Jose Baez Tries To Find Casey Incompetent

Three Psychologists Exam Casey Anthony On Weekend

The attorneys for Casey Anthony and the state met in court chambers Monday morning to argue whether Casey was competent to proceed, after three independent experts, psychologists Dr. Daniel Tressler,  Dr. Harry McClaren of Quincy Fl, and Dr. Ryan Hall examined her on Saturday and Sunday.

Normally mental examinations are done before trial, leading to a belief that something new may have been alleged in her current mental state so as to allow the motion to be granted by the court for an emergency competency exam.

This is not an insanity test say legal observers, but instead testing competency to understand what is happening at trial and whether she can aid in her defense. 

A Sunday Morning News story noted Anthony is most likely a compulsive liar and may have been lying even to her attorney and if so would not be able to help in her own defense if she could not understand the importance of giving her attorney truthful, relevant information during her discussions in and out of court.

The psychological examinations would need many hours for each expert and that was why the Saturday court was recessed mysteriously. Judge Belvin Perry told the jury this morning that both sides reviewed the experts opinions and based on the reports he said "the defendant is competent to proceed."

The reports are under court seal and filed with the clerk of the court.

The Court filed into the record the emergency order appointing experts for the examinations. The motion to determine competency cannot be sealed and is public record. However, it only says the motion is based on privileged conversations between Casey Anthony and her attorneys which led to the emergency motion made in chambers Saturday morning. The transcripts of the closed Saturday hearing in the Judge's chambers are also sealed.

Although the reports are sealed speculation on why Jose Baez filed the emergency motion may be:

1. Baez will try anything he can in the way of new motions to save his client.

2. Casey Anthony has continued lying to attorneys and may be changing her story as time goes by, rendering her incapable of aiding her defense

3. She said something last week to attorneys that gave them concern for her ability to continue with the trial.

Link to previous story - Why Casey Anthony Will Walk Free

Casey Anthony's Video Blog - Where Is She Now?

Casey Anthony Gets Computer, Camera, Dog And Phone

OKEECHOBEE, FL. -- Infamous, and much hated Casey Anthony has apparently made a video that has appeared this week on Facebook, YouTube as well as network television shows.

MSNBC alleges to have verified the video as real.

In her "1st" video, said to have been made October 1, 2011, Anthony talks about having something of "her own" including a computer, camera, phone and a new dog. She says she'll make more videos later.

Her former criminal attorney Jose Baez says Anthony didn't put the video online, and doesn't know how it got there, saying someone else must have posted it online.

Anthony, now with shorter blond hair, says she has been using Skype, a voice and video over the internet application. Presumably anyone she might talk with over Skype could record the call and post it online.

She is hiding out in an undisclosed location somewhere in Florida. 

From the video, it might be guessed she is living in a small mobile home or travel trailer, probably in a remote rural location to keep her whereabouts hidden. It appears she's not actually talking with anyone, but merely giving a four minute and 20 second commentary on her life since she left Orlando in August.

She says she'll remain at her current location until at least the end of February, noting her birthday is in March.

Negative comments about the video are wildly outnumbering positive public comments for Casey's "1st" online video.

Anthony has been on a one year probation since the summer for check fraud in Orlando in 2010.

Is She In Okeechobee, Florida?  Story: http://swflorida.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-florida-encounter-with-casey-anthony.html

Jose Baez Gets Grandmother To Lie?

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Shocking Testimony From Cindy Anthony

At the murder trial of Casey Anthony, testimony was delivered by her mother Cindy, that just may save her daughter from a death sentence if the jury believes what she told them this afternoon.

Casey Anthony's mother surprised everyone when she told the jury that is was she who looked up "chloroform" on the family's desktop computer in March, 2008. She also said she looked up "alcohol" and "chlorophyll." She did strangely deny looking up "how to make chloroform" or "neck breaking," all of which appeared on a forensic search of the computer at the same time.

Prosecutors have been saying all along daughter Casey did the searches and are relying on that to get a 1st degree murder conviction. The State contends Casey looked up the term months before daughter Caylee was killed, showing this was a premeditated murder.

The prosecution relied on work time cards of former nurse Cindy Anthony showing she was at work during the time the home computer was being used. Cindy explained away that, saying she often just made up time cards that were not accurate, or the time cards were mistaken, showing she was at work when she may not have been.

She also claimed she was told by her employer to make false time cards, to only show 40 hours a week working when she really worked more.

Also, dropping another bombshell, she told the jury the oft mentioned "stain" in the Casey Anthony car trunk, was there when they first purchased the car in 2000. Prosecutors are saying the stain was from a decaying Caylee Anthony, placed in the trunk by Casey. 

Speculation

Some observers are speculating Cindy is lying in order to save her daughter from the death sentence, or has made a deal to lie for her daughter in order to not have her husband's alleged lover brought in to testify. The defense has claimed that the "lover" believes George Anthony covered up a drowning of the child.

