Michael Jackson’s 'Stolen' Pajamas, Pill Bottles and Handwritten Notes Returned to Estate by LaToya’s Ex in $1 Million War: Court Docs
The estate worked out a deal with LaToya's ex.
Oct. 23 2023, Published 1:00 p.m. ET
LaToya Jackson’s ex-fiancé Jeffree Phillips agreed to return a treasure trove of Michael’s personal items — which brought an end to his $1 million war with the late pop star’s estate.
According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Phillips and Jackson’s estate have asked a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to sign off on their recent settlement.
The estate claimed Phillips "stole" items in the days after the pop star's death.
Per the deal, Phillips will turn over all property owned by Jackson in his possession.
As we previously reported, last year, the estate, run by executors John McClain and John Branca, filed bombshell court documents that accused Phillips of taking MJ’s property in the days after his death in 2009.
The executors said Phillips made off with Jackson’s pajamas, pill bottles, video cameras, handwritten notes, an iPhone, clothes, 3 silver Mac laptops, two iPods, 5 hard drives and cassette tapes.
Phillips denied the claims.
The estate said they believed the hard drives could contain unreleased music recorded by Jackson.
In response, Phillips denied he stole the property. He claimed Jackson’s mother Katherine instructed him to remove the property and keep it stored for her.
Phillips and Jackson in happier times.
Phillips, who dated LaToya from 1995 to 2015, said, “I have never lied about having the Carolwood Items or otherwise concealed the fact that I kept the Carolwood Items in storage. Jackson's family members knew I had these items.”
He added, “Had the Estate simply asked for the property and not resorted to the premeditated set-up and bullying tactics, I would have called La Toya to inform her that the Estate was requesting the items, and the two of us would have then called her mother. If Ms. Jackson instructed me to give the property back to the Estate, I would have done so.”
Photos of some of the items taken by Phillips.
For months, the parties have been fighting in court over whether 93-year-old Katherine would be forced to sit for a deposition in the matter.
Phillips argued that Katherine’s testimony was crucial to the case while her attorney said Jackson’s mother was “no spring chicken.”
MJ's laptop and box of records.
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He argued Katherine should not be forced to be grilled about the days after her son’s death.
Katherine’s lawyer said, “It can hardly be disputed that a deposition would impose significant burdens on Ms. Jackson. Even under normal circumstances, a deposition can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing event, which can elevate the heart rate and trigger physical reactions in the human mind and body. It may be that merely “being nervous or uncomfortable talking about sensitive topics, such as a child’s death, is not a reason to disallow a deposition” but that argument belittles the seriousness of the situation here.”
“Ms. Jackson is no spring chicken. She is 93 years old. It is inarguable that it is important for people of her age to minimize exposure to such stressful situations that might affect their heart rate or blood pressure,” her lawyer added.
The deposition never happened as a result of the settlement.
