George Anthony's Alleged Mistress Testifies

The woman who claims she had an affair with George Anthony in 2008 speaks out and breaks down in the State v. Casey Anthony trial on Thursday.

Krystal Holloway, also known as River Cruz, said she was romantically involved with George at the time he was looking for his allegedly missing granddaughter, Caylee Anthony.

Holloway said she reached out to the Anthony family in their time of need at a command center, sometime in July or August of that year. Soon, she and George became close friends and even became intimate, while both were already involved in relationships.

She told the court that sometime in November of the year, George admitted that Caylee's death was an accident.

Casey Anthony is accused by the state of Florida for the murder of her daughter but her defense team maintain the 2-year-old died accidentally in the family's swimming pool, and her grandfather covered up the death by paying someone to dispose the body in the woods by their home.

"He said, 'It was an accident that snowballed out of control,' " as they sat the living room of her home, Holloway told Lead Defense Attorney Jose Baez under the direct examination.

Holloway explained that the conversation came up when she mentioned to George, "I didn't think he could raise somebody that is capable of harming a child," and that's when the discussion about an accident arose, she says.

She said she was "caught off guard" and at that moment is when she raised her head to look up at him and he was in tears.

As proof for existence of their relationship, Lead Defense Attorney Jose Baez had Holloway read a text message that George sent her on Dec. 16, 2008, that read, "Just thinking about you. I need you in my life."

In a previous testimony, George, who declared the affair did not happen, said he sent messages of that nature to many volunteers and people who provided support while his granddaughter was missing. He affirmed that during the time he knew her, he was just comforting her while she was battling a brain tumor.

Holloway said the affair ended the day of Caylee's memorial because he did not contact her or visit her as he promised. "I didn't think it was appropriate ... I was sleeping with him and he didn't contact me."

Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton told Holloway she failed to mention a series of other comments George made to her at that time that she denied she informed law enforcement of. Holloway provided the conversation in her deposition, therefore Ashton made her read the transcript of her sworn statement aloud to the jury. Holloway broke down on the stand and attempted to read the document while crying.

Holloway, who initially denied the relationship to law enforcement, told detectives on Feb. 17, 2010, that George also said, "I really believe it was an accident. It just went wrong and she tried to cover it up," referring to his daughter Casey.

Ashton told Holloway that George didn't express those comments as if he was there when the unexpected events occurred or that he knew the circumstances occurred, but that it was how he thought it happened. Holloway continuously disputed Ashton's argument saying, "He said it like he knew it."

But Ashton fought back with the statement, "George made it clear to you he had no first hand knowledge what happened to his granddaughter."

Holloway, choked up and in tears, replied, "Correct."

If convicted of the first-degree murder, Casey Anthony may be imposed to the death penalty. Judge Belvin Perry Jr. speculates the verdict will be announced on Monday.

(Photography by Red Huber)

Spectator at Casey Trial Held in Contempt

Matthew Bartlett, a spectator at the State v. Casey Anthony trial, was arrested on Thursday in the courtroom when being held in contempt of court.

Bartlett, 28, was seen extending his middle fingers, which he said was towards Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, while court was in session and the attorney was at the podium. Bartlett was demanded to step forward to the podium himself and in live-stream footage was scolded by Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr.

Perry raised a sign that is posted outside of the courtroom, entailing a rule of the court. The text read, "Any gesture, facial expression or audible comments showing approval or disapproval during a court proceeding is absolutely prohibited," and Bartlett admits to reading it and hearing a deputy announcing the same rules aloud.

Bartlett mostly remained quiet, but continuously apologized to the judge, describing his actions as "stupid." "I'm truly sorry for doing this," said Bartlett. "This is something stupid and I'm not sure why I even did it ... I don't understand why I did it."

The spectator explained Ashton did not do or say anything to provoke him to raise his fingers at him, nor did he look down on the prosecutor. "I don't think lowly of Mr. Ashton," explained the delinquent.

Judge Perry asked the gentlemen if the jury was in the room at the time, which he replied, "Yes," and was also asked if he knew the consequences if a juror would have seen his action.

Bartlett, who works as a server at T.G.I. Fridays at the Mall of Millenia, is forced pay a $400 fine and $223 in court fees. Perry explained to the 28-year-old that taxpayers have spent a lot of money to have the trial.

"Your actions may have jeopardized or could jeopardized all of the work that the attorneys have done in this particular case," asserted Judge Perry. Bartlett said he understood.

Karen Levey, Chief of Due Process, received the still photograph of the individual partaking in the indecent behavior, which was sent to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

She explained why the regulations are crucial and why all onlookers are to abide by in the courthouse. "It is critical that quiet and order be maintained at all times to ensure the litigant's rights to a fair and impartial proceeding," said Levey. "There shall be no gestures or facial expressions suggesting approval or disapproval during the proceedings."

Bartlett, who says he has never been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving honesty or moral turpitude, was found guilty of criminal contempt and charged with a misdemeanor and was sentenced to the Orange County jail for six days.



(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Defense Rests with No Testimony by Casey, State Begins Rebuttal Phase with 2 Witnesses

"Your honor, the defense will rest," said Lead Defense Attorney Jose Baez to Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. on Thursday in the trial of Casey Anthony, who then informed the judge that she would not be testifying, therefore calling their final witnesses.

The 25-year-old is accused by the state of Florida of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony, in the first degree, three years ago.

The defense claimed in their opening statements that the child drowned unexpectedly and found by her grandfather, George Anthony, who then covered it up by placing duct tape on the little girl's mouth and disposing her body in the woods.

The state is disputed this theory in their and declaring the duct tape as the murder weapon and was applied by the mother. Now, the assistant state attorneys have began their rebuttal phase.

The first witness they called up to the hot seat was Alina Burroughs, who also testified in the state's initial case. Burroughs is a crime scene technician at the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

One of the responsibilities she had in this case was to photograph the evidence at the Anthony family's home after a search warrant was issued. The photographs were submitted into evidence under the direct examination of Lead Prosecutor Linda Drane-Burdick, but the contents of the images were not published to the jury yet.

There was no cross examination by the defense team, therefore she left the stand being the first and last witness of the day in the state's rebuttal.

Three drawings illustrated by Dominic Casey, the private investigator who assisted the Anthonys in their granddaughter's search, were submitted into evidence. These drawings were testified to by Casey, previously in the defense's case and exhibit the crime scene area.

The assistant state attorneys also submitted into evidence documents testified to by another defense witness, Joe Jordan.

These items were not revealed to the jury but may be published further into the rebuttal. The most provocative of those items was the several-page suicide letter written by the victim's grandfather, George Anthony, who was not in the courtroom, nor was his wife - who the text was directed to - during the presentation of the note.

The contents of the letter included his the love he felt for his wife. "I love you, Cynthia Marie. I really do," he said on page three of the document. Also directed to his wife: "I hope you get to see Casey soon."

In addition, he explained to her why he wanted to take his life. "I want to hold her hand again, I miss her, I will always love us, I am sorry Cynthia Marie ... "

He concluded the letter with the statement, "Caylee here I come," and even addressed his son saying, "Lee, I'm sorry," and his daughter, "Casey - ."

The prosecution informed Judge Perry that there will be no more evidence to submitted and testimonies to provide. They expect to complete their rebuttal on Friday. Judge Perry estimates the final statements will be begin on Saturday morning, and by the afternoon, the deliberation should begin.

In order to assist the jury furthermore, Prosecutor Jeff Ashton suggested the court allow the grand jury, who was not in the courtroom at this time, to smell the evidence, in order to facilitate the contents of the case.

"This jury wants to smell the evidence," said Ashton, who explained two have already sniffed an exhibit. He proposed that the can which contains the air samples - which he said is a "big part" of the case - collected by investigators from the Pontiac Sunfire's trunk be passed around to each of the jurors.

Judge Perry asked Ashton what the jury would determine by perceiving the odor and said it would force the juror to convert into a witness. "Are you trying to make them witnesses?" asked Perry. Then concluded, "That particular piece of evidence will not go back to the jury," and denied the "smell tests" Ashton prompted.

Judge Perry also denied permission for Mike Vincent, of the Orange County Sheriff's Office to testify again, this time in the state's rebuttal.

The verdict is expected to be given by Monday, according to Judge Perry. If convicted, Casey may be subjected to the death sentence.

