The first week of trial -- what a week! Allegations of abuse; testimony about Casey's behavior and demeanor; videotapes of Casey shopping with other people's money; testimony about the God-awful stench from Casey's car; George Anthony coming under attack; Cindy seemingly overcoming her longstanding animus for the state and LE; Casey pitching a fit, and so much more. Let's take a closer look.
Real Abuse or "Hail Mary" Defense?
Jose Baez has made horrific, disgusting allegations about George Anthony, both flat-out in his opening statement and by insinuation/inference in cross-examining witnesses. As I said earlier on, if he is going to claim incestuous sexual abuse as an excuse for his client's behavior, he'd better sell the hell out of it to the jury. If they don't believe this abuse story, they will also not believe Caylee drowned in an accident.
Baez has admitted to all the world that his client is a pathological liar, and testimony has borne that out. She lied about her job, the nanny, and so many incidental, unimportant things. Baez said she was "raised to lie." So if she lies about everything, why should anyone believe the abuse allegations?
The allegations and lies are something I feel Casey's used for attention and sympathy for years, whipping them out whenever she feels it might benefit her to do so. If I recall correctly, Lazzaro testified that the timing of Anthony's telling him about the abuse was right around his trip to NY. Another witness testified that she overheard a phone call Casey made to Lazzaro in which she was angry, telling him she didn't want him to go, etc. So, consider the timing of her "revelations" of abuse to others as well.
When Baez made a proffer to the court of Lazzaro's testimony (put him on the stand and questioned him outside the presence of the jury), Lazzaro testified that Casey told him Lee had tried to feel her up but wasn't successful. As for George, Lazzaro remembered his abuse as "hitting," which he interpreted as discipline.
He very clearly said that if she'd claimed George had molested her, he would remember that, just like he remembered Lee's alleged attempt to feel her up. Not that that's not a horrible thing, but in comparison to her father actually molesting her, it pales in comparison. If he remembered Lee's "attempt," then of-fricking-course he'd remember her saying her father actually molested her.
The defense didn't get what they wanted from Lazzaro, though Baez tried and tried to get him to at least say that he couldn't remember whether Casey said it was sexual or other abuse. Given Lazzaro's statement on direct exam that he'd remember if she said it were sexual, the defense got nothing incriminating against George from this witness.
You Can't Hide Your Lyin' Eyes.
The lies Casey told her mother are truly "jaw-dropping," to borrow a phrase from the defense. I mean, one after another after another. Constant. And the level of detail she attached to her lies is staggering. She lied about so many things there was never any need to lie about, adding superfluous (and sometimes grand) details that didn't matter, all to bolster her deception.
The state brought in many witnesses to attest to Anthony's behavior during June/July 2008. Not only could they testify that she was carefree, happy, "a party girl," they also were able to testify about the lies Anthony told each of them. Her lies were truly never-ending. So unless there is someone to testify they actually witnessed the abuse, that jury is never going to believe those allegations, especially once they hear the entirety of testimony from her family and LE. And not only because the accusations are obviously self-serving in this instance, but because Anthony simply cannot be believed about anything whatsoever.
And speaking of the web of lies, Baez is now attempting to go the "alternate reality" route with his cross-exam, asking witnesses if it all just seemed so bizarre; asking Tony Lazzaro whether Casey kept her world with him and her world with her family separate; asking whether it seemed she believed what she was saying about her job and the nanny.
Baez is clearly attempting to paint the picture that Anthony lived in a world all her own, a false reality that she truly believed was real. Anthony wasn't just raised to lie; wasn't just scared of her monster father and the brother who "wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps" -- she actually believed what she told people and didn't understand it wasn't the truth.
If that were the case, folks, then she had no need to try to cover her behavior with even more lies, did she? It's my opinion that she was 100% in touch with reality, and I have no doubt that she knew right from wrong. She was spoiled (sickly enabled by her mom), didn't want to take responsibility for herself and her child, and would rather have stolen from others than make an honest living. Casey believed she was special. She deserved whatever she wanted, so she took it without regard to consequence and without concern for anyone but herself.
Baez has been asking witnesses about how much Caylee adored Casey. That means nothing. Anyone who's ever been or known an abused child knows that they still love their abusive parent. In fact, they may try even harder to love and please the parent in order to gain approval and affection in return.
I can only guess that Baez thinks jurors would believe an abused child would cower in the corner constantly and recoil each time the parent was near. Hello! Baez himself said Casey would be molested by her dad, go to school right after and play with the other kids as if nothing were wrong.
You can't have that both ways in terms of how children deal with abuse. Of course, we know children can cope in many different ways, but if you're going to say your client could still live with her abuser (and even let him be alone with her beloved child) and never recoil or cower in his presence, you can't then say that if Caylee were abused, there would've been obvious signs in the way she interacted with her mother. The whole "Did Caylee love Casey" line of questioning is really insulting to the jurors' intelligence.
Note: Let's say Baez impeaches a witness here or there (e.g., contradictory statements between testimony and depositions). During closing argument, how will he, with a straight face, call them liars who aren't to be believed...and then in the next breath, tell the jury that they should believe his client, a person he, himself, has aggressively presented as a grand liar? "Don't believe that liar, but DO believe this liar" is gonna be a tough sell.
Casey vs. Cindy -- a never-ending power struggle.
Casey had a tantrum -- a meltdown, really -- after one segment of her mom's testimony. During that testimony, Cindy had talked about going with Lee to purchase the playhouse for Caylee's second birthday. She left out any mention of Casey helping with it. When asked if Caylee were vocal, she also said that you learn what your child means when they are trying to say something.
I believe that testimony, coupled with seeing Cindy and George hug after Cindy left the stand, is what set Casey off. She began looking their direction, talking animatedly with Dorothy Clay Sims, shaking her head back and forth, looking very frustrated and angry, as if she thought her mom had been unfair to her in her testimony or disloyal by hugging her dad.
THAT is the real Casey Anthony. You know, the one who couldn't allow herself to get upset and cry over Caylee at any point, but who had no problem crying each time the judge read the charges against her in jury selection and on many occasions throughout the trial thus far. Apparently, Caylee's death didn't affect her nearly as much as the judge reading charges and her mom testifying.
Casey's meltdown after Cindy's testimony is a perfect example of the dynamics of the Casey/Cindy relationship. It has been a power struggle at least from the time Caylee was born. Casey was unwilling to take full responsibility, to get a job, strike out on her own. She was dependent on her parents to take care of both her and Caylee, and she resented the hell out of Cindy for being "in charge" and taking on so much of Caylee's care (and affection).
There's no doubt there was major dysfunction in the family. As evidenced by Cindy's interaction with LE, media and others (we've all seen the videos), Cindy has a very strong, domineering personality. And she is not going to stop til things are the way she wants/needs them to be. She even tried to control LE (including the FBI!) in their investigation, telling them how to do their jobs. Ditto with media. Cindy has a need to fix things and, if she can't, to find a way to excuse them, lest they shed a bad light on her.
I suspect Casey was made to feel inferior most of her life because her mom directed absolutely everything and never allowed Casey the independence and confidence to be her own person. It's possible to demean a person (even in the guise of "helping") to the point they're not able to function on their own. Cindy needed the fantasy of Casey working, having a Nanny and being successful for her own reasons -- but she also needed Casey to remain dependent on her as well. So she enabled Casey's behavior and lies to the hilt.
Casey needed her mom for financial support, to take care of Caylee and to help cover for her, but she resented it and blamed her mom for her own shortcomings. She wanted to be the up-and-coming event planner she projected in her lies; wanted to be independent, be her own person. But she lacked enough initiative to make that happen. She'd always had someone take care of everything for her and didn't want to do the hard work it takes to be on your own and be responsible for yourself, much less take on sole responsibility for a child.
Casey began hanging out with a group of young people who were in college, who were goal-oriented and wanted to go places. Some had already embarked on careers. She liked being part of that group. Liked going to Fusion. Liked the attention. Liked being thought of as the manager of the "shot girls." Liked for her group of friends to believe she was "one of them," so to speak. She lied about her employment and nanny situation to try to fit in. She didn't want anything -- or anyone -- to come between her and this new life (even though that life was built entirely on lies).
Is it a shame Cindy might have treated Casey this way? Sure, it is. But plenty of us have had family dysfunction and domineering mothers. It's no excuse once you're an adult. It's up to you to remove yourself from it. If you don't, it's because you're getting something you need from the relationship. So, however bossy and "take-over-ish" Cindy may have been, Casey alone is responsible for her behavior. She was in her 20s at the time Caylee "disappeared." She cannot blame Cindy for anything she did (although I'd bet that's her mindset -- that it's all her mom's fault somehow).
Note: Is Cindy *really* a prosecution witness? Well, my thought is yes and no. She is not argumentative and defensive with them as she has been in the past; however, she still is making excuses for some of Casey's lies and acting as if she still believes some of them. One great big red flag to me is that she claimed she was still looking for the Imaginanny up until six weeks ago (coincidentally, about the time it came out the defense was going to throw the family under the bus in a major way).
Come on now, Cindy. Despite how heartbreaking it all is, after three years, you know there never was any Zanny the Nanny. At least she isn't still claiming Caylee is alive, as she did in a hearing within a few months of trial. Had Casey not thrown the family under the bus, however, I feel Cindy would still claim Caylee is alive and that there *is* a Zanny; that she would be making all sorts of efforts on Casey's behalf with her testimony; and that she would still have the same antagonistic attitude toward prosecutors and LE that she's had all along.
So, much as I want to believe she is going to just tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may, I still have some nagging doubt about whether she's willing to let go and let that happen. Hopefully, as testimony progresses, that doubt will be erased.
George Anthony -- The Goat Being Scaped.
George Anthony has not only been accused of molesting his daughter. The past week, he was accused of discovering Caylee's body and, by inference, disposing of it. He was accused of having prior knowledge the car was at Amscot; knowing that he should take gas cans with him to pick it up because he was already aware it was out of gas; knowing not to touch anything that might be evidence so he could avoid any focus on him in an investigation...and so much more.
Repeatedly, Baez questioned George in what seemed (to me, at least) to be a bit more than necessary Perry Mason fashion...trying to portray "gotcha" moments out of small issues. His questions were so convoluted at times that it was easily understandable that George needed clarification. George accused Baez of trying to trick him, confuse him, upset him. He did his best to make it difficult for Baez -- you could feel the tension boiling up at certain points. But, overall, George maintained his composure in an admirable fashion.
Baez, in what I thought was a humiliating and demeaning act, forced George to come off the stand and mark dates on a huge calendar Baez is using. They were within arm's reach of each other several times. I gotta hand it to George for keeping his cool. If someone were attacking me with the hideous accusations the defense has put forth, not sure how calm I could remain. I can't help but think Baez is doing his best to push George's buttons so that he pops off in such a way that Baez can show George is a hothead to be feared.
Of course, that is Baez's job, and it wouldn't bother me if I thought there were truth behind the "George is a monster" allegations. But I've seen absolutely nothing thus far to suggest that in the least. Unless/until I do, I see George not just as a victim in losing his granddaughter, but as someone who is being victimized over and over again due to his daughter's selfishness. I don't see how he bears it.
Something Stinks -- "Whoa, I know what THAT smells like."
The manager of the tow yard to which Casey's car was taken from Amscot testified this week. Simon Birch said that on an initial look-see of the car, he put his hand against the window to shield against the sun and detected a strong odor. Later, when he and George opened the car, he smelled it even more. And there was an extremely pungent odor coming from the trunk when they opened it.
Birch has worked 30 years in the towing business and has had at least 6-8 occasions to smell the odor of decomposition in vehicles. He pulled a two-year stint in sanitation work as well, so he knows the difference between the smell of the most disgusting trash vs. human decomposition. He said there's just no comparison; decomp is a very unique, distinctive odor that you recognize immediately if you've ever smelled it before.
Birch testified there was a garbage bag in the trunk, and he offered to get rid of it. He tossed it over a fence to be picked up later for disposal in their dumpster. When he retrieved the bag after a bit, he said the trunk smell had not stayed with it. On the contrary, George testified the awful smell did remain in the car, even after the garbage was removed. It was so bad that he drove home with all the windows down, even though it was raining. He said there was no way he could've driven the car with the windows up.
The testimony of these two men about the car odor is extremely important. We will hear dog handlers saying alerts for human decomp were made in the trunk. We'll hear from experienced detectives -- who know the smell of death -- that the trunk reeked of it. And, of course, we will hear from Cindy about her "smells like there's been a dead body in the damn car" statement to the 911 operator.
I think the jurors will be left with no doubt that Caylee's little decomposing body was in that trunk at some point, regardless whether the "air compound" evidence Dr. Vass will present is accepted.
There are a lot of holes in the defense scenario. Granted, they're not required to prove anything, but if jurors buy the state's case, then the defense has to raise reasonable doubt with what they present. It has to be credible...or at least plausible.
Legal Wrangling - Motion for Mistrial, Proffers
A few rulings of note:
The defense asked for a mistrial based on the cumulative effect of what they claim is the state's eliciting character testimony from their witnesses (this isn't allowed). The state countered that they are eliciting testimony about Anthony's unchanged demeanor during the relevant time period, not for the purpose of showing bad character. Judge Perry agreed with the state and denied the motion for mistrial.
The state made a motion in limine that the defense be required to make a proffer with witnesses it intends to use before putting defendant's "self-serving" statements to others before the jury. The judge granted that motion, noting that the defense has not met any of the three requirements to overcome the general inadmissibility of self-serving statements, including failure to lay the foundation for them to come in. A proffer is a showing to the court (outside the presence of the jury) that the testimony of a witness is actually admissible. So the defense will not be able to elicit testimony about self-serving statements by Anthony without first running it by the court with a proffer.
The defense wants George Anthony's grand jury testimony. It is normally kept secret but if there are contradictions in a witness's grand jury vs. trial testimony, the judge can allow the defense to have that transcript. Judge Perry is reviewing the transcript this weekend in order to make a ruling. Of course, the defense would love to get its hands on that testimony and go on a fishing expedition to see what might be there that they can use to bolster their case/impeach witnesses (even if on minor points, which they can attempt to turn into monumental issues).
I know I've been hard on the defense in this post, but this is the way I see things at this point. Maybe they will surprise me and I'll begin to believe what they're presenting...but it's not looking likely at the moment. That said, of course the state hasn't yet proved its case. That has to be accomplished before I start pondering any reasonable doubt raised by the defense.
