S
Spike \Dislocation\ Jackson
Death Threat Claim In Jackson Case
Feb. 12, 2004
Jackson Go-Between Threats
(CBS/AP) The comedy club owner who introduced Michael Jackson to the boy
he's accused of molesting says he has been receiving death threats, and that
he's not the only one getting them.
Jamie Masada said Thursday on CBS News' The Early Show that he has received
threats on his cell, home and business telephones and in e-mail. None was in
regular mail.
"I'm getting a lot of death threats that they don't want me talking about
it. They don't want anybody to talk about anything," he told co-anchor
Hannah Storm.
"Listen to me, Jamie Masada, it's gonna be over for you, your family and
your bussiness [sic] if you don't stop talking about the king of pop," reads
one of the e-mail messages. It goes on to say "i'm putting a bomb in your
laught [sic] factory" - his comedy club - "and your house."
Masada said he is not frightened and won't stop speaking out on behalf of
the boy.
"The number one thing I want to let people know, he needs a kidney still and
his blood is 'O' negative, CMV negative" he said. "So anybody with that
blood and if you have a kidney, please contact the Kidney Foundation."
The next hearing in the case is Friday, but Jackson won't be there. Lawyers
will discuss a date for a preliminary hearing where the first evidence will
be presented, then will take up the issue of whether to open court records
to the public.
It's expected to be a much more low-key affair than the arraignment Jan. 16,
when hundreds of fans packed the streets and Jackson climbed atop his black
SUV and danced, as his songs blasted out.
"We don't anticipate many fans coming," Santa Maria police Lt. Chris Vaughan
said. "There'll really be nothing for them to see."
Judge Rodney S. Melville has refused to unseal several search warrants.
Friday's hearing will include requests from news organizations including The
Associated Press that the records be unsealed.
The judge will also revisit the gag order imposed in the case. He may amend
it to allow attorneys to respond to inaccurate reports.
The court date comes as the singer makes an effort to seize control of his
public image.
"He's going to be more proactive in speaking for himself on all matters
outside the trial," said his new spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain. "He is tired
of the circus-like atmosphere surrounding him."
Bain also said the Nation of Islam, which provided security at the
arraignment, will probably play less of a role in Jackson's life because he
plans fewer public appearances. Jackson issued a statement last week denying
a rift with the black American Muslim group.
There are reports that Jackson's family is trying to distance itself from
the Nation of Islam. Several family members want to get rid of the group's
bodyguards and advisers but are having a hard time doing so and convincing
Jackson to do so.
In another development, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors
decided Tuesday to drop its plan to charge broadcast media to park their
satellite trucks on the courthouse grounds. At Jackson's arraignment,
broadcasters paid $250 per parking space and were able to set up equipment
two days before the hearing.
The supervisors had considered raising the fee to $400 to cover security,
sanitation and other costs. Instead, the board said there would be no
reserved parking spaces, and trucks would not be permitted to stay
overnight.
Media lawyers argued it was unconstitutional to treat out-of-town
broadcasters differently from local TV outlets that normally do not pay to
park at the courthouse.
Story at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/21/entertainment/main594748.shtml
Video at:
http://video.cgi.cbsnews.com/video/video.pl?url=/media/2004/02/12/video599812.wmv&sid=201
Feb. 12, 2004
Jackson Go-Between Threats
(CBS/AP) The comedy club owner who introduced Michael Jackson to the boy
he's accused of molesting says he has been receiving death threats, and that
he's not the only one getting them.
Jamie Masada said Thursday on CBS News' The Early Show that he has received
threats on his cell, home and business telephones and in e-mail. None was in
regular mail.
"I'm getting a lot of death threats that they don't want me talking about
it. They don't want anybody to talk about anything," he told co-anchor
Hannah Storm.
"Listen to me, Jamie Masada, it's gonna be over for you, your family and
your bussiness [sic] if you don't stop talking about the king of pop," reads
one of the e-mail messages. It goes on to say "i'm putting a bomb in your
laught [sic] factory" - his comedy club - "and your house."
Masada said he is not frightened and won't stop speaking out on behalf of
the boy.
"The number one thing I want to let people know, he needs a kidney still and
his blood is 'O' negative, CMV negative" he said. "So anybody with that
blood and if you have a kidney, please contact the Kidney Foundation."
The next hearing in the case is Friday, but Jackson won't be there. Lawyers
will discuss a date for a preliminary hearing where the first evidence will
be presented, then will take up the issue of whether to open court records
to the public.
It's expected to be a much more low-key affair than the arraignment Jan. 16,
when hundreds of fans packed the streets and Jackson climbed atop his black
SUV and danced, as his songs blasted out.
"We don't anticipate many fans coming," Santa Maria police Lt. Chris Vaughan
said. "There'll really be nothing for them to see."
Judge Rodney S. Melville has refused to unseal several search warrants.
Friday's hearing will include requests from news organizations including The
Associated Press that the records be unsealed.
The judge will also revisit the gag order imposed in the case. He may amend
it to allow attorneys to respond to inaccurate reports.
The court date comes as the singer makes an effort to seize control of his
public image.
"He's going to be more proactive in speaking for himself on all matters
outside the trial," said his new spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain. "He is tired
of the circus-like atmosphere surrounding him."
Bain also said the Nation of Islam, which provided security at the
arraignment, will probably play less of a role in Jackson's life because he
plans fewer public appearances. Jackson issued a statement last week denying
a rift with the black American Muslim group.
There are reports that Jackson's family is trying to distance itself from
the Nation of Islam. Several family members want to get rid of the group's
bodyguards and advisers but are having a hard time doing so and convincing
Jackson to do so.
In another development, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors
decided Tuesday to drop its plan to charge broadcast media to park their
satellite trucks on the courthouse grounds. At Jackson's arraignment,
broadcasters paid $250 per parking space and were able to set up equipment
two days before the hearing.
The supervisors had considered raising the fee to $400 to cover security,
sanitation and other costs. Instead, the board said there would be no
reserved parking spaces, and trucks would not be permitted to stay
overnight.
Media lawyers argued it was unconstitutional to treat out-of-town
broadcasters differently from local TV outlets that normally do not pay to
park at the courthouse.
Story at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/21/entertainment/main594748.shtml
Video at:
http://video.cgi.cbsnews.com/video/video.pl?url=/media/2004/02/12/video599812.wmv&sid=201