MISSING
MISSING - Lauren Spierer
Sierra LaMar
MISSING - Tiffany Sessions
MISSING - Michelle Parker
MISSING - Tracie Ocasio
MISSING - Jennifer Kesse
Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 10:01AM I have many family responsibilities today. My father is in the hospital with pneumonia and my mother has doctor appointments. As soon as I fulfill my obligations, I will write about yesterday’s hearing. It was an interesting afternoon at the courthouse.
Thank you for your patience,
Dave
LEGAL NOTICE
©David B. Knechel. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this site can be reproduced in it's entirety or in part without expressed written permission by the owner/administrator of this site in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Section 512(c)(3) of the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3). The charges against defendants are mere accusations and the subjects are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
Reader Comments (73)
Thanks Dave, letting us know, and prayers to your Dad and Mom both.
You are worth the wait, Dave. My prayers for your mom and dad~
many thanks for your dedication to this case, take care and hope your father will get better soon and all the best to your mother.
have a nice day then, best regards
Friend, Praying for your family. What are your parents first names? I like to speak their names when I pray---even though God already knows who they are and has his hand upon them and you also.
Hello Dave. This is my first time commenting here but I have been reading all your posts. You do a very good job of being unbiased and bringing us some great articles. I look forward to your next one. All the very best and I hope your father is on the mend.
I hope your dad is better soon and out of the hospital. I am sure your parents are appreciative of all that you do for them. Your posts are worth the wait, so take care of your family first.
Judge Anthony's Defense Violated Order-Video
I see that Baez likes to be fashionable with those huge shades. LOL Mason and Baez had nothing to say as they left the courthouse yesterday.
So if Ashton puts together all the costs incurred for the attorneys to prepare that motion for the sanctions (it may include the courts time in hearing Ashton argue it and I believe he spoke for just over 17 minutes) Baez may have to pay quite a chunk of change from his own pocket. I expect he stashed some of the $275,000 away before Casey was declared indigent. Baez has a history of not paying his bills, such as being diligent in paying child support. I understand his home was about to go into foreclosure awhile back. I have not heard anymore about it.
It was nice to see Judge Perry put Mason in his place. You could see the judge getting annoyed as Mason tried to talk his way out of not making the deadlines by trying to skirt around the main issue. Mason was becoming a bit flushed and embarassed. His courtroom tactics are not cutting any ice with Perry.
Mason! He’s never had a contempt of court ruled against him in all his lawyerin’ years.
From WESH...a few snippets....
Judge cautions that civil contempt charges could be next.
Instead, Perry said the defense will be fined in an amount equal to the state’s cost for bringing the motion for sanctions.
The state will have to determine such an amount and submit paperwork to the court before Perry issues a final order on the amount of the fine.
Perry said that he will hear the motions, but again reminded the defense that they are on a short leash. He suggested that Ashton’s idea of civil contempt would be his next step.
Just a few odds and sods from Snoopy's sandbox...
Did anyone find that Casey seems to be losing alot of weight? I wonder if this is on purpose. The next thing we will hear is that she is anorexic.
I do remember when they said that Casey was purging. That was well over a year ago. I noticed she kept hauling her sleeves down trying to cover her hands. Compared to 6 months ago, she certainly has shed a few pounds and has that prison pallor, even tho she is at a jail. She doesn’t get any sunshine. In a prison, I believe she will be allowed out in the yard for at least an hour. If Casey decided to stop eating, I don’t think they can force feed her. I can stand to be corrected on that one.
I noticed Casey looked much thinner too. I thought she looked better than she had in a while though.
I've figured out Mason's style of lawyering in a court room. He knows more than most jurors about the law so I think his strategy is to come across with a good old boy, I'll explain the law to you, and then mumble his way thru his commentary that may not be truthful at all but some of the jurors will buy into it which is probably why he's won so many cases. He tries to use this on Judge Perry too but Perry isn't buying it and keeps him on track.
Judge Perry is from Texas and we dont put up with good ole boy BS here---we can see that a mile off and coming our way. I thought the judge was kind of smiling at the Duhfense---like youve got to be kidding---right? Also, I always get a laugh out of the Princess like she is writing down 'ALL" that is said like she knows what is going on---so she and Jose can discuss strategy later---haha. I would like to see her paper to see if she is really taking notes or doodling---probably drawing really pretty hearts and stars for her next jailhouse tatoo. Also, I am glad that the defense is moving to the bigger table (is that the children's table?) where they can have their backs to the wall in reality and figuratively --so no one can peek at them---like everyone on this blog and other ones dont already know tons about this case and more that the defense does obviously. Anyway, I got a laugh and appreciate the good judge and how he is handling it all.