George Anthony Weeps on Stand, Explains Suicide Attempt Was to "Be With Caylee"

It was another emotional day full of tear-driven testimonies on Wednesday in the murder trial for Casey Marie Anthony, as her father takes takes the witness stand and expresses he tried to kill himself on Jan. 22, 2009 to "be with Caylee," his deceased granddaughter.

Caylee Marie Anthony was allegedly murdered by her mother, Casey, according the the state of Florida. The state claims the 25-year-old killed her daughter by - what they declare to be the murder weapon - duct tape placed on her nose and mouth. The remains of the 2-year-old were found in woods near the Anthony family's home on Dec. 11, 2008.

The defense argues the toddler drowned in the family's upper ground swimming pool and was found by her grandfather who they say is the mastermind behind the plot to place the dead body in the wooded area by instructing an Orange County meter-reader by the name of Roy Kronk to do the deed. The guilt, the defense demanded, is what led him to try to take his own life.

"I decided that was the time for me to get away from all this and spend time with Caylee," Mr. Anthony said under cross-examination, referring to the downward spiral his life turned into after he was informed of his granddaughter's what was thought to be a disappearance, but was later declared decease.

He explained how he felt when the news broke that the body parts were identified as Caylee's. "A deep hurt inside" which led to an "emotional breakdown" after witnessing what his wife and son, Lee Anthony, were experiencing, and that's when the victim's grandfather broke down on the stand and wept.

Chief Judge Belvin Perry asked George Anthony if he needed a break, and he replied, "I need to get through this," but a recess was called and George stepped down from the witness seat into his wife's arms. George and Cindy wrapped their arms around each other, gripping one another tightly.

While the jury was excused, the defense and prosecution battled it out over whether or not the suicide note should be submitted into evidence. The note entailed a litany of questions asking, "Why is she gone?" and "Who put the body there?" and of the such. Prosecutor Jeff Ashton said, "This man had no idea who killed Caylee Marie Anthony," a reversion from the defense's theory that Mr. Anthony found the little girl dead in the pool.

It was not submitted because Judge Perry wanted to review other cases similar to this to compare, but the testimony under cross-examination by George Anthony was accepted and reinstated in front of the jury. The testimony was initially to proffer after lead defense counsel Jose Baez objected for being beyond the scope.

In his attempt to take his life, George Anthony relocated to a hotel in Dayona Beach, Fla. with several different kinds of medications and a case of beer, leaving behind a suicide note to his wife, Cindy, and called many people to indirectly give his last goodbye.

George Anthony says that he "still has those feelings every once in a while" and added, "If it wasn't for law enforcement, I wouldn't be here today."

Prior to testimonies beginning, legal matters were discussed outside of the presence of the jury. Death penalty expert for the defense team, Attorney Ann Finnell disputed, via telephone, the motion she filed for a mistrial was valid for the case, as the defendant sat alone at her table waiting on her late counsels.

Finnell stated Anthony's death penalty stance should be reconsidered being that Florida ruled it as unconstitutional, which Finnell fights it the remedy for a mistrial. On the contrary, Ashton refuted it was necessary.

"The court will reserve ruling on the motion for mistrial ... at a subsequent date," Judge Perry replied to both sides.

The defense stated they will rest their case on Thursday. Perry expects deliberation to begin Sunday and the trial will conclude on Monday, but informed he was going to discuss it over with the jury and inquire what their decision is on the matter.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Meter-Reader Accused of Disposing Baby Remains Denies Allegations

Roy Kronk, a meter-reader for Orange County, testified in the State v. Casey Anthony trial on Tuesday and denied all allegations against him on disposing Caylee Marie Anthony's remains in the wooded area on Suburban Dr. and the many other accusations made against him after he discovered what ended up being the toddler's remains.

Casey, 25, is on trial for murder under the state of Florida's claims that she killed her 2-year-old, Caylee, by poisoning her with the toxic chemical chloroform or by suffocating her with duct tape to her nose and mouth.

Casey's defense team, with counsel Jose Baez, is refuting the state's allegations, and asserts the mother had nothing to do with the disposal of the little girl's body, however, suggest Kronk did after the toddler actually accidentally drowned in the Anthony family's upper ground swimming pool in 2008.

Kronk explained that he does not know the Casey nor her family, back in 2008 to today. On Aug. 11, 2008, he stopped in the woods to relieve himself when he was en route to meter read in the area of Hopesprings Dr., where the Anthonys live.

While in the woods, he noticed a white suspicious object on the ground that he informed two co-workers of what he believed to resemble a human skull. A dead rattle snake caught the employees' attention instead. After another phone call days later, two law enforcement officers eventually met with him on Aug. 13, 2008, and could not find anything.

Kronk described his finding as "shocking," and stated, "It was a very horrific thing to find."

Kronk said he was aware of the award for finding Caylee which amounted to $255,000 and knowing the media vans were right around the corner, he didn't feel the need to notify them.

Kronk also informed the jury that the telephone conversation his son said they had did not happen. Kronk's son said on Dec. 11, 2008, the day Caylee's remains were found at the crime scene, his father called him and said he was going to be famous.

"My son was mistaken by that phone call," said Kronk. "That phone call never happened."

Kronk admits there was a phone call but what he stated to his son was completely different. "I told him on Dec. 11 I found something," began Kronk, "and he would see me, on TV, for the first time since he was eight years old."

Also at the stand Tuesday were three witnesses whose testimony were only to proffer. Outside the earshot of the jury, Jesse Grund and two officers from Casey's dorm in the women's correctional facility testified.

The two officers described Casey as "pleasant" and said she was always happy and smiling. Grund explained Casey's allegations on the sex abuse by her brother.

"I felt uncomfortable with Lee when I first met him," Grund said, characterizing Lee as "standoffish" and strange around Casey and her daughter. Grund questioned Casey on Lee's behavior and she affirmed that Lee molested her.

All three of the testimonies were seen as irrelevant in this case by the court, Chief Judge Belvin Perry explained. Aside from these issues, Perry also said he'd handle the issues presented by defense attorney Ann Finnell and her motion for a death penalty stricken jury and trial, on Wednesday morning.

Another order was filed for a request by the state to add two more witnesses to their list. Don Platt and John Camperlengo are Cindy Anthony's employers. If motion is approved, they will be called by the state to testify. During a testimony on Thursday, Cindy claimed she made the questionable searches for chloroform in March 2008 and the state argued she was at work during the time the searches were made.

If convicted for the first-degree murder of her daughter, Casey Anthony may have to face the death penalty.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Experts Find Casey Competent, Defense Files Motion for Mistrial with Death Penalty Stricken

There was a tremendous amount of speculation on why court recessed just 45 minutes after its commencement on Saturday morning in the State v. Casey Anthony trial, and it seems as though neither of the theories presented by trial watchers, legal analysts and experts was not in the least bit in accordance with what really happened.

Upon arrival at Monday morning's day in court, once again, as seen on the previous court date, attorneys were in and out of the judge's chambers, then returned awaiting the arrival of Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. Finally, when Perry sat in his seat and court was in order, outside of the jury's presence, he cleared the air for all of the speculators and all that they have contemplated.

According to the judge, the defense filed a motion for competency to proceed for the defendant, Casey Marie Anthony, the 25-year-old accused of the 2008 first-degree murder of her daughter by the pernicious intoxication of the chemical, chloroform, and then allegedly sticking three pieces of duct tape to the 2-year-old's diminutive head, an explanation established by the state of Florida for why the child died.

Anthony was examined by three appointed psychologists, Dr. Daniel Tressler, who examined her Saturday afternoon; Dr. Harry McClarren from Quincy, Fla., who analyzed her on Saturday evening, and Dr. Ryan Hall, who did on Sunday.

No objections by the state or defense to allow stipulation for documents to not be released and remain under seal. Perry explained, as a result of the analysis made by the three doctors, Anthony was competent to proceed, and the court will file a motion as such, along with filing of emergency orders for the appointed experts.

Anthony was seen as competent to proceed by the court, therefore the court continued. After much hesitation, Dr. Kenneth Furton was called by the defense to approach the stand and was accepted to testify as an expert witness in the area of forensic chemistry.

After examination of items collected as evidence in the case, Furton explained to the 17 men and women of the jury that he would not come to the conclusion that the odor in Anthony's vehicle, the Pontiac Sunfire, composed solely from chloroform and a human body that has decomposed in the trunk.