One thing I'm perplexed about is why Cheney Mason has for the most part sat silent at the defense table. He is, however, actively involved in all the sidebars. I wonder if his preference or role is more as an overseer or advisor. Maybe he is more about monitoring legal procedure than actively promoting the defense theory. He's an extremely experienced, respected attorney, compared to Baez's relatively little experience. Maybe we'll see Mason participate more with questioning witnesses as things progress.
There's so much more to cover (the increasing likelihood that Anthony will have to take the stand and logistics of the "drowning" scenario, for a couple), but if you're kind enough to have made it this far, I will mercifully wrap it up for now. ;-)
I'm very interested in what you guys think about each side's case -- especially problems you see with what's been presented thus far. Whether we agree or disagree on a given point, I will always respect your opinion. Sound off in the comments section, and we'll dedicate a future post to discussing and picking apart the holes in each side's case. As always, thank you for stopping by!
29 May 2011
Experimenting With Tweets/Blog/Apps
As mentioned in the previous post, some days I simply don't have time to Tweet from 8:30-5:30 and keep the blog fully updated at the same time. So I was looking at some applications to help me grab Tweets and bring them here to post within the blog for those of you who prefer to read in sequential order, outside the Twitter experience.
I was already using TweetBook to periodically save Tweets, but I couldn't embed just the portion of the TweetBook .pdf I wanted -- it was all or nothing (that might be fine at the end of trial, but no one wants to load a 100+ page document with each post.) I found a free .pdf editor that allowed me to trim unwanted pages so that I could embed only Tweets from the relevant time period.
Giving it a go with Friday and Saturday's @TrialNotes Tweets. You can adjust the text size at the bottom of the embed window. (I noticed the TweetBook time-stamp is an hour behind EDT, so add an hour for actual Florida time.)
Let me know what you think! Thanks! :)
TNTweetsMay29
I was already using TweetBook to periodically save Tweets, but I couldn't embed just the portion of the TweetBook .pdf I wanted -- it was all or nothing (that might be fine at the end of trial, but no one wants to load a 100+ page document with each post.) I found a free .pdf editor that allowed me to trim unwanted pages so that I could embed only Tweets from the relevant time period.
Giving it a go with Friday and Saturday's @TrialNotes Tweets. You can adjust the text size at the bottom of the embed window. (I noticed the TweetBook time-stamp is an hour behind EDT, so add an hour for actual Florida time.)
Let me know what you think! Thanks! :)
TNTweetsMay29
28 May 2011
Note About The Blog
This weekend, I'm looking into some options for importing Tweets to the blog (some days, I simply don't have hours to spend on the blog after live-Tweeting the trial all day.) I'll figure something out. Until then, please check my Twitter feed to catch up on things. Thanks! :)
26 May 2011
Casey Anthony Trial - Day 3 - Afternoon Session
After the lunch recess, Baez advises the judge that since Morales lives out of state and travel might be a financial hardship for him (and the "indigent" defendant is without funds), he wants to take him out of turn for the defense. The state doesn't mind; Judge says okay, too.
Remember the photo I mentioned in the last post -- the one where Caylee has a large bruise under her eye? The parties agreed to a stipulation during the recess for the judge to advise the jury that the bruise was not a result of neglect or abuse by any person.
Witness: Ricardo Morales
Would you believe I had to retype the name because I first typed "Montalban?" Ugh...long day. ;-)
Continued direct exam by Frank George for the state. Sometime after July 16, Morales sold photos of Caylee and Casey to The Globe for approximately $4,000. (In addition to the photo where Caylee has the bruise, Morales identifies another photo of Caylee on the sofa with Casey, who is holding a guitar.)
Like every other witness so far, each time he was asked, Morales testified that he never saw any change in Casey's demeanor; she was always happy. End of direct for state.
Cross exam by Jose Baez. Baez shows a photo of an elegantly dressed couple. The woman is seated at a nicely set dinner table and the man is standing just behind her, holding a folded cloth near her face. The caption reads, "Win her over with chloroform." Morales said it was just a joke photo that he uploaded to his myspace page.
He believes he probably posted it during the time he was dating Casey, around March 2008. Did you ever mention chloroform to Casey? No, that I recall. Globe approached you about buying pictures? Yes. And you didn't talk to any other media, but when The Globe came knocking with $4k, you talked to them? Yes, says Morales. You sold them pictures of Casey and her young daughter? Yes.
Baez references a statement Morales gave to LE on July 25, wherein he remembered one night that both Caylee and Casey started out in his bed. Morales agrees that's accurate. Baez asks whether he was telling the truth then or today. Morales doesn't understand what he means. (Neither did I for a few minutes...you'll understand in a moment.)
Did you witness anything on June 16 2008, Baez asked him. Morales replied no, not in regard to Casey. He responds that he was never intimate with her when Caylee was in the bed with them when Baez asks about that.
Re-direct by George. He asks if Morales knows what chloroform is. He replies he thinks it's a chemical that puts people to sleep. He never searched for chloroform on Casey's computer at any time whatsoever.
(Now the confusion above gets cleared up...thank you, Frank George). The comment Baez referred to in the LE statement was in the context of talking about just one of the many nights Anthony stayed over...not the *only* night she and Caylee had stayed, he says. That particular night, they were all in bed when he went to sleep. When he awoke, however, Caylee was gone. Casey said her mom had called in the night and told her to bring Caylee home.
Baez asks if Caylee ever went hungry, etc. Morales said no. Was she a good mom? Yes, from what he could tell, he said. Did Casey ever strike or torture Caylee? He said no, that she had issues with Caylee going to sleep, but those were the only times he saw her discipline her. (Wish the state had asked what type of discipline she used when Caylee wouldn't go to sleep...might be pertinent. I can only assume they already know the answer and it wasn't relevant to show any sort of abuse toward Caylee.)
Witness: Melissa England
She was the girlfriend during June/July 2008 of Troy Brown, a friend of Casey's. She lived out of state and came to visit Troy on July 2. They met some friends at Voyage (club/bar), among them Anthony. She was friendly, outgoing, introduced herself, immediately asked about her and Troy's weekend plans.
Troy had mentioned to her that Casey had a child, but Casey did not bring it up (nor mention she was missing/kidnapped, etc.). Since Troy had to work July 3, Casey offered to take England shopping. Casey also invited her to go along with her when she got her tattoo, but England passed on that part of the outing. Casey drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee that she said was her boyfriend's.
England also met Amy that weekend. She said Casey told her something about Amy losing some of her money while she was sleepwalking...(objection/sidebar/sustained).
She and Casey went to Target and to a mall. Casey got a phone call that lasted maybe 5-10 mins. She was speaking harshly, sounded irritated, though England could not hear the actual conversation. She did overhear that it was about money and heard the word "nanny," though. She asked Casey if she was okay, and Casey said yes, it was just an argument with her mom.
They went to the mall after Target. Casey was on the phone quite a bit. Told her at one point it was work-related. England works in marketing, including some event planning. Casey commiserated with her about being an event planner. They stopped by Troy's sister's house (where Troy lived) so that she could get ready for the evening. In all the time the night before and that day, Casey never mentioned her daughter until Troy's sister asked about her. Casey said she was thinking of moving to a better school system for Caylee.
She and Casey went to dinner at the restaurant where Amy worked. While there, England asked casual questions about Casey's daughter. She never mentioned to England that Caylee was missing/kidnapped, that she needed help to find her, that anything was wrong. "She was happy" and did talk about her boyfriend a lot that day.
The two of them picked up Troy after work and went back to JP's house. En route, Casey made an excuse to someone on the phone for breaking plans with them (in order to pick up Troy and go out with him and England). When she finished the call, she tossed the phone and said, "Oh my God, I am such a good liar!"
The group went out to a club/bar and were all drinking, having a good time. CA received several calls that night and was upset when she got off the phone. She was crying, seemed very distraught. She was arguing with her brother. Her mood changed...was very upset during and after the several calls she received. Ultimately, Casey wanted to leave, so they did, going their separate ways. She never saw her again after that night.
Baez on cross. With nothing else to throw at her, he asks whether the state paid for her airfare and hotel room. Yes, she replied. (He was implying that her testimony was bought and paid for. Yeah, because she just got soooooo much out of that ticket and hotel room and was pleased as punch to uproot her life and come there, no doubt.)
Baez asks if she can tell the jury how/when Caylee died. Of course, she can't. Then Baez tried to slip in something he wanted the jury to know but would have to have Casey testify to get into evidence. Well, he tried to, anyway:
"She didn't tell you that when she was 10 yrs old...." (Objection/sidebar/sustained.) The witness is excused.
Witness: Troy Brown
Direct by Frank George for the state. Brown reiterates much of what his ex-girlfriend said just prior to his testimony. He met Casey in 2007 at a birthday party for a friend. He didn't see her often, but more so when she was dating Ricardo (who was his friend). In June 2008, Casey sent him a Facebook message saying (about Amy), "She still hasn't moved in. Hell, for the past 9 days, I haven't even lived there. Drama. Will fill you in."
He recounts the outing with his girlfriend and Casey where she kept receiving calls from her brother that greatly upset her. After that night, he didn't see her again until she picked them all up from the airport after their trip to Puerto Rico. There was nothing odd about her demeanor at that time and she didn't mention Caylee.
Cross by Baez. "Do you have any info for this jury as to how/when/where Caylee died?" "I do not," he replied to each query. That was it for cross.
Witness: Iassen Donov
He saw Casey out a couple of places end of June, early July. She seemed social, happy, talkative. She had dated his friend, Brandon Snow. He asked her what she did with Caylee while she worked. She told him she had a nanny she'd known for 6 years.
He identifies a transcript of some AOL IMs between him and Casey, dated July 13 2008, wherein Casey says that she was moving out and was looking for an apartment; that she wanted to move within a week. In the same IM, she told him she had a nanny and that, "I love her."
Though he knew Casey had a boyfriend at the time, he was somewhat interested in her himself. She invited him to Fusion many times in June 2008, but he never went.
Cross by Baez. Baez re-emphasizes the state's point that there was no change in Casey's demeanor whatsoever and asks Donov if he found it shocking. Donov says yes, at the time. Does he know how Caylee died? No, he doesn't, he says. Baez asks if he told LE that Casey wasn't a heavy drinker, that she'd leave early and drink light. Yes.
Witness: Dante Salati
Direct by Frank George. Dante has known Casey about 11 years. He went to high school with her. He lived at Sawgrass Apartments from early 2005 til late 2008. Casey had visited him there. He saw Casey at Miller's Alehouse July 1, when several friends met up there. She seemed completely normal. Asked to define normal, he said "completely free of worry." She didn't mention Caylee at all. That was the only time he saw her during that month and has had no contact with her after that date.
Cross by Baez. He asks if Salati knew Casey to be nice, caring, giving; whether he saw lots of affection between Caylee and Casey; whether Casey was attentive mother. He answered yes to all. He never saw Caylee appear to be abused or neglected. Answered yes when asked if he found it shocking that he never saw a change in Casey's demeanor.
Witness: Christopher Stutz
Direct by George. Stutz has known Casey since 2005. Brought Caylee with her when she came to his parents' home (they weren't there) and spent the night in May 2008. In mid-June, probably the 17th or so, he says, he saw Casey again at his parents' home. Caylee was not with her. Saw her again in early July at Buffalo Wild Wings; there was nothing different in her demeanor any of the times he saw her.
He received a text in mid-July that Caylee was missing. He received a phone call from Casey from the corrections facility (objection/sidebar). The state is finished with this witness.
Baez on cross. Baez asked if Stutz told LE Casey didn't like to go out because she didn't like to leave her child with her mother and father. Yes. Stutz got to see Casey interact with Caylee a lot. Agreed with Baez that Caylee loved her mom and she was never neglected or abused.
Witness: Matthew Crisp
He knew Casey during the relevant time period. He worked in property management at Crane's Landing Apts. Casey called and said her boyfriend was looking for an apartment. He set up an appointment for June 19th (same day she called) to show them an apartment. Casey didn't have an ID with her, so he couldn't show the apartment to her, but he showed it to Lazzaro.
He next saw Casey on July 7 when he met her at Subway for lunch. She told him Caylee was in Sanford on a playdate with a girlfriend's child. Both times he saw her, she seemed very happy, normal; gave no indication anything was wrong with Caylee or herself.
Cheney Mason for the defense. He asked whether Caylee ever appeared to be abused, mistreated, unhappy. To each, Crisp replied, "No...of the times I saw her." Asked if he knew how/where/when Caylee died, he replied no.
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Judge Perry releases the jurors for the day, but there are some matters to be addressed after they leave.
The jurors have a list of movies and TV shows they want to watch and the judge gives the attorneys a chance to object to any they don't want seen (they have no problem with the choices).
Mason renews the defense's request for George Anthony's grand jury testimony. Ashton's suggestion is that the judge review the testimony in camera and determine whether it's impeachable. Judge Perry agrees to do that.
Mason says that he will move for a mistrial based on cumulative effect of the state's asking all the witnesses whether Anthony showed remorse (it's improper to do so). The state says they are not trying to show lack of remorse; they are showing that her demeanor never changed.
Judge Perry says if evidence is being offered to show lack of remorse, it is improper, and he asks the state if they are offering it for that reason. The state again says the testimony is being offered to show Anthony's demeanor was unchanged. The court stands behind its previous rulings and denies the defense's objection/motion.
The judge did not find a compelling reason to hold court Monday (Memorial Day).
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The judge now allows Baez to make a proffer of evidence that Casey told Lazzaro her father had sexually abused her. (Baez was not allowed to go into this area of "secrets" earlier, so he is allowed to question the witness to show what would have come out so that the issue is preserved on appeal.) Baez recalls Lazzaro to the stand.
Witness: Anthony Lazzaro
Was the secret that Casey shared with you that she was abused by her father?
No. It was that Lee had tried to abuse her.
What was your response to that?
I was shocked, tried to comfort her; tried to change the subject so she wouldn't dwell on it.
Is that partly because you didn't know how to deal with it?
Yes.
Any discussions with Casey about abuse by her father?
Yes, she said she was disciplined by her father.
Do you recall for certain that it wasn't sexual abuse or just don't know for sure?
Definitely not sexual abuse, Lazzaro replied.
You don't recall details, but recall the word "abuse?"
I recall the word "hitting."
Anything else?
No.
Judge Perry questions the witness:
He asks when Casey told him about Lee's alleged abuse. Lazzaro says around the time he went on his trip to NY.
The judge asks him, in as much detail as he can recall, what Casey said happened.
Lazzaro says she told him Lee "tried to feel her up on her chest."
Was Lee successful in feeling her up? Lazzaro: "She said it didn't happen."
