Today’s hearing: Casey asks for her Bloody Black Backpack Back
As we all know, Casey has filed to be declared indigent because she ran through all the money she got from her days of home confinement. Remember those days in 2008, when she’d spend almost all day of everyday at Baez’s law offices? Remember how she’d show up at his office with her flip-flops, “hey I’mma rock star” sunglasses, and that mighty swollen backpack full of…
What? Well, Caylee, that’s what. Remember how Leonard Padilla said he bonded her out because he was convinced if she just got out of jail she would be able to help find Caylee? Remember how we never saw any evidence of her assisting in finding Caylee during that period? WRONG! The backpack was the evidence. Casey WAS looking for Caylee. She looked for Caylee in the photo albums, she looked for Caylee in memento boxes, and she looked for Caylee on computers filled with digital pics and videos. She spent ALL her time, looking for Caylee – oh, and watching One Tree Hill, and obsessively listening to weird songs about hiding secrets; and making bracelets, surfing Myspace and Facebook and eating strangers’ pizzas.
The reason we were confused that Casey never looked for, or assisted in looking for Caylee is that while half the world looked for a living Caylee at that time, and the other half looked for a dead Caylee at that time – Casey was looking for a marketable Caylee at that time. THAT Caylee would be found in sellable forms of media: pictures and videos. Remember how, in Cindy’s formal deposition with the prosecution in 2009, when they started talking about a picture of Casey and Caylee and whether Cindy had seen Casey leaving with pictures of Caylee and all of a sudden Baez did an on-the-record wig-out, followed by an off-the-record wig-out, followed by an on-the-record “ZIP IT!”?
Remember how that went down? Cindy started saying I’ve never seen this list, and the question of pictures came up and Baez said don’t answer that, and then Cindy had one of her traditional “My mouth just ran off with my bare-ass” moments? Baez couldn’t get her to shut up and hollered right there on tape – ZIP IT! – to his precious Rosebud? Remember how Baez challenged Miss Linda and said this was all determined to be confidential, and don’t go there? He was referring to the private conversation that took place between Judge Strickland, the defense attorneys, and the prosecution on the question of – where you getting all this money, Jose?
So why am I taking a stroll down this bad-memory lane? Because today’s hearing is docketed to discuss the motion the defense filed declaring Casey indigent. In other words, Casey wants her Bloody Black Backpack Back. Only this time it will be in the form of the state of Florida paying for her defense going forward because she claims to have ran through all her lunch money.
Now, the Florida Justice Administrative Commission (JAC), who administers funds for indigent defendants has formerly expressed concerns to the court. Their concerns reduce to: Why is a defendant who has been able to pay out, according to her own formal statement to the court, over $110,000 on her own defense asking to be declared indigent and get state funds for her defense? Can the defendant provide further proof she is, in fact, indigent? WHAT does the defendant think she’s going to pay for with the state’s monies? Because, they more or less state, we’re not sure we agree with what she’s going to say!
Now, Baez has already proffered an informal statement as to why Casey is having to do this. First, it’s the state’s fault. See, if the state would just REFUSE to prosecute Casey for murdering her own daughter, she – he – and they – would still have lots of dough. BUT, because the state of Florida has some kind of neurotic obsession with attempting to bring justice for victims and get murderers off their streets, they have left Casey, Baez et al. bereft of funds to do – whatever the heck it is they have now done for 17 months. And that’s actually real unclear considering – on paper it doesn’t really look like they’ve done a darned thing EXCEPT…
- try to get Roy Kronk named a suspect because his bitter ex-wife has decided her last parting shot to the world will be aimed square at Kronk’s head (oh, and he plays World of Warcraft);
- refused to even formally NAME their expert witnesses to the court, or any other witnesses;
- until the past few days not conduct any depositions;
- and completely ignore the court’s request that they provide the evidence that would support their conspireh-theory that SOMEONE planted Caylee’s body on Suburban Driver after Casey’s grand jury indictment and subsequent long-term residency at OCSO jail.
Oh wait, that list is incomplete:
- spend most of the money on the media circuit making outlandish statements like “there’s just as much evidence Kronk killed Caylee as there is evidence Casey did” or “Casey didn’t kill her kid”;
- and pissing Mark Nejame off so bad he just formally bitch-slapped Jose in front of God and everybody…in writing, even!
Second, Baez states – Casey hasn’t made any income while she’s been sitting in jail. I think this statement is TOTALLY TRUE. She made it all during that home confinement period prior to the indictment – she made it out of her very own big phat bloody backpack.
Speaking of which, in addition to us hearing the JAC demand to know some things we’ve ALL wondered (like just exactly how much money DID you make off your murdered daughter’s pictures? and where did it all go?), we MIGHT get to hear
- the judge rule on the motions going back and forth between Baez and Nejame. See, Baez filed a motion claiming Nejame and his client Tim Miller (aka TES) withheld searcher information. That’s when Nejame put a formal smackdown on Baez’s ass by explaining that not only had they turned over ALL searchers that TES has records were involved in TES searches on Suburban, but they had ALL 4000+ searchers’ records at their office and Baez STILL hasn’t shown up himself, OR sent some one to set and review those documents. NOW – Baez DID send a bevy of folks over there to COPY all those records. Nejame ran them off – as he should have, because that is AGAINST what the court ordered. Nejame didn’t just ask the judge to deny Baez’s new motion…he kind of asked the judge to point out “what a waste…a huge waste” of time it constitutes to all involved by requesting the judge award TES attorney fees for the bullcrap time spent on this.
- the judge rule on the motions filed by the defense to exclude everything from pictures of Casey shaking her bling-bling in public while her daughter rotted in a swamp, to every single statement ever made by anyone that would – point to Casey being a worthless piece of shit, lying about where her daughter was while Caylee was rotting in a swamp, forgetting to breathe because she needed to lie instead, being a stealing parasite, etc. Included in those statements the defense wants excluded are…Cindy’s 911 calls, because…uhh…I’m not sure, but because they are hearsay, that’s why.
In short, today WILL be interesting, it’s just a matter of HOW interesting it could become. But at the end of the day I think my crystal ball can predict that the best advice for pauper-Princess Poopie Pants is this:
Just don’t expect to get your bloody black backpack back…
Valhall.
Related posts:
- The Backpack
- A hearing, a couple of bombshells and a lot of questions
- Today’s Hearing: Death or Cake
- Caylee Anthony case: A hearing on contrivance
- 200,031 Reasons I believe Casey is Guilty
Tags: backpack, casey anthony, caylee anthony, funds, indigent, jose baez, mark nejame, photographs, TES, tim miller
651 People have left comments on this post
Val you are simply the best!! I have read & re-read everything you have written on this site. So thankful for your time & effort and all others who contribute!!!!
Chill
Val, you always ZING it!! Awesome. Just pure awesomeness.
It’s ironic that, considering the vast amount of media attention, press, pictures and videos flying everywhere, audio tapes, text messaging, and cell phone pinging that has gone on in the case, the defense STILL doesn’t seem to understand that everything they (and their client) have done and said (and haven’t done and said) can be documented.
Words just don’t mean that much in this case.
Casey Anthony, her parents, her brother, even her attorneys, have demonstrated time and time again that their words are completely unreliable. It’s their actions, as documented in the evidence and the videos and pictures and writings, that is going to matter in this case.
Bombshell article re. “Twin Sisters Claiming Affair Have Arrest Records” is a must read:
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22873305/detail.html
Me and my awful, terrible hangover NEEDED this perfect slice of VAL HEAVEN with my morning coffee!!!!!!
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!
(sorry for St. Patty’s Day rant=(!… Silver should never have THAT much to drink)
Just as long as you weren’t BUI (biking under the influence), we can handle “blogging under the influence”.
Val, I think you summed it all perfectly. All the “blood” money was spent while Casey was out on bond. Baez charged Casey by the hour to sit in his office six hours a day visiting Myspace, Facebook, playing computer games and scarfing down free food so she didn’t have to listen to Cindy and George screaming at protesters and Cindy hovering over her shoulder prodding her, “Sweetheart, tell us where Caylee is so we can go get her from Zanny.” What is his going rate: $500 an hour?
Baez was busy marketing Caylee as soon as he got Casey’s signature on a contract to represent her. He knew TV shows pay big bucks for pictures, book and movie rights on high profile cases. He was even bragging in the summer about how he’d gotten offers of up to $1 million for Casey to tell her story and was considering them before he realized it was a conflict of interest and told his mouthpiece Todd Black aka convicted felon Gil Cabot to retract that statement.
Caylee’s Murder turned into a big business for Casey, Cindy, George and Casey’s defense team. The frequent jaunts to New York to appear on all major networks, CNN and Fox had a three fold purpose: earn big bucks from licensing fees, get publicity for themselves and spread propaganda that Caylee was alive and Casey was innocent. Nothing they had to say was news. Most of it was bald face lies. But as long as the networks would pay, they were hot to trot.
Now they are crying they are out of money and want the taxpayers to now pay for the depositions, experts and tests that they should have been doing in the last year and a half. Casey and her defense team wants to steal from the public like she has stolen from everyone around her for many years.
Val,
What do you think the chances are of Baez ending up disbarred from this? Seriously, it can’t have been legal. I just can’t believe the way the vultures have circled on this case. That poor child is being used just for money. It’s sickening. Karma is a heck of a thing, and I think it’s coming back around in Orlando very shortly.
Jen
This may be a little off topic, but i could never understand why the court didn’t limit the amount of time Casey spent at Baez’s office. I mean, come on 6-7 hours a day. Did he have no other clients to deal with. I think 3 hours per day would have been more than ample time to compile all the photos they planned on selling. I think the judge should have stepped in and stopped that nonsense. BTW, great article Val.
Lol on the title, I like that song. Great article too!
@ Silverspnr
Nice try GF, but we all know that Posting Under the Influence (PUI) is a 3rd degree Misdemeanor and you are subsequently found guilty. Your punishment, like a hangover isn’t enough, is Community Service! Length of said Community Service shall be determined by Valhall.
Now head to Waffle House (seriously, I know from experience this is the ONLY cure for a hangover) and get the Corned-beef hash, eggs over easy and a pecan waffle (syrup only, no butter!)
@ Valhall
srsly!?!? stop breaking the innerwebs!!!1 zomg 404 = /nerdragequit : (
lol
This is the MOST priceless sentence ever!!
“and pissing Mark Nejame off so bad he just formally bitch-slapped Jose in front of God and everybody…in writing, even!
Brilliant! I love you!
Val, nice, very, very nice. You are great!
Wonderful! With all of the other stuff going on, I’d forgotten that Judge Strickland may also rule on Nejame’s righteous JB smack-down & the hearsay motions, too.
That was a delicious piece of writing, Val. Still laughing.
Loved the article, you talk about a back pack, is that the one where Casyee walked around the house collecting things to bring to Bozo’s office? If so that means he was the go between making deals to sell the pics and videos. Casey has not been working for a few years, he knew then she was indegent and still took the case. He is the one I bet talked her into selling off Caylee’s pics. Any one that has touched anything in this case or involved in this case should be a shamed of themselves. They all need to go to prison. This is worst case of blood money ever ….
Sing it sister! You have the best way of expressing the outrage we feel. Love what you do Val!
Sure it’s Kronk’s fault, the Grunds fault, the state’s fault —– These people will never stop til they are all locked up!! Didn’t Baez wave the speedy trial?? Well – maybe if it was tried like a NORMAL case like EVERYONE else has – it wouldn’t be so expensive! Not that I believe the Bozo and TotMom lines – Their Idiotic motions, public appearances, promoting new books, flying in for movie and book consultations better be on their expense report!!
Val – great post! I had the same reaction as you to the ‘its the prosecutions fault’ statement. Im amazed at the audacity.
Now that you got that out of my system, I feel much better.
Thanks Val.
Wow – try saying “bloody black backpack back” 10 times, LOL!!
Great article Val, as always!!
Hey Val..
I am so glad you wrote about the “zip-it” factor.. I had read so many ridiculous and inaccurate “theories” regarding why Bozo was melting down during that moment…
It was SO obvious why BOZO did not want it revealed ( what Cindy had “witnessed”
that while Casey was out on bond ( and while others were out searching for her dead child) the only urgent concern for Casey was ransacking her parents house to get her hot little hands on EVERY F-ING video, photo , or image of her daughter—to SELL for her defense…
Really, when you think about how early on in the case it was ( just a few months in to it ) what type of a REAL MOTHER would be hocking her “MISSING” child’s photos for PROFIT?…
The entire family is just toooooo disgusting for words.. ivoire
Does anyone know if the hearing is going to be broadcast live? Where can I watch it? Thanks!
It is nice to have a laugh during such a serious matter. That is why I love this site. Val your way with words entice the reader while thinking back to all that has been said and done in this tragic case, your timing with the humor is just remarkable. Thanks for all you do, yet another PPP masterpiece.
KZ – WFTV 9 for one, also WESH. 11 AM
Thanks Val, I needed this today!
I mentioned the other day in another topic that I felt that Bozo had pissed away much of the money by charging for Casey to sit in his office everyday. I hope she didn’t think he was letting her stay there out of the pure goodness of his heart.
Thanks Val, this article sort of took away some of the anger that I have, but alot of it is still there.
I should have brought my digital camera to work with me today and just meandered on down the street for the show!
Thanks NDP! Will look on those internet sites. I’m in a different time zone.
Did n’t Mark NeJame request in his doc to start charging Bozo for his wast of motion filling for incorrect wording and a wast of time for his motions.. I hope I explained myself correctly
Val, My Lord, <—-not actually calling you Lord ok?! I don't even have words to express how brilliant you truly are. This was so right on.
KZ…I’m watching coverage on TRU TV right now and they will be showing the hearing also in about an hour.
Great article Val. So much time has passed that I keep forgetting about all that time she spent in Bozo’s office.
TRU TV just had an interview with Brad Conway. God, he’s such a blowhard.
Great job, Valhall. I don’t normally post but am a dedicated reader. I have to echo Clockwatcher’s admiration of the “formally bitch slap” line. What do you wear to a formal bitch slap? Why, Black Tie of course! At any rate, terrific article. I still maintain that all the fighting about the GAG (and I mean that in every sense of the word,) order was so that Baez and Co. could reap the benefits of the Caylee pics and videos.
Thanks to you and all your posters for an entertaining and informative read.
Val, I have been reading you posts for about a month now. Still trying to catch up, but I love, love, love, this site. I might loose my job if I don’t quit my addiction. You have such an informative but hilarious way of putting things together for me.
Does anyone know if the hearing will be streamed live over the internet, and on what site?
The hearing will also be livestreamed at orlandosentinel.com at 11 a.m. for those of you not in the Orlando viewing area.
Whoa…the judge just released the info in the motion from the State. TRU TV should get it shortly.
Sorry…..I mean the motion the State wanted sealed.
Thanks Barb in Illinois. Going to find Tru TV.
WESH has live video up now. Link on homepage. Thanks everyone!
The Defense is punishing the State for adding the DP ~ that’s for sure. How long is Strickland going to let them play that tired, old hand? They have used it as an excuse for almost everything to date. I am appalled at what they (Baez/Anthonys seemingly have been allowed to do without repercussions so far. Unless this really is the beginning of their house of cards tumbling down. Please God, make it so! Only 13 minutes till court time. I’m not overly excited cause I expect Strickland won’t rule on anything to day. He is so patient. But, I hope I’m wrong. SYL!
I shouldn’t have used the word REPERCUSSION in my sentence above. In fact there almost always IS repercussions to what they do (lying, obstructing justice, framing innocents . . .) but not the repercussions they were hoping for. It seems like they’ve been caught on everything to date and maybe this finally is the beginning of the end.
morning everyone!
i am watching WFTV9 Live, then i went from 100% to 200% , MUCH better picture!!!!
5 minutes to go and I still don’t see George and Cindy in court. Hmmmmm
WESH reported just posted that Cheney Mason has officially joined the defense team! Is Andrea Lyons done????
So. Apparently J. Cheney Mason – one of the strongest criminal defense attorney’s in the nation. Over 50 successfully prosecuted according to Bill Strickland. Sitting on the defense bench with Baez.
I meant 50 successfully ‘defended’ not prosecuted.
OT….Lily, did you used to post on Gretawire?
Awwwww. No gum chewing in the courtroom. Guess Smackin’ Cindy and Chompin’ Geo will have to wait outside.
Nope? Not me Barb. Not sure what Greta wire is?
Oh, it’s a blog (my first one actually), associuated with Greta Van Sustren? Your posts seemed kinda familiar to me. Well….. nice to know you. LOL
I still don’t see the “Scamthony’s”
You too Barb!
Mason is pro-bono. He say’s they want to discuss cost issues ‘in camera’
JAC – can’t hear them on the speaker phone. What a mess.
Court reporter can’t even understand what their saying
Someone has an assisted listening device in the PA system
OMG how can this proceed this way?
Guess he couldn’t afford to be there live. LOL Judge gave Baez such a look about wanting to get rid of the microphone again. LOL
I guess ya’ll in Florida will have to pay for an audio engineer
This is bloody ridiculous! Would someone explain to me why Tallahassee could not have had someone appear in person for this hearing???????? This is Florida after all!!
Linda…Oh, I didn’t realize he was so close. This is nuts! Casey’s getting a kick out of it though. She makes me ill!!!!
My picture is so horrible, very pixeled and discolored. I’ve tried WFTV and WESH. Is everyone having this trouble? Can someone provide a link with a good picture? It can’t be my pc because other videos play fine.
“NO NO NO”- Andrea Lyon & Casey Anthony simultaneously shaking their heads, wish I could hear it.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/casey-anthony-motion
Can anyone hear what the JAC guy is saying? I’m watching it on wftv.com and can’t hear a thing.
Annette…Crystal clear on TRU TV if you can get it.
Wow, Cheney Mason has joined the team! Consider him in the same quality realm as Mark NeJame. Cheney is a high profile DP attorney and is an excellent attorney.
Baez was seen with him a few days ago so I was wondering about him. Early on, he said he would not take this case for less that mocho dollars. Maybe someone asked him to get involved to get this thing back on track and maybe this is the beginning of AL exit strategy.
Oops..nope, I can’t hear the guy either.
Sounds like he’s not making a good argument: prospective fees vs cost
KC thinks this is all so funny. This is so sad. This has become a circus.
Isn’t it ironic that she wants the taxpayers to pay for her attorney costs because she has indigent status… yet look at the fire power she walked into the courtroom with. Something’s fishy.
Well…this is an ice cream cone in the dirt isn’t it??? LOL
Can anyone relay what JAC rep is arguing?
Linda- JAC usually attends telephonically. It would be a departure from standard for them to attend in person and probably don’t want to show any special treatment.
Thanks for the link! Now I can see!! Yippee!
Please watch Linda KB. She is sitting there posing like she was doing a photo shoot! Casey seems to be amused by this whole thing-she makes me sick as well!! Makes me nervous that they have added new attorney AND a Florida one as well.
“Vetted this business already”…Mason. “I kind of know about the source” Strickland.
“I don’t have much about the source” Strickland
“It’s nobodies business”..Mason
I HATE THE DEFENSE!!! Honestly.
I think it needs to be out here in open court-Strickland
5 Minute private meeting for the defense to discuss the judge’s notion that it ALL NEEDS TO BE OUT IN THE OPEN!!
Holy cow…is this a mess. No George & Cindy in court. I thought they wouldn’t show up.
Oops…I lie…They just showed them. DUH!
Score one for the good guys!
Listen to those leg irons rattling as Casey is being led out for the 5 minute private meeting!!
George looks really uncomfortable.
» WSH said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:18 } George looks really uncomfortable.
Like I said before, I’d hate to be his underpants! LMAO
Whois George talking to?
I feel kind of sorry for him, don’t hit me!
IAnyone just notice a couple min after defence team left for their conference that the mannext to Cindy showed her something on a cell phone and she promptly got up and left courtroom. Hmmmm!!
Is Cindy there?
George is talking to the former ABC producer/filmmaker. Can’t remember his name — Jim somethingStein.
Did Cindy even acknowledge George as she walked passed him to leave the courtroom? I don’t think so!!
Where is Conway?
George is thinking about who he’s going to boink next. That’s not a tan, it’s red-faced shame.
Cindy is there
Oh Boz!
I think their 5 minutes is up. Let’s go people!
Casey close friends with an inmate and Casey was writing her. State got the writings. This is what was in the motion sealed.
I hate how much Jose’s smirking makes me hate him. Go Judge Strickland
Sealed motion…..some sort of “writings”
Someone’s blackberry is sitting too close to an audio connection. So annoying.
Someone on tthe live blog said Joy was there.
Oh yea. Cindy’s body language is speaking volumes! Has had her back to him ever since she returned. Georgie’s is BIG TROUBLE.
» Boz said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:03 } George is thinking about who he’s going to boink next. That’s not a tan, it’s red-faced shame.
My feelings exactly. He’s a scuzz bucket. He SHOULD be uncomfortable.
The sealed motion had nothing to do with DC or River Cruz! Had to do with letters that Casey was writing to another inmate somewhere. They have the letters and there is an on going investigation by FDLE.
P.S. Ashton looks kinda hot with that beard. Ha Ha
guess we know why she was buying all those envelopes
Is the defense team not prepared for this? Would they have come into court today thinking this wasn’t going to happen? Did JB think Cheney Mason would take care of everything? Geesh.
Motion: Letters Casey wrote to another inmate with “something” pertinent, but NOT a confession. Jeanne Casaris (sp?) just reported.
How long’s it going to take to make up a story for the money? Obviously they thought Judge Stan was going in camera with this. WRONG!
Just remembered his name: Jim Lichtenstein.
Question? Why is it that CINDY AND george not working. They are perfectly fine to work.. They have both been lazy from the beginning wanting to collect monies from other places which they were, but just as KC dried up, they have to. It is so good to see that judge Strickland will not put up will bull. KC does not even remember what she is there for. She shows such disrespect for her daughter.
She made a friend in jail. How? and been writing letters WHAT
Can’t wait to find out what was in those letters. Geez…it’s gonna be a beautiful day in Illinois today and I’m still in my jammies in front of the TV. UGH
» Boz said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:20 }
[Unread Comment]
How long’s it going to take to make up a story for the money?
LOL
Barb
If you think he loks good…you should smell him! LOL
I don’t know what he wears for fragrance but….MAN it’s nice!
LOL Boz.
Is Cindy on drugs? Watch the weird things she is doing with her mouth. 8O
Tell us more about the letters.
WSH
They’re outside cooking the books, it may take a while lol
Man, old Judge Stan is really giving the defense what for. LOVE it!
» T2M said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:45 } Barb
If you think he loks good…you should smell him! LOL
I don’t know what he wears for fragrance but….MAN it’s nice!
How do you know that? You know him? Tell him Barb says he’s hot. LOL
I see Marinadedave there. Anyone know if Val or Blink is there?
Was that Bill Scheaffer and Marinade Dave that just went out the door together?
» karen lee said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:19 } LOL Boz.
Is Cindy on drugs? Watch the weird things she is doing with her mouth
Cindy doesn’t even look like Cindy anymore. She HAD to have had some work done.
Is that MD that just walked in?
Doubt it, they don’t live in FL.
Barb
I went to a few hearings, yep he’s a looker who also smells real good! lol
T2M…He’s a tall drink of water too huh? And pretty darn smart.
More arguments, A Lyon testimony. Sounds like they are still fighting the reveal?
Ashton sure is a hottie isn’t he!
T2M…OH…you must be one of the NORMAL people in Florida huh? LOL
I think Lee is hot too. (Don’t hit me) LOL
Is that MarinadeDave sitting behind the State?
Mason is putting on testimony with Andrea Lyon as a witness. They are going on the record – I think this means that she can be cross examined????
HOLY COW!!
LYON not LYONS dumb ass! She just spelled it for you.
What pisses me off is that if I killed my kid I wouldn’t get a dream team. I guess unless it was such a HORRIBLE crime like Casey did. This burns my butt that she has a dream team and wants more. Does she WANT us to hate her???
$$ Rec’d “technically” from Casey, WTF does that mean?
Barb
Fairly normal…down right boring compared to the A’s!
So boring I even know where my grandbaby is.
Put Jose on the stand!!
Don’t like this attorney
What could the HUGE secret be behind whose fitting the bill? Obama? Tiger Woods? Donald Trump? Who????
Andrea says no book deal, no movie deal, no deals at this time.
Lyon has been down here what, 5, 6 times. $21,000 for travel?
Why are they not asking Jose how he got paid? I trust Lyon more.
» T2M said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:16 } Barb
Fairly normal…down right boring compared to the A’s!
So boring I even know where my grandbaby is.
LOL….that’s pretty normal. Good one!
» WSH said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:34 } Put Jose on the stand!!
Ask and you shall receive. Ha Ha
Mason: Are you lead attorney for CMA?
