CASEY'S BACK IN COURT,OR IS SHE?

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

 

 

Casey Anthony was tried for the murder of her 2 year old daughter, Caylee in 2012. Caylee disappeared in 2008. Her body was found dumped in the woods near the Antony home.

While Casey was aquitted of the murder charge, she was sentenced to 3 years for lying to Yuri Melich, the lead detective. Anthony stated that she had left Casey with a babysitter named Zanaida Fernandez Gonzalez claiming that she, Gonzalez, was responsible for the child's disappearance. Gonzales is suing for defamationof character,saying Casey's accusations have ruined her life.

Casey is due to appear in court today, but one her attorney claims she will not be present and he will accept the subpoena in her place. She has been in hiding since her release from jail last year. WIth the 3 years served and time off for good behavior, Anthony is scheduled to finish her sentence on Sunday , after having served one year probation.


 



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 Anthony's right to a fair trial — is no longer applicable…" Perry wrote in his order.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/

WICKED TRIAL OUTCOME

Dawn Boyle
Sickened by the outcome of the Anthony trail and the jury finding her "NOT GUILTY" of the murder of her little girl, I am starting to think there is a pattern. Do we blow these people up, such as OJ Simpson, Michael Jackson or Robert Blake to make their celebrity status enough that we are blinded by their obvious guilt?

I get the reasonable doubt. I understand that the proof has to be provided by the prosecution but how do these people walk? I guarantee if it were you or I on that side of the law we would fry like a egg.

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.  

JURORS DELIBERATE OVER CASEY'S FATE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

The jury for the Casey Anthony murder trial is in deliberation. This morning, closing arguments ended with the prosecution presenting Casey  as a pathological liar who diverted attention away from herself by claiming her dead daughter, Caylee, had been kidnapped.

State Prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick played portions of jailhouse tapes of Casey Anthony lying about her daughter being kidnapped by a fictional nanny and the 911 call made by Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy Anthony, to report Caylee missing, further showing Casey’s lies despite the anguish it caused her parents.

"When you use your common sense, you can listen and hear that there's nothing that's wrong with Casey Anthony that can't be explained using two words: pathological liar," Burdick said.

"At the end of this case, all you really have to do is ask yourself the simple question, 'Whose life was better without Caylee?'" Burdick said.

The prosecution ended by showing a picture of a “party girl” Casey  and the tattoo that read "Bella Vita," Italian for the beautiful life, all while Caylee was supposedly missing.

Earlier,Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, showed jurors images of the skull and skeletal remains of Caylee. He reminded them of the state’s claim that pieces of duct tape on the remains were placed on Caylee before she died.

“We believe the evidence in the case supports the scenario that Casey Anthony chloroformed Caylee so that she would not suffer, placed duct tape over her nose and mouth…and then disposed of her body," Ashton said.

"Any way you slice it...Casey Anthony is guilty of murder in the first degree in this case," Ashton concluded

According to ABC News, Judge Belvin Perry instructed jurors how to proceed in their deliberations. He gave jurors the option of finding her guilty of a lesser crime such as second degree murder, manslaughter or third degree felony murder. Those crimes do not carry a death sentence.

Along with the first degree murder charge, Anthony faces charges of aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter and four charges of lying to law enforcement.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/casey_anthony_trial/casey-anthony-trial-jury-begins-deliberations/story?id=13992868

 

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.

CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL: THE FORENSIC EVIDENCE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

The Casey Anthony trial resumed today and the first witness called was Dr. Arpad Vass, researcher at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (aka “The Body Farm”) in Tennessee. Vass has discovered a new technique for detecting human decomposition from air samples. Vass testified that the odor of human decomposition is different than the smell of animal decomposition.

"I jumped back a foot or two," Vass said of the odor he detected when opening a can containing an air sample from Casey’s car, "It was shocking that strong of an odor could be in that little can."
Vass presented charts showing high levels of certain compounds in samples taken from Anthony's car. One of the compounds present, chloroform, Vass said was found in "shockingly high" amounts on a sample taken from a stained portion of carpet in Anthony's trunk.

The Prosecution hopes to prove that traces of Caylee’s decomposing body were found in the carpet of Casey’s car.  Defense attorney Baez dismissed the evidence calling it “junk science”

 Over the weekend Orange County Sheriff's Office crime scene supervisor Michael Vincent testified saying that he helped obtain several air samples from the car trunk. Vincent said air samples also were taken from a bag of trash that had been in the car trunk. Vincent assisted in the processing of Anthony's car in July 2008, collecting stain and air samples from the vehicle, including the trunk. Vincent said processing Anthony's car was the first time that he had ever collected an air sample. Again Baez dismissed the evidence saying that it was too new and unprecedented.

On Saturday, FBI forensic expert Karen Korsberg Lowe testified as an expert that one hair removed from the trunk of Casey Anthony's car was consistent with hair from a dead person and was similar to hair pulled off Caylee Anthony's brush. Under cross-examination Lowe said that she could not be 100 percent certain that the hair was from a dead person or specifically from Caylee.

There’s a lot on the line for Casey Anthony, who is facing the death penalty if convicted. She has seven counts against her, including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and misleading investigators.

Justice for Caylee

The Casey Anthony Trial, A Soap Opera in the Making

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Well, the first week of the Casey Anthony trial was like the first season of a bad soap opera!  Actually, the soap began with jury selection!  I couldn’t believe the ridiculous things perspective jurors were saying to get out of serving! Then when the actual trial began it was even more of the ridiculous!

Ridiculous thing #1: (defense)   Caylee was never really missing, she drown in the family pool and Casey was in denial due to years of abuse from her father, George Anthony.  Friends of Casey testified that they saw no change whatsoever in her demeanor or behavior after June 16^th, 2008 (supposed date of the drowning). Her boyfriend also testified that nothing seemed wrong at all. Does this seem like someone who learned her baby drowned?  Oddly enough, she never mentioned Caylee except to lie about her whereabouts when anyone asked.

Ridiculous thing #2: George Anthony and the manager of the wrecker service that towed Casey’s car both testified that they noticed a “Stench” that emanated from the car and was the unmistakable smell of a dead body, yet neither called the police to investigate. What’s up with that, especially since Anthony was a detective and knew the proper procedure for investigating a possible crime scene!

Ridiculous thing #3: Judge Belvin Perry sided with the defense and did not allow jurors to see a sexually charged instant-message conversation between Casey Anthony and boyfriend, Anthony Lazzaro. The Prosecution claimed that the message revealed the motive for killing Caylee, which was supposedly to be free of the responsibilities of motherhood in order to be with her boyfriend. Why on earth would you not allow this to be seen by the jury! Clearly, Casey was more interested in being with her boyfriend than in being with Caylee! It seems to me that the conversation was extremely relevant to the case!

Ridiculous thing #4: Casey made up the fact that she had a job, dressed for “work” each day, sent herself emails from “work”, made up a nanny, and lied through her teeth on many documented occasions, yet the defense expects us to believe that now she’s telling the truth! Well, I’m sorry, but habitual liars rarely change their stripes. There is something seriously wrong with this woman and the jury cannot overlook her past behaviors because the defense wants them to!

There are so many more points to comment on, but I think I’ll wait and see what week two brings to light! So here’s to the upcoming second season of “The Casey Anthony Trial “. It will be interesting to see who gets nominated for a Daytime Emmy!

***Please note that this post reflects my personal opinions and not necessarily those of DRL.