I am not an expert on the Legal System, nor the tactics that are used in high profile cases. But as the old saying goes, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, there is a pretty good chance that it is indeed a duck!
I watched the Opening Statements with great interest yesterday. The prosecution’s lead attorney Linda Drain-Burdick gave a 2 ½ hour presentation of the case they planned to present. It was rational, and had few flaws that I could see. That is not to say that they do not have an up-hill battle on their hands. They are aiming high by seeking the Death Penalty, much is made of ‘the burden of proof’, and to ask that a life be taken is a step that is not taken lightly. The State was conservative and convincing, a guilty verdict certainly seems reasonable, even expected, however, I for one am not sure that they have enough to secure the Death Penalty.
Much more shocking was the defense’s opening statement. Rumors have been swirling for quite some time about what strategy Jose Baez might use. However even careful watchers of this case were surprised with the veracity of the presentation.
In order to try and gain an understanding of the events I contacted well known Florida Defense Attorney John Contini. I expected him to present a pro-defense position. The ‘birds of a feather’ syndrome? I was completely wrong. John Contini is a veteran in the world of criminal defense. As the saying goes, he has no dog in this fight, and as such is free to talk in general terms. Here are his thoughts:
The prosecution will eventually argue that the defense opening statement is typical of what defense lawyers tend to do when the facts are against them. They’ll argue that the defense, like an octopus that sprays out an ink-like substance to blind its prey, will spray out enough of a smokescreen to blind the jurors from seeing or focusing on the real facts and truth.
If the defense lawyer can horrify and redirect the jurors with enough of a visual of other plausible scenarios, then the deflection technique can be quite effective, and the jurors will be focusing on those other plausible visuals and scenarios, and have a reason to doubt the prosecutions theory as to how it happened. This is classic “reasonable doubt,” which, as the judge will instruct the jury, can arise from “the evidence, lack of evidence or conflicts in the evidence.
The prosecution will also argue later in closing argument that the defense in this case did what was expected, following the same old, ‘same ole’ worn out blame game, ie, when the facts are against you, you argue the law, and when the law is against you, you argue the facts; and when the facts and the law are against you, you play the blame game and manufacture reasonable doubt where there is none, creating horrific and unrelated and made up scenarios to deflect and redirect and mislead the juror from the real truth.
The prosecution will urge the jury to take their common sense into the jury room first, before taking any of the evidence in there with them; and lastly, the prosecution will use their most effective weapon against the defense, the defense lawyer’s own words. The prosecutors will order the transcript of what the defense lawyer said in his opening statement, and will later ask the jury in closing arguments to hold the defense lawyer to what he said the evidence would show.
In most cases, at the end of the trial and after all the testimony and evidence, there is a marked difference in how things played out … quite different from what the defense lawyer represented in opening statement; which is why most seasoned, veteran defense lawyers hold back from promising too much in opening statement, focusing more on telling the jury what they won’t see and hear from the prosecution, all the forensic problems, lack of evidence from the government, expected conflicts in the prosecution’s evidence, etc. Some defense lawyers will even “reserve” their opening statement until after the prosecutions rests their case, and in that way, they don’t have to tip their hand and give the State the time and opportunity to fix their expected problems during their case presentation.
It is always very dangerous for the defense to give away too much at the beginning, or to make too big of a showing initially in a grandstanding-type of opening statement, as that typically comes back to bite the defense lawyer and the defendant at the end of the case. Be assured that the prosecution ordered a transcript of the defense lawyers remarks in opening statement and intends to jam it down his throat during closings arguments.
I am not a legal strategist, but I have to admit that John Contini makes perfect sense. The shock and awe factor used by Jose Baez could easily backfire. It may be enough to keep the Death Penalty at bay, but it comes at a steep price. Lives and careers will be forever derailed. I am no fan of the Anthony family, however I am not a fan of them being hung out to dry in the process of saving Casey from the needle. I will be interested in what the readers have to say.
Simon Barrett
John Contini, is a highly experienced, veteran criminal defense attorney, has successfully represented thousands of criminal defendants in Florida and throughout the United States over the past 23 years. Contini, a former Broward County (South Florida) felony trial prosecutor, has defended the criminally accused since 1983. His practice expanded in the last several years to include the areas of personal injury and wrongful death, but Contini is best known for his success in the area of criminal defense, including murder, drug cases, juvenile cases, white collar crimes, sex crimes, and federal criminal defense. He can be found online at JohnContini.com and Danger Road is available at better bookstores everywhere or from Amazon.
72 users commented in " Casey Anthony Trial – Criminal Defense Attorney John Contini Weighs In "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackIt appears it is no longer a secret she was involved in the death from her own attorney coming up with the story he did. The only problem is explaining why in the world an innocent person would duct tape the mouth of a baby that died from a drowning accident.
It appears it is no longer a secret she was involved in the death from her own attorney coming up with the story he did. The only problem is explaining why in the world an innocent person would duct tape the mouth of a baby that died from a drowning accident.
Contini makes some good points, but most of the rules go out the window in a case like this.
Jurors, like the press and the public, are reluctant to believe that the prosecution can be as wrong as the defense says it is, so IMO it’s better to bring up the dramatically different version in the opening to give the jurors time to digest it and view the evidence in light of it, rather than an unchallenged prosecution version that will be much harder to dislodge later.
In addition, this is not an obfuscation strategy. If the defense lawyer doesn’t believe the version he is offering he should never offer it in the first place.
I’m sure the defense lawyer believes every word of it. And it makes as much sense as the prosecution’s version. Each is bizarre, and each has its psychopath anti-hero. The question is whether it is Casey Anthony or her father.
For all it’s shock and awe – Casey certainly looked very hurt and amazed that her father was NOT going to go along with the Baez program. It did cross my mind that George may have gone along with a pack of lies just to attempt to get his daughter away from the death penalty.
