Another One Bites The Dust

"With regret, I am forced to resign as George and Cindy Anthony's attorney. The defense motion filed on Aug. 9, 2010, contains allegations that are not, in fact, true. As an officer of the court, I cannot stand idly by knowing allegations involving me have been misstated. I am now a witness to an inaccurate legal pleading filed in our court system. As such, I cannot continue in good conscience as a legal representative. George and Cindy Anthony have done nothing improper, it is the failure of the defense to verify the facts alleged in their motion that forces my withdrawal. I will continue to support the Anthonys, will continue to attend hearings and the eventual trial, and most importantly, I will continue to search for the full truth regarding the killing of Caylee Marie Anthony."

- Brad Conway wrote in his  letter of resignation

George and Cindy Anthony's attorney, Brad Conway, will no longer represent them. The move is a result of a motion filed by Jose Baez & Company in the never ending dispute with Texas EquuSearch.

First reported on the WESH-TV Web site, Conway appeared on the NBC Today Show to make his announcement. Regrettably, he said, he had to withdraw as the attorney for Casey's parents. On the network program, he claimed that the defense made false claims and he denied that he was granted full access to TES files. There were several misrepresentations, he added. He said he was given the same treatment as Baez and Cheney Mason regarding the roughly 4,000 pages of documents from TES volunteer searchers. Now, he feels he may be called as a witness for the defense. 

Brad Conway has been a good friend and trusted counsel to George and Cindy. I've had several talks with him and he's an all-around good guy. I understand the defense fighting for their client, but this is one more glitch in the case. This team of attorneys has taken out one of the best judges in the Ninth Circuit Court, and now, Brad Conway. Believe me, I know precisely how they sting.

There is much bad blood between the defense and Mark Nejame. To try to put things in some sort of perspective, New York City is big enough to handle lots of high-powered attorneys. Orlando is not. While Jose Baez is way out of their league, Cheney Mason and Mark NeJame are, next to John Morgan, two of the most powerful attorneys in this citified town we call Orlando. I am beginning to think there isn't enough room for both of them, and neither one is going to budge. Shades of Tombstone, this one may turn out to be a verbal gunfight in the courtroom. Call it the O'Casey Corral. Unfortunately, Brad Conway just got caught in the crossfire, and the bullets haven't even begun to fly yet. Who's next?

Kronk Fretters

“There’s been some horrible things said about me on blogs. Said I was a child predator, a child molester, all this other stuff. Some people believe it. I have no criminal background. I’ve done no harm to no one.”

- Roy Kronk, at his post-deposition press conference on Friday

Soon after Roy Kronk stepped out of the woods on Suburban Drive that fateful December day in 2008, his life changed forever. No longer was he an everyday, ordinary man who read water meters for a living. He became whatever the public wanted him to be, and in some circles, it wasn’t pretty. Soon, rumors began to swell that he was a pervert and a child molester. After all, what was he doing over there by an elementary school, poking around in woods where children played? The sad part of it is the fact that many people will see what they want to see. I was quite surprised by the numbers of people who told me they somehow “knew” that Roy Kronk was directly involved in the death of Caylee Marie Anthony. Call them gut feelings. Just what was he doing in that neighborhood to begin with? Scoping out schoolgirls?

As an Orange County meter reader for the water utility, his job took him wherever he was assigned. In mid-August of that year, he was due to read meters in the Chickasaw Oaks subdivision and that led him to Hidden Oaks Elementary School, which, remarkably, also had a meter that needed reading. Shocking! From my own visits to the spot where the skull and bones were found, the woods were an inviting place to take a lunch break. The trees offered a natural canopy above his truck and a perfect place for him to escape the hot summer sun, plus, it’s private. When he first went in August, school was out for the summer. No houses face or back into those woods, so it was impossible for neighbors to have poked their heads out of their windows to spy on Roy or anyone else. It was how remote that spot was in the middle of civilization that led him there. From my visits, it is a working class neighborhood and during that time of day, little to no traffic exists. Plus, it’s a dead-end street. There was no way anyone would be able to see, let alone know, what business he was taking care of as he stepped inside the lush cover of trees and kudzu. Over the course of three days, he called authorities and got nowhere. Nowhere, that is, until December 11.

