The Tale of Laura and the Barbarian Princess
Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 2:56PM If any of you are familiar with Florence Virginia King, you are aware that she is an American novelist, essayist and columnist from Mississippi. Born in 1936, alas, she put down her pen in 2002. Almost all of her works written under her real name have been non-fiction. You may recall 1975’s Southern Ladies and Gentlemen. You may also recognize her from the historical romance novel, Barbarian Princess, written under the pseudonym Laura Buchanan. Ironically, she’s not the only writer of fiction with that name. Another Laura Buchanan entered the fray more recently; one who seemingly attempted to parlay her name into the bright lights of stardom, tossing good judgment to the wind. She failed miserably and turned out to be the Clifford Irving of the Casey Anthony saga. Irving, in case you don’t know or remember, became famous - infamous is more like it - for using forged handwritten letters from reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes in order to convince his publisher into accepting a counterfeit “autobiography” in the early 1970s. Hughes came out of the woodwork to prove it was nothing more than an elaborate hoax. Irving spent several years in prison, but later managed to publish some best sellers, including two aptly titled books, Final Argument and Daddy’s Girl.
On October 24, 2009, Laura Buchanan declared, under penalty of perjury, that, “On September 3, 2008, I was a volunteer for Texas Equus Search.” On that fateful September day, she began her odyssey into the treacherous path of this unyielding monster that’s chewed up and swallowed its victims at will. As innocent as Casey’s first victim was, Buchanan’s not one of them, and whether her initial intent was righteous or not, her ship sunk. Today, she’s just another part of the ever-growing, Titanic-sized, Casey abyss.
“On September 3, 2008,” she continued, ”the team in which I was assigned went to Suburban Street in Orlando and searched the area near where the remains of Caylee Anthony were found… I personally searched near the privacy fence and worked my way towards and then beyond where the body was found… It is my opinion that the remains of Caylee Anthony were not there during the time of our search.”
How quickly memories change when facing someone as intimidating as an Assistant State Attorney; intimidating in the sense that they represent the will of the people, and no one is more fastidious than Linda Drane Burdick when it comes to truth and justice. From her first statement under oath to her last, Buchanan’s story wavered dramatically, especially under the skillful questioning of the seasoned prosecutor. Just how did this begin and where are we today?
First of all, by her own admission, she is a “virtual” emergency/law enforcement groupie. She gets high at the sight of flashing lights and blaring sirens. Riding around with the law had been a favorite pastime and after taking a class at the citizen police academy, getting involved became a hobby of sorts. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but at the same time, a lot hinges on where it takes you and how far you want to go. At the end of August, 2008, her husband was scheduled to come to Florida for job related training. She wanted to go far, so she tagged along. Of course, by that date, many people across the country and elsewhere were enamored by the “Tot Mom” story made famous by Nancy Grace and, mostly, by the shocking audacity and hollow gaze of this young and single mother in the news who would ever lose her child, let alone for a month. Caylee was special, too. No child could have looked more angelic. Her wide-eyed innocence and eager smile were plenty enough to melt the coldest heart. There is no doubt in my mind that Laura Buchanan, herself a young mother of three, was one of those who became overtly fascinated and now was her chance. In her mind, I’m sure she felt the same way as all the others, but something took over. Something or someone made her change.
It took around 13-hours to drive from Kentucky to Portofina Bay, the resort inside Universal Studios just south of Orlando. Texas EquuSearch was in high gear and thousands of volunteers had already joined in the search for little Caylee, but they still needed more help. She went to the TES command post the following morning. After her search, she and her husband went to Disney. While waiting for the monorail, she spotted a toddler who she thought was Caylee and reported it to Kid Finders (or OCSO) the following day. That led to her initial contact with Cindy when she called Laura about the sighting. Laura was quick to tell her she and several other searchers had a lot of compassion for the Anthony family. This is where the ball started rolling. It began the back and forth e-mails and phone calls between her, Cindy, George and Mark NeJame, who represented the Anthonys at the time. In one of her initial e-mails to NeJame, she wrote, “I’ve heard so many disturbing things, like George was molesting Casey when she was younger and started to molest Caylee..? That Caylee Could possibly belong to George and or brother Lee???” She also hoped that NeJame had given Cindy and George her e-mails. This message was sent on September 15. In my opinion, it, quite possibly, could have been where Casey got the rather bizarre notion to accuse her father of molesting her, or at least, to plant the seed. I would surely guess the Anthonys discussed the allegations making the rounds while she was home on bond that final month.
