Whoa! a new 48 Hours (April 16) Check out the trailer!

[chefmom]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/27511742/detail.html

Mock Jury Hears Casey Anthony Case
CBS News Program Suggests Weaknesses In State's Case
POSTED: Monday, April 11, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Producers for the CBS News program "48 Hours Mystery" have assembled a panel of mock jurors and shown them evidence that may be used at Casey Anthony's murder trial next month.
In a TV commercial for the news program, the mock jury is asked whether they would acquit Anthony if the only charge was first degree murder. Nearly all of them stand up.
Producers have released few other details about the program, which airs Saturday night at 10:00, but a spokeswoman for the show confirms the mock jury rejects some of the evidence prosecutors plan on using at trial.
"This is going to have an impact on the jury," said Orlando criminal defense attorney Mark O'Mara. "It's going to be something that the defense and the state and Judge (Belvin) Perry will have to deal with and protect against."
Judge Perry has decided to select the jury from an undisclosed city outside of Central Florida in order to find jurors who have been exposed to minimal pretrial publicity about the case.
"I think he'll be noticeably and understandably upset," O'Mara said about the CBS program. "He wants to have a fair trial."
O'Mara said it is common for lawyers to use mock juries as a tool to test out their case before going to trial. But rarely are those exercises broadcast to a national TV audience.
O'Mara pointed out that the judge still has not decided whether certain evidence found in Casey Anthony's car will be allowed at trial, including a mysterious stain the the trunk and air samples that prosecutors said suggested the presense of a decomposing body.
Anthony's attorney Jose Baez has not yet explained his client's behavior, such as partying at nightclubs, that occurred during the 31 days she had failed to report her daughter's disappearance.
"Has this mock jury seen something, some interpretation of the evidence that the real jury is never going to see?," asked O'Mara.
Jury selection begins May 9.

Copyright 2011 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved.

Well, this should definately be the ammunition that HHJP needs to keep the trial right there in OC! What with all of the budget problems they are having, trying KC in OC should save a small fortune. Personally, I am really tired of all of the talk of appeals while the DT gets away with murder. She is going to appeal regardless. Let's do this already. Take the gloves off and let's go!

 

[Horace Finklestein]

If this question has been asked,please forgive me.If the defense team has hired a jury consultant,and has worked with CBS on this program,then why is the state of Florida going through the expense of going to other counties to find an impartial jury? The defense has evidently given info to CBS along with their jury consultant. So IMHO HHJP should not move jury selection out of Orange county, the "jury pool" has already been contaminated as the D/T would have us believe by their own actions. As they say,once that bell has been rung,it's hard to unring,once potential jurors see this program you cannot go back and say "don't pay any attention to that show" IMHO HHJP should make the jury selection in OC and tell the D/T" you made your bed now lay in it". For the D/T to do this special is a slap in the face to the Fla T/P's who are footing the expense for this trial. The monies that JB has received have only lined his pockets,he should be made to give any monies he garnered as a result of this show back to the state of FLA.JMHO:maddening:

That's kind of what I was wondering. I saw LKB flapping her mouth about something. Since they went on and did interviews:

1. Why burden the court with the change of venue?? They CANNOT complain about not getting a fair trial due to publicity, then go on a national tv show. Though come to think of it, they've been doing that all along.

2. Are they actually getting $$ for this? Please tell me that will go directly to the JAC if they do.

 

[Horace Finklestein]

I am in total agreement with you. The DT has whined and whined about how hard it will be to get a fair and impartial jury. To appease their fears the Court is allowing them to go to a "neutral" county to try to find jurors. All of this is costing the Florida taxpayers a great deal of money. :banghead:

At this point I wish HHJP could call all counsel together and let them know that due to the DT's actions through out the last 2+ years as well as the new addition of the CBS show, it is doubtful they will get a jury pool ANYWHERE that is not tainted. Therefore for Judicial Economy the trial will stay in OC and they will just have to voir dire until they have a panel. Period the end!

Oh, sanctioning the DT would be nice too!

And it SHOULD be in orange county. That is the community in which the crime occurred.

 

[Softail]

Interesting that the OS article makes a point of saying that the show is using old clips of Cindy and George. They also mention that they are not being paid anything.

