Casey/Caylee Anthony Murder Trial: Closing Arguments Bring New Confessions By Jose Baez And New Smirks By Jeff Ashton
Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Ashton began the closing arguments with such scalpular precision my mind wandered briefly where I actually pictured him scrubbing in, just before entering court. In approximately 77 minutes, with 2 overruled objection by Jose Baez, Ashton tied up the one thing he is NOT required to present to the jury, Casey’s motive for murdering her toddler, setting the tone for his closing that presented more like an excerpt from a Grisham flick. I say let him play himself.
“..It’s easy to be a parent, sometimes.. It’s easy to be a parent, when your playing with your child, or when your enjoying your child, children are fun… But we all know that being a parent is much more than just playing with your children.. Being a parent is about sacrifice.. Your child becomes your life. This case is about the clash between that responsibility and the expectations that go with it, and the life that Casey Anthony wanted to have… “
Ashton went through the time line of 31 days including details from the elaborate lies Casey Anthony told to avoid detection from her Mother Cindy, her imaginary friend finder chip located in the unallocated sectors of her mind where her conscious should have been, and the fact there is only one reason to duct tape a small child: MURDER. Ashton reminded jurors that the defense theory is asking them to head down rabbitholes that defy reasonable thought. It makes one wonder if that was not exactly the source of inspiration behind Jose Baez Dr. Huntington pigs sans blankets experiment.
Cheshire Cat: By-the-bye, what became of the baby? I’d nearly forgotten to ask.
Alice: It turned into a pig.
The Cat: I thought it would.
Jose was spotted given jurors a parting gift over lunch, which was intercepted by deputies.
Doom and Gloom Loom for Camp Casey
On what is likely to be her day of reckoning, Ms. Anthony was less than thrilled to learn that 2 of the bullseye on her defense’s dart board were permanently removed, I reckon. George and Lee Anthony, the crux of the defense’s failed attempts to blame Casey Anthony’s selective post traumatic stress disorder, will not be allowed to be maligned further based on her allegations of sexual abuse.
As expected, Jose Baez began his closing arguments reminding jurors the defense is not required to “defend” at all. In short, his comments were structured around the trash being altered because it was allowed to dry, and that the state allowed jurors to pass around the velveeta pouch so they could help figure out “Who cut the cheese.” You read that correctly, he actually said that.
He also went on to express his concerns that the State painted his client as a slut, and by doing so, invoking their emotions which will be used to find her guilty, as opposed to actual evidence.
In what I will call flub #3 in less than 40 minutes, Jose Baez inadvertently tells jurors that Casey Anthony’s trunk for the usage ot transportation is not murder. HEH? I thought the defense was quite adamant the junk in the trunk is what stunk. I guess that’s now bunk, whoda’ thunk?
Jose Baez is currently continuing his contribution to the defense’s, and Cheney Mason is on as anchor to complete the allotted 4 hours.
Linda Drane Burdick has had 3 sustained objections and granted one move to strike already. I lost that bet dangit.
Flub #4 flies in, while I am editing. This lawyer just actually admitted Casey searched for chloroform based on Ricardo Morales’s image on his computer. OMG.
..” It should be natural for her to want to know what chloroform was if her boyfriend had the image on his myspace…” Jose Baez
Assistant State Attorney Linda Drane Burdick will complete the State’s rebuttal closing argument.
On an unrelated note, the jury has selected their preference for the order of question during the press conference scheduled following a verdict. It is as follows:
1. CNN 2. WFTV 3. St. Pete Times 4. Reuters 5. People 6. HLN 7. WDBO 8. NBC 9. MSNBC 10.WTSP 11.FOX 12.Orlando Magazine 13.Florida Sun 14.WKMG 15.Dateline 16.WTMY 17.Chathouse 18.CFN 13 19.WOFL 20.Tampa Tribune 21.In Session 22.Orlando Sentinel 23.Univision 24.AP 25.Discovery 26.ABC 27.EFE 28.CBS 29.WESH
If that is not a window to this jury, I don’t know what is.
To Be Continued, Active Blogroll on this thread through today’s session. On the day that Governor Scott signed his first death warrant for Manuel Valle, convicted of killing a Coral Gables police officer a few counties away, I would not hold out any hope that Ann Finnell’s motion for mistrial based on Federal Court’s ruling striking the death penalty in Florida, will be granted. Report Filed 3PM EST
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and my kids are slipping notes under the door
Possibly they can slip you a drink under the door??
