In what may be a final straw for Michael Jackson fans, the Jackson family has withdrawn a request for restitution from Conrad Murray, convicted of causing the death of Michael Jackson.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The Washington Post reported that the Jackson’s have permanently withdrawn their request, even though Judge Pastor –the judge who heard the widely televised Murray case – was prepared to require restitution as part of Murray’s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

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/request-for-restitution-from-doctor-convicted-in-michael-jacksons-death-withdrawn/2012/01/18/gIQA6DC58P_story.html

Los Angeles Times: State Bar of California recommends lawyer’s disbarment

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-oxman-disbarment-20120119,0,5631564.story

It is the position of M.J.A.N. that the airing of this documentary is an extreme violation of media integrity. Now is the time for action, and to spread the word about what we feel will no doubt be further abuse of Michael Jackson. It was Conrad Murray judged to be guilty — not Michael Jackson.

We urge Michael’s family to speak out in the strongest terms, against this terrible violation to Michael’s dignity. We also hope that the Executors of Michael Jackson’s Estate will speak out firmly. It is Michael’s children who will suffer the most from what appears to be an outrageous and one-sided smear attempt. Michael Jackson was judged to have been killed by his doctor, and now is the time to focus on Michael’s amazing artistry, his humanitarian good-works, and the music he left behind, as a sound track for so many lives.

We urge fans to be proactive, and write and tweet and email and call, about their concerns about this documentary made by a convicted killer!

Fan-action must be swift. The documentary is scheduled to air on Friday, November 11, 2011, to be repeated on Sunday, November 13, both airings on MSNBC.

To be effective, fans must have a united voice in boycotting MSNBC and its advertisers, and they must speak IMMEDIATELY, through letters, FAXES, emails, phone calls, and tweets.

There is little or no justice for Michael Jackson if his killer is allowed to profit!

Fans are urged to write letters and FAX, to:

NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Phone: 818-777-1000
Fax: 818-866-1430

Marc Graboff
President, West Coast Business Operations,
Television Entertainment, NBC Universal
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/mgraboff

Rebecca Marks
Executive Vice President, Publicity

Charles Engel
Executive Vice President, Programming

Curt King
Senior Vice President,
Publicity, Marketing, and Corporate Communications

MSNBC Cable, L.L.C.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Phone: 212-664-4444
Fax: 212-664-4085

MSNBC Public Relations
212-664-3720

Phil Griffin
President, MSNBC
Email: phil.griffin@nbcuni.com

Sharon Otterman
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Email: sharon.otterman@nbcuni.com

Jeremy Gaines
Vice President Media Relations
Email: jeremy.gaines@nbcuni.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jeremymgaines

Bill Wolff
Vice President, Primetime Programming
Email: bill.wolff@nbcuni.com

Channel Nine Australia :
Channel 9 Sydney+61 2 9906 9999
Channel 9 Melbourne+61 3 9420 3111
Channel 9 Brisbane+61 7 3214 9999
Channel 9 Adelaide+61 8 8267 0111
Channel 9 Perth+61 8 9449 9999

General email : customer.service@ninemsn.com.au (this is the only email address listed on their website)

Twitter: @channel9

or by writing to:
NSW Viewers: PO Box 27 Willoughby, NSW 2068
Vic Viewers: PO Box 100 Richmond, Vic 3121
QLD Viewers: PO Box 72 Brisbane, QLD 4001
(no time for postal letters, it airs here too soon! In just two days)

Channel 4 UK

C4 leave a comment >>> http://www.channel4.com/4viewers/contact-us

Twitter: @channel4news or @C4insider

“The Truth runs Marathons”
~Michael Jackson

Today, after a long and intense trial, the jury in the Conrad Murray involuntary manslaughter case has rendered a ‘Guilty’ verdict. Around the world, fans and supporters of Michael Jackson extend their sincere gratitude to the jurors who put their lives on hold to serve their community.

Michael Jackson fans would like to thank the Honorable Judge Pastor, who ensured that this trial remained centered solely on the actions of Conrad Murray on June 25, 2009, rather than being reduced to a sensationalized media event. We also extend our deepest gratitude to DDA David Walgren and DDA Deborah Brazil for the outstanding vigor, focus and professionalism in which they pursued this case.

