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Steve Marcus
A man takes a photo at a home where entertainer Michael Jackson used to live on Palomino Lane Saturday, June 25, 2011. The homeowner opened a portion of the home to the public to mark the second anniversary of the entertainer’s death.
Saturday, June 25, 2011 | 6:29 p.m.
A view of the courtyard at a home where entertainer Michael Jackson used to live on Palomino Lane Saturday, June 25, 2011. The homeowner opened a portion of the home to the public to mark the second anniversary of the entertainer's death.
A video featuring Michael Jackson plays at a home where the entertainer used to live on Palomino Lane June 25, 2011. The homeowner opened a portion of the home to the public to mark the second anniversary of the entertainer's death.
Flowers are left by a fountain outside a home where entertainer Michael Jackson used to live on Palomino Lane Saturday, June 25, 2011. The homeowner opened a portion of the home to the public to mark the second anniversary of the entertainer's death.
A security officer watches guests though a French doors at a home where entertainer Michael Jackson used to live on Palomino Lane Saturday, June 25, 2011. The homeowner opened a portion of the home to the public to mark the second anniversary of the entertainer's death.
Didi Lima, left, the homeowner's representative, talks with guests at a home where entertainer Michael Jackson used to live on Palomino Lane Saturday, June 25, 2011. Julie Hereford listens at right. The homeowner opened a portion of the home to the public to mark the second anniversary of the entertainer's death.
Metro crime scene analysts document evidence after a Metro Police officer shot a pit bull at a home near Shetland Road near Charleston Boulevard Saturday, June 25, 2011. The officer was looking for a subject with an outstanding warrant when the dog broke through a fence, police said.
Metro Police officers, left, confer after an officer shot a pit bull at a home near Shetland Road near Charleston Boulevard Saturday, June 25, 2011. The officer was looking for a subject with an outstanding warrant when the dog broke through a fence, police said.
It all began when a guy described as an overzealous fan led an unauthorized tour of the Las Vegas home once rented by Michael Jackson.
Soon there was a call to Metro. The guy leading the tour turned out to have a warrant out for his arrest and shouldn’t have been on the property at all. Metro officers combed the neighborhood trying to locate and apprehend the volunteer tour guide, and within minutes, a pit bull was shot in at least one and maybe two paws.
Just another day in the old Jackson neighborhood.
All of this drama, much of it farcical, unfolded on what was intended to be a dignified means to mark the second anniversary of The King of Pop’s death at age 50.
The estate Jackson leased at 2710 Palomino Lane from 2006 to 2008 was opened to the public for four hours this afternoon so fans could enjoy a glimpse of his Vegas living quarters. The tour was to start about noon. But the event was delayed for a couple of hours because of an incident that was bizarre even by the uniquely lofty standards set during Jackson’s life, and even after.
Fans began lining up early in the morning at the property, some as early as 9 a.m. By 11:30, some 30 had assembled in the rising heat, confused because no start time for the tours had been formally announced. TMZ broke the story that there would be tours of the estate lasting four hours, leading fans to descend on the budding Las Vegas landmark dubbed Palomino Hacienda.
At 11:30, a guy arrived who said he was friendly with the estate’s owner, real estate mogul and philanthropist Aner Iglesias. Iglesias owns hundreds of properties in Las Vegas and donated the building that bears his name to the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
The would-be tour guide told the group he was familiar with the house and, heck, he was sad to see everyone suffering in the heat. So he switched out of his attire, changing from a T-shirt to a collared shirt, and led the group through the estate -- including off-limit areas not permitted to be viewed by those taking the tour.
Soon, Metro was called by Iglesias’ associate on property and the woman whose idea it was to organize the public tour, Didi Lima. The man -- whose identity has yet not been released by Metro officials -- made his way out of the estate and toward Shetland Road, which runs perpendicular to Palomino Lane and is just around the corner from Palomino Hacienda.
"They aren't letting me on the property," he said as he walked off. This, according to one of those on the tour, Yvette Stokes of Las Vegas. She got to tour the estate twice, once on the unauthorized visit and later on the official walk-through.
"There were about 30 of us, and he gave us water. He was really nice," Stokes said. "He sure knew a lot about the house, but then two Metro officers showed up, and we knew something was wrong.
