Jeff Ashton -Retired? Not if he has anything to say about it! ;) ***Updated***

[Just K]

Just what I was thinking. Yet another victim of Casey and the Anthony family. Once again, we all lose.

Ohio is thanking their lucky stars that this family moved to Florida.

We can only count on Judge Perry to follow through on his promise to file contempt charges against Jose Baez. Perhaps Mr Ashton will lead a brigade of citizens in a class action suit to have JB sanctioned and more if possible.

 

[affinity]

I think he is getting tons of fabulous job offers. He is a fantastic advocate, everyone with eyes and ears knows that.

 

[TexanMom]

I don't blame him for retiring. Today's verdict reiterated the fact that the justice system is seriously *ed up!

 

[Kentjbkent]

I know one regular WSer who is out of the country right now that is going to be DEVASTATED when she returns and finds out Ashton has already retired....

 

[angeleleven]

This is going to be the most unpopular post in the history of WS, but I'm glad he's retiring, and on a loss.

I never felt that his focus or passion was about justice for Caylee.
Like JB, I think his focus was on winning high-profile case. They both game-played and broke rules.

LDB on the other hand was dignified throughout.

JMO

I couldn't disagree with you more. I FELT JA's passion for Caylee. I never felt his focus was on winning a high profile case. JMO

 

[SuziQ]

Well I don't think there is a reason to be happy about someone leaving on a loss when they have spent their career standing up for victims for nothing more than winning the case since they receive piss ant pay for doing so. And they do it even though the legal system is stacked against them and the victim. They do it because it is the right thing to do.

 

[Just K]

He is wise to get out now. To stay would be torture. If JB is not sanctioned JA would have to deal with that creature again. Who would want that if they could have a nice professorship somewhere relaxing?

 

[DeadCat]

Does anyone know how we can contact JA? Does he have a published email or facebook page? Would be nice to pass on our appreciation of all his hard work.

 

[OldNWize]

This is going to be the most unpopular post in the history of WS, but I'm glad he's retiring, and on a loss.

I never felt that his focus or passion was about justice for Caylee.
Like JB, I think his focus was on winning high-profile case. They both game-played and broke rules.

LDB on the other hand was dignified throughout.

JMO

While I most certainly respect your point of view, I have to disagree. I have spent many years as a friend to Attorney's that work in the State Attorney's office and there is NO glory in what they do. They work for far less monetary gains than what they would reap in the private sector. Without question, they say they do it because they are passionate about our justice system. I don't know Jeff Ashton, but I do know of his success rate in the State of Florida and it is because he fights hard for those that can't. So incredibly sad that he would be "lumped" into the same category as that hot-dogging, Jose Baez.

 

[Deleted member 46332]

Found this interesting tidbit in an article about his retirement...

http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/199811/250/Prosecutor-in-Casey-Anthony-murder-trial-to-retire

Ashton grew up in Clearwater and graduated from the University of Florida. He has been with the State Attorney's office for 30 years. He earns about $125,000 a year. He recently adopted two young children.

As THE first attorney to secure a conviction using DNA evidence...He could have been a far more well paid attorney in the private sector long long long ago. I have no doubt he was courted by some of the most prominent firms.

Though I would hardly complain about 125K yearly, that is not a huge amount of money in Orlando. I was quite surprised that he grew up in Clearwater, where the jurors hail from.

I am personally saddened about his retirement. I disagree with previous posters who feel negatively towards him. I saw only passion for justice. The article states he has two young children, I sincerely feel that he was disgusted with KC and everything she represented. I feel he wanted justice for her like so many parents and decent people on WS wanted.

I pray that the brightest of blessings follow him in all his future endeavors. He spent 30 years advocating the cause of victims and I will not disparage him or his stellar track record.

 

[Omachka]

I think I remember hearing he was nearing retirement when this case came along. If I can find anything confirming that, I will post a link. He has been with the State Attorney's Office for 30 years. He did a fantastic job on this case and I highly doubt he'd be in any sort of trouble for anything. He did, after all, get air science into a criminal case for the first time. Even if that isn't successful, it will be easier to get that in other trials in the future... just like DNA. I'm sure he's disappointed with the outcome of the trial but I also think he was planning to retire at the end of the case anyway.

