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Jane Velez-Mitchell

Tracing Michael Jackson`s Propofol

Aired July 17, 2009 - 19:00 ET

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

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HLN ANCHOR: Tonight, more Michael Jackson death drama. With the autopsy report delayed and cops staying tight-lipped, speculation runs wild, but Propofol is the smoking gun. So how did this powerful surgical knock-out drug make it into Jackson`s home?

Now investigators are chasing down aliases the star may have used to get his hands on a whole cocktail of drugs.

Meantime, Debbie Rowe is on the attack, calling cops on the paparazzi and reportedly suing a woman claiming to be her BFF over custody battle rumors. Is the spotlight wearing her down?

Then, we`ll have an in-depth look at Michael Jackson`s famous 1993 public statement proclaiming he was innocent of child molestation, but admitting he was hooked on pain killers. It`s a fascinating speech, but was it a cry for help from the "King of Pop?" We`ll play some shocking clips. You decide.

Plus, full coverage of the funeral for Melanie and Byrd Billings, the Florida couple gunned down in their own home while their special needs kids slept down the hall. Cops have already snatch eight suspects but so many questions remain.

Who else was involved? What exactly was in the safe they stole? What will happen to those kids? We will analyze it all.

ISSUES starts now.

The mystery surrounding the cause of Michael Jackson`s sudden death continues to grow tonight. We are now learning that Jackson`s autopsy reports will be delayed for another two weeks. We`d hoped to get it today or early next week. Not anymore.

But why? The L.A. County coroner will not say. Many suspect the drug investigation has become very complex.

The Los Angeles Times reporting authorities are honing in on Michael Jackson`s alleged use of fake names in order to score prescription meds in large quantities.

Cops are tracking the source of those pain killers and the highly potent surgical knock-out drug Propofol reportedly found in Jackson`s home after he died.

Now TMZ is reporting that the doctor reportedly at Jackson`s side the day he died, Dr. Conrad Murray, has left the state of California and returned to Texas where he has a practice. No reason for his departure is reported.

Meantime, TMZ scored an unreleased Michael Jackson song called "A Place with No Name." It sounds strikingly similar to the famous rock song that I love so much, "A Horse with No Name." Sony has not confirmed this, by the way.

But take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(EXCERPT FROM MICHAEL JACKSON SONG, A PLACE WITH NO NAME)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Definitely Michael Jackson. Also tonight, Debbie Rowe as she gears up for what could be a fierce custody battle is also fighting on another front. Rowe is suing over this, a story that made headlines in the New York Post.

Debbie has filed a defamation suit against a woman who claims to have gotten an e-mail from her that said, quote, "Do I want the kids? Hell, no. Does it look good for me to ask for them?" Absolutely," end quote.

Debbie reportedly says she doesn`t know the woman, Rebecca White. But Rebecca actually interviewed her for MTV.com last year. Meantime, Rowe on the offense earlier this week as well when she called police on the paparazzi. Listen to this one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEBBIE ROWE, MICHAEL JACKSON`S EX-WIFE: Hi, it`s Debbie Rowe.

911: Yes.

ROWE: I`ve got some family over and some paparazzi who are up on my property on my fence.

Now, they`re stopping traffic, because they`re like, not only are they on my easement and on the trash, but they are double parked on the cement on the -- you know, the street.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: She sounds pretty calm, I`ll give her that.

So much to discuss. Straight out to my fantastic expert panel: Mark Eiglarsh, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor; Aphrodite Jones, author, "Michael Jackson Conspiracy;" Dr. Dale Archer, clinic psychiatrist; Steve Kardian, former criminal investigator and director of Defend University; and Angie Crouch, investigative reporter.

Angie, what is holding up the release of the autopsy report?

ANGIE CROUCH, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: The L.A. County coroner`s office isn`t saying exactly what`s causing this delay. Of course, we were originally expecting results of the toxicology by the middle of next week.

As you mentioned, there are reports that perhaps investigators are not able to get all of the medical records they need, but Dr. Arnold Klein, who is the dermatologist, and Dr. Murray, their representatives tell us that they are fully cooperating.

We don`t know which of Michael Jackson`s other doctors they`re also looking into.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, Mark Eiglarsh, Dr. Conrad Murray who was there at the time that Michael Jackson collapsed and died has left for Texas, bad idea?

MARK EIGLARSH, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I don`t think so. They`ve already announced -- law enforcement did -- that he`s not a suspect. That was surprising to me, especially because we don`t have the results yet. But he is free to travel. I don`t know that he has to remain in a particular place.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, how do you get him back, though? Let`s say the toxicology results come back, they decide that this is a criminal investigation, that this is a homicide investigation, they need him. Can they simply ask for him to come back, or is it his right to say, "Hey, take legal action or I`m not going to come back."

EIGLARSH: They`ll put a warrant -- first of all, he`s going to surrender. He`s got an attorney I`m sure that`s speaking with law enforcement. That`s what we do, we open up that door. And ultimately, they`ll put out a warrant for his arrest and he won`t get very far. So he`ll come in.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right Steve Kardian, we`ve been talking all about the hunt for the drugs, who supplied them. And, again, we don`t know, for sure that there were drugs in his system. We haven`t gotten the toxicology reports back. That`s what we`re waiting for and we`re going to have to wait another two weeks to get.

But, of course, the many reports are that there were drugs found in the Jackson home. And we`re hearing all about, well, they`re following the trail of prescriptions, the lot numbers, the manufacturers, the distributors.

What about following the money? What about taking a look at all of the doctors who treated Michael Jackson and finding out how much they were paid, by whom, when and for how long. Because if a doctor is getting paid an unusually large amount of money, chances are, he`s not just putting on a band-aid.

STEVE KARDIAN, FORMER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR: Yes, Jane, money is a motivator. Of course they`re going to look deeply into the records of all the doctors that were involved with Michael. And I think you`re going to see three types of investigations going on here.

Diversionary investigation in which a doctor takes that drug or signs that drug out of anesthesiologist and diverts it for illicit means or that the drugs that they had in their possession may have been stolen, or perhaps that it was imported from another country.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right, Aphrodite Jones...

EIGLARSH: Jane, it`s not just money -- it`s not just money that motivates these doctors, something more powerful than that, celebrity. How was Anna Nicole able to get what she did? Winona Ryder? 20 different doctors, 37 prescriptions? These doctors are in awe, some of them of celebrity and they`re willing to write prescriptions under fake names and in grave doses that are very dangerous.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Absolutely.

KARDIAN: And I`ll tell you that this is very common not only among celebrities, it`s very common among middle class folks, as well. And there are doctors out there with pain clinics who for the money will prescribe narcotics to multiple aliases and knowingly do so. So this is not just a celebrity problem.

EIGLARSH: Correct.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Aphrodite Jones, you`ve been talking to your sources what are you hearing?

APHRODITE JONES, AUTHOR, "MICHAEL JACKSON CONTROVERSY": Well, first of all, let`s remember that -- let`s get back to some of the facts. And the facts are, that in the autopsy report that we know of, Michael Jackson`s stomach was filled with pills and nothing else. No food.

So we know that he was -- had a vast multitude of pain medication in his stomach from what was leaked from the autopsy report. That`s number one.

Number two, the toxicology report...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Are you talking about the private autopsy report?

JONES: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: What autopsy report are you talking about?

JONES: Yes, the private autopsy report.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Ok.

JONES: And number two, the toxicology report -- remember, when we spoke about this weeks ago, Jane -- I mentioned to you that it`s going to have to have analysis to his brain tissues to just see what the history of his alcohol abuse was, what the history of his drug abuse was.

And that can be determined but it`s a lengthy process. So, you know, it`s one of reasons why I said I thought it was going to be four to six weeks, back two weeks ago when Michael died.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right, let`s talk about the custody hearing, because the custody, the big custody hearing is set for Monday. It`s been postponed as well. So let`s hope it actually happens this time, this coming Monday.

Debbie Rowe, a key player. The big question, does she want the kids, has she made a deal to walk away?

Rebecca White is a woman who claims Debbie sent her an email about not wanting custody of the children she bore for Michael Jackson. Now, Debbie Rowe is suing her, calling those e-mails bogus.

JONES: Well, Jane...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: According to the New York Post -- hold on one second.

JONES: I`m sorry.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Debbie Rowe says she doesn`t know Rebecca White. But get this. Rebecca White interviewed Debbie just last year on Mtv.com. Take a look at it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REBECCA WHITE, INTERVIEWED DEBBIE ROWE: Could you talk to us about meeting?

ROWE: I don`t want to.

WHITE: Ok. Your first impression?

ROWE: Well, I had his poster on my wall as a child.

WHITE: Ok.

ROWE: We`re not going there, Rebecca. Move on, honey.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Honey. Go ahead, Aphrodite.

JONES: I was going to say a couple things. Number one is I`m going to be at the custody hearing on Monday if, in fact, it takes place. So we`re expecting there to be chaos, no matter what Debbie Rowe decides to do in terms of media.

