JBP has stated over and over this will not be a 'trial by ambush' but that's exactly what JB pulled off.
JB's so called expert witness changed his opinions after his deposition but JA was never told. JB came prepared for the ambush with his witness, his smirk, his cocky attitude, and some sort of chart (the chart was not allowed). JA had many objections. One of which was an agreement that he and JB had that JB reneged on. JB looked straight at JA and said something like 'I hate to use the word coercion' and 'I had a contempt charge hanging over my head'. He was clearly making personal attacks toward JA and all but admitted he entered into an agreement with JA that he had no intent on keeping.
JA had had enough. The 'trial by ambush' was allowed and nothing happened to JB after personally attacking JA. JA blew his stack. The judge said JA could recall his witness (poor Dr. Vass) then re-question JB's witness but realistically we're supposed to be about a month from trial. I'm sure the SAs have better things to do than re-do depositions because the defense decided to play dirty pool AGAIN.
My personal opinion. I've said from the beginning that I wish JA could keep his emotions in check because I don't want a jury to think this trial is about winning at all cost but I have to say, JA had every right to blow his stack this time. He was ambushed. The judge allowed it. He was personally attacked and terrible accusations were made against him in open court, in front of the cameras and the viewing public. The judge had already stated many times the attorneys were not to address each other but again, JB got away with it.
I understand the logic that most people hold that JBP is just protecting the record against appeals. I agree to that logic to a degree but a line has to be drawn somewhere. The SA has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Casey did this. They are preparing for a trial that is supposed to start next month. It's simply not fair for the defense to keep getting away with these unscrupulous tactics.
JA ripped JB's expert to shreds. The expert tried to wiggle and worm his way out of directly answering even the most simple questions. JA was loud and aggressive with the witness but I believe it was because 1) he was ambushed and 2) the witness was intentionally skirting his questions and showed a clear bias for the defense...the complete opposite of Dr. Vass. Thankfully JA is a brilliant lawyer and can rip apart witnesses with no prior notice. He had to do it before with AL's witness and I have no doubt he'll be ambushed again and again.
I also think JA has been deeply and personally affected by Caylee's murder. The SAs are Caylee's only hope for justice. Her family abandoned her on day 32 and sided with her killer. JA is an honest, hard working, by-the-book SA and he is doing his best to deal with this [unusual] defense, their [unusual] client and this [unusual] family. But most of all, he is trying to get justice for a toddler who was brutally tortured, killed, put in garbage bags and thrown out like garbage. At the same time, protect society as a whole against a killer. On top of all that, he has to deal with JB/CM and their blatant disrespect for life and our judicial system.
IMO