I guess that begs the question, since this seems to be the JB and CM show, who is being paid? :waitasec: JB and CM? :waitasec:

 

[LambChop]

The A's did not get paid for this according to CBS. They are not using any new pictures and the ones they paid for from last year's 48 Hours belongs to them.

The only thing they have left that proves this child had a life were her pictures and the A's sold them, they now belong to CBS. And I'm sure the A's have more but the impact of thinking the A's did not just let them use them.....they sold them. How could they do that and get up in the morning and look in the mirror???

 

[ExpectingUnicorns]

It's interesting to note that Susan Zirinsky, executive producer, has dropped the term "mock jury" and chosen, instead, to call it a "focus group." Maybe CBS is beginning to realize that they may be playing with fire. (From the Orlando Sentinel article, linked in my post, above.)

Also, does anyone know exactly how far a defense team can go (and still be within their legal boundaries) to reach the public with their theories? If they are allowed to participate in a nationally broadcast program like this, with their jury consultant assisting with the mock jury, then could they also (for example) take out a full-page advertisement in the local paper of the town from which the jury will be selected? Do any of you know if these boundaries are spelled out anywhere?

 

[LolaMoon08]

I was wondering if everybody else's TV INFO description for this episode is the same as mine on Comcast. It says "A report on Casey Anthony's defense for her 2011 murder trial in which she is accused of having killed her two year old daughter Caylee in 2008 and burying her in a vacant lot near their Florida home."

Burying her in a vacant lot? That's the first time I've ever heard it said that way. That makes me think she lifted up a concrete slab in an old playground and hide her away, rather than what really seems to have happened - a haphazard heave-ho into the woods.

When I think of a vacant lot... I think of a cleared piece of land like the ones we used to play baseball and kickball at? I guess telling their audience that Caylee was dumped (like trash) in a bug, snake and animal infested swamp would taint the jury pool and take them in a different, undesired direction?

I also agree with someone that said... where is Caylee in all this? Have they all forgotten about Caylee? Nevermind... I know the answer to that! :banghead:

 

[Baznme]

When I think of a vacant lot... I think of a cleared piece of land like the ones we used to play baseball and kickball at? I guess telling their audience that Caylee was dumped (like trash) in a bug, snake and animal infested swamp would taint the jury pool and take them in a different, undesired direction?

I also agree with someone that said... where is Caylee in all this? Have they all forgotten about Caylee? Nevermind... I know the answer to that! :banghead:

IMO, this is a horrific misrepresentation of what facts there are in this pathetic case of the murder of a 2 year old baby name Caylee. The show seems determined to show that circumstantial evidence is somehow inferior and that there is no forensic evidence at all. The show's mission seems to be biased and is suggestive of an outcome that would be acceptable to a panel of potential jurors. IMO, 48 hours will suffer the backlash of this airing in measures they never imagined. Their ratings may be elevated this weekend, but I'm fairly sure they will take a nosedive from there on out.

 

[Baznme]

It's interesting to note that Susan Zirinsky, executive producer, has dropped the term "mock jury" and chosen, instead, to call it a "focus group." Maybe CBS is beginning to realize that they may be playing with fire. (From the Orlando Sentinel article, linked in my post, above.)

Also, does anyone know exactly how far a defense team can go (and still be within their legal boundaries) to reach the public with their theories? If they are allowed to participate in a nationally broadcast program like this, with their jury consultant assisting with the mock jury, then could they also (for example) take out a full-page advertisement in the local paper of the town from which the jury will be selected? Do any of you know if these boundaries are spelled out anywhere?

I hope you'll post this over in the Lawyer thread for them to answer. I would love to know the answer as well. Seems to me, the defense participation in this show, even if minimal to create bias before the case goes to trial is not only unethical but should be illegal. JMO

 

[ZsaZsa]

I hope you'll post this over in the Lawyer thread for them to answer. I would love to know the answer as well. Seems to me, the defense participation in this show, even if minimal to create bias before the case goes to trial is not only unethical but should be illegal. JMO

Knowing how weighted everything is in favor of the perp I'd be surprised if it is illegal. It's definitely unethical. Can you imagine the hue and cry there would be if the SA participated in this soap opera show?

