Support Thread: Jeff Ashton and Prosecution Team

[jcamille]

Wow! What did you think?Here is Ashton again...

http://www.wesh.com/video/21931324/index.html

I listened to this clip turning my computer volume on high and the clip's volume on high. The first time that KC says "make him stop" is at about the .10 mark and is very audible. Then, at the .55 mark and the 1.42 mark, it seems that KC says Make it Stop twice more to AL. This is when KC had her hand over her face, but with the volume up that high I could make out the words each time. Can anyone make out what AL says back to KC at the 1.42mark?

Thanks!

 

[thedeviledadvocate]

I've seen/ heard today on the threads many folks wanting for the truth to be told... wanting to know for sure that the State has the right person locked away. Mr. Ashton came as close to the truth as I think we're going to get...for now...and I thank him for that. Those who are worried that Casey may be wrongly convicted can only hope that she speaks and reveals what happened to Caylee. She's the only person who can. What does her silence say? If she wants Mr. Ashton to stop, then tell what truly happened and be done with this. The State is seeking justice for a little girl who died at the hands of another. Yes, everything leads to Casey...but for those who believe otherwise...then who? Casey is the one who has left many guessing. Not the As, not the State, not LE...Casey. She alone controls her fate. JMHO

Excellent post. Your post asks if not KC, then who? I can’t answer that.
I do think that JA might have been bluffing. I think he may have been testing the waters to see if the prosecution’s theories might fly when they get to the trial. I think he chose his argument to get a reaction from KC, and put as much pressure on her as he could in court. I think he did a very good job of it. He impressed me this time. In the past, I did not care to much for his actions, but on this day he was excellent. The defense has their work cut out for them. I don’t think KC can tell what truly happened at this point. I think any admission she would make that was not “I am guilty” would be considered a lie. If it was somehow an accident, as far as this upcoming trial goes, I don’t think she could plea on that at this point. I think even if she did, the prosecution would still go ahead with the trial and try to convict, since they are certain she is a liar. So, she will just have to wait until appeal time for a confession if it was an accident. I think she is completely responsible for everything that happened up until the day Cindy called 911 the third time. Had she done the right thing anytime before that call her situation may have been totally different. She had one last opportunity after the 911 call, when YM first got involved but after he decided she may have done it, everything from that point on spun totally out of her control, and I don’t hold her responsible for all that’s happened since. JA’s argument was powerful. The scenario he laid out was heart wrenching. He did a masterful job of pointing to KC’s guilt. He did not bring up anything we don’t already know. He did not allude to any facts, that have not already been discussed on this forum. To me, that means the state has no other smoking gun evidence, and that the case will be tried on the evidence we have already seen through the Sunshine Law. Because of this, although I believe JA did a fantastic job, I think that overall, the state, like the defense has their work cut out for them. As always moo

 

[Tulessa]

I listened to this clip turning my computer volume on high and the clip's volume on high. The first time that KC says "make him stop" is at about the .10 mark and is very audible. Then, at the .55 mark and the 1.42 mark, it seems that KC says Make it Stop twice more to AL. This is when KC had her hand over her face, but with the volume up that high I could make out the words each time. Can anyone make out what AL says back to KC at the 1.42mark?

Thanks!

Ok, as having above normal hearing, and listening to NUMEROUS EVP's when I was a Paranormal Investigator, I am going to take a stab at it. Hubby will tell you that I can also hear it snow, sitting in my living room. It *SOUNDS* like to me that she is saying, Oh My God and then pleaseeeeeeee..........

Again, just a guess but that sounds close.

 

[Intermezzo]

Bravo :clap: Mr Ashton Bravo :clap:

 

[carole]

After seeing the yesterday's preview of what is to come, I was thinking that NOW would be the time to request a plea deal, before the fraud trial even starts. If she takes a plea (assuming the SA would even accept it) she may get a lighter sentence than if she were a prior convicted felon. Not that I want that to happen, of course!

I can't imagine ANY reason for the prosecution to offer her a plea.

 

[Intermezzo]

I so agree! When JA speaks everyone listens, unlike the boring droll of ALyon and the stuttering JB.
Ashton is dynamic and along with LBD they will both get through to the jury.

ITA whiteangora

 

[Intermezzo]

LISTEN CAREFULLY, turn it up, at the beginning Casey whispers to Baez "MAKE HIM STOP" and he replies "I CAN'T"

This is the BIGGEST wake-up call Casey has had yet, IMO.

Maybe, as she sits alone in her cell tonite, she will decide that it is time to stop all of this BS she is putting everyone through.

