Fla. Bar Investigating Casey Anthony's Attorney
Posted: 4:05 pm EST January 22, 2009Updated: 10:08 am EST January 26, 2009
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Eyewitness News has uncovered details of two investigations by the Florida Bar Association into Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez. One involves how Baez advertised himself and the other deals with making false statements against public officials.Casey Anthony's defense team has sent out dozens of media releases throughout the case and some include accusations against the state attorney and prosecutors. Sources tell Eyewitness News it may be a violation of Florida Bar rules and now Jose Baez could get in trouble with the Bar.
VIDEO REPORT: Baez Under Investigation
BAEZ SPEAKS: Complains About Media Coverage
MESSAGE BOARD: Justice For Caylee
The Bar has confirmed it has two open investigations. The first involves Jose Baez's PR firm, Press Corp Media, run by Todd Black. In the past, Baez's spokesperson has released statements to the media about State Attorney Lawson Lamar and prosecutors.In one release, it states, "Lawson Lamar is facing tough opposition and having a missing baby is a perfect springboard for free commercial time." Another release states, "The prosecution has manipulated and shamelessly used the media in the reporting of false distorted … evidence."Sources told Eyewitness News officials are looking into whether or not Baez violated a rule that states lawyers can't make false statements about judges or legal officials.The second investigation deals with Baez possibly violating advertising rules, where he claimed to have more credentials and experience than he really did.The two complaints are in addition to an informal complaint made to the State Attorney's Office. Sources told Eyewitness News there are allegations that Baez maybe using entertainment deals to fund his defense team.On Wednesday, Baez denied that (watch full press conference)."To be honest, I have been a target of numerous complaints," Baez said in an early evening news conference Wednesday. "They're just people's wild accusations and the Florida Bar has to investigate them."WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said, if the Bar found probable cause, Baez would probably only receive a letter of advisement. The spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office would not confirm or deny if the complaint came from them.
NEW HEARING SET FOR JANUARY 30A new hearing was announced early Thursday evening in the Casey Anthony case.The defense wants the judge to order the owner of the property where Caylee's remains were found to let them in to inspect the area (read motion). The defense also wants records on whether Texas EquuSearch volunteers searched that same area.The judge will hear the motions on Friday, January 30.
DOCUMENTS: HEART STICKER ON TAPE OVER CAYLEE'S MOUTHHundreds of pages of new evidence were released Wednesday in the case against Casey Anthony and it details every single thing detectives found at the crime scene where Caylee Anthony's body was dumped.
READ THE DOCUMENTS:
» Unedited Transcripts Of Kronk 911 Calls
» County Forensics Reports Part 1 | Part 2
» FBI Documents From Investigation
» Evidence Sent By County To FBI
» Search Warrants Issued In Case
» Supplemental County Investigation ReportVIDEO REPORT: Documents Reveal Grim Details
The documents show Caylee's body was ditched with her Winnie the Pooh blanket and a heart-shaped sticker was intentionally stuck to the duct tape that was found over Caylee's mouth area (details here - page 15). Both ends of the duct tape were stuck to Caylee's hair and her hair had to be cut to separate the duct tape, according to documents released Wednesday. Investigators also found a heart-shaped sticker at the sceneCaylee Marie Anthony's remains were found on December 11 stuffed into a cloth laundry hamper bag and then in a black trash bag with yellow ties. A small shirt and shorts were found with the remains and also Caylee's backpack with the word "adorable" on it.WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said he's not sure what to make of the investigators' belief that the heart sticker was intentionally stuck onto the duct tape around Caylee's mouth."This sounds like a bizarre after the fact. 