Hal Boedecker the TV Guy (Orlando Sentinel)

Casey Anthony case: Jose Baez to question jail employees

posted by halboedeker on Mar 27, 2009 6:14:03 PM

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The Casey Anthony case is likely to produce many headlines next week. Jose Baez will be busy with depositions in the case of client Casey Anthony. She is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee.

KMG-Channel 6, WESH-Channel 2 and WFTV-Channel 9 looked at the list of people Baez will question.

Four will be employees of the Orange County jail. "He'll almost certainly be asking them about that surveillance video, shot inside the jail's medical unit there, which reportedly shows Casey hyperventilating when she learned little Caylee's remains had been found," WKMG's Mike DeForest said.

"Two of the jailers witnessed Casey's reaction when she was told about the discovery of her daughter's body," WFTV anchor Bob Opsahl said.DeForest theorized that Baez will use the depositions to get the video and others thrown out of court. Baez has claimed that the videos captured private meetings between him and his client.

Baez also will question Jim Hoover, a private investigator who worked for George and Cindy Anthony. "Hoover later admitted to detectives that he had tried to profit off the Anthony case by selling photos and videos, so his credibility may be called into question," DeForest said.

Baez has scheduled at least nine depositions for next week, WESH's 2 Bob Kealing reported. "Most are law enforcement and corrections officers, but some are friends of Casey," Kealing said, mentioning Amy Huizenga. Huizenga, Casey Anthony's former best friend, accused the young mother of stealing checks.

WESH anchor Martha Sugalski said: "The list of names just keeps getting longer and longer."

Kealing replied, "No doubt about it."

WKMG also reported that a former Baez client is asking for a new trial. Nelson Diaz was convicted of killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old child in Lake County and is serving a 20-year prison term. Diaz says Baez's trial performance was defective, WKMG's Jessica D'Onofrio said.

Marti Mackenzie, Baez's spokeswoman, said she imagined he had done his best job in representing Diaz.

Diaz also accuses the judge and a prosecutor of misconduct, D'Onofrio said. The judge had no comment, and the prosecutor hadn't gotten back to WKMG, D'Onofrio added.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/03/casey-anthony-case--11.html

Casey Anthony: Can she Twitter? Don't you believe it

posted by halboedeker on Mar 30, 2009 4:44:34 PM

Tweets from a jailbird? Message from a reader: "You may be interested in Casey Anthony using twitter."

I was. But she isn't.

Allen Moore, spokesman for the Orange County Jail, said this recurring topic is a hoax. In a message to a colleague, he said:

1. "Inmates are not allowed access to the Internet or cellular phones."
2. "Attorneys cannot bring mobile phones into the jail."
3. "While an attorney is allowed to bring a laptop into the jail with an air card, inmate clients are not allowed to use it or touch it."

If someone tells you Casey Anthony is Twittering, don't believe it.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/03/casey-anthony-can-she-twitter-dont-you-believe-it.html

Casey Anthony: When will jail meeting with parents happen?

posted by halboedeker on Mar 30, 2009 6:28:51 PM

When will Casey Anthony be able to see her parents privately in jail?

WESH-Channel 2 reported tonight that "a source close to the family" says that "the wheels are now in motion for that meeting so the family can mourn Caylee together for a short time."

All sounds rather fuzzy, doesn't it?

George and Cindy Anthony could go to the jail any time they wanted. The question is: Will Casey agree to see them? And will the jail allow them to meet privately? The jail has said repeatedly that won't happen, but WESH didn't refer to the jail.

Casey is charged with the first-degree murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

Anthony's attorney Jose Baez has depositions lined up this week. WESH said one with volunteer private eye James Hoover had been postponed. It was supposed to be tomorrow.

WKMG-Channel 6's Mike DeForest previewed the depositions. Anchor Jacqueline London asked why it matters that Hoover and another private investigator didn't see anything in November in the woods where a meter reader earlier saw something. Caylee remains were found in those woods in December.

"If the defense tries to go with the theory that maybe Caylee was not out there in November, then that meter reader, Roy Kronk, is going to pose a very serious problem," DeForest theorized. "Perhaps that's why next week Jose Baez plans to interrogate in a deposition the supervisor of that meter reader with Orange County Utilities. That supervisor did not see a body out there back in August."

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/03/casey-anthony-.html#more

Casey Anthony case: What is Jose Baez's secret strategy?

posted by halboedeker on Mar 31, 2009 6:29:27 PM

What does defense attorney Jose Baez know that everyone else doesn't?

Baez seeks a private meeting with the judge to argue a motion. He wants to subpoena records -- without disclosing what they are -- that he sees as crucial to defending Casey Anthony, WESH-Channel 2's Bob Kealing explained. She is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee.

"All along, Jose Baez has said he knows information that will help explain why Casey Anthony didn't report Caylee missing for a month and why Casey didn't kill her daughter," Kealing said.

Baez wouldn't discuss details of his secret strategy when Kealing asked.

Criminal defense attorney Richard Hornbsy, who offers legal analysis for WESH, said Baez's move could be smart. "He sees something that everybody else is missing, and he doesn't want to tip the state off to what it is he is going to raise at trial," Hornsby said.

Or Baez's strategy could backfire if the state figures out what Baez wants, Hornsby said. "In some ways he's raising a big red flag and he's saying, 'Hey, look at me,' " he said.