Correspondence went back and forth between Buchanan and NeJame beyond the point when the attorney and the Anthonys parted ways near the end of 2008. Meanwhile, she had begun communicating with Jose Baez soon after her supposed sighting. On October 9, Laura sent an e-mail to Jose at the Baez Law Firm. She mentioned being in Florida a month or so earlier and of spotting a girl who looked remarkably like Caylee while waiting to enter either the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT. She lamented that deputies never followed up on her tip because they were no longer looking for Caylee. [This is not factual. While being interviewed by Sgt. John Allen in December, 2009, the lead investigator told me point blank that over 100 law enforcement personnel continued to search for Caylee all over the country up to the date her remains were found.] On Monday, January 12, 2009, she sent Jose this e-mail:
“I spoke with a person that I hadn’t spoke with in a while and she has told me some very strange information and I think we need to talk again ASAP… Oh my god this is horrible… [REDACTED]
By now, she was thoroughly ensconced in the mechanisms of Casey’s defense. So much so, that she sent him pictures of herself and one with her 5-year-old daughter. Life was good and she was getting more cozy with each passing day.
I can’t say for sure who started fishing first, but by all signs, it seemed that they both swallowed each other hook, line, and sinker. She had something for him and he coaxed her for more. She had become an integral part of Casey’s defense, only she had no idea about the massive freight train that was going to hit her; the Burdick Express. Maybe, just maybe, GULP, she didn’t look exactly where Caylee was discovered. No, not precisely.
There were several passages in Buchanan’s August 2010 interview with the prosecutor that immediately sent red flags up as far as I’m concerned, and it showed Burdick’s adeptness and professional flair. The first one dealt with Buchanan’s statement that she searched behind the Anthony home. That’s impossible because the Anthonys have a privacy fence that keeps their backyard, well, private. Totally so. There’s no gate that opens up to the beyond. The beyond, by the way, is nothing more than a private backyard in the adjacent development, also filled with homes.
The second one was a real laugher. She told the Assistant State Attorney that, while she was following the end of the privacy fence on Suburban Drive, she stepped on an alligator. Obviously, this woman has a wild imagination, wilder than any of the inhabitants of the Suburban Drive woods. I addressed the issue of gators early on, soon after I began writing about the case. Alligators generally live in or very close to bodies of water. By that, I mean lakes, ponds, rivers and swamps. Although the end of the woods where Caylee was found had been under water at the time of the searches, it is not in that state all year round, and that’s not very inviting to a gator. They like to remain dead still for hours with just the slightest movement of their eyes so their target isn’t aware they’re even there. Then they pounce. What Buchanan described was that the reptile was resting in the brush. That’s just not true. They want to see what’s going on all around them, so they lurk in the open or with just their eyes above water level. They take their quarry to the bottom of the water to rot before eating. Generally, anyway. I’ve been in the Orlando area for almost 30 years, and let me tell you, I have never stepped on one. Not only that, I WOULD NOT stand there waiting for the creature to run away like she said it did. I’d be gone in a flash - as far away as I could get. Also, there’s a school nearby. Snakes are hard to control, but gators? No way, not as much as they love to sun themselves in the open.
So, two of her stories have been debunked, and now, we come to the matter at hand. That would be the twisted TES report that somehow became a lie. Who instigated it, Baez or Buchanan? That’s the subject of another post, but a search volunteer by the name of Lori Fusco told investigators that she asked Buchanan if she was working for Baez. “She wouldn’t give me a straight answer. She wanted to know everything that I knew, which I didn’t know much. She kept asking me if I was in that area and if I was on a team with her which she should have known.”
