Should Taxpayers Pay For Casey Anthony’s Defense?

[MysticFlower]

Should Taxpayers Pay For Casey Anthony’s Defense?
Saturday, March 06, 2010

ORLANDO -- Casey Anthony’s lawyers said it is time for Florida taxpayers to help pay for her defense.

A representative for Anthony’s defense team said they have filed a motion asking the government to pay for the cost of their travel, along with money for serving subpoenas, hiring experts and deposing witnesses.

In the motion, the defense asked the court to declare Casey indigent, meaning she does not have the money to pay them.

Casey faces a possible death sentence for allegedly murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

Because the trial will now be a death penalty case, lawyers said their costs have skyrocketed, and the money will help ensure their client gets a fair trial.

The defense said the assistance is needed to subsidize their costs, especially since they said they have to interview more than 100 people on the prosecution’s witness list, investigate thousands of tips and analyze complex forensic evidence.

It was not immediately known how much money Casey’s lawyers wanted. The defense has been tight-lipped throughout the case regarding how they were being paid in the first place, and who was footing the bill.

Casey’s murder trial has been tentatively set to begin in May 2011 at the earliest.

~snipped~

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2...e_subsidy.html

[313girl]

There is something called a "public defender" for indigent people. I'm sure the state will be happy to provide her one.

As for her lawyers asking they be reimbursed because its a capitol case? Too bad...they took her on willingly, live with it.

[iowalovescaylee]

WOW!!!! Where can I donate????

Sorry, but Casey is getting what she deserves in Baez.

[iowalovescaylee]

Originally Posted by 313girl

There is something called a "public defender" for indigent people. I'm sure the state will be happy to provide her one.

As for her lawyers asking they be reimbursed because its a capitol case? Too bad...they took her on willingly, live with it.

Yup...if she wants the state to pay for her defense then she should get a Public Defender. The State of Florida shoudn't have to pay for her high priced defense team.

[praying4caylee]

No way should the state pay for Baez and the Dream Team to defend Casey! If Casey is indigent then let her use a public defender just like everyone else in her shoes has to!!!

Casey's defense team continues to sicken me more and more everyday....Why do they feel that this murdering monster deserves any kind of special treatment is beyond me!!!!!!

[MysticFlower]

On JVM, it was stated that to get a new attorney at this time would cost more than the judge to give Baez and others the pay as Public Defenders. Baez has already been paid $90K and Lyon has been paid $22K. They are asking for expenses and so far not asking for attorney fees. Strange to me this comes on the heals of the Anthonys home in foreclosure.

I say that if they are going to pay expenses and experts that they only get the allowed amount an indigent person would be afforded and not these high priced experts.

I also wonder just how long this indigent status will cover preparation for trial because we are looking at 3 years since Caylee died before Casey even gets to trial. Then what happens if she pleas? This will cost in the millions.

[MysticFlower]

Casey Anthony: Will we learn more about the defense money?
halboedeker on March, 8 2010


What about the mystery of Casey Anthony’s finances?

Answers are likely after the defense team moved to seek partial indigent status for her means. She is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

WESH-Channel 2’s Bob Kealing summed up the situation this afternoon: “Although she spent more than $100,000 on legal fees from some mystery source, Casey Anthony has filed new court papers saying that she’s broke and needs taxpayers’ help.” About $90,000 of that money went to defense attorney Jose Baez.

WFTV-Channel 9’s Kathi Belich pointed to “the only known source which could have brought that kind of cash”: Disney-owned ABC. Belich said it isn’t known what Anthony paid to some defense members, such as Linda Kenney Baden.

WKMG-Channel 6’s Tony Pipitone also pointed to television networks that paid fees for photographs and video. A legal analyst said there is nothing illegal about that arrangement because Anthony has not been convicted.


No date has been set for a hearing on the indigency issue, Belich added.

WKMG anchor Mike Garofalo stressed costs — not attorney’s fees — are the issue. “Our legal analyst predicts, though, predicts [Judge Stan] Strickland will approve that request because denying it could be seen as preventing Casey from getting the defense she needs in a death-penalty case,” Garofalo said. “Lawyers tell us the costs could reach half a million dollars before it’s all over.”

Orlando attorney Richard Hornsby, who provides legal analysis for WESH, described the indigent process as strict and said it will force transparency in the case.

“The public has a right to know how the private attorneys were paid,” Hornsby said. “At the hearing, they will say, ‘Judge, before you can declare her indigent, under the statute you have to make him [Baez] disclose the source of his funds,’ and so that is going to happen.”

Public defender Bob Wesley told WESH that indigency means full disclosure is required in the spending of state money.

“There will not be a whole lot of visibility until the process is over because otherwise you’d be disclosing what steps you’re taking to the presentation of your defense,” Wesley said.

Judge Stan Strickland also set a date for the start of the murder trial: May 9, 2011, barring further delays.

Strickland has said a decision on a change of venue is coming. Oscar Hotusing, a former judge and a legal analyst for WOFL-Channel 35, predicted a change is “highly probable” because of heavy media coverage.

WKMG’s Mike DeForest reported on the defense team’s motions, filed today, to keep certain things out of the trial: Cindy Anthony’s 911 call, other statements made by George and Cindy Anthony, and photographs of Casey Anthony partying. “The defense is trying to limit the number of bad things that the jury could hear about Casey Anthony,” DeForest said.

