Defense Out Of Money? KC Files For Indigent Status

Is Casey Anthony's team running out of money?

By Bob Hazen
February 17, 2010 7:09 AM



The announcement by the spokeswoman for Casey Anthony's defense that she has resigned is raising questions about whether the accused child killer's team is running low on cash.

Marti Mackenzie, a well-known public relations executive, offered no explanation for why she was leaving the case. But high-profile Orlando attorney Mark Nejame says it does make him wonder.

"That would be one of the first places you would look (if money is running out)," Nejame told WDBO. "That's just a luxury and maybe a determination has been made that too much has been spent already."

Anthony's case has dragged on for almost two years, and her attorneys have refused to explain how they're being compensated. Her team includes lawyers and experts from New York, Chicago, and, until recently, California.

Her death penalty-qualified attorney, Andrea Lyon, a Depaul University law professor, was expected to employ students to help in the grunt work on the case. And the new media contact for the team is Liz Brown, identified as being part of Depaul's legal clinic.

Anthony's family was already in serious debt when the case began, and she had no obvious means of supporting herself. Nejame says he believes Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, could have asked a judge to declare her indigent.

"They can always seek to have somebody declared indigent for cost purposes, and then have the county pick up the tab," Nejame said.

Nejame also pointed out that defense attorneys have been slow to carry out depositions.

http://wdbo.com/localnews/2010/02/is-casey-anthonys-team-running.html

If Casey was declared indigent and the county is picking up the tab, I'm guessing that there are very strict limits on how much the county will pay for her defense. IMO, either her defense is getting paid some other way, or Bozo and crew are working for cheap in hopes of later cashing in on the fame this case has brought them. If they are running low on money, that would explain all the recent exits from the defense.

Just as I suspected...If you don't have the $$$ you don't get the help...If you pay I'll stay, otherwise I'm outta here...Ever loving dollar speaks!!! after all people gotta eat and pay bills!!!

Don't the expert witnesses, for both sides, have to be paid? When I had to go to court to get full and permanent custody of Chris & Nicole, after the dad murdered their mom, we had to pay for the experts that were called to testify. We took Chris to a child psycologist (sp) for about 8 weeks, and we had to pay him to come to court to testify what his findings were. We paid $100.00 per hour that he was there, and also travel time, as his office was about 45 minutes away, so we had to pay for 90 minutes travel time.

If I recall correctly, at some point in the Scott Peterson case, his attorney, Mark Geragos, declared Scott indigent. At that point, the State of California took over his defense expenses.... to a point. The State would only pay a certain amount for Mark Geragos services as attorney.... and it certainly wasn't the huge amount he was charging up to that point. But Mark Geragos had to accept that amount.

If KC's defense attorneys are truly offering their services pro bono as they seem to want the public to believe, and they declare KC indigent, I believe the State will then take over their fees, but they would be limited. However, it seems to me that if they are working pro bono (which means they are receiving NOTHING), if they declared KC indigent and the State pays their fees, at least they would be getting SOMETHING along with all the publicity they are all so desperately seeking....... so the attorneys have nothing to lose by declaring her indigent. And if this is correct, my guess is that at some point before this case goes to trial, JB & Company will, indeed, declare KC indigent. ESPECIALLY if they are running out of money for depos, witnesses, etc...

I wish we had an attorney who could address this...

I hope that none of the defense nets very much from this case. I hope that if we keep getting more peeks at the evidence, there will be no suspense left until the trial. Then, the trial will have been covered so well that not many will buy the book or pay to see the movie.

IMHO... the state needs to charge the entire anthony clan with SOMETHING related to this case. not only do i think they deserve to rot in a cell along with their murderous spawn for their role in the coverup, but that would possibly inhibit them from making a profit of their murdered grandaughter.

these people are no more than a sad sad crime against humanity. look at all of us who never even met caylee despirate for justice, and her own grandparents seem concerned with nothing more than covering the truth.

This article, from the Scott Peterson case, may give us some idea as to what would happen if KC is declared indigent. Of course, this was in California, and things may be a little different in Florida. But I thought you might be interested to read it.

Document: Scott Peterson Out of Legal Funds
Scott Peterson Out of Money, Needs Taxpayers to Pay for Legal Fees, His Attorney Says

R E D W O O D C I T Y, Calif., July 29, 2004

Nine weeks into his murder trial, Scott Peterson has run out of money and needs taxpayers' help to pay his legal fees, according to a petition filed by his high-priced lawyer, Mark Geragos.

