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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@9.Sammy says:
July 3, 2011 at 10:17 pm
M Harris says: @ July 3, 2011 at 9:22 pm
BTW-
Good to see you over here.
I had to take a break from Kyron’s case……
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Sammy, for the welcome. I agree 100% about the Kyron case. Another – I’m afraid we’ll never have the answers to. So heartbreaking!
Blink, I’m with you all the way: F.Lee Bailey is the all time best. But I have never seen/heard/read a better close, on planet Earth, than LDB just delivered today; it blew me away.
To answer your Q, I agree, jury out 2 days max. Besides, one juror has a vacay set for July 7th; no reason to draw this out any longer.
So, now dear Blink, the time has come, the Walrus said, for you to tell us: WTF was in the Ant’s toilet drain!
@ Anyone offering a guess on the time it will take for verdict?
B
Thursday..
Start the ticker! This should be short and sweet!
BTW, have I thanked you lately for all you have done to keep the awareness alive for little Caylee?
Thank you for all you do and have done!
Justice for Caylee!
Thanks friend
B
@ nana,
Yes, 2 days ago I posted but it didn’t make it out of moderation!
I say 3-4 hours tops!
Kimberly, it did. Check your on correct thread and make sure to click on older comments, the thread moves quickly.
B
8:26am Start reading jury instructions
9:10am Stop of reading jury instructions
COURT will give 20 min warning when a verdict is in
That’s Pacific Daylight Saving Time !!!
NOT trying to confuse -Thanks
Riverpearl says:
July 4, 2011 at 11:38 am
8:26am Start reading jury instructions
9:10am Stop of reading jury instructions
COURT will give 20 min warning when a verdict is in
Smartypants says: @ July 4, 2011 at 11:28 am
So, now dear Blink, the time has come, the Walrus said, for you to tell us: WTF was in the Ant’s toilet drain!
————-
Yes, that dang plumbing problem.
That pipes/plumbing issue has been a puzzle that has had me scratching my head.
So many things I hope that Ms B will be able to fill us in on soon. (after she sleeps and sees her family again. lol)
Post sentencing at the earliest my friends
B
Smartypants says:
July 4, 2011 at 11:28 am
So, now dear Blink, the time has come, the Walrus said, for you to tell us: WTF was in the Ant’s toilet drain!
Yes inquiring minds would love to know! I know we will have to wait after the verdict, but a little hint would suffice. =)
May this day of Independence for our Nation forever be the day we all remember the day Justice for Caylee Marie Anthony finally begins, as in the hands of the 12 Jurors from Pinellas County.
Someday we’ll have justice for Haleigh Cummings.. Gone but not forgotten..
crap Blink, i thought you’d have that ready to go…i guess we can wait, we’ve waited this long, so what’s a little bit more – enjoy your holiday everyone, we are on verdict watch now – sending the jury good thoughts… will check back
“Guys- I am dissappointed. Not one of you recognized Linda’s reference to the fumblerooski?
lol.
B’
Cheez Whiz, thought of you instantly, Blink . . . needed some time to get my emotions in check and just sidelined the recognition to the bench for a time out.
lol.
B
@10.Sammy says:
July 3, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Well crap – I’m a day late and a dollar short this evening….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s impossible to stay on top of everything due to the remarkably intense participation of the members of this site – and, of course, moderation.
On WFTV now showing the room – if after verdict, jury members wish to speak to the MSM
Many have posted with questions and comments regarding how any family with a 22 year old single daughter with a baby co-created with an unknown father could ever trust this “child-mother” with anything.
Thank GOD, most of us will never have to face a similar situation.
IMO misplaced altruism allowed this to happen. Casey and her mother were the two most responsible for allowing Caylee, whom we have all come to love, to perish. Evil has bred evil regarding Cindy and Casey.
There are some young people who refuse to learn responsibility. This is especially true of those that must grow up in a family that does not walk the walk of truth and good values.
Cindy’s punishment will come from the fact that she will be forever denied the presence of either Caylee or Casey. Cindy will experience many future disappontments because of what has happend.
I believe that as a society, we must confront evil wherever it is found and that we must learn from this evil. G0D could have made everyone perfect, but he didn’t for a reason. He wanted all to grow toward perfection by making it possible to have free will. He knew that some would stumble and fail while others could gain from the experience of those that failed.
