Casey Anthony: Judge Belvin Perry wows truTV analysts
Chief Circuit Judge Belvin Perry Jr. continues to earn rave reviews.
During this morning’s hearing on controlling Casey Anthony’s defense costs, truTV commentators praised Perry.
On “In Session,” Vinnie Politan said, “Wow! Again, I am just absolutely shocked at the difference that we’re seeing inside this courtroom … and the way the judge is approaching everything. He is thorough, he is fair, and he’s getting stuff done.”
Politan said Perry was walking a tight rope in trying to give Anthony a fair trial but also watch taxpayer dollars.
“I think he’s doing a fine job of walking that tight rope,” said former federal prosecutor Sunny Hostin. ”His reasoning is very judicial … And I don’t think he’s giving the prosecution more leeway than he is giving the defense, and vice versa.”
Politan said Perry is the kind of judge who requires attorneys to be prepared.
Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
Casey Anthony: truTV to carry Thursday hearing live
The Casey Anthony hearing on Thursday will be carried live at 9 a.m. on truTV’s “In Session.”
A truTV spokeswoman says the channel plans to carry Anthony hearings live on Monday and Tuesday as well.
Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
Casey Anthony: truTV to carry Friday hearing live
Where can you see the Casey Anthony hearing Friday morning?
Viewers will get to see Chief Judge Belvin Perry, the new judge in the case, that morning.
A national TV audience can catch the hearing live at 9:30 a.m. on truTV’s “In Session.”
WOFL-Channel 35 will broadcast part of the hearing live during a morning newscast. WKMG-Channel 6 said it will carry the hearing at its Web site, ClickOrlando.com.
When I hear what other stations are doing, I’ll pass that information along.
Coverage will be available at OrlandoSentinel.com as well.
Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
Casey Anthony: Fight over Texas EquuSearch produces fireworks
More fireworks this morning in the Casey Anthony case.
A battle over Texas EquuSearch records was the top story on noon newscasts of WFTV-Channel 9, WESH-Channel 2 and WKMG-Channel 6.
“It got extremely heated,” WFTV’s Jeff Deal said. “Attorneys on both sides almost yelled at each other in the middle of the courtroom during this hearing. Casey’s defense was trying to ask for documents related to the search for Caylee’s remains that were done by the group Texas EquuSearch.”
Deal described Casey Anthony as “very stoic” during the hearing this morning. She is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
Continue reading Casey Anthony: Fight over Texas EquuSearch produces fireworks »
Dominick Dunne getting 13-hour salute from truTV
Dominick Dunne, who died Wednesday, will be saluted with a 13-hour marathon on truTV (the channel formerly known at Court TV).
The channel will start playing episodes of "Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege & Justice" at 3 p.m. Friday.
Marc Juris, executive veep and general manager of truTV, said, "Dominick Dunne has been a valued and beloved contributor to truTV through the long-running series 'Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice.' He was a master storyteller who dug deeply into the legal details of notorious criminal cases, but always kept his eye on the human story behind the crimes. We will miss him dearly."
Viewers will, too.
Did O.J. Simpson do it? Here’s what Dominick Dunne had to say
When I heard that Dominick Dunne had died, I first thought of O.J. Simpson.
Dunne gave the most scintillating commentary on Simpson's murder trial and everything that came after it. Dunne wrote for Vanity Fair and had a truTV series, "Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice," in which he explored famous crimes.
Dunne died today at age 83. His anguish over his own daughter's murder propelled him into examining crimes among the powerful and privileged. His book "Justice: Crimes, Trials and Punishments" gathered his reporting on Simpson, Claus von Bulow and
the Menendez brothers. He also wrote popular fiction, such as "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles," later an entertaining miniseries with Ann-Margret and Claudette Colbert.
In a 2001 interview with former Orlando Sentinel book critic Nancy Pate, Dunne made some memorable comments about Simpson.
Pate wrote: "His voice is filled with polite disdain that curdles into disgust as the
conversation turns to O.J. Simpson, the subject of a story in the current issue of The New Yorker.
