Nation of Islam Ousted From Jackson Camp?

April 27, 2004 -- Michael Jackson is continuing to shake up his inner circle following his indictment by a grand jury as, sources tell ABCNEWS, he is pushing members of the Nation of Islam out of his camp.

The Nation of Islam has been advising the beleaguered "King of Pop" and providing security for him as he battles child molestation allegations. Jackson, 45, faces seven counts of performing a lewd act upon a child for alleged inappropriate conduct with a now-14-year-old cancer survivor who spent time at his Neverland ranch.

Last week, a grand jury hearing evidence in the child molestation case against him decided to indict him, and over the weekend, Jackson parted with his high-profile defense team of Benjamin Brafman and Mark Geragos. He replaced them with Thomas Mesereau Jr., who represented actor Robert Blake in his murder case until the two parted over irreconcilable differences.

To read Benjamin Brafman's comments on his departure from Jackson's legal team, click here.

Sources tell ABCNEWS that just days before his arraignment on the charges brought by the grand jury, Jackson is trying to distance himself from more controversy and assume a more humble, low-key public image. The Nation of Islam, sources said, will not be handling Jackson's personal security detail at his court appearance Friday. Instead, the singer is seeking the services of a low-profile security firm in an effort to present a different image to the public.

The ‘King’ in Control

Jackson's parting with Geragos and Brafman raised speculation that his brothers Randy and Jermaine were behind their ouster and that perhaps too many people were advising him on decisions.

However, in a statement released Monday, Jackson insisted that he made the final decision to shake up his defense team.

"Contrary to reports, this is a decision that I have personally made," Jackson said in his statement. "It is imperative that I have the full attention of those who are representing me. My life is at stake. Therefore, I must feel confident that my interests are of the highest priority.

Jackson's statement suggested that he was concerned that Geragos — who is representing Scott Peterson in the slayings of his wife Laci and their unborn son — and Brafman, an ABCNEWS legal consultant who won an acquittal for Sean "P. Diddy" Combs on bribery and weapons charges in 2001, had heavy caseloads and that he was not their top priority.

Dissension in the Family?

Despite initial reports, Jermaine Jackson, who is on a trip to the Middle East, has said in reports that the dismissal of Geragos and Brafman surprised him. Sources told ABCNEWS that Randy Jackson was influential in the decision to replace the high-profile attorneys. Firpo Carr, a spokesman for the Jackson family, told Good Morning America today that Jermaine's surprise at the legal team shake-up does not mean that there is dissension in the family.

"As with any family, you have someone, individuals, who have different methodologies in trying to achieve the same goal," Carr said. "And that is what Jermaine, and everyone else, Randy, are trying to do. They're trying to prove, if you will, Michael's innocence."

Though Jermaine was not involved in the decision to replace Geragos and Brafman, Carr said that does not mean he doesn't agree with it.

"He didn't know about it. That doesn't mean he disagrees with the decision to get rid of Geragos as well as Brafman," Carr said. "That does not imply that at all. He told me personally that he is behind Michael in any decision he makes, as well as the family."

‘Not Business as Usual’

In an exclusive interview with Good Morning America Monday, Brafman declined to explain the events that led to his firing but said he wishes Jackson well and that the pop star has a real chance to win an acquittal.

"I don't wish him any harm," Brafman said. "To the contrary, I hope he wins this case. I think he has every chance to win this case. I think the [legal] team has to understand that it is not business as usual. They have to be focused."

Geragos, who is overseeing jury selection in Peterson's trial, has declined to comment on the firing. Mesereau, who met with Jackson over the weekend in Florida, said he would not talk about his hiring until Jackson appears in a Santa Barbara County court Friday to face the charges brought by the grand jury.

Those charges, which remain under seal, will be revealed publicly when Jackson is arraigned Friday. He remains free on $3 million bail.

Reported by ABCNEWS' Jessica Yellin on Good Morning America.