2010.06.30 Andrea Lyon is off the Dream Team! She quits!

[nums24]

ZsaZsa, I really think nums hit on it in re. the DePaul legal clinic's donated funds. I doubt it went over too well when the Illinois public (not to mention DePaul alumni) got wind that of the huge % of donations were going to fund this circus. And, probably donations dropped drastically.

Although, I really think there were more important issues than the money for AL. (i.e., her perfect record)

Baez said that the travel involved with this case and time spent away from her center forced Lyon to leave the team. She needs to focus on that project and help generate revenue there, he said.

The Orlando Sentinel updated their story:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-anthony-andrea-lyon-20100630,0,2682343.story

 

[nums24]

I guess I am starting to wonder in the opposite direction....

Is there any possibility that this case won't make it to trial and the defense team is now in agreement that a plea may be KC's best bet?

Can't get passed the thought that KC is charged with the death penalty and the one attorney who specialized in keeping her OFF death row just walked away.....

We know from the letters to Casey that Jeanne and Mort recently spent time interviewing family members......what did their investigation reveal that gave AL the impression that even she can't help KC?

The Sentinel spoke to T. Lenamon:

Terence M. Lenamon, a Miami death-penalty attorney who briefly worked on the Anthony case, said the loss of Lyon is not good for Casey Anthony's defense.

"In the long run I think it's going to be detrimental to the client," Lenamon said. "I think Andrea is a great lawyer … I'm severely disappointed someone with such great experience and who clearly had the client's best interest in mind is leaving the team."


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-anthony-andrea-lyon-20100630,0,2682343.story

 

[ThinkTank]

I think the defense team should be JB and JB only. It all started with him....shielding her out of jail....and it should end with him... He is the only one who has stuck with her throughout...he can't hold a team together. He is her only hope.

I agree, especially for all the money he has already put in his own pocket!
I do not think he is any client's hope though. Can't say more or I would be banned.
But he is not death penalty qualified.
The Inmate has the legal right to a death qualified attorney.

 

[Jomo]

I just think that if they couldn't get a pregnant young woman to admit that she was pregnant, there is no way they are going to get a murderous young woman to admit the murder...I think it has been Casey all along who is refusing immunity and will never accept any deal that involves telling the truth. Would you believe her version of it all even if she did cop a deal that involved coming clean?

She is all too happy to remain the center of attention and will never give it up. It is all about HER now and that sense of power and notoriaty is her drug.

Her lawyers who are working to resolve all of this are always going to leave because Casey will always obstruct the process. Smart ones will just move on...JB will stay to the end, if you know what I mean.

 

[Oakley]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that this is not Late Breaking News, but instead something that has been in the works for a couple of months now.

Several weeks ago, AL attended what would be her last hearing in this case (have to find date). I also believe it was the first hearing that Mason attended and introduced himself to the court.

At the end of the hearing, AL stood up and embraced KC and then they pulled back and exchanged some pleasantries. Posters on that hearing thread even commented that it appeared to them as if they were witnessing a "goodbye hug" between AL and KC.

I would NOT be surprised to find out that AL was instrumental in finding her "replacement" in Mason (knowing Baez couldn't handle case alone), but agreeing to complete her role in mitigation investigating with Jeanne Barrett and Mort before announcing departure.

Personally, I never expected her to stay onboard for the duration, but I sure am going to miss her students!!!

Me too! A certain someone has been noticeably absent :innocent:

 

[tsitra01]

She draws all that money from the DePaul legal clinics donated funds expressly for
CA "s defense,then quits? She knew coming in the only money ICA had from selling
Caylee's pic's was dried up real fast. (correct JB?) Quit because of finances? I don't
think so. Did the HHJP turn you off maybe?

 

[nums24]

I'm curious now as to what other discovery the defense may have received that we don't know about. I wonder if that is the real reason AL left. Reading JB's statements to the Sentinel, makes it seem like a smokescreen.

I am praying for a "smoking gun"!

 

[beach]

Well, there is also the possibility that between now and trial time, SA does engage in conversation and eventual offer of plea to defense in order to avoid trial but insure conviction...no?

Yes.

I actually agree with Richard Hornsby on this. I've had always believed the defense's best shot is if they went with the "accident" scenario. They've just been too darn hard-headed and egotistical, in my opinion, to go that route. One of the things Casey has been charged with is Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. A guilty verdict on that charge would still bring a sentence of 30 years.

So, if the State were concerned that the best possible verdict they could get would be a guilty verdict for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, then they might be willing to negotiate.