Judge asks about George. Lazzaro said Casey said "hitting," and he took it as discipline. Did she say anything else? "No." He told the judge he thought he'd remember if it were sexual abuse, though.
Baez asks if, in his phone depo with defense, he said he couldn't recall exact details about what Casey told him regarding abuse. He agrees.
Clearly, if Lazzaro remembers Lee making an unsuccessful attempt to "feel up" his sister, he would certainly remember her saying her father sexually molested her (billion times worse in terms of "disgusting"). He got the issue preserved for appeal, but I can see why Judge Perry didn't allow it during Lazzaro's initial testimony and think he made the right call.
Remember the photo I mentioned in the last post -- the one where Caylee has a large bruise under her eye? The parties agreed to a stipulation during the recess for the judge to advise the jury that the bruise was not a result of neglect or abuse by any person.
Witness: Ricardo Morales
Would you believe I had to retype the name because I first typed "Montalban?" Ugh...long day. ;-)
Continued direct exam by Frank George for the state. Sometime after July 16, Morales sold photos of Caylee and Casey to The Globe for approximately $4,000. (In addition to the photo where Caylee has the bruise, Morales identifies another photo of Caylee on the sofa with Casey, who is holding a guitar.)
Like every other witness so far, each time he was asked, Morales testified that he never saw any change in Casey's demeanor; she was always happy. End of direct for state.
Cross exam by Jose Baez. Baez shows a photo of an elegantly dressed couple. The woman is seated at a nicely set dinner table and the man is standing just behind her, holding a folded cloth near her face. The caption reads, "Win her over with chloroform." Morales said it was just a joke photo that he uploaded to his myspace page.
He believes he probably posted it during the time he was dating Casey, around March 2008. Did you ever mention chloroform to Casey? No, that I recall. Globe approached you about buying pictures? Yes. And you didn't talk to any other media, but when The Globe came knocking with $4k, you talked to them? Yes, says Morales. You sold them pictures of Casey and her young daughter? Yes.
Baez references a statement Morales gave to LE on July 25, wherein he remembered one night that both Caylee and Casey started out in his bed. Morales agrees that's accurate. Baez asks whether he was telling the truth then or today. Morales doesn't understand what he means. (Neither did I for a few minutes...you'll understand in a moment.)
Did you witness anything on June 16 2008, Baez asked him. Morales replied no, not in regard to Casey. He responds that he was never intimate with her when Caylee was in the bed with them when Baez asks about that.
Re-direct by George. He asks if Morales knows what chloroform is. He replies he thinks it's a chemical that puts people to sleep. He never searched for chloroform on Casey's computer at any time whatsoever.
(Now the confusion above gets cleared up...thank you, Frank George). The comment Baez referred to in the LE statement was in the context of talking about just one of the many nights Anthony stayed over...not the *only* night she and Caylee had stayed, he says. That particular night, they were all in bed when he went to sleep. When he awoke, however, Caylee was gone. Casey said her mom had called in the night and told her to bring Caylee home.
Baez asks if Caylee ever went hungry, etc. Morales said no. Was she a good mom? Yes, from what he could tell, he said. Did Casey ever strike or torture Caylee? He said no, that she had issues with Caylee going to sleep, but those were the only times he saw her discipline her. (Wish the state had asked what type of discipline she used when Caylee wouldn't go to sleep...might be pertinent. I can only assume they already know the answer and it wasn't relevant to show any sort of abuse toward Caylee.)
Witness: Melissa England
She was the girlfriend during June/July 2008 of Troy Brown, a friend of Casey's. She lived out of state and came to visit Troy on July 2. They met some friends at Voyage (club/bar), among them Anthony. She was friendly, outgoing, introduced herself, immediately asked about her and Troy's weekend plans.
Troy had mentioned to her that Casey had a child, but Casey did not bring it up (nor mention she was missing/kidnapped, etc.). Since Troy had to work July 3, Casey offered to take England shopping. Casey also invited her to go along with her when she got her tattoo, but England passed on that part of the outing. Casey drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee that she said was her boyfriend's.
England also met Amy that weekend. She said Casey told her something about Amy losing some of her money while she was sleepwalking...(objection/sidebar/sustained).
She and Casey went to Target and to a mall. Casey got a phone call that lasted maybe 5-10 mins. She was speaking harshly, sounded irritated, though England could not hear the actual conversation. She did overhear that it was about money and heard the word "nanny," though. She asked Casey if she was okay, and Casey said yes, it was just an argument with her mom.
They went to the mall after Target. Casey was on the phone quite a bit. Told her at one point it was work-related. England works in marketing, including some event planning. Casey commiserated with her about being an event planner. They stopped by Troy's sister's house (where Troy lived) so that she could get ready for the evening. In all the time the night before and that day, Casey never mentioned her daughter until Troy's sister asked about her. Casey said she was thinking of moving to a better school system for Caylee.
She and Casey went to dinner at the restaurant where Amy worked. While there, England asked casual questions about Casey's daughter. She never mentioned to England that Caylee was missing/kidnapped, that she needed help to find her, that anything was wrong. "She was happy" and did talk about her boyfriend a lot that day.
The two of them picked up Troy after work and went back to JP's house. En route, Casey made an excuse to someone on the phone for breaking plans with them (in order to pick up Troy and go out with him and England). When she finished the call, she tossed the phone and said, "Oh my God, I am such a good liar!"
The group went out to a club/bar and were all drinking, having a good time. CA received several calls that night and was upset when she got off the phone. She was crying, seemed very distraught. She was arguing with her brother. Her mood changed...was very upset during and after the several calls she received. Ultimately, Casey wanted to leave, so they did, going their separate ways. She never saw her again after that night.
Baez on cross. With nothing else to throw at her, he asks whether the state paid for her airfare and hotel room. Yes, she replied. (He was implying that her testimony was bought and paid for. Yeah, because she just got soooooo much out of that ticket and hotel room and was pleased as punch to uproot her life and come there, no doubt.)
Baez asks if she can tell the jury how/when Caylee died. Of course, she can't. Then Baez tried to slip in something he wanted the jury to know but would have to have Casey testify to get into evidence. Well, he tried to, anyway:
"She didn't tell you that when she was 10 yrs old...." (Objection/sidebar/sustained.) The witness is excused.
Witness: Troy Brown
Direct by Frank George for the state. Brown reiterates much of what his ex-girlfriend said just prior to his testimony. He met Casey in 2007 at a birthday party for a friend. He didn't see her often, but more so when she was dating Ricardo (who was his friend). In June 2008, Casey sent him a Facebook message saying (about Amy), "She still hasn't moved in. Hell, for the past 9 days, I haven't even lived there. Drama. Will fill you in."
He recounts the outing with his girlfriend and Casey where she kept receiving calls from her brother that greatly upset her. After that night, he didn't see her again until she picked them all up from the airport after their trip to Puerto Rico. There was nothing odd about her demeanor at that time and she didn't mention Caylee.
Cross by Baez. "Do you have any info for this jury as to how/when/where Caylee died?" "I do not," he replied to each query. That was it for cross.
Witness: Iassen Donov
He saw Casey out a couple of places end of June, early July. She seemed social, happy, talkative. She had dated his friend, Brandon Snow. He asked her what she did with Caylee while she worked. She told him she had a nanny she'd known for 6 years.
He identifies a transcript of some AOL IMs between him and Casey, dated July 13 2008, wherein Casey says that she was moving out and was looking for an apartment; that she wanted to move within a week. In the same IM, she told him she had a nanny and that, "I love her."
Though he knew Casey had a boyfriend at the time, he was somewhat interested in her himself. She invited him to Fusion many times in June 2008, but he never went.
Cross by Baez. Baez re-emphasizes the state's point that there was no change in Casey's demeanor whatsoever and asks Donov if he found it shocking. Donov says yes, at the time. Does he know how Caylee died? No, he doesn't, he says. Baez asks if he told LE that Casey wasn't a heavy drinker, that she'd leave early and drink light. Yes.
Witness: Dante Salati
Direct by Frank George. Dante has known Casey about 11 years. He went to high school with her. He lived at Sawgrass Apartments from early 2005 til late 2008. Casey had visited him there. He saw Casey at Miller's Alehouse July 1, when several friends met up there. She seemed completely normal. Asked to define normal, he said "completely free of worry." She didn't mention Caylee at all. That was the only time he saw her during that month and has had no contact with her after that date.
Cross by Baez. He asks if Salati knew Casey to be nice, caring, giving; whether he saw lots of affection between Caylee and Casey; whether Casey was attentive mother. He answered yes to all. He never saw Caylee appear to be abused or neglected. Answered yes when asked if he found it shocking that he never saw a change in Casey's demeanor.
Witness: Christopher Stutz
Direct by George. Stutz has known Casey since 2005. Brought Caylee with her when she came to his parents' home (they weren't there) and spent the night in May 2008. In mid-June, probably the 17th or so, he says, he saw Casey again at his parents' home. Caylee was not with her. Saw her again in early July at Buffalo Wild Wings; there was nothing different in her demeanor any of the times he saw her.
He received a text in mid-July that Caylee was missing. He received a phone call from Casey from the corrections facility (objection/sidebar). The state is finished with this witness.
Baez on cross. Baez asked if Stutz told LE Casey didn't like to go out because she didn't like to leave her child with her mother and father. Yes. Stutz got to see Casey interact with Caylee a lot. Agreed with Baez that Caylee loved her mom and she was never neglected or abused.
Witness: Matthew Crisp
He knew Casey during the relevant time period. He worked in property management at Crane's Landing Apts. Casey called and said her boyfriend was looking for an apartment. He set up an appointment for June 19th (same day she called) to show them an apartment. Casey didn't have an ID with her, so he couldn't show the apartment to her, but he showed it to Lazzaro.
He next saw Casey on July 7 when he met her at Subway for lunch. She told him Caylee was in Sanford on a playdate with a girlfriend's child. Both times he saw her, she seemed very happy, normal; gave no indication anything was wrong with Caylee or herself.
Cheney Mason for the defense. He asked whether Caylee ever appeared to be abused, mistreated, unhappy. To each, Crisp replied, "No...of the times I saw her." Asked if he knew how/where/when Caylee died, he replied no.
*********
Judge Perry releases the jurors for the day, but there are some matters to be addressed after they leave.
The jurors have a list of movies and TV shows they want to watch and the judge gives the attorneys a chance to object to any they don't want seen (they have no problem with the choices).
Mason renews the defense's request for George Anthony's grand jury testimony. Ashton's suggestion is that the judge review the testimony in camera and determine whether it's impeachable. Judge Perry agrees to do that.
Mason says that he will move for a mistrial based on cumulative effect of the state's asking all the witnesses whether Anthony showed remorse (it's improper to do so). The state says they are not trying to show lack of remorse; they are showing that her demeanor never changed.
Judge Perry says if evidence is being offered to show lack of remorse, it is improper, and he asks the state if they are offering it for that reason. The state again says the testimony is being offered to show Anthony's demeanor was unchanged. The court stands behind its previous rulings and denies the defense's objection/motion.
The judge did not find a compelling reason to hold court Monday (Memorial Day).
******
The judge now allows Baez to make a proffer of evidence that Casey told Lazzaro her father had sexually abused her. (Baez was not allowed to go into this area of "secrets" earlier, so he is allowed to question the witness to show what would have come out so that the issue is preserved on appeal.) Baez recalls Lazzaro to the stand.
Witness: Anthony Lazzaro
Was the secret that Casey shared with you that she was abused by her father?
No. It was that Lee had tried to abuse her.
What was your response to that?
I was shocked, tried to comfort her; tried to change the subject so she wouldn't dwell on it.
Is that partly because you didn't know how to deal with it?
Yes.
Any discussions with Casey about abuse by her father?
Yes, she said she was disciplined by her father.
Do you recall for certain that it wasn't sexual abuse or just don't know for sure?
Definitely not sexual abuse, Lazzaro replied.
You don't recall details, but recall the word "abuse?"
I recall the word "hitting."
Anything else?
No.
Judge Perry questions the witness:
He asks when Casey told him about Lee's alleged abuse. Lazzaro says around the time he went on his trip to NY.
The judge asks him, in as much detail as he can recall, what Casey said happened.
Lazzaro says she told him Lee "tried to feel her up on her chest."
Was Lee successful in feeling her up? Lazzaro: "She said it didn't happen."
Judge asks about George. Lazzaro said Casey said "hitting," and he took it as discipline. Did she say anything else? "No." He told the judge he thought he'd remember if it were sexual abuse, though.
Baez asks if, in his phone depo with defense, he said he couldn't recall exact details about what Casey told him regarding abuse. He agrees.
Clearly, if Lazzaro remembers Lee making an unsuccessful attempt to "feel up" his sister, he would certainly remember her saying her father sexually molested her (billion times worse in terms of "disgusting"). He got the issue preserved for appeal, but I can see why Judge Perry didn't allow it during Lazzaro's initial testimony and think he made the right call.
Casey Anthony Trial - Day 3 - Morning Session
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Witness: Anthony Lazzaro
Jose Baez continues cross-exam of Anthony Lazzaro, boyfriend of Casey Anthony at the time Caylee disappeared. He asks if Caylee laughed with Casey, hugged her, ran to her? Yes. Lazzaro agreed there seemed to be a lot of love between them. Caylee would have her teddy bear, toys, books with her. She already knew how to count to 40 in Spanish from watching Dora the Explorer, he said.
He can't recall whether the gas cans had duct tape on them when he and Casey took them from shed. Baez commented that the photos taken at Fusion were part of promotional business, commonly posted online to attract interest (including photos of pretty girls). Lazzaro agrees with that.
Baez tells Lazzaro not to tell what the secret was, but asks if it was shared prior to Casey's arrest. Lazzaro says yes. Baez asks if he and Casey grew closer end of June, beginning of July. Lazzaro said yes and said that they had said "I love you" to each other.
Baez asks if when news broke on July 16, he was shocked. Yes. Baez asks if Casey were to confide in anyone, would Lazzaro think it would have been him? He says yes, him, or her parents. When she talked to her parents, she went outside -- kept that world separate from your world? Yes, he said.
Re-direct by George. Lazzaro says it's not that there was no duct tape on cans, but that he can't recall whether there was or wasn't. He said when they reached her car with the cans, he parked in front of her vehicle. He immediately opened his tailgate and removed the cans. Casey poured the first one in her tank and he passed her the second one. He closed his tailgate and was standing between the back of his car and front of hers. Said all he could see was the rubber seal of the trunk; couldn't see inside it at all.