As soon as Roy Kronk notified OCSO that he had found a skull for certain, Casey’s defense knew it had to discredit him by hook or by crook. Here was a guy - although vilified by a handful of overzealous Caylee-ites who chose to point fingers his way - who was fast becoming legendary to a lot of people. He became a hero; the guy who iced the Casey cake made from a recipe of lies and deceit. It was his determination and drive to seek justice for Caylee that sent him again, but would it have happened that day or any time soon had the county not sent him back to that area to read meters? Whatever, it was still lingering somewhere in his head because the logic of it just made sense. How much more convenient could a burial ground right around the corner of where Casey lived be? For almost six months, the body lay right under everyone’s nose, and no one knew. No children ever played in that dreaded spot. It was known by the locals to be a dumping ground. No buzzards flew overhead and there was no stench of death. Whoever placed the bag there knew it was where no one dare go. Unless it’s a person with a nature call in search of a little privacy.

Some may say it was little Caylee’s soul reaching out, seeking justice, but is that the way her mother’s defense team sees it? While some may not think so, I believe the defense does want to see justice prevail, just not at their client’s expense. We live under a legal system where the prosecution must prove a crime was committed by the person charged. The defense will sit back and wait until the cards are laid out on a table before countering. Is it the intent of Jose Baez, et al, to implicate Roy Kronk in the murder of Caylee Anthony? No, it is not. Although not beneath smear tactics, this defense will not tell the jury that Roy murdered the toddler. That would be insane and Casey would surely get an appeal based on incompetent counsel.

The way I see it, the defense may have originally thought about Roy as a viable suspect. Virtually everyone could be a suspect in any number of crimes if they happen to encroach the area of a crime scene, except for one main thing - Casey became the number one suspect from the onset, when her own mother called 9-1-1 in July. Who in their right mind would tell nothing but lie after lie after lie to investigators and not think there was anything wrong with it? Casey was always the only suspect because she kept naming a nonexistent nanny and there was no excuse for it. Note that I did not say reason. Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, the nanny, was a complete fabrication.

When Cheney Mason came on board, I noticed subtle changes in strategy. Although I will never understand why private investigator Jeremy Lyons came to interview me instead searching for the true killer, the nanny, why did this defense waste money to take down the judge? At no time did Lyons ask if I was hiding any nannies under rocks or in secret closets. At no time has anyone on the defense looked for trouble outside of people who are somehow involved in the case, whether directly or not. To go from Strickland to stricter is something I will never quite grasp, but this is about Roy Kronk. Since Mason came on board, we have heard him announce that no one entered the woods when Texas EquuSearch looked in September. The area was flooded.  This was a complete about face from what former team member Todd Macaluso had said earlier, with Baez’s blessing. I am convinced it’s the same thing with Kronk. Originally, the defense suggested that he may have played a role in Caylee’s disappearance. Because it would be bonkers to really go that route, and Mason has been around long enough to understand that, it will be the defense’s job to point fingers at law enforcement instead. Prove incompetency.

While investigators focused on Casey, the real culprit got away. Here’s why, according to the defense, not me, and I can hear this coming out of J. Cheney Mason’s mouth as surely as I sit here writing it. Let’s take a look at Roy. He bragged about finding the body months before he actually found it. He told his son he was going to be famous. This was going to be fun! Oh no, that was someone else. “He said he knew where the body was and he was going to get it when the water went down,” his ex-wife Crystal Sparks said.

She went on to add that good old boy Roy had a kinky side; something about duct tape that turned him on. The role of the defense regarding him is simple. Debunk his credibility. Turn him into a sleazeball. Hey, some people like to use handcuffs in bed. Does that make them cops? What goes on behind closed doors is private, and his ex spoke out of school, whether it’s the truth or not. In my opinion, it is not relevant and the judge will deny the defense her testimony. He was never a suspect, nor will he ever be.

Recently, WKMG, the CBS affiliate in Orlando, reported that it had obtained a 1997 police report from Kingsport, Tennessee, where Kronk told investigators that they would find stolen guns and other items in woods near a field. When officers searched, they found nothing unusual. Will the defense use this to their advantage in order to raise a reasonable doubt in the jury’s minds? They’d be fools not to, but for one important fact. Although guns may have not been found in Tennessee, a body was in Orlando. The earlier incident does not make him anything close to a little boy who cried wolf. It may make him inquisitive, but nothing more. I have called 9-1-1 in the past. Does that mean I have a credibility problem?