Baez on Tuesday started the first of 10 depositions by questioning a corrections official, Sgt. Dennis Moonsammy.

The deposition took an hour and 10 minutes, WKMG-Channel 6's Adam Longo said.

Longo explained how Moonsammy has been mentioned in the case: In August, he handed to a captain a letter written by Anthony. In that letter to then-Sheriff Kevin Beary, Anthony sought a meeting with her father.

"Sources tell us that letter is tied to an allegation of police misconduct that Baez made in a motion a while back that relates to a video visitation Casey had with her parents," Longo said.

Moonsammy told Longo he had no idea why Baez wanted to talk to him.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Moonsammy told Longo.

Did Moonsammy see Anthony's reaction when her daughter's remains were found? WFTV-Channel 9's Jeff Deal wanted to no. "No, sir," Moonsammy said.

WESH also reported that Amy Huizenga, Casey Anthony's friend and a key witness for the state, has hired a lawyer and won't give a deposition to Baez this week.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/03/casey-anthony-case--12.html

Casey Anthony: Parents' attorney says friend's story is "garbage"

posted by halboedeker on Apr 1, 2009 6:13:57 PM

What they were saying about the Casey Anthony case today:

Judge Stan Strickland rejected attorney Jose Baez's motion for a secret meeting with the judge. Baez, who is representing Anthony, evidently had hoped to subpoena records but keep them secret.

WFTV-Channel 9 anchor Martie Salt said Baez "had filed the request in the wrong case file, so at first there was confusion. But once it got to the judge's office, he turned it down without a hearing. Judge Strickland ruled there is no legal basis for that kind of request."

WESH-Channel 2's Bob Kealing said his station "has learned Baez may try a slightly different tactic to get the evidence he is looking for."

Anthony is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee.

Baez questioned Kiomarie Cruz, a childhood friend of Casey Anthony, in a private deposition. In an interview with WESH, Brad Conway blasted Cruz's statement that Casey wanted to give up Caylee.

"It's garbage. Casey never discussed putting that child up for adoption," said Conway, the attorney for George and Cindy Anthony. "If Caylee needed to be taken care of, George and Cindy Anthony would have taken care of their grandchild as their own."

Conway also disputed other parts of Cruz's story, which she had sold to The National Enquirer. He said that Cindy did not force Casey to keep Caylee. And Conway said that Casey as a child did not bury her pets in the area that Cruz claimed. Caylee's remains were found near that spot.

WFTV explained the lineup in Baez's depositions: three corrections officers and private investigator Jim Hoover go tomorrow. Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff's Office will go Friday.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case-.html#more

WFTV's Kathi Belich: Let's hear it for her tenacity

posted by halboedeker on Apr 2, 2009 3:08:41 PM

The footage is amusing, and Jose Baez gets off a memorable one-liner.

But there's something else to take away from raw footage that WFTV-Channel 9 posted of reporter Kathi Belich following Baez as she covered the Casey Anthony story.

Belich is tenacious. She is not afraid to get her petticoats dirty or to suffer someone's putdowns. She wants the story for her viewers. She keeps asking questions and sets the pace for others. Look at how the competition followed her indoors today.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/wftvs-kathi-belich-lets-hear-it-for-her-tenacity.html

Casey Anthony: Private eye says colleague knew Caylee was dead

posted by halboedeker on Apr 2, 2009 6:26:09 PM

On a day of depositions in the Casey Anthony case, a private investigator generated the main headline in speaking to reporters.

Jim Hoover's comment was "really raising eyebrows," WKMG-Channel 6 anchor Jacqueline London said tonight.

Hoover had volunteered his services to the Anthony family. He told reporters that another private eye for the Anthony family, Dominic Casey, knew that Caylee's body was in the woods.

"That raises the question how could Dominic have known that Caylee's body was in the woods," WKMG's Louis Bolden said.

Hoover shot a video of Dominic Casey, who can be seen talking on the phone as he searched the woods. "We have no idea who he was talking to, but Hoover says he definitely feels that whoever Dominic was talking to was directing them through the woods," Bolden added.

Hoover had a three-hour deposition today with Casey Anthony's defense team. She is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee.WFTV-Channel 9's Kathi Belich said Hoover "felt beaten up" after the "three-hour grilling.

"Hoover said Dominic Casey was somber on the day in November they searched the words. The reason? The private eye had learned Caylee was dead that day.

Dominic Casey has said that he got a tip from a psychic to search the area. But Hoover told WFTV that he never heard about a psychic.

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said prosecutors will use Hoover's information to link Casey Anthony to the crime scene. "You can only get that information from the killer or someone so closely associated with the killer that they had that information," Sheaffer said.

Hoover also told WFTV that Dominic Casey was trying to sell photos to make money. The reason? Private eye Casey said defense attorney Jose Baez owed him $90,000, Belich reported.

Brad Conway, attorney for George and Cindy Anthony, told WESH-Channel 2 that his clients are still seeking private time with Casey to mourn Caylee.

"There's no plan for a funeral service or something that other inmates are not entitled to," Conway said. "Whatever the jail will allow is what we want." The jail has said it won't allow any special treatment for Anthony.

