Casey Anthony prosecutor Jeff Ashton, retired prosecutor from the Casey Anthony murder trial, won in the election for the state attorney's office in central Florida. George Anthony came to victory party.

By Amy Pavuk and Anthony Colarossi, Orlando Sentinel
10:20 p.m. EST, December 30, 2011

Jeff Ashton, the former prosecutor who gained national attention during Casey Anthony's first-degree murder case, will make an "important" announcement Tuesday — amid strong rumors he's going to run for state attorney.

No details were released Friday about the announcement, which will be made at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Orange County Courthouse.

But many in the legal defense community have indicated in recent days that Ashton was seriously considering a challenge to his former boss, State Attorney Lawson Lamar.

Ashton, 54, has spent his entire legal career prosecuting cases for the judicial circuit that includes Orange and Osceola counties.

He is a veteran of 300 trials and was one of three prosecutors who handled Anthony's case.

He is known for his scientific and forensic expertise and is recognized as being one of the first prosecutors to introduce DNA evidence in United States courts.

Ashton retired in July, immediately after a jury found Anthony not guilty of murder and other serious charges.

He went on to write "Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony," which is on The New York Times best-sellers list.

As of Friday evening, the Florida Division of Elections website does not show any filing from Ashton reflecting his intent to seek public office.

But Orlando defense attorney Joerg Jaeger, a Lamar supporter, said Friday that Ashton has "had lunch meetings with people all over town" about running for State Attorney. "This is not a big secret."

Jaeger said Ashton first told him about his intentions to run in the months before the Anthony trial. At that time, according to Jaeger, the prosecutor expected the case to make him "a minor celebrity" with national name recognition.

If Ashton does run for state attorney of the 9th Judicial Circuit, he won't be Lamar's only challenger in 2012.

Ryan Williams, another former prosecutor in the 9th Judicial Circuit, is also running against his ex-boss.

Lamar has served as state attorney since 1989. Before taking that office, Lamar was Orange County sheriff.

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Prosecutor in Casey Anthony trial runs for office
Updated 09:05 a.m., Sunday, January 1, 2012

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A retired prosecutor from the Casey Anthony murder trial has announced that he is running for the state attorney's office in central Florida.

In a video and interview posted Sunday on the Orlando Sentinel's website (http://thesent.nl/uTXcK0 )

Video here:
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Jeff Ashton said he would challenge his former boss, Lawson Lamar, to be the Orange-Osceola State Attorney.

Lamar has served as state attorney since 1989, and before that he was the Orange County Sheriff. Lamar's chief assistant and campaign treasurer, Bill Vose, told the newspaper that the campaign had no immediate response to Ashton's announcement but expected a formal response later this week.

"As a prosecutor I am offering to the voters a chance to say, 'Do we want a person whose primary focus is as a prosecutor or whose primary focus is as a politician?'" Ashton said.

Ashton, 54, worked for 30 years for the state attorney's office that handles cases for Orange and Osceola counties.

He retired as planned days after Anthony's trial ended in July with an acquittal in the killing of her daughter, Caylee.

Ashton said he hoped that the Anthony case would not overshadow the election or the roughly 300 other cases he has tried in his career.

"I hope people will look beyond the one case and look at a 30-year career, because no one should vote for me because of one case. That's just crazy," he said.

Ashton suggested that people should read his book about the Anthony trial, "Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony," if they want to know more about him.

In the book, which has been a best-seller, Ashton called Anthony's lead attorney, Jose Baez, "smarmy" and careless with the facts. He also said Baez encouraged Anthony to be uncooperative with investigators. Baez said Ashton's accusations were false.

Anthony, 25, was released from prison but remains in hiding somewhere in Florida on probation for an unrelated check fraud case.

Ashton has a news conference scheduled Tuesday morning to formally announce his campaign.

Another former prosecutor from Lamar's office, Ryan Williams, also has announced a bid for the state attorney's office. Ashton, Lamar and Williams are all Democrats, and no Republican has announced a candidacy.

The primary election is scheduled Aug. 14.