Hate to say it, but the tape may have only been to stop the leakage of fluids from the mouth of the little corpse. Or just to blot out the horror of her dead face staring back at her killer.
Prosecution went out on a limb claiming asphyxiation by duct tape.
I feel that the outrageous accusations are a desparate attempt by the defense to keep this girl from the needle. I agree that the prosecution should not have gone for the death penaly without concrete evidence, only circumstantial. What is wrong with life without parole? I don’t understand it. To me after viewing opening statements, I thought that Baez tanked his chances for anything less than life without parole The Anthony family is obviously disfunctional, but I do not believe for a minute that her dad molested her. She is truly evil to come up with such a scenario. I just hope the jury can see through all the smoke and mirrors.
Historical note to Anthony; Defense Attorney Jose Baez
Boston Attorney Joseph Welch to US Senator Joseph McCarthy
“You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?”
Overnight, McCarthy’s immense national popularity evaporated. Censured by his Senate colleagues, ostracized by his party, and ignored by the press, McCarthy died three years later, 48 years old and a broken man.
I have to wonder how Bias will explain the duct tape on Caylee. Really why would they want to turn an accidental drowning into a kidnap/murder? Sorry it wouldnt fly even if the jury only had one brain cell. lol
And since I have rarely followed this case I find the defense very poor. And the fact Biaz didnt even say who disposed of her body and where. He sure did make Kronk out to be the bad guy but I dont believe he moved any body since there were roots all around the remains. jmo
Casey will get life in prison IMO since the jury knows she did it ( thanks to Biaz saying it was a drowning) but since they dont really know how she died for sure Casey wont get the DP. Even though I believe she is very cold hearted from what I have watched so far on the live court case. jmo
I wondered what possible arguments the defense could offer in this situation; these are about the only ones that would share the guilt with somebody else. But isn’t the sexual molestation program getting pretty expected, and the idea that in an accidental drowning the mother and grandparents would treat it as such a thing to hide doesn’t seem plausible. What a piece of drama. If she isn’t found guilty, I will be totally surprised. Let the journey begin.
I worked in corporate and domestic law for 37 years until I retired. I think that Jose Baez is one of the most incompetent attorneys I have ever seen. He looks like and acts like someone who took a mail order law class and now he’s on center stage with the “big guys” and he’s lost it. IMO, Casey will go to prison for the rest of her life, without parole.
Quite obviously, the duct tape can be and is being explained as having been planted by the old man to frame his daughter. He would want to turn this into a kidnap/murder to hide the dysfunction of the family that he is at the center of.
In fact, it’s silly to believe that the mother would be so cunning and “cold hearted” and yet leave the duct tape with which she smothered her daughter on the body to be found later. It has all the earmarks of a frame up job.
It is no more outrageous to believe that the father is one sick puppy than it is to believe that his daughter is. The only difference is that the government has charged the daughter.
The father is a cop. While a lot of cops are great guys, the job attracts some miscreants as well. And they are very hard to nail, because they know the system, they know how to testify credibly.
The defense has been frankly brilliant. I don’t know how they kept all this under wraps until the trial started, but that was important. The prosecutors are having a lot of trouble responding on such short notice. It is not easy to change course at this point, so they’re floundering around, even though they get the relentless favorable spin from the media.
The defense job is 1000% more difficult than the prosecutor’s. No one is inclined in their direction, and the lynch mob mentality was especially strong here.
How will he explain away the jailhouse video of Cindy and Casey where Cindy brings up the media theory of an accidental drowning? Casey laughs at it and rejects it.
The entire defense ploy of claiming Casey is a sexual abuse victim doesn’t make sense either. I don’t think any person who was abused by a family member either sexually or physically would ever leave their child with that family member… hopefully the Jury has enough common sense to see this contradiction. The whole thing is so sad and this woman (Casey) continues to affect everyone around her in a negative way…I really feel for her family… they aren’t perfect but they certainly do not deserve the way their daughter is treating them.
I don’t understand why they actually threw Casey under the bus for lying from the beginning. If she was lying then what makes anyone think the “drowning” accident happened at all? The whol “drowning” thing doesn’t make sense because people lose chidren year after year in accidents. Why would someone get arrested for leaving the ladder down? George Anthony used to be in law enforcement, what would deter him from dialing 911? I’d love to get John Conti’s take on how Jose Baez is handling this whole thing so far.
At first I thought perhaps Casey Anthony was a Narcissist; however I am now convinced she is character disturbed a sociopath and a pathological liar. Caylee quite possibly became a burden to her desired lifestyle and that, coupled with the fact that Cindy, the mother was after her to come home and take care of her daughter no doubt factored into her decision to eliminate Caylee. Also at that time her new boyfriend Tony, was her main focus then too.
Also, on the first day of the trial I could not help but notice when she was consulting with her attorney she appeared to be stifling a laugh. The tears seem to come on prompt and then disappear. She appears to me to be insincere and only concerned about herself. There is something missing in this woman’s heart.
This is a great opinion, thank you for the post. I couldn’t get my arms around the pure discomfort I felt listening to Baez lay out his opening statement…but now I understand the reason for it, and both posters have valid and logical comments here..thank you!
ITA Its backwards usually a murder is made to look like an accident not the other way around. Biaz is saying Casey and George decided to make it look like a drowning as a kidnapping/ murder to cover for their disfunctional family really? And not a soul heard them screaming in the backyard when it happened? At that time of the day in the summer kids are out playing, teens are sunbathing etc. but notone person heard anything? Yeah right. jmo
Here’s the fundamental problem: Baez told the jury yesterday that his client is a pathological liar. But, to believe the defense, one has to believe his pathological liar client. The defense requires he put his client on the stand. She’s going to get destroyed. He would have done well to sit back and try to poke holes in the State’s case. By offering this utterly ridiculous defense, he may have made the Defendant’s trip to Death Row a bit swifter.
