances were to be paid back to AEG Live before the split of revenue. Production Advances were capped to $7.5 million. Contract: Artist was responsible for all the production costs in excess of the cap and had to reimburse promoter. (ABC7)

"Michael Jackson was known to have very elaborated productions," Trell said. "Production values can get significant, for lack of a better word, it really depends on how many bells and whistles they want," Trell said. Trell said AEG would not advance money without the artist requesting it. (ABC7)

Trell said it's not only typical and customary, but standard and artist needs to secure either non-appearance or cancellation insurance. Their interest in the policy, Trell said, was to cover the advances and production costs incurred with the production of the show. If the were no obligations to AEG, the payout would go back to the artist, Trell explained."It just recoups our loan made to the artist." (ABC7)

Trell was also asked about elements of tour insurance policies and an agreement with former manager Tohme Tohme. Jackson's contract called for him to represent to AEG that he didn't have any health conditions that would keep him from performing. (AP)

Contract: Artistco hereby represents and warrants that artist does not possess any known health conditions, injuries or ailments that would reasonable be expected to interfere with Artist's first class performance at each of the shows during the term (ABC7)

Oh Tohme's $100k per month agreement, Trell was shown a January contract that Jackson signed to pay that amount. However, Trell said Tohme's agreement was predicated on Jackson getting tour cancellation insurance by a certain date. Deadline passed and by that point Tohme was no longer Jackson's manager, so he wasn't entitled to be paid his monthly fee. (AP)

January 24, 2009 -- agreement entered with Dr. Tohme Tohme. Trell said MJ was involved and signed this agreement. "This agreement was entered into January 26, Trell testified. "There are conditions that needed to be met before any payment could be made." One of the the conditions was placement of non-appearance insurance, Trell said. That placement was done in late April, early May. In May, AEG received letter from MJ saying Tohme didn't rep him anymore. "No payments were ever made under this agreement," Trell explained. (ABC7)

AEG attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina told Trell she'd ask him about contract and Tohme agreement in more detail Wednesday. (AP)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shawn Trell will continue to testify. Paul Gongaware is the next expected witness.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 16 – May 22 2013 – Summary

Katherine, Rebbie and Trent Jackson are in court

Shawn Trell Testimony

AEG Cross

Trell was first asked about contract between AEG and Jackson’s former manager, Tohme R. Tohme. (AP) Jessica Bina asked Trell about an agreement regarding former manager Tohme Tohme. He was employed by Jackson and contract added duties. Compensation is detailed in contract. There was a condition precedent. Trell refers to cancellation insurance in tour agreement. Trell: while this agreement started in January, the conditions/terms not met. If Tohme would've performed as specified, would've been paid. (ABC7) Shawn Trell said Tohme’s agreement called for him to get paid once cancellation insurance was secured. Tour cancellation insurance wasn’t obtained for “This Is It” tour until late April, after Tohme had been fired. (AP)

Trell: To pursue Jackson's interest films, AEG would put up a million dollars for development. They contemplated making 3 films. (ABC7) Trell was also asked about an agreement Jackson signed in Jan. 2009 for a possible three-film deal. The film agreement would have allowed Jackson to get $1 million to develop a script for an AEG-owned film company. Trell said the initial project Jackson was interested in was connected to “Thriller.” He didn't offer any more details. He said by June 1, 2009, the film industry wasn’t interested in pursuing that project. June was deadline for the agreement to kick in. Trell said AEG offered to extend the deadline to Oct. 2009, but Jackson never signed the extension agreement. (AP) In addition to the tour contract between Jackson and AEG, Trell said the two also had an agreement that proposed developing up to three film projects together, one of which was related to his “Thriller” video. When nothing was developed by the agreement’s June 1, 2009, deadline, AEG sent a proposed amendment to extend that date to Jackson’s representatives, Trell said. (LAtimes)

“I think the interest was still there on Mr. Jackson’s side and I know we were interested in helping him realize what he wanted to accomplish,” Trell said. (LAtimes)

After discussing the possible film deal, AEG lawyer Jessica Stebbins Bina then asked him more about tour cancellation policy. (AP)Trell said it's always the artists obligation to obtain this form of insurance to pay back the advances. Trell: The cancellation insurance, whether one show lost or the entire tour, MJ was obligated to pay us regarding the production costs. Trell: AEG had obligation regarding advances. We don't secure insurance to cover profits, only to protect losses from cancellation.(ABC7) “We don’t secure cancellation insurance to secure anticipated profits,” only advanced costs, AEG lawyer Shawn Trell said. (AP)

Trell: It is not uncommon for an artist to have the assistance of a promoter. We have to be satisfied with the strength of the policy. Trell said insurance was $17.5 million. He said in the market place there was lot of skittishness; tabloid media possibility of skin cancer. (ABC7) He said the insurance broker was having difficulty at first getting cancellation insurance. There wasn’t a lot of interest and Trell said the underwriters in London were concerned about tabloid reports about Jackson’s health. Some reports referenced Jackson having skin cancer, which wasn’t the case. Broker suggested a med exam to alleviate concerns. The exam would involve blood and urine tests, filling out a questionnaire and the doctor reviewing 5 years of Jackson’s med records. (AP)

Broker suggested a NYC ear, nose and throat specialist, who was flown out to Los Angeles and evaluated Jackson. The doctor had to provide his resume and sign a confidentiality agreement before examining Jackson in early February 2009. Trell said he never saw the medical records from Jackson’s exam, and has never seen an artist’s records after a physical. Trell was asked if he ever heard about results of Michael Jackson’s February 2009 physical exam. (AP) Trell said the exam took place in February 2009, and that although he wasn’t privy to Jackson’s medical records, he was satisfied. (LATimes) Trell never saw results because of confidentiality, but testified that Taylor later told him: "Other than a slight case of hay fever, he passed with flying colors." (AP)

Trell says that he received report from insurance broker about the exam. "Other than a case of hay fever, Jackson passed in flying colors." (ABC7) Trell: The broker’s “exact words to me were, ‘Other than a slight case of hay fever, he passed with flying colors.’” (AP)

After the exam, AEG was able to obtain a $17.5 million cancellation policy for Jackson’s “This Is It” concerts. Jackson was referred to as “Mark Jones” in the documents to mask his identity. The policy covered first 30 shows at O2 Arena. Trell said it was unusual for an artist to be listed under a different name on an insurance policy in his experience. (AP) AEG ended up securing a $17.5-million insurance policy that listed among its exclusions “the illegal possession or illicit taking of drugs and their effects.” (LATimes) AEG had a $17.5 million "non-appearance" policy on Jackson should he fail to perform the first 13 of his 50 shows at London's O2 Arena, Trell said. But the insurers wouldn't cover illness until Jackson underwent a second medical exam to be performed in London by a doctor selected by the insurers. (AP)

Bina: you wouldn't go out to get a policy for an artist with an illicit drug problem? Trell: no, because it wouldn't be covered (ABC7)

Trell: If someone died and the artist was so distraught that the artist could not perform, that loss would be covered by this policy. (ABC7)

Bina: We're you ever able to get more insurance coverage? Trell: No, because concerns over what marketplace saw in media reports. List of what appeared on tabloids: Mj using a wheelchair, back injury, lupus, cancer, cosmetic procedures, lung infections. Trell said there was no mention of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sleep disorder.(ABC7) Trell said he continued to check in with Taylor to see if the marketplace had changed and the coverage could be increased because it was unusual for the insurance not to cover the entire advance made. “We were just trying to bridge the gap between cost and expense,” he testified. A second insurance physical was scheduled for July 6, 2009. “We had no reason to believe that he wouldn’t pass,” Trell said. (LAtimes)

On June 25, 2009, at 5:54 a.m., London time, Taylor sent an email to Dr. Conrad Murray, who had been brought onto the tour to tend to Jackson. The email, introduced as evidence in the case, read:

“The insurers have specifically requested information on the following:

Press reports on the artist at various times using a wheelchair, and whether any of these occasions were as a result of a medical issue.

Press reports that the artist had, or has, suffered a back injury.

Press reports that the artist is suffering, or has previously suffered from lupus.

Press reports that the artist is suffering, or has previously suffered from cancer.

Press reports that the artist was hospitalized in 2005.

Dates and brief details of any cosmetic procedures, and specific details of any complications.

Press reports that the artist has suffered from lung infection/emphysema and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding.

Press reports that the artist has minimal diet (is possibly anorexic).”

Jackson died hours later from a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol administered by Murray.

Jessica Stebbins Bina, an attorney representing AEG, pointed out in the courtroom that the list of insurers’ concerns did not include drugs, painkillers, alcohol or sleep disorders. (LATimes)

Bina: Could AEG make a profit from cancellation insurance? Trell: No, only to cover losses (ABC7)

Trell said employees are insured by the company. Independent contractors are just that, that is why it is called independent. "Independent contractors have area of expertise needed to make the project happen" Trell said. It's expertise not within the company itself. Trell: We hire third parties for equipment, sound. They're usually referred to us or they are known to the artist. Trell: people responsible for the project would be involved in establishing rates and conditions, agreement is handled by me or my office. Trell: On a nightly basis when they leave the premises, they go home, that is the sanctity of their home, that is their business. Trell: It would be misguided for us to inject ourselves in the lives of those people. (Referring to members of an artist's entourage) (ABC7) “It would be misplaced or misguided for us to inject ourselves into the affairs of an artist,” Trell said. (LATimes)

It was Jackson who requested Murray, Trell said, and he believed the two had worked together for three years prior. (LATimes)

Bina: Did AEG have any role in choosing doctor Murray? Trell: No (ABC7)

Bina: Surprised to bring family physician on board? Trell: No we've had other tours where artists brought doctors for themselves/families (ABC7)

Trell said insurance was required based on the contract. Trell said they produced Prince's tour a few years ago, which was analogous to the "This Is It" tour. (ABC7)

Email on 5/21/09 from Wooley to Dr. Murray: Dear Conrad, I should like to send a contract to you in the next day or two But am looking for help writing the legal department because the form within which I work don't apply to your specialized position. So it has to be custom-generated. (ABC7)

5/28/09, Wooley to Dr. Murray He said the legal department has not yet completed the agreement which is rather specialized, rare event Email noted payment could only be made upon fully executed contract. Kathy Jorrie is attorney retained by AEG to work on Murray's contract.(ABC7)

Bina: Did Ms. Jorrie begin contract negotiations with Dr. Murray at your direction? Trell: Yes (ABC7)

6/15/09 Jorrie wrote to Wooley: I've attached draft for your review/comment. If you approved the attached, please submit copy to Dr. Murray (ABC7)

Contract: Provision 9 Artist Consent: The effect of this agreement is conditioned upon the approval and consent of the artist. (ABC7)

Contract: Without the artist's expressed and written approval of the agreement neither party to the agreement will have any rights obligations to one another arising from the agreement. Trell testified this was the first contract he saw this provision included (ABC7)

"Because of the personal nature here from MJ for this particular engagement of his personal physician," Trell explained. (ABC7)

Contract: The undersigned hereby confirms that he has requested producer to engage Dr. Murray on the terms set forth herein. Contract: on behalf of an at the expense of the undersigned: Michael Jackson (ABC7)

“My understanding is that he was going to be categorized as artist advance," Trell explained. “This was specific accommodation at the request of the artist as opposed to production cost incurred while mounting a show," Trell said (ABC7)

Trell said there's a final settling of the tour after the project is completed. That's where they categorize/re-categorize things. Trell said he doesn't do the final settlement himself, but people who do ask him questions about how it should be done. "My understating he was an Artist Advance," Trell said. MJ's company was responsible for both artist and production advances. "I'm not aware of MJ making objections to this provision," Trell said. (ABC7)

Bina showed Dr. Murray's last page of the contract signed by Murray. The agreement was between AEG Live Productions, LLC and GCA Holdings LLC and Conrad Murray. GCA Holdings is Dr. Murray's employer. "The intention was to make it (provision 9) expressly subject to have Michael's signature on it," Trell explained.(ABC7)

Bina shows the Recitals of the contract. In one of them, it says Dr. Murry was a licensed cardiologist. Contract Scope of Services: Dr. Murray will provide general medical care to the Artist... Contract: Such services will be administered professionally and w/ the greatest degree of care expected from members in the medical field. (ABC7)

Email on 6/23/09 from Kathy Jorrie to Wooley and Dr. Murray I've attached hereto a revised version of your agreement which incorporates all of the revision you requested. I have redlined the word version so that you can see all the revisions. (ABC7)

Redline: It changed the scope of services from producer to artist in the sentence: "Dr. Murray shall also provide such other services as are reasonably requested by Artist from time to time during the term hereof. "It was requested by Dr. Murray," Trell said (ABC7)

Responsibilities of GCA/Dr. Murray 4.3 Obtain, maintain and comply with all licenses or other approvals required by any applicable law or from any governmental agency or authority to permit or otherwise legally authorize Dr. Murray to perform any and all Services and to fulfill all of his obligations under this Agreement including in accordance with applicable laws in the United Kingdom. Present to Producer within two (2) weeks from the date of this Agreement documented proof of any and all licenses required for Dr. Murray to practice Medicine in the United States and to perform the Services under this Agreement. Present to Producer no later than July 3, 2009 documented proof of all licenses required for Dr. Murray to practice medicine i n the United Kingdom and to perfonn the Services under this Agreement to the reasonable satisfaction of the producer. (ABC7)

Contract included provisions to terminate the contract for failure to provide appropriate medical licenses to work in the US and UK (ABC7)

Trell spoke with individuals from AEG about MJ's physical condition. He said he was told MJ seemed fine and the performances were terrific. (ABC7)

Email on 6/20/09 from Ortega to Phillips: Finally, it's important for everyone to know, I believe that he really wants this it would shatter him, break his heart if we pulled the plug. He's terribly frightened it's all going to go away. He asked me repeatedly tonight if I was going to leave him. He was practically begging for my confidence. He broke my heart. He was like a lost boy. There still may be a chance he can arise to the occasion. If we get him the help he needs. (ABC7)

Trell said he was in the courtroom when Travis Payne testified. He remembers Payne saying MJ looked like he had flu-like symptoms on 6/19/09. "Everyone mentioned chilling or cold, but no one definitively stated at the time what was going on," Trell said. (ABC7)

Bina: Did you speak with Mr. Phillips about his interaction with Dr. Murray? Trell: Yes

"My understanding there were two meetings in which Dr. Murray attended and MJ was present," Trell said. He knew one on June 20th, and another one in the beginning of June, but he didn't know the date. (ABC7)

Meeting on June 20th: Dr. Murray, Michael, Randy Phillips and Kenny Ortega. "Firstly, Michael indicated he was fine, just fine," Trell said. Trell: Secondly, Dr. Murray scolded Kenny Ortega for raising concern, that he was taking care of Michael and he was just fine. There were no rehearsals on 21st and 22nd, Trell said, and MJ rehearsed on the 23rd and 24th. "He appeared fine and the rehearsals were terrific," Trell said he was told. (ABC7)

On June 25, Trell said there were two people that represented Michael Jackson in some management capacity: Dr. Tohme and Frank DiLeo. Trell said that MJ's Estate ultimately approved the productions advances incurred in the tour. (ABC7)

Bina: Does AEG Live does background check on its employees? Trell: credit history may be requested when related to the position at issue (ABC7)


Jackson redirect

Panish only got about 15 mins of questions in at the end of the day. He immediately went at Trell on his recollection of dates, details. (AP)

Brian Panish: Have you seen documents where Dr. Murray is referred to as a consultant? Trell: I don't recall (ABC7) Trell said he was very, very involved in the "This Is It" tour. (ABC7)

He started out by asking Trell if he was certain that Jackson signed the "This Is It" agreement on Jan. 26, 2009, as he'd testified. Trell said he was certain he'd testified correctly about the events of the day, but conceded toward the end of several questions that he might have been wrong about the exact date. (AP) January 26, 2009 was the first and only time Trell met with Michael Jackson. "I'm sure it was the only time I met MJ." "I won't forget meeting Michael Jackson," Trell said. "He seems very personable when I met him, I thought it was very interesting when he got up and met me at the door," Trell explained. (ABC7)

Panish asked Trell if it was appropriate for AEG to use derogatory terms to refer to an artist. "I think people have their own impressions, and thoughts and feelings about Michael Jackson," Trell explained. "I may not necessarily agreed with some of the life choices he made," he said, adding "I won't forget meeting him that day." (ABC7)

That's when plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish showed the emails. (AP)

Email on 1/28/09 from Gongaware to Phillips: MJ still on today, right? Panish noted the contract signing was on the 28th and not 26th as Trell referred to. (ABC7)

Panish: You were wrong about that, sir? Trell: I was wrong about the signing date "I didn't have the date necessarily in my calendar, I didn't have the date in front of me," Trell explained. "I don't believe he was misrepresenting the truth. It was Wednesday 28, not Monday the 26," Trell said. (ABC7)

Hours before Anschutz Entertainment Group executives were heading to Michael Jackson’s Holmby Hills home to sign multimillion-dollar contracts for his concert series in London, the firm’s top lawyer called Jackson “the freak” in an email to another company attorney. (LATimes)

Trell’s cross-examination began with Jackson attorney Brian Panish asking the lawyer about his visit to the singer’s house to sign the contracts, the only time he met Jackson. “It was exciting to meet Michael Jackson,” he said.

Panish began to built toward a climax, asking Trell if it were company policy to speak in derogatory terms about an artist they were about to sign a huge deal with. “I may not have necessarily agreed with some of the life choices Michael Jackson made but I certainly had enormous respect for him as an entertainer,” Trell said.

Then Panish gave the jury a foreshadowing of what was to come. He asked Trell, “Did Mr. Fikre say to you that Michael Jackson was a freak?” a reference to Ted Fikre chief legal and development officer and a member of the board of parent company AEG, before slowly unraveling the emails. (LATimes) The email chain starts Jan 28, 2009, with AEG Live executive Paul Gongaware writing Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, “MJ still on today?”

Phillips emails back. “Yes. 5 p.m. 100 Carolwood Dr. You and Shawn should be there,” referring to Trell.

From Trell to Ted Fikre (attorney on the board of AEG) on 1/28/09 FYI...

From Fikre to Trell on 1/28/09, in response, three minutes later Does this mean you get to meet the freak?

Trell replies, “Apparently. Not sure how I feel about that. Interesting for sure, but kind of creepy.” (LATimes)

Panish to Trell: "This is the kind of respect that your lawyer shows to this artist, referring to him as a freak?" (AP) Panish: And this is the kind of respect your lawyer shows to the artist referring him as a freak? Trell: you have to ask Mr. Fikre (ABC7)

Panish: Have you ever told Mr. Anschutz that his general counsel at AEG referred to MJ as a freak? Trell: No (ABC7)

Panish then scolded Trell as he sat in the witness box. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you if you don’t have anything good to say about someone not to say it?” (LATimes) AEG objected to the question. Some of the jurors laughed. Judge sustained the objection that Panish's question was argumentative. (AP)

Trell returns to the stand in the morning to undergo more questioning from Panish.
"I’ll see you in the morning," he brusquely told Trell. (AP)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the court :
"That email just exemplifies that AEG had no respect for Mr. Jackson.," Panish said outside of court. "All he was was a vehicle to make money and to promote their concert business to catch up to Live Nation." (AP) Panish cont'd: We're going to continue to prove that for members of the board and attorneys to refer to him as that is disgraceful we're going continue to show and prove what AEG is all about. This was just the tip of the iceberg." (ABC7)

Jessica Stebbins Bina, a trial defense lawyer for AEG, said the emails were shown merely to embarrass AEG. "We are four weeks into trial and we have yet to hear one piece of substantive evidence," said Marvin S. Putnam, an attorney who is leading AEG's defense. (AP)

-------------------------------------------

Shawn Trell will continue to testify. Gongaware is next witness. Karen Faye will complete her testimony next week.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 17 – May 23 2013 – Summary

Katherine Jackson and Rebbie Jackson are in court. Katherine becomes emotional when Panish asks about Michael being pressured, leaves court during lunch and does not come back for the afternoon session.

Shawn Trell Testimony

*source info: all of the below information comes from ABC7 twitter account. As it's one single source I did not repeat ABC7 after every paragraph


Jackson redirect

Trell said when he met Michael Jackson in January of 2009, the singer didn't appear to be in pain.

"I approximate the number of tours I've been involved in to be about 100," Trell testified. Trell said AEG has done other smaller productions as promoter and producer, only on two occasions for singers (Prince and MJ). "We promoted and produced Prince's 88 tour," Trell said. Panish: Is that a yes, one time you did promote/produce a tour? Trell: Yes Panish said Prince's tour did not go well. "I wouldn't agree with that statement," Trell said. "I've never spoken to Prince, ever.

Trell said AEG never hired physicians for tours before.

Trell said he didn't know if AEG has a written contract with attorney Kathy Jorrie, who drafted Dr. Murray's contract. AEG did not deduct any payment from Jorrie for making mistakes in the contracts, Trell said.

"I think Mr. Jackson asked us to engage his (Dr. Murray) services for him and his family on the tour," Trell explained. "We weren't aware of a conflict of interest," Trell said. Panish: You, AEG Live, could've said you should hire your own doctor with your own money, right? Trell: Yes

Panish: Do you believe a threat to lose $150,000 month could exert pressure on anyone? Trell: I don't know that

As to Dr. Murray's contract, Trell said it was prepared by AEG Live attorneys and never sent to any attorney representing MJ. "I believe there were three or four drafts," Trell explained. Panish: Did Dr. Murray sign and fax back the contracts? Trell: Yes, he did.

As to mistakes in contracts, Panish said there were a lot made in several contracts. He highlighted a few of them. Panish: How many shows were in the tour? Trell: In the tour agreement, 31. Panish: But you sold tickets for 50 shows? Trell: The agreement contemplated in excess of 31, based on artist's approval. Trell said he didn't have written approval from MJ for 50 shows. "But you wanted to get fully executed contracts right sir?" Panish inquired


Trell said he never reviewed any of the drafts of Dr. Murray's contract because Jorrie was handling the negotiation. Trell explained that before AEG were to sign the final version, though, he would've reviewed everything to make sure there were no mistakes.


Panish asked if Trell knew Randy Phillips talked to Dr. Murray for 20 minutes on the phone. "I'm aware he had spoken with him, but didn't know the length of the calls," Trell said.Panish asked if MJ ever signed a release of authorization for Randy Phillips to speak with Dr. Murray. Trell said he was not aware of one. Panish asked if Trell thought it was ok for Phillips to speak with Dr. Murray alone. He said it depends on the substance of the conversation Panish: About their physical conditions? Trell: I don't know that. I think it would depend on the nature and substance of the conversation. If they are talking about generalities, Trell said he doesn't think there's need for an authorization that Panish was talking about. Panish: Are you familiar with HIPPA? Trell: I'm generally familiar with it, but don't know what the acronym means. Panish: You have no idea what the law allows what a physician can discuss or someone can ask about a patient's condition, sir? Trell: Yes

Panish: Do you know if Mr. Phillips ever threat Dr. Murray? Trell: No, I don't know that.


Panish referred to the email from Gongaware on June 14, 2009 saying AEG was the one paying Dr. Murray's salary and what's expected of him. Panish: Is it a conflict of interest to tell a doctor you are paying how he needs to treat his patient? Trell: I don't know if that would rise to a conflict of interest. There are facts and circumstances that would bear on this.


As to independent contractors, Trell said the indemnity provision is always included in the agreements. Panish: That's because it's your job to protect the financial interested of the company, rights? Trell: It's part of my responsibility, yes

Panish: Isn't it important to put everything in writing, sir? Trell: Not necessarily, I don't think you can put everything in writing

Trell said he doesn't expect the CEO of a company to know everything within the company, as Phillips wrote that they 'checked everyone out'.

Trell said the people whom AEG contracted are either known to them, to the artist or in the business.

Trell said AEG had a management agreement with Dr. Tohme, a management agreement. "It was an agreement between us and Tohme regarding the service he would render on the tour," Trell said. "It was a fee for whatever services MJ wanted him to perform according to the agreement," Trell explained. Panish asked if Dr. Tohme was an employee of AEG. Trell: He was not an employee. Panish: Is he an independent contractor? Trell: He's a party to an agreement. Panish pressed Trell for an answer, since he testified people working on the tour were either employees or independent contractors. "It's hard for me to describe, he was not an employee, and not independent contractor either," Trell.


Panish showed an email where attorney Kathy Jorrie expressed reservations about Dr. Tohme. Jorrie questioned if he was the "real McCoy", meaning the real deal, and recommended a background check to be performed. Did you perform background check on Dr. Tohme? Trell: No Trell said there was no reason to believe Dr. Tohme wasn't telling the truth when he said he represented Michael Jackson. Trell said he saw Dr. Tohme call MJ numerous times about the tour. Trell: I don't know what she meant with the reference to "real McCoy"

Email on 6/23/09 from Timm Wooley to Bob Taylor (insurance broker): Kenny Ortega has responsibility only for the show content and structure Randy Phillips and Dr. Murray are responsible for MJ rehearsal and attendance schedule. Looks like there might have been an issue in KO either not being demanding enough.


"Timm Wooley's statement is inaccurate, in my opinion," Trell said, but agreed he never spoke with Wooley about it, never saw it before. "Meaning MJ showed up whenever MJ wanted to," Trell opined.

"I testified that I was inquiring of ways that might be available to breach the gap," Trell said about looking for additional insurance.

Trell doesn't know the exact number of the tickets sold. Estimating 15K seats for each of the 50 shows, Trell said it was about 750K tickets. Trell testified the venue typically holds the money of the sold tickets. In this case, AEG was the owner of the venue, withheld the money.

Panish asked Trell if he knew Randy Phillips threatened to take away Michael's house if he didn't perform. Defendant's attorney asked for a sidebar. They claimed Panish was misrepresenting the evidence. After the sidebar, they changed subject.

Trell said he didn't know how much MJ's assets were worth. He agreed they were underinsured for the tour.

Email from Ortega to Phillips on 6/20/09 at 2a: My concern is now that we have brought the doctor in the fold and have applied tough love, now or never card, that the artist may be unable to rise to the occasion.


Panish: Was MJ pressured psychological and needed to be checked? Trell: I don't know that. This is the same email showed yesterday where Ortega said MJ was frightened that everything was going to go away. "I don't know why Kenny was referencing that, I don't know about mention of ending the tour," Trell said. Panish: Was Mr. Jackson feeling pressured? Trell: The email says he was frightened, it doesn't say he was feeling pressured. "I have no idea what he felt," Trell said. Panish: No one ever pressured him, right? Trell: That's my impression.

Trell said he doesn't think AEG was under pressure to lose $34 million. "It was Michael Jackson's obligation to us." Panish: Were you concerned? Trell: There's always a concern Panish: Have you ever lost $34 million before? Trell: No The agreement was the tour agreement, Trell said, where it contemplated it could be expanded based upon artist's approval.

Brian Panish asked Trell if to work for AEG Live a person needed to have an executed contract. "There are employees that are hired by AEG who don't have contracts; they are at will employees," Trell explained. Panish asked Trell about several people who worked for AEG but didn't have fully executed contracts. Panish: You told us every person who got paid had fully executed contract, right? Trell: That's my impressionPanish said he wants to show all the unexecuted contracts as June 25, 2009. Michael Bearden, Alfred Dunbar, Orianthis Panagaris

Email said: "Contract still under negotiation. Timm gave verbal Termination notice" Panish: Did everyone who were paid for TII tour without fully executed contracts? Trell: I don't recall

Email on 6/19/09 from John Hougdahl to Randy Phillips: My laymen's degree tells me he needs a shrink to get him mentally prepared to get on stage and then a trained to get him in physical shape... (Kobe's should be available) I have watched him deteriorated in front of my eyes over the last 8 weeks. He was able to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his ass if he tried it now."
John Houghdahl was the stage manager of "This Is It" tour.

Trell said Phillips never told him about this email. "This email is an indication from Houghdahl to Phillips that he feels that way."


Panish: Were you trying to stall Dr. Murray in getting a contract? Trell: Me? Panish: You and AEG Trell: Not to my knowledge

Email on 5/26/09 from Timm Wooley to Brigitte Segal: Brigitte, Any joy with an agreement for Murray to sign. He's pinging on us for payment but we can't without a contract in place. Would like to stall him with something for him to look at & mull over. Brigitte dealt with the housing in London.

"No, we did not have sickness insurance coverage that day," Trell said. "The insurance would be one way MJ's company would repay us," Trell explained. Panish said there's a lawsuit pending regarding the insurance. AEG is no longer a party in the insurance last, Panish said. Trell: We were dismissed from the case because we don't have a financial interest.

Panish: Do you have anything in writing authorizing you to extend the tour to 50 shows? Trell: Yes, we have the verbal approval
Panish showed Trell the contract with MJ and the provisions showed any change needed to be in writing.Panish: Do you have anything in writing from Mr. Jackson for costs in excess of $7.5 million? Trell: No

On April 14, 2009, Michael Jackson wrote a "Notice of Revocation of a Power of Attorney" that Tohme was no longer representing him. As of May 5, 2009, Trell was made aware of MJ's request regarding Dr. Tohme, Panish said.

"We would not pay on an agreement until there was a fully executed agreement," Trell said. Tohme signed a letter on 6/28/09 on behalf of MJ's company approving the expenses of $34 million to go to Jackson's estate.

Panish: Do you deny telling Mr. Taylor before MJ died that AEG employed Dr. Murray at the request of MJ? Trell: I don't recall


AEG recross



Jessica Bina did re-cross of Trell, who said Dr. Murray's agreement required medical licenses both here in the US and in the UK. He also needed proof of insurance, Trell said. If Dr. Murray didn't provide them, there were grounds for termination of services. Bina: Did AEG Live ever provided him with medical equipments? Trell: No. Two reasons: the agreement never went into the effect. And had it come to existence, Trell said, the equipment would've been provided in London. Equipment requested: CPR machine, saline, catheters, needles, gurney and other mutually approved medical equipment necessary 4 the Services


Trell said Bearden's contract was eventually fully executed. It was under negotiation when MJ died. No contract needed MJ's consent and signature, except for Dr. Murray, Trell testified.

Bina: Does the fact that you are negotiating means you have a contract? Trell: No, it's just that, negotiation. Bina: Does the agreement have to be in writing to exist? Trell: Yes, of course

Bina: When did you have an agreement with MJ? Trell: As of January 28, 2009

Trell said he didn't know if MJ and Dr. Murray talked about the contract. He said he didn't know whether MJ was going to sign it.

Trell said there were dozens and dozens, North of 50 contracts done in "This Is It" tour. Contract: Artistsco hereby per-approves thirty one shows or such greater number as agreed by artistco and promoter.Trell said there was an ongoing discussion about the expenses incurred to mount the show; impractical to get everyone's signature.

As to the expense report sent to the estate and approved by Dr. Tohme, Trell said Frank DiLeo also signed it.

Bina showed a document from DiLeo saying he was MJ's manager from March 2009 until his death. "For instance, MJ asked AEG Live to retain services of Dr. Murray as his personal physician," DiLeo letter said. Trell said DiLeo was acting in some management capacity for MJ.

Bina: Did anyone ever tell you MJ had not approved the costs for TII tour? Trell: No

As to Dr, Murray, Trell said he didn't feel there was a conflict of interest, the interest of all three parties involved were the same. "There were no inconsistencies in the agenda," Trell said. "Second, even if the agreement was in place, effectively MJ was hiring Dr. Murray, just using our money," Trell said.

"We had entered into a multi-faced, multi-year agreement with MJ and wanted nothing but for it to be successful," Trell testified. "The Michael Jackson company, in first instance, would be responsible to pay the money. Then MJ had guaranteed it," Trell testified. Trell said that if MJ had any royalties, AEG would have rights on it to recoup the money, but couldn't take interest in his music catalogue.

Bina played deposition from Trell were he said he didn't supervise people who performed personal services, like hair and make-up artists. His job, Trell explained, was to supervise the what-you-see-on-stage.

Bina talked about Hougdahl's email. She asked if it mentioned drug abuse, medication, anesthesia. Trell said no. The email, Trell said, had to do with MJ being mentally prepared and about a trainer to get him in shape.

