Breaking: Wade Robson's impending court battle with Michael Jackson's estate
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Wade Robson, a professional dancer, has been vocal about his allegations of mistreatment by the late pop sensation Michael Jackson during his childhood.
Currently, Robson is on the verge of a legal confrontation with MJJ Productions, Inc., the corporation associated with the deceased artist.
To offer a gist of the situation, TMZ reported on Monday that the proceeding instigated by Robson against Jackson's corporation over claims of molestation had been given the green light by the California Court of Appeal.
Robson alleges that the maltreatment spanned from his seventh year up to his fourteenth, taking place within the confines of Jackson's infamous Neverland Ranch.
During the preliminary hearings, the legal representatives for MJJ Productions, Inc. disassociated the corporation from the allegations, claiming they held no responsibility as they lacked the means to supervise the actions of the late superstar.
The Court of Appeal, however, has overturned an earlier dismissal of the case by a Los Angeles County trial court in April 2021. Instead, they have ushered in a tentative ruling that the case be prepared for trial.
Stepping back, Robson moved from Australia to the U.S. as a child, and it was during this phase he came into contact with Jackson.
And while their friendship appeared harmless initially, Robson maintains that it eventually led to sexual exploitation at the hands of the pop star.
Jackson was arraigned in Santa Barbara, California, in November of 2003, a mere two days after a raid on Neverland.
He was indicted on ten charges, including lewd conduct with a minor, conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment, and extortion (pertaining to a different minor).
The legal proceedings attracted international attention, with a parade of more than 130 witnesses taking the stand throughout the trial, which started in February 2005.
Among these, young Robson made an appearance, asserting that although he had shared a bed with Jackson, there were no attempts at any unwarranted advances by the singer.
Following a contentious trial, on June 14, 2005, Jackson was absolved of all charges.
Fast-forward eight years, Robson backtracked on his former claims. He sought legal recourse against the company managing Jackson's estate in 2013, stating that his preceding endorsement of Jackson was the outcome of ‘manipulation and brainwashing’.
Four years ago, Robson shot back into the limelight four years ago when he participated in Leaving Neverland, an HBO documentary produced in 2019.
Here, he opened up about the commencement of Jackson's alleged sexual abuse in 1990, when he was just seven, and the continuation of this implicit behaviour over seven years.
Another name associated with similar allegations against Jackson is James Safechuck, who participated alongside Robson in Leaving Neverland.
He, too, currently has a case inching its way through the Court of Appeal, with expectations that it will proceed to trial following the recent ruling in Robson's case.
Robson and Safechuck had earlier been unsuccessful in their attempt to litigate against Jackson's estate in 2017. The reason? The statute of limitations.
Their legal vendetta was rekindled in 2019 when California Gov. Gavin Newsom passed a law extending the statutory period for victims of child sexual assault to seek damages.
Sources close to Jackson's estate's legal team claim they appear calm and undisturbed. They have expressed confidence in winning the trial, brushing off the appellate ruling as inconsequential to the case's legal merits.
The Jackson estate continued to rebuff the accusations made by both Robson and Safechuck and initiated a legal battle with HBO over the documentary.
A representative for the Jackson Estate said in 2021, 'Wade Robson has spent the last eight years pursuing frivolous claims in different lawsuits against Michael Jackson's estate and companies associated with it.’
Jackson's impact on pop culture has proved to endure since his demise in 2009 at the age of 50 by cardiac arrest induced by an overdose of the surgical anaesthetic drug Propofol—commemorated this past Sunday on its 14th anniversary.
In his 2003 documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, Jackson insisted there was nothing inappropriate with sharing a bed with children unrelated to him.
When pressed further, he described it as 'a beautiful thing' and those critical of his actions as 'ignorant'. He defended this behaviour, claiming, 'the world needs now, more love, more heart’.
Members, what are your thoughts or opinions on the ongoing legal battle between Wade Robson and Michael Jackson's estate over allegations of molestation?
Do you think the recent ruling by the California Court of Appeal will significantly impact the public's perception of Michael Jackson and his legacy?
