Casey Anthony Could Face Death Penalty in Caylee Anthony Murder Trial, Judge Rules

By: Carlin DeGuerin Miller
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP Photo/ Red Huber)

(AP/Orange County Sheriffs Office)

(AP Photo/ Red Huber)

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS/AP) Casey Anthony's defense team was dealt another blow Friday, when a judge ruled that the prosecution could ask the jury to consider the death penalty in the murder case against the young mother for the death of her daughter Caylee Anthony.

Casey Anthony reacts during a court hearing Friday, December 11, 2009.

Casey Anthony faces first-degree murder charges. She has pleaded not guilty. Caylee Anthony was 2 when she was reported missing in July 2008. Her remains were found in a wooded area in east Orlando five months later.

In a motion to take the death penalty off the table, Casey Anthony's attorneys had argued that prosecutors were seeking the death penalty in bad faith and that the death penalty procedure was unconstitutional.

Photo: Caylee Marie Anthony, 2.

Defense attorney Jose Baez stated that several of the 'aggravating factors' outlined in the law that must be proven for the death penalty, such as "heinous, atrocious or cruel," were so vague and arbitrary that they should not be allowed.

Orange County Circuit Judge Stan Strickland also set a trial date for one of two civil cases against Casey Anthony filed by Zenaida Gonzalez, according to CBS Affiliate WKMG.

Photo: Casey Anthony's parents, George and Cindy Anthony, listen during a court hearing on Friday, December 11, 2009.

Gonzalez claims her reputation was ruined when Casey Anthony told investigators she left her missing daughter with a nanny with the same name, and is suing her for more than $15,000 in damages. The judge ruled that unless a settlement is reached soon trial is set for June 7.

Casey Anthony is already facing a Jan. 25 court date for allegedly stealing checks from her former best friend, Amy Huizenga.

Judge Strickland previously denied a defense motion requesting that the videotaping of jailhouse visits between Casey Anthony and her attorneys be stopped. The motion argued that the recordings violate the private nature of the attorney-client relationship.

Orange County Jail officials had countered that the sound is turned off.

Judge Stan Strickland said in an order released Thursday that any recordings of jailhouse meetings between Casey Anthony and her attorneys must be reviewed by him before they can be released to the public to ensure that Anthony's right to a fair trial isn't compromised.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
December 11, 2009 - Casey Anthony Lawyers Seek to Block Death Penalty
November 20, 2009 - Casey Anthony Defense: Meter Reader Roy Kronk Killed Caylee Anthony
November 9, 2009 - Book 'Em: Mommy's Little Girl -- Casey Anthony and her Daughter Caylee's Tragic Fate
October 21, 2009 - Police Interrogations: Questioning Casey Anthony
October 19, 2009 - 911: Where's Caylee Anthony?
September 30, 2009 - Duct Tape in Caylee Anthony Murder Case Contaminated by FBI
September 25, 2009 - Heart-Wrenching Caylee Anthony Evidence Destroyed, FBI Docs Show
August 24, 2009 - Casey Anthony's Defense Revealed
July 8, 2009 - Casey Anthony Trial Delayed Until 2010

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by WVGas May 13, 2010 10:36 PM EDT: United States needs to start being more strick on crimes. It's has gotten out of hand. We can't live in peace cause we don't know what criminal is out in ours neighborhood. Ours kids can't no longer play pass 18:00 hour of the day. Wake up America and lets start being more American. An eye for an eye...; Reply to this comment


by WVGas May 13, 2010 10:30 PM EDT: Here what I believe if you take a life, then your life should be taken away too. It's the only way that criminals are going to start understanding that what you do will be what you get from the court. No one should feel sorry for this lady that kill her daughter.; Reply to this comment


by sscally February 26, 2010 12:12 AM EST: CASEY ANTHONY is a Lair she sounds Excatally Like Her mother that's where shelearned the Art of Lying and ,took the realiaty of fronrabilty in many hoping Most humans how to MUNPUALTE with hog washLies
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN?; Reply to this comment


by sscally February 26, 2010 12:04 AM EST: I BELIEVE In The PRESIDENT of The United States Of AMERICA OBAMA and All Invoved ,Concerned ,But Mostly his Family MICHELLE and thier two beauitfull DAUGHTERS the Presidentiaul DAUGHTERS,TOO MOTHER MICHELLE My PRAYERS BEST of Wishes are witrh you PLEASE TAKE SNOW DAYS THE MAIL CAN NN STOP STAY HOME RELAX EMBRACE SURVIAL > THE LORD IS WITH YOU MICHELLE and FAMILY AMEN your cyber Pal Scaly =sscally=shelley; Reply to this comment


by Newsprint January 10, 2010 11:07 PM EST: Casey's a bit of a porker these days.; Reply to this comment


by mermerc December 25, 2009 8:10 PM EST: CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE IS What CONVICTED Scott Peterson for Lacey Peterson's murder, and more than 90% of all murder cases are won by strictly circumstantial evidence. Not too many murders are witnessed, you idiot. Therefore, juries routinely convict with the circumstantial and forensic evidence presented. Casey will fry and deserves every electrical watt she receives!!; Reply to this comment

by mommybarber2 December 22, 2009 12:08 PM EST

I think she deserves to DIE, DIE, DIE. She deserves every bith of what she gets and for what she did to her beautiful daughter. I became a mother at 18 years old and yes it is stressfull but it is a human being that you have to take care of. I don't care how much she wanted out or needed out. I think her parents would have given her enough nights off that she could still go and party and have fun. If I were Casey's parents I would have a really hard time sitting behind her in this case. I have great respect for George and Cindy. Kudo's for your courage!

Reply to this comment


by traffic101 December 22, 2009 1:23 PM EST: I hear what you say, but i think the media circus started when the overprotective parents bailed her out of jail too many times. When...when...do you say enough is enough and just let your child take responisibility for their own actions? Casey lied to everyone in the beginning that's how she was first arrested.


by Bad_Boy_88 December 24, 2009 10:27 AM EST: The evidence they have is circumstantial. There is no direct proof linking Casey to the murder of Caylee. If you just killed your daughter would you be out partying? I think Casey left Caylee home alone, because she couldn't find a sitter and someone else came by and killed her. This is a "no contest" the state can't prove guilt.


by adalphis December 22, 2009 10:12 AM EST: Cindy Anthony should never have punished Casey into taking responsability for Caylee, like she did, from my understanding. Casey was pretty obviously having a "good time:, but she wasn't ready for a baby. Not that she didn't love her, she just didn't know how to cope. She was torn from having a god time and taking care of daughter.

To most people, it would sound like a "no contest", and so it would to me.... but I know from personal experience that dealing with a two-year-old is no mean feat. Much as you adore them, you also need time out.

From what I've read, Casey didn't just want time out - she wanted out altoghether... Too bad, too sad, but when you bring a child into this world, you have a responsability to them and no-one else. She didn't feel that... or so it seems. Such a pity. A little sweet girl killrd because she was in the way...; Reply to this comment