Casey Anthony wants state to help pay for defense
Poll
Question: Anthony is entitled to financial assistance under the constitution's Sixth Amendment, which protects her right to a fair trial. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Total Votes: 29
Orlando, Florida (CNN/In Session) -- Casey Anthony is headed back to court in Orlando, Florida on Thursday -- this time to tell a judge she has run out of money and needs state funding for costs associated with her upcoming murder trial.
Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, and has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is scheduled to begin on May 9, 2011. The state is seeking the death penalty if she is convicted.
Caylee Anthony's body was found in a lot near her grandparents' home in December 2008. The grandparents, George and Cindy Anthony, have been supportive of Casey Anthony but now are fighting foreclosure, according to a complaint filed by Bank of America.
What is usually a routine application to the clerk to declare Casey Anthony indigent and provide money for her defense may become a contentious issue during Thursday's court hearing.
The Justice Administrative Commission, the state agency that oversees funding, has voiced opposition, saying in court papers it has "severe concerns" about whether Anthony qualifies for financial assistance.
"Miss Anthony has received no income during the time she has been incarcerated," her defense maintains.
Jose Baez, Anthony's lead defense attorney, and Chicago death penalty attorney Andrea Lyon argue in their four-page motion that they are not asking the state to pay their legal fees but to assist with funding for other costs to defend Anthony.
--Defense filing
As the case headed to trial, the state released thousands of pages of discovery documents. The defense is seeking help with costs that include service of subpoenas, investigative costs, travel, fees charged by experts to interpret forensic evidence, expert witness fees and the cost of depositions.
Baez, Lyon and Linda Kenney Baden are representing Anthony at her trial. According to the defense motion, Lyon will be appearing pro bono -- in other words, free of charge.
The defense attorneys argue in their court papers that Anthony is entitled to financial assistance under the constitution's Sixth Amendment, which protects her right to a fair trial.
Because prosecutors have indicated they are seeking the death penalty, Anthony also is entitled to "the unique standard of care required for a capital defense," the attorneys assert.
Financial affidavits released by the court, in what appears to be Casey Anthony's handwriting, estimates fees paid to Baez at $89,454.83. Lyon's fees are estimated at $22,500. In the affidavits, Casey Anthony says the fees for both attorneys "were or are being paid by myself."
Anthony notes that her income is "zero" and her assets are "zero." She did not list her debts or liabilities.
According to the legal papers, money earmarked to pay Lyon has been used to cover costs, and she has not been paid. "She has been and continues to appear pro bono," the motion states.
The central focus of the commission's response appears to be based on Anthony's own financial affidavit: "Because the defendant has been able to provide over $110,000.00 in her defense, the JAC has severe concerns regarding the defendant's indigence."
Their response cites Florida law, which requires the court to consider "when applicant retained private counsel" and "the amount of any attorney's fees and who is paying the fees."
In regard to travel expenses, the response states that counsel will need to properly complete a travel voucher, but also states that "JAC does not pay for reimbursement of travel expenses for privately retained counsel."
can you come out and play?**
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Oh well.
Quoting samthecat001:
she has the right to a defense attorney... either she pays for it or the state does so if she cant.
but she cant pick who defends her.
its her right... its the right given to ALL of us.
Quoting samthecat001:she has the right to a defense attorney... either she pays for it or the state does so if she cant.
but she cant pick who defends her.
its her right... its the right given to ALL of us.
Sad to say she has that right, if I had it my way she wouldn't have any rights at all.
Quoting Sweet_Faith:
Quoting samthecat001:
she has the right to a defense attorney... either she pays for it or the state does so if she cant.
but she cant pick who defends her.
its her right... its the right given to ALL of us.Sad to say she has that right, if I had it my way she wouldn't have any rights at all.
I hear ya :)
Quoting Sweet_Faith:
Quoting samthecat001:
she has the right to a defense attorney... either she pays for it or the state does so if she cant.
but she cant pick who defends her.
its her right... its the right given to ALL of us.Sad to say she has that right, if I had it my way she wouldn't have any rights at all.
well luckily emotions dont dictate who is treated equally and who is not.
the innocent man who looks guilty and needs someone to defend him is also glad that we are all afforded the right to have ourselves defended by a competent person who is education in our legal system. its up to those prosecutors to make the case - make sure they prove that she did this to that poor baby... then its up to the judge and jury to determine if its enough evidence to support a guilty verdict.
"I lost 20 pounds...How? I drank bear piss and took up fencing. How the fuck you think, son? I exercised." Justins dad
Quoting samthecat001:
Quoting Sweet_Faith:
Quoting samthecat001:
she has the right to a defense attorney... either she pays for it or the state does so if she cant.
but she cant pick who defends her.
its her right... its the right given to ALL of us.Sad to say she has that right, if I had it my way she wouldn't have any rights at all.
well luckily emotions dont dictate who is treated equally and who is not.
the innocent man who looks guilty and needs someone to defend him is also glad that we are all afforded the right to have ourselves defended by a competent person who is education in our legal system. its up to those prosecutors to make the case - make sure they prove that she did this to that poor baby... then its up to the judge and jury to determine if its enough evidence to support a guilty verdict.
that being said......all at someone eles's expense.
can you come out and play?**
Join us in The Cafe....... a group mod :)
The state needs to tell her to get rid of her current lawyers, and the state will assign you a court appointed attorney.
Quoting maciymommieof3:
Quoting samthecat001:
Quoting Sweet_Faith:
Quoting samthecat001:
she has the right to a defense attorney... either she pays for it or the state does so if she cant.
but she cant pick who defends her.
its her right... its the right given to ALL of us.Sad to say she has that right, if I had it my way she wouldn't have any rights at all.
well luckily emotions dont dictate who is treated equally and who is not.
the innocent man who looks guilty and needs someone to defend him is also glad that we are all afforded the right to have ourselves defended by a competent person who is education in our legal system. its up to those prosecutors to make the case - make sure they prove that she did this to that poor baby... then its up to the judge and jury to determine if its enough evidence to support a guilty verdict.
that being said......all at someone eles's expense.
so be it. happens everyday.
its our system... we ALL have the right to be represented by council when brought up on charges..if we cant afford it our system provides it. thank goodness...because it could be any one of us or our loved ones who needed to be defended and money was an issue.
i understand people hate her for what she appears to have done... but that doesnt negate her basic rights as an american citizen.
"I lost 20 pounds...How? I drank bear piss and took up fencing. How the fuck you think, son? I exercised." Justins dad
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- maciymommieof3
on Mar. 17, 2010 at 5:38 PM