On October 2, 2013, the jury in the AEG Live vs. Jacksons trial reached a verdict in the five month long trial. The jury’s instructions were to answer 16 questions, in order, given to them on a verdict form. If the answer to any one of the questions was no, there would be no need to answer any other questions and AEG Live would prevail in the case. Both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s attorneys gave input into the jury verdict form.
Question 1
Did AEG Live hire Dr. Conrad Murray?
The jury found that, yes, AEG Live did hire Conrad Murray.
Question 2
Was Murray unfit or incompetent for the job he was hired to do?
The jury answered no to this question.
The jury instructions were quite specific. Their reasoning for the “NO” answer to question two was that Conrad Murray was a physician who was licensed in three states and had no blemishes on his performance record. Upon reviewing specific contracts, even though unsigned, it was shown that he was hired as a general practitioner to treat Michael Jackson.
The jury foreman in the AEG Live trial, Gregg Barden, explained how the jury reached their verdict concluding that the wording of question two was the deciding factor. Although they realized that Michael Jackson did not survive Murray’s care, Murray was qualified to care for him. If ethics had been part of the wording of question two, it might have turned out differently. Mr. Barden said that the verdict in the AEG Live trial does not vindicate Conrad Murray for his part in Michael Jackson’s death.
According to Barden, “Conrad Murray had a license, he graduated from an accredited college and we felt he was competent to do the job of being a general practitioner,” Barden said. “Now, that doesn’t mean that we felt he was ethical, and maybe had the word ethical been in the question, it could have been a different outcome. But because it was for the job he was hired to do, that was what we had to focus on.”
“Contrary to some expectations that the trial would damage Jackson’s reputation with its focus on his drug use, jury foreman Gregg Barden said Thursday that what he saw and heard made him a bigger fan of the King of Pop. He bought some of Jackson’s albums growing up, but it wasn’t until serving as a juror in the wrongful death trial that he realized his talent, generosity and personality, Barden said.
Barden — a high school football coach — said he came close to crying in court when Jackson lawyers played a video of Jackson’s children as he sang “Speechless,” a song he wrote to describe his love for his children.”
Here is a video link to an interview Barden gave to CBS2cals Andrea Fujii. This 10 minute video is well worth the time.
On October 5, 2013, Juror #27 sought out the Michael Jackson Community Forum to find out what was being said about the verdict in the Michael Jackson community. He signed up to post on the forum and gave some insight into how the jury came to their verdict. Throughout the five month long trial, the jury definitely came to appreciate Michael Jackson. This juror came to know Michael Jackson as a well-loved and caring person, a terrific father, a loving son and extremely talented.
Juror #27 on the MJJC forum—10-5-2013
Originally Posted by Victory22
It is increasingly alarming to me how many people seem to be losing the ability to analyze facts critically. It’s scary how any illogical theory or conspiracy theory can be thrown up and people will believe it without paying any attention to the facts. Randy and the Jackson’s have done a good job of messing with the minds of MJ’s fans.
Response from Juror #27 whose credentials were confirmed by MJJ Community Forum
“I couldn’t agree more with the bolded. It’s practically an epidemic as far as I’m concerned.
I was on this jury, and of all the places I’ve seen where this is being talked about, this community seems by far to be the most level-headed and approachable. So many passionate MJ fans rationally discussing the verdict rather than lashing out in anger is very nice to see, and makes me think this is probably the best place for me to make a small statement.
Initially I planned to avoid and ignore all the comments about the verdict after the trial ended. Because as soon as we answered ‘no’ to question 2 in the jury room, I knew how it would be reported and misunderstood (“DURR STUPID JURY HOW CAN CONRAD MURRAY BE FIT AND COMPETENT WHEN HE IS IN JAIL FOR KILLING MJ??? DURRR”). And sure enough, the very first question asked by the media when we got outside was “How could you find Conrad Murray competent?” And of course a bunch of hardcore MJ supporters outside were yelling, calling us stupid and confused, etc. So I figured rather than getting annoyed at misinformation being spread or seeing us called morons ad nauseam, it’d be better to just ignore it all.
Well that lasted about a day before my curiosity got the better of me, and I had to peek around to see what people were saying. I had to see if that version of us as idiots was the main narrative going on. Thankfully most people commenting on the verdict are actually looking at what we were instructed to consider, and agree with our decision. We knew from day 1 that no matter the outcome we would have people agreeing and disagreeing with the verdict, and I’m thankful that this jury did not concern itself with what people would say or think about us and decided to follow the instructions and base our verdict on the evidence in the case.
