The Complicated Timeline of Katherine Jackson's Lawsuit Against Michael Jackson's Estate

  Katherine Jackson has been present at every court appearance regarding her lawsuit against Michael Jackson's estate. She has heard from various witnesses, such as her son and other family members. She found it distressing to hear such unflattering descriptions about Jackson from AEG Live executives; an email sent by one described Jackson as being lazy. The Complicated Timeline of the Leaving Neverland Documentary Last week's debut of HBO and Channel 4's documentary film Leaving Neverland offers an insightful look into celebrity culture's ability to pull people away from living ordinary lives. It follows two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who allege sexual abuse by Jackson; these experiences reveal how their families became part of his fairy-tale world as his popularity peaked. The documentary draws upon interviews conducted by British filmmaker Dan Reed with Safechuck and Robson about being affected by Jackson's harmful actions, and their subsequent struggle to come to terms with what they had witnessed. As the documentary progresses, it becomes evident that Leaving Neverland is an intimate portrait of abuse and trauma. There are moments where the camera zooms in close on male subjects who experience abuse; their testimony has the power to mobilize viewers into taking action against such abuse and trauma. Safechuck and Robson describe in the documentary how Jackson encouraged them to engage in sexual acts, including masturbation. They talk about feeling as though they had formed an intimacy bond with him as he made them lie down on bed with him for oral sex sessions. Both men also describe how Jackson would alienate them from their families and attempt to brainwash them, giving them memorabilia and writing love letters from his home address. Later on, both men came to realize what had occurred and contacted police. Both boys had surgery for scar removal on their bodies as well as therapy treatment sessions. Both boys have stated that their experiences led them to depression and anxiety, forcing them to live with the pain for years before finally opening up about what really happened. The Leaving Neverland Documentary is one of many high-profile cases alleging child abuse against notable figures, some of which have been settled or brought before a jury and decided whether or not an accused party should face charges of abuse. The Complicated Timeline of the Trial Katherine Jackson and three of Michael's eldest grandchildren - Prince, Paris and Blanket - filed suit against AEG Live for negligence after Michael's June 25, 2009 death. Katherine accused AEG of hiring Conrad Murray, who later was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for giving Michael an overdose of propofol during one of his 2009 concert tours. Jurors agreed that AEG hired Murray, but were unable to determine whether he was unsuitable or incompetent for supervising Jackson. On January 16, Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos denied a new trial by the Jackson family due to evidence suggesting their jury form was confusing to them. At the second day of deliberations, AEG attorney Brian Panish presented jurors with emails from AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips discussing Jackson's performance at concerts scheduled in March 2009. These emails discussed whether AEG needed to transport him for rehearsals or perform him at concerts scheduled that month. But according to Judge Hines, that alone was insufficient evidence of fraud, negligent infliction of emotional distress or civil conspiracy on behalf of the Jacksons. She ruled that they must present other pieces of proof in support of these claims. She further contended that AEG's conduct in the months prior to Jackson's death constituted negligence, as they had an obligation to hire and supervise Murray who had been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She pointed to multiple emails and phone calls between key executives showing Murray was acting "negligent, reckless, careless and dangerously," reports Reuters. AEG asserts that Jackson had been grappling with prescription drug abuse and addiction issues before embarking on his 2009 comeback tour, and was unable to manage the stress associated with rehearsing and performing in front of large audiences. The company argues that they were not accountable for Murray's conduct as an independent contractor who was paid through venue booking fees instead of entertainer's fee. Furthermore, it disputes his prescription drugs being in his hotel room while on tour and that said hotel room wasn't equipped to deal with an overdose of propofol. The Complicated Timeline of the Lawsuit The Jackson family was one of turmoil, and this lawsuit presented more challenges than simply financial ones. For instance, it revealed new details regarding singer Jermaine Jackson's drug abuse issues as well as family secrets that had long remained hidden from public view. The trial was an intense three-month ordeal that was broadcast live by AEG Live and television, revisiting events leading up to Michael Jackson's 2009 death from an accidental propofol overdose. Held in Los Angeles, Katherine Jackson's eldest children were expected to testify during this case. Katherine Jackson and her two eldest children allege in their wrongful death suit against AEG Live that concert promoter negligently hired Dr. Conrad Murray - who has since been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter - but failed to oversee his care properly. AEG was responsible for promoting Michael Jackson's This Is It comeback tour in 2009 and hired Murray as its doctor, according to The Jacksons' accounts. AEG failed to properly supervise Murray or inform Michael or his family of any risks associated with propofol administration by Murray; these allegations are further supported by allegations against AEG alleging they failed to properly inform Michael and his family of its risks before administering propofol through Murray as requested. Murray was found guilty by a jury in October and currently serves a four-year sentence at California's High Desert State Prison in High Desert. When his release will occur is unknown. At the center of AEG Live's wrongful death suit is the fact that they received funds from Michael Jackson's estate in order to fund his concert tour and pay Murray as his personal physician during this period. However, AEG Live claimed that Murray wasn't suitable as the tour doctor and unqualified to fulfill his role. They were ordered to pay Jackson's mother and children $1 million as compensation for their losses. At trial, AEG Live's lawyers probed Katherine Jackson with probing questions that made her uneasy; as a result, she left without answering them, leaving AEG Live with years to pay their judgment. The Complicated Timeline of the Final Decision After Michael Jackson died in 2009, his estate's executors began strengthening its finances by paying down debts, signing new entertainment and merchandise agreements, and reaping millions in earnings. But then came the tax case, in which both the estate and government held diverging views on what Jackson's name and likeness were worth after his death. This created confusion as Jackson's estate could owe over $500 million in taxes and penalties owing to them. Internal Revenue Service officials had determined that Jackson's name and likeness were worth only $2,105 while Jackson estate lawyers insisted they should be valued much higher; as a result, they pushed to reduce the taxes that Jackson's estate owed. Katherine disagreed with this decision and wanted more details regarding Jackson's tax calculations, feeling her financial advisors had provided more accurate figures than what the government claimed was right value for his image. She decided to file a lawsuit against the estate to gain more of an understanding of how its valuation was calculated, wondering why they believed such a low sum should exist when she and her financial advisers believed otherwise. As part of her lawsuit, she discovered a secret deal involving the sale of half of Michael Jackson's music catalog for $800 million. According to court documents, Katherine objected to Michael's proposed deal in February and filed her opposition with an opposing motion that was sealed. Additionally, Katherine found out that both Randy and Rebbie viewed confidential details of the contract agreement. Now, Katherine is looking for ways to stop this lucrative deal and plans on testifying in court later this month. She wants to learn how she can have more input into decisions made about her son's estate by his family members, including challenging his executors' appointments.