She has been convicted of providing false information to a law enforcement  officer only

]]> http://blinkoncrime.com/2011/07/05/casey-anthony-not-guilty-of-murdering-caylee-anthony-guilty-of-lying-to-le/feed/ 899 http://blinkoncrime.com/2011/07/03/caseycaylee-anthony-murder-trial-closing-arguments-bring-new-confessions-by-jose-baez-and-new-smirks-by-jeff-ashton/ http://blinkoncrime.com/2011/07/03/caseycaylee-anthony-murder-trial-closing-arguments-bring-new-confessions-by-jose-baez-and-new-smirks-by-jeff-ashton/#comments Sun, 03 Jul 2011 18:34:49 +0000 Blink http://blinkoncrime.com/?p=5448 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

I am referring to the bombshell dropped on the court by lead defense attorney, J. Cheney Mason. For reasons that may very well stay sealed until the conclusion of the trial, amongst rumors of photoshopping evidence pictures and witness tampering, Mason iniatied an off the record sidebar followed by an incamera meeting someone decided the defendant would not attend.

The dissention in the ranks seemed to stem from Friday’s rookie error, made by Mason, a criminal defense attorney with nearly 40 years of experience and considered one of the “super lawyers” in the State of Florida. Mason asked first responder deputy Ryan Eberlin, of the OCSO if he placed Casey Anthony in handcuffs at the Anthony home , opening the door to the prosecution to allow the deputy to explain, in front of the jury, that he did so at the request of Cindy Anthony after providing proof her daughter fraudulently used her credit cards.

(Editor’s Note: I was so stunned by this ginormous snafu I considered the possibility Mason did so to get fired on purpose. Given Saturday’s events, my jury is still out on that one.)

With Tru Tv’s Insession and other various local affiliates geared up for all day Saturday coverage, this presented the unique problem of having a day of rampant legal speculation as to what could have caused Judge Perry, who already scheduled an extended Saturday as a sanction to the defense for it’s third contempt of an order regarding expert witness testimony, ran through every option.

Based on the fact that immediately after court was recessed until 8:30 AM this morning, Jose Baez informed Dot Simms she would need to accompany State Attorney Jeff Ashton for the afternoon deposition of Dr. Kenneth Furton, that he could not, so she “just had to”, and the immediate seal of both the sidebar and incamera session, it is clear there are very limited reasons for the kerfeffel under Florida Law.

They are:

Jury related issue: Impossible as the court reporter left immediately after the recess. If that were the case, Judge Perry would have been required to address the issue immediately on the record, and with counsel present.

Pending Witness testimony Issue: Would not require recess, would not allow for closed proceedings and sealed transcripts, and there were 7 defense witnesses at the court house waiting to be called.

Plea Deal: Again, would not require in camera session without the defendant.

Misconduct: ding ding ding.. We have a winner.

Health Issue: Possible, but highly unlikely given we are looking at only about another week of testimony.

Rule 4-1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation

(a) When Lawyer Must Decline or Terminate Representation.

Except as stated in subdivision (c), a lawyer shall not represent a client or, where representation has commenced, shall withdraw from the representation of a client if:

(1) the representation will result in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct or law;

(2) the lawyer’s physical or mental condition materially impairs the lawyer’s ability to represent the client; or

(3) the lawyer is discharged.

(b) When Withdrawal Is Allowed.

Except as stated in subdivision (c), a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if withdrawal can be accomplished without material adverse effect on the interests of the client, or if:

(1) the client persists in a course of action involving the lawyer’s services that the lawyer reasonably believes is criminal or fraudulent;

(2) the client has used the lawyer’s services to perpetrate a crime or fraud;

(3) a client insists upon pursuing an objective that the lawyer considers repugnant or imprudent;

(4) the client fails substantially to fulfill an obligation to the lawyer regarding the lawyer’s services and has been given reasonable warning that the lawyer will withdraw unless the obligation is fulfilled;

(5) the representation will result in an unreasonable financial burden on the lawyer or has been rendered unreasonably difficult by the client; or

(6) other good cause for withdrawal exists.