WFTV said Baez on Friday is expected to question two sheriff's investigators and a co-worker of Roy Kronk, who found the Caylee's body.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case--1.html

Casey Anthony case: Jose Baez "happy" with depositions

posted by halboedeker on Apr 3, 2009 5:34:25 PM

Today's Casey Anthony headline: Jose Baez is happy.

"After a week of intensive depositions, Baez did tell us he's gotten quite a bit of what he came here for," WESH-Channel 2's Bob Kealing said.

"We've been very successful in getting a lot of information," Baez said. "We're very happy with the progress.

"Kealing asked Baez about the reactions of client Anthony, who is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee. Baez wasn't taking those questions.

Before the depositions, WFTV-Channel 9 showed Baez talking to reporters about his goals with the depositions.

"I hope to accomplish to be able to get to the truth of everything," he said.

"Hasn't Casey told you the truth?" WFTV's Kathi Belich asked.

He didn't answer that, but said, "I don't know what officers know and what they've done. And that's part of the truth, that's part of the entire story.

"In depositions today, Baez seemed to be focused on three issues, Belich said:
1. The sheriff's office investigation of Zenaida Gonzalez.
2. The office's handling of an August tip about a suspicious find in the area where Caylee's remains were later found.
3. Meter reader Roy Kronk, who found Caylee's remains in December.

Today Baez questioned Kronk's supervisor, the deputy who signed off on Kronk's tip in August, and a sheriff's investigator who looked at Anthony's computer and found a single reference to Gonzalez.

WKMG-Channel 6's Adam Longo reported that the deputy handed the tip to the case's lead detective, who allegedly said the area had been searched. "This defense team is convinced Caylee's remains weren't in those woods until after Casey went to jail," Longo added.

In summing up the week, Baez told WKMG: "We have gained a wealth of information these last several days that we did not have before. .. And we confirmed a lot of things that we suspected.

"Baez expects to take more depositions in two weeks, and the defense wants to subpoena records from Texas EquuSearch, Longo reported.

There will be more depositions next week in the Zenaida Gonzalez defamation suit against Anthony. John Morgan, Gonzalez's attorney, will depose George and Cindy Anthony, Casey's parents, on Thursday.

At 6 tonight, WESH's Kealing reported that a secret deal is in the works to buy the land where Caylee's remains were found. Someone sympathetic to George and Cindy Anthony is trying to buy the spot and block bounty hunter Leonard Padilla's efforts to put a permanent memorial there, the Anthonys' attorney told Kealing.

"That's not where they want to remember their granddaughter, Caylee Marie, being," attorney Brad Conway said. "They would rather have a living memorial, something that children could go play at."

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case--2.html

Casey Anthony case: Her moods, her lying style generate reports

posted by halboedeker on Apr 6, 2009 12:48:30 PM

Casey Anthony's demeanor was a major story on noon newscasts today as the state released more documents and video. She is accused of the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee.

On the day she was indicted, Anthony was "cool as a cucumber as she sat and joked with detectives from the FBI and the Orange County Sheriff's Office," said Kathi Belich of WFTV-Channel 9.

Belich noticed that Anthony was more interested in media coverage than her supposedly missing daughter. "When the FBI agent defended the media for helping to find missing kids, Casey changed her tune immediately," Belich added.

Anthony also looked at the video camera at that point. Did you notice that?

Though Anthony claimed she was willing to talk with detectives on that day, she didn't -- after talking to her attorney, Belich siad.

On WKMG-Channel 6, anchor Laura Diaz asked if Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, has ever given a reason why his client won't talk with investigators."His only explanation is she wants to invoke her right of counsel -- which means she doesn't want to talk -- and he never explains why," reporter Mike DeForest said.

The stations also looked at a videotaped conversation between Lee Anthony, Casey's brother, and Tony Lazzaro, her former boyfriend. Investigators had asked Lazzaro to talk to Lee.

In footage on WKMG, Lee Anthony wondered why his sister lied so much since middle school. "If she's deceitful, she's doing it for -- you know I can't even to say that," her brother said. "I'm trying to think: Does she really do it only to better herself? Or does she even say white lies just to do it. ... Sometimes it seems she lies to lie.

"The stations examined Casey's changing moods.

WESH-Channel 2's Amanda Ober studied the day Anthony was indicted: "On that day, Casey had appeared
weepy and sorrowful at a news conference at her attorney's office. Just a few hours later, Casey laughed and joked with detectives.

"WFTV's Belich contrasted Anthony's hang-tough style on the day she was indicted with the young mother's reported hyperventilation two months later when Caylee's remains were found.

The stations promised more coverage later today. WKMG also promoted its exclusive, one-on-one interview with George Anthony, Casey's father. That will air at 11 tonight.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/belich-casey-as-cool-as-a-cucumber-talked-more-about-publicity-than-caylee.html

Casey Anthony case: WKMG sees "potentially damning account" from jail officer, links between home and crime scene

posted by halboedeker on Apr 6, 2009 5:45:05 PM

Viewers heard Casey Anthony talk more today than they had in months.

The state released more evidence -- notably video -- in the case against the young mother, who is charged with the murder of her daughter, Caylee.

WKMG-Channel 6 studied her reaction on the December day remains were found near the Anthony home. Casey breathed rapidly and talked fast but not about the case, then she started talking about football, a corrections officer said.