Geragos says Peterson and his family have no money left to hire experts to challenge upcoming prosecution witnesses and has filed a formal request to get government funds for his defense. A closed hearing on Geragos' request was held Wednesday at Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto, ABC News has learned.

Peterson is accused of killing his wife Laci and the couple's unborn child. His murder trial — which is being held in San Mateo County's Redwood City, about 70 miles from Peterson's residence in Modesto — nearly ground to a halt this week when Geragos said there was no money left for Peterson's defense.

Some prosecution witnesses were dropped from the schedule this week after Geragos made his plea. Expert witnesses can charge thousands of dollars for their work and testimony. A single DNA test can cost more than $10,000.

Legal experts say it is common for defense attorneys to ask the court for money, but it is unusual for the request to come so late into a trial. In order to persuade the court that Stanislaus County, where Peterson lives and was originally charged, should contribute to Peterson's defense costs, Geragos would have to show that his client is "indigent" and needs money to pay for experts and other expenses to get a proper defense.

This is the second time Geragos has filed a petition asking Stanislaus County to pay for Peterson's legal bills, ABC News has learned. His first request was turned down, and if this most recent petition is rejected, the judge could declare a mistrial.

However, sources told ABC News, the judge would likely force Geragos to stay on and complete the case.

‘Whatever It Takes’

The witness list in the murder trial is under seal but ABC News has learned that the prosecution had asked accounting experts to testify that the Petersons had financial troubles.

Peterson's family has helped pay for his defense and his father, Lee Peterson, recently told ABC News' Barbara Walters they will do "whatever it takes" to get justice for Scott.

Geragos has not revealed how much he is charging to defend Scott but has told colleagues he took on the case for a flat fee. If the money has run out then Geragos, one of the top defense attorneys in the nation, could be forced to pay his own expenses.

A Stanislaus County court is expected to rule on the petition by next week. If the request is denied, Geragos can appeal, and that could cause further delays in the murder trial. Reported by ABC News' Taina Hernandez on Good Morning America.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=127674&page=1

the way i understand it, it is a bit difficult to be declared "indigent" AFTER highering and being under contract with high $$ defense attorney's and witnesses..

if it were easy, everyone charged would hire the high $$ attorney, and then when it came time to pay up, declare indigent status so the state has to pay their expenses... NO ONE in this scenario would EVER have a court appointed attorney.

i really hope in this case, the judge looks at where the money has been coming from so far to determine if she were "indigent" when this started, or if it is just a ploy to get out of paying the bills they are racking up!!

my guess would be the latter.. cause we know there have been and def will be high $$ deals made for the blood money.. maybe this is just a shot in the dark "just in case" KC actually gets out of prison sometime in her life, to keep all the proceeds for the book/movie deals in the anthony family--instead of actually paying the bills.

Casey Anthony – Defense Team Running Low On Twinkie Bar Funds?
http://www.bloggernews.net/123906
February 23rd, 2010

There are some rumblings in the ether that might lead one to believe that money is becoming a bit of an issue in the defence of tot mom Casey Anthony. The head ‘Talking Head’ for Baez and his dwarfs was Marti Mackenzie. Ms. Mackenzie is quite well known in the PR world, and as opposed to supposed Pro-Bono work that Bozo Baez and the dwarfs are offering, this lady does not work for free! This ‘Talking Head’ for the Talking Heads has apparently decided to roll up her tent and move on.

More than one media outlet is asking the very pertinent question, is Jose Baez out of cash?

The whole money question is a huge one in this case. The Anthony family is not rich, in fact it appears that George and Cindy Anthony are on the verge of losing their home because of not paying their mortgage since May/09. One wonders where the reported $100k for photo licensing went!

The defence team has been grasping at ever incredible ideas for months. They started out with the Zanny The Nanny story, the only result as far as anyone can tell is that they now face a civil suit brought on by a lady that happens to have the same name and happened to be in the general area at the time. The next targets were Jessy Grund and his father Richard Grund. Having talked to Richard on numerous occasions, I know that these allegations are nothing short of ridiculous. Next on the list for the dwarfs is Roy Kronk, he was the person that discovered Caylee Anthony’s skeleton body in trash bags, and duct tape over the mouth and nose.

