Attorney: Anthonys will stand by their daughter Sunday, December 21, 2008 The attorney for Caylee's grandparents, George and Cindy Anthony, says the Anthonys will support their daughter no matter how the case turns out. Casey Anthony is the Anthonys only daughter and she is charged in murder of her daughter, Caylee. "They want the truth, whatever it is," said attorney Brad Conway. "And whatever the truth is they will stand by their daughter." He also said that the Anthonys want to visit their daughter in prison but do not because they know they will not have any privacy. Conway addressed the media Sunday after authorities served a search warrant of the Anthonys' home Saturday. Conway said he felt that authorities could have gathered the items they took Saturday during previous searches. He said authorities took clothing and shoes belonging to Casey and Caylee and other items he would not discuss. He said the items that were taken were consistent with items taken during previous searches. "When you look at the inventory list of everything that was taken in the three searches, there's clearly a pattern to items they took," Conway said. "They clearly needed them or they wouldn't have sought a warrant, and everybody would've preferred that this be done at one time." Conway said it was difficult for the Anthonys to have authorities back in their home so soon after the news that the remains found near their home were in fact Caylee's. Conway also said that he understands there were no better times for the search and that authorities are doing the best they can. He said after the medical examiner's office releases Caylee's remains that a second autopsy will be done by defense experts. Also, he said a private memorial service will be held to give Caylee a proper burial. http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/12/21/417389.html

What's next for Casey Anthony investigation? Saturday, December 20, 2008 UPDATE: The crime scene tape has been taken down around where Caylee Anthony's remains were found. But at around 3 p.m. investigators went to the home of Caylee's grandparents looking for new evidence. Investigators obtained a warrant, citing probable cause, to search the home. George and Cindy Anthony were allowed to stay at the residence while the warrant was served. Authorities would not go into detail on what was taken from the home. The search for Caylee Anthony may be over, but the questions surrounding her death have just begun. On Friday, Orange County investigators confirmed that the remains found last week belong to the missing toddler and that the cause of death was homicide. However, they said they don't know how or when the little girl died. The remains were scattered, but Dr. Jan Garavaglia, the Orange County medical examiner, said there wasn't any injury to them before she died. So where does the investigation go from here? Caylee's mother, Casey Anthony, was charged with murder even before investigators located a body. She is currently sitting in the Orange County jail and is facing charges of first-degree murder. Now that the little girl's remains have been found, the strategy for the case both for and against Anthony could change. Prosecutors have already announced that they won't seek the death penalty. Bay News 9's legal analyst Joe Episcopo said they made this decision because they don't meet all the factors required for a death-penalty case. The discovery and identification of bones alone do not meet the requirements, which are set by the Legislature. Instead, if Anthony is convicted, she will serve an automatic life sentence. Following the identification of the little girl's remains, Anthony's parents, George and Cindy, issued a statement saying they will cooperate with detectives. "In an effort to determine the truth, the Anthony family will be available to law enforcement as the investigation continues," said Brad Conway, the Anthony family attorney. Utility worker Roy Kronk discovered the bones last week. He said he had attempted to tip off investigators several times over the past few months. Episcopo thinks this fact will play a role in the upcoming case against Casey Anthony. "They had the information about these remains four or five months ago," he said. "They didn't do anything about it. So now the defense has an angle that they can attack to try to create a reasonable doubt." Episcopo said that, while the defense team for Casey Anthony is refining their argument, prosecutors will also have to decide whether they will pursue an argument of premeditated murder or felony murder in their attempt to win a conviction. "If the prosecution can prove the child dies as a result of aggravated child abuse, she could then be convicted of first-degree murder," he said. However, Episcopo said that, even though the identification of the body eliminates a major defense, prosecutors are still missing a very important piece of information for a strong case - the cause of death, which has not yet been determined. He also said the defense team could point a finger at Kronk, who discovered the remains. One thing Episcopo said will not affect Anthony's defense were her teams inability to participate in the investigative process. He said the defense is never allowed to participate in a police investigation, and that the impact on her defense won't be any greater than the defense of others who came before her. http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/12/20/417023.html