(Video: Jose Baez gets shocking answers from Cindy Anthony about computer searches)

Why Cindy Anthony Called 911 On Casey

The 911 Missing Child Tapes Played To Jury

At the Tuesday morning session of the Casey Anthony murder trial, mother Cindy Anthony described how she came to find her daughter hiding out at boyfriend Tony Lazzaro's apartment.

After confronting her daughter, Cindy takes Casey from the apartment, and drives Casey around Orlando, Casey saying she will lead her mother to where 2-year old Caylee Anthony is.

Instead of leading Cindy to Caylee, Casey continues lying and driving her mother in circles around Orlando. Cindy spots a City of Orlando police sub-station and tells Casey she's going to get the police involved to find out what's going on with Caylee.

The sub-station is closed however, so Cindy calls 911 from her car.

As the tapes are to be played to the jury, the defense objects and wants to limit their scope in the trial. And the judge instructs the jury about the 911 recordings to be played to them. 

Judge Belvin Perry says they are to considered an "excited utterance" showing the state of mind of Cindy Anthony, and not to be taken as evidence of any crime by the defendant such as a stolen car or a banking crime.

In the first 911 call on July 15th 2008, Cindy calls the police from her car to report a car theft and money taken from her bank account by Casey. The police tell her she has to report it to the Orange county Sheriff;s department because the Anthony home is in the county not the city.

Next she calls the Sheriff's department from home about 8 p.m. July 15th reporting a missing child, and reporting then 22-year old Casey for stealing a car and money. While waiting for the officers, she overhears Casey tell her brother Lee that Caylee has been missing 31 days and the babysitter took her.

Cindy then makes a third 911 call to the Sheriff explaining the new information and adding the car smells like a dead body had been in it. Casey is put on the phone with the dispatcher and calmly says her daughter has been missing 31 days and she talked to the babysitter "yesterday," explaining she had been looking for the child, and so didn't think it necessary to call the authorities.

George Anthony - First Witness In Murder Trial

Father Testifies For State - Daughter's Life On The Line

Following a blockbuster, and amazing opening statement by Casey Anthony's attorney Jose Baez, the State of Florida has called Casey's father George Anthony to testify.

The witness' background, his marriage to Cindy, two children, and former job as a member of the Trumbull County, Ohio Sheriff's Office, and later Ohio business experience  was explored by the prosecutor briefly for the benefit of introducing the witness to the 12-member jury in this 1st degree murder trial. 

The family moved to Florida in 1989 and have lived at the same home on Hope Spring Drive since. The first exhibit published by the state in the trial was a photo of the family's home.

Mr. Anthony said he was "extremely excited" when he learned of Casey's pregnancy, even went with her to some doctor appointments, but was concerned of the ramifications of being a single mother. He said he wanted to know who the father was, and would been great to meet him, but never did meet a "Mr. Baker," adding that Casey said it was not known for sure who the father was.

On questioning about the day of June 15, 2008, the last time he ever saw his granddaughter, Mr. Anthony said the morning was normal as he cared for his grandchild Caylee, watching videos (among her favorites was "The Lady and the Tramp") and playing. 

Later that day Casey and Caylee left, Casey explaining Caylee would be staying with the mysterious "Zanni" the baysitter.

He Said, She Said - Father vs. Daughter

Upon direct questioning, Mr. Anthony denied ever abusing or molesting Casey sexually, and denied ever seeing grandchild Caylee again after the 16th of June, 2008, and denying placing duct tape over the mouth and face of Caylee, or having any other knowledge of what happened to Caylee until her remains were discovered in December 2008.

Upon cross examination by defense attorney Baez, Mr. Anthony said he didn't now about Casey's pregnancy until her seventh month when Cindy and Casey sat down with him to announce it. Baez tried unsuccessfully to get him to admit he knew of the pregnancy earlier, badgering him, even asking "You have no trouble with your vision?"

CSI Evidence Introduced At Casey Anthony Trial

Can Of Decomposed Human Odor Part Of Evidence

Crime scene evidence was introduced for the first time Friday afternoon in the Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando, Florida.

Lead Crime Scene Investigator Gerardo Bloise, for the Orange County Sheriff's Office, identified sealed packages and boxes for the prosecutor. Among the boxes, one large box was opened containing a spare tire cover from Casey Anthony's car.

(Photo: Gerardo Bloise holding spare tire cover from Anthony car)

The state intends to use the contents of a hermetically sealed metal can, containing remnants of the spare tire cover to prove there was decomposing human remains in Casey Anthony's white 1998 Pontiac Sunfire.

How, and if the odor contained in the metal can will be shown, or smelled by the jury is still in question, as well as how it will be proved to be the smell of human decompostion.

