Judge in Casey Anthony civil case recuses himself

By: Camille Mann
Topics: Daily Blotter

Casey Anthony before her sentencing, Thursday, July 7, 2011

(Credit: AP Photo)

(CBS/WKMG) For unknown reasons, the judge in the civil lawsuit against Casey Anthony recused himself from the case on Friday.

Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony

Judge Jose Rodriguez made the announcement shortly after the 8 a.m. hearing began, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.

Zenaida Gonzalez, who shares the same name as a fictitious babysitter whom Casey Anthony claimed kidnapped her daughter Caylee in 2008, is suing Anthony for defamation.

The move came after Anthony's attorney called for a sidebar, where attorneys from both sides talked with the judge for about 15 minutes.

Gonzalez's attorney, John Morgan, said he did not request the recusal, WKMG reports.

Morgan was expected to argue Friday that Anthony should be deposed before she is released from jail Sunday. He filed the motion Wednesday requiring Anthony to attend a deposition either on July 19 or before Sunday's scheduled release from the Orange County Jail.

Morgan is concerned that Anthony will not show up for a scheduled deposition next Tuesday and he wants a judge to force her to appear, reports the station.

A timetable for a decision is not known.

Neither Gonzalez nor Anthony attended the hearing.

Last week Anthony, 25, was acquitted of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter in Caylee's death.

She was sentenced to a total of four years in jail on four counts of providing false information to law enforcement, as well as a fine of $4,000, plus court costs. However, due to credit for time served and good behavior, Anthony is scheduled to be released this Sunday.

If Anthony is compelled by a judge to give a deposition under oath, it could be the first time she speaks publicly after her acquittal.

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by AMH2730 July 16, 2011 12:55 AM EDT: Look at the big cocky smile on that c**t's face...bet she won't have it when she's out and not protected anymore...; Reply to this comment

by andie52 July 15, 2011 4:22 PM EDT

"Casey Anthony, acquitted of charges that she murdered her daughter Caylee, filed an appeal today of her conviction that she lied to law enforcement officers."

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by laurany July 15, 2011 4:36 PM EDT: Guess she had to appeal since she doesn't want anyone to even remotely think she tells the truth about anything..


by DocD--2008 July 15, 2011 4:12 PM EDT: This is funny.. even in a "deposition" you can refuse to answer questions or say anything at all. You cannot be "forced to talk".; Reply to this comment

by Jhihmoac July 15, 2011 2:17 PM EDT

Don't know if that'll hold any water, but this IS nice to see...If I were the judge, I'd hold off until after Casey's first few paid media appearances...

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by andie52 July 15, 2011 2:45 PM EDT: Whi is going to pay her? Casey won't give any interviews on TV she's a loose cannon.


by rebeccafla July 15, 2011 1:38 PM EDT: Casey Anthony stole Zenaida's information from a form requesting apartment information that Zenaida completed for Sawgrass Apartments (where Casey visited friends) in east Orlando. I remember when Casey and her family sent all of us in Orlando and in Central Florida on a huge search for Zenaida Gonzalez in 2008, and Zenaida suffered a great deal from Casey Anthony stealing her identity causing Zenaida to lose her job and for being accused of kidnapping and other horrible things surrounding Caylee. Zenaida deserves every penny she gets from Casey Anthony ruining her life for a long time period.; Reply to this comment


by limeicheng101 July 15, 2011 1:38 PM EDT: I like this new.; Reply to this comment

by you_MAY_be_right July 15, 2011 12:31 PM EDT

I really don't see how there is much of a case here. I am willing to guess that there MAY BE more than one Zenaida Gonzalez.

My ex had an unusual first name, but I have found many occurrences throughout the years. And Gonzalez is a common enough name to increase the probability and possibility for her name to come up again.

Anthony's whole claim has been that the nanny with that name left the area. Also, people/criminals use aliases. So she could use that as a defense.

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by andie52 July 15, 2011 1:44 PM EDT: The breakdown: Casey Anthony's 'imaginary friends'

insession.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/03/the-breakdown-casey-anthony%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cimaginary-friends%E2%80%9D/


by jusayin July 15, 2011 11:36 AM EDT: I don't blame the Judge for not wanting to devote years of his career to Casey Anthony's cashflow woes. I'd find a way out of it too !
Zenaida deserves Casey's cash though, hope she wins.; Reply to this comment

by cheryl5555 July 15, 2011 10:58 AM EDT

All of these LEACHES will just have to get thier "pay day" some where else! Nancy Grace, HLN, Greta, you name it have made millions off of this girl and are STILL trying to make more? Now, we have the STATE of Florida trying to get money, Zanida, Equasearch (volunteers), and lets not forget the scumbag cowboy Padia. They should ALL be sued for frivilous law suits! Including the STATE of Florida. They would NOT have had to search at ALL if they had responded to Roy Kronks call in AUGUST!! he would have led them right to it..but huh NO! They instead ingnored his THREE attempts to tell them where the remains were! Zanida...never had a case to begin with! neither does EquaSearch and certainly Padia has nothing! It is just a shame and yet these news people are saying they do not think Casey should receive money for books, interviews, movies? The is the ONLY one that should be paid! In addition, the news media is clamoring that the Jurors should not get paid...guess what? If the media had not made this case into the CIRCUS that they did there would be no one wanting to pay a Juror for anything! This SHOULD set a presidence for these types of cases: 1. There should be GAG ORDERS in place! Nothing on TV ACCEPT the trial itself! This way there is no frenzy and setting people up for pay days! The Media has led this circus from DAY ONE!!

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by andie52 July 15, 2011 11:21 AM EDT: Have you watched the jail house tapes?


by DenverBroncofan July 15, 2011 11:22 AM EDT: I agree however I think all trials should be closed to all media. CNN made a boat load of money with commercials during the trial. I am quite sure those 30 secind spots hit NFL $$$. People complaining about Casey and the Jury making money are the same people blaming the jury instead of the system. Blame those willing to pay, not those willing to accept the money, especially is this economy.