More than a year and a half after his death, the preservation of Michael Jackson's legacy continues to be a hot-button topic.
The executors of the late King of Pop's estate and the Los Angeles county coroner’s office are strongly criticizing a new Discovery Channel television special which will reportedly attempt to re-enact Jackson's autopsy.
In a letter to Discovery Communications, executors John Branca and John McClain accused the show's producers of a "blind desire to exploit Michael's death, while cynically attempting to dupe the public into believing this show will have serious medical value."
The letter goes on to lambaste the show as "insensitive to Michael's family" and "in shockingly bad taste."
Branca and McClain also railed against a European promotional ad for the show, which features Jackson's iconic sequined glove peeking out from beneath a white coroner's draping sheet.
"Discovery obviously views this as clever advertising and creative 'branding' for the program," the letter states. "In fact, the ad is debased, sick and insensitive."
Meanwhile, the coroner who performed Jackson's autopsy has also come out against the program.
Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told TMZ.com he declined Discovery's invitation to be interviewed about the procedure.
"I told them no, we had no interest in doing it..." he said. "I think it's unprofessional and I wouldn't do it out of respect for the family."
Without Winter's blessing, the show's producers were forced to use a copy of the coroner’s report, which is a matter of public record, to create the demonstration.
The furor surrounding the show, scheduled to air in Europe on Jan. 13, comes amid new speculation that Jackson may have killed himself.
Lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray, who will soon go on trial for involuntary manslaughter, may use the argument that Jackson's death was a suicide in order to prove Murray shouldn’t be held responsible
A hearing in the case is scheduled to begin on Jan. 4.
With Wire News Services
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