Jackson’s defense team to portray him as victim

Santa Maria, Calif. — Michael Jackson has played the victim in his songs for years. In “Billie Jean,” he portrays the target of a false paternity claim. In “Man in the Mirror,” he says he’s “been a victim of a selfish kind of love.” And throughout the album “HIStory,” he’s threatened by ominous characters such as “D.S.” — based on the prosecutor now accusing him of child molestation.

As his defense continues in his molestation trial, Jackson will again present himself as a victim — but this time his attorneys say it’s no performance. They say Jackson is the target of overzealous prosecutors, an untrustworthy inner circle and a family of grifters making false allegations.

But the lawyers will have to make sure they don’t alienate jurors by playing the victim card heavy-handedly, said Dana Cole, a defense attorney and close friend of lead Jackson attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr.

“You don’t want to whine ‘Poor me.’ But you do want to explain why the accuser’s family would be concocting molestation allegations — because they’re targeting him and trying to cash in like others have done in the past,” Cole said.

Jackson’s feelings of victimization date back to his early childhood, when his family felt that the Jackson 5 didn’t receive fair treatment in their contract with Motown Records, said J. Randy Taraborrelli, a CBS News analyst and author of “Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness.”

Jackson has also claimed that he was abused for years by his father, Joe Jackson. In the Martin Bashir documentary at the heart of the prosecution’s case, Jackson said his father beat him and his brothers if they didn’t learn their performance routines quickly enough.

“If you didn’t do it the right way he would tear you up, really get you,” Jackson said, adding that his father hit him with “whatever’s around — throw you up against the wall, hard as he could.”

Jackson has already been portrayed as a victim during the trial, with his ex-wife Deborah Rowe testifying that some of his associates were “opportunistic vultures” trying to make money off of him.

Defense attorneys are expected to call witnesses including Jay Leno and Kobe Bryant to try to show that the family of the boy accusing him of molestation also has a history of trying to ingratiate themselves to celebrities for profit.

Clearing up misconceptions

Los Angeles — Actress Neve Campbell said relatives with epilepsy have inspired her to support an epilepsy “bill of rights” to draw attention to the disease and options for coping with it.

People with epilepsy and members of the health care community created the “bill of rights” to tell people with epilepsy what they can demand in the workplace and at school and to provide information about the disease and its treatment, Campbell said.

Her cousin Coleen Campbell-Olwell has the disease that affects an estimated 2.5 million adults and children in the United States. She controls it with medication and said it has not interfered with her life or career as a Hollywood makeup artist.

Epilepsy is characterized by seizures that occur when neurological electrical circuits misfire. Seizures can range from a short glassy-eyed stare to convulsions and unconsciousness.

Pre-release concert

New York — The Dave Matthews Band is celebrating the release of its latest album, “Stand Up,” by performing a concert that will be broadcast live on the Web by AOL.

The group will perform tonight at the club Roseland for its latest album’s Tuesday release.

“We are excited about going back to play Roseland,” Matthews said in a statement. “One of the best things about it is that our fans all over the world can check it out on AOL Music.”

The multiplatinum group will tour the nation during the summer.

Mom’s the word

Sacramento, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger observed Mother’s Day in his weekly radio address by recalling that when he was a small boy his mother would carry him in a backpack over a mountain to visit the doctor.

The former Hollywood star’s mother, Aurelia, died in 1998.

He said her “unconditional love” was illustrated by the mountain treks she took when he was sick.

“It was an hour and a half hike,” the Republican governor said Saturday. “But it didn’t matter to her if it was snowing, or raining, or bitter cold. All that mattered to her was taking care of me.”

Schwarzenegger also praised his wife, Maria Shriver, for the “million different roles” she plays — most of all as mother of their four children.

The governor closed with a challenge: Do something nice for your mom. “It doesn’t have to be a material thing, even though some diamonds wouldn’t hurt,” Schwarzenegger said. “But just spend some time with her.”

Mum’s the word

Is Tommy Lee dating perennial party girl Tara Reid?

The syndicated entertainment show “Extra” asked the bad boy rocker to talk about his upcoming NBC reality series, “Tommy Goes to College.” But that’s not all inquiring minds wanted to know.

When asked to set the record straight about recent reports linking Lee to Reid, Lee said, “I knew that was coming. Yes, she’s fun. I just met her.”

But are they a couple? Lee laughed and said, “Did I tell you the show airs Aug. 9?”

Lee’s roommate, an honor student, said, “Tommy Lee is a very clean guy. He’s found a way to make himself look grungy, but he’s a very clean guy.”