JB: For all intents and purposes
What does that mean???
Baez: Re’cd some money…Zero money left. Hours: never tracked it.
Where did THAT money come from?? UUUUHHHH
Did JB say he isn’t keeping track of his billable hours??
What?!
Who paid for it? Why are they getting past that? We are on to estimates. Secret service consulted?
Notice CA’s hair is pulled back today — must not be any fake crying opportunities
Howcome casey cant claim money rights to diane fanning’s book?
JB is such a horrible public speaker
Road map….Strickland.
No movie deals book deals deals for interviews, photographs, pending offers? No discussions? ….
Retained ?? nothing could be pending etc. People have made offers and they were declined.
Apprched on book deal, never discussed.
WHY would the defense not come prepared with the figures on how the money thus far was spent?? They had to know Strickland was going to be asking for particulars.
What a bunch of morons.
$ 5K from a donor, $ 200k deal with ABC…BINGO
Who was the donor?
Ya know….Casey can’t talk to her family or friends and she writes letters to another inmate???? WTF
Jose just admitted there was 200K from ABC, and now he’s saying Macaluso gave 70K for costs!
OMG Mac donated money, didn’t he steal money from a client?
Private donor, Macaluso and ABC donated (?) money
I am at work and cannot watch. Thanks for all the comments. Keep them coming.
kp
JB babbles to much and gets in trouble with his rambling — look at the difference between him and Mason
They are coming to court about an issue and don’t bring documents, wtf?
They really prepared for this didn’t they. Jackasses!
OHH, back pedaling when asked if LKB has a promise of future payment — there is a scheme afoot, just got to ask the correct questions … please ask the correct questions.
What about the Anthonys, they stated that they paid at the beginning?
So they have received $275K so far. And, they have paid private investigators, etc.
hmmmm
Is this what that “March Madness” is all about?
LKB is recinding (sp) her retainer and going pro bono ’cause she hasn’t been paid anything anyways.
Something is still not right.
Damn, I wish we could hear that JAC dude!
Wants KC to testify?
10K Martie Mackenzie
Want KC to testify that there isn’t anything else anywhere –Mason says not going to happen.
Conway there
Casey didn’t say whether she had a contingency??
Any other motions today? Nejame?
Brad/C just rolled in.
Ruling deferred until fax from JAC to Strickland with any other questions.
ahhhh i have no audio..someone do a play by play….
OMG A REAL DEFENSE ATTORNY!! CASEY’S JAIL PEN PALS!! OMG
Brad Conway just entered the courtroom
Strickland suggesting Florida experts and caps and rates.
Barb, I think they’re going to rule whether the 911 tape is going to stay in.
Note JB “taking a back seat”
Documentation, itemization…defense needs to produce, in camera
Jose just objected to his own comments! Hilarious!
Ha ha, Lyon looks totally digusted with Bozo.
State: JAC should have ability to rvw.
Strickland wants JAC in person
Baez just offered to bring all paperwork to court in camera for review, first said State could be there to see — then OBJECTED to what he said about them being there. Lyon looks like she’s thinking “what has the idiot just said……..”
lol
Lyon just licked KC’s ear like a mother and her cub.
I have no sound now
hahahahahahaha she brushes her freakin eyesbrows when she’s got no hair to play with
Ewwwww. Smack. Linda told Mason “we have last names”.
Thanks Boz. Thank God for commercials or my bladder would have burst! LOL
I lost audio, anyone else?
Ewwwww. Smack. Linda told Mason “we have last names”.
????? context Lily
Casey likes to push that mic button, makes her feel important
THE COMPLEXION OF THIS CASE HAS CHANGED! IMO AL will exit this case soon. Casey seems very nervous at times today-wonder if it is about this new evidence.
I’m still laughing at Baez objecting to himself………..
Back in court. Discovery withheld 5 days.
Mason is death qualified…why do they need Lyon?
As they were walking up to the bench Mason called the other attorneys by last name except hers, the wrong LInda approached so she said “we have last names”
They (defense) don’t want the items released from what the state held .
15 days
Thanks Lily
Extra make up today
mouth wipe, under eye rub, eyebrow brush and repeat
ill Casey get over it you’re as ugly outside as ya are in!
No lovey looks or waves for Mom and Dad as Casey left the courtroom…
Cindy looks like she has put on weight
No, I saw Cindy pining and looking toward Casey as she left.
I got constantly interupted while trying to watch this. Does anyone know if there is somewhere that I can link to to try to rewatch this? TIA
» Orlandan opps said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:44 }
i know right that NEEDS to be a headline…just in.. BAEZ- OBJECTS HIMSELF
» EDRN said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:24 } Cindy looks like she has put on weight
If she’s pregnant, I’m gonna kill myself!
How come the donor for $5k wasn’t revealed? What if that person has deeper pockets?
lol Barb……who would the baby daddy be?
» EDRN said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:59 } lol Barb……who would the baby daddy be?
Who the hell knows!!!! LMAO
Guess I was wrong Barb. I swear the local news has been reporting about the 911 tapes all week long.
Gah! I could not possibly despise these people any more. All smiles and howdy do, glad handing, back patting, giggling, smirking.
This is about a little girl’s murder. What in God’s name is wrong with these people!?!?
yeah it totally looked like Casey was purposefully not looking in C&G’s direction…and it looked like they were pining for her attention, whatev they can all kick rocks
I thought so too Boz. I was surprised it was all over so soon.
Jesse? Roy? Malacuso? JB? Georgie Porgie? Dom? Hoover?…so many men, so little time…lol
Cheney Mason is certainly a game changer as you can see from this little introduction to him. Be prepared to seeing JB taking a further back seat, if his ego will let him, and Cheney taking over. He is formidable and experienced and articulate and smart.
» T2M said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:45 } Barb
Folks this is what makes the hinky meter so great. Do you think you’ll get this kind of upclose, insider information anywhere else?
I mean seriously! We stick to the facts and the important stuff – ASHTON SMELLS HOT!
WSH
Regarding the donor’s identity….I dont think it matters,as to indigency status. Because if she is granted indigency, I think the Judge can “revoke” that status at any time. If she had a fairy godmother/ god father donate a bucket of money while she is indigent, it would be revealed.
I may be wrong, but that is what I think I heard!
» WSH said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:40 } No, I saw Cindy pining and looking toward Casey as she left.
LOL WiSH! great minds think alike i heard
Mason may be all those things, but I see him as abrasive, not funny, loud and aggressive.
Yep…I really got the impression Jose is done. Damn! We really don’t want Casey to have good lawyers do we?
Well it seems to me this whole thing was a spectacle for the public. The heat was on to make sure the state was using public funds judiciously. At least according to testimony, Casey is indigent now. The state didn’t even push back too hard – and it was nearly impossible for the JAC to participate in any kind of meaningful way.
If this thing ever makes it to trial—-not sure the Public will be able to stomach Baez & company for the duration.
Cheney Mason is already getting on my nerves with his lame jokes and gaffes about being old. He can’t hear well and he is not funny. The longer this Team of Bozo’s is up there-the longer they will be facing further scrutiny about their lack of documentation to support where all this money went——Baez now has 15 days to cook his books and submit grossly over-inflated costs to the State.
Body Language from Casey: What is it with that bad habit she has of constantly trying to remove something from her eyes? She always makes those strange faces and plays with removing “something” that is bothering her from her eyes. Ever notice that? I bet body language experts would have a good take on that. From the laymans perspective, I view it as a nervous tick which simply shows her apprehension from having to sit in a Courtroom with world watching you.
I want to smell Ashton too!
The 15 days…wasn’t that the time Baez had to review the evidence before it is released to the public?
Valhall said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:04 }
LOL yeah, just the facts ma’am!
potatohead
The camera wasn’t on Ashton very much but I saw his shake his head in disgust about 4 times……REPETE 4 times! lol
……and what was up with Georgie-Boy shaking his head like he was in disgust a few times when the camera was on him? Was it just the poor audio communications problem with the JAC on the phone or what? He appeared to be agitated. BTW, Cindy looked like crap.
Did I understand them right the top secret info is now in the defense teams hands but they have 15 days to review it and make objections? Is that what was said?
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:11 } I want to smell Ashton too!
I wanna do more than that. LOL (I’m married….I ain’t dead ya know?) Ha Ha
What if the donors were the Anthonys? Shouldn’t the JAC look into that?
I think having Mason on is the best thing that could happen. Less chance of mistrial or whatever based upon ineffective counsel.
I have to say – at least according to Bill Scheaffer – this guy is one of the best. Maybe there will be less public frustration and based on Baez Buffoonery.
Stacy, that is what I understood also
That’s the one big mistake that I thought the defense made from the very beginning-not associating a FLORIDA LAWYER. Now they have rectified this. Did you notice at the beginning Casey rubbed her hands together and smiled as if to say I am so excited about all this. SHE IS BASKING in all this attention focused on her! YES, Cindy has put on a few pounds and she needs a hair cut! I do so hope this new development will be a bomb shell. Okay, a girl can dream can’t she?
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-casey-anthony-jail-letters-20100318,0,1826969.story
Casey Anthony wrote letters to woman from jail, prosecutors say
Casey Anthony’s letters could be used as evidence.
Prosecutors on Thursday disclosed that murder suspect Casey Anthony wrote 50 notes or letters to a woman she befriended while in the Orange County Jail, and that those notes may be used as evidence.
In paperwork released Thursday, prosecutors don’t say what’s in the notes, only that they don’t include a confession.
Authorities handed over the notes to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for an investigation.
FDLE agents interviewed the woman, now in an undisclosed federal prison, on Feb. 12, according to court paperwork.
The woman told authorities that she befriended Anthony while in the Orange County Jail, that the notes were passed while both were inmates there and that once the woman was moved to the federal prison, all communication with Anthony ended.
She told FDLE agents she did not want to “get anyone in trouble” but said a county corrections officer may have helped the women communicate.
Authorities found out about the woman and the notes when a state inmate contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, saying she, too, had had communications with Anthony while in the Orange County Jail.
Authorities interviewed that woman Jan. 22, and she gave “potentially relevant” information, according to prosecution paperwork, but it was not news that Anthony had confessed.
She also told authorities about the federal inmate who had received the notes.
All of this information was sealed from the public and Anthony’s attorneys by Circuit Judge Stan Strickland last month. It was unsealed this week because the FDLE investigation into the notes and how they got from one jail inmate to another had concluded.
The outcome of that investigation was not immediately clear.
Anthony, 23, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony. The state is seeking the death penalty.
The child disappeared a year and a half ago. Her remains were found five months later.
The camera wasn’t on Ashton very much but I saw his shake his head in disgust about 4 times……REPETE 4 times! lol
I chugged 4 drinks! LOL
What a waste of time that was! This freak show is going to be allowed to continue on and the taxpayers can do nothing but sit back and watch. I don’t know of any indigent people who have 5 so called high profile lawyers. And where did Macaloso [sp] get the $50 grand from? Could it be money he stole from his clients? That should be looked into as well. IMO
Man, am I PO’d right now! Sorry, had to vent
Maybe Baez has a gig with Fox after this is all over, with a good paycheck, but it isn’t contingent upon the case?
What is this, HIGH SCHOOL? Passing notes? Is this where the letter from an inmate originated from? All of that stuff was from Casey to the inmate?
Bein’s I’ve been in a meeting and unable to view or hear any of this myself can some one give a brief synopsis of exactly how Baez could have objected to himself? Because right now I’m invisioning….
Baez: blah blah blah uhmmm [insert foot in mouth statement]
Baez: Your Honor I object! Could you please make me stick to answering the question!?
LMAO!
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:11 } I want to smell Ashton too!
L M A O!!!
Baez said he wouldn’t mind the state being present during the review of all of the expenses incurred thus far (in camera). And then immediately, took it back and said something like, “Oh wait, I don’t want the state there”.
Val
Here’s a good soundbite for you, perhaps the defense can pay Henry Lee in oranges!
You gals are too much – Ashton smells good?!!
Next meeting the JAC should have ABC testify that there is no further contract, or that contract should be produced. Casey may still have a deal, or the Anthonys. They all went out for crab puffs together.
WSH,
Thanks for the info on the jailhouse letters and notes! You are FAST on the keyboard! As to whether the anonymous donor was the Anthony’s (C & G), they certainly have their own financial problems. How would it matter if if was the Anthony’s instead of a distant party? The Anthony’s aren’t in any way responsible to pay for Casey’s defense. She is an adult. I think Val or Silver made that argument earlier, that although she lived in their home (and they likely paid for her beandip and bottled water), since they didn’t claim her as a dependent, they have no legal obligation to contribute to her defense.
My unofficial take on the involved parties:
Cindy: gained weight
George: looked embarrassed
KC: looked like the fool that she is
Baez: Terible speaker
Lyon: Needs more sleep
Mason: a Jerk
Ashton: looks (and apparently) smells good
» Valhall said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:25 }
Val, that’s pretty much what happened. LOL
Oh ya!! Forgot about how Henry Lee told Mason that he had taken a crate of oranges as payment in the past while they were at some conference.
Mason WILL get on my nerves eventually with all of his southern colloquialisms.
Plus Mason said, we are taking the AAA route twice. I guess he doesn’t use google maps.
JB: your Honor? I am objectionable!!
Where can you get entertainment like this for free?
wait….looks like we’re paying now!
KC’s tear ducts are probably clogged by little Caylee’s decomp. She can’t get it out. I hope so anyway.
I missed the entire hearing, but got back in time to read about the letters. I wonder if Ms. Thang did her trademark little pen flip while writing them?
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-casey-anthony-jail-letters-20100318,0,1826969.story
» KZ said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:44 }Because they all went out for crab puffs with ABC after the first deal $ 200k was already done.
That makes me believe that someone is going to score later. Cynical:yes.
I too believe that whatever deals Geo & Cin have/had are probably legally irrelevant. Morally? That’s something they have to live with.
» NGBoston said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:36 }
In my opinion all that twitchin and rubbin is just a by product of her narcissism, she’s gotta make sure she looks perfect while everyone is watching… PPPP Princess Perfect Poopie Pants
For those not in the South, don’t let Mason’s good old boy accent and self depreciating comments fool you.
KC now, for the first time, has extremely effective Florida counsel and he will give the State a run for their money if this goes to trial. I’m hopeful he can bring some reality to KC, but if AL didn’t, not sure if he can. But she does have an excellent lawyer now, just need to shut up JB to minimize the damage he does. Can they get a gag order on just him?
How could they have gone thru $ 345k already? Everyone flying first class or what?
Maybe Mason will convince her to take a plea
Oh Val… so sorry your work got in the way of watching the 3 ring circus! It was immensley entertaining to watch the defense attorneys milling about and “winging it” without a plan! To show up without “Plan B” was INCOMPETENT! They HAD to acknowledge that the hearing MIGHT NOT be “in camera”, but seemingly had NO plans for how to deal with this turn of events.
And I also loved the “payment by oranges” comment by Mason, too. He is certainly arrogant and abrasive, but VERY smart. Strangely, I’m pleased he’s aboard, because whatever happens (trial vs plea), I DON’T want to see a mistrial! I want that defendant to have a VIGOROUS defense. DO NOT want any wiggle room left for appeal. I can wait while the legal gears grind to the inevitable end. And the sentence doesn’t matter to me one way or the other– as long as it’s LWOP or DP.
Didn’t mean to offend anyone from the south. I lived in Florida for several years and am now in way south Texas.
I’m a northern Minnesota girl originally though.
Orlandan opps said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:24 }
I know of him, he’s very good!
I expect his to bring the hammer down on JB and the client.
OMG. Cheney Mason is being interviewed on TruTV now and he said he just became part of the defense team “as of 11 a.m. today” Good Lord. Talk about last minute!
WSH – $345k? I added up $275k.
$200k from some media deal
$70k from Mac
$5k from another donor (Cin & Geo?)
Okay, I’ve been searching the web for a rebroadcast of this hearing as I really want to see it and am having no luck finding it. I only find little clips. Anyone know where I can find it in it’s entireity? TIA
Haha Lily, 5k from River!!
So is A Lyon going to vamoose?
Valhall-
JB offered to show the details to Strickland in camera and said the State was welcome to be there too. Then immediately, went, umm, ahh, I object to the State being there. It was too funny.
Then AL was shown with her head in her hand looking down with an expression on her face that said “…..what has this idiot said now……….?” highlight of the day
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:40 }
[Unread Comment]
WSH – $345k? I added up $275k.
$200k from some media deal
$70k from Mac
$5k from another donor (Cin & Geo?)
I thought there was another $70k or so from Depaul charity fund?
Maybe I’m wrong, Lily. I though Lyon said that Depaul paid for some of this in addition to the other source of income?
AnnetteInMn said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:21 }
Try here, it’s part 1, you should be able to find the rest from there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnkhUbRbwBU
thought
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22873305/detail.html
Read this. Lot’s of info coming out about River & Skye. Apparently ‘River’ was in jail from August 2008 to January 2009. They have their mug shots too. Put’s a whole new spin on the affair saga.
I don’t like this Mason guy. I think the only good lawyer Casey has is Linda Kinney Baden. The rest are as useless as tits on a bull. I mean they may be good lawyers but the jury ain’t gonna like em. I HOPE they use Henry Lee and maybe Michael Baden. Two lying SOB’s per their testimony in the Spector case.
Lily — No offense taken.
I know when I first moved South that the slow or lazy sounding speech patterns were odd to me and I was guilty of thinking … not so smart. But I was very wrong. The southern drawl/charm can grate on some people but Mason will make for a better defense and he will be quite entertaining in his own right.
I didn’t add in the time charged (or not charged) back to Andrea’s clinic. She said the students were helping as part of their class (and grade!). I think she said that none of that was charged back to the clinic though.
But I will tell you this: Those 14 students have been all over the boards testing out arguments to certain pieces of the evidence – especially the duct tape. Sound familiar? They’ve also argued about the water levels at the remains site as well as the autopsy reports. They are using us to test out what will and won’t fly with a potential jury IMO.
I wonder if all of the trips they make to Good Morning America & The Early Show were part of the misused funds, or did they pay out of pocket for that too?? Also Cindy & George have all this money for cruise, tatoos, earings and trips to Larry King Live but no money to pay for their house. As Mark Nejame said what a waste of time.
One question…What happens after the trial, can they do a movie or book deal and have to repay any money that the taxpayers, or will they not be held accountable because the trial is finished??
All of the lawyers for the defense should be in jail with her ….they are a bunch of crooked crooks
I totally agree Orlando Opps. I actually think he will be extremely effective in Florida. Probably wouldn’t work in the northeast or west coast though.
Based upon his reputation – he will give the state a run for their money (literally). The state will bring their A game, I’m sure but it’s going to be very interesting.
T2M – thanks – knew you had it covered.
Just watching now. This is mind-boggling.
And the letters? I’m speechless.
True Lily!
So does anyone think that Baez is going to bring in an expense report made on the fly, after the fact, kind of like with that ‘supposed’ contract he had -w- T Padilla? How would experienced lawyers believe that they are up for an indigency hearing, and they leave their homework home? Something stinks in Denmark.
I bet A Lyon would like to get away from Baez too.
That Mason guys style is not really dissimilar to Morgans. He likes to play the folksy thing up.
Mason is aggressive, knowledgeable and respected – he’s gonna hit the P. Team like a Mack Truck on a VW (we are NOT going to like him). IF he had been in command, there would be no screwed up BS for the last 18 months; any blood money would be properly accounted for and most likely used much more wisely and there would have been no need for AL or LKB for that matter.
At any rate, I have to wonder if Judge Strickland didn’t see this coming when he set the trial date so far off. Any change in counsel can cause a delay because new counsel has to “familiarize” with the case. However, this came about today far off enough that it won’t cause that kind of a delay.
Baez et all didn’t bring anything on purpose. If they don’t have it with them then they don’t have to talk about it in testimony. It will all now be done in camera.
This was a purposeful strategy. Pretty effective too.
Thanks T2M!
I see Mason as a plus because of his skill, that will minimize Casey trying to appeal on the grounds of ineffective counsel. Prosecutors may have to have to start going to the gym a little more though.
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:51 }
[Unread Comment]Baez et all didn’t bring anything on purpose. If they don’t have it with them then they don’t have to talk about it in testimony. It will all now be done in camera.
This was a purposeful strategy. Pretty effective too.
I know Lily, but it pisses me off. He don’t get away with that kind of crap in grade school.
He don’t-you don’t
Responding to a couple above.
AL said her Depaul charity had raised money for this case as well. Total about 70K which includes the 20-22k from Baez, so about 50K more. All has been spent on costs.
Mason is highly respected and Strickland respects him. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprized that outside of cases they have a friendship. They are peers from an intergrity and quality standpoint. He is very likable, he can appeal to the common man. Any jury will know that Mason will ensure she gets the best trial available under the circumstances. He can also be a pitbull — think F. Lee Bailey with a drawl.
At the beginning, Casey Anthony was so excited she could hardly contain herself. More than I have ever noticed. The new attorney is the reason for the excitement IMO. Good reason, I agree with the comment above, he will give the prosecution a run for their money! Among other things, he will carry a lot of weight with the jury due to the fact that he is a Florida attorney and a well respected one.
I agree with your comments about ther law students, Lily. They are the perfect spies to float theories– they are young, not well-known, cheap (unpaid!), smart, and tech-saavy. Would not be surprised at all if several of them lurked here. (Compliment to Valhall as to the detail and intelligence of this site.)
However…………if this goes to trial, NONE of the jurors will likely be as smart or knowledgable about this case as anyone here! Lol! So the “stealth students” better float their theories, well…ELSEwhere on the web!
Remember…it’s a “jury of peers”, not a jury obsessed like us!
I don’t think Mason is going to be liked with the jury. He is abrasive and curt and he thinks he is funny. I can see them getting turned off right away.
» Orlandan Opps said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:38 }
Good, hopefully less shenanigans from Baez!
One of the first things a criminal defense attorney must do is figure out a way to get the jury to like them and trust them. Mason will be able to do that whereas Baez had no chance at this point.
The defense will go all out trying to get native southerners on the jury if they can. His style will work well.
And, no matter WHO defends Casey – they are going to rub us the wrong way but just remember that nothing they do or don’t do is without a clear strategy in mind ahead of time. If you step back and look at it like a competition it gets really fascinating. You have to respect both sides in order to see through the emotions and look at the strategy. I love it.
Baez will not offer and he wasn’t asked to produce records today – basic legal strategy: don’t geve them more than they asked for – applies to both sides. In addition to that, he KNEW he’d be given some time to produce as well as he KNEW he’d be asked for the data.
But I do believe I heard he say tht he has no billing records in this case. WHAT? You cannot take money from a client and not account for it. Yes, you can flat fee bill, but you must still have a record of in and out. Rut Roh!
Well, it is confirmed that Casey Anthony spent her out of jail time selling photos of her dead daughter. She should have had at least a minute amount of shame about that.
No guilt, no shame….
Good post Chat. I think he is going to just fudge records.
Barb (Illinois) said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:56 }
[Unread Comment]
Casey close friends with an inmate and Casey was writing her. State got the writings. This is what was in the motion sealed.
Casey close friends with an inmate….(I’m so surprised! Casey friends with a punk? No!)
…was writing her (When? In Baez’s office after the fact? Just don’t date those letters, Casey.)
Public need not ask to see the sealed information…but seems if there’s nothing amiss, why worry about keeping it all sealed? Just foot the bill for the circus, folks.
Bring on the clowns! There ought to be clowns…well, maybe next year.
Val
You are an impressive writer!
#1
Mimi
I believe a guard was facilitating passing along those letters, which I would guess is a no-no.
Also, with all of this affair thing, do you think police intentionally waited to talk to these women to create a diversion? I wondered why wait a year.
Although it’s a little disappointing that it had nothing to do with D Casey.
Don’t you think maybe that is where the detailed ‘inmate’ (ah hem) letter to the judge came from? Honestly, that letter had way too much information that was actually somewhat relevant to the case to come from an inmate without some help (notes from Casey)?
I think it was sealed because there will be some disciplinary action for the corrections officials facilitating the passing of the notes and they had to do an internal investigation first. This is just MO, of course.
@Mrs. C Hop====LOL At the “PPPP”….good assessment. EDRN’s take pretty much wrapped up everyone’s demeanor today appropriately, too. So since the JS’s ruling on indigency has been referred—-do we expect a ruling on this by what—Mid April now?
Oh, the suspense! This is pretty crucial to the defense, obviously. Very interesting. I just fear that if her indigency status is denied- this will give merit to the defense’s arguement that Casey is now not being allowed due process due to “no funds” for the on-going court costs and she will have grounds for an appeal. Ugh—-do we really want to go there? So maybe it will be granted with all the caps on costs being adhered to as Strickland mentioned???
Who is Cheney Mason?