'I'm sorry. I wish this hadn't have happened. I love you in my own, weird way.' But it's very bizarre and macabre," Sheaffer said.Based on what investigators found with Caylee's remains in the wooded area less than a half-mile from Caylee's house, they went back there that day looking for several things to link the murder to Caylee's mother Casey. They went back for trash bags, duct tape, their packaging and any receipts associated with them, Winnie the Pooh clothing and accessories which were plentiful in Caylee's room, small clothes with iron-on lettering, towels, blankets, diapers, pull-up pants with a flower design like the ones found with Caylee's remains and all toothbrushes, hairbrushes and cell phones (read search warrants).Sheaffer said the public might never find out why a stainless steel knife was found with the body."The knife could have been an agency of the murder, could have been used to cut the tape. A myriad of possibilities with the knife," Sheaffer said.What they actually took from the house is still sealed, possibly to try to prevent a change of venue, because it may be the strongest evidence linking Casey to the crime.New interviews with Cindy Anthony's coworkers, also released Wednesday, show that on July 15, the day she and George, her husband, got Casey's car from the wrecker service and were horrified by the smell of death in the car, Cindy went back to work, telling co-workers that Casey's car smelled "like a dead body." She refused to call police, telling co-workers she would give Casey a chance to explain herself.After she talked to Casey, Cindy called work and told coworkers, "If the baby's dead, I don't know what I'm going to do."Other documents reveal what appears to be unusual behavior by Cindy Anthony.A blogger who claimed to be in contact with Cindy, told investigators that Cindy said she "honestly believes Casey had something to do with Caylee" and agreed with him that her daughter fits the sociopathic profile."What mother wants to believe that the child she delivered from her own womb could murder her own child?" Sheaffer told Eyewitness News.There is also new information contained in the documents about what Orange County meter reader Roy Kronk first saw in August when he called 911 and it's unclear whether he was actually referring to the trash bag containing Caylee's remains (read transcripts).According to the 911 call transcripts, Kronk was describing something white and a gray vinyl bag. Caylee's remains were found in a black bag with yellow handles. Kronk said he didn't investigate the bag further in August, because he saw a dead 6-foot rattlesnake not too far from it.In a supplemental report done by the Orange County Sheriff's Office (read complete supplemental report), one of Casey Anthony's ex-boyfriends, Ricardo Morales, told investigators Casey once joked about giving Caylee "baby medicine putting her to sleep." Investigators looked for baby medicine at the Anthonys' house when they went back in December.Investigators also found a photo with the caption "win her over with chloroform" on Morales' MySpace page (see the photo). He said he never did it, but found it funny so he posted it on his MySpace page early last year. He told them he never spoke to Casey about chloroform, but she did have access to his computer and could have seen the photo.
BAEZ COMPLAINS ABOUT MEDIA COVERAGECasey Anthony's attorney quickly called a press conference early Wednesday evening and spent several minutes complaining about media coverage (watch full press conference).
BAEZ SPEAKS: Complains About Media Coverage
"Since this process began, I have, on many occasions, faced a lot of criticism, I've been attacked personally, mostly by certain tabloid stations and certain tabloid reporters," Baez said.Baez said he was urged to make a statement and said he wouldn't have done so if that hadn't been suggested."I don't care how much criticism I face. I don't care what type of speculation is out there. However, if it gets to the point where it's defamatory ... I want to be remembered as someone who fought for his client through the highs and lows ... not someone who is the subject of constant insinuations and unsubstantiated rumors," Baez said. "There are those of you who have much more integrity than others and those of you who just don't care."Baez then addressed allegations that he was profiting from the case."I have no book deal or entertainment deals or any contingencies of any kind and any insinuations of that is simply a false rumor," he said. "That can be put to rest. I have nothing to hide … It is absolutely untrue."Baez ended the press conference saying he is working to get the trial venue moved, but that he would not disclose where he wants the trial moved.