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Just read this on Leonard Padilla's FB wall and there are ton's of comments:

Leonard Padilla
I just posted this statement on Orlando Sentinel comments regarding Ashton running for State Attorney:

I just became aware of Ashton's desire to become State Attorney. With my knowledge of the case that he just prosecuted and lost, I am amazed that he would announce his candidacy. There were at least 12 areas where he made rookie mistakes. When I received my law degree in 1980, the commencement speaker, a Harvard Law School graduate, made a comment that I have never forgotten. The statement was somewhat as follows: "Never, in any way, shape or form, belittle or attempt to belittle your opponent in front of the jury for it will surely come back to haunt you." Ashton's knowledge of the case, or as he represented it from the prosecution's viewpoint, was appalling. He never brought Michelle Carpentiere into focus in order to explain where she got the information as to where Caylee's body was. Michelle's information was gained while she was a custodial employee at the jail where Casey was an inmate. As Roy Kronk's live-in girlfriend/roommate, she provided almost the exact location information to Kronk. Why did Ashton ignore this? Also, Casey ran out of her house in the wee hours of June 16th with her child after a physical, "I'm going to choke you to death, b&^%!" statement from her mother Cindy. Ashton ignored that. Ashton chose to jump in bed with George and Cindy. Did he not understand that they would choose to protect their only daughter by lying?

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MOO

Casey Anthony: What is wrong with her? Dr. G, Jeff Ashton weigh in

Caylee and Casey Anthony, Discovery Fit & Health, Dr. G: Medical Examiner, Dr. Jan Garavaglia, TLC — posted by halboedeker on January, 4 2012 6:55 AM

What is wrong with Casey Anthony?

Dr. Drew Pinsky, on his HLN show last night, put the question to Dr. Jan Garavaglia and former prosecutor Jeff Ashton.

Garavaglia, the chief medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties, smiled broadly and noted she wasn’t an expert on the issue.

“The only thing I’m an expert on is how people react to death,” Garavaglia said. “I see every accidental death. I see every child that dies suddenly and unexpectedly, and I talk to the mothers. She did not respond like any mother I’ve ever talked to. In fact, if you’re saying this was an accident, it’s an insult to every mother whose child died accidentally. She acts … as if she’s guilty.”

In July, Anthony was acquitted of murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

Garavaglia, the star of “Dr. G: Medical Examiner,” had a chance to promote her Caylee Anthony special. It will repeat at 10 p.m. Friday on Discovery Fit & Health and 10 p.m. Saturday on TLC.

Ashton could talk to a national audience on the day he announced he was running for state attorney. He also could promote his best-selling book, “Imperfect Justice.”

Ashton said there was no evidence that Anthony had a seizure disorder. “She’s anything but normal,” Ashton said. “Whatever it is that Casey Anthony is, I just don’t think your profession has devised a test for it quite yet,” Ashton told Pinsky.

Did you catch this show and what did you think?

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ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The race for the position of Orange-Osceola State Attorney hasn't been as heated in past years as it has now become. Casey Anthony can be partially credited for changing all of that.

Election day is still eleven months away and this is a race that, typically, many know little about. But it has has been front and center all this week.

Jeff Ashton, lead prosecutor in the State of Florida vs. Casey Anthony, is taking on his old boss, State Attorney Lawson Lamar. On Friday, Lamar made his first public statements since Ashton announced his candidacy earlier this week.

"Seems that one challenger prepared himself to profit from insider information in the tragic death of little Caylee Anthony," said Lamar, referring to a book Ashton wrote about prosecuting the Casey Anthony case.

Hours later, Ashton fired back in a late afternoon news conference saying, "To be honest, I was inundated with questions at the end of the trial from people who wanted to know what happened. Unlike the State Attorney, I'm not a millionaire. I didn't retire under the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) program, take a huge pay out, and return in 20 days."

The DROP program to which Ashton refers was designed to allow retirement-eligible employees to keep working for up to five years while pension payments are placed into an interest-bearing account. After the five years, they can collect the balance in a lump sum or roll it over and begin receiving monthly pension checks.

Each threw several jabs at the other for failing to convict Anthony of murder and send her to death row.

"I admonished him probably six times to keep his temper in the courtroom and not act out. He acted out in the presence of the jury, which certainly didn't help out," said Lamar.

"I find it amusing that the State Attorney says he admonished me about anything I've ever done in a courtroom. That never happened," said Ashton. "When I retired, he gave me the Champions of Justice award. Here's a photograph of him handing me a plaque to that affect. I wonder if he wants it back."