Chief dwarf Jose Baez is not qualified to deal with a death penalty case. Actually I am not sure I would want him representing me on a traffic violation. In order to keep his name in the press and the case Baez elicited the assistance of Andrea (I have never lost a capital case) Lyons. Ms. Lyons is a law professor at Depaul University, I wonder if she is using her students as unpaid helpers? Well hell, everyone else seems to be pro-bono. I wonder what the payoff will be? A+ for the best scam to get Casey Anthony out of the mess?

What I find interesting is that socialite/mover and shaker/attorney Mark NeJame decided to comment on it. Mark as you will recall was the ‘Pro-Bono’ high powered attorney that represented the Anthony family in the beginning of this odyssey:

“They can always seek to have somebody declared indigent for cost purposes, and then have the county pick up the tab,” NeJame said Nejame also pointed out that defence attorneys have been slow to carry out depositions.

Mark NeJame seems to be doing a bit of a 180 with this statement. But then again he has to protect his current client, so I guess we should not be surprised.

Simon Barrett

The whole money question is a huge one in this case. The Anthony family is not rich, in fact it appears that George and Cindy Anthony are on the verge of losing their home because of not paying their mortgage since May/09.

WTH!!!!! Why didn't they atleast make June and July's payments? Aren't house payments usually made around the first of the month, and it was mid July before they knew Caylee was missing/dead? Seems they were already getting behind on their house payments, and they couldn't blame Caylee's disappearance for that.

Sitemama.... Caylee was reported missing in 2008. The A's stopped making their house payments in 2009.

Defense Wants Help Paying For Casey's Defense

Posted: 6:30 pm EST March 5,2010
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Casey Anthony’s defense team plans to file a motion to have Casey determined indigent for some of the costs of her case.

“The defense team is faced with extensive costs to defend Miss Anthony, ensure she receives a fair trial, and prevent the State from taking her life. The initial cost estimates for defending Miss Anthony have been far exceeded by the additional costs incurred since the State’s decision to pursue the death penalty. As a result, the defense is seeking state assistance to subsidize the costs of travel, serving subpoenas, hiring experts to interpret evidence and transcripts, deposing in- and out-of-state witnesses and investigating all aspects of the case,” the defense team’s media spokesperson wrote in a release issued early Friday evening.

Casey Anthony has been in jail since October 2008 and faces the death penalty for allegedly murdering her daughter Caylee.

http://www.wftv.com/news/22757843/detail.html

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!!

I'm in shock. NOT!

I knew it...too much frivolous spending...What happened...did the money cow run dry? Thought Baez and Co.were pro bono...

Justice4all wrote:Defense Wants Help Paying For Casey's Defense

Posted: 6:30 pm EST March 5,2010
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Casey Anthony’s defense team plans to file a motion to have Casey determined indigent for some of the costs of her case.

“The defense team is faced with extensive costs to defend Miss Anthony, ensure she receives a fair trial, and prevent the State from taking her life. The initial cost estimates for defending Miss Anthony have been far exceeded by the additional costs incurred since the State’s decision to pursue the death penalty. As a result, the defense is seeking state assistance to subsidize the costs of travel, serving subpoenas, hiring experts to interpret evidence and transcripts, deposing in- and out-of-state witnesses and investigating all aspects of the case,” the defense team’s media spokesperson wrote in a release issued early Friday evening.

Casey Anthony has been in jail since October 2008 and faces the death penalty for allegedly murdering her daughter Caylee.

http://www.wftv.com/news/22757843/detail.html

That just makes me mad! Baez has dragged this case on with his silly games and now he's out of money to drag it out some more with more silly games and wants the tax payers to foot the bill while he drags it out with his silly games some more.

Why now though? My suspicious mind is on high alert!

You just know the Anthonys had to have been paying Baez something on Casey's behalf from the sale of Caylee's pics etc that actually belonged to Casey. Now their well dried up and they haven't paid their mortgage for 9 months. I guess there's no market for Caylee's pics anymore via George and Cindy's help? Casey and Baez can't do it themselves. That would be wrrrooooong and illegal. The prosecution has new evidence they want to withhold from the defense for a while. As I think George and Cindy, especially Cindy, knew Caylee was dead before July 15th and helped with the charade they gave LE, could the evidence be somehow tied to G and C and they have stopped paying Baez because of it? I wish!

