PAULA ZAHN NOW
Koran Abuse Report; James Earl Jones Interview; Michael Jackson's Moment of Truth; James Earl Jones Returns to Broadway
Aired June 3, 2005 - 20:00 ET
As Jackson, his family and friends wait for the verdict, I'm joined tonight by Jackson's friend and spokeswoman Raymone Bain.
Always good to see you. Welcome back.
First of all, your reaction to some of what Maureen Orth is reporting, that Michael Jackson is a man who is dependent upon drugs. Even Tom Mesereau has admitted that he has a prescription drug problem. And then there is an alcohol dependency charged in this piece.
(CROSSTALK)
RAYMONE BAIN, JACKSON FAMILY SPOKESPERSON: Well, first of all, Paula, thanks for having me on.
Let me deal with Uri Geller. It is my understanding, I just heard Uri Geller say that Michael Jackson didn't listen to anybody. It was Uri Geller who introduced Michael Jackson to Martin Bashir and who encouraged Michael Jackson to do a seven-month interview with Martin Bashir. So, I really think Mr. Geller should go somewhere and sit down and be quiet.
(CROSSTALK)
ZAHN: You're not suggesting he was setting up Michael Jackson, are you?
BAIN: I'm not suggesting that. But this man just said on your show that Michael Jackson doesn't listen to anybody. Well, he listened to him. He's the one who said, I think you should conduct this interview with Martin Bashir for seven or eight months. My goodness. What kind of -- who would suggest that to a friend, seven or eight months to let some journalist follow you around?
And he's now saying, Michael doesn't listen. Well, he listened to him and it was to his detriment. So, we would like to respectfully request that maybe Mr. Geller should be quiet for a little while and just sit back and be quiet.
(CROSSTALK)
ZAHN: Let's come back to the broader issue of how Michael Jackson lives, because there are a lot of people who feel, because of his celebrity and because of some of the reclusiveness that he has endured over the last couple of years, that he does live in a cocoon.
BAIN: Well, let me just deal with Ms. Orth.
Tom Mesereau did not say Michael Jackson was hooked on prescription drugs. Tom Mesereau has said publicly in court that Michael Jackson drinks socially, that is something that he has done, and that he had put in cans, so that kids would not see him. He has never said publicly that Michael Jackson is addicted to prescription drugs. She should be ashamed of herself.
I have read "CSI: Neverland." And I'm going to tell you, Paula, I am appalled at that, too. This is the same lady who, like, three or four years ago, said that Michael Jackson spent $100,000 to bathe in cow's blood to kill two or three people. And Michael Jackson can't stand the sight of blood, nevertheless bathe in it.
It would behoove all of them to just sit back. I don't understand why people are trying to make so much money and so much fame and fortune off of Michael Jackson. They claim they detest him. They claim that he's this weird individual whom they can't stand. But, yet, all of this is about money. It is about Maureen's article, Maureen's book, Uri Geller getting out here 15 minutes of fame. Everybody is trashing Michael Jackson.
(CROSSTALK)
ZAHN: The alleged web goes further than that, because there have been accounts that Michael Jackson actually admitted to his former ranch manager that he had a prescription drug problem.
BAIN: That's not true.
ZAHN: Or Tom Mesereau mentioned that.
BAIN: And I would like -- no, he did not.
I would like to see that script, because Tom Mesereau did not say that. I would like to see that transcript from court, because he did not say that. He said publicly that Michael Jackson drinks socially. But Michael Jackson is doing fine, Paula. He has a great faith in God. He has a great faith in the justice system. He's at Neverland with his family. He's going to be waiting out the jury's decision.
He feels, as I've said, that his -- throughout the last several months, that his defense team is doing an excellent job and have done an excellent job. Tom Mesereau's closing arguments were fabulous. And Michael is there with his family at Neverland. He's feeling fine. And he's just waiting now for the jury to come back with a decision.
ZAHN: And we are waiting right along with him and members of both of the prosecution team and the defense team.
Raymone Bain, thank you so much for your time tonight. We appreciate it.
BAIN: And thank you for having me.
ZAHN: Our pleasure.
Still ahead tonight, Darth Vader's voice returns to Broadway. We catch up with James Earl Jones in just a little bit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Source:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/050.../03/pzn.01.html