How true, and in a recorded phone call with searcher and friend Ann Pham, Buchanan was questioned about her inconsistencies.
Ann Pham: The first one they showed me is legitimate. Right?
Laura Buchanan: Both of them are legit. Somebody else had that form before I had it because they (expletive) spelled my name wrong.
Ann Pham: Your name is signed at the top, Laura. That’s what I don’t understand. It’s got your actual signature and it matches the signature from the first form.
Laura Buchanan: I don’t know that I can’t explain.
Shades of forgery! Ultimately, several of her friends were convinced she wanted to be in the media spotlight, and at Caylee’s memorial service, she seemed more concerned about being on TV than she did about Caylee. Jose Baez was just hit with a new ethics complaint, according to the Florida Bar; quite possibly stemming from the comedy of errors regarding former Anthony attorney Brad Conway and those persnickety TES search documents. What a mess. Did Casey’s lead attorney allegedly misrepresent facts to the court? Time will tell, but it’s common knowledge that he has skated very close to the edge on several occasions, and so far, he’s managed to keep clear of falling through the ice. What about this time? It’s been harshest of winters, but Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow yesterday. An omen? No, and no karma moment, either, but will the ingratiating Laura Buchanan come to his rescue as spring rolls in? Not a chance. Today, she, too, could be facing charges, and she tells her friends she wishes she never got herself involved in this mess.
Good old Florence King. She said it best. “People are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they’re all asleep at the switch. Consequently, we are living in the Age of Human Error.” It sounds just like Casey’s defense. Back to square one. Where, oh where, will it turn?
Dave Knechel | tagged Anne W. Pham, Florence King, Kid Finders Network, Lori Fusco, Nancy Grace | in Casey Anthony, Caylee Anthony, Cheney Mason, Cindy Anthony, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, George Anthony, Hidden Oaks Elementary School, Hopespring Drive, Human Interest, Jose Baez, Laura Buchanan, Linda Kenney Baden, Mark NeJame, OCSO, Sgt. John Allen, State Attorney's Office, Suburban Drive, TES, TexasEquuSearch | Share Article 
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Reader Comments (75)
I am sorry about your friend Dave., they never leave our hearts, and they leave us with beautiful memories...................What is with Mason? He had to turn his face and put his hand over his mouth two different times, laughing at Baez!! I thought he was this sophisticated and very good lawyer,but he seems as bad as Baez. Do you think Cindy listens when she is in courtroom? She has got to realize Baez is going nowhere with Casey defense and time is running out fast.
Sorry I'm late getting back to you, Estee, I was "on assignment". HAH! I'm glad you liked my take on the fiasco, which is exactly what it is. Thank you for that. Yesterday, I only got to see the first half hour of the hearing, so I have some catching up to do. I hear it was a doozie.
Thank you for those links, Snoopy. That helps.
Thank you, lulu. You know, I never know what I'm going to write until I start typing.
I wish I could have attended that hearing, but there was a personal matter I just had to address. I missed a lot, too. Oh well, I'll watch the videos and try to write about it.
Thank you, Margaret. Wilbur was a real gem; one-of-a-kind. About 13 years ago, his cardiologist told him if he quit smoking, he might live another 5 years. He never did until about 3 weeks ago when his health really declined. He had cancer for several years and kept up with chemo, but doctors told him about 6 months ago, there was nothing more they could do. Trust me, we all knew it was coming. It was only a matter of when.
I am positive Cindy listens because I've seen her reactions before. Since I didn't attend, I need to watch the videos.
Hi Dave - This truly was a very unusual hearing - Not only did Baez not do his homework before the deadline he still had not done it by the hearing. Everytime Judge Perry ask a question he had to ask Laura or Jeff because no way Baez knew the answer. What a joker.
I saw a gator this morning down on Orange Lake. Thought about stepping on his tail but when I got out of the car to get the picture his mouth slowly opened wide. Forget the "award winning" shot. The gator tail is very strong and will flip you over. No way did Laura B step on one.
I was sorry to hear about your friend Wilbur. I''m sure you will miss him very much.