 

[Mare10]

God speed Jeff! You did great and the verdict should have be Guilty. Don't know what was going through the minds of that jury. You are wonderful, We put you on top of the top and I don't blame you for retiring. As much as I despise NG, she said the right words "The Devil is Dancing tonight" . Jeff, the Devil is hard to defeat but believe me, the Lord knows who is who and what is what. I'm proud of you and the whole SA team. You are the best in my eyes and forever.

 

[Omachka]

While I most certainly respect your point of view, I have to disagree. I have spent many years as a friend to Attorney's that work in the State Attorney's office and there is NO glory in what they do. They work for far less monetary gains than what they would reap in the private sector. Without question, they say they do it because they are passionate about our justice system. I don't know Jeff Ashton, but I do know of his success rate in the State of Florida and it is because he fights hard for those that can't. So incredibly sad that he would be "lumped" into the same category as that hot-dogging, Jose Baez.

The thank you button wasn't enough. What a wonderful post!

 

[redfish]

My son is an Investigator in FL. He called me right after the verdict and asked how I was taking it. He said, "Well Mom, welcome to my world!" I don't know how they keep the faith and keep working so hard for us with so little appreciation. My thanks to my son for what he does and all of the Yuri's of the world and thanks Jeff Ashton and all of the public prosecutors for all of your years of tears, long hours and grief - in great service of our communties.

 

[jon_burrows]

Jeff if you read here, I want to wish you the best in retirement. Enjoy your little gifts from God, they will have a wonderful father.

You did everything humanly possible to get justice for Caylee. You sacrificed so much for a child you never met. If you ever second guess yourself please know that you and Linda are Caylee's hero.

IMO

 

[Deleted member 46332]

I think I remember hearing he was nearing retirement when this case came along. If I can find anything confirming that, I will post a link. He has been with the State Attorney's Office for 30 years. He did a fantastic job on this case and I highly doubt he'd be in any sort of trouble for anything. He did, after all, get air science into a criminal case for the first time. Even if that isn't successful, it will be easier to get that in other trials in the future... just like DNA. I'm sure he's disappointed with the outcome of the trial but I also think he was planning to retire at the end of the case anyway.

found this...

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/05/3749395/prosecutor-in-casey-anthony-trial.html

Tavernier says that Ashton and Lamar have previously discussed his retirement.

 

[mitzi]

Bringing over a post I made in one of the verdict threads:

This hurts my heart even further. That this great man is either stepping down by his choice or some other person's is terrible...Jeff, you are the most awesome prosecutor I have ever watched. It's hard to win a case against scammers and liars like the Anthonys who I think even GA had his 'role' in this, and dishonest and scheming defense attorneys.

I hope that after Mr. Ashton retires he can give interviews and maybe even write a book. He will no longer have his hands tied by being employed by the state.

Bless you, Jeff Ashton! Caylee is so proud of you!

 

[tygomuk]

Is it too late to get Jeff Ashton on 2012's politico ticket?

 

[FX Wiz]

Since I live in Orlando, I wish JA would run for public office because I would vote for him whether he's a democrat or a republican. He would be awsome to have as a representative in Tallahassee or Washington. Wouldn't it be great if he could help to ammend or create a law that would make lying to police regarding a missing or endangered child a much greater offense than just plain lying to police. I'm serious. This is feasable if you think about it. Due to the publicity it should be easy to be brought up to the Florida Congress. Call it Caylee's Law. You lie to police so as not to snitch on your 20 year old brother and you face up to 4 years in jail. Doesn't sound very lenient to me. But if an innocent minor child is in possible danger and you intentionally mislead police in their urgent quest to rescue the child, YOU"RE GOIN DOWN. 20 years minimum.

 

[mitzi]

This is going to be the most unpopular post in the history of WS, but I'm glad he's retiring, and on a loss.

I never felt that his focus or passion was about justice for Caylee.
Like JB, I think his focus was on winning high-profile case. They both game-played and broke rules.

LDB on the other hand was dignified throughout.

JMO

Respectfully, but was this really necessary at a time when so many of us are reeling from the verdict?