Presumed Guilty: Casey Anthony: The Inside Story

"Presumed Guilty" is an excellent book that should prove to be an eye opener to millions of people. Casey Anthony was acquitted for good reason: a distinct lack of evidence that she committed any of the felony charges brought against her in relation to Caylee Anthony. Jose Baez reviews almost every piece of evidence and every argument put forward by the state of Florida, and each one is found wanting. His reasoning is excellent; he finds clues as readily as Matlock. To be sure, he was not working alone, but had a formidable brain trust on his side, including the legendary forensic scientist, Dr. Henry Lee, whom many will remember from the O.J. Simpson trial. I gobbled the book up in one evening - it fascinates with details left out of the trial, including the shenanigans of Orlando LE and the prosecution. Much evidence was left out of this brief six week trial that clearly incriminated other members of the Anthony family, and pointed away from Casey herself. This book gives us a glimpse of what appears to the reader as brand new evidence about the character of Casey's father. To be sure, the evidence does incriminate him.Jose's anecdotes alone are worth the cover price. He describes some real Twilight Zone experiences. Baez ran over to Walmart to buy a saw so his forensic expert could cut open Caylee's skull. It just so happened that Walmart was empty - much to Jose's surprise. So there he is at checkout, holding a saw to cut open the skull of his client's daughter. He looks down at the magazine rack to see pictures of Casey on every tabloid, some with outrageous headlines; meanwhile, here comes a woman with Down's Syndrome, who had just come off a handicap bus, running towards him yelling Baez Baez Baez! You can imagine that he wanted to pinch himself to see if it was all real. The reader needs to be cautioned about some of the details in this book - positively sickening! The reader will learn exactly what George Anthony did to his daughter. It left me with a bad stomach.A lot of people do not know that Jose Baez is a private investigator in addition to being a lawyer. Those skills are certainly on display in this book. He looked very minutely at letters and comments made by the Anthony family which could suggest that several members of the family knew more than they were admitting. These are very subtle slip ups that went undetected by all but Baez himself; for example, the remark made by George about his own homicide experience as a deputy sheriff: "We caught people out in the woods, in a house and in a car. So I know what it (human decomposition) smells like." This statement was made six months before Caylee was found swamp side in the woods off Suburban Drive. Note that George cites all the places where Caylee's corpse or remains were actually located. This is by far not the most compelling evidence that Jose presents, but I don't want to give it all away. Jose provides evidence from letters, statements and emails which clearly indicate that George and maybe Cindy knew more than they were letting on. People need to read this book. Every American should read it; in fact, everybody in the world should read it - because it clearly illustrates how even the most advanced legal systems in the world can jump to the wrong conclusions, and how the media and general public will blindly follow along.One of Mr. Baez's areas of specialization is forensics; that is to say that for a lawyer he has an excellent understanding of the science. The subject does not appear to be Jeff Ashton's best subject. He made a huge mistake in putting FBI scientist, Dr. Michael Rickenbach, on the stand. Dr. Rickenbach completely contradicted the prosecution's star witness, Dr. Vass, on the level of chloroform found in the trunk of Casey's car, indicating that the levels were extremely low and consistent with the remnants of cleaning solution. Dr. Vass has tremendous credibility issues. It is well-known that his technology (used to determine the high level of chloroform) could have been worth up to ½ billion dollars had he been able to establish its accuracy. The public also needs to know that Dr. Vass believes he can locate graves with divining rods (coat hangers) and tried to develop electronic leashes for insects! This was the state's star scientific witness! Curiously, Mr. Baez was not allowed to raise these issues in court.What makes "Presumed Guilty" such a compelling read? It's the strength of Jose's logic, and the simple explanatory power of Casey's account of what really occurred on June 16 and the years leading up to it, and what happened in the following months. Scientists and philosophers generally seek the simplest, most explanatory theory - they call it Ockham's Razor. So long as the theory is plausible and explains more than its rivals, it is likely the best theory to go with. Casey's version rings true.The assertion that "Presumed Guilty" is just a package of lies suffers from its own credibility issues. First of all, it is inconceivable that Jose would fabricate so many quotes and statistics, knowing that the information would quickly be invalidated. But even more telling is Jose's incredible honesty. In historical studies, the principle of embarrassment is employed to reconstruct historical events. Negative information about historical figures is often more likely to be true than not. If ancient documents admit to the embarrassment, historians assume the information therein is accurate. So what are the signs of honesty in this book? Or how does the principle of embarrassment apply here?1) Baez admits to considering a plea bargain. P 952) He admits to his attachment to his client. (She asked him to be her godfather) - p 1723) He admits to