FROM: THOMAS W. SNEDDON, JR., DISTRICT ATTORNEY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
DATE: NOVEMBER 25, 2003
RE: FILING OF THE FORMAL CRIMINAL COMPLAINT IN THE MICHAEL JACKSON CASE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRALIZED ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION SOURCE

AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE COURTS AND THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT A WEBSITE WILL BE CREATED TO HANDLE THE PUBLIC DISBURSEMENT OF ALL COURT-RELATED INFORMATION IN THE MICHAEL JACKSON CASE. THE WEBSITE WILL MIRROR A SIMILAR WEBSITE THAT WAS USED IN STANISLAUS COUNTY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LACI PETERSON CASE.

THEREFORE, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE FILING OF THE FORMAL CRIMINAL COMPLAINT WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE WEBSITE IS OPERATIONAL. AT THAT TIME, THE ENTIRE FORMAL CHARGING DOCUMENT WILL BE PLACED ON THE WEBSITE AND AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IMMEDIATELY. AS I INDICATED IN MY EARLIER PRESS RELEASE, THE FILING AND RELEASE DATE WILL BE POSTED 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT BEING FILED WITH THE COURT AND PLACEMENT ONTO THE WEBSITE. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE FELONY COMPLAINT WILL BE FILED SOME TIME DURING THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 15TH.