What I have seen so far, with the addition of Mason, is a defense that is putting most of its chips on destroying state’s evidence and that includes muddying up the reputations of every person it looks at as threats to their client. How else would anyone explain the fact that Casey’s attorneys are taking bruising jabs at both Roy and her own father, George, the two most important witnesses for the state? It was George, after all, who testified before the grand jury that indicted her. What better way than to prove he’s a suicide-prone kook not worth believing? Poor George, but I’ll save him for another day. Until then, just like those people who still may think Roy was somehow involved in the murder of Caylee, all this defense needs to do is convince the jury of doubt. It’s their job to scrutinize everything the prosecution throws at them. Even his attorney, David Evans, understands it. That’s the way the system works. He also understands his client, the guy who said he had no regrets about finding the toddler. The guy who said he would do it all over again. That’s the truth. Roy Kronk stood on solid ground that fateful December day. He did it again on Friday. There’s no need for any of us to fret over him, but Casey’s defense team should.

Casey trial will stay in Orange

“The jury will be sequestered. They will be brought back to Orange County. They will be kept at an undisclosed location. I will be entering a gag order [for the attorneys]. I will be doing that at a sufficient time.”

- Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.

I’ll tell you, the courthouse was tough to get into this morning. I gave myself plenty of time, but people were almost backed out the door to get through security. After waiting for what seemed like a half hour, I finally got up to the courtroom. I hate being late for anything, and I missed the first 10 minutes. How do I know I missed 10 minutes? Because Chief Judge Belvin Perry is never late, either, and when he sets a starting time of 9:00 AM, that’s the moment he walks in and sits down at the bench. Fortunately, I was able to open the door quietly so no one heard me walk in.

Change of Venue

The judge had decided this was the day he would hear motions that had been lingering for months, starting with the Change of Venue. Casey’s defense team has argued that their client cannot get a fair trial in Central Florida. In September of last year, Baez wrote in a motion that, “The Orlando community’s involvement in this case and its hostility towards Miss Anthony create an environment in which it would be difficult for a juror to render a verdict based solely on the evidence presented at trial.”

Soon after I walked in and Baez was stating his position, Judge Perry told him to get to the point, at which time he presented a short video of mostly protesters outside of the Anthony home, which were shot nearly two years ago now, as Assistant State Attorney Linda Drane Burdick was quick to point out in her rebuttal. She also asserted that jurors should come from any county that has similar demographics as Orange County.

“The defendant’s motion for change of venue will be granted at the appropriate time. I will enter an order prior to us proceeding to somewhere in the state of Florida to select a jury. I will review and take into consideration the comments by the defense and the state in selecting a site,” Judge Perry said. The future jury will be sequestered. He and all of the attorneys will travel to another Florida county to pick 12 jurors plus 6 alternates. He warned the media that he knows all 20 court administrators in other districts and they will be instructed not to discuss his inquiries with reporters.

Jail Visitation Logs

Visitation logs are a matter of public record, yet the defense wants the judge to keep the list of names private. Only the judge can seal them. The main defense claim is that the media is constantly aware of any visits she has, and the identities of some experts will produce unfounded speculation. According to him, it will hamper the defense’s preparation for trial. Cheney Mason asked the judge if it could be argued at a later date because he didn’t rule one way or the other.

Wild Party Pics

The defense recently filed a motion to exclude irrelevant evidence of party pictures. Today, it argued that the photos do absolutely nothing to prove whether Casey was a good mother or not. “To assume that a person is a bad person because they go to a nightclub, or they drink a beer,” Baez argued, “is completely unconscionable.”

The defense fears that if the images are shown to a jury it would only inflame them against their client. Burdick claimed that the only photos it wants to use are ones taken after June 15 that address where and how Casey was looking for her child. If Casey went to bars looking for Caylee, then wild photos of Casey participating in a hot body contest four days after her disappearance should be relevant evidence. If the defense is going to argue what a wonderful mother she was, the State should be able to use photographs to dispute that issue. She also said that the State has constructed a very careful timeline.

Judge Perry said that if the defense shows evidence of what a good mother she was, then the photos should not be about what she was wearing at the time, it should be more about what she was doing in them. In other words – in my words – women wear bikinis on the beach. Wearing a bikini in that setting proves nothing about who and what that women is doing or thinking. He acknowledged that most of the photos were taken prior to Caylee’s disappearance and only the ones taken from June 16 on should matter. Meanwhile, he deferred ruling on it until the end of next March. That gives both sides plenty of time to work out what photos will be used.