"It's possible to be explained by a dead human body in the trunk of the car, plus additional chemicals from other materials," Furton said. Additional items, he explained, from the bag of trash found in the trunk, such as the salami package.

He added: "It's most likely a combination of things. It could be the consumer products reported ... As well as the decomposition, that is not necessarily a human event."

He claims the material found on the paper towel that was collected from the trunk of the vehicle contained fatty acids, which could be found in any item like milk and cheese. He also stated that the combination he referred to could have been that of household products and the gasoline present in the trunk which united into a mixture.

Also in Monday's segment of the trial, two private investigators who volunteered to help the grandparents find the victim, Caylee Marie Anthony, testified and stated they searched the wooded area where the child's remains were later found. George and Cindy Anthony received help by private citizens, James Hoover and Dominic Casey, during Caylee's suspected disappearance.

Casey asserted in his testimony that on Nov. 15 and the following day, in 2008, he searched the woods on Suburban Drive because a psychic instructed him to search that area for Caylee's remains. Although he said he did not do a thorough search the three times he visited the crime scene, he did not find any evidence that the girl's body was disposed there. Nearly a month later, Caylee's skull and bones were found on Dec. 11, which the prosecution is arguing Anthony disposed of.

If Anthony is convicted of the murder, the state is seeking the death sentence for her. Although, sources state that the Anthony's defense team have filed a motion for a mistrial, due to the recent ruling by the state of Florida that the death penalty is not constitutional, therefore have also requested a non-death penalty qualified jury. Ann Finnell, a renowned counsel on the defense has been absent throughout the trial but appeared on this day, and was said to have been the one to file the order.

A former criminal defense attorney of 22 years, Karin Moore, does not believe Perry will consider this new statute into the case against Casey Anthony. "It is not binding on this court in this case, but needed to be raised to preserve any future claim that Anthony may have if she receives the death penalty," said Moore, who is now an assistant law professor at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

At the conclusion of Monday's court proceeding, the defense stated they rested on their memorandum, as well as the case law. Lead Defense Attorney Jose Baez said in recent days, he expects the defense to rest their entire case by Thursday.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Defense Proving or Disproving Their Theory?

It's been over a week since the defense opened their case in the State v. Casey Anthony trial and their attempt to refute the state of Florida's allegations that Casey Marie Anthony murdered her daughter in the first degree in 2008, may be a complete failure, but to others, may be a total success.

The defense's theory in the case suggests that the 2-year-old victim, Caylee Marie Anthony, died by an accidental drowning, and was found by her grandfather, George Anthony, who turned to Meter-Reader Roy Kronk to dispose of the little girl's body, which was found on Dec. 11, 2008 in a wooded area near the Anthony family's home.

In opening statements, Lead Defense Attorney Jose Baez proposed that Casey is not guilty of murder, but guilty of not calling the police when her daughter allegedly drowned unexpectedly in the swimming pool. Baez argues that Casey was raised to lie and keep things hidden because when she was a child she was sexually abused by her father and brother, a secret, Baez claims, she was forced to conceal.

Defense Counsel Cheney Mason has stated that they don't have sufficient evidence to prove the toddler died in the swimming pool at the Anthony home, but that they have enough evidence to rebut the state's claims that Casey Anthony, 25, poisoned her daughter with chloroform then applied duct tape upon her nose and mouth.

We've seen defense testimony from countless forensic expert witnesses, as well as emotionally-driven testimonials from Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony, and brother, Lee Anthony.


(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Cindy Anthony was called to the stand on Thursday and dropped some new information. "I searched for chloroform," she admitted. She explained that she researched the term "chlorophyll" to determine why her dogs were getting sick when they went into the backyard, which in-turn led her to look up the questionable solvent in this case.

Cindy Anthony returned to the stand Friday, when she was presented with a series of photographs exhibiting her granddaughter in the family's pool. Cindy smiled, with tears forming in her eyes, as she remembered how much Caylee loved the pool and how she progressively accomplished climbing into the pool, by the detachable ladder, with very little help and just a gentle hand-support by Cindy. "At that time, she could climb into the pool herself," Cindy recalled.

Aphrodite Jones, host of "True Crime" aired on the Discovery Channel, says she does not believe Cindy Anthony is being truthful about the matter, but she does believe the defense is doing a great job arguing their case.

Jone said, the photos "are enough to get people thinking it's a possibility" and that the images "raise the possibility of an alternate scenario."

Jones also stated that Cindy Anthony's affirmation that she was the person to conduct the searches may be a way to cover up for her daughter, but may not be viewed as that in the juror's minds, but rather be sufficient enough to convince the jury. "It could be insulting the intelligence of the jury, on one hand, but if there's one or two jurors that wish to believe or choose to believe that she's not purging herself or that she's telling the truth, then you don't have premeditation. Then you've shot the essence of the prosecution's case," Jones said.

Baez has never tried a death penalty case before, which is a concern to some, but to few he is doing well with his first case.

Jones said she thinks Baez and his defense are being underestimated by trial watchers and legal analysts because she believes that although he is new to this type of case, he has what it takes to try one with his "passion, and the connectivity to his client" and even the jury.

"He's been methodical in the way that he has presented a potential of Caylee actually winding up in that pool," said Jones. "Showing us photographs to rely on the images that we see and then those images get ingrained in your head on a subconscious level."

The defense estimates their case to cease on Thursday, allowing the state to rebuttal, a stage they expect will take half a day, and then deliberation to begin in the following days. The state is enforcing the death sentence upon Casey Anthony if convicted.

No Testimonies, Early Recess

No witnesses called to the stand for testimony and no jurors were seated in Saturday's court proceeding in the State v. Casey Anthony trial, which was in recess at 9:45 a.m., several hours prior to expected end time.

The attorneys were in and out of the judge's chambers for a meeting, that sources say was sealed. The judge returned to his seat at the conclusion of the meeting and explained the court was in recess for legal issues related to Dr. Kenneth Furton, but "unrelated to the argument."

Following court proceedings, just outside of the Orange County courthouse, attorneys did not comment. An angry defense counsel, Cheney Mason yelled to the media and spectators to "Get back. Somebody's going to get hurt," when he dropped his belongings in the stampede of people who were awaiting the attorneys' exiting.

Prosecutor Jeff Ashton told reporters that he "Can't talk" about the situation, and was seen entering the state attorney's office with lawyer for the defense, Dorothy Sims, along with Furton, who was going into the office to give his deposition. Ashton stated that the deposition was in no relation to why court ended early, the only thing, he said, they could be "clear" about.

Court will be back in order at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. The defense expects to complete their case by Thursday. Casey Anthony is on trial for the alleged murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony, who prosecutors argue died from duct tape to her nose and mouth, applied by her own mother, in 2008. If convicted, the defendant may have to face a death sentence.

(Photograph by Nikki Namdar)

Anthony Family Share Tearful Testimonies

Lee Anthony was called to the stand by the defense on Friday and tearfully shared his testimony on how his family excluded him from the pregnancy of his sister, Casey Anthony, and that he wishes he were a better uncle.

"I was very angry at my mom. I was also angry at my sister. I mean, I was just angry at everyone, in general, that they didn't want to include me and didn't find it important enough to tell me, especially after I already asked. So I was very hurt," said Lee Anthony, as he broke down on the stand, as he explained why he "regretfully" didn't go to the hospital the day Caylee Anthony was born. His sister, Casey Anthony, on trial for murder, cried along with him.

The state of Florida opened the case against Casey Anthony, in 2008, on claims that she killed her 2-year-0ld daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony, by poisoning her with chloroform and applying duct tape to her nose and mouth then disposing the body in a wooded area near her home, which was found dismembered months later in Dec. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Casey Anthony.

Lee explained that he noticed Casey's pregnancy only a few months prior to Caylee's birth, when passing each other in a hallway of their home. "Excuse me, what the hell is that? And she kind waved me off," he recalled as he waved his hand in the air during his testimony.

Within the following two days of questioning his sister, he mentioned the matter to his mother, who Lee claims advised him to "just let it go," advice he said triggered him to be angry and not speak of it again until just a few days before his niece was born.

Under cross examination, prosecutor Jeff Ashton questioned Lee Anthony's motives at the time for why he did not want to be involved in Casey's pregnancy. Lee explained it was hidden from him and was told to "sit back and be nonjudgmental in the background" about Casey's having a baby out of wedlock.