CSI Investigator Bloise told the jury when he first opened the door of the Pontiac at the CSI crime lab facility, he smelled something decomposing, although on questioning by defense attorney Jose Baez, said the smell he encountered on opening the car could be from an animal as well as from a human.

Other samples collected by the CSI department included twelve hair samples, Caylee Anthony toys, and air freshener sheets placed in the car by the Anthonys after the car was retrieved from Johnson's Towing lot.

The evidence was collected by the investigators in July 2008 shortly after the Orange County Sheriff's department was notified of a missing child.

K-9 Handler Testifies Over Jose Baez Objections

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Cadaver Dog Deputy At Murder Trial

Casey Anthony's defense attorney Jose Baez tried hard to keep an Orlando K-9 Deputy from testifying at the murder trial of his client Tuesday.

Objections by Baez were overruled repeatedly, and ultimately the Judge overruled Baez' attempt to keep a cadaver K-9 night time recovery video out of the trial.

Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Forgey testified Tuesday afternoon in the Casey Anthony murder trial, and after extensive questioning by the prosecution, he established his expertise as a canine handler with the Sheriff's department and detailed for the jury the training of his cadaver locating dog "Gerus."

(Video: cadaver dog "Gerus" finds body in water at night)

The dog has been trained to find dead bodies and to demonstrate the dog's ability to find a drowning victim one of the exhibits shown the jury was a video of the dog "alerting" to a dead body in water. The deputy also relates to the jury other cases of the dog locating human remains.


Police Dog Alerts To Cadaver Scents In Car And Anthony Backyard

Deputy Forgey was called to the Anthony case on July 17, 2008 reporting to the Orange County Sheriff's Headquarters forensic crime (CSI) bay. Forgey was instructed to have his K-9 dog "Gerus" check out Casey Anthony's 1998 white Pontiac Sunfire automobile for the presence of human remain scents.

Forgey told the jury his dog did alert for the trunk area of the car, indicating presence of dead human odors coming from that area. Gerus' "alert" signal is sitting down when he smells human remain scents.

The dog and handler Forgey were also sent to the George and Cindy Anthony home to search the backyard at the request of the detectives investigating the scene. After Deputy Forgey's gave the command "Find Fred" Gerus gave an alert in an area near Caylee Anthony's playhouse.

A second K-9, "Bones" also did a search of the yard that evening with an Osceola County Sheriff's deputy and the dog did a final "alert" smelling human remain scents within 6 to 8 feet of the same area near the playhouse as K-9 "Gerus" had previously found.

Defense attorney Jose Baez is claiming 2-year old Caylee Anthony was the victim of an accidental drowning in the family swimming pool, and disputes the canine's ability to reliably locate cadaver scents, claiming many many alerts are false, when nothing is found.

Casey Anthony Jury Hears Tape Of Lies

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Casey Anthony's Taped "Missing Person" Report Played to Jury

Detective Yuri Melich of the Orange County Sheriff's department testified today in the Casey Anthony murder trial, questioned about the statement he took from Anthony on July 16, 2008 when Casey said her daughter Caylee had been kidnapped by a nanny named Zanny.

The jury heard for the first time the tape recorded statement made by Anthony to Detective Melich wherein she claims the babysitter took her daughter, and giving elaborate details about who had last seen Caylee and who know she was missing, and details about the nanny, none of which were true. 

The 20-minute tape recording was remarkable for the amount of details that turned out after investigation, to be totally false.

Defense attorney Jose Baez attempted to enter into the record, an internet crime blog reportedly written by Melich, under the pseudonym "Dick Tracy." Judge Belvin Perry, after hearing argument without the jury present, is not allowing the blog post into the trial.

Melich was the lead investigator in the Anthony, taking the investigation from a missing person case to the eventual first degree murder charges against Anthony. Baez told the judge Melich had been reprimanded by his superior for writing a blog during the investigation.

Lord Of The Flies? Casey Anthony Defense Continues

Bug Doctor Testifies At Casey Anthony Trial About Flies And Pigs

Reminiscent of the classic 1963 movie Lord of the Flies fight scenes, a fist fight broke out in the early morning line of spectators waiting to get into court. Later, a handful of spectators were removed from the courtroom for sleeping during testimony.

The state and Jose Baez got into a heated verbal fight over today's witness testimony, the state receiving the judge's displeasure over the "editorial comments" made between the attorneys.

Ironically, this morning's court testimony was from a fly expert.

Forensic entomologist Dr. Timothy Huntington was defense attorney Jose Baez' witness Friday morning for the Casey Anthony murder trial, and seemingly caught the prosecution by surprise, as the questioning by Baez was underway..

The court went to sidebar many times and excused the jury from the courtroom to hear arguments between the prosecution and Jose Baez over what would be permitted to be heard from Huntington today.

