The Michael Jackson Jigsaw
A puzzled public grows restless
By Dr. Firpo Carr
Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper
November 26, 2009 - December 2, 2009
"Why is the Michael Jackson death investigation taking so long?!" "Why is Dr. Conrad Murray still walking around a free man while Michael Jackson’s murdered body lies cold in a tomb?!" These are just two of the many unanswered exclamatory questions rocking the Gloved One’s magic kingdom. Make no mistake about it. These questions are not cleverly worded inquiries designed to grab your attention. Longtime Michael Jackson fans, as well as recent converts, remain traumatized over his death. They languish inconsolably in a swirling pool of emotions. My heart truly goes out to them. A brief overview of a few of the potpourri of events occurring since Michael’s death clearly illustrates the reasons why a restless public is growing ever more disenchanted. Concurrently, a consideration of the associated commentary may help un-muddy murky waters.
Did MJ Know of His Impending Death?: Several people who were with Michael in his last days speak of his as being extremely paranoid, thinking that "they" were out to get him. Who were "they"? Presumably, say Jackson supporters, those in charge of his assets--particularly entities who stood to gain the most by acquiring complete possession of his Beatles catalogue. Interestingly, this is precisely in line with what he told me when he called me up and said: "They’re after my catalogue." He went even further with Dick Gregory. The famed civil rights activist called and told me Michael told him: "They’re trying to kill me." To say that fans are anxious over this would be a gross understatement.
Ten Shows Originally Advertised: There has been lots of fuss over whether Michael Jackson agreed to do 10 shows in London or 50 shows there at the O2 Arena. An original advertisement clearly reveals that there would be 10 shows only. This is consistent with what Michael himself said. Apparently he realized his thin, frail frame could barely withstand the 10 shows he agreed to. As far as his physical stamina is concerned, his performance in This Is It shows he was a mere shadow of his former self. Even so, the movie demonstrated that his incomparable talent remained in tact. Wrong Names on Birth Certificates?: It has been alleged that there is an apparent naming inconsistency of Michael Jackson's children in the in what is reportedly—yet controversially—his "Will." How does this translate into a functional reality? This amounts to nothing more than a minor technicality—so I’m told—in that the children of Michael Jackson—whatever their true and accurate names may be—are entitled to certain rights. It is not uncommon for persons to have one name on their birth certificates but go by a completely different name throughout their lifetimes.
Wonderment Over the "Will": Joseph Jackson, Michael’s father, filed a court document (Case No. BP 117321) on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, objecting to the appointment of John Branca, Michael’s former attorney who he fired, and John McClain as the Executors and Special Administrators of the Estate of Michael Jackson. The elder Jackson objects in part because he alleges the following: "Branca Had a Conflicts of Interest Because of the Sony/ATV Trust. Branca was the Trustee of the Sony/ATV Trust through 2003. Branca negotiated business music licensing agreement for both Michael Jackson and Sony/ATV for songs they independently owned. Branca had conflicts of interest when he acted for Michael Jackson and Sony/ATV on the same subject matter. By drafting a Will where Branca was Michael Jackson’s Executor, Branca had an inherent conflicts of interest with Michael Jackson. His position as Executor would permit him to engage in self-dealing whereby he would stand in the shoes of Michael Jackson while also representing the Trust.
"The conflicts of interest disqualified Branca from serving as Michael Jackson’s Executor without a full disclosure of the conflicts and Michael Jackson’s approval of the conflicts by independent counsel before Michael Jackson signed his Will making Branca and McClain Executors. John McClain suffered form the same conflicts of interest. He was the Trustee of the MJ Publishing Trust. By being Michael Jackson’s Executor both Branca and McClain would be able to self-deal where the Trusts they represented would purchase properties or license songs which should have been for Michael Jackson’s benefit. Their self-dealing required a conflicts of interest disclosure before Michael Jackson signed the supposed July 7, 2002, Will. Neither Branca nor McClain made a conflicts disclosure to Michael Jackson for the purported July 7, 2002, Will."
Murray Back in Business?: To the utter amazement of MJ fans and numerous disinterested third parties Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael’s former physician who many believe (including Michael’s sister Janet) is directly responsible for his death, has returned to practicing medicine. Earlier this week he arrived at the Armstrong Medical Clinic in Houston, Texas, to resume treating patients. What does all this portend? Frankly, we’ll just have to wait and see. It would be the quintessence of hypocrisy on my part if I didn’t insist on the application of the same constitutional concept in Dr. Murray’s case that I insisted on during Michael’s trial for child molestation. What’s that? You remember: A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If Dr. Murray is indeed guilty, but say, perchance, the authorities have insufficient evidence to convict him, rest assured he’ll not escape the wrath of the Almighty God he claims to worship.
Michael’s Accuser’s Father Commits Suicide: On November 5, 2009, Evan Chandler, a former Beverly Hills dentist and estranged father of Jordan Chandler, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. His body was found in his bed in a waterfront Jersey City luxury apartment in New Jersey. In 1993 Jordan Chandler, then 13-years-old, accused Michael of having molested him. However, he recanted after Michael’s death, confessing that his father put him up to falsely accusing the King of Pop. Geraldine Hughes, who worked for the Chandler’s attorney, witnessed the entire scheme. During the trial she laid out the whole thing for me.
Ironically, the officer in charge of the suicide probe is former Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Thomas. During Michael’s trial our paths crossed several times. Though I adamantly disagreed with him in his belief that Michael was guilty, he was still pleasant speaking with him. Regarding the elder Chandler’s suicide Thomas lamented: "Everybody in this whole saga was touched tragically."
How do I feel about the whole matter? While the Bible acknowledges that one reaps what one sows (Galatians 6:7), it also states: "When your enemy falls, do not rejoice; and when he is caused to stumble, may your heart not be joyful." (Proverbs 24:17) Given this reality, some may be experiencing uneasiness about the need to suppress a celebratory spirit. Indeed, heaven help us all.
Roger Friedman Slanders Joe Jackson?: Because Joe Jackson, who singlehandedly orchestrated the success of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, didn’t graduate Harvard, he’s often the brunt of brutal media attacks. Is some of the criticism justified? It can be argued either way. Still, outright lies are inexcusable. When I was on CNN’s Joy Behar Show a month ago today (October 26, 2009) with long-time Jackson family critic Roger Friedman (formerly of Fox News), he not only made fun of Michael’s death, he said Joe Jackson was charging exorbitant prices to a private viewing of This Is It, and was guilty of other illegalities. Joe told me himself that nothing could be farther from the truth. Friedman provided no proof of these outlandish allegations.
Finally, the question that screams for resolution is: Will the jigsaw puzzle that is Michael Jackson finally be pieced together to reveal the big picture that we’re all eagerly waiting to behold? Only time will tell. I like to think that we won’t have to hurry up and wait much longer. Please pray that I’m right. Amen.
http://firpocarr.com/id5.html
