Jose Baez cannot remain lead counsel in death penalty case against Casey Anthony

On Monday, the Florida State Attorney’s Office announced it would seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony, which means Jose Baez cannot continue as lead counsel.

According to WKMG’s Tony Pipitone, “To be lead counsel in a death penalty case in Florida, you have to have tried nine serious and complex cases to completion—and been trial counsel or co-counsel on two death penalty cases.”

Although Baez could remain on the case, it is believed he has not met the second standard required by the state.

Baez told WESH 2 News, “We’ve been prepared from day one and we have death-qualified lawyers on our team. We plan on making this a whole lot tougher for the state now.”

A statement was also released by the Anthony defense team, which read, “We will do whatever is necessary to defend Casey Anthony from the state trying to take her life. We already have death-qualified defense lawyers on our team and are prepared for a vigorous defense.”

Casey is charged with the first-degree murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. Her trial is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12.