Lottie, I am not sure I believe that GA & CA have paid JB & Co. anything on KC's behalf..... as far as we have been led to believe, they are PRO BONO... besides I think the A's are way too self-centered to share their money with her. The piddly $50-$100 is all they seem to be able to manage.

As far as the tax payers paying for them... I think they'll have some real 'splaining to do.... maybe they will have to show all the money up to date and how it has been spent. Including that which they tried to keep from the public at that hearing some time back. Just how have they been being paid?????

Now THAT I would like to see......

I'd like to see that too!

Partial snip from

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22757022/detail.html

Anthony has already paid Baez and death penalty expert Andrea Lyon $111,954, but Baez said that is not enough to give Anthony the defense she needs, and taxpayers should make up the difference. Nearly $90,000 of the amount was used for Baez's fees, the remainder covered Lyon's costs. She is working on the case for free.

Baez said Anthony, 23, was willing to pay for her defense until the state put the death penalty back on the table, making her unable to cover the expense.

The motion asks the state to cover the cost of depositions, transcripts, investigators, legal research, expert witness fees, medical or mental examinations, travel expenses and other costs the defense has or will incur.

Legal experts said defending a complex death penalty murder case like Anthony's can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially when potential witnesses and experts are dispersed around the country.

Baez estimated the total cost of defending Anthony will amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If Strickland signs the order, Florida taxpayers will pick up the bill for the defense costs, but not the defense fees.

The state has more than $14 million set aside this year to pay for indigent criminal defense.

The question of how Anthony will be able to pay for her defense has prompted a great deal of speculation about possible movie deals and book rights. It is not known how she paid the more than $100,000 that has already been paid to the defense.

Pro Bono = another lie!

Here's the complete article Lottie referenced:

Motion Asks State To Pay Anthony's Defense Costs
Anthony Charged With Murder In Daughter Caylee's Death

POSTED: Friday, March 5, 2010
UPDATED: 7:25 pm EST March 5, 2010

Orlando, Fla. -- Defense attorneys for Casey Anthony have filed a motion requesting that the court declare her indigent and have the taxpayers shoulder some of the cost of her defense.

Jose Baez filed the paperwork at 5 p.m. Friday. He is asking Judge Stan Strickland to declare Anthony indigent for costs, meaning she does not have the money to fund her defense.

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

Anthony has already paid Baez and death penalty expert Andrea Lyon $111,954, but Baez said that is not enough to give Anthony the defense she needs, and taxpayers should make up the difference. Nearly $90,000 of the amount was used for Baez's fees, the remainder covered Lyon's costs. She is working on the case for free.

Baez said Anthony, 23, was willing to pay for her defense until the state put the death penalty back on the table, making her unable to cover the expense.

The motion asks the state to cover the cost of depositions, transcripts, investigators, legal research, expert witness fees, medical or mental examinations, travel expenses and other costs the defense has or will incur.

Legal experts said defending a complex death penalty murder case like Anthony's can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially when potential witnesses and experts are dispersed around the country.

Baez estimated the total cost of defending Anthony will amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If Strickland signs the order, Florida taxpayers will pick up the bill for the defense costs, but not the defense fees.

The state has more than $14 million set aside this year to pay for indigent criminal defense.

The question of how Anthony will be able to pay for her defense has prompted a great deal of speculation about possible movie deals and book rights. It is not known how she paid the more than $100,000 that has already been paid to the defense.

Anthony is being held at the Orange County Jail on no bond.

Caylee was 2-years-old when she was reported missing in July 2008. Her remains were discovered in a wooded area off Suburban Drive, near Anthony's parent's east Orange County home, in December 2008.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22757022/detail.html

Anthony has already paid Baez and death penalty expert Andrea Lyon $111,954, but Baez said that is not enough to give Anthony the defense she needs, and taxpayers should make up the difference

Why should taxpayers have to help pay for the defense of a child killer and where did Casey get that kind of money? I doubt that the Anthonys made that much money by skipping their mortgage payments and selling home videos and pictures, so it really does make me wonder about movie deals and book rights. I don't see how it would make sense for anybody to pay for movie deals or book rights though, sense judging from Diane Fleming's book, there was enough public information released through discovery to make movies and write books without paying the Anthonys for the rights.

