Casey Anthony Trial Update: Defense concludes closing arguments
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - Following a recess after the prosecution's objections to the defense pointing out that prosecutor Jeff Ashton was laughing, the defense resumed its closing argument in the Casey Anthony trial Saturday.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Baez told the jury that the duct tape used to bind Caylee Anthony only points toward George Anthony, CBS affiliate WKMG reports.
Baez asked why George Anthony never told anyone about how he had buried the family pets - wrapped in blankets, covered in a plastic bag and wrapped with tape before being buried in the backyard.
When asked about this, George Anthony had testified that he did not remember.
Baez then brought up George Anthony's alleged affair with Krystal Holloway, a search volunteer. George Anthony denied the affair and said he only went to Holloway's home once to console her about a brain tumor in October 2008. Baez said George Anthony should have been at home consoling his wife.
Holloway testified that George Anthony told her Caylee's death was "an accident that snowballed out of control."
Baez presented the jury with George Anthony's suicide note from a suicide attempt in January 2009. He said George Anthony was suicidal because police began to investigate him more than one month after Caylee's remains were found, reports the station.
Baez said the note was self-serving, for George Anthony to protect himself.
Baez returned to the idea that the Anthony family is full of liars.
"Lies are what lives within this family," Baez said, according to the station. "[Casey Anthony] was raised that way. Raised to lie. Is it a surprise she lived in a fantasy world?"
Baez said the circumstances Caylee's remains were found in just don't add up, and the case is not proven.
"Reasonable doubt lives here. It's throughout the case," Baez said.
Baez then put up photos of 10 law enforcement witnesses who testified for the defense. He said none of them found DNA, blood or fingerprint evidence on the items found with Caylee's remains. He noted that the partial DNA evidence found on the duct tape found on Caylee's skull excluded Caylee and Casey Anthony.
Baez said it does not sound right that Casey Anthony was smart enough to outwit forensics experts, but dumb enough to leave Caylee's body 19 feet off a road, the station reports.
Baez put up pictures of several state witnesses, which he cited as not memorable, but noted that the prosecution did not call the man who found Caylee's remains, Roy Kronk. Baez said he called Kronk to bring up the suspicious circumstances of Kronk finding Caylee.
Baez questioned why Kronk did not insist that he had found Caylee's remains when a deputy investigated his claim in August, 2008. Instead, he finally found Caylee's remains in December.
Baez said testimony from Kronk's son impeached Kronk's testimony. Kronk's son said his father told him in November that he knew where Caylee's remains were.
Baez maintained that the scene where Caylee's remains were found was staged, making it unreliable for evidence.
At the conclusion of his closing argument, Jose Baez asked the jurors to return a verdict of not guilty on the grounds that nothing was proven, and there are still remaining questions.
Defense attorney Cheney Mason finished for the defense, addressing the jury to discuss the charges against Casey Anthony.
"The burden rests on the shoulders of my colleagues at the state attorney's office," Mason said referring to proving that Casey Anthony committed a crime.
Mason said that the jurors are required, whether they like it or not, to find the defendant not guilty if the state did not adequately prove its case against Casey Anthony.
Mason emphasized that the burden of proof is on the state, and that Casey Anthoy's decision not to testify is not an implication of guilt.
Anthony, 25, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Caylee's death and could get the death penalty if convicted of that charge. The jury was expected to get the case today, but because of the defense's lengthy closing arguments, the prosecution will get a chance to rebut the defense's arguments Monday morning. After that, the judge will give the jury their instructions, at which point they will begin deliberations.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."