Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Chief Judge Belvin Perry ordered the release of the video of Casey Anthony’s reaction to seeing a video announcement of Caylee’s remains being found. Perry agreed with a local TV station that the once-secret recording is public record and the original reason for sealing it (concerns it would influence jurors in her murder trial ) is no longer a factor.

Anthony was acquitted in July of charges she killed her daughter Caylee Marie in 2008.

"The jail video is a public record subject to disclosure. The reason for sealing — Ms. Anthony's right to a fair trial — is no longer applicable…" Perry wrote in his order.

He also said there is no expectation of privacy in jail.

The ruling is the latest setback for Anthony and her defense team. Last week, Perry ordered her to pay $217,000 to authorities for costs related to investigating Caylee's disappearance.

The Orlando Sentinel downloaded the video and put it on its website.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/

A.K.A. SOCIOPATH

Dawn Boyle

"BUZZWORD" - SOCIOPATH
 
If you have been following the Casey Anthony case or turned on the news, sociopath has been out there. It actually has been around since the 1930's. Sociopaths and psychopaths are the same thing. The original name for the disorder was "psychopath" but people and the media confused "psycho" with "psychotic". That is when the name was changed to sociopath.
 
Over the past few days I have done some research on sociopaths. It started by my wonderment of Anthony getting off for murdering her daughter. Made me want to understand how someone could be able to have done what she did (I truly believe she murdered her daughter) and act the way she has acted. I have spoken to a number of people, mostly mothers. It blows my mind as a mother myself, how she could have done (whatever it was) to her daughter and not blink an eye. That she either had a child "missing" OR dead but found the strength to get on out there and party like a rock star is beyond my realm of thinking.

CASEY RECEIVES HER SENTENCE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Judge Belvin Perry has sentenced Casey Anthony to 4 years in prison and $4,000 in fines.

Judge Perry will also impose court costs.  Penalties include 1 year for each count, $1,000 fine on each count, consecutive sentence and credit for time served. The court will calculate how much time Casey has already served and it will be announced sometime this morning. The defense has 30 days to appeal the sentence. The Defense is arguing that all 4 offences were actually one single act.

In the meantime, crowds formed outside the courthouse protesting the decision of the jury. Signs reading "Boycot books and movies by Casey Anthony","No  justice for Caylee" and others referring to Casey's "Belle Vida" are being carried by some of the crowd.

Heavy security is in effect around the Orange County Court house. Armed officers and Deputys are stationed all around the exits. Throngs of media stand in wait to attemt to see any of the key players as they emerge from the courthouse.

A hearing was set for August 25th to decide on the restitution part of the case. Jose Baez informed the court that Casey is indigent and will require public assistance in the event of an appeal.

CASEY ANTHONY VERDICT JUST IN...

CASEY ANTHONY NOT GUILTY!

Of any counts related to murder or abuse of Caylee.
First Degree Murder - NOT GUILTY!
Manslaughter - NOT GUILTY!
Child Abuse and Neglect - NOT GUILTY!

Convicted GUILTY of various counts of providing false information to police officers. 
Sentencing will be Thursday.  
Speculation is that with time served she could walk out of jail in the very near future.  

Casey Anthony Trial: Psychics and Psychologists

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Private Investigator James Hoover testifies in the Casey Anthony Trial

Judge Belvin Perry explained why he called a sudden recess of the Casey Anthony trial on Saturday. The Defense requested Casey be declared incompetent to stand trial. Judge Perry had 3 psychologists evaluate Casey independently. After reviewing the results he deemed her competent to stand trial.

The Defense called private investigator, James Hoover, to the stand today. Hoover had been hired by George and Cindy Anthony to look into the disappearance of their granddaughter, Caylee Anthony. Hoover testified that a psychic directed him to the location of Caylee's remains but when he searched at that time, he found nothing. A month later, Caylee’s remains were found at that same location, according to Hoover. The Defense hopes his testimony will form questions in the minds of jury members as to whether Caylee’s body was in the woods as long as the Prosecution claimed. The trial will continue again Tuesday morning.

 

DAY 25 ANTHONY TRIAL


FBI geologist Maureen Bottrell testified that she analyzed items from Anthony's car and home to including a shovel and over 20 pairs shoes.  Maureen Bottrell said the shoes could not be scientifically connected to the wooded area where the remains were found. Under cross-examination, however, she said that doesn't mean the shoes were not ever worn at the scene.

Defense called Madeline Montgomery to the stand, she is a forensic toxicologist. Ms. Montgomery examined hair found with deceaseds remains. She said she found no trace of drugs in the hair sample. On cross examination, Montgomery said hair is not the best way to test for drug exposure.

