The 14-page body search warrant against MJ was so fraudulent that Sneddon wouldn't even provide MJ's attorneys w/ affidavit.
It took 3 months AFTER search for Sneddon to turn over a REDACTED & EDITED copy of the affidavit, full of blacked-out items and missing key statements.
It took 3 months AFTER search for Sneddon to turn over a REDACTED & EDITED copy of the affidavit, full of blacked-out items and missing key statements.
In April '94 MJ's attorneys again pleaded for judge to provide them a FULL affidavit, to allow them to dispute false merits and regain possession of the unlawfully invasive photos.
The judge denied their motion. 5 months after photos MJ's attorneys still didn't have affidavit.
The judge denied their motion. 5 months after photos MJ's attorneys still didn't have affidavit.
In May 1994, MJ's side faced off w/ Sneddon in court about these pics, search warrant & Linden affidavit that Sneddon was still withholding.
Sneddon resorted to pure sensationalism during this hearing.
"If he has the evidence, let him file it. He doesn't have a case." -Cochran
Sneddon resorted to pure sensationalism during this hearing.
"If he has the evidence, let him file it. He doesn't have a case." -Cochran
In June 1994—after repeatedly DENYING MJ's own attorneys PRIVATE access to warrant/affidavit—judge listened to MEDIA who said most info had leaked via "other means" so should be released openly. Suddenly judge agreed.
MJ's attorneys appealed public release & order was reversed.
MJ's attorneys appealed public release & order was reversed.
To reiterate, judge Slater approved original body search warrant to photograph MJ while repeatedly denying MJ's defense an opportunity to read the warrant/affidavit themselves, even half a year later.
But the judge later reasoned the media should be given unsealed copies. 😡
But the judge later reasoned the media should be given unsealed copies. 😡
Even in Sept. 1994 when LAPD/SBSO announced no charges, Sneddon refused to allow MJ to regain possession of the photographs claiming they'd remain at least through statute of limitations, which extended indefinitely.
This fight continued through 05; MJ was still denied access.
This fight continued through 05; MJ was still denied access.
Even after MJ was COMPLETELY EXONERATED in court and absolved of all criminal activity, Sneddon STILL fought to retain possession of these photographs.
The state claimed these & other items "may have relevance in the event of a future investigation."
Melville agreed w/ Sneddon.
The state claimed these & other items "may have relevance in the event of a future investigation."
Melville agreed w/ Sneddon.
Michael Jackson's constitutional rights were violated in every possible way by Santa Barbara investigators and both the '93 and '05 judges.
"Celebrity justice" for MJ involved unlawful search warrants, refusal to show MJ full affidavits, refusal to return highly personal items.
"Celebrity justice" for MJ involved unlawful search warrants, refusal to show MJ full affidavits, refusal to return highly personal items.
PS: Judge Slater—who authorized body pics & refused to give MJ's counsel copy of affidavit—had his own crooked run-ins including nearly hitting kids & adults in 2009 and vandalizing a van in '93.
Another judge saw Slater's misconduct & said nothing to investigators, of course.😔
Another judge saw Slater's misconduct & said nothing to investigators, of course.😔
