Criminal Justice

Casey Anthony’s Lawyer Suffers Some ‘Courtroom Mishaps’

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Casey Anthony’s lawyer Jose Baez is taking some hits from legal analysts analyzing the legal play-by-play of the murder trial unfolding in a Florida courtroom.

Baez exudes confidence, but he has suffered some “courtroom mishaps,” the Orlando Sentinel reports.

In one instance, Judge Belvin Perry had to remind Baez that it is the judge, and not the lawyer, who tells witnesses they may step down from the stand, the story says. In another, Perry refused to block jurors from seeing portions of recorded jail visits, saying the issue should have been raised by a December deadline.

In his opening statements, Baez asserted that Caylee Anthony died in an accidental drowning, and Casey’s dad covered it up. Legal analysts have criticized the assertion as risky and dangerous, and they say they’ll be watching to see if Baez is able to prove his allegations. One of the critics is Orlando defense lawyer Mark NeJame. The defense is coming across as “unprepared and disjointed,” he told the Sentinel.

Baez obtained his Florida law license in 2005 and has never led a death penalty defense, according to the Sentinel.

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