Los Angeles (CNN) -- A top AEG executive referred to Michael Jackson as "the freak" and another called him "creepy" just hours before their company signed the pop icon to a huge concert deal. The revelation brought an audible gasp in the Los Angeles courtroom at the wrongful death trial Wednesday and left fans crying. Jackson's mother and children are suing AEG Live for what they say was the negligent hiring, retention or supervision of Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death. Katherine Jackson watched from the front row as her lawyer questioned AEG Live Senior Vice President and General Counsel Shawn Trell about an e-mail exchange with his boss at parent company AEG.
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NEW: Katherine Jackson leaves court weeping Thursday
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AEG Live lawyer tells boss idea of meeting Jackson is "kind of creepy"
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Jackson's mother and children claim the concert promoter is liable in his death
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AEG Live contends Jackson, not it, chose the doctor convicted in his death
@placeholder earlier testified that he was excited to meet Jackson for the first time and was impressed with his "good, firm handshake."