Casey Anthony Hearing Scheduled For Tomorrow
Anthony Not Expected To Attend
Parents come first Dave. They're the ones who have loved you the longest and even when they are at their grouchiest or need you most it's a blessing to be there for them.
As for the hearing, Casey did look thinner. We haven't seen or heard anything about commissary bills so she probably got the idea (or someone did) to stop using as much money on snacks. It's one thing to buy that bag of snacks, it's another to see it in the newspaper. Especially when you're as vain as Casey. She just might have decided to go with the 3 meals provided for her and nothing else.
I got the idea listening to Cheney Mason that he cuts his hearing aid way way down when he's talking on the mic. Either that or he was tuning Judge Perry out. What got me was that HE was the one defending against the sanctions instead of lead counsel Baez. I can see Mason taking the lead on the motions filed especially if he filed most of them. The words "I don't know" sure don't go over big with a judge. I'm glad Judge Perry finally said that maybe Baez could explain. I thought Baez's explanations were more on the line of "so what? I tried". I got the feeling Baez will be paying for the prosecution lawyers time spent arguing the sanctions, the court fees, but what else? The court reporter? They'll probably have to take him to court again for a judgement in order to get the money out of him.
I just wish Judge Perry had sectioned out the motions that were filed too late and refused to decide on them. I understand that it could interfere with Casey's defense, but the only ones to blame for it would be those who filed them late. It would have the added advantage of putting a stamp on his deadlines ruling.
Dave your first priority is your parents.Isn't it funny that for years your parents thought of you as priority and somewhere along the way roles are just reversed, like the changing of the guards, nothing is said, it just happens. I hope your Dad is feeling better each day and getting stronger. MT ake sure your Mother takes care of herself and gets plenty of rest. I had Pneumonia last year and it is no fun. Gods grace will be with him. Don't worry about your faithful friends, we will be right here. Family and yourself first. .I know this is off subject,but since you talked about taking Nexium, I went down to get my prescription refilled today..Shock And Anger came next.My insurance premium went up first of January. I was told today that my prescription would be $161.00. That was my new deductible for this. I have never paid over $47.00 for it. I told them what they could do with it and I have been on the phone and computer lodgeing every complaint I can. Don't be shocked when you get yours filled. Sorry, thanks everyone for letting me vent..
Dave your first priority is your parents.Isn't it funny that for years your parents thought of you as priority and somewhere along the way roles are just reversed, like the changing of the guards, nothing is said, it just happens. I hope your Dad is feeling better each day and getting stronger. m ake sure your Mother takes care of herself and gets plenty of rest. I had Pneumonia last year and it is no fun. Gods grace will be with him. Don't worry about your faithful friends, we will be right here. Family and yourself first. .I know this is off subject,but since you talked about taking Nexium, I went down to get my prescription refilled today..Shock And Anger came next.My insurance premium went up first of January. I was told today that my prescription would be $161.00. That was my new deductible for this. I have never paid over $47.00 for it. I told them what they could do with it and I have been on the phone and computer lodgeing every complaint I can. Don't be shocked when you get yours filled. Sorry, thanks everyone for letting me vent..
Hi Dave...
I'm so glad I found you again. I've been trying to find someone who could tell me how to get to your blog. I really enjoy reading it. Hope all goes well with your parents. Look forward to reading your take on the hearing. It was a good one wasn't it?
Barb
Defense Wants Casey's Universal Trip With Detectives Tossed
Motion Argues Anthony Wasn't Read Miranda Rights
Mary Jo, was Casey under arrest when LE took her to Universal? I thought LE was investigating a missing child at that time. I will check out your link and thanks.
I'm back and doing an edit...
I checked it out. Casey was handcuffed as LE believed she was a flight risk. She was not under arrest when she was cuffed the first time. LE was already aware that Casey had been hiding her whereabouts from her mother for 31 days. This is another stupid motion and the defense doesn't have a leg to stand on with this one.
I don't think they will have any luck with this newest motion either. I wonder how many more motions they will be filing. At this rate there could be a hearing a few times a week.
Like others have said Dave, your family comes first. Sending prayers for all of you.
Dave, I really like the feature you have here at your blog. Having 14m to make an edit or correct typos is an asset.
Did anyone think that Cheney Mason seemed to be acting like Baez' counsel when he was at the podium rebutting the sanction motion? I am wondering why Baez was not speaking for himself as he is considered the lead attorney in this case. Baez was the one being sanctioned for all the missed deadlines and other tom foolery.
I noticed Jeff Ashton put a nice plug in for Ann Finnell. I hope she doesn't regret hooking up with Baez and Mason.