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/anthony_case/031810-Casey-Anthony-new-attorney
there is also an embedded link in the article taking you to his website
Well, since my first comment is still stuck in moderation, I will add here that I see that everybody from the South thinks Mason will be well liked. I live in Nashville now, but I am originally from Illinois. Maybe that’s why I don’t see his southern charm like the rest of you.
lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:47 }
[Unread Comment]Don’t you think maybe that is where the detailed ‘inmate’ (ah hem) letter to the judge came from? Honestly, that letter had way too much information that was actually somewhat relevant to the case to come from an inmate without some help (notes from Casey)?
So you think it was that “o’town’s finest” writer?
Boston-
Strickland said for JAC to fax it in and he would make a ruling tomorrow. And if anyone else had something to jump to it and get it to him.
I didn’t find him charming. But I don’t dislike him either. However, there are plenty of NYC transplants down in FL, so couldn’t it go either way with the southern folksy thing?
So what y’all are saying is mason is going to bring this case down on the prosecution hard and they will have no ground to stand on? so this guy is the best attorney in orlando so why do they need biaazz anymor?
I think so WSH. Also, weren’t there two handwritten letters to the judge that sounded really strange this way? OMG I have to get some work done – I will look later.
Who said that Laser?
I guess you could be right Lily. Initially, I had it in my head that she was corresponding with female inmates. But I guess she would more likely attach herself to male inmates.
I knew I wouldn’t get much done in the day today.
Remember that jury selection in a death penalty case leaves a lot of room for the defense to maneuver. I just think they will try to use proven demographics data as well as the questionnaire to weed through potential ‘yankees’ that might not take to Mason’s style as well as others.
You’re smart Lily.
I sort of like my Southern Accent and not at all embarrassed by it.
Cheney Mason said:
“Some defense attorneys have done that. You come back with murder-one or you have to acquit,” Mason said.
He made this comment on November 20, 2008
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/18025942/detail.html
************
He will try to get the prosecution to have the choice of murder-one or acquit, IMO.
Silver, or other lawyers, can the defense do that, take away the other choices? Make the case be the choice of Murder 1 or nothing, instead of all the different charges and choices that are now listed.
This article was before they found the body, but they also comment that if you cannot prove cause of death, that you may find reasonable doubt.
In another article somewhere, Mason said he would need a lot of money to be involved with this case, why the change?
I am NOT smart! Val is smart. I’m a dumb ass that spends way too much time worrying about Casey Anthony when I should be working!! hahaha
I should never work from home. I have no discipline and now I will be working into the late evening. At least my kiddo is away for spring break!
OK just popping in for a real quickie… I heard Baez admits he was hired in JUNE and Casey was arrested in July? This is huge news to me. Is this true? He was hired before Cindy found the car?
Even for Southerners like myself…Mason is abrasive in court.
He comes off as irritable and condescending.
In-graciousness is not a Southern hallmark.
I’d like to put an end to the smirk on her face and I would like to use Henkle duct tape to do it. When I see her entering the court like a smiling princess and rubbing her hands like a fly in shit and grooming her eyebrow now that her hair has been removed from her incessant fiddlings and smirking at her lawyers in secret…then assuming the “dead shark stare” in between her acting moments, I become overcome with anger towards her and sorrow for Caylee. Now she has a new lawyer and it feels like somehow Caylee is always being ganged up on to me. Everything always for Casey, like Caylee is a pain in the ass in death as she was in life to her. Another “hero” on the scene to get rid of this terrible curse that Caylee has brought down upon her. You know, it is also Caylee’s fault that Casey is indigent now because if she hadn’t leaked fluids into the trunk and if she had just rotted completely away like she was supposed to, then Casey would be free and there would not be trial at all. Think of the unfairness of that! If I was fishing and I pulled that THING up on a line, I would not attempt to remove the hook…I would cut the line as far away from IT as I could and get out of the water immediately.
I’ll stop, sorry…I can’t write reasonably at this time.
Something about getting a fair trial and all that paid for by the state of Florida’s good citizens and then the meeting in private up by the judge’s desk. Baez showing up without a lick of any kind of info about anything. I’m just too angry to be reasonable.
I know quite a bit of southern folk, I like them, and their accents etc. Don’t worry Janielane.
What we were discussing was how different lawyering styles might fly with different types of jurors. It’s not a condemnation!
Cayse’s chains are MUSIC to my ears!
» jennyb said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:05 }
[Unread Comment]OK just popping in for a real quickie… I heard Baez admits he was hired in JUNE and Casey was arrested in July? This is huge news to me. Is this true? He was hired before Cindy found the car?
Whoa, did I miss that?
IMO, I don’t think they will be trying to get a COV to Miami with Mason.
I also thought it was useless for Baez to think he would have any positive influence in Miami with his Espanol expertise…. it is really embarrassing to watch Baez in court, or anywhere that he speaks about this case, for that matter.
Janielayne – please do not take offense. 3 of my boys were born in Texas and the other one was born in Oklahoma. They were all raised in Texas. I love southerners – I’ve lived in the south for over 1/2 my life.
It’s just an observation based upon demographics. Lawyers use these demographic studies all of the time when determining jury selections.
It’s NOT PERSONAL.
WSH I took a quick peek earlier at IS and they were doing a blow-by-blow. That’s what they said he said. I can’t believe this is not a huge deal if indeed it’s true.
JUNE???!!! I couldn’t hear if he said July or June!!
Wow. Someone else was speculating that (Hornsby?) Baez was on the scene way too early to have just been retained.
WOW.
They’e saying Baez stated in court today he was retained on 6/16. I dunno. (Not that I’d doubt it for a minute but…
Cayse,,,, Does not even look at her Mommay or daddy why! I think this kid was told what to do and how to do it by the rents when they learned of the death… I think that
Mommy and Daddy are not being told anything from her team of jokers, and they
are going to take them down. Oh they are only getting half/truths from the team
of jokers! Cayse is going to chew them up and spit them out once again she don’t
give a Chit about them, and the Anthony’s think they can’t see her because we all will
watch, and make big chit about it. Not true she don’t want to see the rents, and we
all know Cayse is gonna get the last laugh, and jerk her rents one last time!
Ack, I have to leave. Catch you all later. I hope what I read is true. Liars, all of them.
I was thinking about the jury listening to the various attorneys….Mason, altho southern accents are cool, will alienate the jury with his arrogance and aggresssive style. JB will alienate the jury with his stupidity. He can not put together a coherent sentence. Add to that the “um’s and uh’s” and he is sunk. Lyon, I find her speech pattern to be slow and boring. She would put me to sleep. LKB, don’t know enough about her to have an opnion. Just thinkin’
They REALLY need to investigate the money from Mac, I mean the man is inactive with the bar for misusing client’s money. Isn’t that a red flag?
************************************************************************************
Jenny
Where did you read that?
I don’t see the appeal of Chaney at all, southern, northern, wherever. He struck me as smug, superior, self-righteous, ill-tempered and ill-humored. Uck. If I were on that jury, I would find him offensive. And I think I am not projecting my extreme revulsion with the defendant. Just him on his own merits, or lack thereof.
Hopefully he is at least competent, as many of you think. He better turn up his hearing aid though. Not insulting the hearing impaired, or being ageist anyone — no tomatoes please. Just worrisome and potentially annoying that he seems to be missing some of what’s going on in the courtroom.
MOO
What child does not see her mommy for a few days or weeks, and not toss them a smile, or mouth the words I love you! Someting not right here! Help me out, cause
I don’t understand Casey not even looking at them or say Mom you wig looks like chit!
Val- In Session is running it again — JB will be objecting to himself in 5 minutes or so
You’re not alone Mimi. This hearing was the worst. Bozo did not bring an itemized list, you know, here’s how many hours I’ve worked, here’s how many letters we’ve written…… How many times did Bozo and Bigfoot look up at the ceiling trying to “make up” an answer.
What professional doesn’t keep track of hours worked? Plumbers, electricians, mechanics etc, all do. You would think a lawyer, of all people, would be able to account for every minute and every penny he has gotten/spent on a trial. Aren’t they required too.
Lily
It WAS a female inmate, so likely not o’town dude.
It still could have been from female inmate to another inmate. I still think these notes are somehow tied to the letter to the judge from ‘inmate’ that knows way too much about the case to be an inmate without connections.
Baez just can’t think on his feet — which IMO is a number one prerequisite for being a trial lawyer, of any sort.
If he feels compelled to lawyer, he should have stuck to plain old, boring corporate law, where, if you have to go to trial, they hire a trial lawyer!
But then again, as a accounting type, I’d had to see the problems and liabilities he would cause a corporation with his seat of the pants lawyering!
Thanks, Orlandan Opps—-I also just read that on the Orlando Sentinal’s Website.
=) Happy Birthday, Casey ! Here is the biggest gift you will receive on your 25th B-Day!! A HUGE GIFT FROM THE TAXPAYERS OF ORLANDO!
Don’t see her being denied. If I were an Orlando Resident, I guess the only positive thing I would take out of that is that the Court/FAC & Judge Strickland will have control over related costs from here on out and that it has been specified no monies will be paid for private attorney’s fees.
oops….meant JAC
Go Mimi! I agree; when I first saw Mason I couldn’t believe it. ANOTHER pro-bono lawyer? When the d-team were being questioned it was all, “Uhh, ahh, I think…around…could be…” They are at an INDINGENCY hearing and it didn’t occur to them to bring their actual numbers with them?!
And when Mason answered the question about how much the d-team has spent on the case so far, he managed to throw in the, “how much has the state spent to prosecute Ms. Anthony?” He forgot to add, “AND defend Caylee.”
Justice for Caylee
Well I am glad Casey will have a competent lawyer on her team because I don’t want her to have any grounds for appeal. However I feel like people are forgetting about why this is going on in the first place: A two year old is dead. I just hope the States attorney will continually remind the jury Caylee was a living breathing child until her mother killed her. I hope they point out that not one person in Caylee’s immediate family is sittingon her side at the trial. The family supports the killer. I just get so frustrated that the focus never seems to be on Caylee anymore and that is just sad.
http://blog.richardhornsby.com/2010/03/please-read-florida-statute-27-527-regarding-determination-of-indigent-status/
Please Read Florida Statute 27.52(7) Regarding Determination of Indigent Status
Mar 18th, 2010
by Richard Hornsby.
(7) FINANCIAL DISCREPANCIES; FRAUD; FALSE INFORMATION.–
(a) If the court learns of discrepancies between the application or motion and the actual financial status of the person found to be indigent or indigent for costs, the court shall determine whether the public defender, office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, or private attorney shall continue representation or whether the authorization for any other due process services previously authorized shall be revoked. The person may be heard regarding the information learned by the court. If the court, based on the information, determines that the person is not indigent or indigent for costs, the court shall order the public defender, office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, or private attorney to discontinue representation and revoke the provision of any other authorized due process services.
(b) If the court has reason to believe that any applicant, through fraud or misrepresentation, was improperly determined to be indigent or indigent for costs, the matter shall be referred to the state attorney. Twenty-five percent of any amount recovered by the state attorney as reasonable value of the services rendered, including fees, charges, and costs paid by the state on the person’s behalf, shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within the Justice Administrative Commission. Seventy-five percent of any amount recovered shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.
(c) A person [even an attorney] who knowingly provides [files] false information to the clerk or the court in seeking a determination of indigent status under this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
Posted in: Casey Anthony, Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, Popular Culture.
» NGBoston said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:59 }
Don’t see her being denied. If I were an Orlando Resident, I guess the only positive thing I would take out of that is that the Court/FAC & Judge Strickland will have control over related costs from here on out and that it has been specified no monies will be paid for private attorney’s fees.
_________________________
I agree NGBoston. She will get funds approved by JAC for expenses. Really, what is the alternative? They can’t expect to put on a full out prosecution and not allow the defense the means to defend her. That would be an automatic reason for appeal. Judge S won’t allow that to happen.
I’m in Illinois, too, and I don’t see Mason as being the charming southern gentleman. I saw him, instead, like a buffoon in the courtroom. How many jokes did he make this morning? How many times did he refer to his old age, i.e., his deafness. He thinks he’s being charming and cute, but I really think (and hope) a jury can see right through that and know that this man hasn’t gotten where he is in his profession by being a nice guy. He’s a shark, and it shows. The whole deaf routine got very old very fast for me.
When entering the courtroom, did you’all notice George tap Sindy on the shoulder and direct her to sit on the prosecution side, then Sindy saw the bald-headed guy and sat with him.
Baez doesn’t think too well on his feet, so I’d guess he “meant” July 16th but he can’t count so he thinks July is month 6.
True, I think that they will get it, but it’s weird how Baez didn’t add Mac’s donation in papers. He only brought it up in court. Nor did they write about Depaul’s donation. So Baez’s total still doesn’t add up….There should be money left over that he didn’t account for in that motion, or am I losing it?
Do you think the defense team went in there this morning unprepared because they believed the Judge would rule in their favor and not ask to see any documentation? The Judge has been pretty lenient with them so far, and maybe they just got lazy and thought this would be a piece of cake. Well, SURPRISE!!! When Judge S said they needed to tell in open court where the money came from, I thought I’d fall off my chair. All in all, I thought it was a pretty good morning for the good guys (who, by the way, looked kind of bored with the whole thing).
Wait a rootin’ tootin’ minute.
Baez said he was retained June 17th. Not July 17th. Strickland nodded when JB said that. Was Hornsby right? Did KC hire him that early?
I haven’t read the threads as I am busy watching. WTH is that about?
Baez DID say JUNE 17th!!!
http://www.wftv.com/video/22877854/index.html
17:28
And Bozo did state that he was hired in June
Don’t worry guys, I didn’t take offense, I just made a statement. Sometimes people like Mason give the REAL Southerners a bad name LOL
No. I didn’t mean an insult to any southern accent or way of life. I think the southern ladies are very gracious. The only problem I have with Mason is that he acted so pompous and I immediately didn’t like him and I don’t care if he talked like a silver tongued orator. By who he is associated with and acting like he is the white horse that is coming in and no one better question him, even the judge just rubs me the wrong way. Your accents are as much a part of you as northerns speak.
Hornsby called this when he wrote that earlier article. That would be DAY 2, People. DAY 2!!!
Hear that Cindy?
Could he have mispoken – certainly. But I don’t think he did.
One thing to keep in mind (and I know this will be hard to swallow):
The defense isn’t doing this job because of Caylee. The defense is only trying to prove that the state doesn’t have enough evidence to prove First Degree Murder. That is their only focus and their only job. They must make the state prove through circumstantial and direct EVIDENCE that they’re bringing these charges to trial and that they can convince a jury of same.
The state is putting on this prosecution for The People of the State of Florida (including Caylee). The state must have enough evidence that gets admitted into court (not everything we have heard will be admissible as evidence) to get a jury of 12 different people to unanimously agree without reasonable doubt that the evidence is clear and compelling.
They both have to take the emotion out of it and try the case based on evidence. The state will bring Caylee to life as much as they are allowed to but it will mostly be in closing arguments that this hand is allowed to be played. So for most of the trial it will be dry testimony, examination and cross examination of experts and witnesses.
» Janielane said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:36 }
There’s plenty that do that for any corner of the country. But that said, everyone says he is good.
Just re-watching the hearing…
When JB said Mac contributed to the defense, the Judge made a note and looked a little…? concerned? Kinda screwed up his face.
oK i GOT IT…Cheney Mason’s smart. What’s he up against? Has he changed defense strategy. Will he deep six the Zanny Nanny did it story? Will he try thru LKB to
depose every single tech, agent, sweeper upper at Quantico to undercover incomptency? Accidental death (no, she’d have to confess accidentally wrapping the duct tape)
BTW BC is now being interviewed on Tru TV “In session” River & Skye have been thoroughly investigated by him n he found out they both have criminal records, many aliases, totally not credible. And…GA never told River anything about accident! Skye..
River…any reply?
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT ARTICLES…AND BLOG You’re the best!
WSH-
The 200K would have to have taxes paid on it for sure. Not sure about the rest. Figure about 50K for taxes on the 200K, no state taxes. So it might be reserved for this or already paid.
Just heard the re-run — he definitely said June 17th.
I still want to know what happened to about $ 90k or so not even entered in their motion. Why wasn’t it included to begin with? I think Lyon and Mason made Baez come clean. They didn’t want to lie under oath.
Lily — In Florida it doesn’t have to me unanimous, just clear majority.
OMGosh, I hope someone finds out exactly when Baez was hired!!
Baez is going to say he meant to say July 17th.
Oops you’re right. Majority on guilt. Only a unanimous vote on the death penalty phase.
Have you all seen this interview?
http://www.wftv.com/video/22878634/index.html
It’s Cheney Mason telling the reporters that Casey will be acquitted and they will walk out of court with her at the end of this trial. The trial is going to be “fun”. The JAC should be abolished. And the whole time, JB, LKB and AL, standing behind him smiling, snickering, laughing, like little happy synophants behind the big kahuna. It’s pretty disgusting.
Im sure June 17th was in error,
just going on what casey stated
(paraphrasing)
she didn’t notify LE, Cindy did.
she used other resources to find Caylee, we don’t know what other resources than going to the park, stores and bars
its a stretch…a long stretch… must be an error
How is it that I have would have to buy/pay for an attorney, and Cayse the special gets has attorney’s giving her monies!
I was just reading over at WS, and someone said Lyon addressed that some costs were incurred from buying computers. WTF?
How do you charge for overhead like computers to a client? Isn’t that something that benefits all clients, or are you going to hand over the computers to Casey Anthony at the completion of the trial? In this day and age, you are telling me that they didn’t already have computers? Maybe Casey also bought them a phone and a desk. How about filing cabinets? Gold Cross pens, or better yet Mont Blancs?
Here is Hornsby’s blog article ‘Attorney of Record – In Record Time’
http://blog.richardhornsby.com/2009/12/attorney-of-record-in-record-time/
Did JB say June 17th in error? Things that make you go hmmmmm
I realize I am harping, but they DID NOT include all the money that they received in the motion. Then they have the audacity to tell the court “you can trust me”. They had time to prepare for the hearing, why wasn’t there an addendum? Why did it only come out when they fessed up under direct examination from Mason?
» Jnetk – Nashville said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:09 } I don’t think Mason is going to be liked with the jury. He is abrasive and curt and he thinks he is funny. I can see them getting turned off right away.
Agreed, im from NC and he immediately pissed me off. I view him as a sassy pulsating hairy asshole with lips…..ugh
» claudia said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 12:03:14 } Cayse’s chains are MUSIC to my ears!
LOL everytime KC’s chains ring an angle gets it’s wings 8)
June 17!! What the F!!! How did she pick Baez I wonder? We sure know Why she went to see Baez June 17! What was their “previous relationship”?????
Casey deserves a defense. When she’s sent to prison, she can’t say she had a lawyer who was derelict in his duties, because she hand picked him. If it were me, I would get some over worked-underpaid PD. So the Anthony’s can cry about the media all they want, but the only reason Casey is getting to keep the dream team she has, and believe me she has a dream tream compared to the other indigent inmates, is because of the media attention. I only wish they would take the Death Penalty off the table. I would much rather see Casey rot in prison, living everday reminded of what she did to an innocent beautiful child. Death is too good for her!
woah JWG is that supported by pings?
LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2010/03/casey-anthony-abc-news-says-it-licensed-library-of-photos-through-attorney.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+entertainment%2Ftv%2Ftvguy+%28TV+Guy%29
Casey Anthony: ABC News says it licensed ‘library of photos’ through attorney
ABC, Caylee and Casey Anthony, Jose Baez, WFTV — posted by halboedeker on March, 18 2010 1:46 PM
Discuss This: Comments(11) | Add to del.icio.us | Digg it
What did ABC News have to say about Jose Baez’s revelation that the network had paid $200,000 to his client Casey Anthony?
ABC News issued this statement: “In August 2008, we licensed exclusive rights to an extensive library of photos and home videos for use by our broadcast platforms, affiliates and international partners. No use of the material was tied to any interview.”
ABC affiliate WFTV-Channel 9 has used the footage of slain toddler Caylee Anthony repeatedly. WFTV also has noted that it reported the $200,000 figure first, but it had the inside knowledge as an ABC affiliate.
In court today, Baez revealed that “$200,000 came from a deal that was done by my client with the American Broadcasting Co. ABC.”
A prosecutor asked: “ABC News?”
Baez said: “Yes.”
That money has been paid, and there is no deal for future money from ABC, Baez said. Baez also dismissed as a rumor the report that he is getting $700,000 in the future.
I asked ABC News if the deal was done with Casey Anthony.
The deal was done with an attorney representing several owners of copyrighted content, ABC News spokeswoman Cathie Levine said. That attorney is Baez, she added.
The deal was done in the summer of 2008. Casey Anthony was later charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Co., which counts children as its most important customers.
Baez did say June 17, no question, but he said so many other really really stuid things that it was certainly an accident.
Among many other feet he pushed into his mouth, whenever he was asked a question about where money came from or where it went, he said things like “uuuhhhhhh. . .” or “I don’t know” or “I could only guess because I don’t know”.
The biggest doozy was when he agreed to meet in camera with Strickland about a motion and said he had no problem with the prosecution being there. Mason or Lyon must have shot him in the back of the head with a spitball because he corrected himself a minute later “uuuuhhhhh, what I meant to say was, I meant that the State CAN’T be there . . . duuuhhhhhh. . .” I’m paraphrasing but he sounded even dumber in person.
Didn’t Hornsby say that Baez SHOULD NEVER have brokered the deals directly? And I guess he worked out a deal for the Anthonys as well.
Hornsby had also said that a different lawyer should have been hired to set up a trust fund. I wish he would come here and comment on this development.
Some times you guys really get me laughing……
NikkiB said:
“……..Mason or Lyon must have shot him in the back of the head with a spitball……”
LOL
I don’t know about the rest of people in Florida but I for one am about to fire off some emails, letters, faxes etc. These people are not fessing up to all of the money that they have been given OR promised when this is all over. I don’t believe for one minute that Baez was telling the truth. If all we do is sit back and watch this happen and not voice our opinions, or maybe outrage would be the proper word, then I guess we deserve to have to pay for all of the expenses while the Dream Team walks away with their pockets full.
Jnetk; you hit the nail right on the head. He did act like he was the white knight. I was pissed after about 3 seconds into hearing him flap his gums.
JB fumbled the ball today which has been pretty much par. I have to wonder if he gets nervous in a courtroom – he’s definitely not what I’d call a “natural at lawyering” not by a longshot.
Mr. Mason talked over the Judge today – that will NOT be tolerated at trial. Local jurors will feel comfortable with a local attorney rather than some BIG OLE’ Yankee. Mason will have to be careful NOT to alienate a jury if he is abrasive at the wrong time with the worng people – it will be a good game to watch.
My opinion is that they should NOT want to seat Hispanic jurors. Namely because of the slander toward Hispanics in this case and also because baby girls are so revered in Spanish families. Male children are too, but the little Nina is priceless and this Defendant would not fare at all with that demographic. However, it will take a mighty strong pool of jurors to remain impartial and fair minded during this trial – no matter what the demographics.
For all of her faults, I felt Cindy was struggling today – she was neither the proverbial Doberman nor a Monkey with a wrench and her hair hat was missing its chin strap. I’d hate to be in her shoes now.
3P originally hired JB as an attorney on her business ventures in promotional arena. I am sure of it. How could she have hired a criminal attorney before she even went out partying and stuff the first month? 8O
..i like when judgeS was telling cheney about “caps” etc on money to pay for experts, citing dr. lee as an example.
..of course cheney sidestepped the question, with his little tale of dr. lee once accepting a case of oranges as pymt. the judge then reminded them “we have experts in the state of florida”….
..i think it’s going to be very interesting each time the defense submits applications for costs.
..favourite part———-when the JAC said they wanted the defendant to answer some questions—-THAT wiped the smirk off of her face for a moment! too bad cheney immed. objected.
Bill Schaeffer’s take on CM
http://www.wftv.com/news/22876305/detail.html
Just a thought – could the mention of the $5k donor be a way of covering for the “donation” River made to George? I know it wasn’t a donation, but by wording it this way, could it be a way to show accounting for this to support their refute? (And I am well aware that might not make any sense at all!!
)
After just watching the video of Mr. Mason supplied above – now I know why Casey was so gleeful in court today. TO ALL OF US WHO DESPERATELY WANT JUSTICE FOR CAYLEE – I’M SCARED! He has convinced me he means business and he will win this case. Lordy Lordy I hope I am wrong!
Blah Hornby has about as much credibilty as Baez, in my opinion, since i read his defense of that other baby killer
“ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Co., which counts children as its most important customers.” well isnt that ironic..dontcha think…
No self respecting eraser killer would do that!!! You have to wait until you at least party hardy for 30 days or so before you retain a lawyer!!!
Lyon was/is no slouch either, Linda Pope.
