Los Angeles -- A stage manager working on Michael Jackson's ill-fated "This Is It" concert warned an Aeg executive days before the star's death that he was in a physical and mental decline and needed help, according to an email shown to jurors Thursday in court.
"I have watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last eight weeks," said John Hougdahl in an email to Randy Phillips dated June 19, 2009. Jackson died five days later.
"My laymen's degree tells me he needs a shrink to get mentally prepared to get on stage," said Hougdahl, "and then a trainer to get him in physical shape."
He reported on Jackson's rehearsal performances saying, "He used to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his ass if he tried now."
The email was presented by a lawyer for Katherine Jackson in her lawsuit against the entertainment giant's parent company,...
"I have watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last eight weeks," said John Hougdahl in an email to Randy Phillips dated June 19, 2009. Jackson died five days later.
"My laymen's degree tells me he needs a shrink to get mentally prepared to get on stage," said Hougdahl, "and then a trainer to get him in physical shape."
He reported on Jackson's rehearsal performances saying, "He used to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his ass if he tried now."
The email was presented by a lawyer for Katherine Jackson in her lawsuit against the entertainment giant's parent company,...
- 5/24/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Los Angeles -- A lawyer for the parent company of Aeg Live LLC called Michael Jackson a freak on the day the singer signed a multimillion contract for a series of ill-fated comeback concerts, emails displayed for a jury on Wednesday showed.
The emails were presented by Brian Panish, an attorney for Jackson's mother in her lawsuit claiming Aeg was negligent in hiring the personal physician who was later convicted of killing the pop superstar.
The lawsuit also says Aeg pushed Jackson too hard despite signs that he was in poor health.
The emails were sent Jan. 28, 2009, roughly four months before the singer's death.
In the exchange, Aeg Live General Counsel Shawn Trell told his boss that he was going to Jackson's home to sign contracts for the "This Is It" shows later that year in London.
Ted Fikre, the general counsel for Anschutz Entertainment Group, wrote back in two minutes.
The emails were presented by Brian Panish, an attorney for Jackson's mother in her lawsuit claiming Aeg was negligent in hiring the personal physician who was later convicted of killing the pop superstar.
The lawsuit also says Aeg pushed Jackson too hard despite signs that he was in poor health.
The emails were sent Jan. 28, 2009, roughly four months before the singer's death.
In the exchange, Aeg Live General Counsel Shawn Trell told his boss that he was going to Jackson's home to sign contracts for the "This Is It" shows later that year in London.
Ted Fikre, the general counsel for Anschutz Entertainment Group, wrote back in two minutes.
- 5/23/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
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