Trell said HIPPA law is an intent to protect a patient. He doesn't have any more knowledge about it. Bina: Did Mr. Phillips say he discussed treatment of Mr. Jackson with Dr. Murray? Trell: No, not at all

Bina: Did Mr. Jackson to your knowledge died from being too skinny? Trell: No
Bina: Did Mr. Jackson died from being sick? Trell: No
Trell said AEG Live never supplied any equipment or paid for any drugs given to MJ.
Bina: What was MJ's cause if death? Trell: I believe it was acute Propofol intoxication, given by Dr. Murray in MJ's bedroom.

Jackson redirect

Panish, in re-re-cross: Did you know AEG paid Frank Dileo $5 million after MJ died? Trell: No

"I don't recall me being involved in approving such payment," Trell testified. Panish showed emails regarding DiLeo's revised payment
10/13/09 from Shawn Trell to Rick Webking: Approved $5 MM bucket. $50k payment to Frank would have to do with motion picture, Trell said. It would be taken out of the 5 million dollar bucket. "That does not mean Frank was paid $5 million," Trell said, explaining DiLeo was paid $50,000 but he didn't know what for.

Regarding the approval of TII tour expenses: Panish: You had no signature before Mr. Jackson was dead? Trell: Correct . Panish: You took the position, to satisfy the contract, that DiLeo and Tohme could sign after MJ was dead, yes or no? Trell: Yes Trell said Dr. Murray's expenses were included in the expenses DiLeo and Tohme approved.


"I'm not aware of any payments to Dr. Tohme, and only aware of $50,000 to Mr. DiLeo for something related to the movie," Trell said.

"Of course Michale Jackson was necessary for a MJ tour," Trell explained. "It's his show, it's MJ show, he's the most important person."
Trell said he doesn't recall anybody else, other than Dr. Murray, at the rate of $150,000.

Panish: Did Randy Phillips ever call your doctor to see how you're doing? Trell: No

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Judge ended the session and excused Shawn Trell, subject to recall if needed. Paul Gongaware takes the stand on Tuesday morning. There will be no trial tomorrow. It was agreed upon in the beginning that court would be dark tomorrow due to Memorial Day holiday.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 18 – May 28 2013 – Summary

Katherine, Janet, Rebbie and Randy Jackson are in court. Only one the siblings were allowed in the courtroom as they are potential witnesses. Janet Jackson accompanied Katherine during morning session while Rebbie was with her during the afternoon session.

Paul Gongaware Testimony

Jackson direct

Paul Gongaware is one of the defendants in the case. He's an adverse witness called by the plaintiffs. Gongaware is Co-CEO of Concerts West, part of AEG Live. Gongaware has toured with Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin and is currently on your with The Rolling Stones. He worked for Jerry Weintraub in 80s (ABC7)

He produced Prince's tour in 2004. He has not promoted/produced tours since. Gongaware has not talked to Prince after the tour. (ABC7)

Gongaware was a CPA licensed in NY and Washington. He said he believes he's still licensed but hasn't checked status since there's no need (ABC7)

Gongaware testified that landing Jackson, whom he felt was the biggest artist of his era, was huge for AEG. In a 2008 email to AEG Live President and Chief Executive Randy Phillips, Gongaware described how the company should approach Jackson and his manager about a possible comeback tour. “We need to start at the fundamentals. How we do it. The difference between [Live Nation] and us is huge. We are artist-based, they are Wall Street-driven,” Gongaware wrote. "We are smart people. We are completely honest and transparent with everything we do. That’s how [founder] Phil [Anschutz] wants it.(LATimes)

Gongaware said he worked on Elvis Presley tour. Panish asked if Elvis died of drug overdose, and Gongaware said yes. Gongaware replied to a condolences' email on July 5, 2009: "I was working on the Elvis tour when he died, so I kind of knew what to expect." (ABC7) "I was working on the Elvis tour when he died so I kind of knew what to expect," Gongaware wrote in an e-mail to a friend two weeks after Jackson died. "Still quite a shock." (CNN)

“So you knew what to expect when Michael Jackson passed away, is that right, sir?” Brian Panish asked.
“I kind of knew what was going to happen, yes,” Gongaware answered.(LATimes)

Despite working as a tour promoter for 37 years -- including for Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead and many others -- Gongaware testified that the only artist he ever knew that was using drug on tour was Rick James. (CNN). Gongaware testified he worked with another artist who had drug problems: Rick James. (ABC7)

Panish skipped around, asked about name Concerts West, assets. About working for Jackson 5, Gongaware said had no interaction w/ MJGongaware worked on MJ's Dangerous tour in 92-93. Panish said MJ made $100 million and donated it to charity. Gongaware said he didn't know. (ABC7)

When Gongaware met Jackson was with Colonel Parker (Elvis' manager) in Las Vegas. MJ wanted to meet the Colonel. (ABC7)

Gongaware explained the difference between being tour manager and managing the tour. He talked about MJ's History tour, various legs, job (ABC7)

Panish: You knew that MJ had been to rehab during the dangerous tour? Gongaware: Yes, based on the statement he made after the tour. Gongaware said he never knew MJ was involved with drugs until after the end of the Dangerous tour. Gongaware told LAPD he was aware of Jackson's previous use of pills/painkillers but did not want to get involved. (ABC7) Gongaware had known for years that Michael Jackson was taking painkillers but wasn’t aware he was abusing them until MJ abruptly canceled his Dangerous world tour in the early 1990s to enter rehab. Gongaware testified that although he was the manager of the Dangerous tour and knew Jackson was being given painkillers, he didn’t know how serious the problem was until the singer made a public announcement during the tour about his decision to check into rehab. (LAtimes) Gongaware testified that he was a logistics manager on Michael’s “Dangerous” tour in 1993 but never knew about the King of Pop’s addiction to pain meds until the iconic entertainer publicly announced his need for rehab. Gongaware said he knew of “two occasions” when Michael used painkillers between shows, but he claimed he didn’t grasp the scope of the singer’s sickness until the taped 1993 announcement.“I would dispute knowing that he had a problem,” Gongaware said. “I wasn’t aware that there were problems.” (NYDailyNews)

Gongaware said he knew a doctor was medicating Jackson during the Dangerous tour but did not find out why the tour was eventually cut short.
“Didn’t have time,” Gongaware said. “I was just dealing with what was in front of me.” (LATimes)

Panish said Dr. Finkelstein testified under oath that Gongaware knew MJ had problems w/ painkillers before the end of Dangerous tour ended. Panish: Do you dispute that? (Finkelstein testimony) Gongaware: I knew that he had pain. (ABC7)

Gongaware said Dr. Finkelstein is his doctor and friend and that they talk off and on, but he doesn't know specifics of the doctor's deposition. Dr. Finkelstein said he gave MJ painkillers after concert in Bangkok after Michael had scalp surgery. In Gongaware's video deposition: Did you ever ask Dr. Finkelstein if he treated MJ during the Dangerous tour? He wouldn't take about that stuff. Another part of Gongaware's video depo: He said yes, he occasionally treated Michael Jackson on the Dangerous tour. (ABC7)

Panish: Were you always honest with MJ? Gongaware: I believe I was. Panish: Did you throw around numbers to trick Michael Jackson? Gongaware: I didn't try to trick Michael (ABC7)

Panish elicited contradictory testimony asking over and over about Gongaware's memory, how long he spent with lawyers to discuss testimony. (ABC7)

On the Bad Tour MJ sold out 10 stadiums at 75,000 tickets per night.
Panish: That's a pretty big number?
Gongaware: Huge (ABC7)

Panish: In 2 hours, how many tickets sold?
Gongaware: In initial presale we sold 31 shows
Panish: The fastest you had ever seen?
Gongaware: Yes (ABC7)

"No one knows how many shows we can get with Mikey," said Gongaware. Panish asked about name "Mikey" - he said he used it occasionally (ABC7)


Email on 2/27/09 from Gongaware to Phillips: We are holding all of the risk, if MJ won't t approve it we go without his approval.We let Mikey know just what it will cost him in terms of him making money, and the we go with or without him in London. We cannot be forced into stopping this, which MJ will try to do because he is lazy and constantly changes his mind to fit his immediate wants. (ABC7) Explaining the email, Gongaware testified that Jackson "really didn’t like to rehearse. He didn’t like to do these kinds of things." (LATimes) Gongaware said his use of “Mikey” was affectionate, not disparaging, and that the “lazy” crack amounted to a “poor choice of words” but one that accurately reflected how Michael “really didn’t like to rehearse” or “do these kinds of things.” (NYDailyNews)

"People were aware at this point there would be a press conference. MJ wouldn't show up at the conference, it'd cost money," Gongaware said. "It wasn't much risk at all, we hadn't spent money," Gongaware said about that point of the tour. This was prior to news conference. (ABC7)

Gongaware said the situation in London, where they constantly referred to MJ as "***** *****", it would impact marketability to sell tickets (ABC7)

"He doesn't want to do this kind of things, but it was important to show MJ to the world if he wanted to do a MJ show," Gongaware explained. (ABC7)

Jurors were shown several e-mails from Gongaware that Jackson lawyers suggested were evidence that AEG Live deliberately misled Jackson about how much money he would make from his comeback concerts and how many days he would have to rest between shows. Gongaware wrote to his boss, AEG Live President Randy Phillips, that they should present gross ticket sales numbers to Jackson, not the percentage of the net profits, during contract talks. "Maybe gross is a better number to throw around if we use numbers with Mikey listening," his e-mail said. (CNN)

Panish talked about an email Gongaware sent to his secretary asking her to change the color on MJ's calendar.
Email: "don't want the shows to stand out do much when MJ looks at it. Figure out so it looks like he's not working so much. Panish: Did you wanted to change the color of the schedule to show MJ would not be working so hard? Gongaware: Yes. Panish: Were you trying to fool him? Gongaware: Nah, I wasn't trying to fool him, I wanted to present it in the best possible light. Gongaware said it would be obvious when MJ would be working and not and he wasn't trying to trick him. (ABC7) "Figure it out so it looks like he's not working so much." Gongaware email request to alter MJ's schedule. "I wasn't trying to fool him. I wanted to present it in the best possible light." Gongaware on altering look of MJ's schedule (LATimes)

He sent an e-mail to his assistant in March 2009 suggesting that she design a concert calendar for Jackson using light tan colors for show dates, while drawing attention to his rest days. "I don't want the shows to stand out so much when MJ looks at it. Less contrast between work and off. Maybe off days in a contrasting soft color. Put 'OFF' in each off day after July 8, as well. Figure it out so it looks like he's not working so much."Under questioning Tuesday, Gongaware said he "wasn't trying to fool him. I wanted to present it in the best possible light." (CNN)


Email on 3/25/09 from Phillips to Gongaware: "We need to pull the plug now. I will explain."
Panish: Mr. Phillips wanted to pull the plug on the show, right sir? Gongaware: I think he was referring to pull the plug on Karen Faye. "We never talked about pulling the plug on MJ tour. Not that I recall," Gongaware testified. "Kenny wanted the pull because the way she (Faye) handled the situations," Gongaware explained. "She tried to control access to MJ and Kenny didn't like that," Gongaware said. Karen Faye expressed strong opinion that the tour as dangerous and impractical for MJ. Panish asked about a chain of emails where Gongaware said the pulling the plug refers to Ms. Faye. "I believe he was," Gongaware repeated. Email on 3/25/09 from Gongaware to Phillips: It's her (Faye) strong opinion this is dangerous/impractical w/ MJ's health/ability to perform. Response from Gongaware to Phillips: Not sure what to send back... Randy responded: "We need to pull the plug now. I will explain.".Gongaware said in depo he had no idea what Phillips meant. He said he didn't recall Phillips saying they needed to pull the plug on the tour (ABC7)

In another March 25, 2009, email, Ortega wrote Gongaware that it was Faye's "strong opinion that this is dangerous and impractical with consideration to MJ's health and ability to perform.". The email was sent on March 25, 2009, and was from Randy Phillips to Paul Gongaware. Gongaware denied that the email was a reference to calling off Jackson’s "This Is It" concerts in London but instead was pointed at "pulling the plug on Karen Faye. "We never talked about pulling the plug on the Michael Jackson tour, not that I recall.” said Gongaware. "I think Kenny wanted to pull the plug on her because of the way she handled the situation," Gongaware testified about Faye. "She tried to control access to Michael Jackson, and Kenny didn’t like that.” (LATimes)

"I thought he was in good shape at the press conference, I was there," Gongaware said at the deposition. Gongaware was at O2 arena and Phillips was with MJ. "MJ was late, Randy was saying I'm trying to get him going, I'm trying to get him going". Panish: Did Randy tell you MJ was drunk and despondent? Gongaware: No, not drunk and despondent. Just said he was having hard time getting him going. (ABC7)

As to Dr. Conrad Murray, Gongaware said there was 1 rehearsal he said hello to him. "It was basically a hello, on the floor at the Forum.". "Mikey asked me to retain him for Michael Jackson," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray. "I never hired him." (ABC7)

Panish: Is Mr. Phillips a good friend of your? Gongaware: I work with him. Panish played interview of Phillips to SkyTV after MJ died: The guy is willing 2 leave his practice for large sum of money, so we hired him (ABC7)

"I was told Michael wanted him as his doctor for the show," Gongaware said. Gongaware said MJ did not have any illness that he knew of. Gongaware: He had taken a physical, he passed the physical and from what I understand there was nothing wrong w/ him. Maybe some hay fever. Panish: Do you know what his blood test showed? Gongaware: It showed it was good?! Gongaware said he received email from Bob Taylor that everything was fine and that MJ had passed the physical. Gongaware said he never saw the results of the tests and doesn't know who saw them. (ABC7)

Panish: First you said how much did you want? (to Dr. Murray) Gongaware: Yes Panish: He said he wanted $5 million, right?. Gongaware: That's what he said. He said he had four clinics he would have to close, he would have to lay people off. Gongaware said Dr. Murray had been MJ's personal doctor for the past 3 years. He said he did not know how many times MJ had seen the doctor. "MJ insisted on him, recommended him, and that was good enough for me, it was not for me to tell MJ who his doctor should be" Gongaware said. When Panish asked if MJ would get anything he wanted, Gongaware said he tried to make sure he (MJ) had what he needed to do his job. Gongaware said he could've told MJ to hire the doctor himself. "He wanted a doctor and I wanted him to be healthy for this tour". Dr. Murray said he wanted more money, but Gongaware testified he told him the offer came directly from the artist and Dr. Murray accepted it. "I think he was willing to accept anything that MJ offered," Gongaware opined. (ABC7)

Gongaware addressed the topic of Dr. Murray in his testimony Tuesday by saying he believed AEG had no choice but to work with the Vegas cardiologist. “In this case, Dr. Murray was recommended by the artist. In fact, the artist insisted,” he said. (NYDailynews)

Gongaware acknowledged reluctantly that he negotiated a deal for the doctor that the pop star had chosen to accompany him. But AEG Gongaware testified his only role in the matter was negotiating the price of Dr. Conrad Murray's services in compliance with what Jackson asked him to do. Gongaware said that neither he nor anyone at the AEG investigated Murray's background or credentials. (AP)

"The fact that he had been Michael Jackson's personal physician for three years was good enough for me," Gongaware said. (AP)

Asked if he knew that Murray was in financial difficulties when he took the job as tour doctor, Gongaware answered no.He said that Murray initially asked for $5 million to travel to London with Jackson and tend to him during the tour. "I just told him it wasn't going to happen," he said, recalling that Jackson then suggested offering him $150,000 a month. "Michael Jackson insisted on it and recommended him and it was not for me to tell him no," said Gongaware. "I wanted to provide what was necessary for him to do his job...He wanted a doctor and I wanted him to be healthy." Even after the offer of $150,000, Murray wasn't satisfied. "He started saying he wanted more and I said, 'The offer is coming directly from the artist," Gongaware said. Minutes later, he said Murray accepted. "Did that seem desperate to you?" asked Panish."No," said Gongaware. "He just accepted Michael's offer." (AP)

Gongaware said he spoke on the phone twice with Murray. The first time, the doctor requested $5 million to join the “This Is It” tour as Jackson’s physician. The second time, Murray agreed to a salary of $150,000 a month, which was a figure suggested by Jackson.
“He started in saying that he wanted more and I said that offer came directly from the artist and he immediately accepted,” Gongaware said of their second phone conversation. He added: “It wasn’t a done deal. We agreed on what the compensation would be, but there was still a lot of open issues that had to be resolved.” (LATimes)

"We agreed on what the compensation was going to be, but there were a lot of issues to be resolved," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he recalled meeting with Dr. Murray where he was told the doctor was going to take care of the medical licensing in London. Gongaware and Timm Wooley are longtime friends. They are currently working on The Stones tour. Gongaware said he negotiated the price for Dr. Murray, but didn't negotiate the contract. Gongaware explained that he didn't do the negotiation, he would normally refer that to Wooley. (ABC7)

Panish showed video deposition of Gongaware and a declaration he signed about a month before giving the deposition. They contradict themselves. (ABC7) At first, Gongaware insisted he did no negotiating with Murray, but, confronted with emails and his previous testimony, he changed his position and said, "The only thing I did with Dr. Murray was negotiate a price." (AP)

Dr. Finkelstein and Gongaware have been friends for 35-plus years. Gongaware said he never offered Dr. Finkelstein the job of being MJ's doctor and said the doctor would be mistaken if he testified otherwise. Gongaware told the jury he called Dr. Finkelstein to ask what a fair price for a tour doctor would be. Doc told him it was $10,000/week. As to Dr. Finkelstein wanting to be the tour doctor, Gongaware said he didn't recall specifically, but knew he wanted it."After his death we may have talked, but I don't recall specifics," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he sees Dr. Finkelstein a few times a year, but MJ's subject never came up. Panish asked Gongaware if Dr. Finkelstein wanted to know if MJ was clean and using drugs. Gongaware said he didn't recall the conversation . (ABC7)

Panish: You were involved in terminating one of the nannies who took care of MJ's kids? Gongaware: Yes. Gongaware told nanny Grace Rwamba that her serviced would not be needed anymore because AEG was cutting down on MJ's expenses. (ABC7)

"I never read the contract, I was there when Michael signed it, but didn't see what was in it," Gongaware said. "Doctor Murray was 100% Michael's cost," Gongaware said. Based on the contract, Gongaware said 95% of the production expenses were MJ's responsibility, 5% AEG. Panish: Who decided there was a need for a written contract with Dr. Murray? Gongaware: I don't know (ABC7)

Gongaware said that if tour went forward, Dr. Murray would've made $1.5 million for 10 months. Ortega would've made almost that. "I didn't do anything to check his background. He was MJ's doctor and that as good enough for me," Gongaware testified. (ABC7)

Gongaware said although AEG never did a background check on Murray, in his view they had “checked out” the doctor according to their standard practices. “When we check out someone, we either rely on if we know the person or if they’re known in the industry or if they’re recommended by the artist,” he said. “And in this case, Dr. Murray was recommended by the artist — in fact, the artist insisted.” The Jackson family’s attorney pressed Gongaware. “You did nothing to verify anything about Dr. Murray, isn’t that true, sir?” Brian Panish asked.“Well, Michael Jackson insisted on him, recommended him and that was good enough for me,” Gongaware replied. “It’s not up to me to tell Michael Jackson who his doctor should be.” (LATimes)

Panish asked: “You could have told Dr. Murray at any time that his services were no longer needed, couldn’t you?” “No,” Gongaware replied. Panish then pointed out that the AEG executive had fired Jackson’s nanny after being asked to do so by the singer’s aide. (LATimes)

Panish asked Gongaware if he approved budgets for April-July including Dr. Murray as production expense. He said he didn't know which budgets he approved. "It's my job to get that show on the road," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he had to know how much the production had spent on any given time, but didn't have time to read the budget. Panish: Do you think you're good at your job, sir? Gongaware: Yes Panish: Very good? Gongaware: I think so (ABC7) Gongaware testified that he didn’t pay attention to the tour budgets that he approved, even though he was the tour manager.Paul Gongaware said he didn’t read through the budgets, instead trusting that the tour accountant for Jackson’s planned comeback concert series “knew what he was talking about.” Gongaware testified that Dr. Conrad Murray’s salary, although included in the company’s budget for several months, wasn’t something he saw as an actual payment that would be made.“If there’s a potential for cost we put it in our budget so there are no surprises later,” he said. (LATimes)

Gongaware often pleaded poor memory of events. He said he may have met with Jackson as many as 10 times, but could remember only two of the meetings and only one when Murray was present.(AP)

Gongaware said he doesn't remember how many meetings he attended at Carolwood house. He didn't recall a meeting where a vase was broken. "There was a meeting where he signed the contract," Gongaware recalled, saying there were more but he doesn't remember specifics. At the meeting in early June, Gongaware he was present along with Kenny, Randy, Frank DiLeo, Dr. Murray and Michael. "The meeting was about making sure MJ and Dr. Murray had everything they needed to care for Michael," Gongaware explained. "Yes, we did talk about health-related issues," Gongaware said." It was more a general meeting about what Dr. Murray would need." As to the June meeting, Gongaware said Michael Jackson was a little off. "He was just coming back from visiting Dr. Klein," Gongaware said. "I believe he was under the influence of something," Gongaware said. (ABC7) He remembered a meeting at which Jackson arrived late from a doctor's appointment and had slurred speech. "He was a bit off," he said, "that was the only time I saw him like that." (AP) Meeting was about Michael and what he needed for the tour. "Health issues were discussed at the meeting and Dr. Murray was there," Gongaware admitted. Gongaware told the police the topic of the meeting was Jackson's overall health, i.e., diet, stamina and his weight. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he attended a meeting at Jackson’s Holmby Hills home in June 2009 with other AEG executives; Frank Dileo, Jackson’s manager; and Murray. Gongaware said the hour long meeting was not about Jackson missing rehearsals, but about “whether Dr. Murray and Michael had everything they needed to take care of Michael’s health.”.“The topic of the meeting was Jackson’s overall health, i.e., diet, stamina and his weight,” the document read. “Jackson had missed a rehearsal and was thought to be dancing at home. However they discovered he was only watching video. Doctor Murray was receptive to their concerns and indicated he would take care of the situation.” (LATimes)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 19 – May 29 2013 – Summary

Katherine and Rebbie Jackson are at court.

Paul Gongaware Testimony


Jackson direct

"My understanding Michael Jackson is a party (to the contract)," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray's contract. He said he never saw it, though.(ABC7) Gongaware told jury he’s never looked at Conrad Murray’s contract to serve as Michael Jackson’s tour doctor. (AP)

Panish: Why did AEG have to enter into a contract with Dr. Murray? Gongaware: I don't know. About AEG terminating Dr. Murray, Gongaware said he didn't believe they could do it, because he was Michael's doctor. Gongaware said it was fair to say he didn't know why AEG would enter into a contract with a doctor for Michael Jackson. Panish asked Gongaware if MJ negotiated the price/contract with Dr. Murray. "I believe he did through me, he instructed me what to offer" (ABC7)

Gongaware said he didn't know for sure whether Karen Faye was an independent contractor or not. (ABC7)

"Dr. Murray would've been 100% charged to Michael Jackson," Gongaware testified. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he didn't know what the $300k budgeted for medical management was for. (ABC7)

Panish tried 'impeaching' Gongaware, which is the process of calling into question the credibility of an individual who's testifying. Yesterday and today the plaintiffs' attorney would ask a question then play parts of the deposition to catch Gongaware in contradiction. (ABC7)

At one point, a portion of Gongaware’s deposition was played in which he discussed a meeting at Michael Jackson’s house with Conrad Murray. At depo, Paul Gongaware said the meeting “was about Dr. Murray and engaging him.” Gongaware later changed testimony to state “him” meant MJ. That change was read to the jury, leading attorney Brian Panish to question Gongaware about what he meant by word “engage.” “Here I think we were talking about making sure Michael Jackson was engaged and focused,” Gongaware said. (AP) Gongaware told the jury he was concerned in getting MJ involved and focused, engaged mentally. "I believe that was Kenny's concern, that he wanted him to be focus," Gongaware explained. MJ had gone before without rehearsing, Gongaware recalled. "When he got to London, MJ was going to be sensational." (ABC7) Gongaware said he thought at the meeting they discussed Jackson’s nutrition, not his health (i.e. sleep issues.) (AP)

Gongaware said Dr. Murray didn't discuss with him MJ's sleeping problems. In his deposition, Gongaware said he didn't remember. Panish asked Gongaware what made him remind that Dr. Murray didn't talk to him about MJ's sleeping problems; example of impeaching witness. (ABC7)

Panish asked Gongaware about another meeting at Jackson’s house in which the singer showed up late after a visit to Dr. Arnold Klein. “I didn't know what he was under the influence of, but he was a little bit off,” Gongaware said of the meeting. (AP) "I don't know way he was on, he was a little off," Gongaware said, adding that he didn't know what kind of drugs Dr. Klein was giving MJ. (ABC7)

Panish then asked Gongaware whether he was involved in getting Jackson a nutritionist. Lots of back-and-forth on this issue. Panish showed emails in which Gongaware emailed others at AEG telling them Jackson needed a nutritionist and physical therapist. “I was trying to find a nutritionist, but I wasn’t involved in his nutrition,” Gongaware said. (AP)

Obviously I was looking for a nutritionist for him, but I wasn't involved in his nutrition," Gongaware said. Panish played Gongaware's deposition where he said he was not involved in finding a nutritional person. Gongaware explained he believes nutritional person and nutritionist were not necessarily the same. (ABC7)

On June 15, 2009, Gongaware sent and emai to Ortega in response to request for nutritionist and physical therapist for MJ. Email: We're on it. AEG owns major sports teams in this market so we think we can find the right people quickly. Kenny responded: Super.Not a minute too soon. Let's turn this guy around! (ABC7)

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish then asked Gongaware about a friend of AEG CEO Randy Phillips who was going to work with Jackson. Gongaware said he didn’t know whether this friend of Phillips was a nutrition specialist. He told Panish he’d have to ask Randy Phillips. (AP) Gongaware testified he remembers someone named David Loughner working with MJ. Panish pointed out Laughner is Randy Phillips' friend. "I don't know if he was a nutritionist, it was someone in charge of making MJ eat," Gongaware explained. Gongaware: He's a guy who's dealt with artists quite a bit Panish: Artists in trouble? Gongaware: Artists in general. Gongaware said he doesn't know what Laughner did, but he's seen him working with JLo and Enrique Iglesias. (ABC7)

Gongaware didn't know why MJ would need a nutritionist when he had a doctor hired. "Kenny asked for it," Gongaware explained. Gongaware said he told Dr. Murray he wanted him to have everything he needed. He said Michael Jackson had always been thin. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he didn't attend rehearsals frequently. "I was at the rehearsal facility at all the times but I wasn't in the arena much.". "We were always concerned about MJ's health and well being," Gongaware explained, saying he was responding to Kenny Ortega's requests. Gongaware said Kenny Ortega was responsible for keeping an eye on everything, including MJ and his health. (ABC7) AEG exec Paul Gongaware was then asked whether there was anyone responsible for handling AEG’s interests at rehearsals. Gongaware responded yes, that was Kenny Ortega. (AP)

Panish: Do you think Ortega was overreacting? Gongaware: Perhaps. I knew that when house lights went up, he was going to be there
Panish: You think Ortega was overreacting when raised concerns about MJ's health? Gongaware: I think I wasn't concerned as he was (ABC7)

"I was never concerned about Michael Jackson. I knew when the houselights went off, he would be there and on." (LATimes)

Panish asked Gongaware whether he thought Ortega was overreacting about Jackson’s health? “Perhaps,” Gongaware replied. “I knew when the house lights went out, he was going to be out there and on,” Gongaware said of Jackson. On whether Kenny Ortega was overreacting about Jackson’s health, Gongaware also said: “I wasn’t concerned as he was.” (AP)

Talking about the email Gongaware wrote saying he wanted to remind him (Dr. Murray) that it's AEG, not MJ, who's paying his salary. In his deposition, Gongaware said he didn't know what he meant to say in the email. Gongaware testified he spent some of the time himself looking at this email, putting it in context with the rest of the material he had. Panish: After meeting with your lawyers and talking about an hour or two about this email, did you refresh your memory what you meant? "I did come to conclusions a lot on my own, then I discussed it with my attorneys," Gongaware explained. Gongaware: After you go through you remember the facts Panish: You didn't have psychotherapy to refresh your recollection? G: No. "I still don't recall writing it," Gongaware said, "I don't recall writing it, but I admit I wrote it."(ABC7)

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish asked him whether he’d met with AEG’s attorneys to refresh his memory. “It’s always been there,” Paul Gongaware said about whether his memory was refreshed by his lawyers. (AP)

Panish on Wednesday played for jurors a section of Gongaware's deposition, recorded in December, in which Jackson lawyer Kevin Boyle questioned him about what he meant when he wrote to Ortega, "We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ, who is paying his salary."
Boyle: "Based on the assumptions that AEG is your company and MJ is Michael Jackson, do you have an understanding of what that means?"
Gongaware: "No, I don't understand it, because we weren't paying his salary."
Boyle: "So why would you write that?"
Gongaware: "I have no idea."
Boyle: "Now, let's go on to the next sentence. When you say 'his salary,' who are you talking about?"
Gongaware: "I don't know."
Boyle: "Oh, but how do you know you weren't paying his salary if you don't know who we're talking about?"
Gongaware: "I don't remember this e-mail."
Boyle: "Didn't you just testify that 'we weren't paying his salary'?"
Gongaware: "AEG?"
Boyle: "Yes. No. You just testified 'we weren't paying his salary.' You just testified to that a few seconds ago, right?"
Gongaware: "I guess."
Boyle: "Well, whose salary were you referring to? Dr. Murray?"
Gongaware: "Yes."
After Gongaware began recalling in court Wednesday what he meant in the e-mail, Panish suggested it may be a case of "repressed memories" where "someone doesn't remember something for three or four years."
"You didn't have any psychotherapy to remember what you wrote here?" Panish asked. "You didn't like get put to sleep? (Judge Yvette Palazuelos injected: "Hypnotized?") to see if you remembered this?
"No," Gongaware answered. (CNN)

Panish went through every word of the email, which was to Kenny Ortega and Frank DiLeo. Panish: You're referring to Dr. Murray and what's expected of Dr. Murray, right? Gongaware: Yes"We did talk about Dr. Murray's salary, but a deal was never consummated," Gongaware said. "His responsibility was to take care of his patient," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray. Panish asked if he thought Dr. Murray knew what his responsibility was, so the need to remind him what's expected of him? "This thing was shorthand between me, Kenny and Frank," Gongaware explained. He said he should've been more careful choosing his words. He claimed he was referring to Kenny's email re nutritionist, physical therapist. "I certainly feel Dr. Murray should be competent to do that (be a nutritionist). He's a doctor!" Gongaware testified. Panish asked why Gongaware thought they needed a nutritionist when they had a doctor hired. "Kenny asked for one," he responded. (ABC7)

"If MJ were signed the contract and if MJ would've instructed us to pay him, we would've pay him," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray. (ABC7)

"I was writing in shorthand," Gongaware explained the email. Here's the email: Frank and I have discussed it already and have requested a face-to-face meeting with the doctor, hopefully Monday. We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ, who's paying his salary. We want him to understand what's expected of him. He's been dodging Frank so far. (ABC7)

“Frank and I have discussed it already and have requested a face-to-face meeting with the doctor, hopefully Monday," AEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware wrote on June 14, 2009, 11 days before Murray administered a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol to the singer. "We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ who is paying his salary. We want him to understand what is expected of him." Confronted with the email as he sat on the witness stand Wednesday, Gongaware said he didn't recall writing it. “I don’t understand it because we weren’t paying his salary," Gongaware said. “So why were you writing it?" asked Brian Panish, the Jackson family's attorney. "I have no idea," Gongaware replied. The AEG executive later said the email was "shorthand" between him, tour director Kenny Ortega and Jackson's manager Frank Dileo. “I was going through hundreds of emails a day. If I knew lawyers four years later were picking everything apart, I may have been more careful choosing my words,” Gongaware testified. (LATimes)

"Michael didn't like to rehearse, it didn't surprise me," Gongaware expressed, saying it was known that MJ didn't go to rehearsals.(ABC7) He said Jackson didn't like to rehearse, that previously Jackson didn't rehearse before the "HIStory" tour either. But when the lights went up, Jackson was "on," he stated. (KABC)

In May, Gongaware sent an email to Tim Leiweke's secretary, Carla Garcia, wrote that he couldn't tell her which day the "This Is It" concerts would open in London because Jackson hadn't shown up to rehearsal (LATimes) asking her to pray for him, since everything was a nightmare. Email on 5/5/09 from Gongaware to Carla Garcia: Pray for me. This is a nightmare. Not coincidentally, I have them now every night. Cold sweats too. Life used to be so much fun... (ABC7) It was not an admission that he was concerned about Jackson's ability to do the show, he said. "It was just playing around, joking," with AEG President Tim Leiweke's assistant, Carla Garcia, he testified.