The Latest Developments In The Caylee Anthony Murder Posted: 2:34 PM Dec 22, 2008 Last Updated: 2:34 PM Dec 22, 2008 Today, investigators in Florida are trying to tie the remains of little Caylee Anthony to the suspect in her killing - her own mother, who remains in jail, indicted in her daughter's death. Authorities confirmed on Friday that the remains found near Anthony's home were those of her little girl And this weekend, they searched that home again. Just moments after investigators ended their search of this area where the remains of Caylee Anthony were discovered, a crowd of onlookers couldn't wait to get a first hand look at the crime scene. Now that Caylee's been identified through DNA, the real work for investigators begins. "The cause of death will be listed as homicide by undetermined means", explained the medical examiner. Determining how she was murdered could be difficult. The medical examiner admits toxicology tests may prove useless. "Whatever might have been in Caylee's system is not there anymore." "When there's no trauma to the bones and there's no evidence at the scene to really tell you clearly what happened." "You're probably never going to be able to say absolutely what caused Caylee's death", said examiner Brad Garrett. Leaving investigators to try and link Caylee's mother Casey Anthony to the murder through her alleged lies and the forensic evidence. Over the weekend, police searched the Anthony home again, removing 2 large boxes. "Investigators say the search warrant was obtained with probable cause from new evidence gathered last week. Evidence likely from the crime scene or the autopsy." Police had previously taken a vacuum cleaner, a pillow, and household chemicals. "Forensic specialists may have told them see if you can go find items A, B and C because if you can find those it will better help us match or associate evidence found at the scene to possibly some item that belongs to Casey." Caylee's body has now been released for burial. Her grandfather made a rare appearance Saturday, only to accept flowers from a friend. http://www.wbko.com/home/headlines/36583724.html

Fla. jailers won't let mother attend daughter's funeral Casey Anthony will not be allowed to attend her daughter's funeral, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Anthony faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony. "She is ineligible under Orange County's corrections policy due to her charges and the safety and security risks that would be associated with such an attendance," the paper says. The little girl disappeared in June. Her body was found earlier this month. Posted by Mike Carney at 10:06 AM/ET, December 23, 2008 in Crime | http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/12/fla-jailers-won.html?csp=34

Judge Orders Release Of Photographs And X-Rays Tuesday, December 23, 2008 – updated: 11:48 am EST December 23, 2008 ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A judge in the Casey Anthony case told the state Tuesday to release photographs, x-rays and other documentation related to Caylee Anthony's remains to Casey Anthony's attorney. The order by Judge Stan Stickland followed an emergency request filed by Jose Baez's law firm. In the filing, Casey's attorneys claimed that the State Attorney had been asked but failed to release the information. The judge gave the state 14 days to release the items or they have until January 5, 2009 to appeal. The ruling came just after Channel 9 had learned Casey will not be allowed to attend her daughter's funeral. CASEY WON'T ATTEND FUNERAL A jail spokesman said Casey Anthony will not be able to attend a funeral or viewing for her daughter, Caylee, due to her first-degree murder charge and because of the security risks. The attorney for the family says a public memorial service will be held for the little girl. Orlando lawyer Brad Conway said Tuesday that George and Cindy Anthony, the girl's grandparents, will hold both a private service and a public memorial for Caylee Marie. Caylee was 2 when she went missing in the summer and her remains were found on Dec. 11. Her mother, Casey Anthony, has been charged with the girl's murder. Conway says the service won't be held until after a second autopsy on the remains is conducted. CASEY'S CLOSET SEARCHED, ITEMS CONFISCATED WFTV has learned crime scene investigators stripped Caylee Anthony's room and then raided Casey's closet during a recent search of the home of George and Cindy Anthony. Crime scene investigators have confiscated boxes of items from the Anthony home two times in the past week. Sources tell Eyewitness News last Thursday, investigators were focused on Caylee Anthony. They took her clothes, shoes, and toys. Over the weekend, another search warrant was executed and investigators came back for Casey Anthony's belongings. They took more of Caylee's clothes, five to eight pairs of Casey's shoes and her clothes as well. Legal expert Bill Sheaffer believes investigators are trying to take as many items as possible to help build their case because they don't have a cause of death. "Any forensic evidence linking Casey to the scene is extremely important for the states prosecution," said Sheaffer. Investigators also took soil samples from the Anthony home. Once defense attorney Jose Baez found out that the samples were