The Michael Jackson fan base has waited for over two years for this verdict. While the majority were anxious for the trial to begin and conclude with a conviction of Conrad Murray, we were also keenly aware that this trial would inevitably place the media microscope on Michael Jackson. For weeks we have watched and listened as mainstream media ignored the clear facts stated in Michael Jackson’s autopsy and toxicology reports, and the corroborating testimony given by various experts, that he died from acute propofol intoxication; preferring instead to speculate about issues unrelated to the crucial events of June 25, 2009.

Conrad Murray’s choice to ignore standard and essential safety procedures when applying a demonstrably inappropriate drug to treat his insomnia, led directly to Mr Jackson’s death. As the testimonies of Dr. Alon Steinberg, Dr. Nadar
Kamangar and Dr. Steven Shafer attest, if not for Murray’s egregious deviations from the standard of care, Michael Jackson would have been alive today.

We, the undersigned, continue pledging our support to Michael Jackson’s artistic and humanitarian legacy and our love to his family, especially his three beloved children. His message is still very relevant today, and as we steadfastly push ahead without him, we are determined to live his message and carry it on to the next generation.

Today, although there is some semblance of justice, we truly believe when the media stops sensationalizing Michael Jackson’s life and death to the frenzied masses and show truthful understanding of the man, then and only then, will Michael Jackson receive true justice.
Arrest Conrad Murray Campaign (ACMC Facebook)
Australia Salutes Michael Jackson (http://www.mjtribute.com.au/)
Dancing with the Elephant (http://dancingwithth….wordpress.com/)
Justice 4 MJ (Justice4MJ.com)
Love Survives (http://im4mj.blogspot.com/)
Legendary Michael Jackson Fan Association (http://www.legendarymichaeljackson.nl)
Michael Jackson: And Justice for Some (http://mjandjustice4some.blogspot.com/)
Michael Jackson Blog / Perm, Russia – ЗердаПермь / Zerda.Perm (http://www.liveinternet.ru/)
Michael Jackson’s Children Hospital (http://www.michaelja…nshospital.com/)
Michael Jackson Chinese Fan Club (mjjcn.com)
Michael Jackson Fans in Novosibirsk (http://vk.com/michaeljacksonnsk)
Michael Jackson Fans of Canada (Michael Jackson Fans of Canada Facebook)
Michael Jackson Fans of Ireland (Michael Jackson Fans of Ireland Facebook)
Michael Jackson Fans of New York (http://www.mj4justic…mj-fans-ny.html)
Michael Jackson in Your Life (http://vkontakte.ru/mjinyourlife)
Michael Jackson’s Fans United for His Legacy (http://united4mjlegacy.blogspot.com/)
Michael Jackson’s HideOut (http://mjhideout.com)
Michael Jackson: The Essential (http://www.theking.c…/cmps_index.php)
Michael Jackson: United Fan Family (http://vk.com/mjj_united_fan_family)
MJ4Justice.com (MJ4Justice.com)
MJ Data Bank (http://www.mjdatabank.com)
MJ Down Under (mjtribute.com.au)
MJ Fans of Montreal/MJ Fans de Montreal (MJ Fans of/de Montreal Facebook)
MJ Hellas (http://www.mjhellas.gr)
MJJForumUSA (http://www.MJJForum.com)
MJ Portal (http://www.mjportal.com)
MJ’s Army (http://mjsarmy.proboards.com/)
Number Ones Brazil (http://www.numberones.com.br/)
Original Michael Jackson Fans of Southern California (www.mjfsc.org)
Pay Michael Forward (http://paymichaelforward.com)
Positively Michael (Positivelymichael.com)
The International Initiative of Admirers of Michael Jackson (http://forum.myjackson.ru/)
The Michael Jackson Accountability Network (http://mjanwatch.wordpress.com/)
The Michael Jackson Community – MJJC (http://www.mjjcommunity.com)
The Michael Jackson Fan Club (http://www.mjfanclub…/home/index.php)

We at M.J.A.N. want to be clear: we do not wish to hurt the feelings of the family or the fans of the Jackson’s. But to be blunt, Michael Jackson is dead, he was killed and an important trial is upcoming. We want truth and justice not just for Michael Jackson but for those who loved him which are his children, his family and his fans.

