2011.03.02 - 03 - George Anthony's testimony Part II

[Solace]

Having reviewed the hearings and reflected on what we've seen in previous court appearances, I think LDB and JA are playing "good cop"/"bad cop" respectively. (Sorry Yuri, I know you don't like this analogy!)

Blanket disclaimer--what follows is IMO ONLY:

LDB's courtroom persona is relentlessly logical yet compassionate. She brooks no disrespect but handles it by referring to HHJP, making clear that she is a straight player who will go to the ref rather than engage in a "personal" dispute. She is a cat playing with a mouse. She gets in excellent subtle jabs when it suits her. She has a better poker face than JA.

JA's courtroom persona is relentlessly logical yet passionate. He brooks no disrespect but seems more confrontational and may let an exchange between himself and a witness go on longer than LDB might. He is a tiger going after prey (his "prey" being justice for Caylee). Physically, he is more expressive than LDB.

Please note I respect both these lawyers deeply and know that they are focused with laser precision on being the voice for Caylee who cannot speak for herself. I think together they make a dynamic and powerful team.

As for GA, when he is on the stand, LDB should examine him. Her style is the yang to GA's yin. Whereas JA and GA would clash, when LDB is doing the questioning and GA gets overwrought, she will be fluid, refer to the referee, and let GA expose himself for what he is. And the jury will glean much valuable information from those moments.

Gee, I see it so differently. I think LDB comes across as very very tough. She takes umbrage at all the lying and it comes across. She does not engage in any arguing with Cindy or George because she wants it settled quickly by the Judge. She is great to watch, but I don't see her as compassionate at all - she has an agenda and that is to get KC convicted. She handles horrendous cases and is strictly for the victim, and it shows, which she should be. I don't think she thinks about compassion for CA or GA.

I have to say I did not think much of Baez before this hearing, but in this one he seems to have stepped up his game. Cheney was much better in the beginning of the hearings than his normal self. I think Perry has a genuine fondness for Cheney or he gets a kick out of him. He smiles 90% of the time that he talks to CM. But when Cheney comes back to answer LDB, he was lacking, imo.

 

[strach304]

Look at how Cindy took issue with the tone of LDB and addressed her by her first name. I do think because of the different styles JA and LDB make a good team. I want some passion at the trial, a child was murdered. This isn't a traffic violation or petty theft. JA can get the jury worked up on an emotional level and keep them focused on justice for Caylee imo. What we are seeing in depos and hearings are completely different from what we might see at trial. I think the SA's will know how to conduct themselves at trial once they are in front of a jury. They do not want the jury to dislike them or think of them in a negative way.

 

[Purple Iris]

:blushing: Thank you back Kimster!!!!!!

ITA chefmom!!! I wonder if JA might be a better prosecutor to deal with GA at trial. LDB did a phenomenal job but I detected a rage against women in GA's testimony and she shouldn't be subjected to that again....unless it's to be part of the SAOs trial strategy.

I wouldn't allow George Anthony any favors by having Jeff Ashton question him ~ IMO, onc George's buttons are triggered, he's going to let anyone have it. He even talked back to Judge Perry the other day.

I say, let the jury see George in all his glory, and copping an attitude with LDB. She can handle the likes of him, and the jury won't take kindly to his nasty, smarky attitude for one minute.

Linda remains composed and always professional.
George doesn't have those qualities.
She can take him on with no problem even on her worst day and make him look the fool that he is, and have him mincemeat when she finishes him, all very nicely.

 

[Solace]

I wouldn't allow George Anthony any favors by having Jeff Ashton question him ~ IMO, onc George's buttons are triggered, he's going to let anyone have it. He even talked back to Judge Perry the other day.

I say, let the jury see George in all his glory, and copping an attitude with LDB. She can handle the likes of him, and the jury won't take kindly to his nasty, smarky attitude for one minute.

Linda remains composed and always professional.
George doesn't have those qualities.
She can take him on with no problem even on her worst day and make him look the fool that he is, and have him mincemeat when she finishes him, all very nicely.

He tried to talk back to Judge Perry and was told to "be quiet". It is obvious he hates LDB. This is what I find fascinating about this case. I know CA has no problem lying to herself and asking others (e.g. George and Lee to do the same and they comply), but George is so far down in the hate mire that he comes across as someone who is in beyond denial mode. He is so angry with the people who are trying to get justice for his granddaughter and he was a law officer.