"I hope that answers your question and explains why I wasn't a potential uncle, that I wish I was," Lee Anthony said, as he cried.

He explained that he was unaware of when the baby shower for Caylee was, and scorned that he was not invited. His parents, George and Cindy Anthony, stared at their son as he wept and listened closely to his statements.

Cindy Anthony testified for the second time that day, following her son's testimony, and explained, "None of the guys were present" at the baby shower.

Prior to this, her initial testimony Friday was also an emotional one. Lead defense attorney, Jose Baez, exhibited a series of photographs of her granddaughter climbing in and playing in the family's swimming pool, along with a picture of the shorts worn by Caylee the day she died and a home video of Casey playing with Caylee.

The photographs portraying the little girl in the pool display her step-by-step attempt up the ladder into the pool, with a life jacket and her grandmother's hands to her support. Cindy Anthony smiled with pride, as tears formed in her eyes, while she viewed her granddaughter's accomplishments and remembered how Caylee was "more anxious for the pool as she got older," she said.

Cindy told the jury that they went swimming everyday and after each time she unhinged the ladder from the upper-ground swimming pool and laid it on its side against the pool.

Cindy gave a litany of precautions regarding the pool that the family created when they had Caylee. "We taught Caylee she had to be with one of us when she went into the pool," she said. "We told told her we had to be with her and showed her why."

In opening statements, the defense refutes the state's claims that the victim died from poisoning by chloroform and the application of duct tape to the nose and mouth, by their theory that Caylee's death was by accidental drowning, a theory they say that have no substantial evidence for.

At the end of the day's presentation, Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. requested the defense's time frame for the conclusion of their case. "At this time, we believe Wednesday or Thursday. If we had to choose a date, it would be Thursday," Baez replied.

A legal matter was discussed outside the jury's presence, when the concern arose whether or not defense witness, William Rodriguez - who had a postponed testimony - would eventually take the stand. Rodriguez was scheduled to testify within the previous two weeks, but due to these matters, he was unable to. The counsels explained that Rodriguez's employer threatened termination if Rodriguez took the stand.

Several other defense witnesses await being called in the coming days, including familiar faces, OCSO Detective Yuri Melich and OCSO Crime Scene Investigator Geraldo Bloise. The trial is expected to last about two more weeks.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Mother of Alleged Baby-killer Admits to Conducting Chloroform Searches

"There were several searches I made that day," said Cindy Anthony, referring to March 17, 2008. The mother of Casey Anthony, the 25-year-old on trial for murder, testified Thursday that she was the person who conducted the internet searches for such things as "chloroform," not her daughter, Casey.

Cindy Anthony informed the jury that she initially searched for chlorophyll in an attempt to decipher what in her backyard was making her two dogs sick, which led to the search for bacteria and species of algae associated with chlorophyll.

"The smallest [dog] had some issues; she was extremely tired all the time ... I looked it up to see what in the backyard was causing the dog to be sleepy," she said.

She said she was notified of a scare over hand sanitizers, which prompted her to look up the ingredients in the antiseptic, a search which led to the other items, such as alcohol, acetone, peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Cindy Anthony stated she was fearful because these solvents were present in household products she used around her granddaughter, the 2-year-old victim, Caylee Marie Anthony.

Mrs. Anthony also claimed that she was the person who searched for the violent terminology, such as "injury," after she learned a good friend of hers was in an automobile accident. She asserted that she explored the items while on her desktop computer because she is not permitted to web browse while she works.

Under cross examination, lead prosecutor, Linda Drane-Burdick questioned Cindy Anthony's work schedule at that time. The searches were done between 1:43 p.m. until 1:55 p.m., Drane-Burdick informed her, then asked how she was able to do that if at work. "It's possible," Cindy Anthony replied. "If these searches were made, I know I took them."

"It's possible even if your work records reflect something else?" asked Drane-Burdick.

"Yes," Cindy Anthony replied.

Drane-Burdick recalled when law enforcement officers were called when Casey Anthony was suspected for check fraud, and that Cindy Anthony did not inform them that she was the one to search those words on the web. Cindy Anthony rebutted that she did tell the officers and that she in fact did tell Mrs. Drane-Burdick, as well, at the time of her deposition.

"You told me you searched for chlorophyll," argued Drane-Burdick. "You even spelled it for me." Drane-Burdick added that Cindy Anthony - during her deposition - denied searching for chloroform.

Cindy Anthony affirmed, "I looked up chloroform," and explicated that if you search for the term chloroform on the internet, the results moreover includes the directions on how to make it, which she said is why she visited the websites that executed the instructions. She said she doesn't recall typing into the search bar, "how to make chloroform."

Cindy Anthony denied searching for "self-defense," "neck breaking," and "how to make weapons out of household objects," but remembered a pop-up appeared for the website, YouTube, that portrayed a skateboarder and the text "neck breaking."

(Photography by Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

More Defense Witnesses Testify on Forensics

It was a half day on Wednesday in the State v. Casey Anthony trial, but was filled with many testimonies, mostly concerning the forensics in the case.

Maureen Bottrell, an FBI agent, was accepted as an expert witness for the defense, in the areas of geology and forensic science.

In order to link a suspect to the crime scene, Bottrell collected 22 pairs of shoes from the Anthony family's home, in 2008, to examine any rocks or minerals, such as soil, that may have been found on them. This geologic method compares the particles on the shoe, by color and texture, to indicate the location where it originated from.

She also obtained the debris from Casey Anthony's vehicle, as well as the shovel she borrowed from her neighbor, Brian Burner. Two samples were taken from the materials in the car, but Bottrell was unable to do a sufficient study due to the mixture of the remnants that could not be separated.

Bottrell concluded that the pairs of shoes were could not be compared or did not compare to the crime scene.

Many other witnesses testified, reiterating chloroform presence was found but in an extremely small amount. The state of Florida is accusing the 25-year-old of poisoning her 2-year-0ld daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony, with the solvent, then disposing the body in a wooded area near the Anthony family home. The state is seeking a death sentence for the defendant.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Judge Orders Frye Hearing to Question DNA

Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr., at the State v. Casey Anthony trial on Tuesday, set an order for a Frye hearing to discover whether or not DNA can be recovered from decomposition fluid.

Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton requested an exclusion. He stated that defense's expert witness in the area of touch DNA, Richard Eikelenbloom, does not provide evidence based on scientific research, nor has it been fully accepted in the scientific field, therefore is unable to render his opinion.

Defense Attorney Jose Baez explains to Judge Perry why it is necessary for the expert witness to state his opinion. "This is a very complex case, especially forensically," and rebuts to Ashton's argument.

Baez claimed FBI DNA examiner Heather Seubert discussed the issue when she testified on Thursday, but the Ashton refuted that the state never brought in DNA evidence from decomposition fluid.

Karin Moore, law professor at Florida A&M University and former criminal defender, said Baez caused the controversy when he called her up to the stand. "The burden will be on Baez to prove that DNA can be recovered from decomposition fluid, that the science and methodology are accepted in the scientific community and that the methodology was properly employed," said Moore.

The pair of shorts Caylee Marie Anthony was wearing the day she died and one of the bags found near her remains were both sent to a laboratory for investigation, but the defense did not request the duct tape or the carpet samples from the trunk of Casey's car be tested as well. According to his deposition, Eikelenbloom was unaware what items were tested and what the results were.

Still, Baez calls Eikelenbloom a "pioneer" in his profession and adds, "the type of trace recovery they have utilized" is the most important aspect, and is essential to this case.

He requested that the witness to limit his testimony to matters only involving DNA degradation.

Moore also stated that, "Perry acts as a 'gatekeeper' of new and novel scientific evidence. His job is to ensure that the evidence is relevant and reliable; not junk science."

Judge Perry granted the request by the state to prohibit the testimony and he instructed Baez to be prepared to provide to the state with a week's notice for the Frye hearing, which should be set for sometime in the coming weeks based on defense's choice of scheduling.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Athlete Recalls Day Ereck Plancher Died

Anthony Davis, a former University of Central Florida student and athlete on the football team, testified Monday, recalling the day his fellow player and close friend, Ereck Plancher died.

Plancher passed away on March 18, 2008 after a routine preseason workout. Doctors discovered Plancher had the symptoms of sickle cell trait, a blood disorder.