One thing’s for sure — I’d love to be a fly on the wall the first time CM sits down with KC. When she starts her bullshit, he will act just like he did today, and call it as he sees it. She has a real awakening coming with him on board.
welllllllllll maybe we should ask Baez his definition of “retained”
Mrs C Hop said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:01 }
But Chop, Baez made it sound like he hadn’t brokered the deal in court today. He said it was between ABC and my client. Did he get paid to do that deal?? Conflict of interest much?
I think Mason told JB, “My way or the highway.”
JB has officially been put on a leash.
» WSH said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:49 } LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!
If that isn’t reason enough to start an all out shitstorm I don’t know what is. Who are the private partners? Man, I smell an even Bigger Rat.
Val, do you suppose Richard Hornsby would be a guest on here and let us fire off some questions to him? Or would that be Kosher?
First and foremost I pray that justice for Caylee will be the outcome of this case and that has always been my main focus in staying up to date with this case. Felt the need to affirm that before the rant. But…….
Wow!
This has become a case of fascinating frustration.
Aside from the horror of a child that was murdered. The cast, characters, motions, and side stories, read like a best selling crime novel or Hollywood – who done it.
I’m constantly being blindsided in this case. Days after Caylee’s remains were found and a presser was announced, I thought maybe they had found some tangible evidence at the scene. Instead, they parade Kronk around with his multiple calls to LE and I remember going WTH.
This has happened over and over again. Today was no exception.
Nothing went as I had envisioned. Cheney Mason was hired. But i read hints that he might be, on other post. Baez lives another day in court and I thought he might fall this time (maybe later, I hope). The sealed doc’s were my blindside today. Really thought it might have been Dom the PI coming clean and/or the River Cruz side story. The inmate letters from Casey was another page turner and WTH moment.
As plot twisting and fascinating as this has all been, I do wish the story to end.
Its like a never ending story that will never run out of steam.
» Janielane said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:28 }
[Unread Comment]» WSH said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:49 } LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!
If that isn’t reason enough to start an all out shitstorm I don’t know what is. Who are the private partners? Man, I smell an even Bigger Rat.
THANK YOU JANIELANE, I was howling in the wind alone there for a minute.
I am going to plant an orange tree in the backyard just in case I ever need the services of Dr. Henry Lee.
I’m also taking more pics and video of the only kid I have left at home in case he really gets on my nerves and ‘goes missing’. He’s 16 and much, much bigger than I am and sweet as honey but ya never know.
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:51 }
[Unread Comment]
Don’t forget to sashay everywhere you go, and play with your hair a lot.
Chat Lunatique said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:15 }
“Mr. Mason talked over the Judge today – that will NOT be tolerated at trial. Local jurors will feel comfortable with a local attorney rather than some BIG OLE’ Yankee. Mason will have to be careful NOT to alienate a jury if he is abrasive at the wrong time with the worng people – it will be a good game to watch.”
***********************************
I agree when you told about talking over the Judge today, on the other hand I am sure the purpose of this was to please Floridians and of course, he is considered a good lawyer BUT me as a layperson and people may get mad at me and I didn’t have a good impression of this guy at all, he seemed to be rather “arrogant”. KC has smirky JB, unlikable LKB and AL… KC is unpopular and in my opinion Mr. Cheney wanted JS to take his words at the hearing… BS to, why would we take his words on that? How long has he been in this case? Maybe one month or so. Well, what I mean is that it may not sit well with jurors. I might be wrong on that and nobody really has to agree with my layperson opinion, of course.
Another thing is that JB came unprepared didn’t bring KC’s finances book, which I believe it was purposely since defense’s tactics are “delay delay delay”!!!! I also want to see how Todd Macaluso paid KC, hopefully it was not illegal.
We will see what will come out of it.
It was unclear to me what type of deal LKB has with KC, does anybody understood that part?
I am sorry Val, Silver and Maura if I said something stupid.
love it that judgeS showed mason that HE was the boss right off!
..mason: as YOU know—-as is OUR right!–( and then explaning “due process” TO the judge—-we’ll do this “in camera”, that “in camera”….
..judgeS: thank you sir—–but no, we’ll do this in open court…
B/t the 31 days she was in an imaginary coma and the trunk of her car – NOBODY could win this case except the prosecution. However, the P. Team better be on its best game because Mason will run them pretty good.
Take all the personalities out of this and just take the basic crime, no names or faces applied to any of the cast of characters on either side. You don’t know the players and you stick to the operation of law. Now, examine the D. Team’s chore – to make certain the Def. is given all due process of law – fair and square with no constitutional violations. Then look at the P. Team’s duties – prosecute to the fullest, following all the rules- dotting every i, etc. then once the noose is finally placed around the convicted killer’s neck, everyone can know that they did everything to ensure that we, as a society, are not putting an innocent person to death. Both sides serve a valuable role in our society.
» Chat Lunatique said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:31 }
Great comment Chat L. Ditto what you said.
» WSH said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:36 } Mrs C Hop said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:01 }
But Chop, Baez made it sound like he hadn’t brokered the deal in court today. He said it was between ABC and my client. Did he get paid to do that deal?? Conflict of interest much?
Sorry WiSH let my howling commence as well!!! I didnt get to hear Baez yet (no audio at work
) so BAEZ said IN COURT he did not broker the deal between Casey and ABC but ABC Says YES HE DID?!?!?!
Is it safe to assume that Mason met Casey for the very first time this morning in that courtroom? He said he was only “on the case” since 11 a.m. this morning. Maybe he just met with Baez and decided to come on board for the fun of it?! And I agree with the poster above… would love to listen in on the conversations between PPP and Mason. My imagination is running wild. 8O
Lily said: If you step back and look at it like a competition it gets really fascinating. You have to respect both sides in order to see through the emotions and look at the strategy. I love it.
**********
Yup, me too. I’m outraged at what happened, but when it comes to the actual PROCESS of justice, WOW! Fantastic stuff. It’s like a chess game. Now, having said that, it’s clearly not a game for anyone with a heart, but as you say, Lily, if you CAN put the emotions aside, it’s an incredibly compelling competition of wits.
Regarding Mason, I happen to love Southern accents, but he’s just irritating. Not his accent, but his style. Still, he doesn’t actually have to make the jury like him, he only has to create reasonable doubt. I think he’ll be extremely skilled in doing just that.
Here’s hoping a thinking jury is seated and the facts will out.
JCB – Denny Crane.
He would have to have more aces up his sleeve than a few to walk this client!
u2, Lily
..lyon looked absolutely giddy, to be questioned by the great mason——-and absolutely LIVID to have to answer mr.george.
..i can’t believe that neither she or baez “thought to bring” a breakdown of expenses to court today.
..baez , playing dumb as usual “uhhh…had i known i would be asked…..”, of course he HAS the documentation in his office, if the court wants to see it…
..they’ll be scrambling putting together this documentation to get over to the judge..
» Mrs C Hop said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 02:03:28 }
[Unread Comment]
He didn’t say “I didn’t broker”…. He said “The two hundred thousand came from a deal that was done BY MY CLIENT with American Broadcasting Company…ABC”. NO mention of HIM being involved.
William
What are you talking about? Who is Denny Crane? JCB?
I’m laughing to hard to post.
*hair flip* with a *pen flip*
I am a former resident of Fl. but have since relocated to another southern state. As a southerner, I found Mason to be corny, at times rude, and a caricature of the “I’m a down to earth kind of guy, just like you good folk in the jury”. I didn’t buy what he was selling.
Since he apparently has such a successful reputation, I assume that means he changes his demeanor when he’s in front of a jury?
LOL, sorry WSH, I’m at work, (don’t tell the boss) so it takes a while for me to get back and catch up on the reading LOL
My opinion is that lawyers have to be competent and they have to be likable and the way they present the facts… certain lawyers like to twist the words and therefore it turns you off, self confidence is a step close to arrogance. We are only humans not robots. That’s the way I see it. Cheney is arrogant from my point of view, maybe I can change my layperson mind along the way. Cheney was hired to please Floridians we all know that. We all can differ on our opinions right?
The only thing that bothers me about CM being on board is that I’m pretty certain that this case will now not get a DP verdict unless there is some serious stuff we don’t know about. CM is very skilled and is very adept at presenting reasonable doubt. I’ve seen him in action before. But, still, KC will spend considerable time in jail/prison which will be fine with me and probably more punishing for her than the DP.
FRG, I found Mason extremely arrogant, rude, and annoying….but that’s just me
Just a question: if Mason was working for the prosecution, would we ‘like’ him a whole lot more? Honestly. Step back and ask yourself if he’s the kinda guy you’d want on your ‘team’. I think he is.
His personality grates on my very last nerve (known too many men like him and learned to run, fast), but he’s got a charisma in court that will (and apparently does) serve him well.
Just an observation,
I haven’t read through all the comments, but if she was looking through all her stuff for the blood money. doesn’t that prove that Beaz already knew that caylee was dead (casey had to have told him) before she was even found?
I think that Casey will be fatally attacked in prison – she’s in for a rude awakening once she gets there. I also think that we have to endure more Casey new stories about her going haywire (really!) like Amy Fisher did. For her own safety, she should be held in Ad. Seg. Yes, I do watch too much on the History channel!
WSH, AL does not hold a candle to Mr. Mason in terms of trying a case such as this. She has absolutely no presence in the courtroom. Mr. Mason IMO is the first real defense attorney that has been on this case to date. He has already in just a few hours breathed new breath into this case!
seemeatthebeach said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 03:03:49 } FRG, I found Mason extremely arrogant, rude, and annoying…
Uhm, yeah, he’s a lawyer. (well, there goes MY job)
hmmm so i guess the sticking point would be if he received any money for that? or if there is any documments? WTF am i talking about Baez doesnt keep records and he was Paid with that damn money cuz thats how she’s paying him for her defense….
WAIT is this allowed?? Doesnt sound like it should be..but i thought the bar cleared him of this complaint? No wait…i think there was no evidence…
Does this count as evidence….
I think we needa silverspnr..
seemeatthebeach said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 03:03:49 } FRG, I found Mason extremely arrogant, rude, and annoying….but that’s just me
….nope, me too!
I didn’t find anything wrong with Mr. Mason.
Why is it only cool when Linda DB or Ashton are aggressive in court? Because of course we want them to win.
Think of it this way – Mr. Mason is going to make the prosecution team even stronger and more determined.
Mrs C Hop said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 03:03:46 }
[Unread Comment]hmmm so i guess the sticking point would be if he received any money for that? or if there is any documments? WTF am i talking about Baez doesnt keep records ”
But ABC probably does.
Lily get those white sunglasses before they go outta style, laughing my butt off…I am gonna plant a banana tree for ya also just in case…come here and hollar we will help out….lol
http://blog.richardhornsby.com/2010/03/please-read-florida-statute-27-527-regarding-determination-of-indigent-status/#comments ABC admits the deal was made with Baez!!!!!!!!!!! 8O
Casey’s deal with the tv network:
1. She wouldn’t have a clue – she had to have help. Who better to help her than someone who knows Geraldo Rivera (of all people)? Semantics. So Casey’s name is on the contract. Who drew it up? Who told Casey that Caylee images were liquid assets? Who knew how to make contact with the networks. Who knew how to accept the highest offer? WTF knew?
2. Time was of the essence. Casey could not have all this money while an inmate. The banking had to be done while she was “free.” Again, she would not be aware of the intricacies of that plus the fact tht someone had to be designated as her Fiduciary. which leads us to…
3. Confidentiality. G&C could not be in this loop because they’d want to handle her cash and they wouldn’t play nicely. Who better understands confidentiality than ..tah dah… an attorney. So, another reason to isolate the client, maybe?
4. Anticipating accounting or the lack thereof, who better to understand the careful language of a retainer agreement; who better to understand the careful timing of setting up the deal, execution and collection. Whoo, Whoo, Who let the DAWG out? Well, that dawg needs a bath because he smells like a dead squirrel – I think I can smell it way up here.
Let us know in advance I wanna sell gum to your Mom Lily,
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 03:03:15 }
[Unread Comment]
You’re right, Lily. I haven’t formed an absolute opinion yet. I didn’t like the “you can trust me” crap, though. It bothered me more, not because of him, but because of who he was trying to help hide or not reveal info for.
Lily, the problem I have with Mr. Mason is stating Casey will be acquitted and she will walk out of jail. It’s like calling the jurors STOOOOOPID and not paying attention. I firmly believe Casey killed Caylee.
And when all hell breaks loose in all the defense’ lives and they ask. WHY??? they will then see a vision of Caylee Anthony.
The defense may be giving Casey a death penalty without knowing it. She is not going to be safe if she walks. Some people hate her. What if she goes back to HOPESPRING DR? God forbid.
hahahahaha!!! sell gum to my mom!!! my mom would have kick’d my ass from here to the jail in under 10 seconds if I had tried to pull this much wool over her eyes. hahaha!
This is the funniest group of people I have ever had the pleasure to spend time with.
Thanks for all of the laughs we’ve had – and more to come I’m sure.
I know we’re all here for Caylee. I always wanted a daughter . . . got 4 smelly boys instead but I love all of ‘em.
Seemeatthebeach said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 03:03:49 }
What a relief!!! I thought I was the only one!!!
Shyloh, I sooo agree with if she gets out she would need protective custody and probably seek for state to pay for that…I dont see it happening tho..
I agree with Hornsby on this:
http://blog.richardhornsby.com/2010/03/please-read-florida-statute-27-527-regarding-determination-of-indigent-status/#comments
Richard Hornsby says:
March 18, 2010 at 3:02 pm
My take is that Cheney Mason came into court expecting to give the good ‘old boy routine and get the home town treatment. Instead he committed the cardinal sin of lawyering; which is forgetting who is the attorney and who is the judge.
I could not believe he asked the judge to tell a nationwide audience that “he trusted him.” It gives the appearance of favoritism, impropriety, and could have lead to Judge Strickland being recused if he said yes.
Also, it was extremely clear that Mr. Mason has no grasp of the current procedure for having a person declared indigent. I surmise he was brought on by Baez to protect Baez from scrutiny – not protect Casey Anthony’s interest.
My odds are that today’s hearing will lead to Jose Baez being investigated by the Florida Bar.
MC was very rude with Judge Strickland and it didn’t sit well with me. IMO
Guys – every single defense attorney representing his client under the death penalty has said “my client is innocent and will walk out of here” before the trial.
Again, they’re playing to the media in hopes that it reaches the jury pool. They must appear confident in their case.
STRATEGY.
The “you can trust me” comment was not good lawyering at all. That was improper and frankly surprising for a veteran trial attorney to say in Strickland’s courtroom.
I am happy with the prosecution team thus far. Based on Mason’s performance today, I wouldn’t want him on the state team for fear he would “turn off” some jurors (not to mention the judge).
FRG, I am not a fan of his either Mason came off as arrogant . I think Strickland say it too I think the judge is going to lean on being more arrogant now! I hope , he was a little soft and very comprimising maybe that will change now!
It was horrible that Casey Anthony sold photos of her dead child, but equally horrible, if not more so,is that her lawyer’s seemingly only concern has been to make money. He squandered what he got from that deal, and now wants the state to pay for the real work he has to do. That isn’t right for Casey Anthony either. Why aren’t hours and expenses documented? They should seize Baez’s assets in my opinion.
I agree if i was casey i would have stuck with Baez and PRAYED for LWOP b/c like someone posted earlier they would love to wipe the smirk off her face and they’d use duct tape to do it….well get in line!!! LOL
I don’t hear well, and was unable to tell what was said that got to Casey in court today when she wrote a quick note and then rubbed her as if to rid them of grime of the crime.
Please, would someone tell me what triggered this behavior.
» WSH said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:33 } How could they have gone thru $ 345k already? Everyone flying first class or what?
Some of the defense team members are probably required to purchase 2 tickets!
This whole fiasco makes me sick.
Friend~ I agree with your comment about Mason. “Corny” and ” I’m not buying what he’s selling”. He may be the game changer but IMO only because he is local and has a solid reputation whereas the rest of the morons associated with her defense are kind of slimy.
He admittedly has been “on” the team since 11 this morning and he’s already the ring master for yet another circus show, this time he’ll take the homespun, folksy, shoe shuffling tact. When are ANY of them going to realize that the public is very tuned into this case, the public takes it very seriously and that Casey Anthony is on trial for murdering her child, not just being a naughty girl.
It’s insulting to hear him (CM) that it will be fun. Another look-at-me player.
OMG 431 comments….Great post again, Val. You have such a great knack for saying just what most of us feel.
Time to read the comments………
Hornsby doesn’t hold back anymore does he?
I didn’t see anything in court today that was helpful to the defense of Casey. The defense seemed unprepared. Again. They acted like everything was a foregone conclusion as if they were in their own little world, not the real one.
They also seemed to be caught a little flatfooted regarding the discovery that will be released. Baez said it was a lot of material and wanted 15 before going public. Why? The evidence is not going to change whether we see it or not. They are under no obligation to respond until the trial. I can read very fast if he needs unpaid help.
Cindy looked bad today and very sad when Casey wouldn’t look at her as she left the court. I think it is finally too much for her. She doesn’t do well when not in control and there is no quick fix for this. George looked befuddled,bitter,befuddled,bitter.
What an odd confluence of characters in that room today. Caylee’s name was not mentioned once.
Valhall – You have a talent for writing that should make you a million bucks! I have followed this case from Day 1 and of all the blogs/websites I review yours is the best! I so enjoy logging in each day and seeing what you and the other guest writers have created for our enlightenment. It’s not worth much but a million thanks for all you do!
I just watched the hearing online, her new Attorney, jokes around WAY too much. This is a murdered 2 year old little girl!! STOP JOKING and LAUGHING!!!
OrlandoOpps has the right idea about CM!
William! 8O
There you are!
Val,
You nailed it, girl! Good job! I just finished watching the hearing (missed it this morning) and they may as well have been reading your “bench” notes!
ABC paid big bucks for the bundles of photographs that were stashed in that Bloody Black Backpack, by gosh! And no doubt from Big Bad and Bumbling Baez’s office, no less — and perhaps with his assistance!
It irks me to NO end that as we all assumed he would, Baez came unprepared, and so that we didn’t get to the Juicy Fruit (be they oranges or otherwise). I was quite impressed with Strickland who would not be intimidated by some arrogant old coot and his EverReady’s! And please do tell me that he (Mason) was only joking when he referred to Ashton as “ignorant”! I had to listen to that like three whole times to be certain that he said what he said!
He may be a thread more experienced than Aston, but he’s lacking finese, and I am CERTAIN that he doesn’t smell near as nice :!: He’s certainly not as cute, though he’s cuter than Baez, whose face I just can’t stomach or his near whining way.
It’s no less than a very good thing that Mason has joined the defense, because maybe now we will get somewhere!
As I just got home about a bit ago, I haven’t had the opportunity to but skim over the posts, but someone said something (she said he said, anyone?) about being scared now that Mason is on board, and if I might, and in spite of the fact that my opinion isn’t worth much more than beans most of the time: Fear NOT, for Mason position in all of this is no different than Lyons’. He is there to make certain that she escapes the death penalty, and perchance he can somehow get her to plea, well who knows. 25-Life?
And so Val, when is your book coming out?
Willow
I was so frustrated after watching today’s proceeding. I felt like the whole thing was a *waste, huge waste.*
Wouldn’t you think Baez would be smart enough to bring accounting records with him when he’s coming in to ask for money from the State?? Helllooo???!
Is this to buy them time to scramble around numbers??
I hope Judge Stickland lets Mason know who’s running the Courtroom.
There’s a difference in being belligerent and arrogant and having confidence in your case and in my opinion, he has jerk written all over him.
..someone asked earlier—–if it was clear as to what LKB was saying about her pro bono status etc?
..i can’t understand her regarless of what she’s talking about! ever!
..shetalkssofast—-andherwordsallruntogether!
Well, I just can’t imagine a jury responding in any positive way to this latest circus act. He is rude, offensive and insufferable. LOL! He fits right in, doesn’t he? How many leeches can this case attract? Mon dieu!!!
He actually said, “We’ll walk out of here with Casey in arm!” . . . What the ……..? Has this old geezer somehow lost touch with reality ~ early dementia possibly? Because anyone with half a clue knows better than to rub “poor little Casey” in our faces. Does he not know? Have we somehow failed to communicate our loathing? Why would he plant the image of Casey strutting out of the courthouse, arms linked in comradery, full-smirk in place, back into the innocent population?
And how is it that ALL of these big-shot lawyers are so generous and giving of their time to help out poor little old Casey pro bono and at the same time say there are no future book or movie deals? Thing is we know they are lying. They know we know they are lying. And we know they know that we know they are lying. Whew! LOL! Sometimes I hate.
Ellejay- What I thought I heard was LKB said she would recind (sp) her retainer agreement and go pro bono, ’cause she hasn’t been paid anything on the retainer anyways.
Watching JB and his dancing around and ducking questions, and playing down right dumb, I ask myself, is this for real or is he acting. I can’t believe they would not come prepared for any questions esp. regarding finances since this was going to be the topic of the day. Perhaps when they got Mason, they thought that due to his name and reputation would put some scare into not having much questions asked, and all would slip by like a duck takes to water. Did you see the footage of Mason and his attitude? http://www.wftv.com/video/22878634/index.html I just find him rude, and crude, and he also does that bait and switch tactict. Trying to take the question asked of him, and turning it around to distract him from giving an answer, but to put it on the State, and why they don’t have to give account for money spent. The whole Defense does not care one bit about “Justice for Caylee”. This is a game to them, and it makes me sick. To see all the smirking faces, and the lies, deceit, and esp. the actions of how High and Mighty the Defense acts is just disgusting. They act like & implying they are untouchable. Mason is trying to be so intimidating w/his 40 some years of experience. I think that he could at least act alittle more professional in his attitude. Why would a person want to offer to defend a criminal for free, because it is fun. Wouldn’t you do that because you really believe they are innocent! When you looked at the video, or even in the court room today, and all the sicko smirking and laughing, This is about a Precious Little Girl named Caylee who has been murdered, and was disposed of like trash. Then the selling and/or lets make a deal that was done by the Judas’s is just sooo wrong. The lieing under oath and all the other nasty and twisted events that have or is taking place. The stalling tactist. I bet those documents that are to be presented in 15 days to JS, won’t be worth the paper they are wrote on. That whole Def. T will be burning the midnight oil, to try and justify or whatever they have to do to make 2 + 2 = 4 ..It will be a great day when the wall’s of the so called untouchables and the rest of the devils advocates fall into the firey pit.
Ok, Watched the first half hour on Tru Tv, and the minute Casey started picking at her eyes like a monkey, I decided to shut off the TV and go ride George. Yep, my horse’s name is George. But, don’t worry he has more integrity in one hoof than George Anthony has in his whole body. What I don’t get is why these top DP lawyers are working pro bono for Casey. I mean really WTF? I rarely curse, but I look at that girl and knowing what she did, I just want to slap her smug smile right off her face. I couldn’t take Baez either sitting back in his chair smirking and waiting for Mason to whoop Sticklands butt. Baez is such a loser. I wish the cameras would stop taking close ups of his face. Sorry, for the rant, but that court hearing today was a disgrace.
I can’t help but think the way Casey completely avoids any eye contact with either one of her parents is because she knows one of them is headed under the bus.
*jmo*
What I find strange is not one news outlet has picked up on the June 17th slip. Now, maybe that’s exactly what it was, and everyone is just blowing it off as that, but in something this high profile I believe I’d know the exact date, all the time. And, had I slipped and messed up, I would have realized it as the words were exiting my mouth and corrected it immediately — which he didn’t.
“Agreed, I’m from NC and he immediately pissed me off. I view him as a sassy pulsating hairy asshole with lips…..ugh”
I’m more of a lurker to this website but read it religiously. Rarely comment but the above comment had me laughing so hard! Just priceless!!!!
While the highlight of the hearing was the introduction of Attorney Cheney Mason, the greatest distraction was the inability to hear and comprehend what the JAC representative had to say over a speaker phone which, for some reason, kept echoing each and every of his sentence. Aside from not being able to hear what was being said, this hearing was a big waste of everyone’s time and money as Jose Baez didn’t seem to realize that the purpose of the hearing was for him to fully disclose the dates, sources and amount of all funds he has thus far received as well as to disclose the dates, names, services rendered and amounts paid to others from these funds. It appears it never entered Jose Baez’ mind that the best way to prepare for this hearing would have been to draw up a detailed and itemized listing of all credits and debits and then submit this list to the Judge at the start of the hearing. So Judge Strickland has decided to give Jose Baez a second chance at doing what he should have done to begin with and has given him 15 days in which to do so.
Yes Orlandan, I agree.Wonder if she was in the vicinty of Baez’s office on that day.JWG do the cell phone pings show she may have been??
Oh, I believe that Baez knew exactly what he was doing, such as buying time so he could “cook the books” in order to account for what, $275,000 all totaled? Or as Strickland said, more or less, “You still have a lot of money left,” right?
