Casey Anthony Murder Trial Adjourned Abruptly Today for Legal Issue … Could an Attorney be Out, Maybe Cheney Mason?

This morning Judge Belvin Perry surprised all by adjourning court and stating it was for a legal issue.

WHAT IS UP!!! Please note the following is purely speculation at this point, but it is as good an answer as any with having been provided no information as to why Judge Perry recessed court today until 8:30 Monday. Jude Perry stated that the trial was in recess due to a “legal issue” which was not that what was discussed earlier in the morning, which would have meant the yet again discovery issue with defense expert witness Kenneth Furton.

The only thing is to do the process of elimination and assume that the issue at hand must have been considered huge for Judge Perry to call a recess when there was supposed to be a full day of testimony. According to all accounts there were 5 or 6 witnesses waiting in the court to be called to the witness stand. With past issues and problems among the State and Defense, Judge perry simply had them call another witness, that did not happen today.

Could This Be the Reason Why Court Was Called to a Halt Today?

VIDEO Hat Tip: Klaas

Thus, if the “legal issue” is of great importance that would halt the proceedings for the day, it must be either a plea deal, a jury issue or a problem with a lawyer. This was the theory put out by former Cindy & George Anthony attorney Mark Nejame earlier today.

Narrowed this to 2 possibilities…plea or trouble w atty on defense team. purely speculation. I think it’s w atty on defense. #caseyanthony

Along the lines of great lines think alike, I had actually speculated the same thing earlier today prior to hearing Mark Nejame’s theory.My thought was, did Cheney Mason just want out as this is not the way he wanted his Swan song to go, did he witness unethical behavior, or did he do something that either Casey or others on the Defense wanted him off the case? If it was Mason that was leaving the case, he was the only one there present that was a death penalty qualified attorney. Thus with no Mason, how could there be a proper representation of Casey Anthony? That would have caused Judge Perry to announce a recess until Monday.

This morning there was a reference to a Richardson hearing that would take place as it seems that Jose Baez and the Casey Anthony Defense team once again broke Judge Perry’s court order on evidence discovery. This only makes the third time since they have started their defense portion of the trial. However, yesterday during direct examine of Sgt. Ryan Eberlin of the OCSD Cheney Mason made a gaffe of all gaffes in asking whether Casey Anthony had been handcuffed, see VIDEO above. That opened the door for the State to ask Sgt. Eberlin why he had handcuffed Casey. he then told the jury that it was Cindy Anthony who said she wanted her daughter arrested and press charges for stealing her credit card and its unauthorized use. Oops, major gaffe on the part of the Defense.

Casey Anthony with a Look of Concern today as events transpired

View some pics of the Defense today as they discussed the Richardson hearing and when Mason said he had another separate matter to discuss in Sidebar.

Judge Perry announces that a legal issue has arisen (VIDEO above, 11:18) and court will recess until Monday. This is where all hell broke loose in speculation as to what just happened. In determining exactly what could have happened we need to see how the Defense entered the court today and how they left as seen in the above (VIDEO 11:57 and 12:28). In both cases the Defense does not look happy. Nor did Casey Anthony as court was put in recess.

More look of concern on the part of the Defense

It is obvious that something big had to have occurred in order for Judge Perry to adjourn court in such an abrupt manner this morning. Prior to the meetings in judge’s chambers, it was Cheney Mason that stated there was a separate issue that needed to be discussed. Also, from the reactions of the State and the Defense after coming out of the judge’s chambers one would suspect it was the Defense that caused the recess and something was amiss. Or could it be an issue with Jose Baez or the State. I am hedging toward the Defense. You make the call. We will be speculating all weekend long, but will have a definitive answer on Monday. Hopefully.

Casey Anthony Murder Trail Day 28: Court in Recess Until Monday by Judge Belvin Perry for a Legal Issue that Has Arisen

Casey Anthony Murder Trial Day 28: Judge Belvin Perry issues surprise recess until Monday over Legal Issue.

What Legal issue could have been so big and damning that could have closed down the trial for the day? This has to be bigger than just a discovery issue.

Just yesterday Judge Belvin Perry was discussing with lawyers from the State and Defense a time line as to when the Defense would finish their case, the State would do their rebuttal case Wednesday and Thursday, closing arguments would be on Friday and the judge would provide instruction to the jury and the case on next Saturday. So much for the best thoughts of mice and men. This morning, Judge Perry recessed the trial until Monday after continued sidebars and closed door meetings in the Judge’s chambers.

Casey Anthony’s murder trial was unexpectedly recessed only 45 minutes after it was supposed to start. Saturday marked day 39, including jury selection, of her trial.

Casey Anthony’s murder trial on Saturday started with undisclosed, closed-door meetings with Judge Belvin Perry.

