Thursday, April 9, 2009

Judge Stan Strickland Filed Complaint Against Jose Baez


YES!


ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Jose Baez has been investigated by the Florida Bar before, but now sources tell Eyewitness News it's the judge in the case against Casey that's filed a complaint against Casey Anthony's own attorney.

Eyewitness News has learned Circuit Judge Stan Strickland is one of two people who have filed new complaints against Jose Baez. The Florida Bar says both investigations involve Baez's former private eye, Dominic Casey. He's the guy who was at the remains scene a month before detectives found Caylee.

It's very rare for a judge to file a complaint like this, but all judges are obligated as attorneys to report possible violations.
There's speculation the complaints involve the private eye's claim he was told not to call 911 if he found Caylee's body. But, shocking as it might be, WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer says calling 911 could've gotten Casey Anthony's defense team in trouble.

Circuit Judge Stan Strickland would not talk to Eyewitness News about his Bar complaint against defense attorney Jose Baez. Sheaffer, who served on a Bar grievance committee, told Eyewitness News the complaint would not automatically disqualify Strickland from the case.
Casey Anthony would have to make a strong claim that it jeopardizes her right to a fair trial, but Sheaffer wouldn't advise it.

"Casey Anthony should think long and hard before she files a motion to recuse Judge Strickland from this case because there are a lot of other judges out there that are less tolerant and patient with her attorney than Judge Strickland has been," Sheaffer said.

Dominic Casey told detectives he would've called 911 if he had found Caylee in November, but also that he was told not to call 911 by someone he apparently identified during an interview, which Judge Strickland sealed because it divulged defense secrets.

Sheaffer says no one is legally obligated to call 911 after finding a body and Casey's defense team would be legally obligated not to if it would incriminate her.
"He is prohibited by the rules of ethics from ever divulging that information," Sheaffer said.
Sheaffer said it would cost Baez his license and, for the justice system to work, it has to be that way.

"A client must know that there is one person that they can tell the truth to," Sheaffer explained.
Sheaffer believes the judge's complaint involves more than a defense instruction to Dominic Casey not to call 911. He says judges usually handle trivial issues with attorneys by holding contempt of court hearings in their own courtrooms.

But Jose Baez isn't alone. Eyewitness News also confirmed Wednesday that another lawyer wrapped up in the case is under investigation by the Florida Bar.

Brad Conway is the lawyer representing George and Cindy Anthony. Eyewitness News has learned Brad Conway was with Dominic Casey when Dominic Casey gave investigators information that Judge Strickland later determined was privileged to the defense. Eyewitness News is still working to find out the exact complaint in Conway's investigation. (source)

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