"Carla is an absolute babe and I was just chatting her up," he said. (CNN) "Carla is an absolute babe, I was trying to chat her up," Gongaware explained. "I wasn't trying to hit on her. I don't have cold sweats, I don't have nightmares, I sleep great!" Gongaware said. Panish asked him if he was lying in the email, white lie? Gongaware: Let's just say I was joking. Panish: You ask people to pray for you joking? G: I did there (ABC7) Gongaware said he was joking in the message. "I don't have cold sweats," he said. "I don't have nightmares. I sleep great." (AP)

Response from Phillips on Jun 20: Bugzee, I know because I just got Kenny's message on my voicemail.What did he do when he got there and what happened between him and KO? I have a meeting with MJ tomorrow morning. (ABC7)

From Hougdahl (Bugzee)to Phillips, cc'd Gongaware: MJ came out and watched all the pyro demonstration and endorsed the all the effects then went into his room and asked Kenny "you aren't going to kill the artist, are you?" We assumed this was reference to pyro, but Kenny said he was shaking and couldn't hold his knife and fork. Kenny had to cut his food for him before he could eat, and then had to use his fingers. I don't know how much embellishment there is to this, but (Kenny) said repeatedly that MJ was in no shape to go on stage. He kept going on and on how no one was taking responsibility for "getting him ready". We might be getting beyond ... damage control, here. (ABC7)

"I didn't worry about, it sounded like he was sick and they were going to talk about it next morning," Gongaware explained. (ABC7)

Phillips replied: Tim and I are going to see him tomorrow, however, I am not sure what the problem is. Chemical or physiological? (ABC7)

Gongaware said he was at a family wedding and wasn't really paying attention to this. This was 1st time he heard something was wrong with MJ (ABC7)

Gongaware responds: Take the doctor with you. Why wasn't he there last night? (ABC7)

"Yes, if he (MJ) was sick, why wasn't he (the doctor) there?" Gongaware said he meant in the email. (ABC7)

Phillips responded and added Tim Leiweke in the chain: He is not a psychiatrist so I'm not sure how effective he can be at this point. Obviously, getting him there is not the issue. It is much deeper. "I think Randy is stating his opinion," Gongaware said. (ABC7)

Panish asked if Gongaware inquired what Phillips meant by "the issue... It's much deeper." He said no. Gongaware: Well, there was going to be a meeting that day to discuss it Panish: We're you concern? Gongaware: Not necessarily. Panish: Nobody told you anything where Dr. Murray was? Gongaware: No P: And never sought to find out? G: No (ABC7)

Response from Hougdahl to Phillips, about needing trainer/therapist: I've watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last 8 weeks. He was able to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his a** if he tried it now. (ABC7)

"There was a meeting on June 20th. I wasn't there, I was back East," Gongaware recalled. (ABC7)

Email from Phillips: Unfortunately, we are running out of time. That's my biggest fear. "He was afraid of that, I wasn't," Gongaware said. (ABC7) "That is my biggest fear," Phillips wrote to Gongaware and the CEO of AEG Live's parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group, on June 20, 2009, five days before Jackson's death. Gongaware said he didn't agree with Phillips' assessment. "He may have said that, but I didn't agree with that," Gongaware testified.(AP)

Katherine Jackson's attorney questioned Gongaware about whether the company put too much emphasis on the showbiz maxim, "The show must go on." Gongaware denied that was the case. He told the jury that he was concerned about Jackson's health, but that he thought "This Is It" tour director Kenny Ortega may have been overstating concerns about the singer's wellbeing. (AP) Gongaware agreed that in this business, the show must go on. (ABC7)

Gongaware said AEG has a policy that they check people out either by knowing them, by being known in the industry or recommend by the artist. (ABC7)

Gongaware testified he didn't know when Dr. Murray's contract was to begin. "That contract was for London and the shows for London, I believe," Gongaware said. (ABC7)

Email on 6/20/09 from Phillips to LeiwekeComm and Kazoodi: This guy is really starting to concern me. Read his email and my response. Dr. Murray and I are meeting with MJ at 4pm today at The Forum. (ABC7) Phillips also expressed concerns about Ortega, writing to Gongaware's private email address, "This guy is really starting to concern me." Gongaware testified Wednesday that he wasn't sure who Phillips was referring to, and his boss may have been expressing concerns about Jackson or Murray. (AP)

Phillips sent this email to Leiweke and Gongaware's private email accounts. "Kazzodi" is a private email address that belongs to Gongaware. "The artist's health is paramount. Without the artist, there's no show. The artist if the most important thing," Gongaware testified. (ABC7)

Email on 6/19/09 from Phillips to Leiweke: We have a real problem here. (ABC7)

There was a meeting that was going to happen the next day, Gongaware said, and he waited to see what would come out of it. (ABC7)

Email on 6/19/09 from Leiweke to Phillips: Let's set up a time for your and I to meet with him. I want Kenny in the meeting as well. (ABC7)

Ortega wrote back: I will do whatever I can to be of help with this situation. My concern is now that we've brought the Doctor into the fold played the tough love, now or .He appeared quite weak and fatigued this evening. He had a terrible case of the chills, was trembling, rambling an obsessing. Everything in me says he should be psychologically evaluated. If we have any chance at all to get him back in the light it's going to take a strong Therapist to help him through this as well as immediate physical nurturing. I was told by our choreographer during the artists costume fitting w/ his designer tonight they noticed he's lost more weight.: As far as I can tell, there's no 1 taking responsibility (caring) for him on a daily basis. Where was his assistant tonight? Email cont'd: Tonight I was feeding him wrapping him in blankets to warm his chill, massaging his feet to calm him and calling his doctor. There were four security guards outside his door, but no one offering him a cup of hot tea. Finally, it's important 4 everyone 2 know I believe he really wants this. It would shatter him break his heart if we pulled plug. He's terribly frightened it's all going to go away. He asked me repeatedly tonight if i was going to leave him. He was practically begging for my confidence. It broke my heart. He was like a lost boy. There still may be a chance he can rise to the occasion if we get him the help he needs. (ABC7)

Phillips responded: Kenny, I will call you when I figure this out,we have a person like that, Brigitte, who's in London advancing his stay. We will bring her back asap and Frank, too, however, I'm stymied on who to bring in as a therapist and how they can get through to him in such a short time. (ABC7)

Gongaware said Brigitte is a lawyer who was in charge of accommodations for MJ in London. (ABC7)

"This all happened prior to the meeting, and I was waiting to understand what the situation was," Gongaware explained. (ABC7)

"I think they are special," Gongaware said about artists. Gongaware: He was obviously concerned Panish: Seriously concerned, right sir? Gongaware: Seemed to be (ABC7)

Email response from Philips to Kenny urging him, and everyone else, not to become amateur psychiatrists or physicians on 6/20/09. Email: "You cannot imagine the harm and ramifications of stopping this show now" (ABC7)

Panish: Can you name a single person at AEG who checked Dr. Murray out? Gongaware: I don't know if anyone did. I didn't know anything about him," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray. "Some people work for reasons other than money," Gongaware opined, but said he didn't know whether Dr. Murray was in that category. "I believe every doctor is unbiased and ethical," Gongaware said. "I think it's a natural assumption on my part." Gongaware: I never checked any doctor that I used. I just go by recommendation, never checked anyone's financial situation. (ABC7)

Gongaware said everyone thought MJ had all the money in the world, and it was not unusual for him to see people asking for a lot of money. Gongaware said he never heard before today anything about Dr. Murray's financial conditions. (ABC7)

Panish: He knew MJ's health was declining based on what the doctor told I'm, right? Gongaware: Based on what his doctor told him, yes (ABC7)

"I did talk to him and he said the meeting went well," Gongaware recalled. (ABC7)

"This guy is starting to concern me," Phillips wrote in an email to Leiweke, Gongaware and Frank DiLeo. "It is not clear to me who 'this guy' is," Gongaware said. "I don't know what Randy meant here," Gongaware explained. "I can easily take 'this guy' is MJ here." (ABC7)

Gongaware said he was in a family wedding, hadn't seen the family for a long time and was not paying attention to work. Gongaware said he produced every email he had related to this case. (ABC7)

Email on 6/22/09 from Hougdahl (Production Manager, known as Bugzee) to Gongaware: Further to the earlier email Let's keep our 2 docu people out of here today, unless they stay in the dressing room area only. Tomorrow is another story... (ABC7)

Panish: Sir, Michael was sick this time, wasn't sir? Gongaware: I don't know, he showed up next day and was great! Panish: But you were not at the rehearsal, sir? Gongaware: I saw reports (ABC7)

Panish then asked Gongaware about his attendance at Jackson’s rehearsals. Gongaware said he didn’t attend many. Gongaware said he watched Jackson perform “Thriller” two days before he died, but that was the only time he spent at that rehearsal. (AP) Panish talking about June 24th rehearsing: "He appeared to me to be fully engaged," Gongaware said. "I recall seeing Thriller because it was the first time they were rehearsing with the costume and I wanted to see it," Gongaware said. (ABC7)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 20 – May 30 2013 – Summary

Katherine and Rebbie Jackson are in court.

The court also heard an update on efforts to get emails and any other records from a computer used by Jackson’s former manager Frank Dileo. Apparently an LA attorney has a copy of Dileo's computer hard drive. Attorneys are working to get a copy of the HD to both sides. The copy was revealed during a deposition of Dileo’s widow earlier this week in Pennsylvania, plaintiff’s lawyer Brian Panish said. (AP)


Paul Gongaware Testimony


Jackson direct

Gongaware said he met with his attorneys again yesterday to refresh his recollection. (ABC7)

Panish asked if AEG was concerned about Mr. Jackson's health. "When he was sick we obviously had a concern," Gongaware responded. Gongaware said he understood MJ was sick from reading the chain of emails shown yesterday. But Gongaware told the jury he didn't have any particular concern about Michael Jackson. Other than on June 19th, no one told Gongaware about being concerned with MJ's health. (ABC7) Gongaware testified that he disagreed with Houghdahl's opinion, saying he had no "particular concern" about Jackson's health and ability to perform. (CNN)

Talking about the email Hougdahl sent saying MJ was deteriorating quickly, Gongaware explained: "I didn't see it the way he saw." (ABC7)

Hougdahl, in response to concerns expressed by Travis Payne about Jackson’s weight, wrote singer needed a new diet.(AP) Email 6/15/09 from Hougdahl to Gongaware He needs some cheeseburgers w/ bunch of Wisconsin cheesehead bowlers and couple of brats and beers. (ABC7 & AP) Panish asked Gongaware whether he thought the email was funny. Gongaware said yes. He also said he wasn’t concerned about Jackson’s health. (AP)

"Was he joking around about this situation?" Panish asked Gongaware, referring to Hougdahl.
"I think he was," Gongaware replied.
"Did you think that was funny?" Panish asked.
"I did," Gongaware admitted. (NYDailyNews)

Panish: Was Mr. Hougdahl joking about it?
Gongaware: A little bit (ABC7)

Panish inquired whether Gongaware had indemnity clause in his contract. Panish asked about indemnity in Gongaware's contract. The exec said indemnity means that someone else is taking on the responsibility. "I haven't read my contract in 12/13 years, I don't know what it says," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he does not know how many pages his employment agreement is. Panish asked if he AEG would cover for Gongaware should they be found guilty.(ABC7) Gongaware said it was his understanding that he wouldn’t be personally responsible financial if the jury sided with Jackson family. (AP) Panish: That means if you did something wrong... Gongaware: They would be responsible "I've been assuming that," Gongaware responded, adding that depending upon the size of the judgment, AEG could go after him. Panish asked how much AEG would be able to afford, and Gongaware said he didn't know. Panish emphasized there are various ways for AEG to pay a judgment, and Gongaware mentioned they had some sort of cancellation insurance. (ABC7)

Panish went back to discuss the email from Randy Phillips where he wrote Dr. Murray didn't need the gig and was unbiased and ethical. Panish: Is Mr. Phillips unbiased and ethical, sir? Gongaware: I think he is. Panish asked if it was ethical for Phillips to represent to Ortega that the doctor is 'extremely successful' and 'we checked everyone out'. Gongaware responded that he didn't know what Phillips knew at the time. (ABC7)

Panish: Is number one priority 'the show must go on'? Gongaware: I don't know if that's number one P: What's number one? G: Getting it right (ABC7)

Panish showed the email John Branca, Michael's attorney, saying he had the right therapist for MJ and asked if substance abuse was involved. "This is referring to the meeting that was going to happen and I was waiting to see the results of it," Gongaware said. "I didn't believe there was a substance abuse issue," Gongaware testified. "In the entire time I was dealing with him in this tour, I saw it once when he came back from his doctor," Gongaware testified. Gongaware said that was the only time he saw Michael with slurred speech and under the influence of something. Gongaware said he didn't know what Dr. Klein was giving Michael Jackson. When Panish asked Gongaware if he checked Dr. Klein out, he replied: "No, he was Michael's doctor and it was none of my business." (ABC7)

Gongaware said he once observed Michael looking "slow" and possibly intoxicated after a visit to his dermatologist but he didn't believe the singer had any serious health problems — even after Jackson appeared weak and disoriented at a June 19 rehearsal. "My observation of Michael Jackson was that he was healthy," Gongaware said. "They had a meeting to discuss (the June 19 incident), and he took a couple days off and he came back strong." (NYDailyNews)

Gongaware talked about the meetings he attended at MJ's house. He couldn't remember how many, but said one w/ Dr. Murray was in June. (ABC7)

On June 24th, Gongaware saw MJ rehearse the song 'Thriller'. He said he thought Michael was engaged and alert.(ABC7)

As to insurance issues, Gongaware said he was involved only peripherally. On June 25, Gongaware sent an email saying that if they didn't get sickness coverage in the insurance, they would be dropping the policy. Gongaware said he didn't know why he was pressing for sickness insurance on the day MJ died. Bob Taylor, the insurance broker, wrote back that it was always down to the medical issued from the word go. Regarding Randy Phillips asking for life insurance the day MJ died, Gongaware said he didn't pay much attention to insurance, didn't recall. (ABC7)

The day MJ died, Gongaware said Phillips called him and told him to get over to the house right away, there seems to be a problem. Randy followed the ambulance to UCLA. "The second call was that he informed me that he had died," Gongaware remembered. On June 25, Gongaware said he went to the rehearsal at the Staples Center and talked to Kenny Ortega. Panish: Were you sad Mr. Jackson died? Gongaware: Very much so (ABC7)

He was a business associate, Gongaware said about MJ. They did not didn't hang out as friends (ABC7)

Panish asked about Phillips' email directing Gongaware to remove thin, skeletal footage of MJ in red jacket from This Is It documentary. Gongaware testified today he remembered receiving the email. In his deposition played in court, Gongaware said he didn't recall the email. Panish: Did you change your testimony? Gongaware: No. I saw the email as part of my preparation (ABC7)
“Make sure we take out the shots of MJ in that red leather jacket at the sound stage where the mini-movies were being filmed,” AEG Live president and co-chief executive Randy Phillips wrote in Aug. 9 email. “He looks way too think (sic) and skeletal.” Gongaware replied to Phillips, his boss, “ok will have a look when it comes on screen.” (LATimes)

Gongaware said he didn't try to control any of the messages about MJ after his death to reflect he was fully engaged in rehearsals. Panish asked about an email from Gongaware okay'ing the band, singers and dancer to give interviews but asked them to keep it positive. (ABC7)

In another email July 9, 2009, email to music coordinator JoAnn Tominaga, Gongaware wrote, “We are ok with the band, singers and dancers doing interviews now. The only thing we ask is that they keep it positive and stress that MJ was active, engaged and not the emaciated person some want to paint him as being.” Answering questions from Jackson family attorney Brian Panish, Gongaware said he was not trying to control the film’s message. “We’re asking them to keep it positive,” he said.(LATimes)

"You're telling them what not to say, aren't you sir?" Katherine's lawyer Brian Panish asked Gongaware. "I'm asking them to keep it positive," Gongaware replied. "And not say he was emaciated," Panish shot back."Yes …we did ask them to keep it positive," Gongaware said. "So you were controlling the message as a producer of that documentary," Panish said, referring to the follow-up "This Is It" movie that included taped interviews. "I don't think so," Gongaware replied. (NYDailyTimes)

Email: The only thing we ask is that they keep it positive and stress that MJ was active, engaged & not emaciated person some want to paint
Panish: You were controlling the message as producer of that documentary, sir? Gongaware: I don't think so (ABC7)

Gongaware’s testimony again emphasized the contrast between the answers he gave during his deposition under oath in December 2012 and his responses in the courtroom. In testimony Wednesday, he agreed that Phillips meant “thin” in his email, instead of the word he typed, “think.”Asked during the deposition what Phillips meant, he replied, ”I don’t know what he meant.” (LATimes)

Gongaware said nothing was taken out of the documentary, which included rehearsals for the scheduled 50 concerts in London. (LATimes) Gongaware promised in a follow-up email to Phillips that he'd "have a look," but he testified Thursday that he never dumped any footage. "We didn't keep anything out based on what Randy wrote," Gogaware told jurors.(NYDailyNews) Gongaware testified that he did not know why Phillips would ask that. "We didn't keep anything out based on what Randy wanted." (CNN)

Gongaware said there were 15,000 tickets per show, $1.5 million in tickets per show, $47 million for all 31 shows. Tickets were selling at lightening fast, Gongaware said. "As fast as the system can sell.". The tickets were sold in March, Gongaware said. It was held by the arena, AEG had control of the money. Gongaware said merchandising was another way of making money. The building, which is owned by AEG, would keep the revenue of beverage sold. Gongaware said the beverage money would offset the arena rent, which Michael would not have to pay. Gongaware: His (MJ) potential was great Panish: Unlimited ceilings? Gongaware: If he was willing to work that hard, he would've done well. (ABC7)

Before lunch, Panish asked Gongaware whether “This Is It” was intended to be a multi-city tour. Gongaware said no, it was just going to be the 50 shows at London’s O2 arena. (AP) "The only thing we knew was 50 shows in London. Michael had not agreed to anything else," Gongaware explained. (ABC7)

Panish asked Gongaware by the time the show was sold out, how many people were in the queue to buy tickets. "250,000 people were still in the queue, which would be enough to sell another 50 shows," Gongaware answered (ABC7) During Murray’s trial, Gongaware testified that 250k people still wanted tickets. He told that jury “This Is It” would be a multi-city tour. (AP)

Panish: Did you tell the truth when you testified in this case, sir? Gongaware: Yes Panish then concluded his questioning of Gongaware. (ABC7)



AEG cross

AEG's attorney, Marvin Putnam, did the questioning of Gongaware on behalf of the defendants.

Putnam: Have you ever been sued personally for the wrongful death of anyone? Gongaware: No
Putnam: How are you feeling?
Gongaware: It's difficult, it's very stressful
Putnam: Are you nervous?
Gongaware: Yes (ABC7)

Putnam asked about Gongaware's memory and he said it's okay. (ABC7)

When AEG defense attorney Marvin Putnam took over, he asked Gongaware about some of the emails shown to jurors yesterday. Putnam was trying to show that not all the contents of the emails had been shown to jury. Some email addresses had been redacted. Attorney Brian Panish objected to the redactions, and got testy with the judge. It prompted another lengthy sidebar. When attorneys returned from the judge's chambers, Putnam resumed questioning Gongaware about email sent to his private account. (AP)

Putnam said Gongaware handed over more than 13,000 emails in discovery from the "This Is It" period. (ABC7 &AP)

Putnam inquired about Gongaware's Kazoodi personal email account. On 6/20/09, the chain of emails with "Trouble at the Front" was sent there. Gongaware said he didn't remember receiving this email. Gongaware said he had more than one "Kazoodi" email account. He said he was not using the account the email was sent to on 6/20. "The account was closed at the time," Gongaware testified, saying he never received the email. But he said he never denied it was sent. Gongaware claimed yesterday was the first time he saw the chain of email subject Trouble at the Front. (ABC7)

He presented Gongaware a document that indicated the private email account had been closed at the time a message sent him an MJ-related msg. The email in question was titled "trouble at the Front" and included concerns about Michael Jackson's health. Gongaware had testified that he'd never seen it. Putnam used the closed email account to try to show Gongaware's testimony was truthful (AP).

"Why could you not recall e-mails?" Putnam asked him Thursday. "I had not reviewed them and had not seen them in years," Gongaware answered. Some of the e-mails were new to him because he was so busy putting Jackson's tour together that he never read them, he said. "Mostly, it was just a time factor if it was something that didn't have to do with me."(CNN)

Gongaware said he was receiving hundreds of email a day at the height of 2008/09 tour preparation. Gongaware testified he didn't read all of them because of time factor or it was something it didn't have to do with him. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he doesn't have an office at AEG, and that he works in his own projects. He has an office at his house. Gongaware is the Co-CEO of AEG Live Concerts West with John Meglen. He said he was the co-founder of the company. Phillips is AEG Live CEO. (ABC7)

Gongaware explained be has been testifying about what he could recall. If he didn't remember, he said he told the jury he couldn't recall. Gongaware testified he looked at the emails after his deposition because he wanted to put everything together and see the bigger picture. Putnam: Did you try to give your best testimony? Gongaware: Yes, I did (ABC7)

Regarding the phone call between Gongaware and Dr. Murray where the doctor asked about $5 million, Gongaware said he remembers that call. The next call between the two, it was the $150,000 call, where Gongaware offered the doctor $150k. Gongaware said those were the only two calls he had with Dr. Murray. (ABC7)

Gongaware said the 1st time he met Dr. Murray was a meeting at MJ's Carolwood house. He said MJ, Kenny, Randy, Frank, Dr Murray were present. Gongaware recalled the other meeting with Dr. Murray was an encounter with him at The Forum. He remembers saying hello to him. Gongaware said he's sure he didn't meet with Dr. Murray other than on those two occasions.(ABC7)

Break down: Gongaware said he spoke with Dr. Murray on the phone two times and met with him two times. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he promoted couple of shows/dances in college. He graduated in '69 from Waynesboro College in Pennsylvania in Accounting. Gongaware worked for Arthur Andersen in NYC after college as auditor. He said one needed two years of experience in order to get CPA license.The company ended up shutting down after being involved in the Enron scandal, Gongaware explained. Gongaware said there's a continuing education requirement in order to maintain his CPA license, but he hasn't kept current. "I didn't like that work," Gongaware said about leaving the practice. "I wanted to do things and not just being an accountant." Gongaware said he ski bummed for a winter and would do bookkeeping to pay for his lodge. After, he promoted the Grateful Dead at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Gongaware said he didn't know the band, cold called them & got the work. (ABC7) His first big show was in Colorado -- he got The Grateful Dead to perform at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. He said he didn't know the band or any of its managers, but asked them to come to Colorado. They did, and the show was a hit. (AP) The concert was sold out, Gongaware said, and he became an independent promoter. Around 1975, he met Terry Bassett who worked at Concerts West and Gongaware went to work for them in their Seattle's office. He worked for them for about 10 years. Gongaware said he went to work for the company because the money was steady. At Concerts West, Gongaware worked with Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, Beach Boys, Chicago, Eric Clapton, among others. This Concerts West is not the same he is the currently the co-CEO. Jerry Weintraub was Elvis' promoter and Concerts West assigned him to work with Colonel Parker, Elvis' manager. (ABC7)

On Jun 25, 2009 Gabriel Sutter (a tech guy) wrote Gongaware a condolences email. "It was such an incredible shock to go through that experience," Gongaware explained. Gongaware's response on July 5, 2009: I was working on the Elvis tour when he died so I kind of knew what to expect. Still, quite a shock.(ABC7) Gongaware's response: "I was working for Elvis when he died so nothing came at me that I didn’t expect. Still, quite a shock."(AP) "You have all these people out of work," Gongaware explained. "At the Elvis some were without jobs permanently."(ABC7) Under questioning from Putnam, Gongaware said he didn't mean that he expected Jackson to die like Elvis. He was referring to the trauma of people losing their jobs because a tour is canceled, he said. (CNN) Putnam: When you wrote the email, did you expected MJ to die? Gongaware: No, not all P: Did you ever consider the idea MJ would die? G: No (ABC7) AEG defense attorney Marvin Putnam asked Gongaware whether he meant that he expected Jackson to die. Gongaware said no. Gongaware said he was referring to people working on the tour who would lose their jobs, and the estate taking control over MJ's legacy. (AP) Here's what Gongaware had to say about the role of the estate after Elvis died (and what he expected after Jackson's death.) Gongaware: "Then the estate takes over, and everything’s different. You have nothing to say about anything." (AP)

When one of his friends asked about his plans after MJ's death, Gongaware replied he was "trying to recover our losses from the show." (AP)

"MJ died of overdose of Propofol," Gongaware testified. He didn't die of being sick or malnutrition, Gongaware said. "It was overdose of Propofol." Gongaware said he had no idea of what Propofol was. (ABC7) "I had no idea" Jackson was using propofol in the weeks before his death, Gongaware testified. (CNN)

Gongaware was in his 20s when he worked w/ Elvis. He said when they'd announce Elvis concert, there would be lines at the box office 4 days. Gongaware said Colonel would buy ads on every radio station and promote the show. When tickets went on sale, Gongaware was to report to Colonel every hour regarding the ticket sales.(ABC7) Gongaware said he would update Parker on ticket sales for Elvis' shows. (AP) Gongaware said Elvis died of a heart ailment. ((On Tuesday, Gongaware testified Presley died of drug overdose)). Gongaware said he never met Elvis. At a point, Gongaware said Elvis was not performing. "The Colonel was keeping Elvis from work.".Gongaware said he came to find out later, after Elvis' death, that the artist had drug problems. (ABC7)

Although he worked advance promotion on Elvis Presley's last tours -- under the direction of Presley manager Colonel Tom Parker -- Gongaware testified he never met Presley.
"Did you understand he had a problem with drugs?" AEG lawyer Marvin Putnam asked.
"I understood that later," Gongaware said. "There was a period of time when we didn't work. I didn't understand at the time, but I learned that it was a drug problem and the Colonel said he couldn't work."(CNN)

Elvis Presley's death became a controversy at the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial as a man who promoted both artists' last tours testified.AEG Live Co-CEO Paul Gongaware testified Wednesday that Presley died of a drug overdose, but when his own lawyer questioned him Thursday he changed his testimony to say Elvis died of a heart ailment. Presley collapsed in the bathroom of his Memphis, Tennessee, mansion -- Graceland -- on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. While his death was ruled the result of an irregular heartbeat, the autopsy report was sealed amid accusations that abuse of prescription drugs caused the problem.How Presley died is relevant because Jackson lawyers argue Gongaware's experience as Elvis's promoter should have made him more aware of drug abuse by artists, including Michael Jackson. (CNN)

Gongaware said he worked on MJ's memorial service. He was in charge of the tickets and worked closely with the family. He said he didn't charge for his work. Putnam: Why did you work at the memorial service? Gongaware: It was the right thing to do (ABC7)

Gongaware left Seattle and came to LA to work at Concerts West. He then went to Warner Miller Films. The company did primarily ski movies. Around 1992, Gongaware went to work on the "Dangerous" tour with MJ. This was his first time working with Michael Jackson. He worked with the Jacksons in 2000. But he remembered working on a tour with the Jacksons prior to 92 and said MJ was part of the group. "I was the tour manager, handled the logistics and travel for the B party," Gongaware said, adding he worked for MJ but not for A party. A party - artist B party - band and administration C party - crew D party - documentary people. Gongaware said there were several legs on Dangerous tour. It was a worldwide tour. He never met MJ on that tour, saw him on stage few times.(ABC7)

The first time Gongaware met MJ was in Las Vegas when he was visiting Colonel Parker. Steve Wynn's brother called and said MJ wanted to meet Colonel. Gongaware stayed and met MJ.(ABC7)

Putnam: Were there any doctors in that tour? Gongaware: Yes, two. Gongaware said Dr. Forecast was MJ's personal doctor. He didn't think Dr. Forecast treated anyone else, so they had Dr. Finkelstein also. Dr. Finkelstein, a general practitioner, was in the B party. They went to places where they didn't know the quality of local healthcare. Gongaware explained Dr. Finkelstein treated B, C and D parties. Gongaware said he did not see any doctor treat MJ. Dr. Finkelstein told Gongaware he treated MJ two times. Dr. Forecast wasn't in Bangkok yet, so Dr. Finkelstein treated him when he needed. The King of Thailand said MJ would have to do the second show because his friends were attending, Gongaware recalled. Gongaware said the King put armed guards outside their doors to make sure they didn't leave.(ABC7)

Putnam: During the Dangerous tour, have you come to have an understating that MJ had a problem with drugs or painkillers? Gongaware: No. The Dangerous tour in 93 was cut short in Mexico City, Gongaware said. He learned it had to do with drug addiction because MJ announced it. "My friends and doctors advised me to seek professional guidance immediately in order to eliminate what has become an addition. It is time for me to acknowledge my need for treatment " MJ said. Putnam played the audio with MJ's statement. (ABC7)

---------------------------

Court is a half day Friday between the hours of 9 AM to 1 PM.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 21 – May 31 2013 – Summary

Katherine and Rebbie Jackson are at court.


