Closing Arguments: Battle of the Barristers

Say what you will about defense attorney Jose Baez, but there's no quit in this guy.

In arguably the most important trial in his short legal career, Baez went toe-to-toe during closing arguments with lead prosecutor Jeff Ashton, a seasoned lawyer with three decades of putting defendants behind bars. With a passion I've seldom seen, Baez pleaded jurors not to decide guilt or innocence on emotion, but rather on the lack of evidence in this case.

But all that effort was almost wasted when Judge Belvin Perry threatened to throw both attorneys off the trial after Baez, in the heat of passion, called Ashton "That laughing man" while arguing a point. This brought Ashton to his feet and the proceedings to another sidebar. After a lengthy recess, Perry said he'd had enough.

This outburst also detracted from many of the points made by both sides. Ashton used about one-fourth of the allotted four hours each side is given by law to argue. The State's case might have been better served explaining in more detail the use of chloroform presumably used in Caylee Anthony's death. Baez and defense attorney Cheney Mason went over their time limit as they tried to dismantle each piece of evidence and prosecution witness and spit them out as unreliable.

The remaining time the State has left will be argued by Linda Drane Burdick tomorrow morning in rebuttal. Then, the jury will be instructed on the charges, and the world will await a verdict.

If I was keeping score, I would give the nod to Ashton, for his ability to weave a compelling story for jurors to follow. I will go more into detail after a verdict comes down, but suffice it to say, the State made a compelling case for first-degree murder.

Meanwhile, Casey brought her spigot and turned the tears on and off as needed for the jury to see.

We all expected to go on verdict watch today, but trial-watchers like me will have to wait at least one more day. The pressure on attorneys on both sides is enormous. Casey must also be feeling the pressure as she wonders if her attorneys did enough to set her free. How fitting, on Independence Day. How ironic if she is convicted.