The two men suing Michael Jackson’s companies over alleged child sexual abuse by the late pop star suffered a huge setback in court, In Touch can report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge shut down Wade Robson and James Safechuck’s subpoenas seeking records from the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.
Michael’s companies being sued opposed the subpoenas.
Lawyers representing the defendants claimed the subpoenas had been denied by the court back in 2018.
Wade, 41, and James, 46, filed separate lawsuits in 2013 over alleged abuse Michael, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, committed against them as child.
Wade claimed the abuse started when he was seven and continued on for years. James said he met Michael as a child and the alleged abuse started during the singer’s Bad tour and went on for years.
The defendants have denied all allegations of wrongdoing and slammed the accusations. The lawsuits were initially dismissed by the court but then revived in the higher court years later.
The parties are now preparing for trial. Both men were featured in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland where they revealed details of Michael’s alleged behavior.
The duo recently joined forces and will be going to trial together.
In opposition to the subpoenas, the defendants argued, “Beyond violating the clear language of the Court’s July 2018 Order, Plaintiffs’ subpoenas seek highly sensitive private documents related to non-parties, are an attempt to circumvent the protective order in another case from another court, and fail to comply with California law on pre-subpoena notices to consumers.”
“Specifically, California’s statutory and common law recognize privacy rights to images of deceased persons. Plaintiffs’ demand for certain documents—including photographs of Michael Jackson’s genitalia and naked body taken by police—represents an egregious violation of these privacy rights, and is simply beyond the pale,” the opposition read.
“Plaintiffs’ March 2024 Subpoenas are an appalling intrusion and violation of these privacy interests and have no legitimate purpose. These subpoenas seek, in relevant part, a highly sensitive and discrete set of documents,” the motion added. “Here, there is no legitimate justification for Plaintiffs’ gross attempt to violate the privacy of a man who has been deceased for almost a decade and to disturb his family’s ‘peace of mind and tranquility’ with our ‘sensation-seeking culture.’”
“Plaintiffs’ subpoenas must be quashed insofar as they are seeking these lurid images of Mr. Jackson. Indeed, allowing Plaintiffs to proceed with these subpoenas is particularly inappropriate given the circumstances surrounding the photographs,” they argued.
The judge agreed.
The order read, “Because the information sought in the subpoenas was already encompassed in the Court’s July 5, 2018, order quashing previous subpoenas to SBCDA, LACDA, and LAPD, and because Plaintiffs did not serve third parties with the requisite consumer notices prior to serving the subpoenas at issue, the Court grants Defendants’ motion and quashes the four deposition subpoenas at issue.”
However, the court did deny the defendant’s motion for attorney fees over the matter. The case is ongoing.
News
“Go home before I k*ll you”: The disturbing claim made against former Strictly star Artem Chigvintsev as she told her partner that was caught on tape!
EX-STRICTLY star Artem Chigvintsev was accused of threatening ‘to kill’ a former celebrity dance partner – years before his domestic violence arrest. Yesterday, the Russian dancer, 42, was booked by cops in California after they were called to a “medical…
1980s pop star Toyah Willcox said she signed up for Strictly because she enjoys being challenged and seeing other women face difficulties!
POP star Toyah Willcox’s reason for signing up to Strictly Come Dancing may be found hidden in a blog post. The It’s A Mystery singer, 66, will take to the ballroom next month with a yet to be revealed professional…
Cardi B risks being “disowned” by her own mother if she doesn’t leave Offset after his multiple acts of infidelity.
Cardi B’s Mom FORCES Her To Divorce Offset | He Gave Cardi An S₮D So it looks like we’re not the only ones who are sick and tired of watching Offset cheat on Cardi B like it’s a full-time job,…
‘Betrayed’ Ruth Langsford ‘supported by Lisa Armstrong’ amid Eamonn split: ‘She knows full well how upsetting it is’
Ruth Langsford is reportedly being supported by Lisa Armstrong, the ex-wife of Ant McPartlin, following news of her split from husband of 14 years, Eamonn Holmes. Since then, the rumour mill has churned out several reasonings behind their separation. These have included…
Emmerdale: Cain and Moira trapped in fire as fans threaten to boycott soap
In Emmerdale this week, a fire has been raging in the barn, putting numerous locals at risk – including Cain and Moira’s lives. In Wednesday’s episode (September 11), an explosion occurred as Cain tried to help Moira escape the burning barn….
EastEnders: Freddie to become obsessed with Anna, a new fan theory predicts
In last night’s episode of EastEnders (Wednesday, September 11), Gina confronted Freddie over his feelings for Anna and found some pictures of her he’d drawn. Freddie admitted that he liked Anna but didn’t want to take Bobby’s girl so had to distance…
End of content
No more pages to load