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Michael Jackson Conspiracy
Aphrodite Jones uses the court transcripts and photo evidence never before seen by the public to tell the real story behind the salacious headlines -- and what went on inside -- and outside -- Michael Jackson's highly sensationalized 2005 criminal trial. Turns out, inside the courtroom, there was no proof offered of Michael Jackson as a sinister character, and no proof that he committed a single crime. In their efforts to win ratings, Jones proves,the media completely missed the truth. Back then, Jackson was the pop icon everyone loved to hate. Now, with Michael Jackson Conspiracy, he may be restored to the pop icon everyone loves to love.
306 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2007
237 people are currently reading
1596 people want to read
About the author
Aphrodite Jones
13 books403 followersAphrodite Jones is an award-winning American reporter and author who writes about murder. Her knack for detail allows her to dissect bizarre murder cases and bring readers into the heart of darkness. Now, the author has taken her career to TV as the executive producer and TV host of the ID series, True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, which airs on Investigation Discovery.
Jones is now filming her sixth season, uncovering secrets about riveting cases across America. The series follows Jones, who's written a string of best-selling true crime books, as she unravels new mysteries lurking behind cases that shocked America: O.J. Simpson, Scott Peterson, Jon Benet Ramsey, Phil Spector, and the list goes on.
Jones is now filming her sixth season, uncovering secrets about riveting cases across America. The series follows Jones, who's written a string of best-selling true crime books, as she unravels new mysteries lurking behind cases that shocked America: O.J. Simpson, Scott Peterson, Jon Benet Ramsey, Phil Spector, and the list goes on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 9, 2011
Sadly the only thorough and accurate account of the Michael Jackson trial. Considering its place in legal (and pop culture) history - not to mention the millions it cost California taxpayers - this is a breath of fresh air amongst all the uninformed commentary and ruthless joking about the darkest period in the life of Michael Jackson. However, since Jones sets out to paint a factual picture of the full trial for readers - writing from the perspective of one of the hundreds of journalists assigned to cover the five month trial - she was relegated to self-publication, because heaven forbid there be an accurate and thorough book related to Michael Jackson on the market! Jones spent more than a year researching all available evidence and trial footage (as well as studying the slew of coverage that surfaced during the media circus that resulted from it); reading and rereading the full transcripts, evidence lists and exhibits... all with only one goal in mind: figuring out for herself how Jackson came to be acquitted on every charge leveled against him. If you're at all curious about what exactly went on in that courtroom (not to mention how irresponsibly it was reported on), look no further, because I doubt a more thorough record exists apart from the court transcripts themselves.
March 26, 2008
I applaud Aphodite Jones (white woman of greek descent) one the many reporters that were one sided and bashing Michael during that ungly ridicullous trial. She was gutsy enough to dig deeper, looking pass, rumour, innuendo, lies and untruths to get at the REAL truth of the trial. Warning THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON, this book is the inside truth about the trial. What we saw and heard through TV, radio and newspaper media WAS not the TRUTH as to what was really happening, said, done and revealed in that courtroom. If more reporters could be upstanding, swallow their pride and be unjudgemental enough to report the truth, without putting their own personal feelings and views into what they report on. Maybe the American public would really learn the truth. Ms Jones investigative book was refreshing and objective to ALL parties involved in that trial. If you still have doubts and wonder about that fiasco of a trial. READ THIS BOOK! IT'll clear up what you wanted answered.
August 8, 2010
I had trouble putting the book down - at least, it was very hard to do whenever I was forced to by other obligations. I received it in the mail on a Thursday and finished it that following Sunday night (this is FAST for me, given everything else I have on my plate).
Anyway, this book is amazing - I was quite literally floored by the information it contained as it was stuff I hadn't heard about due to selective (heavily slanted against Jackson) media coverage at the time.
I was like a lot of people back then . . . I thought that MJ might have very well been guilty of the accusations and I remember feeling a bit annoyed that he "got off" when the jury found him not guilty.
Well, since then I have realized that my knowledge of all the facts of the case (as well as the 1993 allegations) was sorely lacking and I've done a complete about-face with regard to Michael Jackson.
It's clear to me now that the "accusers" were a bunch of frauds (I do recall feeling a bit skeptical about them at the time but didn't explore those suspicions further, as I was also doubtful about Jackson's innocence). When the testimony and facts are taken into consideration it becomes glaringly obvious that Michael Jackson was an innocent man who was taken advantage of on numerous occasions.
I strongly believe that the backstabbing Bashir documentary and the trial afterward had a lot to do with Michael's ultimate demise - and that's a shame, really - because the world has lost a truly wonderful human being. Eccentric and unique, yes. But he was almost unfailingly kind, giving, and his love for people in general seemed to know no bounds.
Bravo to Aphrodite Jones, for going against the tide and putting this amazing book out there for us to read.