Paul Gongaware

AEG Cross

Putnam asked Gongaware if he had any understanding as to why MJ was taking painkiller. Gongaware: Before 3rd leg of Dangerous tour started, he had scalp surgery, hit nerve or something it was very painful; was treated for that . "When he did the Pepsi commercial, his hair was burn at the top," Gongaware explained, saying they did surgery so hair would look natural. "I didn't know it was an addiction," Gongaware said, and that he learned MJ had drug problems after Mexico City. (ABC7)

Gongaware did a Rod Stewart tour in North America after Dangerous tour. He next worked with Michael in the "HIStory" tour in 1996/97. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he did not have a general concern with MJ having a drug addiction. After shows ended in Hawaii, Michael had lost $27 million, was in debt $11 million to lighting and sound, Gongaware testified. He switched managers to fixed things up in yhe second half of the tour, Gongaware explained. Gongaware said he had to cut lot of expenses. They wanted to give Michael the same show, but he said there was so much excess to be trimmed. Second half of the tour, Gongaware was the tour executive and he worked directly for MJ. It netted $14 million, $11 million paid vendors. We got the tour to break even, Gongaware testified, saying he worked closely with Jackson on the second half of the tour.(ABC7)

Putnam: Was there an ongoing concern Mr. Jackson was having problems with painkillers during the HIStory tour? Gongaware: No, not at all . Gongaware said he didn't see anything that would suggest Michael was addicted to painkillers. The exec testified MJ didn't have doctor traveling with him on the second half of the tour and there was no tour doctor with the tour. Putnam: How was MJ on the HIStory tour? Gongaware: Great! He was sensational! Gongaware said MJ only missed one show on HIStory tour when Princess Diana died. "He went to bed, knew about the accident.". MJ was told Diana was going to be okay and next morning he learned she died, Gongaware described. "That affected him greatly." Gongaware said he missed shows in Dangerous tour but not in HIStory tour. Putnam asked if there were signs MJ was using painkillers during HIStory tour. "No indication at all. I didn't think he was," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he would certainly notice if there was any problem during that tour. Gongaware said when he went on tour with MJ in HIStory, he wasn't on any drug. (ABC7) Gongaware also said he didn’t recall a doctor being on that tour, despite doctors being present on “Dangerous” tour. (AP)

Gongaware said HIStory tour was pretty smooth. It ended in 1997. Right after, Gongaware said Michael called him as asked him to work for him. "He liked my work, he liked what I did," Gongaware said, adding that MJ wanted him to be his business manager. Gongaware said he didn't accept the offer and decided to go out on his own to promote concerts. He was tempted, Gongaware said, but he had lined up what he wanted to do. He worked with Yani next. (ABC7) Instead, Gongaware went on tour with Yanni. “It was tempting, but I wanted to do other things. I wanted to be out on my own,” he said. (AP)

AEG defense attorney Marvin Putnam then asked Gongaware to describe the founding of his company, and its purchase by AEG. Gongaware had co-founded a new version of a company called Concerts West. After it was sold, it became AEG Live. (AP) Gongaware and his partner, John Meglen, created Concerts West in the late 90s. Concerts West started out with concerts of Andrea Bocceli, Mariah Carrey, Eagles and Millennium at Staples Center. AEG acquired the assets of Concerts West around 2000, Gongaware said, and Concerts West became AEG Live. Randy Phillips is AEG's CEO.Gongaware said he made a deal that requires him to work only half time starting this year. (ABC7)

Putnam then asked Gongaware about plaintiffs’ contention that AEG was desperate for “This Is It” because it wanted to pass rival Live Nation. “It’s so much bigger,” AEG Live exec Paul Gongaware said of Live Nation. “It is so much more complicated.” He said that Live Nation has to find artists to fill the many venues it owns, and that AEG Live doesn’t have that issue. (AP) Gongaware said AEG Live is the second largest concert promoter company. Live Nation is the first. "Our philosophy is different," Gongaware said, adding they choose what they want to do, whereas Live Nation has to meet their quota. Putnam: Wounded you like to be number 1? Gongaware: No. It's so much bigger, it gets so much more complex. I'm happy being a good number 2 (ABC7)

Next time Gongaware worked with MJ was in "This Is It" tour. Peter Lopez, MJ's attorney, called Gongaware's partner in 2007, asked to meet. From 97 to 2009, MJ did not do any touring, only a couple of shows. Gongaware said he went to Vegas to meet with Michael in 2007. The meeting was to discuss how AEG did tours, didn't talk about MJ touring. They met again in 2008 also in Vegas. "Paul Gongaware! I knew that if you came, things were going to be ok," Michael said about him. (ABC7) Gongaware said Jackson remembered him and told him re: “HIStory” tour, “Whenever I saw you, I knew things were going to be OK.” (AP)

Putnam asked about Gongaware’s use of the term “Mikey” to describe Jackson. Gongaware said he used it with Jackson. He described Jackson as getting in playful moods, and that’s when he would call Jackson “Mikey.” Said he wasn’t mocking him. (AP) Mikey was not meant as insult, Gongaware said. He was not trying to mock him, would use Mikey in person with MJ. (ABC7)

Putnam: Did he seem thin in 07? Gongaware: Yes, he was always thin
Putnam: Did he seem to have a problem with painkillers? Gongaware: No P: Did he seem to be under the influence? G: No (ABC7)

Gongaware said MJ was alert, engaged, interested on what was going on in the meeting in 2007. He wanted to do a King Tut mini-movie. The next meeting with MJ was in NY. Gongaware didn't remember what they discussed. Sometime in 08, they began discussion of MJ going back on tour. Dr. Tohme, MJ's manager, approached AEG. Randy Phillips was primarily the one involved in the discussions with Dr. Tohme and Peter Lopez regarding the comeback tour. The meeting in 2008 began with discussion of a possible MJ exhibit at the Hilton in Las Vegas. (ABC7)

Colony Capital is an investment company that bought the note of Neverland, Gongaware said. By 'note' he meant the 'mortgage'. Neverland was MJ's residence in Santa Barbara, Gongaware explained. "They (Colony) were trying to figure out what to do with Neverland." (ABC7)

Gongaware talked about being at MJ's house at Carolwood when the singer signed the contract with AEG for the "This Is It" tour. Michael read everything in the contract, Gongaware said. He remembered MJ being engaged, alert and paying attention. "He was good." "I felt great about it," Gongaware said. "It was a MJ tour, it was a great thing." Gongaware said he watched Michael pretty carefully in the meetings, he knew MJ went to rehab, but he didn't see any signs of drug problems. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he was aware of the physical exam done on Jackson after the signing of the tour.Email on 2/11/09 from Bob Taylor to Gongaware: Thanks Paul. I now have the medical and blood reports. Look good. I now need more info of what is available. This will help with the presentation to the insurers. Another request from insurance broker: I would like to offer insurers a medical update say every 21 days. Response from Gongaware: I'm not ready to put anything in writing. Gongaware said it was because he didn't have the answers. Gongaware said he did not have concerns with MJ abusing prescription drugs. "It just confirmed what I believed, that he was fine. He wasn't doing any drugs," Gongaware said about the results of Mj's physical exam. (ABC7) A February 2009 email between him and the insurance broker showed that insurers wanted med checkups on Jackson every 21 days. The broker also wanted details on the concert set, dates, and other details that Gongaware said weren't decided on yet. “The back to back shows WILL be a problem,” the broker wrote Gongaware. Suggested adding them in after Jackson started performing shows. (AP)

AEG produced/promoted TII tour. "We needed to front all the money," Gongaware said. "He didn't have the money, so he needed us to do it." Tohme, MJ's manager, told AEG about needing the money. Gongaware said Tohme emphasized several times that Michael needed to make money.Gongaware said MJ and Ortega figured out the creative elements they wanted and Gongaware had to figure out how to make those them happen. Gongaware said the initial phase of rehearsal was done at Center Staging in Burbank, but venue didn't have room for production elements. They moved rehearsals to The Forum, which didn't have high ceiling to hang the lights. Then they moved to Staples Center. (ABC7)

After the morning break, Gongaware said MJ chose "This Is It" tour as the name because it was going to be his last. Gongaware said they weren't sure how MJ tour would do. "Because of the kid thing, we wanted 2 go 2 the strongest market and that as London". Gongaware: You never know what kind of business a tour will do. We had no idea the demand, we wanted to make sure it was successful. Initially, they had 31 shows scheduled. Gongaware said Prince had done 21 shows at the O2 arena, and Michael wanted to do 10 more. "You didn't know what the ticket sales would be," Gongaware said. So they announced only 10 shows to test the waters. "Demand was there obviously in the presale," Gongaware said. He talked to Tohme, asked for more than 50 shows. Tohme said MJ would do 50. (ABC7)

On March 5, 2009, MJ held a press conference in front of O2 arena and announced the comeback tour. Gongaware was present. MJ was not on time, late a couple of hours. Gongaware said it didn't surprise him since MJ didn't like to do those things (press conference) Gongaware was a little annoyed but not surprised, he testified, "MJ came up to me, gave me big hug, whispered in my ear 'make sure the TelePrompTer has big words, I don't have my glasses'" Gongaware said. Putnam: Did he seem inebriated? Gongaware: No P: Drunk? G: No P: Smelled like alcohol? G: No. Gongaware thought the presser was great. "The reaction of the press was really good, I think people liked he was returning." Gongaware said they asked people to register on a website and only people registered could get into the presale to purchase tickets. He said that based on the response, they knew the tour was going to be a major successful. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he was annoyed but not surprised when Jackson showed up a couple hours late.

“Michael really doesn’t like to do those things," Gongaware testified. "His schedules don’t always run like clockwork."

The tour announcement took place at the O2. When Jackson saw Gongaware backstage, "he came up to me and gave me a big hug and said, 'Make sure the teleprompter has big words. I don’t have my glasses.'”

Gongaware said Jackson did not smell of alcohol or appear drunk.

“He was good," the AEG executive testified. "I think he was excited." (LATimes)

One day after that, Gongaware said MJ called him to discuss the tour. He said Michael chose Kenny Ortega to direct the show. MJ liked special effects, Gongaware said. He put together presentation for Michael with latest effects and made MJ promise he would show up. Demonstration was on 3/16/09 at Sony Studios. It had 3D on LED that was never done before, pyro and new type of flame. Putnam showed clip of TII documentary where they ave the pyro effects that were going to be used. "Jackson loved it," Gongaware said, adding MJ didn't seem to be bothered with pyro usage. Gongaware said there was a pretty cool water fountain effect shown and not used. "It was messy," he described. In the demonstratiin, MJ was great, Gongaware said. "He was really engaged, as he saw all the effects he got really excited." Gongaware said he had no concern MJ had drug problems, didn't seem slow or lethargic in March of 2009. A meeting was scheduled for March 17, 09. Gongaware emailed MJ's assistant that only MJ and Kenny Ortega should be in that meeting. MJ and Ortega were the creative forces and needed to find the show's path before including everyone else, Gongaware explained. (ABC7)

Regarding Kenny Ortega watching out for MJ's health, Gongaware said no one at AEG asked him to do that. Gongaware thought Ortega watched MJ out because they were friends and worked together. (ABC7)

----------------------------------------------------

Gongaware will join The Rolling Stones tour this weekend, but will return on Monday to resume testifying.
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 22 – June 3 2013 – Summary

No Jackson family member was at the courthouse.


Paul Gongaware

AEG cross

Putnam asked Gongaware if MJ was comfortable with all the show dates. "Yes, I went through all of the dates with him," Gongaware said. Bugzee, the tour manager, had big calendar on the walls, Gongaware explained, saying they changed the dates of the shows four times. As to the email about changing coloring on calendar so it didn't look MJ was working too hard Putnam asked if he was trying to fool MJ. "No, I was trying to make it clear, trying to get it just the way I wanted it," Gongaware responded. (ABC7) The jury was shown an email in which Gongaware worked with a staffer to create a calendar to show Jackson. He wanted colors changed. He wanted the calendar to be changed so that it reflected Jackson's show dates and off days differently. Gongaware email: “Figure it out so it looks like he’s not working so much.” He told jury Jackson was comfortable with the show schedule. (AP)

After changing 4 show dates Gongaware said MJ was comfortable with it. He would do 8 shows in July, 10 in August, 9 in September. There would be no shows in October, November and December, resuming with 10 shows in January, 10 in February and three in March. Gongaware said the O2 Arena had previous commitment in Oct-Dec of 2009 and they could not have the MJ's concerts. (ABC7) In July 2009 there were 8 shows scheduled, 10 in August and 9 in September. Then they’d take rest of ’09 off. In Jan. and February of 2010, there were 10 shows planned per month. Three were planned in March 2010. No back-to-back shows. Gongaware said this wasn’t a rigorous schedule since there would be no traveling. On “HIStory” tour, he said they did 10-12 shows per month (AP)

Putnam: Was this a rigorous schedule? Gongaware: No, not at all. Gongaware recalled that on the HIStory tour they did 10-12 shows per month, from country to country, but this one would stay in London only. Gongaware said he wasn't concerned with MJ's age. "He seemed great to me," he said, and this was stationary show, didn't have to travel. (ABC7)

Gongaware: The reason MJ wanted to delay the 1st show was he wanted more time to rehearse in the O2 Arena where the show would take place. Gongaware said MJ and Kenny Ortega would decide the rehearsal schedule. Gongaware explained MJ didn't have to attend rehearsals, since it was not part of his deal. He said they never require an artist to rehearse. "I didn't have any expectation," Gongaware said regarding MJ rehearsing.(ABC7) Gongaware said there wasn’t a requirement for Jackson to rehearse. Said he’s never seen a requirement for musicial artist to rehearse. (AP) He said that during the HIStory tour, MJ didn't rehearse, nailed it. "When it was game time, he would show up," Gongaware explained. (ABC7) For instance, Gongaware cited an outdoor concert in Bangkok in in high heat, humidity. “He nailed it,” he said of Jackson. Gongaware: “When it was kind of game time, he was going to show up,” he said of Jackson's London shows. (AP)

As to the email Gongaware wrote about calling MJ lazy, he said he used unfortunate choices of words, Michael didn't like to rehearse. (ABC7)

Putnam: Why weren't you concerned? Gongaware: When the house lights would go up, he would show up (ABC7)

Talking about the elements of the show, Gongaware described what they wanted to do for the opening of the show. He said Michael would be dressed up in a LED suit, like a television, flashing on him brief movie about things that happened in history. Michael would be lower down onto the stage, Gongaware described. He called the LED suit a "Moon man" suit, but Ortega called it "Light man." Putnam showed a presentation of how the LED suit idea would work. Footage is not on TII documentary because it was early stages of prep. Gongaware said 1st idea was to make MJ float from the audience, but they couldn't make it work. So they decided to lower him down on stage. Gongaware said the big screen on the back of the stage was 3D capable. The audience would be given glasses when they entered the show. The 3D songs would be Thriller, Earth Song and Smooth Criminal. Email from Ortega to Gongaware saying MJ had big dreams for the shows. "He wanted to do biggest, best show ever, live show," Gongaware said. (ABC7)

Putnam showed email chain from Ortega to Gongaware asking to make a deal with choreographer Travis Payne. Answer from Gongaware: This is not AEG money, it's MJ's money so it takes a lot of time to get approvals. (ABC7)

Defendants were trying to establish a pattern that all the money spent was actually MJ's money, not AEG's, just like with Dr. Murray. (ABC7)

At one point Gongaware said he learned from MJ about doctor named Murray. "He came to me and said he wanted his personal doctor on the tour". Gongaware said he suggested to Michael to get a licensed doctor in London who would know the lay of the land, in case of need. "This is the machine, we have to take care of the machine. I want Conrad," Gongaware said Michael responded. (ABC7) “He came up to me and said he wanted to take Dr. Murray to London as his personal physician,” Paul Gongaware testified. When Gongaware suggested during the late April 2009 conversation it would be easier and cheaper to use an English doctor, Jackson vetoed the idea. Gongaware said Jackson told him, "'This is the machine. We have to take care of the machine.' I think what he meant was his brain could create it but his body had to deliver the show every night.” (LATimes)

Putnam: Were you surprised he wanted to take his doctor on tour? Gongaware: No P: Why not? G: He had doctors before. Gongaware said other artists take doctors as well, so he was not the only one and it didn't surprise him. Gongaware said he's been on tour before where an artist had chiropractors, but couldn't remember being in one with a doctor. (ABC7)

Putnam: Did you worry MJ might have a health issue? Gongaware: No P: Why not? G: He seemed fine to me, had a physical and passed. (ABC7)

Gongaware said the suggestion for London doctor was due to the cost; paying doctor full time was much more expensive than hiring local doctor. As to MJ asking to take care of the machine, Gongaware said he understood it to be that every night MJ would have to do be ready to perform. Gongaware said Dr. Murray treated MJ for about three years before 2009. He knew the doctor was from Las Vegas but said he was in LA. Gongaware said he then called Dr. Murray to work out a deal. Gongaware testified he didn't have MJ's direct phone number, would go through Michael Amir Williams, MJ's personal assistant, to reach him. Gongaware called Murray on behalf of MJ saying singer wanted to take him to London. "What do you want to be paid for that," Gongaware asked. Gongaware said he thought Dr. Murray was expecting his call and was aware of MJ's desire to take him on tour. "He said he would need $5 million," Gongaware recalled. "He said he has 4 clinics to close, would lay off people, need $5 million for that." "It was ridiculous," Gongaware said about the amount asked. "It was a lot of money for something like that and Michael could not afford it." Gongaware said he responded that it wasn't going to work. (ABC7) “I asked him what he wanted." Gongaware testified. "He said he’d need $5 million." Murray told Gongaware that he'd have to shut down his clinics in Houston, Las Vegas and San Diego and lay people off. Asked by AEG attorney Marvin Putnam if Murray's price was reasonable, Gongaware replied, “It was ridiculous… Michael couldn’t afford it, so I had to tell him it wasn’t going to work.” (LATimes) He said this was the first time he spoke with Dr. Murray. After that, Gongaware said he told Michael Amir and Randy Phillips what the doctor had asked. He also told Frank DiLeo. Putnam: Would you be doing this if Michael had not asked you? Gongaware: No . (ABC7)

Putnam: Did you contemplate bringing a doctor on tour? Gongaware: I didn't think he needed one, we didn't have one in History, he was fine. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he called Michael Amir Williams to report back to MJ what the doctor had asked to go on tour. "We couldn't afford it," Gongaware said. He spoke with Phillips and called Frank DiLeo, MJ's manager at the time. Gongaware said a lot of people who wanted to work for MJ asked for huge sums of money, thinking he had a lot. (ABC7)

"He was Michael's doctor, Michael wanted him. That was it," Gongaware said. (ABC7)

Putnam: Did you think about checking the doctor?
Gongaware: No
P: Why not?
G: He was Michael's doctor (ABC7)

" I'm not going to tell Michael Jackson who his doctor should be," Gongaware explained. (ABC7) "It wasn't my place to say who his doctor was going to be," Gongaware said. "It was his decision." (AP)

Gongaware said he doesn't think a doctor's financial situation has anything to do with being an ethical doctor. Gongaware said it never crossed his mind to either do a background check on Dr. Murray or to suggest to anyone to do it. "I just expect doctors to be ethical, the financial side of their lives shouldn't have impact on their medical decision," Gongaware opined. (ABC7) Paul Gongaware testified that he didn't think it was necessary to conduct background checks on anyone working closely with Jackson. He said in Conrad Murray's case, he wasn't concerned about his background because he'd been recommended by the entertainer. "I just expect doctors to be ethical," Gongaware said. "Their financial side of their life shouldn't affect their medical judgment." (AP)

Gongaware said he never did background check on anyone he hired and had he done one on Dr. Murray, it would've been out of the ordinary. (ABC7)

He also said he never considered performing background checks on Jackson's makeup artist, a choreographer who worked one-on-one with the singer or Kenny Ortega, the tour's director. "I didn't see the need for it," he said. (AP)

As how MJ was, Gongaware said he was great. He didn't think he had relapsed, was using painkillers again and said MJ had always been thin. "It wasn't surprising he wanted a doctor," Gongaware expressed. (ABC7)

Dr. Finkelstein, a friend of Gongaware, said a doctor should charge $10,000 a month for the tour work. But Dr. Finkelstein would've done it for free, since he was on the Dangerous tour before and had a lot of fun.(ABC7)

The second call about Dr. Murray came from Michael Amir Williams saying they were going to need to get a deal done for the doctor. Gongaware said he heard MJ in the car saying "offer 150, offer 150." Gongaware understood that to be $150k/month. Gongaware called Dr. Murray, said he was authorized to offer him $150k a month. He said Dr. Murray responded that he couldn't do it for that. Gongaware told him the offer came directly from the artist and Dr. Murray responded: I'll take it. Gongaware said Michael approved the amount of compensation. "Michael told me offer 150," Gongaware recalled. "And that's what I did." Gongaware inquired Dr. Murray how he would get a license in London and the doctor told him not to worry about it. They talked about Dr. Murray's request for a house in London, and the doctor said he would need a three bedroom house. Gongaware recalled Dr. Murray saying he would probably need an assistant and some equipment, but no details were given at this point. After the call, Gongaware said he let Michael Amir Williams know what the result was in an email. "Done at 150k per month, per MJ." Gongaware said this was a message for MJ, that he had done what he asked. He didn't receive any response back from Michael Amir Williams. (ABC7) Gongaware wrote a May 6, 2009, email to Jackson's assistant after cutting the deal with Murray: “done at $150k per month, per MJ. He needs about 10 days to wind down his practice then he will be full time.” Gongaware said the email was a message to Jackson "that I had done what he asked." (LAtimes)

Asked why he had negotiated with Murray, the AEG executive replied that he was "instructed to by Michael Jackson." Gongaware said there was no other reason for him to deal with the doctor. Marvin Putnam asked Gongaware why he didn't tell Jackson he couldn't take Murray on tour with him."Because he could if he wanted," Gongaware said. (LAtimes)

Gongaware said he passed Dr. Murray on to Timm Wooley, never had any other conversation with Dr. Murray about him possibly going to London. Putnam: Do you have any understanding as to whether a contract with Dr. Murray was executed?
Gongaware: One never was
Putnam: Did AEG pay Dr. Murray any kind of money?
Gongaware: No (ABC7)

Gongaware said MJ was ultimately responsible for his own health: "I think everyone is responsible for their own health and well being." MJ was a grown man with capability to make decisions regarding his health and medical care, Gongaware explained. (ABC7)

Putnam showed Gongaware a frame from “This Is It” film in which Jackson’s manager, Frank Dileo, was sitting in on dancer auditions. (AP) Dancers auditions took place at the Nokia Theater on April 13, 14, 15. MJ attended the last day and made the final decision, Gongaware said. Putnam played a clip of the dancers audition. Gongaware said MJ was very involved and chose the dancers. Gongaware said Ortega wanted to film the audition to use fresh footage on http://michaeljacksonlive.com. The cost for crew to shoot the audition was very high, so Gongaware bought couple of cameras and use his own crew to shoot the rehearsals. He said he wasn't sure what he would use the video for, but thought the website would be a good platform. (ABC7)

Gongaware said during the period at Center Staging, MJ was good, engaging, didn't think MJ had any health issues or was using drugs. (ABC7)

Gongaware said the media in the UK was going wild with gossip about Michael Jackson. "They just lie about things.". The Sun claimed MJ had skin cancer on his chest. "It was sport over in London," Gongaware said about MJ's stories on tabloids.(ABC7) Gongaware testified about emails in which UK press agents working on “This Is It” sent him tabloid reports on MJ’s health. Gongaware said he urged the press agents not to respond. He wanted Jackson’s performance to speak for itself & silence skeptics. (AP)

Gongaware was shown emails he was sent less than a month before Jackson's death in which tabloid newspapers were speculating the singer was suffering from cancer.
Gongaware urged his company not to respond. "Our redemption will be when he does his shows," he wrote about Jackson. "We don't have to sell tickets, so we can just sit back and prove them wrong by just doing it." (AP)

Gongaware on 5/27/09:
The Kid is healthy and rehearsing every day. He was still there at dance rehearsals at 9pm last night when I left. Our redemption will be when he does his shows, that makes all of this build up so damn sweet. We don't have to sell tickets, so we can just sit back and prove them wrong by just doing it. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he was not concerned. "If there was something going on, if he had cancer, we would've heard about it." He said if the rumor about the cancer were true, they would've to deal with a lot to accommodate the shows. Gongaware said while they were rehearsing at Center Staging, he was not concerned with MJ's health. (ABC7)

Michael Jackson rehearsal venues: Mar 28- Center Staging, May 27- Forum ,June 23 - Staples Center , July 13 - O2 Arena (ABC7)

Putnam also asked Gongaware about an incident Karen Faye testified about, that she heard PG yelling at MJ's assistant one day. The incident occurred while "This Is It" rehearsals were happening at The Forum in LA. Faye claimed she heard Gongaware yelling about Jackson being late to a rehearsal and told his assistant to get him there. "Never, never happened," Gongaware said, shaking his head. (AP) Gongaware said he never told security guard to get MJ to rehearsals, whatever it takes. He said he never told anyone to get MJ 2 rehearsals. (ABC7)

Putnam went through chain of email about tabloid reports in the UK regarding MJ. In one, it said MJ had asked AEG to reduce the number of shows by half. Gongaware said that such a discussion never happened. Gongaware testified he woke up to one gossip headline pretty much every day. His idea was simply to ignore the tabloids. An amazing show would be the answer, Gongaware said. (ABC7)

Gongaware: “With MJ we don’t’ have to react to the press. We can decide what we want to do and then do it.” His email continued laying out his strategy: “We can only make this work, of course, if MJ puts on the best show of his life.” Gongaware: “I’m here to tell you that he will. I have seen it for myself,” he said of Jackson's performances. He described a rehearsal in which MJ performed 9 songs. Gongaware: “He was amazing, captivating, riveting. And he’s just getting started.” (AP)

Gongaware on 6/5/09 in response to Sunday Mirror Query: "We can only make this work, of course, if MJ puts on the best show of his life. I'm here to tell you that be will. I have seen it for myself. Last night he ran 9 songs with full band, singers and dancers. Sang every one, he was amazing, captivating, riveting. And he's just getting started. Taking it one step further. When people realize that bulls**t the press has been, they will be in receptive mood for the truth Hey look. No skin cancer. He's just a good dad, loving raising his kids. His art and his craft are paramount. Email cont'd: A gentile, loving man who does care about people. (ABC7)

"The shows were going to be spectacular," Gongaware said. Putnam showed clip of MJ in front of green screen with 11 dancers, who would become 11,000. Gongaware said MJ was great at this point. (ABC7)

Gongaware was shown some “This Is It” film footage. He denied any footage was taken out or altered. He was asked about CEO Randy Phillips’ email where he described Jackson in a red leather jacket and looking like a skeleton. Clip from “Thriller” mini-movie shoot for “This Is It” was played for jury, and Jackson was there, wearing red leather jacket. He denied that “This Is It” feature film presented a skewed vision of Michael Jackson. (AP)

Regarding email Phillips sent Gongaware directing to remove MJ's "skeletal" scenes Gongaware said he didn't take anything out of the movie.
Putnam: Did you remove anything from the movie?
Gongaware: No (ABC7)

Putnam showed clip from TII with making of Thriller 3D and Jackson wearing red jacket.
Putnam: Did you try to alter in anyway how Mr. Jackson looked, appeared?
Gongaware: No
Gongaware said he didn't remember any of the footage been removed because of how MJ looked. "We just let the footage speak for itself." (ABC7)

The mini-movie of "Earth" a bulldozer would come out from a ramp in center stage. Putnam: A real bulldozer?
Gongaware: I wish, it would've been cheaper, but it would have crushed our ramps. Gongaware said they had to build the bulldozer like a prop. It would appear at the end of the song on stage. "I think the live audience would be just captivated by it," Gongaware said about the little girl running after the last plant on Earth song. (ABC7)

End of the show would be 3D animation. An airplane taxis up, door opens, Michael entered the plane. The airplane door closes, MJ would actually take an elevator down and out of the building, but plane would take off over the audience. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he didn't know if anyone was responsible for MJ's nourishment. Tour would be demanding and exhausting. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he met Dr. Murray once at MJ's Carolwood house and ran into him at The Forum during rehearsal. There was a meeting scheduled to discuss MJ's nutrition with Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega, Dr. Murray, MJ, Gongaware and DiLeo.
Putnam: Do you recall anyone in that meeting ever tell Dr. Murray how he should be treating MJ?
Gongaware: No (ABC7)

Gongaware said he didn’t have any medical training and wasn’t qualified to tell Conrad Murray how to treat Jackson. (AP)

Gongaware said neither Dr. Murray nor MJ talked about the treatment singer was receiving. The meeting was about nutrition, vitamin, therapy. Gongaware said he had no idea Dr. Murray was giving MJ Propofol and first heard of the anesthetic after Michael died. Gongaware said Dr. Murray was really engaged in the meeting, seemed like a very intelligent guy and wanted to take care of MJ very much. This was the first time Gongaware had with Dr. Murray. He said there were no signs of MJ being poorly treated by the doctor. "Michael was engaged in the meeting, attentive, seemed happy we were having this meeting," Gongaware opined. "He's a doctor, he'd know better than anybody how to treat his patient," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray. Gongaware said he was never present on any meeting where anyone told Dr. Murray how to treat MJ. (ABC7)

As to Gongaware's email saying AEG, not MJ, paid Dr Murray he said he mistaken. "We wouldn't pay his salary, we'd advance Michael's money". Gongaware said he didn't remember writing/receiving the email, but never denied he did it. "Michael Jackson would be paying his salary, but AEG would advance the money," Gongaware testified. (ABC7)

As to MJ being habitual late, Gongaware said the singer worked on his own schedule, did things his way. (ABC7)

Gongaware said his understanding was that MJ hired a trainer of his choice, Louis (Lou) Ferrigno. "I made the deal with him (Ferrigno). He was supposed to be paid certain amount of money per session," Gongaware said. (ABC7) Paul Gongaware said Ferrigno was working with Jackson as a trainer. He said he negotiated Ferrigno’s deal. Gongaware: “He was to be paid ... a certain amount, per session.” He didn’t elaborate on fee, how many times he worked with MJ. (AP) Putnam showed email from Travis Payne, he suggested massage chair 2 be put in MJ's dressing room. Gongaware said it wasn't callous treatment. (ABC7)

As to Bugzee's email saying MJ needed cheeseburgers, brats and beers, Gongaware said Bugzee was joking, Bugzee cared very much for MJ. Gongaware testified he didn't recall having any concern about MJ's health/using painkillers as of Monday 6/15/09, 10 days prior to his death. (ABC7)

Gongaware was asked about several emails that have been shown before, including messages related to MJ missing rehearsal on June 19, 2009. The executive was on the East Coast for a family wedding, but responded to one message questioning why Murray wasn’t at rehearsal. Gongaware email: “Take the doctor with you. Why wasn’t he there last night?” He then explained his thinking to the jury. Gongaware: “If his patient is having is problem and he’s sick, and he’s his only patient, it seemed like he should be there.” (AP) Gongaware said on 6/19/09, he was out of town. "This is the day Michael had chills at rehearsal and was apparently sick," Gongaware recalled. "If the meeting was going to be about what happened that night, the doctor should be there," Gongaware said. Gongaware: If his patient is sick and he's your only patient, doctor should be there! (ABC7)

Gongaware said he believed MJ wanted to go on tour. He said he doesn't remember anyone talking about pulling the plug on the shows. (ABC7)

Putnam: Did anyone tell you at this point that MJ needed a drug addiction specialist?
Gongaware: No
Putnam: Did anyone tell you they were concerned with the care Dr. Murray was giving to MJ?
Gongaware: No (ABC7)

Gongaware said that on 6/20/09 he did not think MJ's health was deteriorating. Gongaware and Phillips were concerned with MJ's well being. (ABC7) With last questions of the day, AEG attorney Marvin Putnam asked Gongaware if he was concerned about Jackson’s well-being. He said yes. (AP)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 23 – June 4 2013 – Summary

Katherine was at the court with Austin Brown.