But also, this woman who reportedly is a friend of Debbie Rowe, it`s my understanding has gone out on other occasions and tried to attach herself to other celebrity cases.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, let me ask you this question, Mark Eiglarsh, we hear that there`s going to be chaos at this hearing. I don`t think that`s just because Aphrodite is going to be there.

But how is this hearing going to play out? Is it going to be open to everyone? Usually family court is closed-door. We might not even know what goes on behind closed doors.

EIGHLARSH: Oh, we know that you`ll report it, Jane. You`ll find a way to let us all know -- if you have to draw it out yourself and hold it up, you will.

We`ll find out what happened, whether cameras are inside or not. I don`t know that cameras should be in there.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I`m not just talking about cameras, I`m talking about will it be an open door or closed door hearing?

EIGLARSH: It should be -- it should be open. Courts should be open to the public.

JONES: It is insulting to the media, Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. Everyone stay right there, more developments to the Michael Jackson case in a moment.

Then, the Florida couple brutally gunned down finally laid to rest today as the investigation barrels ahead. Where does it stand? And the shocking contents of the safe taken from their home are now revealed.

But first, as we wait for toxicology reports in the Michael Jackson death probe, the custody battle has drama of its own. With Debbie Rowe once again fighting off the paparazzi, let`s take another look at her paparazzi rage from earlier this month.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROWE: Do not touch me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nobody touched you here.

ROWE: You just did. Don`t.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you ready to fight for your children?

ROWE: Are you ready to get your butt kicked? Don`t [bleep] touch me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKSON: I`ll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is it, I mean, this is really it. This is the final -- this is the final curtain call.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Wow. Michael Jackson in March, sounding sincerely psyched about his comeback tour. Were money problems behind the singer`s commitment to this grueling schedule when he was by many accounts very, very frail?

Meantime, the "New York Post" page 6 reporting an insider claims the coffin that we all saw at the Staples Center during the memorial on July 7th was empty.

Another source weighing in to ask the paper why; why would his body be released with a criminal investigation pending? After all, if somebody is charged with Jackson`s death, the defendant would likely want to do his or her own autopsy.

No reported comment from the Jackson camp, but Mark Eiglarsh, does the hypothesis of an empty casket make sense?

EIGLARSH: I don`t know about that, Jane. I think that we can all make up theories about what`s going on. And I`m not sure exactly what you`re suggesting with the empty casket.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m not suggesting anything. It was in the page 6 of the "New York Post" saying that sources said that the casket was empty. That there was no Michael Jackson body in that casket. I`m not suggesting anything. I`m just reporting...

EIGHLARSH: I think that -- got it. I think that investigators have what they need to bring a case if they wanted to. If that powerful anesthetic was the cause of death, that anyone who issued that anesthetic to Michael Jackson and was not physically there to administer it, violated the guidelines issued in 2004, and committed gross negligence and should be held accountable.

All of the other doctors who issued all these other pain medications to him under fake names should be held responsible, both under state and federal law. They`ve got their case with or without an empty casket.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, you know, there are these claims that Michael Jackson used various fake names to score prescription meds. Some of the names were Omar Arnold (ph), Joseph Scrauze (ph), Bill Bray (ph) and my favorite Jack London, the famous author of "The Call of the Wild."

But he is not the only celebrity, as Mark was saying, to have done this. Back in 2001 when Winona Ryder was caught shoplifting investigators also found a stash of pain killers in her purse. Turns out she allegedly used six aliases to get 37 prescriptions from 20 doctors.

As we saw during the Anna Nicole Smith case, some of her prescriptions were allegedly made out to her boyfriend, the justification being it was necessary to avoid the prying eyes of the paparazzi. Now, Anna Nicole`s boyfriend has pleaded not guilty, by the way, to these charges.

But let me ask you this, Dr. Dale Archer, when you think of what happened to Farrah Fawcett -- the late great Farrah Fawcett -- where her medical records were revealed by hospital workers to the point where tabloid headlines is how some of her closest friends and family members found out about her cancer.

DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, I mean...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: They have to do something.

ARCHER: Yes. It`s against the law to do that. So that`s number one. But -- and number two, you know, it`s against the law to be able to release anyone`s name in that case. But it`s also against the law to use a fake name to procure a narcotic prescription.

But I want to say, that that is the nature of this addiction. Basically, you start off with a legitimate pain, you get prescribed the drug and then you end up liking the high more than you like the pain relief. You start exaggerating the pain, you get more drugs, your tolerance goes up. And then one doctor is not enough, so you have to start going to other doctors and get more and more of the drugs.

So this is a very common scenario, not only for celebrities, but for everyone.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And there is a psychological component here, as well. Get this -- this is fascinating -- CNN correspondent Randi Kaye spoke to Anderson Cooper on Tuesday and told him about a startling revelation by a former Jackson security guard. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He worked for Jackson from 2001 until 2004 and he told me, quote, "Jackson and I spoke of his addiction and how hard he was working and how he was trying to do everything in his power to avoid having a need to be on drugs." He said Jackson was taking lots of prescription medicines and that he, quote, "didn`t like the way it made him feel."

He says that`s what Michael Jackson told him. He also told me that Jackson had serious trouble sleeping; he said he had a quote, "constant beat in his head."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Aphrodite Jones, you have researched Michael Jackson extensively, have you ever heard him complaining about the constant beat in his head?

JONES: He didn`t ever actually, to my knowledge, make comment -- that particular comment. But he did talk about his pain. We heard it in the trial in Santa Maria. We knew that he was addicted to pain medication that he had suffered from those burns and from chronic back pain, chronic leg pain.

So there were numerous things and ailments that he suffered from. And remember, he had lupus, he had vitiligo; I mean, he had a lot of things going wrong with his body over the years and in particularly last years which would have certainly induce him to want more pain killers.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Dr. Dale Archer, what do you make of this constant beat in his head? That`s got to be annoying if you have a constant beat in your head and what does it say psychologically?

ARCHER: Well, I mean, psychiatrically it basically could be a component of a variety of chemical imbalances of the brain and of course addiction could be one because when the drugs were off you have all kinds of physical symptoms that come along with that.

But I will comment in terms of the addiction problem that he had. All of us have faced pot holes and obstacles in our life. And many of us reach a crossroads where we have to say, you know, if I don`t get the best of this, this is going to get the best of me. And all of Michael Jackson`s money, power and fame weren`t enough to save him from that. And unfortunately in this case, the addiction ended up getting the best of him.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, it is a cautionary tale.

Hang tight panel.

Addiction is a chronic illness in America and in my new book, "I Want" I lay out my own personal battle with the disease and my road to recovery.

It`s a recovery memoir due out this fall but you can preorder your copy right now. Just click on cnn.com/jane. And look for the preorder section. It`s my very personal story and there are some things in there that will definitely surprise you.

Up next on ISSUES, we will analyze Michael Jackson`s infamous 1993 statement that laid out his claims of innocence regarding child molestation charges but also provided clues about his addiction to pain killers.

And today was the funeral for the Florida couple gunned down in their home. Where does the investigation stand? What will happen to their special needs children? So many developments. We`ll be back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": Is it true, Myron, that Joe Jackson actually took a belt to you too?

MYRON HAWKINS, MICHAEL JACKSON`S COUSIN: Oh, well, see the way you phrase that, Nancy, I would like to put it this way. We all at that time -- the belt was used to discipline. It wasn`t used as an abusive weapon.

GRACE: I`m asking you, why somebody, not your parents, took a belt to you. Can you answer me?

HAWKINS: So be it, I`m going to put it this way, I`m not going into specifics, for being disobedient you keep stressing on that belt I just want to make this fact known.

My uncle did not abuse no one, he did not abused me. We were disciplined. And my mother used a belt, but she didn`t abuse me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Nancy Grace interviewing Michael Jackson`s cousin about this whole issue. Is whipping with a belt abuse, or is it just good discipline?

This could become an issue in the upcoming custody hearing on Monday, because Joe Jackson is still married to Katherine and Joe has admitted to whipping Michael. Ok?

And something that Michael talked about for years as being incredibly traumatic. Angie Crouch, investigative reporter, I understand you have some new information on the upcoming hearing.

CROUCH: That`s right, we`ve got the custody hearing scheduled for Monday. And we`ve learned today that there are last-minute wranglings going on between the attorneys for all the parties involved in the custody case, which we presume to mean Debbie Rowe`s attorneys and Katherine Jackson`s attorneys.

They`re having a conference call with the judge in the case today and they`re going to presumably be talking about what`s going to happen on Monday and perhaps working out some kind of a deal.

We`ve been told that Debbie Rowe may or may not be going for custody of the children. She has said both the in the past. And of course, we know that the children have been staying with Michael Jackson`s mother Katherine Jackson. But the big question that`s out there right now is, will Joe Jackson have anything to do with raising these kids if, in fact, they are placed in the permanent custody of Katherine Jackson, very controversial.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, Aphrodite Jones, what is the status of Joe vis-a-vis Katherine? They`re still married, but Joe Jackson lives in Las Vegas, she lives in Encino. Are they on good terms or not?

