Justin M. Howard | July 22, 2020
Information in a new documentary titled ‘Square One’ contradicts claims made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in Leaving Neverland. Is this a direct rebuttal to HBO Leaving Neverland? Better! The film successfully takes on the foundation that laid the structure for all the abuse claims against Michael Jackson in half the time. The evidence proves extortion in 1993.
Film Synopsis
Director Danny Wu assisted by Investigative journalist Charles Thomson, reconstructs events surrounding the first abuse allegations against Michael Jackson. Interviews with Taj Jackson, Geraldine Hughes, and trial witnesses uncovers a pattern of greed, deception and truths never publicized by the media.
Josephine Zhony, a classmate of the accuser (Jordan Chandler), shares her interactions with him and her take on Jackson’s child sexual abuse allegations. The central story revolves around the domino effect of the Chandler case and how it triggered the 2003 (Arvizo) and 2019 (Wade Robson) allegations.
Process of Storytelling
Ultimately, Square One shows Michael Jackson’s side of the story which may be considered biased to its audience. However, the typical viewer watching the film has extensive knowledge of the rumors or innuendo surrounding the case. Contrary to Leaving Neverland, Square One uses court documents and tape confessions from all facets, including the Chandler camp to support its argument. The pictorial illustrations and graphics used in the film are modestly shot, but useful for the viewer to follow along.
Evidence of Extortion
The film proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Evan Chandler, with his lawyer Barry Rothman, planned and launched a fail-safe extortion plot. In a private telephone conversation, Chandler – who was being secretly recorded said: “This man is going to be humiliated beyond belief. He will not believe what’s going to happen to him, beyond his worst nightmares. He will not sell one more record. If I go through with this, I win big-time. I will get everything I want and they will be destroyed forever. Michael’s career will be over.” This admission was taped weeks before Jordan alleged molestation.
Is it possible that Jackson could’ve been extorted and still guilty of the sexual abuse? One flawed argument in his defense has been that a family wouldn’t just take money if molestation took place. In reality, parents have demanded money instead of seeking justice. What’s revealing about this particular case is that Evan Chandler initially asked for $20 million in exchange for not accusing Jackson publicly, but in desperation was willing to accept $1 million.
If guilty, wouldn’t Jackson use this opportunity to protect his secret? Another uncommon factor is the unethical methods used by Evan to get a confession from his child. Square One analyzes the boy’s testimony along with police findings and manages to make a strong case that the allegations were indeed false.
The Settlement and Judicial Prejudice
An indirect history lesson on the issues of systematic racism is shown through the struggles Jackson experiences while seeking justice. The allegations went public only because Jackson denied paying his extortionist – and it was he, not Chandler who made contact with legal entities from the beginning.
Court motions support that Jackson pursued a criminal trial, while the family pursued his finances. Unfortunately, because of judicial prejudice Jackson was ultimately coerced into paying the amount that he denied to pay, possibly believing he’d get justice months earlier.
In an interview with Diane Sawyer in 1995, when speaking about the extensive investigation Jackson stated:
“The idea is it just wasn’t fair…what they put me through. Because there wasn’t one piece of information that says I did that in any way. They turned my room upside-down, went through all my books, all my videotapes, all my private things and they found nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing that could say Michael Jackson did this. Nothing. To this day nothing. Still, nothing…”
– Michael Jackson (Diane Sawyer Interview 1995)
Watch Square One on Amazon Prime for the full story.