Thomas Mesereau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Mesereau
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| Born |
Thomas Arthur Mesereau Jr.
July 1, 1950 West Point, New York, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Harvard University (BA) London School of Economics (MS) University of California, Hastings College of the Law (JD) |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Known for | Lead defense attorney in the 2005 Michael Jackson trial |
Thomas Arthur Mesereau Jr. is a well-known American attorney. He is famous for defending many public figures. These include Michael Jackson in his important 2005 trial. He also represented Mike Tyson, Bill Cosby, and Danny Masterson.
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Famous Legal Cases
Helping Mike Tyson
Thomas Mesereau once represented famous boxer Mike Tyson. Tyson was facing serious charges. However, these charges were later dropped.
Robert Blake's Case
Mesereau was one of the lawyers for actor Robert Blake. This case was about the death of Blake's wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley. Mesereau worked on the case before the main trial began. He helped Blake get bail after he had been in jail for ten months. Mesereau also questioned witnesses during a televised hearing. This hearing showed some weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Mesereau later left the case.
The Michael Jackson Trial
In 2004, Thomas Mesereau became the main lawyer for Michael Jackson. He worked alongside another attorney, Susan Yu. The trial lasted for several months, from January to June 2005. At the end of the trial, Michael Jackson was found not guilty of all charges. Mesereau attended Jackson's funeral in 2009. In 2019, after a documentary called Leaving Neverland was released, Mesereau spoke out again to defend Jackson's reputation.
Other Important Cases
Joe Babajian's Financial Case
In 2009, Mesereau and Susan Yu defended Joe Babajian. This was a big case in federal court in Los Angeles. Babajian was accused of being part of a plan involving financial issues. Prosecutors said he helped to make property values seem higher than they were. They also claimed he submitted false loan documents.
Many people involved in the case admitted they were guilty. However, Babajian and two others went to trial. In August 2009, the jury found Babajian not guilty on most of the charges. They could not agree on the rest. The other two defendants were found guilty.
Claudia Haro's Legal Challenge
In 2012, Mesereau and Yu started defending Claudia Haro. She was the former wife of actor Joe Pesci. Haro was facing very serious charges related to an attack. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said Haro planned several attempts to harm her next husband, Garrett Warren. Warren was a stuntman. During his divorce from Haro, he was shot four times and lost an eye.
The person who did the shooting received a life sentence. Haro's brother, who said he helped arrange the attack, also received a life sentence. He agreed to testify against his sister. After the jury selection began, Haro decided to plead "no contest" to some of the charges. She received a sentence of twelve years and four months.
Suge Knight's Representation
In May 2015, Mesereau was hired by music producer Marion "Suge" Knight. Knight was the founder of Death Row Records. Knight was facing serious charges. Mesereau's involvement caused a court hearing to be rescheduled. However, in January 2016, another lawyer took over Knight's defense. Other lawyers also represented Knight later on.
The Bill Cosby Case
Thomas Mesereau also represented comedian Bill Cosby. Cosby was facing legal charges. Each charge could have led to a prison term of up to 10 years. In June 2018, Cosby hired a different lawyer. Later, in June 2021, a higher court in Pennsylvania overturned Cosby's convictions. This meant his convictions were canceled.
Giving Back and Awards
Even though Mesereau is known for his celebrity cases, he also helps people who cannot afford a lawyer. This is called pro bono work. He has started a legal clinic in Los Angeles. Every year, he takes on one serious murder case for free. These cases are for defendants in the Deep South who cannot pay for legal help.
In 2005, famous journalist Barbara Walters named him one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People." GQ Magazine also named him one of their "Men of the Year" in December 2005.
He has been named "Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year" by several groups in Los Angeles. He has also been listed as one of the "One Hundred Most Influential Attorneys in California." Mesereau has received the "Humanitarian Award" from the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also gave Mesereau a "Community Service Award."
Personal Life and Education
Thomas Mesereau went to several excellent schools. He studied at Phillips Academy, Harvard University, and the London School of Economics. He also earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