Right now, the State has everything going their way. I don't know. Right now, I can see them maybe considering to make an offer of LWOP and forego the DP. However, if the defense stays on the same course insisting on the SODDI or some other crazy theory, I don't see why they would. JMHO

 

[nums24]

I just think that if they couldn't get a pregnant young woman to admit that she was pregnant, there is no way they are going to get a murderous young woman to admit the murder...I think it has been Casey all along who is refusing immunity and will never accept any deal that involves telling the truth. Would you believe her version of it all even if she did cop a deal that involved coming clean?

She is all too happy to remain the center of attention and will never give it up. It is all about HER now and that sense of power and notoriaty is her drug.

Her lawyers who are working to resolve all of this are always going to leave because Casey will always obstruct the process. Smart ones will just move on...JB will stay to the end, if you know what I mean.

No I could never believe what she says.

 

[nums24]

She draws all that money from the DePaul legal clinics donated funds expressly for
CA "s defense,then quits? She knew coming in the only money ICA had from selling
Caylee's pic's was dried up real fast. (correct JB?) Quit because of finances? I don't
think so. Did the HHJP turn you off maybe?

Maybe the Florida legal system turned her off? I believe Judge Strickland & Judge Perry turned her off.

Snipped from Sentinel:

Last year Lyon said prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for "strategic reasons."

"You will hear about those strategic reasons in motions that I will be filing, challenging their right to even ask for the death penalty in these circumstances," Lyon said at the time. "I believe Florida law simply doesn't allow asking for the death penalty in these circumstances."

 

[LinasK]

An attorney, any attorney on any case, cannot just leave a case whenever they want to.
They must have good cause, and must ask a Judge to withdraw, and must get permission from the Judge to withdraw. No judge will allow an attorney to leave a case if it would prove too detrimental to the client's case.
Judge Perry offered GLOWING recommendations of death penalty qualified attorney Mason at one of the recent Hearings. I believe the Judge is confident that Mason can handle it.

But... on the flip side, they also can't require attorneys to work pro bono. Why can't Casey be appointed a public defender???

 

[The World According]

Ah.....but now to find the VIDEO of the hug so you can see the DURATION of the hug......THAT spells GOODBYE!

Here you go friend:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpjZ1bL1eIg[/ame] towards the end
minute 2:40

 

[Ada]

An attorney, any attorney on any case, cannot just leave a case whenever they want to.
They must have good cause, and must ask a Judge to withdraw, and must get permission from the Judge to withdraw. No judge will allow an attorney to leave a case if it would prove too detrimental to the client's case.
Judge Perry offered GLOWING recommendations of death penalty qualified attorney Mason at one of the recent Hearings. I believe the Judge is confident that Mason can handle it.

I bet he is kicking himself that he didn't think of leaving first. Now that AL's gone, he'll have to stay.

 

[LinasK]

Well, there is also the possibility that between now and trial time, SA does engage in conversation and eventual offer of plea to defense in order to avoid trial but insure conviction...no?

Why? I think not! The body has been located without Casey's help/cooperation. They don't need anything from her, and I see a strong prosecution case, a slam dunk! As a layman, I don't foresee any possible plea deal...

 

[Mrs G Norris]

I just think that if they couldn't get a pregnant young woman to admit that she was pregnant, there is no way they are going to get a murderous young woman to admit the murder...I think it has been Casey all along who is refusing immunity and will never accept any deal that involves telling the truth. Would you believe her version of it all even if she did cop a deal that involved coming clean?

She is all too happy to remain the center of attention and will never give it up. It is all about HER now and that sense of power and notoriaty is her drug.

Her lawyers who are working to resolve all of this are always going to leave because Casey will always obstruct the process. Smart ones will just move on...JB will stay to the end, if you know what I mean.

I agree, I cannot see Casey giving up the trial for anything. Think about it from her point of view (as a total narcissist of course), she can either accept a plea and spend the rest of her life behind bars, with nothing much exciting to look forward to.... OR she can fight this, have an awesomely exciting trial ... get to go to court everyday and listen to lawyers, judges, witnesses, and the whole country talking about HER all day EVERY DAY!! She gets to see Tony again, she gets to see all her old friends again....she gets to shoot daggers at Jessie and anyone else who takes the stand that has turned against her....it's going to be GREAT!

And then the worst thing that can happen is she goes back to prison but onto DEATH ROW (wow) and spends the rest of her life there .. and there's a chance of appeals....and exciting interviews discussing her case ... they'll release books.... there'll be a MOVIE.... blah blah blah ...