You must come back up this way. Just let me know. I would love to see you.
Hi to Dave and Snoops!!!! Baez, in the beginning hooked onto Jesse and spent piles of caysee money and a lot of time before he had to let go. He then went for Kronk, while keeping george dangling in the background as a possibility. More time , energy, money going down the tube ,,,,,Time starts running out and money is gone. His big time right arms pull out when the money is all gone,but I still can't believe it was money related.Baez hankey pankey??? Mason comes in and all of a sudden TES is the villian. In a group of people there will always be one that sawmore knows more and did more than the rest. Baez thought he had freed caysee for sure. He drug his feet and begged for money and fished and fished. Finally he had to let that go and now time is almost up. His experts won" call him back or answer the phones. The Judge is going to do some of his work for him.My question? If he can't get his experts,because he has just been crusing and so sloppywill it affect the States case? Do Judges report lawyers to the Bar.
Hi Margaret~~Judge Strickland sent an information to the Florida Bar Assoc. asking them to investigate Jose Baez. This was when the judge noticed something in Dominic Casey's testimony that he felt was suspicious regarding Baez. That part of the testimony was put under seal.
Baez' incompetence in not getting in contact with the experts will boost the states case. If Baez does not get those expert reports in by the deadlines, they will not be allowed to testify as witnesses for the defense. Of course, Casey can scream that she had ineffective counsel and go for an appeal. If she gets sentenced to death, there is an automatic appeal. An appeal can take years.
Dave, thank you for helping to clear my confusion about the third paragraph of your very fine
article! I just read it incorrectly! I am sorry! I see now, how it was meant.
If anything LB should show people that if you're going to get involved in a search for a missing child for your own personal attention, you just might get that attention... but it won't be the kind you want! Get involved because you care about missing children and leave your ego at home!
Thanks Snoopy. I keep expecting headlines TOT MOM LAWYER SNAPS, he just acts like he is playing games and has all the time in the world. Mason said when he came on board that THEY kept asking him to and he finally decided that it would be "fun". I wonder who they are and why they don't tell him to get off it and do something. I sure hope the Judge doesn't find that Baez hasn't really tried to get those depositions, or has promised something he can't deliver. Judge Perry is just about on his last leg with Baez. Hope everyone is well.
En light of the issues with "tot mom" and the posts and comments I have noticed on other sites, I really felt the need to express my opinion. I'm not sure often, we have our own best interests in our grasp.
We want justice. Heck, I want justice. But do I want Justice that limits my rights as a US citizen?
Heck thus far, I think that the discovery released to date paints a horrible picture for Caylee's mom. I think it would take an ostrich with their head under the ground not to see that. But I also see hindrances to the SAO. Well, maybe just one. There is no cause of death. Maybe not an insurmountable hurdle. But it is certainly a hurdle. The speculation by the SAO is the duct tape and drugs were the criminal act which led to Caylees demise.
George allegedly told "River" it was an accident gone wrong. Many bloggers, commenter's and pundits have surmised drowning, left in the trunk, overdose, neglect. But few release that this speculation is window of opportunity for the defense (well, if this wasn't a circus defense) to create a reasonable doubt.
We'll see what they do with that "gimme"
Second, I have issue with the commenter's not understanding some of the things that COULD affect them.
Take for instance Judge Perry's recent order regarding the FIJA.
Please read Justice Eddy's memorandum:
http://fija.org/docs/AO_Florida_Jury_Nullification_handouts.pdf
Now please read information regarding Judge Perry's order:
http://fija.org/2011/02/04/fija-challenges-florida-judge-attorney-general-and-governor-over-unlawful-order/
(please note there are links to the order in the article)
If you peruse the web site, this is not ANY thing to do with Casey. This site is openly discussing the rights of jurors and the important role the play in our democracy.
To think anything this site offers is less than an information site to protect your rights, is misguided.
Judge Perry made his ruling regarding this pamphlet:
http://www.fija.org/docs/JG_If_you_are_called_for_Jury_Duty.pdf
Where is this jury tampering? I don't see it. I don't see it relating to KC, I don't see it as contempt, and I don't see it as jury tampering. I see Judge Perry entering an order of prior restraint that puts free speech in jeopardy.