Just like our jury foreman, I went into this trial about as neutral as one could be towards Michael Jackson. I was 7 when Thriller came out so I grew up with his music and loved it, but I knew very little about his life other than what I’d seen in the media, and I honestly had no strong feelings about him as a person either way. I walk out of this trial completely understanding why he has so many fans who practically deify him. Who are so strongly attracted to his kind spirit, huge heart, gentle nature, love of his children and mother, etc. I totally get it now.
Every single witness who was questioned about whether they thought MJ was a good father (and almost every one who knew him closely was asked) sang endless praises about his love of his kids. If Prince’s testimony is any indication, MJ was definitely a great father. The kid is bright, intelligent, caring, has great character and a great personality, and I truly believe MJ did a phenomenal job raising him in the few years he was able to. Honestly, every single juror came away feeling very positive about Michael Jackson as a person and father.
I know there was concern about MJ’s image being hurt because of this trial, and maybe to outside viewers it was because of some of the details that came out. But for us in the jury in that courtroom for all these months, we just grew more and more fond of him during the course of the trial.
I’d like to say thank you to all the people I’ve seen here supporting us jurors in our decision, it really means a lot. I will be happy to answer anything I can about the trial if you’d like to ask and if I am able.”
The full Question and Answer session for Juror #27 is available at this link to MJJCommunity.com.
As always, most media will spin the stories negatively against Michael Jackson as will AEG Live whose “victory” speeches were sickening. The jurors have spoken out themselves and do not need interpretation of their meaning from third party legal analysts being paid by the very media that is continually out to portray Michael in a negative matter. This jury knows better and are willing to say so.
MJ Truth Now 
Perhaps, there has been some good that has come from this trial, after all. It is most evident that a part of Michael’s legacy includes his gentle spirit and unbeatable talent.
As the jurors return to their day-to-day lives they will have opportunities to speak about the Michael Jackson they came to know and appreciate during the trial days. Perhaps, some of them will make it to the talk show circuits.
The good that has come from these past five months is that there are twelve more people,-people who wouldn’t have ordinarily taken the time to understand Mr. Jackson’s charismatic influence-who will, then, share their newly awakened love and appreciation for this one-of-a kind soul.
From there their stories will touch many others who, perhaps, wouldn’t have otherwise given Mr. Jackson’s immense fame a second thought. In other words there has been a seed that has been planted that will grow and nurture the healing of Mr. Jackson’s legacy.
The tabloid coverage is what it is. However, it is quite possible that the jurors’ stories will impact upon the mainstream mindset, which will enable everyday folks to reconsider the bad press that Mr. Jackson has been getting.
I feel that what the jurors experienced during the trial , that is , the truth about Michael, should have been televised. The daily talk on tmz about MJ being an addict did no good. The non-admirers of MJ still only know what the trashy media has fed them for so many years and this closed trial has not helped that. I appreciate that some jurors have been positive, but the general public are unaware of that, sadly.
Nice job here, T–and I really like how you included these relevant links.
Sent from my iPhone
I wish to thank everyone who works so hard on keeping us informed, both from accessing the newsletter as well as the mjtruthnow website.
The information shared comes from highly reputable sources and is thoughtfully and thoroughly screened for accuracy. .
What I am posting here is an impassioned plea by Vindicating Michael, which I agree with wholeheartedly.
‘And what about opening the transcript of AEG court proceedings on September 9, 2013, reading
Ms. Chang: … there’s two different conflicting pictures of how Michael Jackson was treated by defendants shortly before he died. The defendants have all stated on this day of love, affection, total support, no pressure inflicted on Michael Jackson whatsoever. Plaintiffs, however, know that there’s an entirely different scenario. And we state, based on the case law, that in search for the truth in the case, the jury’s entitled to hear evidence from both sides.
Sad as it is but AEG people are everywhere you look and they work real hard – much harder than Michael Jackson’s supporters do, who seem to be still waiting for the manna from heaven to fall upon their heads.
Or do they wait for the time when AEG lies fully overwhelm the public? But if it is hard to fight their lies now, how much harder will be when these lies take root and leave much bigger debris to sort out?
Don’t wait. Go and fight for each grain of truth NOW and simply do the most of what you can.