Dr. Michael Sigman, a University of Central Florida chemistry professor, who said he was asked by Orange County sheriff's officials in July 2008 to take air samples from Anthony's car.

Sigman detailed how he and a colleague transferred 1 liter of air into a bag and another sample into a second bag. Sigman said he later performed more tests. Sigman said he could not conclusively determine that human decomposition was present in the trunk of Anthony's car. In cross-examination, Sigman said he did not fully examine the trunk on July 21 and only opened it about an inch to take the air samples. He also said he was unaware that the trunk liner had been removed days earlier.

State experts have testified that the chloroform they detected came from a stain on the trunk liner. Since the UCF tests were on air drawn after that "point source" of chloroform was removed, the state may argue that's the reason why chloroform was not detected in high concentrations by Sigman.

Prosecutors have argued that Caylee was suffocated by her mother with duct tape. The defense contends Caylee drowned in her grandparents' swimming pool. Caylee's skeletal remains were found in December 2008.

Judge Perry told jurors that Wednesday would only be a half-day because he has to attend a court budget meeting.

CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL: Jail Mate May Testify & Kronk May Be Morally Bankrupt

Earlier Today, Baez complained to Judge Perry that  prosecutors had given him an indication that a conversation Anthony heard from jail mate, April Whelan, in an adjacent cell.  The scenario Whelan spoke of bears a  striking similarity to the claims made by the defense that Caylee drown and then the death was covered up.

The defense has conceded that Casey was a habitual liar and that her claims have often been laced with a crumble of truth.  The judge has left the door open for Whelan to testify, however there is no indication that prosecutors will choose to bring the jail mate to the stand.

Defense expert, Dr. Richard Eichlenbloom was on the stand talking about test performed on the duct tape found near Caylee's skull.  He said there was no trace of DNA on the tape.  Prosecutor Jeff Ashton has tried to discredit this "science".  (The jury is not privy to the information that Ashton was among the first prosecutors in 1988 and 989 to fight DNA science as evidence.)

Dr. Jan Bock, forensic botanist,  testified about the vegetation at the site where the body was found.  Under questioning by Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, Bock admitted her opinion has changed ad to the length of time the child's body was in the woods.  She now states no less then two weeks which contradicts her earlier deposition where she stated that it was impossible to tell.

Defense attorneys may use this information to debunk testimony by Roy Kronk, the utility meter reader who found the body, hoping to extend the insinuation that Kronk was after reward money and may have had a role in hiding Caylee's body.

CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL:THE DEFENSE RESTS

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Casey Anthony, Day 19

The Prosecution rested today in their case against Casey Anthony.  Before retiring they entered items into evidence which included 2 cans containing parts of the trunk liner of Casey’s car which were said to emit the smell of decomposing corpse.

Judge Belvin Perry read out the translation of Casey’s “Bella Vita” tattoo, which means “good life” or “beautiful life”. Casey got the tattoo during the time Caylee was “missing”. She agreed that “Beautiful Life” was the correct meaning.

Judge Belvin Perry denies Defense motion for acquittal 

The Defense began argument over a motion for acquittal after the jury was dismissed. Judge Perry denied the motion. The Defense will call its first witness on Thursday morning.

If convicted in the first degree murder of her daughter, Caylee Anthony, Casey will face the death penalty.



CASEY ANTHONY DAY 17: FINGERPRINTS AND HAIR

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Stephen Shaw , evidence examiner for the FBI  testified today that he analyzed hair found in the trunk of Casey Anthony's car, along with samples taken from the remains of Caylee Anthony's skull, which were found in a wooded area not far from the Anthony home, six months after the 2-year-old was first reported missing.

Shaw told the jury that he saw further evidence of decomposition on the hairs taken from the skull than on the hair found in the trunk.

The Prosecution hoped to admit a PowerPoint presentation regarding hair evidence however, Judge Perry did not allow it to be submitted.

Following Shaw, Elizabeth Fontaine, Latent Print Scientist for FBI took the stand. Fontaine examined 3 pieces of the duct tape found with Caylee’s remains. Fontaine’s testimony was stiff and seemed to be memorized in part. She directed all her comments right to the jury. She testified that she was unable to find latent fingerprints on the tapes, but on one piece she did find an outline of a heart. The outline was destroyed by the different processes used to try and detect fingerprint before it could be photographed. The heart shape was located about where the mouth of little Caylee would have been covered with the tape. An FBI supervisor also saw the heart shape during Fontaine’s examination.