Continue reading Did O.J. Simpson do it? Here’s what Dominick Dunne had to say »
Crime writers open up on “Murder by the Book”
If you love crime stories, "Murder by the Book" is the show for you. Best-selling writers discuss cases that have mesmerized them. I’m especially looking forward to seeing Lee Child, author of "Bad Luck and Trouble." And Kathy Reichs, whose work inspired the Fox series "Bones."
The Court TV series begins its second season at 10 p.m. Monday. First up is Sandra Brown, author of "Play Dirty."
Next week will be David Baldacci. His new book is "Stone Cold."
In coming weeks, the writers will include Joseph Wambaugh ("Hollywood Station"), Harlan Coben ("The Woods"), Lisa Gardner ("Gone"), Linda Fairstein ("Bad Blood"), Elizabeth George ("What Came Before He Shot Her") and Nick Santora ("Slip & Fall"). Making return appearances this season are Jonathan Kellerman, Faye Kellerman and Lisa Scottoline.
Who is that thin woman? Star Jones headed your way
She left "The View" dramatically. She lost weight dramatically. She met the press dramatically last month in Beverly Hills, Calif.
I presume Star Jones will start her new Court TV show dramatically. The weekday show begins at 3 p.m. Monday.
So much drama. Maybe you need a little of that in the afternoon.
Continue reading Who is that thin woman? Star Jones headed your way »
I interrogate Star Jones: Do you realize the public-relations damage you’ve done?
Some performers really trip up when they meet the press. Star Jones did it Sunday as she tried to promote her new weekday show for Court TV.
During her session with the press, I asked early on about whether she would introduce herself to the public. She looks nothing like the woman you remember from "The View." I told her: "You look great, but you look different."
She said she hoped people would get to know her through her opinions.
Continue reading I interrogate Star Jones: Do you realize the public-relations damage you’ve done? »
Nancy Grace acts; run for cover, citizens
Not content to foul CNN Headline News, Nancy Grace is branching out. Evidently the TV host has seen so many actors doing sendups of her that she decided to join the pack.
Grace is taking her legal-analytical shtick to the season finale of NBC’s "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." She will comment on the dramatized case of a man (played by rapper Chris "Ludacris" Bridges) accused of killing a woman and her child.
The same episode will feature Star Jones Reynolds giving legal commentary. Perhaps Reynolds and Grace will trade putdowns in a battle of the legal divas. Advantage to Grace, because no one is more overbearing. The episode airs May 22.
Chief justice on “Nightline”
Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. will be featured on Monday’s "Nightline." ABC News’ Jan Crawford Greenburg will interview Roberts at the University of Miami, where he will be lecturing.
The interview will air at 11:35 a.m. Monday on WFTV-Channel 9.
If you want a far different look at legal issues, look to Catherine Crier. She will round up TV judges for a discussion at 5 p.m. Monday on her Court TV show. The guests on "Catherine Crier Live" will be Judge Alex Ferrer of "Judge Alex," Judge Cristina Perez of "Cristina’s Court," Judge Lynn Toler of "Divorce Court" and Judge Greg Mathis of "Judge Mathis."
Orlando agent’s big mission
 A former Orlando FBI agent helps tell the fascinating story of an international manhunt in "On the Run: Globetrotter," which Court TV presents Tuesday.
Joe Judge, the agent, spent eight years on the case of Shalom Weiss (pictured). Weiss is one of those colorful crime figures that fascinate filmmakers. He had been convicted in Orlando in 1999 of dozens of counts of wire fraud, money laundering, racketeering, filing false documents and interestate transportation of stolen property. He had been accused of stealing millions from the National Heritage Life Insurance Co. and leaving thousands of senior citizens without their savings.
The Weiss story took an international turn when he went on a nearly three-year run. He fled to Israel, Belgium, Brazil, Austria and the United Kingdom. "Follow the ladies," Agent Judge advised, because Weiss fancied himself a ladies’ man. Weiss was extradited from Austria in 2002.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Judy Hunt and former Orlando Sentinel reporter Susan Clary are other witnesses in the Weiss story. "On the Run: Globetrotter" premieres at 11 p.m. Tuesday. A warning: The program goes heavy on dramatic re-enactments, which some viewers might find cheesy.
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