As reported by CNN and several other news outlets, the wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of singer Michael Jackson's mother and three children is making headlines, due to reports of the questioning tactics being used by AEG Live lawyers.
The family is asking for billions of dollars in damages stemming from Jackson's death on June 25, 2009.
Jackson family lawyers told a judge that they were becoming concerned with how the AEG Live lawyers were "behaving aggressively and erratically" during the preliminary questioning phase of the lawsuit.
Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson's 14 year-old daughter, is the next sibling due to be questioned.
Los Angles Superior Judge Yvette Palazuelos was asked by AEG Live lawyers to order Blanket Jackson, Jackson's ten-year-old son, to appear for a deposition. However, according to a court filing, a physician has warned that interviewing Blanket would be "medically detrimental."
Blanket was six years old when Jackson died. He is not to be called during the trial to speak as a witness.
The filing also stated, "…defendants still to this day say they may move to compel Blanket's deposition."
Prince Jackson, Jackson's 16-year-old son was deposed in early March. The court document said that the questions put to Prince by AEG Live lawyers were specifically aimed to "agitate the boy, creating serious concern among his guardians and attorney."
Furthermore, according to Jackson lawyers, "Defense counsel asked the boy completely irrelevant and repetitive personal questions about whether he sends text messages, whether he send text messages from his phone, and whether he 'tweets. Defense counsel also asked the boy about every place he had ever lived, every teacher he had ever had and about his current efforts to start a career in addition to being a full-time student -- none of which have anything to do with the case at hand."
In defending their line of questioning, an AEG Live lawyer sent an email detailing how the interview had gone. The AEG Live lawyer wrote that Prince "testified that he was intimately involved in his father's affairs."
Jessica Stebbins Bina, one of the AEG Live lawyers, defended their interview of Prince by stating, "My understanding is that the deposition proceeded with appropriate questioning, and that the questions were legitimate questions appropriate to a wrongful death suit."
Jackson lawyers have also claimed that the harassment of the family did not end with the children; the matriarch of the family, 82 year-old Katherine Jackson, was deposed for nine hours over three days. Allegedly Jackson's mother is sought for a fourth interview – and the Jackson attorneys have told the judge that the questioning could have completed much quicker.
Jackson lawyers have contended that the AEG Live lawyers purposely made a "concerted tactical effort…to harass and burden the Jackson family through these abusive discovery processes."
The trial is due to begin this April in a Los Angeles courtroom. The family is suing AEG Live as they allege that the concert company hired Dr. Conrad Murray – the doctor that has since been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in regards to Jackson's death.
AEG Live is arguing that Jackson hired Murray to be his personal physician.
If you are considering a wrongful death lawsuit, you don't need to make headlines or be a celebrity to win your case. Contact a personal injury lawyer and file for your damages today!