WFTV also reported that the prosecution had released two CDs of evidence to the defense team. They include 300 pages of documents plus information about Joy Wray, a Seminole woman who said she has knowledge of the case, anchor Martie Salt said.

~snipped~

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/ent...nse-money.html

[Songline]

Confused again aren't the Anthonys writing a book in the hopes that it will ring in big dollars?

I realize that some books don't make a lot of money, and I doubt anyone wants to read the BS the Anthony's have to offer...But I thought they were going at this the book movie rout to raise money...hmmm guess that plan was either shot down, or did not add up.

I agree that if they need public assistant they should get a state defendant, and forget about the tax payers having to pay, for this fiasco, that is really insane. BUT nobody asks the tax payer very much, they just surprise us with the bill. JMHO

As for the Anthony's home I thought it is in foreclosure, so I doubt that they will be making much money on that.
BUT BUT BUT that too can be a game plan.
A designated person can go buy it in a foreclosure, and sell it at market value. Did I say Designated buyer???

IMHO so much has been done underhanded that it would not shock me at all.

[Songline]

Originally Posted by MysticFlower

Casey Anthony: Will we learn more about the defense money?
halboedeker on March, 8 2010


What about the mystery of Casey Anthony’s finances?

Answers are likely after the defense team moved to seek partial indigent status for her means. She is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

WESH-Channel 2’s Bob Kealing summed up the situation this afternoon: “Although she spent more than $100,000 on legal fees from some mystery source, Casey Anthony has filed new court papers saying that she’s broke and needs taxpayers’ help.” About $90,000 of that money went to defense attorney Jose Baez.

WFTV-Channel 9’s Kathi Belich pointed to “the only known source which could have brought that kind of cash”: Disney-owned ABC. Belich said it isn’t known what Anthony paid to some defense members, such as Linda Kenney Baden.

WKMG-Channel 6’s Tony Pipitone also pointed to television networks that paid fees for photographs and video. A legal analyst said there is nothing illegal about that arrangement because Anthony has not been convicted.


No date has been set for a hearing on the indigency issue, Belich added.

WKMG anchor Mike Garofalo stressed costs — not attorney’s fees — are the issue. “Our legal analyst predicts, though, predicts [Judge Stan] Strickland will approve that request because denying it could be seen as preventing Casey from getting the defense she needs in a death-penalty case,” Garofalo said. “Lawyers tell us the costs could reach half a million dollars before it’s all over.”

Orlando attorney Richard Hornsby, who provides legal analysis for WESH, described the indigent process as strict and said it will force transparency in the case.

“The public has a right to know how the private attorneys were paid,” Hornsby said. “At the hearing, they will say, ‘Judge, before you can declare her indigent, under the statute you have to make him [Baez] disclose the source of his funds,’ and so that is going to happen.”

Public defender Bob Wesley told WESH that indigency means full disclosure is required in the spending of state money.

“There will not be a whole lot of visibility until the process is over because otherwise you’d be disclosing what steps you’re taking to the presentation of your defense,” Wesley said.

Judge Stan Strickland also set a date for the start of the murder trial: May 9, 2011, barring further delays.

Strickland has said a decision on a change of venue is coming. Oscar Hotusing, a former judge and a legal analyst for WOFL-Channel 35, predicted a change is “highly probable” because of heavy media coverage.

WKMG’s Mike DeForest reported on the defense team’s motions, filed today, to keep certain things out of the trial: Cindy Anthony’s 911 call, other statements made by George and Cindy Anthony, and photographs of Casey Anthony partying. “The defense is trying to limit the number of bad things that the jury could hear about Casey Anthony,” DeForest said.

WFTV also reported that the prosecution had released two CDs of evidence to the defense team. They include 300 pages of documents plus information about Joy Wray, a Seminole woman who said she has knowledge of the case, anchor Martie Salt said.

~snipped~

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/ent...nse-money.html

Just curious what he would like to keep out of the trial.
The missing 31 days before her mother reported the baby missing???
The Parties during the 31 days of her presumably looking for the baby???
The Nannies information????
The heart sticker of the baby's mouth???.
The text messages about skunks stinking up the car???
The chloroform research on her computer???
Just what exactly do they want to keep out of the trial?????

This case has gotten to a point of so much BS - that I no longer follow it.
I will follow the trial.
I just pray for justice for poor CAYLEE - RIP little angel, you are safe now.

[MysticFlower]

There's no doubt this case has become frustrating. I believe Baez planned all along to ask for public assistance. He waited long enough into the trial process that it was more expensive to start over. These attorneys know exactly what to do to get what they need for their client. You can bet taxpayers are not happy about this at all. The judge won't be happy either but will have to grant Baez the funds or it will further delay the trial by getting a new defense team and the expenses to start over will be enormous. Then you have to worry if Casey can claim later on that she had defective counsel since she didn't have the team she wanted.

Cindy has stated that she was writing a book about her experiences throughout this ordeal but I wonder if she can actually get that published now without risking Casey's case. Anything she puts in writing can and will be used by the state prosecutor.

I did not know there was such possibilities with a foreclosure but I knew they waited for it to reach a certain stage before they responded for a good reason. So they can get someone to buy the house at a nominal amount and give it back to the Anthonys? Hmmmm.

Some of what the defense wants taken out of evidence against Casey is Cindy's 911 call, many of Cindy and George's statements, and all the party photos of Casey. I hope Judge Strickland lights a keg of dynamite under that motion and blows it apart!