The Nebraskan professor-forensic insect specialist testified about measuring the life of flies. Lengthy explanations were made to the 12-member jury about the stages of insects growth from pupae, maggots, and metamorphosis to adult size.

Huntington testified he had "years and years of experience watching animal and humans decompose."

Huntington described how he grew flies in six Nebraska car trunks containing pig carcasses.  He told the jury about how flies were able to get into the closed trunk to feed on the pigs. 

Huntington displayed photos and diagrams to explain the life of blowflies to the jury.  

Blowflies show up as soon as minutes after the death of an animal to feed on it, being very sensitive to the odor or decay, said Huntington.

Demonstrating how flies can get into a car, but then die inside it, seemingly not being able to find a way out and showing graphic photos of maggot activity on the pigs after 10 days in the trunk, the prosecution objected to his expertise on some subjects, and asked for numerous sidebars with the judge to limit the testimony.

Lengthy objections were made by the prosecution while the jury was out, as the state attempted to preclude Huntington's testimony on anything unrelated to bugs, including human decomposition and body fluids stains.

Smiling Jose Baez looked confident during a pause as Judge Belvin Perry looked over previous days' insect expert witness testimony to decide if Baez could continue on the line of questioning about decomposition and stains, Baez arguing the prosecution witnesses were allowed that testimony.

Huntington told the Judge he had told Jose Baez that he didn't think there was evidence of a decomposing body in Casey Anthony's car, having looked only of photos, because there was not enough body fluids left in the carpet, adding a "professional cleaner" would have had to clean the car to remove those fluid stains.

The prosecution was never told about Huntington's opinion statement to Baez on the Anthony car stain, nor did it appear in his final report, leading the prosecution to object to this line of questioning before the jurors.

The Judge ruled Baez was allowed to continue asking Huntington's opinion, adding that the jury can find for themselves if they consider Huntington's testimony on decomposition and body fluids as "expert."

Huntington told the jury, the flies found in the Anthony car had "no forensic value," as he claims they are so common, they would be expected to be found in any bag of trash or garbage, in contrast to the prosecution's testimony that the flies found were commonly seen in decomposing bodies.

Update: In the afternoon session Prosecutor Jeff Ashton tore into Dr. Huntington's morning testimony, fairly well demolishing the defense expert. Ashton got Huntington to admit there's a great difference between a study of pigs in a car trunk, and a 2-year old child wrapped in a blanket, inside two garbage bags, and then inside a laundry bag.

Ashton also demolished the defense expert's theory that the flies in the trunk were attracted to containers full  of chewing tobacco spit, and food in the trash and not decomposing Calley's body. Huntington was shown the actual evidence for the first time, instead of photos he had seen, and discovered there actually was no food or spit in the actual trash evidence.

Casey Anthony Leaves Jail With $537.68 - What Next?

Will Released Anthony Stay In Florida Or Did She Fly To Ohio?

Casey Anthony left Orlando's Orange county jail Sunday morning accompanied by attorney Jose Baez at 12:14 a.m.

Wearing a pink shirt, hair in a bun, the 25-year old served three years of jail confinement, mostly in "protective custody" away from the general jail population, leaving for the last time in an SUV mystery ride to one of her attorney's offices, the destination from there is up for speculation, although some say a 10-minute drive to Orlando Executive Airport was next. 

She left jail with $537.68 in her pocket from her jail account, and made a 15-second walk out of the front-door main jail exit, accompanied by Kevlar-clad Orange County special response team deputies, to a waiting dark-colored SUV.

Her only apparent words spoken during her release were "Thank you" to the assault-weapon carrying deputy escorting her out the door.

Three journalists were allowed inside the jail at 10 p.m. Saturday night and waited for the release. Three scenarios were given to the reporters in case of any problems in the release from jail. They were instructed to film or photograph but were not allowed to ask her anything or speak to her.

The SUV transporting Casey, along with a bevy of escort police vehicles, as one theory has it, reportedly ended up in a covered parking garage at co-defense attorney Cheney Mason's office. Another speculation is Casey then was taken on a 10-minute drive to board a private jet bound for Columbus, Ohio.

Anthony was free at last after an acquittal on murder charges after having served her four-year misdemeanor sentence, minus one year for good behavior and time served, on four guilty sentences for lying to police. She has a prior felony record for stealing and bad check charges.

The question everyone is asking now is "Where is Casey?" and what will she do next.

Police activity was seen early Sunday morning at the Orlando Executive Airport, about ten minutes from her attorney's office, as someone looking like Casey boarded a private jet bound for Ohio. Anthony's parents, George and Cindy lived in Ohio before moving to Florida. And George's sister and brother-in-law live in the Youngstown, Ohio area.

A woman appearing to look like Casey, but now with long hair in a pony tail and wearing a short dress, was photographed running across the Orlando Executive Airport parking lot to a nearby building. If it were Casey, she would have let her down from the bun, and changed from the jeans and pink top she wore at the jail.

