New allegations: Baez also broke jail rules by secretly passing messages to Casey

[DEPUTYDAWG]

AZ:

First of all, thank you for your continued insight that you so eloquently give to us readers


From what you may have seen in the past with other lawyers, cases, etc...what do you believe the Bar should do, or can do, about this with Baez? Does "The Bar" normally file complaints, or does a Bar member have to initiate a formal complaint?

To me, it seems that if they shouldn't be able to just discount this without an investigation. It is allegedly an ongoing and/or repetitive type situation with numerous violations.

I'm curious as to what might or should happen, even if I'm not able to communicate my questions correctly. :angel:

TIA!

 

[AZlawyer]

AZ:

First of all, thank you for your continued insight that you so eloquently give to us readers


From what you may have seen in the past with other lawyers, cases, etc...what do you believe the Bar should do, or can do, about this with Baez? Does "The Bar" normally file complaints, or does a Bar member have to initiate a formal complaint?

To me, it seems that if they shouldn't be able to just discount this without an investigation. It is allegedly an ongoing and/or repetitive type situation with numerous violations.

I'm curious as to what might or should happen, even if I'm not able to communicate my questions correctly. :angel:

TIA!

In Arizona, the state bar does file its own complaints, especially in high-profile cases with media stories about attorney wrongdoing. I don't know if the Florida bar does this. Otherwise, anyone (and I mean anyone) can file a complaint.

I couldn't speculate on what the sanction would be for this type of conduct. It's a third-degree felony committed in the course of representing a client and for the apparent purpose of hiding from prosecutors communications that might be considered relevant to the case. From my point of view, this conduct justifies at the very least a significant period of suspension (like several years), particularly in light of the bar's concerns with JB back when he requested admission, which was only a few years ago.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

IMO, Baez should be booted (literally) off this case and not allowed to practice law at all. He would be better suited to be a bail bondsman!

A bail bondsman! No way Jose...he needs to find a job at the car wash or hooters. I would not trust him as a bonds-mans or anything else for that matter. IMO...well I won't say how I feel about him. I don't want a T/O. But you get the picture. :angel:

 

[nort]

AZ: Do you think it's possible that CM came on-board because JB thinks he may have to step down?

I kind of thought after this was all out of the bag that that may have been the secret meeting during the hearing that had nothing to do with that particular hearing.

 

[ThinkTank]

It appears to be a third-degree felony in Fla. to sneak "any written or recorded communication" into a jail:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0944/Sec47.HTM

It would also violate the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct (ethics rules for attorneys):

Rule 4-8.4 Misconduct
A lawyer shall not:

...

(b) commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;

(c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;

...

Do you know who/what agency would investigate the violations and bring down the punishment for violations in this case???

 

[ThinkTank]

List of times where Casey wrote that her attorney(s) are smuggling letters/notes and items in to her, and out to her parents.

http://www.wesh.com/download/2010/0406/23069066.pdf

page 1 - "thanks for my newest contraband..." [ pen from Robyn]

page 32 - letter dated Feb. 12, 2009 - "...I got a letter that he [George] wrote to me yesterday and his spirits were lifted...."

page 54 - "....And what happens when she[Cindy] meets up with Baez yesterday to read my letter?....

page 79 - AM Gtg card smuggled in - - "...talk about stickers and crafts, I've been making stuff 4EVER! I did have the American Greetings card smuggled in here, but like the bracelet, there's many more to come!"

page 114 - the copy of the Am Gtg card - : "I know its a make-shift friendship bracelet but this way you always have a physical part of me, until you're stuck living with me."

page 146 - "....My attorney is trying to smuggle some in too [books], or Suduku puzzles."

page 147 - envelope dated Nov 14, 2008(?) - "My family is still doing well, from what I've been told. They are emailing letters to my attorney, and he brings them to me. It's better than nothing."

page 160 - "I continue to pass notes to my folks to my attorney and he brings ones back from them. At least that way, it's kept private."

page 169 - "..My attorney is keeping tabs on my family for me, and exchanges letters between us. It's always nice to see my name written in my Mom's handwriting. My eyes start tearing up, and I'm done!..."

page 192 - "Jose # 2 wants to sneak me in food! What a guy!"

two more:

page 250 - see Mom for first time in over 3 1/2 months ..."I'm glad that I'll get to see my boys later on, most likely with a message from my Mom, including an update on my Dad."

page 351 - "I hope when I see my guy(s) this week I get a letter back from my Mom. It's been weeks and nothing - no word - nothing."

 

[denjet]

I am SOOOOO glad to see that media finally starting mentioning KC's remarks about the letters being brought back and forth by JB. He fought hard to get to take his laptop in to his meetings and I guess we know why now. He should be punished but I have the feeling he will not. I am not sure if the SA could force him to turn over his laptop because he would claim the laptop contains attorney/client privilege documents. Even if he did not have his laptop he could still bring in letters and emails from her family to her in his files and her act like she was reading documents just like she did in court last week when she was looking through that file on the desk.

It very maddening that KC has gotten away with this and that Baez has also ... HE was the one squawking about bringing his laptop in too, so the jail made a new rule to allow laptops !!!

I hope the jail rethinks the laptop rule which I thought was stupid to start with mainly because of all of the different forms of data and media that the inmate would be able to see ... a lot of which they are forbidden from seeing through other means ...

I mean what's the point of not allowing KC to see news on TV, then let her lawyer bring his laptop and show her news clips he downloaded or videos from family and friends ....

I say the jail should just go back to paper files and documents until jails have a handle on electronic data ... they certainly don't now !!

