Jackson Family Refuses Restitution from Murray: Michael Jackson Fans Ask Why!
Jackson Family Refuses Restitution from Murray: Michael Jackson Fans Ask Why!
In what may be a final straw for Michael Jackson fans, the Jackson family has withdrawn a request for restitution from Conrad Murray, convicted of causing the death of Michael Jackson. Murray is currently serving a four-year jail sentence, but will likely only serve half of that time, or less, due to overcrowding in California jails and prisons.
Murray has described himself as indigent, and restitution would have been largely symbolic. California has no Son of Sam law that would prohibit Murray from profiting from his crime. A significant restitution based on Jackson’s projected earnings likely would have reduced the possibility that Murray would profit, through television appearances, books, documentary films, and in other ways. Restitution would have greatly lessened the possibility that Michael Jackson’s children would have been exposed to slander of their father, from Murray.
The Washington Post reported that the Jackson’s have permanently withdrawn their request, even though Judge Pastor –the judge who heard the widely televised Murray case – was prepared to require restitution as part of Murray’s sentence. Projected amounts would have been approximately one hundred million dollars for lost earnings from Jackson’s planned This is It tour, and nearly two million dollars for his funeral expenses.
Restitution was never about financial reimbursement. It was to be about justice, ensuring that Murray does not profit from his role in Jackson’s death. Fans have responded with outrage and disgust at the Jacksons’ decision. On Michael J. Jackson Community, the world’s largest Michael Jackson fan discussion board, fans have written that they are disgusted, outraged, and have “run out of respect” for the Jackson family.
Fans want to know why restitution was rejected. The answers seem to lie in two lawsuits filed by Jackson’s parents, against the entertainment company, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Joseph Jackson has an ongoing lawsuit against AEG Live for negligence, and against Murray for wrongful death. Katherine Jackson is pursuing her own lawsuit against AEG. It’s not difficult to speculate that the Jackson’s are going for the gold, in their attempt to extract payment from the deep pockets of AEG. In the process, they have let Murray off the hook, and when he is released from prison, he is free to make the talk show rounds, and pursue any other potential income from his role in Jackson’s death. Murray has never expressed that he feels responsibility for Jackson’s death, that orphaned Jackson’s three children. Instead, Murray has painted himself as the victim. It is expected that this trend will continue, now that he will be free to pursue these income opportunities.
Restitution from Murray would have driven home the egregiousness of his crime, saddling him with a lifetime of debt that he could never hope to repay. Michael Jackson’s children are well provided for, for their lifetimes, from Jackson’s Estate. However, Jackson’s parents would have likely never seen an income stream from Murray. It would seem that they chose greed, over justice, and a potential profit from their son’s death, rather than protection for Jackson’s children from slander of their father.
It is unlikely that either Joseph or Katherine Jackson’s lawsuits will succeed. AEG undoubtedly has a significant war-chest, and negligence on their part would be difficult to prove. As for Joseph Jackson’s lawsuit, his attorney, Brian Oxman, has been recommended for disbarment. As reported by the L.A. Times, “Oxman’s three disciplinary proceedings show a disturbing disregard for the administration of justice, including misrepresentations to courts and a failure to cooperate in disciplinary proceedings.” The disbarment of Oxman will likely leave Mr. Jackson without an attorney for his lawsuit.
To date, the Jacksons have issued no statements as to their reasons for giving up restitution. Fans want to know why the Jacksons have declined what would have been a certain avenue for justice for their son. Fans want to know why Michael Jackson’s children will now be left virtually unprotected from defamation, by Murray, of their father. Fans want explanations as to why this choice was made, and they want the Jackson family to be accountable for what seems like a failure for justice for Michael Jackson. The disgust now felt by many fans for the actions of this family, may never be replaced by respect.
Information Sources:
Washington Post: Request for restitution from doctor convicted in Michael Jackson’s death withdrawn
Los Angeles Times: State Bar of California recommends lawyer’s disbarment
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-oxman-disbarment-20120119,0,5631564.story
Posted on January 28, 2012, in Statements. Bookmark the permalink. 8 Comments.