taken as part of the evidence, he sent out his own team and they collected soil from the home for their forensic experts. Sources tell WFTV investigators also took two pairs of sunglasses and a pink-zippered bag. TOYS DONATED Toys that were collected at a memorial for Caylee were handed out to needy children Monday. Cynthia Melendez and her four children were forced into the Orlando Union Rescue Mission shelter a month ago. She lost her job and worried her children wouldn't have a Christmas. Now, she'll benefit from the community's outpouring over the Caylee Anthony tragedy. "It's a blessing to them, but it’s heartbreaking at the same time," said Melendez. Employees at the Mission unloaded armfuls of stuffed animals and toys brought from the Caylee Anthony memorial site where the child's remains were found more than a week ago. All 85 children staying at the shelter picked out a toy for Christmas. George and Cindy Anthony said their granddaughter was a giving child who liked to share and would have wanted this to happen. The children at the mission couldn't stop singing and smiling when they saw the gifts under the tree, Monday morning. "I feel excited, happy and thankful," said Katherine Lane, one of the children. When asked if she knew who had donated the presents, she answered, "Caylee and her grandparents." Some parents said they were praying for the Anthonys and a few even said they sympathize with Casey Anthony, who stands accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter. She could go to prison for life is she's convicted. A tentative trial date has been set for March of 2009. "I hope the courts understand that she was a young mom and there are hard times," said Jennifer Gonzalez. Dozens of people have contacted WFTV, saying they were upset the Anthonys donated the items instead of leaving them at the memorial. However, parents at the shelter believe it's one way to keep alive Caylee's memory alive and help children who didn't think they'd receive anything this holiday season. "I will tell my children that this was given to a child who lost her life, but you are living in her memory," said one mother. FORMER BOYFRIEND SPEAKS A man who once planned to marry Casey Anthony and take in Caylee as his own spoke publicly for the time Monday morning. Jesse Grund appeared on "The Today Show." Grund reiterated claims made by several of Casey's friends that she had a problem telling the truth. But Grund said the Casey he knew wasn't capable of killing her daughter. "I don't know what this Casey is capable of," said Grund. "I don't really know her at all they way she is now." Grund said he believes this case will follow him for the rest of his life. COURT HEARING CANCELLED A hearing scheduled for Monday in a defamation lawsuit against Casey Anthony was cancelled. George and Cindy Anthony were expected to testify in the civil case filed by Zenaida Gonzales. Gonzales was named as the mystery babysitter Casey claimed kidnapped Caylee. Detectives have long said Casey made up the story and Gonzales was never connected to Casey, Caylee, or the case. Gonzalez's attorney voluntarily asked the court to delay the scheduled deposition in light of the discovery of Caylee's remains. Casey's attorney is asking the deposition be delayed until after the criminal trial. http://www.wftv.com/news/18343056/detail.html?rss=orlc&psp=news

Anthony Defense Team Granted Access To Evidence Casey Anthony Not Eligible To Attend Daughter's Funeral POSTED: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 UPDATED: 12:38 pm EST December 23, 2008 ORLANDO, Fla. -- A judge on Friday granted access to evidence to the defense team of Casey Anthony, who is charged with murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee. Human remains identified as that of Caylee were discovered more than a week ago in a wooded area less than a half-mile from George and Cindy Anthony's home, where Casey Anthony lived with Caylee. Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, and a team of defense experts, arrived at the wooded area last week but were not granted access to the site by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The judge ordered that the state hand over photographs and X-rays of the remains to the defense within 14 days. "Time is of the essence in that there is a grieving family that merely wants closure, and as long as the second autopsy cannot be conducted properly, that can not happen," Baez wrote in teh motion. A testy e-mail exchange between Baez and the state attorney's office was also released. "The items you speak of will be provided in discovery in due course. Why do you believe that 'time is of the essence?'" prosecutor Jeff Ashton wrote. "I am not aware of any exigent circumstances in this case." "These items are needed for the second autopsy. Now Jeff, it's close to Christmas, be nice," Baez replied. New Tip Line Created Meanwhile, Baez has set up a new tip line to receive leads that he believes will confirm his client did not kill the girl. Casey Anthony, 22, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Caylee, who would have turned 3 in August. Caylee was reported missing in mid-July, a month after she disappeared. Her bones were discovered last week, less than a half-mile from her grandparents' home. George and Cindy Anthony will hold both a private service and a public memorial for Caylee, according to their attorney, Brad Conway. The Anthonys said they are not soliciting funds for the funeral services. The Anthonys have no plans to visit Casey Anthony in the Orange County jail where she's been since October. Authorities also said that Casey Anthony would not be eligible to attend either a funeral or a viewing of the remains under Orange County Corrections Department Policy. They said that was due to the level of the charges and to the safety and security risks that would be associated with her attendance. Watch Local 6 News for more on this story. http://www.clickorlando.com/news/18342912/detail.html?rss=orlpn&psp=news

