This trial has been full of surprises. I have to admit that I thought we were in for another OJ Simpson adventure, one that seemed to last an eternity. My thinking was that we were going to see two very different strategies, the prosecution would be short and to the point, while the defense would prefer to drag out the process to confuse the jury.
The is also a psychological game being played out. The jury being sequestered adds a dimension. In some ways they are unwitting victims placed under house arrest. There is also the question of who the jailer is. Generally the Jailer is the judge. A man that is often perceived as little more than an extension of the State Prosecution. One common theory is that the longer that the jury remains ‘locked up’ the more likely they will be to swing toward the defense. After all, it wasn’t the defense team that deprived them of their freedom. Of course there is an equally compelling argument that tells us that members of a jury are not stupid. They will spot ‘time wasting’ and this could be very detrimental to the defense case when deliberations take place.
Todays activity in the Casey Anthony trial somewhat surprised me. The prosecution explained that they only had one more witness, however that witness would not be available until tomorrow. The prosecution has indeed followed the wisdom of get in and out quick!
Judge Perry went on to tell the jury that he expected the prosecution to rest either tomorrow or Wednesday morning.
By far the bigger surprise was Judge Perry also announcing that the defense phase should be wrapped up by the end of next week, and the jury likely would start deliberations on either the 25th or 27th. I was stunned! I had assumed that the defense would lay siege and drag out this phase as long as possible.
I have no legal background, but the possibility of a ‘quick defense’ was brought up on yesterdays radio broadcast by veteran attorney Mannie Barling. You can listen to the recording here.
I talked to Mannie today, and I will admit defeat. While he didn’t use the term “I told you soâ€, but he came pretty close.
Wasn’t this my prediction? As I said, the prosecution would rest and the defense would be short and geared to the penalty phase.
Knowing when I am beaten, I had to take my punishment!
There is however one aspect that I am in total agreement with. Casey Anthony has brought this problem on herself. But it is far too late to change things:
Casey Anthony should have admitted to accidentally killing Caylee by either shaking her or putting the duct tape on her mouth because she was screaming too much. She could have said she panicked and made a stupid mistake and panicked afterward again. Watching her, this could be very believable. It would also show remorse.
If she had admitted that Caylee died like that, the charge would have to be second degree murder which, in all likelihood, would be 25 years to life. It would also inhibit the use of the felony murder rule for many reasons.
Had she played that hand, what would the result have been?
That would result in Casey Anthony being released from prison by her 50th birthday. Now, as a result of a poor defense strategy, Casey Anthony will be in a pine box or a pile of ashes by her 30th birthday. She might last until 35 with a good appeal. But the defense has guaranteed the death penalty. She will never take the stand because her only hope now is leniency from the jury, which she would destroy by testifying.”
So what strategy is left for the defense?
Looking at the defense’s time projections, it would seem that their entire defense will be an attack on the science offered by the prosecution. They are trying to ignore the need to explain why Casey failed to report her death. Even if the defense were successful in debunking the prosecution’s science, the residue of unexplained motherly inaction is sufficient to convict her. The burden of proof has shifted to the defense to explain Casey Anthony’s failures as a mother. Without a credible explanation, the jury will be left no other choice but to convict.
This case has captured the attention of many people. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Obviously the big question is what track the defense team will take? To waver from the strategy laid out in opening statements may be detrimental, but staying the course set may be even worse.
The bus rented by the defense team is running out of space under it. Tossing George and Cindy Anthony, brother Lee Anthony, meter reader Roy Kronk, and possibly the Grund family under it may well be problematic.
Only time will tell.
Simon Barrett
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7 users commented in " Casey Anthony Trial – Could It Be Nearing The End? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThe prosecution can put on a rebuttal case after the defense case. No telling how long that would take. Resting on the case in chief makes sense at this point. There’s no place else to go unless and until the defense puts something forward.
It’s pointless to try to predict what the defense evidence will be, but the indications are it will go well beyond just mitigating the punishment. I wouldn’t concede to Manny just yet.
Many are wondering about the identity of Caylee’s father. It’s my theory that Casey has no clue who he is! She was always out trying to come up with extra money, why didn’t she apply for Social Security benefits for Caylee under the account of Caylee’s father (whom Casey said died in a car wreck)? I think the REAL father is out there but has no clue that he IS the father!
Simon the prosicution put forth a clean evidence case against Casey.Mainly expert testimony,on evidence.It was shorter than i expected also.people called to testify werent used that i thought would be.But no one can ever say Casey did not get a fair trial.I think the prosicution has proven their case.I did enjoy hearing the states experts it was a time of learning.Interesting to say the least.Every expert brough out something new,i did not know.Each expert kept my attention.
I to await to see what kind of this defence will bring forth.I know they are bringing their experts.I see that J Perry runs a tight orderly court room.I am pleased,with him as the judge residing over this trial so far. J Perry does not allow all that drama.
I think it was a smart move J P was chosen as the next judge to reside over this case/trial.I love it when he makes his mouth pucker just before saying something serious to Baezs.Lord knows if Mason is questioning whitness i will lose that part,.Because i cant understand a word he says.
I do not believe a word of what Casey has now told Baezs/her defence team as a defence(She is a stone cold liar).I woudnt take anything she ever says through her team,to the bank..In other words i do not believe what the defence now with Casey approvel,are saying happened.It just doesnt fit the evidence presented.