being furious with Casey over her apparent cold-heartedness. P 3354) He admits that he did not want to put Dr. Weitz on the stand because he seemed determined to implicate George. P 2465) He admits to the possibility of Casey's negligence. P 1806) He admits to alternative interpretations of the evidence. P 181Another absurd idea has gotten around that Casey took her molestation story from the adult cartoon called South Park. Casey claims that her father told her to "pet the bald-headed mouse; pet it until it sneezes milk." Now the Casey haters have gone on a campaign to discredit her story by finding the source for it in a cartoon called South Park. Did Casey get the words "Pet the bald-headed mouse; pet it until it sneezes milk" from South Park? Well the whole idea seems patently absurd to me. The haters have taken a phrase from the 2005 episode "It Sneezes Milk" and connected the use of that phrase to a plot of an episode that aired three years later in 2008. Suffice it to say, it is about a mutant mouse with a human organ extending from its back! This is supposedly the source for the bald mouse remark - even though those words are never spoken in that show. I watched it. In the course of my research I found out that another cartoon could possibly be the source for the conceptualization behind this phrase. You might recall - if you are my age or older - a cartoon called "Danger Mouse." This was the first British cartoon to make it on U.S. TV. It ran original episodes from 1984-1992. One of the most famous episodes involved Danger Mouse having a sneeze attack, and his sidekick hamster, Penrod, sneezed up milk! Casey was born March 19, 1986, so she would have been about six when Danger Mouse ran its final new episode. It could be - if we must use a cartoon as source - that George Anthony's use of this phrase "Pet the bald-headed mouse; pet it until it sneezes milk" was inspired by Danger Mouse which George could have seen well before Casey says he began molesting her at age 8! All possible. However, there is no reason to look to cartoons as a source for this phrase. Just hop on over to urbandictionary.com and start entering combinations of the relevant words. You will see that there are various combinations of "milk," "sneeze," and "bald-headed mouse" with erotic implications. I found 16 slang words or phrases involving these words that carry erotic connotations. Moreover, if it could be shown that George watched porn, this would explain his use of these terms. My research indicates that pornographic films have used every possible metaphor for the male sex organ. All this just proves to me that Casey haters will try anything - no matter how absurd - to discredit her claims.So is there any evidence that George Anthony has done the things Casey says he has done? Yes, there is, but not the sort of evidence that would ever get George arrested, however. Dr. Weitz, the psychologist, who contrary to popular belief was paid by the state of Florida and not by Casey's lawyers, stated in his deposition that there are indications in this direction. For example, at Caylee's memorial service, George stands at the podium to give his eulogy, but the eulogy is all about George and his sensual experience with his granddaughter. He stated in public how he misses the smell of his granddaughter's perspiration and hair! His eyes roll up erotically as he speaks of this. If you look in the background of this video you can see a man's eyes pop out of his head as hears these shocking words of which Dr. Weitz says "it had a sexual connotation in my professional opinion based on 35 years of study as a professional psychologist." Page 241Addendum in response to false claims that there are pictures of tape over Caylee's mouth:If there was any compelling photographic evidence of tape directly over the mouth, Dr. Utz would have stressed this in his sworn testimony, and Ashton would not be saying in his book that they had no clear pictures of tape over Caylee's mouth. This means they avoided getting clear pictures; then they removed the tape and were suddenly able to take better pictures! This explains why Dr. Utz was so evasive on the stand during Cheney Mason's cross examination .... Cheney: "Was there tape on the left side of the face?" Utz: "What do you mean by ON the left side of the face?" It is beyond suspicious that there were no clear pictures of tape directly across the area of the mouth. You have to have blind faith in Ashton and crew to believe they saw that tape there and didn't get a 100 clear pictures of it. That's transparent bologna! Or as my review of Ashton's book states "Nuclear Lies Indeed!" There are so many contradictions, omissions, factual errors and fabrications in Ashton's book. I only gave it 4 stars because it really is well-written crime fiction! At least Lisa Pulitzer has talent. I am not sure Ashton does. Team Casey called him "our fourth chair" and Baez said on MSNBC, "He's working for the defense." I want the readers here to realize this about the bad reviews: they were written by Casey hating propagandists. The truth is the case against Casey was vacuous. Duct tape, chloroform, decomposition, sociopathy - it has all been discredited.*Addendum regarding the updated paperback edition: The arguments put forward by Mr. Baez in this new edition demonstrate to my satisfaction that had the jury known about the foolproof suffocation search, Casey would still have been acquitted.*FOR MORE EVIDENCE THAT CASEY ANTHONY IS INNOCENT GO TO standingupforcasey dot com. This website was recently updated with information about the foolproof suffocation issue. Go to menu bar and click Casey Blogs.*Addendum (5/15/2004) A NEW BOOK IS ON THE WAY THAT WILL PROVE CASEY DID NOT KILL CAYLEE. STAY TUNED.