We can only hope.

I agree Muzikman
And this was just a sampling of what is to come.

 

[BeanE]

I didn't know this. In November 1987 a rapist named Jimmy Lee Andrews became the first person in the U.S. to be convicted of a crime using DNA evidence. The prosecutor was Jeff Ashton.

According to a prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Jeffrey Ashton, Mr. Andrews was convicted of rape after a test performed on a vaginal swab from the victim was conclusively tied to a blood sample from the defendant. Mr. Andrews was convicted of a second rape by a jury in Orlando on Friday afternoon, again with the prosecution using a DNA test as evidence. 'Very Difficult Conviction'

''At the time I put the wheels in motion on this, I wasn't aware of anyone who had ever done it before,'' said Mr. Ashton, who said he has since received calls from about a dozen prosecutors around the country asking for information. ''It would have been a very difficult conviction without this,'' he added.


http://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/07/nyregion/dna-fingerprinting-tests-becoming-a-factor-in-courts.html

 

[jon_burrows]

I think Jeffs words were powerful, but not the way he delivered them. Reading the words from a sheet of paper made it far less emotive than it could have been....IMO

And then there was his little error in referring to the killer as 'him' before correcting himself.

Bear in mind that I can't stand the man....haven't liked him since I saw the arrogant attitude, eye-rolling and jocular mood at earlier hearings.

Because of that, I don't believe for a second that he give a rats about justice for Caylee. I see him no differently than I do JB... two men trying to win their case for their own sakes, rather than finding justice for a murdered child.

Personally I thing LBD would have done a much better job. I'm hoping at trial we'll hear more from her than JA.

This is all just my personal opinion...not trying to stir the pot by having a different view of the man as a professional, to the majority here. So please don't attack me for exercising my right to my opinion. It's a big world and not everyone see's things the same way.

BBM in red-I agree, I didn't like his mannerisms in the beginning because it put him on the same level as JB, however, I've completely changed my opinion of him. I believe he is passionate about justice for Caylee and couldn't have presented a better argument for keeping the DP on the table. I'm glad Caylee has him on her side. I just hope the smirks are a thing of the past.

IMO

 

[Harmony 2]

I think LE and the prosecution know more, but don't want to give away to the defense a major chunk of their case just yet. The defense and public are not going to be privy to all that the prosecution has until this goes to trial.

We have to remember that several times documents were turned over to the defense and the media either did not upload them or provide them for the public. How many times did we hear a doc dump was coming only to wait and not have it materialize? Muzikman provided alot of the docs for us, but not all were obtained.

Jeff Ashton was an amazing orator. He commanded attention and he spoke with confidence, passion and fire. He was Caylee's voice and, wow, what a powerful voice!!

 

[cecybeans]

I didn't know this. In November 1987 a rapist named Jimmy Lee Andrews became the first person in the U.S. to be convicted of a crime using DNA evidence. The prosecutor was Jeff Ashton.

According to a prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Jeffrey Ashton, Mr. Andrews was convicted of rape after a test performed on a vaginal swab from the victim was conclusively tied to a blood sample from the defendant. Mr. Andrews was convicted of a second rape by a jury in Orlando on Friday afternoon, again with the prosecution using a DNA test as evidence. 'Very Difficult Conviction'

''At the time I put the wheels in motion on this, I wasn't aware of anyone who had ever done it before,'' said Mr. Ashton, who said he has since received calls from about a dozen prosecutors around the country asking for information. ''It would have been a very difficult conviction without this,'' he added.


http://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/07/nyregion/dna-fingerprinting-tests-becoming-a-factor-in-courts.html

Coolbeans! This means he has experience in introducing new-ish technology to a jury and getting them to agree to the efficacy of its worth - which will perhaps serve him well when he helps the jury understand air sample technology and why that should be considered even if it is newly applied to this field.

 

[MD MOMMY]

Ashton was on fire today! I really never expected his words to be so stinging to the soul...
LDB has yet to show her fire... :woohoo:
I thought document dumps were worth pulling the crock pot out for..
I'll have to make meals weeks in advance for this trial!

Nah she's shown her fire, it's just different than JA's. She has the more calm, slipping in comments here and there approach. She's just not as obvious as JA IMO. They are quite a pair as they have perfected the balance. JMO!

 

[butwhatif?]

BBM in red-I agree, I didn't like his mannerisms in the beginning because it put him on the same level as JB, however, I've completely changed my opinion of him. I believe he is passionate about justice for Caylee and couldn't have presented a better argument for keeping the DP on the table. I'm glad Caylee has him on her side. I just hope the smirks are a thing of the past.
IMO

BBM- looks like they might be all in the past .
I've watched the whole hearing now...and I'm impressed to see JA was acting entirely professional throughout the hearing.

