# Anyone following the Casey Anthony trial? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652 "2011-05-29T12:50:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/301 "2011-06-29T14:57:37Z")
Based on what you’ve posted just now? No, not at all. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/302 "2011-06-29T15:57:59Z")
I wonder why 2 more experienced attorneys sit by Baez and quietly let him bring forth witnesses who end up being better for the prosecution than the defense. I’m thinking Jose Baez has a bit of an ego problem and feels that this case will make him an equal of F. Lee Baliey. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/303 "2011-06-29T15:58:24Z")
> [@sugaree](#): > > That’s all conjecture, and to me, it seems to be mostly Internet-discussion conjecture, not police theories. For the most part, Caylee’s whereabouts seem to be accounted for right up until mid-June of 2008. For the most part, she was either with Cindy or Casey–there’s no periods of time where she could have been stashed drugged in a trunk, as I’ve read some people speculate. I read “somewhere on the Internet” ( 😃 ) that there were depositions from former boyfriends, party guests, etc. that Caylee was present late at night at some parties with Casey, but that the child was asleep on a sofa or something. Supposedly, Caylee was at times sleeping through parties in full view of other party guests. Of course, no partygoer went and did forensics on the sleeping child. So all the stuff about “Zanny=Xanax”, over-the-counter “sleep aids” like Benaryl, possible use of chloroform + laying-to-sleep in the trunk, etc. … none of that was firm enough to bring to court, correct? ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/304 "2011-06-29T16:09:46Z")
Ditto on Sampiro’s brilliant closing. I remembered who Kronk reminded me of – [Dalton Humphrey from the Red Green Show.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W2DicyLb6c) George should have admitted to the affair. He could admit to the affair and still deny he told the woman Caylee drowned, or that he told the woman he choked Casey and accused her of killing Caylee. Denying the affair, with those text messages and personal visits to her home, makes him look like a liar. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/305 "2011-06-29T16:15:12Z")
I think George’s breakdown on the stand was devastating to the defense. Especially sense George has been so unemotional in most of his testimony. Seeing such a strong guy destroyed by the loss of his granddaughter was gut wrenching. Meanwhile, Casey was like a block of ice. Not one tear or anything. Her father is doubled over in grief and she didn’t seem to care. Even testimony about his suicide attempt didn’t seem to effect her. I’m sure the jury will consider that. There’s something just dead inside Casey. There’s very little that seems to reach her. Except the extreme pictures of Caylee’s remains. I do wonder about that household and Casey’s childhood. Something must have twisted & molded her into the person she is today. That family is obviously very dysfunctional. But, that doesn’t excuse what she did to her daughter. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/306 "2011-06-29T16:16:55Z")
Wait a minute! Why was the defense allowed to ask George about the affair when the woman hasn’t even testified about it? Isn’t that hearsay, or something? ---
**Author:** ![conovox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@conovox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conovox)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/307 "2011-06-29T16:20:02Z")
If the father of a deathrow defendant is at the very least not being helpful to her defense, what does THAT MEAN!!!?!??!?!?!?!?!??! We know he CAN act, right? So why doesn’t he ostensably at least act like he wants her to be acquitted? Right? Unless he knows where Casey’s going to ultimately go in her testimony. To me it is clearly GA v Casey. Clearly when that body was found this story and all the prepwork that this family had done in order to be just another ‘family of a missing child’ went out the window, and it became every one for him/herself. Casey picked GA - whether he actually did help or not - and this is what happens, I guess. A family member is faced with the choice/decision of having to fend for himself on the stand in a death penalty case instead of doing all he can to help the defendant. w o w ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/308 "2011-06-29T16:20:23Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I remembered who Kronk reminded me of – [Dalton Humphrey from the Red Green Show.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W2DicyLb6c) YES! Thank you. He was reminding me of somebody and I couldn’t think of who it was. I actually wear a Possum Lodge lapel pin on my hat, so I’m mortified by my inability to recognize him. . ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/309 "2011-06-29T16:21:16Z")
> [@conovox](#): > > If the father of a deathrow defendant is at the very least not being helpful to her defense, what does THAT MEAN!!!?!??!?!?!?!?!??! That maybe he’s upset they accused him of molesting his daughter and covering up the death of his granddaughter? I mean, call me crazy, but I might not appreciate that. EDIT: He might also be upset at his daughter for the whole murder thing. ---
**Author:** ![conovox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@conovox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conovox)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/310 "2011-06-29T16:25:58Z")
Point taken. But @ the end of the day it IS his flesh and blood. Death row ain’t checkers. Of course, I guess in either your theory or mine, he must be at the very least thin-skinned; but in my theory, he becomes an accomplice – or worse. I have to cling to my hope that even thin-skinned parents would put their own feelings aside in an effort to save an off-spring from almost certain death. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/311 "2011-06-29T16:33:13Z")
Posted from elsewhere – if this was in the defense’s opening statements, I missed it and was thus unaware that Kronk would be cross-examined at length: > [@](#): > > **In their opening, the defense suggested they would show how Kronk absconded with the remains and moved the body**. They couldn’t even show that he was within 30 feet of the remains. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/312 "2011-06-29T16:33:18Z")
