|
|
Possible boycott of name-clearing book: Michael Jackson fans demand answers
|
Added: 04/10/2004
Type: Summary
Viewed: 715 time(s)
[ Not Rated Yet ] |
Possible boycott of name-clearing book: Michael Jackson fans demand answers
Unknown forces continue to hush the voice that could clear Michael Jackson of the 1993 child molestation allegations made against him.
Redemption: The Truth Behind the Michael Jackson Child Molestation Allegations divulges facts about the case not previously made available to the public.
Written by the sole legal secretary of the plaintiff’s attorney, Redemption reveals the fraudulent relationship and possible extortion scheme between complainant Dr. Evan Chandler and his attorney Barry Rothman.
However, Geraldine Hughes’ accounts do not break attorney-client privilege. Under California Evidence Code 956, “there is no privilege under this article if the services of the lawyer were sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit a crime or a fraud.”
Since Redemption’s publication in January of this year, book sellers’ orders have been cancelled, bookstore chains proclaimed the book unavailable, and some online retailers made it difficult to find.
Branch & Vine Publishers’ chief executive officer, James Armentrout, describes the situation as going from “confusion to frustration to determination.”
“After gathering all the information, a clear picture has developed that there is a movement to suppress the book by an individual or individuals,” Armentrout said. “We are not the only ones to see this. Lots of fans have noticed and wrote about it on the Web.
“We and others are looking into the matter to see what action needs to be taken. Not only are we determined to see that our product is treated fairly, but to get this information out so that it can aid in clearing Mr. Jackson’s name.”
Despite being successfully sued for slander by Jackson in 1995, journalist Victor Gutierrez went on to write Michael Jackson Was My Lover, a supposed “secret diary” of Chandler’s then 13-year-old child. The book was, and still is, widely available in some independently-owned stores and online. So why does Redemption continue to run into so many walls?
“It’s not that the book isn't selling,” Armentrout said. “We are getting orders from all over the world. Also, we are getting orders from several bookstores in the U.S. for customers that request the book be ordered. The problem is that the large retailers are not stocking it. Some even report that the book is out of print.”
Jackson fans now demand answers.
On a Jackson fan Web site, fans discuss the boycotting rumors. Anonymous responses include anywhere from “the bookstores don’t want to hear the truth” to “we need this book to be heard” to “let’s show the world they can’t do this.” Some fans even mention financially sponsoring a U.S. book tour.
“I think it’s a disgrace and a conspiracy what’s happening with Geraldine’s book,” said Lesline McKenzie, a Jackson fan from Milan, Italy.
Redemption can still be ordered directly from Branch & Vine. However, Armentrout aims to get the book stocked in stores in the near future.
|
Article Pages: 1
|
|
|
Recent News