A private twin-jet Lear 45 aircraft owned by a Naples, Florida company, departed from Orlando Executive Airport at 1:04 a.m. Sunday morning arriving in Columbus, Ohio at 2:51 a.m.  The 12-seat jet, operated in the Columbus area by a prominent Florida and Ohio real estate and automobile sales company, had filed a flight plan to depart originally at 10 p.m. Saturday night, but didn't take off until 3 hours later.

The mystery aircraft arrived in Orlando on Thursday morning, July 14th after a flight from Columbus, and sat at the Orlando ramp until Sunday morning's departure.

The Lear Jet was still parked at the Port Columbus International Airport Sunday.

Orlando Executive Airport officials reportedly claimed the plane was taking golfers back north after a Florida vacation.

Speculation on "Where's Casey?":

1. At one of her attorney's homes or guest homes in the Orlando area laying low for a few weeks and preparing for a defense in numerous law suits filed or being filed against her

2. Flown to Ohio by private jet (see above) - from the attorney's office to the airport is a ten minute drive  

3. Going to Puerto Rico (Jose Baez is Puerto Rican and has contacts there) - no passport needed to enter P.R.

4. California - If she has an agent or needs one, Hollywood may be a likely place to collect her first fees for an interview, , photos, movie or book deal

5. South Florida - Miami - The place to "party" and be seen

6. South Florida - Clewiston - The place to hide out in small-town Florida away from crowds. An "alternative" lifestyle resort is said to be opening in rural Hendry county catering to gay and bisexual clients. Casey is said to be bisexual, according to Jose Baez during her murder trial opening statement. 

7. In seclusion for therapy for what may now be multiple psychiatric symptoms

"A Legal Issue Has Arisen" - Anthony Trial Recessed!

Another Stall In Casey Anthony Murder Trial - Something Big Coming?

After a closed door meeting with attorneys and the judge in the Casey Anthony trial, Judge Belvin Perry mysteriously recessed the court session for Saturday, only saying there was a "legal issue."

The court got off to another rocky start as the state again objected to a defense witness to be called today who allegedly broke the court's order to provide a report covering areas to which will be testified.

Handling discovery violations of Jose Baez has been getting routine for the judge, who has threatened sanctions against the inexperienced defense attorney. The judge told Baez last week that he may refer to the Florida Bar a complaint, and open contempt of court proceedings at the conclusion of this trial.

Just before 10 a.m., on the day when testimony  was scheduled to continue until 3 p.m., the judge unexpectedly announced court would be recessed until Monday morning due to a "legal issue" which had arisen.

The delay seems extraordinarily serious as many witnesses were at the court Saturday ready to testify. If there was a problem with only one or two the trial could easily continue.

Perry is very careful with time and not inconveniencing the jurors. To recess the Saturday session means something very big is about to happen.

Speculation On The Secrets Behind Closed Doors

1. Casey Anthony has decided to make a plea deal to accept less than a death penalty. She was reportedly crying before court started Saturday morning.

(Anthony was also openly distraught during testimony by her brother Lee Friday about Lee's not visiting Casey and Caylee in the hospital. Real emotions or not, maybe the truth is getting to her and she's ready to give up?)

2. Another witness is being called to testify by Jose Baez, violating the court's "report" orders, and the judge is contemplating excluding the witness entirely. This would be an extraordinary move and would certainly call for an appeal should an conviction be made.

3. The judge is ready to sanction Baez again for his repeated violations of court orders. Or Baez is withdrawing from the case? He has already been sanctioned and fined by the court in January.

4. Jose Baez has filed motions regarding U.S.  Department of Defense employee William Rodriquez. Rodriquez unexpectedly ended testimony for the defense after it was learned he had not received permission from the DOD to testify and allegedly could be fired from his job if he continued. Baez wants to force him back to testify no matter what?

5. The judge didn't seem angry when making the recess announcement leading to a prediction there's a plea deal in progress. Baez may be realizing the case may go farther against his client than he ever figured, and it's time to give up.

6. Witness Perjury or Jury Misconduct? Many have reported unbelief in Cindy Anthony's testimony, and an investigation may have been underway surrounding her former nursing job and time cards testified about. With the many delays and inconvenience of sequestration of out-of-town jurors (they are from St. Petersburg) there might have been occasion for a juror to have discussed the case or heard something about the case they should not have in recent days.

FBI Testifies About Hair From Caylee's Decomposing Body

Jose Baez Fails To Discredit FBI Expert

At the Saturday morning trial of Casey Anthony, an FBI expert was brought before the jury to testify for the prosecution about hair samples. Defense attorney Jose Baez tried his best to prevent the testimony, objecting to the expert's claims of scientific relevance of the hair samples to be presented, but was overruled.

