Casey Anthony reacts to being found not guilty on murder charges as she stands next to her attorney Jose Baez at the Orange County Courthouse on July 5, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Casey Anthony had been accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter Caylee in 2008 and was found not guilty of manslaughter in the first degree. (Getty)
American lawyer Jose Baez was the lead attorney for Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of murder in 2011. The case earned him national recognition, and Baez has gone on to lead a successful career, representing many high-profile defendants.
Read on to learn more about Jose Baez.
1. He’s Slated to Be Part of FOX’s New Reality Series ‘You the Jury’
Baez will next be taking on the world of reality television.
FOX’s new legal show, “You The Jury”, will be hosted by Fox News’ judge, former DA, and prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, and will allow the public to decide the verdict in some very high-profile, real-life civil cases.
The first case featured on the show, according to People, will be that of Robyn Gardner, a Maryland woman who went missing after traveling to Aruba with a man named Gary Giordano. Viewers will decide for themselves if Gardner died from accidental causes or if she was killed. Baez worked as Gary Giordano’s attorney during the proceedings, and he will represent Giordano on the FOX series as well.
In an interview with People, Baez said, “I thought the format of the show was really entertaining. But at the same time, it’s very realistic. It was really important to me that the show be realistic, because I didn’t want to compromise who I am for a TV show.”
2. He Has Represented a Number of High-Profile Defendants
After gaining national recognition for his work in Anthony’s trial, Baez went on to work for many high-profile defendants like Bobbi Kristina Brown’s boyfriend Nick Gordon, murder suspect Gary Gioradano, and Dan Bilzerian.
Baez also ended up representing a lead detective in the George Zimmerman case, Chris Serino.
3. He Got Married and Became a Father at Age 17
Casey Anthony (R) stands with her attorney Jose Baez during her sentencing hearing on charges of lying to a law enforcement officer at the Orange County Courthouse July 7, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Anthony was acquitted of murder charges on July 5, 2011 but will serve four, one-year sentences on her conviction of lying to a law enforcement officer. She will be credited for the nearly three-years of time served and good behavior and will be released July 13. (Photo by Joe Burbank-Pool/Getty Images)
According to Fox News, Baez was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the Bronx with his single mother.
He dropped out of school in the 9th grade, and at age 17, he married and became a father. Fox writes that becoming a father forced him to turn his life around, and Baez ended up earning his GED and joining the Navy.
After finishing his work in the Navy, Baez returned to school. He graduated from St. Thomas University Law School in 1997. By the time of his graduation, Baez had divorced and declared bankruptcy, unable to afford child support payments. “His finances were in such disarray that he was not allowed to practice law – a decision upheld by the Florida Supreme Court.” It wasn’t until 2005 that he was allowed to return to his work as a lawyer. In the meantime, Baez started up four small businesses– two of which were bikini companies. A mere three years after being allowed to be admitted into the bar, he found himself in the position of representing Casey Anthony.
4. He Is a New York Times Best-Selling Author
ORLANDO, FL – JULY 17: Casey Anthony (R) leaves with her attorney Jose Baez from the Booking and Release Center at the Orange County Jail after she was acquitted of murdering her daughter Caylee Anthony on July 17, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. It was unknown where Casey Anthony was going after the release. (Getty)
Baez is a New York Times best-selling author. His book is titled “PRESUMED GUILTY, Casey Anthony: The Inside Story”.
In the “tell-all” book, Baez reportedly discusses secrets of the defense, and his process of representing Anthony. Amazon’s synopsis for the book reads, “Presumed Guilty shows how Baez, a struggling, high-school dropout, became one of the nation’s most high-profile defense attorneys through his tireless efforts to seek justice for one of the country’s most vilified murder suspects.”
Baez co-wrote the book with Peter Golenbock, a sports journalist and author, and it was published on July 3, 2012.
5. He Has Denied Allegations That He Ever Had a Sexual Relationship With Anthony
#AaronHernandez attorney Jose Baez during closing arguments. #FOX25
According to People, Casey’s former private investigator, Dominic Casey, made accusations about her and Baez in an affidavit filed in her bankruptcy in early 2016.
People writes, “In the 15-page affidavit… Dominic Casey alleges that Anthony had a sexual relationship with her attorney before the case went to trial.”
Baez has denied all allegations, and said in a statement, “I unequivocally and categorically deny exchanging sex for my legal services with Ms. Anthony. I further unequivocally and categorically deny having any sexual relationship with Ms. Anthony whatsoever.” He signed off, “Legal action is forthcoming.”