The Cost of Justice for Caylee

[BeanE]

With Casey Anthony's life at stake, court costs will soar

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-loccasey15041509apr15,0,6347811.story

This article explains, in detail, why the costs of a death penalty trial are so much higher than a non-death penalty trial.

I am ordinarily a death penalty opponent. In Caylee's case, however, she was a defenseless baby. Caylee's mother (and her mother's family) have so steadfastly and strongly attempted to thwart any and all efforts to tell the whole truth of what happened to Caylee. I feel a very tough trial and very tough jurors are necessary in order for justice to be served for Caylee.

The costs of that bother me only because I feel a death penalty trial is a choice that KC, her defense team, and KC's family have made, by not being forthcoming about what happened to Caylee.

I am not a resident of Florida, and therefore not a taxpayer there. I am, however, more than willing to contribute to a state or county fund to seek the whole truth of what happened to Caylee, and to prosecute the guilty and prevent them from committing more harm.

If the costs of a death penalty trial bother KC's defense attorney, Baez, as he recently expressed, there are, and have been, other options. Not once have I heard Baez express any desire on his part or the part of his client to seek the truth and justice for Caylee, and that is the most important part of all this to me.

Thoughts on these costs?


ETA: Baez quote
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19174406/detail.html

"Will it affect the trial? Yes, it may delay it. It certainly will make the costs to the taxpayers to the state of Florida at least triple," said Baez, who is not qualified to be lead counsel on a death-penalty case.

 

[BeanE]

From the article linked above:

A private attorney in a death penalty case can charge $100,000 to $500,000 in attorney's fees. Mason said he would need to have several hundred thousand dollars more available to pay any experts needed and other costs to prepare for a defense.

How much of KC's defense costs are being paid by the FL taxpayers? It has been reported that she has sold pictures of her murdered baby Caylee to pay her defense costs.

Will taxpayers still shoulder a portion of the burden of the costs of her choice of a pricey private defense team over a public defender?

Are the costs to the taxpayer more or the same because of her choice of private over public?

I've never objected to the costs to taxpayers of paying for defense. I want everyone in our country to have a good defense, and a fair trial. I never want anyone to be unjustly prosecuted or punished.

 

[zoey]

With Casey Anthony's life at stake, court costs will soar

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-loccasey15041509apr15,0,6347811.story

This article explains, in detail, why the costs of a death penalty trial are so much higher than a non-death penalty trial.

I am ordinarily a death penalty opponent. In Caylee's case, however, she was a defenseless baby. Caylee's mother (and her mother's family) have so steadfastly and strongly attempted to thwart any and all efforts to tell the whole truth of what happened to Caylee. I feel a very tough trial and very tough jurors are necessary in order for justice to be served for Caylee.

The costs of that bother me only because I feel a death penalty trial is a choice that KC, her defense team, and KC's family have made, by not being forthcoming about what happened to Caylee.

I am not a resident of Florida, and therefore not a taxpayer there. I am, however, more than willing to contribute to a state or county fund to seek the whole truth of what happened to Caylee, and to prosecute the guilty and prevent them from committing more harm.

If the costs of a death penalty trial bother KC's defense attorney, Baez, as he recently expressed, there are, and have been, other options. Not once have I heard Baez express any desire on his part or the part of his client to seek the truth and justice for Caylee, and that is the most important part of all this to me.

Thoughts on these costs?


ETA: Baez quote
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19174406/detail.html

"Will it affect the trial? Yes, it may delay it. It certainly will make the costs to the taxpayers to the state of Florida at least triple," said Baez, who is not qualified to be lead counsel on a death-penalty case.

there are worse things that as a taxpayer I am paying for.....but do agree it is and has been their choice....I'm tired of the victim game they self promote every time....this isn't about them or the "force"---its about JUSTICE FOR CAYLEE....they seem to forget about her.....:furious:

 

[newuser]

I think JB could only think of one thing to publicly attack the state about for filing the death option. Cost seems pretty shallow to me at this point, considering the millions of dollars his client allowed to be wasted on the search for a child she had killed. Also the cost of keeping the inmate in solitary and all the protection and deputies camped out at the house last summer. Then you start to add up the cost of the scientific evidence and the trial and yeah, it's millions. Hey JB, tell you client she should have told the truth on June 16th 2008 when she killed her daughter if you want to show how to save money.

 

[circe257]

I no longer live in FL, but if I were a taxpayer in FL I wouldn't be bothered by the higher price tag of the DP case. Some crimes are so heinous the perps who commit them should receive the highest penalty. If guilty of the crime, I believe the punishment is fitting.

 

[rcvela001]

I think JB could only think of one thing to publicly attack the state about for filing the death option. Cost seems pretty shallow to me at this point, considering the millions of dollars his client allowed to be wasted on the search for a child she had killed. Also the cost of keeping the inmate in solitary and all the protection and deputies camped out at the house last summer. Then you start to add up the cost of the scientific evidence and the trial and yeah, it's millions. Hey JB, tell you client she should have told the truth on June 16th 2008 when she killed her daughter if you want to show how to save money.

this was going to be my point......ALL of the volunteers and money that went in to finding Caylee........PLUS ....all of the money for extra manpower from LE..........PLUS.....her *free* room and board in solitary confinement.......Seems as if she (her AND Beaz) would bleed this country dry to get her out of payimg the consequences of her actions......It TRUELY is her actions that got us here.....SHE WENT 31 DAYS BEFORE SHE DID *ANYTHING* ABOUT HER MISSING DAUGHTER. - almost forgot about all the money she stole from friends and family........:doh:

 

[PassTheMotrin]

Actually, I think the cost will at least double, if not triple, because the longer Casey is in jail, the more it will cost. I can also see the defense pushing the trial back several times due to attempts at change of venue and finding enough qualified jurors. It might be another two years before the actual trial gets underway. Doing so also allows time for the public to forget the details of the crime.

