Casey Anthony Trial Update: Casey's dad George questioned about alleged mistress
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - George Anthony, Casey Anthony's father, was called to testify Tuesday morning and was immediately questioned about a woman who claims to have had an affair with him.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
George Anthony said a woman he knew as River Cruz came to assist with the searches for his missing granddaughter, Caylee. The woman's real name is Krystal Holloway, reports CBS
affiliate WKMG.
Holloway claimed in a recent interview with WKMG that she had an intimate affair with George Anthony.
On the stand Tuesday morning, George Anthony laughed when asked about Holloway and denied having any intimate relationship with her.
Lead defense attorney Jose Baez asked George Anthony if he ever went to Holloway's home and George Anthony said he visited her home once, during daylight hours, to comfort her. He said Holloway told him she had medical issues, the station reports.
George Anthony said many of the volunteers became friends of the family.
Holloway told WKMG that George Anthony confided in her in November 2008 that Caylee's death was an accident that snowballed out of control. Caylee's body was found the next month.
When Baez asked him about this, George Anthony denied confiding in anyone but his family and he never said anything about an accident to Holloway, reports the station.
George Anthony admitted that he sent Holloway a text message that said, "I need you in my life." He testified that he said he needed all the volunteers in his life.
"If I'm not mistaken, she has a questionable past," George Anthony said about Holloway, according to the station. He tried to go on about Holloway's criminal history, but was stopped after an objection.
During cross-examination, George Anthony said that his friendship with Holloway ended after Caylee's remains were found.
Immediately after George Anthony's testimony, his wife Cindy Anthony was called.
Anthony, 25, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and could face the death penalty if convicted of that charge. Her defense attorneys claim Caylee Anthony accidentally drowned in the family's swimming pool.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."