Jackson Financial Records Brought Into Evidence

Prosecution near end of their case

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

As the Prosecution neared the end of their nine-week case yesterday, they called a financial expert, a police officer and a former worker of Michael Jackson's Neverland Valley Entertainment company to the stand.

First witness was John Duross O'Bryan, a forensic accountant, who claimed that Michael was in financial trouble, a claim his attorneys deny but a motive to keep the Arvizo family hostage according to Prosecutors. They contend that Michael was in dire need for money following the public relations disaster of Living with Michael Jackson that he and others went to extreme lengths to make sure the family took part in a rebuttal video. Although the interview with the Arvizo's was filmed, it was never aired with the other footage.

O'Bryan had analysed Michael's financial records from 1999-2003 before taking the stand according to the Santa Maria Times. "Mr. Jackson's financial condition had been deteriorating up to and leading into February 2003," the witness said. "The evidence shows that he's spending about $20 million to $30 million (per year) more than he's making." O'Bryan acknowledged most of Michael's wealth derived from three assets, Mijac publishing, (his own music catalogue) ATV/Sony publishing (also known as the Beatles catalogue) and Neverland Valley ranch.

Lead Defence attorney Thomas Mesereau concentrated on the value of the music catalogues during cross-examination. Mesereau stated that Michael had never filed for bankruptcy and is not broke, and although O'Bryan admitted he had not appraised the music catalogues the witness was still confident in his estimation that Michael is in financial peril. Mesereau implied that the witness' estimation of Michael Jackson's stake in the ATV/Sony catalogue fell short when he claimed it was around $200 million when asked whether or not it was worth more than $500 million. The attorney also pointed out that Michael had numerous lucrative offers to tour and perform between 1999 and 2003 and could have taken them to ease his debt if he needed to, "If it was that easy to do, why wasn't it done?" O'Bryan asked. "Maybe it wasn't as serious as you've identified," Mesereau retorted.

Addressing the rebuttal video, Mesereau pointed out that the FOX network had paid $7 million for the footage, asked it that sum would make a dent into Michael's alleged debts O'Bryan answered, "No." "It wouldn't be worth committing a crime in that situation over $7 million, would it?" asked Mesereau. The witness did not answer after Judge Rodney Melville sustained an objection by Senior Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss.

Sgt. Steve Robel, who has already previously testified during the Prosecution's case, took the stand again to refute testimony made by Debbie Rowe last week. According to Robel, in an interview with Rowe in early 2004, "She referred to Michael as a sociopath and his children being possessions," contradicting her testimony last week in which she heaped praise on Michael as a great Father and friend. During cross-examination, Mesereau pointed out Rowe's comments could have come out of anger concerning the on-going custody battle for her children. The attorney asked Robel if Rowe ever said, "(Expletive) his Defence. At this point I want the kids," in the interview. Robel acknowledged she had indeed said that as well.

Court ended with Rudy Provencio, a former general manager of Neverland Valley Entertainment and old friend of un-indicted alleged co-conspirator Marc Schaffel, taking the stand. Neverland Valley Entertainment was set up to market Michael's What More Can I Give charity single project. Provencio's testimony is expected to resume today.

Once Provencio has left the stand, the Prosecution is expected to rest their case, leaving the Defence to commence their case. According to NBC, three of the Defence's intended initial witnesses are Brett Barnes, Wade Robson and Macauley Culkin, three of the five children the Prosecution claim Michael abused over a decade ago.

Source - MJNI.COM