Anyway, this book is amazing - I was quite literally floored by the information it contained as it was stuff I hadn't heard about due to selective (heavily slanted against Jackson) media coverage at the time.
I was like a lot of people back then . . . I thought that MJ might have very well been guilty of the accusations and I remember feeling a bit annoyed that he "got off" when the jury found him not guilty.
Well, since then I have realized that my knowledge of all the facts of the case (as well as the 1993 allegations) was sorely lacking and I've done a complete about-face with regard to Michael Jackson.
It's clear to me now that the "accusers" were a bunch of frauds (I do recall feeling a bit skeptical about them at the time but didn't explore those suspicions further, as I was also doubtful about Jackson's innocence). When the testimony and facts are taken into consideration it becomes glaringly obvious that Michael Jackson was an innocent man who was taken advantage of on numerous occasions.
I strongly believe that the backstabbing Bashir documentary and the trial afterward had a lot to do with Michael's ultimate demise - and that's a shame, really - because the world has lost a truly wonderful human being. Eccentric and unique, yes. But he was almost unfailingly kind, giving, and his love for people in general seemed to know no bounds.
Bravo to Aphrodite Jones, for going against the tide and putting this amazing book out there for us to read.
May 5, 2013
After reading Conspiracy, there is little doubt in my mind that Michael Jackson was innocent.
Everyone wants proof of his innocence. Well here is the proof: a very-well researched and documented book that utilizes the most basic reasoning to come to a conclusion. And, low and beyold, it is not one of guilt.
We all must realize that Michael Jackson was human.
Children are innocent: the younger they are, the more innocent they become. In a world where too many things seem as if they want us to grow up too fast, it is often nice to just sit back and take in that childhood innocence; whether it be climbing a tree, riding a ferris wheel or even opening up ones house to young children.
I realize it is hard for some of you to accept the fact that a 45 year old man was allowing children to sleep in his room. Yet, is it really that wrong to show this much love and compassion? I think not. Many people are too quick to judge; they hear the world "sleep" and immediately assume "having sex."
But, if everybody in the world were as loving as Michael Jackson; if everyone were as compassionate as Michael Jackson; if every single human being were just as willing to open up not only their house, not only their bed, but their heart as well; if we all had a big enough heart to accept this much innocence and precious beauty into our lives, then the world would truly be a better place.
Here is a very unique individual; one that people don't, and can't, understand. And so they berade him; call him names; refer to him as "wacko." They cannot fathom even the remote possibility that all of this is true: a man of such pure God-given innocence; in possession of such an awesome gift; one that lies beyond our wildest hopes, dreams and imaginations. A power that can make the homeless smile; give the bed-ridden hope; cause the cancer-stricken to laugh; and bring joy to the developmentally disabled.
Did it ever occur to you that he was not molesting children? Did it ever occur to you that he has donated of well over $100 million to charity is out of pure Godly love and not some strange twisted sexual desire? He visited hospitals everywhere he went, showered disadvantaged kids with toys and helped provide the homeless with blankets and pillows. He is listed in Guinness as having donated to the most charities. He donated all of the profits from his Dangerous world tour to charity. He opened up Neverland to charity groups, schools around the area, the disadvantaged, bed-ridden, disabled and dying. He held an annual Halloween open house at the ranch. And he paid for funerals. Within the ranch, there was special rooms for cancer patients, mechanical hospital beds for the bed-ridden etc.
I would like to think as a society, we can accept people who are different; that as human beings, we are open to unique opportunities and experiences, and are willing to give them a chance. Without automatically pronouncing them de-ranged freaks. Without berading them. I'd like to think that, as whole human beings, we are able to look past the outer shell. To be open to different possibilities. And to put logic above idiocy.
Can we, as fellow human beings, search deep within ourselves to feel what he felt; to see what he saw; to be touched in a way that it almost hurts? Can we, as fellow human beings, accept such a man today?
The evidence against Michael Jackson was weak, in fact laughable, it was a disgrace the case even made it to court.
Prejudice is ignorance.
Everyone wants proof of his innocence. Well here is the proof: a very-well researched and documented book that utilizes the most basic reasoning to come to a conclusion. And, low and beyold, it is not one of guilt.
We all must realize that Michael Jackson was human.
Children are innocent: the younger they are, the more innocent they become. In a world where too many things seem as if they want us to grow up too fast, it is often nice to just sit back and take in that childhood innocence; whether it be climbing a tree, riding a ferris wheel or even opening up ones house to young children.
I realize it is hard for some of you to accept the fact that a 45 year old man was allowing children to sleep in his room. Yet, is it really that wrong to show this much love and compassion? I think not. Many people are too quick to judge; they hear the world "sleep" and immediately assume "having sex."
But, if everybody in the world were as loving as Michael Jackson; if everyone were as compassionate as Michael Jackson; if every single human being were just as willing to open up not only their house, not only their bed, but their heart as well; if we all had a big enough heart to accept this much innocence and precious beauty into our lives, then the world would truly be a better place.