Thank you Dave for your dedication, I look forward to reading all your articles.
I pray that your father has a speedy recovery and that your mother's Dr. appt goes well.
God Bless you and your family.
I missed what Jeff Ashton said about Ann Finnell. If you don't mind can you please let me know what he said? TIA. Being able to edit is a nice feature and appreciated.
Mary Jo~~Jeff Ashton put in a good word for Ann Finnell for meeting her deadlines. I think Jeff was trying to show the defense that some people do pay attention to the court's rulings.
I have to agree with mainstreamfair in that Cheney Mason was acting like Baez' attorney more than than Casey's co-counsel. I felt for awhile that Baez should have been sitting in Casey's chair. He defintely had a look of, "Strickland would not have been this harsh." and he was probably cursing Mason under his breath for being partly responsible for Strickland having to step down.
I'm beginning to wonder if Baez knows the first thing about lawyer-ing.
His every performance seems more like "on the job training", for all of the times Judge Perry has to instruct him on matters of law, or remind him of his many (court ordered) obligations.
It's so rather nice to watch him sweat bricks, and Casey so weary!
And Mason!! Snoopy, you've got that right! Strickland's recusal was all orchestrated by Mason! But for Mason it might never have become an issue, no matter the many attorneys who cringed at the onset when Strickland singled out a blogger for compliment. From that moment on there was cause for recusal.
It could have been any blogger and the results would have been the same. In my opinion, anyway.
Dave and Snoopy, Do you think reality might be getting Casey's attention?She had to have been listening to Jeff Ashton when he said that they wanted for her to be well represented, she has to sense the irritation, scolding and the sarcasm in Judge Perry's voice. Judge Perry reminds me of a teacher that has to prod the right answer out of a student that thinks he knows it all. I couldn't get the Calgon commercial out of my mind while I watched the video. I saw Judge Perry rubbing his hands and thinking " Take Me Away". I didn't see that smug look on her face in the videos. She looked like she has not slept for a while, the circles were bad.. She may be thinking that in four short months, her future will depend on twelve people. I would be scared to death and and pleading for a plea........ If her mother and dad can't put money in her account, you would think Lee could step up to the plate. It must be hard to think about the pain she has caused her family, they possibly are going to loose their home, neither of them can find a job, and the worse thing is Caylee is gone and will never be coming back. I can't believe she is so cold that she never thinks of these things,..
or maybe she is just that cold. Maybe I am giving her too much credit. I wiish Dave could get inside her head, I sure would like to read about what goes on in that head.
Feathers~~Judge Stan Strickland got the deputy to alert Dave to come up to the bench while the cameras were still rolling. Stan was not trying to be secretive about it. This is the part I don't understand. The other thing is when the defense cited Dave's article, "Casey must Die"... they didn't even read the article and only used the title. MD never once wrote that Casey must die beyond that title. I believe the article was referring to the DP being put back on the table.
What do people expect the judge to do, wear a bag over his head when he goes shopping so he wont be accused of smiling at anyone that may be a pending witness or juror. Mason was teed off because Strickland had not ruled on a few motions in the defense's favor. Mason is a spoiled, egotisical, arrogant SOB and it was good to see Judge Perry take him down a few pegs yesterday.
Margaret~~Dave did write an ariticle on mothers who kill their children. I don't know where to find the archives now.
If Casey has any sense at all, she must see that Baez and Mason are not doing their job. Baez is not allowed to quit unless he has a good reason such as a serious medical issue. I believe Casey can fire him, if she so chooses. Can you see a public defender trying to pick up the mess that Baez has created?
I found Casey looked terrible and at times you could tell she was trying to keep her composture. I often wonder if Baez and Casey play X and O's at the hearings. Surely they wouldn't play hang the man.
Casey surely must be conscious of only about 4 months left until she faces her destiny in the court of law. She seemed to treat these two years as some sort of reality show where she will come home the winner. Getting close to the fire now, maybe she is beginning to have a few nightmares and not so much fun being in the court hearings. Her audience at trial will be entirely different, some being there just to watch the noose tighten and probably very few that may be hoping the rope will break and she will be found innocent or given a lesser sentence.
Margaret, I, like you, would love to know what goes on inside Casey's head and I would love it if Dave could get a personal interview with her. Is that impossible? Dave has been as balanced in covering this case as anyone, so maybe they would trust him over anyone else, to hear her story and write about it in all it's truth.
Snoopy, this confuses me as well. Strickland acted without hesitancy. And as you said, with the cameras rolling and numerous witnesses to the event in the courtroom, to include the beckoning bailiff. It was a non-issue, until Mason came onto the scene.