What an opportune time for the defense to introduce Mason, who couldn’ t but rise to the defense of the defense even while Baez hid behind him.
I tend to wonder if this may not be Mason’s “last hoorah” shortly afterwhich he will retire.
Willow
couple quick observations on the hearing…
When Geo and Cin entered the courtroom the gal directing people to the gallery seating told them take a seat on the second row please, then immediately made an announcement to dispose of chewing gum prior to entering the courtroom, there is a trash can outside the door- I had to laugh.
When Casey got settled into her seat Lyon immediately handed her a prefolded tissue, was Casey supposed to cry on cue at some point today ?-
Casey’s incessant and wiping when she took her seat made me think “out out damn spot” trying to remove the stain of murder and the humiliation of being indigent. -
Cheney Mason offended me right off the bat, calling Ashton ignorant and implying that his word was gold and the Judge should blindly trust him…
Todd M generously “donating” 70K.. OMG WTF??? and wo’s 70K was tak Mr M ???
Baez objecting to himself- priceless…
Val, just wanted to say, I FREAKING LOVE THE TITLE OF THIS POST!!!!! Best one I’ve seen yet!!!! Oh man was today a circus! And I didn’t think it could possibly get worse or more chaotic!!!
Anyway, great job as usual! Keep it up!
Lizanyx — I’m still laughing at the objection! Wonder of any of the screaming talking heads will bring that up later tonight.
Silverspnr, just don’t let them put the green dye in your future drinks– it’s the green colour that causes the problems, so the theory goes, nothing to do with alcohol content.
Hope the cause of the celebration was a win!
lizanyx,
In reference to your courtroom observations. I thought it looked like Andrea Lyon handed her a folded piece of paper (note). Look at the link below. About marker 7:25. It looks like Andrea receives a piece a paper from the officer sitting behind Mason. Then Andrea hands the paper (note) to KC. KC briefly looks at the paper (note) and places it on the table. I could be wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnkhUbRbwBU
kp
Did you guys see Joy Wray there today? Someone at Blink’s said they saw her.
I looked again. Maybe it is a tissue. My bad. Back to reading.
should read hand wiping- not an wiping 8O
I agree with the posters who mentioned that Baez knew exactly what he was doing when he came to court without any documentation today. He looked like a doofus, but I don’t think he was quite as unprepared as he appeared.
I think he’s a big proponent of the It’s Easier to Ask Forgiveness Than to Ask Permission idea.
By coming to court and having Judge Strickland give him specific parameters (and more time) of what he needs to present, he knows exactly what he needs to provide…and what he doesn’t.
Had he come to court prepared, he might have ended up providing information he didn’t want to. He might have “over-released” information, in other words.
This way, he can still maintain a little control over the information….by knowing exactly what’s expected of him rather than by guessing. Even though he ended up having to give some information (Now, really, what lawyer doesn’t keep financial records??? Puh-leeeeze!!!), he didn’t have to provide any documents. Plus, he kind of got to see just how far he could push Judge Strickland….just how much he could get away with.
It’s a completely unprofessional, slimy, sneaky way of doing business. It’s clear he has no honor. He’s simply in it to win, in any way he thinks he can. He really is the Perfect Lawyer for Casey Anthony.
The new one, however (does anybody else see the words Charlie Manson any time they see his name?) doesn’t seem to be quite as slimy. Much more professional. At the same time, he doesn’t really seem to “get” the fact that offending people isn’t a good way to make friends and win people over. Joking, laughing, and behaving disrespectfully doesn’t make him look good…or his client. Jurors will judge Casey Anthony, in part, by the way her attorney behaves.
lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 06:03:01 }
Did you guys see Joy Wray there today? Someone at Blink’s said they saw her.
____________
I saw her there. She was on the opposite side from The A’s. She was tucked back in the corner and looked like she was trying to peek around at the A’s. She acts like a freaking stalker. 8O
Oh, Wow. Thanks Barb.
» claudia said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:40 }
What child does not see her mommy for a few days or weeks, and not toss them a smile, or mouth the words I love you
________________
A child who thinks it’s her mom’s fault she is in this predicament. I say “predicament” because I really think the narcissistic sociopath believes her stay is temporary as she will be acquitted. She hates her mother with a passion. JMO
Gosh, where’s she going to live when she gets out?
Born and raised in Georgia, 47 yrs old, lived in the south all my life…..Mason was an ass even to us southerners….(at least this southerner).
Stocirpa said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 05:03:46 } It appears it never entered Jose Baez’ mind that the best way to prepare for this hearing would have been to draw up a detailed and itemized listing of all credits and debits and then submit this list to the Judge at the start of the hearing. So Judge Strickland has decided to give Jose Baez a second chance at doing what he should have done to begin with and has given him 15 days in which to do so.
….i may have misunderstood——but, the ‘itemized list’—–wasn’t that what baez was stammering all over—–oh, i’ll be happy to bring it ( and then andrea shot him daggers) IN camera –sure, the state can be there too ( more daggers ) i mean, the state canNOT be there! smirk, giggle…
..and then the judge told “everyone” to get more stuff to him —- he wants a “body” present this time from JAC, as he isn’t doing it “telephonically”…etc. ( and then didn’t he say—–he’ll rule on that then—-as in shortly ?)
..i understood the 15 days, to be, the unsealed evidence–( which we all now know are the notes/letters from kc to another criminal)—jose, per usual cried the blues, but, but……5 days is not a lot of time———judge said fine, take 15 days.
Terrific article!!! Great writing!!! Really enjoy reading your site. It’s a favorite. Look forward to checking back for new posts.
Sitting here thinking about why they brought in Mason…I think it is because Lyon is going to be removing herself from the case for one of a few reasons:
#1 She sees this as a lost cause and doesn’t want to tarnish her track record
#2 She sees JB doing things he shouldn’t do and doesn’t want to be involved should
he get caught
#3 She wants to be paid
#4 She doesn’t want her name forever linked with JB
#5 She doesn’t want her name forever linked with PPP
Any thoughts?
Carla said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 06:03:51 }
Born and raised in Georgia, 47 yrs old, lived in the south all my life…..Mason was an ass even to us southerners….(at least this southerner).
……………i’m in northern canada——did not like the guy one bit.
..from the moment he walked in, he acted like HE was “the king of the court”.
..tried to RUN the court room, telling the JUDGE how things should be done (???) INTERRUPTED the judge, and JAC whenever the heck he felt like it , ( and played the good ‘ol boy / i’m old-been around, card WAY too many times.)
..like ANYONE could care less if he has fresh batteries in his hearing aid, but he made a point of bringing it up.
..good for LDB, when , at the bench, he called SAashton “jeffrey”———–”we HAVE last names”.
..baez acted like more of a bumbling fool than usual ( even for him) ———just b/c it comes natural ? or did “the king” tell him to ?
What are the chances she will walk? Or get an insanely (imo) light sentence?
…the evidence is greatly NOT in her favour, her best hope at a “win” is LWOP.
I can’t imagine she will walk. There is just to much that can’t be explained….31 days, lie after lie, ugly coping…and on and on and on.
..the SA will put forth real evidence:
..the 31 days , in which she failed to report her child missing.
..during the 31 days, kc “claims” ” she was looking for her”—–unfortunately she only shared this shocking info with 2 ( non existant) people.
..”real” people, her Xfriends, have testified as to what she REALLY was up to those 31 days———-and it wasn’t looking for caylee. ( kc was out and about being the usual slut that she is.)
..then, caylee is found, a mere ONE minute drive from her house, in trash bags ( same as anthony trash bags) in a laundry bag ( same as a matching one from the anthony house) with duct tape around and around her head ( which is the same as “rare” duct tape from the A house).
..decomp——-found in kc’s car trunk.
..her own parents say the car smelled like death…
….and the list goes on——-and on———and on——
..LWOP , she’ll be lucky to get that.
I don’t mind saying I’m not impressed with Bossy. What on earth made him think it would be okay to go in strutting his arrogance and playing up the Southern bumpkin while describing to us how he would be arm-in-arm with Casey the day she walks free? Excuse me? Like, what part of “loathing” does he not get when it comes to Casey Anthony? Did he really expect that to fly or does he just not care? He should care. And maybe while he’s bringing himself up to speed on the case he should just SIT DOWN and be QUIET.
So Baez can’t read 258 pages of notes written between Casey and the other 2 inmates in 5 days.
He needs 15 days.
That’s sad.
LOL
Ellejay,
Yep, you are so right on. He walked into court like he was the “new sheriff in town”. IMO. Did you catch him call the prosecution “ignorant”…How unappropiate!!!!! Where does he get off? The name calling like that, in a professional environment is NOT going to win him any friends as for as the jurors are concerned I don’t think.
Okay, I just got finished watching the hearing.
I like Mason. I’m glad he’s on the defense team. He brings some grits to the mix. AND – the days of thinking an appeal on incompetent defense are behind us. With Lyon serving her special (mitigation), LKB working on her expertise (forensic lawyering), and Mason leading the pack as a seasoned defense strategist, WHATEVER this trial produces in the way of a verdict will STICK.
They need to let Baez go pet the animals.
I did not think Mason came off as arrogant, but confident. That’s what 40 years of a career gets you. Yes, I believe he stepped OVER-confident a couple of times, but not so egregious as to give him a black mark.
This is going to be good!
Those letters that Casey wrote to the other inmate….right now, she’s the only one on her defense team who knows what they really say. Nobody else has seen them. I wonder what she’s told Baez & Company about them.
The news says there aren’t any confessions in them, which isn’t surprising. Casey Anthony will never, ever, ever confess. However, it will be interesting to see what they do contain. Speculation, maybe? Hypothetical scenarios, perhaps? Maybe new “suspects?”
We’ve all seen examples of Casey’s creative writing. She can spin a tale, that’s for sure (even when she’s using somebody else’s words to do it). These letters may turn out to be a big bunch of nothing….but, considering Casey’s track record, I’ll bet they’ll give us lots of topics of discussion.
emberl said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:48 }
So Baez can’t read 258 pages of notes written between Casey and the other 2 inmates in 5 days.
He needs 15 days.
That’s sad.
LOL
*********************
ROFLMAO
» emberl said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:48 }
HEY – lol…he has to read in spanish convert to english and then back to spanish – that’s 3 times the reading…3 x 5 = 15
time served!
..whether or not the jurors “like” this new bossman or not—–i would hope does not come into play.
..i’m counting on jurors——–weighing the FACTS—-the evidence——-and then arriving at a verdict————which can ONLY be guilty.
..( for those jurors that come to like the guy——-they’ll just have to come out of the jury room and tell their new “friend”———-sorry dude, you’re likeable and all——but your client is guilty as hell.
» Valhall said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:26 }
Well said (lol)
Ok hubby home from work and I was venting a bit about the hearing today and had another thought…
Andrea Lyon and the charitable donations that went to Casey’s defense- this is another WTF deal. Andrea stated in court that her council raises money to aid in the defense of indigent people. Ok that sounds good and noble, it is every Americans right to have the best possible defense and fair trial. I have to ask though why then did she use approx $70,000 towards Casey’s defense, putting her organization in the black, when Casey has yet to be declared indigent? Does this not go against the mission statement of Lyon’s non profit concil as she laid it out in court?
Gee I bet the people of Illinois who have donated to give a voice and council to their own underpriveledged are pleased as punch that Lyon has chosen to take that money to Florida to defend a baby killer(alleged baby killer I should say).
I bet those donors are just as pleased as those clients that Macaluso fleeeced…
Great point Ellejay….thinking of the way you stated it, I see where you are coming from. Wow, I just love this site and all the great comments…Thanks Vahall.
» Valhall said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:26 }
“They need to let Baez go pet the animals”
Hahahahahahaha, just so long as they aren’t any of my animals…
My daughter has taken over the computer, Val. Last message for the night while she does up her lesson plans.
I think that with his experience I would expect some tact. Rubbing his hands in glee and describing the situation as “fun” might not have been the best way to win anyone over.
Yeah, I heard that, too. Calling Ashton ignorant was rude. I didn’t even see the reason for it, you?
OMG! Mason was nothing BUT arrogant in my opinion. I got the impression that he thinks us “Good ole Southerners” won’t really notice that the whole lot of them are lying through their teeth. I actually felt insulted that he put on the FAKE Southern “So You Should Trust Me” act. And I think that the majority of the people that live in the State of Florida felt insulted as well. Where does this jackass get off just asking JS to “just trust me”? Are we back in the days where a hand shake was good enough? Absolutley F**king NOT!
Just watched the trial. I wonder what Jose showed Casey on his cell phone right at the beginning. I find it curious that as soon as they (defense) went in the room the man next to Cindy got a text that upset her enough to have to leave the court room. (I wonder if they were trying to get a message to Casey thru Jose and she responded back…not too politely.) Casey sat there with a smirk on her face when they were discussing how much ABC has paid her. I’m sure she’s thinking she is one expensive, spiteful b*tch….got it before you and dad…ha ha. I’m thinking the only ‘cha-ching’ she’s ever going to hear are from the shiny bracelets around her ankles!
Ps….Jose, you have alot of explainin’ to do!
Why was he trying to tell Strickland how to run the courtroom? Is this his normal courtroom behaviour? Has anyone else ever seen him in action?
Carla said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 06:03:51 }
Born and raised in Georgia, 47 yrs old, lived in the south all my life…..Mason was an ass even to us southerners….(at least this southerner).
*******
Amen, sister.
Born, raised and lived in South Louisiana all my life, except for 3 months post-Katrina spent in Orlando, of all places. His hokey schtick rings false and “hinky” — down here, we know a con trying to “pass” as local and all buddy-buddy and don’t give ‘em the time of day. Good luck with that act, no matter his experience and credibility lawyering. I don’t get it, though his record and reputation speak loudly — maybe he’s just that good in spite of himself, lol. I just wanted to kick him through the tv.
Now it makes sense, Todd Macaluso didn’t say ‘she is innocent’, he MUST have really said ‘she is indigent’!!
Mason being on the team is not about getting Casey off. He’s there to keep Casey off that gurney, the same as Lyon was. Casey will be spending the rest of her natural life behind bars.
This circus make me want to scream. How can this family continue to feed off of Caylee’s death. I’m glad that little girl in out of their hands and in God’s.
% I’m just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh Lord,please don’t let me be misunderstood. Eric Burdon and the Animals %
The judge & JAC should be concentrating on what the spokesperson for ABC said about their deal. Ms. Levine, ABC spokesperson, said that the deal was done with Baez who was representing ‘SEVERAL’ owners of copyrighted content. If Casey was paid $200,000, how much did Cindy & George & Baez make???
» Valhall said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:26 }
Okay, I just got finished watching the hearing.
I like Mason. I’m glad he’s on the defense team. He brings some grits to the mix. AND – the days of thinking an appeal on incompetent defense are behind us.
I totally agree Val. I used to tell my boys before their dates not to go to the heavy petting zoo. hahaha! They never appreciated my sense of humor. Wonder why?
You know, Cheney Mason has a good point. How much has the prosecution spent on the case so far? They are not required to disclose their expenditures and they don’t have to justify it at all. I think we’re way too focused on money. I mean really, $275k for 1 1/2 years of defense on a death penalty case is not that much in the real world. It’s a lot of money to each one of us – but for this kind of case it’s not that much money.
I am not very smart, but I know “Stupid” when I see it, and I saw it today in that courtroom. I was not impressed with Mr. Mason. He thinks he is God’s gift to the courtroom. When the LDB gets through with him he won’t know what’s got a hold of him. That is MHO of Mr. Mason.
JB didn’t look to good either.
» ILikeToBendPages said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 08:03:31 }
Mason being on the team is not about getting Casey off. He’s there to keep Casey off that gurney, the same as Lyon was. Casey will be spending the rest of her natural life behind bars.
________________________________________________________
..i thought so too , that his role was all about the DP.
..not according to him——–after court…when he talks about “how much FUN! this case is going to be ( i get it, that he means challenging.) and ” celebrating her acquittal down the road.”
..so——-he’s there for the “not guilty” too.
http://www.wftv.com/video/22878634/index.html
Well the way I see it – there is nothing stupid about Mr. Cheney Mason. He’s highly respected. Has won over 50 of these cases in his career. The man is not stupid.
Is he going to rub those of us who want this to be an easy trial and conviction the wrong way? Of course he is. That’s his job. He’s not going to make this easy for anybody. Especially if this is the horse he’s going to ride into the sunset of his retirement on which is what he said. He’s going to make this a legacy case if he can.
It’s going to be a bumpy ride folks.
Does anyone want to discuss the fact that Jose Baez was retained by Casey Anthony 2 days AFTER Caylee was last seen alive and approximately 28 days BEFORE it was announced she was missing? !!
Jose Baez testified under oath that he was retained on 17 JUNE 2008. Not July but June.
Sorry if this has been posted here already but I have yet to see this discussed anywhere and it is driving me crazy. I thought loads of people would have jumped on this already.
Anyway I am off to look at old phone records of Casey’s from this time period.
Lily: How about because the prosecution is the ‘state’s’ money. Why should they have to account for money that is their’s anyway? JMO
Well, Darnudes, at this time we don’t know if it was just Baez mis-speaking. I’m thinking it probably was, but can’t be certain. He was pretty flustered while being questioned.
He seems to always be pretty flustered.
I would think the prosecution is probably more times underfunded in comparison to their opposition than not when it comes to a trial of this magnitude.
That and they are spending money for ALL the citizens of Florida where as the defense is spending for ONE citizen of Florida. A citizen the state has ruled needs to be found guilty of murder.
I’m with Judge Strickland on this one – Mason’s attempted point was missed.
» Phyllis said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 08:03:41 }
He thinks he is God’s gift to the courtroom.
……yep——–you would think that a respected lawyer WITH 40 years experience would be even MORE inclined to respect the judge, the proceedings…
..instead, he acted ( imo ) that he ASSUMED everyone, judge included, would fall all over them selves just b/c HE showed up!
..i loved it——-before court even convened——-he’s yapping to the court personnel—–( him and baez complaining about counsel table mic).
..mason: ” that won’t do it!” ” one thing i can ASSURE you is—–that microphone is NOT going to be on………blah blah blah…”
————-then the judge arrives——jose cries about the mic.
judge: yeah, deal with it—for today anyway—just press the button when you want to confer.
round ONE mason : 0 —–judge 1
The prosecutions isn’t stating that their client (the state of Florida) is ‘broke’ and there ‘isn’t a dime left’ , so there is no need to disclose expenses. If they mishandled money on this case it will show up in an audit. Their most important client, Caylee Anthony , is richer than any of us could ever dream of being….just look at all the people who took her into their hearts and care about justice for her!
Steffiee,
I have cousins born and rasied outside NOLA….Im sure my cajun cousin would not agree with his antics..I feel like maybe he had to come into court and make a good impression and let the prosecution know that things are about to change with Casey’s defense. After reading soooo many great inputs on here, it is not a bad thing. It takes the arguement of ineffective counsel off the table. I do feel like he will not put himself in a position that would hurt his rep with what Baez trys to pull off with all his crap.
Hi Val, I thought about that but he seemed quite confident to me – Shame the SAO did not pick up on it and clarify the date, damn! Then there would be no question in our minds about it, what strikes me as interesting though is the post by Richard Hornsby about this matter, well worth another read.
http://blog.richardhornsby.com/2009/12/attorney-of-record-in-record-time/
I’ve left a comment for Richard and maybe he can give his thoughts on the matter.
Bugger, Richard has replied:
Richard Hornsby says:
March 18, 2010 at 9:08 pm
@Dars I think it was a misstatement – probably because he was subliminally thinking about my blog.
http://blog.richardhornsby.com/2010/03/please-read-florida-statute-27-527-regarding-determination-of-indigent-status/#comments
Stupid he ain’t. Arrogant, irritating, a little bit of a bully, maybe. But Mason isn’t stupid. He’s got that courtroom (and, I’m sure, the blogs and discussion forums) buzzing like they haven’t buzzed in a long time, and for better reasons. I would agree he brings in a fresh energy that could ultimately be a good thing for the prosecution. There is no way they’re going to let a single thing slide now, whereas with JB, it was like shooting fish in a barrel.
I’m not the competitive type, but I do think Mason sees this as a ‘thing to be won’, not for his client but for his own competitive spirit. I don’t think anything about Casey (or, sadly, Caylee) enters into it for him, really. It’s a challenge and he wants to be the man to overcome a mountain of odds against. I wouldn’t rule it out, even as I pray the jury decides based on the facts and doesn’t let bluster and bravado stand in the way of hearing the truth.
» Just a Mom said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:36 }
Go Mimi! I agree; when I first saw Mason I couldn’t believe it. ANOTHER pro-bono lawyer? When the d-team were being questioned it was all, “Uhh, ahh, I think…around…could be…” They are at an INDINGENCY hearing and it didn’t occur to them to bring their actual numbers with them?!
And when Mason answered the question about how much the d-team has spent on the case so far, he managed to throw in the, “how much has the state spent to prosecute Ms. Anthony?” He forgot to add, “AND defend Caylee.”
Justice for Caylee
EXACTLY Mom and Boz…
This guy is already twisting the whole thing around. He makes statements that the prosecution is objecting to how much money the defense has spent and will spend and how DARE they when THEY have spent so much money prosecuting her? That is NOT the issue here and he knows it! The question is, where did the money go now that you come with your hands out for tax dollars? Nobody that I have heard “complained” about how much the defense has spent at all. He’s already on the propaganda trail. And, no, I was not impressed with him at all…saw no charm at all but just a lot of cleverly released hot air…he walks in a 11am today and is talking about walking out with Casey and celebrating her acquittal next year.
Too bad the jury (who will also be paying for Casey’s defense) won’t get to know how he feels about the JAC and how it should just go away. I found nothing endearing about him at all.
Valhall — Betcha lots of people don’t know what you mean when you say he brings ggggggrits to the mix!
Curious Mom — Maybe she wrote “If I Did It” in the letters — shades of OJ.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been in sales my whole life that I see this as a challenge or a chess match as someone so aptly put it before.
Cheney Mason certainly sees it that way. He’s been going up against the state his whole career. It probably becomes ingrained “The State = Bad” “Defenders of Individual Against the State” = Good”. But that is probably what got him where he is today.
I do understand the money issue. But lots of people make that much and much much more every year. Attorneys being in that group of high income earners. Money comes in to their practices by the millions. They pay their personnel good salaries, they have nice offices, they pay themselves a lot.
There’s no doubt that there is an ‘upside’ for all of this defense team at some point down the road. Right now, they see this as an investment in that ‘upside’. They’re all losing money right now IMO.
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 08:03:30 }
Well the way I see it – there is nothing stupid about Mr. Cheney Mason. He’s highly respected. Has won over 50 of these cases in his career. The man is not stupid.
………i don’t think for one moment that the man is “stupid”..i don’t happen to think that andrea is “stupid” either…
..and, if, his “being on board” , gives kc no excuse to claim “ineffective counsel” —–excellent.
..i’m simply talking about his “grand entrance” today—-and my thoughts on that.
..even when the judge took “notice of (his) appearance, “what kept you?”
..here——-the seasoned lawyer mr. mason—–had ONE oppurtunity to ——-approach the podium, with a “good morning your honour…..”
..instead he says—-from “stage right”——-”i eventually tired of what’s goin’ on—–so here i am.”
( now———THAT’S professional.)
He’s no Atticus Finch! Now there’s a true Southern gentleman lawyer but…he wasn’t real.
ChicagoJudy said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:48 }
I’m in Illinois, too, and I don’t see Mason as being the charming southern gentleman. I saw him, instead, like a buffoon in the courtroom. How many jokes did he make this morning? How many times did he refer to his old age, i.e., his deafness. He thinks he’s being charming and cute, but I really think (and hope) a jury can see right through that and know that this man hasn’t gotten where he is in his profession by being a nice guy. He’s a shark, and it shows. The whole deaf routine got very old very fast for me.
Judy…you hit every nail square on the head of the good old boy network with those statements. Hopefully, the jury will be as attuned to REAL human nature as you obviously are.
Bees — That’s pretty classic Cheney Mason. Don’t expect to see much difference moving forward. Maybe toned down a bit, but esssentially the same performance. A very good orator.
Mimi that really never set in the jury will be funding her defense won’t they..i wonder how that might weigh in on their minds when it comes to the verdict..that is bad i know..but still every juror sitting on that jury will know they payed for her defense.
Here’s a thought. All of these attorneys, SAs, judges live in Orlando. We have maybe a few hundred lawyers and 9 judges at this level I think. They have to belong to the same organizations and many know each other outside of “work”. What an interesting observation it would be to listen in and see them in a social setting during this most interesting part of their careers.
