Category Archives: Jane Velez Mitchell

August 15, 2011 · 7:19 AM

Will Casey Anthony become the poster child for Re-Entry???

I am not sure about that, but the Anthony case is a welcome opportunity to shine the light on our criminal justice system, what’s wrong and how to fix it. I have written much about the fact that as an insider, I believe that the only way to even attempt to fix out system is to turn it upside down. That means focus on the after prison or “Re-Entry” component. I believe there are three stages to our criminal justice system: the investigation/trial phase, the incarceration and re-entry.

Now, Casey Anthony is about to really experience what re-entry and probation are really like. Probation is designed to give people much need accountability as they transition back to society. As I said last week on CBS, Nancy Grace and Jane Velez Mitchell, there are two components that are usually needed to have a successful re-entry: Community ties and family relations and support. Obviously, Casey Anthony has neither. As a person who has worked with 100’s of people going through re-entry, it is possible to do so without these components, but it is a more difficult task. Just as an addict needs a support center, so does a person coming out of jail, what she does not need are ENABLERS. But, it looks like that’s exactly who she has. Recipe for disaster and a fast pass back to the slammer unless Anthony gets some real professional help.

But, first let’s look at some FACTS- Anthony is now ordered by Judge Belvin Perry to report back to Florida to begin serving one year of supervised probation. Not simple administrative probation, but supervised probation. That means, travel restrictions, random searches and U/A tests. She also must stay away from the victim in her check fraud case and get a JOB! What? Yes, a job. This is the interesting part as many people get around this by attending school, ordered mental health care etc…But, Anthony owes money to the IRS and also must pay her probation fee. She also may soon be ordered to pay money for the search for daughter Caylee. Plus, probation makes it much tougher for Casey to score a big money “tell all” deal.

Now, the probation officer assigned to Casey Anthony will have some say in the job/school issue. He may also allow her to write a written report by the 5th of the month with only  sporadic home and office visits. But, Casey Anthony will learn that games and lies do not work with probation officers. I believe that Judge Perry was right to be upset with Jose Baez for not preparing his client for this and for trying to pull one over on the court. A poor example for Casey herself. In fact, technically Casey Anthony is in violation of her probation right now as she left the state and has not begun probation.

Another fact is that like many people, Casey Anthony may be able to transfer her probation to another State. However, to qualify for this you must have a good reason. Valid reasons include family support in the other state, a better job and in some cases a rehab program. My guess is that the Baez team will be arguing the rehab issue and claim that she has already begun a program, so a transfer is needed. Convenient right? Well, rest assured that the Probation department will check it all out as will Judge Perry.

For now, these are the facts. I have been there done that and the moment I prepare a client for prison, I begin to prepare them for re-entry. It is no joke. Let’s stop making it a joke and look at what needs to happen for everyone involved. This insider knows that people do learn from probation and in most cases it is very helpful.

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Filed under Casey Anthony, casey anthony. jose baez, CBS Early Show, Criminal Justice, Jane Velez Mitchell, Nancy Grace, prison consultant, success after prison

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August 8, 2011 · 11:15 AM

Casey Anthony prediction: Here come the FEDS!!!

The Casey Anthony case has more twists and turns than a ride at Universal Studios! As predicted, tot mom was not found guilty, pretends to be in rehab, and now I believe she and her legal team will face a Federal Investigation.

Why a Federal Investigation? Several reasons. For starters, the Florida department of Corrections SCREW up by allowing Casey Anthony to serve probation while in jail, Judge Strickland speaking to the media and the gross misuse of taxpayer funds to pay the Anthony lawyers and experts.

Now, this insider predicts that the IRS will investigate not only in regards to the lien they placed on the Casey Anthony payment from ABC, but the funds her legal team must have also received and not declared. Hello- tax FRAUD.

We also may see an investigation into the lack of a proper Police investigation, George and Cindy Anthony issues, and the quick determination to NOT file perjury charges against Cindy.

What else can go wrong here? Lots. Maybe in jail misconduct and the lack of a tax declaration on the funds received in jail by Casey Anthony.

This case shows the absolute tragic state that our criminal justice system is in.I spoke about this and more last week on Nancy Grace and issues with Jane Velez Mitchell. The lesson, as I always say is that change IS possible. This time we need to change the system. Less talk and more action.

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Filed under criminal justice, financial fraud, Casey Anthony, Nancy Grace, Jane Velez Mitchell, CBS Early Show, Criminal thinking, cindy anthony, George Anthony, casey anthony. jose baez

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August 3, 2011 · 5:40 AM

Can Casey Anthony sue the State of Florida???

 

Surprise, surprise! There are so many twists and turns in the Casey Anthony case that one can barely keep up. As a former Wall Street person I know that timing is everything. So, let’s look at the suspicious timing in this case of late.

First all we must start with the very quick verdict and the timing of the release of Casey Anthony. Originally she was set to be released one day and then the Department of Corrections recalculated the date to one 4 days later. Huh?

Next, Casey is told that her probation for the check fraud convictions is over as she served it in jail? Really??? So, she is free and clear and off to an unknown location.