Re-cross by Baez. He asks Tony if he knew the trunk was a significant part of case. Yes. When he talked to LE, he told them he did not notice an odor. Correct, said Lazzaro.
Witness: George Anthony (recalled by State)
Ashton calls George back to the stand to clarify events of June 24 (gas cans/argument with Casey). George was preparing to mow his lawn. Went to the shed and found it'd been broken into. The only things missing were his two gas cans. He called police and an officer came out and took a statement. He then went and purchased new gas cans.
A little after 2:00pm on June 24, George saw his daughter for the first time since June 16th. She seemed surprised to find him home (he normally would've been working that day but took it off to take care of some things). He suspected she might've taken the gas, so he used some tire blocks in her trunk as a ruse to check it. She brushed past him, ran out to the car, opened the trunk and said, "Here's your fucking gas cans," thrusting them at him.
George said he did not see inside the trunk and the only odor he noticed was from the gasoline cans. He's shown a photo of the can and says he's had it probably 25 yrs. The small piece of duct tape was put on it because the vent cap was missing when Casey returned it.
Cross-exam by Baez. He asks whether George knew Casey had taken gas in the past. Yes. Did it upset him when she did that? Yes. Baez asks whether, when he called LE to report gas cans missing, he reported his granddaughter missing as well. George responded that his granddaughter wasn't missing on June 24th.
Baez commented that he'd never been more than a day without seeing Caylee and hadn't seen her in 9 days, yet George didn't mention that or Casey's having taken gas cans when they came out for the shed break-in. Again, George tried to clarify that as far as he knew, Caylee was not missing as of June 24th -- he thought she was in the car of her mother.
George said he smelled no odor from her trunk and that there was no duct tape on the gas cans when she gave them back. Baez attempts to impeach him with prior statement saying he didn't put duct tape on gas can. George explains that the photo Baez refers to shows a longer piece of tape that was on the can when LE returned it to him. He did not put that piece on there; he placed the smaller piece on there to replace the vent cap.
Baez kept on and on with the same questions til the Judge finally stopped him and said, "You *can't* question the witness about something that's *not* in evidence." Baez continued on, having George step down from the stand and mark dates on a giant calendar. They were standing within arm's distance of each other. There was a lot of tension between them.
Baez continued to ask questions, but mostly make statements with a "right?" or "did you not?" at the end of the statement. He was trying to insinuate that George was lying, knew Caylee was "missing" as of June 24 and purposely tried to incriminate Casey with the gas cans and duct tape.
Between the inartful phrasing of Baez's exam and his repeated time-wasting attempts to go where the judge told him not to and George's claiming that Baez was badgering him, trying to confuse him, it was a painful, very awkward process.
Witness: Ricardo Morales
Frank George for the state on direct exam. Morales shared a townhome with J.P. Chatt. Morales dated Anthony from early 2008 through mid-April, when they broke up. She spent 4-5 nights a week at his place and almost always brought Caylee with her. Casey would sleep in the middle of the bed with Morales on one side of her and Caylee on the other. She didn't leave clothes or toiletries for herself/Caylee at his apartment.
Anthony told him she worked at Universal as an event coordinator and that part of her duties included giving tours to out-of-towners. He never visited her at work. She occasionally talked about work, including a coworker named Juliet and a boss named Tom. He never met or spoke to either of them.
George shows him a photo of Casey & Caylee he took in his room. He believes the photo was taken late January, he says, because Caylee has a bruise under her eye. (Objection/Sidebar - More on this photo later.) Morales said he and Anthony remained friends and in contact after their April break-up.
During the time Morales dated Casey, he never met her parents, although he'd been to the house when Casey invited him over for breakfast. The last time Morales saw Caylee was the morning of June 10, and he didn't see Casey again til July 1st. Had maybe 1-2 texts with her during that time.
By July 1, he and Chatt had a friend, Amy, sleeping on their couch. She'd wrecked her car and didn't have transportation to work. They lived near her job and let her stay with them. Amy told them she was planning to move in with Casey at her parents' home after the parents moved out.
Morales was surprised to see Casey sitting on his sofa, talking with Amy, when he awoke the morning of July 1st. From July 2 - July 8, he took a trip to Boston and did not have contact with Casey during that time. On July 8, he didn't go home when he returned to Orlando; instead, he waited at the airport for another flight out, this time to Puerto Rico.
Amy, JP, Troy and Morales went to Puerto Rico together. Casey had been invited at one point (since she was his girlfriend). He hadn't rescinded the invitation, but he wasn't expecting her to join them. She picked them all up from the airport on July 15 and gave them a ride. Lunch recess. Will start new post for rest of the afternoon.
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Witness: Anthony Lazzaro
Jose Baez continues cross-exam of Anthony Lazzaro, boyfriend of Casey Anthony at the time Caylee disappeared. He asks if Caylee laughed with Casey, hugged her, ran to her? Yes. Lazzaro agreed there seemed to be a lot of love between them. Caylee would have her teddy bear, toys, books with her. She already knew how to count to 40 in Spanish from watching Dora the Explorer, he said.
He can't recall whether the gas cans had duct tape on them when he and Casey took them from shed. Baez commented that the photos taken at Fusion were part of promotional business, commonly posted online to attract interest (including photos of pretty girls). Lazzaro agrees with that.
Baez tells Lazzaro not to tell what the secret was, but asks if it was shared prior to Casey's arrest. Lazzaro says yes. Baez asks if he and Casey grew closer end of June, beginning of July. Lazzaro said yes and said that they had said "I love you" to each other.
Baez asks if when news broke on July 16, he was shocked. Yes. Baez asks if Casey were to confide in anyone, would Lazzaro think it would have been him? He says yes, him, or her parents. When she talked to her parents, she went outside -- kept that world separate from your world? Yes, he said.
Re-direct by George. Lazzaro says it's not that there was no duct tape on cans, but that he can't recall whether there was or wasn't. He said when they reached her car with the cans, he parked in front of her vehicle. He immediately opened his tailgate and removed the cans. Casey poured the first one in her tank and he passed her the second one. He closed his tailgate and was standing between the back of his car and front of hers. Said all he could see was the rubber seal of the trunk; couldn't see inside it at all.
Re-cross by Baez. He asks Tony if he knew the trunk was a significant part of case. Yes. When he talked to LE, he told them he did not notice an odor. Correct, said Lazzaro.
Witness: George Anthony (recalled by State)
Ashton calls George back to the stand to clarify events of June 24 (gas cans/argument with Casey). George was preparing to mow his lawn. Went to the shed and found it'd been broken into. The only things missing were his two gas cans. He called police and an officer came out and took a statement. He then went and purchased new gas cans.
A little after 2:00pm on June 24, George saw his daughter for the first time since June 16th. She seemed surprised to find him home (he normally would've been working that day but took it off to take care of some things). He suspected she might've taken the gas, so he used some tire blocks in her trunk as a ruse to check it. She brushed past him, ran out to the car, opened the trunk and said, "Here's your fucking gas cans," thrusting them at him.
George said he did not see inside the trunk and the only odor he noticed was from the gasoline cans. He's shown a photo of the can and says he's had it probably 25 yrs. The small piece of duct tape was put on it because the vent cap was missing when Casey returned it.
Cross-exam by Baez. He asks whether George knew Casey had taken gas in the past. Yes. Did it upset him when she did that? Yes. Baez asks whether, when he called LE to report gas cans missing, he reported his granddaughter missing as well. George responded that his granddaughter wasn't missing on June 24th.
Baez commented that he'd never been more than a day without seeing Caylee and hadn't seen her in 9 days, yet George didn't mention that or Casey's having taken gas cans when they came out for the shed break-in. Again, George tried to clarify that as far as he knew, Caylee was not missing as of June 24th -- he thought she was in the car of her mother.
George said he smelled no odor from her trunk and that there was no duct tape on the gas cans when she gave them back. Baez attempts to impeach him with prior statement saying he didn't put duct tape on gas can. George explains that the photo Baez refers to shows a longer piece of tape that was on the can when LE returned it to him. He did not put that piece on there; he placed the smaller piece on there to replace the vent cap.
Baez kept on and on with the same questions til the Judge finally stopped him and said, "You *can't* question the witness about something that's *not* in evidence." Baez continued on, having George step down from the stand and mark dates on a giant calendar. They were standing within arm's distance of each other. There was a lot of tension between them.
Baez continued to ask questions, but mostly make statements with a "right?" or "did you not?" at the end of the statement. He was trying to insinuate that George was lying, knew Caylee was "missing" as of June 24 and purposely tried to incriminate Casey with the gas cans and duct tape.
Between the inartful phrasing of Baez's exam and his repeated time-wasting attempts to go where the judge told him not to and George's claiming that Baez was badgering him, trying to confuse him, it was a painful, very awkward process.
Witness: Ricardo Morales
Frank George for the state on direct exam. Morales shared a townhome with J.P. Chatt. Morales dated Anthony from early 2008 through mid-April, when they broke up. She spent 4-5 nights a week at his place and almost always brought Caylee with her. Casey would sleep in the middle of the bed with Morales on one side of her and Caylee on the other. She didn't leave clothes or toiletries for herself/Caylee at his apartment.
Anthony told him she worked at Universal as an event coordinator and that part of her duties included giving tours to out-of-towners. He never visited her at work. She occasionally talked about work, including a coworker named Juliet and a boss named Tom. He never met or spoke to either of them.
George shows him a photo of Casey & Caylee he took in his room. He believes the photo was taken late January, he says, because Caylee has a bruise under her eye. (Objection/Sidebar - More on this photo later.) Morales said he and Anthony remained friends and in contact after their April break-up.
During the time Morales dated Casey, he never met her parents, although he'd been to the house when Casey invited him over for breakfast. The last time Morales saw Caylee was the morning of June 10, and he didn't see Casey again til July 1st. Had maybe 1-2 texts with her during that time.
By July 1, he and Chatt had a friend, Amy, sleeping on their couch. She'd wrecked her car and didn't have transportation to work. They lived near her job and let her stay with them. Amy told them she was planning to move in with Casey at her parents' home after the parents moved out.
Morales was surprised to see Casey sitting on his sofa, talking with Amy, when he awoke the morning of July 1st. From July 2 - July 8, he took a trip to Boston and did not have contact with Casey during that time. On July 8, he didn't go home when he returned to Orlando; instead, he waited at the airport for another flight out, this time to Puerto Rico.
Amy, JP, Troy and Morales went to Puerto Rico together. Casey had been invited at one point (since she was his girlfriend). He hadn't rescinded the invitation, but he wasn't expecting her to join them. She picked them all up from the airport on July 15 and gave them a ride. Lunch recess. Will start new post for rest of the afternoon.
25 May 2011
Casey Anthony Trial - Day 2 - Afternoon Session
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The defense renewed a motion to preclude testimony about the neighbor's shovel coming into evidence (he is the next witness). The judge denied that motion.
Witness: Brian Burner
Direct by George. He is the next-door neighbor of the Anthonys who loaned Casey a shovel. On June 17th, he saw her car backing into the garage at the Anthony home. Doesn't recall seeing it leave. The next day, June 18, he was doing yard work when Casey approached him and asked to borrow a shovel to dig up a bamboo root. He loaned her his shovel. About an hour later, she returned it. On the 19th or 20th, he saw the car back in again, but did not see anyone and doesn't know how long it was there.
Baez on cross asks if Cpl Edwards told him to close his eyes and try to remember the dates. Yes. Did he also tell him that sometimes with time you can remember things you didn't earlier? Yes. Does witness agree with that? To an extent, yes. Burner did not pay enough attention to know whether Anthony previously backed her car into the garage. The shovel was not muddy and Casey wasn't sweaty when she returned it.
Re-direct by George. Witness told Cpl Edwards about a pickup he saw in the Anthony driveway on the day the gas cans were taken. He says he heard voices and saw Casey and a man in the driveway but couldn't hear any of what was said. Does not recall if her car was there.
Re-cross by Baez. Witness says shovel was turned in to the FBI. On the 17th, after Burner talked to LE, there were media parked outside his home. He said they were there for months (state objects - beyond the scope; judge sustains). Baez remarks that witness said Anthony seemed normal and asks "What is normal?" (state objects - beyond the scope; Baez says he done anyway).
(Will finish up with rest of witnesses later this evening).
Witness: Jamie Realander
Direct by the state. Witness was a shot girl at Fusion and met Anthony there. Said Anthony seemed happy, like a nice person to be friends with. She understood through one of the other girls that Anthony was the one to go to if any of them had questions related to the shot girl job. She was working June 20 and saw Anthony participate in the hot body contest. She is shown a photo of Anthony and another girl dancing, with witness sitting off to the side. She identifies herself and Anthony in the photo.
Realander said she can't recall if Anthony ever talked to her about what to wear, but that she would "pass" their attire (approve, I guess?). One night a large group was kind of rowdy and one of them tried to grab a shot girl and scratched her stomach. For their own protection, she says, Anthony sent all the shot girls home for the night.
On July 15th, had a conversation by phone with Anthony. Anthony told her she was going to Universal that day and to pick up Caylee. That's the first she ever knew that Anthony had a child. She told Realander her child had a birthday following month and Realander was invited to the party.
She received a text from Anthony the day after Caylee was reported missing asking for help finding her.
Cross by Baez. Did anything happen at Fusion that had anything to do with Caylee? No, she says. Witness said Anthony was always kind at work, treated others with respect, protected the shot girls, looked out for them.
Re-direct by George. When photo was taken June 20, did Anthony tell you her daughter was missing, kidnapped, that she needed help finding her? No, says witness. But she acted as a protector for *you* he asked. Yes, said witness. (That was brilliant...inference being that Anthony would protect shot girls but not her own child.)
Witness: Erica Gonzalez
Direct by George. She was also a shot girl at Fusion. Said Anthony was basically the manager of the shot girls. They would tell her what they were wearing, but she didn't make suggestions or tell them what they had to wear. Anthony was protective of the shot girls and drew a specific parallel between caring for them and caring for her daughter.
Anthony never let on that her daughter was missing/kidnapped, never asked for help finding her. She was never upset, always happy, always kind to everyone.
When Gonzalez learned Caylee was missing, she sent Anthony a text offering to help if there were anything she could do.
Cross by Baez. He asks if Anthony were kind, treated them all with respect, courteous, looked out for the shot girls. Yes to all, the witness stated.
Witness: Anthony Lazzaro
Direct by George. Lazzaro is from New York. He lived in FL while attending Full Sail, Aug 2007-2009. He and a friend set up a DJ/promotion company called "DBC." They met with owner at Fusion who was receptive and set up some shows beginning in June 2008. He was taking classes at the same time.