Love her or hate her, Casey Anthony deserved a fair trial. It’s what everyone deserves and you would appreciate if ever in need.Having been caught up in the sensationalized media coverage, this gave me a different insight into the case and trial from the defense perspective. I was captivated by Jose’s recitation of this chapter in his life. The lead up and the taking of the case followed by the hardships and the frustrations of both the Anthony family (in all its entirety) and the opposition he faced from opposing counsel, had me hooked. I have now added his book about the Aaron Hernandez case on my list next.I enjoyed the retelling layout by Peter and thought it flowed nicely as well. The pictures were a nice touch.There were times I was outraged at the audacity of both the prosecutor and judge so for fairness sake, I’m going to read Ashton’s take of this and see where my thoughts take me.Kudos to the jury for involuntarily braving the wilds of the legal justice system! For some it’s an honor and others an unnecessary evil. I hope their families true privacy was respected.

SEE TIME LINE AND COMPUTER ACTIVITY FOR JULY 16th 2008 below.Not appropriate to say the book gave me closure because of the sad tragedy that Caylee is no longer here but it certainly gave tons of details that I hadn't seen from watching videos of the depositions and hearings ... or the bias reports we received from the media.From day one we all knew something was not right (of course) but I couldn't wrap my mind around Casey doing that to her daughter, especially since she could've just allowed her mom to take Caylee at anytime if her motive was to have the party life. This book explains things to me as well as answering why from day one of seeing him, my uncle immediately thought the grandfather (George Anthony) did it to cover up molestation. George gave me the creeps from the moment I saw him on television!The book doesn't tell you what to conclude, it let's you decide but it certainly gives you the details you need to come up with your own conclusion. I actually came to a different conclusion than the author who bases his on absence of proof of George's molestation of the baby). I believe the reason George did not report what happened to the police because he had to hide the molestation and Casey because of the mental and sexual abuse would react to George the way she did. What other reason would George have for not reporting it to the police. Was it an ACCIDENT ? YES. Why do I believe so? Crystal Holloway's video on the witness stand. Excellent genuine witness! George admitted the accident part to her because he was there but to call it in would lead to George being found out.Read the preview or sample: from page one it reads easily and gets (plus keeps) you interested. This poor little baby died and what I think is that she is in a far better place than she could've been if George had access to her.I concluded he's guilty and Casey...while disturbed, reacted in a way that is not extremely far fetched considering the family details she lived with and was molded by. My question is when did Cindy find out about all this? It was clearly before the baby was found. I feel horrible for her loss, yet have a hard time understanding how she can be in such denial of what her husband is and what he has likely done.Oh and I think more credit should be given to the psychiatrist who although wouldn't be a good witness due to his or her belief in George's guilt, they are possibly why the media began reporting of the molestation ...allowing some of us to suspect there may be a possibility that a mentally disturbed Casey didn't actually kill her daughter and George was somehow involved.MUST READ!I am now convinced GEORGE ANTHONY KILLED CAYLEE or TRIED TO COVER UP THE ABUSE if she accidentally drown. GEORGE ANTHONY FRAMED CASEY. GEORGE ANTHONY searched FOOL PROOF SUFFOCATION. He got on the computer at 2:50 to 2:52 the computer activity did not match Casey's. He answer the police that his job site was 10 minutes away (He wrote 3:04 on his time card that day.I agree that George Anthony killed Caylee. She was on the phone with Ricardo Morales until about 3am, as I recall that was her boyfriend and she was helping him to Manage the Shot Girls for an upcoming event.The next morning she got on the computer at 7:53. She clicks on AOL checks celebrity news and gossip, music, then goes to Facebook and Myspace and Victoria's Secret, Fredrick's o Hollywood and searches for shot girl outfits, she goes to photo bucket, Myspace, and Facebook again until computer activity stops at 11:59.It does not appear that she signs out of any of these accounts, just an abrupt stop.Activity is resumed at 1:39 (an hour and a half later). What took place during this time? George was home but initially stated she left at 11:45, he says he's "sure" thats the last time he saw Caylee.Nowhere does he mention Caylee was fed lunch that day. Yet he gives all these details about breakfast. He later claims they left at ten minutes to 1:00. He now remembers specifically because his favorite show was on food network.Lee also tells police George told him 11:45 is when they left.The computer is again accessed at 1:39 Lauren's profile pictures are viewed on Facebook, Caseys Myspace photos are viewed (out and about) this goes on until 1:42. George tells police Lauren is the one who babysits most often other than his wife. He also tells them of the photos of her partying.At 2:50 to 2:52 AOL, Facebook and google are all hit...as well as FOOL PROOF SUFFICATION, then spell corrected to suffocation. Prosuicide Pit, heated wires can melt disposable breathing circuits, then Facebook, Myspace, How To Kill A Rhododendron, then Myspace.That took place within two minutes. Someone was in a hurry. No more computer activity that day.George states later when interviewed, it takes him "10 minutes" to get to work. He arrived to work at 3:04.He tells police he did not talk to Casey for a week or so after she left that day, but phone records showed he called her cell immediately upon arriving to work.