JONES: They are on good terms, he is at Hayvenhurst. He never claimed that he left Hayvenhurst.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Hayvenhurst, what`s Hayvenhurst? For the public who doesn`t know.

JONES: I`m sorry, for the public -- that`s the home that the Jacksons grew up in the home that Michael grew up in, in Encino and Joe refers to as their family home.

And he`s the patriarch of the family. Saying he wants to not only raise those kids, but he`s talking about them not being educated properly. He wants them to have a proper education. He is poking his finger already into the kids` lives at this moment.

And the thing that`s heart-breaking Jane is that Debbie Rowe, if she is thinking about custody, those kids will know that she gave them up for $8.5 million allegedly in 1999. And then again hit Michael Jackson -- I believe it was in 2006 after the trial -- for another undisclosed sum of money.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And there have been reports this week that there was yet another deal, reports that Debbie Rowe`s attorneys say absolutely are false.

Mark Eiglarsh, will the whole history of Debbie Rowe and her giving up custody and then the parental rights and then trying to get them back and all of the reports of the millions of dollars exchanged allegedly affect Monday`s custody hearing?

EIGLARSH: It depends on who your judge is. I mean, no question, it should be brought out. Everything is relevant. You`re not talking about a jury; an intellectual judge can listen to the facts and decide what`s relevant.

But absolutely should come out the same way Joe`s history of abuse should come out. Because he`s planning on having a key role in these kids` lives and we know that using a belt is one of the techniques that he has utilized in the past.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes and if he wants to turn them into performers, who knows? We`ll have to see what happens Monday. I want to thank my excellent panel.

More Jacko drama on the way; we`ll analyze his 1993 speech. It`s a humdinger.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Michael Jackson famously proclaims he was innocent of child molestation and hooked on pain killers in a 1993 video. It`s a fascinating speech, but was it a cry for help from the "King of Pop"?

Plus, full coverage of the funeral for Melanie and Byrd Billings, the Florida couple gunned down in their own home. Cops already snatched eight suspects, but who else was involved? And what will happen to all those special needs kids?

Details continue to emerge about what role heavy-duty prescription drugs played in Michael Jackson`s death. But where would such an addiction to strong medication have come from? The video I`m about to show you may offer some context, and it is very disturbing.

Michael Jackson`s downward spiral likely began 25 years ago, after this horrifying accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial. The "King of Pop" suffered such severe burns to his scalp that he became dependent on prescription pain pills.

He addressed this issue specifically in a 1993 video statement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL JACKSON, "KING OF POP": I`m doing well, and I am strong.

As you may already know, after my tour ended I remain out of the country undergoing treatment for a dependency on pain medication. This medication was initially prescribed to cease excruciating pain after I suffered reconstructive surgery on my scalp.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: His words from 16 years ago are chilling, but give us insight in to how the "King of Pop" became addicted to pills. But perhaps more important, did the graphic allegations of child molestation, the first time around, back in 1993, was that the reason he released this statement? And did it leave Michael so humiliated and broken that he retreated forever into a shell seeking emotional relief through prescription meds? Was this a cry for help that the world simply didn`t pay attention to?

I`m back with my fantastic panel: Aphrodite Jones, author of "Michael Jackson Conspiracy;" Dr. Dale Archer, clinical psychiatrist; Angie Crouch, investigative reporter; and joining us by phone, Brian Oxman, former Jackson family attorney.

Brian, you worked closely with Michael Jackson. We remember this 1993 famous video where he said, "I`m innocent of molestation, but yes, I am addicted to pain killers."

What was the connection between these allegations against him and his being hooked on drugs?

BRIAN OXMAN, FORMER JACKSON FAMILY ATTORNEY: It was more the injury he sustained to his scalp, Jane. It was painful; it just wouldn`t be something that he got rid of. It was a constant effort to try and cope with it, and he acknowledged that. He also always acknowledged it.

Michael was never the kind of guy who wanted to party and get high. But he was somebody who suffered from pain. That then got compounded when he broke his leg, and he fractured his vertebrae. He was literally -- broke his back in a fall from the stage in 1998.

He just was in pain, and he used these medications because of the pain. And the result was he became dependent on them.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, Brian, I love you, but I`m not buying it 100 percent. I always think there is a psychological component.

We`ve been talking about Michael Jackson releasing this video statement in 1993, after a former friend, a 13-year-old boy and his family filed a lawsuit against him. The boy accused Jackson of sexual battery, willful misconduct, emotional distress. The child also gave graphic accounts of alleged sexual encounters with Jackson. And Jackson`s response was emotional.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

M. JACKSON: I ask all of you to wait and hear the truth before you label or condemn me. Don`t treat me like a criminal because I am innocent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, Jackson settled out of court with his accuser for sums reported to be in the tens of millions of dollars. But according to Ian Halperin, who`s the author of a new unauthorized biography called "Unmasked," the stress of the case caused Michael to start popping pills like candy.

So he did go to rehab that fall, but some have suggested he actually went to rehab to avoid confronting these child abuse allegations.

Aphrodite Jones, you have studied this case. What do you see as the connection between these abuse allegations back in `93 he settled for many millions, and his addiction?

APHRODITE JONES, AUTHOR, "MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY": Well, I think, Jane, there is no doubt that Michael was emotionally distraught over feeling that he had been sold out by the family of the accuser in 1993, and again the family of the accuser in 2005. All of that led to his own sense of not having any safe place to be, not having any safe haven, and let`s remember, too, Jane that the 1993 allegations were just that -- allegations.

That boy made those allegations before a grand jury, they were never substantiated, they were never -- the boy was not cross examined. We never saw a trial in that case. And Michael Jackson has been held accountable in the court of public opinion since 1993, because of the large settlement he paid out.

And in my opinion, he did that based on bad advice from people who wanted to make money off of Michael Jackson back then.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Let`s talk about this further. The allegations of child abuse were very graphic. And I think we all remember a body search warrant was issued for Michael Jackson. Essentially, allowing authorities to examine his private parts. And Michael Jackson described this humiliation that he endured during that examination.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

M. JACKSON: I have been forced to submit to a dehumanizing and humiliating examination. They served a search warrant on me which allowed them to view and photograph my body, including my penis, my buttocks, my lower torso, thighs and any other area that they wanted.

It was the most humiliating ordeal of my life, one that no person should ever have to suffer. And even after experiencing the indignity of this search, the parties involved were still not satisfied and wanted to take even more pictures.

It was a nightmare; a horrifying nightmare.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: So Dr. Dale Archer, there are those who believe that that examination of his private parts broke him emotionally and psychologically. You`re the psychiatrist.

DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST: Well, I think, first of all, you have an addict, and he was addicted to narcotic pain killers, and Jane, as you well know, stress is a trigger for a relapse and addiction.

He did go through treatment, but let`s face it. From what I`ve been able to read and learn about those accusations, I think he was innocent. But it really didn`t matter.

The stress was there, no matter what. He had the stress of the accusations, he had the stress of the examination. All of those and someone already addicted to narcotic pain killers are like putting a match to gasoline. It was just a combustible combination, and of course the addiction got worse.

That`s the normal course of how this works. Stress is the trigger.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s a fascinating speech. In his four-minute video statement, Michael Jackson proclaimed his innocence again and again, and he also spoke of his love of children. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

M. JACKSON: If I am guilty of anything, it is of giving all that I have to give to help children all over the world. It is of loving children of all ages and races. It is of gaining sheer joy from seeing children with their innocent and smiling faces. It is of enjoying through them the childhood that I missed myself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Angie Crouch, ironically, we all remember that after these accusations he retreated to Neverland and surrounded himself with more children which was part of the problem.

ANGIE CROUCH, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: Absolutely. And if -- even though he went through rehab and apparently did not stick, because we now have numerous reports that his dependence on prescription medication apparently continued.

I spoke with the attorney general`s office today. They said that they are running through their state database that tracks prescription drugs the names of several of Michael Jackson`s doctors, as well as those aliases that Michael Jackson used, and what they`re trying to do is track who wrote him, what prescription, how much, and when, and over what period of time.

The problem is, Propofol is not on that database, because it`s not a controlled substance, even though the DEA is now talking about making it a controlled substance, because they have seen a sharp up-rise in the number of deaths associated with that drug.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Brian Oxman, did that humiliating examination break his spirit?

OXMAN: It didn`t break him, but Jane, it sure affected him. There is no doubt, and no question about it.

If you can imagine yourself being accused of a crime he didn`t commit in the most heinous method, and yet worldwide commotion created by it, you bet you, it really affected him. And I want to say something about this settlement.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Quickly.

OXMAN: In the Santa Maria case, I filed a motion to exclude the evidence of that settlement from the case, which the trial court judge granted, because it was an insurance settlement.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. Brian Oxman, we`re going to have to leave it right there. But past act was a key aspect of that case.

Thank you excellent panel for the wonderful analysis.

A strange twists in the Haleigh Cummings case. I`ll tell you why her distraught parents may be looking for some new lawyers.

Then the Florida couple shot dead in their homes finally laid to rest. Cops have arrested eight suspects for this brutal attack, but the investigation is far, and I mean far from over.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: The Florida couple brutally gunned down in their own home laid to rest today. But the murder investigation is far from over. I will have an update.