I have witnessed over the weeks and months of this case how we have all learned and agonized over how we viewed the things that were happening. We have had posters who seldom post share with us,as a safe place to post, their stories of life experiences so that those may become a part of our knowledge and experience. I thank them for sharing.
We have grown as a community of good values across the world by sharing our thoughts and love for others, all made possible by the caring compasion of Blink and her team of writers and researchers.
I ask each of you to join me in praying for wisdom for the jurors who must evelaute the findings and decide the fate of Casey.
While we wait for the Jury’s verdict, here’s a little poem Johnnie Cochran delivered to the jury 16 years ago:
“Truth is forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne
Yet that scaffold sways the future, and beyond the dim unknown
Standeth God within the shadows, keeping watch above his own.”
I like to think that the Heavens gave him his victory that day because it was his last trial. And, in the end, Justice was served, on God’s schedule.
But just the same, I’m gonna curse to the high heavens if I hear Not Guilty THIS time.
WFTV Correction-
Court will give MSM 20min advance notice IF Jury has a QUESTION/s
-and-
30min advance notice when VERDICT comes in
The problem is that a sleeper more interested in personal fame than justice could have skirted past voir dire.
There is always that possibility, yes.
B
I would like to make sure my understanding is correct on the deliberations, if anyone can comment.
If the jury would like to look at evidence, is it there for them to pick up and review or do they have to ask for specific items to be shown to them?
Same with testimony, I am hearing ‘read back’, so that sounds like that will be formal.
So otherwise, they are in there to discuss among each other without anything but memory unless specially requested.
Do I have that sorta correct?
It is all available to them, but based on size constraints, they may not have it all in the room at the same time… If they request it, the deputy retrieves it and it does not qualify as a jury question per se…
B
@22.starshadow says:
July 3, 2011 at 11:12 pm
… since when does a juror have to prove their reasoning…
Please don’t be offended. I’m only asking because I haven’t seen or heard all the evidence but are you suggesting the Anthony’s were involved in Caylee’s murder? Clearly Cindy lied in an attempt to cover for Casey – which is, of course perjury and I believe GA lied about River Cruz but I don’t think they had any complicity, at all, in Caylee’s death.
Praying for the jury, that they reach the reasonable and logical conclusion – that Casey is guilty.
BTW, I’m not excusing Cindy but I can’t judge her either!
I am new here. I was interested in the case when it first came to light. Due to an illness and subsequent death in the family, I kind of lost the thread until the last 3 weeks. I am hoping someone here can clarify some details for me.
As a grandmother myself, including one who had an adult child and her child living with me for a few months, I find Cindy nearly as guilty as Casey. It is wrong to judge people whose lives have been destroyed, I know, but I feel she was so remiss in her duty to Caylee, that it is breathtaking..
What grandparent allows their handful of a daughter to take the grandchild out of the house at all hours of the night ? To a babysitter they don’t even have a phone number or address for ?
What if there was an emergency ?
Why wasn’t Caylee in a licensed day care facility where various family member could have visited, or picked up the child when the mother was “working?” If their crazy daughter didn’t come home in the morning, at least Caylee would have had a safe place to go while they were working ? I know they are expensive, but they sure didn’t spare the expense on other things.
When George tried, over a year earlier, to raise his doubts, he was basically told to shut up..If I blame George for anything, it is letting Cindy intimidate him.
I know these questions are redundant, but I’ve missed a lot, and am appalled at Cindy’s behavior. I came away with the feeling that she was trying to force Casey to take care of her child, to make her ‘grow up.’ And that Cindy was trying to punish Casey for her lifestyle. That is astoundingly naive, stupid, and not in the best interests of her helpless granddaughter.
To me there was more than one ‘monster’ in the family..I welcome any clarification…sorry for length…
OK- I know this is speculation- but right now that is all we have left for the time being.
I said to my husband, that the TH’s said the jury was dressed up for today.
That could mean 2 things to me-
1. Respect for the proceedings coming to a close.
2. They are formal for a verdict coming in today.
Now on TV, they are talking about that- stating the same as I just said, with the addition of being dressed for the possibility of giving an interview. ???
Any thoughts?
Blink~
Isn’t it true that JP locked down the 23rd floor?