Casey walked into the courtroom wearing a lavender, long-sleeved shirt and gray slacks, shortly before 9:00am when court was suppose to resume. George and Cindy Anthony were present in the courtroom.

Casey, along with her attorneys, was gathered in Judge Belvin Perry’s chambers. Casey eventually walked back into the courtroom, clearly upset, and began tearing up and dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

Speculation is abound as to why Judge Perry would have recessed the trial until Monday. Perry has been a stickler to a time line and for the case to progress in a timely fashion in this capital murder case with a sequestered jury. What could have been the legal issue that was so important that would halt the trial today, especially since it was supposed to be a full day in court today?

We presently do not know what the legal issue is; however, we know what it is not. It appears that there was an issue this morning with discovery of Defense’s expert witness, Dr. Kenneth Ferton. State prosecutor Jeff Ashton brought the issue up this morning (VIDEO 00:35) that at 8:40 this morning he was provided by the defense that was supposed to be used by defense expert Dr. Kenneth Ferton. Supposedly the witness was going to supply testimony that was not in his initial reports or deposition. Judge Perry stated that Ferton would not be allowed to testify today that is not in his report. Defense attorney Baez added his two cents and excuses as to why there appears to be yet another discovery issue that went against the court’s order causing Judge Perry to state the following, “You think this would’ve grown old by now, but I guess some things never change.”

Then the lawyers with Casey in tow was asked to go back into the Judge’s chambers with the court reporter. Oh to be a fly on the wall in Judge Perry’s chambers right now. The judge and lawyers then came back to the court room with 6 or 7 witnesses waiting in the court to testify … Judge Perry recessed court until Monday due to a legal issue unrelated to the one discussed earlier this morning.

The speculation is on as to what has caused the recess? Follow the discussion at Scared Monkeys Crime/Missing Persons Forum.

UPDATE I: Was there witness tampering or tampering of witness sequestration?

Is it possible that a witness has been contacted by the State or the Defense? Or have witnesses colluded with one another as to their testimony in the Anthony’s possibly circling the wagon to ensure that Casey not be found guilty and face the death penalty.

It has to be a truly big issue as the Court is not allowing any transcript be released to the media as to what occurred in Judge’s chambers. Also, Judge Perry has made sure that this train run on time and with 5, 6, 7 witnesses ready to go and waiting to testify … the trial was recessed. Speculating here, it would lead me to believe that this legal issue has something to do with an attorney’s actions. Also, why would Casey be weeping from coming back from the Judges chambers this morning? One would have to believe that this is pointed at the Defense.

Casey eventually walked back into the courtroom, clearly upset, and began tearing up and dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

UPDATE II: Bill Sheaffer analysis (VIDEO) of this morning events.

UPDATE III: More speculation … Did the defense file a motion in trying to disqualify the Judge? Could Baez and the Defense be so ballsy to have done such? My thought is no.

Could Judge Perry be fed up with Jose Baez, his continual disrespect for the court order and now be concerned that Baez is so improper in his preparation for the defense of Casey Anthony, that he feels that he cannot provide Casey with the proper legal counsel needed in a murder trial with death penalty ramifications? Watch the VIDEO (7:35) from today where Baez actually started lecturing Judge Perry what the Defense is going to do and not going to do. This is unreal on the part of Baez. Does Jose Baez think being disrespectful to the court is going to benefit his client? Does Baez think he can actually bully the court? Please!

Or could this all be about defense attorney Cheney Mason (VIDEO 9:10), he asks Judge Perry to approach sidebar on a completely different subject. Could Mason want off this trail or could there be a riff or does Casey want Mason out? Mason’s cross of Dr. G was a disaster and yesterday when doing direct of OCSD police officer Ryan Eberlin.

UPDATE IV: Is there a plea deal on the table? Could the State be offering a plea and giving Casey the weekend to think about it?

UPDATE V: From The Orlando Sentinel: Casey Anthony: Why did court recess today? A very big deal?

“This is a very big deal,” WKMG legal analyst Mark NeJame said. “The record is sealed and so are the attorneys’ mouths.”

NeJame speculated that the issue deals with a fundamental aspect of the case. “One has to imagine it’s being worked on over the weekend,” NeJame said. “Something is in play. Something has to be fixed or addressed.”

Pipitone and NeJame eliminated certain possibilities: Could it be a possible plea, jury tampering or illness? Everyone said it’s a legal matter. The court reporter had left, so it isn’t likely to be jury tampering. NeJame said a plea was a remote possibility. ”The issue is what else is out there?” NeJame said.

WESH-Channel 2’s Amanda Ober explained that Perry was ” very frustrated” over another discovery issue: The prosecution complained that it had not been informed of a defense witness’ opinions.