Cheney Mason – my first thought was, “great, the Leonard Padilla of the courtroom”…a star in his own mind, a celebrity to be fawned over as he graces the world with his presence. I agree that he is a damn good lawyer, but “do you trust me judge?” and “I thought it would be fun to try this case” blah blah blah – over the top. I was thinking, “Oh here we go, another person making a mockery of our judicial system” I don’t like him – and that DOESN’T MATTER ONE BIT!! LOL
I, too, am glad Casey is getting effective counsel. Let’s get on with this. I think the public is tired of this circus, JS will keep order, and things will move forward. I still suspect that Casey may plea once the new Rock Star digs in and gets informed a little more…on the other hand, Bill Schaeffer seems to think this is a platform for him and his anti-DP cronies to strut their views and claim a victory. (paraphrased) This is like high stakes poker to them. WTH, throw in a few hundred thousand and see if we can win the hand…it is only “small money’ to them, and the challenge is invigorating.
The prosecution will get a chance to put on a great performance now.
And when Baez says “June 17″ while burying his head, JS makes a little nod. So I am NOT convinced that it was a mis-speak. I think it is a very real possibility that she hired him right after she dumped Caylee. On the other hand (sometimes I wish I didn’t have TWO hands!! LOL) he is a pretty stupid clown, so maybe he can’t remember that, either.
Bring on the letters.
Keep mulling over this math
200K ABC (includes 50K Depaul
5K Anonymous (probably G & C)
50K Fund raising Depaul
70K Macaluso
325K total
Out for sure
89K Baez
70K Lyon
159K leaving 166K to account for
50K held for taxes on the original 200K
Orlandan Opps – I expected Mr. Ashton to hand Baez a calculator!!
From another blog—-
Did anyone notice Andrea Lyon handing a folded note to KC. The officer behind Mason handed the note (paper) to Andrea. KC looked at it briefly and placed the paper on the table. Just wondering. Happened about marker 7:25 just after George and Cindy enter the court room.
Any ideas what the note was????
Hit the key too soon — here’s the rest
Keep mulling over this math
200K ABC (includes 50K Depaul
5K Anonymous (probably G & C)
50K Fund raising Depaul
70K Macaluso
325K total
Out for sure
89K Baez
70K Lyon
159K leaving 166K to account for
50K held for taxes on the original 200K leaves 116K left which went to C & G who gave 70K to Macaluso, 50K went to Depaul leaves a rounding zero. Man these people make me think the worst of them
Letters to Judge Strickland are not going to sway him one bit one way or the other. He is seeking a fair and just trial for Casey under the circumstances. It’s in everyone’s best interest that he continues to do just that.
In fact, I would bet that the more he gets pushed to lean one way or the other is going to be even more reason for him to weigh the public’s outcry against the weight of the court system to deliver a fair. He is there to deliver a fair, balanced and judicious verdict to the victim AND to Casey. It will be a failure on his part if this gets overturned based upon any HINT of wrongdoing or missteps on the part of the any piece of the system.
Personalities aside – it’s not his decision who defends Casey. It’s his decisions that will ultimately decide whether or not this goes to a whole new trial and that is a heavy burden. I think he’s up for it.
Never mind, my math went around in a circle and doesn’t make sense. That’s what I get for cocktails for dinner lol!
Oh Lily, if you are referring to my statement: “bring on the letters” I was referring to the inmate letters back and forth with Casey. I don’t think the public should mess with the judge. He is doing a bang up job, if you ask me. He is a lot like “poor Georgie Porgie” – he is ‘under the microscope’ and I think he is holding up just fine.
I am saying “release more evidence to the public!” Just to clarify…
I have to wonder what kind of man would take on a case to defend a young woman that is charged with the premaditated murder of her own child for “fun”. Maspm may very well be a highly respected attorney in his area but that statement really chapped my a**. That was a very crude, arrogant and distasteful response!
And what the heck was Baez retained in June vs. July? I smell a rat!
Orlandan Opps – LOL…imagine something “not making sense” in this case…and it is kind of possible, what you said.
OK, here goes: Did Macaluso “borrow” $70K from one of his clients’ accounts…give it to the dream team (which Baez testified that M was NOT paid) and then, “OH CRAP! I’m busted! Give it back to me!” That just leaves around $96K additional ‘not accounted for’ monies, of which Lyon could have ‘raised for her charity’ by having one of those clowns donate to her cause (which is Casey Anthony!)….all of that for a little tax evasion, perhaps….OK< so now I NEED a cocktail!! LOL
Valhall,
Your comments that he brings “Grits”? (Re: Cheney Mason) LOL! Flashbacks to “My Cousin Vinny!”
P.S. I agree, and I LOVE grits! With b u t t a h…….
He is one to watch! I agreed preemptively with your comments (earlier today)– almost verbatim! He is SMART, experienced, and competent (also arrogant and a blowhard), but his addition quells the arguments for ineffective counsel. No grounds for appeal– that is my goal. And as mentioned by others earlier, neither he nor Andrea are consumed with Casey’s guilt vs innocence– this is all about avoiding the big “DP sleep.” LWOP is a WIN in their minds.
Darnudes: GREAT link to Richard Hornsby’s December article about the haste with which JB commenced representing Casey! Thanks!
lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 08:03:30 } Especially if this is the horse he’s going to ride into the sunset of his retirement on which is what he said.
..he did say that——he also agreed that this was one “that he was not going to put on his resume”.
http://www.wftv.com/video/22878634/index.html
..reporter: you say, you’re not going to put this one–this on on your resume?—but obviously, you have a tremendous track record. Can you keep it going?
Mason: well, i have, have, look, look i’m an old guy, i’ve been doin’ this for 40 years.what am i gonna do now ? go out and start a new practice? Hell, i’m tryin’ to retire.—and this is gonna be part of it.
..reporter: retire ? then why take this case ?
Mason: “b/c it’s FUN.this case IS going to be fun to try. We will walk out of here, with kc in arms….. stand by.
…so, make up your mind mason——you ARE riding this case into the sunset? or NOT putting it on your final resume?
..i hope he doesn’t try and pull the ” wait—–i’m old—-couldn’t hear you with my hearing aid crap—–AT trial.”
..( HIGHLY reminiscent of andrea—via skype—-during state depos—–when she “lost her skype connection” suddenly couldn’t hear——when the state was in the midst of IMPORTANT questions…
As obnoxious as Chaney was, IMO, with his cock o’ the walk attitude and his apalling “It’s going to be fun” presser, I loved seeing Baez with his head pointing at his shoes like a beleaguered school boy on his way to the dunce seat.
» MsEnscene said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:29 }
As obnoxious as Chaney was, IMO, with his cock o’ the walk attitude ..
……never heard THAT one before——-but, yes, poor little jose at the press conference…..
..although, there were a COUPLE of times——-LKB and jose were grinning like cheshire cats—-SO happy to be in the company of their new leader….
..( andrea was behind him——-but when seen——-oh yeah, andrea can do the cheshire grin too.)
» FlNative said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:53 } Baez doesn’t think too well on his feet, so I’d guess he “meant” July 16th but he can’t count so he thinks July is month 6.
He also doesn’t do too well sitting down.
What does Cheney Mason need a resume for at this point?
He doesn’t need one. He’s a private defense attorney with his own practice. He’s going to retire. He will write a book when this is all over and this will be but just a chapter in his career. This will be the thing that gets the publicity he needs to write a nationally celebrated tome. They’re all in this for their legacy and book deals down the road. Period.
Unless we take this for face value and face the facts – the money aspect of this will consume all of our energy. One cannot buy this kind of media attention for any price! The more controversy, the more media coverage. They ALL KNOW this. Judge Strickland understands it. The defense understands it for sure. AND . . . the prosecution does too. That’s why there was such a weak response from the prosecution about this whole thing.
» Lizanyx said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 05:03:01 }
Todd M generously “donating” 70K.. OMG WTF??? and wo’s 70K was tak Mr M ???
Baez objecting to himself- priceless…
“Generously donated.” Your words struck me. So much distraction and anger today…yet, each time I heard of this donation I felt nagged.
*Somethings wrong!* **HINKY!**
Then it hit me…it’s not a donation. It’s an investment IMO. Someone like Todd M doesn’t donate to anything to be nice. But, he will invest with expectation of return on his money PLUS. This satisfies my suspicion that there was to be a huge payoff after all this inconvenience of a trial is over. I wonder how many players still have their eyes on that ball? That’s just my opinion.
Orlandan – I really liked your math and its roundabout kind of way. Made more sense than Baez.
Fun fun reading again tonight.
Proud to say that even from the Canadian West Coast I’ve had grits. Miami Airport after a red eye flight. Breakfast buffet. They are in our big grocery stores in cans. Don’t know if canned grits are sacrilege or not? Did not form a particularly favourable impression of grits.
Wait a minute. Hold the phone.
Did I hear Andrea Lyon admit that she used funds which had been donated, charitably, for the purposes of representing people –in her words–”that are poor” (<–INDIGENT is the WORD, Andrea– and you KNOW it) for the purpose of defending an NON-INDIGENT, Casey Anthony???
WHA-WHA-WHAT???
I'd like to read the charter and all other documents setting forth the purpose, etc of this charitable org.
(Imagine having written a check to this project under the belief that you were assisting those who could not afford to assist themselves/would otherwise be a greater burden on a state-funded defense, etc.. and then learning that your donation went toward costs for THIS defendant, while she had her own BLOODY BLACK BACK PACK money at hand. Yeah…. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.)
And then Baez ADMITS that he doesn't keep track of billable hours???!
To quote PPP: "Are you freaking KIDDING ME???"
GOOD LORD.
He needed to hire another attorney to let him know that entering into a book deal would be an ethics violation???
NOW I NEED A DRINK (and I swore this morning that I wouldn't have another one for a good,long while.)
Plus-=-
He claims he spent all her money on costs/fees… but…
Who the heck did he pay, other than himself/his office overhead/his staff salaries and benefits?????
Everyone else says they are either working for FREE– or that they have NEVER BEEN PAID.
LKB says- got no pay/will scrap retainer agreement and continue rep-ing for free.
AL- says fees are "pro bono"–AND raised additional funds (via duping some indigency project donors, but who's looking- Geeez)
TM– has not only not been paid, but has CONTRIBUTED $70,000. HUH???
Dom Casey says- NEVER GOT PAID.
Henry Lee is OK with a crate of Florida oranges. (Cough….cough… SPIT.)
Cheney Mason- pro bono (and having a grand old time showing off his "wares"
Rosebud- paid in… b.s. compliments via email, perhaps?? (I'd hate to imagine any other form of "payment"– blechhhhhhhhhhhhh)
Lee-paid in.. b.s. compliments, care of Private Dick, Dom Casey (cause his ego was so impaired that he believed it.)
George- paid in…. oh, i dunno,….a CZ in his ear, perhaps?
For cryin' out loud, this is a modern day "circus maximus".
Up go the tents, ladies and gents.
*****
» Valhall said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:26 }
Okay, I just got finished watching the hearing.
I like Mason. I’m glad he’s on the defense team. He brings some grits to the mix. AND – the days of thinking an appeal on incompetent defense are behind us. With Lyon serving her special (mitigation), LKB working on her expertise (forensic lawyering), and Mason leading the pack as a seasoned defense strategist, WHATEVER this trial produces in the way of a verdict will STICK.
They need to let Baez go pet the animals.
I did not think Mason came off as arrogant, but confident. That’s what 40 years of a career gets you. Yes, I believe he stepped OVER-confident a couple of times, but not so egregious as to give him a black mark.
This is going to be good!
*****
Val-
I couldn't agree more!
You had me at "hello", lady.. but this takes the cake!
You are so right. This is going to be good!
(and it SHOULD be; let's see PPP slither away in chains after all these people–some of them quite uniquely skilled and experienced– have done their best to put the state to the test– which will be far more satisfying than a victory over the likes of Baez).
Cheney Mason has skills. He is good at the "dog and pony show".
But so are the attorneys for the state of Florida.
"This ain't no party.
This ain't no disco.
This ain't no foolin' around…."
Silver,
I wonder about the inter-state issue about moving donated $ between IL and FL? Were the funds in that donated pool supposed t be used in IL?
reading the last part of your post Silver you think anything will ever wipe the smile of casey’s face while she’s in court?
As a Cat 1 mountain bike racer, I’d always rather have the fastest, most technically skilled, kickazz women lining up alongside me on the START line.
The stronger my competition, the stronger I compete.
Same goes for the courtroom.
The stronger one’s opponent, the better one prepares.
I’m liking the new intensity.. a LOT=)
*****
Did I really see Casey intentionally ignoring George Anthony, who was pathetically mouthing, “I Love You” to her as she clinked her way out of the courtroom at the conclusion of the hearing?=)
KZ-
Don’t know what the parameters of this charitable org are. That’s why I’d like to see the documents.
*****
Laser-
Hell yes.
One word:
“GUILTY”.
I have spent the last hour reading comments. About every second one I have wanted to respond to. After finally reaching the end, I don’t remember what was said or who said it. So, I am sending out one big awesome thank you to everyone that has posted today. You are all so smart and funny.
I don’t like Mason, but I am relieved he is on the case. Imagine how relieved Jose must be. I picture in my head Jose running to hide under Mason’s wing. As others have posted, I would love to hear Mason’s first conversation with PPP.
I’ve only had grits once and do not want to try that again.
» Silverspnr said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:20 }
Wait a minute. Hold the phone.
Did I hear Andrea Lyon admit that she used funds which had been donated, charitably, for the purposes of representing people –in her words–”that are poor” (<–INDIGENT is the WORD, Andrea– and you KNOW it) for the purpose of defending an NON-INDIGENT, Casey Anthony???
………..i'm wondering silver——-if these donations were raised , for a charitable org.—–IN illinois ( as her clinic is) ——-are there legal ramifications for using these ( illinois $$$'s ) to fund a ( florida ) defense?
..in fact, not only fund it——-but put the fund in the red, as andrea testified to.
..gotta say——while on this topic——-andrea tried HER best at acting today: " no, sniff, there's not a dime left". " in fact———my charity is——(sad sad eyes ) in —the hole."
..nice try andrea——stick to law.
» Silverspnr said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:52 }
Did I really see Casey intentionally ignoring George Anthony, who was pathetically mouthing, “I Love You” to her as she clinked her way out of the courtroom at the conclusion of the hearing?=)
YES! Oh, thank you Silver. Cuz nobody else said anything so I thought I dreamed it up and expected to watch the hearing again to make sure. I saw that, too. He did his usual hands to the mouth kissy-poo thing (only abbreviated) and mouthed “I love you” and she purposely didn’t even look towards him or Cindy. Now I won’t have to go see that horrible hearing again.
BrendaT said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 10:03:43 }
Proud to say that even from the Canadian West Coast I’ve had grits. Miami Airport after a red eye flight. Breakfast buffet. They are in our big grocery stores in cans. Don’t know if canned grits are sacrilege or not? Did not form a particularly favourable impression of grits.
…………from the canadian west as well—-i ordered “grits” once—–nashville maybe? or tennessee…O.M.G.
..if i was absolutely dying of hunger in prison——i couldn’t possibly eat them.
..( and yet, i served moose roast last weekend——-go figure.)
Death Penalty Legal Clinic DePaul University:
“Students work on trial and post conviction Capital Murder Cases”
Other law student clinic’s mission specify that their students focus is either on cases in their states or that clients must be elderly, indigent or whatever, etc. . .
No such stipulations for Andrea’s clinic.
» Valhall said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:28 }
» emberl said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 07:03:48 }
So Baez can’t read 258 pages of notes written between Casey and the other 2 inmates in 5 days.
He needs 15 days.
That’s sad.
LOL
HEY – lol…he has to read in spanish convert to english and then back to spanish – that’s 3 times the reading…3 x 5 = 15
time served!
Since he is the only paid attorney on the defense he may be starting to keep track of his hours to bill the JAC. Did he ever say he would not bill for his time or was his statement in general terms the lawyers will not bill the state or did he say the defense team. The way he tries to manipulate words in general terms without specifics, it would not surprise me if JAC gets a pay request for JB.
I can’t help but wonder what the Anthony’s think when Casey just ignores them. I don’t know what to make of all of this. She pays them no mind at all. Baez use to at least tell her oh looky your parents are here, turn around an smile big and wave… Oh that would drive me nuts if my child ignored me like that. I am afraid I’d jump over the railing and yell HELLO REMEMBER US!!!
Just for fun….. (we all need some smiles now and then!)
An Original Grits Poem
(submitted by a loyal visitor to Grits.com!)
Grits in the morning,
grits at night.
With butter and salt,
they taste just right.
Grits with bacon,
grits with ham.
I’m a grit lover,
yes, i am.
Grits with breakfast,
biscuts and gravy.
If you dont like grits,
you must be crazy.
Fresh hot grits,
stick to your ribs.
That’s how a southerner.
likes to live.
Grits on the side,
but not too runny.
Northerners think grits,
taste kinda funny.
But good old grits,
just cant be beat.
It’s a pure down south,
southern taste treat.
So give me grits every day,
I’ll eat my grits any which way.
I love grits,
thats what i said.
If you aint never ate grits,
you aint never been fed!
By Martha B, 2007
—
Bring on the honorable Mr. Grits, Esq.! We welcome him…..boiled or fried!
Ellejay-
I know what you are getting at, but again-
We can’t know by guessing.
We’d have to see the docs.
It’s possible that the purpose of the organization is spelled out such that those who donate agree that the funds can or shall be spent in the “best interests of justice”….”as determined by the board of directors” or some such language,so that the state within which the funds are spent is not an issue.
But here is what caught my legal ear:
She said the purpose was to help people “WHO ARE POOR”.
Well– there is no way that’s the language.
This has to be a pro bono legal organization or “project” which exists to aid the “INDIGENT”, which is a word with a specific legal meaning.
And we know that until just recently, Casey had not even petitioned the clerk/the court to be declared INDIGENT for the purpose of COSTS….
So…. this is where I can see a problem withOUT having to look at the docs (though it would be best to do so before offering any firm opinion.)
nashville maybe? or tennessee…
..THAT makes a ton of sense…..
..let’s try——–nashville——or SOME place in—-tennessee……
( i’m clearly still feeling the green beer & shots effect.)
Yeah, I’m in northern Canada and think they taste kinda funny.
Well this is straight from DePaul’s website:
Protecting the constitutional rights of someone facing the death penalty is a complex and compelling challenge. The Center for Justice in Capital Cases creates a higher standard of practice in the capital arena through vigorous advocacy and investigation, cutting-edge work in the social sciences, and a client-centered philosophy. By striving to safeguard the rights of indigent capital defendants, the Center hopes to reform the administration of criminal justice one life at a time.
Founded in 2000, the Center for Justice in Capital Cases is a resource for capital defense attorneys nationwide. It provides training for attorneys appointed to defend individuals charged with a capital crime and serves as a training ground for students interested in working on capital cases. The Center’s death penalty legal clinic gives students an opportunity to acquire outstanding real-world experience through such responsibilities as researching cases, locating and interviewing witnesses, and writing motions.
Defense Investigation Certificate
In order to become a more diligent investigator, it’s important to learn the skills necessary to better support the defense team or even direct an investigation. With topics ranging from conducting witness interviews to testifying, the Defense Investigation Certificate investigatorknowledge needed for:
Individuals: to be more visible to your management or
Organizations: to create a highly effective investigation team
Student Training
In addition to providing continuing legal education for attorneys, the Center provides DePaul College of Law students with hands-on experience in death penalty cases. Because the Center’s director and associate director maintain an active practice in capital cases, CJCC is able to give its second-and third-year law students the opportunity to work on discrete aspects of their cases. The students receive academic and clinical credit and a unique and invaluable educational experience.
Professional Seminars
The Center for Justice in Capital Cases is a resource for capital defense attorneys, defense investigators and mitigation specialist is nationwide. The Center organizes and presents seminars in Chicago and elsewhere that feature nationally-recognized authorities in areas such as trial and mitigation investigation, jury decision-making and selection, lawyer stress in the capital defense arena, and forensic pathology.
The Center houses the Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College, an intensive, 5-day capital defense advocacy college. This runs concurrently with the Mitigation Training Program, a bring-your-own-case training seminar for mitigation specialists.
Many of these programs have been certified by the Illinois Supreme Court Capital Committee and have attracted a national audience.
The Center also co-sponsors an annual death penalty seminar with the Office of the Illinois State Appellate Defender.
Manuals & Model Pleadings
The Center also has developed and produced manuals and model pleadings for lawyers defending death penalty cases.
S Davidson said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:10 } Since he ( baez ) is the only paid attorney on the defense he may be starting to keep track of his hours to bill the JAC.
..all of the lawyers today said they were working pro bono.
..the JAC doesn’t pay lawyers fees——–only fees for exxperts, depositions, etc…( and those fees are “capped”——baez and co. have to submit paperwork to be paid—-and they will only be paid at the “capped” allowance per the JAC.
..i think———he only did the , huh? my hours? ummmmmmm…thing——to NOT have to show today how he has, thus far, spent the money he HAS rec’d.
( of course the judge is no idiot—-you have these cost breakdowns? perfect.send them to me.)
Val, you’ve done it again !!
Baez should be bitch-slapped again for his math skills:
$325K – $159K = 0 8O
No doubt he’ll be asking the judge tomorrow for more time because he’s not quite done going over (cooking) the books !
God, I am so pissed off right now.
PPP holding court was enough to make me furious. Christ, you see how important she thinks she is with all the lawyers swarming around her – all talking about HER, she must be in raptures. If this ever gets to trail I’m guessing they will have to move in a couple more tables to fit in all the defense lawyers that will be attached to this case by then.
And by the way what is the big freaking joke Casey?
You have been outed as selling the rights to your dead baby’s memory. You are complicit in the demise of Caylee whether by accident or design or at the VERY least covering up her accidental death by dumping her body in swamp and leaving it there to rot while you whoop it up for a month.
You sold out your dead baby for $200,000 – have you no shame?
This is the first time I have been so angry I seriously want to walk away from this case for a while. I hope there is another “Aston reality check” coming soon for Casey, in the form of some bitch slapping facts which can’t be disputed.
If what is going on right now in this case is passing for justice in the death of a little girl, this is a sad state of affairs for society in general.
Please God someone wipe that smirk off the face of Casey Anthony.
Also, I think Mason’s first meeting with Casey was or will be to simply dance around with pom-poms and deliver a good pep talk to her…”Now, don’t you worry your pretty little head, Missy. You keep your chin up, child. This is all gonna work out in your favor now that Mr. Mason is here and we’re gonna get you some justice now.”
He knows she’s guilty and he can’t re-write her lies. With Casey, he’s only got so much to work with. She won’t be going on the stand or decide to suddenly tell the truth to anyone. Later, he’ll pour over all the documents and etc. and dream up a long list of ways to create doubt in the evidence and try to make the prosecution look mean, cruel, vindictive and crooked…and just picking on that little girl, Casey. I wonder if they’ll put her hair up in pigtails for the trial? (Naw, too easy to play with.)
But, I really don’t know what lawyers and clients talk about so…I welcome hearing what other people might think.
Ellejay – moose makes perfect sense.
Silverspnr said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:17 }
But here is what caught my legal ear:
She said the purpose was to help people “WHO ARE POOR”.
Well– there is no way that’s the language.
This has to be a pro bono legal organization or “project” which exists to aid the “INDIGENT”, which is a word with a specific legal meaning.
………..thank you silver! i did hear her say “poor” as well——-( but thought that was thrown in there as part of her whole “acting thing”——-”sniffle—-there’s not—a dime left.”
..this brings a whole new meaning to this—–of COURSE andrea knows the vast difference between “poor” and ( legally ) indigent.
..brilliant catch silver.
» BrendaT said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:26 }
Ellejay – moose makes perfect sense.
..lol…..
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:37 }
Well this is straight from DePaul’s website:
Lily-
That’s website language (i.e. marketing approved language). (Look at this unique opportunity we have here!, etc)
We’d have to see the legal documents which govern how charitable donations are handled/allocated, etc. to determine whether there has been some violation here.
Charitable donations are tax deductible, etc.
Mimi: The D-team will have Casey in pig-tails & probably knee socks with one of those cute little Catholic pleated shirts. They may even give her a lolly-pop (no licorice, of course, because we know what a problem that could be). Gee, if she did not have to wear shackles, they would have her skip into court each day.
PLUS–
AL’s testimony on this topic was muddled.
On direct examination, she gave the impression that she, personally, had raised tens of thousands of dollars SPECIFICALLY for Casey’s defense.
HOWEVER–
On cross, she muddied it up– saying that she raised the money/solicited charitable funds for this organization or project– “for the POOR”– and that she spent that money on Casey’s defense.
I’d like to see the documents.
I’d like to know precisely what representations she made to folks/corporate entities from whom she solicited funds.
Did they believe they were contributing to the defense of “the POOR” (INDIGENTS)??
Did they take TAX DEDUCTIONS for making CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS???