"We were close," Davis said. "Were were the newbies on the team ... We stuck it out. We were there for each other." Davis said from the moment they enrolled to the day Ereck died, they were inseparable.

Davis, 25, who said he and Ereck "pushed each other like brothers," described this practice as the most intense one he has done, having exceeding his expectations of a usual workout, with activities not mentioned to the team and that they never participated in before, such as one exercise labeled as the "Gauntlet."

He said Coach George O'Leary pressured the athletes that day, with no breaks, trainers or water provided. "He did say, 'I want the water out of here,' " Davis said.

"100% no slacking, no walking, no nothing," explained Davis, adding that the coach would "get on you" if violating the rules.

Ereck was collapsing, and his eyes were rolling in the back of his head, Davis recalled, a point where he tried to help him up, but O'Leary stopped him and scolded the athletes using profanity. "You all have to go through it," O'Leary allegedly yelled.

"He was angry at us, like we did something wrong," said Davis. "It caught us by surprise." But said he trudged on, to make it to the end "together as team."

He remembered Ereck continuing on. "He didn't mumble a word ... He stuck it out ... That's the type of individual Ereck was; he came in like that. He did everything instructed," he added.

Davis said to his surprise, because Ereck was usually the a fast player, he ended last in the activity, and at that moment all eyes were on Ereck, struggling to run across the field.

Once he finally made it, O'Leary screamed at him, calling him a "disgrace," questioning his lack of effort, and actually stated that he did not meet the standards for a scholarship. At that moments, Davis and fellow athletes helped Ereck lift his head up, and heard not a single word from him, and no help from the coach, who demanded for them to do jumping jacks.

"You can tell [Ereck] was out of it," said Davis. "He wasn't doing the full jumping jacks like he'd normally do ... That's when he fell." He described Ereck's arms to be "like jell-o" because of the lack of strength he had, and that's when Ereck Plancher collapsed for the final time.

Using profanity O'Leary instructed the players to get Ereck up and proceed with their day, and still no authority to his assistance. The athletes did as such, heading to the locker room, where they heard the ambulance, and at that moment, Davis led the team inti a prayer.

Later that day, Davis received a phone call from an athletic trainer advising him to go to the Nicholson Fieldhouse, where Coach O'Leary informed all of the players that Ereck Plancer had died.

He also added, "Nobody cares about you other than the people in this room ... He reassured us that we wouldn't hear of this again," but said he was eventually interviewed by an attorney while an unknown man by the name of Manny, Davis believed to be a good friend of O'Leary's, was in the room.

"He stood in the corner like he was a bodyguard like I better watch what I say or he will go back to Coach O'Leary," said Davis.

Coach O'Leary is expected to testify Thursday of this week.

In his testimony, Davis described Ereck as "humble," stating, "He did anything you asked from him ... Any parent or coach would want him ... He put himself last." He said that is was especially evident in the amount of people that attended the young man's funeral.

"He had moral standards ... well-mannered ... Someone you wanted your son or daughter to be around," he added, remembering his fellow athlete and good friend.

Early Recess, Additional Court Orders Filed

What seemed like it would be another typical day in the State v. Casey Anthony trial on Monday, ended on the contrary, just two mere hours after it even began, with the jury never setting foot in the Orange County courtroom.

Once the clock struck 9 a.m., Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton requested defense's first witness, William Rodriguez, postpone his testimony to a later time, due to his deposition being taken on Saturday afternoon, which Ashton said left him with little time to prepare his cross examination.

Defense attorney, Jose Baez, stepped up to the podium to rebut Ashton's request, stating he "ignored the responsibilities of a prosecutor" and that his actions were intentional because he did have the time to conduct his questions.

Once the attorneys concluded their arguments, Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. expressed that prosecution and counsel were wasting time and informed them that the jurors were waiting for an hour. Perry created new policy, that whatever matters needed to be discussed would be done so at 8:30 a.m., allowing the trial to begin at its normal hour.

Perry also demanded that Saturday, and perhaps all Saturdays, will transition to full days, therefore instructed the defense to prepare their witnesses.

The judge ordered that the defense must provide written report to the state with all expressed opinions and grounds explaining the basis of those thoughts. "Orders are quite clear to me," said Perry. "This court doesn't make threats; this court simply applies rules."

Perry also added: "There's been gamesmanship and it's quite evident there is friction between the attorneys. That is something I guess the Florida Bar will have to deal with. And at the conclusion of this trial, this court will deal with the violations," which he says the proper remedy for the violations if continued is exclusion.

He concluded, "The state's request to defer testimony will be granted."

Baez informed the chief judge that the counsel's witness would not be ready for another 30 minutes to an hour, which allowed for a brief recess. At the return time Perry allocated, he did not return. All the attorneys went in and out of the chambers for a long period of time. Finally, Perry returned stating the court will be in recess until the following morning, providing no explanation.

The court released a motion to quash subpoena, as well as an amended barring the release of the seated juror's names, signed by Perry.

The motion to quash was filed by Vasco Thompson, the individual Casey's father, George Anthony made several phone calls to in July 2008. He filed the motion to prevent himself from being a witness in the defense's case, a testimony which was set for June 21.

In Thompson's motion, he claims he has no personal knowledge of facts relating to the disappearance of Caylee Marie Anthony, nor does he have any affiliation with the Anthony family.

He believes Casey's reason for for his inclusion in her case is a "misguided attempt to draw attention and publicity to an already publicized matter," and to "create confusion to the evidence and a ploy to create an illusion of unreasonable doubt," according to the document.

Thompson refers to this as "bad faith" by the defendant and requests no further contact from the defense counsel.

The amendment to bar the juror's names was also filed, over a month after the original was filed on May 13, 2011.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Defense May Be Subject to Contempt of Court

Dr. William Rodriguez III was the first witness to testify on Saturday in the State v. Casey Anthony trial, but left within minutes when he shared his opinions to the jury that were not disclosed to the prosecution or in his report, but only to the Casey's defense, which Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. said he specifically created the court order to allow the counsels to prepare for examinations.

Without the jury present, Judge Perry rebuked defense attorney, Jose Baez, as well as the assistant state attorneys, naming them "game players," and reassured them, "This is not a game. Both sides engaged in what I call 'game playing' and this is not a game."

Baez argued, "If this is an issue so concerned by the state as to make sure that they know everything that this witness may or may not testify to, they should exercise what they have to, what tools are given to them and take the depositions and do the work."

Judge Perry replied, "What you're basically saying, sir, is that you can pick which court orders you comply with and which court orders you don't comply with, and that's not going to happen here."

Casey shed tears when Perry said the question is whether or not Casey will be punished as a result of the matter, and be subject to contempt of court. "It appeared to me this was quite intentional," said Perry. "This was not some inadvertent slip. This was not some sub-issue f a major issue."

Perry excused Rodriguez, stated that they will conclude the presentation at 1 p.m. for the witness to provide a deposition. Perry also informed the lawyers that because of this the half days on Saturdays may have to be extended to 6 p.m.

Perry also recalled a time when he was a prosecutor and he found himself "on a boat without a paddle" therefore allowing the opportunity to prepare the deposition so the defendant isn't struck with any surprises, and prosecution can put together their cross examinations. He added that it would be unfair to Casey to have this witness' testimony excluded from the case.

The decision to proceed with contempt will be reserved by the judge until the conclusion of the trial. Perry concluded his speech with a warning to Baez: "Lightning does not strike twice in the same place."

Dr. Rodriguez is to reinstate his testimony sometime next week.

(Photo credit: Casey consoles Baez after he was reprimanded by Judge Perry. Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Expert Claims Dr. G Did Shoddy Autopsy, Says Duct Tape Placed After Decomposition

Renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Werner Spitz, was the defense's expert witness in the State v. Casey Anthony trial on Saturday, and said Dr. Jan Garavaglia's autopsy on Caylee Anthony was shoddy and a complete failure.

Spitz received his medical degree in 1953 and has examined over 60,000 bodies throughout his 56 years of practicing forensic pathology, and has received countless awards in the duration of his career. He has written four textbooks and published 14 articles.

He explained that he believes a body should be examined by two people of the same specialty in order to share thoughts and ideas, therefore he requested to study the body with Dr. G, but was denied, but conducted a second autopsy of the child.

