Casey Anthony electrifies Jeff Ashton-Lawson Lamar showdown - Hal

Casey Anthony electrifies Jeff Ashton-Lawson Lamar showdown
posted by halboedeker on July, 10 2012 3:45 PM

The Casey Anthony case produced more fireworks as state attorney candidates Lawson Lamar and Jeff Ashton faced off during a taping Tuesday of WFTV-Channel 9’s “Central Florida Spotlight.”

Ashton failed to control his emotions during the trial and had been warned six times about the issue, incumbent Lamar told moderator Greg Warmoth. Lamar said prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick could back up the warning claim and praised her for being “poker-faced” during the trial.

Ashton countered that Lamar’s comments were not true, adding he had never been warned during the trial. Ashton also said he had a “momentary lapse” when he smiled during the trial, a situation that defense attorney Jose Baez seized on.

Who won the showdown? You can decide by watching “Central Florida Spotlight” at 12:30 p..m. Saturday on WFTV. You’re likely to see clips sooner on the station’s newscasts. Warmoth trumpeted that it was the first time the two candidates had sat in the same studio at the same time. The election is Aug. 14.

Lamar said that Anthony had not been overcharged when the state attorney sought the death penalty and added that the jury could have chosen lesser penalties against her. She was acquitted last year of murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

Ashton agreed that seeking the death penalty was “correct” and “appropriate” but added that he warned Lamar that the likelihood of getting it was “slim.”

If Lamar had such qualms about Ashton’s demeanor, why did Ashton have such a big role in the trial? The belief was that Ashton could control his temper and that Ashton loved the forensics, Lamar said. “I took care of him and gave him the job,” Lamar said.

Lamar blasted Ashton for “getting rich on Casey Anthony.” Ashton wrote a best-selling book that will be adapted into a Lifetime movie.

Ashton countered that Lamar had gotten rich off government service, and that was wrong.

Ashton said that he had no personal animosity toward Lamar, but that the state attorney’s office is “broken.”

Lamar dismissed the notion that Ashton could lead the office where Ashton worked 22 years. “He’s never done anything but try cases,” Lamar said. “He couldn’t lead his household budget.”

Ashton said that “mediocrity reigns” at the state attorney’s office, which he said is “too bureaucratic.” He promised to shake up the office if he wins.

It was dramatic, all right, and the WFTV website will offer it all, because “Central Florida Spotlight” runs just a half-hour.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2012/07/casey-anthony-electrifies-jeff-ashton-lawson-lamar-showdown.html