Thread by @MJJRepository

THREAD: Don Starks is another witness Finaldi solicited to try & bolster case, based on the 1990s tabloid innuendo of Hayvenhurst 5 when they sought cash grabs.

Starks was a part-time security guard from Aug. 18, 1987 to Feb. 1, 1993. His real job has always been at post office.

But nothing Starks offers, even when deposed by Finaldi, is helpful to the case.

Starks claims that over the 5-6 YEARS of employment w/ Jacksons, there were "maybe 3 times" he remembered MJ arriving w/ a boy in the evening. He admits not knowing their arrangements inside at all.

The boys Starks remembered seeing back when he was interviewed in 1993 included:

- Emmanuel Lewis (Starks thought Lewis was 11-12 years old, he was 16-21) - always defends MJ.

- Yoshi (Jolie Levine's son) - always defends MJ and he & his mom strongly lashed out against Finaldi.

Starks had no recollection of ever seeing kids go into the recording or dance studio, and also had no memory of James Safechuck or what kid he would had been.

And while their 90s stories depicted kids constantly in MJ's cars, Starks now admits to only seeing this "on occasions."

Keeping in mind Starks' limited role as a part-time occasional bodyguard, Starks remembered once seeing MJ with a female guest that he estimated to be around MJ's age. He saw them together in the Jacuzzi.

Starks has no recollection of seeing MJ in the pool w/ kids when around.

In fact, even in 1993 when speaking with investigators in the weeks surrounding the civil suit & paid Hard Copy interviews, the only "suspicious" events Starks alluded to were those few occasions in 5+ years where he figured the guests (including Emmanuel) had spent the night.

Another point Finaldi attempts to establish with many of his witnesses is that MJ or his staffers would deliberately conceal the identities of guests if they were boys.

But Starks also shot this notion down. He indicated that MJ never asked him "not to put someone's name down."

Starks described MJ as a "decent person...a good employee/employer accord."

He recalled MJ would joke around with him, and also gave him bonuses and memorabilia—some of which he has kept to this day.

He didn't remember Wade, Spence, Susie ("Jane Doe") & had never been to NL.

MJ's side had Starks reiterate how there were only "maybe three times" in his entire history of employment with MJ/Jacksons—over half a decade—that he saw MJ's car parked overnight after taking a guest inside the house.

They also pointed out his $20k story to Hard Copy.

Another argument Finaldi guides each witness to (and almost universally fails even w/ Blanca) is establishing that MJ's staffers are responsible—his whole case hinges on that.

But Starks said MJ was ultimate boss of businesses. He also says talks w/ Staikos etc. were minimal.

Starks concluded his deposition in the same fashion that they all essentially have, by confirming:

- He never saw MJ abuse a child in any way.
- He never saw MJ engage in any kind of sexual conduct with a child.
- He never saw MJ engage in any kind of sexual conduct with anyone.