| Jose Angel Baez | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 17, 1968[1] Manhattan, New York City |
| Education | Florida State University St. Thomas University School of Law[2] |
| Occupation | Defense attorney |
| Employer | Baez Law Firm |
| Known for | Defense attorney in the Casey Anthony trial |
| Website | |
| www.baezlawfirm.com | |
Jose Angel Baez (born 1968) is best known as the lead attorney for Casey Anthony.
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Baez was born in Manhattan, New York City.[3][4] Baez dropped out of Homestead High School in the ninth grade, got married and became a father at the age of 17. After he earned his GED diploma, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1986. According to his resume, he spent three years at the NATO base in Norfolk, Virginia, trained as an intelligence analyst, describing it as "Cosmic Top Secret" security clearance.[2][5]
On his return to civilian life, Baez attended Miami-Dade Community College and later transferred to Florida State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1997, Baez earned his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law, and after graduation, he submitted his application to practice law to the Florida Bar. In April 1998, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners denied him a license to practice law based on evidence of "financial irresponsibility."[2][6]
Baez started working as paralegal for Miami-Dade County public defender and taught internet research to lawyers. He also started four online business ventures, including two selling bikinis and two which sold computer know-how. In September 1990, Baez declared bankruptcy in Virginia where he resided. In 1995, the Virginia Education Loan Authority filed liens against Baez for $4,336 in unpaid loans.[2] Baez also worked for Lexis Nexis.[6] According to media reports, his financial situation deteriorated in the recent years, with his home, purchased for over $670,000 in 2007, foreclosed and appraised at $272,900.[6] Demonstrating he had rehabilitated himself, the Florida Bar finally granted him a license to practice law on September 22, 2005.[2][7]
According to recorded conversations she had with her brother during her imprisonment, Casey Anthony heard other female inmates mention Baez as being a good attorney.[2] Anthony told a fellow inmate that if she talked to Baez soon, to please tell him about her.[2] The next day, Baez visited her and agreed to represent her.[2] Anthony's family had told her to replace him as her attorney if the need should arise.[6]
In March 2009, Circuit Judge Stan Strickland, who was presiding over the case at the time, notified the Florida Bar about ethical concerns relating to Baez. The concerns involved allegations that Baez had directed investigator Dominic Casey to "walk away" if he found Caylee Anthony's body during 2008 search and contact Baez instead of law enforcement.[8] In December 2010, Judge Belvin Perry fined Baez for failing to comply with a court order. The Florida Attorney General's office released information about a tampering investigation against Baez.[9] He later apologized to the court and prosecutors.[10]
In a press conference the day of the verdict Baez said, "While we're happy for Casey, there are no winners in this case. Caylee has passed on far, far too soon, and what my driving force has been for the last three years has been always to make sure that there has been justice for Caylee and Casey because Casey did not murder Caylee. It's that simple." He added, "And today our system of justice has not dishonored her memory by a false conviction."[11] Jeff Ashton, one of the Florida prosecutors in the case, later complimented Baez on his cross-examinations and as having "the potential to be a great attorney".[12] [13]