"It is a stunning and potentially damning account detailing the moments that changed everything: the news that Caylee's remains were likely found," WKMG anchor Jacqueline London said.

WKMG and WFTV-Channel 9 examined how events unfolded on Oct. 14, the day Anthony was indicted.

"She complained, joked and laughed," WFTV's Kathi Belich said of Anthony's reactions in talking with investigators.

"Detectives tried to get her to crack by talking about how tough it was for her father to testify against her that morning to the grand jury and by telling her how strong their evidence was that Caylee's dead body had been in the trunk of her car," Belich said. "But Casey stuck to the one consistent part of her story."

Then WFTV showed Casey saying that she felt in her gut that Caylee was alive.

She blamed investigators for not taking her offer to talk, and she could be heard saying, "Nobody's taken us up on that."

"As if," Belich said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. This baffling story offers a lot of room for editorializing.

WKMG provided a fascinating montage of how events unfolded on Oct. 14. Video showed Anthony saying she was willing to talk to authorities, then talking by phone to defense attorney Jose Baez to set up such a meeting. Later, Anthony said she knew in her gut that the missing Caylee was still alive. Baez arrived, then he and Anthony met privately. Baez later announced that Anthony wasn't going to talk to authorities.

"Did Casey genuinely want to sit down and chat with the FBI?" WKMG's Mike DeForest asked. "Or was this all a big game?"

In another report, WKMG's Tony Pipitone looked at key evidence for detectives. "It's clear they have found material that ties the Anthony home to the site where Caylee's body was dumped," Pipitone said. He cited the brand of duct tape (Henkel) found on Caylee's remains plus the plastic trash bags with yellow handles, a cloth laundry bag and pink-striped shorts the toddler was wearing.

In still another report, WKMG's Jessica D'Onofrio studied a taped conversation between Lee Anthony, Casey's brother, and Tony Lazzaro, her former boyfriend. D'Onofrio said the conversation made it clear that investigators didn't trust Lee Anthony and persuaded Lazzaro to let them install cameras in Lazzaro's car to tape the conversation.

The two men talked for two hours, and Lee did most of the talking, D'Onofrio said. Lazzaro said he didn't understand Casey Anthony's mindset, and Lee agreed that he was creeped out by it.

WESH-Channel 2's Amanda Ober offered newly released photos of Anthony "living it up on the nightclub scene" and evidence that someone used her computer to research neck breaking.

The most wrenching new evidence? Photos of Caylee, her cheek marked or bruised.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case--4.html

Casey Anthony case: State's mistake gives stations an insight into defendant and "interviews you've been waiting to hear"

posted by halboedeker on Apr 6, 2009 6:46:03 PM

Today's big news in the Casey Anthony case was released by mistake. The state attorney's office hadn't meant to put out audio interviews with jail officers about Anthony's reaction to news that her daughter's remains had likely been found.

Jose Baez, Anthony's attorney, hadn't commented on the accidental release of the recordings, WKMG-Channel 6's Mike DeForest said during the 6 p.m. news.

But the stations realized what they had.

"They're the interviews you've been waiting to hear," WFTV-Channel 9 anchor Martie Salt said. "And they said Casey saw it first on Channel 9. "

Funny how the promotion gets mixed in with the news, isn't it?"The audio recordings will give you insights into Casey Anthony like never before," Salt added.

"It is a stunning and potentially damningaccount detailing the moments that changed everything: the news that Caylee's remains were likely found," WKMG anchor Jacqueline London said.

The jail officers' comments marked an unusual moment in the case. WFTV's Kathi Belich said: "A jail lieutenant said the only time Casey Anthony has had an
emotional outburst at the jail was December 11, after she saw our special report that Caylee's remains had probably been found near her house."

In a WKMG report, a jail lieutenant described Casey's clammy hands and her request for a sedative that day, then the young mother quickly changed the topic to college football.

WKMG's Tony Pipitone looked at what could be a break in the case for the defense. Deputy Richard Cain reversed himself in describing how he reacted in August to a tip from meter reader Roy Kronk, who later found Caylee's remains in December.

Under oath, Cain first said he picked up a bag -- leaves and sticks fell out -- and a close-by Kronk said that was the bag in question.

But six hours later, Cain said he didn't pick up a bag -- just yard waste -- and that Kronk wasn't nearby.

The defense's spokeswoman told Pipitone it wouldn't comment on how Cain's story had "changed dramatically."

Pipitone explained the importance of the contradictions: "It could raise doubts about whether Casey could have dumped that body because she was, of course, in jail."

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case--5.html

Casey Anthony case: Jose Baez cannot continue as lead counsel in a death penalty case, stations explain

posted by halboedeker on Apr 13, 2009 5:29:51 PM

The state's decision to seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony means that Jose Baez cannot continue as her lead counsel, stations reported tonight."

To be a lead counsel in a death penalty case in Florida, you have to have tried nine serious and complex cases to completion -- and been trial counsel or co-counsel on two death penalty cases," WKMG-Channel 6's Tony Pipitone said.

Baez did not meet the second standard "as far as we know," Pipitone added. So Baez could not be lead counsel, although he could remain on the case, Pipitone said.

