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Yahoo!After initial reports came in at about 2 p.m. that Michael Jackson was rushed to the UCLA hospital after being found not breathing at his Bel Air home, it's been confirmed by multiple news sources: The world-famous, 50-year-old entertainer is dead after suffering what appears to have been cardiac arrest.
A singer since early childhood with the Jackson 5 and later one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, Jackson became more known in his later years for a quirky lifestyle and allegedly criminal behavior with children. Most notoriously, Jackson was charged with child molestation by Santa Barbara County authorities and endured a six month trial in 2005 with the whole world watching. A jury eventually found him not guilty on all counts in the Santa Maria courtroom where he was tried, yet he never really returned to the limelight, choosing to spend his time in far-off lands and hiding from cameras.
Paul Wellman (file)
Michael Jackson
Recently, however, Jackson began mounting a comeback and planning for a series of concerts in London. Wealthy Santa Ynez Valley gentleman rancher, polo player, and winemaker Tom Barrack was financing the comeback, and helped Jackson save his Neverland Ranch, which is located in the foothills below Figueroa Mountain, from defaulting on loan payments.
But Jackson’s emotional and physical problems — which became so evident during the course of his 2005 trial, including the infamous “pajama day” when the singer showed up disheveled in his sleeping attire — continued to plague his life. He’s long denied abusing alcohol and drugs, even when evidence to the contrary became commonplace during his trial. Only time and an autopsy will tell if those elements played any role in his death.
Leave your Michael Jackson memory or tribute in our comments below.
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Confirmed. Mike's dead. Good job Sneddon. You and your ilk broke this eccentric artist with your witch hunt...proud of yourself?
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sa1 (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sneddon syndrome is a noninflammatory arteriopathy characterized by livedo reticularis and cerebrovascular disease. Is that what you were referring to sa1?
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Jhern (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No JH, I was refering to a more fatal form known prosecutorial misconductitis to wit:
Tomas Sneddon:
He is most notable for twice investigating Michael Jackson on child sexual abuse allegations in 1993 and 2003. The first criminal investigation was closed with no charges, police cited lack of evidence. Jackson settled the civil suit out of court. The second set of allegations against Jackson resulted in a long trial, which ended in Jackson being acquitted on June 13, 2005. According to Jackson, his supporters, several media sources and several former prosecutors, Sneddon had, or at least appeared to have a vendetta or personal dislike for Jackson. Sneddon was criticized for referring to Jackson as "Wacko Jacko", and also for his "We got him" remark after Jackson's arrest despite having gathered limited evidence against Jackson...
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sa1 (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Then there was that woman who was taken to the hospital with an emergency..While doctors and nurses were paying more attention to Michael who stressed out over our dear Sneddon, the woman who should have been seen first died..Michael was 50 years old in fair health said to use drugs and alcohol and people die...Were all going to be there someday...I think people are gathering at Neverland..I'M HEARING SOME WEIRD THINGS ON MY SCANNER..Sorry about the caps I wasn't looking at the screen and I'm too stoned to care about changing it..I'm sorry he died though sorry for his family...RIP Michael..
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Byrd (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So much talent. A very sensitive artist. Michael Jackson will be missed.
What ashame Santa Barbara County acted so ignorantly against him. Oppurtunists took him down. No evidence ever surfaced in the trials against him.
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Georgy (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I agree, money talks B.S. Walks....
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Byrd (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, money walks... like OJ Simpson being aquitted. So many people didn't know the meaning of that word until his trial! MJ was probably a child molestor but got so much public support from "fans" who think that just because he made music he is okay, that he got off. He probably bought out the jury, like he bought out the family of the other kid that accused him. Not sure why everyone is so shocked at his death, he didn't take care of himself and probably had a list of underlying health issues... hopefully the kids weren't being molested and abused by him. I'm sure it will come out as time goes by and I hope that the kids will finally have the chance at an unmasked life!
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santabarbarasand (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And oh - Ill be there to comfort you,
Build my world of dreams around you
Im so glad that I found you
Ill be there with a love thats strong
Ill be your strength, Ill keep holding on
Yes I will, yes I will
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, well thats all Im after
Whenever you need me, Ill be there
Ill be there to protect you
With an unselfish love I respect you
Just call my name and Ill be there
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sa1 (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2009 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW ! "The Whole World" is Here" to.. Hear" this
This Is ......What They Want".........................This Is......
What They Get............ And The Truth Is ?...........And .....
Will be AMAZING !.............. in the end.
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diannalynn (anonymous profile)
June 26, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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