A Decade of Vindication (how the news broke).. Let's come together to remember June 13th 2005

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ILoveHIStory

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By R.F.

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Ten years ago a jury in Santa Maria, California acquitted Michael Jackson of child molestation and conspiracy. Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon charged Michael with molesting Garvin Arvizo and then kidnapping Gavin’s family– his mother, brother, and sister.
Attorney Thomas Mesereau mounted a brilliant defense and Michael, after four months, was acquitted.

But the damage was done. Michael had sat through weeks and weeks of crazy testimony and accusations. His entire life was laid open – his finances, his personal peccadilloes, relationships with every single person he ever knew, descriptions of his body parts. His mother and sometimes his father, or a sibling, sat in the row behind him. They heard it all. Everything was on the record for his child one day to read.

By the time the jury reached their verdict, Michael Jackson was destroyed. There was no jubilant celebration. He was done. He took his kids and left California. Mesereau advised him, “Leave here now.” Why? He knew, and every reasonable person who’d watched this circus since Jackson’s arrest in November 2003, that Sneddon had it in for him. Sneddon was not going to stop until he somehow put Michael Jackson in jail. If Michael stayed at Neverland, in Santa Barbara County, he would always be a target.

Sneddon’s vendetta against Jackson reached back a decade, to when Michael agreed to a financial settlement with the family of another boy, Jordan Chandler. It was the worst decision that Michael ever made. It created an aura around him of a pedophile, one that he couldn’t shake. It made him a target for more extortion. It turned him into a real drug addict who couldn’t always make other, clear decisions. Eventually, it would kill him.

What was the upside of the Chandler settlement? To the lawyers and advisers, it kept Michael out of jail and court in 1994. Sneddon couldn’t prosecute Michael without the Chandlers. Sneddon was defeated before he could make his case. Jackson, Sneddon felt, danced away. Instead of leaving it alone, Jackson mocked Sneddon publicly in song, taunted him. And Sneddon vowed revenge.

There are just a couple of things you need to know about that trial. Gavin Arvizo’s mother, proved in court to be a scammer and a schemer, was crazy. Sneddon found in her a perfect collaborator. She said and did whatever he wanted. It didn’t matter that her so called “kidnappers” had a full record of their time with her including receipts for spa treatments, movie dates, fast food restaurant meals and shopping safaris. When those guys — Frank Cascio and Vinnie Amen– came to me in 2004 with a huge metal briefcase filled with records of what had gone on, the first thing I remember saying to them was, “Are you sure the Arvizos didn’t kidnap you?”

I was joking, but that’s really what had happened. Gavin Arvizo had cancer. His mother, Janet, used the cancer as leverage to worm her way into Michael’s life. Michael Jackson was naive about one thing since his “We are the World” hit project– that he could save the world, and “save the children who are destined to die,” as Marvin Gaye once sang. Michael, after selling 100 million records, and being dubbed the “King of Pop,” saw himself as a savior. Saving Gavin was just part of his duties.

And that’s what blew him up. He allowed Martin Bashir to come to his house and make a documentary that showed Michael embracing the Arvizos. It was appalling. The worst part of Bashir’ heavily slanted film, called “Living with Michael Jackson,” was a segment in which Gavin– who Michael had brought to Neverland for the filming to show that he was a savior– talked about sleeping in Michael’s bed. When the documentary ran on ABC at the end of January 2003, this moment set off alarms. I wrote at the time that it was possible Michael would wind up in jail. The internet blew up.

Sneddon immediately sent his people to the Arvizos’ apartment in Los Angeles. They left his card under their door. And when Michael realized what had happened, he kicked the freeloading Arvizo’s out of Neverland. They had to return to their real life– no more spa treatments and gifts. And that’s when Sneddon found a conspirator in Janet Arvizo. The only thing was, he didn’t do due diligence. He was so excited to have someone who could help him realize his goal of putting Michael Jackson in jail, he never investigated Janet Arvizo’s background.

My favorite moment sitting in that Santa Maria courthouse? When Tom Mesereau got Janet Arvizo to testify she thought Michael Jackson was going to steal her children by taking them away in a hot air balloon. The courtroom howled. Judge Melville banged his gavel. It was the culmination of a devastating testimony skillfully delived by Mesereau. Everyone knew at that moment the jury was not going to buy Sneddon’s prosecution. Everyone, that is, except Sneddon.

There were good prosecutors on Sneddon’s team. Ron Zonen was and is respected. So is Gordon Auchincloss. They had some great dramatic moments in court. But they never questioned Sneddon’s motives. They followed him right off the bridge into the ocean.