I have to admit to being moderately entertained today. Since I have not been able to watch the proceedings it has been interesting to see JB try his best to unravel everything the State presented. I’m not buying into it, but I have been somewhat entertained. But when the old guy came on.. wow.. horrible! How did the judge even stay awake!
I am now looking forward to seeing the Prosecution in action, this should satisfy all… hopefully!
ooops…..I pasted Magpie’s twice. I meant to post this link:
https://twitter.com/#!/JimLichtenstein
You may need to copy and past links, Mom3.0. Much love~~~~
“Casey appears to be upset. She is turned around, facing wall. Looks like Dorothy sims is trying to console or talk to her.”
by oscaseyanthony via twitter at 5:22 PM
“Casey is full on crying. Lawyers are blocking from the cameras. #caseyanthony #caseyanthonytrial”
by jimlichtenstein via twitter at 5:25 PM
Blink I happen to agree with you and Bill Scheaffer regarding giving JB a grade of B or B+ on his delivery. He used no notes and made a compelling case for reasonable doubt until he got to the conspiracy theories regarding George and Kronk’s hiding/disposing of the body. Having said that, I am still convinced that Casey will be convicted although perhaps not with the DP. I think that JB did the best he could with a really difficult case. KC is possibly the most hated woman in America. I would not want to have the job of defending her.
I think that JB is basically a showmman who doesn’t always do his homework regarding the details. Anyone remember Roxie Hart’s attorney in “Chicago”? “Razzle Dazzle ‘em” was his M.O. I felt that Baez was far more interesting than the sonorous Cheney Mason who followed him.
I was very disappointed with Jeff Ashton’s behavior during JB’s closing remarks. He is a phenomenal attorney but his Achille’s heel is a somewhat mercurial personality which manifested itself in his inappropriate giggling, smirking and head-shaking. Baez came off looking magnanimous by asking JP not to find Jeff in contempt. I suspect that was to make him look good when Perry is deciding about Baez’s own possible contempt charges. Nevertheless, as Bill Scheaffer said…Jeff owes him one.
I wait breathlessly for LDB and what I exptect to be a phenomenal rebuttal.
It nearly kills me to say this, because ethically, he is a stain on the profession, but if that was not the case, he has chops. I will end on this note- One of the best litigators of all time, no longer practices law.
B
Had to share this with y’all. Tweet to Vinnie Politan
@VinniePolitan This is a closing argument that snowballed out of control.
Whoa, recess for the evening!!!!
46.Ragdoll says:
July 3, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Well.
I can go on with my life after the trial. When faced with adversity, all I have to do is ask myself….’what would Mr. Mason argue about that or say in response to that”.
I’m firing my therapist first thing in the morning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@Ragdoll: Brilliant!! Simply brilliant.
I am so very glad JBP decided to recess for the evening. I suspect he saw some pretty exhausted jurors.
I suspect that is why Ms. Anthony was bawling. She knows the state getting a pass till tomorrow is another nail.
B
HHJP adjourning till a.m.
Did JB go after GA because ICA hates her father so? Is that why JB has so much animosity toward GA? His vehemence in his closing today says to me he too hates GA. I believe, MVHOO, ICA and JB were intimately involved and JB has a personal stake in this, to the point of suborning perjury.
Well ICA looks so happy w/recess … no “tears” now ….
Blink! Is this GOOD or BAD for the State that they won’t finish till the morning? & Why? I know it’s a dumb question but this is my first trial & I honestly don’t know. Thanks
Good.
B
Pale Rider- I have often thought Casey probably used her skills to do some favors for Baez. Fits her personality, and you know what Baez described her as…
JURY IN COURT ROOM @ 8:30am Tomorrow July 4th
Sheriff Dept putting NO PARKING signs in Anthony’s neighbor -3 blocks worth & more coming ….
also be on horse back patrols & neighbors are worried ….
Lot of activity getting ready for verdict …
connie says:
July 3, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Pale Rider- I have often thought Casey probably used her skills to do some favors for Baez. Fits her personality, and you know what Baez described her as…
——
Oh how true, LOL!!!!!
F. Lee Bailey?
Yep. Francis.
B
GraceintheHills,
I love your name so so much. That was the name my better half and I picked out if we had a girl. Thank you for your kindness. I have deep respect for you and your posts XO.
