The constant courtroom bickering between defense attorney José Baez and prosecutor Jeff Ashton may have had its final showdown Sunday.
The tension between the two opposing attorneys in the Casey Anthony murder case has been obvious since
The tension between the two opposing attorneys in the Casey Anthony murder case has been obvious since
the start and has led to at least one public courtroom apology to Ashton from Baez.
Outside the presence of the jury Sunday, Baez complained to Chief Judge Belvin Perry about Ashton's facial expressions during the defense attorney's closing argument.
Then, later in the day, during a heated portion of his closing argument, Baez referred to Ashton as that "laughing guy."
Ashton immediately objected — in a rare move for closings, Perry called a sidebar and then sent the jury out. There was concern among all the parties that the judge would find them in contempt or level some other sanction.
Perry called a recess and watched video from the courtroom — footage the lawyers also reviewed. Ashton, who also reviewed the tape, told the judge he appeared to be smiling behind his hand and apologized.
Baez asked that Ashton not be held in contempt but said the prosecutor's behavior needed to stop. Baez also apologized for his remark.
Perry said he accepted their apologies — for now.
Outside the presence of the jury Sunday, Baez complained to Chief Judge Belvin Perry about Ashton's facial expressions during the defense attorney's closing argument.
Then, later in the day, during a heated portion of his closing argument, Baez referred to Ashton as that "laughing guy."
Ashton immediately objected — in a rare move for closings, Perry called a sidebar and then sent the jury out. There was concern among all the parties that the judge would find them in contempt or level some other sanction.
Perry called a recess and watched video from the courtroom — footage the lawyers also reviewed. Ashton, who also reviewed the tape, told the judge he appeared to be smiling behind his hand and apologized.
Baez asked that Ashton not be held in contempt but said the prosecutor's behavior needed to stop. Baez also apologized for his remark.
Perry said he accepted their apologies — for now.
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"If it happens again, the remedy will be exclusion of that attorney from further representation at these proceedings," Perry said. "Enough is enough."
Perry last week issued an order outlining what prosecutors and defense attorneys cannot say during closing arguments, which began Sunday and will continue today.
Among his edicts: "Counsel shall avoid using derogatory terms or characterizations when referring to Defendant, a witness, or opposing counsel and shall not make any disparaging comments about counsel's occupation or performance in court."
"If it happens again, the remedy will be exclusion of that attorney from further representation at these proceedings," Perry said. "Enough is enough."
Perry last week issued an order outlining what prosecutors and defense attorneys cannot say during closing arguments, which began Sunday and will continue today.
Among his edicts: "Counsel shall avoid using derogatory terms or characterizations when referring to Defendant, a witness, or opposing counsel and shall not make any disparaging comments about counsel's occupation or performance in court."
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