Hearsay

As part of the case, investigators have questioned dozens of people who knew Casey Anthony. They offered their opinions of her character, motives and undisclosed intentions and honesty. Casey wants to keep those statements about her made by family and friends out of the courtroom. Her defense contends they’re all hearsay; gossip and innuendo. They don’t want prosecutors to be able question any of her friends on the stand about whether she was an honest person and what compelled her. What were her motives? He also brought up the 911 calls made by Cindy. Judge Perry said he would not rule on such a vast subject. Narrow it down by citing individual instances where they could be argued as hearsay. He did say he will reserve a ruling on those 911 calls.

Motion to Dismiss Indictment

Denied. ‘Nuff said.

Motion to Compel Bench Notes

Judge Perry brought up this motion to compel filed by the defense. It seeks to obtain documents they feel haven’t been turned over to them. Once again, the judge asked Baez to be more specific. “This has been an ongoing issue,” Baez said after prosecutor Jeff Ashton told the court it was giving them everything it should.

Judge Perry asked for names. Baez gave him five. Both sides went back and forth. “We will table this one here and, uh, if there’s an expert witness for bench notes, list that expert saying you haven’t gotten it and I’ll have the state file a written response,” he said.

In the end, the defense will get 10 days to submit a list and the State will get 10 days after that to respond. He then asked both sides if there were any other discovery issues that need to be worked on down the road. No one had anything to say and with that, the hearing was over. It lasted an hour-and-a-half. “OK, we’ll be in recess on this matter until 9 o’clock tomorrow morning.”

Big Story of the Day!

As deputies walked Casey out of the courtroom, she turned to her mother, smiled, and whispered “Happy Mother’s Day. I love you.”

That is the first time I saw her show any affection for either of her parents, but especially, her mother.

My Observations

One thing is certain. This judge is instructing the State and defense to take the bull by the horn and settle as many matters as possible outside of court. Take control and move on it. What I am seeing is the defense’s failure to be specific about anything. Baez uses broad generalizations in his arguments and Judge Perry is persnickety and detail oriented. I noted his obvious disdain for whiners. In order to get your point across, be clear and precise, focused and reserved, and very knowledgeable of the law. That’s not to say Judge Strickland was not a thorough jurist. On the contrary, but there is a different demeanor in this court than in his, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. You wouldn’t think that personality traits could make all that much of a difference when applying law, but it does. Judge Strickland has the patience of Job. Judge Perry wants to git ‘er done.

I rode down the elevator with the prosecutors. Linda Drain Burdick was discussing an online legal publication. As we exited the elevator, I asked her what it was and if I could also receive it. She gave me the details. As we walked to the exit doors, I asked her about her last name. I notice the judge calls her Miss Drane. Do you prefer Drane or Burdick? Either one, she said. It’s not hyphenated and it was added after she got married. Either name will do and she has no preference.

As she walked away, the defense team approached the awaiting cameras and reporters. I stood near Cheney Mason. Because we were close, I decided to discuss something. “Skin cancer?”

Yes, he responded. I knew that’s what it was. I have too many friends here in Florida. “You’ve got to remember that I grew up when there was no SPF, and I’m 66-years-old.”

That’s many years in the Florida sun. He said that anyone living here and spending time outside will get it. It’s only a matter of time. I told him about my friends and what they go through. He also said he had a 14 hour operation several years ago on the other eye. Obviously, his surgeon did a great job because I didn’t notice a thing.

I think it was quite apparent that Cheney Mason had no problem talking to me, and vice versa. What he did with Judge Strickland was a professional decision and he took advantage of an opening. In the real world, that’s what happens. In the online world, people make up their own laws and hold silly grudges. I’m bald and he’s got skin cancer. Big deal. What’s it got to do with Casey?

What’s my point, you may ask? Remember that when you come to Florida. Wear sunscreen. And a hat. Oh, and I will talk to whoever I damn well please.

Judge Perry’s lightning speed steals Mason’s thunder

“Be patient and you will finally win, for a soft tongue can break hard bones.”

- Proverbs 28:13

The last time I was inside the courtroom on the 23rd floor, Casey Anthony pleaded guilty to all fraud charges. That was four months ago on January 25. In June of 2009, I wrote a post titled, Guilty as CHARGED? that clearly spelled out why I thought she had no solid defense against those charges. The word CHARGED was my way of saying she charged her purchases on a checkbook she stole from her friend, Amy Huizenga. Why this defense chose to take it completely out of context in its motion to dismiss Judge Strickland is far beyond me, but so it was written, so it was done. God save the judge.