I think GA has made himself hate LDB because it is what he is supposed to be doing. He is not a very bright man by any stretch. He has the lowest IQ in the family absolutely.

Cindy is entrenced in denial to save her self because she KNOWS she dropped the ball and could have saved Caylee by getting custody and she did not do that.

Lee has mellowed and comes across much better than in the past. I don't know what he believes, because he said "or so I thought" when referring to LE being there to help him. I believe that was the question. But he was honest on the stand and polite. And he did say "oh absolutely" when asked LE only cared about finding CAylee. George is not bright enough to do that, he would hem and haw and get angry because he thinks he should be.

I really believe that CA fell so hard on July 16th and it truly scared Lee and George and they don't want to see that again, so they back her.

 

[my2sense]

Go back and read GA's depo. He goes nuts on JA and imo JA handled it really well. I kept waiting for JA to rip him a new one but he didn't. IMO JA will show sympathy to the A's during the trial in front of a jury. I expect he will be downright vicious towards Casey. This man has continuously impressed me. He's been at it a long time and knows what he's doing. That was the first real turn around for me concerning George. I personally thought it was worse than the depo with Morgan because that is a civil case opposed to criminal against Casey. George shows no respect whatsoever for the SA's or LE now.

Where is that? I don't remember seeing that depo. Are these the depos the state took about 9 months to a year ago?

 

[LambChop]

They all appear to have specific assignments so they can stay focus. It's going to be a long trial and one person doing the questioning just can't do it all. LDB is good with the A's. JA is good with experts and we know he can deliver the emotional level needed to present the opening & closing statements. All-in-all, I think JA does better riding "shot-gun". lol

 

[ynotdivein]

I really believe that CA fell so hard on July 16th and it truly scared Lee and George and they don't want to see that again, so they back her.

Respectfully snipped for focus--agree! Whatever digits on whichever hand LA and KC may be, IMO, CA is the backbone of that family. To stretch the analogy to the breaking point, GA is a fast-twitch muscle, responding in knee-jerk style to whatever input he's given.

 

[Solace]

Where is that? I don't remember seeing that depo. Are these the depos the state took about 9 months to a year ago?

Hi MY2sense,

I don't know if he went "nuts". George gets very angry when confronted about the gas can pictures saying he never put duct tape on it the way they are showing it because it was too sloppy. At that point he is asked question after question and gets angry and says "don't put words in my mouth". I think this is the incident. They do not have audio of this unless I am missing it and if so, I really would like to know where to find audio. But there are transcripts. :seeya:

 

[LolaMoon08]

I disagree with Jeff Ashton being the one to question the Anthony's at trial. I love Jeff Ashton, but I still think that LDB is better prepared to question them. Her organizational skills are impecible and the way she speaks is just so solid. Again, I love Jeff Ashton, but he does fumble with his words a lot and if we all know the Anthony's, they will call JA out on this at trial. You have to be really direct with this family and I think that LDD has perfected this and she knows exactly how to deal with them on the stand... as evidence from the hearings last week and the week before.

I think that LDB is going to be the one to question all of Casey's friends and family. Anyone who is part of the timeline from June 2008-now. Dominic Casey will also be LDB's witness.

JA, I believe should deal with the forensics. He just has a way with words that draws you in. I believe he will be excellent at getting his expert witnesses (and even the defenses expert witnesses) to paint a very vivid picture of Caylee being silenced by the duct tape, being placed into the trunk for 2.6 days, being thrown out into those woods like trash, Natures tampering with Caylee's remains... just anything that has to do with CAYLEE herself... what she went through. This will be where JA shines, imo.

moo

 

[logicalgirl]

Your post made me think of Scott Peterson taking flyers for Laci and he was caught sitting in a parking lot or doing other things instead of posting them. IIRC he trashed some and others were in his car trunk never distributed. That evidence was presented at his trial.

We've speculated so much on when Cindy knew but now you have me wondering about George. We know he was kept out of the loop a lot. Was the kidfinders thing all for show? I think it was.