When asked to respond to a comment made by Ashton, that Lamar is a politician and not a prosecutor, Lamar responded, " I am no politician at all. If I were a good politician, I would seek high conviction rates. We're not in here for statistics, we're in here for justice."

Ashton pointed out that, in the 300-plus cases he tried in his career, he won between 70 and 80 percent.

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Posted: 5:47 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

ORLANDO, Fla. — Former Casey Anthony prosecutor Jeff Ashton will be juggling his campaign for state attorney while defending his son in a drunk-driving case.

Ashton and his son met with the judge and prosecutors Monday to pick a jury. The trial starts later this week.

Jeff Ashton's son, Alexander Ashton, blew twice the legal limit in a breathalyzer test, but the results got thrown out because the device is considered unreliable.

Alexander Ashton stumbled trying to hold up his leg during a field sobriety test last October in Longwood.

When asked if he was embarrassed by the incident, Jeff Ashton said, "No, not at all. I wouldn't be talking to you about this if I was. I would not be representing him in that courtroom, representing him right now."

Records show a Seminole County deputy pulled over the 21-year-old because he was going 68 mph in a 45-mph zone.

When Alexander Ashton got out of his car, the deputy said he could smell alcohol on his breath. Alexander Ashton said he had a couple of beers at a bar and was on his way home. The video shows him stumbling and unable to walk a straight line.

Alexander Ashton: "You have your own assumptions, but I really haven't had that much to drink."
Deputy: "Do you really think you should be driving right now?"
Alexander Ashton: "I don't think I'm um a danger...maybe."
Deputy: "Sixty-eight miles an hour, isn't a danger?"

Ashton ended up blowing a .174 and then a .177 on a breathalyzer: twice the legal limit.

"He is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol," Jeff Ashton said. "To the fact his faculties were impaired, he pled not guilty. We believe he is not guilty and we will argue it's not guilty to the jury and ultimately the jury will decide or not."

Alexander Ashton is out on a $500 bond. He is charged with a second-degree misdemeanor charge.

He faces up to two months in jail and a fine. The trial is set for Thursday.

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video at above link.

Jeff Ashton defends his passionate style during Casey Anthony trial

Caylee and Casey Anthony, WKMG — posted by halboedeker on June, 17 2012 9:00 AM

Former prosecutor Jeff Ashton makes no apologies for his demeanor during the Casey Anthony trial.

“The nice thing about a trial that’s televised is people draw their own conclusions,” Ashton told Lauren Rowe on WKMG-Channel 6’s “Flashpoint.” “I’m a passionate trial lawyer. I fight for victims. And I make no apologies for that.”

Ashton is running for Orange-Osceola state attorney and challenging his former boss, incumbent Lawson Lamar. Ashton said colleagues in the state attorney’s office would say he’s easy to work with and that performance evaluations would back up that comment.

Ashton criticized Lamar’s management style for thwarting talented attorneys and piling paperwork on them. “This office … creates tedious jobs that aren’t necessary,” Ashton told Rowe. “This office creates paperwork and bureaucracy that isn’t necessary. I want to strip this office down to its bare bones and have only that level of bureaucracy that’s necessary. What goes on in the courtroom is what is important, not what goes on in the office.”

Ashton said he would reduce the size of the supervisory staff in the state attorney’s office and added that those supervisors needed to continue to try cases. “It’s leadership by example,” he said.

Lamar has blasted Ashton for profiting from the Anthony trial by writing a book, “Imperfect Justice.” Ashton countered that Lamar has exploited government service through a $600,000 lump sum for retiring as well as a pension and Social Security.

Rowe asked Ashton what he would do if he loses, but he said polling shows that he will win because of higher favorable ratings and greater name recognition than Lamar. “People are ready for change,” Ashton said.

Lamar will be Rowe’s guest next week on “Flashpoint.” The program airs at 8 a.m. Sundays.

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For the first time in more than two decades, there will be a new state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties.

After a hard-fought and often heated campaign, Jeff Ashton unseated his former boss, Lawson Lamar, in an open primary Tuesday with 54.5 percent of the vote to his opponent's 45.5 percent. The result likely means a major shake-up at the State Attorney's Office, which Lamar has headed for six consecutive terms.