Judge Belvin Perry overruled the objections, much as he has done for most of Baez's objections to prosecution witnesses and exhibits.

Karen Korsberg Lowe, an FBI hair and fabric examiner testified about microscopic examination of hair samples found in Casey Anthony's car trunk. The testimony produced evidence showing decomposition of humans could be found from hair root samples taken from deceased individuals, and that a sample she examined showing apparent decomposition was similar to 2-year old Caylee Anthony's hair.

Lowe testified that the banding on hair can occur as soon as eight hours after death, leading to the inference that Caylee Anthony's hair was left in the Casey Anthony car at least eight hours after her death, assuming the hair with root banding was that of Caylee.

Lowe has a Master's degree and a decade of experience working at the FBI.

The "Smoking Gun?" - A Nine-Inch Hair

Lowe found at least eleven human hairs in the samples provided to her.  She said she found one nine-inch long hair showing human hair banding at the root when viewed under a microscope, showing consistency with apparent human decomposition. Comparing the hair sample to a sample from Casey, and another from Caylee's hair brush, the sample was identified as similar to Caylee's hair.

Microscopic analysis shows hair root "banding" indicates a hair has been taken from a decomposing body, according to Lowe. Lowe showed enlarged photo exhibits to the jury to demonstrate the hair banding effect in post-mortem changes. The FBI has been examining hair samples since the 1930s said Lowe.

Attorney Baez asked Lowe about a report commissioned by Congress on hair analysis in an attempt to provide doubt in the jurors' mind about the relevancy of the state's hair evidence, but as it turned out in further questioning, Lowe agreed with the report's finding that hair cannot definitely identify a person, unless DNA analysis is also done.

Baez in cross-examination made much of the fact that only one hair was found that was identified as similar to Caylee's hair. The sample, however was the only one with root banding on it, indicating it was apparently from a deceased human.

The trial is now in the scientific evidence stage, whereby forensic experts are brought before the jury by the prosecution to testify to the various physical samples collected by the Orange County Sheriff's department in it's investigation of the Caylee Anthony murder in July 2008.

Casey Anthony's New Witness Vasco Thompson

Mystery Witness Called - Claimed To Have Made Calls To George Anthony

A late addition to the defense witness list in the Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando, Florida is convicted kidnapper Vasco Dagama Thompson (photo left). 

Thompson reportedly made four calls to George Anthony, father of Casey on July 14, 2008.

George Anthony's attorney, Mark Lippman, put out a press release Wednesday denying Mr. Anthony ever knew or talked with Thompson.

The convicted felon served time at the Marion Correction Institution after a 17-year sentence resulting from an Orlando area kidnapping committed in July, 1987. 

According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Thompson, now 52 years old, was released from prison in November, 2004 and then lived in Jacksonville.

Update: Thompson held a news conference June 17 saying he doesn't know George Anthony or never called him. He said he didn't have the phone number claimed by Jose Baez' defense attorneys to call Anthony in July, 2008, but got the phone later in January 2009.

Casey Anthony Due In Orlando Thursday

Court Orders Casey's Orlando Probation Check-In


Speculation waxes on when, and where Casey Anthony will show up in the Orlando area Thursday under orders to begin her probation period on bad check convictions in 2010.

An Orange county judge corrected a previous order in the case, demanding Anthony now show up within 72 hours to begin her one-year probation. Defense attorney Jose Baez has filed an emergency motion attempting to quash the order, saying she served her probation while in the Orange County jail while waiting for her murder trial.

A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Corrections Wednesday morning held a press conference explaining the procedures Anthony will be expected to follow. The department said they have spoken with Baez, and Anthony is expected to come to the probation intake facility by 10 a.m. Thursday.

Baez has told reporters that he believes the judge in the bad check case had only 60 days to change the order, and that time has long expired. Other experts claim the new order only corrects a "scrivener's error and is a legitimate order that corrects the previous order.

Under probation, Anthony will be required to give her current address, which will be public, unless there is a threat against her, check in each month, look for a job, and stay away from felon's and firearms. She would need permission to change her address or leave the state.

Speculation reigns on just where Anthony has been since her release last month from jail. Sources say she flew immediately to Columbus, Ohio. She has an uncle and aunt in the Youngstown area.  A private jet, belonging to a well known Florida and Ohio car dealer departed Orlando shortly after her near midnight release from jail and landed in Columbus.

Baez says she wants to get therapy, and that leads our sources to believe she may be in the Chicago or probably the Milwaukee area.  There is reportedly a "bounty" for information on her whereabouts.

Update: Chief Judge Belvin Perry has ordered a stay on the order saying Anthony must check in with the probation department Thursday. A hearing is set for 9 a.m .Friday in Orlando on the emergency motion to quash the order.