This breaks my heart and Blink called it, as usual. Baez could have had a highly decorated career. It’s REALLY hard to admit. UGH!!!! He took too many short cuts and cheap shots. I still think his arguement today was ill prepared, a little too difficult to follow. JMHO. Down the road, it’s not hard to conclude JB had the potential to be a highly regarded DA. Unfortunately, he strutted about like a peacock from the get go. True colours. Too proud. He is who is he. His personality got in the way. Baez should have checked in with Richard Hornsby. How can I be a d*ck without looking like a d*ck.
I’m so not going to miss him.
I’m glad the state finishes closing arguments tomorrow. I’m counting on the prosecution knocking it out of the park tomorrow and a rested jury should be up for it! Go Team Caylee! Actually, I’m begging here because I’m more nervous than I want to admit. Okay, I’m praying like a SOB!
whoa, the DT was so NOT ready for instructions they agree on Saturday w/STATE …it’s almost like re-writing everything … how JP is calm over all that …
Very telling that the jury chooses to speak to WESH LAST, lol!
WriterintheRain: Foghorn Leghorn!!!!! Priceless!!! I knew CM reminded me of someone somewhere. Of course this is an insult to roosters everywhere. He’s got the cockadoodie, the waddle, the strut—-just needs tail feathers to complete the look.
Blink,
Thank you for such a wonderful reading. Did you or anyone hear Baez reference the shorts today in his closing argument(-3.0–thats right negative 3.0) Anyhow he mentions again shorts that didn’t fit Caylee and then he accidentally slips and says “shorts she hadn’t worn in 6 months.” Now if my basic mathematical skills are working after the defenses lengthy diatribe this afternoon-6 months from June 2008 was January 2008? I ask this because he insisted that chilling video or Casey and Caylee on the floor was from early 2007, I believe he even had Cynthia testify to that too, making reference to Casey’s hair cut. Well of course we know what credence that holds…
Do you think that was another Freudian slip on behalf of Mr. Flinstone er um Mr. Baez?
At a staggering 28+ pages of instructions … jury will have a mini-book to refer to … the reading of those by JP will take a bit of time in itself …
Blink, do you think the DT will attempt a plea deal at this point?
Hi Blink-
I think it’s interesting chloroform wasn’t in the closing argument–I’ve been waiting for something, some explanation.
Why argue so hard for that evidence to be allowed in and not completely follow through?
I don’t think they could go any further than searching on the internet, not one word about how she got it, did she make it?
Why even bring it in?
peggy- I am not sure we listened to the same opening
B
BLINK _ WOULD you explain the 2-cases JP spoke about @ the end of ‘after court/instructions ??
Published Thurs [last week] STATE V Balor & STATE v Scott — 2 cases he said should be looked @ before tomorrow …
TIA
Please excuse all the questions I have but I’ve been reading about Kyron since his disappearance and only seen Caylee on tv this week.
George’s suicide…JB has mentioned several times that GA took blood pressure meds – most unlikely to cause death. I assume if other drugs were involved he would be corrected everytime he brings it up. Do we know what drugs were taken. I’m curious about the sincerity of this attempt. Just wondering.
No longer practices.
Blink. You know something! LOL I’m slow but I get there eventually.
I’m confident you’ll have more to say about this down the road. I can’t wait!
quick question regarding baez’s closing. he refuted the expert testimony made in regards to the 84 chloroform searches. how can he do that? he’s not an expert or a witness so it seems to me that his argument would be out of bounds. the jury shouldn’t consider this information, correct? the only reason i can think that he made this blatant “error” is to encourage the jury to LOOK at the evidence when they are in deliberations. what say ye? (seems like a baez tactic “what i’m doing is wrong but it will still get the attention to the area i want to highlight”)
attorney statements are not evidence, as the jury has been instructed.
B
pale rider says: @ July 3, 2011 at 5:58 pm
———-
@ PaleRider,
I think you’re right on the mark with your thinking that Baez goes after George the worst is b/c Casey hates him so much.
Makes sense.
Casey has poisoned Baez’s mind with whatever bullchit lies she’s told him.
And Baez is stupid enough to believe whatever his pathological liar client tells him.
Baez has taken Casey’s case personally – he believes her lies about George.
Once again today Baez said some nasty things about George.
