Guardianship of Michael Jackson's children will not change
Eldest son Prince to testify at civil trial over father's death
A judge said Tuesday that he will make no changes to the guardianship of Michael Jackson's three children after receiving an investigator's report on their well-being and meeting with attorneys for their caretakers.
Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ordered the inquiry after 15-year-old Paris Jackson was hospitalized on June 5. Authorities reported she took Motrin pills and cut her arm with a kitchen knife. The judge ordered an investigator to interview Jackson's children and report back to him.
Beckloff also met with attorneys for the children's guardians, grandmother Katherine Jackson and their adult cousin TJ Jackson.
"I'm taking no further action," Beckloff told attorneys for Jackson' estate.
The decision was announced during a hearing at which Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the estate, raised the issue of potential harm to the singer's daughter that might come with unsealing "salacious details" of a choreographer's recent molestation allegations against the pop superstar.
Beckloff told attorneys he will consider which portions of Wade Robson's complaint to unseal and inform attorneys of his decision. Robson claims the acts occurred when he was a child. Another hearing will be held to determine if Robson can pursue that allegation.
Perry Sanders Jr., an attorney for Katherine Jackson, has said Paris Jackson is physically fine and receiving proper medical attention. He has not provided further updates on her condition.
"In light of all current circumstances and the special investigator's report, we agreed with the judge that appropriate decisions are being made regarding care of all three children, and no further action is required," Sanders wrote in a statement Tuesday.
Prince, other relatives to testify
Meanwhile, another lawyer says Michael Jackson's oldest son, Prince, will testify in the family's negligence case against concert promoter AEG Live LLC. Attorney Brian Panish expects the 16-year-old to take the witness stand on Wednesday, becoming the first of three Jackson family members to testify.
Panish also wants to call TJ Jackson, the co-guardian of Jackson's three children, and TJ's brother Taj.
Prince Jackson is listed as a plaintiff in the case filed by his grandmother against AEG Live. The lawsuit claims AEG negligently hired the doctor who was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter for giving Jackson an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.
AEG denies wrongdoing and says it did not hire the doctor.