Many believe that the tone of the open letter was harsh. We will take that criticism. But understand why the tone is the way it is. We have seen so many things that we disagree with – from family members implying that Michael’s children are now being raised correctly, to member of his family calling Michael a drug addict. Seeing family members use Michael’s name and image to make profit and use his children in the money making schemes horrified many of us!

This fan base has been through much during the past decade. But what we have gone though is nothing compared to what Michael Jackson went through. To say that the last decade was tumultuous is an understatement. Mr. Jackson fought label battles, financial troubles and other difficulties in front of an unfair and biased media lens; literally stalked like an animal by the tabloid press. He was arrested and put on trial for a crime he did not commit. He was televised daily with pundits laughing at his predicament. How humiliating it must have been for him but he stood through it like the man he was. The fans stood by him and cried for him and rejoiced when he was exonerated.

The fans rejoiced again when he announced his comeback in 2009. Never in a million years did we think the unthinkable: Michael Jackson dead at 50.

Michael Jackson was taken from us all. He was killed. He had been through so much tribulation in the last 15 years of his life. It was like his life had been robbed from him because of lies and media stalking.

So here we are. We are mere weeks away from a trial and instead of focusing on that trial, we are besotted by an ill timed festival of performers who (with the exception of a few) had nothing to do with Michael Jackson. A frivolous concert being held supposedly for Michael while a man stands trial for his homicide. This smacks in the face of logic and decorum!

All of you remember Michael Jackson. The man he was. He reached out to many of his fans and revealed the man behind the mask, the man we loved and cared for. Remember him and ask yourself of the events of the past couple of years since his death, is this what he would have wanted for his memory and legacy? What he wanted for his children? Just because someone dies, doesn’t mean they no longer matter.

Yes, we are angry and frustrated. We have seen and heard things regarding Michael’s children and we can acknowledge that we got personal in our last statement. But we will say this: We will not support anything or anyone that goes against what Michael Jackson stood for.

Sincerely,

Team M.J.A.N.

The moderators had to ban and/or block users and delete over 100 foul comments that were in moderation queue. This is unfortunate as we welcome dialogue and dissenting opinions. But we will not tolerate death threats and the such. Grow up.

With L.O.V.E.,

Admins & Moderators of M.J.A.N.

To the Jackson family:

You should plan no more tribute concerts without the full cooperation and support of Michael Jackson’s Estate. However, it is unlikely that they will give you that cooperation and support – and particularly after the ill-conceived and badly timed proposed concert in Wales. Any sort of tribute concert should be left to the Estate to plan and execute – not you. It’s been stated that no less than thirteen Jacksons will either perform or attend the tribute concert. Since this has been advertised as a charity concert, you would be well-advised to give whatever you might earn for performing/attending, to the Estate to donate to charities that Michael supported.

You do not own the right to Michael’s name, image, nor likeness. The Estate does, and the executors are growing the Estate for Michael’s children – not for you. According to the Estate as it’s being managed, you are actually not allowed to use Michael’s name, image, nor likeness for any marketing schemes. You may remember Michael fondly as the brother, son, uncle, and cousin that he was, but please do so quietly, amongst yourselves.

There is no need for you to give tribute concerts for charities in Michael’s name, at all. Michael provided for charities generously, in his will.

There is no need for you to set up a trust fund for Michael’s children. The Estate IS their trust fund, and they will be some of the wealthiest people in the United States, without your help.

There is no need for you to attempt to preserve Michael’s legacy. He achieved his globally recognized legacy without you. In a professional sense, preserving his legacy is what the Estate is for, and they are doing just that. The best way you can protect the legacy of this great man, is to behave properly and respectfully, and to pursue your own lives and careers.

You seem not to comprehend the terms of Michael’s will, and your place in it – which is nowhere. Michael’s mother, Katherine, will continue to receive a generous stipend, but the Estate is not her money. It belongs to Michael’s children.