Here is a very unique individual; one that people don't, and can't, understand. And so they berade him; call him names; refer to him as "wacko." They cannot fathom even the remote possibility that all of this is true: a man of such pure God-given innocence; in possession of such an awesome gift; one that lies beyond our wildest hopes, dreams and imaginations. A power that can make the homeless smile; give the bed-ridden hope; cause the cancer-stricken to laugh; and bring joy to the developmentally disabled.
Did it ever occur to you that he was not molesting children? Did it ever occur to you that he has donated of well over $100 million to charity is out of pure Godly love and not some strange twisted sexual desire? He visited hospitals everywhere he went, showered disadvantaged kids with toys and helped provide the homeless with blankets and pillows. He is listed in Guinness as having donated to the most charities. He donated all of the profits from his Dangerous world tour to charity. He opened up Neverland to charity groups, schools around the area, the disadvantaged, bed-ridden, disabled and dying. He held an annual Halloween open house at the ranch. And he paid for funerals. Within the ranch, there was special rooms for cancer patients, mechanical hospital beds for the bed-ridden etc.
I would like to think as a society, we can accept people who are different; that as human beings, we are open to unique opportunities and experiences, and are willing to give them a chance. Without automatically pronouncing them de-ranged freaks. Without berading them. I'd like to think that, as whole human beings, we are able to look past the outer shell. To be open to different possibilities. And to put logic above idiocy.
Can we, as fellow human beings, search deep within ourselves to feel what he felt; to see what he saw; to be touched in a way that it almost hurts? Can we, as fellow human beings, accept such a man today?
The evidence against Michael Jackson was weak, in fact laughable, it was a disgrace the case even made it to court.
Prejudice is ignorance.
Read
August 9, 2011I finished the book with a heavy heart. It just shocked me so much, how blinded the DA prosecutor Tom Sneddon was by his vengeance, possibly racism and prejudice against Michael Jackson. This child molest case, did not make sense at all. It is scary what people in power can do particularly when they have a prejudice against certain people. What about "innocent until proven guilty" huh?
The accusers' deposition changed all the time, and they said they've been molested but on the other hand the accusers' mother kept praising MJ. And the prosecutors went all out trying to put words in the defense witnesses' mouths that they've been molested by MJ. It was completely ridiculous. And it shocked me just as much, if not more, that the press picked and chose what to report about the trial, mostly negatives and also made things look negative when they were not.
It also shocked me how unsuspecting MJ was towards people around him. Perhaps because the accusers were children, children he helped and loved so much. NObody can understand how MJ felt, being betrayed by people he loved so much over and over again.
I thank the author for telling the truth about the case. But I think it will be a better read if she did not praise MJ that much. I do not disagree of what she praised about MJ. Just as Ms Jones described, MJ in my eyes, was "royalty", was amazing, almost "had an aura" around him. But so many praises would probably make people feel that the book is biased. It almost felt like it was written by an overzealous fan. In my opinion it will put off readers who already have prejudice against MJ. But if one can read it with an open heart, disregard the praises, look at the facts brought about by the defense lawyer (ironically, witnesses from prosecutors strengthened the arguments by the defense), you will see that this trial was a joke. A waste of tax payers' money.
The accusers' deposition changed all the time, and they said they've been molested but on the other hand the accusers' mother kept praising MJ. And the prosecutors went all out trying to put words in the defense witnesses' mouths that they've been molested by MJ. It was completely ridiculous. And it shocked me just as much, if not more, that the press picked and chose what to report about the trial, mostly negatives and also made things look negative when they were not.
It also shocked me how unsuspecting MJ was towards people around him. Perhaps because the accusers were children, children he helped and loved so much. NObody can understand how MJ felt, being betrayed by people he loved so much over and over again.
I thank the author for telling the truth about the case. But I think it will be a better read if she did not praise MJ that much. I do not disagree of what she praised about MJ. Just as Ms Jones described, MJ in my eyes, was "royalty", was amazing, almost "had an aura" around him. But so many praises would probably make people feel that the book is biased. It almost felt like it was written by an overzealous fan. In my opinion it will put off readers who already have prejudice against MJ. But if one can read it with an open heart, disregard the praises, look at the facts brought about by the defense lawyer (ironically, witnesses from prosecutors strengthened the arguments by the defense), you will see that this trial was a joke. A waste of tax payers' money.
April 5, 2011
I never believed that MJ was guilty of any of terrible allegations in which he was accused. After reading "Conspiracy", I now believe even more that he was innocent. It seems that while many of know that, there "haters" who want proof of his his innocence. Well, now you have it!! I find Ms Jones' work to be very reliable; it is well researched & well written; this is a book that utilizes the most basic reasoning to reach that conclusion - and it is NOT one of guilt. This is a book that MJ fans/supporters around the World have been waiting for. Please remember, Michael Jackson was a human being, he had a heart & he had feelings. He could laugh and cry just like you and me. He was not perfect, but neither are we.
