Thursday, March 28, 2024

Michael Jackson Trial: Debbie Rowe Testimony Could End Relationship with Kids

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Will Debbie Rowe really take the stand for AEG Live in the current Michael Jackson trial? Reports suggest she will, and tell the jury that Michael had a “secret” drug problem which he hid from the concert promoter. In doing so, Rowe will be advocating against the plaintiffs—her two children, Prince and Paris, and their grandmother Katherine Jackson. Will Debbie choose the money—meaning AEGLive and the Jackson estate—over her own kids and relationship with Mrs. Jackson?

This has always been the dilemma for Debbie Rowe. In 2003, when Michael was in deep trouble over his Martin Bashir interview, Rowe showed up, and filmed a special interview to support Jackson. It’s unclear whether or she received remuneration.

In 2005, Rowe was up against the wall financially. I wrote about her threat to sell her Michael Jackson engagement on ebay when he wasn’t sending her checks. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,143134,00.html  

She testified in his defense at the child molestation trial, basically saving his neck, after telling prosecutors she would testify for them. That switcheroo on the stand paid off in 2006, when she and Jackson finally settled once again their financial issues. Rowe got her money. http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/08/08/jacko-in-exile-with-20-year-old-proteacutegeacute/

In 2009, after Jackson died, Rowe again re-negotiated, this time with the estate. She agreed to let Katherine Jackson become the childrens’ guardian. Some reports say she received $4 million.

In 2010, I reported that Rowe had quietly started visiting the children and spending time with them. http://www.showbiz411.com/2010/06/21/michael-jacksons-kids-spending-time-with-debbie-rowe

Now Rowe is back in the center of the discussion. Her 15 year old daughter with Jackson has tried to commit suicide, is said to be in a depression, and has been sent to Utah for treatment. This came after Rowe suddenly became very close to Paris. But Prince, the son, so far wants nothing to do with her. And the only thing that binds her to her children is a tenuous friendship with Katherine Jackson.

But testify for AEG? Rowe’s testimony would almost certainly damage Katherine Jackson’s wrongful death suit. TMZ says Rowe would offer evidence that her former employer, Dr. Arnold Klein, gave Michael Jackson shots of Demerol and let him sleep in his office.

However, Rowe—who wasn’t in touch with Michael for at least three years leading up to his death—wouldn’t be the only source of this information. Dr. Klein sued the Jackson estate for $48,000 in unpaid medical bills. Those bills covered March 22- June 22, 2009. There are 51 shots of Demerol on there and loads of other medications. The AEG people were shocked – I wrote it about then—when Dr. Klein presented this bill. They had no idea what Jackson was doing in Klein’s office. And I wrote about a Klein patient who said she saw Jackson in the office on one those days.

Whatever Debbie Rowe does now in this trial may determine the future of her relationships with Prince and with Paris. It’s decision that will affect everyone.  Will she pull another switcheroo and come in for one side, but endorse the other?

More on Jackson, Rowe, Klein and other doctors to come…

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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