It appears that attorney Baez is not very experienced. He fumbled several times in court today. Unfortunately he does not have much to work with, and one wonders why he did not try a plea deal and keep the dealth penalty off the table. In any event, I believe that the family was disfuncional, however for someone so young not to break down and admit the truth eventually, shows that she has no sense or right or wrong, or any conscience. She is truly a socialpath and needs to be taken out of society.
Maybe Casey’s father is the narcissist.
And “corporate and domestic law for 37 years” doesn’t mean a thing. There is nothing in that comparable to criminal defense.
No one knows how this WILL go. But how SHOULD it go? If there is no reliable evidence disproving the defense’s version of the events it should be a not guilty. You ought not find guilt if you don’t know.
And, just my opinion but so far the defense version is plausible so long as you remain open minded and don’t give undue weight to the fact that Casey Anthony was the one charged.
The idea that George, a seasoned cop, would “cover up” an accidental drowning with a murder/kidnap theory is the most ludicrous idea I’ve ever heard. There are so many points that are wrong with this approach:
1. An accidental drowning *might* have lead to involuntary manslaughter at worst. At best, the police would have called it an accident and there would have been no charges. Considering she had no prior history of child abuse, neglect, or any other crimes (no criminal record of the thefts), she would have hardly gotten any time and might even be out of prison by now.
2. With the scenario in #1, there is no reason why the alleged “family dysfunction” would have ever come to light. Unless, of course, something “suspicious” would have come up on an autopsy. That doesn’t necessarily mean sexual abuse. That could also mean drugs in her system….or chloroform.
3. Let’s go into fantasy land for a moment and PRETEND that Baez’s story is true. Once the death penalty was on the table, why would George OR CASEY continue the charade? Why let her sit in jail for 3 years for something that she didn’t do? Why let her life potentially be in danger for something that could have been removed off the table with “true story”? And…most damaging in my opinion….if Baez has known the “truth” for 3 years, why has he NOT deposed George AT ANY TIME since this started about the alleged sexual abuse? To my knowledge, he hasn’t even deposed George or anyone else in the family about these allegations even AFTER her jailhouse “confession.”
Sorry folks, I call B.S!! If the **it got any deeper, we’d be in a manure factory for sure!
Think about the questioning of George Anthony on Tuesday. Baez displayed none of the drama and in-your-face behavior normally used by lawyers trying to get a child molester or rapist to confess or get their story confused. None of that. I think that Baez and the Anthonys decided on this strategy—to cast a reasonable doubt about Casey having been incested. It seemed like Baez and George were both acting out a script and trying to keep things as tame and nice as possible. Notice how Baez didn’t get graphic or ask George about any number of sexual acts he could have asked about. I’m convinced that Casey’s parents are playing their agreed-upon part and that George drew the line at sitting there and having people imagine him raping his daughter. It would be too damaging and demeaning, even for an innocent man.
Baez said the jury would be learning some terrible things. The most disgusting thing is that the Anthony’s found this ambitious reptile, Baez, and hired him.
“Also, on the first day of the trial I could not help but notice when she was consulting with her attorney she appeared to be stifling a laugh. The tears seem to come on prompt and then disappear. She appears to me to be insincere and only concerned about herself. There is something missing in this woman’s heart.”
Every defense attorney’s worst fear: that people – and especially jurors – will draw completely unwarranted conclusions from the defendant’s demeanor in the courtroom.
You don’t know anything about how someone might behave in this situation. It’s a living hell. Imagine yourself in it, if you can, being completely innocent of what you are accused of.
Your comment turns the presumption of innocence upside down. Every word, every gesture, every expression is seen in the light of what this person is ACCUSED of. You presume guilt, not innocence.
Some people, upon the death of a loved one, lock themselves in a room and cry. Others get drunk. Or take a trip. There is no inference about guilt or innocence to be made from picking apart such behavior, one way or the other. It’s just conjecture. And when that conjecture cuts against the accused, that is simply a function of giving too much weight to the accusation. It is a function of bias, nothing more.
@TJ:
So what if George is a “seasoned cop”? What if he’s a seasoned cop who’s a child molester or worse?
He’s denied everything. So what? If Casey Anthony took the stand and denied everything she is accused of what would you say?
You analysis is way off. There’s no guarantee that an accidental drowning wouldn’t result in serious charges and prison time. The revelation about childhood sexual abuse is so shameful that many people – particularly pathological narcissists – would go to great lengths to cover that up. Including maybe framing their own daughter for a crime, because narcissists don’t even care for their own daughters, just themselves and their own egos.
This is far from a fantasy. And let’s face it, on either interpretation of events, there is a pathological person somewhere in the mix. Either it’s Casey Anthony or her father. Once again, your bias is that you believe it to be Casey Anthony merely because she is the one on trial. You will not entertain the other possibility because the authorities have not endorsed it. You are prosecution minded. And a bad juror, if you were one.
It’s obvious what is going on. Baez is completely in over his head with this case, as he should not even be in the defense lawyer “team”. So what he is doing is the best thing he can do for his client right now…that is…make up the most unbelieveable defense so that when she is convicted (b/c unless these jurors are of the same make up of those who are following that Camping guy with the Rapture incident…then there is no way she is found not guilty)…but in the end, Baez just gave Casey a DEFINITE cause for an appeal due to ATTORNEY INCOMPETENCE.
Casey is obviously guilty, but Atticus should be the defense attorney, not Baez.
And what about all the witnesses of Caseys demeaner when Caylee was missing for 31 days do the jurors discount their observations? I think not. jmo
Honestly.
Baez is doing a bang up job. Arm chair critics have no clue how difficult this is.
And, he just might be correct when everyone else, and I mean everyone, has been wrong. Galling, I know. But facts are stubborn things.
@Atticus
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So what if George is a “seasoned cop”? What if he’s a seasoned cop who’s a child molester or worse?