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Anthony's father,George Anthony,made a surprise appearance at Ashton's victory party Tuesday and congratulated him.

Oooh, I bet Cindy and KC are LIVID!!!

I love it. Go for it George!!!!

I love it!! :cheering:

Jeff Ashton ‘surprised’ over George Anthony visit
George Anthony congratulates Jeff Ashton over win

UPDATED 12:18 PM EDT Aug 15, 2012
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ORLANDO, Fla. -
Casey Anthony’s father, George Anthony, was one of the first people to congratulate Jeff Ashton after winning the Orange-Osceola State Attorney race, but the prosecutor said he was surprised by Anthony’s visit.

George Anthony congratulates Jeff Ashton on his State Attorney win on Aug. 14.

State Attorney-elect Jeff Ashton appeared on WESH 2 News Sunrise to talk about his win against former boss Lawson Lamar.

“It was totally unexpected. I was surprised to see him, but happy to see him,” Ashton said.

Ashton was one of three lead prosecutors who tried the Casey Anthony murder case in the summer of 2011.

Ashton said his Tuesday night exchange with Anthony was brief and cordial.

“He just said, ‘Congratulations, you worked hard for this and deserve it,’” Ashton said.

Ashton wrote a book, “Imperfect Justice,” about the Casey Anthony case. He will wrap up promoting it before he takes office in January.

The trial may have leveled the playing field in terms of name recognition, according to Ashton, but he does not believe it was the reason he beat incumbent Lawson Lamar in the race.

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Wow, I'm surprised at George, good for him.

If you had read Baez's book it wouldnt suprise you - he trashes George all the way through, while Ashtons book absolutely refutes Baez's (and Caseys) allegations. George looks like he had a face lift!

Artgal, I was wondering why George looked so strange but if this is how he looks now he had some (bad) work done! I was surprised George would publicly come up to Ashton and shake his hand, I bet Cindy and Queen daughter were really mad. Good for him.
I don't think I could even stomach Baez's book, I was happy that you posted the excerpts that you did thou'.
Now TLMS's probation is nearly up and she can think about the photo of her Dad and Ashton, sweet.

When is Casey's probation up? I thought it was August 21st. The book was the biggest bunch of lies I have ever read. I guess it was for the masses who were uninformed but we here know better! Im sure that is why George congratulated Ashton. Interesting that Cindy and George are still together after all this. I wonder if Lee speaks to Casey. I expect that sooner or later Cindy and George will get a new grandchild.

I'm not sure of the date but if it's not the 21st it's real close. I've wondered the same thing about Lee, after her accusations against him I would hope he keeps her at more than arms length!
I don't know how/why G & C are still together, must be the same (sick) reason they've been able to remain together thru' these years. Yuk, can't bear to even think about it. Yup, I bet they will have a new grandchild and hopefully that will fulfill their nest and that TLMS will be kept far, far away from any of them.

Her release date is on August 23rd, 2012.

Thanks Wrap!

No problem. I just went and looked on the "probation" thread.

So, one week from today, she w/be
Let the games begin. She better go far away and continue to wear a disguise as she is known world-wide. Plus, she has to be back in Orange County, Florida in Jan 2013 for the "Zanny" civil trial. If she lives that long cause I believe there are people out there who w/try to take her out.

I never believed that she would leave the country. People stay in their comfort zone - she will stay in Florida. It seems there are no takers for her story either
and she has several lawsuits over her head including Zenaida and Tim Miller plus she owes the IRS.

And I'll enjoy what you just said Artgal. I think karma is just beginning for the bitch.

Well she certainly won't go anywhere where she might have to shovel snow, so the whole upper half of the U.S. and Canada are safe.

artgal16 wrote:If you had read Baez's book it wouldnt suprise you - he trashes George all the way through, while Ashtons book absolutely refutes Baez's (and Caseys) allegations. George looks like he had a face lift!

Well he certainly could afford one now.
He does look different. Looks like his hairline receded.

Caylee and Casey Anthony, George and Cindy Anthony, Jose Baez, WFTV — posted by halboedeker on August, 26 2012 11:15 AM

Jeff Ashton looks forward to not being called “Casey Anthony prosecutor,” the state attorney-elect tells WFTV-Channel 9’s “Central Florida Spotlight.”