Lazzaro met Anthony through Facebook's "area people" search. They decided to meet in person at the end of May at a birthday party for one of his friends. He made the party an "event" on FB and sent invites to everyone, including Anthony, who said she'd be there. His first impression was that she was a pretty girl, and they hit it off.
Shortly thereafter, they made plans to see each other again and began dating on a regular basis. He didn't go to her place; she always came to his. In the beginning, she'd come over 2-3 times a week. Brought her daughter with her a few times. They all went to a pool party at his complex on June 2nd.
Sometimes Casey would bring Caylee with her to visit. On June 13th they all went to the mall. He handed out promotional flyers while they walked around the mall. Afterward, they went to Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch and then returned to his apartment. Caylee never spent the night there. That day was the last time he saw Caylee.
Anthony told Lazzaro that she worked in event planning for Universal. She would wear a Universal badge with her photo on it. She talked about specific people at work, including "Jeff." She told him that either her mother or her babysitter looked after Caylee. He recalls her saying "Zanny" was the sitter's name. He does not recall her ever saying where Zanny lived or whether she cared for other children, but she would mention specific times that Caylee was with Zanny.
The hip hop showcases he was promoting were on Fridays. On June 13, he went to Fusion for the showcase. Anthony attended the event. He, Clint House and two other promoters hired the shot girls and instructed them. At one point, Casey wanted to help out, so he told her she could help keep the shot girls in line.
After the June 13 showcase, Anthony spent the night for the first time at Lazzaro's apartment. Beginning mid-to-late June, Anthony began spending more time there -- basically living with him.
On June 16 2008, he saw Casey around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. They went to Blockbuster to rent a movie. (A copy of the video surveillance from Blockbuster is shown and he IDs himself and Casey.) He said she was happy to see him, having "a grand old time." She didn't cry, act scared, nervous or tell him her daughter was missing or that anything was wrong with Casey herself. There was nothing different about her demeanor that night than any other time he'd previously seen her. She stayed over that night and every night from then on.
Lazzaro does not recall any of Caylee's clothing, toys, stuffed animals being in the apartment...maybe a book, though.
After Casey spent the night on the 16th, Lazzaro said he played hooky the next day and spent it in bed with her. It was still a new relationship; he cared for her and things were going well. She was happy to be there with him that day and told him so. She gave no indication anything was wrong; didn't mention her daughter; didn't attempt to call her daughter or anyone else that he knows of.
When Lazzaro attended classes, he assumed Casey would go to work, go see Caylee, whatever she wanted to do ("She was a free woman," he said.). He said Anthony told him that her parents were moving out of their home and were going to give it to her and Caylee, and that her friend Amy would be moving in with them.
On June 20, Casey again went to Fusion with Lazzaro. There was a last minute decision to hold a hot body contest and Casey participated. His role was to make sure nothing got out of hand, more or less security for the night.). He's shown a photo of Casey wearing a blue dress and dancing with another girl and identifies it as having been taken that night.
The afternoon of June 23, Casey called him and said she'd run out of gas and needed him to pick her up, so he did. She was walking on the main road that goes south toward her house and had a backpack with her. She said she had gas at her house, so he took her there to pick it up. They parked his 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the driveway. No other cars were there.
They proceeded to the shed in the backyard. It was locked, so they used a tire iron to open it. He was hesitant to break the lock, but she told him it was ok, that it was her shed, and he took her word for it. They took two gas cans from the shed and returned to her car. She poured the gas into the tank of her car and then put the cans in her trunk. He didn't see inside trunk when she opened it. They went back to his apartment after that. No mood change; Anthony seemed fine.
He said when Casey took phone calls, she'd always go outside to talk. He found it a bit odd, but didn't question it. Figured it was a private matter with her mom. Never noticed her mood changing drastically after conversations with her mother. He recalls that she said to him at times she was going to call the "babysitter" and then would go outdoors to make the call.
On June 27, Casey called him saying she'd run out of gas again. She was in the Amscot parking lot. He picked her up there, but stayed in his car. She was carrying groceries; was already outside her car. He offered to take a look at the car, but she said not to worry, that her father would take care of it. He never saw her car again after that day.
Later that day, they went to JC Penney (video introduced and he IDs them on it). They went to Fusion again that night (photo shown - he in striped shirt, Anthony in black dress). As with every other occasion he was asked about, there was no noticeable change in Anthony's demeanor that night -- she wasn't upset, angry, sad; didn't say Caylee was missing/kidnapped or that she needed help.
Lazzaro took a short trip home to NY on June 30. Casey drove him to the airport in his Jeep. She was supposed to drop it back at his apartment complex. There was no agreement for her to use the Jeep while he was gone; he didn't consent to it. As for her own car, she told him her dad had taken it to a mechanic or dealership, he thinks.
George asks Lazzaro to identify Casey in the courtroom. The defense says they'll stipulate that the defendant is indeed Casey Anthony. However, the state does not stipulate and asks Lazzaro to point her out, so he does.
Cross exam by Baez. He asks for each of the three photos George showed him whether on any of those dates, Anthony talked about murdering anyone, planning to murder anyone; whether she borrowed duct tape, knife, gun. He answers no to all. Baez asks about JC Penney and Blockbuster, too -- whether she purchased duct tape, plastic bags, chloroform, weapons. Lazzaro answers no to all.
Lazzaro says he saw Caylee two or three times. It was fine with him that Casey had a daughter. He liked Caylee and says Anthony interacted lovingly with her. He said she did have to raise her voice to Caylee when she got too close to the pool on June 2, just to stop her.
Baez then asks if Casey shared a secret with Anthony, that her father had abused her. The state objects - hearsay - and Judge Perry sustains. Baez argues that it isn't hearsay but an admission of the defendant. The judge said it was a self-serving statement and told Baez to move on.
Baez then points out that Lazzaro was cooperative with LE from the beginning but that he wouldn't talk to the defense ("Didn't know I had to," Lazzaro replied.)
Baez elicits that when they got to Casey's car with the gas cans, she didn't tell him not to look in the trunk or attempt to block it in any way. Lazzaro never smelled any stench, but says he didn't actually get inside the car.
Baez needs more time to finish cross and asks to recall the witness Thursday. The judge agrees and court is recessed until 9:00 a.m. Thursday.
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The defense renewed a motion to preclude testimony about the neighbor's shovel coming into evidence (he is the next witness). The judge denied that motion.
Witness: Brian Burner
Direct by George. He is the next-door neighbor of the Anthonys who loaned Casey a shovel. On June 17th, he saw her car backing into the garage at the Anthony home. Doesn't recall seeing it leave. The next day, June 18, he was doing yard work when Casey approached him and asked to borrow a shovel to dig up a bamboo root. He loaned her his shovel. About an hour later, she returned it. On the 19th or 20th, he saw the car back in again, but did not see anyone and doesn't know how long it was there.
Baez on cross asks if Cpl Edwards told him to close his eyes and try to remember the dates. Yes. Did he also tell him that sometimes with time you can remember things you didn't earlier? Yes. Does witness agree with that? To an extent, yes. Burner did not pay enough attention to know whether Anthony previously backed her car into the garage. The shovel was not muddy and Casey wasn't sweaty when she returned it.
Re-direct by George. Witness told Cpl Edwards about a pickup he saw in the Anthony driveway on the day the gas cans were taken. He says he heard voices and saw Casey and a man in the driveway but couldn't hear any of what was said. Does not recall if her car was there.
Re-cross by Baez. Witness says shovel was turned in to the FBI. On the 17th, after Burner talked to LE, there were media parked outside his home. He said they were there for months (state objects - beyond the scope; judge sustains). Baez remarks that witness said Anthony seemed normal and asks "What is normal?" (state objects - beyond the scope; Baez says he done anyway).
(Will finish up with rest of witnesses later this evening).
Witness: Jamie Realander
Direct by the state. Witness was a shot girl at Fusion and met Anthony there. Said Anthony seemed happy, like a nice person to be friends with. She understood through one of the other girls that Anthony was the one to go to if any of them had questions related to the shot girl job. She was working June 20 and saw Anthony participate in the hot body contest. She is shown a photo of Anthony and another girl dancing, with witness sitting off to the side. She identifies herself and Anthony in the photo.
Realander said she can't recall if Anthony ever talked to her about what to wear, but that she would "pass" their attire (approve, I guess?). One night a large group was kind of rowdy and one of them tried to grab a shot girl and scratched her stomach. For their own protection, she says, Anthony sent all the shot girls home for the night.
On July 15th, had a conversation by phone with Anthony. Anthony told her she was going to Universal that day and to pick up Caylee. That's the first she ever knew that Anthony had a child. She told Realander her child had a birthday following month and Realander was invited to the party.
She received a text from Anthony the day after Caylee was reported missing asking for help finding her.
Cross by Baez. Did anything happen at Fusion that had anything to do with Caylee? No, she says. Witness said Anthony was always kind at work, treated others with respect, protected the shot girls, looked out for them.
Re-direct by George. When photo was taken June 20, did Anthony tell you her daughter was missing, kidnapped, that she needed help finding her? No, says witness. But she acted as a protector for *you* he asked. Yes, said witness. (That was brilliant...inference being that Anthony would protect shot girls but not her own child.)
Witness: Erica Gonzalez
Direct by George. She was also a shot girl at Fusion. Said Anthony was basically the manager of the shot girls. They would tell her what they were wearing, but she didn't make suggestions or tell them what they had to wear. Anthony was protective of the shot girls and drew a specific parallel between caring for them and caring for her daughter.
Anthony never let on that her daughter was missing/kidnapped, never asked for help finding her. She was never upset, always happy, always kind to everyone.
When Gonzalez learned Caylee was missing, she sent Anthony a text offering to help if there were anything she could do.
Cross by Baez. He asks if Anthony were kind, treated them all with respect, courteous, looked out for the shot girls. Yes to all, the witness stated.
Witness: Anthony Lazzaro
Direct by George. Lazzaro is from New York. He lived in FL while attending Full Sail, Aug 2007-2009. He and a friend set up a DJ/promotion company called "DBC." They met with owner at Fusion who was receptive and set up some shows beginning in June 2008. He was taking classes at the same time.
Lazzaro met Anthony through Facebook's "area people" search. They decided to meet in person at the end of May at a birthday party for one of his friends. He made the party an "event" on FB and sent invites to everyone, including Anthony, who said she'd be there. His first impression was that she was a pretty girl, and they hit it off.
Shortly thereafter, they made plans to see each other again and began dating on a regular basis. He didn't go to her place; she always came to his. In the beginning, she'd come over 2-3 times a week. Brought her daughter with her a few times. They all went to a pool party at his complex on June 2nd.
Sometimes Casey would bring Caylee with her to visit. On June 13th they all went to the mall. He handed out promotional flyers while they walked around the mall. Afterward, they went to Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch and then returned to his apartment. Caylee never spent the night there. That day was the last time he saw Caylee.
Anthony told Lazzaro that she worked in event planning for Universal. She would wear a Universal badge with her photo on it. She talked about specific people at work, including "Jeff." She told him that either her mother or her babysitter looked after Caylee. He recalls her saying "Zanny" was the sitter's name. He does not recall her ever saying where Zanny lived or whether she cared for other children, but she would mention specific times that Caylee was with Zanny.
The hip hop showcases he was promoting were on Fridays. On June 13, he went to Fusion for the showcase. Anthony attended the event. He, Clint House and two other promoters hired the shot girls and instructed them. At one point, Casey wanted to help out, so he told her she could help keep the shot girls in line.
After the June 13 showcase, Anthony spent the night for the first time at Lazzaro's apartment. Beginning mid-to-late June, Anthony began spending more time there -- basically living with him.
On June 16 2008, he saw Casey around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. They went to Blockbuster to rent a movie. (A copy of the video surveillance from Blockbuster is shown and he IDs himself and Casey.) He said she was happy to see him, having "a grand old time." She didn't cry, act scared, nervous or tell him her daughter was missing or that anything was wrong with Casey herself. There was nothing different about her demeanor that night than any other time he'd previously seen her. She stayed over that night and every night from then on.
Lazzaro does not recall any of Caylee's clothing, toys, stuffed animals being in the apartment...maybe a book, though.
After Casey spent the night on the 16th, Lazzaro said he played hooky the next day and spent it in bed with her. It was still a new relationship; he cared for her and things were going well. She was happy to be there with him that day and told him so. She gave no indication anything was wrong; didn't mention her daughter; didn't attempt to call her daughter or anyone else that he knows of.
When Lazzaro attended classes, he assumed Casey would go to work, go see Caylee, whatever she wanted to do ("She was a free woman," he said.). He said Anthony told him that her parents were moving out of their home and were going to give it to her and Caylee, and that her friend Amy would be moving in with them.
On June 20, Casey again went to Fusion with Lazzaro. There was a last minute decision to hold a hot body contest and Casey participated. His role was to make sure nothing got out of hand, more or less security for the night.). He's shown a photo of Casey wearing a blue dress and dancing with another girl and identifies it as having been taken that night.
The afternoon of June 23, Casey called him and said she'd run out of gas and needed him to pick her up, so he did. She was walking on the main road that goes south toward her house and had a backpack with her. She said she had gas at her house, so he took her there to pick it up. They parked his 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the driveway. No other cars were there.
They proceeded to the shed in the backyard. It was locked, so they used a tire iron to open it. He was hesitant to break the lock, but she told him it was ok, that it was her shed, and he took her word for it. They took two gas cans from the shed and returned to her car. She poured the gas into the tank of her car and then put the cans in her trunk. He didn't see inside trunk when she opened it. They went back to his apartment after that. No mood change; Anthony seemed fine.
He said when Casey took phone calls, she'd always go outside to talk. He found it a bit odd, but didn't question it. Figured it was a private matter with her mom. Never noticed her mood changing drastically after conversations with her mother. He recalls that she said to him at times she was going to call the "babysitter" and then would go outdoors to make the call.
On June 27, Casey called him saying she'd run out of gas again. She was in the Amscot parking lot. He picked her up there, but stayed in his car. She was carrying groceries; was already outside her car. He offered to take a look at the car, but she said not to worry, that her father would take care of it. He never saw her car again after that day.
Later that day, they went to JC Penney (video introduced and he IDs them on it). They went to Fusion again that night (photo shown - he in striped shirt, Anthony in black dress). As with every other occasion he was asked about, there was no noticeable change in Anthony's demeanor that night -- she wasn't upset, angry, sad; didn't say Caylee was missing/kidnapped or that she needed help.
