Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Trouble in Neverland

Aired November 26, 2003 - 11:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: For more on the case against Jackson and the latest legal salvos from his attorney, let's check in with "Celebrity Justice" executive producer Harvey Levin. He joins us from there studios in Glendale, California.
Good morning, Harvey.

HARVEY LEVIN, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" EXEC. PROD.: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: Could you hear Mr. Sneddon in our interview that we just played?

LEVIN: Yes, I did.

COSTELLO: What struck you from that?

LEVIN: Well, you know, he came clean. I mean, he made a big, big blunder by making light of that, and also making it a personal kind of thing. And I think he realized he needed to fess up. I think it was a really revealing interview, and I'm sure Sneddon feels he needs to wipe that slate clean as quickly as possible.

COSTELLO: So do you think there is an agenda here on Mr. Sneddon's part?

LEVIN: We talked about this before. Tom Sneddon thinks that Michael Jackson is a child molester, and he clearly believed that 10 years ago, and it's not something you simply forget. So, yes, Tom Sneddon has been carrying this for 10 years. And can he file charges in the abstract where there's no alleged victim? No. Does he believe in this case, that he has one? It appears clearly that he does believe that. But to say, oh, there's nothing personal here kind of defies the reality of what we're dealing with. He believes Michael Jackson molests children.

COSTELLO: Harvey, I want to talk more about the alleged victim in this case, because There are some negatives coming out. What have you heard?

LEVIN: Well, look, he comes from a very -- a broken home is a mild way of putting it. There has been a lot of strife in that home between the mother and father. We know the kid has had some significant medical challenges.

But we've been reporting for a week now that there is both a videotape and a written statement that this mother and boy actually signed off on, that basically says nothing untoward happened between Michael Jackson and the boy.

COSTELLO: Where is this videotape now?

LEVIN: Well, we understand there was a videotape shot by Michael Jackson's former videographer. That we think is in the hands of authorities based on the search warrant. Now there's another search warrant executed, we know. It appears that there is a written statement that a private investigator secured that was hired by Mark Geragos back in February or March, and we believe the D.A. may have that statement as well.

But apparently, this child and the mother have said this. The issue is, when was the statement made in relation to the alleged sexual abuse? We talked with people connected with the mother and child who say that this was all done before the alleged molestation. It remains to be seen.

COSTELLO: Have you heard the reports that this family has filed several lawsuits in the past, and even collected on one, to the tune of some $100,000?

LEVIN: Well, we have heard about a false arrest lawsuit where there was a settlement. I don't think that's going to be a huge issue. I'm not -- frankly, as a lawyer, I don't think that's going to be admissible in a court of law. People have a right to exercise their right in the legal system.

COSTELLO: But, Harvey, doesn't it say something about this family's inclination to file lawsuits?

LEVIN: Depends -- well, couple of things. Number one, it depends on the nature of the suit -- was it frivolous suit? Was as it a legitimate suit? Secondly, so far, a civil suit has not been filed in this case. So I think that's real important to remember. I'm not vouching for them, but I think to jump to the conclusion that they are habitual suers proves a little too much here. I think, you know, If there was another lawsuit, it may or may not have been legit, but apparently, it's settled. So you know, I doubt this is going to be admissible when this case goes to trial.

COSTELLO: A short time ago we were showing the private jet that ferried Michael Jackson, his attorney and an entourage of people to Santa Barbara I guess for Michael Jackson to be arrested. There was supposedly hidden cameras onboard. Have you been offered the tape?

LEVIN: Well, we have talked to somebody who looked at this. We made no offer to purchase any tape of any sort. But we know that something like that is out there. And I think the real issue here is the recording of it, especially if there was audio. The jet company denies there was any audio. Mark Geragos says there is.

COSTELLO: But, Harvey, what exactly is on the tape that could prove damaging to the least?

LEVIN: I don't think -- in terms of video, I don't think that there's anything spectacular on there. I don't know about any audio. The jet company is saying there isn't any. If there is, and it captures any conversation between Mark Geragos and Michael Jackson, I think that the jet company is going to be in a world of hurt because that's...

COSTELLO: But everybody is making this big deal that during that flight, everybody was calm and there was a makeup artist on board. But so what?

LEVIN: Well, I think just the visual of that is not going to have any impact. I think the significance is if there's an audio tape of a lawyer client conference, Carol, all I can tell you as a lawyer is that that is sacrosanct in the legal system. You don't screw with that. And that's what -- and, truly, that's what Mark Geragos is saying. And I use strong words here, but that's what Mark Geragos is saying and that's what Mark Geragos is so upset about, if there's an audiotape.

