Michael Jackson Doctor Requests Release From Jail
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The doctor convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson’s death asked a judge Friday to release him from jail pending his appeal.
Dr. Conrad Murray, who is serving a four-year jail sentence, said in a declaration that he should be released either on his own recognizance or on bail with electronic monitoring.
He said he is not a danger to society, will not flee the area, and wants to work to help support his seven children.
His lawyer, J. Michael Flanagan, said in the motion that Murray knows he cannot work as a doctor but would find other employment. He suggested the sentence and Murray’s mode of confinement is extremely severe for a man with no prior criminal record.
He said Murray is being held in solitary confinement and is chained to a table when he meets with his lawyers. He also said Murray is extremely sorrowful about Jackson’s death.
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Jackson died in June 2009 from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol, administered by Murray. Flanagan conceded that Murray made some medical misjudgments but said he never intended harm to Jackson.
Murray’s appeal has not yet been filed, but the motion offered a preview of some issues that will be raised, including the claim that Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor should have allowed testimony about Jackson’s financial condition.
Flanagan said the exclusion of that evidence “seriously compromised the defendant’s ability to demonstrate the desperate situation which was guiding the decisions and choices of both Mr. Jackson and Dr. Murray.”
Murray appeared to be blaming Jackson for decisions that led to his death.
“Mr. Jackson was an uncooperative patient who made decisions and demands based upon his particular needs,” said Flanagan. “One of which was his extremely precarious financial situation complicated by drug addiction. “
Flanagan also cited the judge’s refusal to sequester the jury and the presence of cameras in the courtroom as appellate issues.
With Murray’s appeal expected to take more than a year to move through the courts, the attorney said it would be unfair to keep him jailed in the interim.
Under sentencing guidelines, Murray is expected to serve no more than half of his sentence. The attorney said if he served his complete sentence he would not receive the benefits of a favorable appeal decision if his case was overturned.
A hearing on the motion was set for Feb. 24.
Copyright Associated Press
‘Glee’ Michael Jackson Tribute Episode Song List Leaks, Report
Gleeks, remember to take this news with a grain of salt, but what we’re about to tell you may be the greatest post-Christmas gift ever — if it’s true. The track list from “Glee’s” anticipated Michael Jackson tribute episode has reportedly leaked, and it looks pretty legit.
We already know that the cast will perform 12 songs from Jackson’s extensive music catalogue, extending back to his time with the Jackson 5. A few weeks ago, TV Guide magazine reported that the Warblers and Sebastian would also partake in the Jackson tribute, and that Blaine would take on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,’” while Finn and Rachel would do a duet of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.”
Even though this list has not been confirmed by Fox or anyone over at “Glee,” judging from what we already know of the episode, it doesn’t sound too far off. However, we’re surprised that the show’s token Michael Jackson cover crooner Artie (Kevin McHale) was shut out from a majority of the tracks. Artie has previously covered “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” “Thriller” and “Man In the Mirror” for New Directions. According to this track list, he only gets one MJ song of his own — “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
If this list is accurate, we can’t wait for the Warblers’ “Beat It/Billy Jean” mash-up.
Here’s the reported song list via Perez Hilton:
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” — Blaine
“Bad” — New Directions Warblers
“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” — Finn Rachel
“Smooth Criminal” — Santana Sebastian
“Never Can Say Goodbye” — Quinn
“In The Closet” — Brittany Santana
“We Are The World” — New Directions Warblers
“Black And White” — Puck
“Ghost / Monster” — New Directions
“Beat It / Billie Jean” — Warblers
“The Way You Make Me Feel” — Kurt
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” — Artie
“Glee” returns on Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. EST with NeNe Leaks guest starring as Sam’s new swim coach. Helen Mirren is also reportedly making a vocal appearance in the episode.
WATCH: Lea Michele spills details on NeNe Leakes’ guest role.
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‘Glee’: Songs for Michael Jackson Tribute Episode Revealed
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Glee season 3′s one and only tribute episode would be devoted to the music of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. This comes on the heels of other tribute episodes over the past two years including Madonna, Britney Spears and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album. The producers had been hinting at this announcement for quite a while, saying they were trying to secure the rights to the songs.
Over the past few weeks, spoilers have been roaming all over the Internet regarding the storyline and the songs, as well as some of those songs being leaked online. Speaking of leaks, do you want to know which songs the Glee cast will be taking on in their Michael Jackson tribute episode set to air January 24? The list of songs are now online, so let’s take a look at this rather long list of 12 songs and who’s singing what.