I think the Supremems will visit this,and review both Eddy's and Perry's comments, I doubt it's going to bed anytime soon.
Dave-
Sorry you don't have to post that, I just got carried away because people read the Sentinal report, and didn't research the basis of the pamphlets or the FIJA.
Sorry
Regards K
That's fine, Kara, I'm watching the Super Bowl, but I did have a chance to activate your two links. I'll be back later.
Enjoy the super bowl. I passed, Da Bearz losted.. I'll wait til next year.
Maybe this might be an article...
"informed or inflamed"???
Well, Kara, you had me going there for a minute so I looked up your links to see what you were talking about since I hadn't been on the Sentinel site and hadn't seen anything resembling what you were talking about. After going to your links I'll agree that it has nothing to do with the Casey case and feeling the way you do is the perfect way to feel as a juror. You have just enough insight to "look for more", and to "look for the reasonable doubt". I've sat on a jury before and I can tell you I wouldn't be selected for this one because when you have to stand up and answer the question "will this (my knowledge and press coverage) affect the way you see the evidence in this case?" I'd have to answer "yes". I imagine there are more out there like me.
BUT in the area of change of venue there are fewer like me out there than the defense seems to think. I read the Orlando news sites, but I make it a point to read only this one blog mainly because Dave seems to have a balanced way of looking at the case. There are a lot of people in this state and in areas like I live in in Jacksonville where we don't get all the coverage they get down in Orlando. So if the average Joe doesn't visit the blogs or the Orlando news sites then they don't know much of what is happening. In Jacksonville we don't hear every time there's a release of evidence for instance, only if it's as off the wall as her not reporting her child for 30 days. And we're only 2 hours away.
After watching the last court appearance it seems to me that Baez is almost ready to give up. His attitude seemed to be "well, you're gonna say no, so why ask?" I think he even said that at the hearing before this last one. He didn't seem prepared and he was like the last man standing on the ship when everyone else has bailed except for the old salt next to him. He seems to have jumped into a case that's "over his head" professionally. He should be taking direction from Cheney Mason but I wonder if his ego will let him. His interest seemed to have started losing interest when the money went bye bye.
Oh, and by the way, Dave, I have a friend who's a Steelers fan. He gave me this pin to wear everytime they played. So I wore it every time I watched them play and they always lost. He told me to toss the pin away and stop wearing it. Tonight I have a brand spanking new tv that I haven't had a chance to watch and decided the Super Bowl would be a good way to break it in. I had no idea the Steelers were playing again! I'm still laughing. I wasn't for either team and it was a good game overall even though Big Ben seemed to have maintained his bad luck streak for the year.
Conniefl-I forgot to add the article from the sentinel regarding the FIJA.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-court-jury-pamphlet-ban-20110204,0,4630137.story
Sorry about that.
regards-
K
Perry's Order
The following is compliments of my secretary who was kind enough to type it all out. This info is also at the link, Mary Jo just posted.
ORDER MEMORIALIZING STATUS HEARING
THIS MATTER came before the Court on February 4, 2011 for a Status Hearing. Jose Baez and Cheney Mason were present for the defense; Linda Drane Burdick, Jeff Ashton, and Frank George were present for the State.
It is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
1. Depositions of Law Enforcement Persons: Defense anticipates completion of all depositions by the February 18, 2011 deadline.
2. Defense’s Motion (filed on January 25, 2011) for Extension for Deadlines for Filing of Reports of Defense Experts: The following extensions are GRANTED:
Defense shall file the reports from experts Dr. Barry Logan and Dr. Kathy Reichs by February 15, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
Defense shall file the report from expert Dr. Bill Rodriguez by February 21, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
Defense shall file the report from expert Dr. Werner Spitz by March 11, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
Additional extensions of deadlines for defense experts will not be granted. Further, both parties are reminded that testimony of any defense or State expert that is not disclosed in a report and/or deposition within the ordered deadlines will be precluded at trial.