This time, on Friday, the courtroom took on a completely different atmosphere, as a new judge sat on the bench. Known as a no-nonsense jurist, Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. lived up to his reputation. The mood was clearly stoic and reserved. As much as Judge Strickland deserved the same dignity and respect that Cheney Mason did not afford him, quite clearly, this time he sat quietly in the courtroom like a timid church mouse. Was he expecting this sort of outcome after Judge Strickland dismissed himself? Only time will tell, but if there is true justice in the world, Cheney Mason will not stand between it and the mockery he made of the court by filing the motion to dismiss and the later objection he filed in response to the court’s order.

When I got to the courtroom, it was a matter of minutes before Judge Perry entered. I noticed that Casey was wearing a light pink shirt and her hair was tied snugly back in a ponytail. She seemed to be in good spirits until Judge Perry entered the room. From that point on, gone were the smiles and hand-rubbing. As serious as the judge was, so was she. The more relaxed attitude of Judge Strickland’s court was washed completely away. This was business as usual, but a tougher version of it mixed in with a heavy dose of reality. Judge Perry had no qualms about discussing the dreaded death penalty.

He first addressed the monumental list of State witnesses, over 250, and the small number, 36, that had already been deposed. This is something he wants done. Let’s get a crack on it. MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!  He told the defense to file a proposed deposition schedule. He will not allow for any excuses. In light of this, he gave prosecutors and the defense strict orders to get their evidence and witnesses in order. Prosecutors said that some out-of-state witnesses were reluctant.

“I’m quite sure that Sheriff Jerry Demings will aid us in going to make those witnesses available for deposition,” Judge Perry said. In other words, depose them or the court will. There will be room for one courtesy call ONLY.

On record, Jose Baez listed himself as lead counsel for the day. Will that change by the time the trial gets underway? That’s anyone’s guess, but I did notice he addressed the judge as “Judge” on several occasions, instead of “Your Honor.” Some habits die hard.

Moving on, His Honor was irked that the defense still hadn’t talked to the JAC (Justice Administration Commission) about how much money the case will cost Florida taxpayers.

“I got time next week and the following week. That needs to be done like yesterday,” Judge Perry said. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for this Thursday. He ordered attorneys to block out several days the following week (next week) to argue over unresolved motions, including all non-death penalty motions, whether the state’s death penalty is unconstitutional, whether jurors will be allowed to view pictures of Casey partying, and allegations of Roy Kronk’s domestic violence. This will most likely be held on the 10th or 11th.

Judge Perry really got down to the nitty gritty of changing the venue. Stating that it would be too cost prohibitive to move the entire trial to another county, he proposed moving a jury here if one could not be seated within the confines of Orange County. He said, “I have done a number of change of venue cases. Once I grant it, the location will not be disclosed. It will be disclosed at the last possible moment.”

He does not want the media to know until the last minute. That way, all publicity surrounding the location and jury selection will be kept under wraps. It seems apparent this judge wants the trial to take place right here in Orange County due to the massive costs of uprooting everyone, including over 250 witnesses, mostly from the Orlando area. He has no problem moving a jury here instead, if necessary. Most assuredly, this is something I was positive Judge Strickland would have decided. Many of us felt the same way, so it’s nothing new, but what may be is sequestering. If the judge decides to sequester jurors, which cuts them off from all outside influences, it could make jury service much more tiresome.

When asked, Jose Baez said, “This is really not just about the publicity. This community is intimately involved in this case by way of searches, by way of protesters.” He noted that the types of people the defense would want to hear the case may not be able to handle the stress of two months away from home and family.

“It is no secret that this case has received widespread publicity,” Perry said. He went on to say that the only way to make sure they are not infected or polluted during this proceeding is to sequester them.

Judge Perry asked the prosecution how long it expected to take to argue their case. Linda Drane Burdick responded that it would take about 3-4 weeks. The judge asked the defense the same question. Baez answered, about 3 weeks. The judge then set a working schedule of five-and-a-half days per week, meaning a half-day on Saturdays. He said that he would submit a list of movies for the jury to watch and each side could strike any from that list, no questions asked. Remember, there will be no TV for a sequestered jury.

Finally, he brought up the DEATH PENALTY phase. This was something Casey could not order her attorneys to “make him stop.” I almost swear I saw the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. Her parents were in front of me and I watched Cindy cringe.