Lazzaro took a short trip home to NY on June 30. Casey drove him to the airport in his Jeep. She was supposed to drop it back at his apartment complex. There was no agreement for her to use the Jeep while he was gone; he didn't consent to it. As for her own car, she told him her dad had taken it to a mechanic or dealership, he thinks.
George asks Lazzaro to identify Casey in the courtroom. The defense says they'll stipulate that the defendant is indeed Casey Anthony. However, the state does not stipulate and asks Lazzaro to point her out, so he does.
Cross exam by Baez. He asks for each of the three photos George showed him whether on any of those dates, Anthony talked about murdering anyone, planning to murder anyone; whether she borrowed duct tape, knife, gun. He answers no to all. Baez asks about JC Penney and Blockbuster, too -- whether she purchased duct tape, plastic bags, chloroform, weapons. Lazzaro answers no to all.
Lazzaro says he saw Caylee two or three times. It was fine with him that Casey had a daughter. He liked Caylee and says Anthony interacted lovingly with her. He said she did have to raise her voice to Caylee when she got too close to the pool on June 2, just to stop her.
Baez then asks if Casey shared a secret with Anthony, that her father had abused her. The state objects - hearsay - and Judge Perry sustains. Baez argues that it isn't hearsay but an admission of the defendant. The judge said it was a self-serving statement and told Baez to move on.
Baez then points out that Lazzaro was cooperative with LE from the beginning but that he wouldn't talk to the defense ("Didn't know I had to," Lazzaro replied.)
Baez elicits that when they got to Casey's car with the gas cans, she didn't tell him not to look in the trunk or attempt to block it in any way. Lazzaro never smelled any stench, but says he didn't actually get inside the car.
Baez needs more time to finish cross and asks to recall the witness Thursday. The judge agrees and court is recessed until 9:00 a.m. Thursday.
Casey Anthony Trial - Day 2 - Morning Session
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The judge took the bench and was calling the jury in when Jose Baez asked something (couldn't hear with the counsel table mics off). Apparently, defense was complaining they didn't know which witnesses the state would call and therefore didn't have their own files ready.
The judge said it'd be good (although he can't order it) for the state to give the defense a list of, say, 40 witnesses at the beginning of each week so they could have their files ready. Baez told the judge it would take 5-10 minutes to retrieve files for witnesses.
Judge Perry is not happy at all. He wants the parties to come to some agreement so they're not wasting time. He said if this is how it would be, they could expect 35 minute lunches and working late hours. He told them if they couldn't get it together, he'd impose his rules, and he could guarantee neither side would like it.
Witness: Cameron Campana
The state's first witness is Cameron Campana. He was a roommate of Tony Lazzaro, Casey's boyfriend during the time Caylee went missing. He was enrolled in Full Sail college.
Cameron met Anthony after a birthday party for one of his and Lazzaro's friends. Said she seemed like a normal, happy 22 yr old. She would go outside to talk with her mother on phone so that she could "vent."
When they would ask her about Caylee, Anthony would say she was with the Nanny and going to Universal, beach, etc.
Anthony said she worked as an event planner at Universal. Said she'd get tickets to a red-carpet premiere of Batman for the guys, but that never happened.
Campana said Anthony seemed happy, excited about life. Never mentioned her daughter was missing; never asked for their help in finding her.
On cross, Baez asked one question: "Were you at the Anthony home on June 16 2008 when Caylee drowned in the pool?" No, sir. Objection by state/overruled by judge. Cross is done; witness excused.
Witness: Nathan Lezniewicz
Nathan was another of Tony's roommates. He became aware that Anthony had a daughter. He saw Caylee 2-3 times, but never once Anthony began living at their place. He said when they'd ask about Caylee, Casey would say she was with the nanny. Casey seemed normal, happy.
On night Lee came to pick up Casey's computer, he told them that his sister tends to get in trouble and he wished he'd met them first so he could've warned them about her. Defense objected and it was sustained, but that'll be a bell that won't be un-rung.
On Friday nights, they'd go to Fusion, try to drum up business. Anthony participated in a hot body contest. State wants to show him photo. Defense objects. Overruled. He is shown picture of him and Casey, where she's wearing a blue dress.
On cross, Baez asks if he ever saw Caylee malnourished, otherwise neglected. He did not. Baez asked where Casey parked her car (witness said they all parked in random spots but in same area), and pointed out she didn't park it far away from everyone else. Asked if he was present on June 16th "when Caylee drowned in the family pool." Of course, he wasn't.
Witness: Roy "Clint" House
Direct by Frank George: Another roommate of Tony. Met her at the same time Tony did (at birthday party for friend). He said Casey seemed like "a fun party girl" who would get along well with his group of friends. He met Caylee 4-5 times at the apartment, but never after Casey started staying there full-time. When he'd ask where she was, she'd say Caylee was with the nanny. When Caylee visited, she had toys in her backpack and learning aids like flash cards. She liked to play with the drums in the apartment.
House said Casey never seemed worried, nervous, upset. She was happy and her demeanor didn't change from time she'd bring Caylee around til she started living there full-time.
House said Casey would help him and Tony out with their club promotion by being "a promo girl." She participated in hot body contest and mingled with the crowd. They had "shot girls," and although she didn't have a say in selecting them, she would suggest what might be good to wear.
House tells George that Casey was happy, partying, dancing, drinking. Never saw her sad, angry, depressed. He moved out a couple weeks before Cindy came to collect Casey. During that time, he and Tony had a rift and Casey had called/texted him to try to repair things. He said eventually he and Tony worked things out, but it wasn't due to Casey's efforts.
On cross, Baez questions him about club promotion (they drum up business for clubs) and the shot girls (again, Casey liked to help but didn't have any say). Baez asks him to confirm that he said her demeanor never changed throughout the time he knew her, and he does.
Witness: Maria Kissh
Direct by Frank George: Maria Kissh was the girlfriend of Clint House during the time period in question. She met Casey numerous times. She met Caylee once. Maria arrived at apartment to go out with Clint. Caylee opened the door all on her own, unattended by an adult. Maria later saw Caylee on the screened balcony alone and went out to sit with her. Once Casey came out of the bedroom, she told Caylee to put on her socks and shoes so they could go. She didn't help her. Maria saw Caylee struggling with it and helped her get them on.
She was over at the apartment 2-3 times a week, sometimes spending the night, but she never saw Caylee again after that one encounter.
Later, Maria once had a conversation with Casey in the kitchen of the apartment. Casey said she paid $400 week for the nanny; that Caylee's father was deceased; that Casey's parents were moving out of their home and giving it to Casey and Caylee.
Maria was at Fusion when Casey participated in the hot body contest. She heard her telling the shot girls what to do/not do, but didn't hear her advise them on attire. Anthony never told Maria her daughter was missing or kidnapped; that she was trying to locate her. Nor did she ever ask for her help in locating her. She saw no change in her demeanor.
Cross by Baez: Maria once rode (along with Casey, Tony and Clint) in Casey's car when they all sent out for a bite to eat. She didn't notice any odor. Baez tries to suggest that she was jealous of Casey living in the same apartment as Maria's boyfriend. Maria said not at all, didn't bother her a bit since she was Tony's girlfriend.
Lunch recess. New post for the afternoon.
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The judge took the bench and was calling the jury in when Jose Baez asked something (couldn't hear with the counsel table mics off). Apparently, defense was complaining they didn't know which witnesses the state would call and therefore didn't have their own files ready.
The judge said it'd be good (although he can't order it) for the state to give the defense a list of, say, 40 witnesses at the beginning of each week so they could have their files ready. Baez told the judge it would take 5-10 minutes to retrieve files for witnesses.
Judge Perry is not happy at all. He wants the parties to come to some agreement so they're not wasting time. He said if this is how it would be, they could expect 35 minute lunches and working late hours. He told them if they couldn't get it together, he'd impose his rules, and he could guarantee neither side would like it.
Witness: Cameron Campana
The state's first witness is Cameron Campana. He was a roommate of Tony Lazzaro, Casey's boyfriend during the time Caylee went missing. He was enrolled in Full Sail college.
Cameron met Anthony after a birthday party for one of his and Lazzaro's friends. Said she seemed like a normal, happy 22 yr old. She would go outside to talk with her mother on phone so that she could "vent."
When they would ask her about Caylee, Anthony would say she was with the Nanny and going to Universal, beach, etc.
Anthony said she worked as an event planner at Universal. Said she'd get tickets to a red-carpet premiere of Batman for the guys, but that never happened.
Campana said Anthony seemed happy, excited about life. Never mentioned her daughter was missing; never asked for their help in finding her.
On cross, Baez asked one question: "Were you at the Anthony home on June 16 2008 when Caylee drowned in the pool?" No, sir. Objection by state/overruled by judge. Cross is done; witness excused.
Witness: Nathan Lezniewicz
Nathan was another of Tony's roommates. He became aware that Anthony had a daughter. He saw Caylee 2-3 times, but never once Anthony began living at their place. He said when they'd ask about Caylee, Casey would say she was with the nanny. Casey seemed normal, happy.
On night Lee came to pick up Casey's computer, he told them that his sister tends to get in trouble and he wished he'd met them first so he could've warned them about her. Defense objected and it was sustained, but that'll be a bell that won't be un-rung.
On Friday nights, they'd go to Fusion, try to drum up business. Anthony participated in a hot body contest. State wants to show him photo. Defense objects. Overruled. He is shown picture of him and Casey, where she's wearing a blue dress.
On cross, Baez asks if he ever saw Caylee malnourished, otherwise neglected. He did not. Baez asked where Casey parked her car (witness said they all parked in random spots but in same area), and pointed out she didn't park it far away from everyone else. Asked if he was present on June 16th "when Caylee drowned in the family pool." Of course, he wasn't.
Witness: Roy "Clint" House
Direct by Frank George: Another roommate of Tony. Met her at the same time Tony did (at birthday party for friend). He said Casey seemed like "a fun party girl" who would get along well with his group of friends. He met Caylee 4-5 times at the apartment, but never after Casey started staying there full-time. When he'd ask where she was, she'd say Caylee was with the nanny. When Caylee visited, she had toys in her backpack and learning aids like flash cards. She liked to play with the drums in the apartment.
House said Casey never seemed worried, nervous, upset. She was happy and her demeanor didn't change from time she'd bring Caylee around til she started living there full-time.
House said Casey would help him and Tony out with their club promotion by being "a promo girl." She participated in hot body contest and mingled with the crowd. They had "shot girls," and although she didn't have a say in selecting them, she would suggest what might be good to wear.
House tells George that Casey was happy, partying, dancing, drinking. Never saw her sad, angry, depressed. He moved out a couple weeks before Cindy came to collect Casey. During that time, he and Tony had a rift and Casey had called/texted him to try to repair things. He said eventually he and Tony worked things out, but it wasn't due to Casey's efforts.
On cross, Baez questions him about club promotion (they drum up business for clubs) and the shot girls (again, Casey liked to help but didn't have any say). Baez asks him to confirm that he said her demeanor never changed throughout the time he knew her, and he does.
Witness: Maria Kissh
Direct by Frank George: Maria Kissh was the girlfriend of Clint House during the time period in question. She met Casey numerous times. She met Caylee once. Maria arrived at apartment to go out with Clint. Caylee opened the door all on her own, unattended by an adult. Maria later saw Caylee on the screened balcony alone and went out to sit with her. Once Casey came out of the bedroom, she told Caylee to put on her socks and shoes so they could go. She didn't help her. Maria saw Caylee struggling with it and helped her get them on.
She was over at the apartment 2-3 times a week, sometimes spending the night, but she never saw Caylee again after that one encounter.
Later, Maria once had a conversation with Casey in the kitchen of the apartment. Casey said she paid $400 week for the nanny; that Caylee's father was deceased; that Casey's parents were moving out of their home and giving it to Casey and Caylee.
Maria was at Fusion when Casey participated in the hot body contest. She heard her telling the shot girls what to do/not do, but didn't hear her advise them on attire. Anthony never told Maria her daughter was missing or kidnapped; that she was trying to locate her. Nor did she ever ask for her help in locating her. She saw no change in her demeanor.
Cross by Baez: Maria once rode (along with Casey, Tony and Clint) in Casey's car when they all sent out for a bite to eat. She didn't notice any odor. Baez tries to suggest that she was jealous of Casey living in the same apartment as Maria's boyfriend. Maria said not at all, didn't bother her a bit since she was Tony's girlfriend.
Lunch recess. New post for the afternoon.
Casey Anthony Trial - Day 1 - Witness: George Anthony
Direct Exam by Ashton:
George Anthony is the first witness called by the state. Ashton walks Anthony through some background information about his meeting Cindy when they lived in OH, their marriage, the move to Florida with their two young children.
George said he was present for the birth of his two children and was also present for Caylee's birth. He said he was so excited to be a grandfather and that there was never any question that Casey and Caylee would be welcome to live with the Anthonys.
At some point, the subject of Caylee's father's identity was brought up with Casey. She said it could have been someone with last name of Baker (he doesn't recall first name), but she was also seeing Jesse Grund. George said Grund didn't make a good first impression with him (he met him for first time at Caylee's birth). Jesse took a paternity test and he is not Caylee's father.
On June 16 2008, George ate breakfast with and played with Caylee. He saw Caylee and Casey out to her car, blew a kiss goodbye to Caylee...and never saw her again (he choked up a bit with that).
Ashton asks if he ever molested Casey or performed any sort of improper sexual act with or in front of her. George says no.
Ashton asks if he was present when Caylee died. George says no, and that the first time he heard of his being there was today, and it hurt really badly to hear that.
Ashton asks if he would have tried to save Caylee. George says he would have done everything humanly possible to save her.
Ashton asks if he disposed of Caylee's body. George says no, he did not.
Ashton asks if he took duct tape from his garage and put it over Caylee's mouth. George says no.
Ashton asks when he first knew something had happened to Caylee. George says he didn't know anything until July 15 and when Caylee was ultimately found in Dec 2008.
Cross-exam by Baez:
Baez asks about a wedding the family attended in May 2008 (Cindy's brother). Baez says everyone wanted to know who the pregnant girl was. He asks if George knew then that Casey was pregnant. George said he didn't know for sure but had a feeling she could be. Baez asks if he thought his daughter had a beer belly. George said he thought it might be water retention. "Do you have trouble with your vision?" George says no.
Baez attempts to impeach George on his statements regarding whether he believed Casey was working. In direct exam, he had said he believed she was working at Universal, but apparently in a statement to LE said he did not believe she was working. Baez wants to know which statement is the truth.
