Geraldo Says State Is Using Dirty Tricks and Damning Evidence in Anthony Case

Geraldo Rivera’s show on May 31, 2009 featured attorneys for Casey Anthony. Linda Kinney-Baden, in New York, and Jose Baez, from Florida, answered questions and discussed the latest motion filed by Baez regarding the video of Casey Anthony in the medical unit at the Orange County Jail on December 10, 2008 when the remains of a child were found near her home.

Geraldo started out stating “Prosecutors have become twisted in their relentless pursuit of her life.” He went on to say he believed this is an “unprecedented move for a case of this sort.” Stating that he thought “Casey is most probably responsible for her daughter’s death,” Geraldo said the State is using every “dirty trick in the book,” including “manipulating witnesses.” He further stated the prosecutors are “leaking damning videotape and every deposition they can get their hands on.” This was his lead into the real issue of this segment with Anthony’s attorneys; the filming of Ms. Anthony’s reactions. Geraldo said Casey was maneuvered into the medical wing of the jail so “they could videotape her reaction to finding remains.”

Geraldo questioned Baez on his opinion as to whether he believed he will be successful in keeping this video from being released. Jose Baez stated he is using the “mode to keep video sealed” via a “suppression motion.” He went on to state that he “was at the jail trying to see Casey and was prevented from seeing her while they conducted this sham job.” Geraldo interjected with, “They denied her her right to counsel.” Geraldo stated he spoke with Baez the morning the remains were found and after Baez visited Casey that day.

Baez told Geraldo he was told he could not see Casey “until she was taken to medical and cleared.” Baez stated that he waited a lengthy period of time before he was allowed to visit his client while she was in medical. He said, “She thought she was being taken for medical treatment.” Geraldo’s comment was, “It seems so cheap with them releasing interviews.”

Geraldo then turned to Linda Kinney-Baden for her views on where the defense stands on the issue of the videotape. Ms. Baden stated that, “interviews were accidentially released” which “taints jury pool.” Ms. Baden further stated that as per media reports, “she (Casey) has no privacy rights.” Baden was emphatic in stating it’s untrue that inmates have no privacy rights. She seemed angered about the fact that while taping, someone “zoomed in on her (Casey) face while talking with her attorney and presented that as evidence that they were going to set out to the public.” Baden called this “outrageous.”

Geraldo’s legal analyst stated Casey’s contact with her attorney is “protective communications” and it’s “unethical” to tape. Her opinion was this “calls into question about the evidence in the case,” and the “Prosecutor must abide by the Constitution and uphold a person’s rights.”

Geraldo asked Baez to give his thoughts on the state charging Casey Anthony with Capital Murder. Baez stated he “does not think this is a death penalty case,” but “they (the prosecution) are aggressive with their public relations prosecution.” Due to the State’s tactics on this case, Jose Baez said they are, “mounting a strong defense and fight for her life.” Geraldo ended this segment with, “they are treating her as a serial murderer. I think it’s appalling.”

YouTube video of the Geraldo episode:

While viewing the episode I was literally enraged. That is exactly the reaction this show seeks. After viewing this segment all I could initially think of was Geraldo’s stinging remarks and how animated Baden seemed. I watched the video of this segment a couple of times and regained my rational perspective. Geraldo’s introduction and presentation of the facts were in his usual sensationalistic, showy mannerism. He started the segment with his typical firey pattern of using brusque words; accusing the State of “dirty tricks, manipulating witnesses, and leaking damning videotape.”

Geraldo made sure he inserted the fact that he spoke with Jose Baez that very day Caylee’s remains were found, not only once but twice. This comment seemed out of context with the subject Geraldo set in which Baez was responding. What did Geraldo having spoken with Baez twice that day by phone have to do with the defense’s attempts to suppress a videotape? Nothing. In my opinion, this was Geraldo’s attempt to validate to viewers his close involvement with the case and Jose Baez. Geraldo must feel important to be closely associated with Jose Baez, the up and coming Hispanic attorney battling the vicious media and Caucasion State Prosecutor. My remarks regarding his comment is about as important in this blog article as Geraldo’s remark that he spoke with Baez that day. It leads no where.

What I did find particularly amusing was that Geraldo actually stated that Casey was most probably guilty of killing her daughter. Neither Baden nor Baez commented on this statement. I would think since Geraldo is such good friends with Jose Baez, he would refrain from making such a damning remark regarding the defendent. Equally puzzling is the fact that Baez did not take Geraldo to task on this, which leads me to wonder if this is a subject Geraldo and Baez discussed in their ongoing conversations on this case. Maybe Baez revealed something to Geraldo which caused him to pronounce this judgement.  One thing was clear to me in watching this segment…Geraldo’s snappy remarks were not on target with the subject.

Baden made one statement presenting a new fact. She stated “they zoomed in on her (Casey) face while she was talking with her attorney.” Baden indicated corrections officers were attempting to watch Casey’s lips in order to determine what she was possibly saying about the remains. So, in other words, this videotape might provide a lip reader with closeup views of Casey. If this is true that Casey’s face was zoomed on while she spoke with Baez then I agree, her right to privacy was violated. Since I’ve not seen this video, I cannot state this for certain. We, as the public, are left with the interpretation of her defense attorneys. The Prosecutor is not going to give her interpretation of the taping, so until a judge has reviewed the video and gives his official determination, we don’t know what is really on that tape.

In summary, Baez did not say anything new in his responses to Geraldo. Casey’s rights were discussed. As always, she has a right to speak confidentially with her lawyer, and she has a right for her medical treatment to remain confidential. Also, Baez continued to complain the Prosecution is trying this case in the public, and he reiterated he was not allowed to see his client when she asked to see him.

In my opinion, Geraldo was doing a favor for his friend, Baez. The defense wanted an opportunity to air their position on this videotape, so Baez took it to the one news show, if you can call it that, he trusted. Too bad Baez wasn’t listening closely when Geraldo said Casey most probably killed her daughter. Comments such as this could taint the jury pool. Hopefully, not many Floridians were watching. Baez cannot point the finger at the prosecution for this blunder. Perhaps Geraldo thought his last statement regarding Casey being treated as a “serial murderer” would make up for his previous condemnation of her.  Still, Geraldo’s remarks were off target and dramatic to “beef up” the story and inflame the audience.

This four minute segment on the Casey Anthony case obviously was intended for the show’s ratings, but with an underlying purpose to give air time to the defense team. Baden and Baez presented their case views through this media outlet, of their choice, which is exactly what they’ve accused of the State of Florida District Attorney’s Office. Oddly, the Prosecution nor law enforcement has appeared on any shows discussing their case against Casey. The Defense team needs to call a spade a spade. They are up against the Sunshine laws, and now Geraldo’s damning statement and melodramatic  journalism.

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