No, way Casey is giving up a chance of a trial and therefore being in the national spotlight for the duration of it.

IMO

 

[ThinkTank]

The Sentinel updated their story, looks like Mortimer stays on:

"A good chunk of the work she was doing was completed," Baez said. He added that Mason "has taken on a lot of her responsibilities."

Another long-time attorney with the team, Linda Kenney Baden, also remains. Also, Lyon's private investigator, Mortimer Smith, will remain with the team, Baez said.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-anthony-andrea-lyon-20100630,0,2682343.story

I'm not so sure I believe Mort will be allowed to stay.
Judge Perry told Baez to use local investigators in out-of-state locales, and to use local Orlando investigators for local work.
I don't believe JAC is going to approve payment to Mort.

And notice the article says nothing about Jeanene mitigation specialist staying on the team!

http://www.thehinkymeter.com/2010/0...s-on-the-caylee-marie-anthony-case-–-part-15/

Maura said: { May 6, 2010 - 09:05:08 }
Judge Perry told the defense to use Florida investigators in-state and to find local investigators for out-of-Florida investigations because they knew the area and would not require travel expenses like airfare. Judge Perry added that many times the investigation would only involve a records request, which could be handled with a phone call. Mort Smith was not approved to handle all non-Florida investigations because the JAC will not pay him to travel around the country interviewing people. In other words, if the defense wants to interview someone in Texas, they have to hire an investigator in whatever area of Texas the witness lives in. The defense can’t send Mort Smith to Texas to conduct the interview unless they want to pay his travel themselves because the JAC won’t pay for Mort Smith to travel out of Illinois to conduct that interview.
The JAC lawyer later asked Judge Perry to set caps on the number of hours for in-state and out-of-state investigations. Perry set a cap of 100 hours for out-of-state investigations and 300 hours for in-state investigations (Baez asked for 480).

 

[chefmom]

Why? I think not! The body has been located without Casey's help/cooperation. They don't need anything from her, and I see a strong prosecution case, a slam dunk! As a layman, I don't foresee any possible plea deal...

ITA! While I will agree that the SA has the ability to offer a plea right up until the verdict is read, I do not see why they would, UNLESS they feel they are missing a key ingredient. This "mother" lied repeatedly about the whereabouts of her "missing" daughter, and refused to help, misleading investigators every step of the way. She remained silent, refusing to budge off of what was clearly a web of lies until the body of her child had decomposed to mere bones, and time and the elements had removed all traces of dna or fingerprints. Personally, I want to see her squirm in court. I see her getting a guilty verdict and a death sentence. The evidence is just too damning. MOO.

 

[Tinsel]

.... This IMO is about a discord in the team. ....

oh, I agree, but they will never admit it, IMO.

:twocents:

 

[beach]

Thought I'd share a quick reply where Richard Hornsby opined in re. a question posed to him in re. AL's resignation -

Catch me at 11 tonight on WESH, “the novelty wore off and the reality of the grind set in.”

So we should see a WESH snippet soon.

He has not blogged about this yet. Hopefully he will drop in and share his thoughts.

 

[Kentjbkent]

Yes.

I actually agree with Richard Hornsby on this. I've had always believed the defense's best shot is if they went with the "accident" scenario. They've just been too darn hard-headed and egotistical, in my opinion, to go that route. One of the things Casey has been charged with is Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. A guilty verdict on that charge would still bring a sentence of 30 years.

So, if the State were concerned that the best possible verdict they could get would be a guilty verdict for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, then they might be willing to negotiate.

Right now, the State has everything going their way. I don't know. Right now, I can see them maybe considering to make an offer of LWOP and forego the DP. However, if the defense stays on the same course insisting on the SODDI or some other crazy theory, I don't see why they would. JMHO

Here is what I am wondering. Sleutherontheside, who is almost our resident "AL expert" (imo) opinioned earlier in this thread that she believes the most likely explanation for the departure of AL is that AL is very confident in the arguing mitigating factors she has established in her investigations with Mort and feels her job of keeping KC off death row is done.

If AL has been able to establish compelling mitigating factors that may likely sway a jury away from the death penalty, is this something the defense could use in "talks" with SA now in opening plea deal discussions?

I still feel like this is going to end up a plea deal. With the fraud charges, we were all a bit perplexed that the defense didn't seem to be preparing for trial but no one expected a change of plea (nor did they ever expect KC to admit to anything) but it happened....a lot of us are still perplexed at how little the defense has done in this criminal trial, two years into it. I just wonder if we are going to be "surprised" again...