Law Practice
Jan. 30, 2013
Power and prejudice in opening statements: Casey Anthony trial
If an opening statement can decide the outcome of a criminal trial, then it behooves lawmakers to implement measures that insures the rule of fact and precludes jurors from hearing illicit, prejudicial matters. By Joseph Sorrentino
On Jan. 19, the Lifetime Channel movie "Prosecuting Casey Anthony," dramatized the Florida trial that ended in one of the most controversial verdicts in memory. The 25-year-old mother was found not guilty of murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated abuse of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. No matter what conclusion one reaches on the verdict, what is clear is there was an abuse of opening statement, a recurring problem in tri...
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