CASEY ANTHONY CASE: NO BODY = NO DEATH PENALTY

Friday, December 5, 2008: Prosecutors filed documents in the Casey Anthony case stating they will not seek the death penalty for the alleged murder of Casey's daughter, Caylee, stating, "It is not in the best interest of the people of the state of Florida to pursue the death penalty as a potential sentence. Therefore, the state of Florida will not be seeking the death penalty as to Casey Marie Anthony." Article here.

The state's allegations against Casey depict a selfish mother who committed a heinous murder of her 3-year old daughter by possibly poisoning her with choloroform and then storing her body in the trunk of the family car for days.  Why wouldn't they seek the death penalty?  In my opinion, the sole reason is because Caylee's body still has not been found and there is a probability (although quite low) that Caylee is still alive.  It would be a terrible injustice to have executed a woman whose daughter miraculously appears alive one day.  (There are still alleged sightings of Caylee.)  If Caylee's body is found before trial, it may be possible that the state can withdraw their filing and re-file a request for the death penalty.George and Cindy Anthony received a photo of a girl with brown hair (center) playing at the Florida Mall. Photo courtesty of Orlando Sentinel.

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CASEY ANTHONY CASE: POLICE MUST STOP RELEASING TAPES TO PUBLIC

Today, December 4, 2008, the Orange County Jail released visitation video recordings between Casey Anthony & her parents, George and Cindy, between July 25-Aug 3.  Article & videos here.

The State Attorney's Obvious Attempts to Taint the Jury Pool

The State Attorney's office should be ashamed of itself for continuing to release videos and audio recordings of Casey Anthony while in custody.  They initially released parts of her interrogation, then parts of their questioning of Casey's parents, and now the video of her visitation with her family.

This continued leaking of information to the public is an unprofessional attempt to taint the jury pool that will be hearing Casey's case when she goes to trial on murder charges of her daughter, Caylee.  There is no other explanation for this but the irrelevant public drama that is needed to fuel Nancy Grace's show, among others.

The released videos show a heart-wrenching meeting-behind-glass between 2 parents and their daughter.  I am not asking for sympathy for Casey.  Anyone with compassion will look at these tapes and feel sorrow for the situation as a whole.  It's just sad.

George & Cindy Anthony waiting to visit daughter, Casey, in jail

The possible crocodile tears and the alleged continued lies of Casey are heard on the video. These videos will possibly be used at trial to show Casey's pathological liar nature.  And that's the only place where they should be used.

As a criminal defense attorney, I would seek a gag order in this case, preventing the police from continuing to leak evidence to the public before the case is tried. 

I'm not saying this case shouldn't continue being discussed on Nancy's show, but the content should not include leaked evidence. Let the jury hear it first.  Whether you think she's guilty or not, Casey is entitled to a fair trial. The evidence will speak for itself at that trial and should not be evaluated by the public first.

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