Jackson Predictions Coming True

[Originally posted June 8, 2005]

I’ll have to go back and check the archives to see how many books I predicted would come out of the Michael Jackson trial. I know I did mention yesterday that the folks in jury deliberations must be honing their literary dreams as we speak. Well, now Associated Press reports are circulating that Juror Number Five, a 79-year-old grandmother from Santa Maria, California has agreed in principle to write a book about her experiences.

What makes this noteworthy (besides the obvious) is that the juror’s granddaughter Tracy Montgomery told ABC News that her grandmother “agreed in principle to the deal immediately after being picked for the Jackson jury.” Keep in mind that jury requirements are that jurors are not allowed to discuss the case with anyone. Yet, Montgomery claims that a co-author and a publisher have been chosen, but that no contract has been signed and no money has been paid.

Even though this seems questionable, legal experts are not concerned. Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson said “I don’t think it’s anything to get too excited about. What does it tell us? It tells us it’s a celebrity case and people will try to make money from it. It doesn’t tell us if we really have a juror who has engaged in any misconduct. It’s just a preview of things to come.”

It’s that “things to come” that I’m dreading…

I found this info from the great website MobyLives. Check them out here.