Michael Jackson’s fans are not your fans. If they had wanted to be fans of other Jackson family members, they would have done so when Michael was still alive. The fans are not an already-planted crop to be harvested by you, as an income for you, and their fandom does not transfer to the family automatically — if at all.

You continue to squabble amongst yourselves, but in a very public way. Please work out your differences in private, and refrain from tweeting your arguments for all to see. Your quarreling is undignified, and should be resolved within the privacy of the family.

You are not actually a dynasty, nor are you royalty with a kingdom. There is only one living Michael Jackson sibling with a high-level career. That is Janet, and she earned it. The rest of you would be wise to pursue your own projects and careers. Modesty is a virtue, and describing yourselves as a dynasty has become an embarrassment.

Michael’s wishes for the parenting of his children should be respected. He lost his own childhood due to premature celebrity, and he tried very hard to protect his children from that same loss. They are not bait, for any money-making enterprises of yours. They need to be loved and supervised until they are of the ages to make their own choices about whether or not to have public lives. The Jackson family can best preserve Michael’s legacy by raising his children according to his choices when alive.

Letter

Simmons has said, on his FaceBook page, on June 27, 2009, “When there are children involved…when there are allegations (many) of child molestation…when there are admissions of inviting countless young boys to spend weekends and sometimes Michael’s bed with them (Michael’s quote), clothed or unclothed…makes no difference…when there are payoffs to the children making the accusations in the $20,000,000 range ($20 Million Dollars!!! — as reported by Media) ….There’s more than doubt in my mind.

This doesn’t take into consideration Michael’s children…none of whom are biologically his. All three of whom have had a “strange” upbringing. But then, we don’t know much, except a “Father” who thought nothing of dangling his young child over the balcony (head covered in a towel), so his fans could get a thrill.”

These statements, made only two days after Michael’s death, are the ultimate in disrespect.

The concert is scheduled for October 8th, 2011. Two of the Jackson siblings — Randy, and Jermaine — have declined to participate, stating that the concert would be held during the trial of Conrad Murray, the physician who is accused of causing Michael Jackson’s death. The timing of this concert is deplorable, as is the appearance of KISS, performing Michael Jackson’s music.

Already there has been controversy over this concert regarding ticket sales. The tickets are being apportioned according to the amount of money donated to charities, and unfortunately, that will exclude many fans from being able to attend.

We are appealing to Michael Jackson’s REAL fans: DO NOT ATTEND THIS CONCERT. Do not waste your money or support on this so-called tribute. If you wish to honor Michael Jackson’s memory and legacy, please donate funds to SOMALI RELIEF, as over 29,000 Somali children have died in less than 90 days due to drought and famine. Do what Michael would do and support those that are in need. If you feel uncomfortable about this tribute concert, then DO NOT GO.

Horn of Africa Relief:

http://unicef.org

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/food_crisis_in_kenya/

http://www.mercyusa.org/SomaliaDroughtFamineRelief.cfm

http://www.care.org/

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/news/

We at M.J.A.N. (the Michael Jackson Accountability Network) and many of Michael Jackson’s supporters and fans are calling for an end to what is felt to be the exploitation of his children for the financial gain of the Jackson family. As revealed on the Good Morning America (GMA) program on February 25, 2011, Mrs. Jackson has involved her grandchildren with two questionable enterprises that are subject to ongoing lawsuits by the Jackson Estate. The lawsuits are against Howard Mann and his company “Vintage Pop,” and against the Heal the World Foundation, originated by Melissa Johnson. This would seem to place the children in direct opposition to the estate charged with managing their own financial interests.

On the GMA program, Michael Jackson’s children, Prince, Paris, and “Blanket,” were seen wearing Heal the World Foundation t-shirts, and giving a donation to the L.A. Family Transitional Center. The donation was said to come from “Vintage Pop” (Mrs. Jackson and Mann’s joint venture to market Michael Jackson products), and the Heal the World Foundation.