By doing so, JP is giving the Jury access to the Court Room to look @ the evidence??
I had understood that JP has given them the ability to move beyond the jury room during deliberations.
Would you please clarify, if you know ??
Thanks
A Texas Grandfather says:
July 4, 2011 at 12:31 pm
We have grown as a community of good values across the world by sharing our thoughts and love for others, all made possible by the caring compasion of Blink and her team of writers and researchers.
I ask each of you to join me in praying for wisdom for the jurors who must evelaute the findings and decide the fate of Casey.
———–
Well put and I certainly will join you in prayer for the jurors.
Regarding the duct tape on the gas can — WHY was there duct tape on the gas can and is it relevant?
Also please explain the fumblerooski. Not sure if I got it or not, even after re-reading the fumble post.
Excellent blog, Blink, thank you.
Wildflower
With much respect I do not post Casey spoons out of respect for Called Anthony.
Mom3.0 says:
July 4, 2011 at 8:05 am
Masterful Mom3.0 … thank you.
I am with you and pray with every ounce of my being the jury is not yet another victim of Casey Marie Anthony. There have been way too many over the years, but I believe (and hope) the truth really does stop here.
May God watch over all the jurors today and help them find peace as they make perhaps the most important decision of their lives in deciding the fate of Casey in search of justice for the beautiful, innocent little girl we know most personally as Caylee Marie.
I pray in my heart as the jury hopefully utilize their God-given abilities, that they hold onto their common sense … to keep it in check and not let it fly out the door because of “reasonable BS” by the defense.
I pray that the jurors keep their eye on the truth, which is simply, that an innocent little girl is deceased and her mother was the last person seen with her. A mother who is a known liar who cares for no one but herself and her own agenda. A mother who allegedly “grieved” by stomping on her child’s memory while she lay decomposing in a watery swamp with 3 pieces of duct tape around wound around her tiny skull. A mother who kept everyone at bay for 31 days, never a tear or genuine sadness in sight. A mother whose response to her grieving family was “All they care about is finding Caylee” dripping in sarcasm and contempt. That is what the jury needs to remember and that is all they really need to know.
God Bless little Caylee and bless Blink and all the Blinker’s who have kept Caylee’s memory alive searching for the truth because her family did not.
CaseyAnthonyCh9 Casey Anthony WFTV
Court officials said if the jury does not reach a verdict by 6 p.m. tonight, they will go back to their hotel. #caseyanthony
http://twitter.com/#!/CaseyAnthonyCh9
@ eloise
Jurors dress can be an indication they think they will be quick or at least prepared to be. That said the 5 alternates dropped off and one never knows what to expect till they get in there.
Riverpearl the jury is not permitted to roam around and it is my understanding that it is just the adjacent courtroom in lockdown.
I have a neighborhood running in and out of each others yards with their 4g and wireless pdas messing with my network lol
sophie says:
July 4, 2011 at 1:08 pm
——————————-
Welcome to BOC, sophie! Blink has the best teaching blog around and we’re like family here so make yourself at home and join right in. We are all pretty good here so no need to be shy {:)
Thanks Blink- do what you can. I think we all just need to ramble.
Blink,
Regardless of the verdict, do you think that Cindy Anthony will be charged with perjury for lying on the stand?
Blink ~
In regard to the fumblerooski you perceived we all missed this morning during LDB’s close, I have a few comments.
Not sure I missed it just didn’t get the chance to comment til now because morning has been truly chaotic getting family ready for 4th family get-together today, but are you referring to how the State waited to present their most damning closing arguments (brilliance included by LDB herself) so that the defense would not have any chance to rebutt at all?
I caught that and thought it truly enlightening and completely masterful. Absolutely flawless IMO and the timing was oh so perfect! That is what the jury will go back to deliberations with fresh in their minds. It was truly a closing worth remembering and oh what a closing it was!
I was smiling from ear to ear this morning listening to it while also watching Casey and Jose’s responses to it which appeared for lack of a better word, “defeated.”
Mason even seemed to be grinning to himself knowing exactly what the State did, lol. If that’s what you were referring to, I most definitely caught it. If not though, please fill us in because I obviously missed it.
@ imog
No. I do not believe the state will charge Cindy.
For anyone who wants text alerts with latest trial updates sent directly to their phone, here is the link (Orlando Sentinel).
