I have FINALLY read Jeff Ashton's book. Better late than never.
Obviously the book was written before the info came out in Baez's later book about the computer searches the prosecution's "computer experts" never found.
I found Ashton's story to be good, but a bit myopic at times. It is obvious the prosecution "team" were certainly not all on the same page at the same time. But I don't work in Law Enforcement or Criminal Prosecution, so perhaps this is just the way it is. Or was.
In regard to the missed computer searches, this issue absolutely bears looking into. Perhaps an investigation will lead to funding for payment of up-to-date independent computer experts on important cases. Rather than relying on non-college graduate "computer experts" who got the job because they expressed an "interest in computers". Oh, and no one else wanted the job. And no one else knew much at all about computers. Except her boss. Who must have been very, very busy with other things. Or else totally non-curious.
In any case, Mr. Ashton's very measured recounting of "how things really went down" included a few very insightful revelations. Remember the heart-shaped outline reported to be seen by a Crime Tech (and her supervisor whom she called in to look at it) on the duct tape that covered Caylee's nose and mouth? Two or three very succint sentences Ashton explains the Tech's failure to photograph this with: 1.) The tech was new on the job 2.) There was no protocol in place requiring a photograph of non-fingerprint evidence.
Now, I ask you, if your job is to photograph things and you have a camera - likely on a tripod - all set up, and you see what appears to be the outline of a heart on duct tape that was covering the nose and mouth of a skelontized child, you mean to tell me you would NOT take a photograph of that?
And you would call your boss in to look at this and your boss would not direct you to photograph it?
Some of this stuff is beyone belief!
One point Ashton made that I do agree with. Baez won an acquittal in this case despite his own stupidity. Baez lucked out by happening upon one of the world's dumbest, I-want-out-of-here, I want-to-go-home-now juries. Examination of evidence? What's that? Look at exhibits? Nah, not us. Ask a questiom? Nope, not this jury.
The jury, according to Ashton, ordered up several children's videos during the course of the trial, even after having pre-sequestration selected some 200 videos to watch. Post-trial 3 jurors spoke, two of them anonymously. No "We The Jury" books here.
I wish Mr. Ashton the best in effecting change within the systen.
Oh, and I was a bit surprised to learn he was on his third wife and third set of small children at the time of the trial. Don't know why, I just was.