Monday, April 13, 2009

Death penalty back on the table for Casey Anthony

From WFTV

Casey Anthony could be put to death for the murder of her daughter Caylee. Late Monday afternoon, Eyewitness News learned the State Attorney's Office will be pursuing the death penalty in the case against Casey.

Six days before Caylee's remains were found around the corner from family's house, prosecutors had decided not to seek the death penalty against her mother Casey. But on December 11, all that changed and evidence found at the remains scene has convinced prosecutors Casey deserves to lose her life for what she did to her daughter.

"Based upon additional information that has become available since the waiver of intent to seek the penalty of death filed on December 5, 2008, sufficient aggravating circumstances exist to justify the imposition of the Death Penalty," the filed letter states.
The legal aggravating circumstances that would apply in this case would be that the murder was cruel and atrocious and cold, calculated and premeditated.


Read today's NOTICE OF INTENT

At this point, Jose Baez will have to find a death qualified attorney to lead the defense as he lacks the experience.

I would love to hear what you have to say.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

What have they learned from the body that would make them do this about face? I thought the body was too decomposed to provide much evidence of how she died. I am happy they think they can prove what she did to this baby deserves death. I've always believed she coldly premediated the murder of this defenseless child.
September

CaliGirl9 said...

I was gobsmacked. How often does a DA's office reverse a decision like this?

What do they have to make them change their minds regarding the death penalty?

(Though I believe that this is a death penalty case, regardless of who did it.)

ritanita said...

It's my most humble opinion that more test results have come back that pin the murder and the dumping of the body on Casey and no other person.

Some ideas I have are: DNA from the duct tape, the soil from her shoes (mentioned on NG earlier this week), DNA on the soles of the shoes as well as the dirt (OK, I'll admit I read that in the Examiner).

The next doc dump may reveal all!

Fingers crossed!

Anonymous said...

After watching the Anthony's depositions yesterday, my brains are about to fall out. Bottom line in this case for me...today my 5-yr old twin grandson's were playing out back and I was outside and I looked at the play area and did not see one of them, I frantically called out and he popped up from behind the slide and my heart was pounding. How could any mother NOT be worried to death about her missing child for 30 days when I got upset for less than 2 minutes of not seeing my grandson. THAT makes no sense. And then to party with no thought given to her missing child. I did feel for her parents, lost any compassion I had for Cindy A. last year, but still had it for the father, but now there is something so lacking in this family, it just boggles the mind. My husband says I "rush to judgment". So be it. I tried to keep an open mind at the beginning. Shut tight now. Thank you for writing about this case.

Anonymous said...

I think it's a brilliant move to get Jose Baez, finally out of the court room off this case and back to his own daily grind unable to profit off of Caylee M Anthony's death, another minute.

At first before we had all the evidence I was firm this was not death qualified. After her little body found dumped like trash duct taped with her own belongings, by her own mother's hand, things changed. Add things up with her internet searches and her own heinous behavior, it's a done deal.

CatToy

Anonymous said...

In Florida the death penalty requires one of more agravating circumstances to qualify as a death penalty case . I assume the results of testing show that additional requirements were met (one circumstance, an underage victim, already qualified this as a possible death penalty case from the beginning).

Some non-technical reasons for this move may also be:

1. It takes Jose Baez out of the defense team driver's seat because he's so inexperienced that there most be a death case qualified lawyer in charge of the case. Baez has filed numerous bizarre motions and has made various claims that make him difficult (but not necessarily effective...)for prosecutors to deal with.

2. Recent new appearances by George and Cindy Anthony and the video of their recent depositions in the civil case may have reduced public sympathy for them, making it easier to get a death conviction for their daughter.

3. The threat of a death sentence may make Casey more open to a deal (although legally this isn't a reason for asking for the death penalty, it is a practical result).

4. A death qualified jury tends to be tougher than a "normal" jury.

Anonymous said...

If ever there was a case deserving the death penalty, this may be the one. If she indeed partied after killing Caylee, I have no sympathy. There is an emotionless evil within her that is frightening.

Anonymous said...

And I hope the State's Attorneys office sticks with it ... as I'm sure they will be condemned from here to Sunday by this decision, but it is the correct decision!