One Tree Hill Connected to Death of Caylee Anthony? BY STEPHANIE BARISH | wpix.com December 29, 2008 ORLANDO, FL - Florida investigators Monday are looking into whether an episode of "One Tree Hill," could have played a role in the murder of three-year-old Caylee Anthony. A viewer who called into an Orlando newscast last week posed the question. Police are now trying to determine if the child's mother Casey Anthony copied an episode of the hit teen drama, in which a nanny tries to kidnap the child she cares for. Orlando police say Anthony did internet searches for that same exact episode before Caylee disappeared. Anthony claims her daughter was with a babysitter when she vanished last June, but has since been charged with her daughter's murder. Police found Caylee's remains less than a half a mile away from her family's home on Dec 17. http://www.wpix.com/landing/?blockID=172719&feedID=1404

Baez Wants Questioning Of Private Investigator To Be Supervised Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:33:47 PM ORLANDO -- Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, is concerned investigators may want to question the private investigator he hired back in July. Dominic Casey was hired to try and find Caylee Anthony after her mother, Casey, was first arrested. He was terminated in October. Baez said during his time working the case, the investigator acquired privileged information, and Baez said someone needs to oversee any questioning. Caylee's remains were found earlier Dec. 11 in the woods near her home. No Visits For Casey Meanwhile, it looks like Casey Anthony spent a lonely Christmas behind bars. Records released Tuesday show no one visited her behind bars on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. In fact, the only visitors she had that week were from members of her defense team. Casey's family has said they don't want to visit her because they know their conversations will be recorded and released to the public. Records from the jail also show Casey spent about $40 on several items, including beef jerky and soup from the jail's commissary. Casey remains locked up with no bond on first-degree murder charges. Meter Reader May Get Reward The meter reader who found Caylee's remains may be getting a $5,000 reward. Mark NeJame, the former lawyer for Caylee's grandparents, said he hopes to make a decision on the reward by next week. Orange County meter reader Roy Kronk found the remains in a wooded area Dec. 11. http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/12/30/meter_reader_may_get_reward_in_casey_case.html

Caylee Anthony case: Former detective for Anthony family blasts report that he knew where the remains were posted by halboedeker on Jan 2, 2009 5:56:26 PM Latest twist in the Caylee Anthony story: A case of he said, he said. And both men are private detectives. Private detective Dominic Casey has blasted as "ludicrous" a report that he knew where the toddler's remains were before they were found. Dominic Casey talked to WESH-Channel 2's Bob Kealing in a report that aired tonight. The private eye said he went to the woods to check a tip by a friend of Casey Anthony, who is accused of daughter Caylee's murder. On Wednesday, WFTV-Channel 9 explored inconsistencies in the stories of two private eyes who worked for the Anthony family. The other, Jim Hoover, said he was told in November where Caylee's body was hidden, bounty hunter Leonard Padilla told WFTV. Who told Hoover? Private eye Casey, Padilla said. In the same WFTV report, Dominic Casey said he and Hoover looked in that spot in November to rule out the friend's tip. A meter reader later found the child's remains in December. WFTV reported tonight that Hoover plans to hold a news conference on Monday. Kathi Belich reported that sources told her Hoover and Dominic Casey were in the woods on Nov. 15 and 16. "Law enforcement is trying to find out if inside information brought them there," Belich said. Padilla said he saw detective Casey talking on a phone in a November videotape shot by Hoover. Belich raised questions: Who was Dominic Casey talking to? Could Hoover have more evidence to share? In the WESH report today, Dominic Casey said he will pursue legal action against Hoover for making false claims. (Hoover did not return WESH's calls, Kealing said.) "I find it appalling that somebody would profit from a missing child. It sickens me," Dominic Casey said. He said he plans to talk to authorities after Caylee's memorial. But Kealing said the private eye has "no smoking-gun evidence against Casey Anthony." http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/01/private-detecti.html

