July 3, 2009

Jackson Pal Pleads For Answers

Uri Geller Says He Often Couldn't Awaken Michael, Shouted At Him, Was Very Concerned About His Apparent Drug Use

  • Uri Geller on <b> Friday"/>

    Uri Geller on "The Early Show" Friday  (CBS)

(CBS)  British medium Uri Geller and Michael Jackson were very close.

The pop superstar was best man at his close friend's wedding, and Geller stood by Jackson when Jackson was hit with child molestation allegations.

Their relationship gave Geller a window on Jackson few had -- and left Geller desperate for answers in the wake of Jackson's death.

Geller told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez Friday he was very distraught over Michael's apparent prescription drug abuse, and health in general.

"I think that I was probably the only man," Geller said, "maybe beside his father, that shouted at Michael after seeing the way he looked and the reaction to whatever he was taking. I was very concerned for his health.

"There were times when I couldn't wake him up. I kind of had to shake him and ask him, 'Michael, are you OK?' Is there anything wrong? I slept on floors next to his bed. I slept in the next rooms next to his bedroom just to make sure that he will be able to wake up the next day.

"Now, having said that, you know, Michael was a great personality, a gentle man, a loving person, a loving father. He was an idol, an icon.

"He is a legend, and he was a phenomenon.

"But what I don't understand is how come, for so many years -- we're not talking about a month or a year -- how come there wasn't someone who realized that they've got to save Michael, they've got to do something to catapult him out of this vicious cycle of him being given things that did this to him?"



Complete coverage of Jackson's death



Geller added, "Whenever this happened, and my screaming at him, trying to instill in his mind that it is dangerous, that it could kill him, that he will die if he continues, most of the times he just stared at me, Maggie. He just looked at me. It went -- his stare just went through me."

He also cautioned, "I must make something clear. I've never seen him take drugs. I have confiscated things out of his bedroom on numerous occasions that I believed were very dangerous for him."

And Geller issued a plea: "Someone has to investigate, how did it happen in two or three days? How did Michael Jackson die?"

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is looking into who prescribed medications confiscated from the L.A. mansion Jackson was renting.

Geller's account and conclusions concur with those of a former British bodyguard of Jackson's.


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by joe_transit July 3, 2009 10:58 PM EDT
Uri needs to point his finger at himself. If he were as close as he claims then it is he who failed the friendship. Uri hints at "things he saw in MJ bed" and things that could hurt MJ but never discloses what those evils were, maybe Uri is saving the good stuff for his book. It amazes me how many MJ "friends" stick their faces in front of a camera to claim their bit of MJ's fame.
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by TrickynWV July 3, 2009 7:14 PM EDT
Most states allow a mental hygiene petition to be filed with the courts for involuntary commitment due to self-injurious behaviors and or substance abuse resulting in a threat to one's life. I wonder why the friends AND family didn't do those things for Michael. A true friend will knock you out of the street to keep a truck from running over you.
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by John_Merritt July 3, 2009 5:57 PM EDT
Simply put, he had a death wish. Where he could not be loved on earth when he was alive, he would be adored in death.

Speaking as one who knows what a vicious cycle of drug abuse leads to, it becomes a pre-occupation that turns a person inside out. They believe they are infallible or invincible, and when they keep on living, they think they are immortal and nothing can harm them.

Than after awhile even if they want to, they can't stop. Than after awhile they don;t want to stop because it is more painful to live, than to just exist. After awhile, than you don't care. The whole time though the person is usually crying for help. My question is, "How many people did Michael actually cry out to?" I would imagine there are a lot of people feeling guilty right now, please he was screaming for help. You could tell, very easily.
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by carolhill814 July 3, 2009 5:33 PM EDT
Why didn't all these "friends" just call the police knowing he was so involved with these drugs and they would baker act him and help to get back to where he needed to be just don't stand there and watch him kill himself.
Just because he was who he was he was a human and he needed help.
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