Michael was an awesome artist, the King of Pop, and so more. Through his music, Michael spreads beauty, art, love, peace, prosperity, hope, kindness, bliss, and much more. I have never listened to an artist who can touch my heart and soul the way he did and still does. His music, words, and aura alone creates hope and inspiration. He was able create change by uniting human beings all over the world and still does through his music and legacy through simple by acts of peace and love.
Michael Jackson had one of the kindest, gentle souls of any artist I can think of. He has been a great inspiration for me and impacted my life in positive manner. I remember him always and truly believe in his innocence and gentle nature. After reading this book, I can tell you that you too will realize that Michael Jackson was truly something special and its an utter shame he had to die for people to realize it.
Thank God for people like Ms Jones who wanted to do the right thing and spread the word that MJ was/in innocent. Thank you Ms Jones. God Bless.
Michael was an awesome artist, the King of Pop, and so more. Through his music, Michael spreads beauty, art, love, peace, prosperity, hope, kindness, bliss, and much more. I have never listened to an artist who can touch my heart and soul the way he did and still does. His music, words, and aura alone creates hope and inspiration. He was able create change by uniting human beings all over the world and still does through his music and legacy through simple by acts of peace and love.
Michael Jackson had one of the kindest, gentle souls of any artist I can think of. He has been a great inspiration for me and impacted my life in positive manner. I remember him always and truly believe in his innocence and gentle nature. After reading this book, I can tell you that you too will realize that Michael Jackson was truly something special and its an utter shame he had to die for people to realize it.
Thank God for people like Ms Jones who wanted to do the right thing and spread the word that MJ was/in innocent. Thank you Ms Jones. God Bless.
February 13, 2010
What I learned from this book? Though I have always held firm to my belief that Michael Jackson was innocent of the disgusting accusations (both in 1993 and in 2005), this book laid it all out for me in plain ink. What a gross misuse of California taxpayers' money this trial was, and I commend Tom Mesereau for his fantastic job as the head of Michael's defense team. This book needs to be read by anyone who was ever swayed by the media's misrepresentation of Jackson and the trial, by anyone who had painted him as a sick child molester. What he really was was a good man who had a deep concern for the well being of children. The Arvizos sought him out and because of Jackson's good heart, he helped them in any way possible, including helping out with Gavin's cancer treatments. If you are still unsure of what to think of Jackson himself, please strongly consider the testimonies of Macauley Culkin, Wade Robson, Jay Leno, and Chris Tucker. These people laid it all on the line and told it like it really was- something the media never did. This is a very important book and it needs to be taken seriously. Congratulations and my heartfelt thanks go to Aphrodite Jones for writing this book - she took a chance and wrote something that was pro-Jackson in an era when that was simply not done.
March 23, 2010
I am extremely thankful to Aphrodite Jones for writing this book, revealing all the FACTS about the so-called "Trial of the Century".
I gave it 5 stars because it is the most detailed review of the trial I could ever imagine. While all the fuss was happening in 2004 and 2005, I was terrified by the Machine of Media and the way it tried to besmirch Michael Jackson. He was "guilty until proven innocent" because many people benefited financially from his name and every single rumor about him.
I am glad this book is a bestseller on Amazon, even though I can frankly say that the author also takes advantage of Michael's situation. But at least, she gives both sides of the story. And surprisingly, she takes the one of the vindicated man.
If I have to criticize anything, I would mention the reported speech, which at times would have been successfully substituted by the real words. Furthermore, I found using names of Michael's songs for titles of the chapters essentially inappropriate. No fan really laughed when reading.
Finally, the book worths reading. It explains many aspects of the trial - what happened in court, to a great extent - why, what the prosecutors actually wanted, who were real friends and who were betrayers of MJ, what was his life like, what the media made out of it, how the system worked and who laughed last :)
I gave it 5 stars because it is the most detailed review of the trial I could ever imagine. While all the fuss was happening in 2004 and 2005, I was terrified by the Machine of Media and the way it tried to besmirch Michael Jackson. He was "guilty until proven innocent" because many people benefited financially from his name and every single rumor about him.
I am glad this book is a bestseller on Amazon, even though I can frankly say that the author also takes advantage of Michael's situation. But at least, she gives both sides of the story. And surprisingly, she takes the one of the vindicated man.
If I have to criticize anything, I would mention the reported speech, which at times would have been successfully substituted by the real words. Furthermore, I found using names of Michael's songs for titles of the chapters essentially inappropriate. No fan really laughed when reading.