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Only a fool would dismiss the comment with “so what???” And what proof do you have, other than Baez’s statement and that of a known liar that he is a child molester? I mean, if Baez really thought he was guilty of molesting Casey then why has he not deposed him or anyone one else in the family prior to trial in the last 3 years to ask them about the allegations??? Especially knowing that the allegation underlies the primary defense of his client??? That’s either horribly BAD lawyering or he, plain and simple, knows it to be false and is simply using it as a smoke screen.
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He’s denied everything. So what? If Casey Anthony took the stand and denied everything she is accused of what would you say?
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Casey is a known liar. Big difference between her denials and someone else whom we have no reason to suspect is lying at this time. Furthermore, the evidence appears at this time to tell a different story which further supports that Casey is lying.
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You analysis is way off. There’s no guarantee that an accidental drowning wouldn’t result in serious charges and prison time.
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Yes it could, but considering she had no prior criminal history or history of child abuse or neglect, it is highly unlikely. Either way, there is NO CHANCE of the death penalty for involuntary manslaughter so your argument is specious at best.
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The revelation about childhood sexual abuse is so shameful that many people – particularly pathological narcissists – would go to great lengths to cover that up. Including maybe framing their own daughter for a crime, because narcissists don’t even care for their own daughters, just themselves and their own egos.
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Having been a victim of extreme childhood sexual abuse and exploitation from the time I was an infant until I turned 18, I’m very much aware of the personality type and behaviors of both perpetrators AND victims. George and Casey Anthony fit the profile of NEITHER.
And to be quite honest, George has really taken little or no action to cover ANYTHING up. Even in interviews, he hardly talks. Most of the action and “throwing various people under the bus” has come from Cindy Anthony, not George. Cindy is the primary dominator of the family dynamics, not George. This also goes 180 degrees opposite of the profile necessary for an incestuous relationship between Casey and her father.
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This is far from a fantasy. And let’s face it, on either interpretation of events, there is a pathological person somewhere in the mix. Either it’s Casey Anthony or her father.
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Yes, you are correct. There is a pathological person in this mix. And the evidence, body language, and verbal cues point to that individual being Casey Anthony herself. No one else.
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Once again, your bias is that you believe it to be Casey Anthony merely because she is the one on trial. You will not entertain the other possibility because the authorities have not endorsed it. You are prosecution minded. And a bad juror, if you were one.
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There is where you are wrong, my misguided and desperate friend. I have posted many points on this website and others that have been very much Pro-Defense comments. I look at the evidence from an objective perspective. You simply disagree from my assessment because you have a pro-defense agenda. Whether YOU like it or not, my arguments are logical and factual. Further, they are the same arguments that any juror, including those in the court of public opinion, will be evaluating. So if you are working for the defense, you might want to get your butt working on coming up with a reasonable and viable solution to these arguments that is something more than a pathetic attempt at “smoke & mirrors!”
What facts? jmo
Atticus is rediculous. If you actually think that Caseys father had something to do with this then you are as crazy as Casey Anthony. When I first heard the defense come up with this story I had to turn off the TV. What a joke this has become. Casey murdered her little girl bottom line and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Heck, all one needs is just a little bit of common sense to know she did this. The defense SUCKS by the way and I mean REALLY SUCKS….SAY GOODBYE CASEY!
I cannot understand how Judge Perry allows Baez to ask a witness if he/she was at the house when Caylee drowned. He is able to plant that seed over and over. Can someone explain why Judge Perry allows him to continue to bring up the “drowning”…..which we know never happened. As a mother…and a victim of sexual abuse….I could never live in denial if my child died. She is nuts.
I was not impressed with Mr. Baez. I thought his cross examination of George Anthony lacked passion. He should have been totally indignant and disgusted towards George. Instead he was mild and just went on like it was no big deal. His opening statement struck me as insincere. I got the feeling that Baez himself didn’t believe his own statements.
@ Lawyerwitharealdegree:
“Here’s the fundamental problem: Baez told the jury yesterday that his client is a pathological liar. But, to believe the defense, one has to believe his pathological liar client. The defense requires he put his client on the stand. She’s going to get destroyed. He would have done well to sit back and try to poke holes in the State’s case. By offering this utterly ridiculous defense, he may have made the Defendant’s trip to Death Row a bit swifter.”
In theory, you don’t have to believe the defense; just doubt the government.
They say her father is a pathological liar too. Is he? I don’t know. Maybe.
Maybe she is.
Once again, the only difference: she is charged and he isn’t. How much weight do you want to give that? In theory, it gets none. Just the opposite. Not that that’s the way it is.
Will she get “destroyed” on the stand? The media will say so, no matter how lame the cross examination is. Go through the 31 days, day by day. Recount her every move. Weird? Yes. Does it mean her father is not a psychopath? No. Does it mean she is? Maybe. Do you convict on maybe? You shouldn’t.
This gets deeper. What if the father is a psycho? How many people are in prison based on his police work? If he framed his own daughter, how many others did he frame?
What is the truth here? None of us were there. Caylee isn’t talking. Her mother could be a monster. So could her mother’s father. So could any of us be believed to be, if our every move was picked apart under the glare of such a lurid accusation.
The defense’s accusations are no more lurid than the prosecution’s. Do you think Baez asked about an FBI paternity test for Casey’s brother without knowing that it happened? What would prompt such a thing? If you want to pick at strange behavior, try that one.
Imagine you’re the father and the defense is right, even if just for the sake of argument. You’re an ex-cop with a terrible family secret. You find your granddaughter drowned in the pool, her unstable mother – your own victim – slated for intense law enforcement scrutiny in which the whole miserable truth might be revealed. Might you protect yourself by implicating her? If you’re twisted enough to do what you’ve already done, you just might.
None of this is pretty. But it doesn’t make anyone guilty of murder, not even the father. Attempted murder of his own daughter, maybe, if he framed her. But that would never be charged.