1. Blaine: “Wanna Be Startin’ Something’”
2. New Directions/Warblers: “Bad”
3. Finn/Rachel: “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”
4. Santana/Sebastian: “Smooth Criminal”
5. Quinn: “Never Can Say Goodbye”
6. Brittany/Santana: “In The Closet”
7. New Directions/Warblers: “We Are the World”
8. Puck: “Black and White”
9. New Directions: Mash-Up – “Ghost”/”Monster”
10. Warblers: Mash-Up – “Beat It”/”Billie Jean”
11. Kurt: “The Way You Make Me Feel”
12. Artie: “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
If you recall, Glee has already covered at least four Michael Jackson songs before: “Thriller,” “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” “ABC,” and “Man in the Mirror.”
I’m seeing a lot of pairing up between New Directions and the Warblers. According to FOX, this is why: “New Directions battles the Dalton Warblers and their devious new leader for the right to perform a Michael Jackson song at Regionals; Rachel struggles with a weighty decision.”
Hopefully, Glee doesn’t go down the Britney Spears road and put out an episode with no plot that is only there to showcase the songs and nothing else. But if FOX’s summary is anything to go by, it sounds like it could be a pretty good show.
After seeing what songs will be featured, are you excited for this two hour episode to air January 24? Or do you they’re going overboard with the number of songs?
Glee returns January 17, 2012, at 8pm on FOX.
Source: Hypable
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Slideshow‘Glee’ Episode 3.10 Photos: ‘Yes/No’ with NeNe Leakes
Michael Jackson a Immortal World Tour
Michael Jackson’s life and work were epic and, yes, at times bizarre. Indeed, that’s also how to describe the latest Cirque du Soleil show, Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour, a massive arena tribute to the King of Pop that opened in Cirque’s hometown of Montreal in October and is crisscrossing the U.S. through August 2012. It’s Cirque’s biggest tour ever and is expected to collect revenues that could top $1 billion. Such massiveness is fitting: Only the biggest of spectacles would be appropriate for one of the world’s biggest stars. Using elements of Cirque’s now-signature style, the show explores Jackson’s huge music catalog through both large and small dance numbers and acrobatic acts all set to a mish-mash of songs, videos, and voice-overs from the singer. In two quick hours, the dance-heavy show presents dozens of songs in standard arrangements, remixes, and mash-ups, largely backed by a live band on stage. There’s no particular through-line narrative, but a mime-like dancer decked out in all white (presumably, intended as something of a stand-in for Jackson) appears during certain numbers to loosely string everything together. But mostly, the show jumps all over the place. A tribe of dancers shakes it to an urban-styled ”Working Day and Night.” Then a puppet floats around the arena in a hot-air balloon to Jackson’s alternately sweet and creepy Free Willy 2 theme ”Childhood.” Then we’re treated to a video-screen rainstorm during ”You Are Not Alone.” The show’s acts run the gamut: Early on, five Afro-headed guys festively dance to ”I Want You Back” in front of video of the Jackson Five; later, a pair of skilled gymnasts spectacularly work their way through ”I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” on a floor-to-ceiling pole; and the curtain call is ”Man in the Mirror,” as the different groups of performers appear on stage before a light shines on a bedazzled glove in the darkness. With its big theatrics and decades-long span of music, The Immortal imagines a Jackson concert without the King of Pop himself. (Writer and director Jamie King had worked on concert tours for Madonna and Britney Spears.) A few numbers particularly stand out, including ”Billie Jean,” featuring dancers in glow-in-the-dark suits; ”Thriller,” with corpse-costumed dancers nodding to the iconic music video’s choreography; and ”They Don’t Care About Us,” in which a brigade of trooper-esque dancers stomping around the stage. This being a Cirque show, there’s also a good deal of quirkiness: Dancer Terrance Harrison is costumed as Jackson’s beloved chimp, Bubbles, for several numbers, while one of the most show-stopping performers (and audience favorites) is a one-legged dancer named Jean Sok. The Immortal has a particular focus on fantasy and whimsy, which is simultaneously unsettling and appropriate for a Jackson show. Though there’s a trippy quality to Cirque’s production, for the most part it all works. Even the most casual of Jackson followers will be entertained, and Jackson acolytes will revel in every glittering, peculiar moment. B (Tickets and tour info: cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/michael-jackson-tour or 800-745-3000)