The body of a 2 year old child was found - with duct tape around the facial area - with a heart sticker on that duct tape. A mother was out partying while the body of that baby lay there. Mother, Maternal Grandparents, Maternal Uncle all defending said "mother" - that baby has been thrown under the bus by her entire immediate family - yet held up, loved, supported by law enforcement and complete strangers. Mind boggling to me ... that you can choose to support and love the person who murdered a beautiful child ... but apparently that is the Anthony's decision. Well you go for it Anthony family! And I and many others will cheer on the State's Attorney's office ... and hopefully many LE and strangers will sit on the side of your beautiful granddaughter during the trial ... and Casey will be sentenced to death. I'm sorry that - that will leave you with nothing ... but am coming to believe that it's really what you deserve. Casey murdered Caylee ... and yet you defend Casey ... knowing all that you know ... and still telling half-truths/mis-truths/lies. How sad is that ...

Anonymous said...

The death penalty is a terrible thing for the ones who cause the death of another, even another guilty person. She should be left to rot in a miserable cell with cockroaches and vermin and fed the worst food possible. Let her die on her own and have time to realize just what she did. The death punishment is wrong for the rest of us, we shouldn't kill anybody no matter what.

shari said...

As much as I am FOR the death penalty, I have to agree with anon that Casey should rot in a cell with vermin, roaches, and bad food etc. Problem comes when 15 years down the road, everyone's memory of the event fades, she gets either a new trial, clemency and parole, or reduced sentence. She then is out in her still "childbearing" years and can repeat her past only with a better coverup. She will never change as she is classic sociopath.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately Anonymous 5:37 pm ... the laws of this country don't allow cockroaches, vermin or the worst food possible in the penal system. They are given privileges that most law abiding - underemployed (healthcare) or homeless (healthcare, bed, toilet and three square healthy meals)...
She will never realize what she did ... she has no conscience. For Casey it's all about Me Me Me Me Me. Death Penalty all the way! I don't want to pay for her pork rinds and paper any more! If it makes you feel better - I'll send pork rinds and paper to my local homeless shelter. :)

Anonymous said...

I am a nanny of a three year old. She has been in my care since she was three months old. I have met her grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends of the family. I have pictures taken with the girl. We do projects together to be taken home and given to the parents and grandparents. Everyone has my phone number and my husbands phone number. Everyone knows where I live. It just blows my away that Cindy and George or Lee never met the nanny, seen any pictures of the nanny etc. The little girl talks about me all the time. Her grandparents ask her questions about what her days are like with me. This whole family is totally bizarre.

Unknown said...

i am wondering how casey will pay for another atty after bozo baez has gotten all she has to give....that will be interesting...and also JB will not be able to put a workable link on his pitiful website....bozo the clown, you are screwed....

kathlb said...

I say it's about time. He is a wreck waiting to happen and could have done so poorly that she could have filed ineffective council after all was said and done. He's truly a Bozo.

Kathlb

SugarEd Productions said...

Someone on NG suggested that maybe the Pros. did this to try to "bully" the defense into a plea because the Pros really has some bad holes in their case and they are afraid of an aquital. Interesting thought, but I don't think the Pros would play that dangerous game. I think they feel confident in their case.

Summer's Mom said...

Possibilities:
1) Squeezes Anthony family members to pressure her to work a deal (like cop to "Zanny the nanny" being zanax; a possible defense),
2) Law officials SICK UNTO DEATH of her, and now her parents too (after the depos), and want to fend off the defense machinations to point the finger at person(s) that they (Law) have already long ago cleared, or...
3) ... indeed, some new test results/info have come back and pursuing DP is altogether legitimate under the new circumstances. Let the whole disfunctional bunch of 'em chew on that for a while...

Anonymous said...

So glad to read this post. This is one trial that I will definately follow as much as possible. I hope there will be TV coverage. Does a jury determine punishment in FLA? The prosecution must have some pretty compounding aggravating factors that have yet to be revealed. I think that this will be a tough call. It is difficult to believe that this young woman will be sent to death row, no matter how much she may deserve it. She seems to be such a sick, selfish person. I can't wait to see how this plays out. Thanks for the post Ritanita.
Nan

Anonymous said...

I am sick of the whole family. Who does Cindy and geo think they are anyway?? Certainly above the law. Throw the book at all of them.AMEN!!

nd said...

I’ve been opposed to the DP for a long time because of so many wrong convictions, but in this case I think there is no doubt of her guilt. I wonder if the ante was upped partly because tests just came back showing chloroform and/or zanax in Caylee’s hair? But there is already a ton of other evidence so I think death row is the perfect place for this monster… and I hope she meets that pesky needle in a timely manner, not in 10-20 years!

