In Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge, the author of this absorbing, real-life murder mystery examines in detail the final hours of the life of Michael Jackson, to help readers discern what might have been the cause of the superstar’s death in 2009.

When Jackson died, Everett Watson was avid to learn the cause. Was it heart failure as initially reported, or a drug overdose, as later evidence indicated? If related to Jackson’s chronic drug use for insomnia, was it a suicidal move or the result of a third party intervention? And could that third party be, as was later argued, the highly paid physician charged with Michael’s constant care, the only person by his side in his last conscious moments?

Watson was irate when he learned that Dr. Robert Conrad Murray, Jackson’s physician and caretaker in his last moments, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, and equally so because a movie narrated by Murray was being released. The author’s ire stemmed from one major source: he himself had produced a movie, a labor of two years, titled “The Murder of Michael Jackson – the Perfect Murder!”

Watson’s intellectual obsession with the case, coupled with his artistic creation of a 3-D animation project about the events, would lead to a suit against the state of California for allowing the release of Murray’s confessional film, “Michael Joseph Jackson and the Doctor: a Fatal Friendship,” contrary to copyright law. Watson’s fascination with the death of Jackson was not unique; many persons, including Jackson’s closest family, suspected foul play. Murray’s actions in the period leading to Jackson’s demise were sufficiently suspicious to warrant a court case and ultimately, a four-year prison sentence, and the loss of all of medical credentials and licensure.

Watsons’ book covers all this ground, including documentation and photographs. He extracts text from his personal journal, and shows his own actions behind the scenes as the superstar’s sudden demise was being publicly discussed and debated. At the crux of the drama is the anesthesia Propofol, used to rapidly sedate certain patients, which is safe only in prescribed and infrequent doses, and has limited but very occasional incidence of abuse because repeated use, such has been suggested in Jackson’s case, can have fatal reactions including cessation of breathing.

Murray said Jackson begged for Propofol and that he administered it once on that fateful morning, but as Watson points out and others have observed, Murray’s actions were strange when faced with a possibly dying patient: he administered cardiac resuscitation but with one arm only and on a bed rather than a hard surface, and he disappeared entirely hours after Jackson was taken to the hospital. All told, it’s one of the most high-profile deaths in history, which Watson persuasively turns into a murder mystery.

Citing painstakingly gathered facts, with some notable repetitions as evidence is garnered from multiple sources, and the author’s own fertile speculations, Watson has constructed a rational scenario regarding the unexpected death of the controversial but widely admired King of Pop. He does cite opinion as fact to a fair degree, but his book will provide further grounds for speculation about his death, and will shed brighter light upon it for those who only know a few details from media headlines.

Synopsis: "Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge" by Everett Watson was inspired the late pop star's untimely death and the controversy surrounding it. Looking into his death drove Watson to produce a movie called The Murder of Michael Jackson: The Perfect Murder. In the pages of "Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge", Watson provides all the evidence he found in his research that shows incontrovertible evidence that Michael Jackson's death wasn't an accident or suicide, but premeditated murder!

Critique: An exceptionally informative, iconoclastic, and deftly crafted study, "Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge" will have immense appeal to all true crime buffs and will be of special interest for the legions of Michael Jackson fans. While highly recommended, especially for community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $26.00).

Clint Travis

Reviewer

Review by K.C. Finn

Reviewed By:

K.C. Finn

Review Rating:

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Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be The Judge is a work of non-fiction based on the life and premature death of the titular pop icon, penned by author and filmmaker Everett Watson. During the filmmaking process, Watson’s investigation and gathering of evidence prompted the creation of this book, which carefully chronicles the events surrounding the death of pop star Michael Jackson. Examining people, practices, medicines, social relationships and the like, we discover a chapter by chapter approach to the potential that his apparent accidental or suicidal death was in fact a carefully planned act of premeditated murder.

Whatever you believe in the mass of conjecture, suspicion, and mystery that surrounds the untimely and shocking death of the King of Pop, author Everett Watson’s work weaves a fascinating narrative towards the potential of an intentional crime deep in the heart of the intimate goings-on. Watson writes well on the subject, with a clear passion for the investigation and the artist himself, and displays a wide and varied knowledge of all the media coverage and facts which were released after MJ’s death. The formatting of the book is exceptional and makes it very easy to read and become interested in, with visual aids such as screenshots from media outlets and images which illustrate the author’s points more clearly. The chapters build up a convincing and intriguing argument that will not suit all readers’ tastes but is certainly very well constructed, making Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be The Judge a compelling read from start to finish.

An Interview with Everett Watson: Author of Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge

Everett Watson is a master electrician, and HVAC/R technician that just graduated from Ashworth College in 2020. He also graduated from Electronics Technology Institute in 1990. He graduated from California paramedical institute in 1984. He never stops studying subject matter related to his field. He is a musician and writer. As a professional he tries to satisfy the needs of his employer or client. He collects antiques and art. The industrial aspects of his field involve motor controls and computer programming. He is on the computer studying different programing software and programs (which he uses as a tool) on a regular basis. His work, skills, and hobbies are all related to each other.

