Casey Anthony: Judge Belvin Perry sticks to schedule, wins raves
Chief Judge Belvin Perry in court today. Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel
The headline today from today’s status hearing in the Casey Anthony case?
“The trial will take place on the day it has been set,” Jean Casarez said on truTV’s “In Session.” “There’s a lot of work to do, but this judge isn’t budging.”
The panel agreed. Former federal prosecutor Sunny Hostin highlighted two dates: May 9 for jury selection and May 16 for opening statements.
“Ditto,” analyst Mike Brooks said.
Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
“In Session” host Vinnie Politan maveled that Judge Belvin Perry was pushing the attorneys. Politan said: “A lot of this may have been prompted by Jose Baez who in the beginning … [said] Judge, it looks like we have only a 50-50 chance we can meet these deadlines.’ ”
Casarez noted that during the hearing the defense filed an amended witness list. The deadline for the list is tomorrow.
A caller from Virginia, Jeanette, raved over Judge Perry. “Judge Perry is wonderful,” she said.
“Absolutely, Jeanette, I second that,” Politan said. “This is a judge who clearly is in charge. He appears, though, to give the attorneys an opportunity to take care of everything themselves. But at the end of the day the buck stops with him.”
Casarez said that Perry gets the respect of both parties but says what will happen. “There’s no arguing with the judge,” she said.
What do you think?