Defense expects to rest by Thursday
Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla.
A defense attorney for Casey Anthony told Chief Judge Belvin Perry that he expects to rest his case by Thursday, meaning jurors can expect another five days of defense strategy.
State prosecutors estimated they need another one or two days after that to respond to what the defense has presented.
Judge Perry said he expects to issue an order next week about “basic parameters” of the process to bring this case to a close.
Anthony, 25, is accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee Marie in the summer of 2008.
The toddler’s remains were found in woods in December 2008 near her family’s east Orange County home.
Casey Anthony was born in Warren in 1986 to George and Cindy Anthony, who lived in Howland before moving the family to Florida in 1989.
Defense testimony will continue for a full day today, resume Monday and continue through Thursday.
Meanwhile, after jurors were excused Friday, defense attorney Jose Baez accused state prosecutors or investigators of improperly withholding information — an alleged discovery violation.
Baez said Detective Yuri Melich testified he obtained Anthony family phone records from June to December 2008. But Baez said he had only two weeks of phone records.
“We don’t have the rest,” Baez said.
State prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick said she will ask Melich about what Baez said is missing.
She was unaware of any intentional discovery violations.
Meanwhile, multiple sidebars and review of case law delayed testimony throughout Friday.
Earlier in the day, an emotional Lee Anthony testified in his sister’s murder trial, breaking down on the stand while explaining he felt excluded from his family about Casey’s pregnancy.
“I was very angry at my mom. I was also angry at my sister — that they didn’t want to include me and didn’t find it important enough to tell me,” a sobbing Lee Anthony told jurors.
He said he didn’t visit his sister in the hospital after she gave birth to Caylee.
“I was very hurt. I didn’t think I wanted to believe it,” he said.
When asked if there were other reasons he was angry, Lee said, “No.”
Lee Anthony continued to maintain Friday afternoon that when he inquired about his sister’s pregnancy, he was told “to let it go” by his mother. This came during cross examination by assistant state attorney Jeff Ashton.
While saying he was shut out from plans and discussions about the pregnancy, Lee Anthony also said his mother appeared unhappy about his sister being pregnant.
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