Michael Jackson trial witness lists: star-studded, include his kids

This is it: On Monday, the wrongful death civil trial pitting members of Michael Jackson's family against tour promoter AEG Live is set to begin in Los Angeles. Depending on any number of legal factors it could end up being a long slog, dipping into the darker side of fame and celebrity.
But one thing drawing attention right now is who could take the witness stand -- given the Jackson family legacy its no surprise the list is lengthy, and star studded.
Currently, there are 97 possible witnesses for the plaintiffs and 113 for the defense (though overlap is likely in some cases), according to the Los Angeles Times. Dr. Conrad Murray, whose actions (or lack of thereof) precipitated Jackson's death could be a key witness on the stand -- if he speaks. As noted on TODAY last week Murray, now serving out and appealing his sentence of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death, is likely to take the 5th.

Jackson's mother Katherine has already been deposed; his son Prince and daughter Paris are likely to to discuss Jackson's final hours on the stand. Katherine, Michael Joseph "Prince" Jackson, Paris Michael Katherine and Prince Michael Jackson II -- aka "Blanket" -- are are the plaintiffs in the case.

The plaintiff's witness list also includes director Spike Lee, bodybuilder and "Incredible Hulk" star Lou Ferrigno, music producer Quincy Jones, longtime Jackson family friend and singer Diana Ross and Jackson's ex-wives Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe. "Purple Rain" musician Prince has also been named as a potential witness.
Ferrigno was initially enlisted by Jackson to help him get in shape for the "This Is It" tour, as People noted, something the muscleman had done for Jackson in 1994. "Being 50, his body went through a lot of stress getting ready for the tour, but he was awesome," Ferrigno told People back in 2009. It seems likely that as his personal trainer, Ferrigno will have a first-hand opinion about Jackson's fitness.
Jones was a long-time friend of Jackson's (as well as a producer of albums including "Thriller" and "Bad") and hinted to Details after Jackson's death that what killed the pop star was as much psychological as physical: "I'm a musician. I'm not a psychiatrist. I would think that the pressure of the concerts and the debt and everything else.... I know that Lisa Marie Presley said she always thought was going to die like Elvis. You sit and think about that stuff, it'll happen to you."
What other celebrities may contribute remains murkier. Ross was next in line after Jackson's mother to be the guardian of his children, though there is no indication that she had any specific knowledge about his death. The singer Prince might seem to have been Jackson's sons' namesake, but reportedly that's an old Jackson family name. Spike Lee has directed several projects related to Jackson, including 2012's "Bad 25" documentary and two music videos for the singer's 1996 "They Don't Care About Us" song.
The trial won't be televised, which may dial down the circus factor -- but this is Hollywood, and Jackson remains nearly as iconic a draw in death as he did in life. 

Lana Del Ray and beau Barrie-James O'Neill `secretly engaged` since last summer

Washington, Feb 1 : Lana Del Ray and boyfriend of three years Barrie-James O'Neill have been engaged since last summer, sources have revealed.
The 27 year-old was asked by her beau, who plays guitar in Scottish band Kassidy, for her hand in marriage in June, according to Us magazine.

The pair began dating three years ago in 2011, and they first sparked engagement rumors in July 2013 when they were snapped by paparazzi looking at properties in Los Angeles with Del Ray wearing a diamond ring on her left hand. (ANI)

Johnny Depp to marry on private island

Los Angeles, Feb 2 : Actor Johnny Depp is said to exchange vows with Amber Heard on a beach in the Bahamas.
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star's wedding won't be a "big, glitzy" party and will just have close friends and family, reports contactmusic. com.
"They're having a small intimate ceremony barefoot on the beach in Little Hall's Pond Cay. Afterwards they'll have a barbecue where some of Johnny's musician pals are going to perform, followed by limbo dancing. Neither Johnny nor Amber want a big, glitzy Hollywood bash. They are both very private," said a source.

Depp, who was earlier in a 14-year long relationship with Vanessa Paradis, is dating Heard for less than two years.(IANS)

When Paltrow got stung by bee

Los Angeles, Feb 2 : Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow does not hesitate to try different treatments in the name of beauty like being stung by a live bee.
The 42-year-old said that this was the "craziest treatment" which she has ever got done, reports contactmusic. com.
"The craziest treatment I've ever tried is when I was stung by a live bee. It's called apitherapy and it's apparently been used since Egyptian times to promote healing. For a more relaxing treat, I love Ila Bath Salts at the end of the day," she told Marie Claire magazine.

The actress is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and has been seen in films like "The Talented Mr. Ripley", "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Shallow Hal".(IANS)

Ronaldinho signs 1-yr contract extension with Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro

Beijing, Feb 2  : Brazilian football star Ronaldinho has reportedly signed a one-year contract extension with his club Atletico Mineiro.
A World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, Ronaldinho, who will not play for Atletico Mineiro this weekend because of a suspension for a red card at the Club World Cup, led his club to the Copa Libertadores title last year.
According to the China Daily, negotiations had been underway since Atletico played in FIFA's Club World Cup in December, although the two-time FIFA player of the year said at the time that he was not sure whether he would remain with the club in 2014.

The former Barcelona player has also said that he remains hopeful of playing in this year's World Cup despite not being summoned by Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for several months. (ANI)

Umar Akmal to be charged for slapping traffic cop in Pak

Johannesburg, Feb 2 : Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal will reportedly be charged for slapping and misbehaving with a traffic policeman after violating a traffic signal in Lahore on Saturday.
Police said that Akmal tore the uniform of one of the sergeants on duty and slapped him as three police officials tried to stop the batsman's car when he ignored a traffic signal.
According to Sport24, although Akmal claimed that the policeman grabbed his shirt first, police however, said that after conducting an inquiry , it was found that no such thing happened.

Akmal, who has played 16 Test matches since making his debut in 2009 against New Zealand, is a regular member of Pakistan's one-day and Twenty20 teams, having played 89 ODIs and 52 T20s, the report added. (ANI)

Bieber’s friend charged with drug possession

LOS ANGELES: Prosecutors have charged Justin Bieber’s friend Lil Za with two counts of drug possession after detectives found him with ecstasy and oxycodone in the singer´s California mansion this month.

The would-be rapper was arrested on Jan. 14 when detectives searched Bieber´s mansion looking for evidence in an egg-tossing incident that caused thousands of dollars in damage to his neighbor´s home.

Lil Za, whose real name is Xavier Domonique Smith, was the only person arrested during the search.

Bieber remains under investigation for felony vandalism.

Smith was also charged with damaging or destroying a jailhouse phone. All three charges are felonies.


Jail records do not list an attorney for the 20-year-old. Authorities initially said they arrested Smith on suspicion of cocaine possession, but they amended the charges after testing the drugs. (AP)

Oscar-winning actor Maximilian Schell dies at 83

VIENNA: Austrian actor Maximilian Schell, who won the best actor Oscar in the early 1960s for his portrayal of a defense attorney in the drama "Judgment at Nuremberg," has died. He was 83.

Schell's agent Patricia Baumbauer said Saturday that Schell died overnight at a hospital in Innsbruck following a "sudden and serious illness," the Austria Press Agency reported.

The Vienna-born Schell won his Oscar in 1961 and later was honored with further Oscar nominations — in the best actor category for "The Man in the Glass Booth" in 1975, and for best supporting actor in "Julia" in 1977.


Born to a Swiss writer and an Austrian actress, he was the younger brother of Maria Schell, an icon of the German-speaking film world, who died in 2005. (AP)