How long will it take the state to argue? Jeff Ashton stood and said it would be done in a day. Baez then stood and said it would take the defense anywhere from 3-5 days.

Judge Perry reminded the court that we live in an adversarial system of justice, which is “the two-sided structure under which criminal trial courts operate that pits the prosecution against the defense. Justice is done when the most effective adversary is able to convince the judge or jury that his or her perspective on the case is the correct one.”¹

He wanted to move the trial date up a week, to May 2, but Andrea Lyon reminded the court over a speaker phone (in absentia) her daughter graduates college that week. The judge accommodated her and allowed the date Judge Strickland set to stand at May 9, 2011. Meanwhile, he expects to hold status hearings every 45 day. With that, the hearing came to an abrupt – no, not yet… Baez corrected the judge, who called Andrea Lyon “Miss Lyons.”

“There’s no ‘s’ at the end of her name, Judge, and it’s Professor Lyon.”

The Honorable Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. stood corrected and walked away from the bench. So it was written, so it was done.

Order Regarding Deposition Schedule

Order Setting Motion Hearings 5-03-2010

NBC Today Show

The Today Show producer, Jim Lichtenstein, told me I would be on the show Saturday morning as we were leaving the courtroom Friday. It’s only a 2-minute segment and I’m mentioned briefly, but it’s something. Better than nothing. The only thing I take issue with - and that’s very mildly - is Kerry Sanders’ statement that I’m a pro-prosecution blogger. Everyone knows I’m an Anthony lover. Right?

Interestingly, I met Kerry outside the courthouse at the last hearing I attended, before Friday’s. He’s a very pleasant fellow; friendly and approachable.

By the way, I would still like to be remembered for my writing ability than as the defense fall guy. The only consolation I got out of this fiasco is a tougher judge. Brilliant, Cheney.

This one’s for you, New Puppy.

Here's to Aristarchy

I got a phone call from a TRUE friend earlier today. She wanted to know how I handle the few blogs that are so overtly tormented by my existence that they have forgotten what this is all about. Easy, I said. The more preoccupied they are with me, the less time they spend thinking about and discussing the victim, Caylee, and the defendant, Casey, not to mention George and Cindy. The fact that they stopped writing about the case months ago means Casey can get a fair trial after all. Hallelujah and thank you! I would only encourage them to continue with their freaky obsession. This will surely help bring justice they no longer care about. Meanwhile, the State Attorney's Office still cares very much and would like to take this opportunity to give thanks for shifting the attention to someone else. Soon, the defense will have no legitimate claim of bias against their client and the new judge will not have to put up with any more silly motions like that.

BREAKING STORY!!!

If you watch the video until the end, you'll see the violent, threatening and criminal brouhaha brought on by a totally angry blogger outside of the courthouse exactly as Jane Velez-Mitchell adeptly reported last night. SHOCKING! I guess I should be in jail now that all of my severe critics are supporting Baez. My, my, how the world churns...

EquuSearch: Running out of patience before us?

As soon as members of the media showed up at Mark NeJame’s office this past Friday, Casey Anthony’s defense team ran out the door, tails between their legs. They had arrived only minutes earlier to look over records belonging to Texas EquuSearch.

Now, TES officials say they want to try to break the standoff with Casey’s team in court. One source said that, with Chief Judge Belvin Perry now in charge, they want him to decide when enough is enough. They are fed up with playing the waiting game. For more than eight months TES has waged a large legal battle over keeping most of the searchers’ records private.

In August of 2009, Casey’s defense team won the right to pore over records of 32 searchers who looked closest to the location where Caylee’s remains were eventually found. The defense later filed a motion to copy all of the records of roughly 4,000 people who looked for the toddler at all other locations, including south of OIA. Judge Stan Strickland denied that motion.

The defense made claims that at least two of the searchers looked in the very spot where Caylee rested and found nothing. Texas EquuSearch is getting fed up with the defense and is planning on filing legal paperwork to have the new judge order Mason & Co. to review the records and be done with it. Mark NeJame declined to comment.

In one other bit of news, and if my source is correct, Baez will stand behind the shadow of Cheney Mason because Mason has tried a number of cases before Judge Perry. Mason is also known to be a one man band with lots of attorneys he can turn to for assistance. He has surrounded himself with an excellent blend of specialists, all independent and all within the immediate vicinity of his office. In other words, he rents them space.