Paul Gongaware Testimony

AEG cross

He was asked about Jackson’s final two rehearsals at Staples Center. Gongaware couldn’t details about recall the first one. He said he wasn’t particularly attentive about Jackson’s health, appearance. This was 1st rehearsal after Jackson missed one 4 days earlier. (AP) Gongaware said MJ rehearsed on June 23rd. "He was fine," Gongaware described, saying his understanding was that MJ was okay. Gongaware said he wasn't being specifically attentive on the 23rd because he didn't think there was a problem with Michael. MJ rehearsed on Jun 24th. Gongaware watched "Thriller" in its entirety, it was the 1st time they were using costume. He said MJ seemed fine. (ABC7) The second rehearsal on June 24, 2009, Gongaware watched Thriller. “He was fine,” he said of Jackson. (AP)

Putnam: Was he engaged? Gongaware: Yes P: Any physical issues? G: No, I didn't see any "He did a good rehearsal," Gongaware testified. (ABC7)

On June 25th, Gongaware got a call from Randy saying he had a call from DiLeo asking him to go to MJ's house because something was going on. As Randy got to Michael's house, an ambulance was leaving and Randy followed it to the hospital, Gongaware said. "I didn't know what was going on," Gongaware said. "At that point I was apprehensive because I didn't know what was happening." Gongaware said he didn't hear anything for a while, so he called Randy to see what was going on and he said Michael had died. "I was in shock," Gongaware recalled. "The artist was gone, he just passed away. How did this happen?!". Gongaware said he no idea what caused MJ to die, never contemplated the idea of Michael Jackson dying. (ABC7) Gongaware talked very matter-of-factly about the day Jackson died. He said he heard about the death from AEG Live CEO Randy Philips. “I was in shock,” Gongaware said. “The artist was gone. He just passed away.” Gongaware said he questioned how it happened. He said he never contemplated that Jackson would die. He said he went to Staples Center, where the mood was somber. (AP) "I called Kenny right away and told him. He was at Staples Center," Gongaware recalled. "The atmosphere at Staples was very somber." (ABC7)

After MJ's passing, Gongaware said they had to shut down production. He was then involved in Jackson's memorial service. (ABC7)

Gongaware said AEG never considered having Jackson start concerts in United States, due to “all those child allegations and all that stuff.” (AP) As to why TII was happening in London, Gongaware explained it was MJ's best market. "We didn't know how strong it would be." Putnam asked Gongaware if AEG considered tour in US. "No, he had all those child allegations flying, it was the wrong thing to do" he said. (ABC7)

Gongaware: He didn't tour very often, I don't think he liked it very much. There were lots of things he would be rather doing. MJ never did "meet and greet", according to Gongaware. (ABC7) He said he didn't believe that Jackson liked to tour, and that he didn't do meet-and-greets with fans and sponsors. (AP)

The exec said Michael came out with the phrase "This Is It" because this was the last tour he was going to do. (ABC7)

MJ only agreed to 50 shows, but Gongaware said AEG Live was interested in more shows. (ABC7)

Gongaware said “Dangerous” tour lost money due to cancellations. He said he thought “HIStory” nearly broke even. (AP) Gongaware worked on "Dangerous," "HIStory" and one Jacksons tour back in the 80s with MJ. Dangerous lost money, Gongaware said, because a lot shows were canceled. History was probably pretty close to break even, the exec explained. MJ did the "Bad" tour, but Gongaware was not involved in it. MJ's primary concern was not making money off his shows, Gongaware said. His primary concern was with the art, the performance. (ABC7) Attorney Marvin Putnam asked Gongaware of Jackson: “Was making money his primary concern?” Gongaware: "That wasn’t his primary concern.” (AP)

"This Is It" was supposed to be spectacular, Gongaware said. He would be doing 8-10 shows a month, so about 3 a week. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he never saw MJ take drugs. Aside from drug use in 93, Gongaware said he didn't have any other knowledge of MJ using drugs. "He was lively, engaged, he seemed happy," Gongaware said about MJ. (ABC7)

Putnam asked Gongaware about the day he thought Jackson was impaired after an appointment with Dr. Arnold Klein. The questions prompted a sidebar. He said Jackson “wasn’t quite the same” but didn’t testify about Jackson’s demeanor in detail. (AP) Gongaware described the time where he was at MJ's house for a meeting and MJ was late. When MJ arrived, Gongaware said his speech was a little slurred, he wasn't quite the same. He was told Michael was at Dr. Klein's office. Gongaware said he was not familiar with the doctors who treated MJ. Putnam announced be had no more questions at this time. (ABC7)

Jackson redirect

In response to Panish question, Gongaware said “This Is It” was only second tour that AEG Live would promote and produce. (AP)

Jackson's atty Brian Panish began re-cross of Gongaware. He asked if the exec was concerned about MJ. "I certainly wanted him to do well". Panish: Were you concerned about his children and his family, sir? Gongaware: I was concerned about him (MJ). Panish: How about his family and children, sir? Gongaware: I supposed. I was focused on MJ. (ABC7)

Panish then asked Gongaware whether he cared about Michael Jackson. “I believe so. I certainly wanted him to be well, yes.” Panish: “Were you concerned about his children and his family?” Gongaware: “I suppose.” Gongaware added, “I was focused on Michael Jackson.” Brian Panish asked Gongaware a couple different ways if he was concerned about Jackson's mother, children. Gongaware looked up toward the celiling and then said he’d thought about it and he was concerned about Jackson’s mom & children (AP)

"I believe he was a good father," Gongaware said about Michael Jackson. Panish: Did you know he was a great son to his mother? Gongaware: I believe he was. (ABC7)

Panish asked if Gongaware ever called Katherine Jackson to express his condolences. The executive said no. Gongaware said he also didn’t think that he sent Katherine Jackson or Jackson’s children a condolence card. (AP) P: After MJ died, did you ever send a card to his mother? G: I don't think so P: Did you ever call her to express your condolences? G: No (ABC7)

Panish asked Gongaware several questions about the executive changing elements of his deposition testimony. (AP) "I believe I testified truthfully," Gongaware said. "I don't believe I changed my testimony substantially." (ABC7)

Panish then started pointing out what he said were inconsistencies in Gongaware’s testimony. (AP)

This led to questions about whether Gongaware was mistaken when he wrote in an email that AEG was paying Conrad Murray’s salary. Gongaware said he didn’t necessarily think he was mistaken. He also said he didn’t remember writing the email. (AP)As to the email Gongaware wrote that AEG, not MJ, paid Dr. Murray Panish asked again if Gongaware recalled writing this email. He said no. Gongaware said he spent 2 days with his lawyers preparing for his deposition, one-two hours discussing the email about AEG paying Dr. Murray. Panish pointed out several answers Gongaware gave on his deposition and the changes he ask to make to transcript after meeting with attorneys. Panish said Gongaware changed his testimony several times as a result of meeting with AEG's attorneys. Panish said Gongaware also changed his testimony again while on the stand and under oath. Panish tried to impeach Gongaware, which is a legal way to call into question the witness' credibility. Later in the case, judge will instruct the jurors that if they think a person lied, they may disconsider part of all of his testimony. As to the email about AEG paying Dr. Murray, Panish pointed out that Gongaware changed his answers several times throughout his testimony. One time he said the email was shorthanded, normal course of business and didn't really think it was a mistake. Yesterday, Gongaware answered the same question saying he was mistaken when he said AEG was paying Dr. Murray. Gongaware explained he thinks he said the same thing but different ways. (ABC7) Gongaware was also asked about a key email he wrote that has come up several other times during the trial. Talking about Murray, he wrote, “We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ who is paying his salary. We want him to understand what is expected of him.” Panish asked, “Do you have any idea why you might have written that AEG is paying his salary?" "No," replied Gongaware. "I mean, I was mistaken there. We weren’t going to pay his salary. We would have advanced the money on Michael’s instructions.” (LATimes)

Panish then asked Gongaware about Lou Ferrigno and whether he was an employee of AEG Live. No, Gongaware said. Gongaware reiterated his testimony from Mon. that he made a deal with Ferrigno. He said Ferrigno would have been an independent contractor. Panish asked whether Ferrigno had a contract with AEG Live. Gongaware said he didn’t know. (AP) Panish asked Gongaware if he hired Lou Ferrigno to be MJ's trainer. "I made a deal for Michael," Gongaware said. Ferrigno was an independent contractor, Gongaware said he didn't know whether Ferrigno was submitting bills to his office. Panish: So you stiffed Lou Ferrigno, you didn't pay the Incredible Hulk? (Everyone in the courtroom laughed out loud) Gongaware: I don't know how he would get paid, if he would submit bills or not. (ABC7) Panish asked whether Ferrigno submitted bills directly to Gongaware to be paid. I hear the response, but it prompted this exchange. Panish: “You stiffed Lou Ferrigno? You didn't pay The Incredible Hulk?” Lots of laughter in gallery, from the jury. AEG Live exec Paul Gongaware said he didn’t know if Lou Ferrigno was paid. (AP) Gongaware said he also made a deal with actor and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno to serve as Jackson's trainer. When he said he didn't know if Ferrigno had been paid, Panish replied, “So you stiffed Lou Ferrigno? You didn’t pay the Incredible Hulk?” (LAtimes)

Panish said Gongaware testified yesterday that he was not concerned with MJ because he was working out with a trainer. Today Gongaware testified MJ was going to work out with Lou Ferrigno. Gongaware said he didn't know whether Ferrigno had an independent contract agreement or not and if he got paid. Panish inquired about AEG only paying people with fully executed contract. Gongaware said he didn't know the status of Ferrigno's contract. "I don't know specifically when Mr. Jackson saw trainers, but I believe he was seeing trainers," Gongaware explained. Panish: He was seeing Lou Ferrigno to be in the next Incredible Hulk? Gongaware: I don't think so. Panish said Gongaware testified he was not concerned about MJ because he was working out with Lou Ferrigno. He said he didn't say that. (ABC7)

"When he was sick on June 19, I didn't know what was happening," Gongaware explained. "After that, MJ was great." (ABC7)

Panish asked Murray about whether he ever received Conrad Murray’s contract. Gongaware, when shown an email from June 16, 2009, that he received that included Murray’s contract, said he didn’t generally read contracts (AP) "Dr Murray wasn't supposed to get paid. If MJ would've signed the deal, Dr Murray would've been paid for his work in London," Gongaware said . Panish: You didn't have time to ready budgets, you didn't have time to read contracts, right? Gongaware: I didn't read budgets early on. Panish asked if Gongaware had any doc to prove that Dr. Murray was told that anyone else, but AEG, was paying him. Gongaware didn't recall. Panish: Did you have anything in writing saying it was MJ, not AEG, paying Dr. Murray? Gongaware: I don't know. (Panish then asked Gongaware about whether he’d ever sent Murray anything saying it was Jackson, not AEG paying him. PG said he didn’t know. AP) Gongaware said he believed Dr. Murray signed one version the contract, but doesn't know whether the one showed to him was it. (ABC7) Gongaware said he knew of no document that said his company's payments to Conrad Murray were actually part of a loan to MJ. Gongaware, on the stand for the sixth day, said he didn't know what Murray assumed about who was paying him. (LAtimes)

The jury was shown an email from Timm Woolley, the AEG accountant on Jackson's "This Is It" concert series in London, sent Murray June 6, 2009, 19 days before the pop idol's death.

“I am sorry for the long delay in getting this to you, but I hope that, with your input and comments, we can dispose of the agreement quickly and arrange for payment of the May & June fee instalment,” Woolley wrote.

Gongaware testified that although he made the deal with Murray, and that the contract was emailed to him in 2009, Tuesday's court appearance was the first time he had seen it. Gongaware repeated his contention as he has through his testimony, that “he was working for Michael Jackson. He wasn’t working for us.” The contract shown to the jury said it was between AEG Live and Murray. The contract also said Murray was to "Perform the Services reasonably requested by Producer," AEG. Trell testified earlier that this was one of several mistakes in a draft that would have been cleaned up in the final version. (LATimes)

Panish: You expected Dr Murray, just like Ferrigno, to get paid for services provided to AEG right sir? Gongaware: He wasn't working for AEG. Gongaware said he was tasked to make the deal, determine compensation for Dr. Murray. Panish: If he was MJ's personal doctor, why hire him? Gongaware: I think he wanted to set up the payment. "I was told to negotiate his compensation," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray. (ABC7)

Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish asked Gongaware about his contention that Jackson was always able to perform and nail shows when necessary (AP) Gongaware repeated he believed when lights went on, MJ was always there. Panish pointed out MJ canceled several shows in Dangerous tour. (ABC7) The lawyer cited several shows over Jackson’s career that he missed: Bangkok, South America and the need to move a couple in Mexico City. (AP)

Panish then asked Gongaware about Dr. Stuart Finkelstein, who the lawyer kept referring to as Gongaware’s friend of 25 years. Finkelstein, a possible witness in the trial, was on the last leg of the “Dangerous” tour before it was canceled. (AP) Gongaware said Dr. Finkelstein is now a drug addiction specialist. "There were two occasions where he (Dr. Finkelstein) told me he treated MJ, but never talked about Demerol or injections," Gongaware said. "I believe he's mistaken," Gongaware said if Dr. Finkelstein gave deposition to the contrary. Panish: Did Dr. Finkelstein tell you he put MJ on a 24 hour morphine drip? Gongaware: No. (ABC7) Gongaware denied that Finkelstein told him that he thought Jackson was suffering from a prescription drug addiction. He also denied that Finkelstein told him that another doctor on the “Dangerous” tour was giving Jackson Demerol shots. Lastly, he denied that Finkelstein told him that Jackson had been placed on a 24 hour morphine drip at one point. (AP) Dr. Forecast, from London, was MJ's doctor treating the artist during Dangerous tour.(ABC7)

Gongaware said he was never alarmed about Jackson’s health and said he say the musician as being well. (AP)

Panish: Is safety paramount to AEG live? Gongaware: Safety should always be expected, act safe. Gongaware said he didn't know if there was a person in charge of safety at rehearsals.(ABC7)

Panish asked about Dr. Murray's contract. Gongaware said he received an email with it attached but never read it. Under responsibilities of Dr. Murray, it said Dr. Murray was to perform the Services reasonably requested by Producer. Panish: Do you know it MJ would've agreed to that? Gongaware: I don't know. Panish inquired if Dr. Murray asking $5 million was a red flag. Gongaware said no, people asked more than their value because it was MJ. (ABC7)

Panish asked Gongaware about why he didn’t review emails before his deposition in Dec. 2012. He said he relied on his attorney’s advice. (Later, in questioning by defense attorney Marvin Putnam, Gongaware said he had no idea which of his 13k emails he would be asked about.) (AP)

Panish: In your opinion, this is a baseless, shakedown lawsuit? Gongaware: I don't understand the merit in it
Panish: You answered interrogatories in this case blaming everything on Mrs. Jackson? Gongaware: I don't recall
Panish: Did you sign anything in this case saying that Mrs. Jackson was trying to extort money from AEG? Gongaware: I don't recall (ABC7)

Gongaware was asked whether he remembered signing court docs in which he called Katherine Jackson an extortionist. “I don’t recall,” he said. Regarding the court case, Gongaware said, “I just don’t understand the merit of it.” Regarding whether Jackson’s children suffered a loss after their father’s death, Gongaware said, “I believe they suffered a great loss.” (AP)

"I believe they suffered a great loss," Gongaware said about Michael's children losing a father. (ABC7)

Gongaware agreed that the best recollection of what happened in 2009 is the emails, but said he remembers from his head too. "He was always amazing," Gongaware said about MJ. Gongaware: I thought he was great Panish: Despite Bugzee saying MJ was deteriorating in front of his eyes? G: My eyes told me differently (ABC7)

Gongaware said the demand for tickets for MJ's memorial service was huge, comparable to the demand for TII tour. Gongaware said the amount of people still in line to buy tickets for TII could've sold out 100 shows. (ABC7)

Panish: Do you remember what you said Elvis died of? Gongaware: Heart ailment. But Panish recalled Gongaware giving a different answer earlier on, saying he believed it was prescription drugs (ABC7)

After questions about other emails, Gongaware acknowledged they were the best evidence of what he was doing at the time. Gongaware was asked about extending the “This Is It” tour. He was shown emails from promoters wanting MJ concerts in India, Australia. Gongaware said he would have liked the "This Is It" tour to continue, but they only had agreement for 50 shows. (AP) On 3/18/09 -- asking about MJ going to India for show, Phillips responded: "Thanks, Thomas. MJ will definitely be heading your way. Gongaware said he thinks they were making plans in case MJ said ok, let's go. Email on 3/17/09 from Phillips: We have a 4 year plan that included Australia, however, we have to finish London first. Gongaware, who didn't like Australian's promoter, responded: "Over my dead body. But let's see what he says before I p**s on his parade." (ABC7)

Panish: Did you ever see MJ under the influence of prescription medication on Jun 2009? Gongaware: When he came back from Dr. Klein's office. Panish: Did you investigate? Gongaware: No, he was coming from his doctor, I didn't think there was a need (ABC7)

Email on 3/23/09 from Gongaware to his secretary: Figure it out so it looks like he's not working so much. "I didn't want him to think he was working more than he was," Gongaware testified. (ABC7)

Panish: your goal was to have as many shows as possible? Gongaware: I would've liked that. Panish: The more shows you had, the more money AEG would've gotten, right? Gongaware: Yes (ABC7)

Panish asked Gongaware if he had talked to Phillips since he’d been on the witness stand. He said he hadn’t discussed case. Panish then asked if Phillips was aware Gongaware said he was content with AEG Live being #2 concert promoter behind Live Nation. Gongaware said he’s expressed his opinion that AEG Live doesn’t need to be #1 promoter. (AP)


AEG recross

Marvin Putnam, in re-direct, asked Gongaware if he tried to give his best testimony possible in deposition. Gongaware said yes. (ABC7)

Gongaware said he saw MJ with slurred speech after seen Dr. Klein, not Dr. Murray. (ABC7)

He asked Gongaware why he never sent a condolence card to Jackson’s family. “I’m not good with cards,” he said. (AP) As to the card to Mrs. Jackson and children, Gongaware said he's not good with cards, couldn't recall ever sending a condolence card. (ABC7) He said the memorial service was how he wanted to honor singer. Gongaware said he spent a lot of time thinking about Jackson after his death (AP) "What I did, I tried to put the memorial show together," Gongaware said. "I think it was the best thing for me to do, commemorate his life." Memorial was at the Staples Center with 15,000 people, live feed to Nokia Theater with 5,000 people. Gongaware said he worked directly with Randy Jackson on the memorial. It cost over a million dollars, AEG and MJ's estate bore the cost. (ABC7) Gongaware said AEG and the estate spent more than $1 million on Michael Jackson’s memorial service. (AP) "I'm glad I did what I did," Gongaware said, adding memorial was shown to millions of people interested in MJ around the world. (ABC7)

Putnam tried 2 rebut all the claims that Gongaware changed his testimony. Gongaware said he feels he hasn't changed his answers (ABC7)

Putnam also showed jury Gongaware’s police statement. Panish had said his comment to police was different from testimony. Panish keyed in on whether Gongaware testified that it was five weeks or two weeks between his 1st two conversations with Conrad Murray. The police statement said Gongaware told detectives a few weeks separated the calls regarding Murray and the contract. (AP)

Another document that defense attorney Marvin Putnam showed Gongaware was Lou Ferrigno’s contract. Ferrigno’s three-page contract designated him as an independent contractor. It was signed by AEG accounting exec Julie Hollander. (AP) Putnam showed independent contract agreement with Ferrigno fully executed. Julie Hollander signed on behalf of AEG effective April 27, 2009. (ABC7)

Putnam finished his examination of Gongaware by showing him Conrad Murray’s contract. (AP) Putnam questioned Gongaware about Dr. Murray's contract. The exec said MJ had to sign it in order for it to be valid. (ABC7) Putnam showed Gongaware language in the agreement that said Michael Jackson had to sign agreement for it to be a valid contract. Putnam also keyed in on language that said Murray was being engaged “on behalf and at the expense” of Michael Jackson. (AP)

Jackson redirect

Then it was Brian Panish's turn again. He said there isn't a date on the contract showing when Julie Hollander signed Ferrigno's agreement. (ABC7) Panish questioned Gongaware about whether Ferrigno’s contract may have been signed after Jackson’s death. Gongaware said he didn’t think he sent any contracts to Julie Hollander after Jackson’s death. (AP) Panish pointed out that Hollander was signing contracts after MJ had died. He asked to see the original contract. Panish: Lou Ferrigno was retained by AEG, right? Gongaware: Yes (ABC7)

Panish asked Gongaware whether he thought it would have been better for him if he had reviewed documents and e-mails before testifying. "I relied on the advice of my attorney," he said. "All this legal stuff, I don't understand it," he said. (CNN) Gongaware said he expected his lawyers would act on his best interest and that testified truthfully and factually in his deposition. Panish asked if Gongaware expected to be believed now when he wouldn't recall his answers in deposition. Defendant objected, judge sustained (ABC7)

Panish also repeatedly referred to the number of AEG Live defense lawyers in the courtroom. He was later admonished to stop mentioning them. Putnam had noted that Katherine Jackson's side was being represented by four law firms. Panish said he didn't care if Putnam brought it up (AP)

With that Paul Gongaware was excused, subject to recall if needed.


Randy Phillips Testimony


Jackson direct

Phillips said he met w/ 6 attorneys to prep for testimony between 6-8 times over the last two weeks, probably for about 30 hours. Phillips said he went through a bunch of emails, probably 30, from the period in question. He also read his deposition. Phillips said he didn't prepare for the deposition. "They (attys) felt it would be better if I went in without any preparation." (ABC7) Randy Phillips, the chief executive officer of AEG Live, disclosed that his lawyers advised company executives not to review old e-mails before testifying. "They felt it would be better if I went in without preparation," he said, referring to his lawyers. (AEG Live lawyer Marvin Putman said outside of court that the volume of documents they would have needed to review was massive, making it impossible for them to prepare. ) (CNN)

Panish asked Phillips whether he was eager to tell his side of the story.
"I believe you called me as a witness, so I'm here," Phillips said flatly. (AP)

Phillips attended two years of law school, but didn't graduate. (ABC7)

Panish: Who's higher up than you at AEG Live? Phillips: No one at AEG Live P: You are the top dog, so to speak? P: Yes. Phillips reports to an executive committee who would then report to Tim Leiweke. Phillips said he doesn't know why Leiweke left the company. Phil Anschutz now belongs to the executive committee. (ABC7)

Panish at one point asked the executive whether he was familiar with the music industry.
"Familiar with the music industry? I was working in it," Phillips replied. (AP)

Phillips said he agreed with statements attributed to him and defense attorney Marvin S. Putnam that the case was a shakedown. "Yes or no, answer? Yes," Phillips said in response to a question by Katherine Jackson's attorney Brian Panish. (AP)

Panish: Do you think this is an extortion, shakedown lawsuit? Phillips: Yes or no answer? Yes. Panish: Did you sign a document under the penalty of perjury saying Mrs. Jackson aided and abetted Joe Jackson to extort money from AEG? Phillips: It's possible, I don't remember. "I wish you wouldn't keep calling it a baseless shakedown lawsuit," Phillips told Panish. Panish: You believe this case is an extortion, correct? Phillips: Yes (ABC7)

Panish: You told Mr. Ortega that AEG checked everyone out, including Dr. Murray? "I wrote in an email to Kenny Ortega that I thought Dr. Murray had been checked out. I still do, to some extent," Phillips said. Panish: You said he was a great doctor? Phillips: Because that's what I was told. Panish: Did you write email that AEG checked everyone out? Phillips: Yes, I did Panish: That was not true Phillips: In retrospect, not 100%. "It's what I knew at the time," Phillips said. (ABC7)

"I wrote it in the e-mail that I thought at the time he had been checked out," Phillips testified Tuesday. He wrote that Murray was successful "because that's what I was told," he said. "In retrospect, it's not 100% true," Phillips said. "There's what I thought at the time versus what I learned afterwards. (CNN)

Panish: Isn't it true you said AEG live doesn't lose money, sir? Phillips: Among other things I said. Panish showed Phillips a Forbes article where he said AEG is about making money, since they are a business. Live Nation is the largest concert promoter in the world, Phillips said. Panish: Do you like being number 2? Phillips: Love it! I'd rather be a successful number 2. Panish: You don't want to be number one? Phillips: Not if it means losing money. Phillips said Mr. Anschutz told him he's happy being a number 2. (ABC7)

Panish asked if it was true Phillips wanted 2 meet with MJ to tour in 2007. Phillips answered it was the opposite, they asked for a meeting. Panish: Please don't argue with me, I'm going to argue w/ you and will get in trouble Phillips: That's an incentive now (Everyone laughed) (ABC7)

Jackson lawyer Brian Panish, who has been previously told by the judge not to argue with witnesses, quickly tangled with Phillips.
"Please don't argue with me because then I will argue back and get in trouble," Panish told Phillips at one point.
"Then that's an incentive for me," Phillips joked. (CNN)

Panish: Did you learn Colony Capital purchase note on Neverland? Phillips: Yes BP: Is Barrack one of principals on Colony Capital? RP: Yes. On 6/13/08, Phillips sent email to Colony Capital with a summation of plans for MJ for four years. Email: I caution you that MJ is not fast and a total perfectionist (needs to be controlled as much as possible). Phillips said he was referring to MJ's spending. (ABC7)

Panish: Neverland was his beloved home, right sir? Phillips: Hard to answer, because of the things MJ told me. (ABC7)

When the executive appeared to crack a smile, Panish asked if he thought the proceedings were funny. "No, I think it's tragic." Phillips replied. (AP) Panish: Do you think any of this is funny, sir? Phillips: No, I think it's tragic (ABC7)

Tohme Tohme was a business associate with Colony Capital, who was also working with MJ. Panish asked if Phillips thought there was a conflict of interest with Tohme working for Colony and MJ. He said no. (ABC7)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 24 – June 5 2013 – Summary

No Jackson family is in court

Randy Phillips Testimony

Jackson direct

Brian Panish resumed questioning. He showed several instances where Randy Phillips said one thing in deposition, another while on the stand. Panish asked Phillips which answer was right. He answered: "Do you want the truth or do you want what I testified?"(ABC7)

Panish asked Phillips if he knows the corporate structure of AEG Live. He said it was under AEG, but he doesn't know who exactly owns AEG. Panish showed a board meeting agenda on 5/26/09, in which they were to talk about MJ's tour. (ABC7)

Panish played the interview Phillips gave Sky News saying AEG hired Dr. Murray. Phillips said he meant AEG hired the doc on behalf of MJ. Phillips said AEG's media person set up several interviews for him after MJ's death. Phillips said each interview was different, but the intention was to say AEG hired Dr. Murray on behalf of MJ. "It's called the truth." (ABC7)

Randy Phillips was asked about meetings with Conrad Murray at Michael Jackson's house. He confirmed Jackson's weight was discussed during at least one of the meetings. He was a bit unclear on dates, so Jackson's weight may have been discussed at two meetings. Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish tried to use a police report of an interview with Phillips and detectives to refresh his recollection. (AP)

Randy Phillips (AEG Live CEO) said there were numerous inaccuracies in the report. Panish started to ask him to go through it methodically. "We don't need to do it line-by-line," Judge Yvette Palazuelos. Phillips then keyed in on two areas he said were inaccurate. (AP)

Phillips said LAPD's detective made a mistake in the written police statement attributed to him. Phillips said he never told LAPD "Randy stated that Kenny got in Michael's face, at which time Dr. Murray admonished Randy..." "The police made a mistake," Phillips said. "He (detective) misconstrued what was said and made a mistake." Dr. Murray got in to and admonished Kenny Ortega and told him not to be an amateur doctor, Phillips said he told the police.(ABC7) Phillips read one statement about a meeting at Jackson's home between Phillips, Conrad Murray and "This Is It" tour director Kenny Ortega. Report: Randy stated that Kenny got into Michael's face, at which time Dr. Murray admonished Randy, stating, “You are not a doctor. Butt out.” Phillips said the police made a mistake. "If you read it, it makes no sense," Phillips said. Phillips keyed in on how report mentioned Murray got in his face, when it more likely Kenny Ortega he admonished. (AP) "I believe the Los Angeles Police Department is a fine entity as I believe in this judicial system," Phillips explained. Phillips pointed another mistake in LAPD's report. It states Phillips/Gongaware produced 2 MJ's tours but Phillips said he wasn't involved (ABC7) AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips also said police report said he and Paul Gongaware worked with Jackson over course of 16 years. Phillips said that was wrong _ Gongaware worked with Jackson that long, but he hadn't. Those were the two inconsistencies Phillips pointed out in his police report. Interview apparently wasn't taped at request of AEG attorneys. (AP)

As to MJ missing rehearsals, Phillips clarified: "MJ was showing up to rehearsal, just not to enough of them, in Kenny's opinion." (ABC7)

Phillips remembers one phone call with Dr. Murray that lasted probably about 25 minutes. Phillips told Panish he'd know how many times he called Dr. Murray because the attorney subpoenaed the exec's phone records. Panish said he never subpoenaed any phone records, that it was LAPD that did it. Phillips said he made an assumption. The only phone call Phillips remembers is the one that Dr. Murray called him on June 20, 2009.(ABC7)

In his deposition, Phillips said Paul Gongaware never communicated to him about the email that AEG, not MJ, was paying Dr. Murray. Phillips said at the deposition it was the first time he ever saw Gongaware's email. Panish showed the email that was forwarded to Frank DiLeo and Phillips was cc'd containing the mention that AEG, not MJ, pays Dr. Murray. Phillips said he never received the email. Then, after being shown the email at depo, Phillips said he didn't remember receiving it. On the stand today, Phillips said he received Gongaware's email. Panish grilled Phillips pointing out he changed his answer three times. Phillips said he answered the same thing, but with different qualifications. "Frankly, I don't remember reading Paul's email, I was more concerned about Kenny's email," Phillips said. At this point, most jurors seemed to be tuned out when Phillips didn't give straight answers. (ABC7)

Panish showed an email dated 6/17/09 from Phillips to Dr. Tohme:Kenny Ortega, Gongaware, DiLeo, his doctor named Conrad from Vegas and I have an intervention with him to get him to focus and come to rehearsals yesterday. Getting him fully engaged is difficult and the most pressing matter as we are only 20 days out from the first show. (ABC7)

Phillips said it was not an intervention, but a meeting. He said it had nothing to do with drugs. (ABC7)

The jury was shown a June 17, 2009, email Phillips wrote to Tohme, eight days before Jackson died from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol. Phillips wrote him that he had an “intervention” with Jackson scheduled “to get him to focus and come to rehearsals…Getting him fully engaged is difficult and the most pressing matter as we are only 20 days from the first show.” Phillips said the intervention was not drug related. (LATimes)

Panish asked the executive if Jackson had ever fired Tohme. “It’s not a yes or no answer,” he said. “The answer is yes but he kept in contact with him.” (LATimes)

Phillips said he had lunch with Dr. Tohme in Beverly Hills within the past month. Panish asked if Phillips discussed Dr. Tohme's testimony. Phillips said he didn't, but Marvin Putnam, AEG's attorney, was also present. Phillips said they discussed something regarding Dr. Tohme's case against MJ's estate. He said he doesn't remember talking about this case. (ABC7) Phillips was asked about a lunch meeting he had with Jackson's former manager Tohme Tohme about a month ago. AEG attorney was present too. Phillips said he didn't directly discuss Tohme's possible testimony in the Jackson vs AEG Live case. Phillips said he testified in a Labor Commission hearing over Tohme's claim against Michael Jackson's estate. Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish said he would had a witness who could testify about what was discussed at the table later in the trial. Panish asked Phillips if he testified at Tohme's Labor Commission hearing to "try to help him out." Phillips said no. "I was completely impartial," Phillips said of testifying at the labor hearing. "I was an impartial witness." (AP) (After court, AEG attorney Marvin Putnam, who was at the lunch meeting, said it was standard for attorneys to interview witnesses before they testify. It remains unclear whether Tohme Tohme will testify during the Jackson vs AEG Live trial. (AP))

The Jacksons' attorney brought the courtroom to attention when he asked Phillips if he met with Tohme at the Polo Lounge recently. Phillips said they had lunch there about a month ago. “And you were discussing his testimony in this case at the Polo Lounge with him?” Panish asked. “I wasn’t,” Phillips said. “You know there were witnesses sitting around you?” Panish said. “You know people took pictures of you? Phillips said he didn’t remember exactly what was discussed. “I don’t remember what I ate,” he said. “I didn’t ask you what you ate,” snapped Panish. Phillips said the meeting had to do with the case Tohme filed against Jackson’s estate with the state labor board for money he was never paid. Phillips was a witness. (LATimes)

Panish: Isn't it true, sir, that when Dr. Murray was hired no one was acting as MJ's personal manager? Phillips: He had someone in that capacity. My understanding Frank DiLeo was his manager. Phillips said AEG advanced DiLeo $50,000 at MJ's direction. "We never hired Dr. Murray," Phillips said. (ABC7)

Phillips said he didn't know anything about Dr. Tohme in January 09 other than he was a consultant for Colony Capital and repped MJ. (ABC7)

“With Michael Jackson and his advisers you needed a scorecard,” testified Randy Phillips. Phillips said he was introduced to Tohme in a meeting at the Century City offices of Colony Capital, the investment firm that held the mortgage on Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. It was AEG owner Phillip Anschutz’s friendship with a Colony Capital partner that led to the firm’s promotion of the planned 50 “This Is It” concerts at the 02 Arena in London. Phillips said Tohme was an adviser to Colony Capital who had no background in the music business and represented no other clients when he began working with the singer. Brian Panish, the attorney for Jackson’s mother and three children in an ongoing wrongful death suit against AEG, asked Phillips what kind of doctor Tohme was, whether he was a physician or if he had a doctorate. Phillips said that although he had met this doctor 25 times, he never asked him. (LATimes)

Randy Phillips was also asked about Tohme's $100k/mo. contract between him, AEG Live and Michael Jackson. Phillips said he could recall of only one other instance where AEG Live paid fee for artist's manager. He said it was a standard practice for Michael Jackson during his career. Phillips said Bon Jovi has a similar deal. (AP) Phillips said in MJ's career they always paid his personal manager. Phillips recalls AEG paying artist's manager 1 other time, for Bon Jovi (ABC7)

Panish later showed Phillips an agreement in which AEG agreed to pay Tohme $100,000 a month and asked if that was common practice, even though the manager is supposed to represent the performer, not the promoter. “In Michael Jackson’s case it was standard,” Phillips said. Panish persisted, and Phillips said AEG’s payments to Jon Bon Jovi’s manager were the only other time it had made a similar arrangement. He also said two of Jackson’s attorneys helped draft the agreement. (LATimes)

Randy Phillips denied that he told Sharon Osbourne that AEG Live had kept all the money from ticket sales for "This Is It." "That would be the most idiotic thing in the world" to say, Phillips said of the statement attributed to him in Osbourne conversation. Phillips said it was more of a "hi-goodbye" conversation with Sharon Osbourne. They lived in same building at time of conversation. (AP)

Panish: Did you talk to Sharon Osbourne about the show?
Phillips: No, not to the extent that Sharon is alluding to we did.
Phillips said he ran into Sharon at the lobby of their building. She asked how it was going, he said it's tough but we're going to get there. Phillips said the encounter with Sharon Osbourne was just a hi and bye. They never talked about ticket sales or anything else related to MJ (ABC7)

93% of the "This Is It" tickets sold were refunded, Phillips said. "7-8% people elected to hold the tickets as souvenirs." Out of $75 million in sales, AEG kept more than $5 million, which Phillips said they gave back to MJ's estate. (ABC7) Phillips said AEG didn't refund 7 or 8% of ticket purchases for "This Is It" because the buyers opted to hold on to the tickets. He said the un-refunded ticket revenues totaled more than $5 million. He indicated the money was handed over to the estate. (AP)

Phillips testified it was a "miracle" that the singer showed up at a news conference in London to announce his comeback. Randy Phillips testified that Jackson was hung over, although in emails he says the singer was drunk. "The fact that the press conference even happened is a miracle," Phillips wrote to Jackson's manager. In another email he wrote to Tim Leiweke, then-chief executive of parent company Anschutz Entertainment Group, Phillips said: “MJ is locked in his room drunk and despondent. Tohme [another Jackson manager] and I are trying to sober him up and get him to the press conference with his hairdresser/make-up artist.”

