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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
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.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
A fantastic read on the 2005 Michael Jackson trial. Wonderfully written, engaging, fast paced recollection of the ridiculous trial that never should have happened. A great inside look into the American legal system, a family of con-men and a man that was too kind, too generous and too trusting for this shitty world.
A great book covering the 2005 Arvizo trial from a journalist who was actually inside the courtroom. Jones writes about how the media would snatch up the first salacious bit from the prosecution and report on it, all while ignoring how thoroughly the defense was able to disprove every bit of it. The result of this biased, irresponsible reporting was that the public perception vs. the jury's perception of the trial were like night and day. This is why everyone was so shocked when he was acquitted, and even after it, most of the public believed he was guilty, which is tragically unjust.
For anyone new to this information, it's absolutely stunning how much the public has been deceived about this case. However for anyone who has already researched the 2005 trial online, this book does not contain any substantial new information. What it does contain is a good story outlining the major points of the trial as well as the mood in the courtroom. It takes us through times when the jury seemed angry, appalled, or shocked, how the witnesses' emotions were perceived , and times when the prosecution looked shook.
As far as bias goes, it is worthwhile to note the Aphrodite Jones believed that MJ was guilty before the trial, but after it left with a completely different opinion.
For anyone new to this information, it's absolutely stunning how much the public has been deceived about this case. However for anyone who has already researched the 2005 trial online, this book does not contain any substantial new information. What it does contain is a good story outlining the major points of the trial as well as the mood in the courtroom. It takes us through times when the jury seemed angry, appalled, or shocked, how the witnesses' emotions were perceived , and times when the prosecution looked shook.
As far as bias goes, it is worthwhile to note the Aphrodite Jones believed that MJ was guilty before the trial, but after it left with a completely different opinion.
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.
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.
2.5 stars
I'd read some of Ms. Jones's older works (I did like [b:Cruel Sacrifice|91510|Cruel Sacrifice|Aphrodite Jones|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387663182s/91510.jpg|88292]), and the subject intrigued me. Michael Jackson's molestation trial was one of the most hyped media events of the time, and given the overall desire to smear the singer I knew to expect biased coverage. While Jones's book presents the facts as is, however, it's rather dry reading.
I'd read some of Ms. Jones's older works (I did like [b:Cruel Sacrifice|91510|Cruel Sacrifice|Aphrodite Jones|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387663182s/91510.jpg|88292]), and the subject intrigued me. Michael Jackson's molestation trial was one of the most hyped media events of the time, and given the overall desire to smear the singer I knew to expect biased coverage. While Jones's book presents the facts as is, however, it's rather dry reading.