Several more Metro officers arrived and quickly combed the neighborhood. Two arrived at 721 Shetland Road, and one walked onto the property to ask if anyone had seen this mysterious individual. By then, Metro had run the man’s name and learned that he had a warrant posted for his arrest. But as one of the officers made his way toward the front door of the house at 721 Shetland, a pit bull growled, barked and burst through a 6-foot-high chain-link kennel, lumbering toward the officer. The officer fired twice, hitting the canine in one paw, at least, as Metro Capt. Larry Burns (who was on the scene after the shooting) said he understood the dog was hit in a front and back paw.
Either way, the pit bull in question was rendered disabled and soon wrapped in a blanket and taken to a nearby veterinary clinic for treatment. The identity of the officer who fired the shots is being withheld for now. As Burns said, when an officer fires on a human, the department waits 48 hours before releasing his or her identity. But Burns did note that he was not certain what the department policy would be for an officer shooting an animal.
He said, “There will be a complete and thorough investigation.”
As for the history of this dog, when that home’s next-door neighbors learned the gunshots they heard was the dog being shot, one said, “Good.” When told it survived the incident, it was, “Too bad.” The dog, they say, is a menace that is a threat to all forms of life, especially children. Oh, and Metro officers.
All of this had largely played out by the time the first tour was led through the house. Much of the 12,138-square-foot home and 1.7-acre expanse was off-limits to visitors, making it somewhat of a tepid experience unless you were an avid Jackson fan. And plenty of them showed up, if only to satisfy not-so-idle curiosity of Jackson’s onetime living situation.
The highlight, as it were, was a shrine to The King of Pop erected in the estate’s wedding chapel. Across the way, videos of the late icon’s career played on a big-screen TV. In the background, such classic songs as “Blame It on the Boogie,” “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” and “Off the Wall” played on a ceaseless loop.
The house is currently on the market, in case you’re interested in owning a piece of pop culture history, listed for $12 million. That’s why a group of investors from China were among those to arrive on the day of the tour. The home is simply loaded, featuring 12 bedrooms, recording studio facilities, a guest house, elevators leading to the master bedroom, tunnels dug beneath so a superstar can move about unnoticed, the chapel, three kitchens, a cobblestone esplanade and vast outdoor barbecue areas and garden features. A fountain and sculpture of a crescent moon being hugged (rather creepily, actually) by a pair of nude cherubs stand in the estate’s center courtyard.
Out front, in what looks to be a bell tower absent a bell, four musical notes are placed around the high-rising structure.
“When Michael saw those, he knew he had to live here,” Lima said. “It was destiny.”
The day’s odd tour guide/pit bull shooting incident notwithstanding, Lima beamed as fans filed through the estate. She might dial up another similar tour on the anniversary of Jackson’s birthday, Aug. 29, and said Iglesias is serious about selling this house, but only to a serious buyer.
“We will ask the bank to verify anyone’s financial records, and the information needs to show a lot of zeros,” she said. “We have a lot of people who want to look at the home just because Michael Jackson once lived here.”
They’ll probably get that $12 million, provided there are no more ruckuses in the neighborhood.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow "Kats With the Dish" at twitter.com/KatsWithTheDish.
hey pitbull was only doing his job.hope he gets better.
While the shooting of defenseless canines has been a recent problem with many law enforcement agencies, this doesn't seem to fit into that category. If what is being reported is true the officer was defending himself from an animal that was not properly contained on his owner's property. I also applaud the compassion the officers displayed to both the animal and the owners. Unfortunately this level of compassion is often not present when a human subject is fired upon. One final note. I can't help but remember that Erik Scott's history of drawing his weapon on a animal in just this type of situation, was used as an example of his unstable character. I wonder if they feel the same about this officer.
The dog story? You can't make this stuff up! LOL!
It seems like longer then two years ago - more like a decade.
Great report, Mr. Kats, thank you so much:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piNbIXZ1K...
Regards
Chuck
Anything for a buck...
BGHS...the difference between the two is the officers are paid explicitly to make contact with volatile situations such as this.
