La Toya Jackson is angry with network MSNBC, which is planning to air a documentary on Conrad Murray, the doctor who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.
“I feel it morally reprehensible to cloak a murderer and convicted felon with celebrity status, which the airing of Dr. Murray’s views will undoubtedly accomplish,” the King of Pop’s older sister writes in a letter to MSNBC president Phil Griffin, obtained by TMZ. “This becomes even more egregious since Michael is sadly and obviously unable to defend himself against whatever allegations may be made.”
Jackson continues, “I understand that legally MSNBC is protected by the first amendment. I ask at the very least MSNBC permit my family to view the tape amongst ourselves in advance of its airing to the public. Mr. Griffin, take a moment to put yourself in our shoes and appreciate our suffering for the past two years.”
MSNBC plans to air the documentary, “Michael Jackson and the Doctor: A Fatal Friendship,” tomorrow and Monday. Sources tell Page Six that the airing of the documentary was part of a package deal to secure the first interview with Murray, which will be conducted by correspondent Savannah Guthrie. Murray did not testify on his own behalf during his trial.
Representatives for MSNBC hold that Murray will not make money in this deal. They claim they did not pay for access to Murray or contribute to his legal defense. Furthermore, the maker of the documentary, October Films, said it paid just $1 for two years of access to the doctor. Zodiak Rights, the documentary’s distributor, has not said whether it stands to profit in the deal, the Los Angeles Times reports. Sources told Page Six that the company was seeking $1 million to sell the documentary, and that CNN was pitched the doc but passed.
La Toya Jackson’s letter is actually the second MSNBC has received regarding the project. The Michael Jackson Estate also sent a memo Wednesday. “The mere title of your ‘documentary,’ ‘Michel Jackson and the Doctor: A Fatal Friendship,’ is bewildering,” the letter read. “Excerpts released so far suggest Dr. Murray, who refused to tell his story under penalty of perjury in a court of law, apparently has no qualms about smearing the reputation of his ‘friend.'”
They called for the network to refrain from airing the documentary.