COSTELLO: Yes strong words apropos, because the FBI is now investigating. Harvey Levin of "Celebrity Justice." Thank you for joining us this morning. We appreciate your insight.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired November 26, 2003 - 11:05   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: For more on the case against Jackson and the latest legal salvos from his attorney, let's check in with "Celebrity Justice" executive producer Harvey Levin. He joins us from there studios in Glendale, California.
Good morning, Harvey.

HARVEY LEVIN, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" EXEC. PROD.: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: Could you hear Mr. Sneddon in our interview that we just played?

LEVIN: Yes, I did.

COSTELLO: What struck you from that?

LEVIN: Well, you know, he came clean. I mean, he made a big, big blunder by making light of that, and also making it a personal kind of thing. And I think he realized he needed to fess up. I think it was a really revealing interview, and I'm sure Sneddon feels he needs to wipe that slate clean as quickly as possible.

COSTELLO: So do you think there is an agenda here on Mr. Sneddon's part?

LEVIN: We talked about this before. Tom Sneddon thinks that Michael Jackson is a child molester, and he clearly believed that 10 years ago, and it's not something you simply forget. So, yes, Tom Sneddon has been carrying this for 10 years. And can he file charges in the abstract where there's no alleged victim? No. Does he believe in this case, that he has one? It appears clearly that he does believe that. But to say, oh, there's nothing personal here kind of defies the reality of what we're dealing with. He believes Michael Jackson molests children.

COSTELLO: Harvey, I want to talk more about the alleged victim in this case, because There are some negatives coming out. What have you heard?

LEVIN: Well, look, he comes from a very -- a broken home is a mild way of putting it. There has been a lot of strife in that home between the mother and father. We know the kid has had some significant medical challenges.

But we've been reporting for a week now that there is both a videotape and a written statement that this mother and boy actually signed off on, that basically says nothing untoward happened between Michael Jackson and the boy.

COSTELLO: Where is this videotape now?

LEVIN: Well, we understand there was a videotape shot by Michael Jackson's former videographer. That we think is in the hands of authorities based on the search warrant. Now there's another search warrant executed, we know. It appears that there is a written statement that a private investigator secured that was hired by Mark Geragos back in February or March, and we believe the D.A. may have that statement as well.

But apparently, this child and the mother have said this. The issue is, when was the statement made in relation to the alleged sexual abuse? We talked with people connected with the mother and child who say that this was all done before the alleged molestation. It remains to be seen.

COSTELLO: Have you heard the reports that this family has filed several lawsuits in the past, and even collected on one, to the tune of some $100,000?

LEVIN: Well, we have heard about a false arrest lawsuit where there was a settlement. I don't think that's going to be a huge issue. I'm not -- frankly, as a lawyer, I don't think that's going to be admissible in a court of law. People have a right to exercise their right in the legal system.

COSTELLO: But, Harvey, doesn't it say something about this family's inclination to file lawsuits?

LEVIN: Depends -- well, couple of things. Number one, it depends on the nature of the suit -- was it frivolous suit? Was as it a legitimate suit? Secondly, so far, a civil suit has not been filed in this case. So I think that's real important to remember. I'm not vouching for them, but I think to jump to the conclusion that they are habitual suers proves a little too much here. I think, you know, If there was another lawsuit, it may or may not have been legit, but apparently, it's settled. So you know, I doubt this is going to be admissible when this case goes to trial.

COSTELLO: A short time ago we were showing the private jet that ferried Michael Jackson, his attorney and an entourage of people to Santa Barbara I guess for Michael Jackson to be arrested. There was supposedly hidden cameras onboard. Have you been offered the tape?

LEVIN: Well, we have talked to somebody who looked at this. We made no offer to purchase any tape of any sort. But we know that something like that is out there. And I think the real issue here is the recording of it, especially if there was audio. The jet company denies there was any audio. Mark Geragos says there is.

COSTELLO: But, Harvey, what exactly is on the tape that could prove damaging to the least?

LEVIN: I don't think -- in terms of video, I don't think that there's anything spectacular on there. I don't know about any audio. The jet company is saying there isn't any. If there is, and it captures any conversation between Mark Geragos and Michael Jackson, I think that the jet company is going to be in a world of hurt because that's...

COSTELLO: But everybody is making this big deal that during that flight, everybody was calm and there was a makeup artist on board. But so what?

LEVIN: Well, I think just the visual of that is not going to have any impact. I think the significance is if there's an audio tape of a lawyer client conference, Carol, all I can tell you as a lawyer is that that is sacrosanct in the legal system. You don't screw with that. And that's what -- and, truly, that's what Mark Geragos is saying. And I use strong words here, but that's what Mark Geragos is saying and that's what Mark Geragos is so upset about, if there's an audiotape.

COSTELLO: Yes strong words apropos, because the FBI is now investigating. Harvey Levin of "Celebrity Justice." Thank you for joining us this morning. We appreciate your insight.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com