Casey Anthony's Lawyer: 'I Knew I Had Saved Her Life'
Posted on Jul 06, 2011 @ 05:00PM
By Adam S. Levy - Radar Staff Writer
Casey Anthony's defense attorney Jose Baez has granted his first network TV interview since Tuesday’s stunning verdict, telling Barbara Walters "the happiest moment [of the trial] came after the first not guilty, because I knew I had saved her life.”
Casey was let off the hook when the jury found her not guilty on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.
PHOTOS: Evidence Photos Introduced Into Casey Anthony Murder
Baez said he knew his defense had an “outstanding” chance, but he was concerned about public “misconceptions” that Casey was not a good mother.
Asked about Casey's actions in the month following Caylee’s death -- not reporting it for more than 30 days, partying in that time, and lying to investigators -- Baez said "the 31 days has been kept out there a lot through various media reports, and people just can't get there out of their mind.
PHOTOS: Graphic Crime Scene Pictures Introduced Into Evidence
"The actions that she took were things that people could not condone but this was not a murder case and the jury could see that, and thankfully our system worked ... people grieve in many different ways and respond to trauma in many different ways."
Baez said Anthony is "very misunderstood" by the public: "They think she's a monster, a cold-hearted killer and nothing could be further from the truth."
As far as the molestations he alleged against Casey's father George -- in trying to illustrate how she was conditioned to lie from a young age -- Baez said that while he could not prove the sexual abuse took place, "every statement made was done with a good faith basis" with Casey.
Watch the video on RadarOnline.com
Baez's David & Goliath-esque victory over prosecutors comes as even more of a shock when you consider he's only been practicing law for five years. The Miami Herald dubbed the 42-year-old lawyer a “former bikini salesman, high school dropout and deadbeat dad who barely made it into the Florida bar.”
While Anthony was found guilty on four counts of lying to law enforcement officers, she's expected to be released following her sentencing on Thursday, having already spent nearly three years in custody.
The sentencing is scheduled for 9 am ET Thursday, and RadarOnline.com will live stream the hearing as it happens.
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The Daily Juice
May 21, 2012 @ 11:30
May 17, 2012 @ 20:00
What happens when two psychopaths team up and begin the spin, enabled by an immoral jury.
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 12:17pm
As someone who made a murderer go free, We can only hope he meets the same fate as Johnny Cochran. A horrible lingering death from brain cancer.
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 10:50am
ladyblue....well said.
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 10:30am
Casey and Jose should have a baby together, they deserve each other, they're both monsters. Plus, if Casey doesn't have anywhere to live when she gets out, she has 12 NEW BFFs that she can call, IDIOT JURORS!
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 10:09am
I hope Judge Perry throws the book at this clown and gets him disbarred. Withholding evidence from the prosecution, engendering perjury and bluntly lying in open court - he's a disgrace.
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 10:04am
Every single time I see her face and his face I could vomit..I hope every day of your pathetic lives are completely and utterly miserable....GOD will bring his wrath upon you...it is written and done!
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 9:35am
Lastly I hope some crazed person shoots both of you in the head on your way out of the courthouse today. Then I hope you both rot in hell for all eternity. She is a baby killer and you are the defender of a baby killer One in the same in my book
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 8:45am
Everyone with a brain knows she killed that baby. It was no accident she premeditated it and she accomplished it. I hope Caylee haunts your dreams as well as Cayce's every day until you both die. God will take care of both of you in the end
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 8:43am
I agree..well said!
Posted Thu, 07/07/2011 - 9:32am