Casey Anthony Update: Defense Team Receives $17,000 of Taxpayers' Money

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS/WKMG) The legal team for Casey Anthony, the Florida mother accused of murder in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, will receive and additional $17,000 from the state to cover additional investigative costs, a judge ruled Monday.

PICTURES: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos

Anthony's defense team said it needs $12,000 for 300 hours of investigative services for witnesses and information that has been turned over by prosecutors, according to CBS affiliate WKMG.

The defense also received an additional $5,000 for investigative costs in the penalty phase.

Last year, Anthony was ruled indigent and tax money is being used to fund her defense. This will be the third time the defense team has asked Perry for more money.

Anthony, 24, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee, whose remains were found in a wooded area of Orange County in December 2008. She was reported missing in July of that year.

Anthony who remains jailed on first-degree murder charges has pleaded not guilty and maintains that Caylee was abducted by her babysitter. The trial is scheduled to begin in May.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CASEY ANTHONY ON CRIMESIDER