2010.05.11 - Casey Anthony Death Penalty Motions Hearing

[beach]

I would love to watch this hearing again in order to form an independant opinion, but have yet to see a link to watch a recording. If there is one I would greatly appreciate it

From the posts within the thread though, I can say that I am pleased that JP has finally required the sa to lay out their case. They have yet to provide all the discovery at this point as well, leaving most to wonder what their theory actually is. When bringing a death penalty case, one would think this would already have been made available. I am happy to see JP requiring the SA to start acting a little more professionaly.

I can also say that I do NOT find it odd that a witness was allowed to testify, as it is my personal experience that all courts allow this more often than not. It will surprise many as this progresses I think, to see first hand how the courts REALLY work.

BBM

They are linked in the Today's News thread stickied at the top. Post #11, I believe.

I find it incredible that you would comment at all in multiple posts doubting what is being said in this thread by people who watched the past 3 hours, considering you admit yourself you haven't viewed a minute of it. I'm not vouching for the entire content of every post/poster, but maybe just go watch for yourself before attempting to refute what people are saying here.

As to the witness, the main problem was the defense did not Notice the SA that they would have a witness testifying, affording the SA no time to familarize themselves with the witness or prepare for cross-exam. You should be familiar with that argument since the defense has been complaining about the same thing for the past 20+ months.

 

[Anais]

Hi All,

I am just home fresh from a 3 day hospital stay and have been so ill! I missed everything and am completely and utterly wiped out. Can anyone give me a quickie brief of what went on today? TIA!

Justice For Caylee Marie!

 

[suzihawk]

Jean C. on In Session says today was WONDERFUL for the defense!

I saw that too and wondered if we watched the same hearing. :waitasec:

 

[AZlawyer]

I'm not a lawyer, but I thought today was about lessening the appeals process if KC is convicted. Sure, the defense was allowed a witness who was an expert in word salads, but for the most part, it seemed to be a legal wrangling in which the State came out on top. Perhaps a legal eagle can set me straight.

Yes--the leeway granted to the defense re: the silly expert witness was to make sure that there was no appeal issue. HHJP had to deny the motion because it was groundless, but he didn't want the defense to go to the appeal court and say, "Oh, but if we'd only had a chance to put on our expert witness, HHJP would have had to grant the motion." So he listened to the silly witness and THEN denied the motion. Excellent decision, and it shows why he rarely gets overruled on appeal.

The State definitely came out on top today. Regarding the aggravating factors motion, I think they will ultimately realize it is a good thing they lost that one, because the ruling again removed an appellate issue from the table.

 

[Astraea]

I agree. She loved Caylee so much that the very moment KC knew Caylee was kidnapped, she frantically dialed 911 and begged for help.

Oh wait...

On a serious note, I really do agree with you. KC may have loved Caylee. Remember Susan Smith? By all accounts, her boys were her world and those who knew Susan were utterly stunned that she could have killed them. But something dark came over her heart and she decided she'd be better off without them. It's baffling.

I do not recall her frantically calling 911. I DO remember her frantically calling her parents at one point though. I have yet to read one transcript of those who knew them, wherein it has been stated that Casey showed anything but love for Caylee. This opinion could change if evidence leads me to believe otherwise of course.

 

[zoey]

lol. It was nice to meet you too!!

Yes I thought that was strange, because the state doesn't have that "opinion" really, they don't address that she was "scantily clad" and Jeff Ashton AGREES that a mother can be a good mother and still have a sexual lifestyle outside of her parenting. I don't see why the defense would paint their own client in a negative light when it's obvious to me, a layman, that the state is simply seeking to prove this wasn't a grieving mother nor was it a mother searching for her missing child, as KC states she was doing in her police interviews. As far as ugly coping goes, coping with what? I thought the defense's argument was that Caylee was missing? Is the defense saying that yes ICA in fact knew Caylee was dead, and this was her "ugly coping"?

there have been times these last few hearings when I thought that the defense didn't quite get the reason for being there---more or less "Caylee who??" type thing---IYKWIM---oblivious except that kc may get the death penalty but no concept of why....I guess similar to how the a's reacted to the searches and such....perhaps this is a learned behavior and am pretty glad that I don't have it...I understand the reason for them being there and it just isn't about the death penalty---it is about Justice for an adorable little baby named Caylee that was robbed of her life by the person who gave her life......

 

[Astraea]

Is this witness a law graduate? From Harvard? If so, I tend to wonder how "silly" she really must be. Could someone refresh me on her credentials? Thanks in advance

 

[Macushla]

It was quite interesting. 10 minute recess was probably the most interesting.

Jose had his ipad, he'd type something..KC would read it, and she'd respond with a nod. At one point I saw her having to cover her mouth because she was laughing.

During recess I went to the ladies room and Cindy was in there. She looked very sad, I actually felt bad for her. Maybe I'm hormonal, but it made me almost cry - especially when we got back in the court room..and I saw her and KC make an exchange of "mouth movements"..couldn't hear if they were saying anything..Cindy appeared to make a gesture like she was hugging herself or holding herself towards KC and KC legitimately began to cry then, tears falling down her cheeks and her nose and cheeks and eyes got all red. Cindy appeared to be crying as well.

Almost every time I looked over at Cindy she had her head bowed and her hands sort of in a prayer position. Looked like a very rough hearing for her.