Point 1
All you need to do to spread the truth about the real way Michael Jackson was treated by AEG is quote Ortega’s words to Karen Faye about AEG bullying Michael, and tell everyone that they threatened to make Michael lose his kids in case he didn’t attend their rehearsals which he was not even supposed to attend:
Karen Faye’s iphone messages say: ‘Kenny told me “He and Randy Phillips and the doctor held a sort of intervention. MJ didn’t show till 9:30 p.m. AEG, (Randy Phillips) is funding his entire life right now. His house, food, kids, school, everything. AEG threatened Michael that unless he ”attended every rehearsal”) they would ‘PULL THE PLUG IF HE DOESN’T GET HIS SHIT TOGETHER. IF HE DOESN’T DO THIS, HE LOSES EVERYTHING HE HAD’ (yes, the catalog too) PROBABLY EVEN HIS KIDS.
So what is important now is to lose no time and tell the truth to everyone on this planet that AEG threatened Michael with a risk of losing his kids if he didn’t attend those damned rehearsals! Need I tell you that threatening Michael with these words was the worst thing they could ever say to him? The kids were the most precious things Michael had, the reason for his whole existence and a threat like that was the most devastating and deadly blow he could ever receive.
As a side note let me say that Michael wasn’t even obligated by his contract to attend the rehearsals and it was only AEG’s opinion that he should.
It was much worse than a “freak” email, a slap and all the rest of the bullying and harassment they subjected him to during the several months of their wonderful collaboration. It was a lethal blow which surely sent Michael into a couple of sleepless and tormenting nights all of which led to the disastrous June 19th rehearsal which was a clear signal of the future catastrophe.
Up till now all information about one more meeting prior to June 20th was suppressed and this is why Ortega’s message to Randy Phillips sent at 2 am in the morning after the June 19th rehearsal was somewhat of a mystery to us. It mentioned details which up till now have never been mentioned anywhere at all and it is only now that its every little detail is fitting into the general picture:
That day his body temperature was ice-cold to the touch, he was rambling and obsessing and saying that God was talking to him, he begged Ortega as a “lost boy” not to leave him and produced the overall impression of a man who needed a psychiatrist or at least urgent medical help.
Not only couldn’t he get on the stage but he could barely function as a human being that night, and this is when Kenny Ortega got really frightened for what they had done to him several days earlier.
Also doesn’t all of it make it clear why Michael Jackson hired a lawyer on June 18th which must have taken place almost immediately after that intervention meeting? The immediate reason for it must have been shielding himself from the danger of everything being taken away from him – his kids, his catalog and his dreams.
So all those impeaching AEG CEOs of different ranks with their never-ending “I don’t remember a thing” looked more trustworthy to juror #27 and his supporters than Karen Faye’s messages found on her old iphone, readily offered for forensic analysis and confirmed by Alif Sankey’s declaration at that?
Doesn’t it tell you more than you ever wanted to know about this mysterious juror #27 and those who are embracing him with their open arms?
Point 2.
The MJ “contract” with AEG said that the tour was to start on JULY 26 ONLY. So when AEG set the first concert on July 8, they shortened the period of rehearsals THEMSELVES by two and a half weeks earlier than the date stated in the contract. The almost three weeks they added to the actual shows at the expense of rehearsal time were exactly the three weeks they were short of in June 2009.
Also they forget to tell you that their own contract with Michael initially said that the shows were to begin only on July 26.
And all this was due to their unlimited greed and desire to grab more money in March 2009 when they expanded 10 shows into 30 and then to 50 – the period provided for by the contract did not allow to fit that much and the date of starting the tour had to be moved to an earlier date.
The two and a half months for producing a show of this scale was too little time for it, so the problem of a mad race with rehearsals they created for the whole company was the problem of AEG’s own doing, incorrect timing and poor production skills.
They wanted to correct their mistakes at the expense of the artist, namely Michael Jackson,
Point 3
The “freak” email was sent on January 28 which was the only time when Shawn Trell was in Michael’s house. How could he attend the signing of the contract on January 26 then?
Shawn Trell also blatantly lied when he made two mutually exclusive statements as to when Michael Jackson signed his contract – on January 26 when Tohme/AEG and MJ/AEG agreements were allegedly signed, and when Trell was in Michael’s home just once, on January 28 as their email about meeting with the “freak” actually said.