delete. my bad!
[Edited 3/31/05 15:29pm]

A Blacklisting That Went Bankrupt: The Questions Begin


Created: Thursday, 31 March 2005

By John Karrys
District Attorney Tom Sneddon has had a legion of help in packaging and selling Michael Jackson’s guilt to the world. On a daily basis, for the past twelve years, we have heard and seen an endless number of molestation jokes that imply Michael’s guilt or, at least, intelligent and wise people should think so. These are the establishment satirists and comics who subtly influence public opinion. Without any reference to context or even probable evidence, the quest for the most salacious stories are considered fair game if it is Michael Jackson on the receiving end. The over-arching assumption has always been that something inappropriate was happening at Neverland, and even if there wasn’t any evidence to support that claim, that it was okay to assume he was guilty of child molestation because the architects of public opinion in the media made it appear so. Isn’t there any worry, by members in the media, that there can be the possibility of a blacklisting backlash? Especially during a time where trust in the media and government are at an all-time low.

It is worrisome how many people have been more than willing to profit mercilessly off of these unsubstantiated charges with no regard or care that he could be innocent and that this kind of white-collar corruption could easily happen to them. Many brilliant satirists such as Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Howard Stern or Eminem, who come across as your witty non-conformists and voices for the voiceless, clearly sold out something when they jumped on the bandwagon and arrogantly implied in their material that Michael is a child molester. Now that the case has finally unfolded, with surprisingly suspicious timelines and poorly coached testimony, it will be intriguing to see how people like the aforementioned will rationalize their blindsided ignorance and apologize to him for it. I am sure they wouldn’t like being called child molesters as they pursue their own careers; even if it was ‘just a joke.’

All this time, so many were so sure that he was guilty. So sure, that Tom Sneddon, an accomplished District Attorney, had a solid probable cause, some evidence and a superb circumstantial case to compliment his giddiness when he demanded that Michael Jackson turn himself into authorities. Tom Sneddon has produced an alarmingly weak and baseless case. The transcripts speak for themselves, which is a highlight reel as to how many forms or patterns of lies one can count. It is Sneddon who is pathetically pushing Sisyphus’ boulder. This case is demolishing the reputations of several professionals who gambled their careers on Michael’s guilt. Michael has endured unprecedented alienation although his innocence is shining bright at this moment.

How the tides have turned. In classrooms across the world, this poorly presented and constructed case has cast a brand new light on to the situation. The question with which students must wrestle is no longer merely that of guilt or innocence. Today, the question is this: How did this case come to be? Why was Michael Jackson blacklisted throughout the media if their information from inside sources proved to be weak? Why should we trust law enforcement after this? With such a massive absence of evidence, what factors drove this prosecution to proceed using such a baseless case?

Those irritating whispers regarding Sony Music’s influence are certainly getting louder in a world where we are all too familiar with the ominous partnership between some corporations or organizations and the State. It was okay when the story framed law enforcement as being the good guys and the wealthy eccentric celebrity as the disturbed bad guy. But it is clear, at this juncture, that the State’s case against Michael Jackson is bankrupt.

Due to its poor performance, the prosecution’s case will never rest peacefully. Imagine all of those poor media profiteers who must now come to terms with the ill-advised investments made into all of those Michael Jackson specials, exclusives and late-night jokes. That monumental momentum that any prosecutor would dream of has vanished within weeks. With the absence of tangible evidence, questions are being asked as to why these media outlets weren’t aggressively exploring how this case was conceived and what is the nature of this obvious entrapment?

If a state like California is going to attempt to attract entrepreneurs and businesses, as Governor Schwarzenegger has frequently said it must, people need to be assured that its civic institutions are for the most part legitimate, and that the rule of law applies to all. This is paramount for free-market capitalism to flourish and a guarantee to attract the best talent. This case is being watched very closely from all over the world and the State’s action or inaction will speak volumes as to its sincerity as being progressive.

Will Californian Attorney General, Bill Lockyear, look the other way and permit this kind of conduct to continue? Is it acceptable for a prosecutor to pursue a case on a whim or for a price? How has this case demonstrated otherwise? These types of questions are just beginning to emerge as the state’s case against Michael Jackson comes to a close. By allowing the 93 allegations as evidence, Judge Melville’s home-court ruling to desperately resurrect such an embarrassing showcase of American jurisprudence will logically give solid premises to connect these toxic questions into substantial indictments.

At this moment, it is plausible that there is an uncomfortable nexus of anxiety tormenting the taxpayers of Santa Barbara.

Hasn't the defense discredited every witness for the prosecution so far?

