Debbie Rowe: Interview Was NOT Scripted

Judge denies Defense request for mistrial

Thursday, April 28, 2005

Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe took the stand at the end of court yesterday and provided testimony contradicting to what the Prosecution had promised jurors she would give.

Before Rowe took the stand, outside the presence of jurors, Defence attorney Robert Sanger requested Judge Rodney Melville grant a mistrial. Sanger argued that Senior Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss asked questions of videographer Hamed Moslehi that were already deemed out of bounds by the Judge, objections at the time were sustained. "As a result of the willful misconduct, a mistrial has to be granted," Sanger argued according to the Santa Maria Times. Melville denied the request for a mistrial.

The court saw Moslehi on the stand again yesterday, followed by various witnesses from phone companies and then near the end of proceedings, Rowe was questioned.

District Attorney Tom Sneddon promised jurors during his opening statement that Rowe would corroborate the story provided by the Accuser's Mother Janet Arvizo, "Debbie Rowe will tell you her interview also was completely scripted," Sneddon said. "They scripted that interview just like they scripted the Janet Arvizo's interview." However, the witness testified that although there were questions written for her interview, she did not look at them and her answers weren't scripted, according to the Associated Press. "I didn't want anyone to be able to come back to me and say my interview was rehearsed," Rowe said. "As Mr. Jackson knows, no one can tell me what to say."

When taking the stand, Senior Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen asked the witness how she knew Michael, "We've been friends and we were married," she answered. Rowe stated that she spoke to Michael by phone about taking part in the rebuttal video to Living with Michael Jackson and that there was no indication about what she would say. "I asked him how he was. I asked him how the children were and I asked if I could see them when everything settled down," Rowe said, adding that her ex-husband agreed. The witness testified that Michael told her, "there was a video coming out and it was full of lies and would I help. I said, as always, yes." She continued, "I was excited to see Michael and the children when all this was over. I promised I would always be there for he and the children."

Rowe filmed an interview at un-indicted alleged co-conspirator Marc Schaffel's residence on February 5th 2003, two days after the Martin Bashir documentary aired in the United Kingdom and a day before it aired in the U.S. Zonen asked the witness what she expected in return for giving the interview, teary-eyed she responded, "To be reunited with the children and be reacquainted with their dad." The Prosecutor then asked "why?" to which Rowe responded, "he's my friend," as she dabbed tears away from her face.

Asked about being completely truthful during the interview, Rowe said she was not. "My personal life was my personal life and no one's business," the witness said. Rowe also testified that she lied about Michael's abilities as a parent during the interview in what was the last comment before court ended for the day.

Rowe is currently in a legal battle with Michael over visitation rights to see her son Prince and daughter Paris. She had previously given up her parental rights but has recently had them restored through a Los Angeles court. She testified that she has not seen Michael Jackson or the children since the day of their divorce in 1999.

Court is expected to resume today with more questions being directed at Rowe. It is not known whether or not she will be cross-examined today.

Source - MJNI.COM