Michael Jackson Dies

The more than 40-hours of footage -- showing Joe with several grandchildren in their Hayvenhurst home months before Michael's death -- is the only known video showcasing them living as a family.

Joe can be seen repeatedly praising the kids -- at one point even telling granddaughter Genevieve she could have a potential singing career because "You have the talent. You are a Jackson."

Joe also speaks pointedly about Michael, saying no one but the family truly knows the kind of gentle spirit he is, saying "Anybody in pain, you see tears coming from (Michael's) eyes."

The production company, Xonger Global Entertainment Network, is working with Beverly Hills talent agency APA to license the footage -- originally filmed in hopes of making a reality show.

So far, ABC is the only network to license any of the footage.

Also at Madeo, interestingly enough: Thomas Mesereau, the guy who won Jackson a huge victory during the 2005 molestation trial.

As TMZ first reported, LAPD is treating Michael's death as a homicide.

Sources connected to Michael Jackson's family tell us some family members as well as lawyers for the estate are ticked off at some legal eagles who may be trying to start a legal war.

Attorneys Londell McMillan and Burt Levitch do not represent Michael's estate -- they represent Katherine Jackson personally. They filed legal papers Friday asking a judge to rule if Katherine can object to the appointment of the executors named in Michael's will and still collect the money her son left her.

Here's the issue. There's a "no contest" clause in the will, meaning anyone who files objections to the will automatically gets no money. McMillan and Levitch want to know if the "no contest" clause would apply if Katherine only objects to the executors Michael chose.

Here's what's bugging some family members and the lawyers representing the estate ... the will gives Katherine 40% of Michael's estate, so she can't be upset about that. The will names Katherine guardian for the children .. again, that's what she wants. And the named executors -- John Branca and John McClain -- are Michael's longtime, trusted advisors and friends.

So why would Katherine object to the will or the executors? A lot of people who are in the middle of it all feel Katherine is being manipulated and doesn't really understand the implications of mounting a legal challenge.

So why are McMillan and Levitch kicking up dust?

Stay tuned...

Director Bob Giraldi claims he had no idea putting Michael directly underneath the sparks was dangerous. Giraldi says fire officials like Captain Don Donester -- who blamed Bob for the incident on Thursday -- should have warned him.

Giraldi said there were never supposed to be sparks in the first place, claiming the fireworks simply malfunctioned.

Lawyers for Michael Jackson's mother Katherine filed legal papers setting the stage for a fight over the singer's estate.

Katherine's lawyers are not willing to accept that the will presented by Michael's lawyer, John Branca, is valid. In the papers, Katherine's lawyer writes about the "purported will" Branca filed.

Katherine's lawyers note that the 2002 will has a "no contest" clause, meaning anyone who mounts a legal fight over the will gets nothing.

Katherine's lawyers want a judge to decide if that clause would apply if she fights the appointment of the executors under the will.

As for what they're discussing, our sources say the custody of the children -- not money -- is the issue on the table, but that it looks pretty clear Katherine Jackson will end up with custody, assuming the judge goes along. As for what Debbie Rowe wants ... we're told she too is interested in making sure the children are okay.

We're told Rowe is still collecting money from an agreement she and Michael struck several years ago, around the time of the child molestation trial. That agreement was drafted so it will survive Michael's death.

As for additional money, we're told Rowe is not requesting that. In fact, our sources say lawyers for Jackson's estate have not even been consulted about the discussions between lawyers for Katherine and Debbie. If there were any issue of additional monies, the estate lawyers would have been consulted.

The company putting on Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica from July 19-25th tells us the three brothers and possibly Jackie will sing a mix of Jackson 5 songs and songs from their solo careers.

We're told they'll be flown to Montego Bay, put up in a swanky hotel with all expenses covered. They'll also be paid -- we don't know how much but we're told it's a "large sum." The only catch: Mandatory meet and greets with fans.

This year's event will be dedicated to MJ.

