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Michael Jackson's Court Attire

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Sat Feb 05, 2005 at 12:12:09 PM EST
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[If you have no interest in Michael Jackson, scroll on by. No need to tell us as we do have an interest in his trial.]

The New York Times quotes legal case watchers for the proposition that Jackson should dress down for trial. I disagree. He is unique and he should be himself. No one is going to think that Jackson wearing a jumpsuit makes him more likely to molest a child. On the other hand, if he disguises his persona by dressing in ways he's never dressed before, he appears shifty, calculating and loses credibility. Just my view. Michael, be yourself.

< On Ward Churchill and the Concept of Collective Guilt | DA Tries to Block Evidence Re: Mother of Jackson's Accuser >

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    Michael Jackson's Court Attire | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: Michael Jackson's Court Attire (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 05, 2005 at 01:30:43 PM EST
    Michael Jackson's appearance is all in his face and hair. He could wear a business suit and he'd still be Michael Jackson. An old semi-retired lawyer I used to work for had a judge throw him out because he was wearing a conservative but stylish pair of Florsheim tassel loafers instead of lace-up shoes, saying "this is a courtroom, not a golf course." Who knows, it could be the judge who determines his dress.

    Re: Michael Jackson's Court Attire (none / 0) (#2)
    by cp on Sat Feb 05, 2005 at 06:13:54 PM EST
    funny thing, having been a juror (albeit, in a civil trial), how the participants dressed weighed very little in our deliberations. i think that's a fairy tale, perpetuated by the clothing industry, and egotistical judges. perhaps it's different for criminal trials.

    Re: Michael Jackson's Court Attire (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 02:47:07 AM EST
    I'd agree with you, Jeralyn, except for the fact that Michael being himself is a walking freak-show.

    Re: Michael Jackson's Court Attire (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 07:16:23 AM EST
    Go ahead Michael, be yourself. Dress how you usually do. It'll be that much easier for the conservative jurors in Santa Maria to convict you! Great Idea!!

    Re: Michael Jackson's Court Attire (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 06, 2005 at 08:39:45 AM EST
    I've followed the debate about whether Jackson might better be seen as a freak or someone who "didn't change his appearance to pander". I'd say what this shows is someone who reflects "elite deviance"...he's so into his own image as the legendary show-biz character that he isn't going to deign to wear the expected suit, white shirt and tie. Who knows what the jury will think, but I'd say on the surface it shows someone who thinks the rules (law) applies to "little people" (not celebrities) and is going to get a Fatty Arbuckle-like demonstration that fame is fleeting...

    Michael Jackson's Court Attire | 5 comments (5 topical)