Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight. So what`s the hold up? Why did the jury in the Michael Jackson death trial go at it all day today on the first day of deliberations without making up their minds? After the defense and prosecution finish their closing arguments, there was a widespread feeling that, you know what, this was a slam dunk, that Dr. Conrad Murray will be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.
So what`s the mystery behind the hold up? We will get to that in a second.
But first, what about the kids, Michael`s two children? Like everyone else, they are on pins and needles waiting for a verdict so they can move on with their lives as well. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that they are already laying groundwork to follow in the footsteps of their father in show business. But would that be the wrong thing to do? Here is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Kareen Wynter with a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report.
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KAREEN WYNTER, HLN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: With amazing moves and a simulating voice, Michael Jackson became an entertainment sensation. Now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you his oldest kids want to follow their dad`s path. The heirs to the King of Pop are going into show business, says CNN`s Alan Duke.
ALAN DUKE, CNN WIRE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Paris is interested in acting, being a teenage actress. And Prince is interested in the business side of entertainment. And I think we will see that very soon.
WYNTER: Katherine Jackson confirmed the news exclusively to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. She is raising Michael`s kids and tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" 13- year-old Paris and 14-year-old Prince are getting ready for their close-up.
KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S MOTHER: They are taking acting lessons. This is what they want to do and well, Paris really wants to be an actress.
WYNTER: The entertainment world, that doesn`t scare them at all?
JACKSON: Not at all.
WYNTER: Alan Duke says some powerful people in the entertainment industry are looking out for Paris and Prince.
DUKE: Will and Jada Smith helped both of them. They have been going to acting classes with Will and Jada`s children. And no doubt that that family will open doors for the Jackson children.
WYNTER: Since their father`s tragic death, M.J.`s kids stepped out on the world`s stage, most recently appearing at a tribute concert to Michael in Wales. And Paris proved at ease on camera when she spoke over the summer about her dad.
PARIS JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S DAUGHTER: One of the greatest and nicest guys ever.
WYNTER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT wants to know if the kids go into show business, are they risking heartache? Publicist Marvet Britto who helped guide the careers of Mariah Carey, Kim Cattrall and Angela Bassett, among others, says Paris and Prince face the crushing weight of expectation.
MARVET BRITTO, PUBLICIST, THE BRITTO AGENCY: You really are under a magnifying glass and the public expects you to be as great or greater than your -- than the legacy from which you come.
WYNTER: And there`s another risk. Their wealth and budding fame could attract false friends and users.
BRITTO: There are people who will try to attach themselves to Paris, Prince and maybe even young Blanket. Prince Jackson I know is thinking hard about who can he trust.
WYNTER: A weary Prince tweeted recently, People behind you are opportunists. People in front of you are enemies. And people beside you are lasting friends." Entrepreneurs are already approaching him with endorsement deals.
DUKE: Prince Jackson, as they say, is bankable. And yes, a lot of product would like his endorsement, would like to associate themselves with Prince Jackson because of his father.
WYNTER: Their father is gone but the children can count on savvy aunts, uncles, and grandparents to guide them through the minefields of show business.
BRITTO: They certainly have people. Aunt Janet, the very individuals who shape the legacy and built the Jackson five family are still alive and still very much in the lives of his children.
WYNTER: Marvet Britto tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" one thing is key to the kids` success.
BRITTO: The best advice I would give Michael Jackson`s children is to stay grounded, to learn everything they can about the business, to educate themselves about the business.
WYNTER: Britto says if they do that, anything is possible.
BRITTO: I wouldn`t be surprised if they were able to be guided to be just as successful as Michael Jackson was.
WYNTER: And that would make them truly worthy heirs to the king of pop.
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HAMMER: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter, who joins us right now from outside the courthouse in Los Angeles where the jury has been busy deliberating. Also with me in New York tonight, Sunny Hostin, legal contributor with "In Session" on TruTV. I think it`s going to be fascinating to see what the King of Pop`s kids do as they grow up and they mature.
But right now, of course, all eyes are on the jury in the Dr. Conrad Murray trial. Tonight, the big question is this -- could they actually acquit Michael`s doctor of involuntary manslaughter. I know that a lot of people think that Dr. Murray being found not guilty is farfetched that point. But HLN`s own Nancy Grace just revealed on "Good Morning America" that she actually thinks Conrad Murray could beat the rap. Watch very closely as Nancy explains why she thinks that could actually happen.
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