Judge Strickland Steps Down From Casey Anthony Case

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/4/19/judge_strickland_removes_self_from_casey_case.html


Tuesday,
April 20, 2010 11:12:11 AM




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Additional Information
Casey Anthony Order Of Recusal

• Order on Defendant's Motion to Disqualify Trial Judge
  
• Motion to Declare Florida Statute 921-141
  Unconstitutional
  
• Motion to Preclude the State's Impermissible Gender
  Biased Request for Imposition of the Death Penalty
  
• Second Motion to Preclude Death Procedures for
  Impermissible Prosecutorial Motives
  
• Defendant's Motion for Protective Order with Respect to
  Penalty Phase Discovery
  
• Circuit
  Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.
  
• In Depth: The Case Against Casey
  
• Follow The
  Casey Case On Twitter
  
• See
  All Case Documents
  
• Key
  Players
  

Related Stories

• Exclusive:
  Casey Anthony Blogger On Meeting With Judge
  
• Blogger:
  “I Will Forever Be Remembered As Defense’s Scapegoat”
  

Reported by Amanda Evans and
Jacqueline FellORLANDO
-- Judge Stan Strickland has recused himself from the Casey Anthony
case. But it doesn't appear it was a move he was happy to make.In
the order, signed Monday, Strickland states until now, enjoying his
work has never seemed to pose a problem.The move comes after
Anthony’s attorneys said Strickland had an inappropriate conversation
with the
man who blogs about the case.Dave Knechel said the judge had
noticed his writing and told him, in person, he thought his blog was
fair. That conversation took place in October.Strickland said it
wasn’t a secret meeting. The conversation happened right after court
ended, while cameras were still rolling, microphones were still
open. Strickland called the conversation "unremarkable."The judge
added some sarcasm in his motion. He said the defense has known about
his brief discussion with the blogger for many months, but only now has
lost confidence in the court's ability to be fair and impartial.Legal
analyst Will Jay said if Strickland hadn't removed himself from the
case, every motion could have been argued again, especially if Anthony
is found guilty.

On the same day Strickland stepped down, the defense filed more motions,
some regarding the death penalty.One claimed gender
bias. Another claimed prosecutors asked for the death penalty after
learning how much money Anthony had for her defense.Jay doesn't
think the motions will go far."I expect the motion to be denied.
Almost every death penalty motion challenged gets denied at the trial
level,” Jay said. “But what they're doing is preserving and making it in
their record because it's going to be on review for the next 15-20
years, however long if she gets a death sentence.”Jay said any
lawyer representing Anthony would have to file any motion they could
because they are fighting for her life.

Strickland had a strong message for Anthony's defense attorneys. He
said their intent was to maximize exposure."At its core, defense
counsel's motion accuses the undersigned (judge Strickland) of being a
"self-aggrandizing media hound" Indeed. The Irony is rich," Strickland
wrote.Chief
Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. will now rule over the case.