Finally, the book worths reading. It explains many aspects of the trial - what happened in court, to a great extent - why, what the prosecutors actually wanted, who were real friends and who were betrayers of MJ, what was his life like, what the media made out of it, how the system worked and who laughed last :)
July 26, 2012
Full Disclosure: I'm a big MJ fan, so any publication that puts him in a good light is going to get high marks from me. While I do have a problem with outsiders trying to make a fast buck off MJ's (still years after his passing) rather valuable name, I was happy to use my B&N (sorry Amazon) giftcard to purchase Ms. Jones' book.
It was very readable, as publications written by journalists are apt to be, and it was full of information. I always assume info written by jouranlists is going to be biased, even though we are supposed to count on them to just report the facts, I was intrigued by this one because Ms. Jones was one of the journalists who were hell-bent on crucifying MJ. Another reason I was a little hesitant to contribute to her fortune.
This is one of many books I've read about MJ and it is clear that he was plaqued by leeches, looking to have him support them for the rest of their lives. Personally, I believe Ms. Rowe was one too but she gave him the Everlasting gift, so she kinda had it coming. But for her to testify on behalf of a prosecution because the checks stopped coming was harsh. There are other ways she could have "gotten back" at MJ and indeed, she did seem remorseful on the stand, according to this book.
I was touched by the reported testimonies of many "Big Names" who jumped to MJ's defense, telling the jury that the Arvizo's were gold diggers looking to have Michael foot the bill and even they thought something wasn't right with this family.
The media didn't seem interested in anything that made MJ look innocent so much of what is in this book wasn't reported. But I was impressed with USA Today and the NY Times for reporting the truth, albeit very quietly. Bashir and Nancy Grace owe their carreers to MJ and this trial. It didn't seem to matter that they were sending an innocent man to the gallows, as long as the world knew their names the next day. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.
MJ's lawyers were brilliant and justice was served but MJ was forever damaged by it and I've no doubt that it contributed to his early demise. Rest well, MJ. <3 U!
It was very readable, as publications written by journalists are apt to be, and it was full of information. I always assume info written by jouranlists is going to be biased, even though we are supposed to count on them to just report the facts, I was intrigued by this one because Ms. Jones was one of the journalists who were hell-bent on crucifying MJ. Another reason I was a little hesitant to contribute to her fortune.
This is one of many books I've read about MJ and it is clear that he was plaqued by leeches, looking to have him support them for the rest of their lives. Personally, I believe Ms. Rowe was one too but she gave him the Everlasting gift, so she kinda had it coming. But for her to testify on behalf of a prosecution because the checks stopped coming was harsh. There are other ways she could have "gotten back" at MJ and indeed, she did seem remorseful on the stand, according to this book.
I was touched by the reported testimonies of many "Big Names" who jumped to MJ's defense, telling the jury that the Arvizo's were gold diggers looking to have Michael foot the bill and even they thought something wasn't right with this family.
The media didn't seem interested in anything that made MJ look innocent so much of what is in this book wasn't reported. But I was impressed with USA Today and the NY Times for reporting the truth, albeit very quietly. Bashir and Nancy Grace owe their carreers to MJ and this trial. It didn't seem to matter that they were sending an innocent man to the gallows, as long as the world knew their names the next day. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.
MJ's lawyers were brilliant and justice was served but MJ was forever damaged by it and I've no doubt that it contributed to his early demise. Rest well, MJ. <3 U!
August 4, 2011
I had trouble putting the book down - at least, it was very hard to do whenever I was forced to by other obligations. I received it in the mail on a Thursday and finished it that following Sunday night (this is FAST for me, given everything else I have on my plate).
Anyway, this book is amazing - I was quite literally floored by the information it contained as it was stuff I hadn't heard about due to selective (heavily slanted against Jackson) media coverage at the time.
I was like a lot of people back then . . . I thought that MJ might have very well been guilty of the accusations and I remember feeling a bit annoyed that he "got off" when the jury found him not guilty.
Well, since then I have realized that my knowledge of all the facts of the case (as well as the 1993 allegations) was sorely lacking and I've done a complete about-face with regard to Michael Jackson.
It's clear to me now that the "accusers" were a bunch of frauds (I do recall feeling a bit skeptical about them at the time but didn't explore those suspicions further, as I was also doubtful about Jackson's innocence). When the testimony and facts are taken into consideration it becomes glaringly obvious that Michael Jackson was an innocent man who was taken advantage of on numerous occasions.
I strongly believe that the backstabbing Bashir documentary and the trial afterward had a lot to do with Michael's ultimate demise - and that's a shame, really - because the world has lost a truly wonderful human being. Eccentric and unique, yes. But he was almost unfailingly kind, giving, and his love for people in general seemed to know no bounds.
Bravo to Aphrodite Jones, for going against the tide and putting this amazing book out there for us to read.
Anyway, this book is amazing - I was quite literally floored by the information it contained as it was stuff I hadn't heard about due to selective (heavily slanted against Jackson) media coverage at the time.
I was like a lot of people back then . . . I thought that MJ might have very well been guilty of the accusations and I remember feeling a bit annoyed that he "got off" when the jury found him not guilty.