I do not predict that this will be officially pursued, but it told me more about Andrea Lyon than I wanted to know.
Ah Darnudes. Understand your frustration. Here is a little comfort that has had me laughing more than once today:
Little Ms Mic Muter has always acted so flippant in the hearings. One of the traits that has been particularly annoying has been her scrawling notes on her oh-so-official legal pad and pushing them towards her dream team. She does it every hearing.
In fact, she did it again today. She scrawled one of her notes and shoved it under LBK’s nose just at the precise moment that Baez was giving sworn testimony about pending $ deals.
There was a tasty bit of irony today in learning that this same frustration with her obsessive need to write notes might just help the State’s case further.
And I’m not terribly picky either. Whether the inmate letters further damn her with details only the killer would know, or nails anyone else in her family, all I can say is that my former annoyance with her scratching away on her pad has now passed.
Write ON, CMA! Right on!
Put it THIS way:
There are indigent men and women who are –as we type– charged with capital crimes and who are sitting their “poor” azzes in jail, right by DePaul U.. and who are in serious need of legal assistance (because the public defender’s office is undoubtedly hugely overburdened with a ridiculous caseload and lack of funds for costs, etc).
I’ll go out on a short limb and bet that the sad reality of this situation was used as a tool to garner charitable contributions for The Center for Justice in Capital Cases, and I’ll inch out further and bet that some of those who made said contributions would have shut their checkbooks tight had they been informed that their money could help fund the defense of a NON-INDIGENT, BLOODY BLACK BACK PACK carrying defendant in Orlando, Florida, who sold photos of her dead baby girl in order to fund her own defense to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.. and.. who would be helping herself to tens of thousands more, out of the not-so-deep pockets of this charitable organization.
KZ I think i heard a song like that poem and that’s what made me try them. That and my understanding they were age old tried and true have them all the time. Apparently wrong. But I suppose there are grits and grits.
I am agog over Lyon and the potential funding issue. Now surely this cannot be. Good grief. I was going to say good effing grief but I think swore so much today I can’t use that word again.
Darnudes said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:19 }
I truly sympathize with you, Darnudes. This whole thing has become so bizarre. I thought when George and Cindy finally shut up the madness would stop. No chance.
This is circuit overload at this point. What’s the next totally weird thing to happen where we have to wonder who’s lying and who’s covering up and whats really going on? I have never seen such a huge collection of dishonest people all assembled together in my life. It IS like a circus parade of characters going by. A book deal? It would have to be 4 volumes and written by a very good author in order to cover all the crap that’s been thrown around so far…and now the defense team seems to feel like it’s ok to join the act as long as they hold back their giggles temporarily while talking to the judge.
Caylee has been totally forgotten in all of this except by those who stand witness on the sidelines. Everyone else has been and is in it for themselves. Do they think that if people are distracted enough they will forget her?
OMG! I rarely break into a true LOL on this case, but L. Smith – that image cracked me up!!! Then I got pissed off all over again! LOL
Little Ms Mic Muter …lol love it PotatoHead.
That is another one of my pet hates when she “holds court” in court. Looks like Baez is going to try really hard to get those mics taken away if today is anything to go by.
Thanks for making me feel a bit better and I hear what you’re saying.
Cause and affect hey – gotta love it.
Wow, lots going on today. Re Mr. Mason, I personally found him irritating, arrogant and didn’t like the way he talked over the judge. (Incidentally, went to a seminar on personality disorders the other day, and it was noted that a lot of lawyers and politicians meet the diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder
). That aside, I think he is smart, knows how to handle a case and will, if this case EVER does go to trial, pretty much void any chance of Casey claiming ineffectual counsel.
Hopefully, Baez will be sent packing back to “Bikini Bottom” (no offense, Spongebob!) where his smarmy, smirking bumbling charm might actually be a positive thing.
Loved Bill Schaffer’s comments about today’s hearing and Mason’s addition to the Defense. The one thing I most got from them are he stated something to the effect that “the FACTS are what they are. He can’t change them and has to work with them”, and “the FACTS are the FACTS”. Meaning that the defense can try to whitewash this case all they want, but when the chips are down, most people with even a lick of common sense will see through it. We’ve all seen in black, white and living color what those facts are.
Val, you had me rolling on the floor with the comment about Cindy’s “mouth running off with her bare ass”! I just can’t get that visual out of my head. Is there any green beer left from last night? Think I need a whole bunch of it
!
Re ineffective counsel – I’m pretty sure they still have a road to go down there as Baez has so tied her to a seemingly unworkable defense. It will be really interesting to watch what comes next.
L. Smith said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:00 }
Me, too. Thanks for a good laugh considering the mood I’m in. The outfit would go nicely with the tattoo on the back of her.
Silverspnr said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:50 }
I hope the people who donated catch wind of this; if it is misappropriated funds. They might have some motivation to ask for an audit of this altruistic fund that AL runs that they contributed to. If inappropriate, it would come down to fraud, wouldn’t it? Casey was NOT indigent OR poor…she was flush for a wrinkle in time…no matter what word AL uses to wiggle out of things. I think the fact that she used the word “poor” would tend to put weight onto the side of what Silverspnr is theorizing. Otherwise, why say it that way?
Sorry..
I’m just disgusted with Andrea Lyon this evening.
And I don’t want to be.
I have great respect for all the pro bono work she’s done over the course of so many years.
I’ve done pro bono work as a child advocate, as a “VIP” (Volunteer for Indigent Program), for HAP (Homeless Advocacy Project), for those who have AIDS, for animals…
But something about this case makes people go haywire.
If the program permits AL to spend funds on ANY case, whether or not the defendant has her own funds to spend on her defense..so be it.
I just doubt that’s how it works.
A program like that requires private, charitable donations.
How do you solicit those donations, other than to market it as one which will help those who are least able to help themselves.
Individuals and business entities who make charitable donations to such programs are generally making such donations, because they want to assist the underprivileged (and not some defense team who has squandered over a hundred grand on.. who knows what, particularly if AL’s law students are doing the lion share of the legal research/motion and memo of law drafting, etc).
WTHeck has Baez spent that money on?????
He can’t tell the court HOW MANY HOURS he PERSONALLY has spent on her defense??(Isn’t this his ONLY case???)
Listen-
I have wanted to yell in his face, “All encompassing– EN–COM–PASS–ING” since he repeatedly fumbled that phrase during oral argument on the motion re: that totally inept contract he drafted for Padilla et al (and argument that AL likely crafted FOR him, anyhow).
EN—COM–PASS–ING.
Idiot.
I saw Mason questioning Lyon and was a bit confused on who he was. However when I saw his interview with the media.. WOW! He was BELIEVABLE :!: I can hardly remember anything Lyon has said. And I agree with whoever made the statement above, that he is going for an acquittal and nothing less.
Facts are the Facts…I doubt he would have taken this case if he didn’t know the facts. I cant wait to know all of the facts and not just bits and pieces
Silverspnr said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 12:03:49 }
See what this case is doing to everyone? Now, even you seem upset and you always are so calm and factual. If they crank this circus up one more notch, something terrible is going to happen. Yet, we know, it is so far from over.
All this money being tossed into the “kitty” over Casey Anthony’s defense is really starting to look like investment money to me. You have to spend a little money to make money sometimes. JMO.
Val,
Finally, (1:00 a.m.) I was able to watch the news conference that took place after the hearing, with Mason, and I yet find him so very abrasive. Confident, yes. Over stepping his professional bounds? Most definately.
One would think that a man who so prides himself in his many accomplishments, and who is so well recognized and respected in the legal community, and even as an authority, would have more sense than to resort to name calling!
Is this how it’s going to be from here on out? All who are opposed to Miss Casey and her defense will be most severely dealt with by Mason who will stand in defiance of every oppositional statement with such terms as: ignorant, biased, prejudicial, etc. etc.? This concerns me, coming from a man of his standing.
willow
wishing you all a good night.
Snipped from Silver
Listen-
I have wanted to yell in his face, “All encompassing– EN–COM–PASS–ING” since he repeatedly fumbled that phrase during oral argument on the motion re: that totally inept contract he drafted for Padilla et al (and argument that AL likely crafted FOR him, anyhow).
EN—COM–PASS–ING.
Idiot.
……….
It could be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad.
What an idiotic moron. It is really sickening to watch this. I wonder how often he checks his on screen performance out? Like never maybe. Elsewise why would you have painted your client into a corner.
All I can say after catching up on comments is 8O Nothing gets past y’all.
(If I talk with a passably pleasing Southern accent, will you keep serving up grits? With a side of biscuits & sausage gravy, please.)
It’s good to see so many posts and posters who value Mason’s addition to the defense team. Or rather, Mason’s friendly take-over of the defense team. Quite a few of you have said it more eloquently, but I’ll chime in with hearty, “Hell, yes!”
I’ve always thought that even behind closed doors, AL’s only concern has been mitigation. I’ve seen no evidence that she’s tempered JB’s flaws effectively to date, other than stepping up and writing a few motions. I welcome Mason for many reasons, not the least of which is his ability to sideline JB’s Inept attempts at mounting a DP level defense.
It is a pivotal turning point.
I don’t believe that even the legendary Mason can pull off an acquittal, but I do share the opinion that we’ll at last see some ‘good lawyering’ to ensure that the eventual sentence has little grounds for appeal, beyond the automatic 30 day review that is required in FL Capital cases. If CM still has an interest in TES records, I’m certain he’ll have them reviewed pretty quickly. I don’t expect CM to ever use the term ‘junk science’. I fully expect to see Mason discussing actual forensic evidence in the near future. I don’t expect him to buddy up to the elder Anthony folks, but I’ll bet they’re building a shrine to rival Caylee’s for him tonight.
I’m hoping we’ll see a lot less ‘conspiracy’ and ‘ugly-coping’ nonsense, and a lot more knowledge of the law, forcing the State to tighten their case even further. It is telling that LBK showed up in person today after months of absence, isn’t it?
(In case you missed it, that might be a clue as to the ‘new & improved’ defense strategy.)
Mason had Linda B-K at the table, mentioned Lee’s penchant for oranges, (I thought ketchup was his favourite forensic food?) No more lame SODDI crapolla. No more distraction tactics. Cheney Mason will come out swinging on forensics, and LBK will be the point of his spear.
I welcome this, as this is where the rubber meets the road. There is more than enough circumstantial evidence to sway many of the jurors. As we’ve all seen by reading umpity-thousand posts, the hold-out juror will be the one who wonders about whether the cotton on the back of the Henkel tape was there in the first place, and how fast it would or would not have eroded.
Game on. Now it gets real.
I would have charge 100k to sit and listen to Cindy’s deposition and 100k to sit and listen to georges deposition..
yep! could pay me enough for that nonsense
I’ve hogged too much comment space…going to bed, too. Hope to read many more comments when I wake up because this blog is addictive. Val, you have created one hell of a blog here. I was too mad to say so before but this article is excellent and was a joy to read as all your articles are. Perfect 100% score.
Going to bed mad.
» Darnudes said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 08:03:29 }
Does anyone want to discuss the fact that Jose Baez was retained by Casey Anthony 2 days AFTER Caylee was last seen alive and approximately 28 days BEFORE it was announced she was missing? !!
Jose Baez testified under oath that he was retained on 17 JUNE 2008. Not July but June.
Sorry if this has been posted here already but I have yet to see this discussed anywhere and it is driving me crazy. I thought loads of people would have jumped on this already.
Anyway I am off to look at old phone records of Casey’s from this time period
At high noon on Thursday, March 18, 2010 did anyone notice while the prosecution was questioning Jose Baez what he said the date he was retained on June 17th Did I hear correctly? Did anyone else hear that too? I’m so glad you posted it and did you notice Casey’s facial expressions? I was watching CFNEWS 13.
BrendaT – it is still pretty hilarious, even though sad. Silver captured that pretty well.
Darnudes – I was equally curious about the June 17th Baez comment earlier today, so I thought you needed an extra dose of optimism. Glad it worked.
General – hate to admit it, but I did spend some time reading comments on some other blogs.
I found it interesting that Mason appears to have represented Dominic Casey when he was fighting his ZFG civil hearing appearance in relation to contempt charges. (Won’t post link to the other blog here, but will link the motion later. Just note that kudos go to another for sourcing this.)
Mason is listed as counsel who called Morgan to state that DC would not appear. Granted, it does sound like DC retained other council after this specific filing.
Motion – see point #5: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/16/exhibit.c.pdf
Midwest Mom-
Criminal defense lawyers often represent clients who have committed the crimes with which they have been charged.
Their job is to put the state (or federal gov’t/US ATTY) to the test, even if the client confesses their guilt to the lawyer in private.
I wish some people here would stop hating on ALL criminal defense attorneys, simply because of who they represent. We need people who are willing to do this work. We should all value the preservation of our shared Constitutional rights (which are the rightful cause of much envy of Americans all around the globe, particularly in countries where the governments can –and do–throw their citizens in prison and lock them up without a trial– or cut off their hands, etc– based on mere, unsupported accusations.)
But to get back to my point, Midwest Mom:
Just because a criminal defense attorney comes out swinging, it does not mean that the FACTS help his client.
The FACTS of this case?? They do NOT help Casey Anthony.
My personal 2 cents on yesterday’s proceedings:
1. Why is it that like 9 out of 10 sociopathic killers never adequately destroy the
remains and key evidence and in fact plant it somewhere easily found near the
crime scene – then confess everything to any fellow inmates who will listen
and then testify against them?
2. I have to question the Constitutionality of a ban on gum chewing in the court room.
But worse than that, I fear it’s going to cause some serious logistical problems
for the Anthonys.
3. Regardless of how competent this new lawyer Mason is, there’s something
immediately combative and abrasive about his presence that I think is going to
rub the jury the wrong way. He oversteps his boundaries with the judge, isn’t
a team player and adds a tension that is irritating. They are lucky that this judge
is so determinedly fair and diplomatic, many people in roles of authority would
react to his behavior with an undercurrent of power struggle at very least.
4. Casey’s entirely ignoring her parents makes very clear that if she’s forced to
plea bargain or present a case against getting death, she will claim that their
abuse drove her to finally snap. They are desperate to keep her on their side
so she doesn’t reveal any number of their volatile personal secrets but at the
same time I think are also sending the message “Be good to us NOW if you
want lifetime financial backing for your monthly beef jerky and hot peanuts.”
5. If indeed there are “compromising” pictures of George, the Anthonys should
be decent enough to spare the taxpayers’ expense and cash them in to the
media to pay for as much of the trial as possible. Some viewers think he’s hot,
others think he’s a washed up viagra weasel – either way it’s ratings worthy
and has a good market value.
6. Mini rant: I’m sick and tired of various media commentators like Nancy Grace
carping about how much fun inmates have in jail and how easy and pleasurable
their lives are and how much they seem to be loving the attention and lifestyle.
Anyone who talks like this should be required to spend a week in the pen.
First of all the sense of being caged like a rabid dog in a kennel and stripped of
all free will is automatically maddening and easily explains why they are so
aggressive pressuring family and friends to get them out. They are living
without privacy or any degree of free will and have been almost entirely stripped
of any and all forms of life stimulus – emotional, kinetic, aesthetic, etc. and
possibly for the rest of their days. The food is toxic, they have no meaningful
intimate connections and almost no physical stimulation. They are NOT having fun.
They want OUT, not attention. I can’t fathom how they think Casey is enjoying
this all as attention. I’m not by any means a defender of Casey, certainly she
deserves what she’s getting, but I don’t believe she is having fun. She looks
terrified, pale and totally morbid. What moments of smiles and jokes with attorneys
she has are more than anything a desperate attempt to hold on to any form of
sanity or hope for self-preservation. Get real, ok?
Ok that’s it. I hope at least something here was remotely useful to someone…
Monica: Sorry, but I cannot resist commenting about your take on the life of an inmate. Isn’t that the way jails should be? Should they be like some 4-star hotel? Spending time in jail is a choice. And if you think that Casey looked terrified, can you picture how terrified her sweet baby might have been when she took her life?
I knew I was going to get a response like this. This is what’s known as
“attacking a straw man.” You’re reading intent into my statements that are not there
then arguing against points that I never made.
I did not say that Casey or someone like her doesn’t deserve their fate and at no time
did I defend the killing of Caylee or anyone else. My statement was meant at face value
only. My point is only this – JAIL SUCKS. JAIL IS HELL. For the media to portray it
as fun and inmates as living the bella vita is beyond absurd. It’s just plain stupid
and woefully inaccurate of reality. I never said that jail should be a pleasure cruise.
Only that it is beyond absurd for the media to portray inmates as people getting
an easy break and free luxury vacation at the taxpayers’ expense. Jail is death.
Or maybe worse than death.
Should be for those who have done wrong. But there are also plenty of innocent
people who are unjustly jailed and executed. But the deeper truth is that until we
begin to address the essential dysfunctions of this society we live in, this misery
is only going to continue to multiply. I personally would like to see a much less
dysfunctional society that bred fewer psychopaths. Example: the monumental
effort made by Hollywood to glamorize violence – then a puzzlement as to why
so many young people are so psychotic.
..listening to the hearing…again…
..jose fesses up to:
$200,000.00 from ABC (he says “the deal” was done with kc—–ABC says “the deal” was done through a lawyer—-jose baez.)
http://tinyurl.com/yl678wx
………”.In court today, Baez revealed that “$200,000 came from a deal that was done by my client with the American Broadcasting Co. ABC.”
A prosecutor asked: “ABC News?”
Baez said: “Yes.”
That money has been paid, and there is no deal for future money from ABC, Baez said. Baez also dismissed as a rumor the report that he is getting $700,000 in the future.
I asked ABC News if the deal was done with Casey Anthony.
The deal was done with an attorney representing several owners of copyrighted content, ABC News spokeswoman Cathie Levine said. That attorney is Baez, she added.”
$5,000.00 ( from a “private donor”, who wanted to help)
..who knows who the ‘donor’ was—-t’was not me.
$70,000.00 ( from malacuso—-who left the team—due to money problems/legal problems of his own)—b/c he HAS $$’s to throw around.
$70,000.00 ( from andrea’s depaul clinic fundraising , for “the poor”
.
……..interesting, that on the attorney affafidavit, which the judge deemed to be “thin” , the 22,500 paid to andrea —–is listed as paid by——kc.
http://tinyurl.com/yl678wx
..yet, when questioned by the SA—–( with her mad face! ) she is quick to say, the 70,000 , from the clinic, ( which, sob, is in the red) you can minus the 22,500 from THAT..
..oh really—–then why does kc claim to have paid you THAT from her blood money?
..so, $200,000.00 + $5000.00 +$70,000.00 +$70,000.00 = $345,000.00
they can account for $22,500 to andrea, approx.$89,500 to jose, $10,000 to their Xspokesperson…
..which leaves over $200,000.00 unaccounted for..
..even allowing 60 grand or so for taxes——-show us the money jose!
Sorry but I don’t think Casey looks scared at all.,at least not today. Did you not see her laughing? If anything this chick has seriously underestimated the trouble she is in. I figure that is probably because Baez has convinced her that the State has nothing on her except circumstantial evidence and for some reason a lot of people think you can’t win a case with circumstantial evidence. The truth is most cases are circumstantial. I still think she should take a plea but as long as Baez is around I don’t think she will. It seems like saving face is more important to her than saving her life. As for her jail life, I think shes damn lucky she is in protective custody and it may not be much of a life but it is better than what she gave Caylee. I do agree about Nancy Grace and her rants on the luxurious life of prisoners. She can go way over the top and does so nightly. If I were in jail and had an expense account or whatever its called you can be sure I would eat myself into a sugar coma.
» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 08:03:30 }
Well the way I see it – there is nothing stupid about Mr. Cheney Mason. He’s highly respected. Has won over 50 of these cases in his career. The man is not stupid.
Is he going to rub those of us who want this to be an easy trial and conviction the wrong way? Of course he is. That’s his job. He’s not going to make this easy for anybody.
With all due respect Lily, I haven’t read that anyone has called Mason stupid. That’s not been my point. IMO, whether he has had a great run in Fl. for the past years is moot when he gets in front of those jurors and acts like he did today.
As I sincerely posted earlier, I would be afraid if the prosecutors acted at trial as Mason did today…….if you believe in Casey’s guilt (which I do). Please don’t assume my opinion of Mason’s act today is based on the fact that I want an “easy” trial. Again, I didn’t buy what he was selling…
I bet those inmate letters are just FULL of Jose says……Jose says this, Jose says this, and it’s gonna be good folks.
The girl just can not keep her mouth shut, and, the funny part is, that she thinks because it was behind bars, that that’s as far as it was going to get.
Stupid girl ~ Stupid, stupid little girl.
Course, that’s never been disputed ~!!!
Deeannek: Maybe she has more hope about her case with this new attorney,
but still I don’t think she would define anything in her life right now as fun.
Who would want the “attention” of the whole world hating your bloody guts
and wanting you dead?
Compare her party pics to how she looks now. She’s pale and creepy and
looking more and more like one of the Manson Helter Skelter girls.
I think her smiles and jokes are an attempt to make the best of pure Hell.
Can you imagine spending like 3 years in an animal cage alone just dangling
over whether you are going to be killed – 24/7 while being eaten up with
an all-consuming guilt for the evil you have committed that will eventually
drive you mad? For sure she deserves all of it now, but the point is…
she’s not in Kansas anymore and never will be again and darn well knows it.
She may not be openly screaming and shaking today but she knows she’s not
at Fusian anymore. Game over. For the rest of her life unless she gets that one in a
million lucky break she knows she in no way deserves but is trying anyhow.
The truth is that even in the remote possibility she walks, she will never escape
the inevitable guilt and dread of what she did. In time it will destroy her.
I totally agree about Baez. He’s just entirely shallow and out to exploit this for
his own money and celebrity. I don’t think the fate of Caylee/Casey even impacts him.
I get the impression that he doesn’t connect with the reality or gravity of his cases,
it’s like a movie that he’s acting in, not real. It’s only a ticket to stardom.
For sure one day karma will kick his cognac-drinking, Lord+Taylor-clad ass.
It’s people like him who wind up at the bottom of swamps and rivers every day.
Also agreed about jail commissary: that’s the only pleasure they have to look forward
to. So she better be nice to her parents! I think her last resort will be to claim
parental abuse and insanity and try to plea for life in the funny farm instead of
jail or death. She’s rather weave baskets than make license plates.
PotatoHead said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:38 }
In fact, she did it again today. She scrawled one of her notes and shoved it under LBK’s nose just at the precise moment that Baez was giving sworn testimony about pending $ deals.
………….you and me both—-i would love to know what it is she is scrawling on her legal pad.
..it’s mind boggling—–to see her sit there—–chatting it up with the lawyers—as if she IS one of the defense team. ( ummmmmm..kc—you’re the DEFENDANT.)
..at least we know what she is NOT scrawling—–this time—–unlike her writings that ARE in evidence:
..kc’s scrawlings: mrs. tony lazzaro, casey lazzaro…..
( i wonder if she knows that he is alive and well, has a great life—AND a new girlfriend, in new york? )
I’m just now getting a chance to read today & Wow! I haven’t gotten a chance to watch the hearing today either, so this is a “cold” comment.
Just on a personal note, I’m a petite, southern-accented gal who looks 10 years younger thn what I am. I get “pat-on-the-head” condescension all the time. Throughout college, I was constantly teased for my accent & it really offended me.
However, I learned that my “southern charm” was disarming and disguised my keen wit and intelligence quite well until I chose to unleash it. Now, if I want, I can use this as a weapon & it almost never fails that people suddenly find themselves at a loss when they underestimate me.
I have a feeling Mr. Mason has discovered the same thing. Today, he wasn’t “performing” for a jury. He will, though, and I think it will be quite the high-wire act in this circus. His problem, (besides the obvious lack of a reasonable defense) will be trying to pass it off on native southerners. They’ll be on to his tack if they’ve had experiences such as mine.
Just sayin’!
Can’t wait to read Silver’s legal commentary after I watch!
*excited squee!*
PotatoHead said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 12:03:15 }
It is telling that LBK showed up in person today after months of absence, isn’t it?
…i don’t understand why. although she did rescind her earlier “retainer”, and said that she’s now there pro bono——–other than that , she looked positively thrilled to be in the great one’s presense.
..personally, when i first saw LKB there, i wondered why?
I also took notice that Baez was retained on June 17th, and, the deer in the headlights that came from Casey when he uttered those words.
Richard Hornsby wrote about the timing her retaining him at one time ~ how almost physically it was/is impossible for Baez to have a recieve a cold call from Casey from the jail, for her to have told the jig, and for him to have agreed to taken the case, and hightail it to Orlando from his office in the very, very short time frame with papers in hand, and, sealed with the court.
So, I’m glad that someone is going to look into her cell phone records for that time frame.