In a second email to Leiweke, Phillips wrote: “I screamed at him so loud the walls are shaking. Tohme and I have dressed him and they are finishing his hair and then we are rushing to the O2. This is the scariest thing I have ever see. He is an emotionally paralyzed mess riddled with self loathing and doubt now that it is show time. He is scared to death. Right now I just want to get through his press conference.”

In another email Phillips wrote to a business partner: “I haven’t pulled it off yet. We still have to get his nose on propery (sic). You have no idea what this is like. He is a self-loathing, emotionally paralyzed mess.” (LATimes)

“Was Mr. Jackson drunk?” Panish asked.

“No, to the best of my knowledge no,” Phillips testified.

“Was he despondent?” Panish asked. “No,” Phillips replied.

Later Panish produced an e-mail writted by Phillips to AEG President Tim Leiwicke the day of the news conference.

“MJ is locked in his room drunk and despondent,” Phillips wrote. “Tohme (Jackson’s manager) and I are trying to sober him up and get him to the press conference.”

“Are you kidding me?” Leiwicke responds.

“I screamed at him so loud the walls are shaking. Tohme and I have dressed him and they are finishing his hair and then we are rushing him to the O2. This is the scariest thing I have ever seen, he is an emotionally paralyzed mess riddled with self loathing and doubt now that it is showtime. He is scared to death. Right now I just want to get through this press conference,” Phillips writes.


After showing the e-mail to the jury, Panish asked his witness if he had yelled at Jackson on the day the e-mail was written.

“In the two-and-a-half hours this all took place, if you take it out of context the answer won’t make any sense,” Phillips said.

The executive later acknowledged “I raised my voice”.

“So the answer is no? Did you or did you not scream at Mr. Jackson? Yes, no or I don’t remember?” Panish asked.

Phillips said he couldn’t answer the question. (CBSLA) (An attorney for AEG told KCAL9 he will show there are no inconsistencies in Phillips’ accounts when he calls witnesses to the stand.)

At his deposition six months ago, before he was shown his e-mails, Phillips denied that Jackson was either drunk or despondent on the day of the president conference, and denied yelling at The Gloved One, saying he merely "raised his voice."

Phillips says he was telling the truth in his deposition, and was not accurate in his email. "I was relaying what Dr. Tohme told me... I wrote it as fast as I could write it."

Panish said, "You have to yell pretty loud to make the walls shake. Do you have a tendency to exaggerate?"

Phillips said, "No."

To another business associate, Phillips wrote: "I haven't pulled it off yet. We still have to get his nose on properly. You have no idea what this is like. He is a self-loathing emotionally paralyzed mess... I just slapped him."

Phillips admitted, "I slapped him on the butt." (NYPost)

Phillips began worrying about Jackson backing out of the concert tour just a month after he signed the contract with AEG Live to promote and produce it and more than a week before the announcement.

"I was worried that we would have a mess, his career would be over," Phillips testified. "There were a lot of things I was worried about."

But instead of pulling the plug then, before millions of dollars were spent, AEG LIve chose to force Jackson ahead.

"Once we go on sale, which we have the right to do, he is locked," Gongaware wrote to Phillips.

Jackson, his children and manager Tohme Tohme boarded a private jet for the London announcement,
but he was not ready when Phillips went to his hotel suite to escort him to the O2 Arena.

"MJ is locked in his room drunk and despondent. Tohme and I are trying to sober him up and get him to the press conference with his hair/makeup artist," Phillips told parent-company AEG CEO Tim Leiweke in an e-mail.

Phillips testified it was "a very tense situation" and "frankly, I created the tension in that room. Because I was so nerve-racked, OK, the time slipping away, and his career slipping away."

AEG was hosting thousands of Jackson fans and hundreds of journalists for the anticipated announcement, which would be seen live around the world.

"I screamed at him so loud the walls were shaking," Phillips wrote to Leiweke. "Tohme and I have dressed him, and they are finishing his hair, and then we are rushing to the O2. This is the scariest thing I have ever seen. He's an emotionally paralyzed mess, filled with self-loathing and doubt now that it is show time. He is scared to death. Right now I just want to get through this press conference."

Phillips e-mailed a man who was waited outside the hotel with a convoy of vehicles that he put Jackson in a cold shower and "just slapped him and screamed at him."

In court, Phillips downplayed his words as "an exaggeration."

"I slapped him on the butt," he testified, comparing it to what a football coach would do to a player. (CNN)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 25 – June 6 2013 – Summary

No Jackson family is at court

Randy Phillips Testimony

Jackson direct

Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish started out by asking AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips about his preparations for today. Phillips said he spent about 2 hours and 15 minutes preparing for today's testimony. Today's testimony was very focused on emails. (AP)

Panish asked Phillips who subpoenaed his phone records. The exec confirmed it was LAPD. (ABC7)

Panish focused almost all his questions on emails that Phillips received or sent on June 19th and 20th 2009. He focused on emails we've seen before from production manager John "Bugzee" Hougdahl and director Kenny Ortega. (AP)

Panish went thru some of the calls Phillips made. On 6/18/09, Gongaware sent an email to Phillips with all of Dr. Murray's phone numbers. Panish: Do you normally carry around all the contact numbers of your artist's personal physicians? Phillips: Absolutely not! "Most of the artists we don't deal with their personal physician," Phillips explained. (ABC7)

Bugzee's email titled 'trouble at the Front' opened with him saying he didn't want to be a "drama queen." (AP) Next Panish referred to the email with the subject "Trouble at the Front" from Bugzee saying MJ went home without stepping foot on stage. "I think I read this email before I went to bed on 6/19," Phillips said. Panish pointed at deposition Phillips said he read it after sunrise. "I don't want to argue with you either, I don't think it's fair to the jurors," Phillips told Panish after a short exchange between them. "Since the deposition, my memory had gotten better because I was given documents and tried to remember what happened," Phillips testified. (ABC7)

Panish: You are not a drama queen, right? Phillips: Sometimes "Yes, I'm under oath," Phillips joked about having to tell the truth. (ABC7)

What changed from your deposition and today? Nothing, absolutely nothing, just that I'm very prepared, Phillips answered. (ABC7)
Panish: Did Mr. Jackson have a problem on June 20th? Philips: Absolutely (ABC7)

Panish asked if Phillips remembered his reaction after receiving this email. "Yes, yes. Concerned," Philips responded. Panish showed video of Phillips' deposition where said he didn't remember how he reacted when the received the email (ABC7)

Hougdahl relayed a quote from Jackson that night, in which he said, "You aren't going to kill the artist, are you? Phillips said he thought Jackson was joking, but seemed to back off after Panish reminded him he wasn't at the rehearsal. (AP)

"We have a real problem here," Phillips wrote his boss that night. (AP) Tim Leiweke was Phillips' boss at the time. Within 19 mins of receiving Bugzee's email on the evening of Jun 19, Phillips forwarded Bugzee's email adding "We have a real problem here." Just over four minutes later, Leiweke responded the email asking for a meeting between him, MJ, Phillips and Kenny Ortega. Phillips said he forwarded the email to Ortega and asked him to set up the meeting. Ortega responded yes to the email next morning. The meeting Tim asked didn't happen that day, Phillips explained. But there was a meeting in the afternoon of June 20th, he said. (ABC7)

Bugzee replied back to Phillips that MJ needed a shrink and trainer, deteriorated in front of his eyes for eight weeks. "That's what he wrote, I'm not sure exactly what he meant," Philips said. Panish asked what Bugzee said about the 360 turns: "He was telling me MJ couldn't do a 360 spin." "I know what he said, but until we had the meeting I didn't know what was going on," Phillips said. Panish: It shows someone's physical condition deteriorated, right? Phillips: It shows that there's a problem, yes. "The word deteriorate may not be what happened. I didn't know what was going on until we had the meeting," Phillips said. (ABC7)

Phillips then forwarded the email chain to John Branca, Joel Katz, Tim Leiweke (his boss), adding "Unfortunately we are running out of time" (ABC7)

Phillips received another email from Bugzee saying MJ was shaking and couldn't eat, Ortega had to cut his food, feed him. Phillips answered the email saying he was not sure what MJ's problem was, chemical or physiological. Panish went thru 5 different answers Phillips gave as explanation for this email, from not knowing what chemical means to possible drug reaction. (ABC7)

Ortega then sent another email to Randy, saying he believed MJ needed to be psychologically evaluated. Phillips testified today he agreed with what Kenny said. In his deposition, Phillips said he didn't recall. (ABC7)

He also rejected the idea that he was responsible for Jackson's health. "I'm not responsible for his medical needs," Phillips said. "We're promoters — that's what we do." (AP)

"I'm not responsible for Michael's health, he's an adult, he had a personal doctor," Phillips said. Phillips testified he didn't contact any psychologist or psychiatrist after Bugzee and Ortega said MJ should be checked out by one of them. (ABC7)

Phillips testified he never said he was going to pull the plug on the show and never threatened MJ with pulling the plug. Panish asked if Phillips ever told Ortega it was not his job to question MJ's health/doctor care. He replied no. (ABC7)

Branca responded to the email from Phillips saying he had the right therapist/spiritual advisor. The email does not name who the doctor is, but Phillips testified shortly ago that he remembered a name. He said he was wrong about it. Some jurors shook their heads when Phillips and Panish argued with each other and judge intervened. Panish: Did Mr. Branca ever tell you who the psychiatrist was? Phillips: No Panish: Did you ask him for the name?
Phillips: No Panish: Did you ever do anything? Phillips: Only the meeting on the 20th (ABC7)

Michael Kane was MJ's business manager. On 6/20, he responded to Phillips saying "And I thought it couldn't get worse." Kane asked Phillips in an email on June 20: "Would a financial coming to Jesus speech help or add to his pressure?" It was response to Phillips' email "This is why it's impossible to advance any money. He may unfortunately be in anticipitory breach at this point". "He (Kane) asked for a million dollars to pay for Mr. Jackson's bills," Phillips testified. Panish: You anticipated MJ would breach the contract by not showing up to rehearsal. Phillips: Yes . None of our agreements have artist need to rehearse, Phillips said, but the artists want to perfect their show, he said. Phillips said if MJ's lack of appearance caused production to not complete, show not open in London, MJ could be in breach of his contract. (ABC7)

There was one email from Phillips from morning of June 20, 2009 , it was sent to MJ's business manager. "This is why it is impossible to advance any $$$. He may, unfortunately, be in anticipatory breach at this point" _ Phillips wrote. The manager, Michael Kane, quickly replied, “And I thought it couldn’t get worse.” Phillips was asked what he meant about the "breach" statement. He said he felt Jackson was obligated to rehearse. (AP)

The next day, Jackson’s business manager, Michael Kane, emailed Phillips, asking for the advance. AEG already had lent the singer more than $30 million for production costs on “This Is It,” settling a lawsuit in Bahrain and for rent on a Holmby Hills mansion.

Phillips replied, “This is why it is impossible to advance any $$$. He may, unfortunately be in anticipitory (sic) breach at this point.”

“And I thought it couldn’t get worse,” Kane wrote back.

“It could,” the CEO replied. “Kenny Ortega could quit.”

Kane asked, “Would a financial coming to Jesus speech help or add to his pressure?”

“It would help,” Phillips wrote back. “At this point we need to break through. I am going to call his doctor to discuss.” (LATimes)

"Required is a little too strong, I was concerned that if he didn't go to rehearsal Kenny could not finish the production," Phillips said. “I felt Michael had that obligation, yes," Phillips said about MJ needing to be at rehearsals. If MJ said he didn't need to go to rehearsals, he could've been in breach of this contract, Phillips said. (ABC7) He denied Thursday that he ever threatened Jackson over missed rehearsals. "We would have never dealt with Michael that way," he said. (AP)

Phillips would not advance any more money to MJ on June 20th because Michael may had been in breach of contract already, Phillips testified. "AEG Live would've survived it (show) not happened," Phillips said. He agreed that part of his concern was that AEG Live would look bad. (ABC7)

“You felt Mr. Jackson’s not going to rehearsal ... may have placed him in breach of the contract. That’s why you wouldn’t advance him any more money?” Panish asked.

“Yes,” replied Phillips.

Phillips agreed there was a lot of money at stake on the tour, but he said he also was concerned about Jackson’s career if he pulled out.

Panish asked about the damage canceling the concerts would mean for Phillips and AEG.

“Of course. Part of it. Yes.” (LATimes)

Panish talked about the email Ortega sent saying MJ needed a strong therapist and immediate physical nurturing. "I think he needed both, so in this case I'm not sure he meant therapist or psychiatrist," Phillips said. (ABC7)

After Ortega wrote him an email saying the singer should be “psychologically evaluated,” Phillips wrote back, “I am stymied on who to bring in as a therapist and how they can get through to him in such a short time.”

Phillips first testified he thought Ortega meant a physical therapist, then switched to physical or mental health therapist and then finally agreed it was a mental health professional. He said neither a psychiatrist nor a psychologist was contacted. (LATimes)

Panish made a mistake in one exhibit and Phillips reacted immediately. "See, we all make mistakes," Phillips said. Panish quickly responded "I haven't made 50 of them" to which Phillips said "I don't know, I haven't watched the entire trial." (ABC7)

Phillips said the meeting with the doctor was at the request of Frank DiLeo. (ABC7) Phillips' testimony ended for the day before he discussed meeting with Murray, Ortega and others. Panish wanted to play a Frank Dileo voicemail that was played during Murray trial trying to set up a meeting and get Jackson tested. Judge tentatively rules the voicemail couldn't be played for this jury on hearsay grounds. (AP)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 26 – June 10 2013 – Summary

Katherine Jackson was at court for the morning session

Randy Phillips Testimony

Jackson direct

Panish showed an email from Tim Leiweke (CEO of AEG) to Dan Beckerman (CFO/COO of AEG) in which Beckerman described Phillips as jittery. "Trouble with MJ," Leiweke wrote in email to Beckerman on Jun 20. "Big trouble." Beckerman responded: "I figured something might be wrong given how jittery Randy has been this week. Is it "pre-show nerves" bad or "get a straight jacket/call our insurance carrier" bad?" Phillips said he was not jittery, but concerned with the show. Jittery mean shaking and he said he doesn't think that's how he was. (ABC7)

Phillips said Dr. Murray receiving $150k per month being the cause of MJ's sickness in June of 2009 never crossed his mind. (ABC7)

Phillips said he did not recall what was discussed in a phone conversation with Murray. In his video deposition that was shown to the jury, Phillips first said the conversation lasted three minutes. He was shown phone records that showed it lasted 25 minutes. (LATimes) Phone records show Phillips had a 25 minute phone call with Conrad Murray after Kenny Ortega’s emails on June 20, 2009. (AP) Dr. Murray and Phillips spoke for 25 minutes. Phillips said he didn't think the call lasted that long, doesn't recall what they talked. "It's very possible I might have even read him these emails," Phillips testified, referring to the "Trouble at the Front" chain. "I would not have discussed his health other than what it was in the content of the emails," Phillips said, doesn't recall the conversation. (ABC7) Phillips said he couldn’t remember the details of the conversation with Murray. (AP)

Phillips said everyone in the "This Is It" production got a list with everyone's phone numbers. He doesn't know how Dr. Murray got the list. (ABC7) Phillips was asking about how Conrad Murray got his home phone #. He initially said it might have been on a list given to tour personnel. Phillips then said that Murray may have gotten it from Jackson’s former manager, Frank Dileo. (AP) Phillips testified that Dr. Murray called his home number. Phillips said he doesn't know how the doctor had his home number. Panish showed picture of the business card Phillips gave Dr. Murray with his cell number on the back. The card was found in the doctor's car. (ABC7)

Panish: The doctor, show manager and director were telling you MJ was deteriorating?
Phillips: I don't remember what I talked to the doctor (ABC7)

Panish talked about email Phillips wrote to Ortega on Jun 20:
"Kenny, it's critical that neither you, me or anyone else around this show become amateur psychiatrist or physicians. I had a lengthy conversation with Dr. Murray, who I'm gaining immense respect for as I get to deal with him more. He said that Michael is not only physically equipped to perform and, that discouraging him to, will hasten his decline instead of stopping it. Dr. Murray also reiterated that he's mentally able to and was speaking to me from the house where he has spent the morning with MJ. This doctor is extremely successful (we check everyone out) and does not need this gig so he totally unbiased and ethical. It is critical we surround Michael with love and support and listen to how he wants to get ready for July 13th. Cont'd: You cannot imagine the harm and ramifications of stopping this show now. It would far outweigh "calling this game in the 7th inning". I'm not just talking about AEG's interests here, but the myriad of stuff/lawsuits swirling around MJ that I crisis manage every day and also his well-being. I am meeting with him today at 4p at the Forum. Please stay steady. Enough alarms have sounded. It is time to out out the fire, not burning the building down. Sorry for all the analogies. Randy (ABC7)

Phillips said he thought Dr. Murray was extremely successful based on the clinics he had and business he would've to close to go on tour. "It was an assumption I made," Phillips conceded. Panish: And that was not true, correct? Phillips: In retrospect, that's correct (ABC7)

As to the "we check everyone out" reference in the email, Panish asked if that was a true statement or untrue. P hillips: It's not, it's hard to say yes or no on that. It is not true because everyone would imply everyone. Panish: "We check everyone out" is a false statement you wrote to Mr. Ortega, correct? Phillips: In retrospect, yes (ABC7)

Panish asked about the reference "he doesn't need the gig". "I made another assumption based on the information I had," Phillips explained. "I didn't have any basis to say he was unbiased and ethical," Phillips testified. (ABC7)

Phillips said at the time he thought the information he wrote was true, but agreed he had no basis for his opinion. (ABC7)

Panish then asked Phillips about an email he sent “This Is It” director Kenny Ortega, telling him Murray was “unbiased and ethical.” The email serves as Phillips’ best recollection of his conversation with Dr. Murray. This morning, Panish frequently asked Randy Phillips whether he was truthful with Ortega. Panish: “Did you make that up and lie to Mr. Ortega?” Phillips: “No, I don’t lie.” (AP)

In the email, he tells Ortega that Murray told him that ending shows could hasten Michael Jackson’s decline. Panish used the email to try to show that 3 people _ Ortega, Murray and John Hougdahl _ were warning Phillips about Jackson’s health. Phillips said Murray didn’t agree with the assessments of Jackson’s health by Ortega and Hougdahl (the tour production manager) After multiple questions, Phillips said many of the statements in the email about Murray weren’t truth. Those statements included that AEG Live checked everyone out, and that Murray was an accomplished doctor who was unbiased and ethical. “At the time, I thought it was the truth,” Phillips said of the above statements. (AP)

Under contentious questioning from Jackson family attorney Brian Panish, Phillips said he was wrong when he characterized Murray as extremely successful, when he said AEG checked him out and when he said Murray was unbiased and ethical. Phillips said Murray was "extremely successful" because the doctor had closed down several clinics to treat only Jackson for $150,000 a month. “You would call it a false statement, I would call it an assumption,” Phillips said. Panish: "So what you wrote you admit was not true?" “At the time I thought it was,” Phillips said.(LAtimes)

Phillips described that in a hardly-charged situation like the one they had, he just wanted to keep the situation under control. "I just wanted to calm things down until we had the meeting," Phillips explained.(ABC7)

Phillips testified he wrote email to Sony exec asking her to remind him to tell her where Dr Murray was the night he was to be caring for MJ. Judge only allowed plaintiffs' attorney to say it was a social establishment, but the place was a strip club. (ABC7)

Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish then asked Phillips about suggestion that Jackson needed a psychiatrist. Phillips confirmed what he said last week -- he never consulted a psychiatrist. He said today it wouldn't have been appropriate. (AP) As to having mental health professional, "no one brought a psychiatrist," Phillips said, "because MJ didn't need one," Phillips opined. (ABC7)

Phillips testified he had conflicting information coming from Dr. Murray and Kenny Ortega regarding MJ. Panish pressed Phillips about the fact that he sent completely opposite emails to Ortega and AEG high ups. "It was because they were sent for different purposes," Phillips explained. (ABC7) Of the statements to Ortega, Phillips told the jury, “I just wanted to calm things down until we had this meeting.” (AP)

Before the morning break, Panish showed some of the emails he showed Phillips last week. Panish only had his copy, which had notes on it. Panish gave Phillips his annotated version of the email, but Phillips refused to look at them. Flipped them over so he couldn't see them. “I don’t want to help you with your case,” Phillips said of reviewing Panish’s annotated copies of the emails. That brought some laughter. Phillips was ultimately given a clean copy of the emails, provided by his defense lawyers. (AP)

Phillips said he remembers the meeting on June 20th lasted at least an hour. Dr. Murray and Phillips were sitting in one couch, MJ was in a bench and Ortega on another couch. In his deposition, Phillips said Ortega talked about MJ's physical and mental status. On the stand today, Phillips explained Ortega did very little talking in the meeting. "He addressed Michael coming to rehearsals." "I do not believe he talked about MJ's physical condition and mental state. Dr. Murray did most of the talking," Phillips testified. Panish pressured Phillips about him changing the testimony. "My memory is getting better about the events of four years ago," Phillips said. "The purpose of the meeting was to find out what was happening with MJ because of the events on the 19th," Phillips said. Panish: Did Mr. Ortega say he was concerned MJ was not getting enough sleep? Phillips: I don't remember if he asked that question. "I know he asked about the food, but I'm not sure if he asked about the sleep," Phillips said. Phillips testified that MJ's lack of sleep was not material discussed, but admits it could've been. Panish: Dr. Murray contradicted what Ortega said in the email, correct, sir? Phillips: Yes. "Dr. Murray, said there wasn't anything wrong with MJ," Phillips expressed. "MJ said there wasn't anything wrong with Michael Jackson." "I don't know if there was a mental problem," Phillips said, highlighting that at least Dr. Murray was a doctor. "He just assured Mr. Ortega that MJ was fine and was going to attend rehearsals," Phillips testified Dr. Murray said in the meeting. (ABC7)

Without getting into details, Phillips said Ortega and Murray "were a little combative" at the meeting. Phillips said Murray reassured everyone that Jackson's health was fine. He said Jackson also assured them nothing was wrong with him. He said Murray told the group that Jackson may have had the flu, or some similar ailment. He said Jackson's health was discussed. Phillips said he couldn't recall whether Jackson's sleep issues were discussed. A portion of Randy Phillips' deposition was played in which he said sleep issues were discussed at the June 20, 2009 meeting.(AP)

Phillips was shown an email in which tour accountant Timm Woolley told an insurance broker that Phillips & Murray would get MJ to rehearsals. Phillips denied getting Jackson to rehearsals was part of his duties. (Phillips wasn't copied on the email.) (AP)Phillips said Timm Wooley's reference that Phillips was responsible for MJ's rehearsal and attendance schedule is mistaken. (ABC7) The email also claimed that Kenny Ortega may not have been demanding enough of Jackson to rehearse. "Either way, there are others designated to ensure MJ is front & center for rehearsals," Woolley wrote to the insurance broker. (AP)

Meeting on June 20th happened in the afternoon, Phillips said. Panish asked if MJ was shaking in that meeting. Phillips said no, not at all. Vase was broken in one of production meetings, Phillips explained. He said Frank Dileo, Paul Gongaware, himself were present. Phillips said he doesn't know who broke the vase, but he thinks it may have been Frank DiLeo. (ABC7) Phillips denied a vase was broken during the June 20th meeting at MJ's house. He said that happened at an earlier meeting. Phillips said he thought Frank Dileo may have broken the vase. There wasn't more spelled out about what happened in today's testimony. (AP)

Panish: Did you have a meeting with MJ where you threatened to pull the plug and take everything he had? Phillips: No. Panish: Did you tell him he would lose everything, including his children, if the show didn't happen? Phillips:That's ridiculous, no. Phillips said MJ was a phenomenal father. Phillips denied ever saying to anyone at the meeting that MJ was on skid row or going to become homeless. Panish: Did you ever tell MJ you were paying for his toilet paper? Phillips: No. (ABC7) Phillips denied that Murray said during the June 20th meeting that he "couldn't take it anymore." Phillips denied that Murray's contract was discussed at the meeting, saying that would have been inappropriate. As to whether he threatened to pull the plug on "This Is It," Randy Phillips said, "Absolutely not." Among other statements Phillips denied making: that Jackson would be on Skid Row, and that AEG was paying for the toilet paper in MJ's home. (AP)

Phillips was also asked about emails a couple AEG executives (former CEO Tim Leiweke and Dan Beckerman) traded about him. The email described Randy Phillips as jittery, and alluded to either him or Jackson having a "mental breakdown." Phillips denied he was having a mental breakdown, and said he didn't want to put words in the other executives' mouths. (AP) In the deposition played to the jury, Tim Leiweke said the reference to "mental breakdown" in the email could've been Randy Phillips not MJ. Panish played depo of Dan Beckerman, in which he said he didn't recall what prompted him to say Phillips was jittery. Panish: Did you think that MJ needed a straight jacket? Phillips: It was a generic comment. Phillips said it was a question of "stage fright and the show will go on" or "I can't do this let's cancel" scenario. Panish: Do you think MJ needed a straight jacket? Phillips: No, I don't think MJ needed a straight jacket. "I wasn't jittery, but I was nervous," Phillips described. (ABC7)

Questioning then moved back to the June 20th meeting, with Phillips describing Murray as "demonstrative" toward director Kenny Ortega. Phillips said Murray's message to Ortega was essentially "stay in your lane" and not to interfere with medical issues. (AP) "The meeting got a little bit heated when Dr. Murray was admonishing Kenny," Phillips recalled, but said hostile is too harsh of a word. Phillips said lack of sleep was discussed in the June 20th meeting, but wasn't the main focus. Phillips said the reason of the meeting was to find out what happened in the night before, what was the issue and also MJ missing rehearsals. Phillips said MJ had the best two rehearsals after the June 20th meeting. "Kenny told Michael to take the next two days off, spend some time with the kids," Phillips testified. (ABC7)

Phillips was then asked about emails he sent to Leiweke, others, about the results of the June 20th meeting at Jackson's house. This was after Jackson's attorney John Branca earlier in the day had suggested a counselor to work with Jackson. Phillips email:"Anyway, things are not as bleak as Kenny’s emails. John, now is not the right time to introduce a new person into his life.” (AP)

After this email is when Phillips made the "badgering" comment to Panish that prompted Judge Palazuelos' admonition to him. (AP)

Suddenly, judge decides to take a break at 2:24 pm PT and sent jury out of the courtroom. Outside the presence of the jurors, judge admonished Phillips for not answering the questions asked. "Mr. Phillips you need to answer questions," said Judge Yvette Palazuelos, frustrated. "Lawyers are trying to getting the answers." Judge told Phillips that arguing with the lawyers isn't really going to help his case, it will just lengthen his testimony. She noted his testimony is taking much longer than expected, and at this pace he will be here for another week. Phillips told the judge he's just trying not to say the wrong things or be caught in tricky questions. Judge: It seems like they are pretty straight forward questions, but when you offer info, it may not be good for you. AEG's attorney Jessica Bina defends Phillips saying the questions are compound, but that she believes he's trying to answer the questions. Panish said he wants to finish today, that he hasn't argued with the witness or judge. "I really tried hard, for me, it's hard!" Panish said. Phillips said he understood and wants to go back to work as well. Promised to be better. (ABC7)

Jurors were sent from the courtroom before the judge addressed Phillips, who has sparred with Katherine Jackson’s attorney Brian Panish throughout his testimony. The lawyers have been repeatedly warned by the judge about the behavior. “Arguing with the lawyers isn’t really going to help,” Palazuelos told Phillips on Monday. “It’s not going to help your case. It’s not going to help anybody.” Phillips said Panish was repeatedly asking him questions about the same subject. “I’m just trying not to say the wrong thing,” Phillips said. (AP)

Regarding the straight jacket email, Phillips said the way he read it he can't tell if were are referring to him or MJ. Panish pointed out that insurance was only if MJ had a break down, not Phillips. Thus, the email must've referred to MJ. (ABC7)

Phillips said the email he wrote saying "this guy is trying to concern me" was referring to Kenny Ortega. "I had two concerns: wanted Kenny to be open minded until the meeting and I didn't want Kenny to quit," Phillips explained. At this point they were about $30 million plus in advance, Panish said. Phillips said it was about $28 million, which was a lot of money. (ABC7)

Email on 3/13/09 from Leiweke to Phillips:
Phil (Anschutz) can be such a paranoid scrooge. He thinks he's smarter than everyone. (ABC7)

After a break and admonition, Phillips testified about some of his concerns surrounding the show.He said he was concerned about Ortega. Phillips said he was concerned that Ortega as getting into an "entrenched position" regarding Jackson's health and rehearsals. Phillips: "I was also quite concerned that Kenny would throw up his hands in the air and quit." The CEO was talking directly to jury. (AP) Phillips said again that his concern with Ortega was that he wasn't going into the meeting with an open mind and that he was going to quit. Panish played Phillips deposition where he said he didn't remember what he was concerned about regarding Ortega. "I think my answer today is clarification," Phillips said, adding he did not change his testimony. (ABC7) Plaintiff's attorney questioned Brian Panish whether his descriptions of Ortega fears was something he "just remembered right now." Phillips responded, "I'm remembering a lot of things now." Panish shot back that Phillips hadn't remembered many thing during deposition. (AP)

In his depo, played to the jury, Phillips said there were no discussions on June 20th about MJ taking a couple of days off. However, in court today, Phillips testified Ortega suggested that MJ take two days off. (ABC7)

After the June 20th meeting, Jackson took two days off and resumed rehearsals.
At that point, Phillips began working out of Staples Center. Phillips said one of the changes to come out of the June 20th meeting was that he would be at Staples, look in on rehearsals. (AP)

Phillips was also shown an email from his assistant, looking for a physical therapist for Jackson on June 22, 2009 _ 3 days before MJ died.(AP)

At this point, Phillips was asked about Arnold Klein. He was shown an email from Jackson's business manager Michael Kane. Kane: "On the list of doctors that will help get (us) from today to the opening night, where does Arnold Klein stand on the list?" Phillips responded about Klein: "He scares us to death because he is shooting him up with something.” Phillips said Kane offered to show him a $48k bill Klein submitted for treatments. He said he took a look at it. (AP) On Jun 23, Michael Kane wrote to DiLeo and Phillips: Where does Arnold Klein stand on the list? (of doctors caring for MJ). Phillips said he maintains his position that he didn't know what, if anything, any doctor was giving MJ prescription drugs. "He scares us to death because he is shooting him up with something," Phillips wrote back. Kane responded: Well since we owe him $48k and he wants payment maybe I should stop paying him and he'll stop shooting him up. I have the details of what he is doing. (ABC7)

Phillips told jurors the email was a response to a $48,000 bill that Jackson's manager received for the treatments by Dr. Arnold Klein. "He scares us to death because he is shooting him up with something," Phillips wrote. The treatments included numerous shots of cosmetic drugs such as Restalyne and botox, as well as other unidentified intramuscular shots, Phillips said, citing the bill.(AP)

Phillips was asked about Jackson's rehearsals on June 23 and 24. He said he couldn't remember which songs were performed which day. (AP) Regarding the rehearsals on June 23rd and 24th, Phillips said he watched them in its entirety. Panish: MJ never did the whole show, did he, sir? Phillips: No. "He wouldn't have, they were not ready for that," Phillips explained. Panish: Was MJ cold on the 23rd? Phillips: I don't remember. Phillips said he watched the entire rehearsal, which lasted about 3 hours. He said MJ was engaged about an hour and a half to two hours. Phillips said he doesn't remember whether MJ was chilled on June 24th. Panish: Did you ever see MJ walking around in blankets? Phillips: It's possible, because the place was freezing. But I don't remember. (ABC7) Phillips said Jackson never performed an entire run-through of "This Is It" show. "He wouldn't have, they weren't ready for that," he said. Panish asked Phillips whether Jackson looked cold. Phillips said he didn't remember. He described Staples Center as "freezing." (AP)

On 6/25/09 the insurance broker wrote to Dr. Murray at 12:54:15 pm, probably London time (approximately 5 to 5am LA time): Email: We are dealing with a matter of great importance and your urgent attention would be greatly appreciated. The email talked about getting MJ's medical records. Phillips said he learned from the media that Dr. Murray had been treating MJ since 2006.Panish: This is Dr. Murray doing something to help AEG get insurance, fair enough? Phillips: Fair enough (ABC7)

On 8/18/09 Phillips wrote email to Michael Roth: I think I know what MJ died of and this would exonerate Conrad. Lionel Richie's ex-wife Brenda called Philips and said MJ died of a combination of other drugs and Propofol. Phillips said he never told police, the DA or Dr. Murray's attorneys about it because he thought the info was not reliable. Panish: Did you want Dr. Murray to get exonerated? Phillips: I'd always want an innocent man not to get convicted. Panish played video of Phillips' deposition where he said he didn't remember what the information was but his memory has been refreshed (ABC7)

---------------------------------------------------

Judge then adjourned session for the day. Trial resumes tomorrow morning at 9:30 am PT. Panish said he has one more hour of questioning. The attorneys estimated Phillips will be done testifying by Wednesday afternoon. (ABC7)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 27 – June 11 2013 – Summary

Katherine Jackson was present court for the morning session.