Over the top stuff again, — like making fun of George’s suicide attempt.
Unless Baez was inside George Anthony’s head in that hotel room – he has no right to insinuate that George was just “concerned about his 6 pack” as he said today.
Grrrrr!!!
Suicide attempts – any suicide attempt, has to be taken seriously.
Suicide is not something you poke fun at.
Or insinuate that the man should have what? – tried harder to kill himself next time????
George Anthony is not a perfect man.
He’s never claimed to be a perfect man.
He’s the only one in that screwed up family I have any hope for though.
He’s the only one that, in the end, has been in the courtroom for CAYLEE.
I pray that George can find some bit of peace in life when this is over with.
I have a terrible feeling he may think of ending it all and check out when this is all over.
He has zero self worth, and he knows what he did wrong. (contrary to Cindy who never will see her mistakes)
I pray I’m wrong.
btw …
An overdose of blood pressure meds can easily kill a person.
Ingest too many – and you have a blood pressure so low that your body stops breathing.
The end.
Baez makes fun of that too.
Riverpearl says: @ July 3, 2011 at 7:19 pm
BLINK _ WOULD you explain the 2-cases JP spoke about @ the end of ‘after court/instructions ??
Published Thurs [last week] STATE V Balor & STATE v Scott — 2 cases he said should be looked @ before tomorrow.
————–
I’m curious about this too.
Why is Judge Perry giving help to the defense in open court like this?
Telling Mason “I’m just saying – You may want to read about these 2 cases tonight. Both involved duct tape”
Certainly not the Judge’s place to be giving trial advice to one side.
That’s what it looked like as an outsider.
@ Sammy good post. I totally agree with you on George that there is hope for him. IMHO without Cindy sad to say. I recall in his letter that he was told not to be negative and I would bet that all he was trying to do was discipline ICA. To me it appears as if he cooperated even when it meant telling incriminating things about his daughter, unlike cindy that lied.
JB closing (along with opening and presentation of his theory)is certainly lacking any class.
There is a saying “you can show your class or you can show your ass” and Baez reminds by of a plumber with the butt crack showing. lol
Sorry folks I am getting a bit weird now. It has been a long day.
oops correction reminds me not reminds by
told ya it has been a long day
Riverpearl,
Ballard vs State:
[PDF]
State – Florida Supreme Court
Sorry, try this link for Ballard vs State:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aSy4kHT1fAkJ:www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/2011/sc08-2041.pdf+Ballard+vs+State&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.ca
thank you Wpg-
Really brief look- “absence of evidence of an accident” affirmation
B
A Doctor from my area actually killed himself by taking an overdose of BP meds in a hotel room. I think the suicide note reflects the thinking of someone suicidal. Outrageous to belittle someones attempt,it could have been completed if he wasn’t located so enough.
I know an old guy from Texas, his slow talkin’ drawl is very pronounced. Over the years he has shared with me his stories, jokes and wisdom. So, one day he says: “Do you know what the difference between a slut and a whore is?” I said “No I don’t”, he said “Well, the difference is that a whore will sell their soul.” He was very serious when he told me that. Today I believe JB was using the wrong word to describe his client.zing
Blink – you might have heard by now from Magpie & others that the order of the media interviews was chosen randomly, not by the jurors. (I noticed it is stated otherwise in the article).
Are you in NJ today? When they had the hallway cam at the courthouse I thought I saw you walking LOL – must have been your spirit!
lol, well I need to read my texts/emails from the court more carefully, your exactly right, the agencies were chosen randomly for juror question, by lottery. My bad.
B
I would just like to know how many of you enjoyed Baez’s Big, Bad Wolf remixed with Cookie Monster angry voice?
Also, at times, it seemed to me that he was perhaps auditioning for a new telenovella on Telemundo. You know how all those Spanish soap operas are SO OVERLY dramatic?
One more, when he kept saying it’s not a tumor when referring to River Cruz….all I could think of was that movie Twins!
Thank God he’s done.
Price Line…. Negotiator…
Nice to see you Sal, lol
B
Ashton’s most compelling argument:
“It is a trip down a rabbit hole into a bizarre world where men who love their granddaughters find them drowned and do nothing,” Ashton said. “Where men who love their granddaughters take an accident, a completely innocent act, and make it look like a murder for no reason. A world where a man who buries his pets will take the granddaughter who was the love of his life and throw her in a swamp.”