Next, Baez asks about the nanny. George said he had no reason to disbelieve that Casey was taking Caylee to stay with "Zanny" (the imaginary nanny). Baez points out that in all the time Caylee was supposed to have been staying with the Nanny, George never saw her, never had a phone call with her, never saw a photo of her.
Then Baez asks about George moving out of the house. He said he moved out sometime late Nov/early Dec 2008. Baez stated that it was because Casey didn't want him there. George replied no, it was because of marital issues between him and Cindy. He had fallen for the Nigerian email bank scam and had some problems with gambling.
Baez mentions that George remembers everything Caylee was wearing that day. He asks him what Cindy was wearing. George doesn't recall. Baez finds it odd that George remembered the details of her attire since he wasn't asked about what she was wearing til a month later.
Baez makes several attempts to question George about the gas cans and the duct tape on them. Objection after objection by the state, all of them sustained by the judge.
He moves on and asks George if he'd previously heard the theory that Caylee drowned in the pool. George says yes. Baez asks if he'd heard it from more than one source? George says no, just one source. Baez asks if he'd heard from the prosecution that that's how Caylee died. (Objection/Sidebar)
Baez asks George if he met with the prosecution prior to testimony. Yes, George said. Baez suggests the state prepped his testimony by telling him what questions they'd ask. George says no, they just discussed the process, what would happen, not specifics.
Judge Perry says it's entirely proper for witnesses to meet with their attorneys prior to testifying and they shouldn't be discredited for that.
Baez asks if George retained an atty within 24 hrs of learning Caylee was missing. George said his friend of 20 yrs, an attorney who'd handled some workers' comp for George, came to the house. He was there firstly as a friend but also to provide some legal guidance.
He also questioned George about the tow yard and his having said to the tow yard guy that he hoped that odor wasn't his daughter or granddaughter since they'd been missing. Multiple objections when asking about decomp odor.
The state does a brief re-direct asking George what his emotional state was at the time. George says he was tired, running on fumes, very edgy, nothing to eat or drink, going in many directions trying to find Caylee.
And that's it for today. Court is in recess til 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.
George Anthony is the first witness called by the state. Ashton walks Anthony through some background information about his meeting Cindy when they lived in OH, their marriage, the move to Florida with their two young children.
George said he was present for the birth of his two children and was also present for Caylee's birth. He said he was so excited to be a grandfather and that there was never any question that Casey and Caylee would be welcome to live with the Anthonys.
At some point, the subject of Caylee's father's identity was brought up with Casey. She said it could have been someone with last name of Baker (he doesn't recall first name), but she was also seeing Jesse Grund. George said Grund didn't make a good first impression with him (he met him for first time at Caylee's birth). Jesse took a paternity test and he is not Caylee's father.
On June 16 2008, George ate breakfast with and played with Caylee. He saw Caylee and Casey out to her car, blew a kiss goodbye to Caylee...and never saw her again (he choked up a bit with that).
Ashton asks if he ever molested Casey or performed any sort of improper sexual act with or in front of her. George says no.
Ashton asks if he was present when Caylee died. George says no, and that the first time he heard of his being there was today, and it hurt really badly to hear that.
Ashton asks if he would have tried to save Caylee. George says he would have done everything humanly possible to save her.
Ashton asks if he disposed of Caylee's body. George says no, he did not.
Ashton asks if he took duct tape from his garage and put it over Caylee's mouth. George says no.
Ashton asks when he first knew something had happened to Caylee. George says he didn't know anything until July 15 and when Caylee was ultimately found in Dec 2008.
Cross-exam by Baez:
Baez asks about a wedding the family attended in May 2008 (Cindy's brother). Baez says everyone wanted to know who the pregnant girl was. He asks if George knew then that Casey was pregnant. George said he didn't know for sure but had a feeling she could be. Baez asks if he thought his daughter had a beer belly. George said he thought it might be water retention. "Do you have trouble with your vision?" George says no.
Baez attempts to impeach George on his statements regarding whether he believed Casey was working. In direct exam, he had said he believed she was working at Universal, but apparently in a statement to LE said he did not believe she was working. Baez wants to know which statement is the truth.
Next, Baez asks about the nanny. George said he had no reason to disbelieve that Casey was taking Caylee to stay with "Zanny" (the imaginary nanny). Baez points out that in all the time Caylee was supposed to have been staying with the Nanny, George never saw her, never had a phone call with her, never saw a photo of her.
Then Baez asks about George moving out of the house. He said he moved out sometime late Nov/early Dec 2008. Baez stated that it was because Casey didn't want him there. George replied no, it was because of marital issues between him and Cindy. He had fallen for the Nigerian email bank scam and had some problems with gambling.
Baez mentions that George remembers everything Caylee was wearing that day. He asks him what Cindy was wearing. George doesn't recall. Baez finds it odd that George remembered the details of her attire since he wasn't asked about what she was wearing til a month later.
Baez makes several attempts to question George about the gas cans and the duct tape on them. Objection after objection by the state, all of them sustained by the judge.
He moves on and asks George if he'd previously heard the theory that Caylee drowned in the pool. George says yes. Baez asks if he'd heard it from more than one source? George says no, just one source. Baez asks if he'd heard from the prosecution that that's how Caylee died. (Objection/Sidebar)
Baez asks George if he met with the prosecution prior to testimony. Yes, George said. Baez suggests the state prepped his testimony by telling him what questions they'd ask. George says no, they just discussed the process, what would happen, not specifics.
Judge Perry says it's entirely proper for witnesses to meet with their attorneys prior to testifying and they shouldn't be discredited for that.
Baez asks if George retained an atty within 24 hrs of learning Caylee was missing. George said his friend of 20 yrs, an attorney who'd handled some workers' comp for George, came to the house. He was there firstly as a friend but also to provide some legal guidance.
He also questioned George about the tow yard and his having said to the tow yard guy that he hoped that odor wasn't his daughter or granddaughter since they'd been missing. Multiple objections when asking about decomp odor.
The state does a brief re-direct asking George what his emotional state was at the time. George says he was tired, running on fumes, very edgy, nothing to eat or drink, going in many directions trying to find Caylee.
And that's it for today. Court is in recess til 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.
24 May 2011
Casey Anthony Trial - Day 1 - Defense Opening Statement
Linda Drane Burdick's opening statement was understated but powerful. No theatrics or overly dramatic recitation of the evidence -- the sad facts of the case are emotion-inducing on their own and speak loudly and clearly without dramatic embellishment. She kept it simple and methodically and squarely hit every point she needed to make.
Let's see if Jose Baez can bring an equally powerful opening statement to the jury on behalf of the defense:
"No one ever told you what happened. Today, you will be the first people to know what happened to Caylee. How can a mother wait 30 days to report her child missing? It's insane, bizarre -- something's not right about it."
"This is not a murder, manslaughter or child abuse things. It's none of those things. Caylee died on June 16th in her family's pool."
Baez went on to say that Caylee slipped out unnoticed. George and Casey called for her in the house and couldn't find her, so they went outside. When Casey came around the corner, she saw George carrying Caylee's body. She grabbed Caylee and began to cry. George shouted at her, "Look what you've done! Your mother will never forgive you! You'll go to jail for child neglect for the rest of your fricking life!"
Baez said that Caylee's death was "a tragic accident that snowballed out of control." Casey should have been stronger, should have called 911 (that, by the way, was the only thing for which he assigned any blame to Casey).
"Casey was an excellent mother...this child wasn't anything but loved, especially by her mother. Casey adored her child"
George distanced himself and took steps to make sure Casey took the blame for Caylee's death, Baez claimed. He said George set Casey up with the duct tape from the house, knowing it would be traced back to her. "Follow the tape and it will tell you who put Caylee's remains where they were."
"This family must keep its secrets quiet." You never know what dark, ugly secrets lie within, he said, noting that after Caylee died, Casey did what she's done most of her life -- she hid her pain. She lived in denial.
Baez then claimed that George Anthony sexually abused his daughter, beginning when she was eight years old. He said, "She could have her father's penis in her mouth and go to school and play with the other kids like nothing was wrong." He also said Lee Anthony, her brother, "wanted to follow in his father's footsteps" with the abuse and as a teen had attempted to sexually abuse his sister.
Baez said that Anthony made up jobs, a babysitter, etc. in order to cope with her life. He admits that she lied all the time; he said she was raised to lie, that's how she was brought up and the entire family was that way.
Baez claimed LE conducted a "desperate" investigation that focused only on Casey Anthony and that their work was sloppy and incomplete. He said professional police work "took a backseat" in that they were more concerned with public perception than in doing their jobs. He also said the cadaver dog and its handler, the FBI analysis of the hair with "death band," and the air compound analysis by Dr. Vass were not reliable.
Roy Kronk, the utility worker who found Caylee's remains, was in it for a payday and suggested Kronk knew of the location remains for months and possessed or moved them in order to benefit financially from the reward offered for her return. "Roy Kronk is morally bankrupt." Kronk called his son and told him he was going to be rich and famous. "Where did Kronk find Caylee? We'll never know," said Baez, citing police incompetence.
In a nutshell, Caylee's death was an accidental drowning in the family pool. George Anthony covered it up and then made sure the finger of guilt pointed at Casey. Everyone who investigated the case was incompetent and/or had ulterior motives. Casey is merely an innocent victim of sexual abuse and a conspiracy by her father to frame her for murder. The only thing she did wrong was not to call 911 when the "accident" happened.
Baez concluded with, "You can help end this nightmare by sending her home. I'll ask you all to render a verdict of not guilty."
My first take on this opening statement was that it was disjointed and just all over the place with so many lurid and/or wild allegations. After a second listen, I've changed my mind. It wasn't disjointed, just far-fetched. Given what he was working with, he did a good job presenting the statement. He was animated and passionate about it.
Did I buy any of it? With the exception of Kronk wanting to make some money off finding Caylee's remains, no, I don't. If I knew nothing of the case, it might be easier to accept that some of these allegations are true. But I've followed from the beginning, read the discovery, etc. So I know that some of what he alleged is simply not true or was twisted to fit the scenario he was selling. How about you? What did you think of the opening statements?
Let's see if Jose Baez can bring an equally powerful opening statement to the jury on behalf of the defense:
"No one ever told you what happened. Today, you will be the first people to know what happened to Caylee. How can a mother wait 30 days to report her child missing? It's insane, bizarre -- something's not right about it."
"This is not a murder, manslaughter or child abuse things. It's none of those things. Caylee died on June 16th in her family's pool."
Baez went on to say that Caylee slipped out unnoticed. George and Casey called for her in the house and couldn't find her, so they went outside. When Casey came around the corner, she saw George carrying Caylee's body. She grabbed Caylee and began to cry. George shouted at her, "Look what you've done! Your mother will never forgive you! You'll go to jail for child neglect for the rest of your fricking life!"
Baez said that Caylee's death was "a tragic accident that snowballed out of control." Casey should have been stronger, should have called 911 (that, by the way, was the only thing for which he assigned any blame to Casey).
"Casey was an excellent mother...this child wasn't anything but loved, especially by her mother. Casey adored her child"
George distanced himself and took steps to make sure Casey took the blame for Caylee's death, Baez claimed. He said George set Casey up with the duct tape from the house, knowing it would be traced back to her. "Follow the tape and it will tell you who put Caylee's remains where they were."
"This family must keep its secrets quiet." You never know what dark, ugly secrets lie within, he said, noting that after Caylee died, Casey did what she's done most of her life -- she hid her pain. She lived in denial.
Baez then claimed that George Anthony sexually abused his daughter, beginning when she was eight years old. He said, "She could have her father's penis in her mouth and go to school and play with the other kids like nothing was wrong." He also said Lee Anthony, her brother, "wanted to follow in his father's footsteps" with the abuse and as a teen had attempted to sexually abuse his sister.
Baez said that Anthony made up jobs, a babysitter, etc. in order to cope with her life. He admits that she lied all the time; he said she was raised to lie, that's how she was brought up and the entire family was that way.
Baez claimed LE conducted a "desperate" investigation that focused only on Casey Anthony and that their work was sloppy and incomplete. He said professional police work "took a backseat" in that they were more concerned with public perception than in doing their jobs. He also said the cadaver dog and its handler, the FBI analysis of the hair with "death band," and the air compound analysis by Dr. Vass were not reliable.
Roy Kronk, the utility worker who found Caylee's remains, was in it for a payday and suggested Kronk knew of the location remains for months and possessed or moved them in order to benefit financially from the reward offered for her return. "Roy Kronk is morally bankrupt." Kronk called his son and told him he was going to be rich and famous. "Where did Kronk find Caylee? We'll never know," said Baez, citing police incompetence.
In a nutshell, Caylee's death was an accidental drowning in the family pool. George Anthony covered it up and then made sure the finger of guilt pointed at Casey. Everyone who investigated the case was incompetent and/or had ulterior motives. Casey is merely an innocent victim of sexual abuse and a conspiracy by her father to frame her for murder. The only thing she did wrong was not to call 911 when the "accident" happened.
Baez concluded with, "You can help end this nightmare by sending her home. I'll ask you all to render a verdict of not guilty."
My first take on this opening statement was that it was disjointed and just all over the place with so many lurid and/or wild allegations. After a second listen, I've changed my mind. It wasn't disjointed, just far-fetched. Given what he was working with, he did a good job presenting the statement. He was animated and passionate about it.
Did I buy any of it? With the exception of Kronk wanting to make some money off finding Caylee's remains, no, I don't. If I knew nothing of the case, it might be easier to accept that some of these allegations are true. But I've followed from the beginning, read the discovery, etc. So I know that some of what he alleged is simply not true or was twisted to fit the scenario he was selling. How about you? What did you think of the opening statements?
Casey Anthony Trial - Day 1 - State's Opening Statement
Finally, the day is upon is. Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9:00 this morning. Already, a drama -- CFNews13 and Orlando Sentinel tweeted that a lady waiting in line for tickets was pulled aside by a deputy after people complained she reeked of alcohol. She was ejected from the line, went and changed clothes and tried to sneak back into line. When asked her name, she replied, "Lindsay Yo-Mama." Classy!
At precisely 9:00, Judge Perry takes the bench and the clerk calls the case. The judge asks to see lead counsel at sidebar prior to starting.
Linda Drane Burdick delivers opening statement for the state:
This is a story about Caylee Anthony. Caylee was born August 9, 2005. She lived nearly every day on a quiet residential street in Orlando called Hope Spring Dr. Her doting grandparents filled her room with toys. It was decorated with every imaginable Winnie The Pooh item. In the backyard, every little girl's dream -- a playhouse.