Currently, Robson is on the verge of a legal confrontation with MJJ Productions, Inc., the corporation associated with the deceased artist.
Four years ago, Robson's name made headlines when he took part in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, released in 2019. Source: Dance Informa
To offer a gist of the situation, TMZ reported on Monday that the proceeding instigated by Robson against Jackson's corporation over claims of molestation had been given the green light by the California Court of Appeal.
Robson alleges that the maltreatment spanned from his seventh year up to his fourteenth, taking place within the confines of Jackson's infamous Neverland Ranch.
During the preliminary hearings, the legal representatives for MJJ Productions, Inc. disassociated the corporation from the allegations, claiming they held no responsibility as they lacked the means to supervise the actions of the late superstar.
The Court of Appeal, however, has overturned an earlier dismissal of the case by a Los Angeles County trial court in April 2021. Instead, they have ushered in a tentative ruling that the case be prepared for trial.
Stepping back, Robson moved from Australia to the U.S. as a child, and it was during this phase he came into contact with Jackson.
And while their friendship appeared harmless initially, Robson maintains that it eventually led to sexual exploitation at the hands of the pop star.
Jackson was arraigned in Santa Barbara, California, in November of 2003, a mere two days after a raid on Neverland.
He was indicted on ten charges, including lewd conduct with a minor, conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment, and extortion (pertaining to a different minor).
The legal proceedings attracted international attention, with a parade of more than 130 witnesses taking the stand throughout the trial, which started in February 2005.
Among these, young Robson made an appearance, asserting that although he had shared a bed with Jackson, there were no attempts at any unwarranted advances by the singer.
Following a contentious trial, on June 14, 2005, Jackson was absolved of all charges.
Michael Jackson faced multiple charges of child molestation throughout his life, leading to a controversial and publicised legal battle. Image from flickr
Fast-forward eight years, Robson backtracked on his former claims. He sought legal recourse against the company managing Jackson's estate in 2013, stating that his preceding endorsement of Jackson was the outcome of ‘manipulation and brainwashing’.
Four years ago, Robson shot back into the limelight four years ago when he participated in Leaving Neverland, an HBO documentary produced in 2019.
Here, he opened up about the commencement of Jackson's alleged sexual abuse in 1990, when he was just seven, and the continuation of this implicit behaviour over seven years.
Another name associated with similar allegations against Jackson is James Safechuck, who participated alongside Robson in Leaving Neverland.
He, too, currently has a case inching its way through the Court of Appeal, with expectations that it will proceed to trial following the recent ruling in Robson's case.
Robson and Safechuck had earlier been unsuccessful in their attempt to litigate against Jackson's estate in 2017. The reason? The statute of limitations.
Their legal vendetta was rekindled in 2019 when California Gov. Gavin Newsom passed a law extending the statutory period for victims of child sexual assault to seek damages.
Despite the accusations against him, Michael Jackson's legacy remains a subject of debate, with people holding varying perceptions of him. Image by callmefred from unsplash
Sources close to Jackson's estate's legal team claim they appear calm and undisturbed. They have expressed confidence in winning the trial, brushing off the appellate ruling as inconsequential to the case's legal merits.
The Jackson estate continued to rebuff the accusations made by both Robson and Safechuck and initiated a legal battle with HBO over the documentary.
A representative for the Jackson Estate said in 2021, 'Wade Robson has spent the last eight years pursuing frivolous claims in different lawsuits against Michael Jackson's estate and companies associated with it.’
Jackson's impact on pop culture has proved to endure since his demise in 2009 at the age of 50 by cardiac arrest induced by an overdose of the surgical anaesthetic drug Propofol—commemorated this past Sunday on its 14th anniversary.
In his 2003 documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, Jackson insisted there was nothing inappropriate with sharing a bed with children unrelated to him.
When pressed further, he described it as 'a beautiful thing' and those critical of his actions as 'ignorant'. He defended this behaviour, claiming, 'the world needs now, more love, more heart’.
See a clip of the documentary here:
Do you think the recent ruling by the California Court of Appeal will significantly impact the public's perception of Michael Jackson and his legacy?
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