Jul 6, 2009 1:50 pm US/Eastern
Attorney: Debbie Rowe Won't Attend Funeral
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
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View of a memorial poster signed by Michael Jackson fans outside Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 5, 2009.
AP
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The Staples Center which is one of the possible locations for a public memorial service for music legend Michael Jackson, after his recent death, in Los Angeles on July 1, 2009.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
An attorney for Debbie Rowe says Michael Jackson's ex-wife is backing out of plans to attend the pop superstar's memorial service.
Rowe, the mother of Jackson's two oldest children, had originally planned to attend Tuesday's memorial service at the Staples Center.
But Rowe attorney Marta Almli said Monday her attendance would be "an unnecessary distraction" and that Rowe will "celebrate Michael's memory privately."
Rowe, under intense media scrutiny since Jackson passed away, was caught on camera Sunday getting testy with reporters. Jackson's ex-wife appeared upset over questions as to whether she would seek legal custody of her two children with the pop legend.
Watch the video at CBS station KCBS-TV in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles police say Michael Jackson's family is planning a private ceremony at a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.
Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said Sunday that his department is working with the Jackson family on a "private family function" at the Forest Lawn cemetery. He had no other details.
McDonnell also says police plan to shut down streets on Tuesday for blocks around the downtown Staples Center where a public memorial service is planned. Police are trying to keep out tens of thousands of fans who could come without tickets.
More than 1.6 million fans registered for a random drawing of tickets to the ceremony. Each of the 8,750 people selected to receive a pair of tickets will be notified by e-mail Sunday.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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