Casey Anthony: Judge will declare Casey Anthony indigent for costs, WFTV analyst predicts

Posted by halboedeker on March, 6 2010 7:01 AM

What happens to a defense team’s motion asking the state to pick up costs for Casey Anthony’s case?

“This judge will not deny this motion,” WFTV-Channel 9 analyst Bill Sheaffer predicted.

The notion that taxpayers would have to help pay for Anthony’s defense might outrage some readers. But Sheaffer predicted the change would speed up the case because the state would have more control. Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

WFTV anchor Liz Artz this morning said the station had learned Anthony is keeping her legal team instead of getting a state-appointed attorney. But Artz offered no details.

The defense motion led the 6 p.m. news Friday on WKMG-Channel 6.

WKMG anchor Louis Bolden introduced the story this morning as “a Tony Pipitone investigation you will see only on Local 6.” It was another first-rate report from the top-flight Pipitone.

Pipitone noted that Anthony was “flat broke” when she was arrested in 2008. “That soon changed as television networks vied to pay for the rights to video and photos that helped tell the story of her then-missing daughter Caylee,” Pipitone said.

Anthony says she is broke again in an affidavit she signed Tuesday, Pipitone said.

Yet Pipitone outlined that Anthony paid $22,500 to defense attorney Andrea Lyon for costs and $89,400 to defense attorney Jose Baez. Lyon is working pro bono. An affidavit did not break down Baez’s money between costs and fees.

Pipitone set up the question for viewers: Where did Anthony get that money?

The defense motion asks the state to cover costs in Anthony’s case for depositions, investigators, legal research, travel expenses and other defense expenses. Anchor Bolden emphasized that the motion seeks money for costs, not attorney’s fees.

Why did the defense make this move?

Baez told WKMG in a statement: “Casey was willing and able to pay for her own defense, but when the state changed their mind about the death penalty that obviously exhausted her ability to do so.”

Pipitone put the issue in context for viewers with his clear presentation and attention to detail.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2010/03/casey-anthony-judge-will-declare-casey-anthony-indigent-for-costs-wftv-analyst-predicts.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+entertainment%2Ftv%2Ftvguy+%28TV+Guy%29

http://itsamysterytome.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/caseys-broke-and-it-aint-no-joke-according-to-jose-baez-latest-motion/

Casey’s broke and it ain’t no joke according to Jose Baez latest motion

2010 March 5
itsamysterytome.wordpress.com

Jose Baez filed a motion Friday asking Judge Strickland to declare Casey Anthony indigent for costs. This means she’s broke and can’t pay for her defense. She has already paid $111,954.00–almost 90,000 to Baez and the rest to Lyon (who is supposedly working for free). It’s not known how Casey has managed to pay that amount.

Baez said Casey was willing to pay for her defense–until the state put the death penalty back in play. Because of that, she can no longer cover the expense because a case like hers can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars what with the potential witness and experts living all around the country.

Baez has asked the state to cover the cost of depositions, transcripts,, investigators, legal research, expert witness fees, medical or mental exams, travel expenses and any other costs the defense might have now and in the future.

If Judge Strickland okays this motion, the Florida taxpayers will have to pay for the defense costs–but not the defense fees. (whatever that means)

The State of Florida has more than $14 million set aside this year to pay for indigents. (Well, by all means, give the bulk of it to Casey Anthony!)

read it here:

