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Orlando, FL- 10 days shy of 3 years after the smell of decomposition in her pontiac sunfire prompted her Mother to shriek through a 911 call that something “was wrong” Casey Marie Anthony has been acquitted
She has been convicted of providing false information to a law enforcement officer only
Orlando, FL- As most of you following the murder trial of Casey Anthony for her 34 month old daughter, Caylee Marie, Saturday brought the most shocking day of NON-testimony yet.
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.
Orlando, FL- The Ninth Circuit of Orange County is beginning to look like their own decay facility.
If your watching the murder trial of Casey Anthony, for the murder of her daughter Caylee as the defense is presenting their case in chief, you are watching Jose Baez et al building their own THE BODY FARM, of defense witnesses, that is.
For those of you who wish to maintain your decorum and have been advised to remove sharp objects from your reach, I offer the Blink hilight reel.
Fly In The Ointment.. Or Chew Lugie
Dr. Timothy Huntington, who was the defense entymologist expert , swarmed in, stating that the flies and larvae were attracted to the contents of the trash bag. In short, his opinion was the blowflies, known for their ability to smell “happy hour” within seconds, were nearly absent from the trunk, and that the ones found were attracted to whatever decomposing food products, or garbage, that were NOT present.
Yep, I said NOT present. Jeff Ashton opened the evidence of the soda can reflecting no chew spit, and the “salami” packaging which actually held a piece of paper disguised as a food item, apparently.
Dr. Huntington’s “pigs not in blankets” experiment, where he had someone kill pigs and stash them in the trunks of various cars to prove the rate and amount of blowflies present in contrast to those found in the trunk of the Pontiac Sunfire, forgot to duplicate conditions in anyway, specifically, double trash bags wrapped in a laundry bag. Dr. Huntington was forced to admit he has zero relevant experience in this area.
Like a moth to the flame, State Attorney Jeff Ashton drew Huntington into his “web of truth”. Huntington, for purposes of this piece, was not at all comfortable on the prosecutorial flypaper; he said it “rides up” after a while.
It is not known if Dr. Huntington left any puparia in his seat when he was excused from the witness box.
From Founder To Flounder In Taphonomic Wikigate
William Rodriguez, Phd, the defense expert in taphonomy, or the study of decaying organisms over time through fossilization has an impressive resume.
founder- one that founds or establishes
flounder (v)- to make clumsy attempts to regain one’s balance.
The good Dr, under oath, claimed to be a co-founder of infamous THE BODY FARM in open court.
Not according to THE BODY FARM, or it’s actual founder, Dr. Bill Bass.
Dr. Rodriguez was already a subject of contention, or possible contEMPTion, for drastically altering the opinion and findings he reported, versus what he is now prepared to testify to, thus violating Judge Perry’s order for what is now going to be the third time.
However, it is a whole different animal to claim a co-founder status, than the actuality, which was a teaching assistant, and at times, window washer.
Because the State of Florida believes Rodriguez’s change in testimony is in effect a discovery violation, Judge Perry has since reserved ruling on the infraction until the trial’s conclusion.
Wait till he hears this BOMBSHELL.
Immediately Prior to Publication Update: Rodriguez is OUT. Details To Follow
Shoddy Is As Shoddy Does
By far, one of the more painful witness cross-examinations to date, Werner Spitz, MD, was like flying coach to Thailand seated next to a newborn with an ear infection, that has run out of booze in the first hour.
Dr. Spitz’s obsession with his pocket-cranial saw for all occasions not withstanding, his testimony under cross, following a celebrated 56 year forensic pathology career involving the Assasinations of President JFK and Dr. Martin Luther King was an affront to the profession, period.
At one point, he referred to the autopsy conducted by Jan Garavaglia, of “Dr. G” fame, as “shoddy” because she did not remove the “cap” of the skull, and therefore could not see the brain; although little Caylee Anthony’s remains were completely skeletonized with no soft tissue whatsoever.
When Dr. Spitz told the jury that he believed that the reason the mandibular bone appeared almost in full articular placement was because the duct tape was placed “on the left side only” after the toddler was completely decomposed, jurors were observed actually smirking at the man.