WESH-Channel 2's Bob Kealing broke the news this afternoon that the state had changed plans and decided to seek the death penalty against Anthony, who is charged with daughter Caylee's murder. Kealing later explained that Baez is not eligible to continue as lead counsel.

Baez told Kealing: "We've been prepared from day one and we have death-qualified lawyers on our team. We plan on making this a whole lot tougher for the state now."

WKMG and WFTV-Channel 9 put the Anthony story at the top of their 5 p.m. newscasts. WESH, WFTV and WKMG put the story at the stop of their 6 p.m. newscasts.

WFTV's Kathi Belich said the state "had believed all along this was a premeditated murder, but early on the decision was made not to seek the death penalty because the body had not yet been found. But once the body was found here on Dec. 11, a lot of things changed."

Why the decision to seek the death penalty?

WESH's Kealing speculated that the state had some new evidence that the murder had been so heinous and cruel. He pointed to the duct tape found over
Caylee's mouth. "Do investigators now have test results somehow tying Casey to that tape?" Kealing asked. "We don't know the answer to that question."

WKMG's Pipitone said the state needed a good faith belief that the murder was cold, calculated and premeditated. He also pointed to the duct tape and evidence of chloroform. Pipitone cited other factors, such as allegations of child abuse and the victim being younger than 12.

The Anthony defense team released a statement: "This is not a death penalty case. We will do whatever is necessary to defend Casey Anthony from the state trying to take her life. We already have death-qualified defense lawyers on our team and are prepared for a vigorous defense."

WKMG anchor Laura Diaz said the station asked which lawyers were qualified, but spokeswoman Marti Mackenzie said "no comment" and hung up the phone.

But WESH also explained there could be problems in the state's case. WESH legal analyst Richard Hornsby, a criminal defense lawyer, pointed to Deputy Richard Cain. Kealing cited the example of private investigator Dominic Casey. Both Cain and Dominic Casey checked the woods and found no remains.

"You prove that body was put there after Casey was in jail, that's a huge reasonable doubt," Hornsby said.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case-jose-baez-cannot-continue-as-lead-counsel-in-a-death-penalty-case-stations-explai.html

Casey Anthony: What does state's move to death penalty mean?

posted by halboedeker on Apr 14, 2009 10:13:14 AM

Television pulled out the legal analysts to explain why prosecutors changed their minds to seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony. She is charged with murdering her daughter, Caylee.

"The state attorney's office must feel that they have a rock-solid circumstantial evidence case," WFTV-Channel 9 legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.

On WESH-Channel 2, attorney Mark NeJame said he expected the state's move and predicted it could bolster a plea deal for Anthony.

"It's often happened where the death penalty has been on the table, that the state agrees to withdraw the death penalty in exchange for a life sentence," said NeJame, a former attorney for George and Cindy Anthony.

Things would have been different months ago and the state's action signals a change. "I believe that the state believes it has been empowered with a stronger case and are probably far less likely to offer any type of deal that they might have considered in the past," NeJame added.

WKMG-Channel 6 talked to criminal defense attorney Cheney Mason, who questioned the state's move. "This is a far reach. They better have something real strong in their bag of tricks," Mason said.


Mason said the state doesn't have the cause of death, when it happened or how it happened.

He said the case was in the top of the first inning and predicted that it would be remarkable if the trial started in a year and a half or two years.

WKMG's Adam Longo talked to Jose Baez, Anthony's attorney. Baez said the cost to taxpayers would triple and dismissed as off base the speculation that he will be in the background because he isn't qualified to lead a death-penalty case.

Longo reported that three other death-qualified attorneys have been helping the Anthony case. "None of us know their names," Longo said. "We will likely be hearing more about them in the coming weeks."

On NBC's "Today," former federal prosecutor Kendall Coffey described the state's decision as "a stunning development coming this late in the case." He said the state has "excruciating pressure" on Anthony to make a plea deal.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case-what-did-move-to-death-penalty-mean.html

George, Cindy display an interview style reminiscent of 'The Three Faces of Eve'

posted by halboedeker on Apr 22, 2009 8:50:57 AM

George and Cindy Anthony remind me of the old movie "Three Faces of Eve." Just like Joanne Woodward, they've run through a series of personalities.

They shared their subdued side in an exclusive interview with CBS' "Early Show" this morning. They were far different from the furious people who gave depositions in the Zenaida Gonzalez defamation suit against their daughter, Casey. Casey is charged with daughter Caylee's murder.

The news from the interview? Casey, who is facing the death penalty, probably won't accept a plea deal, George said. And Cindy said they wouldn't encourage her to do so.

"I don't think Casey would take a plea deal," Cindy said. "Casey's not going to admit to something she hasn't done.

"OK, so maybe it wasn't front-page news. But the interview was another example of how the Anthonys have a habit of contradicting what they've said -- and what has been reported in this well-chronicled saga.

"Early Show" interviewer Maggie Rodriguez asked how Cindy could say with such conviction that Casey hadn't committed the crime. "We know what kind of mother she was," Cindy said.

"I don't think it's possible for my daughter to hurt anyone, definitely her own child," George added.

He didn't think it was possible Casey could hurt anyone? Really?

Rodriguez asked about the 30 days Caylee was missing -- the days before Cindy called authorities.

"I believed she was with her mom," Cindy said. "I've never had a reason not to trust Casey with Caylee.