An attorney withdrawl in the middle of trial is not unheard of, and it is not automatic grounds for a mistrial. That said, given the fact this is a death penalty case, and Jose Baez does not meet the requirements as lead counsel in a capital case, it increases the chances significantly.

Rule 3.112 of the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure (2000) outline the minimum standards for attorneys in capital cases: Lead trial counsel assignments should be given to attorneys who: are members of the bar admitted to practice in the jurisdiction or admitted to practice pro hac vice; are experienced and active trial practitioners with at least five years of litigation experience in the field of criminal law; have prior experience as lead counsel in no fewer than nine jury trials of serious and complex cases which were tried to completion, as well as prior experience as lead defense counsel or co-counsel in at least two cases tried to completion in which the death penalty was sought. In addition, of the nine jury trials which were tried to completion, the attorney should have been lead counsel in at least three cases in which the charge was murder; or alternatively, of the nine jury trials, at least one was a murder trial and an additional five were felony jury trials; and are familiar with the practice and procedure of the criminal courts of the jurisdiction; and are familiar with and experienced in the utilization of expert witnesses and evidence, including but not limited to psychiatric and forensic evidence, and have demonstrated the necessary proficiency and commitment which exemplify the quality of representation appropriate to capital cases. Trial co-counsel assignments should be given to attorneys who: are members of the bar admitted to practice in the jurisdiction or admitted to practice pro hac vice; who qualify as lead counsel under paragraph (c) of these standards or meet the following requirements: are experienced and active trial practitioners with at least three years of litigation experience in the field of criminal law; and have prior experience as lead counsel or co-counsel in no fewer than three jury trials of serious and complex cases which were tried to completion, at least two of which were trials in which the charge was murder; or alternatively, of the three jury trials, at least one was a murder trial and one was a felony jury trial; and are familiar with the practice and procedure of the criminal courts of the jurisdiction and have demonstrated the necessary proficiency and commitment which exemplify the quality of representation appropriate to capital cases.

Ann Finnell, Casey Anthony penalty phase attorney, is the only remaining lawyer on her team that meets the criteria- will Judge Perry order her to resume the defense?

Will whoever shows up at the “table against the wall” request a mistrial or simply a curative instruction? I have a couple of submissions I would like to offer, if that is the case.

Tune in at 8:30AM.

No such luck. This former Gentiva Supervisor, Licensed by the state of Florida as a registered nurse, now thinks she may have  been home on the days of March 17th and March 21st and her former employer, required her and other salaried employees to falsify their timecards in an agency subject to HIPAA regulations. 

Mrs. Anthony, although it would mean she came home for less than 30 minutes on both days, if she indeed returned to work, brought her own smell of decomposition.  Decomposition of her loyalty to the legacy of her 34 month old grandbaby, Caylee Marie. By the time of this publication, I have requested comment from John Camperlengo, Gentiva Chief Compliance Officer, and will post upon reply.

UPDATE: The Following Is the Reply I received from Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel to Gentiva, John Camperlengo, published with permission.

Thanks for your note.  As a matter of policy, Gentiva does not comment on matters being litigated before the courts. What we can tell you is Gentiva complies with all relevant Federal and State regulations, rules and guidelines concerning patient and staff records. And we cooperate fully with responsible authorities when requested to aid them in research in investigations. Best Regards, John

O and Cindy, thanks for bringing up your concerns about the dogs eating bamboo leaves. Further computer forensic scrutiny shows that the dogs were PRECLUDED from being in the backyard as a result. Which, Casey knew, and certainly strongly assissted in avoiding detection of her granddaughter’s remains in her playhouse for days. Not to creepy, not to soul-less, right? Did the Baez/Rosebud braintrust consider they gave the jury exactly what they needed to explain Casey Anthony’s alternative universe and fancy for pathological lying? Apples and Trees, as we say in Jersey. God Rest this child in your loving care, which begining June 16^th, is the only loving care that has mattered.

 (Editor’s Note: I apologize in advance for offending any readers with my editorial,  I am a victim’s avocate before a journalist anyday.)