He was unaware there were 3 separate strips of duct tape affixed, and overall seemed to defy most Medico Legal Investigation of Death protocol in unnatural death investigation , which sadly, he is actually the co-author of.
Career, Interrupted.
Definitely A Fortnight…. Yes For Sure… Maybe Not
Dr. Jane Bock, the defense botany expert, as I have covered exclusively previously, is a lovely woman and accomplished professor.
She was also the benefactor of Jeff Ashton’s gentlemanly handling of her testimony during cross examination this afternoon.
Dr. Bock went from the sublime to the ridiculous in her assertion that Caylee could have completely skeletonized, and grown herself a “root wrap” via her Pooh blanket. Mr. Ashton was kinder than I would have been, to his credit, and to my “note to self about humility”, because I have written about her prior case work and it would have been entirely relevant as an impeachment item. That said, I will follow his lead.
With no personal disrespect intended whatsoever to these “experts”, professionally, you betcha, I have to ask, did Jose Baez pull these folks out of a matinee complete with the AARP discount for a COCOON screening?
How is it, these seemingly accomplished, highly educated forensic professionals with career paths the envy of many a grad student, were willing to throw their credentials behind such ludicrous opinions that were completely unsubstantiated by findings or evidence, simply to have their names associated with this case. Make no mistake, that is exactly what happened here.
Being an expert defense witness, real or perceived in this case, makes going into one’s twilight a solid 401K extender.
Blink discussing witnesses and developments after press-time LIVE tonight on THE DANA PRETZER SHOW.
Special Guests: Diane Dimond, Mark Nejame, and Blink, Editor In Chief, www. blinkoncrime.com
Images by Klaasend.
Orlando, FL-
On Saturday evening, Central Broadcasting Service, the second major affiliate to pay Anthony family members for “licensing”, $20,000 for the 48 hours segments, aired what was labeled as a pseudo mock trial with a pseudo mock jury.
Ready To Mix. Add Cash, Stir.
CBS 48 Hours also STATES THEY COMMISSIONED the focus group. Are we clear on that? CBS has outright admitted to contributing to the costs of the defense expenditures of Casey Anthony. That is a source of income to this defendant, period.
It was not until one tuned into the program that we learn what was billed as a mock trial of sorts, whereby previews show jurors would acquit Casey Anthony based on the evidence to date, of 1st degree murder, that this is actually a “focus group” where the moderator, Richard Gabriel, President of Decision Analysis, actually works for the Anthony defense team.
Bio Excerpt:
Richard Gabriel: President
Photo Credit CBS 48 hours
Richard Gabriel is the President of Decision Analysis. Since 1985, Mr. Gabriel has been a leader in the field of jury research, jury selection, and litigation communication in nearly a thousand trials in both the civil and criminal arenas across the country. Mr. Gabriel has assisted counsel in the O.J. Simpson, Heidi Fleiss, Phillip Spector, Enron Broadband, and Whitewater trials, and is currently working with attorneys in the Casey Anthony matter. Three cases he has participated in have resulted in United States Supreme Court rulings.
Judge Perry denied Jose Baez’s request for payment to Richard Gabriel as a jury consultant to the defense. In some fashion, we must assume he is paid.
I say that facetiously- this man is the Jack Welch of jury consulting and influence. During the broadcast, host Troy Roberts discloses that CBS is footing the bill, as a thinly veiled disclosure of sorts. (more…)
Orlando, FL- Occurrences yesterday afternoon had me checking my Google Earth maps to double check that the Orange County Courthouse was not next door to NASA doing their ignition checks. The flare ups were numerous and loud.
Defeat Is Not an Option
During the motion for exclusion and Frye hearing, Jose Baez, lost it.
Avid readers and contributors here know I am not about the drama. This was actually that baaaaadd.
Shy of jumping up and down or retreating to a fetal position with thumb-sucking involvement, Jose Baez, counsel for defendant Casey Anthony, needed a time out, several time outs, and was granted one after his co-counsel’s requests, and another, courtesy Chief Judge Belvin Perry.
Because I value your time, and will not subject you to the H O U R S of innocuous banter we witnessed, my highlight reel for your review-
Let’s say Jose Baez does not hold any advanced Science degrees. In the interest of disclosure, neither do I.