Attorney Thomas A. Mesereau, Jr. specializes in criminal defense (state and federal court) and civil trials. He is a partner with the firm of Collins, Mesereau, Reddock & Yu, LLP in Los Angeles. Tom was educated at Harvard University, The London School of Economics and The University of California’s Hastings College of Law. He appears often on national and local Los Angeles television and radio stations and lectures on various topics, including criminal law, civil rights and trial strategy.

Mr. Mesereau has served as counsel in many high-profile trials in Los Angeles County, as well as other parts of the United States. A noted defender of the underprivileged, Mr. Mesereau has received numerous awards from cities and churches for his contributions. He has been named the “Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year” by the Century City Bar Association, Los Angeles, and has been listed as one of the “One Hundred Most Influential Attorneys in California” by the Los Angeles Daily Journal. Los Angeles Magazine has named Mr. Mesereau one of California’s “Super Lawyers.”



In a one-year period, Mr. Mesereau obtained seven (7) acquittals and two (2) hung juries in cases involving murder, drive-by shootings, robbery, assault and illegal weapon possession.



Mr. Mesereau has obtained numerous acquittals in criminal jury trials involving murder, the death penalty, securities fraud, health care fraud, business fraud, sex crimes (rape, child molestation, etc.), conspiracy, drugs, assaults, three strikes, gang violence, weapons violations and other alleged crimes. He has successfully defended and prosecuted civil cases through trial involving business fraud, legal malpractice, sexual harassment, real estate fraud and personal injury. Mr. Mesereau has successfully defended licensed professionals, including physicians and attorneys, in administrative licensure proceedings.



Sample cases defended by Mr. Mesereau include:



Thomas Mesereau is currently defending music legend Michael Jackson against conspiracy and child molestation charges. Mr. Mesereau says Mr. Jackson is innocent and will be acquitted and vindicated.



Mr. Mesereau defended actor Robert Blake against charges that Mr. Blake murdered his wife. He was successful in obtaining bail for Mr. Blake in a “murder with special circumstances” case – a result legal experts called impossible. Following the televised preliminary hearing, Court TV commentator Rikki Klieman called Thomas Mesereau “. . . if not the best, one of the best cross-examiners I have ever seen.” Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nash, who presided at the Blake preliminary hearing, called Mr. Mesereau “One of the finest lawyers I have ever seen.” Tom also obtained a dismissal of the “conspiracy to murder” charge prior to trial. “Irreconcilable differences” with Mr. Blake led to Mr. Mesereau’s withdrawl from this case, despite all of these victories.



Following the successful preliminary hearing in the Robert Blake case, Mr. Mesereau acquitted a man who had spent six years on Alabama’s death row for a double homicide in Alabama v. Wesley Quick. Mr. Quick had been convicted while represented by another lawyer. This case was tried before a jury in Birmingham, Alabama after a successful appeal.



Mr. Mesereau recently traveled to Bessemer, Alabama to defend a man charged with capital murder. He was facing the death penalty. On the day the trial was to start, the defendant was permitted to plead guilty to a marijuana charge and go home! This was a remarkable result in a death penalty case.



Thomas Mesereau has won numerous acquittals in sexual assault cases. Examples include the following:



Firefighter/paramedic charged with sexually assaulting two women in the ambulance during a twenty-hour shift: acquitted.



Husband/father charged with sexually assaulting daughter’s sixteen year old girlfriend in home: acquitted.



Swimming instructor at YMCA charged with molesting child/student: acquitted.



Husband/father charged with molesting child in his garage. The child lived across the street and claimed four acts of molestation: acquitted.



Three hundred and fifteen pound football player charged with raping a college student in her apartment: acquitted.



Mr. Mesereau was local counsel to boxer Mike Tyson and his legal team was successful in persuading the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office not to file rape and sexual assault charges against Mr. Tyson.



Mr. Mesereau represented former CBS news anchorman, local celebrity, and currently KFWB broadcaster Larry Carroll who had been falsely indicted by a San Bernardino Grand Jury for securities fraud. After eleven (11) weeks in a jury trial in Rancho Cucamonga, California, the trial judge dismissed the case against Mr. Carroll “in the interest of justice,” resulting in a complete acquittal for Mr. Carroll.



A few weeks after Carroll victory, Mr. Mesereau defended a woman from San Bernardino, California who was charged with traveling to Los Angeles and murdering her ex-husband. The verdict was not guilty.



Mr. Mesereau defended local comedian and film actor A.J. Johnson who was charged with various felonies, including, kidnapping and assault with knife and firearm. Towards the end of the trial, the prosecutors agreed to allow Mr. Johnson to suffer no jail time and probation.