3. DNA Testing: The previously ordered deadline of January 13, 2011 for filing the defense expert’s analysis and report as to the DNA evidence will be extended to March 23, 2011 by 12:00 p.m.
4. Penalty Phase Witnesses: The state has received the list of defense’s witnesses and anticipates that the depositions of penalty phase witnesses will be completed this April, 2011.
5. Frye Hearings: The motions addressing Frye issues pertaining to scientific evidence shall be held on March 23, 24, and 25, 2011. The Court will provide a schedule to counsel as to the order in which each motion will be heard. By February 17, 2011 at 4:00 p.m., defense counsel shall submit to the Court and State in writing, the specific issues that will be objected to in accordance with Frye, including, but not limited to, those objections previously addressed in the motions.
6. Motions in Limine: The State will be filing responses to the motions in limine addressing evidence pertaining to the heart stickers and the stain in the trunk of the car.
7. The State shall file the report from expert Dr. Neil Haskell by February 11, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
8. Change of Venue: Defendant’s request to be provided 30 days notice for the Court’s decision as to the location for the selection of the jury is DENIED. Hearing time will be available on May 4, 2011 to provide the parties an opportunity to make objections as to the Court’s decided location for selecting a jury.
DONE AND ORDERED in chambers at Orlando, Orange County, Florida, this 7th day of February, 2011. Nunc pro tunc to February 4, 2011.
BELVIN PERRY, JR.
Chief Judge
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Order has been furnished by U.S. Mail or hand delivery, the 7th day of February, 2011 to:
· Jose Baez, Esquire, The Baez Law Firm, 522 Simpson Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34744
· J. Cheney Mason, Esquire, J. Cheney Mason, P.A., 390 North Orange Avenue, Suite 2100, Orlando, Florida 32801
· Ann Finnell, Esquire, Finnell, McGuinness, Nezami, & Andux, P.A. 233 E. Bay Street, Suite 601, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
· Linda Drane Burdick, Jeffrey L. Ashton, and Frank George, Assistant State Attorneys, Office of the State Attorney, 415 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801
Judicial Assistant
Hi, Folks! Been busy, busy, but had to bring this priceless little piece over from the Trials & Tribs site, part of their longer post on the hearing- I must've missed this while watching!
" "Baez then approached the podium and went on about the diary. It was from 2003, maybe 2004, it's full of speculation, and even considered that the line "I'm pleased with my decision" might mean that Casey was happy she'd eaten chocolate!" "
Did anyone catch when JP emphatically said that he does his own research during the last hearing? I believe that comment was specifically intended for Bubble Brain Baez, and that it was JP’s way of telling Baez, “don’t even think of trying to pull the wool over my eyes with your misinformation because I’m on to you."
Hi Karen. I couldn’t believe Baez made that chocolate comment. It reminded me of the time when he said that Casey couldn’t even buy a bra without everyone knowing about it. Baez is an idiot – plain and simple. He has a clear case of constipation of the brain and diarrhea of the mouth.
Hi Dave. Been doing a lot of lurking. Your commenters (and of course you) are so good that I really don’t have anything to add. Hope all is well with you.
Snoopy, I can't access to your blog. My email address has changed so if you don't mind, I’ll send you an email requesting a password. Thank you.
Have a great day everybody.
Carmen, you can access my blog here and you do not need a password. Dave has it listed in his blogroll, top left sidebar. I just revamped the place.
Mainstreamfair
At this point, if I were on her defense team, I wouldn't want Casey to plea. I would make her sit in that courtroom everyday enduring everything the prosecutors throw at her for all the world to see. After all, she's done nothing to help her own defense....no thanks to her Baez and Mason are doing ALL the work....Making complete fools out of themselves, spending their own money to help her...while she hides behind her lies. I would think the last thing they would want now is for her to say.."I did it" JMO
New Deposition Released in Case Against Casey
The Defense just took Mr. Fitzgerald's deposition on Feb. 2/11, and I don't see a link for it. So, I'm not sure what they mean here. (Joe Jordan specifically mentions William Fitzgerald.)