"I came here to Orlando, equipped with all kinds of equipment to perform autopsy ... I thought it was complete," Spitz said. "But when I came, it was not complete."

He realized one crucial step in the examination was not done, which according to him violated protocol; the opening of the skull to study the interior of the head, which he said to assistant state attorney, Jeff Ashton, during cross examination: "To not open the head is a failure, a failure of the autopsy ... What else was not examined?"

To explain the process, he brought an actual human skull from an adult, with the top removed, to show the jury, and displayed enlarged matted photographs of Caylee's cranium, stating the brain had dissolved, but the nutrients, such as iron and magnesium, remain. He scraped some of the residue in the skull to send to a laboratory for testing.

"The cause of death remains unknown to the first, for me to some extent as well," he said, stating four main causes of any death are: suicide, homicide, natural causes, and accident, which the last one, he said he would definitely not rule out. "You can rule out certain causes of death ... She could have died of certain conditions that at this point we can't determine."

But Spitz does imply that that the duct tape was not the cause of death, because he believes it was placed on the little girl's mouth after decomposition, stating defense attorney Cheney Mason during direct examination that he thinks it was placed there to keep the jaw in tact.

"When the duct tape was applied to the skin, the skin decomposes, the duct tape just doesn't go anywhere," said Dr. Spitz. "The duct tape becomes loose on the skeletal structure, in this case, the face. There was nothing on the bone that would suggest duct tape. There was nothing on the duct tape that would suggest skin either ... It is my strong feeling and opinion that this duct tape was perhaps placed there to hold the lower jaw in place."

He told the jury that he would have expected to see DNA on the sticky, adhesive side of the tape because of the firm connection between the two, that was allegedly stuck to the child's face.

Mason: It is your opinion, sir, that the duct tape was not put on the face before decomposition or anti-mortem?

Spitz: No, it was not. I think the duct tape was a later, later event, not an early event.

Mason: After decomposition?

Spitz: After decomposition.

In cross, Ashton argued that Dr. G had more knowledge of this case than Dr. Spitz, but Spitz rebutted, stating he knew everything there needed to be known, specifically that the Anthonys had a pool in the backyard of their home, which he says, "creates the possibility of drowning," and also expressed, "She was a healthy, young 3-year-old."

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Dr. Huntington: No Dead Body in Casey's Trunk

Dr. Timothy Huntington said there is no reason to suspect there was a dead body in the trunk of Casey Marie Anthony's Pontiac Sunfire when he testified Friday at the Florida State v. Casey Anthony trial.

The 25-year-old is accused of murdering her 2-year-old and storing the little girl's corpse in her trunk, then disposing of it in the woods, but Huntington, an entomologist told the jury that because of numerous factors, including the presence of the blow flies in the trunk and the bag of trash, he doesn't believe there was a body decomposing back there.

The bag of trash contained soda and beer cans with remnants of tobacco spit. "Tobacco spit, that is a body fluid," said Huntington. "There flies are very attracted to that sort of material ... Tobacco spit was the primary attraction."

He also said that the one leg of a fly found on a paper towel collected from the bag creates no significance to this case and that it lacks forensic value. "One leg of a blow fly doesn't mean anything," especially in a bag of trash, he said, then added that one could most likely be found in the courtroom.

There was a small amount of flies, compared the hundreds he has seen in his studies. "There was not a whole bunch of them to indicate something was decomposing."

Huntington explained that he conducted an experiment where he stored a dead pig in the trunk of a car.

Throughout direct examination, assistant state attorney Jeff Ashton continuously objected defense attorney Jose Baez's questioning, mostly for bloistering, and repeatedly objected the witness, interrupting his testimony to say he has no experience to testify about certain areas.

Ashton provided a brutal cross examination with Huntington, as he discredited and some would say, ganged up on him. Prosecution claimed the doctor was not expert enough to testify about specific matters, such as the pig in the trunk is not consistent with a toddler wrapped in a blanket and shoved in a bag.

The single testimony took the entire day, allowing no room for any of other witnesses to testify.

The defense's case continues into its third day on Saturday, with more witnesses taking the stand and people wondering if Casey is next in line to do so. If found guilty, she may have to face a death sentence.

(Photography by Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

Dr. Casa: Plancher Not Properly Cared For

Dr. Douglas Casa, athletic trainer and expert at the University of Connecticut, said after interviewing the athletes and coaches, he learned that Ereck Plancher was mistreated by the staff employed at University of Central Florida's Athletic Association.

"Ereck Plancher was not cared for properly, he was not cared for quickly enough," Dr. Casa told the jury at the Plancher v. UCFAA trial Friday.

Ereck Plancher's parents, Gisele and Enock Plancher, filed a lawsuit against the school's association for negligence, a year after his March 18, 2008 death, when he collapsed at the Nicholson Fieldhouse during a football practice, which now doctors are stating Ereck Plancher was a victim of the medical condition, sickle cell trait.

Casa claims Ereck Plancher was never notified of his illness, which he describes as "unreasonable."

"If someone was tested, the athlete deserves to know the results of their tests," said Casa. "I would fully expect that person, the athlete in this case, to be informed of the status, whether it should be positive or negative."

He said the only person with any knowledge of the 19-year-old's condition was the coach, George O'Leary, but that he even was not aware of what it actually was. "I was never under the impression of any coaches aware of the symptoms associated with sickle cell," said Casa, adding O'Leary only new of one symptom, which was fatigue. Casa said he believed the coaches grew some basic knowledge two years later during their depositions.

The doctor told the people of the court that there were some underlying issues at the UCFAA, including the fact that the organization was extremely understaffed at the time, with only six full-time athletic trainers for a total of 15 varsity sports and approximately 400 to 500 athletes.

"You could ratio athlete vs. athletic trainer, but it's certainly well below the standard that you would see at the division ... in terms of appropriate medical staff," Dr. Casa said.

Casa said no one knows for sure how many players were at the Fieldhouse that day, but he said because of that time of the years, he guesstimated approximately 80.

Another issue he references is the daily rotation of supervisors among the staff does not comply with policy and procedures. He explains having two primary bosses causes conflict because, "They might implement those policies and procedures very differently ... Especially in light of the fact that you didn't have a team physician. That just creates chaos." He adds that because these issues, it is evident that UCFAA did not design the sports medical program in the proper way.

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

Plancher Trial Doctor: Ereck Died of Sickle Cell

Jurors have been selected in the Plancher v. UCFAA case, allowing the trial to begin in an Orange County courtroom on Thursday.

Gisele and Enock Plancher filed a lawsuit in March 2009 against the University of Central Florida's Athletic Association for the wrongful death of their 19-year-old son, Ereck Plancher, who collapsed in the arms of fellow players and died on the football field a year prior.

The parents of the deceased leaned closely to each other amid the frank circumstances, watching and listening - along with the eight men and women selected for jury duty - to the prosecution's witness, Dr. Barry Maron.

In his testimony, he told the jury that the complications of Ereck Plancher's medical condition was consistent with sickle cell trait.

Maron explained, as he was cross-examined by UCF's defense attorney, Don Shapiro, how quickly Ereck Plancher died. "It would have been instantaneous," the doctor said. "Or a very brief time after." Maron is a cardiologist at the Minnesota Heart Institute Foundation and says the screening of the disease is in its early stages and certain studies have not been conducted yet.

In the duration of practice on March 18, 2008, the players had their first workout of the year, which ended up being Ereck Plancher's final one. They ran about 500 to 600 yards and were not wearing any head gear.

Shapiro argued that this was not the teenager's first workout ever, that he has done it "multiple, multiple, multiple times in the past."

Prosecution approached the podium for re-direct, questioning if it was typical for a 19-year-old to suffer from a cardiovascular disorder and that's when Shapiro objected, cutting his opposition off, stating that it was not a proper question.

Judge Robert M. Evans, at that moment, ended the court proceeding, excused the jury and reminded the attorneys, Yerrid and Shapiro, that they only had until 5 p.m. sharp each day. "I don't think you two use your time wisely," Evans said.

Evans explained that they don't have the budget for an elongated trial, therefore the judge demanded that it will not exceed three weeks and each the prosecution and defense have been allocated five and a half days for each case.

Following court that day, the Plancher's attorney, Yerrid declined to comment, saying for personal reasons, "it's best we try this case in the courtroom."

More witnesses to testify the following day at 8:30 a.m.

