Michael Jackson Accusers Seem in Courtroom, Decide Says They Probably Cannot Sue

4 siblings who declare Michael Jackson abused them as youngsters appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, Jan. 14, the place a choose famous a earlier settlement will doubtless stop them from suing the “Thriller” icon’s property, in keeping with a number of shops.

Frank, Aldo, Marie-Nicole, Dominic and Eddie Cascio beforehand defended Jackson in opposition to allegations of kid abuse for many years earlier than alleging they confronted grooming, manipulation and molestation by the hands of Jackson throughout time spent with him in childhood. Their abuse claims got here after the discharge of 2019’s Leaving Neverland docuseries.

The siblings (sans Eddie) traveled to L.A. with their mother and father for the Jan. 14 listening to, per the shops, in an try to nullify a 2020 settlement their lawyer Mark Geragos claimed was “illegal” in court docket paperwork filed days beforehand.

On the listening to, per Rolling Stone, a choose selected to not instantly rule on a petition filed by Jackson’s property lawyer Marty Singer requesting the Cascios enter confidential arbitration, as required by the earlier settlement settlement.

Rolling Stone reported Singer stated within the courtroom that the siblings agreed on a cope with Jackson’s property in 2020 earlier than renegotiating for extra money. He claimed they’d go in opposition to the unique settlement by submitting a lawsuit publicly.

“We categorically dispute these claims [of abuse by Jackson],” he stated, per Rolling Stone. “The explanation this case goes ahead is as a result of there was an extortion demand of $213 million final summer season.”

Lawyer Mark Geragos, who represents the Cascios, has claimed to ipromiseyoumedia the members of the family felt coerced into the settlement.

In October, per court docket paperwork, Geragos additionally claimed the settlement was “unenforceable” because it was meant to cowl up abuse.

In a tentative ruling forward of the Jan. 14 listening to, Rolling Stone reported, the choose stated the court docket was ready to compel arbitration. Geragos expressed in court docket that he felt “passionately” the tentative ruling was “incorrect on the legislation.”

ipromiseyoumedia has reached out to either side’ authorized groups for remark.

After the Jan. 14 listening to, throughout which Rolling Stone and TMZ reported one of many siblings was seen crying, Geragos stated in an announcement to USA Immediately, “The household traveled to court docket to see for themselves Mr. Singer and Mr. Branca on behalf of the property name them liars simply 5 years after Mr. Branca paid the Cascio household in a secret deal as a result of he believed they have been reality tellers.”

Lawyer Howard King, who additionally represents the Cascios, instructed TMZ he has 10 hours of video footage that includes sworn testimony from the siblings detailing “horrific abuse” from Jackson. He additionally claimed Singer has seen parts of the testimony. 

Singer additionally gave an announcement to USA Immediately and stated King was “outright” mendacity. “I by no means made any of the statements that he claims have been made,” he instructed the outlet.

“My co-counsel Jonathan Steinsapir, who was with me confirms that the assertion made by Mr. King is an entire fabrication,” continued Singer. “Mr. King is just attempting to deflect from the truth that he communicated in an extortionate demand of $213 million which is the topic of our consumer’s extortion declare pending in opposition to Frank Cascio and was reported to the authorities.”

One other listening to is about for March 5.