The prosecutors were so out of touch with what was happening that on the eve of the verdict, they threw themselves a congratulatory party. In a public restaurant. A woman I knew stumbled upon them and called me immediately.

This is what I wrote on June 10, 2005:
The prosecutors in Michael Jackson’s child molestation and conspiracy trial apparently feel they’ve already won their case.

On Wednesday night [June 8], the whole lot of them — DA Tom Sneddon, Ron Zonen, Gordon Auchincloss, their wives and families — all celebrated at the Hitching Post restaurant in Casmalia.

The Hitching Post, cousin of the Buellton restaurant featured in the movie “Sideways,” is considered the best restaurant in the greater Santa Maria area.

Sneddon was so happy that he actually embraced celebrity crime reporter Aphrodite Jones. She told me he was in a jubilant mood, and the most outgoing of all the people on hand.

Said one observer, “This group was happy. There was definitely a celebratory mood.”

The prosecutor’s team was first spotted making merry at the bar, and then retreated to a private dining room behind the bar that has no door.

“They could be heard laughing and carrying on,” said a source.

Also present at what could only be termed a party were several of the police investigators involved in the case, including Sgts. Steve Robel and Jeff Klapakis.

By contrast, little has been seen around town of defense attorney Tom Mesereau, who’s kept a low profile since the jury began deliberations a week ago.

It was two weeks since the defense had rested. It would be five more days before the jury would come back with their stunning verdict that rebuked Sneddon’s entire case. But there they were, so full of hubris, certain that they’d prevailed.

In a way they had. Tom Sneddon essentially killed Michael Jackson. If Sneddon had really been objective and had investigated the Arvizo’s properly, the case would not have come to trial. But he turned it into a circus from day 1–staging a surprise raid of Neverland, conspiring with tabloid reporter Diane Dimond (whose entire career is built on her obsession with being Jackson’s snarling enemy)– to make it a big media splash. Nothing was done by the book. It was all done to ruin Michael Jackson and it worked.

The Arvizos– we’ve never heard from them again, not a peep (except for Diane Dimond’s report about his 2013 wedding where — unbelievably– at least one Michael Jackson was played by the deejay). Jordan Chandler? His father, after turning his son into a recluse and destroying Jackson’s reputation, committed suicide five months after Michael’s death at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray. In 1996, a journalist named Mary Fisher wrote a seminal piece in GQ proving Evan Chandler and his ex-wife’s new husband had brainwashed Jordy into thinking he’d been molested. They got $20 million for their hard work. Thirteen years later Michael Jackson was dead.

The jury in the trial thought that once they’d acquitted Michael, the solid gold gates to Neverland would swing open and Jackson would thank each of them individually. They were so wrong. The gates snapped shut. Jackson was never seen again in the town of Los Olivos. Two weeks later he and his children were gone, kicking off four years of homelessness that would end in death. Neverland fell silent. Unlike with the prosecutors, there was no celebration of this bitter victory.
 
This is the very first article published just minutes after the verdict:

Michael Jackson Completely Exonerated

By LINDA DEUTSCH
AP Special Correspondent

Jackson looked straight ahead as the verdicts were read and showed no reactionashe was found not guilty of all counts. As he left court, Jacksonheld his hand to his heart and blewkisses to the screaming crowd. He was laterescorted by his aides into a blackSUV, and made no immediate public statement.

Screams of joy rang out among a throng of fans outside the courthouse.Fansjumped up and down, hugged each other and threw confetti in celebration ofthenews. A woman in the throng released one white dove as each acquittalwasannounced.

After the verdicts were announced, the judge read a statement from thejury:"We the jury feel the weight of the world's eyes upon us." Theyaskedto be allowed to return to "our private lives as anonymously aswecame."

By The Associated Press
7 minutes ago
(June 13th 2005)


I thought we could post our memories, photos, videos and articles from this day..

For those of us who lived through this momentous day ten years ago, it was absolutely the most glorious collective feeling when those verdicts were readout. After months and months of sadness, anger, frustration and disbelief, itfelt as if the weight was finally lifted.

The memories are still so fresh. Fans were united in a way that I have never,ever seen again. It was possibly the only time when all of us were doing the exact same thing at the same time as each other and Michael: praying and hoping justice would be done.

And it was..we all found out by listening to the live audio feed...doves were released for each count outside the courthouse, screams of jubilation rang out...

Inside, Michael, the lawyers, the fans, the Jacksons.. all in tears..

Some people may no longer think this day was important given the fact that MJ died 4 years later, but if you remember the horrible injustice that he fought every day leading up to the verdict, you know that can never be true.