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/site/os-mobile-sign-up,0,5807631.htmlpage?track=orl-mark-promo-news-casey-anthony-alerts
I meant to post the other day- nice recap in photos.
http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Caylee%20Anthony%20%20-FL-/Trial/
31.Adelio says:
July 4, 2011 at 10:34 am
Another thing that is bothering me. Why did JB say that George should take the fall for Casey?? I couldn’t believe what I heard. He basically said that Cindy lied for Casey and George should too.
———–
because he knew the truth would not set her free…
48.pale rider says:
July 4, 2011 at 11:17 am
@ Riverpearl, yep to JB enraged @ GA for not being a team player. It speaks to JB’s fantastic ego that he would blame GA for Caylee’s death/coverup and ICA’s sexual molestation then expect him to play nice and perjure himself for that monster
—————-
George said early on, he would do anything for Casey…I guess he rethought that when he realized he would be the fall guy and ultimately take the blame for Caylee’s death. That is where your conscience kicks in, morals override deceipt and he told the truth even when he watched Cindy lie on the stand. It really makes me wonder how long Cindy and George will remain together after this trial. The conversations they will have if they actually acknowledge the big elephant in the room…oh to be a fly on the wall…
Blink- have you seen this? Noted link from SM. I feel like we all live on a different planet.
http://thejbmission.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/independence-day/#comments
just popping back in for a few – cookout to set up and people coming over(crap!) hubby invited them, sounds like your yardsale Blink! no verdict yet? jurors dressed up today, why? possible interviews later? i hope verdict doesn’t come back while we are at the fireworks later, i’ll miss it – i think i’ll set hubby’s phone up to get updates – he’ll love that!!! wonder how much trouble i’ll get into doing that?! oh well…
Wow I cant believe its been 3 years,Blink I started following you while Blink on crime was getting started (over on monkeys)Im thankful that I followed your writing,I learned alot from reading your stuff you made me laugh you made me cry,you like so many others were Caylees voice as you are a voice for the lost and missing but not forgotten and I hope you continue to give us hope. ( and you helped me become a better blogger)
Others may have had the same thoughts ….
Way back when had her ‘stable full’ of lies/’imaginary people who ‘fit’ the situation she was in/presented.
As time went on that ‘stable full’ of lies/people were exposed as out ‘n out lies.
So ICA learns, one does not use ‘imaginary people’ to ‘flesh out your lies’, one NEEDS to use living/breathing people…
Enter her father George and Roy K to take the responsibility of ‘discovery of Caylee’s dead body &/or disposal of Caylee’s body’.
Next throw in her mother Cindy [from previous day] to ‘set the death up [leaving a ladder on pool].’
Once Caylee’s body is recovered, Casey further claims ANY individual who searches for Caylee; her scattered bones; transports; examines; conducts tests and/or ANY one who has helped locating & finding who murdered her, is responsible for the death of Caylee.
AMO It just really stunned me to truly see how ‘easily ICA traded imaginary people for real people’ to fulfill her LIE of what happen to Caylee. Just like her ‘imaginary people take the blame for anything going wrong or used to excuse behavior or lack of appearing as required’ – all the real people are present to fill any blanks/holes in the time frame needed.
We never got to hear about the former inmate who lost her toddler son to a swimming pool drowning & IF ICA used the woman’s true story to ‘use’ re Caylee.
I hope the jury has no member w/ an agenda.
AMO but biggest fear is ICA would some day be released from jail/prison & have even 1-more child.
AMO but I have always felt that is CA’s wish, that ICA have another child/ren.
AMO but I do not believe ICA would EVER be a good mother nor an amazing mother … the child/ren would always be in danger.
AJMHO
Blink, what the heck is a fumblerooski!?!
@eloise.
I have read there previously. I would never ever trust a site that very easily one can see the posts exceed the visitors.
Sigh.
R.L. Haley.
Thank you. The prosecutorial phase is rough in these cases.
I am not on my system. Can anyone link ?
If not Google blink on crime + fumblerooski
I may have missed this somewhere, but did the prosecution ever bring up that the theory of drowning did not match the timelime and they have evidense to show that. I remember Linda saying this when Jose was whinning about the prosecution handing over a hugh amount of discovery that Jose has been having but acted as if he has just received it.