Michael Jackson’s emotional demons, rapidly worsening health and struggles with substance abuse before his death were brought to the spotlight Thursday in Katherine Jackson’s billion-dollar lawsuit against media conglomerate AEG.

Mrs. Jackson, the mother of The King of Pop, is taking the media conglomerate AEG to court for a reported 40 billion dollars for its negligence in the hiring, training, and supervision of medical employees, specifically Dr. Conrad Murray.

Mrs. Jackson is currently suing the media giant for what she said was “putting its desire for massive profits from the tour over the health and safety of Michael Jackson.” 

She also accused AEG of ignoring the performer’s rapidly deteriorating health and insisting that he continue to perform.

AEG Live, on the other hand, strictly maintained that it was not involved in the hiring of Dr. Murray, who is currently serving time in jail for administering the fatal overdose of propofol anesthetic.

During testimony on Thursday, Brian Panish, the Jackson family lawyer, sought to disprove AEG Live’s claims. Panish examined AEG CEO Randy Phillips’ email records to prove his involvement in hiring Dr. Murray and his role in the events leading up to Jackson’s death.

Using a series of AEG affiliated emails with subject lines like, “Trouble At The Front” as evidence, Panish established that AEG executives were well aware of Jackson’s deteriorating physical and psychological condition. The emails included elaborate details on Jackson’s physical state at the time – even describing his inability to hold a fork and knife without shuddering or shaking.

“He had a terrible case of the chills, was trembling, rambling, and obsessing,” wrote tour director Kenny Ortega in an email to Phillips. “We might be getting beyond damage control.” 

Another email from production manager John Hougdahl informed Phillips that he had “watched [Jackson] deteriorate in front of [his] eyes over the last 8 weeks.”

Despite numerous warnings about Jackson’s rapidly worsening conditions, Phillips’ responses to the emails focused more on the timeliness of the scheduled performances.

“Unfortunately, we are running out of time,” Phillips replied. “That is my greatest fear.“

The email correspondence provided evidence that Phillips had in fact scheduled a meeting with Dr. Murray in response to Jackson's deteriorating condition, but AEG lawyers objected.

Phillips’ emails also revealed the possibility of Jackson’s drug abuse during the tour.

In another email, Phillips asked AEG executive Paul Gongaware whether Jackson’s physical and mental problems were “chemical or physiological.” 

However, Phillips’ denied the possibility in his testimony, saying that he was referring to a “chemical imbalance” in the brain that may have influenced Jackson psychologically.

Panish’s questioning revealed numerous discrepancies in Phillips' testimony in comparison to his statements under oath earlier on in the lawsuit, casting doubt on the reliability of Phillips’ testimony. 

“That’s five mistakes you’ve made under oath,” announced Panish for the jury to hear at one point during Phillips' testimony.

“His credibility is a serious issue,” Panish remarked about Phillips to the judge after the jurors were dismissed.

The AEG CEO has yet to give testimony about his meeting with Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Murray.

 

Reach Staff Reporter Benjamin Li here.