Orange Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland denied a Casey Anthony defense team request to bar California bounty hunter Leonard Padilla and his associates from testifying about conversations they had with her.
He disagreed with Casey Anthony’s defense team, who claimed Padilla and crew were an extension of legal services provided by her defense attorney Jose Baez.
Padilla’s nephew, Tony Padilla, helped post a $50,000 premium required to bail her out of jail after her initial arrest last year.
Baez argued during a hearing Friday that the Padillas and their associates, Robert Dick and Tracy McLaughlin, were acting as agents of the defense counsel and should be covered by the attorney-client privilege.
McLaughlin stayed inside the home with Casey Anthony while the others stayed outside. They drove her to and from her attorney’s office.
Casey Anthony’s father, George Anthony, testified Friday that he believed the team was there for security for his family.
“It is reasonably clear to the Court that the individuals in question were not under the supervision or employment of counsel for the Defendant,” Strickland wrote in his four-page ruling.
The team was “simply protecting their investment,” Strickland added, referring to Casey Anthony’s bail bond.
Last Friday, prosecutors provided the judge with recorded law-enforcement interviews of Padilla and the others. Strickland had planned to listen to the recordings before making his decision.
It’s unclear how damaging their statements may be for the defense.
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Excuse me, four page ruling?
I am always surprised at how many pages it takes to write a motion or statement or ruling.
I realize they have to be thorough in legal-speak so that some weasel can’t read something different between the lines, but your summary on the ruling would sound sufficient and wouldn’t take three pages.
Of course, the other three pages probably were filled with exclamations such as “Baez, you gotta be kidding me?? Who do you think I am with what kind of intelligence? What’s this signed document you want to show to prove Padilla worked for you? Give me a break!”
I am thrilled that Padilla et al get to testify. I am not concerned about Baez’s win, because he’s not going to find what he’s looking for when he gets Tim Miller’s records.
I think the judge is wise and fair, and doing all he can to avoid a mistrial.
You know that Baez isn’t going to be able to have Tim Miller take the stand without it further damning his client.