The testimony this morning was scientific and complicated, but Fontaine was able to break down the technical information so it could be easily understood.  Shaw’s technical testimony on the other hand was dry and difficult to comprehend. Some visitors in the gallery were actually seen yawning. Casey sat with her usual stone faced expression.

Judge Perry told the jury that the State should wrap up their case within the next two days. By Saturday they should have a good idea of how much longer the trial will go on. He estimated that all evidence will be presented by the 25th or 27th of June and the jury should be ready for deliberation at that time. Court was recessed until tomorrow afternoon at 1pm when the State's next witnesses will arrive.

CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL UPDATE JUNE10th

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Dr. Jan Garavaglia and Caylee

Today’s trial focused on cause of death for little Caylee Anthony.  Orange/Osceola County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia testified that the death was a homicide. The defense tried repeatedly during cross examination to get Dr. Garavaglia to admit the death could have been an accident. The Medical Examiner also testified that even a small amount of chloroform would be enough to kill a child. When pressed by

CASEY ANTHONY BREAKS DOWN IN COURT

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Judge Belvin Perry called an early recess in the Casey Anthony trial Thursday morning. It was a day of showing and discussing crime scene photos including Caylee’s remains. Casey Anthony appeared to be pale and trembling, holding the sleeve of her sweater and a ball of tissues to her mouth. She looked away from the monitor for most of the testimony. According to Attorney Baez, Casey has never seen the crime scene photos.  Forensic anthropologist John Schultz testified that Caylee's vertebrae were found all in the same place, showing that the body was intact when it was brought there.

CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL: CANINES AND COMPUTERS!

 Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Osceola County Canine Sgt. Kristin Brewer testified this morning about what she and her canine, Bones experienced when checking the Anthony back yard. Bones alerted to human decomposition on the same spot in front of Caylee’s playhouse as Orange County Canine Gerus alerted to on the first investigation. The next day neither dog alerted on the spot. Sgt. Brewer stated that whatever evidence had been there was most likely scraped away when investigators removed the topsoil looking for further evidence.

Detective Sandra Osborne of the Orange County Sheriff's  Office then took the witness stand to testify about photos and Internet searches on a computer at Casey Anthony's home. Prosecutors have said previously that an Internet search on chloroform was conducted with the computer.

CASEY ANTHONY: JUNE 7th AFTERNOON UPDATE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Deputy Forgey and Gerus

Judge Belvin Perry dismissed the jury a little early today after the testimony of Orange County Deputy Jason Forgey and videos of the canine search for remains. Deputy Forgey remained calm even as Baez poured on the pressure. He was also cross examined intensely by the Prosecution.  The Defense hoped to prove that Forgey was speculating on the behavior of his canine, Gerus.  Forgey reported that his canine jumped into Anthony’s car and made a beeline for the back seat, reaching toward the trunk. When led to the trunk, Gerus gave his “final alert” indicating that he detected the presence of decomposition of a human body. The dog also hit on an area in front of Caylee’s playhouse in the Anthony’s back yard. The impressive record and education of the dog was highlighted, as was the training and experience of Deputy Forgey.

FBI agent Dr. Michael Rickenbach testified today that he found miniscule amounts of dried chloroform residue in the carpet of the car. Baez pointed out that the amount of chloroform found was equal to that of what could be found in cleaning products.  This was in contrast to previous testimony that large amounts of chloroform were found in the air sample.

Judge Perry will start the day tomorrow with the testimony of yet another Canine Officer. He chose to wait until tomorrow rather than keep jurors past their usual end time of 5pm. The judge announced that he had several details to work out which included meals and scheduling for tomorrow.

CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL: JUNE 7th MORNING UPDATE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

The Casey Anthony Murder Trial resumed today. On the stand was crime scene investigator Gerardo Bloise. Baez questioned him as to why he dried out the garbage from Anthony's trunk that was said to have produced the odor of human decomposition. Baez implied that the evidence was altered because of Bloise’s actions. Bloise testified that he followed procedure and that drying actually preserves evidence and makes it easier to examine.

The “Bone Yard” Doctor, Arpad Vass was called for cross examination this morning.  Vass has been described as “quirky” but is considered a credible expert witness. Baez again tried to discredit Vass’ findings by pointing out that garbage from the junk yard where the car was found had not been collected and tested and that the junkyard itself might have contaminated the air samples from Anthony’s car. Vass offhandedly replied that they took all that into consideration and that his findings were valid.  His candid, slightly geeky demeanor has become popular with the public and possibly with the jury. Only time will tell. The court is in recess for lunch and will resume this afternoon.