Well, since then I have realized that my knowledge of all the facts of the case (as well as the 1993 allegations) was sorely lacking and I've done a complete about-face with regard to Michael Jackson.
It's clear to me now that the "accusers" were a bunch of frauds (I do recall feeling a bit skeptical about them at the time but didn't explore those suspicions further, as I was also doubtful about Jackson's innocence). When the testimony and facts are taken into consideration it becomes glaringly obvious that Michael Jackson was an innocent man who was taken advantage of on numerous occasions.
I strongly believe that the backstabbing Bashir documentary and the trial afterward had a lot to do with Michael's ultimate demise - and that's a shame, really - because the world has lost a truly wonderful human being. Eccentric and unique, yes. But he was almost unfailingly kind, giving, and his love for people in general seemed to know no bounds.
Bravo to Aphrodite Jones, for going against the tide and putting this amazing book out there for us to read.
February 8, 2010
The writer uses court documents to prove that the 2005 MJ trial was a conpiracy. It is very sad what this man had to endure in his life..considering he gave up his life to entertain us. A very powerful book...shows how much the media can twist the truth until their version IS the truth. Also the author was one of the media that covered the trial. After it was over, she read the court documents and realised they had just crucified an innocent man.
August 2, 2011
A shocking expose of how in some instances, law enforcement officials can twist the evidence to suit their own personal agendas, and how the media can manipulate the public into believing an innocent man is guilty before he has even gone to trial. Anyone who still harbours the slightest suspicion of the truth in this matter should read Aphrodite Jone's "Michael Jackson Conspiracy". You owe it to yourself, and we all owe it to MJ.
February 26, 2010
Fascinating account of MJ molestation trial. At the time it was going on, I didn't pay much attention, but now after the fact, it's amazing to learn how much he went through to defend his name. It's hard to believe things like this happen to innocent people. I have a great respect for defense attorney Thomas Mesereau, that he stood up for truth when it wasn't popular.
January 17, 2013
With this book, the author is attempting to make amends for her behavior as a member of the press who participated in the media lynching of Michael Jackson. Never have I read of a person being dragged through the mud in a court of law by such a parade of documented liars, thieves, grifters and crooks. Reading what the media and the Santa Barbara District Attorney did to Michael Jackson was like watching someone beat a baby harp seal to death.
As an example of the gist of the book, one of the prosecution's main witnesses was an already discredited former chambermaid fired for stealing from Mr. Jackson who told the media that she personally witnessed Jackson molesting Maccaulay Culkin. When Culkin heard this on CNN, he testified that it was was "news to him", that it never happened, the maid was lying. Culkin testified that NOT ONE member of the media ever contacted him to ask if the allegation was true. Not one. They just reported and repeated the lie as truth around the world, and the public lapped it up. Worse yet, NOT ONE person from the District Attorney's office had ever contacted Culkin either, yet they charged Michael Jackson and dragged him through the unspeakable and unwarranted humiliation of that sham of a trial based on the testimony of already discredited witnesses that you wouldn't believe if they told you they were lying.
No wonder the man had to be unconscious to sleep. He knew that his legacy would not be that of a musical genius, of a man who tried to be kind, but instead he would be remembered as he was portrayed by the media, as a "weirdo" and a pervert. That was the only crime proved by that trial.
August 8, 2009
If you want to know exactly what happened in the court room during his trial, this is the book to read. The media only reported all the speculated negative information for their gain. What no one heard was how the family who was accusing Michael has tried to commit fraud on numerous occasions, and that they actually tried to go after Chris Tucker first. If Michael didn't pay off the frist family who accused him and went through the trial, that family would have been proven money hungry, and this family (2003 trial) would have never accused him because they would have chosen a different celebrity to accuse.
I was happy to read the real story and I praise Aphrodite Jones (who was there at every trial) for writing this book.
I was happy to read the real story and I praise Aphrodite Jones (who was there at every trial) for writing this book.
September 12, 2009
This book details what went on during Michael Jackson's 2005 child molestation trial. I believe the facts presented in this book really speak for themselves. It is very well researched. I often found myself shaking my head in dismay as the events were revealed to me. It proves completely without a doubt that Michael was always an innocent man, who has just been very vulnerable to people like the Arvizos, trying to extort him of his money.
August 20, 2012
Wonderful. An inside look at the 2005 trial of Michael by a non biased reporter, Ms Jones cites actual court transcripts & photo evidence never before seen by the public to tell the real story of how Michael was falsely accused of child molestation. A must read for anybody interested in the truth.
October 22, 2009
Learning what actually happened at his 2005 Molestation Trial... very good!
January 4, 2011
The author is known for her sensationalist coverage of crime cases, including her coverage of the Micheal Jackson trial ( Which she states herself )
The most sensationalist of this book is the title, which refers to the negative media treatment of Michael Jackson during the Arvizo trial.
