Casey Anthony Update: DNA Tests Must be Done in US, Says Judge
ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS) Casey Anthony's defense team filed a motion Friday to allow Dutch experts to do additional DNA testing in the young mother's trial for the murder of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, but was told the testing has to stay stateside, according to a report.
PICTURES: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
In a newly filed defense motion Casey Anthony's lawyers argued that Richard Eiekelenboom's Dutch lab, Independent Forensic Services, has sophisticated technology not available in most U.S. labs, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Defense attorneys Jose Baez and Cheney Mason also argued that all 15 Florida based labs were directly affiliated with law enforcement and therefore were potentially biased against the defense, the paper reported.
"In order to conduct truly independent forensic testing many lawyers have relied on experts from areas of academia or former law enforcement to test evidence and draw away from the inherently biased approach of law enforcement only testing," the motion states.
The DNA request involves a pair of shorts believed to have been worn by Caylee, and a bag found at the site where the child's remains were recovered nearly two years ago. The prosecution maintains that no DNA was found on the bag when it was tested at the time, but Baez says the entire bag was not tested, according to the Sentinel.
PICTURES: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
"Mr. Eikelenboom is world renowned and highly regarded as a pioneer in the field of touch DNA," the motion states. "An area that could prove useful to the defense."
Touch DNA testing can reputedly pick up DNA from minute traces of skin cells left behind when an item is touched by a person.
Chief Judge Belvin Perry said he was inclined to grant the testing request but did not feel comfortable with allowing evidence to leave the court's jurisdiction, the Sentinel reported.
Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton agreed with the court saying that the prosecution had no power to compel witnesses from outside of the country to testify.
Anthony is jailed on first-degree murder charges in the death of her daughter, Caylee, whose remains were found in December 2008. Caylee was 2 years old when she was reported missing by her maternal grandmother in July of that year.
Anthony has pleaded not guilty and maintains that Caylee was abducted by her babysitter. The trial is scheduled to begin in May.
Complete Coverage of the Casey Anthony Murder Case on Crimesider.