Weak First Day for Casey Anthony's Defense

June 16, 2008 was the last day 2-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony was known to be alive. Now, three years later, the fight for her justice still continues.

The defense opened their case on Thursday, the same date of the day of suspect, in the Florida State v. Casey Anthony, the 25-year-old mother accused of murdering her daughter in the degree, then disposing the body just blocks away from the Anthony family home.

The defense struck the jury with anything but a bang when they called their first seven witnesses to the stand for short direct examinations and a few with no cross examination.

Shawn Chaisson said that Defense Attorney Jose Baez "blew it." Chaisson was a volunteer for the missing children organization Equisearch, who searched for the toddler when she was reported missing, and attended the child's memorial service, as well as eight days of the trial thus far.

"People wanted shock and awe," said Chaisson. "Everyone was so excited ... He should have put his best foot forward ... There should have been fireworks ...Everyone walked out of there like, 'Are you kidding me?' "

Baez filled the jury's ears and minds with more forensic and crime scene evidence from the experts from the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, some of which had familiar faces, but contradicting information.

"It's inappropriate that the defense brought in FBI experts with different results than the state," said Susan Constantine, jury consultant and body language expert.

Heather Seubert, the unit chief in the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, said she conducted visual examinations of Casey's clothes and trunk for any traces of blood stains, all of which came out negative.


(Photography Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

Defense's Motion for JOA Denied by Court

The Florida state resting their case against Casey Anthony on Wednesday, and the defense fought back by requesting a motion for judgment of acquittal the following day, outside of the jury's presence.

Judge Perry excused the the 17 men and women early on in the day because of the legal matters, that's when attorney on the defense counsel, Cheney Mason argued that the state provided insufficient evidence that did not supply the jury with any proof that suggests premeditated murder, because the circumstances must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

"There is no evidence when the child died ... Where she died, how she died, who, if anyone, was in attendance when she died," Mason said. "They have failed wholly to rebut the reason or the hypothesis of innocence that there was accidental death and inappropriate efforts by those unidentified as of yet to cover up the accidental death."

He stated there was "stacking of inferences, stacking of speculation," particularly made by the forensic experts who testified.

He referred to several other cases, including Donald Lewis Smith v. the State of Florida and David J. Brooks v. the State of Florida, to support his argument.

Mason went on to explain, "There is nothing but a caring, loving mother-daughter relationship."

Mason also argued that there the heart-shaped emblem had no relation to this crime case specifically and that in FBI forensic examiner Elizabeth Fontaine's testimony, the proper actions were not taken when when the outline of the heart was present on the duct tape. "She observed the image of the heart ... But somehow, poof, they couldn't photograph it," he said.

He explained that the only person the duct tape leads back to is the victim's grandfather, George Anthony, who placed a piece on a gasoline can stored in his shed.

Judge Perry stopped Mason and questioned, "What record evidence is there for an accidental drowning?"

"As of this point, there is no record evidence of the accidental drowning," Mason replied, and adds that the state's case is only based on, "maybes," "could be's," and "might haves."

He concluded that there was no history found of any aggravated child abuse or negligence.

Assistant State Attorney Linda Drane Burdick retaliated when she one-by-one went down the list of cases Mason was referring to, and why they were each inadequate to support the defense's motion, as well as the other points Mason was trying to make.

"It is our position that a reasonable jury in this case can conclude that Caylee Marie Anthony died as a result of the application of three pieces of duct tape to her nose and mouth ... that Caylee Marie Anthony died as a result of poisoning by chloroform ... that Caylee Marie Anthony died as a result of a combination of the two," Drane Burdick said, based on the evidence in the trunk of the car and how the child's remains were discovered.

The prosecutor also suggested the relationship between the defendant and her mother was a motive for the homicide, as well as the computer searches.

"Miss Anthony began the preparation for the elimination of the child as early as March 2008," the prosecutor said, "when she conducted computer searches for how to make chloroform and other means of weapons and how to create injury."

Mason made another attempt to refute stating there was no evidence of poison by chloroform, nor did the duct tape get wrapped around the victim's head, but that the only use of duct tape was utilized by Casey's father when placed on a gasoline can in question. According to Mason, this claim about the duct tape was "bogus," and the state's accusations are "forcing, guessing and speculation."

After hearing the defense's motion for judgment of acquittal and the state's disagreement with the motion, Judge Perry explained that the defendant is eligible to be charged with both aggravated child abuse and felony murder despite the amount of abusive acts that caused the 2-year-old's death.

"In this particular case, there is more than a single act," Perry said. "Those acts consist of duct taping the nose, the mouth; the presence of chloroform in the trunk coupled with the fact that there is evidence that the child was placed in a trash bag and other container. And the statements introduced into evidence that even during this time period, Ms. Anthony, through statements that she made that the child was alive, during various segments of this time."

Perry said that after reviewing and considering all of the statements, the judgment of acquittal was denied due to the fact that the court believes the state of Florida provided substantial and competent evidence in their case against the 25-year-old, and the evidence will be deliberated upon by the jury, who will make the decision on whether or not Casey murdered her daughter.

"There is no evidence that directly links her to the death of the child," said Karin L. Moore. "Just because she's a liar doesn't' mean she murdered the child. However, all inferences must be resolved in favor of the state. The 84 chloroform searches hurt [the defense." Moore is an assistant professor of law at the Florida Agricultural and Medical University in Orlando.

The defense counsel will begin their case against state on Thursday to prevent Casey Anthony from potentially facing a death sentence for the murder of her daughter.

(Photography by Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

State Rests Case Against Casey Anthony, Defense to Begin Their Case Thursday

Florida state concluded their case against Casey Marie Anthony on Tuesday, calling their final four witnesses to the stand for the last testimonies.

The state accused the 25-year-old of first-degree murder upon her 2-year-old daughter and dumping the corpse in the woods near her home in 2008. The defense, who claims the child, Caylee Marie Anthony, accidentally drowned, is expected to start their case on Thursday, which according to Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., may take only a week.

Anthony's mother, Cindy Anthony, was called to the stand once again to testify about the hair types in the Anthony family to fight that the hair found in the vehicle's trunk did not belong to anyone but Caylee. Cindy said she usually dyes her hair, but her daughter didn't regularly change her hair style until after she had Caylee.

Susan Constantine said this was "brilliant." Constantine is a body language expert as seen on CNN. "It's down to hair color," she said. "Virgin hair versus chemical-induced hair."

Also on the list of witnesses for day 18 was Alina Burroughs, a crime scene investigator for Orange County, said when she searched the Anthony's home for evidence, she found heart-shaped stickers that resembled what would have been left on the duct tape in order to create the imprint of the shape by sticky residue.

Constantine commented: "That's really huge because now they are tying in the sticker."

The state's last witness was Bobby Williams, a tattoo artist who has known Anthony for about seven years. During direct examination, Williams told Prosecutor Frank George that Anthony went into the tattoo shop on July 2, 2008 to make an appointment to get a tattoo, "Bella Vita in a feminine type font," surrounded by three stars.

"Bella Vita" translates from Italian to English as "Beautiful Life." Jose Baez, defense attorney, argued in cross examination that people get tattoos in honor of loved ones who have passed.

Once Williams competed his testimony, Jeff Ashton, prosecutor who direct examined Williams, said the state rested their case.

Judge Jeanine Pirro from Fox News said the state did a good job trying to prove their case. "They did the best job they could with all the evidence they have," said Pirro.

Some have argued that because this is trial based only on circumstantial evidence, the death penalty should not be on the table, but Pirro says, "Most murders are circumstantial evidence. There will be no smoking gun in child homicide."

With the lack of clear evidence, that leaves the jury to put all of the facts and evidence together to decide if Casey is guilty of murdering the little girl or if it really was just an accident, but before they make their decision, the defense still needs to provide their case.

Karin Moore, a former criminal attorney turned law professor, said she wants to see what the defense has in store. "They defense made such strong allegations in their opening statements that the jury is going to want the defense to prove that." Allegations, she said, such as the sexual abuse and George Anthony, the defendant's father, being the one to put the duct tape over his granddaughter's mouth. "The defense practically assumed the burden of proof," Moore added.

The defense is set to begin their case on Thursday at 9 a.m.