VIDEO REPORT: Baez Under Investigation
BAEZ SPEAKS: Complains About Media Coverage
MESSAGE BOARD: Justice For Caylee
The Bar has confirmed it has two open investigations. The first involves Jose Baez's PR firm, Press Corp Media, run by Todd Black. In the past, Baez's spokesperson has released statements to the media about State Attorney Lawson Lamar and prosecutors.In one release, it states, "Lawson Lamar is facing tough opposition and having a missing baby is a perfect springboard for free commercial time." Another release states, "The prosecution has manipulated and shamelessly used the media in the reporting of false distorted … evidence."Sources told Eyewitness News officials are looking into whether or not Baez violated a rule that states lawyers can't make false statements about judges or legal officials.The second investigation deals with Baez possibly violating advertising rules, where he claimed to have more credentials and experience than he really did.The two complaints are in addition to an informal complaint made to the State Attorney's Office. Sources told Eyewitness News there are allegations that Baez maybe using entertainment deals to fund his defense team.On Wednesday, Baez denied that (watch full press conference)."To be honest, I have been a target of numerous complaints," Baez said in an early evening news conference Wednesday. "They're just people's wild accusations and the Florida Bar has to investigate them."WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said, if the Bar found probable cause, Baez would probably only receive a letter of advisement. The spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office would not confirm or deny if the complaint came from them.
NEW HEARING SET FOR JANUARY 30A new hearing was announced early Thursday evening in the Casey Anthony case.The defense wants the judge to order the owner of the property where Caylee's remains were found to let them in to inspect the area (read motion). The defense also wants records on whether Texas EquuSearch volunteers searched that same area.The judge will hear the motions on Friday, January 30.
DOCUMENTS: HEART STICKER ON TAPE OVER CAYLEE'S MOUTHHundreds of pages of new evidence were released Wednesday in the case against Casey Anthony and it details every single thing detectives found at the crime scene where Caylee Anthony's body was dumped.
READ THE DOCUMENTS:
» Unedited Transcripts Of Kronk 911 Calls
» County Forensics Reports Part 1 | Part 2
» FBI Documents From Investigation
» Evidence Sent By County To FBI
» Search Warrants Issued In Case
» Supplemental County Investigation ReportVIDEO REPORT: Documents Reveal Grim Details
The documents show Caylee's body was ditched with her Winnie the Pooh blanket and a heart-shaped sticker was intentionally stuck to the duct tape that was found over Caylee's mouth area (details here - page 15). Both ends of the duct tape were stuck to Caylee's hair and her hair had to be cut to separate the duct tape, according to documents released Wednesday. Investigators also found a heart-shaped sticker at the sceneCaylee Marie Anthony's remains were found on December 11 stuffed into a cloth laundry hamper bag and then in a black trash bag with yellow ties. A small shirt and shorts were found with the remains and also Caylee's backpack with the word "adorable" on it.WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said he's not sure what to make of the investigators' belief that the heart sticker was intentionally stuck onto the duct tape around Caylee's mouth."This sounds like a bizarre after the fact. 'I'm sorry. I wish this hadn't have happened. I love you in my own, weird way.' But it's very bizarre and macabre," Sheaffer said.Based on what investigators found with Caylee's remains in the wooded area less than a half-mile from Caylee's house, they went back there that day looking for several things to link the murder to Caylee's mother Casey. They went back for trash bags, duct tape, their packaging and any receipts associated with them, Winnie the Pooh clothing and accessories which were plentiful in Caylee's room, small clothes with iron-on lettering, towels, blankets, diapers, pull-up pants with a flower design like the ones found with Caylee's remains and all toothbrushes, hairbrushes and cell phones (read search warrants).Sheaffer said the public might never find out why a stainless steel knife was found with the body."The knife could have been an agency of the murder, could have been used to cut the tape. A myriad of possibilities with the knife," Sheaffer said.What they actually took from the house is still sealed, possibly to try to prevent a change of venue, because it may be the strongest evidence linking Casey to the crime.New interviews with Cindy Anthony's coworkers, also released Wednesday, show that on July 15, the day she