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NEWS : STORIES
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07.22.2009 11:52 AM EDT
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Jermaine Jackson Denies Michael Had A Drug Problem
'I've never seen my brother have any different, abnormal behavior,' he says.
by
Kyle Anderson
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Jermaine Jackson
(Photo:
CBS
)
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It's been two weeks since the public memorial for Michael Jackson, but the discussions, arguments and accusations continue to play out in the media. The latest Jackson family member to speak out in an
extended interview (following Joe earlier this week and Tito last week) is Jermaine, who sat down with a French TV station to discuss some of the stories being told about Michael in the wake of his death.
Though tales of Michael's drug use have been passed around, Jermaine denies that his brother ever had a substance-abuse problem. "I've never seen my brother have any different, abnormal behavior that would ... any substance that would cause that," he said when asked about reports that Michael regularly abused prescription drugs. "I've never seen that, so I would say 'No.' "
Jackson also directly addressed media outlets that he believes are being cruel to his late brother's memory. "Leave him alone. Stop the crazy names that they call him," he said tearfully. "What more do you have to do to make people realize that he's a human being. He was a father, he was an uncle, he was a brother, he was a son, and they need to leave him alone."
But the legal issues surrounding Michael's death will likely continue to swirl for months or even years. The custody of his children, his outstanding debt, his assets and even his final resting place are all up for deliberation. "I fought to get him at Neverland," Jackson said. "He imagined it and he brought it to reality, and I just feel that that's where he needs to be."
He also holds fast to Michael's will, which he believes should be carried out to the letter: "The will is what it is — it's the will from my brother. Anybody that tries to contest this will on any level, they're not living out Michael's wishes."
This report is provided by MTV News
 
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