Listen To Podcast Here

]]> http://blinkoncrime.com/2011/05/31/cayleecasey-anthony-trial-blink-and-wendy-murphy-discuss-live-on-dana-pretzer-show-scared-monkeys-radio/feed/ 87 http://blinkoncrime.com/2011/05/24/casey-anthony-trial-jojo-comes-to-court-a-zero-to-hero-moment-for-george-anthony/ http://blinkoncrime.com/2011/05/24/casey-anthony-trial-jojo-comes-to-court-a-zero-to-hero-moment-for-george-anthony/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 22:46:09 +0000 Blink http://blinkoncrime.com/?p=5336 Orlando, FL-  I know I should really write in chronological order for y’all that are just reading the days events.     I just can’t.

In the first day of the trial of the State of Florida v. Casey Anthony I went through  a “Steel Magnolias” equivalent of tissues the first half, and proceeded to sharpen our Henkels in the afternoon for reasons I cannot explain.

Linda Drane Burdick, in her smart and gas-can-red suit, riveted the jurors, the public, and even the defendant, Casey Anthony.

Ms. Anthony shook her head no at all the places she does not want you to look.  Ms. Anthony cried on cue.

Very upsetting this business of your daughter’s skull in a bog where you left it, with the intention of never seeing it again, and all the nastiness that comes with such an imposition.

In a most level and calculated fashion,  Burdick took us through the timeline with resolve.  While none of us ever really wanted to get to the “end”, we did, and she is right, there is no other that had access to the evidence in this case.

Asking this jury to find a verdict of guilty is going to be like asking who wants ice cream on the way back home.

Enter famed Mayberry Attorney Barney Fife,  I mean self-proclaimed  “Juanie Cochran”  , Jose Baez after lunch with his clients proclamation that Caylee Marie Anthony died on June 16, 2008 while both Casey and George were present, by an accidental drowning in the above-ground swimming pool.

That was just the start of the delusion for public consumption.  If you did not raise your glass and look at the bottom in the light, you were not paying close enough attention.  Am I really hearing this?  Is there something in my water?

Kronk was kronked again, and accused of hiding Caylee’s remains from some unknown place, but ending up in the Suburban junkmess; and motivation for a reward as opposed to relieving himself was the reason he came upon her tiny skull.

Through her attorney, Casey Anthony did exactly what I have said she would do.  She blamed George for not reporting Caylee’s death and Cindy for leaving the ladder up to the pool , and wept while Baez told us all that Casey was sexually abused from the age of 8.

Masterfully and Mercifully,  Jeff Ashton laid down the hammer in response.  George Anthony was called as the States first witness.

We held our breath.  Could George  really lay down in his own chalk outline for the kid who just called him a perv, a pedophile?

Phew.

JoJo took the stand, and I liked him again.  I believed, as I always have, that he loves and misses his cherub Caylee more than he loves fake dignity as doled out to him by his wife and daughter, and he did right by her.

I repeat: HE DID RIGHT BY HER

Putting George Anthony on the stand first was artful, and I presume the reason the defense wanted an “order” for how the state was going to call it’s witnesses.   Mission failed.

George stated he never inappropriately touched Casey, or had been in an inappropriate sexual act in front of her.  What a disgusting tactic by his daughter and I apologize to those victims who are actual victims of such atrocity to have to hear it.

(Editors Note: You can be a hack and review George’s online activity and know his “proclivities” have nothing to do with children whatsoever.)

Jeff Ashton had about a gazillion sustained objections and an instruction to the jury about the appropriateness for attorneys to meet with a witness in advance.

Jose Baez asked a slew of questions that were ambiguous and unclear and frankly catapulted my headache.

Baez got the hook, and Mr. Anthony was excused subject to recall.

Anyone interested in reading an alternative version of today’s events can purchase:

“How To Lose Your Case and Your Clients Freedom In One Day Without Really Trying” by former litigator Jose Baez, it will be available at www.amazon.com on 00/00/never.

Or another popular favorite:

“How To Avoid A Plea Deal And Get Fat Paper Instead”  available in 8 weeks.

Blink, Editor In Chief of www.blinkoncrime.com, along with Diane Dimond, are discussing today’s events on The Dana Pretzer Show-

Tonight at 9PM.

LISTEN TO PODCAST

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