Judge to address limits on images of Caylee Anthony's remains Sarah Lundy and Amy L. Edwards | Sentinel Staff Writers 12:27 PM EST, January 7, 2009 Casey Anthony's attorney today responded to prosecutors' request to limit what the defense team can do with the photos and X-rays of Caylee Marie Anthony's remains. Jose Baez wrote in a motion that restrictions will place an undue burden - both logistically and financially - on the defense. The issue will be addressed Thursday at a hearing before Orange Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland, who had previously ordered the state to release the images to Baez by this week. Prosecutors asked Strickland to restrict what Baez can do with the three discs they are going to release. The state doesn't want Baez to be able to copy, print or reproduce the images -- including sending them in the mail or over the Internet. And prosecutors want to ensure the photos remain with Baez and in the courts' jurisdiction. And defense experts must view them in Baez's presence. Baez argued in his two-page motion that most of the defense experts who would review the images are out of state. And he points out that the state's experts were allowed to take samples out of the state, including labs in Indiana and Virginia. Meanwhile, local and federal investigators met with prosecutors this morning at the State Attorney's Office. Sheriff's Office Sgt. John Allen and FBI Special Agent Nick Savage left about 11:30 a.m. and said it was a routine meeting to discuss the case. Brad Conway, attorney for George and Cindy Anthony, also met with prosecutors this morning. Conway said the meeting was related to state's motion about the images. The Anthonys were not there. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/orl-bk-casey-anthony-010709,0,3646033.story?track=rss

P.I. Says Partner Knew Where Caylee Anthony's Body Was Wednesday, January 7, 2009 – updated: 6:08 pm EST January 7, 2009 ORLANDO, Fla. -- A blockbuster development unfolded Wednesday in the Casey Anthony case. A private investigator, who worked with George and Cindy Anthony, just told Eyewitness News his partner knew where Caylee's body was and their search for it was on camera. Kathi Belich interviewed Jim Hoover and his attorney Wednesday afternoon. Eyewitness News broke the story and continues to work the angle of the mystery videotape recorded by private investigators working for the Anthonys. The videotape reportedly showed the location of Caylee's remains weeks before they were discovered and it could be evidence that helps link Casey to her daughter's death. The private investigator gave his videotape to detectives Wednesday. The evidence appears to be key incriminating evidence against Casey Anthony in the murder of her daughter. Private investigator Jim Hoover and his attorney told only Eyewitness News on Wednesday afternoon that the Anthonys' private investigator, Dominic Casey, after months of insisting Caylee was still alive, told Hoover on the morning of November 15 that Caylee was dead and that he knew where her body was. Private investigator Jim Hoover, who volunteered his services to the Anthony family, brought his camera equipment and tape to an Orlando law office where he and his attorney met with the lead investigators from the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the FBI for about three hours. When the detectives left with Hoover's ten-minute video of the scene from November, they seemed encouraged. "Can you tell me whether this helps you move forward in the case?" WFTV reporter Kathi Belich asked Sgt. John Allen. "Very helpful," he said. Hoover and his lawyer sat down with Eyewitness News minutes later and revealed some of the information Hoover shared with the detectives. They said Mr. Casey called Hoover on November 14 and asked him to come to town and meet at Mr. Casey's office on the morning of November 15. That's when Mr. Casey told Hoover that Caylee was dead and that Mr. Casey knew where the remains were. "Does Mr. Hoover know who told Mr. Casey that?" Belich asked Hoover's attorney, John Liguori. "No, he does not," he said. "Does Mr. Hoover know who Mr. Casey was on the phone with at the scene?" Belich asked. "No, he does not," he said. "And it's our belief, based on his recollection, that numerous calls were made on the 15th and 16th search." Hoover turned over his video of the search of the scene where Caylee's remains were found a month later. The tape was handed over at the office of WFTV's legal analyst, William Sheaffer. Sheaffer is not representing any of the parties involved, but was asked by Hoover to facilitate and speed up the turning over of evidence to investigators. ANTHONY FAMILY ATTORNEY MEETS WITH PROSECUTORS The lawyer for the Anthony family had a meeting Wednesday with prosecutors in downtown Orlando at the State Attorney's Office. George and Cindy Anthony's attorney, Brad Conway, met with prosecutors and investigators for about an hour Wednesday morning. According to Conway, he was there to discuss Caylee's x-rays and autopsy photos that the prosecution does not yet want to release to the defense. On Tuesday, Casey Anthony's defense team filed a motion objecting to the state's refusal to turn them over. Prosecutors say they are refusing to hand over the autopsy photos and x-rays of Caylee Anthony's remains until a judge imposes more restrictions. The defense wants the pictures of the remains, which were discovered last December, but prosecutors are concerned the photos could be sold to media outlets for financial gain. They want the judge to first issue an order that no copies of the pictures can be made or mailed and that they are only to be used by the defense. Conway also told Eyewitness News that he's been trying to get immunity for the George and Cindy Anthony. http://www.wftv.com/news/18432677/detail.html?rss=orlc&psp=news

