Jackson memorial at Staples Center?

LAPD asks DEA for assistance in investigation
By ABC7
LOS ANGELES Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Times cited multiple sources that Jackson's family may hold a memorial service at Staples Center, possibly as soon as next Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Police Department would not confirm the event, but off-camera, officers say they are stationed at Chick Hearn Court at Staples Center in anticipation of next Tuesday's memorial.

Rumors of a big public memorial service at Neverland Ranch to honor Jackson now appear to be false.

There were reports the Jackson family has considered holding a public memorial for Michael at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Tuesday.

Although there was no final plan in place, there was a lot of activity on Neverland Ranch.

"We're hearing the same rumors that you are, so that's why we're today going through those steps to plan and prepare for those types of contingencies, so that we're ready and we don't have to scramble and react, that we can be prepared if they do come," said Sgt. Erik Raney from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday night that the Drug Enforcement Agency was asked by the LAPD to join the Jackson investigation. According to the AP, the federal agency can provide resources and experience in investigating drug abuse, illicit drug manufacturers known as "pill mills" and substances local police may not be familiar with, the official said.

Michael Jackson's will, filed in court on Wednesday, gives his entire estate to a family trust and names singer Diana Ross as a backup guardian for his children.

Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe, mother of Jackson's two oldest children, has been cut out of the will entirely.

The will includes the notice that petitioners are not certain of the value of the estate, but believe it exceeds $500 million, and the entire estate will go into the Michael Jackson trust

"We're reviewing it due course, as well as looking to make sure that there are no other wills or other documents that may reflect Mr. Jackson's intentions, with respect to how he chooses to leave his estate," said L. Londell McMillan, the Jackson family attorney.

Jackson's initials run down the side of the will, dated July 7, 2002. Two men, attorney John Branca and entertainment executive John McClain, are co-executors of the will, changing the dynamics of a petition filed by Jackson's mother.

Katherine Jackson has been granted temporary guardianship of the three children, and on Wednesday, a judge also ruled that she will remain special administrator of her son's estate, pending another probate hearing on Monday.

The will is little more than five pages in content.

It names Jackson's mother as the guardian of the three children, and if she can't do it, entertainer and singer Diana Ross is named guardian.

Some legal experts don't believe Rowe is out of the picture yet.

"Since the court has found that she has not relinquished her parental rights, what that means is she is going to have an advantage if she seeks custody of the two older children," said attorney Gloria Allred.

Allred said Katherine Jackson will have to show that it would be detrimental to the two older children if custody were to go to Rowe.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Report Typo |  Send Tip |  Get Alerts | Most Popular
Follow @abc7 on Twitter  |  Become a fan on Facebook

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
TOP STORIES
Homeless man builds makeshift home next to 110 Freeway
California's top 6 safest cities are in Orange County, report says
Dubai airport remains jammed after historic rainfall in desert
LA restaurant offers support to purse-snatching victim after ABC7 post
LASD K-9 shot in Compton; bulletproof vest 'may have saved his life'
81 arrests during first Coachella weekend, down from last year
Red Lobster eyes bankruptcy after $11M in losses from endless shrimp
Show More
Ashanti and Nelly are engaged and expecting a baby
SoCal crew stole more than $250K in lottery scratchers, LASD says
Crash that killed LA recruit firefighter not classified as hit-and-run
2 jurors dismissed from Trump's hush money trial
Armed suspect fatally shot by police at popular Long Beach park
More TOP STORIES News