The lawsuit against Howard Mann was filed with the Central District California Federal Court, and alleges: “copyright infringement, false designation of origin, false endorsement, cyber-squatting, cyber piracy, misappropriation of likeness, declaratory relief, unfair competition and accounting.”

The Heal the World Foundation, originated by Melissa Johnson, is also subject to a lawsuit that includes copyright infringement, among other allegations. This foundation has no connection to Michael Jackson’s Heal the World charity, which was discontinued in 2002.

Despite the fact that Mann has a background in pornography, and that there is an ongoing lawsuit against him, the children were apparently required to appear on the program to promote Mann’s enterprises, and those of the Heal the World Foundation. Given that they are minor children, it is doubtful that they had any choice about appearing for this interview. The children were clearly uncomfortable, and particularly so when interviewer, Robin Roberts, referred to them as “normal” (as if it was expected that they would not be “normal?”).

In the two lawsuits, the estate asserts that it is the sole-owner of Michael’s “brand name.” Therefore, any sales of products by anyone OTHER than the estate, have the potential of harming the children financially. It seems now that the children are being asked/required to participate in something that is ultimately not in their best interests. If they want to support a charity, there are many other charities their father supported. In a signed statement, Katherine and Joseph Jackson give the impression that this is the same charity that Michael founded – but as the Estate’s lawsuit alleges, it is not. (http://www.teammichaeljackson.com/tmj_027.htm)

The association of the children with the Heal the World Foundation is profoundly troubling on a number of levels. There are questions about the legitimacy of the charity, its use of the Michael Jackson “brand,” and as the lawsuit alleges (http://www.rosespeaks.com/downloads/Jackson/world/2-18-10-MOTION-Preliminary-Injunction.pdf), its founder, Melissa Johnson, has had a history of stalking Michael Jackson and was considered to be a “threat” to his safety. Many Michael Jackson fans and supporters, including those at M.J.A.N., are deeply concerned that Mrs. Jackson would choose to bring her grandchildren into contact with Johnson.

It is no secret what Michael Jackson would have wanted for his three children, as they grow toward adulthood. Despite his celebrity, he was extremely careful to shield them from the public eye and to allow them the time and space to enjoy something he never had – a childhood. It seems clear that their appearance on the GMA show is yet another attempt by Mrs. Jackson for financial gain through the marketing of her son’s children.

It is feared that the same public scrutiny and media damage once endured by Michael Jackson, now will plague his children, as well, despite his best efforts to shield them from such abuses. Many fans and Jackson supporters believe that the California Department of Children and Family Services should investigate the use of these children to promote business-ventures that are currently the subjects of lawsuits. It is possible that the children will be emotionally damaged when they discover that the Heal the World charity is not one sanctioned by the Jackson estate.

Michael Jackson’s intentions for his children were clear, and this is NOT it. It is hoped that the executors of the Jackson estate, and/or California D.C.F.S., will take action to see that exploitation of these children does not occur in the future. Many of Michael’s fans and supporters, including those at M.J.A.N., are outraged, and are putting the Jackson family on notice about potential exploitations of Prince, Paris, and Blanket. There is something terribly wrong with this picture, and we ARE watching you.

Fans have mobilized to spread the petition, through the M.J.A.N. website, through the largest Michael Jackson fan club, MJJ Community, and through other fan-sites, and also through social networking. The response has been overwhelming. The completed petition will be sent to the District Attorney, and also to L.A. Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, and to the presiding Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Michael Pastor.

Testimony in the preliminary hearing now seems to form a pattern of Murray’s reckless endangerment of Michael Jackson, and a disregard for his well-being and life. Testimony has been heard that points to concealment of evidence; to Murray’s failure to inform EMTs on the scene or to inform medical professionals at the UCLA Medical Center of medications given, and multiple phone-calls made by Murray during the time when Michael Jackson was in distress, or already deceased. Fans and supporters are calling for an immediate increase in the charges, and additional charges added as warranted by information that is forthcoming in testimony. The goal of the petition is at least ten-thousand signatures; it is a goal that seems likely, given the enormous response to this call for justice.

Sign the petition to have Dr. Conrad Murray’s charges raised: http://www.petitiononline.com/justs4MJ/petition.html