Casey Anthony Trial

[Bruce's_Mom]

Oh I agree...I believe he is trying to be zealous in his defense but I do not believe Mr. Baez is qualified for a death case. In Washington State an attorney must become "death qualified" in order to provide representation in a capital murder case. Basically an attorney must show there competency in criminal defense work at the highest level, years of experience and expertise in mitigation. I think FL has the same system of “qualifying” attorneys but it appears that they will commit public funds for attorneys that are not death qualified and will not disqualify attorneys that do not have that designation.

Jose Baez barely graduated from a third tier law school…He was a lexisnexis rep before starting his own firm (i.e. he has no experience practicing under skilled attorneys). The motions I have read that he has already filed are perhaps well grounded in existing law but he has not properly supported them. He has missed deadlines as you point out. I also think that strategically he has made huge missteps. By introducing such a wild alternate theory in conjunction with the sex abuse allegations Baez has almost relieved the State of its burden of proof. He now is in a position where he has to prove these things…Not a good position to be in. Given the truly bizarre nature of this case and the lack of strong motive evidence for Casey to kill her own child, there might have been a defense ability to pause at accidental death but what happened is that in the opening, the defense went too far, raised other sensational allegations that they don't seem to have any evidence to backing them up.

The defense performance at a Frye hearing in May gives me even more pause…They filed a motion for a Frye hearing the proceeded to question the witness way outside the scope and seemed to believe that she could get other testimony excluded without filing a motion. The correct procedure would be to have the Frye hearing deal with the scientific issues then file a motion to exclude the prior testimony at the hearing, the witness or file a motion in limine at some point…The defense could’ve won that Frye hearing had they understood its scope and purpose. Instead, the judge had to instruct them on this and the findings of the expert in regards to hair banding indicating the presence of a dead body in the trunk of the car routinely driven by only the Casey during the time frame Caylee was missing, but unreported as missing to authorities was admitted for trial.

What bothers me the most is that the judge throughout has been essentially offering the defense attorneys legal advice and they have not been taking it. It is apparent from the fact the court must instruct the defense when they need to file a motion, the defense is not aware of this on their own. A lack of understanding about routine court matters such as when and why to file a motion demonstrates a frightening lack of legal knowledge on the part of the defense.

It is really just a circus and a set up for an ineffective assistance of counsel appeal. However, you see those in every single death case. So really this is no additional burden on tax payers. Though with missed deadlines, things of that nature they may get a little more thought from an appeals court…

As for the book deal well Marsha Clark was a prosecutor…The relationship to the case is entirely different. A defense attorney can write a book about some experiences working on a case but the attorney client privilege would likely prevent all the juicy stuff from coming out. That privilege belongs to Casey Anthony it is sacrosanct. Baez cannot violate it. Any book a defense attorney could write is worth far less than $4 million…Look at the book by the attorney for the Green River Killer, so interesting it sold like 2000 copies…A book about representing the most prolific serial killer of all time was that unsuccessful.

[Bruce's_Mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Got to ask you, since you represent children, doesn't it drive you insane, when you KNOW the parents are guilty, and some attorney is misleading the judge just to win the case, even though he/she knows it will be harmful to the children?

Well I am in depency court...Though it is a "quasi criminal" area of law when the state seeks to terminate parental rights they are still civil matters so procedurally things operate a bit differently...Generally there are different attorneys representing the parents in any criminal proceeding that may have resulted from an allegation of abuse or neglect...However, the answer to your question is no.

I am there to advocate for the best interest of my client, the child. The defense attorney is there to advocate for his client. We both do our jobs and the system works. I have found myself in many situations where the state has sought termination of parental rights when it was clear that the parents just needed services to correct parental deficiencies and that if rights were terminated my client would be lost in the foster system and never achieve permancy. In those cases the defense attorneys have been my closest allies in protecting my clients. In fact my significant other routinely represents parents in dependency matters and he happens to be one of the most honest and thoughtful attorneys I know.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Bruce's_Mom

Well I am in depency court...Though it is a "quasi criminal" area of law when the state seeks to terminate parental rights they are still civil matters so procedurally things operate a bit differently...Generally there are different attorneys representing the parents in any criminal proceeding that may have resulted from an allegation of abuse or neglect...However, the answer to your question is no.