I remember in one of her jail video visits KC saying she saw NG, Jose showed it to her (something to that effect) WTH?
I mean seriously, how is watching Nancy Grace helping to prepare her case ???

Also, the video Lee was obviously making at the memorial ... why oh why does this insignificant murderer get to break the rules ????

 

[denjet]

In Arizona, the state bar does file its own complaints, especially in high-profile cases with media stories about attorney wrongdoing. I don't know if the Florida bar does this. Otherwise, anyone (and I mean anyone) can file a complaint.

I couldn't speculate on what the sanction would be for this type of conduct. It's a third-degree felony committed in the course of representing a client and for the apparent purpose of hiding from prosecutors communications that might be considered relevant to the case. From my point of view, this conduct justifies at the very least a significant period of suspension (like several years), particularly in light of the bar's concerns with JB back when he requested admission, which was only a few years ago.

Thanks AZ ... couldn't the jail do something about this now by simply not allowing the laptop and posting a guard to watch what they're doing (without the guard actually reading anything) ? Which brings up the topic of Baez fighting to stop the video recording of his visits ... I mean really ??? He and Lyon gave some lame excuse about the jail listening in when really it had more to do with what they were doing, not saying ...

I just don't get why something hasn't been done sooner about this ?? Any ideas as to whether there is some advantage to allowing it to continue from an LE standpoint ??

 

[denjet]

The "makeshift friendship bracelet" may have been made out of paper, by Casey - as she mentions "stickers and crafts." Her sentence is of course confusingly worded and hard to understand though - I think she may be saying the American Greetings card was smuggled in and the friendship bracelet is one of her crafts, of which there are more to come.

MOO.

I thought that too, that KC made that bracelet ... but what about the bracelet that Jose and/or Cindy had the nerve to put in a sock with her court clothes ?? I think it was a Caylee bracelet, the officer who checked the clothes before giving them to KC found it ... IIRC it happened the very first time that KC was allowed to wear her own clothes to court ... something Baez was able to get special permission to do ... any other smuck in the same situation has to wear prison clothes .,.. WTH ??

 

[Wescott]

Do we know for sure that greeting cards cannot be purchased at the commissary? Have we seen the makeshift friendship bracelet, or do we just have Casey's word that it exists (and if Robyn has it, has the chain of custody been maintained)?

She can by cards from the commissary for $2 each. I think for that price they wouldn't be high end ie Hallmark American Greetings etc. Where I am the cards that are purchased are of the generic variety.

http://media.myfoxorlando.com/documents/Commisary items.pdf

 

[Wescott]

I believe what Casey said about the smuggling letters because her parents and brother and Conway admitted as much. Also, because there is solid EVIDENCE that this smuggling happened with the FACT of the American Greeting card which Casey only got by having "someone" smuggle it in to her, along with the "make-shift friendship bracelet". These are things that can be confirmed by means other than Casey's words.

I think they are all liars so its hard to pick and choose who to believe LOL. In this matter I will totally agree with you that these incidents of smuggling have happened. Her commissary purchases are available online IIRC so it would be easy to see if she bought any cards.

 

[logicalgirl]

Geez! I cannot believe that one either! How could I have forgotten to mention scissors? Would have made a nice little murder weapon for Casey and the female officer.

How can they NOT fire this officer?

Union? Needs to go through a grievance process with her union rep?

 

[RedSox Mom]

I have a feeling that the Bar and/or Courts will hold back and wait for the Jail to submit a complaint. That is if they can pull together enough evidence to show clear and compelling evidence that Baez has done these things. I think this would be the Jail's call. As I recall RHornsby commented on that somewhere on here or his own blog.

JMO

 

[drip~drop]

I think they are all liars so its hard to pick and choose who to believe LOL. In this matter I will totally agree with you that these incidents of smuggling have happened. Her commissary purchases are available online IIRC so it would be easy to see if she bought any cards.

I lost that link. Can somebody please kindly supply it for me?

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Bumping!

 

[LiveLaughLuv]

Baez did not break any laws that can get him a criminal charge. The jail can make it harder for him. They can possibly pat him down to make sure he's not bringing contraband in or out. The jail can put them in a visiting room with glass but no recording devices to make sure the doesn't break any more jail rules. Too bad it doesn't rise to a criminal investigation but I'm sure the Florida Bar might get involved and take his license..he has ethics problems in the past, what do they say about future behavior??? Future behavior is based on past behavior...Baez might want to watch his steps if he wants to continue being an attorney...it may not turn out the way he thinks..:croc:

 

[mitzi]

except that jb doens't use "Your Honor"---its always "Judge"....

ITA...he is so disrespectful to JS...also, he tries to talk over the Judge at times.

I'm surprised Jose doesn't just call Judge Strickland, "Hey you!"

 

[mitzi]

A bail bondsman! No way Jose...he needs to find a job at the car wash or hooters. I would not trust him as a bonds-mans or anything else for that matter. IMO...well I won't say how I feel about him. I don't want a T/O. But you get the picture. :angel:

JB does have experience selling bikinis...just sayin'. :crazy:

 

[cuppy199]

Thanks for finding all of these and taking the time to write them out. To me, seeing this list does away with any belief that Baez orchestrated these letters and encouraged Casey to write them in order to get evidence out there without having to put Casey on the stand. Nope, I don't think he knew about them.

Knowing about them and knowing what is in them is to different things IMO.

 

[LambChop]

A bail bondsman! No way Jose...he needs to find a job at the car wash or hooters. I would not trust him as a bonds-mans or anything else for that matter. IMO...well I won't say how I feel about him. I don't want a T/O. But you get the picture. :angel:

Maybe he can get a job with AL teaching and lecturing. 1000 things not to do in a Death Penalty case.