Casey Anthony Trial Update: Anthony said car stench was from dead animal, says best friend
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - Casey Anthony's former best friend, Amy Huizenga, took the stand on Tuesday, the seventh day of Anthony's murder trial, to be cross-examined by the defense about her friendship with Anthony.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Her testimony followed that of Cindy Anthony, Casey's mother, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
Huizenga testified about text messages she received from Anthony about a stench in her car, which Anthony believed might have come from the car striking a dead animal.
Huizenga told jurors that Anthony began staying with her on June 30, 2008. She said she assumed Casey Anthony had been staying with her boyfriend Tony Lazzaro before.
According to Huizenga, Anthony explained that she was trying to keep Caylee away from negativity at her home caused by her parents' arguments and potential separation.
On July 15, 2008 after Anthony picked up Huizenga from the airport they later parted ways at Lazzaro's apartment. Huizenga said that day she received a call from Cindy Anthony asking her to help her find her daughter.
She said she was hesitant to speak with Cindy Anthony because Casey Anthony had told her her mother was crazy, but she let Cindy Anthony pick her up at the mall and she went with her to Lazzaro's apartment. Huizenga testified about the heated exchange between both of them regarding Caylee's whereabouts.
Anthony pleaded guilty last year to stealing Huizenga's checkbook and writing several fraudulent checks in her friend's name.
The state completed questioning Huizenga just before 5 p.m. and today the defense will question her.
Casey Anthony, 25, is charged with first-degree murder in Caylee's death. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."