(Photography Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

Judge Perry: Prosecution to end case by Wednesday, Are Ahead of Schedule

"The state may wrap their presentation tomorrow afternoon or sometime by noon on Wednesday. We have anticipated the defense start on Thursday ... So far, we are ahead of schedule," Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., explained to the jurors, defense attorneys and prosecutors, on Monday, as he called the court to recess at 12 p.m. Court ended early due to the prosecution's next, and perhaps, last witness, unable to make it until Wednesday at 1 p.m., which is when court will return from recess.

Prior to the early release, Monday's testimony was by forensic experts working for the FBI, Stephen Shaw and Elizabeth Fontaine. They explained what they discovered from analyzing the hairs found in the trunk of the vehicle belonging to Anthony, 25, and the strands found at the crime scene, the woods on Suburban Dr. in Orlando, where Anthony is accused of dumping her 2-year-old's body after she allegedly murdering her.

Shaw, FBI's fiber examiner of six years, was submitted as an expert witness in fiber identification. "I examined the hairs from the hair mass microscopically," Shaw said, explaining the process, then added that the hairs found in the car's trunk showed that the person it belonged to was in the later stage of apparent decomposition.

He said although it is consistent with hairs from decomposition, there's no way to know for sure, because it cannot be said that signs of post-mortem banding in hairs only comes from the deceased. He experimented by placing hairs not from decomposition in a trunk, but did not get the same results.

To help the jury understand, Shaw brought in a slide of photographs from a study he did on hairs in various situations. The defense objected the viewing of this slide because it was not brought to their attention until that morning.

The defense renewed their motion for objection, after viewing the slide, stating it presented unfair prejudice. The jury was excused for a few minutes for the attorneys to discuss the matter with the judge, who eventually sustained the objection, because the defense did not receive it.

In recross examination with defense attorney, Jose Baez, Shaw was asked if environmental effects can influence false identification, but Shaw replied, "only without proper training, there is that possibility."

Fontaine, who has been a physical and forensic scientist with the FBI for over four years, said she received three pieces of duct tape, which were six to eight inches in length and were found at the crime scene. "The glue was almost gone and the duct tape was no longer sticky," she said to the jury, answering Prosecutor Jeff Ashton's question in direct examination.

Fontaine, who explained her job was to examine fingerprints and compare them to FBI's fingerprint database, told Ashton and the jury that there were no latent fingerprints on any of the items investigated, but there was something else she discovered in relation to the tape. "An outline of a heart appeared on one of the corners of the duct tape," said Fontaine.

She said that at that time she did not think of it as being important, but notated it anyway and informed the proper people. But she did a second thorough examination, explaining the step-by-step search for fingerprints, and concluded: "At that time, it was no longer visible on the duct tape."

Susan Constantine, body language expert and jury consultant, as seen on CNN, said this witness' testimony is beneficial to the defense because at the times Fontaine said no fingerprints were found and the imprint of the heart vanished, seven of the jurors actually took notes.

"Right when the expert said there were no fingerprints on the duct tape, they all noted that," all of the seven, Constantine explained. "They are putting the forensic evidence together into a story."

A story that will help the 12 jurors who have to vote determine if Anthony will seek death or be acquitted for the alleged murder of her little girl three years ago.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Bug Expert at Casey Anthony Trial: most intensive scene ever investigated

An expert witness was called to the stand by the prosecution in the State v. Casey Anthony trial testified Saturday about the insects found in the trunk of Anthony's car and at the crime scene.

Dr. Neil Haskell's area of expertise is forensic entomology and said there were hundreds of tiny foreign flies that contained larvae, which are commonly found surrounding decomposition, and that the body would have been stored in the vehicle for a few days and in the woods for many months. Maggots were also found by the remains, which were presented to the jury in evidence.

The bugs were also noticed in the trash bags and on the paper towels inside it. The paper towels also included a liquid.

"It was a good possibility that there was larvae because of decomposition fluid," said Haskell. "[It was] a breakdown of fluids found in decomposition."

He explained to the jury that decomposition begins and progresses through several stages as tissues in the body change. He said because of the heat in Florida that year and the progress of decay, the source of the fluid could not have been in there for that long; he estimated 2-4 days.

But because of the certain type of flies found at the crime scene, around the remains, called megaselia scalaris, the body was out there for longer than just a few days. "I have no question that body had been out there for many, many months, based on the recovery," said Haskell. He said he believed it was there since June or July, several months before it was found on Dec. 11, 2008.

Haskell said after 30 years of experience, this was the "most intensive scene of processing I have ever seen."

If found guilty of first-degree murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony, and disposing of the body in the woods, Casey, 25, could face the death penalty.

(Photography by Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

Big Day for Prosecution in Casey Trial as Chief Medical Examiner Calls Child's Death Homicide

Dr. Jan Garavaglia testified at the State vs. Casey Anthony trial on Friday and stated there were many "red flags" and much "foul play" to indicate that Caylee Marie Anthony's death was not an accident, but in fact a homicide.

Casey Anthony, 25, is accused of murder in the first degree upon her child in 2008. If found guilty by the jury, Anthony may have to face a death sentence.

Garavaglia, the chief medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties, said during direct examination that it was in fact a murder because of three reasons: 1) the death was not reported to authorities, 2) the body was in a container, and 3) the body hidden.

She explained because of the "preponderance of evidence ... there was no other logical conclusion could be found. [A person] who has a legal, ethical obligation to care for a child, not reporting that child missing, the fact it's tossed in a field to rot in a bag, is a clear a indication the body was trying to be hidden."

During cross examination, Defense Attorney Cheney Mason asked the doctor, "You're saying circumstantial evidence to you says it probably was a homicide?"

"Not probably," replied Dr. Garavaglia. "I think that is the only logical conclusion based scientifically on some of the scientific information we have, based on observational information we have on homicide and children dying."

She told Mason that based on her studies on children and accidental death, specifically by drowning, that 100% of the time, the unexpected incident is reported because there's the chance that the child could survive. "No matter how stiff that body is," the examiner explained, "they always call 911 in hopes that the child could be saved."

She also added the duct tape, "There is no child that should have duct tape on their face when they die or after they die."

Garavaglia said there was enough evidence to classify this as a murder, but no cause of death was ever found, therefore she claimed it as homicide by undetermined means.

But during the trial, after a bench-approach, the judge, Belvin Perry, Jr., instructed the jury to step out - but for no set time - in order for a matter to be discussed; that matter being the state proposing that duct tape could be the murder weapon in this case.

Karin Moore, a law professor at a Florida college, said Dr. Garavaglia's diagnosis was an opinion based on the manner of death. "She could not say the child died of asphyxiation," said Moore, who was a defense attorney for 22 years. "What she looked to was the manner of death ... She ruled out accident, and on what basis? I don't know."

A video by Forensic Anthropologist Michael Warren presents a photograph of the accused mother and her 2-year-old daughter, but what makes this photograph different is there is a picture of the toddler's skull superimposed with duct tape around the mouth of the once-smiling little girl. Casey stared blankly, her eyes frozen onto the screen as she watched her daughter's face disintegrate.

Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton explains the the purpose of this video is to indicate "whether the tape is the murder weapon, and in this case it is."

Doctor Warren explained to Baez during cross examination that the video was "to illustrate the width of the tape could cover the nose and the portal to the mouth."

Defense Attorney Jose Baez described the presentation a "disgusting fantasy" that is not supported by anything that can be testified. He suggests that it may cause confusion on each of the jurors, and would be misleading. The jury was brought back in and viewed the video, but showed no reaction.

The doctors in this case also told the jury that there was no trauma to the bones found an the body was so decomposed that they were unable to identify if there was any trauma to the child at all prior to death. The only disruption to the bones was carnivore damage. Casey cried and put her head down when the doctors revealed that animals in the woods chewed on Caylee's remains.

Susan Constantine, body language expert and jury consultant, as seen on CNN, says Casey showed a lot of body gestures that indicated fear, worry, and for the first time, empathy. As the doctors continued to characterize the crime scene, Casey placed a tissue up to her nose.

"She was having a recall of the odor," from when she experienced it three years ago, Constantine said.

When the jury left for the final recess for the day, Baez requested a motion for a mistrial for unprecedented evidence, saying he believed the video was based on "possibility," which is what Warren referred to it as. Ashton added, "The duct tape was sufficient to be the murder weapon essentially." Judge Perry denied the motion.

(Photography by Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel)