Michael Meets with his Accusers
After obtaining what he believed to be the truth from Jordie, Evan Chandler demanded another meeting with Michael Jackson. Anthony Pellicano managed to arrange it. The show-down between the teenager’s protective father and the man he believed had molested his son would take place on 4 August 1993 at the Westwood Marquis Hotel. ‘No good can come of it,’ Michael predicted, ‘but I have to see Jordie, somehow, so let’s do it.’
At the appointed hour, Evan walked into the room, trailed by his anxious-looking son. As soon as Jordie saw Michael, he ran to him and embraced him. They kissed each other on the cheeks. ‘Oh my God, how I’ve missed you,’ Michael said, visibly choked up. He stroked Jordie’s hair. ‘How are you? Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay.’
‘I’ve missed you, too,’ Jordie said. ‘I can’t believe what’s going on, Michael. Yes, I’m okay,’ he said, ‘but you should know that…’ The teenager’s voice trailed off.
‘What?’ Michael asked. ‘I should know what? Never mind,’ he decided, his tone now reassuring. ‘We’ll work it out, I promise.’
Evan then walked over to Michael and embraced him. ‘Nice to see you, Michael,’ Evan said. Michael stared at Evan with cold, dark eyes. Under the circumstances, it was an odd greeting by Evan. Later, Anthony Pellicano would say, ‘If I believed somebody molested my kid and I got that close to him, I’d be on death row right now.’
They were seated, Anthony next to Michael on one settee, Jordie next to his father on another.
Evan got to the point quickly. ‘I believe that Michael has acted inappropriately toward Jordie,’ he said. ‘In fact, I’m sure of it.’
‘What’s he talking about, Jordie?’ Michael asked, turning to the youngster.
Jordie made eye contact with Michael and nodded his head slightly, as if trying to pass a secret message. Michael looked at him, quizzically.
Evan then reached into his vest pocket, pulled out an envelope and took a document from it. He explained that it was a psychiatric evaluation of Jordie’s relationship with Michael. He read from it; the last paragraph encapsulated the analysis: ‘The minor is in danger whether the relationship continues or ends. The impact that would be caused in other family members of the minor should also be considered. These circumstances create the possibility that there exists negligence toward the child, even as far as prostitution.’
‘What does that mean, exactly?’ Michael wanted to know.
‘It means that this doctor thinks you had sex with my kid,’ Evan said, his temper rising. Michael remained calm, which seemed to infuriate Evan all the more. ‘You and Jordie are having sex, aren’t you?’ he shouted at him. ‘Just fucking admit it, Michael. Be a man. Admit it.’ By this time, Evan had tears in his eyes. ‘How could you do it, Michael?’ he asked. ‘My God. How could you do it? How could you do this to Jordie?’
‘I already told you that I didn’t do it,’ Michael said, remaining composed. ‘That’s preposterous. It never happened. I don’t even know that doctor.’ He turned to Anthony. ‘Do we even know that doctor?’
Anthony, now an irate contrast to Michael’s demeanour, said, ‘Hell no, we don’t know that doctor. This meeting is over,’ he told Evan. ‘Get out of here. Now.’
‘Wait,’ Evan said. He then read from another document written by the same psychiatrist: ‘“A thirty-four-year-old man constantly sleeping with a thirteen-year-old boy when other beds are available constitutes,” Evan raised his voice, “
perverse and lewd conduct
.” Perverse and lewd conduct, Michael. Do you hear what I’m saying?’
Michael seemed stunned. He looked at Jordie for help, but now the youngster wouldn’t make eye contact with him.
‘I said, that’s it,’ Anthony again insisted. ‘This is war, now,’ he added, using a favourite phrase. ‘Who do you think you are, coming in here and accusing Michael Jackson of a crime? Are you crazy? Get the fuck out of here!’
‘Wait,’ Evan said, again. ‘Look, if he’s willing to take a lie detector test, then fine,’ he added, pointing at Michael. ‘If it comes back that he didn’t do it, fine. I’ll be out of your lives for ever. He can take Jordie on tour with him and I won’t have a thing to say about it.’
‘That’s fucking preposterous,’ Anthony shot back. ‘Michael will never take a lie detector test. And besides,’ he added, ‘I was in army intelligence. Do you think I couldn’t teach him to pass a lie detector?’
It seemed an odd statement for one of Michael’s advisers to make during such an important discussion. For a second, Evan didn’t know how to react to it. ‘Great,’ he finally said. ‘And maybe you can also teach Jordie to lie, too.’
Anthony stood up. ‘Hear me, and hear me good,’ he said, pointing aggressively at Evan. ‘Michael Jackson did not have sex with your son, and he will not take a lie detector test.’
‘I hear you,’ Evan said. ‘But I don’t understand you. Why not?’
‘Because it’s an
insult
, that’s why,’ Anthony said loudly.
All eyes fell on Michael who was now looking straight ahead as if in a trance.
‘Then, there’s nothing more to say,’ Evan concluded. ‘This meeting is over.’ Evan didn’t mention that Jordie had said that he and Michael had been intimate. Perhaps he didn’t want to play that hand, yet. ‘I’ll see you in court, Michael,’ he said. Maddeningly, there was still no reaction from Michael.
Jordie stood up and followed his father out of the room. As he walked through the door, according to Anthony Pellicano, the youngster turned to face Michael with a sad expression. Michael stared at Jordie, probably never dreaming that it would be the last time he would ever lay eyes on him.
‘Oh, and one more thing,’ Evan said, pointing to the singer. ‘I’m going to ruin you,’ he said. ‘You’re going down, Michael. You are going
down
.’
Finally, Michael and Anthony were alone. ‘Oh, my God,’ Michael said after a few moments. He now looked drained and pale, as if in shock. He rose from his chair and gazed out the window. ‘Oh, my God,’ he said, again, tears now streaming down his face. ‘Oh, my God.’