Baez book is excellent. It gives a whole new perspective & blows apart a lot of the facts people have believed about Casey. The family dynamic is so important to the whole case and whilst we may not like her behaviour it does not make her a murderer. I think she was enabled by her parents to behave the way she did but I don’t believe that she murdered that little girl. I think immaturity made her do stupid things but by all accounts by the time she had had her trial she was under no illusion.Baez says she is still living in prison because the story told by the media and indeed her behaviour makes her the most hated mother in the US. But she has been tried and adjudicated not guilty and it’s time to let it go and celebrate an extraordinary little girl who died.I don’t think she will ever be terribly likeable now because she has to have a thick skin & attitude against the hostility she faces every day.The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and George is utterly pathetic coupled with his adultery, lies and mis management of money he must have never slept at night trying to keep all the lies straight in his head. As for Lee he is the one that I feel for the most and I think he knew early on that he was going to leave home as soon as he could. Cindy is not likeable and she enabled Casey & George but made sure everyone knew about it.The book does give an insight into a very odd family dynamic and Baez doesn’t pull any punches with Casey.Well worth a read!

All things considered this book IS written by the defence attorney on the case so it has to be biased. I liked his style of writting. I liked details about the case given that I didn't know. If you take this book first without knowing about the case there is a very strong chance he convinces you as he did with the jurors that she was innocent. We all know the truth is somewhere in the middle in this case and we will never know exactly what happened to that poor child.

I bought this book completely convinced of Casey Anthony's guilt and smugly assured that nobody would change my mind. He did. If I was on the jury, I'd have acquitted. I still personally believe the child drowned whilst she was on the computer and due to her complicated and woefully inadequate coping mechanism, she covered it up and lied, but guilty of murder, I think not. Bravo Mr Baez. Long and successful may your career be - you deserve it after nearly losing everything to stick by her and save her life.

Fascinating story have nearly every book written on this case but this is the best .wow what a dysfunctional family very strange girl very strange behaviour also watched the film and the court case . This one really plays with your head and what on earth was wrong with the jury !!!!!

very interesting read, this made me re look at the whole case, I still believe that any one who doesn't report their child missing after the first hour never mind 31 days their is something very very wrong, but I do believe the police had a lot to answer to and maybe if they did do their job the outcome may have been different in the trial, Jose wrote this book so well