Jim Avila's Daily Updates From Inside the Trial:
"When Michael walks through the door he's meticulous. He wants to know what's going on, what's happening. He's a great business man."
— Rudy Provencio testifying about working with Jackson on the charity single, "What More Can I Give".
The prosecution called financial expert John Duross O'Bryan who testified that Jackson's debts increased by $70 billion between 2000 and 2003 and that he suffered a "deteriorated financial condition" leading up to February 2003. O'Bryan expressed serious doubts that Jackson's shares in two music catalogs could resolve the money issues. The prosecution's position is that Jackson's money problems motivated him to conspire to hold his accuser's family against their will and use them to repair damage done to Jackson's reputation by the Martin Bashir documentary "Living With Michael Jackson."
Following the comprehensive testimony about Jackson's liquidity problems, the prosecution called Rudy Provencio, former manager of the label Neverland Valley Entertainment. Beginning his direct examination today, prosecutor Ron Zonen established that Provencio was privy to extensive information regarding Jackson's business arrangements with alleged co-conspirator Marc Schaffel. Provencio testified that Jackson was intent on making the charity single "What More Can I Give" a bigger hit than "We Are the World." District Attorney Tom Sneddon promised in opening statements that Provencio will tie Jackson directly to the conspiracy.
At least two jurors slept for a good 30 to 45 minutes, and several checked their watches, during testimony about Jackson's finances. Former Jackson insider Rudy Provencio provided the jury with the shot of energy they needed. He was expressive and often couldn't control himself. At one point while testifying he lost his train of thought, giggled and said, "I think I just got lost."
He was nervous, but forthcoming, with details only an insider would know. He told the jury, for example, that Jackson used to call Schaffel and say, "Arnold, are you looking for French fries?" When Zonen asked if his 1 percent share in revenues from the charity single would be lucrative, he said, "God yes, you'd be rich!" The courtroom burst with laughter. At the end of the day Judge Melville asked him, "You want to quit, don't you?" Provencio was relieved. "I really do," he said.
Up Next:
Tomorrow prosecutor Ron Zonen will continue his direct examination of former Jackson insider Rudy Provencio. The prosecution is not expected to call another witness before it rests its case.
Source: ABC News