Randy Phillips Testimony

Jackson direct


Phillips said on Jun 25, the day MJ died, he was going to head to Staples Center, had no intention of going to Carolwood or pick up MJ. (ABC7)

Much of the questioning centered on Jackson's manager relationships and “This is It” production costs. Panish focused on a letter that Phillips sent to Jackson’s former manager Tohme Tohme on June 28, 2009, three days after MJ died. The letter, signed by Tohme, was to confirm the Michael Jackson Co. was responsible for all the production costs for “This Is It.” (AP)

After MJ died, Phillips said Jackson's costs had exceeded $7.5 million. MJ was responsible for production costs, according to the contract. Phillips said he was not sure if MJ was the sole signatory to approve the costs or if Dr. Tohme had power of attorney as well. On the contract, it said the undersigned Dr. Tohme Tohme represents and warrants that he is an officer of the Artist. Phillips said he didn’t have any information that anyone else could sign and approve the expenses on behalf of MJ. (ABC7)

Panish also showed Phillips a letter signed by Michael Jackson on May 5, 2009, terminating Tohme’s authorization to act on his behalf. Randy Phillips said on June 28, 2009, he wasn't sure whether Tohme had authority to act on Jackson’s behalf or not. Tohme signed and returned the authorization to AEG Live, but Phillips said he didn’t know how quickly that happened. (AP)

Phillips said he received a note where MJ said Dr. Tohme was no longer his representative. Panish: Did you get anything confirming that Dr. Tohme was back in as an agent?
Phillips: No (ABC7)

Phillips said he didn’t read a budget of production costs that was attached to June 28 letter. Budget had $450k allocated for Conrad Murray. (AP)

Phillips said he was concerned with MJ's weight during rehearsals. He asked his friend Loughner to assist getting Michael to eat.
Email on 7/16/09 from Phillips:
We all were worried about MJ's weight which was 130 Ibs during rehearsal and encouraged him to eat properly since he was so obsessed w/ the creative on the show he would either meals or forget to eat. Kenny Ortega used to personally feed him and I hired a person to be his "food" person. (ABC7)

Panish: It says you hired a person just to be his food person
Phillips: Didn’t hire him, just did it as a favor
Phillips said his friend never got paid to be MJ's "food person". (ABC7)

Panish asked Phillips about lucrative merchandising opportunities for AEG Live after Jackson’s death. He showed executive an email he wrote. (AP)

Email on 8/4/09 from Phillips:
Michael's death is a terrible tragedy, but life must go on. AEG will make a fortune from merch sales, ticket retention, the touring exhibition and the film/dvd. I still wish he was here! (ABC7)

AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips told jury he did wish that Jackson was still alive. (AP)

In a later email, Phillips stated that profits from the sales would go to Jackson's mother, children and charities. About pressuring Jackson to perform, Phillips noted that Jackson died before he had performed a single show. (KABC)

As to Dr. Tohme: Phillips testified in the Labor Commission hearing in a dispute between Dr. Tohme and MJ's estate. (ABC7) Phillips testified at Tohme Tohme’s hearing before the Labor Commission in a dispute with Michael Jackson’s estate. At the hearing, Phillips testified that Tohme wasn't a traditional music manager, and he didn't have a staff. Phillips: “I don’t even know where his office was other than the bar at the Bel Air Hotel.” Some of the jury laughed when this was shown. (AP)

Phillips was then asked about Tohme’s contract, which called for him to “assist promoter in the production of tour events.” Tohme’s $100k a month contract was signed by Phillips and Michael Jackson. Phillips said fee would be paid as an advance to Jackson. Panish asked whether Tohme’s contract was a conflict of interest, since he was representing both AEG and Jackson. Phillips: “Actually, no. Michael Jackson signed this document so he must have agreed to it.” (AP)

Panish asked if it's common to ask artist manager to follow promoter's directions. Phillips responded it was done with MJ's consent. AEG had an agreement to pay Dr. Tohme $100k per month to be MJ's manager.

Panish: Does it seem to be a conflict of interest for artist manager to take direction from producer? Phillips: Actually no, because MJ signed this document, so he must've agreed to it (ABC7)

Phillips said he wanted Michael to have somebody to manage him, because they needed somebody to deal with on his behalf. (ABC7)

Panish asked if MJ became more anxious as tour approached. "In my opinion, I never witnessed Michael being anxious," Phillips testified. (ABC7)

Phillips said Michael never told him he had sleeping problems. (ABC7) Panish asked Panish several questions about whether Jackson ever told him he had a sleeping disorder. Phillips said no each time. (AP)

After the lunch on May 4, Phillips said he had one phone call with Dr. Tohme, but they never discussed this case, Phillips said. (ABC7)

AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips was also asked whether he ever saw a signed agreement for Frank Dileo to work as Jackson’s manager. Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish showed a May 2, 2009 letter signed by Jackson indicating that Dileo was one of his representatives. The letter included the curious phrasing that Dileo could conduct business on Jackson’s behalf “only when instructed.” AEG exec Paul Gongaware wrote Phillips: “This is a bit strange. “Only when instructed”? How are we to know?” Phillips replied that they’d need a signed contract or letter with Jackson authorizing that Dileo could be paid a $50k advance. Gongaware replied, “We just sign off and pray.” That led Panish to question if that’s how AEG did business. Phillips said no. (AP)

As to Frank DiLeo: Phillips said Frank DiLeo asked AEG to advance him $50,000, and he believes MJ approved it.
Phillips wrote in an email: "I think we need to, but I am not sure how without a contract in place or MJ directing us to via signed letter."
"We just sign off and pray," Gongaware responded.
"But what we apply it against," Phillips wrote back. Phillips cont'd: "I think we need MJ to acknowledge for our record and direct us. You know he has amnesia when it comes to paying people." (ABC7)

Phillips reiterated how difficult it could be to figure out who was authorized to act on Jackson’s behalf. Phillips: “You needed a scorecard to keep track of who was in and who was out.” (AP)

Panish asked Phillips about statements he made regarding Jackson lacking representation in June 2009. He showed him an email Phillips wrote. Phillips email: “... we still have no lawyer, business manager, or, even, real manager in place. It is a nightmare!” Panish noted that Phillips in the email meant that Tohme Tohme wasn’t a real manager for Jackson. (AP)

Phillips said he believe MJ must've had a lawyer on June 2, 2009. He said MJ used different lawyers for different things.
On 6/2/09, Phillips wrote to Jeff Wald (maker coffee table books):
Jeff, remember getting MJ to focus is not the easiest thing in the world we still have no lawyer, business manager, or, even, real manager in place. It is a nightmare! (ABC7)

The lawyer showed Phillips emails in which Kathy Jorrie, an attorney working for AEG, expressed doubt about Tohme. She said she was concerned and whether he was “the real McCoy.” She also recommended a background check on Tohme. Phillips said he trusted Tohme based on how he treated Michael Jackson. He said he thought at the time, he did a “phenomenal job.” (AP)

In an email at the time Jackson was preparing for his “This Is It” comeback concerts, an AEG lawyer said she had questions about whether Tohme was "the real McCoy" and suggested the company hire a private investigator to do a background check on Tohme "and/or at a minimum, that someone at AEG Live meet withMichael Jackson to make sure he understands that we are entering into a tour agreement with him that will require him to perform a worldwide tour….” Phillips expressed some of the oddities of dealing with Tohme when he testified before the state labor board in the sometime manager's claim against Jackson's estate. “Dr. Tohme was not a traditional music manager," Phillips said at the hearing. "I don’t even know where his office was other than the bar at the Bel-Air hotel.” Still, Phillips said he thought Tohme did a "phenomenal job" for Jackson. "He is a good guy who has done miracles for MJ, just not a manager," he wrote in an email. (LAtimes)

Phillips said he didn't mean to say that Frank DiLeo wasn't a real manager. Phillips said he didn't act as MJ's manager. Panish asked if crisis management is responsibility of personal manager, he said lawyers do it. (ABC7)


Part of the agreement with Michael was that AEG would buy a house in Las Vegas for the artist. (ABC7)

Before concluding his questioning Panish asked Phillips about emails he exchanged with music executive Irving Azoff. In one of the emails, Phillips asked Azoff the “odds” of Jackson making it through 50 concerts at London’s O2 arena. Azoff’s replied that having insurance was key. “You are a genius on this one dude,” he wrote Phillips. (AP)

Panish asked Phillips whether he was trying to act as Michael Jackson’s manager before the singer’s death. Phillips said no. Panish cited Phillips trying to manage several lawsuits Jackson was facing and other business transactions. Randy Phillips denied he wanted to be MJ’s manager, or that his actions were manager functions. (AP)

Panish’s final question: “You felt it was exhausting taking care of all of Michael Jackson’s affairs?” (AP) “ I did not deal with MJ's affairs, but dealing with MJ was exhausting," Phillips explained. (ABC7)


AEG Cross

Putnam showed an email that Phillips sent to Jackson’s assistant, Michael Amir Williams, arranging a meeting to discuss various deals. Topic included the purchase of Neverland, settling a lawsuit over Jackson memorabilia and a perfume deal. Phillips said the meeting was arranged at the request of Frank Dileo. (AP) Frank DiLeo was the person Phillips dealt with on behalf of MJ, the exec said. (ABC7)

Putnam: “You’ve indicated that dealing with Michael Jackson was (pause) challenging.” Phillips: “Michael was mercurial. It was one of the things that made him great. It was also one of the things that made him impossible to do business with. He would change his mind. He would change representatives -- like we change our socks.” (AP).

Asked to explain, he said, “Because Michael was mercurial. One of the things that made him great was also one of things that made him impossible.” “He would change his mind. He wanted different things at different times. He changed representatives like we change socks." Phillips testified you needed a "score card" to keep track of Jackson's shifting group of representatives.(LATimes)

"Michael was imperial, which made him great but also impossible to deal with," Phillips explained. Phillips: He (MJ) would change his mind, want different things at different times
Phillips: He would change reps as he changed socks, we needed score card to know who was representing him. (ABC7)

Putnam asked Phillips why he didn’t stop Jackson from changing reps. “How would I do that,” Phillips replied. AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips said he could not dictate who Jackson hired at all. (AP)

Putnam: Could you dictate who MJ hired?
Phillips: No (ABC7)

Putnam asked Phillips about several people involved in Jackson’s business affairs. He asked about estate executor John Branca. Phillips recounted their history, that Branca had represented Jackson for part of his career, but the pair had a falling out. “Michael brought him back in,” Phillips said of Branca, just before the singer’s death. Katherine Jackson shook her head. (AP)

Putnam then asked Phillips about Tohme Tohme. Phillips said he saw Jackson and Tohme as having a close relationship. (AP) "Dr. Tohme was introduced to me as MJ's manager," Phillips said. Phillips said MJ and Dr. Tohme seemed to have a very close relationship and Dr. Tohme seemed to care very much about MJ. Dr. Tohme was introduced to MJ by Jermaine Jackson, Phillips said. There was a familiarity between all of them, he said. Phillips said MJ wanted to get 'back on the saddle', so Jermaine introduced him to Dr. Tohme. "He said Michael was determined to restart his career," Phillips said Dr. Tohme told him. "It was time for a comeback," he recalled hearing. "The only way I dealt with MJ was through Dr. Tohme," Phillips said. Phillips said AEG never paid Dr. Tohme because there were conditions in the contract, like getting insurance for the show, that were not met. Also, Phillips said he received MJ's letter terminating Dr. Tohme. "Dr. Tohme obviously could not fulfill his obligations then." Phillips testified MJ told him Dr. Tohme was to handle some of his business affairs, like purchase house in Vegas, and work with Frank DiLeo. MJ said DiLeo would be dealing with the entertainment part of his career and stuff MJ thought Dr. Tohme was not qualified to do. (ABC7)

Phillips said there are three ways AEG Live checks out people it does business with. Phillips said no reference/background check is needed if the person has done business with AEG Live before. The company checks references of people who it hasn’t done business with, Phillips said. If someone is referred directly by the artist, Phillips said no check would be done. That was the case with Tohme. (AP)

Putnam then showed Phillips Tohme’s agreement for $100k a month. Phillips noted that Jackson signed the agreement. Phillips noted that Tohme’s contract was predicated on him getting cancellation insurance, which didn’t happen in time. Phillips said to the best of his understanding, Tohme was never paid by AEG Live. (AP)

He said that about 10 days before Jackson died, the singer asked to see Tohme. Phillips said it was his understanding that Jackson wanted Tohme to handle some of his business affairs, including buying a home in Vegas. He said that the plan was for Tohme and Dileo to work together as Jackson’s managers. (AP)

Phillips recounted a meeting at estate executor John Branca’s office after Jackson died. He said a concert expense ledger was requested then (AP). After MJ died, Phillips said MJ's Estate wanted a detailed expenditure of the production. (ABC7) On the tour production expenses that Tohme approved was only part of the expenses. He said Dileo signed a similar document. The production expenses were eventually submitted and approved by Jackson’s estate, Phillips said. (AP)

Putnam then asked Phillips about a meeting the pair had with Tohme and his lawyer a few weeks ago at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills. Phillips said Tohme’s lawyer wanted to meet with them. By that point, Tohme said he’d already met with Katherine Jackson’s lawyers. Phillips said he didn’t directly discuss the case with Tohme, but wasn’t surprised that the lawyers wanted to discuss it, given the stakes. (AP) As to meeting at the Polo lounge, Phillips said he received a call from Dr. Tohme asking to meet since he had already met Jackson's attys. Phillips said he picked the Polo lounge because it was a convenient and public location. (ABC7) Phillips said lunch meeting lasted about 90 minutes, but he left the table for about half of the meeting to talk to other people. Putnam asked Phillips if there was some secret reason for meeting with Tohme. Phillips: “If it was going to be secret, it wouldn’t have been at the Polo Lounge, it would have been in someone’s offices.” (AP)

After lunch break, Putnam asked Phillips if he met with his attorney over lunch hour. All the jurors laughed loud. This is how Panish begins after lunch.
Putnam: Did they show you any documents?
Phillips: Just the menu (ABC7)

After the lunch break, defense attorney Marvin Putnam asked Phillips a few questions that Panish likes to ask after every break. Putnam: "Did you meet with your attorneys over lunch?" (the jury laughed.) Phillips said yes. Putnam: "Did they show you any documents?" (Another question Panish often asks.) Phillips: "Just the menu." There was more laughter. (AP).

Phillips said Estate of Michael Jackson asked him to be witness for them in the Labor Commission dispute between Dr. Tohme and MJ's estate. (ABC7)

Phillips testified about a conversation with Brenda Richie, Lionel Richie’s ex-wife. Phillips used to be Lionel Richie’s manager, and he says Brenda Richie called him a few weeks after Jackson died. This first came up Monday in questioning by plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish, who asked why Phillips didn’t disclose conversation to police (AP) "Yes, I served as his manager for 10 years," Phillips said about his relationship with Lionel Richie. Brenda Richie is Lionel's ex-wife. (ABC7) Phillips had written an email to an AEG spokesman on Aug. 18 after Murray released a videotaped statement. Phillips email: “I wonder why now. I think I know what MJ died of and this would exonerate Conrad.” Panish asked if he had info to exonerate Murray, why he didn’t call police. Phillips said info came from Brenda Richie, but didn’t elaborate. He would only say the information was somewhat weird. (AP) Putnam inquired about email Phillips sent to AEG's publicity rep on 8/18/09: I think I know what MJ died of and this would exonerate Conrad. "Brenda had called me to tell me that she was in communication with Michael either through a medium or directly," Phillips testified. Panish objected: triple hearsay! Courtroom bursted into laughter. Phillips said Michael told Brenda that it wasn't Dr. Murray's fault and he had killed himself. "I told you it was weird," Phillips expressed. Putnam asked why he didn't tell LAPD what Brenda said. "I didn't want to be in that straight jacket Dan was talking about," Phillips said. Phillips clarified he didn't think it was relevant information. (ABC7) It wasn’t until Putnam’s questioning today _ over Panish’s objections it was hearsay_ that Phillips told the jury what Richie told him. Phillips said Richie told him she had communicated with Jackson _ either directly or through a medium. Panish objected again. “Double, triple hearsay,” he said. Lots of laughter in the courtroom, among jurors. The judge commented the testimony was “clearly not offered for the truth.” Phillips: “I said it was weird.” Phillips testimony: “Michael told her it was wasn’t Dr. Murray’s fault. He accidentally killed himself.” Phillips said he didn’t tell police because he didn’t want to end up in a strait-jacket, as some AEG execs feared he might over tour issues. (AP)

Putnam showed a letter signed by MJ on June 9, 2009 requesting AEG to advance the sum of $50,000 to Frank DiLeo. (ABC7)

Phillips said his deposition happened three and a half years after MJ died. He believed there were over 9,000 email turned over. In preparation for his testimony, Phillips said he watched his testimony given in Dr. Conrad Murray's criminal case. Phillips said he prepared himself prior to his deposition, but not like he did for testifying in court. Phillips said he didn't believe he knew what emails were going to be used, thus he didn't want to read everything they produced. Phillips explained he has had time to look over all the emails in detail since his depo, therefore he was able to remember the events better."We are not a very litigious company," Phillips clarified. "I did not realize there's that 'gotcha' politics, 'gotcha' legal process." "Even though you know the answer to a question, you want the person to use it wrong so you can use it against them," Phillips opined. Phillips said he was not designated as PMK (person with most knowledge) or PMQ (person most qualified) for AEG. Phillips said he made only one substantive correction to his deposition transcript. (ABC7)

Phillips said he's the president and CEO of AEG Live. Phillips said AEG Live has at least 10 divisions, deal, with talent, produce shows, international tours, festivals. In college, Phillips became the director of special events for students association. He graduated from Stanford in Political Science. He went to law school at University of Santa Clara. Phillips promoted the Harlem Globetrotters. One of the stars asked to manage him. Phillips said he thought it was a good move to start his career, moved to LA, transferred to Loyola Law School. He started management career with Management West International, then worked at Stiefel & Phillips through 1996. He managed Rod Stewart and Matthew Brodrick. Then they repped Guns N Roses, Toni Braxton, Prince, Simple Minds, Morrisey. (ABC7)

Phillips worked with MJ at this point. He represented the artist in an endorsement deal and a line of sneakers. "He was hot as a pistol," Phillips described MJ. "This was in early 90s, right before History"."It was one of the biggest endorsements made at the time," Phillips said. "The deal was a success." Phillips said the line of sneakers was not successful, though. The company he made the deal was LA Gear. "When MJ didn't like something, he was less than demure," Phillips testified. "Some of the shoes was really quite hideous," Phillips said. "Let's stop this s**t, it's ugly, they don't know what they're doing, this stuff is s**t, they're going to ruin me" Phillips said MJ reacted. Phillips described MJ as 'incredibly sharp' doing business. After the LA Gear deal, MJ and John Branca asked Phillips to manage MJ. He said no. His next dealing with MJ was not until 2007.(ABC7)

Phillips left Stiefel and Phillips to work at Red Ant Entertainment from 96 to 99, continued to co-manage Toni Braxton. Managed group called Dream on Puffy Combs Label. Then approached by John Meglan and Paul Gongaware to start Concerts West, now AEG Live. "They wanted me to help them secure a tour with an artist named Britney Spears," Phillips explained. Phillips said he had a very good relationship with her manager at the time. It was the first big break tour of Britney Spears. Phillips was consultant on the tour and had a piece of the profits. After the tour, Leiweke asked Phillips to consider in-house position. Phillips wrote the business plan over the weekend and became the president and CEO of AEG Live in 2001. Phillips said AEG Live created Coachella festival. They used the infrastructure, equipment for another genre of music, Stagecoach festival. Phillips talked about the residency shows AEG Live promotes in Las Vegas: Celine Dion, Elton John, Cher, Shania Twain, Rod Stewart. Phillips said AEG Live promoted and produced Prince's most successfully tour, "Musicality" in 2004. Phillips testified they produced and promoted Prince's 21 sold out Nights at the O2 arena and residency show in Vegas at Rio Hotel in 2006. (ABC7)

Artist management team: attorney, business manager, agent, broker, personal manager, generally four people, Phillips explained. Phillips said there are two ways a tour begin: once artist releases new album, Phillips goes to the artist team and pitches the company. Other way is management of an artist pitches the tour to AEG. "My job is to go and actually sell the concepts and ideas," Phillips said. He described himself as "schmoozer in chief". (ABC7) Phillips noted that he’s a salesman. He sells ideas for concerts, festivals. “I’m Schmoozer in Chief,” he said. A few jurors smiled. (AP)

Phillips said superstars who fill up big arenas, like Staples, work on a 90-10 split, where 90% of profits goes to artist, 10% to promoter. Once he wins the bid, Phillips passes the deal on to someone else within AEG Live better prepared to handle it. "I don't think I sit on this throne," Phillips explained. "We have a very open decision-making process at AEG Live. "I'm like manager's promoter, I think like a manager, I think in term of the brand itself," Phillips explained. Phillips has deal w/ AEG Live where he's allowed to manage 2 acts, Dream and Lionel Richie. Dream dissolved, AEG allowed him to manage Usher. Phillips said Live Nation is about three times bigger than AEG Live. They are competitors when it comes to touring. "I think we're a better company," Phillips opined. He said Live Nation is in the amphitheater business and AEG is strictly an arena touring. In interview w/ Telegraph, Phillips said AEG Live was under assault by 800lb gorilla called Live Nation, planning to merge w/ Ticketmaster. "Number 1 doesn't necessary make you the most profitable," Phillips said. "Why take all this risk in deploy capital in this way if you're not to make a profit?" Phillips explained. "I don't particularly love music, that's not why I got into it. I love the deal," Phillips testified. It's difficult as it can be to deal with the artists, but Phillips said he loves the challenge. Phillips said he is told all the time to just follow their business plan and not even look at Live Nation. It is a competitive business. (ABC7) He then said explained why he is in the business. He said he doesn’t necessarily love music. “I love the deal. I love the action,” he said. Phillips said he has to deliver good news and bad news to artists. He said some musicians want big productions, but also big profits.(AP)

He described AEG Live’s relationship with Live Nation, a competitor and larger concert promoter. Phillips said Live Nation is also one of AEG Live’s biggest customers, since it rents AEG’s arenas. Live Nation owns only open-air venues. Phillips re-iterated a point Paul Gongaware made previously, that AEG Live doesn’t want to be the No. 1 concert promoter, they say. He noted that Live Nation is a publicly-traded company and has to answer to shareholders, investors. AEG Live does not. (AP)

Putnam then asked Phillips about the upcoming BET Experience music festival. Beyoncé is scheduled to perform. So are the Jacksons on June 30. The BET Experience is being promoted by AEG Live. (AP)

AEG Live is working on a BET Music Festival on June 28.
Friday: Beyonce, more mainstream artist Saturday: Snoop Miguel and Kendrick Lamar, younger crowd
Sunday: Adult contemporary: R Kelly, Boyz to Men, The Jacksons.
"We book them," Phillips said. Deal was done by someone else at AEG Live, who will be promoting and producing this festival. (ABC7)

Phillips talked about the difference between promoting and producing. MJ didn't have touring team or money to produce "This Is It" tour. Phillips said it's very expensive to keep everyone on staff if you're not touring regularly. Jackson hadn't toured for many years. (ABC7)

AEG Live is promoting Justin Bieber world tour. It will be 130 shows over 14-15 months. "It's a very substantial amount," Phillips said. AEG promoted The Rolling Stones, 21 shows. Putnam asked why the difference in the amount of shows. "He's 19, Mick Jagger is 70," Phillips responded. Rolling Stones sales is gigantic, so they don't have to do as many concerts. (ABC7) After a break, Phillips testified about how different tours work. He noted that the AEG-promoted Rolling Stones tour is only a few shows. The ticket prices are so high, Phillips said, that the Stones can make a lot of money off of a few shows. They also employ their own crew. By comparison, Justin Bieber is doing 130 concerts over a 14-15 month period, Phillips said. Putnam asked why the vast different. “He’s 19,” Phillips said of Bieber. “Mick Jagger is 70.” (AP)

Phillips said concert promotion is risky. “Until you put tickets on sale, you just never know,” he said. He said AEG Live cannot force artists to perform. “The artist has what I call the ultimate veto. They don’t have to show up,” he said. Putnam: “Why can’t you make them?” Phillips: “We live in a free society. They’re not my slaves.” (AP)

Putnam: Can AEG Live force an artist to perform on a show?
Phillips: No, the artist has the ultimate veto power
Phillips: We live in a free society, they are not my slaves. If the artist doesn't want to perform, there's nothing we can do. (ABC7)

Phillips then recounted the series of meetings leading up to announcing Jackson’s “This Is It” tour. The first two meetings were in Las Vegas in 2007. Phillips said Jackson was animated and appeared healthy. He said in the first meeting, Jackson was “elated” to see him and Paul Gongaware because they were “familiar faces to him.” There was a later meeting at the Colony Capital offices in LA. He said by that point, they were talking about Jackson performing. Phillips said Jackson was most concerned about getting a house for him and his children. In a proposal for Jackson’s concerts, Phillips wrote that he believed Jackson could “net, at least, $1 (million) per night” after fees. (AP)

Phillips said Peter Lopez, an attorney for MJ, asked for a meeting with AEG Live in 2007. It took place in Las Vegas. "I was told by John that Michael wanted to get back to work and that's why we were there," Phillips testified. "MJ, for all the complexities of dealing with Michael, was one of the biggest stars in the world," Phillips testified. Phillips said MJ talked about putting out new music, do something different, constantly putting music out, every 6 weeks, and tour around it. They also discussed the idea to do miniseries on King Tut and do mini movies. Meeting lasted about 90 minutes, Phillips said. "He looked great, very animated, he talked a lot about what he wanted to do," Phillips described. "He seemed fine to me." Phillips said he didn't think MJ was abusing prescription drugs at the time and he was not concerned with his health. There was another meeting where Phillips said MJ showed a mini-film he called Ghost. They also discussed mini-series on King Tut. "MJ was great, animated, clear, like the star he was" Phillips described. He detailed scene of meeting where MJ threw a pencil at him, joking. "We picked London because his popularity was less diminished because of the troubles he had had," Phillips explained. MJ ended up not moving forward with the tour then. "That was MJ," Phillips explained. (ABC7)

Phillips said Colony Capital, a real estate investment company, got involved with MJ's finance. They purchased the note of Neverland from a bank for $23 million and MJ wanted to start his career again and make money. Colony asked for a meeting with Phillips. That's where he learned about Dr. Tohme, who Phillips says was MJ's manager at the time. Meeting happened in 2008 at the bar of the Bel Air Hotel at the request of Dr. Tohme. "The most pressing thing for him, Michael, at that time, he was fixating in getting a house for him and his children, Phillips said. "He didn't want to live in other people's house anymore," Phillips expressed. (ABC7)

Putnam showed the email from Jun 13, 2008 with plans for MJ. (the not fast, need to be controlled as much as possible email). "Perfection is expensive, and incidentally impossible to achieve," Phillips opined, saying they tried to control MJ's spending, nothing else.
Putnam: How did you do controlling him financially?
Phillips: Not very well, but I blame Paul (Gongaware) (ABC7)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
A juror has a job interview on Thursday afternoon, so it’ll be a short day. Friday will also be a half day session in Jackson vs AEG Live trial. (AP)
 
Jacksons vs AEG - Day 28 – June 12 2013 – Summary

Jackson family was not in the courtroom

Randy Phillips Testimony

AEG cross

A lot of his early testimony focused on Jackson’s ex-manger, Tohme Tohme. Phillips told jurors how he met with Tohme for two hours at the bar in the Hotel Bel-Air to discuss Jackson’s tour in 2008. That was the first of many meetings over the years between Phillips and Tohme. It led to a later meeting with Jackson.(AP)

Phillips recalled his first meeting in the summer of 2008 with Dr. Tohme in the bar of the Bel Air Hotel. Phillips said his understanding was that Dr. Tohme went over expenses and signed the checks for Michael. Meeting lasted 2 hours. Dr. Tohme described Michael's circumstances, his life, career, where he was living, finances. They mostly talked about restarting his career. (ABC7)

Phillips said the idea came off proposal from Raymone Bain, that the best starting point would be in London. Phillips explained a residency tour was easier than full blown tour, living out of hotels. Michael had not toured in so long. "We thought it would be a great city for people to come from around the wowrld to see him," Phillips testified. (ABC7)