Dr G said it all in her testimony it was a(Homicide)She is skilled with many degrees,and experence.I take her word as she said things that are quite truthful,and logical to why she came to her conclusion.Mason with his disrepect for her as a expert holding his hand up in court to try and hush her.then mumbled lord only knows what-i sure couldnt understand what he said..But she held her ground from many yrs of experence.She knows..But its left to a jury to decide.I hold my breath on that one.Hopefuly the jury memeber use their heads,not emotions.(Caseys actions when the jury was present) I doupt they have watched her as closely as we have this last 3 yrs.I will say evidence is speaking loud and clear if those jury members listen.
I pray for truth,and Justice to be served in this trial for the tiny victum of this crime.
Caylee Marie Anthony
For Simon & Jan Barrett,
Found these links of information, you will find worth reading. I hope you comment on them within your blog.
Compelling to say the least.
Thank you so much for representing Caylee
Who is Jose Baez?
http://blog.bennettandbennett.com/2011/06/a-lesson-from-the-casey-anthony-trial.html
Yet another Who is Jose Baez?
http://abovethelaw.com/2011/06/lawyer-of-the-day-jose-baez/
Who is Rakofsky?
http://abovethelaw.com/2011/04/mistrial-declared-when-judge-is-astonished-by-touro-grads-incompetence/
–
A quote from Honorable Judge Perry 6/13/2011
Judge Perry “You cannot take a shield and turn it into a sword”.
– –
Caylee Marie Anthony
8~9~2005 ~ 6~16~2008
Soon Caylee it’s coming~ Justice
cc:PH
I only hope that the jury sees the evidence as clearly as the rest of the world. Its hard to say what they pay attention to and we have had “extra tidbits of information they were not allowed to hear. I can’t imagine this woman ever being allowed to walk free.
I feel the need to tell everyone that yesterday we went to court against my son in law on a domestic violence order of protection, my daughter who is very shy and quit testified to the fact he threw things at her hitting her while she was holding the baby, punching holes in the walls and doors, intimidating her with a knife then locking himself with the baby in the bathroom. she called no witnesses (even though I was there as a witness). She had pictures and text messages.He called one “character witness” who was “snappy” with the judge….thank God at the end the judge said “it is obvious this child needs to stay with his mother” and ordered my son in law into anger managemet. I pray my daughter is finally safe and my grandson will not end up on the nightly news.
Please if anyone suspects that a child is in danger take a closer look, we all her the neighbors and family on the news saying things like “I thought something was wrong” or something similar, lets put the news out of business of reporting children’s injuries and deaths at the hands of the parent(s).
For ToughEnough – Congrats. But unfortunately it’s far from over. He’s going to apply for visitation soon. Make sure that you request that it be a supervised visit, and the supervisor must be approved by the Division of Youth and Family Services first. If you don’t press this issue, your problems will have just begun after his first visit with your grandchild. Take it from me, I know. If your smart, and I feel you are, get DYFS involved in your case as soon as possible.
They are a valuable allie to have!
They will make it possible for your grandchild to get Psych. therapy thru all this mess, paid for by the court. But only if you request it. Also request that your son in law gets a psychiatric evaluation ordered by the court before any visitation takes place. DYFS will help you more than you know in keeping him away from his child without appropriate supervision.
If possible, make the visits take place at their office and for only 1 hour every other week or less. by the way this info is based on N.J. laws.
Stay on top of this situation, and the best advise I could give your daughter is to start a daily log, mainly for the future. ie: when he calls, what he said, etc.
A judge takes that log very ceriously and it will be very helpful later. I have 4 books filled out and saved from our own 3 years of hell. Believe me they were used at almost every court case. The last year of our custody battle we were in court almost EVERY month till last Oct. 13, 2011. One more thing, don’t think for minute that you don’t have a voice in court, just raise your hand and ask to speak. I didn’t find this out till the end of the first year.
I will pray for you and your family, because I know what you have ahead of you and you’ll need as many prays as you can get. But for now, enjoy that baby !!!
I believe the State has laid out a strong circumstancial case that tells the story of what happened to Caylee Marie Anthony.
Vass says the air of the trunk had mass amounts of chloroform, The other expert said he found small amounts of chloroform, but was SHOCKED that he found any traces of chloroform. Chloroform especially by the time they received evidence to test should have already evaporated.This alone tells us there was a mass amount of chloroform used in the trunk of Casey pontiac sunfire.
The fourth peice of duct tape concerns me. It was found 6.2ft away from the remains by the time Caylee was found. Caylee was triple bagged. The pic showed the outter bag drawn and tied and knotted to close the bag. IMO the fourth peice of duct tape could have been used to restrain Caylee from removing the 3 peices of duct tape from her breathing passages had she awoke after being sedated with the chloroform this prevented Caylee from removing the three peices of tape.
I realize the defense has to use their witnesess to debunk the prosecutions evidene but i believe the State has not revealed their entire hand and in the end they will bring it home. I believe Casey Anthony will be charged with first degree murder and will be sentenced to LWOP. So much for her freedom and she will finally see what it is really like in prison when she is put into GP. She has had it cushy so far.jmo
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