M.J.A.N. - W.A.T.C.H. 
Thank you M.J.A.N-W.A.T.C.H! This is just about THE worst case scenario and will likely lead to open season on Michael’s character. Again.
Obviously, the Jacksons have been advised by their attorneys that it would be poor legal strategy to get financial restitution from Murray for the wrongful death of MJ, because it would be a conflict of interest with their law suit against AEG in which they must prove that AEG was responsible for hiring Murray and for his deadly medical care. If the Jacksons hold Murray responsible for wrongful death, they cannot then hold AEG responsible for Murray’s actions. But. hey, any excuse for the Jackson haters to hate the Jacksons, right? Ignorance is bliss.
murray killed michael hes currently in prison for it. the restitution would have gone some way to stopping him from cashing in on his crime and gone someway to stopping him from doing the rounds on the networks calling mj every name under the sun. the jacksons are prepared to sacrifice michael and the mud that will be thrown at his character in order to go after a lawsuit against AEG even though most of that lawsuit has been thrown out and what is left of it will be easy to disprove ie that AEG hired murray. once again the jacksons desire to make money has them throwing mj under a bus but not only that they have given his killer free access to become a multimillionaire after he is released from prison. there is no excuse for that.
ana. you prove the point exactly. all the jacksons care about it is making the big money off AEG because they know they will get vertually nothing off the person who actually killed michael. and if that means allowing the killer the chance to go on tv and make millions by slandering michael in the process then that is a sacrifice the jacksons are prepaired to take for the chance of the big bucks. that is the ultimate isult to michael and his children.
ignorance is certainly bliss that once again the jacksons have thrown michael under a bus in order to make money. they have done this consistantly since june 09. money instead of justice and defending michael and his children is the jackson families top priority and that is shameful. just when u think they cant do anything worse they do. whats next murray taking the stand in the AEG lawsuit saying how the big bad company made him do everything and hes a victim. well u know if it will help the jacksons make some money they will probably go for it. ill scratch your back you scratch mine!
Because the only thing that Jacksons care about is money and nothing else.
This is embarrassing and again, many fans would turn to family, but now many people are just left without any hope that the Jacksons will change their actions.
I used to defend the family and thought there were “haters”, but that was long, looong time ago. I now only judge on the basis of what they DO and their actions do not leave any doubt. That’s a shame.
I ask how these people can watch into his children’s eyes and tell them they did everything to get justice for Michael??? The kids don’t need the money but they also don’t need Murray doing interviews and “documentaries” about their father. That man is unable to tell the truth. The restitution would have made it impossible for Murray to earn from his interviews. But that’s not the case now. The Jackson’s should put the kids first and their own needs last.
Just when I thought that the Jackson’s couldn’t get any lower with their money seeking endeavors..they do something like this. WHY would they they drop this suit against the man that killed Michael. This leaves the door wide open for Conrad Murray to go out to every media outlet and chew Michael up once again..he will profit and become a Millionaire off of his dead victim. WHY would Katherine Jackson allow this disgusting thing to happen. I believe a statement is LONG over do from her explaining WHY she has given her permission for this to happen. Was it for greed?? By letting Murray be able to profit off of Michael’s death that is like spitting on Michael’s grave. His children don’t need to hear anymore lies come out of Murray’s mouth about their father. Murray will become a millionaire,,,and he can thank the Jackson’s for that. WHAT is left for Michael to thank them for???….NOTHING that is what. They have continuously thrown him under the bus at every turn…THIS is a new low for them. They should be ashamed of themselves
French Television is gearing up to show Murray’s Documentary June 20th.. They state that is it to “honor him” Can you help set them straight?? http://www.twitlonger.com/show/hitlv9 This is only the beginning of Murray’s disgusting pursuit of monetary gain in the murder of Michael Jackson. Will he be allowed to profit for his actions with impunity? Please share the information and get involved … We must be UNITED in this effort.