I am there to advocate for the best interest of my client, the child. The defense attorney is there to advocate for his client. We both do our jobs and the system works. I have found myself in many situations where the state has sought termination of parental rights when it was clear that the parents just needed services to correct parental deficiencies and that if rights were terminated my client would be lost in the foster system and never achieve permancy. In those cases the defense attorneys have been my closest allies in protecting my clients. In fact my significant other routinely represents parents in dependency matters and he happens to be one of the most honest and thoughtful attorneys I know.

Thanks for you thoughtful and informative answers. I hope you can keep us updated on this trial, I've learned so much from all your posts.

[susan lynn]

I agree with Nancy, thanks for the post with this case. I try to watch some of it on TV but I really can't stand seeing Casey sitting there with no emotions, what a waste of time and money. Too complicated for me.

[chachi]

It is interesting and the forensics have been very interesting and now they are into looking into her cell phone and computer so its super interesting. I am waiting to see how defense can explain their case when those jail house tapes show Casey lying no matter if Caylee died the way the prosecution claims or the way the defense claims. I think she will bbe found guilty but wont get the death penalty

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by susan lynn

I agree with Nancy, thanks for the post with this case. I try to watch some of it on TV but I really can't stand seeing Casey sitting there with no emotions, what a waste of time and money. Too complicated for me.

I agree. I really cannot force myself to watch very much of it. Nothing going to change the outcome anyway. It just sickens me to watch and listen and to know that darling child is gone.

[Bitsy]

A note: These are just my opinions. No one has to agree with them!


A few things I've noticed. Casey's chair clearly sits about 5 inches lower than the other chairs. I saw a shot that showed the back of the chairs, and it was very obvious. She is like 5'2", but they are trying to make her seem like a little child. Ridiculous.

Today she is all tears and snot. FAKE. There have been tons of comments about her sitting there with a surly look on her face, are we supposed to believe that her attorney didn't tell her to produce some good tears today? Of course he did. She spends so much time wiping her eyes and and nose, this is to create the redness that otherwise would not be there. I can't stand this woman. She has no real remorse. If there were real tears and snot, the tissue would not hold up!! She has the strongest tissue in the world I guess!!

Another thing is that Baez is really trying to be more polite and friendly. He also has read all the comments about what a jerk he was being and has now decided to present a like-able personality. I just find it interesting how public feedback can actually change things like this.

[chachi]

Casey crying looked fake to me also. I heard George and Cindy had to leave the room while they showed the pictures of the remains.

[gidget529]

I thought her tears seemed fake also. How a mother could callously throw the body of her child into the woods, in a garbage bag, I can't believe she has much feeling. I have treated my pets that have passed w more care. If this was really an accidental death, wouldn't a loving mother be horrified and at least want her little baby's body protected?

[LoALAnna]

I know that if that was my child and they were showing death photos like that, not only would I be prostrate from crying, I'd probably be throwing up, too!

[chachi]

Originally Posted by LoALAnna

I know that if that was my child and they were showing death photos like that, not only would I be prostrate from crying, I'd probably be throwing up, too!

Well they just recessed court because they said she was ill. Where was all this emotion went Caylee was missing and she was out partying

[gidget529]

You're kidding me - I missed that! They dismissed court today because Casey was not feeling well? Just making sure I heard you right...

Amazing! What a show! I guess they're going to be submitting this for Oscar or Emmy consideration for best leading actress in a drama!

Not too ill to compete in a Best Body Contest while her daughter was laying dead in a trash bag in the back of her car!!

[Peters]

ive stopped watching hln this this all they talk about! shes guilty of something!

[Bitsy]

Today the jury was given a clear view of who was the real victim as they viewed Caylee's skeletal remains.

Casey could not stand that....she is the victim (her own words!) and had to have a fake panic attack (or whatever) to draw attention back to herself.

She sickens me.

[RustysMom]

Casey Anthony is Joran Van Der Sloot in a female................ a sociopath....