Well, it might have been but remember George likes being center stage. And since he's apparently not the kind of guy who would actually do any work to find Caylee, I guess standing around being photographed with a rowboat with an engine is his idea of "doing whatever it takes" to find Caylee and bring her home.

 

[logicalgirl]

He tried to talk back to Judge Perry and was told to "be quiet". It is obvious he hates LDB. This is what I find fascinating about this case. I know CA has no problem lying to herself and asking others (e.g. George and Lee to do the same and they comply), but George is so far down in the hate mire that he comes across as someone who is in beyond denial mode. He is so angry with the people who are trying to get justice for his granddaughter and he was a law officer.

I think GA has made himself hate LDB because it is what he is supposed to be doing. He is not a very bright man by any stretch. He has the lowest IQ in the family absolutely.

Cindy is entrenced in denial to save her self because she KNOWS she dropped the ball and could have saved Caylee by getting custody and she did not do that.

Lee has mellowed and comes across much better than in the past. I don't know what he believes, because he said "or so I thought" when referring to LE being there to help him. I believe that was the question. But he was honest on the stand and polite. And he did say "oh absolutely" when asked LE only cared about finding CAylee. George is not bright enough to do that, he would hem and haw and get angry because he thinks he should be.

I really believe that CA fell so hard on July 16th and it truly scared Lee and George and they don't want to see that again, so they back her.

I would have thought that until I watched him at the hearing. But to me - it's so all about George he hates anyone who dares to disagree with him about anything.

He knows LDB is going to disagree with what he says and he is angry at her before she even opens her mouth. Then it just goes downhill.

He gives me the impression that he believes LDB does not appreciate "HIS LOSS" or "HIS GRIEF" and she should be grateful he is even brave enough to be there at all - she should be quiet and listen to him and believe him and thank him with tears in her eyes for making the ultimate sacrifice and appearing before them.

 

[my2sense]

Hi MY2sense,

I don't know if he went "nuts". George gets very angry when confronted about the gas can pictures saying he never put duct tape on it the way they are showing it because it was too sloppy. At that point he is asked question after question and gets angry and says "don't put words in my mouth". I think this is the incident. They do not have audio of this unless I am missing it and if so, I really would like to know where to find audio. But there are transcripts. :seeya:

thanks so much I just spent half an hour tracking it down, read the first two pages, and went "ahhhh yes...NOW I remember" :crazy: Thanks. Here is the link for anyone else who might want to refresh:

http://www.wftv.com/pdf/21310228/detail.html

 

[strach304]

Hi MY2sense,

I don't know if he went "nuts". George gets very angry when confronted about the gas can pictures saying he never put duct tape on it the way they are showing it because it was too sloppy. At that point he is asked question after question and gets angry and says "don't put words in my mouth". I think this is the incident. They do not have audio of this unless I am missing it and if so, I really would like to know where to find audio. But there are transcripts. :seeya:

He goes on to accuse JA of trying to trick him. IIRC that was about him cutting the grass and he can't keep his story straight. I wouldn't talk to a prosecutor the way he did. He repeatedly went off on tangents imo that were unprovoked.

 

[WolfmarsGirl]

WFTV pretty much has them all.
http://www.wftv.com/caseyanthony/index.html
scroll down to the lower part

Thank you! :great:

 

[ynotdivein]

Gee, I see it so differently. I think LDB comes across as very very tough. She takes umbrage at all the lying and it comes across. She does not engage in any arguing with Cindy or George because she wants it settled quickly by the Judge. She is great to watch, but I don't see her as compassionate at all - she has an agenda and that is to get KC convicted. She handles horrendous cases and is strictly for the victim, and it shows, which she should be. I don't think she thinks about compassion for CA or GA.

RS&BBM. Solace, I think we are on the same page and I might not have expressed myself clearly above. I didn't mean to imply that LDB isn't tough, because she clearly is. Tenacious even (as is JA). And when I describe her as "compassionate" vs. "passionate"--I did not mean to say she was compassionate for the defendant or the witnesses... Clearly, both she and JA have the same agenda which is justice for Caylee. IMO, LDB is the more "compassionate" (argh, the limits of language) in how she represents Caylee. JA is more "passionate" in his representation.

That might not help much but again, I think you and I are on the same page here. Just wish there was a WS-Mind-Meld button to bypass the limitations of written language!