"She Killed Someone Anyway!" - Casey Anthony Trial Outburst

Jury Selection Stopped After Outburst By Spectator

The Casey Anthony murder trial jury selection process was again interrupted mysteriously this morning at about 10:50 a.m. when a spectator to the trial shouted out "She killed someone anyway!"

The 30-ish woman wearing a green print sleeveless dress making the outburst was immediately taken out of the Pinellas County courtroom, while one of Casey Anthony's attorneys immediately asked the judge to dismiss the prospective juror being questioned at the time for cause.

The mystery woman yelled out the comment while seated in the spectator gallery. She was detained outside the courtroom under  Judge Belvin Perry Jr.'s order. 

The court was recessed while the Judge said he wanted to "look at something." The prospective juror was being questioned about her views on capital punishment when the outburst occurred.

Elizabeth Ann Rogers, dob 7/2/81, was brought into the court minutes later, and was asked by the Judge why she should not be held in criminal contempt of court.

Rogers was in tears and tried to explain she just wanted to "see for herself" and said she was "very sorry," explaining she has a fiance in jail for domestic abuse and she has a 3-year old daughter. She claimed to be bi-polar and havd post traumatic stress from age 14. and currently taking methadone and thorazine which she told the Judge she took at 6 a.m.

Rogers explained she was at the courthouse for a domestic abuse case and just wanted to see what was happening in the Casey Anthony courtroom. She pleaded not to be punished while crying the entire time.

Rogers says she volunteers with the local SPCA, goes to the methadone clinic everyday and receives social security for her disability. The judge considered her disability and the "gravity of what you did today" and found her to be guilty and sentenced her to two days in jail. He could have sentenced her for up to 179 days in jail.

Rogers was taken immediately into custody and processed into jail.

Judge Bevins then commenced court resuming questioning with the previous prospective juror. The Judge excused her from service due to the courtroom incident minutes before.

Jose Baez Slammed By Judge In Casey Anthony Probation Order

Baez Disregards Duty To Court Says Judge

In today's order quashing Jose Baez' motion to Set Aside A Court Order for Casey's Anthony's probation, Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. makes special notice of Baez' dishonesty in not calling to the attention of the Court an error in Anthony's probation orders of January 2010.

Anthony was convicted of check fraud in 2010 and Judge Stan Strickland withheld adjudication, but orally sentenced her to one-year probation after her release from jail, if that should happen after her then pending murder trial.

At the conclusion of the murder trial this summer, Anthony did not report for probation, and Judge Strickland then made a corrected order for probation for her to report within 72 hours of July 29th, 2011.

Baez filed a motion to overturn the order.

In Friday's order from Judge Perry, ordering Anthony to report to probation by August 26, a separate section of the order is entitled "Duty to the Court" where Baez' failure to notify the court of the scrivener's error in the original order for Anthony's probation.

Perry slams Baez not only for his failure to notify but for his claim that his client was harmed by the new order to serve probation.

Perry addresses in this section about the duty an attorney, "an officer of the court, owe (sic) to our system of justice to see that the lawful orders of the court are followed."

Baez told the court he knew about the requirement for Anthony to report for one-year probation after release from jail but told the Perry at a recent hearing he did not have any responsibility to notify the court of any error in Judge Strickland's original probation order.

Perry admonishes in the order that Baez has a duty not only to his client but to the public interest, and may not act in a manner that would serve his client "if doing so would put the administration of justice and the public's confidence in the profession at risk."

Perry says Baez has a "duty of candor" and the failure of an attorney to notify the court of a scrivener's error may be a violation of an attorney's duty of candor. No attorney should act in a manner that impedes a court order,  he says, and goes on to cite the Florida Bar's Rules of Professional Conduct regarding a lawyers' responsibility, alleging Baez may have violated same.

Baez had numerous run-ins with the Judge during the murder trial and Perry indicated the possibility of sanctions and referral to the Florida Bar for Baez' missteps during the proceedings.

The Order Signed By Judge Perry - click to read

Why Jose Baez Uses Attorney Sims To Get Casey Off

Dorothy Clay Sims - Usually On Plaintiff's Side Fighting Expert Witnesses

Ocala, Florida attorney Dorothy Clay Sims is before the court today examining defense witnesses in the Casey Anthony murder trial, and getting off to a bad start as Judge Belvin Perry denied allowing multiple expert qualifications for her forensic toxicologist, Barry Logan.

(photo: Sims comforting crying Casey Anthony)

Sims specializes normally in working for plaintiff's attorneys as an expert in cross-examining medical experts. In the Anthony trial so far, she's been relegated to a seemingly minor role, until today.

She was unable to get the court to recognize Barry Logan as an expert in analytic chemistry, and other sub-specialties. The denial apparently put a crimp in her questioning, as the state was able to get objections regularly sustained to dozens of questions she put to Logan this morning.