RUT-ROH, DOJ Green-Lights Campaign Violation Indictments Against Former NC Democrat Senator & Presidential Candidate John Edwards

From Love Child to Indictment … John Edwards is about to find out what it means to live in that other America he used to refer to.

It just got worse for disgraced former US Senator John Edwards (D-NC) and Presidential candidate finds himself in a world of hurt today. Edwards thought that his “baby daddy” affair was a headache, now he is facing potential indictments …

ABC News is reported that the United States Department of Justice green-lighted the prosecution of John Edwards for alleged violations of campaign laws. All this occurred as John Edwards was trying  to cover up an extra-marital affair with Rielle Hunter.  Oh what a tangled web Edwards’ weaves, when he practices to deceive.

The United States Department of Justice has green-lighted the prosecution of former presidential candidate John Edwards for alleged violations of campaign laws while he tried to cover up an extra-marital affair, ABC News has learned.

A source close to the case said Edwards is aware that the government intends to seek an indictment and that the former senator from North Carolina is now considering his limited options. He could accept a plea bargain with prosecutors or face a potentially costly trial.

As stated by Hot Air, it looks like Edwards is about to face Two America’s … “the one inside a courtroom, and the one outside of it”. The Gateway Pundit reminds us that the National Enquirer sometimes nails the story 100%.

As If the Casey Anthony Murder Trial Needed to Get Any More Bizarre … Judge Perry Calls for Court Recess Until Tomorrow

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMM …

As if this murder case and the jury selection in the trial of Casey Anthony and the death of Caylee Anthony … As they came back to court following lunch, Judge Perry abruptly announced that court would be in recess until 8:30 tomorrow. This came after Judge Perry had discussed with the prosecution and defense attorneys that they needed to speed up the process in order to get through more jurors.

Mr. Mason, have you had a chance to discuss the matter with Ms. Anthony? Atty mason replied, Yes I have your honor.  Judge, this case will be in recess until 8:30am tomorrow. At the time this occurred, lead defense attorney Jose Baez was not in court when this occurred.

The speculation was fast and furious following the adjournment as Judge Perry offered no explanation as to the reason for the recess. Rumors of dissension among the defense ranks, plea deal, firing of Baez and personal sickness were discussed across the Internet and legal pundits on TV. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Jose Baez sent the a text message explaining the adjournment: “Today’s adjournment was due to a private matter. Please stop the speculation, as jury selection will continue at 8:30 tomorrow morning. No further statements will be made.” The delay in the trial is obviously a head scratcher as it had been discussed prior to lunch by Judge Perry that much work in a short period of time was needed to finally chose the jury.

How do we go from a judge discussing a way to pick up the pace in choosing a jury, to lunch recess, to a recess for the day?

Earlier in the day, the Casey Defense team objected to the court’s procedure of jury selection and  filed an oral motion against Perry’s court procedure. Judge Perry denied the motion.

After 20 minutes of arguments from the defense, Perry denied it.

“Potential jurors are not grist for a grist mill, just to be set aside, used up for inconvenience,” said Perry.

Just before everyone left the courtroom for a long recess, prosecutors struck another possible juror.

Perry called an unusually long lunch break on Wednesday, an hour and a half, and then Baez asked for more time.

“Can we make it one your honor? One o’clock,” said Baez in court.

Without any other indication that anything was wrong, Baez never returned from lunch.

For more information, updates, details and to provide your own opinions, go to Scared Monkeys Crime Forum: Caylee Anthony.

The Dana Pretzer Show On Scared Monkeys Radio – Saturday, May 14th, 2011 (Casey/Caylee Anthony Murder Trial Special) – Special Guests: Blink from Blink on Crime and Mark Williams Discuss the Casey Anthony Murder Trial

LISTEN TO DANA PRETZER ON SCARED MONKEYS RADIO

Tonight Dana welcomes special guests:

• Crime Blogger Blink from Blink on Crime - She will be discussing this weeks Casey Anthony murder trial and the jury selection phase. Blink has a vast knowledge of this case and the death of Caylee Anthony as she has followed it from the outset. It is certain she would not have lasted long in the jury pool had she been selected. Listen tonight and get her unique perspective.
• Mark Williams - Casey Anthony expert reporter as seen on the Nancy Grace Show or as defense attorney Jose Baez has been saying this week, the Nancy Grace Entertainment Show, will be discussing this weeks trial events in the Casey Anthony murder trial.

The Dana Pretzer Show On Scared Monkeys Radio – Saturday, May 14th, 2011 (Casey/Caylee Anthony Murder Trial Special) – Special Guests: Blink from Blink on Crime and Mark Williams Discuss the Casey Anthony Murder Trial [58:26m]: | Download