Michael died an innocent man. And at last, for that moment, the world saw justice.
 




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[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Arial] Michael died an innocent man. And at last, for that moment, the world saw justice.[/FONT][/COLOR]





well said. and so true. we can be really happy about it! :yes:
 
As happy as I was to hear those not guilty verdicts, it also seemed like the beginning of the end for Michael. None of us will ever truly know how much of a toll it all took on him, but we can just imagine. The mental anguish had to be so painful to deal with.

The systematic killing of Michael Jackson started years before his eventual death on June 25, 2009.

June is such an emotional month for me.
 
For those of us who lived through this momentous day ten years ago, it was absolutely the most glorious collective feeling when those verdicts were readout. After months and months of sadness, anger, frustration and disbelief, it felt as if the weight was finally lifted.

The memories are still so fresh.

Absolutely, it was a most liberating feeling. Anyone who truly cared for Michael and had any notion of justice (both divine and human) could only have feelings of jubilation on that day. The toll it took on Michael.....well, that's another business. But the relief felt as those words were pronounced over and over again was absolutely incredible.
 
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Today in HIStory, June 13th 2005 Michael Jackson was acquitted on all 14 counts. &#8234;#&#8206;michaeljackson&#8236; &#8234;#&#8206;vindicated&#8236; &#8234;#&#8206;notguilty&#8236; Dont Miss Tonight's Show w/ Nicole & Scotty: Unchartered Waters. Geraldine Hughes. William J. Wagener. @BodyGuard Kerry AndersonBodyGuard Mike Garcia & Mr Lead Defense Attorney (The Man who helped get Michael Free Mr. Tom Mesereau. Link Above Showtime in the US is 6pmest/ 5pm Central/3pm pst Well see you Tonight & The chat room will be open at 5 ChatRoom http://tobtr.com/s/7619585(LINK)
 
Fans were united in a way that I have never,ever seen again.

Indeed. I was quite proud to see some fans and some forums putting their issues aside to unite and trend hashtags commemorating Michael's vindication. While there were absences, I believe those who unified have something to be proud of. Finally Michael was the primary reason for unifying; not the usual, familiar reasons (some quite negative) that have nothing to do with Michael. It was a selfless act that was wonderful to see.

I lived through that time as well and it was grand to see that unification today on social media. So many messages of love which was so uplifting. Unfortunately, as I read those tweets, I realize it has been quite some time that I was proud of the collective actions of the fandom. I am unsure what needs to happen for the fandom to have the unity I saw today but, I do wish it was not always in a tragedy.
 
Re: Memorable day - June 13th, 2005: 10 Years Since The Court Acquittal

I just want to say thank you so much for posting these videos. I was a little hesitant to watch them, because of the emotion I've been feeling-but they were so well done, and I was pleased with the last one in particular. I had no idea so MANY talking heads said that the jury was right-and that the prosecutors had NO case. (I avoided all cable/tabloid shows at the time and just read the AP reports-but inevitably I heard the bad press through work). And I was also pleased to see so many of Michael's supporters get air time. Very pleased.

So, thank you.
 
10 years ago today...wow

I still remember watching the daily trial re-enactments on the E! channel every single day and praying that he would be a free man. It was toward the end of my 4th grade at school and I distinctly remember telling myself that if MJ was convicted that I would skip the rest of the remaining school year out of grief. Luckily, on June 13th, right after school was over, I immediately switched on CNN and saw the image of MJ's black car riding the California highway with the banner saying "Not guilty on all 10 counts". I screamed "YES!" so loudly that I shook my entire bedroom, it was such a gravitating feeling as I remember it.
 
A friend and I went to Neverland and the courthouse today. I'll have some photos soon. It's really emotional for me actually, it's hard to talk about but this day really is important to us and Michael and I'm really glad I could share it with another fan who understands.
 
Did anyone listen to the King Jordan podcast yesterday and know who did that Unbreakable cover the opened the show?
 
Remembering the daily court re-enacments on E!, it made me cringe how the Michael impersonator looked, he looked disgusting, I think he's the same one who appeared on one of the Scary Movies parodies but at the same time, it made me admire Michael's strength to put up with all that crap and vilification around him. He went through one of the most heinous and unjust treatments a human being could be subjected to but he managed to carry himself with lot of dignity, grace through out the trial even with a smile on his face at times.

For example, the day Tom grilled that ungrateful bastard on the cross-examination. I'm sorry to show the girlie fan there's in me in this moment but Michael looked graceful and absolutely gorgeous.