Ashton says that he hopes that Anthony will disappear into the background, although he notes that situation is improbable. Her probation for check fraud ended last week.

The interview with Greg Warmoth will air at 4 p.m. Sunday on WRDQ-Channel 27; it is also available at the ABC affiliate’s website.

The interview goes 10 minutes before the name Casey Anthony is uttered. Warmoth asks about Ashton’s plans for the Orange-Osceola state attorney’s office. Ashton takes over in January from former boss Lawson Lamar. Ashton beat Lamar in a primary earlier this month by an 11,000-vote margin that Ashton calls surprising.

Lamar has not contacted Ashton since Election Day, Ashton tells Warmoth.

Ashton acknowledges that he has a lot to prove in managing the state attorney’s office and hopes to bring back lawyers to the office. He also calls Linda Drane Burdick, the lead Anthony prosecutor, “a great lawyer” and hints that she may have increased duties when he is state attorney.

But the conversation comes back to Anthony, who was charged with first-degree murder in the 2008 death of her daughter, Caylee. Although the state lost, Ashton says the case probably helped him win state attorney.

Ashton said he has no regrets about writing “Imperfect Justice” about the Anthony case, saying it helped people move on from the verdict and put the focus back on Caylee, the victim.

Ashton was “very surprised” that George Anthony, Casey’s father, congratulated him on Election Night. But Ashton explains that he helped George through a difficult time and calls George “the victim of all this,” including unproven allegations and defense attorney Jose Baez’s book.

The Ashton interview also will air at 12:30 p.m. Saturday on WFTV-Channel 9.

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Jeff Ashton to appoint chief assistant
Linda Drane Burdick to serve with Jeff Ashton



ORLANDO, Fla. —
The man who defeated Lawson Lamar for the position of the 9th circuit state attorney announced a familiar name as his chief assistant Wednesday.

Jeff Ashton, who upset Lamar Aug. 14, announced that Linda Drane Budick will serve as the chief assistant state attorney in January.

Ashton said his choice for chief assistant was clear.

"The most important position in the State Attorney's Office is chief assistant. While the duties of the chief assistant vary from office to office, one universal truth is that the person in that position has earned the complete and unconditional trust of the elected state attorney," said Ashton in a statement. "The state attorney and chief assistant must share a common philosophy and have the ability to communicate in a frank and open manner on any and all subjects."

Ashton and Burdick worked together to prosecute Casey Anthony last year.

Ashton described their contrasting personalities as fire and ice, and said the two would not talk about the Anthony case.

He called Drane Burdick the best trial lawyer currently in that office and said those who have worked under her have benefitted.

"She's a very tough, demanding boss, who expects great things from them. But is also is a boss who taught them a lot," said Ashton. "They always come away from that experience thinking, 'I'm a better lawyer for having worked under Linda.'"

Ashton agreed to put off retirement to work on the Anthony case.

After Anthony's acquittal, however, Ashton retired, wrote a book on the case, and hit the talk show circuit. Then late last year, he declared his intent to unseat Lamar.

Ashton said he does not think he won the race because of the Anthony prosecution, but he said the case opened the public's eyes about an office that was trying to prosecute unwinnable cases.

Jeff Ashton says he is hopeful for a smooth transition.

According to a release, Ashton will announce additional members of his leadership team on future dates.

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And she supported Lamar over him for DA! She deserves to be promoted to this position...She is a fantastic lawyer!

He called Drane Burdick the best trial lawyer currently in that office and said those who have worked under her have benefitted.

"She's a very tough, demanding boss, who expects great things from them. But is also is a boss who taught them a lot," said Ashton. "They always come away from that experience thinking, 'I'm a better lawyer for having worked under Linda.'"

Could not agree more. She was a force to be reckoned with in the Anthony trial. Notice she does not like to appear in front of the media. She looks uncomfortable. I think it's good she doesn't enjoy the spotlight like Bozo or Mason with his "finger". MOO.

Saw this and thought it was an interesting read:

Casey Anthony Dad Gets Cold Body Language Reception from Jeff Ashton At Victory Party

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i usually agree with Dr. Glass but completely disagree w/her on this. And, I don't give a hoot if GA was invited or not..I think it was awesome that he showed up! MOO.

I agree. She sounds like sour grapes on this one. MOO.

She has it in for GA if you read her prior blogs.