Michael Jackson: & the Defense Rested....

Today the Defense rested early enough, after the very effective testimony of actor Chris Tucker, that the Prosecution was able to squeeze in two rebuttal witnesses. Thomas Mesereau wisely kept the Defense witnesses to a minimum. While initially the witness list looked like a "Who's Who" of the Entertainment world, Mesereau chose not to beat the Jury over their heads with Hollywood "character" witnesses. The Defense case was a pared down three weeks long, featuring fifty witnesses. This juxtaposes the Prosecution whose case was a ponderous ten weeks long. I think the Defense's presentation rebutted many of the Prosecution's points & has left the door open for REASONABLE DOUBT.

As many of you readers know, I think Jackson is <u>Guilty as sin.</u> And I now concede he may not be guilty of molestation <u>in this instance.</u> It could be that the Arvizos, predators themselves, knew how to exploit Mr. Jackson's weaknesses.

Thus far, I don't think that the Prosecution has proven its case. This is largely due to the accuser, Gavin Arvizo &, in particular, his mother Janet are far from sympathetic figures. I'm not stating that a empathetic victim is a prerequisite for bringing charges against someone. But it sure doesn't help the Prosecution that the family have been GRIFTERS all their lives; taking down J.C. Penny's for $152K & shaking down family & celebrities for cash & prizes. Additionally, Ms. Arvizo is under investigation for Welfare Fraud. Although I did not comment on it at the time, her bizarre three day testimony on the stand, painted a woman who is not only a cheat, but a liar who dances on the precipice of sanity. (She is a mother who promoted her son's horrible bout with cancer into cash, shopping sprees, spa dates, trips & luxury goods. Most would not see their son's terminal illness as an opportunity for profit!)

Off hand, I can not think of anything that the Prosecution has presented that the Defense has not neutralized. A couple of examples: the Arvizo family were held captive at Neverland. Ms. Pryor, a Casting Associate & the girl friend of Chris Tucker, testified that Janet Arvizo was distraught that she had lost influence & entree to Michael Jackson. (She was NOT the only witness to this fact.) Gavin's brother reported that he viewed Michael molesting his brother while his brother slept. Yet this occurred without tripping the extremely loud alarm. (This alarm was tested & shown to the jury as being a sound no one could sleep through.) All we now unequivocally know is that Michael Jackson is a troubled man & an alcoholic.

In another overly-publicized trial, the defendant Scott Peterson, was convicted because the Jury found him odious. There was no murder weapon. Only theories of how the murder was committed. No witnesses. No forensic evidence that tied Scott to the murders. It really should've been the perfect crime. But because Scott was so unsympathetic he was sentenced to death. Similarly unless Tom Sneddon has a brilliant rebuttal strategy & even more compelling closing argument, this case will become a matter of whom the Jury feels is the real victim; Jackson or Gavin Arvizo.