http://www.billoreilly.com/show?action=viewTVShow&showID=315&dest=/pg/jsp/community/tvshowprint.jsp
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On The O’Reilly Factor…
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| All content taken from The O’Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. Each weeknight by 6 PM EST a preview of that evening’s show will be posted and then updated with additional information the following weekday by noon EST. |
| Talking Points Memo & Top Story |
| Michael Jackson verdict |
| Guests: Attorneys Robert Shapiro & Howard Weitzman, Fox News host Greta Van Susteren”For one of the few times in my life, I didn’t make a prediction about the Michael Jackson case. This one was too murky. The accuser and his family were obviously troubled, with a history of irresponsible behavior. Also, there was no smoking gun in the case, so the jury gave Jackson the benefit of the doubt, even though the man is very strange and inappropriate. The verdict makes me uneasy, because there’s a good chance Jackson got away with it. One more observation – every famous person in America should take note. If you have money and fame, somebody’s going to accuse you of something. And I think the jury knew that, and thought this family was trying to exploit Michael Jackson.”
Transcript/Video: FoxNews.com
The Factor was joined by Fox News anchor Greta van Susteren, who interviewed some of the jurors after the verdict was announced. She noted the deep enmity the jury felt toward the accuser’s mother. “It was unbelievable. The minute her name came up, they almost jumped out of their seats and had strong opinions about her. It did seem like they despised her.” The Factor praised defense attorney Tom Mesereau for his ability to shred the prosecution’s case. “Every single witness the prosecution brought on – this man raised a doubt about why they were sitting in that chair. He was prepared, he had facts, and he didn’t belittle them.”
For more analysis of the verdict, The Factor interviewed two of America’s most prominent defense attorneys. Robert Shapiro, who had predicted a guilty verdict, argued that jurors were swayed by their distrust of the accuser and his mother. “The little boy’s credibility was the real issue here. Jurors can consider motive or a reason to lie, and the mother had lied before.” Howard Weitzman, who represented Jackson in a prior case, agreed with that analysis. “This young accuser gave four different stories. So I think the jury had some concern about his credibility, and I don’t think it was just the mother.” The Factor remained unconvinced of Jackson’s innocence. “He sleeps with boys, he had pornographic homosexual material in the room where he was sleeping with boys, and there were at least three boys who leveled accusations against him. If I was on the jury, I don’t know whether the confusing case would have overridden those three things.” Weitzman concluded with a personal plea to Michael Jackson. “I’m saying to Michael that you can’t continue to conduct yourself like this. Michael doesn’t think he’s doing anything wrong. He believes it’s okay to sleep with kids. I disagree.” |
| Personal Story Segment |
| Jackson family reunion |
| Guest: Attorney Debra OpriAttorney Debra Opri, who represents the Jackson family, spoke about their response to the verdict. “The nightmare is over,” Opri declared. “And they never doubted that the acquittal would come in. For a year the family endured the media trying him as a child molester. The family wants everyone to look at the media for what it is.” The Factor noted that Opri’s elation seemed to be mixed with hostility. “What I’m getting from you is some bitterness toward the media.” |
| Unresolved Problems Segment |
| The future of Jackson’s children |
| Guest: Dr. Carole Lieberman, psychologistPsychiatrist Carole Lieberman, who has filed complaints asking that Jackson’s children be taken away from him, expressed sympathy with Jackson’s accuser. “This boy is being punished twice – first for growing up with a mother like that, and then for telling the world he was molested. He’s going to have to live with that the rest of his life. The case was put on very poorly, but I also think the jurors let their feelings for the mother cloud their thinking. It’s very sad for this boy and for others who have been molested.” The Factor reminded Dr. Lieberman that only Michael Jackson and the boy actually know the truth. “You talk with such certainty. But you weren’t there, I wasn’t there. None of us really knows what happened.” |
| Factor Follow Up Segment |
| Making money off Jackson |
| Guests: Harvey Levin, Celebrity Justice & Roger Friedman, FoxNews.comMichael Jackson’s next challenge may be dealing with the financial problems he reportedly faces. Roger Friedman of FoxNews.com reported that Jackson is deeply in debt. “He is in a financial crisis, and it’s severe – there’s a $18 million lien against Neverland. But I don’t know that Jackson has learned anything from this. In fact, I’d stake my life that he hasn’t learned anything.” Harvey Levin of Celebrity Justice revealed that Jackson’s friends are going to pressure him to change. “I hear that people like Quincy Jones will try to get to inside Michael’s life and make him listen. And professionally, I’m hearing that Michael has had talks about entertaining in Las Vegas.” The Factor suggested that Jackson could make a fortune performing at a casino. “He’d be like the elephant man. People would come to Las Vegas to see him, and he’d make lots of money. But he’s done as far as record sales are concerned.” |
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