But first, "Top of the Block" tonight:

A rather strange bit of news in the Haleigh Cummings` disappearance: are the attorneys for both of Haleigh`s parents out? That`s what 97.3, the Sky is reporting.

Lawyers on both sides have apparently filed motions to remove themselves from the case. Kim Picazio, the lawyer for mom Crystal Sheffield confirmed to the station that she, Kim Picazio is in the process of removing herself from representation. But she gave no explanation for her decision.

Meantime, the lawyer representing dad Ron in the child services investigation is also reportedly dropped out, probably because the investigation has concluded, and cleared Ron of any abuse claims. The legal teams for both parents were working pro bono -- for free.

That`s tonight`s "Top the Block."

Tonight, an emotional farewell to the Florida couple shot dead in their home. They are finally laid to rest. The funeral held today for double murder victims, Melanie and Byrd Billings, well-known in their communities for adopting children with special needs.

Before the service, the Billings` lawyer made this fascinating statement, answering the question many have asked. What was inside the safe that was stolen from the home?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRYSTAL SPENCER, BILLINGS FAMILY ATTORNEY: As a result of the intense speculation regarding the motive of the crime, I have been authorized to tell you that the safe that was removed from the Billings` home contained only children`s prescription medications, important family documents and some jewelry of sentimental value. Hopefully this will put to rest the intense speculation and rumors that are swirling about the Billings family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MTICHELL: No confirmation yet from the sheriff`s department or prosecutors that that is accurate. That statement apparently made in response to rumors swirling about this crime; possibly being about something bigger -- more than a mere robbery.

One reason: nobody can figure out why seven men would train for a whole month and don ninja outfits, some of them with masks, to invade a private home filled with young children. Seven suspects behind bars tonight; an eighth person, a woman, has been charged with accessory after the fact. The safe stolen from the home was allegedly found hidden on her property.

Meantime, a disturbing portrait emerging of the alleged mastermind of the brutal murders: neighbors describe Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. as a pistol-waiving nut case.

His own aunt says he and his father, her brother, who is also charged in the double murder, are dangerous.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REGINA MCCARTNEY, SUSPECT`S AUNT: They`re not crazy. They are mean. They are hateful. They are dangerous. They need to be removed out of society.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Very strong words, especially from a close blood relative.

So much to get to tonight, straight out to my fantastic expert panel: Pam Bondi, Florida prosecutor; Dr. Dale Archer, clinical psychiatrist; plus Rob Williams, news anchor and morning host at News Radio 1620 AM in Pensacola, Florida.

Rob, you`ve been doing a great job tracking this case from the very start. And, of course, today, an especially somber day as this couple is finally put to rest. What can you tell us?

ROB WILLIAMS, NEWS RADIO 1620 AM, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA: I can tell you I was at the Liberty Church noontime today. The funeral service was under way, several hundred people there. As the funeral -- as they were leaving the church, the skies just opened up, poured rain.

I think some people probably said, oh, maybe we`re not going to go to the cemetery. But it was still a very respectful showing of their friends, the people that knew them; that they knew; the loved ones.

I think one of the interesting statements right after the lawyer`s statement about what was in the safe, the brother of Melanie said, you know, "What we`re going to remember, we`re going to celebrate their lives, remember their unconditional love for the children."

But earlier this morning, first thing on News Radio 1620, Jane, Sheriff David Morgan telling me, there are three more people of interest in this case, including the person who was supposed to shut down the security system, the video system. And that didn`t happen.

But that person knew about the robbery. Knew it was going to happen, and didn`t do anything. That person is going to face some pretty stout charges, Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Pam Bondi, you`re a Florida state prosecutor. Nobody can get their head around the sheer number of people allegedly involved in this horrific crime. And obviously sheer logic will tell you that if you`re in a criminal enterprise, you have to divide the loot. So now they`re dividing the loot among seven people, possibly more, and then we find out there is no loot.

The safe they took, according to the attorney for the family, had nothing in it but family possessions that are not of street value. It doesn`t make any sense. Is this just the stupid factor gone tragic?

PAM BONDI, FLORIDA PROSECUTOR: Yes, it`s a senseless, horrible, vicious crime. And that`s why I`m glad we have the death penalty in Florida. But that will be determined down the road, of course, Jane.

You know, I think what happened -- I think you have this delusional maniac, Gonzalez Jr. and then his father who is just as mean as he is who had staged commando raids with children, even.

I think the guy was obsessed, delusional. I think he talked a bunch of workers into working with him and in his sick mind, he believed that because they were so wealthy and had this huge home, there was going to be a ton of money in this safe when in fact this was a good, kind family, by all accounts, who just cared about their kids.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes. And you know, it`s so ironic, safes can sometimes lead people to believe that there is a lot of money in there, even though there may be absolutely nothing because the nature of a safe is oh, you`re hiding something very valuable. So I don`t know, maybe one of these guys saw it and got some ideas.

The neighbor of Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. told CNN he saw men practicing -- get this -- commando style raids in his backyard. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAMON O`DONNELL, FORMER NEIGHBOR OF MURDER SUSPECT: They would run from the back porch, run down here, and would roll and then they`d go up against the tree, and aim their guns and then they`d go off and find another tree. And they would do it in sort of Echelon manner.

And then he had them all come back and do it again and again and again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCELL: Cops say this motley crew practiced their maneuvers for a month before the home invasion. That same neighbor says Gonzalez Jr. once brought out a gun in a dispute over debris on the sidewalk.

This guy was known in the community. He taught martial arts to children. This is what is so scary.

Take a look at this video of him two years ago. Now, Dr. Dale Archer, he clearly seems obsessed with combat. He served in the military. Supposedly he wanted to create a company that taught wealthy people how to use defensive tactics.

What is going on in this sicko`s head?

ARCHER: Well, first of all, he is not delusional because delusional is a psychiatric diagnosis. This guy does not have a break from reality because the neighbors would know. They would say, "Hey, he`s sick, he`s got psychosis, he`s hearing voices, has fixed false belief."

This was just an evil man. Sometimes you try to put a psychiatric or a psychological interpretation and you cannot do it. He was evil, he planned this crime.

And what you can`t understand -- is that if it was just about the money, why do the murder? Why not handcuff them, get the safe and move on? So clearly this is a sick individual from a criminal standpoint not from a psychiatric standpoint.

BONDI: Right. And what I mention by delusional, Doctor, I think was that he was stupid enough to think that there would be that much money in the safe. I mean, the guy`s a complete contradiction. It`s horrible.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Hang on guys. We`re going to be back with more in a moment on this case.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED BROCK, MELANIE BILLINGS` BROTHER: They gave these children joy and a much-needed voice. Their lives were cut way too short but their legacy will live on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: The devastated brother of Melanie Billings speaks out eloquently about his slain sister and her husband before today`s funeral service.

We`re back discussing all the latest developments in the case. Including the stunning statement from the family`s attorney about what was found inside the safe; essentially nothing of any value beyond children`s medications and things that are really only of value to the family.

Rob Williams, I think that part of the speculation it had to be something bigger may have had a little bit to do with what the sheriff, who I think has done an excellent job, by the way, said, though. He said, "It`s out of a movie" and "it`s a hum binger."

I think maybe people`s imaginations started to get a-hold of them.

WILLIAMS: Well, I think he`s -- but I think he`s accurate. I know there`s plenty more of this story coming out. Jane, you used the term humdinger about three segments ago. So obviously the word has gotten new life around the country.

We have taken to calling this the Escambia Eight. We are in Escambia County. As opposed to having to refer to one of the scum bags versus another chucklehead that`s in his group -- in his posse if you will.

They are by the way remaining in jail; they`re not going to be getting out. Their court appearances are still the better part of two to six weeks out.

But this case is going to...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Let me ask you this Rob -- let me ask you this...

WILLIAMS: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Paint a picture of the interrelationship between these chuckleheads as you put it? I mean, we`ve got all these people involved. You`ve got the ring leader, Gonzalez Jr., we`ve already taken care of him, his dad. Now, what about the other people?

WILLIAMS: The other people, and as I just said, it`s a very loose confederation. It`s somebody who knew somebody who knew a couple of day laborers who knew the guys who`s the head of the auto shop down in Ft. Walton Beach. How they got them all together, I`ll never know. It doesn`t seem like any of this is really (INAUDIBLE).

Jane, the big question I have for the prosecutor is how easy is this going to be to move this case out of Pensacola to some place down the road like Panama City or even Jacksonville when they finally get around to trying this? It`s going to be a tough one...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Pam Bondi, are you shocked that nobody leaked anything?

BONDI: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Seven people practicing for a month.

BONDI: Yes, yes, unbelievable. Especially they`re not relatives, they`re loosely connected. We just busted a big case today, with five individuals, a conspiracy to commit murder. Thank goodness, prior to the ax, because somebody always talks.

It`s really unbelievable -- 30 days, they`re practicing, they`re dressed up, they`re practicing raids and no one leaked it out. That`s really just rare.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you fabulous panel, great insights.

BONDI: Thank you.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: You are watching ISSUES on HLN.

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HLN ANCHOR: Tonight, more Michael Jackson death drama. With the autopsy report delayed and cops staying tight-lipped, speculation runs wild, but Propofol is the smoking gun. So how did this powerful surgical knock-out drug make it into Jackson`s home?

Now investigators are chasing down aliases the star may have used to get his hands on a whole cocktail of drugs.

Meantime, Debbie Rowe is on the attack, calling cops on the paparazzi and reportedly suing a woman claiming to be her BFF over custody battle rumors. Is the spotlight wearing her down?

Then, we`ll have an in-depth look at Michael Jackson`s famous 1993 public statement proclaiming he was innocent of child molestation, but admitting he was hooked on pain killers. It`s a fascinating speech, but was it a cry for help from the "King of Pop?" We`ll play some shocking clips. You decide.

Plus, full coverage of the funeral for Melanie and Byrd Billings, the Florida couple gunned down in their own home while their special needs kids slept down the hall. Cops have already snatch eight suspects but so many questions remain.

Who else was involved? What exactly was in the safe they stole? What will happen to those kids? We will analyze it all.

ISSUES starts now.

The mystery surrounding the cause of Michael Jackson`s sudden death continues to grow tonight. We are now learning that Jackson`s autopsy reports will be delayed for another two weeks. We`d hoped to get it today or early next week. Not anymore.

But why? The L.A. County coroner will not say. Many suspect the drug investigation has become very complex.

The Los Angeles Times reporting authorities are honing in on Michael Jackson`s alleged use of fake names in order to score prescription meds in large quantities.

Cops are tracking the source of those pain killers and the highly potent surgical knock-out drug Propofol reportedly found in Jackson`s home after he died.

Now TMZ is reporting that the doctor reportedly at Jackson`s side the day he died, Dr. Conrad Murray, has left the state of California and returned to Texas where he has a practice. No reason for his departure is reported.

Meantime, TMZ scored an unreleased Michael Jackson song called "A Place with No Name." It sounds strikingly similar to the famous rock song that I love so much, "A Horse with No Name." Sony has not confirmed this, by the way.

But take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(EXCERPT FROM MICHAEL JACKSON SONG, A PLACE WITH NO NAME)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Definitely Michael Jackson. Also tonight, Debbie Rowe as she gears up for what could be a fierce custody battle is also fighting on another front. Rowe is suing over this, a story that made headlines in the New York Post.

Debbie has filed a defamation suit against a woman who claims to have gotten an e-mail from her that said, quote, "Do I want the kids? Hell, no. Does it look good for me to ask for them?" Absolutely," end quote.

Debbie reportedly says she doesn`t know the woman, Rebecca White. But Rebecca actually interviewed her for MTV.com last year. Meantime, Rowe on the offense earlier this week as well when she called police on the paparazzi. Listen to this one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEBBIE ROWE, MICHAEL JACKSON`S EX-WIFE: Hi, it`s Debbie Rowe.

911: Yes.

ROWE: I`ve got some family over and some paparazzi who are up on my property on my fence.

Now, they`re stopping traffic, because they`re like, not only are they on my easement and on the trash, but they are double parked on the cement on the -- you know, the street.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: She sounds pretty calm, I`ll give her that.

So much to discuss. Straight out to my fantastic expert panel: Mark Eiglarsh, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor; Aphrodite Jones, author, "Michael Jackson Conspiracy;" Dr. Dale Archer, clinic psychiatrist; Steve Kardian, former criminal investigator and director of Defend University; and Angie Crouch, investigative reporter.

Angie, what is holding up the release of the autopsy report?

ANGIE CROUCH, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: The L.A. County coroner`s office isn`t saying exactly what`s causing this delay. Of course, we were originally expecting results of the toxicology by the middle of next week.

As you mentioned, there are reports that perhaps investigators are not able to get all of the medical records they need, but Dr. Arnold Klein, who is the dermatologist, and Dr. Murray, their representatives tell us that they are fully cooperating.

We don`t know which of Michael Jackson`s other doctors they`re also looking into.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, Mark Eiglarsh, Dr. Conrad Murray who was there at the time that Michael Jackson collapsed and died has left for Texas, bad idea?

MARK EIGLARSH, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I don`t think so. They`ve already announced -- law enforcement did -- that he`s not a suspect. That was surprising to me, especially because we don`t have the results yet. But he is free to travel. I don`t know that he has to remain in a particular place.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, how do you get him back, though? Let`s say the toxicology results come back, they decide that this is a criminal investigation, that this is a homicide investigation, they need him. Can they simply ask for him to come back, or is it his right to say, "Hey, take legal action or I`m not going to come back."

EIGLARSH: They`ll put a warrant -- first of all, he`s going to surrender. He`s got an attorney I`m sure that`s speaking with law enforcement. That`s what we do, we open up that door. And ultimately, they`ll put out a warrant for his arrest and he won`t get very far. So he`ll come in.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right Steve Kardian, we`ve been talking all about the hunt for the drugs, who supplied them. And, again, we don`t know, for sure that there were drugs in his system. We haven`t gotten the toxicology reports back. That`s what we`re waiting for and we`re going to have to wait another two weeks to get.

But, of course, the many reports are that there were drugs found in the Jackson home. And we`re hearing all about, well, they`re following the trail of prescriptions, the lot numbers, the manufacturers, the distributors.

What about following the money? What about taking a look at all of the doctors who treated Michael Jackson and finding out how much they were paid, by whom, when and for how long. Because if a doctor is getting paid an unusually large amount of money, chances are, he`s not just putting on a band-aid.

STEVE KARDIAN, FORMER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR: Yes, Jane, money is a motivator. Of course they`re going to look deeply into the records of all the doctors that were involved with Michael. And I think you`re going to see three types of investigations going on here.

Diversionary investigation in which a doctor takes that drug or signs that drug out of anesthesiologist and diverts it for illicit means or that the drugs that they had in their possession may have been stolen, or perhaps that it was imported from another country.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right, Aphrodite Jones...

EIGLARSH: Jane, it`s not just money -- it`s not just money that motivates these doctors, something more powerful than that, celebrity. How was Anna Nicole able to get what she did? Winona Ryder? 20 different doctors, 37 prescriptions? These doctors are in awe, some of them of celebrity and they`re willing to write prescriptions under fake names and in grave doses that are very dangerous.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Absolutely.

KARDIAN: And I`ll tell you that this is very common not only among celebrities, it`s very common among middle class folks, as well. And there are doctors out there with pain clinics who for the money will prescribe narcotics to multiple aliases and knowingly do so. So this is not just a celebrity problem.

EIGLARSH: Correct.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Aphrodite Jones, you`ve been talking to your sources what are you hearing?

APHRODITE JONES, AUTHOR, "MICHAEL JACKSON CONTROVERSY": Well, first of all, let`s remember that -- let`s get back to some of the facts. And the facts are, that in the autopsy report that we know of, Michael Jackson`s stomach was filled with pills and nothing else. No food.

So we know that he was -- had a vast multitude of pain medication in his stomach from what was leaked from the autopsy report. That`s number one.

Number two, the toxicology report...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Are you talking about the private autopsy report?

JONES: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: What autopsy report are you talking about?

JONES: Yes, the private autopsy report.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Ok.

JONES: And number two, the toxicology report -- remember, when we spoke about this weeks ago, Jane -- I mentioned to you that it`s going to have to have analysis to his brain tissues to just see what the history of his alcohol abuse was, what the history of his drug abuse was.

And that can be determined but it`s a lengthy process. So, you know, it`s one of reasons why I said I thought it was going to be four to six weeks, back two weeks ago when Michael died.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right, let`s talk about the custody hearing, because the custody, the big custody hearing is set for Monday. It`s been postponed as well. So let`s hope it actually happens this time, this coming Monday.

Debbie Rowe, a key player. The big question, does she want the kids, has she made a deal to walk away?

Rebecca White is a woman who claims Debbie sent her an email about not wanting custody of the children she bore for Michael Jackson. Now, Debbie Rowe is suing her, calling those e-mails bogus.

JONES: Well, Jane...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: According to the New York Post -- hold on one second.

JONES: I`m sorry.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Debbie Rowe says she doesn`t know Rebecca White. But get this. Rebecca White interviewed Debbie just last year on Mtv.com. Take a look at it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REBECCA WHITE, INTERVIEWED DEBBIE ROWE: Could you talk to us about meeting?

ROWE: I don`t want to.

WHITE: Ok. Your first impression?

ROWE: Well, I had his poster on my wall as a child.

WHITE: Ok.

ROWE: We`re not going there, Rebecca. Move on, honey.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Honey. Go ahead, Aphrodite.

JONES: I was going to say a couple things. Number one is I`m going to be at the custody hearing on Monday if, in fact, it takes place. So we`re expecting there to be chaos, no matter what Debbie Rowe decides to do in terms of media.

But also, this woman who reportedly is a friend of Debbie Rowe, it`s my understanding has gone out on other occasions and tried to attach herself to other celebrity cases.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, let me ask you this question, Mark Eiglarsh, we hear that there`s going to be chaos at this hearing. I don`t think that`s just because Aphrodite is going to be there.

But how is this hearing going to play out? Is it going to be open to everyone? Usually family court is closed-door. We might not even know what goes on behind closed doors.

EIGHLARSH: Oh, we know that you`ll report it, Jane. You`ll find a way to let us all know -- if you have to draw it out yourself and hold it up, you will.

We`ll find out what happened, whether cameras are inside or not. I don`t know that cameras should be in there.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I`m not just talking about cameras, I`m talking about will it be an open door or closed door hearing?

EIGLARSH: It should be -- it should be open. Courts should be open to the public.

JONES: It is insulting to the media, Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. Everyone stay right there, more developments to the Michael Jackson case in a moment.

Then, the Florida couple brutally gunned down finally laid to rest today as the investigation barrels ahead. Where does it stand? And the shocking contents of the safe taken from their home are now revealed.

But first, as we wait for toxicology reports in the Michael Jackson death probe, the custody battle has drama of its own. With Debbie Rowe once again fighting off the paparazzi, let`s take another look at her paparazzi rage from earlier this month.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROWE: Do not touch me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nobody touched you here.

ROWE: You just did. Don`t.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you ready to fight for your children?

ROWE: Are you ready to get your butt kicked? Don`t [bleep] touch me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKSON: I`ll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is it, I mean, this is really it. This is the final -- this is the final curtain call.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Wow. Michael Jackson in March, sounding sincerely psyched about his comeback tour. Were money problems behind the singer`s commitment to this grueling schedule when he was by many accounts very, very frail?

Meantime, the "New York Post" page 6 reporting an insider claims the coffin that we all saw at the Staples Center during the memorial on July 7th was empty.

Another source weighing in to ask the paper why; why would his body be released with a criminal investigation pending? After all, if somebody is charged with Jackson`s death, the defendant would likely want to do his or her own autopsy.

No reported comment from the Jackson camp, but Mark Eiglarsh, does the hypothesis of an empty casket make sense?

EIGLARSH: I don`t know about that, Jane. I think that we can all make up theories about what`s going on. And I`m not sure exactly what you`re suggesting with the empty casket.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m not suggesting anything. It was in the page 6 of the "New York Post" saying that sources said that the casket was empty. That there was no Michael Jackson body in that casket. I`m not suggesting anything. I`m just reporting...

EIGHLARSH: I think that -- got it. I think that investigators have what they need to bring a case if they wanted to. If that powerful anesthetic was the cause of death, that anyone who issued that anesthetic to Michael Jackson and was not physically there to administer it, violated the guidelines issued in 2004, and committed gross negligence and should be held accountable.

All of the other doctors who issued all these other pain medications to him under fake names should be held responsible, both under state and federal law. They`ve got their case with or without an empty casket.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, you know, there are these claims that Michael Jackson used various fake names to score prescription meds. Some of the names were Omar Arnold (ph), Joseph Scrauze (ph), Bill Bray (ph) and my favorite Jack London, the famous author of "The Call of the Wild."

But he is not the only celebrity, as Mark was saying, to have done this. Back in 2001 when Winona Ryder was caught shoplifting investigators also found a stash of pain killers in her purse. Turns out she allegedly used six aliases to get 37 prescriptions from 20 doctors.

As we saw during the Anna Nicole Smith case, some of her prescriptions were allegedly made out to her boyfriend, the justification being it was necessary to avoid the prying eyes of the paparazzi. Now, Anna Nicole`s boyfriend has pleaded not guilty, by the way, to these charges.

But let me ask you this, Dr. Dale Archer, when you think of what happened to Farrah Fawcett -- the late great Farrah Fawcett -- where her medical records were revealed by hospital workers to the point where tabloid headlines is how some of her closest friends and family members found out about her cancer.

DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, I mean...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: They have to do something.

ARCHER: Yes. It`s against the law to do that. So that`s number one. But -- and number two, you know, it`s against the law to be able to release anyone`s name in that case. But it`s also against the law to use a fake name to procure a narcotic prescription.

But I want to say, that that is the nature of this addiction. Basically, you start off with a legitimate pain, you get prescribed the drug and then you end up liking the high more than you like the pain relief. You start exaggerating the pain, you get more drugs, your tolerance goes up. And then one doctor is not enough, so you have to start going to other doctors and get more and more of the drugs.

So this is a very common scenario, not only for celebrities, but for everyone.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And there is a psychological component here, as well. Get this -- this is fascinating -- CNN correspondent Randi Kaye spoke to Anderson Cooper on Tuesday and told him about a startling revelation by a former Jackson security guard. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He worked for Jackson from 2001 until 2004 and he told me, quote, "Jackson and I spoke of his addiction and how hard he was working and how he was trying to do everything in his power to avoid having a need to be on drugs." He said Jackson was taking lots of prescription medicines and that he, quote, "didn`t like the way it made him feel."

He says that`s what Michael Jackson told him. He also told me that Jackson had serious trouble sleeping; he said he had a quote, "constant beat in his head."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Aphrodite Jones, you have researched Michael Jackson extensively, have you ever heard him complaining about the constant beat in his head?

JONES: He didn`t ever actually, to my knowledge, make comment -- that particular comment. But he did talk about his pain. We heard it in the trial in Santa Maria. We knew that he was addicted to pain medication that he had suffered from those burns and from chronic back pain, chronic leg pain.

So there were numerous things and ailments that he suffered from. And remember, he had lupus, he had vitiligo; I mean, he had a lot of things going wrong with his body over the years and in particularly last years which would have certainly induce him to want more pain killers.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Dr. Dale Archer, what do you make of this constant beat in his head? That`s got to be annoying if you have a constant beat in your head and what does it say psychologically?

ARCHER: Well, I mean, psychiatrically it basically could be a component of a variety of chemical imbalances of the brain and of course addiction could be one because when the drugs were off you have all kinds of physical symptoms that come along with that.

But I will comment in terms of the addiction problem that he had. All of us have faced pot holes and obstacles in our life. And many of us reach a crossroads where we have to say, you know, if I don`t get the best of this, this is going to get the best of me. And all of Michael Jackson`s money, power and fame weren`t enough to save him from that. And unfortunately in this case, the addiction ended up getting the best of him.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, it is a cautionary tale.

Hang tight panel.

Addiction is a chronic illness in America and in my new book, "I Want" I lay out my own personal battle with the disease and my road to recovery.

It`s a recovery memoir due out this fall but you can preorder your copy right now. Just click on cnn.com/jane. And look for the preorder section. It`s my very personal story and there are some things in there that will definitely surprise you.

Up next on ISSUES, we will analyze Michael Jackson`s infamous 1993 statement that laid out his claims of innocence regarding child molestation charges but also provided clues about his addiction to pain killers.

And today was the funeral for the Florida couple gunned down in their home. Where does the investigation stand? What will happen to their special needs children? So many developments. We`ll be back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": Is it true, Myron, that Joe Jackson actually took a belt to you too?

MYRON HAWKINS, MICHAEL JACKSON`S COUSIN: Oh, well, see the way you phrase that, Nancy, I would like to put it this way. We all at that time -- the belt was used to discipline. It wasn`t used as an abusive weapon.

GRACE: I`m asking you, why somebody, not your parents, took a belt to you. Can you answer me?

HAWKINS: So be it, I`m going to put it this way, I`m not going into specifics, for being disobedient you keep stressing on that belt I just want to make this fact known.

My uncle did not abuse no one, he did not abused me. We were disciplined. And my mother used a belt, but she didn`t abuse me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Nancy Grace interviewing Michael Jackson`s cousin about this whole issue. Is whipping with a belt abuse, or is it just good discipline?

This could become an issue in the upcoming custody hearing on Monday, because Joe Jackson is still married to Katherine and Joe has admitted to whipping Michael. Ok?

And something that Michael talked about for years as being incredibly traumatic. Angie Crouch, investigative reporter, I understand you have some new information on the upcoming hearing.

CROUCH: That`s right, we`ve got the custody hearing scheduled for Monday. And we`ve learned today that there are last-minute wranglings going on between the attorneys for all the parties involved in the custody case, which we presume to mean Debbie Rowe`s attorneys and Katherine Jackson`s attorneys.

They`re having a conference call with the judge in the case today and they`re going to presumably be talking about what`s going to happen on Monday and perhaps working out some kind of a deal.

We`ve been told that Debbie Rowe may or may not be going for custody of the children. She has said both the in the past. And of course, we know that the children have been staying with Michael Jackson`s mother Katherine Jackson. But the big question that`s out there right now is, will Joe Jackson have anything to do with raising these kids if, in fact, they are placed in the permanent custody of Katherine Jackson, very controversial.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, Aphrodite Jones, what is the status of Joe vis-a-vis Katherine? They`re still married, but Joe Jackson lives in Las Vegas, she lives in Encino. Are they on good terms or not?

JONES: They are on good terms, he is at Hayvenhurst. He never claimed that he left Hayvenhurst.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Hayvenhurst, what`s Hayvenhurst? For the public who doesn`t know.