clickorlando.com

~~~~~~
Where the heck did Casey get $112 THOUSAND dollars to pay her defense team? She was unemployed and stealing gas/money from her friends and family at the time of her arrest?! kh

Baez said Casey was willing to pay for her defense–until the state put the death penalty back in play.

Bless her little heart! She was willing to pay her own way until the nasty prosecution put the death penalty back on the table.

So did she stop being willing, or is she unable? LOL

She was always unable.... she had NO money to begin with.... what a joke....

Apologies~ I did not see that this article had already been linked! I am just so astounded!!! kh

She got about $200K - $225K selling pics of Caylee... remember her backpacks that were always so full when she was going to JB's office while out on bond??? Guess what they were most likely full of????

It has already been establish they got at lest $200K....

They will have to disclose all this if they seek indigent status, right ? kh

I think so, kh....

Defense wants state to cover costs

By Susan Jacobson, Orlando Sentinel

9:04 p.m. EST, March 5, 2010

Casey Anthony's defense team wants the state to pay costs associated with her upcoming death-penalty
case, saying it's the only way to ensure they'll have the resources to fight to save the young mother's life.

In a statement released this evening, Anthony spokeswoman Liz Brown said the defense team has incurred "extensive costs" defending the 23-year-old mother in the first-degree murder case. She would not specify a dollar figure.

Anthony is charged with killing her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. The child's remains were found in 2008 in woods near the east Orange County home that Anthony and Caylee shared with Anthony's parents.

The statement says initial cost estimates to defend Anthony have skyrocketed since the state decided to seek the death penalty. If Anthony is to receive a fair trial, the government needs to pay the cost of travel, serving subpoenas, hiring experts, deposing witnesses and investigating "all aspects of the case," her team contends.

"This assistance is critical to enabling the defense to interview the 100+ individuals on the State's witness list, investigate thousands of tips, and analyze complex forensic evidence," the statement reads.

The statement says Anthony's attorneys were filing a motion for the financial assistance Friday. It was not in the court file when the Orlando Sentinel inspected it shortly before 5 p.m..

The Anthony case has drawn interest from the national media and as far away as Australia, where a play about the case, created by Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, opened in December.

Caylee was missing for about six months before meter reader Roy Kronk found her remains in December 2008. The prosecution says Caylee died with duct tape over her nose and mouth. The defense says a nanny
disappeared with her.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/os-casey-anthony-trial-costs-20100305,0,5355542.story

Should Taxpayers Pay For Casey Anthony’s Defense?

Saturday, March 06, 2010 7:13:15 AM

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 anddeposing 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 analyize 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.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/3/5/caseys_defense_seeks_state_subsidy.html

News 13 Viewer Poll

What do you think? Should taxpayer money be used to help pay for Casey Anthony’s defense?

Vote Now

Snaz wrote:What do you think? Should taxpayer money be used to help pay for Casey Anthony’s defense?

Vote Now

Guess how I voted.

By the way, the no's are leading 94% to 5%.

Looks like my whole family - me, hubby, mom, dad, brother, sister, son, daughter, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles - will all have the honor now of paying our good hard earned money to defend a monster who planned and carried out the murder of her 2 year old daughter... and is now working the system.

It literally makes me ill..... and it breaks my heart.

Justice4all wrote:

Snaz wrote:What do you think? Should taxpayer money be used to help pay for Casey Anthony’s defense?

Vote Now

Guess how I voted.

By the way, the no's are leading 94% to 5%.

I saw that!!! And if there had been an option to vote "Not no, but HELL no!!!!", I would have chosen that option......

It's a good thing that Florida doesn't have a State IncomeTax....Just the state /county sales tax...and county property taxes...At least I know my tax dollars won't be going for her defense...and if they are I OBJECT!!!!

Is Casey's defense team running out of money??

We can only HOPE!!!!!!!!

The Florida taxpayers will now be paying for KC's defense....... assuming JS grants the motion... which he will...

Bold is mine....

Defense Wants Help Paying For Casey's Defense

Posted: 6:30 pm EST March 5,2010
Updated: 10:30 am EST March 6,2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Casey Anthony’s defense team asked a judge Friday to declare her indigent, for some of the costs of her case. Orange County taxpayers would pay for part of the trial, if a judge accepts the motion.

“The defense team is faced with extensive costs to defend Miss Anthony, ensure she receives a fair trial, and prevent the State from taking her life. The initial cost estimates for defending Miss Anthony have been far exceeded by the additional costs incurred since the State’s decision to pursue the death penalty. As a result, the defense is seeking state assistance to subsidize the costs of travel, serving subpoenas, hiring experts to interpret evidence and transcripts, deposing in- and out-of-state witnesses and investigating all aspects of the case,” the defense team’s media spokesperson wrote in a release issued early Friday evening.