Captain Don Donester was at the filming, working as a fire safety inspector. Donester says after doing take after take, he overheard the director tell Jackson, "Stand there longer [under the sparks]. You'll look more majestic." According to Donester, by making Jackson stay under the sparks for a longer period of time, it would look as if the singer was emerging from the smoke and sparks.

We just spoke with the director, Bob Giraldi, who said "That's not true. Whatever." Then he hung up.

In Michael's autobiography, the singer backs up Donester's story, writing Giraldi "came up to me and said, 'Michael, you're going down too early. We want to see you up there, up on the stairs. When the lights come on, we want to reveal that you're there, so wait.'"

Donester says the director's decision went against the rules set by the senior fire safety inspector. Don also told us he was one of the people who helped put out the fire on Michael's head.

The LAPD's probe into Michael Jackson's death is a criminal investigation -- according to the L.A. County District Attorney's office.

As we have already reported, multiple law enforcement sources say the LAPD is treating Jackson's death as a homicide.

Although a spokesperson for the LAPD characterizes its probe as a "death investigation," L.A. County D.A. spokesperson Sandi Gibbons says, "There have been conversations by District Attorney personnel with police and Coroner officials in connection with the ongoing investigation. It is common for Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies to be in contact with the District Attorney's office during criminal investigations." (emphasis added).

As we reported, LAPD detectives are treating Jackson's death as a homicide and focusing on Dr. Conrad Murray. Law enforcement sources tell us there is powerful evidence showing that Dr. Murray administered Propofol to Jackson and that drug was the primary cause of his death.

The song -- "A Place with No Name" -- sounds similar to the song "A Horse with No Name" released by the group America back in 1971. We're told several years ago America's manager gave his group's permission for Michael Jackson to record the song, "A Place with No Name" -- despite the similarity.

America's current manager, Jim Morey, who was also Michael's manager in the late 80's and early 90's, tells us, "The band was honored that Michael chose to do their song and they hope it becomes available for all Michael's fans to hear."

We've learned Joe Jackson's business partner for his new record label is a convicted felon.

Marshall Thompson, who Joe famously introduced during a news conference a few days after MJ's death, served 366 days in federal prison back in 2001 after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion in Illinois.

Thompson -- a retired cop -- conspired with active duty officers to sell police badges to various businessmen for $1,000 to $2,500 a pop.

According to federal docs, the businessmen bought the badges so they could get the perks of being a cop -- carrying a concealed weapon, parking in restricted areas and "receiving discounts for goods and services" ... we're guessing that includes donuts.

The video, obtained by US Magazine, shows exactly what went down when a pyrotechnic mishap ended in Michael's scalp being scorched.

Sources connected with the custody case involving Michael Jackson's kids tell us all Debbie Rowe wants is assurance that the Jackson family will honor the deal she had with Michael.

Rowe and Jackson struck an agreement in which she was paid a large sum over a period of years. We're told the current negotiations between the parties center on that agreement and whether the Jackson family will continue to honor it. Although the agreement stays in effect after Jackson's death, we're told Rowe wants assurance the family will abide by the terms.

Our sources say the talks between Rowe and the Jackson family do not involve anything beyond what Rowe would receive under the agreement and she will not fight for custody.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter just went inside Dr. Klein's office. As we first reported, law enforcement is saying privately Dr. Klein has not cooperated in turning over files they requested.

Winter confirmed with TMZ just moments ago before walking in -- Dr. Klein is under investigation. We're told law enforcement is investigating Dr. Klein's prescription practices as they relate to Jackson -- including prescribing meds using aliases.

Sources say Winter is there to retrieve more patient records of Michael Jackson.

The question is ...

Michael Jackson is mentioned four separate times in her 1985 senior yearbook from The Academy of the Holy Family in Connecticut. In one section, classmates predicting Rwaramba would marry the singer and have her "own generation of Jackson 5."

She came pretty close.