What Happened To Thomas Mesereau From The Michael Jackson Case?

Publish date: 2024-05-02

Thomas Mesereau has earned himself a reputation as a crusader for representing indigent clients in capital murder cases. The attorney has taken one pro bono case a year for the last 23 years, focusing on higher-profile murder cases in Alabama and Mississippi (per his website). In each of these cases, Mesereau accepts no form of payment, and his legal expertise has resulted in every defendant being able to avoid the death penalty, mostly through plea bargains. Mesereau also operates a free legal clinic in Inglewood, California. Twice a month, the clinic brings together legal minds from across the community to help educate and inform participants. Counsel is provided to financially disadvantaged members of the Los Angeles community, spearheaded by Mesereau. 

Fox News reports that actor Danny Masterson initially hired Mesereau to defend him on charges of sexual assault. Mesereau was the "That 70s Show" actor's attorney until he was replaced by lead council Phillip Cohen. Masterson's jury deadlocked on the verdict, resulting in a mistrial in December 2022. A new trial is scheduled for March 2023. There has been no mention of whether Mesereau will become reinvolved in the case (via NBC News).

Mesereau had been honored for his legal contributions over the years since the Jackson trial. He has received multiple accommodations from the California state legislature and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, among others. He was also given a Humanitarian Award from the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (per the attorney's website).

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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