Upon entering, I noticed that only 4 seats were set up on the stage for the panel and commented to my boyfriend that someone is missing. Up to that point, I only knew that it was not Jeff Ashton. The event kicked off at exactly 7:30pm with Joel Seidemann explaining the event. It was really geared more towards informative legal information and I did not expect to hear anything already not known. He then introducted the panel and everyone applauded.
We then found out that the missing panelist was the Jury Foreman. Apparently, he was "forbidden" to attend by his family. There were some pretty rough letters that he has received read to the audiance and even Jeff Ashton felt those letters are uncalled for. My personal feeling about him not attending is that he is stil waiting for that payday. How can someone be "allowed" to have a profession, serve on a jury, but be "forbidden" to attend?
The role that the media played on the trial was discussed for quite sometime. Both Judge Alex and Jeff Ashton say that much is due to the information being made pulic in advance due to the laws of Florida as well as the internet and social media. Mason really must not think too highly of Nancy Grace as he singled her out and called her Nancy "DisGrace".
Judge Alex made a point that even with all the evidence, jurors are sometimes looking for that CSI effect. And he did not hold back when he declared "I think she was guilty". I applauded that.
For the majority of the time everyone was pretty cordial. There was a moment when Chaney Mason was speaking (round in circles) and Judge Alex had to cover his mouth - I think to hold back laughing at him. There were a few times that Mason and Ashford sort of started sparring to which Ashton finally said "Remember the ground rules". So I suppose they were told in advance not to bicker.
My favorite Ashton/Mason moments were when forensics were being discussed and the topic of Caylee's hair in the trunk came up. Mason jabbed what is in your trunk to which Ashton retored "Certainly not the dead body of a child, I swear" and held his hand up. The audience applauded Ashton for that.
Another time was when Ashton said he never met anyone quite like her who can lie and stick to those lies for years and even add to them. He gave the example of the trip she made to her "supposed" place of employment at Universal and how after finally saying she did not work there, she told the detectives "but everything else I told you is true". Mason made some comment I could not understand (mumbled) and Ashton said which story did you believe the 6th one?
Then the topic of her appearance at court came up. How come she was made to look so school marm? Mason claims she was not "allowed" to have her hair cut in jail - which I find very hard to believe and she was stuck with certain clothes. Ashton used his fingers to show that her chair was also lowered to make her appear smaller in court.
Mason was asked why Casey turned down the plea bargin and claimed that Ashton made that up for his book. Anthing pertaining to the book that was mentioned, that was Mason's usual retort.
All in all, I found it to be very intersting and was impressed with the majority of the panel - Judge Alex, Jeff Ashton and Thane Rosenbaum (moderator).
The event ended promptly at 9:15 and afterward you could meet and greet if you stayed afterwards. I did.....(continued with pics of after event)
