A strange case gets even stranger when details about Jose Baez reveal that he sold bikinis during his hiatus from the law profession. No, he didn't choose to stop practicing law intentionally. He failed to pay child support and provide insurance for his children; thus, he was barred from practicing law for eight years. Prior to the Casey Anthony trial, he had no noteworthy accomplishments as an attorney. Anthony's selection of Baez is more bizarre than his lack of outstanding credentials. Despite her family's advice against hiring him, Anthony gave greater weight to prison buzz about him and selected him as her attorney. That created a win/win situation for both of them, at least in reference to the not guilty verdict and worldwide notoriety. Baez will never have to declare bankruptcy or default on loans again. I see books, movie deals, etc. in his future.
The downside to all of his new-found fame places him in harm's way. People have tweeted death threats about Baez and the entire Anthony family. George and Cindy Anthony are in hiding and Casey will learn tomorrow when she will released from prison. If I were her, I might elect to stay there for a while longer until media coverage subsides. Many people in this country believe that she should have received the death penalty and are evidently ready to carry out the sentence themselves.
Was Baez's success in this case attributable to his well-hidden brilliance as a lawyer? It seems more like luck to me. He is a master of the red herring, which served to throw the jury off track. At least he's good at something.
Beware future clients! Don't expect Baez to win your case. He has an underwhelming track record in the courts. According to the International Business Times, "he had defended a man accused of killing the granddaughter of a boxer. Unfortunately, the accused was convicted of manslaughter, following which, a motion was initiated against Baez, accusing him of inefficiency that led to the conviction of his client." In the same article, the reporter noted, "In a damming [sic] comment the Florida Supreme Court had said that Baez had 'a lack of respect for the rights of others and a total lack of respect for the legal system, which is absolutely inconsistent with the character and fitness qualities required of those seeking to be afforded the highest position of trust and confidence recognized by our system of law'." Despite all his past problems, Baez emerged victorious yesterday--at least for now.
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