"But, of course, that statement contradicts reports that Cindy wanted to gain custody of the little girl.

This morning, Cindy said Caylee had been Casey's priority.

"I'm just the grandmother," Cindy said. "Just because she lived with me doesn't mean Casey wasn't in charge of Caylee.

" Rodriguez pressed the point, asking about Casey's history of lies.

"There was never a red flag until July 15," Cindy said.

Never a red flag? Really?

Rodriguez was sympathetic with two very difficult interview subjects. The chat will continue on Thursday's show. But you have to wonder about the Anthonys' media savvy. They went with "The Early Show" after an interview with daytime queen Oprah Winfrey had been announced. With Winfrey, they would have reached a far wider audience. Yet once Winfrey learned of "The Early Show," she dropped the Anthonys.

Maybe Oprah was the lucky one. The Anthonys are like a minefield for an interviewer.

Rodriguez asked about the penalty. Cindy said they couldn't think about that.

When Rodriguez asked about Cindy's original call to authorities, the grandmother wouldn't touch that question and turned to her attorney, Brad Conway, who was at her side.

George said trying to take his life was the wrong thing and complained about how people had come after his family.

What about the punishment for Caylee's killer? "We want the truth," Cindy said.

But can they handle the truth? And who are they today?

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-george-cindy-show-lowkey-side-to-early-show-grandma-says-she-saw-no-red-flag-in-caylee.html

Cindy tells CBS' 'Early Show' that she considered suicide but Casey kept her from it

posted by halboedeker on Apr 22, 2009 11:40:39 AM

Cindy Anthony contemplated suicide several times, she tells CBS' "Early Show" in an interview to air Thursday morning.

"Cindy reveals that George wasn't the only one who considered suicide. She did, too," "Early Show" anchor Maggie Rodriguez told me. "She wrote several suicide notes. Then Casey came home for the first time. When they released her the first time, Cindy says they sat together and prayed, and Casey kept her from going through with it."

Cindy Anthony "told me with tears in her eyes" that it was "something she had never confessed before," Rodriguez said.

George and Cindy Anthony gave "The Early Show" their first joint interview since granddaughter Caylee's remains were found. Their daughter, Casey, is charged with murdering Caylee.

Rodriguez interviewed the couple live today. The second part was taped after today's show and will air on Thursday's show. "The Early Show" starts at 7 a.m. on WKMG-Channel 6.

Rodriguez said she had 30 minutes with the couple after the show. She said the interview could run 10 or 20 minutes -- which would be an eternity in television. She added that it's likely the entire interview will be posted at CBSNews.com.

What else is coming Thursday?

*Rodriguez asked if Cindy regretted making the 911 call that could be used to convict Casey.

"She said, 'I don't regret it. I had to tell the truth. Casey thanked me for making the call immediately after making the call,' " Rodriguez said.

"They say they have no regrets," Rodriguez added. "Would they have called for help sooner? No."

*The couple wouldn't say what they thought happened to Caylee, but "Cindy does say she would like to have private time with her daughter."

*Rodriguez said she could ask anything. But the couple wouldn't answer any questions pertaining to evidence, and their attorney, Brad Conway, would jump in when she tried, Rodriguez added.

*The interviewer's take on the Anthonys? "They are bent on supporting their daughter, no matter what," Rodriguez said. "They don't want to lose another family member."How did Rodriguez gain the interview over Oprah Winfrey?

"I dont' know their dealings with Oprah," Rodriguez said. "We have been working to secure the interview for many months." Rodriguez said she had reached out repeatedly to the couple and Conway.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/caylee-anthony-cindy-tells-cbs-early-show-that-she-considered-suicide-but-casey-kept-her-from-it.html

Cindy tells 'Early Show' that she 'couldn't bear not having Caylee around'

posted by halboedeker on Apr 22, 2009 3:29:28 PM

Cindy Anthony tells CBS' "Early Show" that she wrote suicide notes in July and August. "I couldn't bear not having Caylee around and not knowing what happened to her," Anthony tells Maggie Rodriguez. "You get to a point when you miss someone so much that you think life's not worth living."

The second part of Rodriguez's interview with George and Cindy Anthony will air at 7 a.m. Thursday on WKMG-Channel 6.

Their daughter, Casey, is charged with murdering their granddaughter, Caylee. Here's a preview:

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/the_early_show/

mom_in_il wrote:Cindy tells 'Early Show' that she 'couldn't bear not having Caylee around'

posted by halboedeker on Apr 22, 2009 3:29:28 PM

Cindy Anthony tells CBS' "Early Show" that she wrote suicide notes in July and August. "I couldn't bear not having Caylee around and not knowing what happened to her," Anthony tells Maggie Rodriguez. "You get to a point when you miss someone so much that you think life's not worth living."

The second part of Rodriguez's interview with George and Cindy Anthony will air at 7 a.m. Thursday on WKMG-Channel 6.

Their daughter, Casey, is charged with murdering their granddaughter, Caylee. Here's a preview:

[url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/the_early_show/

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/the_early_show/[/quote[/url]]

Why was she contemplating suicide in July and August when they were soooo convinced that Caylee was alive and all the sitings that they were reporting. Could it be that they knew then? We all know the answer to that!