I do however understand that blaming the State, in this case, Jeff Ashton, for the reason that Mr. Baez missed deadlines requiring him to agree to a stipulation whereby he can no longer subject the “hardware” of Dr. Arpad Vass to the “Frye” test, is a no-n0.
Chief Judge Belvin Perry: ..Mr. Baez.. it sounds like to me, you entered into an agreement that you are trying to rescind.. If you questioned the results then, why did you agree to it?…
Jose Baez: ..It is the easiest thing in the world to hold a contempt charge over a lawyers head, Judge..
Chief Judge Belvin Perry: “…Your co-counsel is trying to speak to you.”
Jose Baez: “Judge, can we have a 5 minute recess?”
Chief Judge Belvin Perry: “You may have a 5 minute recess.”
This exchange came near the end of what can only be described as a window to the strength of the State’s case against Casey Anthony for the murder of her daughter Caylee, and the utter lack of preparation and skill the defense team has by comparison.
Photo Credit Gary Kazanjin
While it is true that much of what we hear in pre-trial motions is not always what will be admitted at trial, which is the very reason for them in the first place, the defense’s lack of knowledge of their own case is not a valid reason to deny something into evidence.
It is abundantly clear from this editor’s perspective that neither Dorothy Clay Simms nor Jose Baez sufficiently understood the scientific subject matter they are requesting to be rendered inadmissible, or in effect, “junk science”.
Devoid of strategy, repetitious and largely irrelevant, with several pending motions still to be heard, the defense ate up two straight days. As a result, all parties are back in court next Friday and possibly Saturday.
By far the most important witness to take the stand yet , Dr. Arpad Vass, research Scientist of “The Body Farm” fame and globally respected, peer-reviewed author of two separate studies on odor analysis in human remains, NAILED IT.
Last week, under a due date requirement required by Chief Justice Perry, some of the expert opinions to be offered in the capital murder trial against Casey Marie Anthony were released.
In a highly circumstantial case, it is common for the silent witnesses to be the ones who tell us the critical pieces to the puzzle we are working on, are under the chair.
Bugs and Plants do not lie.
Arguably the Entomology and Botany evidence and their respective expert evaluations of same will likely hold some of the heaviest weight in the mind of jurors who will be charged with reaching a verdict in the death penalty trial in the murder of Caylee Anthony.
Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.
~Bradley Millar
Lord of The Flies Part Deux
Dr. Neal Haskell, is largely considered the pioneer of Forensic Entomology in the United States.
In fact, he is the first individual in this country to earn Masters and Doctorate degrees in the field in 1989 and then 1993 respectively at Purdue University.
I have respectfully referred to him in earlier work as ‘The Bug Dude”.
Dr. Michael Baden and his co-author Marion Roach dedicated an entire chapter in their book, Dead Reckoning, to his work. Dr. Haskell was the “first call” choice expert of Linda Kenney Baden, former defense counsel to Casey Anthony, as stated by his former protégé and defense entomology expert, Dr. Timothy Huntington.
Dr. Haskell’s report filed October 6, 2009 contains the only peer-reviewed expert conclusions offered in the case against Casey Anthony.
In no way am I undermining it’s exhaustive and thorough contents. For the purposes of this article in order to remain respectful to the sensitivity that we are talking about medicolegal death investigation information that sadly comes from the homicide of a 34 month old child. I will largely be paraphrasing.
Dr. Timothy Huntington, the defense team’s expert witness, has been deposed by the State of Florida in this case three times to date. A final deposition has yet to be released.
(Editors Note: Although Linda Kenney Baden withdrew as co-counsel last October because she was not going to get her expenses approved and paid for by the state of Florida, she is most definitely working on this case in some consulting sort of capacity as she was present and noted in Huntington’s deposition in December)
Between his depositions dated December 28, 2010 and January 2011, Dr. Huntington produced a preliminary report that analyzed Dr. Haskell’s report and entomologic specimens. We know that he learned during the first deposition that several samples from the trunk vacuumings of the Pontiac Sunfire had not been sent for analysis to Dr. Haskell until a few days earlier. Dr. Huntington was not expected to prepare an opinion on that evidence until after it’s submission to him. (more…)