Baez did a stupidness job with the opening statements.This is what I’d expect from him and nothing less.I believe Casey was sexually abused. Being around a few people that were. They never revile until adulthood. Then it is still hurtful and some lie a new life for themselves. After all their original one has been destroyed. I believe that she is innocent and Caylee drowned in the pool. Casey laughing to her mom about Caylee drowning in the pool. That was for George’s benefit. Ha… you can’t touch me now. Now try and do damage control.
Atticus,
Your lurid speculation is pointless. The prosecution has a mountain of evidence. Circumstantial evidence, granted, but lots of it. Other capital murder cases have had convictions on much less circumstantial evidence. I’m willing to bet that the jury will find more credibility with the prosecution’s scientific evidence combined with Casey’s pathological behavior than they will with some half-baked defense theory that comes down to nothing more than a dreamy “what-if scenario.”
If the defense’s only plan is to try to “confuse” jurors with wild accusations without having any verifiable PROOF of those accusations, then Casey is as good as strapping herself to that table.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
@TJ:
Why do you believe that the defense’s accusations are “wild” but not the prosecution’s, who after all are alleging that a mother smothered her toddler with duct tape so she could go out and party? Why isn’t that an effort to “confuse” jurors with a lurid tale?
Maybe the prosecution’s case is “half-baked”. Did police ever seriously look into any other possibility? Did the failure to do so have anything to do with the fact that the other potential psychopath, the father, was a cop?
And what’s the “mountain of evidence”? Do you know something the rest of us don’t because you’re close to the police?
You sound a little like a cop too, by the way. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, if indeed you are. But there’s this group think thing…
jose is making or trying to make casey seem like a loving attentive mother even though she was horribly abused by her father, that may backfire, because by making that little girl the light of caseys life (by being her mother)
one would think that not only would molestation scar her but the death of her daughter should have been so shocking to her system, that she crumbled. It doesnt make sense to me if she died in the pool, and george was there, why did casey need to leave for 31 days, George was a police investigator i think he would have come up with something more she is with zanny the nanny to hide this crime, if he was involved. from my understanding george brought the car back and told his wife about the smell and his wife smelled the smell, why not go take the car to be washed and get the smell out, before bringing it home to ur wife, so she wouldnt
think something was wrong. If george was involved the car would have never been towed.
or would have had the smell in it. He would have just dumped the body, casey didnt know what to do, thats why caylee was left to rot.
I always thought casey did that because if it wernt for the car being towed she was going to say zanny took her(casey) car with caylee alive in it. and never came back. that way she didnt have to think of a place zanny lived.
but since they found the car, after it was towed she had to change her story.
I agree with John’s take on things. After studying George Anthony’s cross examination, it was obvious he was acting. He needed to pretend to be defending himself and deny sexual abuse of Casey; but, in denying — it was also his rehearsed intention to look down and give the illusion of not telling the truth. This was to help plant the seed for just one juror that he did in fact molest Casey while appearing to deny it. Parents will do anything for their children. Haven’t you heard — I would walk over hot coals for my child; I would take a bullet for my child; and so on. Well, George is no different that most parents. He does not want his daughter to be behind bars for life or receive a death sentence. Casey is an awful person. I hope she gets life; but my fear is she will walk away — just like OJ.
I’m from Orlando and I am sincerely trying to be fair and just in this case…..however, it just sickens me when I read the past transcripts of Tony Lazzaro’s transcripts from 2008 and to also see Casey Anthony’s cell phone log from Tony Pipitone’s (local newscaster here in Orlando) from Casey’s whereabouts on June 16, 2008. Google it and look at the calls, texts and where she was located throughout them……it shows her guilt to extremes………….
She’s guilty and murdered her child……..there is no other way to account for all of the evidence and her habitual lies. Let us find mercy for little Kahlee Marie, who had no chance in this life.
If the whole Anthony family is truly “dysfunctional”, then they have plenty of company IMO. Even attentive, loving parents sometimes find themselves having to deal with an out-of-control child. Note that Lee Anthony is not a carbon copy of his sister.
The evidence in this case is circumstantial but it is compelling, and the defense is desperately attempting to portray Casey as a victim. Could that be the truth? Or will there always be some doubt?
I’ve followed the details of this case since the beginning and I believe she is responsible in some way for Caylee’s death—that her parents had nothing to do with it.
Atticus,
I don’t really see what you are trying to prove here with all of these hypothetical questions and equivocations.
Since Baez has put forth this absurd defense, yes, he is almost compelled to put his client on the stand. And yes HE already called her a pathological liar. He has no other way to prove up the ridiculous accusations he made in opening statements but through his client, who has no credibility whatsoever.
If George Anthony is such a monster, how did the Defendant know (apparently instantly, according to opening statements) that this child drowned accidentally? How did she know that George the Monster didn’t murder Caylee by drowning her? Hmm?
The scenario painted by Baez yesterday would be laughable, save and except for the fact that there is a dead toddler here, and Baez’ desperate defense will forever smear a man and his family. The story is inherently illogical. The prosecution is steadfastly building the case, and in the end, it will be clear that the defense case is pure fantasy.
George has been a loser pretty much since he got to FL. He never could hold down a job or keep money. So, yes, I can see him concocting a kidnapping ploy, for money. What would he care? He has been so sneaky. They both thought Casey would skate on this. I expect a stunning revolution come DP time, if not before. THEY DID IT FOR THE LOVE AND WANT AND NEED OF MONEY. Caylee died. These people are very very sick, to lie the way they have done. Karma coming soon. Hope Caylee haunts them forever!
I have been on criminal trial in my past. First, the Prosecution can indict a ham sandwich and can easily destroy entire families with their huge budgets and career goals.This should never have gone to trial, if it comes out it it was an accident. There are far too many convictions taking place today when reasonable doubt is presented, yet no evidence exists and way too many people do not think things through. The system needs to return to earth and stop burning tax payer dollars and ruining families, disfunctional or not. Let the punishment fit the crime, each crime has a punishment. If our system keeps going on its current path, our society stands to loose, because without accurate and fair representation by our law makers, prosecutors and defenders, chaos will find its way into the system. Stop creating crimes and following them up with prosecutions that fabricate cases. Murder is very serious. Even more serious and damaging society’s legal system are over zealous prosecutors who force issues that force defendants to go broke and or hire not so well off defense attorneys to do their best with little or no money, but end up having to make money out of the trial from publicity, books, tee shirts, etc. IMO, it is far too early to voice an opinion of guilty or not, but chances are due to jurors feelings and not their thorough thinking and the prosecutor stretching truth, things will not be in Ms Anthonys fairness.