Anniex9- it was the motivation for my image obviously, and it struck me to my core. I could not bring myself to carry that full quote today, whatever that means.
B
I agree Casey hates her father, but honestly she hates her mother as well. I still think they would have been her next victims considering her internet searches. You don’t have to conjure up self-defense moves or weapons to off a baby. I wonder if she realized how hard it would be to drag her parents to the trunk of the car and haul them out to Suburban Drive. She didn’t plan anything very well and, for someone who concocted elaborate lies, she put zero effort into making them plausible. Her well-spun yarn about the nanny et al was only good for about 48 hrs in the hands of LE.
I have to admit, one of the biggest draws to the trial is waiting to see her face when she realizes where her deceit, hatred, and dishonesty have landed her. The state surely could not allow her to ever see the light of day again. A poster child for state enforced sterilization. I haven’t been this involved in a legal case since Scott Peterson and he surely came to the end of his trail of carnage.
If they let her walk, I’m sure she has copious notes on what NOT to do with her next murder. George and Cindy would need to flee the country.
I am so behind- had a family bbq to attend. Much to my delight the trial was on when I arrived. Still not the same without you all. A bit happy we have tomorrow. I’ll write more in a bit.
wowza, what a long day! Blink upthread you mentioned undiagnosed tourrettes(sp), i believe your kidding, but i have actually thought about that! he definitely has alot of facial expressions, but so does baez, i didn’t see the baez mug during Ashton’s closing, i’m sure he rolled his eyes and had that stupid smirk on his face, i must admit, i LOVE that Ashton can really push his buttons, but it’s true that baez has gotten to him as well, it reminds me of my 4 yr. and 6 yr. old boys, when they replayed the tape it did look like Ashton was kind of chuckling behind his hand, LDB had a slight grin, but i won’t hold it against him -bring on tomorrow! is it too much to think we may get a verdict tomorrow as well? i know, wishful thinking and as per baez – hope? we are NOT suppose to hope…. HaHaHa
@32.Sammy says:
July 3, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Thanks Sammy. Forgot the purpose of BP meds. NEW QUESTION – Why didn’t Kronk receive the $255,000 reward?
Also, I should say I should NEVER be put on a jury! Baez completely convinced me of, at least, reasonable doubt after being in JA’s pocket all day. Keep in mind I’m new to this case.
Baez better watch out-by the time Casey and Cindy get done with him if she gets found guilty. On the other hand, if she gets just a few months or years – lookout Baez she will be with you one way or another for the rest of your life. What goes around comes around and you have dealt with devil in the blue dress (the Fusion photos).
Bella Vitta Baez!
I think this is the best Jose has done yet and he did establish reasonable doubt. I still think the Pros did a better job but there is now reasonable doubt.
How?
What exactly were you affected by making you think that, as it relates to a charged jury?
B
Everything points to murder. Thing is, reasonable doubt has been raised…..
I actually think Jose Baez excelled today, he is endearing to the jurors and has a “regular joe” image.
Can you say for sure Ms Casey Anthony intentionally killed her daughter Caylee? I think not. Her behaviour suggests she committed a crime, no doubt about that but I genuinely believe she made a big problem into a monstrosity.
Casey Anthony is obviously responsible for the death of Caylee, intentionally? Not proven.
Aggravated Manslaughter? Not proven.
Evidence suggests a safe conviction of manslaughter can be reached but i`m not sure with this either, Baez had his best day today and did a good job of raising reasonable doubt.
Casey to walk?
Liam- please invite me to get a wiff of your aura. I am suspect, I say with respect and affection.
B
another thought i had, when was the 255K reward offered, August? i can’t remember – the jury is suppose to believe that someone, that was sooo interested in cashing in, as Kronk was according to baez, would wait til Dec. when he had that route again to collect? – wouldn’t he want that money as soon as it was offered? duh! or was he too busy getting those 3 pieces of duct tape placed just right on the skull? i don’t think a morally bankrupt person would be so easily scared off by one rude cop, right? it’s just so Stupid
Unfortunately, as I said before, I think the jury will discount ALL testimony from the Anthony family as they have ALL lied. I believe the jury has reasonable doubt at this point. I do believe Caylee died in her mother’s care and that is up to the jury to decide. But for the family member’s testimony, either pro or con, I believe the jury will disregard it.