JONES: I`m sorry, for the public -- that`s the home that the Jacksons grew up in the home that Michael grew up in, in Encino and Joe refers to as their family home.

And he`s the patriarch of the family. Saying he wants to not only raise those kids, but he`s talking about them not being educated properly. He wants them to have a proper education. He is poking his finger already into the kids` lives at this moment.

And the thing that`s heart-breaking Jane is that Debbie Rowe, if she is thinking about custody, those kids will know that she gave them up for $8.5 million allegedly in 1999. And then again hit Michael Jackson -- I believe it was in 2006 after the trial -- for another undisclosed sum of money.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And there have been reports this week that there was yet another deal, reports that Debbie Rowe`s attorneys say absolutely are false.

Mark Eiglarsh, will the whole history of Debbie Rowe and her giving up custody and then the parental rights and then trying to get them back and all of the reports of the millions of dollars exchanged allegedly affect Monday`s custody hearing?

EIGLARSH: It depends on who your judge is. I mean, no question, it should be brought out. Everything is relevant. You`re not talking about a jury; an intellectual judge can listen to the facts and decide what`s relevant.

But absolutely should come out the same way Joe`s history of abuse should come out. Because he`s planning on having a key role in these kids` lives and we know that using a belt is one of the techniques that he has utilized in the past.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes and if he wants to turn them into performers, who knows? We`ll have to see what happens Monday. I want to thank my excellent panel.

More Jacko drama on the way; we`ll analyze his 1993 speech. It`s a humdinger.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Michael Jackson famously proclaims he was innocent of child molestation and hooked on pain killers in a 1993 video. It`s a fascinating speech, but was it a cry for help from the "King of Pop"?

Plus, full coverage of the funeral for Melanie and Byrd Billings, the Florida couple gunned down in their own home. Cops already snatched eight suspects, but who else was involved? And what will happen to all those special needs kids?

Details continue to emerge about what role heavy-duty prescription drugs played in Michael Jackson`s death. But where would such an addiction to strong medication have come from? The video I`m about to show you may offer some context, and it is very disturbing.

Michael Jackson`s downward spiral likely began 25 years ago, after this horrifying accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial. The "King of Pop" suffered such severe burns to his scalp that he became dependent on prescription pain pills.

He addressed this issue specifically in a 1993 video statement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL JACKSON, "KING OF POP": I`m doing well, and I am strong.

As you may already know, after my tour ended I remain out of the country undergoing treatment for a dependency on pain medication. This medication was initially prescribed to cease excruciating pain after I suffered reconstructive surgery on my scalp.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: His words from 16 years ago are chilling, but give us insight in to how the "King of Pop" became addicted to pills. But perhaps more important, did the graphic allegations of child molestation, the first time around, back in 1993, was that the reason he released this statement? And did it leave Michael so humiliated and broken that he retreated forever into a shell seeking emotional relief through prescription meds? Was this a cry for help that the world simply didn`t pay attention to?

I`m back with my fantastic panel: Aphrodite Jones, author of "Michael Jackson Conspiracy;" Dr. Dale Archer, clinical psychiatrist; Angie Crouch, investigative reporter; and joining us by phone, Brian Oxman, former Jackson family attorney.

Brian, you worked closely with Michael Jackson. We remember this 1993 famous video where he said, "I`m innocent of molestation, but yes, I am addicted to pain killers."

What was the connection between these allegations against him and his being hooked on drugs?

BRIAN OXMAN, FORMER JACKSON FAMILY ATTORNEY: It was more the injury he sustained to his scalp, Jane. It was painful; it just wouldn`t be something that he got rid of. It was a constant effort to try and cope with it, and he acknowledged that. He also always acknowledged it.

Michael was never the kind of guy who wanted to party and get high. But he was somebody who suffered from pain. That then got compounded when he broke his leg, and he fractured his vertebrae. He was literally -- broke his back in a fall from the stage in 1998.

He just was in pain, and he used these medications because of the pain. And the result was he became dependent on them.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, Brian, I love you, but I`m not buying it 100 percent. I always think there is a psychological component.

We`ve been talking about Michael Jackson releasing this video statement in 1993, after a former friend, a 13-year-old boy and his family filed a lawsuit against him. The boy accused Jackson of sexual battery, willful misconduct, emotional distress. The child also gave graphic accounts of alleged sexual encounters with Jackson. And Jackson`s response was emotional.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

M. JACKSON: I ask all of you to wait and hear the truth before you label or condemn me. Don`t treat me like a criminal because I am innocent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, Jackson settled out of court with his accuser for sums reported to be in the tens of millions of dollars. But according to Ian Halperin, who`s the author of a new unauthorized biography called "Unmasked," the stress of the case caused Michael to start popping pills like candy.

So he did go to rehab that fall, but some have suggested he actually went to rehab to avoid confronting these child abuse allegations.

Aphrodite Jones, you have studied this case. What do you see as the connection between these abuse allegations back in `93 he settled for many millions, and his addiction?

APHRODITE JONES, AUTHOR, "MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY": Well, I think, Jane, there is no doubt that Michael was emotionally distraught over feeling that he had been sold out by the family of the accuser in 1993, and again the family of the accuser in 2005. All of that led to his own sense of not having any safe place to be, not having any safe haven, and let`s remember, too, Jane that the 1993 allegations were just that -- allegations.

That boy made those allegations before a grand jury, they were never substantiated, they were never -- the boy was not cross examined. We never saw a trial in that case. And Michael Jackson has been held accountable in the court of public opinion since 1993, because of the large settlement he paid out.

And in my opinion, he did that based on bad advice from people who wanted to make money off of Michael Jackson back then.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Let`s talk about this further. The allegations of child abuse were very graphic. And I think we all remember a body search warrant was issued for Michael Jackson. Essentially, allowing authorities to examine his private parts. And Michael Jackson described this humiliation that he endured during that examination.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

M. JACKSON: I have been forced to submit to a dehumanizing and humiliating examination. They served a search warrant on me which allowed them to view and photograph my body, including my penis, my buttocks, my lower torso, thighs and any other area that they wanted.

It was the most humiliating ordeal of my life, one that no person should ever have to suffer. And even after experiencing the indignity of this search, the parties involved were still not satisfied and wanted to take even more pictures.

It was a nightmare; a horrifying nightmare.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: So Dr. Dale Archer, there are those who believe that that examination of his private parts broke him emotionally and psychologically. You`re the psychiatrist.

DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST: Well, I think, first of all, you have an addict, and he was addicted to narcotic pain killers, and Jane, as you well know, stress is a trigger for a relapse and addiction.

He did go through treatment, but let`s face it. From what I`ve been able to read and learn about those accusations, I think he was innocent. But it really didn`t matter.

The stress was there, no matter what. He had the stress of the accusations, he had the stress of the examination. All of those and someone already addicted to narcotic pain killers are like putting a match to gasoline. It was just a combustible combination, and of course the addiction got worse.

That`s the normal course of how this works. Stress is the trigger.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s a fascinating speech. In his four-minute video statement, Michael Jackson proclaimed his innocence again and again, and he also spoke of his love of children. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

M. JACKSON: If I am guilty of anything, it is of giving all that I have to give to help children all over the world. It is of loving children of all ages and races. It is of gaining sheer joy from seeing children with their innocent and smiling faces. It is of enjoying through them the childhood that I missed myself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Angie Crouch, ironically, we all remember that after these accusations he retreated to Neverland and surrounded himself with more children which was part of the problem.

ANGIE CROUCH, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: Absolutely. And if -- even though he went through rehab and apparently did not stick, because we now have numerous reports that his dependence on prescription medication apparently continued.

I spoke with the attorney general`s office today. They said that they are running through their state database that tracks prescription drugs the names of several of Michael Jackson`s doctors, as well as those aliases that Michael Jackson used, and what they`re trying to do is track who wrote him, what prescription, how much, and when, and over what period of time.

The problem is, Propofol is not on that database, because it`s not a controlled substance, even though the DEA is now talking about making it a controlled substance, because they have seen a sharp up-rise in the number of deaths associated with that drug.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Brian Oxman, did that humiliating examination break his spirit?

OXMAN: It didn`t break him, but Jane, it sure affected him. There is no doubt, and no question about it.

If you can imagine yourself being accused of a crime he didn`t commit in the most heinous method, and yet worldwide commotion created by it, you bet you, it really affected him. And I want to say something about this settlement.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Quickly.

OXMAN: In the Santa Maria case, I filed a motion to exclude the evidence of that settlement from the case, which the trial court judge granted, because it was an insurance settlement.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. Brian Oxman, we`re going to have to leave it right there. But past act was a key aspect of that case.

Thank you excellent panel for the wonderful analysis.

A strange twists in the Haleigh Cummings case. I`ll tell you why her distraught parents may be looking for some new lawyers.

Then the Florida couple shot dead in their homes finally laid to rest. Cops have arrested eight suspects for this brutal attack, but the investigation is far, and I mean far from over.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: The Florida couple brutally gunned down in their own home laid to rest today. But the murder investigation is far from over. I will have an update.