Then come the fake reports and sightings including one right back at Orlando airport. That is the silliest one of all. Florida is a Felony Register State and Anthony would have to register with the Sherriff’s department if she was there.

Then we have the networks all saying they are bailing, doubt it and so the Anthony team changes course and says Casey is in rehab because she needs treatment for serious mental health issues. Ya think??? This timing is also suspicious. Was the Baez team tipped off that the ex judge was going to amend his order and make Casey reserve her probation the typical way?

Last but not least, Judge Strickland’s timing? After all, he has had almost 3 weeks to figure this error of HIS out. But, he signs an order and goes on vacation?! Timing anyone?

So, now we are left with a huge legal fight and that means bill for the State, as Anthony has been declared indigent. Plus all of the court costs that have been rung up and get ready…

Casey Anthony may be in a good position to now SUE the State of Florida for unjust prosecution, discrimination and more. You name it. Casey Anthony, who needs a network gig, you’ve got Florida???

See what happens when even judges are looking for their fifteen miinutes. Errors and money, money, money. Same thing happened in the Lindsay Lohan case when the judge made an error and the probation department tried to violate Lohan and send her to jail. Well, surprise, surprise, the original judge had made an error and not ordered drug and alcohol testing past a certain date.

This week I discussed all that is Casey Anthony and more on Issues with Jane Valez Mitchell and Nancy Grace. But, there is so much more to tell!

The big question. Will Casey Anthony have to go back to Florida and serve probation, will she transfer her probation to where she is now or will the order be vacated? If so, watch for the Baez team to file a complaint and then a lawsuit perhaps?

And, did the State check to see where the $200,000 Casey received went before they declared her indigent? One thing is clear. Our criminal justice system is a mess and we can spell is Casey Anthony. Finally she is the poster child for something!

Stay tuned…

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Filed under casey anthony. jose baez, Criminal Justice, Criminal thinking, George Anthony, jail, Jane Velez Mitchell, Nancy Grace, prison coaching, prison preparation, prison re entry, restorative justice, Tot mom, women in prison

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June 24, 2011 · 10:38 PM

The Casey Anthony Case- It’s all in the Jail tapes!!! Follow @incarcervention

The Casey Anthony “Tot mom” case is moving along, and what is becoming clear is something I have said all along. Much of the case and what led to this point is in the trove of family secrets. More on the secrets later. But, let’s start with the very odd way the Anthony family acted on the JAIL HOUSE taped visits. As a prison coach and former inmate myself, I can assure you that there is nothing normal about the way this family visited with each other on these tapes. This includes George, Cindy, Lee and Casey herself. I have prepared hundreds of families for visits and these set of jailhouse visits do not add up. Or rather maybe they do now that we are learning so much more about the Anthony family.

The facts: Casey Anthony is a known liar, her parents both have significant mental health issues and Lee is a shady character at best. In dispute is how Casey became such a good liar and why. Was she molested and by whom? Did her parents help her in the cover up before or is this cover up behavior new for the trial? And, what else is going on here? Several years ago Jane Velez Mitchell wrote a great book about infamous criminal cases called Secrets Can Be Murder. This could not be truer than in the tot mom case. But, what else tells the story?

Several things are very revealing in this case. From the way George and Cindy Anthony handled the media at first to their odd “acceptance” of the fact that Casey lied about Caylee being missing for 31 days to the bizarre explanation of the odor in the car, this adds up to one very intriguing mystery that we all want to solve.

But, back to the jail visiting tapes. I have analyzed these tapes several times. Remember, these visits were before Caylee had been found dead and were mostly at the beginning of the case. In fact, Casey was let out of jail for a brief period of time after some of the visits. So, how is it that the visits are all so calm and how did Lee become such an expert at talking in code during his visits? For most people the shock of visiting their child behind glass is traumatic. For this family it should have been even more traumatic as Caylee was missing and Casey had been shown to have lied about the fact that her daughter had been gone for 31 days. And, the Anthony’s had never visited their child in jail before. I understand how Casey was so calm as she has a fantastic capacity to live in fantasyland, but George, Cindy and Lee? This makes no sense and yet speaks volumes about what may be going on here.

Did the Anthony’s have a person coach them for these visits? Why does the emotion seem so disingenuous? Well, I doubt they were coached but maybe we can assume that each member of the family has their own baggage to cover up? And by baggage I mean anything and everything. As for Lee and his offers to track down people for Casey with “friends” in law enforcement and the way he stops her from saying too much because the visits are recorded, we can only assume he has watched a lot of television. The tapes between Casey and George are far more disturbing. I assure you this is not a normal visiting pattern. Especially visits at the beginning of a jail term of somebody who has yet to be convicted. ODD. I am not trying to solve this case nor can I. But, I would suggest people look at the tapes, the visits and the body language. They tell a story.

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Filed under bail, Casey Anthony, criminal justice, death row for women, jail, Jane Velez Mitchell, Nancy Grace, prison coaching, prison consultant, women in prison

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