Split decision in case against Michael Jackson

A jury in California has awarded a former Michael Jackson associate $900,000 US while also giving the pop star $200,000 US for his counter-claim.

F. Marc Schaffel was given far less than the $3.8 million that he was originally seeking from the singer in the suit.

Schaffel alleged the pop star had not compensated him for expenses and work on a charity record, and that Jackson owed him proceeds from two television specials he produced.

Schaffel's attorney made a final plea to the jury on Thursday and reduced the claim to $1.4 million.

"I'm very happy," said Schaffel to reporters outside the courthouse."We got less than we asked for, but considering all the factors on what we were able to present, I'm pleased."

Jackson's lawyer had argued Schaffel owed the singer $660,000 US beforethe singerfired him in November 2001 after discovering Schaffel had been a producer of gay pornography.

The counter-suit alleged Schaffel had taken more than $250,000 worth of the singer's artwork and had pocketed profits from the singer's single What More Can I Give — a charity song for the families of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Judge re-examining claims

Court proceedings are far from over and the amounts may still change.

Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Conner will be holding a separate accounting session to look at the claims again, which could result in an amendment to the awards.

Prior to deliberations, jury members inquired whether they could award damages that were vastly different from the claim.They had already been shown court documents indicating Schaffel had declined a $500,000 settlement a month before the trial began in June.

Schaffel had testified he spent $300,000 of his own money on a secret assignment for Jackson and said he gave the money to a "Mr. X."

The 47-year-old singer did not appear in court during the proceedings and gave his testimony on video. Jackson and his three children moved to Bahrain in the Gulf region, where he is said to be working on an album.

Jackson's court drama isn't over.

His ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, filed a lawsuit July 3 claiming the singer has failed to pay her according to their 1999 divorce settlement. Rowe is mother to his elder son Prince and daughter Paris-Michael.

Rowe's lawsuit allegesthe pop star stopped making payments to her in October 2003.