But first, "Top of the Block" tonight:

A rather strange bit of news in the Haleigh Cummings` disappearance: are the attorneys for both of Haleigh`s parents out? That`s what 97.3, the Sky is reporting.

Lawyers on both sides have apparently filed motions to remove themselves from the case. Kim Picazio, the lawyer for mom Crystal Sheffield confirmed to the station that she, Kim Picazio is in the process of removing herself from representation. But she gave no explanation for her decision.

Meantime, the lawyer representing dad Ron in the child services investigation is also reportedly dropped out, probably because the investigation has concluded, and cleared Ron of any abuse claims. The legal teams for both parents were working pro bono -- for free.

That`s tonight`s "Top the Block."

Tonight, an emotional farewell to the Florida couple shot dead in their home. They are finally laid to rest. The funeral held today for double murder victims, Melanie and Byrd Billings, well-known in their communities for adopting children with special needs.

Before the service, the Billings` lawyer made this fascinating statement, answering the question many have asked. What was inside the safe that was stolen from the home?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRYSTAL SPENCER, BILLINGS FAMILY ATTORNEY: As a result of the intense speculation regarding the motive of the crime, I have been authorized to tell you that the safe that was removed from the Billings` home contained only children`s prescription medications, important family documents and some jewelry of sentimental value. Hopefully this will put to rest the intense speculation and rumors that are swirling about the Billings family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MTICHELL: No confirmation yet from the sheriff`s department or prosecutors that that is accurate. That statement apparently made in response to rumors swirling about this crime; possibly being about something bigger -- more than a mere robbery.

One reason: nobody can figure out why seven men would train for a whole month and don ninja outfits, some of them with masks, to invade a private home filled with young children. Seven suspects behind bars tonight; an eighth person, a woman, has been charged with accessory after the fact. The safe stolen from the home was allegedly found hidden on her property.

Meantime, a disturbing portrait emerging of the alleged mastermind of the brutal murders: neighbors describe Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. as a pistol-waiving nut case.

His own aunt says he and his father, her brother, who is also charged in the double murder, are dangerous.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REGINA MCCARTNEY, SUSPECT`S AUNT: They`re not crazy. They are mean. They are hateful. They are dangerous. They need to be removed out of society.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Very strong words, especially from a close blood relative.

So much to get to tonight, straight out to my fantastic expert panel: Pam Bondi, Florida prosecutor; Dr. Dale Archer, clinical psychiatrist; plus Rob Williams, news anchor and morning host at News Radio 1620 AM in Pensacola, Florida.

Rob, you`ve been doing a great job tracking this case from the very start. And, of course, today, an especially somber day as this couple is finally put to rest. What can you tell us?

ROB WILLIAMS, NEWS RADIO 1620 AM, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA: I can tell you I was at the Liberty Church noontime today. The funeral service was under way, several hundred people there. As the funeral -- as they were leaving the church, the skies just opened up, poured rain.

I think some people probably said, oh, maybe we`re not going to go to the cemetery. But it was still a very respectful showing of their friends, the people that knew them; that they knew; the loved ones.

I think one of the interesting statements right after the lawyer`s statement about what was in the safe, the brother of Melanie said, you know, "What we`re going to remember, we`re going to celebrate their lives, remember their unconditional love for the children."

But earlier this morning, first thing on News Radio 1620, Jane, Sheriff David Morgan telling me, there are three more people of interest in this case, including the person who was supposed to shut down the security system, the video system. And that didn`t happen.

But that person knew about the robbery. Knew it was going to happen, and didn`t do anything. That person is going to face some pretty stout charges, Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Pam Bondi, you`re a Florida state prosecutor. Nobody can get their head around the sheer number of people allegedly involved in this horrific crime. And obviously sheer logic will tell you that if you`re in a criminal enterprise, you have to divide the loot. So now they`re dividing the loot among seven people, possibly more, and then we find out there is no loot.

The safe they took, according to the attorney for the family, had nothing in it but family possessions that are not of street value. It doesn`t make any sense. Is this just the stupid factor gone tragic?

PAM BONDI, FLORIDA PROSECUTOR: Yes, it`s a senseless, horrible, vicious crime. And that`s why I`m glad we have the death penalty in Florida. But that will be determined down the road, of course, Jane.

You know, I think what happened -- I think you have this delusional maniac, Gonzalez Jr. and then his father who is just as mean as he is who had staged commando raids with children, even.

I think the guy was obsessed, delusional. I think he talked a bunch of workers into working with him and in his sick mind, he believed that because they were so wealthy and had this huge home, there was going to be a ton of money in this safe when in fact this was a good, kind family, by all accounts, who just cared about their kids.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes. And you know, it`s so ironic, safes can sometimes lead people to believe that there is a lot of money in there, even though there may be absolutely nothing because the nature of a safe is oh, you`re hiding something very valuable. So I don`t know, maybe one of these guys saw it and got some ideas.

The neighbor of Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. told CNN he saw men practicing -- get this -- commando style raids in his backyard. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAMON O`DONNELL, FORMER NEIGHBOR OF MURDER SUSPECT: They would run from the back porch, run down here, and would roll and then they`d go up against the tree, and aim their guns and then they`d go off and find another tree. And they would do it in sort of Echelon manner.

And then he had them all come back and do it again and again and again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCELL: Cops say this motley crew practiced their maneuvers for a month before the home invasion. That same neighbor says Gonzalez Jr. once brought out a gun in a dispute over debris on the sidewalk.

This guy was known in the community. He taught martial arts to children. This is what is so scary.

Take a look at this video of him two years ago. Now, Dr. Dale Archer, he clearly seems obsessed with combat. He served in the military. Supposedly he wanted to create a company that taught wealthy people how to use defensive tactics.

What is going on in this sicko`s head?

ARCHER: Well, first of all, he is not delusional because delusional is a psychiatric diagnosis. This guy does not have a break from reality because the neighbors would know. They would say, "Hey, he`s sick, he`s got psychosis, he`s hearing voices, has fixed false belief."

This was just an evil man. Sometimes you try to put a psychiatric or a psychological interpretation and you cannot do it. He was evil, he planned this crime.

And what you can`t understand -- is that if it was just about the money, why do the murder? Why not handcuff them, get the safe and move on? So clearly this is a sick individual from a criminal standpoint not from a psychiatric standpoint.

BONDI: Right. And what I mention by delusional, Doctor, I think was that he was stupid enough to think that there would be that much money in the safe. I mean, the guy`s a complete contradiction. It`s horrible.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Hang on guys. We`re going to be back with more in a moment on this case.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED BROCK, MELANIE BILLINGS` BROTHER: They gave these children joy and a much-needed voice. Their lives were cut way too short but their legacy will live on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: The devastated brother of Melanie Billings speaks out eloquently about his slain sister and her husband before today`s funeral service.

We`re back discussing all the latest developments in the case. Including the stunning statement from the family`s attorney about what was found inside the safe; essentially nothing of any value beyond children`s medications and things that are really only of value to the family.

Rob Williams, I think that part of the speculation it had to be something bigger may have had a little bit to do with what the sheriff, who I think has done an excellent job, by the way, said, though. He said, "It`s out of a movie" and "it`s a hum binger."

I think maybe people`s imaginations started to get a-hold of them.

WILLIAMS: Well, I think he`s -- but I think he`s accurate. I know there`s plenty more of this story coming out. Jane, you used the term humdinger about three segments ago. So obviously the word has gotten new life around the country.

We have taken to calling this the Escambia Eight. We are in Escambia County. As opposed to having to refer to one of the scum bags versus another chucklehead that`s in his group -- in his posse if you will.

They are by the way remaining in jail; they`re not going to be getting out. Their court appearances are still the better part of two to six weeks out.

But this case is going to...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Let me ask you this Rob -- let me ask you this...

WILLIAMS: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Paint a picture of the interrelationship between these chuckleheads as you put it? I mean, we`ve got all these people involved. You`ve got the ring leader, Gonzalez Jr., we`ve already taken care of him, his dad. Now, what about the other people?

WILLIAMS: The other people, and as I just said, it`s a very loose confederation. It`s somebody who knew somebody who knew a couple of day laborers who knew the guys who`s the head of the auto shop down in Ft. Walton Beach. How they got them all together, I`ll never know. It doesn`t seem like any of this is really (INAUDIBLE).

Jane, the big question I have for the prosecutor is how easy is this going to be to move this case out of Pensacola to some place down the road like Panama City or even Jacksonville when they finally get around to trying this? It`s going to be a tough one...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Pam Bondi, are you shocked that nobody leaked anything?

BONDI: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Seven people practicing for a month.

BONDI: Yes, yes, unbelievable. Especially they`re not relatives, they`re loosely connected. We just busted a big case today, with five individuals, a conspiracy to commit murder. Thank goodness, prior to the ax, because somebody always talks.

It`s really unbelievable -- 30 days, they`re practicing, they`re dressed up, they`re practicing raids and no one leaked it out. That`s really just rare.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you fabulous panel, great insights.

BONDI: Thank you.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: You are watching ISSUES on HLN.

END