 
I remember hearing when the verdict was in. I was afraid and upset that it was going to be guilty. Because of how hated he was by MJ haters. And that horrific nightmare I remember having a month before. Some of my dreams I had. Does tend to come true for me. And I was so scared of that nightmare coming true. But I am so glad that it didn't. And for the next few days I had celebrated. Just like the rest of the fans was doing. Except that I had to do it by myself. Since I had absolutely no friends. That are also MJ fans to celebrate with. But I just so totally wish I could have been there in person. Instead of watching it on tv. I so envy the fans that was there in person. But besides that I just could not have been more happier. Than I was back then. And it is funny at that time on June 13th. It was the 6th anniversary of my high school graduation.
 
I loved reading your post and thank you for providing your experience with the trial. It's always more meaningful when it's provided by fans who truly cared for him rather than reporters just doing their job. I love hearing about people who met him or were able to support him in whatever way they could.

June is such a hard month for all of us, especially with so much going on. If we can just keep reaching out to each other than we can all get through it.

Much love Michael.
 
I never doubted Michael's innocence knocking how ridiculously idiotic the Arvizo family's claims but I was afraid the jury wouldn't do the right thing. Fortunately my fears were unfounded and they saw through their greed and bs.

Lucky you guys the ones who have the chance to support Michael personally being in court or going to Neverland expressing him your unconditional love. I think he said himself the love and support of his children, friends who didn't abandon him and you guys gave him strength and kept him going.
 
I remember watching all news on all channels just to see Michael arriving to courtroom.
The day of reading verdict was so tense.

BTW I know Mike came one day in pyamas because he was in hospital cause of back pain, but didi he came one day with small car in his hands (you know toy, like chldren have) or did i mix somethin up?
 
The day of his vindication was extremely tense. I have yet to see any other celebrity, whose approaching reading of the verdict meant live footage of all the way driving from home to the court house on several chanels. I remember that during the whole court case I saved each and every photo of Michael published... just in case he'd be found guilty. I was scared to death I'd never again get to see him as a free man. I was so relieved on june 13th. And those pigeons... I felt every one of them.

Who would have thought that 4 years later we'd see another procession on the streets, live on several chanels.
 
It still blows my mind that there was less time between the acquittal and his death, than there has been between his death and now. I mean I know at some point that point will come to pass as time goes on, but when oyu think about it, to me it shows just how quickly things went after he was acquitted and had to recover and rebuild.
 
I think this series captures the atmosphere of those days. The media frezny and all.





 
oy. Reminds me so much of the anxiety and just straight up terror/panic I'd feel watching him on trial. I was so scared every day that someone was going to assassinate him. It was the weirdest feeling - I had my gut instinct that he would be acquitted, not just because of the "evidence" (ha!) but at the same time it killed me to see it kill him and the fear that, "What if? What if he's convicted?"
 
It still blows my mind that there was less time between the acquittal and his death, than there has been between his death and now. I mean I know at some point that point will come to pass as time goes on, but when oyu think about it, to me it shows just how quickly things went after he was acquitted and had to recover and rebuild.

Yeah, that amazes me too.

Also the fact there's nearly been more time between his death and now than there was between Off The Wall and Bad.
 
I was working a late shift back then and it was announced early in the evening that the jury had come to a decision......hence why I pulled a "sicky" and rushed home calling in to get a bottle of vodka to calm my nerves,God only knows how Michael must have been feeling.
As each decision was read I let out a big yes!and at the end I was overjoyed,I was able to enjoy the rest of my night and I got the tunes on and played them loud.
When I woke late the next day I noticed that I had pulled my HIStory Wembley programme to bits to stick all the pics on the window of my flat.:yes:
 
I was working a late shift back then and it was announced early in the evening that the jury had come to a decision......hence why I pulled a "sicky" and rushed home calling in to get a bottle of vodka to calm my nerves,God only knows how Michael must have been feeling.
As each decision was read I let out a big yes!and at the end I was overjoyed,I was able to enjoy the rest of my night and I got the tunes on and played them loud.
When I woke late the next day I noticed that I had pulled my HIStory Wembley programme to bits to stick all the pics on the window of my flat.:yes:

Thanks for cheerful story, it made my day:clapping:

What happen to that bottle of vodka:cheeky:
 
Thanks for cheerful story, it made my day:clapping:

What happen to that bottle of vodka:cheeky:

No worries,glad to hear it.

It was polished off.....I didn't realise I had destroyed my programme and stuck pictures all over my window until I got up the following day......God bless the Russians and their inventions.:D
 
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