Wow, I had no idea the underpinnings of the case are as whacked as they seem to be. I hope the duct tape is enough to give her the needle.
I think when Baez gave opening statements, his “accidental drowning” might have given the jury some reasonable doubt if only he had not added George to the “cover up plot”. As George was cross examined and Caylee’s picture was put up on the screen, the HUGE smile that lighted up George’s face clearly showed how much he loved that little girl. When he talked about her…his expressions lit up and he beemed like a proud grandfather. He choked on the question about whether he placed the duct tape on little Caylee’s face and placed her in the woods….and it was difficult for him to hear…..those are not the actions of a man who had anything to do with the “hiding of the death of his grandaughter”. Casey anthony sits and listens to all this same info and she just sits stone faced and no reactions. However Baez wants to explain her “non reaction” to caylee’s death for the next few months, my question is how come she can cry when it comes to making it “about herself” but yet she can’t cry when it comes to being about Caylee. Baez claims she’s “learned to cope” with ugly things and act like nothing is wrong….well how come she has a hard time doing that in court when her name is brought to light? Poor little Casey….yep, Baez has convinced her she was the victim in all this….Jose Baez sealed her fate imo by throwing George under the bus and Baez is going to have to prove sexual abuse…..even if he puts casey on the stand…..will anyone even believe her….I think not, she’s cried wolf one too many times. I have absolutely no sympathy for the narcissistic nut she is. I don’t believe for one minute that George wouldn’t have done cpr on Caylee OR would have called 911 if that truly was the scenario. Nope….she’s throwing her family under the bus to save her own a**.
Lawyerwitharealdegree….your statements were right on!
How dispicable can you be BOZO the defense attorney??? I would expect anything from Casey…she is throwng her family right under the bus so far you can’t see them!!! What a piece of dog sh.. she is. And DO NOT tell me George Anthony didn’t know exactly what Bozo was going after. If that were my husband sitting there and our daughter accused him of molesting her…my husband would have hd a heart attack right there. Itwas all made up and they should all BURN in HELL!!! Who is going to pay for this little innocent angel’s death??? NO ONE??? OMG I hope BOZO can sleep at night and Casy should never sleep again…and I hope Bozo doesn’t have any children…
As outrageous as Defense opening argument was, & uncomfortable/creepy to hear, it did give me pause…. Casey does appear to be extremely personality- or character- disordered which could be plausibly understood if she was victim of extreme sexual/psychological abuse by her father. Suddenly I’m thinking that’s why she has that zombie look and was able to not answer questions or break down for all that time after Caylee went missing. My point is, it introduced plenty of doubt into my mind. Now I don’t live in Florida and haven’t followed this case much other than reading of her arrest, evidence against her etc seemed plenty esp when she doesn’t say a word to explain or defend herself except fantasy stories… these things become possible when viewed thru prism of extreme abuse. And we only know tip of iceberg if that theory is true. So Baez is either brilliant or grasping at straws. We’ll see. What does concern me here is the lynch mob attitude of some–hey guys, innocent until proven guilty, remember? It’s why we don’t just stone people we decide are or look guilty. at least try to fake a somewhat open mind ;-] It’s an emotional case & pushes hardwired buttons in most of us, but it’s a DP case decided on the law, and the dueling attorneys are on a high wire act, the least we can do is hear this out. all the way–to do otherwise is an injustice to our system & to idea of justice for Caylee, jmo.
I was sexually abused by my sociopath narcissist older brother. He was a compulsive liar also. I made the choice never to have children because I am so terrified of my own flesh and blood. The incest accusation just doesn’t sit with me re. George and Casey. However if I was so resentful of my own flesh and blood and a family member had coerced me into having a child and then lavished more love on it than they had ever lavished one me … who knows how I would have reacted … I may have committed infanticide too. I really don’t know. The accusation just is an act of desperation to cast reasonable doubt. I think Baez hates Casey and is just going through the motions of his job. I think he has washed his hands of Casey and just wants to get it over with. He has no passion for what he is doing. And she will get life without parole. End of story. If I were her, I would rather be dead.
Dr. Drew- told us- “WHY WAS HER MOUTH TAPED” – its a police and possibly medical professional tactic- to tape the mouth of a drowning victim- apparently the swalloWed water comes back up and maKes a mess- makes perfect sense- george- knew it from his law enforcement days (which i don’t think were as “grand’ as NG makes them out to be)- used HIS MASKING TAPE- the same tape he used to hang HIS missing child posters—–makes more sence than anything i’ve heard so far.
I don’t mean if I was bearing a family member’s child, I mean that if my family made decisions about whether or not I bore a child. My abuse manifested as anorexia and promiscuity. I wanted complete control of my own body at around 16 years of age. If my family had continued to make decisions about my body I would have gone crazy. I think Casey should be in psychiatric care, out of the glare of the media. But I don’t think she actually was sexually abused. I think she is just dysfunctional and dangerous.
i have investigated many homicide cases. the opening statement by the defense was nothing short of perry mason. the defense theory would have been investigated for any possibility if he would have brought it to light. if what he says was true she would be facing unlawful disposal of human remains ( a mild infraction of the heath law IN nyc) as opposed to a capital murder trial.
