Jose Baez, Casey Anthony – Day 2 of Trial
(RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINEL / May 25, 2011)
I have been following crimes and trials for a very long time. It was my friend Laura, who first introduced me to the idea that one could follow or learn about criminal cases. We were in college and she had the book The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule, it was the chilling story of Ted Bundy. I was hooked.
Of course the next biggie was OJ and then came Scott Peterson. I followed the Peterson story from the first day they broke into our news with the report of a missing Laci. Steve and I were at the thrift store prepping season one of Creative Juice when my husband called to say the jury had reached a verdict in the Peterson trial. We raced back home, grabbed paper bags (in case I hyperventilated) and plopped in front of the TV to watch Beth Karas deliver the news that Scott was guilty.
Other cases I have followed are Natalee Holloway/ Joran Van der Slout, Amanda Knox and Susan Powell. Thankfully the internet has many great resources for following. Forums like Scared Monkeys, InSession and Websleuths offer chat, photos, links and theory swaps with other armchair detectives.
My heart melted, when the first news of a missing Caylee Anthony broke. Her big brown eyes and sweet song to her great-grandpa were enough to draw me in. Then I learned about her mother…..How could a mother not report her daughter missing while she partied and carried on for 31 days? I was in disbelief and again, totally hooked on seeing this story to the end. I have read all the depositions, watch every “bombshell” on Nancy Grace and have even visited the key locations in the case.
When I got the news that I would be doing an appearance at HSN right around the date the Anthony trial was set to begin my brain started to race. By my calculations, I would be 85 miles away from the courthouse and my mom would be less than an hour away. I called mom and asked her if she wanted to meet me and try to attend the trial. It was an instant yes and my plan went into motion.
After flying from Los Angeles, I finally landed at 7:00pm in Tampa. The drive from the Tampa airport to St. Petersburg is very pretty, the sun setting on the water was beautiful. I am thinking…How am I ever going to get up at 3:00am to get to HSN at 4:00am for my 7:00am show….I am on west coast time. UGH.
I made it HSN – got my tables prepped, went into hair and make-up and waited to go live.
I was on pins and needles waiting for Linda Drane Burdick to begin her opening statements. She did such a wonderful job. While attending the trial, I got to quickly speak with her. I congratulated her on a job well done. She smiled sweetly and said “Thank You” – then her smile grew bigger. I was so excited to share an exchange with her. She is such a smart firecracker.
Woo Hoo!! It was time to head up to Orlando and for my adventure to really begin! I did not want to miss a moment so I streamed the audio on my ipad. For safety sake, I decided not to play the video…lol. Keep my eyes on the road!!!
Will they need them on verdict day?
George and Cindy Anthony arrive and the media goes crazy. I really can’t imagine being in their shoes for one moment. Life as they knew it is over. At the end of the day it got really hairy when a young man got in their face. Security quickly ushered him away. I felt really bad for them – it was scary.
During the past three years, I have not been a fan of the Anthony family and often felt that “Save Casey” became their focus instead of “Justice for Caylee.” As the trial gets under way, I see their shift to the state and for that I will take a second evaluation at my opinions.
I was furious with Baez’s opening statements and personally feel like it was criminal of him to throw everyone under the bus. At this point in time, I don’t believe anything he said about a drowning, George or Roy Kronk. It was just more lies lies lies from the Casey Camp.
I was really glad George Anthony was “Team Caylee” when he took the stand on Day 1. Holding out hope for the rest of the family. One thing to note is the during court, Casey never looked at her parents and I really did not see them trying to look at her. Also, they are positioned away from direct view of the jury. During court, Cindy and I made eye contact and exchanged a small acknowledgement of each other.
August 9, 2005 – June 16, 2008
Thank you for sharing your trip. I am not sure that I would be able to stomach seeing Casy in the courtroom. I believe she is guilty.
Cathie, do you follow the West Memphis Three case at all? If not, you should really look into it. It’s an intersting one, but so sad.
Cathie,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us…I cannot believe the case has had so much exposure in a positive way too….If there is anything positive to recollect it can be found in the hearts of those who fight for Caylee Anthony’s justice. I have worked in the courthouse of Fort Lauderdale Florida, and cannot begin to imagine the hoopla each day to sit and watch the trial and case unfold now in this technical savvy world. I know some of these people, Cindy, George,Lee, Mallory and Casey’s friends are going through a very intense and traumatizing time in there life, though their nervousness will soon be over the time spent with Caylee Marie Anthony will live on….Justice is so difficult to attain, let alone suffice to the circumstance. This precious angel will live on in many of our hearts and we shall never forget her, at least people who took time from their busy lives to pay attribute to her will….Its a shame those who had her, and were blessed with her couldn’t treasure that blessing… Thank you for sharing, beautifully and very tastefully written…My best….Ramona
What a FAB read.
Cheers from Toronto, Canada.
Andrea – I know a little about the story – I must dive in for more. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ramona. I appreciate your thoughts and your story.
Cathie
Thank you Cathie, from a fellow monkey! Your pics and words give those of us not lucky enough to attend the trial, a glimpse into what things are like behind the scenes. Reading along with you gave me a feeling of having been right there. How awesome it would have been to meet Linda! And others who were there as well. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Thank you Wyks, It was something I will never forget. Now let’s get a conviction.
I throughly enjoyed your observations about the trial-thank you so much for sharing!
wow… amazing. Thanks for sharing and attending for those of us that couldn’t. I have followed this case since day one and am embarrassed to say that i am infatuated with it. I agress with you cathie… let’s go for that conviction. For little Caylee’s sake
From a fellow Monkey….Thank you so much for the pics and your wonderful post. Felt like I was there with you!
JUSTICE FOR CAYLEE!
Well, you nailed it girl! I told you what got me started in crime at the tender age of 11. I have site upon site of true crime, famous cases, etc. I’ll hook you up. Growing up with The Boston Strangler, Kennedy Assasination, Richard Speck, Charles Manson, Son of Sam, Ted Bundy, The Hillside Stranglers, Richard Ramirez……and so many more. When Mike and Icame out to CA to some of my old stomping grounds, we went straight up the Cielo Drive to check out the Tate/Polanski house. That was one year before it was demolished and that ugly piece of crap was built. Big case for us in TX, well there have been many but one I continue to follow is the Darlie Routier case in which she was convicted of killing one of her two boys. Very interesting case, another Mom kills. We’ve been to the house it occurred in. THAT is an excellent story for you true crime fans with slot of questions still floating around and conspiracies to boot. Check it out.
Amazing Cathie! What an opportunity you had?!? Wow!
Cathy,
Thanks for the in person perspective of the trial. I don’t know how you have time for so many things in your life. Great blog, as well. When the trial is over, maybe I will have the focus to start crafting again!
thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing with us your journey. i needed to hear all of this, especially her dual personalities when the jury is in or out of the courtroom. i’ve always felt she is highly manipulative, egotistical, and well, essentially a sociopath. that poor, beautiful child deserved so much more. i feel the same way you do about her & even if she did drown (which i DO NOT believe she did) how could a mother simply toss her daughter out in a wooded area to decompose in the elements. they couldn’t…at least not one with an ounce of love & compassion in her heart for her child. again, thank you for sharing!!
Wow! Thanks for sharing your experience in the courtroom! It pretty much sums up what I thought of Casey A. all along! I am glad you got to go!