娱乐英语新闻:Auction of Miachael Jackson collection halted

LOS ANGELES, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A high-profile public auction of treasures owned by Michael Jackson has been halted after the former pop star changed his mind, an auction house executive here said Tuesday.

    The auction of the eclectic assemblage, a catalog of the singer' s career and eccentricities, was earlier set to begin April 22 at Julien's Auctions in Los Angeles.

    According to Darren Julien, president and chief executive of the auction house, a resolution had been reached with Michael Jackson, who wants to halt the sale to retain ownership of his possessions.

    "He contracted us to conduct the auction and had a change of mind for whatever reason," said Julien. "We honor and respect that. We're very happy with the outcome."

Michael Jackson's gilded throne is pictured in Beverly Hills, California April 13, 2009

The treasures, which went on view to the public Tuesday in a Bevery Hills building, were collected from Jackson's Neverland estate near Los Angeles, which the pop star vacated after being acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005.

    Representatives of Jackson's production company last month filed suit at a Los Angeles court to stop the auction, claiming that certain items, including a carousel horse with an inscription from Hollywood film star Elizabeth Taylor, are irreplaceable and that Jackson had not signed the auction contract.

    However, the judge dismissed that attempt to have the contract ruled invalid, and Jackson had been seeking a preliminary injunction to delay the sale.

Michael Jackson's marble and parcel-gilt chess set is displayed in Beverly Hills, California April 13, 2009. Items from the life and career of the pop star will be auctioned from April 22-25.