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American Morning
No Cameras Allowed in Courtroom Friday for Arraignment of Michael Jackson
Aired January 13, 2004 - 08:24 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: No cameras allowed in the courtroom on Friday. That's what a judge has ruled for the arraignment of Michael Jackson. Jackson maintains his innocence in the child molestation charges he is now facing. But meanwhile his closest advisers gathered yesterday in a hotel in L.A. to talk about the singer's finances.
Charles Feldman reports this morning in southern California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, we're not answering any questions.
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not answering questions? Is this guy kidding or what? All these camera crews didn't camp out at the swank Beverly Hills hotel for a gathering of Michael Jackson's business advisers just to be put off that easily. Then again, it doesn't mean they're going to get much, either. Yes, it was the photo-op of Jackson advisers and lawyers sitting around a big table like statesmen discussing international diplomacy. But all anyone could get from Jackson's music manager was...
QUESTION: Constantly, as I said, Mr. Jackson is in financial trouble.
Can you clarify that, sir?
CHARLES KOPPELMAN, JACKSON'S MUSIC MANAGER: Again, do we look worried?
QUESTION: No, I...
(CROSSTALK)
QUESTION: But is he in financial trouble?
KOPPELMAN: Of course not.
FELDMAN: The advisers, who included Jackson defense attorney Mark Geragos and Nation of Islam official Leonard Muhammad, said this was a typical meeting which just happens to come during the very week that the pop star is about to be arraigned on child molestation charges.
There's been lots of talk of late that the Nation of Islam is now running Jackson's business affairs. But the gathered advisers denied that is true. So exactly why was Leonard Muhammad here?
LEONARD MUHAMMAD, NATION OF ISLAM: To make sure everybody knows that Michael Jackson is innocent and his career is going to continue as usual.
FELDMAN: Keeping with that theme, Jackson brother Jermaine says hundreds of Michael Jackson fans will show their support Friday at the courthouse in Santa Maria.
JERMAINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON'S BROTHER: It is a true testament to Michael and his messages of love and inclusion that so many people of diverse backgrounds are traveling from around the globe to support him.
FELDMAN: People may travel to support him, but it doesn't look like you are going to see Jackson's courtroom arraignment. The judge Monday nixed plans to televise it.
Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Now, as we know, cameras will not be in the courtroom on Friday. There will be a closed circuit TV signal of the arraignment available only to reporters on the outside of that courtroom.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Michael Jackson>
Aired January 13, 2004 - 08:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: No cameras allowed in the courtroom on Friday. That's what a judge has ruled for the arraignment of Michael Jackson. Jackson maintains his innocence in the child molestation charges he is now facing. But meanwhile his closest advisers gathered yesterday in a hotel in L.A. to talk about the singer's finances.
Charles Feldman reports this morning in southern California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, we're not answering any questions.
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not answering questions? Is this guy kidding or what? All these camera crews didn't camp out at the swank Beverly Hills hotel for a gathering of Michael Jackson's business advisers just to be put off that easily. Then again, it doesn't mean they're going to get much, either. Yes, it was the photo-op of Jackson advisers and lawyers sitting around a big table like statesmen discussing international diplomacy. But all anyone could get from Jackson's music manager was...
QUESTION: Constantly, as I said, Mr. Jackson is in financial trouble.
Can you clarify that, sir?
CHARLES KOPPELMAN, JACKSON'S MUSIC MANAGER: Again, do we look worried?
QUESTION: No, I...
(CROSSTALK)
QUESTION: But is he in financial trouble?
KOPPELMAN: Of course not.
FELDMAN: The advisers, who included Jackson defense attorney Mark Geragos and Nation of Islam official Leonard Muhammad, said this was a typical meeting which just happens to come during the very week that the pop star is about to be arraigned on child molestation charges.
There's been lots of talk of late that the Nation of Islam is now running Jackson's business affairs. But the gathered advisers denied that is true. So exactly why was Leonard Muhammad here?
LEONARD MUHAMMAD, NATION OF ISLAM: To make sure everybody knows that Michael Jackson is innocent and his career is going to continue as usual.
FELDMAN: Keeping with that theme, Jackson brother Jermaine says hundreds of Michael Jackson fans will show their support Friday at the courthouse in Santa Maria.
JERMAINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON'S BROTHER: It is a true testament to Michael and his messages of love and inclusion that so many people of diverse backgrounds are traveling from around the globe to support him.
FELDMAN: People may travel to support him, but it doesn't look like you are going to see Jackson's courtroom arraignment. The judge Monday nixed plans to televise it.
Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Now, as we know, cameras will not be in the courtroom on Friday. There will be a closed circuit TV signal of the arraignment available only to reporters on the outside of that courtroom.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Michael Jackson>