Course, it would just be the luck of the draw, that this is the one time that she left without it ~
Potatohead, Little Ms Mic Muter is absolutely (as the A’s say) the best laugh I’ve had.
Silverspnr said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 12:03:13
There is information and there is Facts
I still need more “facts” or should I say “all facts” before I would EVER judge Casey on whether she is guilty or innocent.
That is a choice
I understand what several of you are saying (Valhall +)) about having CM there as a real opponent rather than all the nonsense that has taken place so far, however I almost prefer Baez’s buffoonery to CM’s blatant verbal abuse (calling J Ashton “ignorant”
– that was startling and offensive. Is that allowed in the courtroom – unprovoked name-calling? If so I don’t think I am going to be able to stomach it. That along with KC’s smirk.
Ellejay,
I don’t think LBK had confidence in JB’s strategy. He’s gone gung-ho for the Soddi and ugly-coping defense strategies.
I think LBK knows that the majority of the jurors will be sold on the circumstantial facts alone. Her only hope is in planting doubt in the minds of the jurors who rely more upon science than gut instincts.
JB might talk a big ‘junk science’ game along with the A’s, but his ever-changing, kaleidoscopic view has always been offered as variations of a SODDI defense. He’s only ever presented variations on that theme. Zanny, JG, RK, failures on the part of TES volunteers, or he has offered up empty promises of abject innocence.
He’s blustered a great deal about junk science. but has never fully addressed the forensic facts of the case full on. They’re overwhelming and they scare JB.
Not so with Mason. LBK presented her well-manicured self in court because she knew that she finally had a fully-supportive ally at the table in Mason. This is not a simple ‘game change’ in regards to throwing in a new quarter-back to run the same plays over and over. Mason will go on the offense – and he’ll be going after that one juror who values the absolutes of science over emotional reasoning.
Did you notice that all Mason’s arguments about potential future costs were in relation to expert witnesses? Even in his impromptu (not) speech after the hearing, Mason argued that they should have the same rights that the State has to have paid witnesses from across the nation. Not just JAC-governed FL experts.
Mason will level the playing field.
And that is a good thing. I’d rather know that the jury has the opportunity to weigh and evaluate experts equally, not having to factor in whether they are local – or not.
For the past while, AL & JB have been the team on display, and the only ones to analyze. That is all about to change, as I expect that J.CM and LBK will be front and center in the coming months.
CM brings not only his Good Old Boy experience to the table – he is reorganizing the entire defense team hierarchy with a clear focus on the jurors’ weak spots. Science and forensics.
I don’t post often, but I love your posts, Potatohead. Very lucid and well-put. Just wanted to say thanks!
Oh and I may allow my household to believe that I coined the phrase Little Miss Mic Muter.
They barely listen anyway!
Thanks Friend. You’ve given me many guffaws and provided brain candy, too.
I can’t post here during the day, because the comments written by Jenny, Lily, Val, WSH, Silver and so many others, either make me choke with laughter, or ramble off on a fresh tangent of thought. Often both at the same time.
While I try to process the days developments, you can be sure that I am entirely distracted by bread crumbs that wiser Hinky posters here leave as a trail. I’m still lost somewhere upthread trying to envision the great Mama gum-selling scene.
The anticipation is killing me. I hope it makes YouTube.
Vale – I’m still partial to ‘horizontal grief counseling’ myself. That one got coined fast and spread.
One other little footnote…jail or walk free, I do think that the lowest Hell any person
can endure is GUILT. Guilt is the real prison because there’s no escape from it,
no return to any kind of happiness or self-respect again and no way to rectify the wrong
you have done. Even if someone has no conscience, they are living in a delusional state
pending the inevitable truth.
Angela_nw said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 02:03:23 }
I understand what several of you are saying (Valhall +)) about having CM there as a real opponent rather than all the nonsense that has taken place so far, however I almost prefer Baez’s buffoonery to CM’s blatant verbal abuse (calling J Ashton “ignorant”) – that was startling and offensive. Is that allowed in the courtroom – unprovoked name-calling? If so I don’t think I am going to be able to stomach it. That along with KC’s smirk.
…i thought it was highly offensive as well——-but surely, mason “caught himself”..( note to self—–THAT was uncalled for—-don’t do it again.)
..nope—–he went ahead and said the same “ignorant” SA thing,on camera, after the hearing.
..his 40 years of experience sure isn’t showing..
JWG weighs in on the June 17th JB faux pas:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4949272&postcount=35
I hope he writes a follow-up article, here on Hinky.
..mason seems to think , that if HE says it—–it’s SO!
..”all of the lawyers here—they are doing it pro bono—-therefore it’s no-ones business what we are, or are not doing”
..”there isn’t a penny left “in the coffers”, that’s in the past, the past is OVER, and doesn’t matter now.”
………oh really??? thankfully, judgeS didn’t fall for it just b/c HE said it——and he and the JAC want full disclosure.
..i didn’t like the guy IN court——his after court appearances—–with ALL cameras on him—–p.o.m.p.o.u.s.
PotatoHead said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 03:03:13 }
JWG weighs in on the June 17th JB faux pas:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4949272&postcount=35
………….thanks PH!
» PotatoHead said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 03:03:13 }
JWG weighs in on the June 17th JB faux pas:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4949272&postcount=35
I hope he writes a follow-up article, here on Hinky.
Yep
I have bumped the thread for pings on 2 JULY at WS in the hope that JWG will come and clarify anything or give us his thoughts. I started a thread on WS if anyone wants to weigh in. Not much response yet as most people seem to think it was an honest mistake by Jose Baez. I’m not convinced about this.
Oh, how I wanted to hear: we will adjourn for an hour, at which time Mr Baez will return with the financial accounting and billing log he didn’t think to bring with him this morning.
“» lily said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 01:03:20 }
OMGosh, I hope someone finds out exactly when Baez was hired!!
Baez is going to say he meant to say July 17th.”
Lily, Baez had an oppertunity to correct himself and he did not, he said he was retained in June stopped and then said June 17th, he had a moment there to correct himself and he didn’t, that truly says something to me.
Val what is your take on that, I have been hearing speculation for months that CA was in contact before July 16th, what is your take.
thanks in advance!
Seriously! They go into a courtroom for a hearing on a motion they filed without ANY documentation? Just their collective Word?! No itemized expense accounting at all just a lot of guesswork and they want the state to pay for the remainder of the defense?
How are they going to be held accountable for public funds?
AND a LAWYER who does NOT keep a record of BILLABLE hours?????!!!!!!!
WTF???????
The way I learned it, if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.
“Thank you for watching this feature presentation of ‘My Cousin, Vinnie.’”
It makes no sense that Casey would have hired Baez on June 17, 2008. What would she say to him: “I just murdered my daughter and her body is rotting in my car trunk. What should I do?”
He would have advised her to go to the police and report her daughter missing and keep her mouth shut. He probably wishes she had called him June 17 and then he wouldn’t be stuck with the stupid “The Nanny did it” defense and having to explain why she waited 31 days, text messaged Amy that the car smelled like dead squirrels, abandoned a car smelling like a dead body, partied, sexed it up and got a tattoo when she claims she was looking for her kidnapping daughter and lied to the police over and over again.
It never crossed Casey’s mind to hire an attorney on June 17. She was convinced she was smarter than everyone and all she had to do was keep saying Caylee was with the nanny and she could get away with murder.
It was obvious when Baez came on the scene: July 17, 2008. That’s when she stopped talking to investigators.
This appears to be an interview that Pipitone did with Cheney Mason before Caylee’s body was found. Very interesting:
ORLANDO, Fla. — Local 6 News reporter Tony Pipitone continued his investigation into the Casey Anthony first-degree murder case by presenting the known facts to a former assistant state attorney and a prominent defense attorney.
Anthony, 22, remains jailed in the disappearance of her 3-year-old daughter, Caylee, who was last seen in mid-June.
Pipitone presented questions to former assistant state attorney Elizabeth Rahter and longtime criminal defense attorney Cheney Mason.
“First, the venue. Where the trial should be held,” Pipitone said. “From the defense side, is it in your interest to move this trial out of the county?”
“Well, it may very well be. But what county would you move it to that hasn’t been saturated with this story,” Mason said. “Prosecutions usually — almost without exception — oppose a change of venue.”
“Elizabeth, would you oppose it?” Pipitone asked.
“Yes, I would make the same arguments he made. You can’t go anywhere,” Rahter said.
Mason said seeking a change of venue could undercut another possible defense strategy, the demand for a speedy trial.
Anthony was indicted Oct. 14, meaning the state has 175 days — until April 7 — to start her trial, unless Anthony decides to waive her right.
“As a defense attorney, do you want a speedy trial in a case like this, where there’s no body?” Pipitone said.
“That’s an interesting question. Without the body, the state’s going to have an enormous burden, and I don’t think they can prove the case,” Mason said. “I would certainly give strong consideration to moving on to trial without delay.”
“As a prosecutor, why would you even go to a grand jury without a body and force yourself to try this case?” Pipitone asked Rahter.
“It’s a lot better to deal with witnesses while they’re fresh. And the problem with a lot of murder cases is they take years to try, and if you wait that long then their memories start to fade,” Rahter said.
“They thought that by bringing an indictment, charging first-degree murder, which could potentially lead to the death penalty that that would be coercive enough to cause this defendant to start talking,” Mason said.
“It’s the first day of your speedy trial, Elizabeth. No medical examiner, no body. What do you have?” Pipitone asked.
“So you’re missing a key witness, and so you deal with it. You work around it,” Rahter said. “You have Cindy (Anthony, Casey Anthony’s mother), who smelled the dead body and said it smelled like a dead body. You have George (Anthony, Casey Anthony’s father), who used to be a deputy, and says it smelled like a dead body. You have K-9 dogs that alerted on the car. And so there’s a dead body. The question is: How many dead bodies does Casey Anthony drive around in her car?”
Mason said it’s very difficult to prove a murder case without a body.
“There’s absolutely no evidence other than somebody saying they think they smelled what smelled like a dead body,” Mason said. “What if they’re right? What if there is a dead body? Does that prove there’s an unlawful killing? The answer is no, because every homicide is not murder. This child could have accidentally died any number of ways, and they’ll never be able to prove without a body or a confession.”
Pipitone said the state does have scientific evidence that it could use, including chemicals indicating a decomposing human body were found in the trunk of Casey Anthony’s car.
“They’re going to have to present evidence to convince the court that such tests are generally accepted by the scientific community. And since you’ve called me, I’ve inquired. I’m not aware of a single case that’s been admitted anywhere,” Mason said.
“So this is hocus pocus science?” Pipitone said.
“Yes. I’d just have to agree with that,” Mason said.
“How can I put this person on trial for her life when the scientific evidence has not been used anywhere else?” Pipitone asked Rahter.
“They have to show that it’s accepted in the scientific community. It’s hard, a high hurdle in Florida to pass,” she said.
“So that’s going to be tough for the prosecution?” Pipitone said.
“Yeah, but it’s helpful that it’s corroborated,” Rahter said.
A hair pulled from the car trunk was consistent in length and color with Caylee’s hair, showing signs of decomposition, Pipitone said. DNA tests reveal the hair came from Caylee or any of her maternal ancestors, from her mother to her great-grandmother, Pipitone said.
“Is that not evidence of death?” Pipitone asked Mason.
“I don’t believe it necessarily is. They can certainly argue it, but I don’t think it proves it’s a death. It’s proving it’s an old hair with some tissue that has decomposed,” Mason said.
“He’s good. He’s tearing apart the state’s case here, and basically says there is no case,” Pipitone said.
“Every case is circumstantial,” Rahter said. It has to be caught on videotape, right? Otherwise, it’s circumstantial. Right? So here you have the smell of a dead body, you have chloroform in the trunk, you have somebody who’s continually covering stuff up, making up lies, spewing stuff forth and somebody that’s missing. You prove it like every other case.”
“Without the body, the state is really in a hole,” Mason said. “Really, really bad without the body.”
“Every homicide is not murder. This child could have accidentally died any number of ways, and they’ll never be able to prove without a body or a confession.”
That goes both ways Mr. Mason!
I think everybody needs to chill about Mason coming to the defense team. It’s a win-win situation because Casey will get a good defense AND – you guys are forgetting we still have the secret weapon that even Mason will most likely underestimate – Miss Linda’s Bunny Book:
Justice will prevail!
I am trying to imagine a Casey Anthony sufering from fear and dread over the death of her daughter and eaten up with “all-consuming” guilt which in time will “destroy” her. Nope. That picture doesn’t quite come into focus for me. I don’t think Casey suffers from attacks of conscience. She hasn’t climbed far enough up the ladder of evolution to have had one installed.
I do think Casey will “adjust” wherever she is. Better it be on the “inside” of some institution for the safety and serenity of us all…especially in the liight of her capability to reproduce.
Of course, all the above goes only IF she is proven guilty. Or if she cops a plea.
I have to agree that she appears to be enjoying the limelight and all those big, strong lawyers fighting for her, but I think she is “off” in some kind of major way and, to borrow Monica’s take on Baez, “doesn’t connect with the reality or gravity of the case”.
She plays roles. Just as she has played parts with her family, friends and lovers. She is playing parts with the inmates she writes to or the guards who are taken in by her charm and who probably passed notes for her. Charisma is not limited to people with conscience.
Yesterday she played the demure school girl protected by a fleet of crossing guards.
She’s one creepy broad.
Val,
I think for me, Mason just popped onto the scene in bad taste, I get the “Win Win” but it was the flavor in which Mr. Mason covered himself in that is offensive to folks. At least JB never referred to this case as “FUN”, at times he has been humble and soft hearted dumber than a box of rocks but soft, Ms. Lyon hmmmm not so much, but this guy, this guy is cold and arrogant…IMO
so I am off that subject for now…thanks for the venue in which to openly discuss the issue
HAHA MONICA
Please point me in the direction where i can see Casey “terrified” because i have Never seen terror, remorse, or even sadness…
We are all sick of NG ranting about what casey had for dinner but Sorry you get real, remember this is the very same heartless broad who thought that it would be a good idea to sign autographs and go on howard stern while her daughters body was being decapitated and ripped to shreds by wild animals.
I also wonder if Casey made copies of all the Caylee photos she sold or did she just hand over the originals?
I loved whoever posted about the people with signs at the hearing…a sign with a black trash bag reading..this bag is for you…LMAO I believe Casey Should be terrified today and everyday for the rest of her life, id imagine Caylee was pretty terrified when she realized her mommy was not gonna let go this time, did Caylee fight, kick, scream, and cry for her mommy and grandma while mommy watched her struggle to breathe and slowly die? SHE WAS A BABY!!
i think everyone’s point is that hell is not hot enough to make casey sweat she’ll be just fine in her private lil cell with her pen n pad n hundreds of dollars worth of junk food….actually minus the clubbing and humping, seems like she’s doin pretty much exactly what she did before she got locked up…
After seeing Casey yesterday with all the smiles, giggles, hand rubbing, fixing eyebrows, Sorry …………….just lost my train of though…..
Oh yea. ……………..Do any of you believe she is being told how serious this case is? I mean if her attorneys are holding back. God that would be just awful. She’s expecting to walk and in my mind she isn’t walking anyplace except to the cell for life.
This new attorney speaks for himself. He will bring on a good defense. FUN or not FUN! It will be interesting to say the least.
There is an interesting post by a blogger who was at the hearing, at Justice for Caylee part 18 at WordPress.com.
Oh! Mrs. C – that last paragraph says it all!
As for me re: Moose v. Grits and grits being on my Will Never Consider list? Grits.
nom de plume – can you post a link? I tried to find it, but am unfamiliar with the lay of that land…thanks
Notagrandma – this is easier for me than posting a link …
Edited by Valhall: nom could you just post the link? Most of what was written by the person (wherever they are posting) was mean, personal comments about various characters, and had little to do with the trial.
@Monica’s Assessment of George Anthony = A washed up Viagra Weasel………
LMAO Too Funny !
» nom de plume said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 10:03:54 }
Sorry but that’s just terrible what was posted about Dave here. And what does that have to do with this trial. Dave is an excellent provider to some of us.
OK NUFF SAID GEESH.
» shyloh said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 10:03:27 }
I have to take the hit on this one, shyloh. I had not read that comment. I apologize to you and to Dave. I have edited out the offensive content. I’m sure nom did NOT post that (which was some one else’s comments about their observations at the trial yesterday) to target Dave, but it doesn’t need to be here.
Thank you for pointing that out.
I’ve got the link but won’t post it – Dave does not deserve to be spoken about like that.
Not pointing at Nom but the original poster.
I am here to say that Dave does not deserve that comment that I don’t know who actually posted it. He is a fair guy who takes time out of his busy schedule of doctor and hospital visits(as he has alot of medical problems) to drive from another county to attend these hearings and report back to us bloggers. How dare you say those things!!!
THE POINT HAS BEEN MADE.
Content removed, link forboden. DROP IT and get back on topic or I’m going to start deleting a hell of a lot of comments.
Val, I am so sorry about the uproar. No, I didn’t post that, and I guess I glossed over the Dave part, I haven’t read his blog, I was more focused on the other parts of the post.
Again, I apologize to you and to everyone. Thanks for defending me, Val.
Sorry I asked…I was just following the bread crumbs! Had no idea (since I don’t read that many blogs – who has time!??!) that it was going to be offensive or disrespectful/
who needs other links anyway???
We gots all we needs here!
Thanks, Val, for taking a stand and holding your ground. Shows a lot of integrity, for which I am grateful…
» PotatoHead said: { Mar 19, 2010 – 12:03:58 }
BrendaT – it is still pretty hilarious, even though sad. Silver captured that pretty well.
You are so right. I just lapsed off there and misspoke and it didn’t come out right.
I am way late tonight and ages upthread not read so back to it.
“Does that prove there’s an unlawful killing? The answer is no, because every homicide is not murder”
Really. Oh really. I have to go now.
This grits expose is excellent. I had no idea but they captured my northern imagination.
Silverspnr said: { Mar 18, 2010 – 11:03:04 }
“….I’d like to see the documents.
I’d like to know precisely what representations she made to folks/corporate entities from whom she solicited funds.
Did they believe they were contributing to the defense of “the POOR” (INDIGENTS)??
Did they take TAX DEDUCTIONS for making CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS???
I do not predict that this will be officially pursued, but it told me more about Andrea Lyon than I wanted to know.”
********************************
Exactly SIlver!!! Something didn’t sound good even for a layperson as me. JAC should dig deeper so there won’t be any problems in the future. Well, at least I think.
Thank you so much for your explanations, it helps a lot for us to understand. You are great!!!
Val said, :!:
Charisma is not limited to people with conscience.
****
Absolutely! And in fact, narcissists and sociopaths are quite (extraordinarily) charismatic! That is how they so easily “dupe” people, understand.
Good morning, Val.
I just couldn’t resist. I also agree with Mason’s addition to this being a good thing. It levels the playing field, and well it should. Casey can’t be excluded from “We the people” when it comes to her Constitutional right to adequate counsel. Adequate and effective can be two different matter, entirely, however.
The only thing I find most disturbing about this is that not everyone who’s so accused has the same opportunities that Casey has had, and by that I mean everything from the media exposure over what began as a missing child matter, right down to her cream of the crop defense team.
That she’s young, attractive, and come from middle class America has awarded her certain priviledges that I don’t believe she deserves any more than some Joe Schmo from the gutter who’s fate rests in the hands of a very competent DP qualified public defender but who is over worked and underpaid as well as he has to stay within expense guidelines.
Mason is correct in so saying that the State has no limits on expenditures in prosecuting a case, though the Public Defender’s office very well does, and so the system is off balance and those accused, and especially if they are wrongly accused, are oftentimes at the mercy of a defender’s expense account, IMHO. That’s my only beef anyway. And I just can’t wait for the trial! This is going to be good!
hugs, lady. I hope all is going okay, for you and yours.
O, and Steve’s lymphnodes are clean. Exhale and give thanks.
Willow
oops,
matter = matters
come = comes
I really should proof read – but as there is no fear of being fired for my misspelled words … anyway ….
I’m not sure it levels the playing field! The talent that is now on the side of the defense is breathtaking! I want this woman to be convicted more than I can express here. I guarantee she is spending her days planning her life after she is aquitted and how rich she is going to be. Mr. Mason is all about going into retirement “in a blaze”. Finding justice for this little girl has been put on the back burner IMO. It’s all about the WIN for these high profile people. I’m rambling this morning, but I’m scared for this prosecution.
Linda Pope said @ 9:03:
Finding justice for this little girl has been put on the back burner IMO. It’s all about the WIN for these high profile people Finding justice for this little girl has been put on the back burner IMO. It’s all about the WIN for these high profile people Finding justice for this little girl has been put on the back burner IMO. It’s all about the WIN for these high profile people.
Linda, it is definitely as you say, but keep in mind that defense lawyers are not about the victim. You probably won’t see any empathy from them in this case.
CM has already shown that when he said “It’s fun!” As I mentioned in a previous post (somewhere) how “fun” is he going to think it is when the SA shows the slideshow of that 34 month old’s skull with three rows of duct tape deliberately affixed to the nose and mouth. Not fun!
LindaPope,
You’re right. It is all about the win. To the defense, it isn’t about Casey’s guilt or innocense nor that Caylee is dead. It’s about upholding Casey’s right to counsel, with no questions asked, and to win her an acquittal.
But you must keep in mind something Mason said, and that was that the State has endless resources and can call forth the very best of the best of everyone needed, from forensics experts to botonists. In this respect the State has the avantage, as well as it has, albeit circumstantial, its evidence that neither Mason nor any expert that he may call forth can refute. They can merely try to, and try to they will, and their effort will be most impressive.
Sometimes the defense will seem to be taking the lead, refuting many of the evidences the State presents, and at other times the State will mop up the floor with the defense. It’s the way it goes, but in the end Caylee will still be dead and Casey will be the only accused, and the jury will follow the bread crumb path to a verdict of guilty. There is no option when you consider the evidence.
That Mason used the word “fun” to describe the upcoming trial really isn’t so surprising. One of my sons is an auto mechanic. He owns his own shop. The work is dirty and hard and so oftentimes so frustrating that he threatens to sell or let his partner take over, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty he does it because it’s what he “enjoys” doing, and so he does it — though his mother would rather he were an infamous trumpetest.
If you asked him if he thought his dirty, smelly, difficult, frustrating job was fun, I’m certain he stare at you blankly for a moment or two and then grin, “Yeah. I guess so.” And when he’s been able to help some little old lady with her 30 year old car save a few bucks while getting it running well enough not to strand her, he’s happy.
That’s sort of how I look at Mason’s comment. His interest isn’t Caylee. Though he will use her. His sole purpose is Casey and the challenge of what she’s done presents; and he will, quite well enjoy the challenge. But he won’t win. He can’t. And I’d have to write another three paragraphs on that.
Just try to remember every witness that either the State or defense will call will attest to one very important fact: Casey was the last person any one of them saw Caylee with, and the State can pretty much prove where Casey was at any given time, but the defense cannot prove where she wasn’t, if that makes any sense to you at all.
Hang in there, for Caylee.
Willow
thank you for the excellent blog, i am new….everyday is big drama in this case…did i miss the lee anthony part of this case, what does he do for a living?
this thing just gets “hinkier” as each day passes. I am glad there is a commission to over see the expenses….i must admit i loved the “bitch slapped” remark, i spent the evening reading this blog. i will follow this blog very closely, it is very good..thank you for the excellent information…..jmc 8)
i remember my primary question…that is the paternity of this poor baby….it may have been discussed in another blog, i am sure…..but the child’s father died in a car accident come on
why isn’t the father’s family trying to see the little baby all this time…oh it was an out of town accident..i believe she has no idea who the baby’s daddy is…however, we do have dna available, get a few swabs going on a few of her boyfriends in highschool..ooooops forgot she did’t finish highschool…where the heck was she all day..the george and cindy should be on trial…what a sorry piece of work they are…i think she is alkie/combined with drugs…no she needs a little work done on her face, i don’t think she had anything done recently, except she let her hair grow out…man this is going to me a book or movie ….dysfunction to the 10th. power….what do you think george has done to casey to have her hate him so much, think that one over for a moment…jmc 
as someone who has “had work”done, i can guarantee you that cindy has as well. amazing that they could pony up the money for that while they’re NOT WORKING A LICK.
have a question…do you think in the final hrs ,with back against the wall…rope tightening…we are going to see…your honor,it was an accident. only meant to give her a little something to help her sleep and she didnt wake up and i was scared. as disgusting as this sounds,i see no other way to keep her ass of the death chair.(where it should be,no doubt)
does the system, have a ceiling cap on allowable costs they will assist to cover defense costs. kind of what they are saying, the prosecution case gets stronger ,we need more money to deflect it. i guess i’m continiously amused how overwhelming evidense is disputed by a defense lawyer. i wish you were judge strickland’s golf buddy ,little off the record talk would be interesting.