It was suprisingly entertaining even for a non-Jackson fan like me. If you don't know anything about the ways trial procedings go and you are intresting in that, it might be intresting as well.
The most sensationalist of this book is the title, which refers to the negative media treatment of Michael Jackson during the Arvizo trial.
It was suprisingly entertaining even for a non-Jackson fan like me. If you don't know anything about the ways trial procedings go and you are intresting in that, it might be intresting as well.
March 8, 2016
I had already basically tuned out the negative stuff being reporting on him during his last trial since I never believe he could be a pedophile. This book changed how I looked at the media circus coverage that took place. It was fascinating and reduced my tolerance even further for the tabloid-y nature of entertainment news shows like ET who had one so called journalist that always seemed to have a biased against Michael.
June 6, 2021
Must read for anyone who still doubts the innocence of Michael Jackson. MJ fans and a few select friends believed in him. But many people were probably brainwashed by the very biased mainstream media into thinking otherwise.
This book should clear up such misconceptions. Thank you Aphrodite Jones.
RIP MJ. You were and always will be the best.
This book should clear up such misconceptions. Thank you Aphrodite Jones.
RIP MJ. You were and always will be the best.
January 24, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It was eye-opening and sad. I would have given it more stars, but I found easily 20 to 30 misspellings and grammar errors. It should have spent more time in editing; it took me out of the book.
December 9, 2014
Great book
If you are interested in how things really played out in court and how the media made most people believe there was evidence to have a trial then this is the book for you.
If you are interested in how things really played out in court and how the media made most people believe there was evidence to have a trial then this is the book for you.
December 22, 2017
The media spent so much time painting Jackson as a deranged pervert/freak that, when he was found innocent of all child molestation charges, they had no idea what to say.
From what I recall of the coverage, they spent almost no time covering the defense. What HAPPENED?
Even though I grew up a huge Jackson fan, I didn't know anything about the case, and considered him, like, maybe-possibly-probably guilty. Because the tabloids were always going on about how yucky and bizarre he was. Granted, there are a million ways to be weird, and the vast majority of them do not involve child molestation. But the story of Michael "bad touch" Jackson is juicier than Michael "has a lot of video games in his room for an adult, but whatever" Jackson.
This book goes into great detail about the trial's witnesses, background, evidence, etc. It gives a lot of information about all of the characters (including the lawyers and prosecutors) involved. Some of the material is dry, but overall, it is interesting.
The only thing about the book that I didn't care for was the author's effusive love of Jackson. Her critique about the media was that it was too hard on him. But she overcompensated here, talking about his poise and his lawyer's prowess with a fangirl fervor that made me uncomfortable. There's also a segment in which she discusses how unattractive the alleged molested child's mother is:
Oh-kay.
The book was littered with little moments like that. They were jarring and annoying from a journalist whose entire book was about bias.
But, digs aside, this was an informative, easily-gobbled read for any Jackson enthusiast or person with lingering curiosity about the case.
From what I recall of the coverage, they spent almost no time covering the defense. What HAPPENED?
Even though I grew up a huge Jackson fan, I didn't know anything about the case, and considered him, like, maybe-possibly-probably guilty. Because the tabloids were always going on about how yucky and bizarre he was. Granted, there are a million ways to be weird, and the vast majority of them do not involve child molestation. But the story of Michael "bad touch" Jackson is juicier than Michael "has a lot of video games in his room for an adult, but whatever" Jackson.
This book goes into great detail about the trial's witnesses, background, evidence, etc. It gives a lot of information about all of the characters (including the lawyers and prosecutors) involved. Some of the material is dry, but overall, it is interesting.
The only thing about the book that I didn't care for was the author's effusive love of Jackson. Her critique about the media was that it was too hard on him. But she overcompensated here, talking about his poise and his lawyer's prowess with a fangirl fervor that made me uncomfortable. There's also a segment in which she discusses how unattractive the alleged molested child's mother is:
"Not only had her looks faded, but her whole personality seemed to have changed. No longer the glamour girl [...] she sometimes looked like a child and would often act infantile. [...] There were times when the thirty-six-year-old looked like a dowdy housewife. [...] Everyone in the courtroom was shocked to see how much Janet's physical appearance had altered in two years, and people remarked about it, gossiping about the fact that she had gained quite a bit of weight, had chosen not to wear stylish clothes, and had forgotten her beauty secrets, wearing no makeup whatsoever. Janet's hair was shorter, her face was wider, and she dressed like a little girl, wearing a pink sweatshirt and donning hairpins with cheap, sparkly stars. As for her personality, Janet was rather a mess."
Oh-kay.
The book was littered with little moments like that. They were jarring and annoying from a journalist whose entire book was about bias.
But, digs aside, this was an informative, easily-gobbled read for any Jackson enthusiast or person with lingering curiosity about the case.
