Friday marks the first day of testimony for Michael Jackson's mother Katherine Jackson, and already a previously recorded video deposition may be shooting holes in the Jackson family's case against concert promoter AEG Live.
The video, which was shot in April of 2012 according to the time signature on the tape, features Katherine discussing how she was initially surprised to hear that the pop star was going to be performing in the ten-concert "This Is It" series in London. She remarked that Michael had always joked about not overstaying his welcome as he aged.
"He was always making a joke about he don't want to be doing the moonwalk on stage when he's 50 years (old)," Katherine said.
The problem is, most of the Jackson family's argument against AEG rests on the idea that Michael DID want to kickstart his career and was planning on a major world tour. The family brought accountant Arthur Erk to testify that Michael would have made an estimated $1.1 to $1.5 billion from touring had he not died in 2009. AEG countered by criticizing the findings and showing documents that proved the performer would have realistically made around $135 million. Katherine and the Jacksons are suing for nearly $40 billion in damages.
Erk's testimony suggests Jackson would have played 260 additional tour dates, something that Katherine's testimony proves unlikely. Yesterday, a video deposition of Michael's daughter Paris Jackson had a similar conclusion. The teen stated that Michael had told her he had no intentions to tour following the London dates.
Katherine is the final plaintiff testifying against AEG. The defense will begin bringing its witnesses sometime next week. The trial is expected to run into September.