 

[logicalgirl]

RS&BBM. Solace, I think we are on the same page and I might not have expressed myself clearly above. I didn't mean to imply that LDB isn't tough, because she clearly is. Tenacious even (as is JA). And when I describe her as "compassionate" vs. "passionate"--I did not mean to say she was compassionate for the defendant or the witnesses... Clearly, both she and JA have the same agenda which is justice for Caylee. IMO, LDB is the more "compassionate" (argh, the limits of language) in how she represents Caylee. JA is more "passionate" in his representation.

That might not help much but again, I think you and I are on the same page here. Just wish there was a WS-Mind-Meld button to bypass the limitations of written language!

I also think LDB presents her "Passion" about Caylee in a more cool and determined manner than JA does. JA is more likely to express his frustration with difficult witnesses who are trying to avoid answering in a truthful manner. LDB simply drives ahead with her "nonetheless" style as she presents depositions to justify her questioning the truthfulness or avoidance attempts of current testimony.

JA looks to me like he would rather thump them one rather than continue with the questions. :innocent:

 

[ynotdivein]

I also think LDB presents her "Passion" about Caylee in a more cool and determined manner than JA does. JA is more likely to express his frustration with difficult witnesses who are trying to avoid answering in a truthful manner. LDB simply drives ahead with her "nonetheless" style as she presents depositions to justify her questioning the truthfulness or avoidance attempts of current testimony.

JA looks to me like he would rather thump them one rather than continue with the questions. :innocent:

LOL--agreed, and for which I totally :heart: him! :blushing:

(ETA: Thank you for helping further word-i-fy what I was driving at, btw. Love this site and my fellow posters!)

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Well, it might have been but remember George likes being center stage. And since he's apparently not the kind of guy who would actually do any work to find Caylee, I guess standing around being photographed with a rowboat with an engine is his idea of "doing whatever it takes" to find Caylee and bring her home.

Bingo! :great:

He worked very hard with KidFinders, who had never found a child, drove his huge billboard over to River's house to get money to go out and buy himself a beer, he televises his "essay" about how awful it is to live under a microscope, he plays the bully with a couple of guys and their umbrella who aren't on "his" property, he drives Cindy to J Blanchard Park so she can go after Padilla and Murt.

Whew! I'm out of breath just thinking of a few more things he didn't do to bring Caylee home.

This is the man who wanted to give advice to other families whose children go missing?

 

[sleutherontheside]

Bingo! :great:

He worked very hard with KidFinders, who had never found a child, drove his huge billboard over to River's house to get money to go out and buy himself a beer, he televises his "essay" about how awful it is to live under a microscope, he plays the bully with a couple of guys and their umbrella who aren't on "his" property, he drives Cindy to J Blanchard Park so she can go after Padilla and Murt.

Whew! I'm out of breath just thinking of a few more things he didn't do to bring Caylee home.

This is the man who wanted to give advice to other families whose children go missing?

Much like the misguided assumption that drinking a diet soda will cancel out the calories consumed in your Krispy Kreme doughnut.........purporting that you are dedicated to "helping find missing children" does not cancel out your prior actions....or in actions in the case of your missing grandchild.

 

[jennyb]

Can I weigh in on the compassion/passion debate?

I'd say they're equally focused on the fight for justice for the victim, CAYLEE.

JA seems to be more "emotional" in his expression.

And LDB is perhaps more "determined" in her expression.

Just a stylistic/personality difference.

The goal is clear. And both are extremely strong advocates. We couldn't hope for better.

Do either of them (or SHOULD either of them) waste a moment's energy on some show of "compassion" for the greedy, lying, obstructing, selfish grandparents of the victim?

No.

However, both prosecutors are polite when they pose their questions. It's not personal... just the facts.

btw, I'd love to know more about the behind the scenes action in the SA office. Have LDB and JA ever teamed up on a case before? Do they have a drink at the neighborhood watering hole after the end of a grueling day? Are they like the duo on Law & Order Criminal Intent or Special Victims unit? Do they know each other's families?

And what's their interaction with Lawson Lamar? Is he in their office going over the case? Etc.

Know what I mean? I think the inside (human interest) story would be SOOOO interesting.