Mr. Mesereau defended a Los Angeles man charged with committing murder behind a nightclub in Gardena, California. The claim was self-defense. The jury verdict was not guilty.



Mr. Mesereau traveled to Bessemer, Alabama to defend a 24 year-old mother charged with murdering her 22-month old infant daughter. She was facing the death penalty in a very high-profile case. Mr. Mesereau’s client was found not guilty of murder and convicted on a lesser charge of manslaughter.



In a three-strikes case that has received media attention, Mr. Mesereau defended a former Los Angeles gang member who was facing a 25-year to life sentence for drug possession. The case went to a jury trial in Torrance, California and the verdict was not guilty.



Mr. Mesereau traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to defend a homeless black man who was facing the death penalty for allegedly shooting a beautiful, 21-year old white woman to death during a robbery. This case was the lead story on the evening news in Alabama throughout the trial. Mr. Mesereau was asked by two local white lawyers to assist in this case because they needed help and were receiving death threats. Mr. Mesereau cross-examined all of the witnesses who had identified his client as the killer and, for the first time in Alabama history, Mr. Mesereau called an eyewitness identification expert to testify about the problems of cross-racial identification. Mr. Mesereau’s client was acquitted of all counts. This case continues to generate controversy.



Mr. Mesereau defended an alleged Los Angeles gang member, allegedly known as “Little Hit-Man,” who was charged with murdering a rival in broad daylight at a major intersection. Three eyewitnesses identified the defendant as the killer. The verdict was not guilty.



He defended a former choir member at the First A.M.E. Church, who was charged with murdering her mother, a First A.M.E. Trustee. The prosecution claimed that the murder weapon, a handgun, was located in the dresser drawer of the defendant’s bedroom and that she had repeatedly lied about the facts on a 911 call and to police officers. The first trial resulted in a hung jury. In a re-trial, the defendant was acquitted of first and second-degree murder. She was convicted on a lesser charge of manslaughter.



Thomas Mesereau has received many awards for his contributions to the criminal justice system and to minority communities. Once a year, Mr. Mesereau travels to Alabama to defend a death penalty trial without charging any legal fees. He has represented an indigent defendant in a death penalty case in Mississippi (pro bono) that resulted in a successful plea bargain on the eve of trial. Quite often, he is asked to speak about his experiences in the justice system to various organizations and groups.



Mr. Mesereau is a co-sponsor and active participant in the free legal clinic at First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles. Two Sunday mornings a month, Tom and other volunteer lawyers donate their time and expertise to poor people who cannot afford a lawyer. Tom also participates and donates his time to the “Save Our Sons” organization at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, Los Angeles. This organization is run by mothers whose sons are incarcerated and who need advice on various legal issues. Mr. Mesereau serves on the advisory board and donates his time to “n-Action,” a non-profit organization devoted to assisting women and their children with making a positive re-entry into society following incarceration.



Thomas Mesereau has marched with and supports the “Mothers of Watts, Los Angeles” and their children in opposition to gang violence and crime. He also assists and supports various organizations who seek to reform our laws so that they will be more equitable.



Mr. Mesereau was awarded a “Certificate of Appreciation” from Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke due to his dedicated service to the citizens of Los Angeles County. On the same evening, Mr. Mesereau received an award from the Reverend Cecil Murray, Senior Minister of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church for the many hours of volunteer time he had devoted to the church’s free legal clinic. Mr. Mesereau received the Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society of First A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles Award for his contributions to the African-American and other minority communities. He also received a formal commendation from the Compton Seventh-Day Adventist Church for the time and effort he has given to pro-bono legal services in Los Angeles. Mr. Mesereau has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the African-American Community Empowerment Organization, a Los Angeles-based group devoted to assisting “at-risk” youth and developing their skills and goals. He previously received the Compton, California School Board President’s Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Children of the Compton Unified School District.” He has also received an award from The State Bar of California Board of Governors for providing pro bono legal services to low income Californians.



Mr. Mesereau has received the “Humanitarian Award” from The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ), “In Recognition Of Your Ongoing Commitment To Justice for All.” Mr. Mesereau has conducted seminars for NABCJ on various aspects of the criminal justice system.

Don't you think that with a staff as big as his he's not personally responsible for every disgruntled ex-employee?

She will say that in her opinion, Michael Jackson is a dangerous pedophile who must be stopped from ruining more lives.

They're about to hear stories from the early '90s that will put the curl back in Jackson's fluffy, straightened, blown-out hair.