Jose Baez tells WESH how she could get off; George, Cindy tell CBS' 'Early Show' they're behind their daughter -- no matter what

posted by halboedeker on Apr 23, 2009 9:00:44 AM

Watch CBS Videos Online

Today is the start of the May sweeps ratings period. News organizations are promoting their reports to bring in viewers, and the Casey Anthony case has become an important lure.

WESH-Channel 2's Bob Kealing will have an interview with Anthony attorney Jose Baez at 11 tonight. Anchor Martha Sugalski said at 11 last night that Baez "makes the case for why Casey could go free.

We'll explore four areas in the case where Baez and other prominent players say reasonable doubt could exist.

We're going to tell your what the key battleground is going to be."

On CBS' "Early Show," Maggie Rodriguez this morning concluded her two-part interview with Casey's parents, George and Cindy Anthony. Rodriguez shared the headline with me yesterday: Cindy had contemplated suicide. The second part had been taped after their appearance on the show yesterday.

This morning, the parents described Casey. George called her sensitive, caring and "the kind of daughter that any father is proud of." She is accused of murdering her daughter, Caylee.

What do they say to people who say the evidence is hard to refute? "Has any case ever gotten all this kind of exposure?" George asked. "No."

The parents said they would support Casey, no matter what. "All we can do is stand behind our daughter," Cindy said.

"There's some people that say we should be done with it," George said. "You can't. That's our daughter. No matter what."

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-jose-baez-tells-wesh-how-she-could-get-off-cbs-early-show-continues-george-cindy-inter.html#more

Casey Anthony: Cindy tells WKMG she canceled on Oprah Winfrey because of integrity -- yes, you read that right

posted by halboedeker on Apr 23, 2009 11:58:36 PM

Why did George and Cindy Anthony pass on Oprah Winfrey?

In a text message to WKMG-Channel 6, Cindy said, "BTW I cancelled on Oprah because of integrity."

WKMG's Jessica D'Onofrio said Anthony didn't explain the cryptic message.

Cindy is going to pick a fight with Oprah? Based on honesty?

Who do you think is going to win that one? Duh.

The Winfrey people said they decided not to go forward with an Anthony interview after learning the couple would appear elsewhere. George and Cindy talked to CBS' "Early Show" on Wednesday and Thursday.

So WKMG anchor Mike Garofalo asked which party should be believed: Oprah or Cindy?

"It's really anybody's guess," D'Onofrio said.

Given her track record, Oprah wins my vote. What do you say?

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-cindy-tells-wkmg-she-canceled-on-oprah-winfrey-because-of-integrity.html

Casey Anthony case: In WESH interview, Jose Baez apologizes if he hasn't shown outrage that wronged woman is jailed

posted by halboedeker on Apr 25, 2009 10:43:11 AM

Where is the outrage from the defense that the wrong woman has been jailed?

Bob Kealing of WESH-Channel 2 asked that question of Jose Baez, who is representing Casey Anthony in her murder trial.

"I apologize if I haven't shown that previously," Baez said.

"I've pulled out all the stops to try to get her the best defense possible," he added. "That's what I'm mostly concerned with. I have to stay focused. I can't get emotional."

Anthony is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee. WESH has heralded its interview with Baez as an exclusive -- the first the attorney has given since the state decided to seek the death penalty. The NBC affiliate aired reports Thursday and Friday -- the first two days of the May sweeps ratings period -- and put other parts of the interview on its Web site.

Kealing asked how Baez will try to explain the smell of decomposition in Anthony's car trunk. Baez countered that the lab has said it could possibly be decomposition -- a "very presumptive result," Baez said. Baez added that the evidence hasn't been submitted in court and that the science behind it isn't
fully accepted.

Did you find the interview worthwhile? Or not?

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case-jose-baez-apologizes-to-wesh-if-he-hasnt-shown-outrage-previously.html

Casey Anthony case: WESH explores 'ugly coping'

posted by halboedeker on Apr 28, 2009 11:53:12 PM

How to explain Casey Anthony's behavior after her daughter disappeared?

WESH-Channel 2 tonight explored the issue of "ugly coping" -- or a defendant's not grieving in an appropriate way.

The record shows that Anthony partied, lied and waited a month to acknowledge that daughter Caylee was missing. Anthony is charged with Caylee's murder.

In an interview with WESH, Jose Baez, Anthony's attorney, gave an oft-repeated line: "She has a very compelling reason for her actions."

That's all he was saying about his client. But Baez evidently sees a parallel in the case of a military wife who partied, purchased breast implants and slept around after her husband's death. Cynthia Sommer was charged with her husband's murder, but she was freed after two years in jail.

"She lost her emotional compass. She went off the deep end," Sommer's attorney, Allen Bloom, said. "This is not an unusual phenomenon."

WESH reporter Bob Kealing highlighted Baez's citing of the Sommer case as "the first information of any kind in nine months that Baez has offered beyond that pat answer that Caey has a compelling reason for her actions."

Yet a lot of what followed was just speculation.

Kealing recounted Sommer's story and then asked: "Will Jose Baez use Cynthia Sommer, the case he told us about, to help him in the case against Casey? Can this notion of ugly coping be applied to Casey's partying, lying and apparent disinterest over the loss of little Caylee?"

WESH anchor Jim Payne followed that with another question: "By steering you to this case does Baez tip his hand?"