According to her bio she "attended the University of Florida and helped pay for her schooling with student loans and monies saved from waitressing at Steak & Shake and packing fruit." She says she lives part-time on a sailboat.

From her biography:

"She ultimately studied international law at Oxford University and traveled throughout Europe relying upon the kindness of strangers who fed and housed her. Her budget was so limited, she realized she could not travel short of hitchhiking…so she did sometimes, surviving on food leftover by others in restaurants or donations from truck drivers and their wives - something she most definitely does not advocate."

Sims says a career change happened as she watched experts for the defense hide the truth to keep plaintiff's from winning in court, and she spent ten years learning how "defense doctors hid or mislead the evidence."  

"She traveled the nation at her own expense meeting authors of various psychological tests and interviewing them about examples of how their tests were abused in the wrong hands." says her bio.

Her experience in seeing how experts for the defense can manipulate data may be the reason Jose Baez is using her as co-counsel (besides working for no pay)

Speculation on how she can help Casey avoid of a murder conviction:

1. Expose any irregularities in expert testimony

2. Poke hole in data produced by laboratories

3. Provide the "good cop" to Baez' "bad cop"

4. Have jurors sympathize with Casey Anthony through Sims' quiet and soft demeanor

5. Sims, working for the defense, instead of her usual attack of defense attorneys may show a genuine concern for a fair murder trial

Attorney Jose Baez "Embarrassed And Ashamed..."

Casey Anthony's Attorney Baez Defends Jurors

Casey Anthony defense attorney Jose Baez blasted TV journalists, while defending Casey Anthony jurors, indicating his disdain for reporters seeking interviews with jury members. Baez believes jurors should be let alone and not hounded for interviews.

Baez successfully defended Anthony at trial on charges of killing her daughter Caylee. Anthony is now serving a one-year probation  for bad check charges at a secret Florida location.

The court released the names of the murder trial jurors this week, after a "cooling off" period mandated by the judge. Reporters in Pinellas county, Florida have been trying to contact the names released.

Baez told a reporter "It's ridiculous, absurd, and I'm embarrassed and ashamed to be a part of this process," saying jurors were picked, and didn't choose to be a part of the infamous trial and should be let alone.

Video: WTSP - Tampa, Fl.

Decomposing Smell From Casey Anthony Car

Human Remains Odor Possibly Coming From Car

Testifying at the Casey Anthony murder trial Friday, Simon Birch, an employee of Johnson's Towing in Orlando told the court he smelled an odor like decomposing human remains coming from the white Pontiac Casey Anthony had abandoned.

The car was abandoned by Anthony at a check cashing store near a shopping mall, and towed by the company to it's secured lot.

Birch, having worked for decades in the towing business said he had experience with the odor of human remains, relating he had several occasions when decaying remains had been in towed vehicles. 

He said there was another vehicle on the lot at the time of the Anthony towing, of a suicide victim who had decomposed in the vehicle.

Birch has also formerly worked for Waste Management, a garbage and recycling company, and said he was very familiar with odors.

He did not report the odor to authorities he said because the vehicle was locked, and nothing was visible from the windows so as to confirm that there were human remains in it. 

Chloroform Thousand Times Higher Than Normal In Casey Anthony Car

Chloroform -  Subject Of Casey Anthony Trial Testimony

Dr. Arpad Vass, a forensic anthropology researcher with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, tested various samples from the Casey Anthony crime scene materials, finding very high levels of chloroform in carpet from Anthony's car trunk. 

Vass explained "parts per trillion" of chloroform can be found as a result of human decomposition, but he found "parts per million" in the carpet sample from the Anthony car trunk, or about a million times higher than normal. The amount of chloroform was also much higher than would be found in a normal carpet sample which he also tested.

As he testified Monday morning, Defense attorney Jose Baez made dozens of objections to the testimony of Vass and exhibits produced by the prosecution, but was overruled by Judge Belvin Perry. Baez objected to Vass' testimony on physics subjects, since Vass is not a physicist. and objected he was not an expert in areas to which he was testifying.

Chloroform has a high rate of evaporation like gasoline, he said, and after time should be disbursed rapidly. And because of this high rate he could not estimate what the exact concentration might have been before his examination.

About Chloroform

Chloroform, a sweet smelling liquid, in the early 1900s was commonly used as an anesthetic but was abandoned because of it's tendency to cause fatal cardiac arrhythmia or "sudden sniffer's death." 

It has been used criminally for murder and for sexually assaulting minors in recent years. It can become dangerous to life at concentrations of 500 parts per million according to OSHA. It has been banned in the U.S. in consumer products since 1972, having once been in toothpastes and cold medicines. It is still allowed in the U.K.

A combination of household ingredients can inadvertently produce chloroform, examples are mixing chlorine bleach powder with acetone, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol. Chloroform is also used as a solvent to extract morphine from poppies.