 

[LolaMoon08]

IMO, this is a horrific misrepresentation of what facts there are in this pathetic case of the murder of a 2 year old baby name Caylee. The show seems determined to show that circumstantial evidence is somehow inferior and that there is no forensic evidence at all. The show's mission seems to be biased and is suggestive of an outcome that would be acceptable to a panel of potential jurors. IMO, 48 hours will suffer the backlash of this airing in measures they never imagined. Their ratings may be elevated this weekend, but I'm fairly sure they will take a nosedive from there on out.

Thankfully I will be working a 12 hour shift on Saturday this week and I won't even be tempted to watch it.

Of course the evidence being shown to these men and women is not representative of the evidence that is going to be shown at this trial and the more I think about it... let them have their little "focus group" (nice change of words there CBS) with all the dumbed down evidence that made them come to the conclusion that Casey would not get a First Degree Murder verdict.

The State is going to present real evidence to real jurors.

I'm waiting for the Anthony's to begin their own rounds. You know it's coming! :banghead:

 

[Baznme]

Knowing how weighted everything is in favor of the perp I'd be surprised if it is illegal. It's definitely unethical. Can you imagine the hue and cry there would be if the SA participated in this soap opera show?

It obviously IS NOT illegal, but I think "it should be".

 

[Softail]

I think it is safe to say that this show will be nothing more than FICTION! :yes:

 

[LambChop]

Knowing how weighted everything is in favor of the perp I'd be surprised if it is illegal. It's definitely unethical. Can you imagine the hue and cry there would be if the SA participated in this soap opera show?

If there were no evidence of a murder and everyone feels KC should be acquitted of those charges than why is CBS even interested in airing this program. Seems like a slam dunk for defense wouldn't even be of interest to CBS given the fact that KC is not a celebrity....or is CBS just interested in getting their full $20,000 worth out of this case.

I won't watch it because it bothers me to see those pictures of Caylee and then to think she was sold off to the highest bidder. Sorry, jmo.

ETA: I don't think there will be a big Florida audience because the program is on at 10:00 on a Saturday night. It's warm in Orlando now. People are out and about, not everyone is home watching tv. Not like in the north. lol

 

[Ssejors]

IF (and this is a big IF) Casey gets off because potential jurors are swayed by the "48 Hours Mystery" episode and what the defense presents at trial,

I can 99.9% be certain that people WILL take the law inter their own hands just to get justice for Caylee.

If this happens, I don't think Casey will be their only target.

One can only hope. Lucky for ICA, I live in canada. And I cant be bothered to spend my own money to get down there and make a visit to her myself.

 

[Baznme]

If there were no evidence of a murder and everyone feels KC should be acquitted of those charges than why is CBS even interested in airing this program. Seems like a slam dunk for defense wouldn't even be of interest to CBS given the fact that KC is not a celebrity....or is CBS just interested in getting their full $20,000 worth out of this case.

I won't watch it because it bothers me to see those pictures of Caylee and then to think she was sold off to the highest bidder. Sorry, jmo.

ETA: I don't think there will be a big Florida audience because the program is on at 10:00 on a Saturday night. It's warm in Orlando now. People are out and about, not everyone is home watching tv. Not like in the north. lol

LOL.......they'll be wathcing Lambchop. There's a bunch of us that don't go out after dark.

 

[Ssejors]

Well, this should definately be the ammunition that HHJP needs to keep the trial right there in OC! What with all of the budget problems they are having, trying KC in OC should save a small fortune. Personally, I am really tired of all of the talk of appeals while the DT gets away with murder. She is going to appeal regardless. Let's do this already. Take the gloves off and let's go!

BBM !! ITA! BAREKNUCKLE BOXING! LETS GET THING SHOW ON THE ROAD ALREADY!

I too think that this trial should be hauled back to OC, No point going out of their way to bring people in from other counties when they make this much effort to taint a NATIONS perspective

 

[LambChop]

What are the Odds? Apr 12th, 2011 by Richard Hornsby

http://blog.richardhornsby.com/2011/...-are-the-odds/



A MUST READ!!!!

 

[Snaz]

I'm sure Jose has shared the results of this "focus group" with ICA... and it most likely only reinforces her belief (read: delusion) that she will walk away at the end of this trial on the arm of her "esteemed" attorney, Cheney Mason.

I think ICA has a very rude awakening in her future.....

 

[noonie]

Rude Awakening is putting it mildly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!