Phillips said Dr. Tohme thought it was important to explain why Mr. Jackson wanted to go back to work. Michael explained one of the biggest motivations was that he wanted to earn enough money to buy a house for his family. Dr. Tohme spoke with an accent, came from another country, Phillips explained.
Putnam: Did it seem that MJ was ready to go back on tour?
Phillips: Only from what Dr. Tohme told me. The meeting was very positive. (ABC7)

Phillips then asked for a meeting with the artist. Had a meeting at MJ's suite in Bel Air near street near Bellagio. Phillips said he believed that was the 2nd meeting. The 1st meeting was a parlor above his suite. "That was more about the dates and how we would put them on sale, who he wanted to work with," Phillips explained. "I was told by Dr. Tohme that MJ was living in LV. He stayed at Bel Air when in LA." (ABC7)

"When we relocated to London, we would make it a larger than life event," Phillips testified. "When we built the 02 just Timberlake did 6 night, Beyonce did 8 nights," Phillips explained. "In London, people love to go out." Population changes too because there are a lot of visitors from other countries, Phillips said. The Arena was built for entertainment, music. Phillips said MJ was an ideal candidate, probably an ideal place for the come back. Michael was very receptive, since he liked London. "He had friends there, just felt comfortable there," Phillips told the jury. He loved that idea which made everything else that much better. (ABC7)

That shorter meeting with Jackson discussed a London residency. Phillips said that was preferable because MJ hadn’t toured in a long time. Phillips said he didn’t think Jackson had his “touring legs” and it would be easier on him, his kids, to stay in one place. Phillips said Jackson was sharp in the planning meetings, and said he wanted to work with Kenny Ortega and choreographer Travis Payne. Phillips said he hadn’t worked with either Ortega or Payne before, but he knew of them. Phillips on Jackson: “He loved the idea of London. He knew a lot of people there.” Former actor Mark Lester’s name came up a lot today. Phillips said the planning meeting with Jackson was the first time he felt the singer was ready to tour. All they talked about was music. (AP)

In Oct 2008, Phillips said he felt MJ was ready to go. "He was dressed well, his eyes were clear, he is very sophisticated 50 year old man". Phillips: I don't believe anything I read in the press, especially the English press. I take a lot of those stories with a grain of salt. "He is a very smart, articulate young man who had control of his life," Phillis testified. Phillips talked about not noting anything atypical in meetings. He was not concerned about MJ's health, physical condition or drug problem. (ABC7)

At this point, Phillips started to discuss the ways he felt the portrayal of Jackson had been skewed during the trial. Phillips: “We seem to be talking about Michael like he’s the 5-year-old lead singer of the Jackson 5.” (AP)

Phillips said he knew Michael Jackson as a sophisticated, forceful businessman and not the drugged-up performer who's been described throughout an ongoing civil trial filed over the singer's untimely death. Jackson was a far more complex figure than has been portrayed during the trial , said Randy Philips. (AP)

Phillips said based on meetings he had with Jackson in 2008 and early 2009, he found Jackson to be a "sophisticated man who had control of his life." (AP)

The portrait of Jackson that's been presented to the jury during the seven-week trial has been inaccurate, Phillips said. Jackson was described by both sides in opening statements as struggling with prescription drug addiction throughout his life. (AP)

Phillips said he disagreed with the descriptions of Jackson "because he's been presented as drug-addled 5-year-old. That was not the man I dealt with. The man I dealt with was forceful. Kind, but determined. He was a force." (AP)

Phillips disputed various portrayals of Jackson, describing the singer as someone actively engaged in his comeback who knew “who he wanted to work with and how he wanted to do it.” “We seem to be talking about Michael like he’s the 5-year-old singer in the Jackson Five and he wasn’t,” Phillips said. “He was a sophisticated, very smart, articulate, 50-year-old man who had control of his life.” “He’s been presented as a drug-addled 5-year-old and that’s not the man I dealt with,” he said. “The man I dealt with was forceful, kind -- but determined. And a force. He was a force.” (LAtimes)

There were several meetings at the Hotel Bel-Air, and then other meetings at the mansion of a friend, and eventually MJ’s rented mansion. Defense attorney Marvin Putnam asked Phillips whether he was concerned about Jackson’s health, saw signs of drug abuse. “No,” he responded. (AP)

MJ moved from LV to home in December 08 or January 09. He was bone-weary from traveling, Phillips recalled. MJ said he was tired of living like Vagabonds, wanted the kids to have a permanent place to live, a sense of community, Phillips testified. The exec said the meeting got emotional. "He teared up he said he wanted a residence for his family that they could call their own." "That was the primary reason he wanted to go back work," Phillips said. Phillips testified MJ wanted to tour one more time since he was young enough to do it and the kids were old enough to appreciate it. "I felt incredibly bad that this incredible star was trying to earn enough money to buy a house," Phillips recalled. "I cried also." (ABC7)

Phillips said at one of the meetings, Jackson told him one reason he wanted to perform again. “He wanted his own house,” he said. Phillips said at that point, Jackson was staying with rich friends. He said he and Jackson both cried during the meeting. Phillips: “He wanted his kids to have a permanent place to live and a sense of community. “I felt incredibly bad that this incredible star was at this point where he couldn’t buy a house,” Phillips said. This meeting was on Halloween. After the meeting, Jackson took the kids to a party at Liz Taylor’s house, Phillips said. (AP)

Randy Phillips described an emotional Halloween meeting with the pop star at a Bel Air hotel, with Jackson's three children running in and out of the room. It was the “first time Michael really told me why he wanted to go back to work,” Phillips told the court during questioning from AEG attorney Marvin Putnam. “He described his life with the kids,” Phillips said. “He said they were living like vagabonds.” On the stand Wednesday, Phillips said it was his understanding Jackson and his children — Prince, Paris and Blanket — were primarily living in Las Vegas at the time, but stayed in the Bel Air hotel when they came to Los Angeles. Phillips thought the family would also stay in homes belonging to Jackson’s friends. “He actually broke down and I broke down -- we both broke down,” Phillips said.
“He got emotional. He teared up about his family and having a good life with them and a place to live and a residence they could call their own.” (LATimes)

Putnam: Any concern about his mental well being?
Phillips: No, he was just emotional. (ABC7)

When asked whether he was concerned by the fact that Jackson was crying, Phillips said there was nothing “abnormal” about the reaction given the topic. “I felt incredibly bad that this incredible star was at the point where he just couldn’t buy a house with all this money he made,” he testified. “It just didn’t make sense.” (LATimes)

Phillips said he tried to talk MJ out of purchasing a $93 million house in Beverly Hills. (ABC7) Phillips said he went to a Bel Air home the next day that Jackson was interested in buying. He described the house as “gigantic,” a 40,000-square-foot property with a $93-million price tag. Phillips said he thought the house was too much — he testified he told the singer “you’ll put every dime you make into this house” and “it made no sense whatsoever.” (LATimes)

Phillips discussed a $5 million advance payment to Jackson. $3 million was to settle a lawsuit, the rest for living expenses. (AP) AEG advanced $3 million to Jackso to settle a lawsuit. "He could not enter contract with us until he settled with Bahrain," Phillips said (ABC7)

Phillips said Dr. Tohme was the one who secured the Carolwood home, not AEG. (ABC7)

Phillips told the jury that Jackson came up with the name “This Is It” for the tour. Said the singer liked its double meaning. He said Jackson saw it as his final tour, but also a play on the notion that his shows would be the only place to be at that moment. (AP)

The tour agreement was signed in the living room of Carolwood house. There was no press because wanted maximum impact at the news conference. After contract was signed, they popped a champagne to celebrate. Michael read the entire contract, Phillips said, asked questions. MJ wanted to make sure of AEG's commitment about the movie in the contract, Phillips recalled. Also MJ wanted to know how many shows. "It was 31" Phillips said. "He came up with the number." Prince had done 21 shows. "MJ and Prince were incredibly competitive, he wanted to do enough shows that Prince could not catch up with him". Putnam: Was Mr. Jackson excited?
Phillips: Yes, he hugged me. (ABC7)

Phillips said he too was excited. Phillips: MJ was one of the biggest stars in the world, the idea of him getting on the stage again was one of the biggest parts of my career. Phillips said MJ held the glass of champagne but I didn't think he drank it. "Meeting ended with a toast and everybody high-fiving." (ABC7)

“Michael and Prince were incredibly competitive, and he wanted to beat Prince’s record by enough that Prince could never beat it again,” Phillips said. After Phillips and Jackson signed the paper, the two embraced and the group celebrated with champagne, the executive testified. “Were you excited?” Putnam asked. “Incredibly,” Phillips said.
“Why?” “Because he’s one of the biggest stars of the world, if not the biggest star in the world,” Phillips said. “And the idea of helping him come back, you know, and helping him get on the stage again -- one of the greatest parts of my career.” (LATimes)

Phillips explained it would be better to have press conference since MJ had been gone so long and there were credibility issues w/ consumers. One of the hardest things is creating demand for tickets, Phillips said, since it is an expensive proposition. "When your consumer isn't sure and they have a limited amount of income, they hesitate; and our aim was to eliminate that hesitation." But Phillips said in his gut he knew that people wanted to see him perform again. (ABC7)

The testimony then switched to the preparations for the London press conference announcing "This Is It" in March 2009. By that point, Jackson and Tohme had a falling out. Phillips said the pair weren’t speaking to each other because of a planned auction. Phillips said he wasn’t sure the press conference would happen until Jackson stepped onto a private plane and actually got to London. Phillips said AEG executive Paul Gongaware always thought Jackson would perform, but Phillips said he didn’t agree. Phillips said if Jackson hadn't done the press conference, it wouldn't have really hurt AEG Live. They hadn't spent much yet, he said. He said if they canceled the shows, this point would have been when AEG “had the least amount of risk and the greatest amount of collateral” (AP)

Phillips said there was a breakdown with Dr. Tohme about an auction that Dr. Tohme had set up involving memorabilia. Phillips: I was concerned because Dr. Tohme lost contact and he was our only way to directly connect to MJ. "At this point in time I was flying blind because I didn't know what was happening in Michael's camp" Phillips explained. "Paul always thought it was going to happen," Phillips said. "I was never as sanguine as him." Phillips said he had one experience with MJ that was helping secure the LA Gear deal, a disaster for LA Gear, but great for Mr. Jackson. In late Feb 09, if Jackson decided 'I can't do this' or 'I can't go forward, don't want to' it would not have hurt AEG Live, Phillips said. Phillips said at that point they only had put out $5 mil advance. (ABC7)

Phillips was again asked if he thought Jackson was abusing prescription drugs, or had concerns about his health. He said no. (AP)

Putnam: Did Dr. Tohme get on plane to UK with MJ?
Phillips: Yes
Putnam: Did press conference happen as scheduled??
Phillips: Chuckles ... it was on the same day. (ABC7)

The executive then testified about the March 5, 2009 press conference, which he described as “The Miracle of March 5.” Phillips sent a series of emails that day stating that he screamed at Jackson and that the singer was a “mess.” Phillips told the jury he sent those emails while he was pacing up and down the hallway outside Jackson’s hotel room.(AP)

Phillips described the drama behind the scenes before the press conference. He said he wasn't sure that they were going to get on plane. Phillips was in Miami covering the opening of Britney Spears' a Circus tour. "It was one of the top 5 tours of the year," Phillips responded. "I am the CEO of the company it would remiss of me not to be there," Phillips explained. Phillips arrived in London on March 5. He traveled with David Loeffler, since they were also producing the Lionel Ritchie tour. Phillips said he was in the room for about 20 minutes watching TV and Dr. Tohme went to MJ's suite. Phillips said he wanted to get to the arena early because of London traffic. (ABC7)

The singer was late to the conference, and Phillips said he knew that in London traffic, they were going to be very late. (AP) "I assume Dr. Tohme would help get MJ ready," Phillips recalled. Phillips said Dr. Tohme exhibited no concerns about getting MJ ready on time. Dr. Tohme was gone for what it seemed like an eternity, Phillips said. "Don't worry, he just needs a little more time," Phillips said Tohme told him. "I started to freak out." "I am completely freaking out," Phillips said. "I was in the hallway pacing back and forth." Tohme told Phillips: "We have a little issue. Michael got drunk, I think he said he was trying to sober him up, but he was going to be late". Phillips said he became even more anxious. He was receiving emails and phone calls from people at the O2 arena. (ABC7)

Phillips to Leiweke
MJ is locked in his room drunk and despondent. Tohme and I are trying to sober him up & get him to the press conference (ABC7)

"It didn't make me less freaked out; I needed to pass on what was happening to Leiweke" Phillips said. Leiweke responded: are you kidding me? (ABC7)

The executive said before he yelled at Jackson, Tohme had told him that the singer was drunk and they were sobering him up. Phillips at this point wasn’t allowed in Jackson’s hotel room. All the info about MJ was coming to him through Tohme. “I was starting to freak out,” Phillips said after Tohme had come and gone a couple times and he hadn't seen Jackson. Phillips said after a while, he told Jackson’s bodyguard Alberto Alvarez he had to get into Jackson’s room. “To me, at the time, it was a crisis,” Phillips said. “Time was ticking away. I was sweating bullets.” (AP)

Phillips said he told MJ's bodyguard, Alberto Alvarez, that it was a crisis situation and needed to get into the room. "Time was slipping away, I was sweating bullets. For me at the time it felt like a crisis," Phillips remembered. Phillips said he received 25 phone calls in 5 minutes. Phillips entered MJ's room. "He had a robe on, and his pants. I remember seeing an empty bottle of booze at the couch, maybe vodka or gin," Phillips recalled. "To me, he looked hungover," Phillips testified. (ABC7)

Phillips said when he got into the room, the singer was sitting on a couch. There was a bottle of clear liquid that may have been vodka He said Jackson appeared hung over.(AP) Phillips: I said Michael, are you ok? That's when he said to me that he was really concerned no one was going to be there. (ABC7)

He said Jackson appeared hung over. He said Jackson told him he was worried that people didn’t care about him anymore. Phillips said he explained that 3,000 fans were waiting for him, and then Jackson went and got ready. (AP)

Phillips said he told MJ things were quite differently, there were 3,000 adoring fans waiting for him and all top news organizations. Dr. Tohme talked about hiring or renting a crowd, we didn't do that, we just had to leak that MJ was coming and fans got the word. MJ got up, Phillips said, and went to the bathroom with Dr. Tohme and makeup artist. The children were watching TV in another room. Phillips: MJ had black slacks on and boots, white V-neck shirt. Someone was holding 3 different shirts, one black, one blue and one red. "They were asking me what he should wear, I suggested black since the background was red," Phillips recalled. Phillips described how MJ wanted to wear a sequin armband but didn't have a way to attach it to his arm. Phillips said he got angry. Phillips: I admit to being a drama queen. MJ wouldn't leave unless he had sequined armband on. At that point it was more than I could take. "I raised my voice and said guys, that's enough!" Phillips recalled. (ABC7)

Phillips said he was being a drama queen when he wrote his boss that he screamed at Jackson so loud “the walls are shaking.” Phillips told the jury that he created tension in the room, but that he did yell at the singer over a wardrobe issue. Jackson wanted to wear an armband and couldn’t get it on. It was eating up a lot of time, and Phillips says he yelled at them to get going. The email, Phillips said today, “wasn’t the full reflection” of events leading up to getting Jackson to the press conference. He said it wasn’t the scariest thing he’d ever seen, which he also written to his boss. (AP)

On the van on the way to the press conference, Phillips said he tried to lighten the mood. Mark Lester, Jackson’s friend, was also there. (AP) In the van ride, news helicopters were following and press could see he was coming, Phillips remembered. (ABC7) Phillips said helicopters were following Jackson’s van, which is the only reason that reporters and fans stayed. (AP) "He was chagrined, he knew that what he had done wasn't the coolest things," Phillips recalled. The mood in the van changed, Phillips said. Michael was quite funny. He told Phillips the exec had lost a lot of weight. Phillips responded to MJ that he too would've lost weight if he were pacing in front of the hotel room like he was. Everyone laughed hard. (ABC7)

At the arena, Phillips said he jogged behind Jackson’s golf cart and wrote the short remarks the singer said that day. Before the lunch break, defense attorney Marvin Putnam played a clip showing the press conference from the special features on “This Is It.” (AP)

Phillips said MJ was to write his own remarks the night before the press conference, but didn't do it. Phillips wrote a few lines for him. "He started a little hunched over," Phillips said of MJ in the news conference. "When he went through that curtain, there was MJ." Putnam showed a clip of the press conference, where fans we're screaming and MJ was saying "this is it." "He was so nervous and really concerned about how people would have reacting to him," Phillips said. "He became MJ again, they were telling him they still loved him. It underscored that he was a human being," Phillips opined. "I thought it came out fine," Phillips said about the press conference. They announced 10 shows initially. "I was ecstatic. He was elated," Phillips said. "Because his worse fears and trepidations, they didn't happen." (ABC7) Phillips: “I thought it came out fine.” He said Jackson was elated with the fan turnout and result of the event. (AP)

[Phillips had doubts Jackson would show up for the London announcement because he couldn't reach him a week before the scheduled date. The singer was not returning his manager's calls because he was upset that Tohme Tohme had planned to auction off some of his belongings. Phillips couldn't call Jackson directly -- only through Tohme, he said.

"I was flying blind," Phillips testified. "I didn't know what was happening in Michael's camp."

Phillips was starting to worry about Jackson breaking his contract with AEG Live for his "This Is It" concerts. "If there ever was a time to stop the process," it was then in late February, he testified. "That's when we had the least amount of risk and the greatest amount of collateral." But Phillips decided to press ahead, even if Jackson failed to get on the private jet for London. Jackson arrived with his children, Tohme, a bodyguard, and a nanny who also did his hair and makeup on March 4, 2009. Phillips, who had to stop in Miami for the launch of Britney Spear's "Circus" tour, landed in London on March 5, just hours before the press event was set to begin. Phillips went to the Lanesborough Hotel, where Jackson and Tohme had adjacent suites on the first floor. He sat on Tohme's couch watching CNN while the manager checked on Jackson, he testified. "I was starting to freak out," after a while, he said. Getting from the hotel to the O2 Arena on the east end of London could take 90 minutes since "traffic is mind-boggling," he said. After more waiting, "I am completely freaking out," Phillips said. "I was in the hallway pacing back and forth." "We have a little issue," Tohme eventually told him, he testified. "Michael got drunk." Tohme returned to Jackson's suite, leaving an anxious Phillips in the hotel hallway, he said. "I had an earpiece in my ear, Blackberry in my hand, and I was typing e-mails at the same time I was talking and receiving e-mails from a lot of very concerned people at the O2," Phillips testified.

One of those e-mails was to his boss -- parent company AEG CEO Tim Leiweke:
"MJ is locked in his room drunk and despondent. Tohme and I are trying to sober him up and get him to the press conference with his hairdresser/makeup artist."

Leiweke responded: "Are you kidding me?"

There were 3,000 fans and 350 news organizations waiting at the O2 for Jackson. "Time was ticking away," he testified. "I was sweating bullets."

Phillips eventually talked his way past bodyguard Alberto Alvarez and into Jackson's room, where he saw an empty liquor bottle on the floor by his couch.

Jackson, wearing a robe and pants, "looked hung over," Phillips testified.
"I said 'Michael, are you OK?'" he said. "He said to me that he was really concerned that there wouldn't be anyone there and maybe this would be a bust."

"Trust me, Michael," Phillips said he told him. "You're quite wrong. You have over 3,000 adoring fans, many who have camped out over night."

Phillips helped Jackson pick out the black shirt he wore to the event. But he reached his breaking point when Jackson could not get his armband fastened to his sleeve. After 10 minutes, the hotel engineer was called to help, he said. "It was more than I could take," Phillips testified.

Phillip's next e-mail to his boss suggested his tone with Jackson was anything but soothing:
"I screamed at him so loud the walls are shaking," Phillips said in another e-mail to Leiweke. "Tohme and I have dressed him and they are finishing his hair. Then we are rushing to the O2. This is the scariest thing I have ever seen. He's an emotionally paralyzed mess, filled with self-loathing and doubt now that it is show time. He is scared to death. Right now I just want to get through this press conference."

Phillips vented his frustration with more than words.
"I just slapped him and screamed at him louder that I did with Arthur Cassell," he wrote to the person waiting outside the hotel with a Ford Expedition SUV and bus to take Jackson's entourage to the O2.
Cassell is someone he once screamed at over a booking issue with Lionel Richie, he said in court.
"I slapped him on the butt," like a football coach would with a player, he testified.
Phillips now takes the blame for letting the situation with Jackson get out of control.

"I admit to being a bit of a drama queen," Phillips testified. "I was so nervous, I created so much tension in the room, you could cut the tension with a knife."

When they finally began the ride to the O2, Phillips "went into jester mode to try to lighten up the whole thing," he testified. It became "a very funny ride" with Jackson joking. "He was actually quite funny in the van."
"He kept saying to me 'You look great, you've lost a lot of weight,'" although he was "his heaviest ever," Phillips said, "After the 10th time, I said 'Michael, you would have lost weight if you were pacing in the hotel waiting for you to leave.'"

The thousands of fans at the O2 and millions more around the world watched live video from helicopters following Jackson's convoy making its way to the O2.

"That was a godsend," because it created drama that added to the interest in the announcement, Phillips testified. "In an odd way, it created more anticipation and made it a bigger event as people doubted whether or not it was going to happen."

Once at the O2, Phillips realized Jackson had not written a script. What Jackson read off the teleprompter was written by Phillips as he followed Jackson to the podium.

"This is it. This is really it. This is the final curtain call. OK, I'll see you in July."
As Jackson walked up the steps to the stage, embraced by the shouts of love from thousands of fans, his evolution was complete. Phillips likened the change to the "chart of homo sapiens."

"He start a little hunched over and when he went through that curtain, there was Michael Jackson," Phillips said.
Jackson "was elated" with the reception and immediately flew back to the United States to begin preparations for his comeback concerts set to start four months later, he said. (CNN)]

He said the next day, Jackson, his kids and Mark Lester went to a stage performance of Oliver Twist. Lester starred in a Twist film version. (AP) They stayed in London to watch Oliver Twist. Phillips got MJ and his kids the best seats in the house."When we arrived at the theater, it was kind of pandemonium. When MJ walked in he received standing ovation," Phillips recalled. Phillips said they had to have police on the way out due to the thousands of people in the streets. (ABC7) He said Jackson received a standing ovation at the Oliver Twist show. There was a huge crowd outside too, Phillips said. (AP)

Phillips said after the problems with the press conference, he didn’t have concerns about Jackson’s psychological well-being. He said overall, he had at least 20 meetings with Jackson and other than the one after Arnold Klein visit, he wasn’t concerned. (AP) Phillips was not concerned with MJ's physically. He said he was concerned the day before when MJ drank prior to the presser. Phillips: This wouldn't be the first time I'd dealt with an artist who had drank a little too much. (ABC7)

Per the contract, they had agreed upon 31 shows. The pre-registration kind of gave them first look of how the show would sell, Philips said. Paul Gongaware called him, Phillips said, alerting him that the shows were going to be sold out and needed to add more shows. (ABC7) Phillips then testified about AEG exec Paul Gongaware calling him, urging him to add more “This Is It” shows. (AP)

"Dude, we're going to sell out ridiculous amount of tickets," Gongaware told Phillips. Phillips called Dr. Tohme asking to add more shows, MJ agreed to 50 with two conditions. He wanted house out in countryside. House needed at least 16 acres, rolling streams, horseback riders and wanted a guest house for the writers to work on Thriller 3D. "He didn't want to be trapped in a hotel in London with the kids," Phillips said. After the 50th show, MJ also wanted the world record to document his record, since he knew no one had done 50 shows, Phillips explained. (ABC7) Phillips said Michael Jackson never expressed reservations about performing 50 shows at London’s O2 Arena. (AP)

Putnam showed a frame of the video showing Phillips and MJ in the golf cart going to the presser. (ABC7) Defense attorney Marvin Putnam then showed a frame from “This Is It” to show jury an image of Tohme. Tohme was in golf cart with Jackson. So too was Phillips, who testified before lunch he was running behind the cart. Phillips was in the front seat, in front of Jackson. Phillips: “My memory was faulty,” he said of the golf cart incident. (AP)

Phillips said they had a meeting with Bravado regarding merchandising and were going to open a store at the arena to sell MJ's merch.(ABC7)

Putnam asked Phillips about his meetings at Jackson’s rented mansion on Carrolwood Drive. Phillips said he was never allowed upstairs into Jackson’s bedroom. He only left the first floor once, he said. He said he went to an underground room and watched a screening of a film Jackson was working on. (AP) Most meeting happened at MJ's house in Carolwood, some were at Center Staging, Phillips recalled. Phillips said he had one meeting at Carolwood he went downstairs to the movie room when Michael showed him the movie Ghost he was working on. The exec went to the powder room and kitchen, but never went to the upstairs level of the house. (ABC7)

Putnam again asked Phillips whether Jackson showed any signs of being under the influence of prescription drugs. The executive said no. (AP) Phillips said he never saw MJ drink, under the influence, using prescription drugs, inebriated, hungover, slur speech during the TII period
Did you at anytime have any reason to believe that MJ couldn't perform at the O2 arena?
Phillips: No (ABC7)

He said that when he heard about Murray, he’d been told that Frank Dileo (MJ manager) and Paul Gongaware tried to talk Jackson out of bringing Conrad Murray to London. He said they and tour accountant Tim Woolley wanted Phillips to talk him out of it. Phillips said he called Jackson and it was “probably the most tense one-on-one phone call” he had with the singer. He said he tried to get Jackson to considering hiring a London-based doctor. Phillips said Jackson refused. Phillips: “It’s Michael. When he wants something, he wants something.” The executive said it was his understanding that AEG never paid Murray any money. He said he thought Jackson paid Murray some money. (AP)

Phillips learned MJ wanted to bring his own doctor on tour. This was right at the beginning of rehearsals at the a Forum. Phillips expressed he was concerned not about the doctor, but the cost it would be to bring the physician on tour. This was the time where Dr. Tohme was no longer in MJ's life, Frank DiLeo was back in the game, Phillips explained. "It was probably kind of the most tense, one on one, phone call," Phillips testified. The exec said he told MJ that London had great doctors. "Would you consider that we hire a doctor, that you hire a doctor, in London for this tour?" Phillips said. Phillips said MJ told him his body is the machine and the engine of the machine drives this entire venture and needs a physician 24/7. Phillips: It's Michael, when he wanted something, he wanted something, if he wanted his own doctor, I was in no position to tell him no. (ABC7)

"Tour was sold, there was no question if tickets were going to go," Phillips said, "I just wanted to keep the most money in his pocket." Phillips said AEG Live was advancing money to pay Dr. Murray, but they would recoup it 100%. He said it was MJ's money. "I thought I was going to be able to reason with him, but he insisted to have his own physician," Phillips said. Phillips said he didn't think it was red flag because it was MJ. "Because it was MJ's decision, MJ's money. I took my shot," Phillips said. After this, Phillips never again discussed Dr. Murray going to London with MJ. Phillips never had any discussions about an independent contract agreement for Dr. Murray. Phillips said Dr. Murray was going to be paid $150,000 a month plus expenses. "I thought it was high, but not crazy," Phillips said. Phillips said he never hired Dr. Murray and no one ever told him the deal was finalized.(ABC7)

Phillips said he was aware that Murray had sought $5 million to work with Jackson. He said he thought that meant Murray was successful. Phillips also said the high figure didn’t alarm him or make him think that Murray was unethical. Phillips said the $150k a month Murray agreed to receive seemed high, but “not crazy high.” He said it didn’t cause him pause or concern. (AP)

Defense attorney Marvin Putnam then wanted to show Phillips a clip of the executive’s interview with Sky News. The full clip was 10 mins. This prompted a long sidebar and when the attorneys emerged, a longer clip of Phillips’ interview. It wasn’t 10 mins. It also wasn’t the 10 second clip played by plaintiffs earlier during Phillips’ testimony (AP)

Putnam showed the video of the Sky News interview. Jackson's attorneys objected, they went to Judge's chamber to talk. In the interview, Phillips explained that Dr. Murray was MJ's personal physician and MJ wanted him on tour. (ABC7) . In the video, Phillips said Jackson wanted Murray. Phillips also said in the July 1, 2009, interview that he tried to talk Jackson out of hiring Murray, but said it was Jackson’s decision. (AP)

Putnam: Did you hire Dr. Murray?
Phillips: No
Phillips said AEG never paid Murray.(ABC7) Under questioning by Putnam, Phillips again said AEG Live didn’t hire Murray or give him any money (AP)

AEG Live CEO Phillips then recounted the first time he met Conrad Murray, during a meeting at Jackson’s rented mansion. (AP) Putnam talked about a meeting at Carolwood with MJ, Dr. Murray, Gongaware, DiLeo, Ortega in May. "I was concerned about Michael's weight, personally. I believe Kenny wanted him to show up at rehearsals more often," Phillips recalled.

Putnam: Was this an emergency meeting?
Phillips: No (ABC7)

Phillips said he wasn’t concerned at this point about possible drug misuse or alcohol abuse by Jackson. Phillips said he was concerned about Jackson’s weight. Kenny Ortega was concerned about getting MJ to rehearsals at this meeting. (AP) Putnam asked if this was an intervention. Phillips said no, he used this term as idea for all to get together, but not related to drugs. Dr. Murray was there because he was Michael's physician, Phillips said. The exec talked to Dr Murray about MJ losing weight, his only agenda. "Michael said that he always had problem keeping his weight," Phillips recalled. "When he performed he lost 2-4 pounds, needed Dr. Murray". "He had a high metabolism, he burned calories very quickly," Phillips said. Dr. Murray told Phillips MJ was working out with Lou Ferrigno. The doctor didn't tell Phillips he was going to the house every night and that he was giving him Propofol. Phillips said he never had conversation with Dr Murray about drug abuse of treatment of MJ. "It was a very positive meeting," Phillips said (ABC7)

He said there was no concern at this point that Jackson couldn’t perform all 50 shows. He said it wasn’t an “intervention”. Jackson told participants at the meeting that he had always had difficulty maintaining his weight, and lost 2 to 3 lbs during performances. Phillips said he didn’t think that discussions about Jackson’s weight violated any patient-doctor confidentiality. The executive said that he hadn’t heard of propofol before Jackson’s death, and it wasn’t mentioned in the meeting. (AP)

They discussed Phillips’ business card found in Murray’s card. Phillips said he often writes his cell number on card, it wasn’t unusual. (AP) Phillips said he carry his business cards at all times and it's not abnormal for him to write his cell phone on the back of it.
Putnam: Do you think the fact Dr. Murray had your business card you hired him?
Phillips: No (ABC7)

The second time Phillips said he met Conrad Murray was at a rehearsal at the Forum. It was a quick salutation, he said. The third time Phillips said he met Conrad Murray was on June 20th, after the ‘trouble at the Front’ email. (AP)

On June 19, MJ went to rehearsal but was sent home sick. The only concern Phillips said he had was with MJ's weight. (ABC7)

Phillips was asked a series of questions about those emails. He said before receiving them, he wasn’t concerned about Jackson’s health. He only exception was during a production meeting after Jackson visited his dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein. He said Jackson wasn’t engaged in the meeting and was staring straight ahead, into the dining room. Before court recessed for the day, Phillips said the 'trouble at the Front' emails were "alarming to him." (AP).

Phillips: There was a production meeting at Carolwood house, I noticed that Michael was sitting at the couch and starring at the dining room. "He wasn't engaged," Phillips said. "I asked Michael Amir Williams what was going on, and he said he had seen Dr. Klein.". Phillips didn't think he was abusing prescription drugs at this point. Dr. Murray was not in this meeting. (ABC7)

Phillips recalled receiving a chain of emails on June 19, Trouble at the Front. The meeting Tim Leiweke requested didn't take place because if it was superseded by the June 20th meeting, Phillips explained. Phillips talked about the chemical imbalance that happened with Britney Spears and that she was treated for that during one of her tours. Phillips said he's not 100% sure what he meant when he wrote the problems with MJ could be chemical or physiological. (ABC7)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top