The validity of Michael Jackson’s will could get a court airing 下一个 月 if a business associate of the pop star’s mother gets his way.
Lawyers for a Canadian businessman who works with Katherine Jackson wrote in a filing Monday that he was “in possession of evidence that casts substantial doubt on the validity of the will” and wants to present it at federal trial set for September.
The business partner, Howard Mann, is locked in a copyright battle with the executors of the singer’s estate largely over a tribute book that he produced with Jackson’s mother.
In a filing in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Mann’s lawyers wrote he wanted to present an attack on the will’s authenticity as part of a defense to copyright infringement claims brought 由 executors John Branca and John McClain.
“Defendants will argue that the estate cannot produce any evidence indicating they own the assets, thereby failing the first prong of a copyright action,” the attorneys wrote.
The probate court presiding over Jackson’s estate accepted the 2002 will shortly after his death and an appellate court subsequently 说 the window for challenging the will had closed. The document put Jackson’s assets into a private trust run 由 Branca and McClain, 音乐 industry veterans and longtime Jackson advisors. The trust benefits Jackson’s three children, his mother and charities.
In 最近的 weeks, some of his siblings, who inherited nothing, have 说 the will was faked and called on Branca and McClain to resign. The executors have condemned “false and defamatory accusations grounded in stale Internet conspiracy theories.”
Their attorney urged a judge last 月 to bar any attack on the will in front of jurors, 写作 that it was a settled legal issue and irrelevant to the copyright claims.
“None of this evidence would constitute a legal defense to any of the claims in this lawsuit, and are offered solely so that defendants may point to their relationship with Mrs. Jackson and argue that the estate is somehow being unfair to her,” the attorney wrote.
Lawyers for a Canadian businessman who works with Katherine Jackson wrote in a filing Monday that he was “in possession of evidence that casts substantial doubt on the validity of the will” and wants to present it at federal trial set for September.
The business partner, Howard Mann, is locked in a copyright battle with the executors of the singer’s estate largely over a tribute book that he produced with Jackson’s mother.
In a filing in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Mann’s lawyers wrote he wanted to present an attack on the will’s authenticity as part of a defense to copyright infringement claims brought 由 executors John Branca and John McClain.
“Defendants will argue that the estate cannot produce any evidence indicating they own the assets, thereby failing the first prong of a copyright action,” the attorneys wrote.
The probate court presiding over Jackson’s estate accepted the 2002 will shortly after his death and an appellate court subsequently 说 the window for challenging the will had closed. The document put Jackson’s assets into a private trust run 由 Branca and McClain, 音乐 industry veterans and longtime Jackson advisors. The trust benefits Jackson’s three children, his mother and charities.
In 最近的 weeks, some of his siblings, who inherited nothing, have 说 the will was faked and called on Branca and McClain to resign. The executors have condemned “false and defamatory accusations grounded in stale Internet conspiracy theories.”
Their attorney urged a judge last 月 to bar any attack on the will in front of jurors, 写作 that it was a settled legal issue and irrelevant to the copyright claims.
“None of this evidence would constitute a legal defense to any of the claims in this lawsuit, and are offered solely so that defendants may point to their relationship with Mrs. Jackson and argue that the estate is somehow being unfair to her,” the attorney wrote.
Sources tell TMZ Janet Jackson was so "blown away" 由 the positive reaction to her appearance on the "American Idol" finale that she's "seriously entertaining" a 音乐会 tour ... that could begin before the end of the year.
Janet was amazing on Wednesday's "Idol" -- performing "Again," "Nothing," and "Nasty." We're told as of today a 音乐会 tour is now on the front burner.
Miss Jackson -- who has only toured once since 2002 (and a bulk of that tour was canceled) agreed yesterday to appear at the Essence 音乐 Festival in New Orleans on July 2.
Janet was amazing on Wednesday's "Idol" -- performing "Again," "Nothing," and "Nasty." We're told as of today a 音乐会 tour is now on the front burner.
Miss Jackson -- who has only toured once since 2002 (and a bulk of that tour was canceled) agreed yesterday to appear at the Essence 音乐 Festival in New Orleans on July 2.
(Originally 发布 May 6th 2010 12:23 AM PDT 由 TMZ Staff)
Dr. Arnold Klein's office manager -- who claims he was Michael Jackson's lover -- is facing such intense death threats that he's moving from place to place ... hiding out from angry MJ fans.
A 来源 close to Dr. Klein and Jason Pfeiffer tells TMZ incensed Jackson 粉丝 have walked right up to Pfeiffer's 首页 and knocked on his door -- and they've also tracked him down at his friends' houses.
Since Jason went public last week with allegations of an affair with Michael, we're told violent and homophobic threats have poured into Dr. Klein's office 由 phone, fax, and email. According to the 来源 one voicemail said, "I'm gonna put a bullet in your heads."
Klein and Pfeiffer have hired bodyguards, and reported the threats to the FBI. We're told Pfeiffer is currently at a private location with friends.
Read more: link
Dr. Arnold Klein's office manager -- who claims he was Michael Jackson's lover -- is facing such intense death threats that he's moving from place to place ... hiding out from angry MJ fans.
A 来源 close to Dr. Klein and Jason Pfeiffer tells TMZ incensed Jackson 粉丝 have walked right up to Pfeiffer's 首页 and knocked on his door -- and they've also tracked him down at his friends' houses.
Since Jason went public last week with allegations of an affair with Michael, we're told violent and homophobic threats have poured into Dr. Klein's office 由 phone, fax, and email. According to the 来源 one voicemail said, "I'm gonna put a bullet in your heads."
Klein and Pfeiffer have hired bodyguards, and reported the threats to the FBI. We're told Pfeiffer is currently at a private location with friends.
Read more: link