Sources: Casey Anthony Intentionally Killed Caylee Experts Establish June Time Frame Of Death POSTED: Friday, January 9, 2009 UPDATED: 2:09 pm EST January 9, 2009 ORLANDO, Fla. -- Sources close to the Casey Anthony case told Local 6 News on Thursday that they have overwhelming evidence showing that she intentionally killed her young daughter, Caylee, and was solely responsible for the toddler's death. Anthony, 22, remains jailed on first-degree murder charges in her daughter's death. Caylee was 2 years old when she was reported missing in mid-July, a month after she had last been seen. Human remains discovered last month in a wooded area near Caylee's grandparents' home were identified as the missing girl. Sources also said investigators have now established a time frame of death that dates back to June, according to reports returned by forensic botanists and entomologists brought in to anaylize the terrain and insect growth where Caylee's remains were found. Sources said plants were growing through the skeleton and bug evidence was also recovered, both of which helped scientists reach their conclusion. Orange County sheriff's detectives believe Anthony took actions that led to her daughter's death June 16, which corresponds to the June time frame of death, Local 6 News reported. Investigators believe Anthony dumped Caylee's body around June 18 in the wooded area where the remains were found, sources said. According to test results conducted on the trunk of Anthony's car by the Oakridge National Laboratory, the girl's body spent at least two days there before it was dumped, sources said. A hair which showed signs of decomposition was also found in the trunk. Sources said the hair matches hair taken from Caylee's remains. Sources said the time frame coupled with other evidence -- duct tape found over the mouth of Caylee's skull, high levels of chloroform detected in the trunk and cell phone pings from Anthony's phone that place her near the crime scene in mid-June -- points only to Anthony as the killer. Sources said although a cause of Caylee's death may never be known, Anthony will be convicted based on extrememly strong evidence. Investigators who initially thought that Caylee's death could have been an accident have changed their minds, sources said. Anthony on Thursday was required by a judge to attend a hearing that centered around autopsy photos of Caylee. It was the first time Anthony had been seen in months. http://www.clickorlando.com/news/18444680/detail.html#-

WFTV Legal Analyst Describes Private Investigators' Video Friday, January 9, 2009 – updated: 7:02 pm EST January 9, 2009 ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- WFTV's legal analyst viewed the video showing a private investigator for the Anthony family talking on the phone and digging with a shovel at the scene where Caylee's body was later found. That private investigator was caught on camera, but until Bill Sheaffer had a chance to view it, few details were known about what the video showed. "He was digging in the soil. He had a probe that he was probing in the soil. He was also picking up items at the crime scene and tossing them aside," WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer told Eyewitness News on Friday . Sheaffer said the Anthonys' private investigator, Dominic Casey, picked up what appeared to be a blanket at the scene and tossed it aside and that it did not appear Mr. Casey and his colleague, private eye Jim Hoover, who was behind the camera, were doing a random search. Sheaffer said Mr. Casey appeared to be focused on areas where there was a configuration of stones or concrete pavers, not just at the crime scene, but also at what appeared to be an abandoned back yard where Mr. Casey was actually digging. "Mr. Casey was digging in the area, actually digging with a garden shovel, in an area where it appeared to be a black plastic bag sticking out of the earth," Sheaffer said. Sheaffer said it was obvious Mr. Casey knew the camera was rolling because he was actually directing Mr. Hoover on where to shoot. Sheaffer said, back at the scene the second day, Mr. Casey was probing the ground with a metal rod and not just superficially but deeply enough that he could have destroyed evidence. "It was a metal probe and if he hit the skull or the bones of that skeletal remains he could have fractured it, he could have otherwise altered it and it would have thrown the whole forensic examination of the bones off," he said. Questions remain about who Mr. Casey was talking to at the scene on the phone and who told him where to look and what to look for. CASEY FORCED TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR HEARING Casey Anthony was publicly seen Thursday for the first time in nearly three months and it was a legal snafu that dragged her out of her jail cell and into court. Casey failed to waive her right to sit in on Thursday afternoon's hearing where her lawyers fought for access to pictures of her daughter's remains. Casey was brought into the courtroom in shackles around 2:55 , nearly an hour and a half after the hearing began. The state argues she has to attend all her pretrial hearings. Since she did not formally waive her right to attend Thursday's hearing, Judge Stan Strickland made her come into court. It was the first time Casey had been seen since she was formally charged with first-degree murder on October 14. Dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit, she showed no emotion and often times stared at the table during the court appearance. Originally, Casey did not show up for the hearing, even though state statue requires defendants to attend all pre-trial hearings unless they make a written request to waive their right to attend, but Judge Strickland ordered her pulled from her cell. Judge Strickland explained to her, from now on, if she wants to waive her right to attend she must put it in writing and it will be under the court's discretion. Prosecutors called for the hearing and asked Judge Strickland to place restrictions on the photographs of Caylee's remains. The state was worried someone would get a hold of them and sell them to the tabloids. Judge Strickland decided to put them in Jose Baez's custody and Baez agreed the photographs would not be used for profit and a secure website will be put into place so that only authorized people will have access. A January 15 status hearing was canceled and a trial date has not been set. Jose Baez wants the case to move forward as soon as possible. The judge made several other rulings in the case Thursday. Among them, prosecutors have 20 days to make hair found in Casey's car available for the defense to inspect. It's that hair that experts say belonged to Caylee and showed signs of decomposition. The prosecution also has to produce the forensics report on Casey's car within 30 days. And, within 20 days, the defense will also get unedited copies of the 911 phone calls from the utility worker, Roy Kronk, who found the remains. Caylee Anthony was 2 years old when she went missing in June, but her remains were not found until December. She had been missing for about a month before her mother reported it. Casey Anthony has been charged with first-degree murder and other charges. CASEY'S DEFENSE TEAM GETS LEGAL VICTORY IN CIVIL SUIT There were questions for Casey at a morning hearing Thursday .The lawyers representing Zenaida Gonalez said they need to interrogate Casey so their civil lawsuit regarding her claims of a mystery babysitter can proceed. Casey's defense team, though, said any testimony could hurt her right to a fair murder trial. The woman with the same name as the elusive baby-sitter, Zenaida Gonzalez, was in court Thursday morning. She's suing Casey Anthony for defamation of character. The woman's attorneys wanted Casey to show up for her scheduled deposition Monday, but that's not happening. "The court will not allow the deposition to take place as it has been indicated at this time," Judge Jose Rodriguez said in court. However, Judge Rodriguez is going to allow Zenaida's lawyers to submit written questions to Casey. Attorney Jose Baez doesn't want Casey to speak on the record before the criminal case, because he's concerned she could say something incriminating. WFTV's legal analyst said the ruling Thursday wasn't just a win for the defense. "It's a victory for Anthony because she doesn't have to answer questions live at this time and can consult with her lawyer when she's answering these questions," Bill Sheaffer told Eyewitness News. Attorneys John Morgan and Keith Mitnik represent Gonzalez .They're concerned Casey will use the Fifth Amendment during questioning when it happens and they said all that does is delay clearing Gonzalez's name. "The public, I think, knows now that what Casey Anthony said is a lie," John Morgan said. Morgan told Eyewitness News he's also working on scheduling depositions for Casey's parents and brother Lee Anthony. They said the suit is far from over. "You ask me, I feel like we come out of this with a win. We're going to go out and celebrate," Gonzalez attorney Keith Mitnik said. The defense now has 30 days to respond once the plantiff sends over written questions. http://www.wftv.com/news/18449626/detail.html?rss=orlc&psp=news

Was Casey’s car seen in June where Caylee was found? Last Edited: Friday, 09 Jan 2009, 8:15 PM EST Created: Friday, 09 Jan 2009, 7:36 PM EST ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- A new tip has surfaced in the Caylee Anthony case. According to Tim Miller president of Texas base Equusearch the group that searched for the remains of the missing toddler, a tip was reported to a volunteer searcher by private investigator Jim Hoover on November 8th and involved a wooded area near the Anthony home, the same woods where the remains of the toddler were found in December by a utility worker. According to Miller Hoover approached a volunteer searcher on November 8th. "He actually told (searcher) Bill Todd that nobody could know he was out there,” Miller said. “And it had to be kept a big secret that he is working as security for the Anthony’s and if the Anthony’s ever found out he was out there his job would be in jeopardy." Hoover has been under media scrutiny since he and Dominic Casey, another of the Anthony’s private investigator said they went out to the same area on November 15th and taped it. That was a week after Miller said Hoover came to them. Miller