Casey Anthony Trial Update: Judge Belvin Perry expresses distrust for the defense
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - After recessing early for the day in the Casey Anthony murder trial on Monday because the state's next witness was not yet available, Judge Belvin Perry shared some harsh words with the defense.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Perry set a shortened timeline of the trial for the jurors, announcing that he expected the state to conclude its case by Tuesday or Wednesday,, and the defense to finish by the following week, before calling a recess Monday, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
"Depending on the length of the defense's presentation, maybe by next week, probably end of next week, we will conclude all of the evidence in this case and get you deliberating hopefully the 25th or 27th, but that is subject to change," Perry said.
Defense attorney Cheney Mason objected and called for a sidebar. Transcripts of that sidebar show that Perry was not pleased with Mason's arguments.
Mason told Perry that the defense is not legally obligated to present any evidence at all and they may or may not, but Perry set that expectation with the jurors.
According to Perry, Mason's co-counsel had repeatedly told the judge that the defense would be presenting evidence, and Mason eventually admitted to Perry that the defense was indeed going to do that.
"I will take it that I cannot trust one thing your side says anymore," Perry told Mason in the sidebar, reports the station.
Anthony, 25, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, and could get the death penalty if convicted.
Prosecutors believe Anthony suffocated Caylee with duct tape, while the defense contends Caylee drowned in her grandparents' swimming pool.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."