AEG Live president and CEO Brandon "Randy" Phillips testifies for the defense - Day 17 -
* Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor barred from the trial Michael Jackson's contractual obligations.
Brandon "Randy" Phillips, the president and CEO of AEG Live, testified today for the defense.
Michael Jackson wanted to be back on the stage after his long hiatus from music. Randy Phillips testified at the Conrad Murray trial on Tuesday afternoon and said that Jackson had high hopes for the opportunity to get back to the stage. The president of AEG gave an explanation about the agreement of the concert series.
Randy Phillips spent much of his testimony time describing the Michael Jackson's This Is It process of what was happening behind the scenes of the concert. President discussed the show from the beginning with the initial meetings in Las Vegas to the production rehearsals, plus the requirements required by Michael Jackson for performances in the O2 Arena in London. To the best of Mr. Phillips recollection, Michael Jackson was on board with the idea of getting back to the stage.
“He was motivated, energized and receptive to the idea,” said Randy Phillips describing the way Michael Jackson responded to the idea of being on stage again. Sharing the ticket sales of the concerts were fabulous, Phillips shared the ticket sales had a demand never seen before. Phillips said the demand for tickets was so huge, he called Jackson to see if they could add more shows.
Jackson agreed but he wanted a 16-acre country estate outside of London with streaming rivers and horses for the kids, so that they wouldn't have lived like vagabonds anymore. While saying this Michael got moved and cried as well as Mr Phillips. Also, Michael wanted reps from the "Guinness Book of World Records" present at the last 50th concert because he knew "it was a feat that no other entertainer could beat."
Michael Jackson's contractual obligations to concert promoters have been barred from discussion Murray's defense in court today.
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said details about the contract between the singer and promoter AEG Live should not be discussed in the trial as it would distract jurors from deciding whether or not he was guilty of administering a lethal dose of anaesthetic propofol.
Murray's team presented a 42-page document in court today aimed at suggesting Jackson was under financial pressure to pull off a number of concerts in London, causing him to inject himself with the anaesthetic propofol in an attempt to sleep, but Judge Pastor denied using it as evidence.
He said: "It involves the fact finder getting taken on a side tour of accounting principles and law school. This is not a contractual dispute, this is a homicide case."
The decision came after Deputy District Attorney David Walgren urged it be denied.
He said: "At every turn Conrad Murray through his attorneys have put the blame for his failures on Michael Jackson and this is just another attempt to do the same."
MJFS - examiner