A PUZZLED PUBLIC GROWS RESTLESS

"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 helpun-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 intact.

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 a 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 appointent 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."

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 tostumble, 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."

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