Two of his new projects involve motion picture production. He approached Michael Jackson’s death on a professional level. He invested in the movie product of the story of Michael Jackson’s death. Dr. Murray insulted the medical profession and all those that have business client relationships with the general public. Michael Jackson trusted the man with his life. Dr. Murray took Michael Jackson’s life without any remorse. After the trial the doctor’s hatred of Michael Jackson came out in the movie he produced. Dr. Murray maligned Michael Jackson, whom he killed, as if Michael Jackson deserved it!. That is not how clients are treated in the United States business industry. The medical industry responded to Dr. Murray’s actions did Mr. Watson: shocked, appalled, and with severe condemnation.

Tell us about your book.

It is a movie script I wrote about the murder of Michael Jackson that started without a killer. The script was stolen by the murderer, Dr. Robert Murray, who pled not guilty to the crime. The stolen movie ‘Michael Jackson and the doctor, a Fatal Friendship’ was the doctor’s alibi for the death of Michael Jackson. Dr. Murray claimed, off the record, that Michael Jackson committed suicide. I sued the film company and Dr. Murray to prevent the film from being released. It aired before the trial started. I share with the readers the evidence I uncovered which proves his guilt. Dr. Murray circumvented the law by not testifying in court and selling his testimony to the public in the movie he released.

My book tells how Dr. Murray killed Michael Jackson and why. California law prevents criminals from profiting from their own crime. He released the movie after the trial was over and told the public he did not receive any money from the movie. Dr. Murray told the paramedics he did not give Michael Jackson any drugs the day Michael Jackson died. Dr. Murray left the hospital after Michael Jackson was pronounced dead; 3 hours after Michael Jackson arrived at the hospital. I reveal the damaging testimony of the ER Doctor who testified that Michael Jackson was dead at the holmby Hills mansion. Dr. Murray abandoned his car and medical tools at the mansion and fled the day Michael Jackson died.

After Dr. Murray found out the police had done an autopsy on Michael Jackson and had the entire medical provisions that Dr. Murray left at the house. Dr. Murray gave a statement to the police which he said he only gave Michael Jackson 25 milligrams of propofol with other drugs. Dr. Murray gave one condemning statement. After he gave Michael Jackson 25 milligrams of propofol Michael Jackson went to sleep. It would be impossible for Dr. Murray to determine the cause of Michael Jackson’s death if Dr. Murray left Michael Jackson sleeping and found him dead. Dr. Murray statement to the paramedics the day he died was “Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest.”

Why did you want to write a book?

It was a personal adventure that I thought the fans of Michael Jackson would want to know. It was a public interest story. I wrote the movie with the hope of having the movie produce and knew it was not guaranteed. I knew the big movie companies would be looking for a script. I never thought that I would be competing with the murderer for movie product sell. When the lawsuit trial ended there had been many movies produced since then. I decided to write the book because all of the movies to date never tell the real story of Michael’s Jackson’s death.

I approached Michael Jackson’s death on a professional level. I invested in the movie product of the story of Michael Jackson’s death. Dr. Murray insulted the medical profession and all those that have business client relationships with the general public. Michael Jackson trusted the man with his life. Dr. Murray took Michael Jackson’s life without any remorse.

What was your steepest learning curve during the publishing process?

Patience! I waited two years for Dr. Robert Conrad Murray’s testimony and he never testified in court! Endurance!

Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.

The murder chooses the genre. It was a true crime story. Dr. Murray did kill Michael Jackson and tried to frame the U.C.L.A. medical center for Michael Jackson’s death. I wanted to solve the mystery of Michael Jackson’s death.

Why do you believe that Dr. Murray is guilty?

Dr. Murray accused someone else of killing Michael Jackson. How did Dr. Murray know Michael Jackson was murdered? Dr. Murray had motive. He lost his business once and was about to lose it again. He had a new kid that was born in April of 2009 with pending lawsuits for back child support. He fled from prosecution and framed another doctor. The doctor in charge of the ER room (Dr. Cooper) was charged with the crime. Dr. Cooper pronounced Michael Jackson dead at his home the morning of 6/25/2009.

Who are your biggest writing inspirations and why?

My studies! I just graduated from another college. I get involved in investigative research that consists of technical information. Writing is a past time that gives me the opportunity to write on related subject matter. I like entertainment and antiques, which forces me to study history and other cultures.

What are your plans now your book is published?

I am writing another book titled “The Confederacy of Monarchs, Pirates Honor.” I am involved in a film project titled “The Missing Ride” which features Kenny Ortega! Kenny Ortega was the producer of Michael Jackson last show titled “This Is It.” Michael Jackson murdered before he could complete the tour.

Why did you write about this particular subject?

I was writing a movie script on Michael Jackson’s death after it was determined that Michael Jackson’s death was a homicide. Dr. Murray was never a suspect in my mind. That is why it took two years to write the book. I had to wait two years to hear Dr. Murray’s side of the story. Dr. Murray refused to testify in court. This is more than just one subject involved in this project and it involves hours of research in many different areas. I had to research, propofol, propofol murders, law, contract law, hospital procedures, emergency room procedures, and other records pertaining to the case. Remember Dr. Murray accused someone else of the crime.

What did you learn on your journey as an author?

It is not an easy process. Crime is a deep subject. Writing is an investment of time and you have to use it well.

What’s next for you as an author?

I want to have the film “The Missing Ride” produced. I also intend to publish the book I wrote titled “The Confederacy of Monarchs, Pirates Honor.”