I just don’t understand how as a mother is your child is missing, you have the energy, guts, or lack of a heart to even go out partying!! Even go out! period! You should be going crazy looking for your child EVERYWHERE!! Obviously she was okay with the fact that she was “missing”… the reason? because the baby was NOT missing! She knew exactly where the baby was…so what worry!? Whether she was sexually molested or abused she had NO right to do what she did! There has been plenty of people that have been molested and sexually abused! (I am one of them!) That does not give me the right to go around the world and kill people –>> especially MY DAUGHTER who is NOT guilty of whatever happened!!! If anything, could give me strength to be a better person! And I really consider that she should not get the death penalty. She should be incarcerated with pictures of her baby all over her room until she dies sick of it! Why make it easy on her??
Baez will lose! Not only the case but his livlihood. Guess he can go work at Universal. lol Who would hire him after this! His opening statements are ludicrous, unplausible, unbelievable. Casey was on drugs during that phase in her life, she was a party girl, she didn’t want her kid around period! She drugged her daughter, maybe TOO much this time and it killed her, she panicked and buried her in backyard, then moved the body when the crap hit the fan. She is a liar nothing she says is believable. Blaming the parents and her upbringing for her evil ways, please! Anyone can see right through that. What family doesn’t have issues. What I want to know IS where did she keep Caylee for the 2 years when everyone thought she was with a nanny? Did she chloroform her and put her in the trunk everytime? She didn’t have a nanny at all EVER. so where was the little girl when she wasn’t with grandma or mommy? IF it was a bonbifide accident, 911 would have been called. Sorry folks we live in FL, unfortunately children die in hot cars and pool drownings and parents don’t get arrested for murder when it is a bonifide accident. And drowning in an ABOVE ground pool, hardly believable. That toddler would have had to climb the ladder by herself and toddlers don’t do that. Look at the FL DOH statistuics on drownings. Baez sealed Casey fates on opening day, she is guilty and if it’s cheaper to the state of FL to execute than put her in prison for life, then so be it. TOO much state money has been spent on this case, and Casey has shown that she is self absorbed, self centered and could care less about anyone or anything other than herself.
@lawerwitharealdegree:
Assume Casey Anthony is a “pathological liar”. Does that make her a murderer? Big leap there.
It certainly makes defending her more difficult, though.
What I’m “trying to prove” is that evidence can be interpreted different ways. And the reasoning that leads to the conclusion that the defendant is guilty in this case is shoddy. It does not follow that because someone is a pathological liar that they are also a murderer. It does not follow that because there is duct tape on the body that the defendant put it there. It does not even follow that because a little girl is dead anyone murdered her. It does not follow that because the defendant partied after her child was dead she must have killed her to enable her partying. It does not follow that because there was a bad smell in the car Casey Anthony killed her daughter and hid the body there. There are other possible explanations for all of it.
And if that’s true then no one has any business concluding that the defendant is guilty of murder. The most they can conclude is that she MAY be guilty of murder. But it may also be that no one is guilty of murder, or that someone else is.
I’ll say it again, and this is absolute. The descriptions of the defense opening statement as “desperate” and “far-fetched” and bizarre and outrageous and all the other epithets are incredibly unfair. It’s just a different take on mostly the same evidence. All of the same epithets could just as easily be applied to the accusations against the defendant – and would be, if those that hurl them at the defense were remotely open minded. The problem is that they are not open minded. They believe that accusations by the police and the government have inherent credibility whereas accusations by defendants have none.
Many jurors fall into this camp, and that’s a big problem.
@Rebecca:
What cell phone records are you referring to? Do you have a link?
The article I saw just indicated that various “pings” put Casey Anthony in various places she was already pretty much known to be.
How do you draw any conclusions from that, if that’s all there is?
I find it amusing that Mr. Baez seems to believe that he can convince a jury that not just 1 person but several people have conspired to ‘frame’ Casey. First, that Roy Kronk found and hid the body for use at a later date to try and claim the reward $ and second, that her own father placed the duct tape on the gasoline can. Makes no sense whatsoever and I fear he has pretty much thrown Casey under the bus with this obviously desperate defense tactic! Her behavior, the duct tape, and the fact that vegetation was trowing up and through the tiny skull will garner a convinction of guilt.
Well Atticus, defendants who change their story after three years, who are pathological liars by own admission, who are thieves, who let fathers, alledged sex abusers, babysit their daughter, who say a meter reader got hold of a drowned girl’s and decided to cash in, they live in a sick fantasy land and have no credibility whatsoever. And if that is not obvious to you, may I humbly suggest you get some help. And if you are here just to provoke, I would suggest the same thing.
@stratosg:
The operative word in your rant is “defendants”. Like too many others, you base your credibility assessment on who is accused by the government.
Doesn’t the government “change its story” as it investigates and uncovers new information? I should certainly hope so. Does that mean the government has “no credibility whatsoever”? No. The search for truth often takes unexpected twists and turns, both for the government and the defense.
A meter reader tampering with evidence to “cash in” is no more inherently fanciful than the allegations against the defendant. Either may be true, albeit strange. The difference between you and me is that you accept the government’s version as credible just because it is the government’s, and reject the defendant’s version just because it is the defendant’s. You have no more reason for the one than for the other.
@rirwiw:
The biggest conspiracy theorist on the planet is the US Government. They are forever charging people with conspiracy crimes.
Do you find that “amusing” and not credible? No. Only conspiracies alleged by defendants cause amusement and skepticism.
Try to come to grips with your bias.
well what I got out of today is that Casey was a “hoe”….no doubt about that. Tony Lazzaro’s testimony today was damning to Casey’s case. Baez keeps pushing Georges buttons to try to set him off…….it only makes Baez look like an ass imo. Casey admits she’s a “great liar”….wow, REALLLLLY???? Baez says that Casey acted with no emotion over the loss of Caylee because she learned to shut it out and act normal…….ok……so why did she have such a hard time keeping herself cool, calm and collected in the courtroom the past couple of days????? I see her wiping her eyes…..but never see any REAL tears. I hope GEorge hangs in there and lets’ Baez look like the fool that he is!