> [@](#): > > I have to cling to my hope that even thin-skinned parents would put their own feelings aside in an effort to save an off-spring from almost certain death. What would this decision to save their offspring be based on, if not their own feelings? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/313 "2011-06-29T16:33:39Z")
Great point. Cheney Mason has a long and very respected career. At least he did before this case. Why he’s sat and allowed Baez to fumble around is beyond me. Basic stuff like getting all expert witness opinions written down in reports and depositions before trial. The judge even gave an order last Jan on this, and the defense didn’t fully comply. Baez’s witnesses always seem to get turned into prosecution witnesses. Jeff Ashton is a master at doing that. Several legal commentators have noted how disorganized the defense has been. Very amateurish. For example today Baez blunders by mentioning George’s suicide note. Now Ashton is pressing hard to get the entire note read to the jury. That’s going to be a huge setback if the judge allows it. As you mentioned. It seems Baez is determined to do it his way and the other more experienced attorneys are just along for the ride. > [@Morgenstern](#): > > I wonder why 2 more experienced attorneys sit by Baez and quietly let him bring forth witnesses who end up being better for the prosecution than the defense. I’m thinking Jose Baez has a bit of an ego problem and feels that this case will make him an equal of F. Lee Baliey. ---
**Author:** ![conovox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@conovox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conovox)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/314 "2011-06-29T16:35:01Z")
Re Edit: Of course there’s that ! Yes. But even Shakespeare wouldn’t pen a father that would/could be so angry that he wouldn’t at least ostensibly (and boy don’t we have to use that word alot in this case) give an effort to try to avoid her death. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/315 "2011-06-29T16:38:01Z")
His job is to sit and allow Baez to fumble around. He’s secondary counsel. This is Baez’ first capital case, and normally an attorney wouldn’t even attempt to handle one without playing second banana to an experienced capital defender\* at least a dozen times. Unfortunately, Baez’ ego has had the better of his brain throughout this proceeding, and Casey will pay the price. \*like Cheney Mason, who has made the American Trial Lawyers Association’s top 100 list three times and is unquestionably the best-known capital defense attorney in Florida. > [@](#): > > Of course there’s that ! Yes. But even Shakespeare wouldn’t pen a father that would/could be so angry that he wouldn’t at least ostensibly (and boy don’t we have to use that word alot in this case) give an effort to try to avoid her death. Shakespeare penned fathers that killed their own kids. I don’t think he’d have a problem writing about one who didn’t save his kid. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/316 "2011-06-29T16:40:55Z")
> [@conovox](#): > > Of course, I guess in either your theory or mine, he must be at the very least thin-skinned I think you’re underplaying this by several orders of magnitude. If someone - particularly the guilty party - blames you for the death of your grandchild, says you were part of a criminal conspiracy to cover it up, and then throws in an accusation of sexual abuse on top of that, it’s not “very thin-skinned” if you don’t do your utmost to help them get away with it. If he cares whether she gets the needle or not, he can speak up during the penalty phase. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/317 "2011-06-29T16:48:55Z")
Furthermore, I can’t imagine they aren’t just plain worn out after however many years of living with a compulsive liar and all the emotionally manipulative drama that seems to surround her. Someone like that will just exhaust your capacity for compassion. I haven’t been following the case, but she seems to be on the same spectrum as the sort of person who will fake a suicide attempt to get out of going to the grocery store, who will accuse a teacher of rape to get out of a pop quiz, who will call CPS on a neighbor to distract from the $5 they stole. Living with someone like that–loving someone like that—breaks you. ---
**Author:** ![conovox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@conovox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conovox)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/318 "2011-06-29T16:50:04Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I think you’re underplaying this by several orders of magnitude. If someone - particularly the guilty party - blames you for the death of your grandchild, says you were part of a criminal conspiracy to cover it up, and then throws in an accusation of sexual abuse on top of that, it’s not “very thin-skinned” if you don’t do your utmost to help them get away with it. If he cares whether she gets the needle or not, he can speak up during the penalty phase. Very well stated. He just seems to be acting more as if he is guilty, in m opinion. Seems to me that if he isn’t , nothing else would matter to him than getting her acquitted. Regardless of any claims she made through her attorney (unless they are true). But we’re sort of talking in circles. Your input has helped me back from the rooftops. Did you guys discuss y’day the 180 degree different stories that Lee and Cindy gave back-to-back ? While sitting together in the audience? What conclusion/reasons did you come up with? I mean, one of them committed purgery, clearly, and with forethought, correct? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/319 "2011-06-29T16:55:33Z")
> [@conovox](#): > > Very well stated. He just seems to be acting more as if he is guilty, in m opinion. I can’t tell what you are basing that on. Like I said earlier, I’m not following this as closely as some people are, but nothing other than the prosecution theory makes any kind of sense to me. > [@](#): > > Seems to me that if he isn’t , nothing else would matter to him than getting her acquitted. I don’t think that’s realistic. I’ve never been through anything remotely like this, but I can imagine his feelings being conflicted at best. Anyway it sounds like you’re saying he is acting guilty by not doing everything he can to help her - and the most helpful thing he could do from that standpoint is say he’s guilty. I’m seeing a minor logical problem here. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/320 "2011-06-29T16:56:09Z")
Nitpick: _perjury._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652.md?page=17)