This is a game theory analysis of three scenarios, two of which involve the legal strategies of Michael Jackson and Michael Irving.

1. Guard Prisoner Prisoner Guard Give cigarette Don’t give Bang Head Don’t Bang Give cigarette Don’t give Don’t Make Make Allegation 2 2 4 6 Make Allegation 1 5 3 4 Don’t Make 5 1 6 3 The Prison Guard, The Prisoner & The Cigarette From Pages 53 & 54 of You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen Analysis by John Dinsmore (dinsmojb@mail.uc.edu) Game Theory Project, John Dinsmore, dinsmojb@mail.uc.edu, Page Cohen uses this scenario to illustrate the point that people always have some form of leverage within a negotiation—and usually more than they realize. We a see a prisoner on death row who notices the person guarding his cell is smoking his favorite brand of cigarette—Marlboro “Reds”. Seemingly, the prisoner would not have leverage of any kind. He is, after all, a condemned man, securely behind bars and posing no physical threat to the guard. But, being crafty, the criminal says if the guard does not give him a cigarette, he will bang his head against the prison wall until it is badly bloodied. Then, when someone asks the prisoner what happened to him, he will say that the guard beat him up. By rule, an extensive investigation will take place which will drag the guard into months of depositions and other hassles which would threaten his career. And, it’s no skin off the prisoner’s nose as depositions would only break up the monotony of sitting in a cell 24 hours a day. While he would not relish the cracking his head open, he well may enjoy the deposition process. And if the prisoner is found out to be a fraud, what are they going to do, arrest him? After pondering the prisoner’s threat, the guard gives the prisoner a cigarette. This game models as a sequential game with perfect information. Both players are aware of each move the other makes. A good example of this is “Greenmail” (Figure 8.2) in the text. The payouts are assigned with the following logic: The guard’s priorities are not making being accused of anything, followed (distantly) by not having to give up a cigarette. The prisoner’s top priority is getting a cigarette, followed (distantly) by not having to bang his head against the wall.

4. Jackson Parent Parent Jackson Settle Don’t Settle Sue Publicly Don’t Sue Settle Don’t Settle Drop Case Trial ($74,000,000) $2,000,000 ($5,100,000) $3,300,000 ($50,200,00) $6,600,000 ($40,200,000) ($20,000) ($100,000) $0 Similar Examples From Real Life—Michael Jackson & Child Molestation Game Theory Project, John Dinsmore, dinsmojb@mail.uc.edu, Page In the instance of a parents weighing whether or not to bring suit against Michael Jackson for sexual misconduct with their children, it follows the “Prisoner-cigarette” example closely. The parent seemingly has nothing to lose and Jackson seemingly has everything to lose. In fact, even just the accusations becoming public has a significant negative payoff for Jackson in terms of lower record sales and other lost revenue. So, the further the Parent takes the case, the more negative publicity is generated and the more Jackson loses in revenue—which takes the possibility of a countersuit off the table for Jackson. However, similar to the “Prisoner” scenario, the Parent’s payoff is not linear to number of rounds played, there is a point of diminishing returns, and can likely achieve a larger settlement pre-trial than a jury would ever return. In this instance, I will list the payoffs in terms of financial benefit (loss) which will also reflect legal fees and lost sales to Jackson. The parent faces few costs as the attorney is taking the case on contingency, but as the case becomes more public, there will be some costs incurred—time off from work, security precautions needed as a result of the publicity, etc. Verdict--Jackson Verdict--Parent ($71,000,000) ($40,000)

5. Jackson Parent Parent Jackson Settle Don’t Settle Sue Publicly Don’t Sue Settle Don’t Settle Drop Case Trial ($74,000,000) $2,000,000 ($5,100,000) $3,300,000 ($50,200,00) $6,600,000 ($40,200,000) ($20,000) ($100,000) $0 Similar Examples From Real Life—Michael Jackson & Child Molestation Game Theory Project, John Dinsmore, dinsmojb@mail.uc.edu, Page Verdict--Jackson Verdict--Parent ($71,000,000) ($40,000) In using backward induction, we see that in round four, the parent would choose a trial over dropping the case as that would be the only positive payout among the three possibilities. In round three, Jackson would choose to settle, knowing that as big a loss as that is, it’s better than the $70MM loss he would face—win or lose—going to trial. In round two, the Parent is going to choose “Sue Publicly” as there is a substantial payoff to that move, versus the zero payoff of not suing Jackson. Finally, Jackson’s choice at the first round is between a $5.1 MM loss and a (best case scenario) loss of $71,000,000. Jackson chooses to settle. Jackson Settle Don’t Settle ($5,100,000) $3,300,000 ($71,000,000) ($40,000)

6. Similar Examples From Real Life—Michael Irvin & Sexual Assault Accusation Game Theory Project, John Dinsmore, dinsmojb@mail.uc.edu, Page One example in the real world that is similar to the “Prisoner-Cigarette” negotiation was the recent rape accusation levels against Hall-of-Fame football player Michael Irvin by a woman in South Florida. Irvin, who had a reputation over the years as someone who enjoyed “Wine, Women and Song” to excess, would fill the role of the guard in this scenario. Given his reputation, an accusation of misconduct would be more easily believed than if he had a stellar reputation. Additionally, his already dubious reputation gives him no reservations about fighting the allegations publicly. The stakes of the case are financial as she signed a waiver of criminal charges. Jane Doe likely has an attorney working on contingency, so she incurs no out of pocket legal expense/transactional costs. Jane Doe has little to lose—or so she thinks. Like the Ransom example in the text (Figure 8.3)**, Irvin and his attorney decide to alter the payoffs of the game. But, instead of putting a bounty on her head, they countersue for $100 Million and threaten to ruin her financially if she fails to bring a substantive case. **Note: The Payoffs from the “Ransom” example have been changed slightly to reflect the different contexts. ***Please also note: The analysis of either the Jackson or Irvin cases makes no assumptions about guilt or innocence, only legal strategy used to achieve the optimal outcome on their behalf.