Cheney Mason
| James Cheney Mason | |
|---|---|
| Born |
December 12, 1943 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Education |
University of Florida University of Florida School of Law (J.D.)[1] |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Employer | J. Cheney Mason, P.A. |
| Known for | Co-counsel in the Casey Anthony trial |
| Website | |
| jcheneymason.com | |
James Cheney Mason is an American attorney,[2] best known as a co-counsel for Casey Anthony in the Casey Anthony trial and counsel for Nelson Serrano in his murder trial.
Personal life
Mason started his private law practice in Orlando, Florida in 1971. He is a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, certified by both The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Mason has written legal articles, and has lectured at the Florida State Bar, University of Florida, College of Law, and other legal associations. Mason has received awards including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers's Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award received in 2004.[3][4]
Mason has appeared on news media outlets,[2] providing expert commentary.
His most notable media appearances have occurred in the course of his involvement in the Casey Anthony trial.
Nelson Serrano trial
Mason represented Nelson Serrano in his murder trial. Serrano was convicted of premeditated murder, and is on death row.
During the trial, in an appearance on Dateline, Mason said he would pay $1 million to anyone who could make it from the Atlanta airport to a La Quinta Inn in 28 minutes - as his client was accused of doing.[2] Dustin S. Kolodziej claimed he accepted the challenge, and made it in 19 minutes, and asked for the $1 million. When Mason refused to pay, Kolodziej sued.[5] In January 2014, U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell ruled against San Dustin Kolodziej, now an attorney, based on the issue that "Kolodziej was acting on edited comments by Florida lawyer James Cheney Mason that didn’t reflect his true offer. As a result, there was no mutual assent."[2]
Casey Anthony trial
Mason was hired as co-counsel to Casey Anthony's lead attorney, Jose Baez, in March 2010.
On June 30, 2011, the defense team for Casey Anthony rested without Anthony testifying in her own defense.[6] The jury began deliberations on July 4, 2011. On July 5, 2011, Anthony was acquitted of felony murder, aggravated child abuse, and manslaughter. She was found guilty on four misdemeanors of providing false information to police. For the four convictions of providing false information, she was sentenced to four years in county jail, but with credit for time served and good behavior she was released on July 17, 2011.[7][8]
See also
- Timeline of Casey Anthony case
References
- ↑ Pamela Wallace (2011-06-05). "Casey Anthony trial QOD: Who is Jose Baez?". The Imperfect Parent. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Weiss, Debra Cassens (5 February 2014). "Lawyer won’t have to pay $1M to law student after making a hyperbolic challenge in TV interview". American Bar Association. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
- ↑ NACDL Awards http://www.nacdl.org/public.nsf/freeform/awards?OpenDocument
- ↑ "Awards" Orlando Sentinel Final Edition [Orlando, Florida] October 25, 2004
- ↑ "Man Wants Attorney to Cough Up the $1M". Courthouse News. 2010-07-01.
- ↑ "Defense wraps up case". Fox News. June 30, 2011.
- ↑ "Casey Anthony to be released July 17". MSNBC News. 2011-07-07.
- ↑ "Jury Reaches Verdict In Casey Anthony Trial". WESH 2 NBC. 2011-07-07.