Eyewitness News found out the fees for Anthony's attorneys would not be included in what taxpayers have to pay.

Since taxpayer dollars could be involved, the judge could question Anthony's attorneys about any possible book or movie deals that may be planned.

If Anthony does have money coming in from any such deals, she would be obligated to reimburse the county.

Anthony has been in jail since October 2008 and faces the death penalty for allegedly murdering her daughter Caylee.

http://www.wftv.com/news/22757843/detail.html

This article is dated February 17, but I just came across it and it has some VERY interesting information.... does anyone ever remember hearing that BRAD CONWAY & the A's tried to get KC a new lawyer to replace JB??? And take note of how they said he would be paid... possible book or movie rights down the road!!!!

Also, note that KC was paid $200K for photos and videos.....

Bold is mine....

Is Casey’s Defense Team Running Out Of Money?

Posted: 4:45 pm EST February 17,2010
Updated: 6:05 pm EST February 17,2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Casey Anthony’s team is made up of some of the most high-profile lawyers in the country and it’s not a cheap case to fight.

Tuesday, Eyewitness News reported another member of the defense team dropped out of the case, but former spokesperson Marti Mackenzie didn't say why she was leaving. Wednesday, WFTV reporter Kathi Belich heard from another lawyer who was told Casey and her family were too broke to pay anyone.

Eyewitness News was told the Anthonys and their lawyer, Brad Conway, were looking for a lawyer to represent Casey who was willing to forego getting money upfront. Longtime Orlando attorney Robert Buonauro told Eyewitness News on Wednesday the Anthonys and Conway wanted to replace Casey's defense attorney, Jose Baez, early on in the case.

Buonauro says Conway said Casey and her family were broke and, if he were willing to do without money upfront, there was the possibility of some sort of defense fund or book or movie rights down the road. Buonauro said no.

The defense team has just lost its second spokesperson, longtime public relations expert Marti Mackenzie. Some speculate it's because the defense is out of money. All she would tell Eyewitness News was she was being paid for her year of work, she was not under contract and that she quit for confidential, professional reasons.

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer says a stronger indication that defense finances are in trouble is the fact that the defense has not really even begun to depose major witnesses in the death penalty case. He says depositions are labor intensive and expensive.

“There's too much on the line to pick and choose which depositions of the individuals you want to take,” Sheaffer said (watch full interview).

Sheaffer also said the fact that Mackenzie and two nationally-known members of the defense, Linda Kenney Baden and Andrea Lyon, have written books could indicate an expectation that at least some compensation for work on the case would come from possible book or movie deals down the road about the case against Casey.

Eyewitness News was first to report that the ABC network paid Casey Anthony about $200,000 for all her photos and videos of Caylee about a year and a half ago. But Sheaffer said an experienced defense lawyer might charge almost that much to take on a case like this.

Article:
http://www.wftv.com/news/22593225/detail.html

Video: (Bill Sheaffer)
http://www.wftv.com/video/22593166/index.html

I think it's funny that Casey is stuck with Bozo because the Anthonys can't afford to replace him. I guess you get what you pay for.

That's a great one, J4A!! I wonder how that makes JB feel? He should be embarrassed, but I'm not sure anything embarrasses him.

That darn Baez! I wonder if they offered him the same deal?

I wonder if he's going to stay with the case if the state doesn't pay him such a huge amount as he's used to?

He hasn't got a case. He hasn't worked on anything to defend Casey. He hasn't even deposed the state's witnesses and it's getting late to where they could forget a lot of stuff over time. Is he really intending to go with Casey to trial? I wonder sometimes, because he's going to lose and look the fool he is in front of the world. I wouldn't put it past him to duck out the backdoor and go on the rest of his life saying he could have won, but he didn't get to try the case.

This is a post I found at WS written by Richard Hornsby, who is a criminal defense attorney in Orlando. Thoght you would be interested. Bold is mine.

rhornsby
Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer
Yesterday, 10:55 PM

What if I told you that the State Attorney (i.e. Lawson Lamar) will not even factor in whether the State is paying for Casey's defense.

What if I told you the cost of her defense will not come anywhere near $2 million (more like $100K).

Okay, nevermind, I am telling you that. Lawson Lamar has been the elected State Attorney for Orange and Osceola since 1980 something and he is unlikely to run again because he is reaching age limts in Florida. So he could care less what the State is ordered to pay for her defense.

Most importantly though, the State Attorney is not even a party to Casey's motion to be declared indigent (which she will be); rather the attorneys for the Justice Administration Commission will be the attorneys of record when the request for indigency will be argued. And while they will likely object, Judge Strickland will declare Casey indigent.