Anonymous said...

“She’ll get no protection from the injection.”
Sue Moss on NG (LOVE her!!)

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Baez’ smirking pi$$ed off the state so they put the death penalty back on the table, lol.

Anonymous said...

For what it is worth:
http://www.bloggernews.net/120032

posted on March 11, 2009:

"Other “hired guns” on the Anthony defense team: High profile Miami attorney, Terrence Lemmon, who defended Harrel Franklin Braddy, the “Miami Strangler”, and Wadada Delhall. Both defendants were sentenced to death."

Liz said...

Thanks for the post Ritanita - the only place I read about Caylee/Casey is here.

I agree with some of the other comments re Baez - it may be to ensure he is not the main lawyer. An appeal based on his competence could well be successful, so the DP ensures she must have another lead attorney. I doubt she will get the DP - it would be very unusual for such a young woman.

Anonymous said...

I have just now started reading the comments about the Caylee case. I have heard about it in the news, but have not followed it. I am just coming up for air from the Phil Spector ministries. I thought I read a while back that Linda Kenney Baden was on this case. What happened to her? Also, this seems to be a family that isn't particularly independently wealthy, so how are they paying these attorneys? I will now start to follow this case. There should be justice for this little girl.
Tess

ritanita said...

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful comments.

Anonymous @6:52 AM:

Linda Kenney-Baden is still on the case from what we know. She makes appearances from time to time as she is needed.

How this team is being paid, we really don't know the details, but it seems the rights to video and photographs are part of it. The rest? Only Jose Baez and his inner circle know. It may come out yet.

In general, I do not believe that placing the DP back on the table has anything to do with Jose Baez. Florida does take DP cases seriously and I'm sure that the reason it has been reinstated is because they believe it IS a case worthy of the DP for Casey.

The only way that Jose Baez will ever be off the case, in my most humble opinion, will be through his own actions.

Anonymous said...

I've been following this case closely since day one, and feel that if anybody deserves to die for their crime, it is the wicked Casey Anthony. She snuffed out the life of her beautiful, precious, adorable child OUT OF SPITE FOR HER MOTHER.

Watching the machinations of said mother (Cindy Anthony) over the past nine months, I almost can't blame her (Casey) for the hatred she must have felt. It seems the apple did not fall far from the tree in this case, as evil has surely begot evil. With such a controlling, manipulative, LYING mother for an example, how could the murderer have turned out otherwise? And George...well, he really comes across as a true idiot, IMO. A gutless, spineless numbskull, who just goes along with what Wifey says, no matter what. And brother Lee...well, the whole family turns my stomach.

Ya think I have some strong feelings about this case??

Oh, and Jose Baez...what a moron! Too bad he won't be removed completely...we'll still have to see his stupid face in the coming months. Should be interesting to see how this trial progresses...do hope it's televised. I will stay home from work to watch it if I have to!!

Donna in LA (the state)

Anonymous said...

As much as I despise what I suspect CA has done to her daughter, I would never vote for the DP in this case. Mainly because I would take into consideration the entire family and all the loss, torment and undeserved heartache they have gone though because of CA and I would have mercy on them, CA would get LWOP if I were a juror.

Anonymous said...

I think the Prosecution wants a plea bargain - waving the DP in Jose’s face puts the pressure on to negotiate a plea. imo

shari said...

Being here in Orlando, knowing the kind of states attys. office this is.......they are probably pretty certain of alot of evidence in this case. I do not believe the DP is to get her to plead out.

Janet said...

But Jose said, no way, jose. :) No plea bargain, and George once said that Casey would take everything right to the end, til she'd run out of lies.

On a more catty note, I'm loving watching that jail food make Casey's butt grow and grow. Can't wait to see it next week at her next hearing. It's one of those bouncy one's now. By trial date, it will probably serve as a shelf.

Tezi said...

Well, George and Cindy are prime examples of what NOT to do during a deposition! I can't believe the actions of the two of them!

I think that Bozo better be looking for someone to help him and quick! Maybe Geragos is available. We know it will be a sure conviction then!

I think the prosecutors decided to go for the death penalty after finding Caylee's body and some very incriminating evidence with it.

Casey, count your days girl, they are numbered!