Neverland memorial? Decision on Jackson service could come today [Updated]

The already complicated details of plans for Michael Jackson's memorial service became more confused today as CNN reported there would be a public viewing of the pop star at Neverland Ranch on Friday.

But a source knowledgeable about Neverland affairs said that no decision had been made."Nothing has been confirmed," the source told The Times. "The family is still trying to work it out."

The source said an announcement about plans is expected later in the day.

[Updated at 11:30 p.m.: Tohme R. Tohme, a businessman who helped arrange a deal that gave control of the Santa Barbara ranch to the Century City private equity firm Colony Capital, said in an interview before Jackson’s death that the performer associated the property with his 2005 criminal trial and had no interest in returning to live there.

 “Michael Jackson will never set foot in Santa Barbara after what they did to him,” he said in May.

CHP officials said they had not yet been apprised of any plans for a memorial tribute that would involve a motorcade from the Jackson family home in Los Angeles to Santa Barbara County.

“There’s been no formal request at this time,” said CHP Sgt. Mark Garrett. “We don’t know the details of what any movement would be. We’ve heard rumors just like the media and the public.” Garrett said that, once the CHP is notified of the family’s wishes, and if they involve transit in CHP jurisdiction, “we will take the appropriate action to ensure traffic control and public safety.” ]

[Updated at 1 p.m.: A clerk at the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department said some type of event is planned in the area in the next few days. "Right now, they are working on getting everything together,'' she said.] 

-- Harriet Ryan, Chris Lee, Catherine Sailant and Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Peter]

Neverland is difficult to get to and in hostile territory where Michael was treated harshly.

If they want the maxiumum number of Jackson fans to say good-bye to Michael, why don't they rent the Coliseum? They could fill it 10 or 20 times over for a farewell. Some of the world's leading performers might be willing to pay tribute to Michael.

Thank you Michael, for all you did for humanity, especially for We are the World. May your soul have found peace at last. May God bless you.

[woodstock1969]

Lets look at the reality...112 lbs of skin & bones, bald, nothing in his stomach but pills, puncture wounds throughout his body, bruises, scars...he was a walking dead man who was ready to lie down. He knew he could never do 50 shows and had no intention to, he also knew his time was up. Goodbye Michael, fame before you were ready, destroyed you...and as your youth, it didn't stay. Like a spinning dervish, you tried, but realized too late you could never go back.

[rick]

I personally would love to see Neverland resurrected and made into a memorial for Michael. Even better if it could be his final resting place as it was in earlier times. I think having him there for eternity would be a great rub in the face of the people there who were so bent on detroying him. He may be gone but his legacy and music will live on forever!

[Uncle Dog]

"Neverland is difficult to get to and in hostile territory where Michael was treated harshly."

Yeah! We are very hostile here . . . makes Kirkuk look downright friendly! God almighty knows why we wouldn't want to welcome thousands of the gentle, intelligent, astute fans of MJ up here . . . it IS a mystery, surely. We are known statewide for our hostility and want to continue that tradition. All you MJ fans, "Sideways" fans, etc. -- go to the Colliseum! What a fine idea! Leave us alone to wallow in our misanthropiness.

Peace, baby!