However, once she is declared infigent, JAC will only pay the costs if Casey's defense abides by JAC guidelines - which are less than extravegant. As a result he cannot use his priced experts that live out of state unles they are either (1) wiling to accept the JAC rate of pay (about $150 an hour) or (2) if there is no such exert in Florida that could handle an issue Baez needs an expert on - unlikely.

Regardless, in any instance where Baez tries to deviate from the JAC guidelines for pay, he will have to seek court permission to exceed JAC guidelines and the JAC attorneys will appear and object. The net result being much more transperancy regarding who is being paid and for what.

In any event, the most interesting thing will be to see whether Baez lists what he was paid for all of Casey's case. Reason being is the JAC rules require you to list all fees being paid for all of client's current cases. It does not require you to list what you were paid for past cases.

Thus I have a sneaking suspicion that Baez will noy divulge what Casey "paid" him for the Check Fraud case, because he technically no longer represents her on the case (under Florida rules of administration, an attorney ceases being attorney of record 30 days after criiminal case is disposed of).

Bottom line though for you all will be nothing but frustration. Because while this motion will raise a million questions about what Casey was paid or how shady Baez is, the bottom line is that Casey Anthony will be declared indigent - no matter how nasty that tastes.

p.s. Baez himself will receive no money from the state. Rather he has to submit invoices to JAC and they pay the vendors directly.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4892435&postcount=213

Thanks for bringing that over, Snaz.

The disturbing part in it is Baez will probably be filing over and over again to the courts to deviate from JAC guidelines and use his own expert witnesses.

Baez doesn't even try to get along.

LottieM wrote:The disturbing part in it is Baez will probably be filing over and over again to the courts to deviate from JAC guidelines and use his own expert witnesses.

You are probably right Lottie. Then all his requests to deviate from JAC guidelines will end up wasting more time and next thing we know, Casey's trial will be pushed back to the summer of 2012.

Justice4all wrote:

LottieM wrote:The disturbing part in it is Baez will probably be filing over and over again to the courts to deviate from JAC guidelines and use his own expert witnesses.

You are probably right Lottie. Then all his requests to deviate from JAC guidelines will end up wasting more time and next thing we know, Casey's trial will be pushed back to the summer of 2012.

It does seem like that. Gotta wonder why Baez isn't concerned about getting this case to trial so his sweetie can go free if she's so innocent and he can prove it.

Exactly!

You also have to wonder why Cindy & George aren't making a little more noise that their darling innocent daughter is unjustly locked up.

Snaz wrote:And if there had been an option to vote "Not no, but HELL no!!!!", I would have chosen that option......

Just for fun, I added a poll to this thread that gives us that option.

Julie wrote:Exactly!

You also have to wonder why Cindy & George aren't making a little more noise that their darling innocent daughter is unjustly locked up.

Right!

What are they trying to do, delay Casey going to prison where the 'ladies' will beat her up?

George and Cindy have never been worried about Casey being in jail for a crime she 'didn't' commit. As soon as she was locked up 'for lying' they were over it!

Sure, they went around telling whatever media would listen that Casey was innocent and they 'believed her 100%" about the nanny kidnapping Caylee, then didn't even try to get the media involved in helping find this nanny. They could have done that. They could have used their media time to say how LE was barking up the wrong tree and they needed help from the public finding this nanny so their darling daughter could get out of jail. Lots of 'guilty' persons appeal to the public that someone else is out there who needs to be found. Scott Peterson did it. Misty Croslin is doing it. The list goes on. Why not George and Cindy or for that matter, why not Baez for Casey?

During the days of George and Cindy putting up command posts and having vigils, it was just a front to pretend they were looking for a living Caylee out there somewhere. Where was the attention to find the nanny? They complained the cops didn't put out a composite sketch of the nanny, but they didn't either! They could have appealed to the public to be on the look out for 'this person' even if they didn't also see Caylee with her. Caylee didn't have to always be with Zanny. Just find that nanny and bring her in! then you'll find Caylee, right?

They're so transparent! It's so obvious they knew there was no nanny and that Casey did something to Caylee. They weren't even shocked when the bones were found in the woods. Even if the bones hadn't been identified yet, it was a child and they had one missing, but they ate crab at the Ritz! Who could have an appetite under those circumstances? Not me! And Baez came for dinner too! And Lee ordered a steak for him. Yum yum, let's eat! The very least they could have done was eat in their room! They don't even try to be discreet about their indifference. They flaunt it as if that somehow should read that they have nothing to hide.