In case anyone’s interested, the government has already engaged in witness tampering. Take a look here:
http://strikelawyer.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/this-is-a-tough-business/
The leading cause of death of young children in FL is drowning. Not surprising. How parents do you see getting charged in the deaths? I never hear of any.
Atticus is an idiot. Or a member of the defense team. We all know they like to read the blogs.
Casey has lied so much that even if she was telling the truth about her father molesting her it would be hard to believe.
If her daughter did in fact drowned, why was she covering for her father this whole time,after all he molested her all through her life-right, so why protect him. And don’t give me the whole-she was scared, because that is just complete BS.
Why cover up an accidental drowning. If this was true, I think Casey or her father would have eventually copped to it before going through all of the media and BS that went along with this case from the beginning before going to trial, especially knowing that the death Penalty was on the table-REALLY.
Some of you posters on here that are saying Casey is innocent, and trying to blame her father for Kaylees death- I just want to say, I am so glad you are no on this jury.
If Caylee drowned in the pool, I would think Casey would have just admitted it instead of making up the whole zanny the nanny BS story and spending months in jail just to help her father and herself to cover up an accident.
The truth is, her Lawyer didn’t have a defense, Biaz got desperate and he and Casey had to come up with another BS story….Like a said..WHAT A JOKE!
I totally thought the same thing Big Willie did! After hearing the absurd opening arguments by the defense, I thought for sure they were leaving the door wide open for an easy appeal based on incompetence by the attorney. As I continue to watch, Baez totally lacks confidence and control over the courtroom. If I didn’t know better, I would think that “Atticus” and Baez are related! Both sound more ignorant than intelligent in their arguments!
Why wait to the trial to come out with the whole drowning thing…do a plea deal and admit to the drowning if that is what really happend, if indeed this is what really happend…which it wasn’t, this is why there was no admission to this earlier before the trial begun…Like I said this was a last minute desperation attempt to defend there client….Casey could have admitted all of this BS and saved the humiliation for herself and her family. She is absolutly RUTHLESS.
@rochelle:
“Why wait to the trial to come out with the whole drowning thing…do a plea deal and admit to the drowning if that is what really happend, if indeed this is what really happend…which it wasn’t, this is why there was no admission to this earlier before the trial begun…Like I said this was a last minute desperation attempt to defend there client….”
The reason you have to wait is because if you disclose your witnesses and evidence earlier the government will threaten, arrest or otherwise tamper with the witnesses or the evidence, since all they care about is getting a conviction once they are committed. And of course the judge will help them if you try to make THAT an issue.
It would be nice if you could just come forward earlier, but you jeopardize the defendant’s only chance at an acquittal if you do.
Just the way it is.
Don’t you think every comment is an incredible glimpse into what the jurors may be thinking too? “Dee” might be right… or Atticus is Baez… who almost accomplished reasonable doubt, until as most argue… KC wouldn’t be sitting in jail for an accidental drowning or death by suffocation in a hot unattended car FOR 3 YEARS!!! Doesn’t that make you indee a BOZO for not getting her released for accidental manslaughter 2008? 2009? 2010? Jan-May 2011?… You pointed the finger right back at KC when you added George and worse… Kronk into the defense mix of what might have been a plausible accidental death theory if not for all the holes in it… jmo
Baez goofed big time. All he had to do was say it was an accident and Casey was afraid to tell her parents so she freaked out and came up with a kidnapping story. He could have left it at that, no bringing anyone else into it. That might have stood a chance of creating reasonable doubt in at least one juror’s mind, and all he needs is one!
Going overboard as he did, Baez wrote checks he cannot cash, and let’s not forget that his scenario included convoluted acts involving Kronk stealing the body, hiding it for awhile, then calling to have it discovered, maybe relocating it at least once, then calling again to have it discovered because his car was in the shop and he needed cash to pay the bill. That, folks, is all just too high on the old Yikes Meter for rational people to even consider.
WHAT was Bozo thinking throwing out all these details when a simple accident/scared mom/freaked-out story may have worked to instill doubt!
lol pros have a good case defense doesn’t have anything and once caylees autopsy pics an explanation comes out on findings its goodbye casey. defense is only helping the pros and defense is only showing stupidity and agravation, he can’t show caylee drowned but the pros can show suffocation from ductape and you don’t duct tape a live child and claim she accidently drowned , the tape would loosen up an it wasn’t loose at autopsy an baez wheres georges hair in the trunk ? it was dark treated hair and cindy has blonde treated hair an well casey has dark treated hair and sorry bozo baez wigs aren’t treated hair either an theres no proof of a wig anywhere
atticus, he had a timeline back in the begining when he said he had proof casey was innoccent , any way the timeline came an went and he summited nothing, that speaks volumes to me, he never could prove it and he still can’t. this case maybe circumstancle but the evidence points to casey and the pros are trying to show caylee died by soffacation caused from duct tape and trunk and when the duct tape evidence and autopsy comes out guess what they will proof it
by the way nobody knows what pros will say in closeing statements at least pros are believeable not defense, this defense attorney above hasn’t a clue. sorry and with the duct tape, chlororform has a good play cos that beautiful girl could also suffocated from both after all chloroform is also a sleep drug and with her moth and nose were cover she would suffocate in sleeping cos she couldn’t breath after all autopsy showed duct tape was put on while caylee was alive and it can be proved an keep in mind the nanny excuse started in 2006 plenty of time to set up witnesses to say she was agood mother[anyone know how she treated caylee without someone around?] she kept bagde from universal to make people think she worked at universal an stole from everyone to make it look like a paycheck an if nanny was being brought up in 2006 like cindy testify too, that makes it premeditated murder and think about this caylee was already one and getting into the talking stage getting into things an cuter which means more focus on her and all mothers know the older a child gets the more demanding there needs and casey wouldn’t have the freedom to party etc remeber geroge and cindy had jobs and lee wasn’t there so she had to be with caylee
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