MY DAY AT COURT Just back from The Royal Courts of Justice and trying to make sense of my notes. I apologise in advance if some things dont make sense, as I was trying to follow what was being said and write at the same time. Anything in
I had planned to go to the entire day but could only go to the afternoon session.
When I entered the court just before 2 pm, Guy Holmes was sitting in the witness box, and when the court resumed they continued with his testomy from the morning.
During the morning session Guy Holmes diary was being used as evidence and Michael’s lawyer Robert Englehart continued questioning Guy about this.
Then the questioning turned to THE COMBINED RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
GUY HOLMES Once I joined 2 SEA’S Im learned about a written agreement called The Combined Rights Agreement” He is certain he say this agreement, which had Michael’s signature on it, but not the Sheiks. He said he believed it was a finished document. When asked by by Englehart, does Michael have a copy, do you have a copy, does the Sheik have a copy, he answered no to all.
After further questioning it comes to light that the document Guy Holmes saw was a draft. He apparently sent this draft to Michael’s residence in Bahrain by courier but there is no record of this as he dosnt have a receipt.
By this stage Guy Holmes was getting a bit rattled and flustered by the questioning. Englehart then started breaking down what Michael was expected to do under the terms of the agreement. This included him being tied to 2 SEAS for 6 years during which time he would record an album, write an autobiography and produce a stage play.
Further questioning about the “draft” that was supposedly sent to Michael for him to sign. It was sent to him with no cover letter and even though it was a draft of a contract written up under English Law, no one familar with English Law actully went though it with him.
Guy Holmes also helped organise the phographer who took the photo of Michael signing the contact with the Sheik. Under questioning it come out that Michael thought this photo was just for show as he hadnt actully signed a proper contract but the Sheik wanted the world to think Michael had actully signed to 2 SEAS.
Then the questioning turned to how the figure of 7 million was calculated. It was a guestimate of apporox how much had been spend at that stage during one of their meetings. Guy Holmes first suggested 5 million but between Michael , the Sheik and Guy, they all agreed on 7 million.
GUY HOLMES “I learned some days after the Agreement was signed that it was not an incorperated company“
GUY HOLMES “Michael had no interest in the coperate structure of the company and only talked about his music and vision, he trusted the Sheik and Guy to look after things and make sure everything was ok“
After Michael signed this agreement there was still work to do with this company, settling the structure. Guy Holmes was under the impression that the company was formed, was told by the Sheik it was but in actul fact the comapany didnt exsist and never has.
JUDGE SWEENEY ” Did you tell Michael Jackson he had signed a contract with a company that didnt exsist“
GUY HOLMES ” No“
Then the questioning turned to the fact the for a time Guy Holmes was Michael’s manager and what other things he took care of.
Guy Holmes explained that when he took over as Michael’s manager, his buisness affairs where in chaos.
There were 27 major litagation case’s, about 20 million in unsecured debt, deposions that Michael had to give, Judges passing orders that Michael need to be present at, possible bankrupcy, too many things to remember off hand. He said as soon as word got out that he was Michael’s manager, that his phone never stopped with people trying to contact Michael.
During his time as Michael’s manager he went to Vegas and met with the Circ du Soli people with a view of Michael working with them to put on a show somewhere. He also met up with J. K Rowlings agent and heads of record companies.
After a few more questions he finished his testomony. Before he left the witness stand, Judge Sweeny asked his for a copy of his passport to verify his dates of travel to Bahrain and Vegas. Guy Holmes said that that was not possible as he had a new passport and didnt keep the old one.
Ok thats the end of the first part, next up is Mark Stewart