For whatever the reason, it just seems to me, Baez and Mason wanted Strickland off the case, which would make sense if in fact Mason and Baez set Strickland up for a fall, even in Mason having so inappropriately asked of Strickland, during his very first appearance as part of the defense team, "Do you trust me?" Had it not been the incident with Dave, I've heard it said (among lawyers) the Prosecution would have sought Strickland's recusal based on his seeming partiality toward the defense in his having answered Mason in the affirmative!!
It seems all a set up, from the get go, as far as I can tell, by the defense to get Strickland recused. WHY is beyond me. Did the Anthony's not like Strickland? Did Cheney Mason have some inside information that were Judge Strickland to be recused Mason's own good ole buddy Judge Perry would be seated in his place? How else would we explain the leniency JP has shown the defense, up until yesterday, which was a required response to the State which filed the motions for sanctions? Is the adage "Death is different" enough to justify such leniency?
What might the State have resorted to had the court agreed to give Baez another 30 days? And exactly what is Perry's relationship to Mason?
It is not unheard of that trial judges and defense attorneys can become friends, and yet preside over the same trials! No, they don't walk around with bags over their heads, though the general public might prefer to believe they do, and all for the sake of justice.
I think sometimes that if we knew exactly how the wheels of justice turn we'd be taken aback a bit. Make that a lot, when it comes to Casey Anthony whose attorney squandered close to three hundred thousand dollars and so that the tax payers of the State of FL have to foot the bill! Baez should have been expected to pick up the tab at the first indication of misuse/misappropriation of funds! ARG! It all makes me so angry!
As for Dave's article Casey Must Die, as I recall, he wasn't expressing an opinion in the article but raising the possibility that well she could die if convicted, indeed.
I like Judge Perry. I believe he's being very cautious so that we only have to do this once, but I'm still uneasy when it comes to he and Mason. There are a whole lot of years and shared experiences between them that have to count for something. Or perhaps it's just not in me to be that impartial.
Again, this is all just my most humble opinion.
Wow Mary Jo! I just read your link for the answer from the prosecution to all those motions. I counted 9 TIMES they wanted the motion to be dismissed without prejudiced due to filing late. If I were Judge Perry I'd go with the prosecution on those matters simply for the reason Baez was sanctioned! Those were late and they thought if they squeaked them in after 5 no one would notice. The prosecution's experience vs. Baez is glaring.
As for the mirandizing motion, Casey wasn't under arrest when they were questioning her at Universal. I just listened to it again. All they were doing that day was trying to get her cooperation and help in finding her missing daughter. She wasn't under arrest til later. The date of arrest on the arrest document is July 16, 4:33 pm. The questioning went on at 4:11 a.m. and 1:20 pm before she was arrested. They told her at all times she could leave, so that motion is as ridiculous as the majority of them.
The further along we get the more inexperience we see on Baez's part. I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see an appeal due to inadequate counsel after this is all over. Something else I've noticed. At 62 I'm "getting up there" in age like Cheney Mason is and I've noticed he tends to lose the train of thought a lot and what sounds like good ole boy joking and mumbling to me is more like rambling on because he can't remember what he was going to say next. That's dangerous because he can forget something important right in the middle of a sentence. I know I do. Not good for her case.
I have read no comments but your post .... was and still awaiting your point of view. First of all...Dave, take care of Mom & Dad while you can. Be there. I hope and pray all goes well. They put diapers on you and fed and provided and did it well. Not telling you what to do....just some human advice....tell 'em you LOVE them....while you can.
Hoping and praying for the best for all.
Twinsdad
Hi Dave,
I hope your Mom and Dad are doing better. I get the feeling quite well. It is so appreciative to have loving parents who have given us all - and now, it's out turn to give back. As far as the Monster goes - she has definitely lost weight and tries to be a diva in court. Yuk! Judge Perry responding to the sanctions is great. Hope Baez gets slammed with the highest $$$ allowed. Both he and Mason have no clue as to what is going on. They bumbled through the entire motion hearing. Ashton was terrific and watch out at trial. They have a lot more up their sleeve than anyone of us or the defense knows. Wait till the Monster starts to hear all the horrible details at trial - let's see the fake crocodile tears start. They will be only for herself, not for Baby Caylee's miserable life with this family. It will be a very intense and sad trial. So, Dave, you take care of yourself and your family. We, your friends will be here waiting for your next writing, whenever you're up to it. Thanks.
I am in the process of writing about the hearing on Monday, but my favorite aunt, my Aunt Ruthie, just passed away. My mother is devastated. Please bear with me at this very difficult time.