Whereas Erik Scott was
1) booted from the military early (you make Captain (O-3) automatically at the 4 year mark- yet he only made it to 1st Lieutenant (O-2))-1st red flag that nobody really explored much.-and this guy was a 'ringknocker' too.
2) Couldn't control himself around his women, although his father paid the one off and hid her prior to the inquest.
3) walked around with 2 handguns and looked for confrontation wherever he could find it (even inside a Costco when asked why he was opening up packages by store staff)
4) Oh- and the big one- higher than a kite on painkillers that he managed to get addicted to.
Only the nit wits and losers of society have any interest in this child molesting,dope addict,mentally ill freak who spent fortunes trying to hide his negro heritage, by trying to make himself look white, as well as the abuse he suffered at the hands of his abusive and neglectful family. Now comes his equally mentally ill sister claiming this creep was murdered, when infact he over dosed and killed himself. Does it ever stop?
Rowdy You have absolutely no proof to back your ridiculous statements. You must be a closet cop lover of cops who belong institutionalized or one yourself.
Finally a Holly Madison Free event!
The pit bull should join Jackson.
You're right Homer:
I forgot to mention that you also incur a mandatory 5 year commitment to the military for having them pay your way through the academy. How do you not automatically make Captain at the 4 year mark when you HAVE to stay in for 5 years?
Because, when you get the boot prior to the 4 year mark, you can't make Captain.
The military cut their losses and exposure to risk with this guy for a reason.
@RowdyYates...So are you saying that only police officers are allowed to defend themselves? Because I would love to hear the case law you have to support that. The point I was making was not whether or not the shooting was justified (I believe it was), but rather that when a pit bull rushed him in a threatening manner cop apologizers like you used his drawing his weapon in order to protect himself as an example of his aggressive behavior and poor decision making abilities. But when a cop does it, then the dog had it coming. As long as cops rightfully demand the same rights as citizens then they should have the same responsibilities, that's all. And as far as the items you listed.
2. No evidence was ever presented to confirm that at ever happened.
and
3. How am I "looking for trouble" when someone come up to me and asks me a question?
All that matters is that Moeshmallow man was scared of the man in a drug stupor so intense he couldn't hold a pen. Since BFB didn't know anything about Scott's past it had no relevance when considering his actions.
Bad stuff happens when you carry two handguns while high. They explain that during the CCW schools.
Just like bad stuff happens when you drive while high. They explain that in high school.
Mosh's admittedly comical appearance as a large, out of shape person has nothing to do with what occurred.
Just like Erik Scott's handsome visage as he appeared in his graduation photo had nothing to do with how he chose to conduct his life, beating his previous spouse, and illegaly carrying firearms while under the influence.
Rowdy...My point wasn't about anything other than the assertion that Scott defending himself from an viscous dog attack was viewed as an example of his poor judgement at violent behavior. And as it happens, no one feels this officer similar behavior is dismissed.
Now let's throw in the twist that the animal's owner has since released a statement that does not support the story Metro has released. He says the dog did not charge the officer in the street, bur rather was only barking at the officer who was on private property. The owner is adamant that the officer was never in any danger from the dog, but continued to fire at the animal.
So, who should I believe? Well, the dos's owner has never lied to me, but Metro has made a habit of it. Metro has done nothing to impress the inportance of honesty within the department. In fact, the departments continuing decisions to ignore the dishonesty of so many of its officers.
The continued employment of known perjurers and liars like Doug Gillespie, Bryan Yant, David Goris, Steven Radmanovich, Brad Gallup, Jake Grunwald Greg Theobald, Bob Rogers, Jerry "Bob" Montes, Steven Leyba, Mark Mills, Dave Denton, Rick Klein, Bob Lewis, Jim Dixon, Andrew Ubbens and Derek Colling, (currently labeled THE MOST DANGEROUS COP IN AMERICA) tells the public that Metro doesn't value honesty.
If it turns out the owner's account is accurate the officer should be charged with Animal Cruelty under NRS 574.100 which states that no one shall "unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate or kill an animal, whether belonging to the person or to another." The recent passage if SB223 reclassifies this behavior as a Class D Felony punishable with 1 to 4 years in prison and up to $5,000 fine. But I am not going to hold my breath waiting for accountability for a Metro officer.
Coincidence that this house is almost directly across the street from an elementary school????