Jacko: A Tribute from Fans, A Lawsuit from Dad
Jacko: A Tribute from Fans, A Lawsuit from Dad
In Japan, hundreds of people lighted candles in Jackson's memory. In the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale, hundreds more filed silently through the gates of Forest Lawn Cemetery to pay respects to the man they called the King of Pop. Dozens of white doves were released.
"He's been my idol all my life since I can remember. I feel like I haven't had closure," said Erick Dominguez, who traveled more than 80 miles to the cemetery from his home in Victorville on Friday to pay his respects. As he spoke, the 37-year-old sales representative, his eyes hidden by sunglasses, began to weep.
Several of Jackson's relatives visited the mausoleum — off limits to the public — where his body is entombed. Brother Tito shook hands with fans as he arrived, and brother Jermaine rolled down a window and waved as the family left in a fleet of luxury vehicles.
In Jackson's hometown of Gary, Ind., his mother, Katherine, was among hundreds gathered for a tribute.
"I'm very proud to be here and will be coming here every year because we love him," Leonia Lowery, 69, a retiree from Chicago, said as Jackson's music was played over loudspeakers.
Jackson died June 25, 2009, at age 50, just before he was to begin a comeback tour. Dr. Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter in his death. Authorities say Murray provided the singer with a mix of sedatives — including the anesthetic propofol — that killed him.
Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, filed his lawsuit against Murray in federal court in Los Angeles.
The complaint, which seeks more than $75,000, accuses Murray of professional negligence and contends the physician tried to conceal his administration of propofol after Jackson's death. Propofol is normally administered only in hospital settings, but Murray had been providing Jackson the drug in the bedroom of the singer's rented mansion in Los Angeles.
His civil attorney, Charles Peckham, issued a statement saying Murray "has not been found guilty of anything and we believe his innocence will be proven in a court of law."
"We've been told we were going to be sued for months so today's filing is no surprise to us," Peckham said.
Joe Jackson's attorney, Brian Oxman, said there is a one-year deadline after a death to sue doctors in the state of California.
Joe Jackson is seeking damages for a variety of issues, including loss of income and support, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
He also is battling Michael Jackson's estate, seeking more than $15,000 a month. Joe Jackson had a strained relationship with Michael Jackson, who left his father out of his will and trust and excluded him from guardianship duties.
Jackson also has filed a complaint against concert promoter AEG Live with the California Medical Board, alleging it was engaged in the illegal practice of medicine by allegedly guiding Murray's treatments of the singer. The complaint leaves the door open to additional defendants being added.
Mourners gridlocked the streets of the Jackson family's mansion in Los Angeles' Encino neighborhood for weeks after his death. The scene there was much quieter Friday.
No family members were home. The largest group present was a dozen or so people calling themselves the Sisterhood of Michael Jackson. Made up of members from Maryland, New Jersey, Latin America and elsewhere, they planned to spend the day visiting key sites associated with Jackson.
"We're laying flowers along the way as a memorial and to give ourselves a sense of closure," said TaRaysha Smith, 31, of Maryland. "It's cathartic, but still we've met every place with a high level of apprehension because it just hurts."
Across the country, in New York City's Harlem, pictures of Jackson hung outside the fabled Apollo Theater, where the entertainer and his brothers rocketed to fame as the Jackson 5, winning amateur night in the late 1960s. A sidewalk plaque honored the singer alongside such other Apollo legends as James Brown and Smokey Robinson.
After Jackson's death, the Apollo became a gathering place for New York fans.
"We are really honored to have played a part in launching Michael's musical career and to serve as a gathering place for people to come and celebrate his lifetime of achievement," said Jonelle Procope, Apollo president and CEO.
Earlier, in Japan, hundreds had met at Tokyo Tower to honor Jackson with a candlelight vigil, a gospel concert and more. Some got a chance to see some of his possessions, including costumes from his tours and even a 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom that he used to drive around Los Angeles.
"I don't know what to say. Seeing all his things makes it all come back to me," said Yumiko Sasaki, a 48-year-old Tokyo office worker who said she has been a Jackson fan since she was 12. "It makes me so sad to think that he is gone. He was wonderful."
In cyberspace, people also paused to remember Jackson. Among them was Mariah Carey who said via Twitter, that she was marking the day by watching the video "You Are Not Alone."
"Love and prayers to MJ `King of Pop,'" she tweeted. "You will be remembered forever. We miss you.
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