said Hoover filled out one of Equusearch's forms. Miller wouldn’t say what Hoover told them. “Everybody knows about that tip,” Miller said. “And who needs to know about that tip does know about that tip. Things were followed up on that tip." Miller wouldn’t say what Hoover said, but Bill Todd's wife said Hoover's tip didn't directly point them to the location where Caylee was found on December 11th, but instead said someone saw Casey’s car parked near that patch of woods back in June. http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=8225966&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Deputy's actions under scrutiny in Casey Anthony case Bianca Prieto and Walter Pacheco | Sentinel Staff Writers January 14, 2009 An Orange County deputy who was criticized for the way he handled an August tip about Caylee Marie Anthony's remains was previously accused of failing to properly investigate incidents, a report released Tuesday shows. Deputy Sheriff Richard Cain was accused of failing to properly investigate a threatening telephone call in March 2007, but that allegation was deemed unfounded, the sheriff's report showed. The outcome of a similar complaint against him in December 2006 was not available Tuesday. The Sheriff's Office is conducting an internal investigation into what happened in August after a meter reader reported something suspicious in woods near the home Caylee shared with her mother and grandparents. Cain's background, which was requested by several media organizations, was released on the same day Orange County meter reader Roy Kronk criticized deputies during an interview on national television. Kronk said on ABC's Good Morning America that deputies were uninterested in following up on tips of a bag he found in August in woods near the home of the missing toddler's grandparents. He ended up making four reports -- three in August and one in December -- before investigators recovered the bones last month. Kronk made reports Aug. 11, 12 and 13, less than a month after the girl's grandmother had reported her missing from the Chickasaw Oaks subdivision. A deputy who responded poked around the water with a metal stick and then "swept his head back and forth and said, 'I don't see anything,' and pretty much, that was it," Kronk said. Kronk didn't name the deputy. But an official with the Sheriff's Office said Cain was the only deputy to respond in August when Kronk was at the site. Cain went there Aug. 13. "I guess the deputy didn't want to go into the water to look at the bag," Kronk said. "The cop was like . . . I would say, he was kind of rude to me." Kronk returned to the woods off Suburban Drive and found Caylee's bones Dec. 11, ending months of searching for a little girl who would have turned 3 in August. The girl's mother, Casey Anthony, has been charged with murder in her daughter's death and is being held without bail at the Orange County Jail. Capt. Angelo Nieves, a Sheriff's Office spokesman, said Kronk is entitled to his opinion. "We will allow the investigation to speak for itself when it is concluded," Nieves said. The Sheriff's Office released two pages of information about Cain on Tuesday. They showed he was hired in June 2006 but offered few details about allegations made against him in the past. The pages showed he was exonerated for an unspecified "use of force" issue in February 2007. Officials said a complaint about loitering after a call for service and failing to offer proper identification in January 2008 was deemed unfounded. Tuesday was Kronk's first public appearance since last month, when he made a brief statement after Caylee's remains were identified. He also told ABC host Robin Roberts about a brush with the law in the 1990s. He was accused of kidnapping a former girlfriend but was never charged, according to David Evans, Kronk's attorney. A grand jury reviewed the case and decided there wasn't enough evidence to support the allegations. "It was sealed, expunged from my record, and the only reason I came forward with it is because I have nothing to hide," Kronk said on TV. Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff's Office said they don't think Kronk was involved with Caylee's death. The network said it did not pay Kronk for his interview, but it acknowledged it paid Kronk to "license" a photo. A photo that aired during the interview showed a snake. Kronk's lawyer and an ABC spokeswoman would not disclose what Kronk was paid for the photo. Evans said it is not uncommon for national networks to pay $10,000 to $20,000 for photos. Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel learned that Kronk owes about $10,000 in back child support to his ex-wife in Maryland. The two divorced in 1991, and she began seeking payment since 1996, according to court records. Their son is now 25. Evans said he knew that his client owed child support but did not know why Kronk had not paid it or whether he was going to use this money to pay off the debt. "Ultimately, it will be up to him," Evans said. "He's working to find a way to it." Susan Jacobson of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Bianca Prieto can be reached at bprieto@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5620. Walter Pacheco can be reached at 407-420-6262 or wpacheco@orlandosentinel.com. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-casey1409jan14,0,4396882.story?track=rss