Kealing replied that Baez's spokeswoman said the Sommer connection is "not an accurate representation of the defense strategy."

Kealing added, "We're not saying this is going to be his defense."

Which raises a question: Why was this report shown?

I don't think the information justified the buildup or the airtime lavished on the report. But it's sweeps month, and any Anthony report brings in some viewers.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/04/casey-anthony-case-wesh-explores-ugly-coping.html

Jose Baez says 'we'll be surprised' by what happened on the day Caylee's remains were found

posted by halboedeker on May 5, 2009 6:25:27 PM

The State Attorney's Office released 700 pages of documents to the defense team in the Casey Anthony case.

"[Jose] Baez got an avalanche of new evidence today, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's happy," said WESH-Channel 2's Bob Kealing.

At first glance, Baez said this material wasn't what the defense was seeking, such as Caylee's autopsy report, Kealing reported. Baez said he may ask the judge to intervene. Casey is charged with daughter Caylee's murder.

"They know what we want, they know how long we've been asking for it," Baez said of the prosecution. "There comes a certain point where cooperation ends."

Baez today questioned a corrections officer and a sheriff's detective about Anthony's reaction on Dec. 11 when a child's remains were found near the Anthony home. Those remains were later identified as Caylee. Baez deposed jail Lt. Tammy Unser and Detective Phillip Graves.

WFTV-Channel 9's Kathi Belich said Baez had told her that Anthony "was not treated very well at the jail the day she found out a child's remains were found near her home."

Baez is trying to keep a videotape of Anthony's reaction from being released to the public. "The defense does not want us to see Casey Anthony's meltdown," Belich said.

Another Belich point stood out: "He [Baez] says we'll be surprised when we find out what happened that day, on Dec. 11th." She added. "But he says he doesn't even know the whole story yet."

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer scoffed at Baez's approach: "The only camera Mr. Baez doesn't like that he's met is the camera at the jail."Baez will depose more witnesses next week, including a co-worker of meter reader Roy Kronk, WESH reported.

WKMG-Channel 6's Mike DeForest reported Zenaida Gonzalez's lawyers plan to interview former Anthony pal Annie Downing in several weeks. Gonzalez is suing Casey Anthony for defamation for linking her to Caylee's disappearance. But Anthony's attorney's hope to get Gonzalez's civil lawsuit thrown out, DeForest added.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/05/casey-anthony--4.html

Casey Anthony: WFTV says it won't retract report that the defense team called 'this fabrication'

posted by halboedeker on May 6, 2009 2:20:58 PM

Casey Anthony's defense team wants a retraction from WFTV-Channel 9.The station says no way.

Jose Baez's spokeswoman said WFTV's Kathi Belich was wrong when she reported this week that Baez "faxed copies of his motion for a
change of venue to some reporters before he ever filed it with the
court."

Baez spokeswoman Marti Mackenzie fired off an e-mail to the station: "Please retract this fabrication that you reported.
Let us know when you plan to retract your report."

"We're not going to retract it," WFTV news director Bob Jordan told me. "Faxed or handed. Makes no difference how it was transmitted. What matters is that it was transmitted to reporters."

Mackenzie said that simply wasn't so and that the motion wasn't provided to any reporter before it was filed.

"Their reports are tainted with the way they like to spin their own story," Mackenzie said today. "Kathi Belich, it appears, came late to a news conference so she could make her own entrance. She hangs back and then tries to grab Jose by herself. So much of this is about theater. These are things that are a trademark of Channel 9, the confrontational interview. "

Mackenzie said WFTV has sent out a message, through all its Anthony reporting, that the station is pro-prosecution. But this particular report -- about the change of venue motion -- was enraging because it was a fabrication, Mackenzie said.

Casey Anthony is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/05/casey-anthony-wftv-says-it-wont-retract-report-that-defense-team-called-a-fabrication.html

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/caylee_and_casey_anthony/index.html

Even the family's baptisms are controversial

posted by halboedeker on Aug 10, 2009 1:36:15 PM

Motions by Casey Anthony's defense team made headlines on noon newscasts today.

WKMG-Channel 6 and WFTV-Channel 9 reported that the defense wants Anthony's check-forgery case delayed until after her murder trial. Anthony is accused of the first-degree murder of her daughter, Caylee.

Both stations reported that the defense wants Tim Miller of Texas Equusearch certified as a material witness.

WKMG also reported that the defense wants these people barred from testifying for the state: Leonard Padilla, Tony Padilla, Tracy McLaughlin and Robert Dick. The defense said those people had an attorney-client relationship with Anthony, anchor Erick Weber said. (Those four people entered into agreements with the defense counsel.) The hearing on the motions will be Aug. 21.

But another Anthony story -- from Sunday -- was stirring heated conversation on the Internet. On what would have been Caylee's 4th birthday, grandparents George and Cindy Anthony were re-baptized, according to people who attended the service.

In a sign of low regard for George and Cindy, some readers questioned the Anthonys' timing and motives in being re-baptized. I read about this development on the WESH-Channel 2 Web site. And I've heard about it from readers who were outraged.

Were the Anthonys upstaging Caylee on what should have been her day? When your baptisms are controversial, you really have an image problem.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/08/casey-anthony-even-their-baptisms-become-controversial.html