Prosecutors Ask For Hearing On How Baez Is Getting Paid

[karenmamo]

Confused about the timing of this hearing. One report says afternoon, and the live report states this MORNING...anyone know for sure?

 

[EgyptNug]

If anyone is thinking of doing a crime, take note: Make sure it is one that can be sensationalized, allowing you access to millions of dollars by selling photos, videos, or other materials beforehand. Part of that money can be spent getting your butt off the hook, and you can work out a deal for the attorney to pay you your share afterwards.
Also, it doesn't hurt to have a good looking attorney who will keep you company and feed you licorice while you wait for him to get you off, err i mean out.

 

[lawlady84]

I feel like a country bumpkin. I had no idea just how much money could be made off a death. Poor little Caylee, she has become a commodity. I thought we were talking 200,000. not chump change but not enough to run screaming through the streets for.

But, if lawyers make that much and KC has 8 of them and the SA said the trial could last 4 weeks. (at $3000. a day during trial x 30 days x 8 lawyers!)Yikes! In order for them to be paid supposedly by selling pics, video, life stories ect somebody has to be making money off selling these things. Just how much money are we talking here?

I know I shouldn't be so surprised but I totally am. If the courts don't shut them down from selling the story of Caylee, 'misplacing' babies may become a national pastime!

Not a country bumpkin! In a "normal" murder case it would be a lot less - usually defendants have 1 or 2 attorneys, sometimes appointed by the state. Usually its only the "big time" celebrities/business people who have THIS kind of a defense team.

I was really surprised about this- KCs defense costs as much as a small corporation's haha

 

[Chilly Willy]

I knew LE and the Feds (ala DC and JH interviews) were interested in the relationship between Baez and Caitlyn. Now I know exactly why!

ETA: I think it must have always been a head scratcher for the SA office when Baez ignored a perfectly good plea deal. A plea deal most attorney's would have jumped through hoops to get.

I don't recall the state offering a plea deal. Could you please share the details?

 

[lawlady84]

I would think any attorney representing Casey, whether previously working in JBs office or brought in as special consult, falls under the heading of Baez's responsibility. It would seem to prove a case of incompetence if he attempts to suggest that one of the other lawyers was responsible for getting Casey to sign a waiver (if she did) and he didn't know about it. If Casey did not sign a waiver and Baez et al are benefiting, it seems a cut and dried case of conflict of interest, since it is in his (and their) interest to keep the trial going as long as possible for the greatest possible sensationalism.

I know he advised her to turn down the plea agreement, stating his client was innocent and that they prefer to take it to a court to prove that. It is interesting to note that the possibility of Casey actually being innocent is really only given cursory discussion. Based on the amazing circumstantial evidence, the (quack) scientific evidence of Caylee's last moments, and the evidence at the dump site, the State is making their case seem pretty sound.

In the absence of anything from the defense team to promote their theory of Casey's innocence, then, it seems as though the defense is not really working for their client. There is no plea to the State with information on another suspect. There is no outcry for justice, as a matter of fact. Only statements that she is innocent and they will prove it.

I think Jose should add a constitutional expert onto the team next.

Yeah, great points. The defense just didn't work hard enough IMO to shift the blame away from KC at an early point. If you had the tearful mother on TV on day "31," coupled with releasing the adorable videos of KC and Caylee, I honestly believe the defense could have put enough pressure on the SA for a plea deal. Its very hard to try a case without a body - its just tiresome and complicated for jurors.

JB should have been in a race with OCSO to get a plea signed, sealed and delivered before a body was found. Especially since the body was found with items from the A home - maybe that is KCs fault, maybe KC didn't tell him what LE was going to find.

I wonder if KC told JB she did it. I couldn't imagine trying to defend a fake story- he has to know the ZFG story is made up.

 

[lawlady84]

I don't recall the state offering a plea deal. Could you please share the details?

I'll try to find a link, but IIRC the state offered a plea and JB had 7 days to come in and discuss it- and he completely blew it off. Didn't even go in to negotiate.