Dave, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please, as you strive to attend to the needs of so many others, don't forget to take care of yourself, as well. You need to be well for those who need you.
hugs.
Thinking of you, Dave, with love and prayers for your father, and your mother and you!
Dave,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family with the loss of your Aunt Ruthie. My heart goes out to you. Don't worry about writing about Monday's hearing - you have way too much on your plate right now. Like I wrote before, we will wait to read when you are ready. Your family is way more important than us. Thanks and so sorry. Take care.
Dave, I am here for you and we will all do our best to keep things humming along. Don't bother with trying to put an article up at this time. Your Mom needs you so take all the time in the world to help her and don't forget to take care of yourself. Tender hugs, my friend.
Dave, I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself and your family's needs. We will all be here waiting when you are able to write again. Sending hugs your way.
I cannot find out anything yet if the hearing will be live streamed today. Casey is not due to be in attendance so I expect they will be just hearing the motion re Joe Jordan and the pictures he took that the defense wants to get their hands on. The defense wants to try and prove that someone else put the remains out at Suburban, other than Casey. This is a long stretch but the defense seems to be getting desperate in trying to prove someone else was involved in Caylee's murder.
Here is a write up a video clip
From WESH
Here is what the Orlando Sentinel says on today's hearing...
Orlando Sentinel
I will keep checking and if the hearing is to be live streamed, I will post a link here.
Snoopy, thanks for checking on the hearing and for the links.
Casey Anthony Hearing
Mary Jo, I had a neighbor drop in and didn't get a chance to watch the hearing. I noticed that WESH carried it. Can you give us a recap and did Baez mention a NAME we are familar with?
Snoopy, I just heard him mention Joe Jordan's name and that when they did his depo they didn't realize that he had any pictures. When they were done with his depo they went to his blog site and his Joseph Jordan site and saw that he said something about having pictures, but after Joe Jordan realized the defense was aware of the pictures that he deleted them from his site and blog. The judge asked Baez if he saw where JJ put on his site or blog that he searched the exact area where Caylee was found or that they were his pictures or he had any pictures, and Baez said no. JP said JJ was a citizen and that he can't issue the subpeona without probable cause. Baez said there were at least a thousand blog sites and that they hadn't had a chance to look at all of them to see everything that JJ said. JJ attorney spoke and said that he was never asked in his depo about any pictures. In the end JP denied the motion without prejudice. If anyone heard anything differently, please feel free to correct me. My hearing is still not 100%, so I could have missed something or heard it wrong.
Mary Jo, thanks for the recap. I was reading the comments at Orlando Sentinel and trying to pick up bits and pieces. Gabe gives out bits of info and he did mention the word denied. I will try and find the video of the hearing so I can watch it. If you find a link, please post it here. TIA
You summed it up nicely Mary Jo. All you left out was how calm JJ's attorney was and how visibly agitated Baez was at not being able to get at those pictures. (if Dave posted all of them then they aren't needed.. all he has to do is log into his favorite blog and he'll see what JJ had lol). Judge Perry has told him before he's not going to fund a fishing expedition and he held to that. I can't believe Baez hasn't figured out by now that the time for fishing is past... this is the time to prepare, file motions and get reports in order. Fishing time is over.
Baez was visibly agitated today especially when they started talking scheduling for the experts, etc.. Something was mentioned by Baez about having time because of all the reports the judge wanted him to give the prosecution. The ones discussed at the last hearing seem to be a thorn in his side for some reason. lol. Perry said he had another case to finish up in his chambers then HE can start scheduling if they want, but they need to remember he knows there are 7 days in a week and will be using all of them if needed. I LIKE Judge Perry!
No video yet Snoop and it appears WESH was the only one carrying live feed. I don't have all the Orlando stations bookmarked though so one of the others could have without my knowing.
from Click Orlando station 6 : "The prosecution said the cost to pursue the motion for sanctions was $583.73. The defense team can appeal the amount."
Thanks conniefl, between you and Mary, you did good with the recap. Baez should feel lucky that he got away with just $584 because it could have been $500 per day.
Snoopy, I will keep watching for a link to the hearing and if I find one, I will post it here. Baez is very lucky he didn't get the $500/day. I think if he pulls anything like this again, he will get it.
Dave, I am so sorry about your aunt. She sounds like a wonderful person. We are all thankful for her instilling in you a desire to write., You must have gotten some of your cooking skills from her too. She left you with a heart full of wonderful memories. I feel that when our loved ones leave us, they are in the most wonderful place watching over us, and waiting for the day we will all be reunited. Watch over your Mom and Dad and don't forget to take care of youself. As much as we all enjoy you and your work, first and foremost we want you well. Prayers for you and family.