Thank you for this vivid picture of Cindy and KC. An extra thank you for your compassion towards Cindy. Whatever she has done since this happened - there is no doubt in my mind that she loved Caylee and I can't help but feel she is trapped somewhere in the 7th level of H*LL and has been since July 16h.

 

[zoey]

I do not recall her frantically calling 911. I DO remember her frantically calling her parents at one point though. I have yet to read one transcript of those who knew them, wherein it has been stated that Casey showed anything but love for Caylee. This opinion could change if evidence leads me to believe otherwise of course.

take a listen to the inital jail call home --- the one where kc is yelling at ca and saying she got arrested on a "whim"---and that all anyone was interested in was Caylee....figure that one out!

 

[LambChop]

I do not recall her frantically calling 911. I DO remember her frantically calling her parents at one point though. I have yet to read one transcript of those who knew them, wherein it has been stated that Casey showed anything but love for Caylee. This opinion could change if evidence leads me to believe otherwise of course.

Since KC was on her phone pretty much 24/7 I'm not sure how you would be able to distinguish what is frantic and what is not.

 

[Whome?]

Today's hearing could turn out to be beneficial for JA,he has had an example of how AL intends to play,and it will be playing dirty (not notifying state) IMHO. JA knows now that he has to be on his toes for this opponent.Better
here than at trial.

I still do not understand how the defense can contend KC was a good mother
the well being of that child(food,shelter,clothing,medical care)that they cite
as examples of being a "caring parent" were not supplied by KC.they were the
result of her mother's home,and income. When was the last time KC filed a tax
return,had a job,which is fundamental in taking care of children. I find it baffling that the defense brought in an expert about "good parent skills" when
this defendant,supplied none of the basics of life for this little girl.

Sorry did not mean to rant,but this hearing upset me,and I think if the defense has not realized it I'll tell them,the reason people are so upset about
this case is that there is NOONE,NOONE from that family standing up requesting justice for that little girl,and so the public is standing up for her because she can no longer stand for herself. OK i'm done.:banghead:

 

[Tulessa]

I do not recall her frantically calling 911. I DO remember her frantically calling her parents at one point though. I have yet to read one transcript of those who knew them, wherein it has been stated that Casey showed anything but love for Caylee. This opinion could change if evidence leads me to believe otherwise of course.

Wow, have you forgotten the duct tape?

 

[Turnadot]

I do not recall her frantically calling 911. I DO remember her frantically calling her parents at one point though. I have yet to read one transcript of those who knew them, wherein it has been stated that Casey showed anything but love for Caylee. This opinion could change if evidence leads me to believe otherwise of course.

I was being facetious. KC never called 911, not once in the entire 31 days her baby was allegedly kidnapped. Cindy did, after she tracked KC down and got some story about Zanny the Nanny. KC has told different versions of the kidnapping. KC probably loved Caylee, as did Susan Smith love her children as well. But Susan murdered her boys. My opinion is that KC is a murderer, too, but when it's all said and done, it's for a jury of her peers to decide her fate.

 

[debbie0604]

Of everything that I saw and heard today, this is the one thing I will never forget. The defense brought up the fact that her lifestyle was deviant and she slept around. It was not brought up by anyone but her own defense.
I was glad to meet you today.
P.S. Ms Lyon(s) looks disgusting from the backend.

I noticed that too! (That the defense brought up her lifestyle that is)....

 

[Astraea]

snipped
The State will Not be laying out their case. They will be listing the aggravating factors that they feel are death penalty worthy.

In my opinion this should help to steer the average follower of this case, as well as the defense, in the route that the SA is going to take.

For example: Whether or not they are ACTUALLY going to say that Casey chloroformed Caylee. I tend to think that they will use the minor clause as the aggravating factor, as the aforementioned seems totally absurd on many levels!

Will be interesting to see. For me at least, as I am very "legal and/or "justice minded, and up to this point I have been very disheartened with the SA.

 

[Amil]

caylee spontanously combusted!

I don't like all the hugging and physical contact. It's completely inappropriate and I wish JP would put a stop to it.

That bothered me a lot as well. She is not supposed to have physical contact with her attorney. I wish the bailiff would prevent it.

 

[What'sThatClue]

Is this witness a law graduate? From Harvard? If so, I tend to wonder how "silly" she really must be. Could someone refresh me on her credentials? Thanks in advance

Here's her bio:

http://lawschool.unm.edu/faculty/rapaport/index.php


She stated during the hearing that she bases her papers on what she reads in newspapers and the media. She also stated she knew very little about the KC case except what she's read in a few press reports.

 

[Astraea]

I was being facetious. KC never called 911, not once in the entire 31 days her baby was allegedly kidnapped. Cindy did, after she tracked KC down and got some story about Zanny the Nanny. KC has told different versions of the kidnapping. KC probably loved Caylee, as did Susan Smith love her children as well. But Susan murdered her boys. My opinion is that KC is a murderer, too, but when it's all said and done, it's for a jury of her peers to decide her fate.

I know you were :innocent: Sometimes I think when discussing such a serious case that "jokes" can lead others astray from what is fact though. I agree with the rest of your statement

 

[AZlawyer]

Is this witness a law graduate? From Harvard? If so, I tend to wonder how "silly" she really must be. Could someone refresh me on her credentials? Thanks in advance

Let me clarify...it was her testimony and her pretense of expertise in the area of jury psychology that was silly. In other areas, she may be very intelligent.

 

[Astraea]

Wow, have you forgotten the duct tape?

No I most certainly have not. At this point in time I also can not say with certainty that the duct tape was used to kill Caylee.