Thursday, March 10, 2005

 

Michael Jackson late to court! Again!

As of 0900 PST (GMT-8) 10 MAR 2005, Michael Jackson is late for court. Supposedly, he is having "back problems" of some sort. Earlier this morning, at 0835, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest which is held in abeyance for an hour. If Michael Jackson does not show up by 0935, the judge will forfeit the bail amount of 3 million dollars and the warrant will be issued for his arrest. His lawyers are all at the court house waiting. MSNBC verified Michael Jackson arrived at the hospital as 0800 and as of 0905 had left the hospital for the courthouse and is expected to arrive at about 0920. I can't believe this, MSNBC, FNC, and CNN are all having LIVE coverage! CNN Headline News is doing other things and CNBC has Bill Gates. My local cable news channel, Northwest Cable News, http://www.nwcn.com, has the weather and just talked about the expected high for today being in the mid 60's, and near record highs for much of the region around Seattle. Outside my windows, it is clear and sunny. All 3 with the live broadcast are speculating on the effect this late arrival will have on the jury. Personally, I'm spending my viewing time watching Court TV, http://www.courttv.com.
(pause ...)
My clock now says it is 0920 and Michael Jackson has not arrived. 15 minutes to go...
(pause ...)
It is now 0923 and Fox news just reported that Michael Jackson has just passed a mile marker on Highway 101 on the way to court which is located 16 miles from the courthouse. If this distance is true, he will miss the 0935 deadline set in place by the judge. A spokesperson for Michael Jackson says he called his lawyers this morning at 0515 and told them of his problem. The spokesperson says Michael Jackson may have been held at the hospital longer than was anticipated at 0515. This does not explain why Michael Jackson's lawyers did not make any explanation which satisfied the judge. Court TV reported at 0925 that Michael Jackson just left the freeway at a point 15 miles from the courthose, which means he won't make it by the 0935 deadline. I would love to see the judge forfeit bail and remand Michael Jackson to custody. Tick, tick, tick, Ding-ding, ... Ding, (that's ding, ding, pause, ding) mark time at 3 bells of the forenoon watch, 0930 for you landlubbers out there and still a noshow.
(pause ...)
Mark time at: 0937, by my clock, and still noshow but his arrival seems imminent according to the Court TV reporters. And after a few seconds, there they are, the SUV caravan. Michael Jackson gets out and walks toward the courthouse, wearing what appears to be hospital scrubs for pants. He entered and then left again to go to a small room, called a green room, at the security checkpoint at the entrance. They speculated that he might be making use of the bathrom located in this small waiting room. His lawyer is on the phone walking back and forth in front of the green room entrance. Diane Diamond, a Court TV reporter, just made a live report segment on the arrival, with a comment about his pajamas and being in obvious distress, uncombed hair and all. Mark time at: 0945, Michael Jackson has entered the courtroom and is waiting for things to proceed as Court TV takes time out for a commercial break. The big 3 are showing the court spectators entering the building and speculating on what the judge will do at this point and mentioning gangsters being hauled in regardless in the past, medical problems or whatever. Mark time at: 0950, and the last of the spectators are finishing up passing through the security checkpoint. Apparently, according to Court TV, the judge allowed a 15 minute grace period and Michael Jackson evidently arrived within the grace period. Mark time at: 1000, and Court TV reports almost everyone is seated in the courtroom and are now awaiting some of the lawyers and the judge. While we are waiting, Fox News speculates on him being on medication as we watch a rerun of the entrance of Michael Jackson. Mark time at: 1010, and Fox News reports everyone is now in court and testimony has resumed. The judge informed the jury there was a delay and they are to make no inference regarding the delay in determining the guilt or innocence in this case. There are still the questions outstanding about the warrant, bail, and Michael Jackson's status regarding custody. Evidently the judge is going to deal with the issues later.

Admit it, if this were a typical person like you or me for example, who failed to appear on time after repeated warnings, we would end up forfeiting bail and being in custody. What do you want to bet nothing happens to Michael Jackson? Rumor has it via the Court TV reporter that the SUV caravan hit speeds of 95 miles per hour on the freeway! Oh yeah? Where's the California State Highway Patrol (ever see "Chips" with Eric Estrada on TV?) when you need 'em?

Posted by: Rowlfe - at: 3/10/2005 09:00:00 AM

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