Casey Anthony Lawyers Argue for More Secrecy in High-Profile Cases
Prosecutors and defense attorneys from the Casey Anthony trial want the laws changed surrounding media access in high-profile cases, according to reports.
Anthony was acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in July. The verdict caused outrage and shock among many followers of the case.
It’s the number of people in the general public that were interested in the case that has the lawyers concerned.
"Had this case been tried without public disclosure of information, it would have been a very different case," said retired Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton.
Ashton, who helped prosecute the case, urged for more secrecy surrounding information pertaining to trials of national interest.
“I would eliminate discovery from public records," Ashton said.
Defense attorney Cheney Mason echoed the former prosecutors sentiments, arguing the pre-trial coverage caused the trial to take longer than needed and, at one point, caused a change of venue, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The statements by the lawyers mark the latest publicity in the case that continues to remain in the media spotlight.
Recently, a judge released the names of the jurors in the case, sparking some in the legal community to call for better protection of jurors’ privacy.
Current laws regarding juror privacy vary from state to state.
Mason, speaking to a group of lawyers at a recent conference, blamed the media for alleged threats he received during the trial.
"The dynamics in a case like this are beyond your comprehension," he said.
Despite the lawyers arguing for more secrecy surrounding high-profile trials, both Mason and Ashton are writing tell-all books about the Casey Anthony trial.
Mason’s book will include never-before-heard details about the case, according to reports.
Ashton’s book, due out in November, also adds new details about the case.
“I will explore my take on what the public already knew and reveal what they didn't,” Ashton said about his book.
