Jose Baez Says He'll Defend Aruba Suspect Gary Giordano

FILE - In this file photo provided Thursday Aug. 11, 2011 by Aruba police, U.S. citizen Gary V. Giordano, 50, of Gaithersburg, Maryland is shown in an Aruba police mugshot in Oranjestad, Aruba. Giordano, detained in Aruba in the presumed death of his travel partner Robyn Gardner, had an accidental-death insurance policy on her for $1.5 million and sought to claim the money two days after reporting her missing, a person who provided information to the investigation has told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Aruba Police, File) (AP2011)

José Báez is apparently in high demand now.

The Puerto Rican attorney who helped Casey Anthony beat a murder rap in Florida says he will defend the U.S. businessman who's being held in the presumed death of his travel companion in Aruba.

Báez said he has been retained to defend Gary Giordano in the Dutch Caribbean island. Báez confirmed his hiring in a text message to The Associated Press but declined to provide details about his role in the Aruba case.

Giordano's Aruban lawyer, Michael López, said Giordano's father, Frank, hired Báez, who was the lead defense attorney for Anthony in her trial on charges of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. Anthony was acquitted of killing Caylee in July, but convicted of four charges of lying to police.

In Aruba, Báez can serve in an advisory role and provide other assistance but he cannot argue in court, López said.

"If my client wants me to share all information with Báez, I will do so, even though his role will be that of a consultant," he said.

Giordano has been jailed for nearly a month because authorities suspect he was involved in the presumed death of 35-year-old Robyn Gardner of Frederick, Maryland. He has denied committing any crime and says the Maryland woman was swept out to sea while snorkeling. Her body has not been found.

Giordano, who is from Gaithersburg, Maryland, and owns a temporary staffing business, was arrested as he tried to leave the island on Aug. 5. Prosecutors have said they initially detained him because he gave inconsistent statements about Gardner's disappearance.

The prosecution has disclosed little of the evidence against Giordano but has said he was the beneficiary of a $1.5 million accidental death insurance policy he took out on her before their trip.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.