Casey Anthony Trial Update: Car smelled like decomposition, says crime scene investigator
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - On Friday afternoon jurors in the Casey Anthony murder trial were for the first time shown pieces of physical evidence.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Crime scene investigator Gerardo Bloise was called by the state following the testimony of a crime scene technician discussing the chain of custody with the evidence in the case. Bloise processed Anthony's car.
Anthony's father and a tow yard manager have both testified that they smelled the distinct smell of human decomposition coming from the trunk of the car on July 15, the same day Anthony's mother called 911 to report Caylee missing and one month after the toddler was last seen alive. Anthony's mother testified that she sprayed the car with Febreze and placed dryer sheets inside to remove the smell.
"Based on my 23 years experience and dealing with 40 decomposed bodies, yes...my opinion is that it was the smell of decomposition," Bloise told the court, according to CBS affiliate WKMG.
The state presented and Bloise explained several pieces of physical evidence taken from the car, including hairs that an FBI expert is later expected to testify came from a decomposing body, as well as pieces of the car.
Bloise testified extensively about how he obtained and preserved the 12 hairs for testing.
Bloise said tests of a stain in the trunk liner of Anthony's car came up negative for the presence of blood. He concluded his testimony just after 5 p.m. after four hours on the stand.
Pieces of carpet taken from the trunk of the car have been sealed in metal paint cans. The state wants the jury to be able to smell the samples, but the defense objects. A ruling on the matter has not been made.
Earlier in the day, the state played video of conversations that took place between Anthony and her family while Anthony was in jail. Jurors also heard from Detective Charity Beasley of the domestic violence unit of the Orange County Sheriff's Office, who testified about evidence she collected from the Anthony home, including Anthony's car.
Anthony, 25, is charged with killing her daughter in the summer of 2008. Anthony has pleaded not guilty. If found guilty, she could face the death penalty.
The prosecution said it expects to reach the halfway point of its case
Saturday.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."