We weren't impressed by the Sheriff's news conference. The Sheriff played selected portions of tapes. We don't know what was on the rest of the tapes. The Sheriff said that he is considering Michael Jackson's allegations of mistreatment as a filed report and that he has asked the state Attorney General to investigate. If the Attorney General finds no misconduct, the Sheriff said he will seek to have false reporting charges filed against Jackson.

We think it's wrong of the Sheriff to hold a press conference and announce that a criminal defendant is not worthy of credibility. If a prosecutor did it, it would be unethical.

The threat of criminal charges is a weak one. Michael Jackson didn't file a report with the police so he can't be guilty of filing a false one.

The whistling and saying he's fine is of no moment to us. Most likely a defense mechanism. Most of our clients would have done the same thing, not wanting to acknowledge the power the police have over them and give them any satisfaction.

Pain can be delayed. His bruise on the arm was immediate. Jackson's feeling the effect on his shoulder could have happened that evening. He might not have mentioned it to Geragos at the time because it might not have hurt that bad at the time--and because he was more concerned with the outrageous perp walk the sheriff's and DA had insisted upon.

There was no need to handcuff Michael Jackson behind his back. They could have handcuffed him in front. When we surrender clients on arrest warrants, we bring them to the county sheriff or U.S. Marshal's and no handcuffs are involved. The $3 million bond had already been posted. There was no need--other than a publicity stunt by the prosecution--to insist on such a ritual. It was all for the cameras.

As to the bathroom, the Sheriff said Michael was locked in there for 15 minutes. Michael estimated 45. We're sure it felt like 45 minutes to Michael. Just because it was cleaned before Jackson was arrested, doesn't mean another inmate didn't get in there and mess it up--or that the cleaning wasn't less than thorough. The holding cell that had the toilet was built to house up to 7 inmates, according to the Sheriff. It most likely would have smelled.

We'll wait to hear Geragos' response, but those are our initial thoughts.