Caylee's grandparents moved to Orlando in 1989 from Ohio. They came with their children, Casey and Lee. They have been at the address on Hope Spring Dr ever since. George has worked a variety of security jobs. Cindy is a nurse.
When George and Cindy learned Casey was pregnant, they committed to helping her and to providing a loving and stable home for Caylee. They believed Casey worked at Universal, that she was a hard-working single young mother. Over the next 2.5 yrs, Caylee appeared to have an idyllic life. She was loved by her grandparents. They took lots of pictures of her -- she was the apple of their eye.
She did things like swim in the backyard in the above-ground pool. She watched Spongebob with Jo-Jo (what she called her grandfather). Casey appeared to outward observers to be what her parents thought she was -- a loving mother working hard to provide support for her daughter.
But as the evidence in this case will show, that was an illusion. Casey was not employed. Casey dressed in work clothes, had a Universal ID and went who-knows-where for 2 years after Caylee was born.
Although the cracks in Casey's facade begin to appear in the weeks, months prior to June 2008, Father's Day -- June 15 2008 -- started as typical Sunday. You'll hear that George at that time had a security job that had him working regularly from 3-11pm. Cindy worked as a nurse-manager 8am-5pm. George worked Father's Day 2008. Cindy took her beautiful little granddaughter to see her great-grandfather (Cindy's dad) who was in a nursing home.
Cindy took her video camera and a still camera with her to record the events of Father's Day 2008. Cindy unknowingly took the last known photo of Caylee. On that Father's Day in Mt. Dora, Caylee snuggled with her great grandfather, who she called Papa. She read, colored, sang. Eventually in the afternoon Cindy decided they needed to leave. She returned to the family home and they swam in the pool and Caylee had fun. Casey spent most of that day with her new boyfriend, Tony Lazzaro.
Casey returned about 7:30 in the evening. That evening, everything appeared to be fine. Went to bed, readied themselves for the typical start of a work week. On Mon, June 16, Cindy goes to work between 7-8am. George works 3-11 shift. Was up early, had breakfast with Caylee. George specifically recalls that at 12:50pm on June 16 2008, Casey left the residence with Caylee.
Caylee was wearing pink shirt, jean shorts, sunglasses and a backpack. Jo-Jo (George Anthony) kissed his granddaughter goodbye...and never saw her again. In fact, no one but Casey Anthony ever saw Caylee Marie Anthony alive again. (Anthony is shaking her head "no" over and over). The next time a photo is taken of Caylee is on Dec 11, 2008.
The story of this case is not about Casey Anthony. It's about what happened after the photo taken on Father's Day 2008 and the photo taken Dec 11 2008. What happened to Caylee Marie Anthony.
(Anthony is bawling, shaking her head no.)
You will hear during testimony that no one had any idea anything had befallen Caylee until July 15 2008. What happened between June 16 and July 15? Where was Caylee Marie? Thirty days passed between the time that anyone besides Casey Anthony saw Caylee and when she was reported missing by her grandmother. So what happened?
Day 1 -- Mon, June 16 2008. Cell records show she did not leave the area of her parents' house til after 4pm that day, despite the fact her father saw her leave at 12:50. When she leaves, she tells George she's going to spend the night (with Caylee) with the babysitter. Told her mother the same and that the babysitter's name was Zanny.
You will learn that there IS no Zanny. Like Casey's job, the babysitter was a figment of her imagination. When she appears on the Blockbuster video the night of June 16, where is Caylee?
Day 2 -- Cell records shows she was Tony's til 2pm, when she traveled to her parents' house and was there from 2:45-4:30. Her car was seen backed into garage by neighbor. He didn't see Caylee with her. Casey told her mother they'd be spending the night again with Zanny. She spent the night with Tony. He will testify Caylee wasn't there. Where is Caylee?
Day 3 -- Wed, June 18th. Again, cell records show Casey was at Tony's until about 12:30. From then until 1:15, she's attempting to call her parents' home. The neighbor, Brian B., sees Casey again. She backs the car into the garage. About 1:30/2:30 in the afternoon, she asks him to borrow a shovel. She had the shovel for about an hour. Didn't notice anything unusual about it when she returned it.
George worked that day. Cindy again inquired about her granddaughter who had never spent more than a day away from her grandparents in her life. Casey told her mom she was going to conference in Tampa and Caylee would be with Zanny and two other people -- Juliet and Annabel. There is no Zanny, Juliet or Annabelle. She spent the night again with Tony, but Caylee wasn't with her. Where is Caylee Marie Anthony?
Day 4 -- Thurs June 19 2008. George typically didn't work Thursdays. Cell records show she was in area of Tony's apt for a while, then that she went looking for an apt for her boyfriend. No one saw Caylee that day. Where is Caylee?
Day 5 -- Fri June 20 2008. George is not working on that date. Cindy wants to know where Caylee is. Caylee tells her that she is still in conference at B. Gardens in Tampa and it's going to go over into Saturday. On that date, she went to Fusion with her boyfriend and participated in a hot body contest and was photographed at it. Caylee wasn't there. Caylee wasn't at Tony's or with her grandmother. Where is Caylee?
Day 6 and 7 -- Sat and Sun, June 21 and 22. Cindy kept pressing, asking where Caylee was. A friend of Casey's boyfriend's roommate says to Casey, "Where's Caylee?" Casey tells her Caylee is at the beach. She continues to tell her mother she's in Tampa.
Day 8 -- Monday June 23 2008. She is at Tony's til about 1:30 in the afternoon. Records show she headed in direction of parents' home at about 2:30. Casey calls her boyfriend about 2:45, saying her car had run out of gas. Tony finds Casey and Casey takes him to parents' house where they break into shed and take her dad's gas can.
Cindy is still inquiring about her granddaughter. Casey spoke with her about 5:30 and adds another detail -- Zanny was in a hospital in Tampa because she was in an accident, and that Caylee is with Juliet and Annabelle while Casey tends to Zanny in the hospital. You will hear that she wasn't in Tampa. She was at her parents' house taking her dad's gas gans.
Day 9 -- Tues June 24 2008. George decides to mow the lawn. Goes to the shed and sees lock broken. So George calls LE and says someone burglarized his shed. Fills out a statement, tells the neighbor that there's a vandal, keep a lookout.
George ended up having an interview for another security job that evening. Casey showed up at 2:30. No Caylee, no Tony. Just Caylee and her white Pontiac Sunfire. Her dad wants to know where Caylee is. "I miss Caylee - where is she? We miss her." Casey dismissively says "I have ten mins, I have to get back to work." George has an idea that the missing gas can might be in Casey's possession. So he tells her he needs something from her car and that he's gonna go get it. She rushes past him, goes to trunk of car. Pushes the gas cans at him and says, "Here's your fucking cans," gets in her car and leaves.
Fingers are tired...gonna take a break and listen/watch for a while. More later.
Think I'm going to tweet in real time and update the blog later on. Bit difficult to do both live since the opening statements are narratives and *everything* said by LDB is important. Click the twitter stream on right side of page to read tweets. New post for defense opening statement after lunch recess.
At precisely 9:00, Judge Perry takes the bench and the clerk calls the case. The judge asks to see lead counsel at sidebar prior to starting.
Linda Drane Burdick delivers opening statement for the state:
This is a story about Caylee Anthony. Caylee was born August 9, 2005. She lived nearly every day on a quiet residential street in Orlando called Hope Spring Dr. Her doting grandparents filled her room with toys. It was decorated with every imaginable Winnie The Pooh item. In the backyard, every little girl's dream -- a playhouse.
Caylee's grandparents moved to Orlando in 1989 from Ohio. They came with their children, Casey and Lee. They have been at the address on Hope Spring Dr ever since. George has worked a variety of security jobs. Cindy is a nurse.
When George and Cindy learned Casey was pregnant, they committed to helping her and to providing a loving and stable home for Caylee. They believed Casey worked at Universal, that she was a hard-working single young mother. Over the next 2.5 yrs, Caylee appeared to have an idyllic life. She was loved by her grandparents. They took lots of pictures of her -- she was the apple of their eye.
She did things like swim in the backyard in the above-ground pool. She watched Spongebob with Jo-Jo (what she called her grandfather). Casey appeared to outward observers to be what her parents thought she was -- a loving mother working hard to provide support for her daughter.
But as the evidence in this case will show, that was an illusion. Casey was not employed. Casey dressed in work clothes, had a Universal ID and went who-knows-where for 2 years after Caylee was born.
Although the cracks in Casey's facade begin to appear in the weeks, months prior to June 2008, Father's Day -- June 15 2008 -- started as typical Sunday. You'll hear that George at that time had a security job that had him working regularly from 3-11pm. Cindy worked as a nurse-manager 8am-5pm. George worked Father's Day 2008. Cindy took her beautiful little granddaughter to see her great-grandfather (Cindy's dad) who was in a nursing home.
Cindy took her video camera and a still camera with her to record the events of Father's Day 2008. Cindy unknowingly took the last known photo of Caylee. On that Father's Day in Mt. Dora, Caylee snuggled with her great grandfather, who she called Papa. She read, colored, sang. Eventually in the afternoon Cindy decided they needed to leave. She returned to the family home and they swam in the pool and Caylee had fun. Casey spent most of that day with her new boyfriend, Tony Lazzaro.
Casey returned about 7:30 in the evening. That evening, everything appeared to be fine. Went to bed, readied themselves for the typical start of a work week. On Mon, June 16, Cindy goes to work between 7-8am. George works 3-11 shift. Was up early, had breakfast with Caylee. George specifically recalls that at 12:50pm on June 16 2008, Casey left the residence with Caylee.
Caylee was wearing pink shirt, jean shorts, sunglasses and a backpack. Jo-Jo (George Anthony) kissed his granddaughter goodbye...and never saw her again. In fact, no one but Casey Anthony ever saw Caylee Marie Anthony alive again. (Anthony is shaking her head "no" over and over). The next time a photo is taken of Caylee is on Dec 11, 2008.
The story of this case is not about Casey Anthony. It's about what happened after the photo taken on Father's Day 2008 and the photo taken Dec 11 2008. What happened to Caylee Marie Anthony.
(Anthony is bawling, shaking her head no.)
You will hear during testimony that no one had any idea anything had befallen Caylee until July 15 2008. What happened between June 16 and July 15? Where was Caylee Marie? Thirty days passed between the time that anyone besides Casey Anthony saw Caylee and when she was reported missing by her grandmother. So what happened?
Day 1 -- Mon, June 16 2008. Cell records show she did not leave the area of her parents' house til after 4pm that day, despite the fact her father saw her leave at 12:50. When she leaves, she tells George she's going to spend the night (with Caylee) with the babysitter. Told her mother the same and that the babysitter's name was Zanny.
You will learn that there IS no Zanny. Like Casey's job, the babysitter was a figment of her imagination. When she appears on the Blockbuster video the night of June 16, where is Caylee?
Day 2 -- Cell records shows she was Tony's til 2pm, when she traveled to her parents' house and was there from 2:45-4:30. Her car was seen backed into garage by neighbor. He didn't see Caylee with her. Casey told her mother they'd be spending the night again with Zanny. She spent the night with Tony. He will testify Caylee wasn't there. Where is Caylee?
Day 3 -- Wed, June 18th. Again, cell records show Casey was at Tony's until about 12:30. From then until 1:15, she's attempting to call her parents' home. The neighbor, Brian B., sees Casey again. She backs the car into the garage. About 1:30/2:30 in the afternoon, she asks him to borrow a shovel. She had the shovel for about an hour. Didn't notice anything unusual about it when she returned it.
George worked that day. Cindy again inquired about her granddaughter who had never spent more than a day away from her grandparents in her life. Casey told her mom she was going to conference in Tampa and Caylee would be with Zanny and two other people -- Juliet and Annabel. There is no Zanny, Juliet or Annabelle. She spent the night again with Tony, but Caylee wasn't with her. Where is Caylee Marie Anthony?
Day 4 -- Thurs June 19 2008. George typically didn't work Thursdays. Cell records show she was in area of Tony's apt for a while, then that she went looking for an apt for her boyfriend. No one saw Caylee that day. Where is Caylee?
Day 5 -- Fri June 20 2008. George is not working on that date. Cindy wants to know where Caylee is. Caylee tells her that she is still in conference at B. Gardens in Tampa and it's going to go over into Saturday. On that date, she went to Fusion with her boyfriend and participated in a hot body contest and was photographed at it. Caylee wasn't there. Caylee wasn't at Tony's or with her grandmother. Where is Caylee?
Day 6 and 7 -- Sat and Sun, June 21 and 22. Cindy kept pressing, asking where Caylee was. A friend of Casey's boyfriend's roommate says to Casey, "Where's Caylee?" Casey tells her Caylee is at the beach. She continues to tell her mother she's in Tampa.
Day 8 -- Monday June 23 2008. She is at Tony's til about 1:30 in the afternoon. Records show she headed in direction of parents' home at about 2:30. Casey calls her boyfriend about 2:45, saying her car had run out of gas. Tony finds Casey and Casey takes him to parents' house where they break into shed and take her dad's gas can.
Cindy is still inquiring about her granddaughter. Casey spoke with her about 5:30 and adds another detail -- Zanny was in a hospital in Tampa because she was in an accident, and that Caylee is with Juliet and Annabelle while Casey tends to Zanny in the hospital. You will hear that she wasn't in Tampa. She was at her parents' house taking her dad's gas gans.
Day 9 -- Tues June 24 2008. George decides to mow the lawn. Goes to the shed and sees lock broken. So George calls LE and says someone burglarized his shed. Fills out a statement, tells the neighbor that there's a vandal, keep a lookout.
George ended up having an interview for another security job that evening. Casey showed up at 2:30. No Caylee, no Tony. Just Caylee and her white Pontiac Sunfire. Her dad wants to know where Caylee is. "I miss Caylee - where is she? We miss her." Casey dismissively says "I have ten mins, I have to get back to work." George has an idea that the missing gas can might be in Casey's possession. So he tells her he needs something from her car and that he's gonna go get it. She rushes past him, goes to trunk of car. Pushes the gas cans at him and says, "Here's your fucking cans," gets in her car and leaves.
Fingers are tired...gonna take a break and listen/watch for a while. More later.
Think I'm going to tweet in real time and update the blog later on. Bit difficult to do both live since the opening statements are narratives and *everything* said by LDB is important. Click the twitter stream on right side of page to read tweets. New post for defense opening statement after lunch recess.
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