 

[cajun]

Yes, yes she did. :yes:

Of course :sleuth: the serial number was obliterated, and it happened to be the identical twin to her close buddy's missing, presumed stolen, camera, but that is all going to be explained at a later date at which time Casey will be seen as the
:star::camera: "Photographer of the Year" :camera::star: she really is, per :dj:Cindy. Also everything will make sense...finally.

:wolf: Humble-Opinion

Ha..guess I missed that one. So I guess along with being mother of the year we can add photographer of the year and pretty soon Ms. Inmate of the year.

 

[Chilly Willy]

I'll try to find a link, but IIRC the state offered a plea and JB had 7 days to come in and discuss it- and he completely blew it off. Didn't even go in to negotiate.

I recall that the state offered some kind of immunity, but not a plea deal. I never could understand what was in it for Casey.

 

[impatientredhead]

A book or movie deal that is not contingent on the outcome of the case is not a conflict.

I fail to see how this money/payment issue is relevant to the case. KC is the one to complain that her attorney is at odds with her best interests, not the State, and she hasn't done so. Furthermore, the State is always going to maintain that KC's interests are best served with a confession, so I can not understand their concern that KC's defense in not in her best interest. She isn't the State's client and the practice of law is an art, not a science. Second guessing the trial strategy of a lawyer is very tricky business. One lawyer's approach may not match up with what another would do, but that does not mean one lawyer's approach is better than another's.

As long as the client is informed and doesn't object, there is a presumption of aquiesence on the client's part.

Apparently, JB has hit some nerves with the SA's office since they are attacking him and not his client. Typical government BS. Next, the State will audit his personal and business tax returns - this is how underhanded SA's can be. The Feds investigate any lawyer who dares to represents a criminal defendant in the Federal system. Then they bully the attorney with IRS audits, wire taps, USPS mail Inspectors - you name it.

Not exaclty justice, is it?

I haven't read to the end so this may be redundant. A contingent deal is absolutely prohibited by the bar. Black and white issue. The scenario where he is selling photos on Casey's behalf to pay his own legal bills could still be a conflict of interest. Not as black and white of an issue, but could be a distinct conflict.

It is his responsibility to represent her bests interests. An arguement can be made that he gets paid for more hours and has access to more money if she does not plea and info is leaked that keeps her in the press (therefore the photos sell for more). Not wanting to advise his client to plea if it is in her best interest because it conflicts with his desire to sell pics would be an issue for appeal IF it wasn't addressed before hand. That is not to say JB will be removed even if this is proven. Casey maybe able to say that she does not consider this to be a detriment to her in anyway and thus waives her rights to appeal on this specific basis. All the state will care about is that they don't have to repeat the trial over this issue.

 

[impatientredhead]

I don't recall the state offering a plea deal. Could you please share the details?

It was not confirmed to be true by the state, but it was reported that an offer was on the table just before the body was found. Casey would plead guilty and provide the location of the body and the details of what happened in exchange for a 10-15 year sentence. They did not respond to the offer at all.

 

[karenmamo]

It was not confirmed to be true by the state, but it was reported that an offer was on the table just before the body was found. Casey would plead guilty and provide the location of the body and the details of what happened in exchange for a 10-15 year sentence. They did not respond to the offer at all.

Yup..that is why I was thankful the little body was located when it was. Divine providence, I say.

 

[Never4GetCaylee]

This case has come to a point, and did awhile ago, that it doesn't really matter if Casey pleas or goes to trial. There is SO much information and crazy stuff in this case, there is already enough material for a series of books and several movies. If Casey took a plea tomorrow I don't think it would make a bit of difference in what her "story" is worth. People want details, information, the inside dirt. Without a trial all that will come out sooner, people will make their money faster. At this point for those looking to make a buck off of Caylee :furious: including JB, it seems to me, the sooner Casey is sentenced the better.

 

[Themis]

IMO, I don't really feel the state cares too much WHERE the money is coming from, BUT they do want the judge and everyone involved to know what is up...

All the state is really looking to do is to make sure that Casey doesn't have grounds for appeal when this is all over... they feel they can get a conviction and they want to be sure that Casey has no way of getting out of it.
LE is doing a great job by making sure that all grounds are covered!!

