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: BICKERING ANNOYS JUDGE PERRY

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Judge Belvin Perry became frustrated and annoyed at attorneys on both sides of the Casey Anthony trial this morning. He threatened “Exclusion” if the bickering continues. Exclusion could force the trial to start over. In addition, Perry told attorneys that they will now begin their day at 8:30 from now on to discuss issues and stop wasting the jury’s time. The judge informed both attorneys that he was considering possible disciplinary action against the lawyers at the conclusion of the trial. He then adjourned court at 11am.

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: 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.