 

[TheMeaningOfItAll]

In this case, the cost is worth it. The only people seeking justice for Caylee are complete strangers. There is no price tag on bringing her murderer to justice--and shouldn't be for anyone else who is a victim of a crime. Too bad the A's won't just stop this all and tell the truth...

 

[TheMeaningOfItAll]

On a side note, maybe all those people from accross the country who are donating to her jail commissary account can put some money towards the cost of the trial...

 

[JBean]

Depends on one's definition of justice. IMO, death doesn't necessarily equal "justice" because I do not support the death penalty in general. Assuming she is guilty, justice is giving her a fair trial,keeping her off the streets,keeping us safe from her, and denying her the rights and freedoms that the rest of us enjoy.
So, no I don't think the cost of death penalty trial is worth it, because I don't need death for justice.

jmho of course.

 

[Cara's Mom]

I take it we can't make a donation to the SA's office to help pay for CA's prosecution, could we?

 

[ecs5298]

I'm really appalled that JB would even make reference to the cost of this trial when his client has the power to bring this circus to a close by telling the truth for once in her life.

More than likely what he was subconsciously complaining about was the additional cost to himself due to having to hire DP qualified lawyers. If we set a precedence in this country that you can get away with things if it costs the government too much money to prosecute you we open the door to every criminal trying to make their case a media circus.

Then again, my perception might be a little warped. I'm still a firm believer of "trial in the morning/hanging in the afternoon"

 

[Baznme]

In comparison to what has already been spent on this fiasco, I believe the DP trial would be a drop in the bucket. From TES to private searcers, OCSO, FBI, etc., etc., etc.

Some don't feel they need the death penalty for justice? Too bad KC didn't feel that way with Caylee.

I say you get what you give.

 

[Searchfortruth]

To hear Jose complain about the cost of a DP trial makes me sick, he has had a hand in stopping Casey everytime she got close to talking to LE, her family, about what really happened. Would Casey have really been honest during any of those conversations ? Thanks to Jose we will never know.

 

[MaryAnn]

Like NG said last night. JB is not looking out for the best interest of his client. (not that I care) He just wants a trial no matter what happens to her. Maybe KC has finally met her match. She thinks JB is there to support her, when in fact he's looking down the road to how much money he's going to make from the publicity and all the attention he'll get when this goes to trial. He'll be smiling all the way to the bank while KC sits waiting for the chair or needle. They should lock him up with her as far as I'm concerned.

 

[kaRN]

Money well spent IMO.

 

[LolaMoon08]

As a tax paying resident of the beautiful state of Florida... I have no problem with the extra costs. Whatever it takes to bring justice to her murderer.

My stance on this subject doesn't only apply to Caylee's case either but any innocent person (whether adult or child) that is murdered maliciously by another human being.

Like someone else stated, I can think of a thousand more things my tax money is going to that angers me. This news doesn't anger me at all.

I also think that Jose's comments were more like using Casey's "backwords sort of way" angle to complain that now "he" will have to spend more money on her defense.

I say too bad... he made the choice to try and play with the big boys and in order to play with the big boys it is going to cost money.

Also, this could end and the State of Florida could pay for Casey to have an attorney... it will just have to be a court appointed Public Defender.

 

[Cayleefan]

I feel that the so-called mother Casey Anthony needs to pay for what she has done, no matter what the cost. Poor little Caylee had to pay with her life. I'm just not sure whether it should be life in prison or the death penalty.

 

[Baznme]

To hear Jose complain about the cost of a DP trial makes me sick, he has had a hand in stopping Casey everytime she got close to talking to LE, her family, about what really happened. Would Casey have really been honest during any of those conversations ? Thanks to Jose we will never know.

Thanks to Jose, she was never made to realize that if she told the truth, her life could and would have been spared. He has done her no favors in my eyes.

 

[BeanE]

Could State Help Pay For Anthony's Defense?
It's Possible, Orlando Attorney Tells WESH

POSTED: 5:48 pm EDT April 16, 2009
UPDATED: 6:54 pm EDT April 16, 2009

http://www.wesh.com/news/19201460/detail.html

Hornsby said Baez has a legal right to argue the state should pay for a chunk of Anthony's defense fees.

Florida's Justice Administrative Commission has a set expert witness fee schedule. Defense experts would have to accept a set fee, do it for free or leave the so-called dream team that Baez has been assembling.

For this to happen, the court would have to declare Anthony indigent. Baez would have to disclose his current funding sources and sign a 20-page contract agreeing to the commission's guidelines.

On Thursday, Baez would neither confirm nor deny whether he is considering asking the state to help fund the defense.

Well this answers some of the questions I had in regards to taxpayers paying for the defendants's defense costs.

- the defendant can request the court to be declared indigent

- for the defendant to request indigent status, Baez would have to declare his current funding sources and agree to guidelines

- if the court then declares the defendant indigent, defense experts would have to accept the state's set fee or do it for free

By 'defense experts', do they mean all members of the defense team? I think of 'defense experts' as the forensic specialists etc, not the attorneys such as Baez and Baden.

I really think this is why Baez brought up costs the other day. It's hard for me to imagine that he's concerned the costs of prosecution. But that's a real sticky wicket that in order for the defendant to request indigent status, Baez will have to disclose funding sources, which we already know he does NOT want to do.

This is going to be interesting.