October 16, 2009
This is a very good book. It was nice to hear the real story without all the negative press concerning Michael Jackson.
July 24, 2011
Another must read for any true Michael Jackson fan.
March 14, 2015
Informative, Surprising, Intriguing & Revealing! Excellent Read! I Loved It!
June 3, 2020
It's so important to hear both sides of the story before casting a judgement against someone. Michael Jackson was never listened to, only judged and smeared with astonishing cruelty throughout his life, and in death. But on 13 June 2005, that one tim, he walked out of the Santa Maria courthouse victorious. The prosecutors put his whole life under a microscope, threw any accusation they could think of at him in the hopes that surely SOMETHING would stick, and still, despite all this effort and millions of dollars of taxpayer money spent, the jury of his peers found not a single thing to find him guilty on. Not one.
This book should be mandatory reading for anyone wanting to make a nasty comment/joke about Michael Jackson.
This book should be mandatory reading for anyone wanting to make a nasty comment/joke about Michael Jackson.
May 4, 2019
I read this book because I wanted to get a "pro-Jackson" view of this whole sordid mess after watching the heavily swayed "anti-Jackson" HBO documentary. It would be nice to find a book or documentary that was more neutral in it's reporting of this entire story. I found this book to be heavily slanted toward an opinion of Michael Jackson's innocence. While I believe that the book does a good job of reporting events as they happened in the 2005 trial, it does so with heavy inclusion of opinion on the part of the author. For the entire book, she starts sentences with "Many people felt..." or "Many people thought..." as though she had talked to "many people" to accurately get that view. But since none of the "many people" are mentioned or quoted, it feels more like the author was just injecting her own opinion about the proceedings into the narrative and hiding behind "many people" to make it look like a majority of the people in the courtroom had the beliefs she's sharing. Occasionally, she asserts thoughts and feelings of the jurors in the narrative, but doesn't explain if she found this out later directly from the jurors or not. I do believe that the DA failed to properly present a winnable case. I do believe the Arvizo family was lying in their testimonies and were, most likely, making up a lot of their accusations against Jackson (including the molestation). I do believe that the jury made the right decisions regarding the 14 counts against Jackson. But I feel like the reporting of this trial would have been so much stronger had the author not injected her own beliefs into her book. Or, if she'd actually quoted people in the courtroom to jurors later after talking to them, then he assertions she put forth would have been more convincing. As it was, though, the way she presents these opinions would most definitely be objected to in a trial as "speculation" and I'm certain a judge would have sustained that objection.
When it comes to Martin Bashir, the author has no love for him. She constantly calls to question his validity as a reporter. She speculates that he lied to Jackson and buttered him up to get the interviews. I'm pretty convinced that he did, actually. But the author unfortunately falls right in to same trap as she reports about his documentary and how it was presented in the trial. She discredits, demeans and demoralizes Bashir in her book the same way he did those things about Michael Jackson in his documentary. Rather than just presenting the facts and allowing the reader to come to his or her own conclusions, she injects her own personal feelings about him into her narrative, which isn't what a journalist should do.
In the end, having both seen the HBO documentary and read this book, I won't say for certain whether or not Michael Jackson molested any of these boys. I wasn't there, didn't witness it, and there are so many issues I have with the heavily biased accounts on both sides of this debate. Both sides are convincing of their views but also convincing in their attacks of the other side. Both sides also have credibility issues when it comes to facts.
I'm not about to stop listening to Jackson's music. The guy still gave a LOT to the world, both through his music and through his humanitarian efforts. He clearly loved children and did everything he could to help them and make their lives happier. In the end, I wish Michael Jackson could be remembered for that and the gift of his music, and not for the charges brought against him that, to my mind, weren't very well proven.
When it comes to Martin Bashir, the author has no love for him. She constantly calls to question his validity as a reporter. She speculates that he lied to Jackson and buttered him up to get the interviews. I'm pretty convinced that he did, actually. But the author unfortunately falls right in to same trap as she reports about his documentary and how it was presented in the trial. She discredits, demeans and demoralizes Bashir in her book the same way he did those things about Michael Jackson in his documentary. Rather than just presenting the facts and allowing the reader to come to his or her own conclusions, she injects her own personal feelings about him into her narrative, which isn't what a journalist should do.
In the end, having both seen the HBO documentary and read this book, I won't say for certain whether or not Michael Jackson molested any of these boys. I wasn't there, didn't witness it, and there are so many issues I have with the heavily biased accounts on both sides of this debate. Both sides are convincing of their views but also convincing in their attacks of the other side. Both sides also have credibility issues when it comes to facts.
I'm not about to stop listening to Jackson's music. The guy still gave a LOT to the world, both through his music and through his humanitarian efforts. He clearly loved children and did everything he could to help them and make their lives happier. In the end, I wish Michael Jackson could be remembered for that and the gift of his music, and not for the charges brought against him that, to my mind, weren't very well proven.
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