and George, her husband, got Casey's car from the wrecker service and were horrified by the smell of death in the car, Cindy went back to work, telling co-workers that Casey's car smelled "like a dead body." She refused to call police, telling co-workers she would give Casey a chance to explain herself.After she talked to Casey, Cindy called work and told coworkers, "If the baby's dead, I don't know what I'm going to do."Other documents reveal what appears to be unusual behavior by Cindy Anthony.A blogger who claimed to be in contact with Cindy, told investigators that Cindy said she "honestly believes Casey had something to do with Caylee" and agreed with him that her daughter fits the sociopathic profile."What mother wants to believe that the child she delivered from her own womb could murder her own child?" Sheaffer told Eyewitness News.There is also new information contained in the documents about what Orange County meter reader Roy Kronk first saw in August when he called 911 and it's unclear whether he was actually referring to the trash bag containing Caylee's remains (read transcripts).According to the 911 call transcripts, Kronk was describing something white and a gray vinyl bag. Caylee's remains were found in a black bag with yellow handles. Kronk said he didn't investigate the bag further in August, because he saw a dead 6-foot rattlesnake not too far from it.In a supplemental report done by the Orange County Sheriff's Office (read complete supplemental report), one of Casey Anthony's ex-boyfriends, Ricardo Morales, told investigators Casey once joked about giving Caylee "baby medicine putting her to sleep." Investigators looked for baby medicine at the Anthonys' house when they went back in December.Investigators also found a photo with the caption "win her over with chloroform" on Morales' MySpace page (see the photo). He said he never did it, but found it funny so he posted it on his MySpace page early last year. He told them he never spoke to Casey about chloroform, but she did have access to his computer and could have seen the photo.
BAEZ COMPLAINS ABOUT MEDIA COVERAGECasey Anthony's attorney quickly called a press conference early Wednesday evening and spent several minutes complaining about media coverage (watch full press conference).
BAEZ SPEAKS: Complains About Media Coverage
"Since this process began, I have, on many occasions, faced a lot of criticism, I've been attacked personally, mostly by certain tabloid stations and certain tabloid reporters," Baez said.Baez said he was urged to make a statement and said he wouldn't have done so if that hadn't been suggested."I don't care how much criticism I face. I don't care what type of speculation is out there. However, if it gets to the point where it's defamatory ... I want to be remembered as someone who fought for his client through the highs and lows ... not someone who is the subject of constant insinuations and unsubstantiated rumors," Baez said. "There are those of you who have much more integrity than others and those of you who just don't care."Baez then addressed allegations that he was profiting from the case."I have no book deal or entertainment deals or any contingencies of any kind and any insinuations of that is simply a false rumor," he said. "That can be put to rest. I have nothing to hide … It is absolutely untrue."Baez ended the press conference saying he is working to get the trial venue moved, but that he would not disclose where he wants the trial moved.
Previous Stories:
- January 22, 2009: Documents: Heart Sticker On Tape Over Caylee's Mouth
- January 20, 2009: Entertainment Deals Could Be Paying For Casey's Defense
- January 16, 2009: Emotional Casey Shown On "Lost" Jail Video
- January 15, 2009: Deputy Reassigned Over Meter Reader Call Response
- January 15, 2009: Psychic's Credibility Questioned Amid Claims She Talked With P.I.
- January 15, 2009: EquuSearch Leader Hires Anthonys' Ex-Attorney
- January 14, 2009: Deputy Being Investigated For Handling Of Call
- January 14, 2009: P.I. Who Searched Remains Site Says Caller Was A Psychic
- January 13, 2009: Legal Analyst: Kronk GMA Interview Is Defense Victory
- January 13, 2009: Man Who Found Caylee's Remains Denies Involvement
- January 13, 2009: Video Released Of Anthonys' P.I. Searching Remains Scene
- January 12, 2009: Lawyer Says Lee Denied He Was On Phone With P.I.
- January 10, 2009: WFTV Legal Analyst Describes Private Investigators' Video
- January 9, 2009: Casey Anthony Forced To Appear At Court Hearing
- January 8, 2009: P.I. Denies He Knew Where Caylee's Remains Were
- January 8, 2009: Casey Anthony's Attorneys Get Legal Victory
- January 8, 2009: P.I. Says Partner Knew Where Caylee Anthony's Body Was
- January 7, 2009: Anthonys' Attorney Meets With Prosecutors, Investigators
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