State prosecutors have an obligation to "protect the record" and try to make sure convictions are valid. That's their interest. To that extent, there are real issues here about where the money is coming from because it could impact the 6th amendment right to counsel and create a built-in reason to overturn a conviction.

 

[sunsetbeach]

I'm calling that whoever is paying for him is the one that hooked him up with Casey to begin with. I don't believe her that she "heard his name from other inmates and told them to pass her name along".In the jailhouse visit, Lee seemed very suspicious of this too, and when he kinda questioned it she quickly goes "yeah, three of them can confirm it" Huh?? Ok who would say that..reminds me of when she said her "coworkers" Juliette and Jeff can confirm Zanny exists. Like, "look! I said other people can confirm it! So you know it's true." She knows Lee wouldn't really go and track down the three inmates and ask them about it. Also, In George's interview with LE, he also seems totally baffled as to how Casey got a lawyer without him. He told LE he knew Casey didn't have any money and he had no idea how she was paying for Jose. As soon as a person is booked, they are allowed to use the phone. It would be expected that Casey would immediately call mommy and daddy to take care of everything, just like they always have. Anyway, I have an idea who I think she called but I don't want to throw a name out there without any proof. Just saying, I think her story about just chatting with the other inmates, hearing a name, and taking care of everything herself is total bs!

Oooh I wanna know who you think it is too.

Could it be Mike W? I think PB's visit to KC in jail was planned ... someone sent him there and it was for a reason. I wouldn't go visit a friend from High School (that was in jail) that I hadn't seen in years just to tell them "Keep your head up"
There is way more to that story ...

 

[Themis]

This case has come to a point, and did awhile ago, that it doesn't really matter if Casey pleas or goes to trial. There is SO much information and crazy stuff in this case, there is already enough material for a series of books and several movies. If Casey took a plea tomorrow I don't think it would make a bit of difference in what her "story" is worth. People want details, information, the inside dirt. Without a trial all that will come out sooner, people will make their money faster. At this point for those looking to make a buck off of Caylee :furious: including JB, it seems to me, the sooner Casey is sentenced the better.

Just had a thought. :waitasec: I wouldn't be surprised to see some WS posts end up in a book or movie. Might give us all pause to think about that.

 

[JSR]

so in the mean time, she can earn all she wants on Caylees death? Really?

Until she's convicted, yes.

 

[RevCrim]

Most everything out of JB's mouth lately is whining that he wants KC to get a fair trial-

Well ! That gate swings both ways. Prosecution is proving they are fair, so the defense must do the same.

Wonder how many papers she has signed, without ever reading them?

 

[JSR]

Does anyone know if this Motion Hearing will be televised?

TIA!

I would imagine this part of the hearing will be in chambers. The other motions on the docket, I assume, would be in open court.

 

[i.b.nora]

It was reported on Wednesday August 27:
— Preliminary results came back from FBI tests on physical evidence found in the trunk of Casey Anthony's car. The samples, which included hair that investigators said was scientifically linked to Caylee, a stain and dirt, came back positive for signs of decomposition. Investigators said more results were expected from tests done on other evidence but all indications are Caylee Anthony is dead.
— It was also reported that the State Attorney's office confirms an offer was made on this Wednesday afternoon. Officials have offered Anthony a partial immunity deal if she admits 3-year-old Caylee Marie died as a result of an accident. If she takes the deal, any information Anthony provides to law-enforcement could not be used against her in prosecution.
Danielle Tavernier, spokeswoman for the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office, said they are not disclosing any details of their prosecution, but that Anthony had been "invited to our office to shed light on the disappearance of the victim in this case."

WESH reported the deal was to run out at the end of the business day on Thursday afternoon (August 28).
Local6 reported the offer expires the coming Tuesday September 2, 2008.
Looking back, this is the day that it all started unraveling for Casey, for Baez, for the Anthony family.
Leonard Padilla revealed he was beginning work to revoke Casey Anthony's $500,000 bond on Thursday morning.
"Padilla said he wants to start the process to revoke her bond as early as Thursday in light of the latest developments."

 

[Mendara]

I don't want to get into trouble, but I believe JB and KC knew each other before this all happened - however briefly it was.