The suit brought by Joe Jackson, father of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, has been dismissed from federal court. At a hearing on November 1, Jackson’s lawyer agreed to dismiss the sole federal count in the case, leaving the remaining claims in the Jackson wrongful death suit for a state court to cope with. The judge did not fail to lay out for Jackson that he was unlikely to receive any monetary award from the claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act he presented to the court.

The Associated Press reports U.S. District Court Judge John F. Walter noted since the only federal claim in the case was brought under the ADA, other than that, he had no reason to keep the case in a federal court. The rest of the suit, based on the Jackson wrongful death claim, was a “creature of state law,” according to Judge Walter. Jackson’s attorney agreed to dismiss the ADA claim and re-file the whole suit in state court.

AEG says the case against the company is without merit.

Joined or separate, Jackson’s suit still has issues to face down, even in state court. Attorneys for Dr. Murray say they will challenge the elder Jackson’s standing in the wrongful death of his son. Under California law, parents may only bring a wrongful death action if they were financially dependent on the child who died. That requirement opens questions about the relationship between Joe Jackson and his son that the elder may not want asked.

Dr. Murray also faces involuntary manslaughter charges for the death of Michael Jackson. The AP reports his next criminal hearing is scheduled for early January.

Related Resources:

  • Lawsuit Over Michael Jackson’s Death Expected to be Re-Filed in State Court (Beverly Hills Courier)
  • Wrongful Death - Overview (FindLaw)
  • Michael Jackson Wrongful Death Suit Looming (FindLaw’s Injured)
  • Michael Jackson Case: No Plea Bargain for Dr. Conrad Murray (FindLaw’s Celebrity Justice)

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