But what was up with LDB texting someone in the midst of the death penalty argument?
Aren't phones supposed to be switched off in the courtroom?

JMO

 

[travelgal]

Outstanding job, Mr Ashton!! Finally, someone speaks for Caylee!

Thank you to Mr Ashton and Ms Linda Drane Burdick et al for being so dedicated to seeing justice for Caylee!

 

[TrY]

Speaking of AL's comments....One of my favorite parts of JA's presentation was his little "kick" regarding AL's comments that she feels jurors are killers. I forget his exact wording, but the punch was priceless!!

This defense is certainly out of their league!

I watched the videoclip on part 4 of the raw video on WFTV and if you go to the time 15:50 here is what J.A. says:

“That Ms Lyons doesn’t care for jurors who believe in the death penalty is rather obvious. Basically she’s described them as bigoted, stupid killers.”

I agree that J.A. is talking about the A.L. speech that she gave to the Florida defense lawyer's organization. I wonder if A.L. wishes she could take those words back because she did seem to apologize in court if she gave a negative impression about jurors.

 

[Horace Finklestein]

The beauty of that scene in the hearing was seeing AL go about her usual condescending lecture for 10 minutes, then seeing Ashton knock it out of the park and explain exactly why, passionately and in plain English, the killer deserves the death penalty. They brought it up and Ashton threw it right back in their face. I liked how he pointed out the fact that she isn't convicted yet as well...so shouldn't the death penalty stuff be on the back burner?

 

[Themis]

The beauty of that scene in the hearing was seeing AL go about her usual condescending lecture for 10 minutes, then seeing Ashton knock it out of the park and explain exactly why, passionately and in plain English, the killer deserves the death penalty. They brought it up and Ashton threw it right back in their face. I liked how he pointed out the fact that she isn't convicted yet as well...so shouldn't the death penalty stuff be on the back burner?

If the death penalty was not on the table, the defense could take more risks in defending her. Further, the State would be more likely to consider plea deals more favorable to the defense if the death penalty were not on the table. As it is, the state would need a very long prison term to forego the death penalty. KC is not a client who is going to see that as a good result. In part, this motion was so premature as Ashton said. However, AL's reason for bringing it at this time could have been to let KC get a taste of reality and tenderize her for the concept of a plea deal that could involve a whole lot of time. That is AL's trademark -- in part -- getting the client prepared to accept the high level of negotiating to avoid a death penalty trial. KC had to hear what Ashton would say. When Ashton started -- just started -- to describe the physical circumstance of Caylee's death -- the physical/chemical restraints, duct taping directly in front of her face, the last person Caylee saw, the desperation and the pain of smothering, KC wanted it to stop and expected JB to jump up and make an objection. KC has been entertaining thoughts that any time the prosecution is going to say something that is harmful to KC's case, KC's lawyers can simply stop them by objecting. AL has to get KC beyond that, beyond the concept that she can get up and walk out (restraining her in the courtroom with a hand on her arm), and that this isn't going away -- the State will not back-off to avoid an unpleasant conflict -- it is going to happen unless there is a plea deal. The price the defense will have to offer will be way above anything KC was going to consider before this. I think AL knew she wouldn't get the death penalty tossed. She was tenderizing her client.

 

[Searchfortruth]

Andrea L. lost the audience during her long winded speech, I just couldn't stay focused on the dribble. BUT, Mr. Ashton said everything that was important to this case and he did it in a short amount of time. I am so impressed with all of the prosecutors on this team (yeah, I 'm a little prejudiced), but even with that, I don't think Caylee could be in better hands.

I wonder if the defense regrets their request to bar prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.

 

[LambChop]

BBM- looks like they might be all in the past .
I've watched the whole hearing now...and I'm impressed to see JA was acting entirely professional throughout the hearing.

But what was up with LDB texting someone in the midst of the death penalty argument?
Aren't phones supposed to be switched off in the courtroom?

JMO

My guess is if AL was speaking she was texting her assistant back at the office...I might be awhile, reschedule my 1:00 meeting.....or, if JA was speaking it was probably I'll be there shortly. JMO

 

[Insomnia Momma]

:rolling:

My guess is if AL was speaking she was texting her assistant back at the office...I might be awhile, reschedule my 1:00 meeting.....or, if JA was speaking it was probably I'll be there shortly. JMO