Casey Anthony Update: Judge Tells Prosecution and Defense to Share
NEW YORK (CBS) During a late afternoon hearing on Friday, the judge in the Casey Anthony murder trial told prosecutors and defense attorneys that they need to turn over the complete resumes of their expert witnesses, as well as basic outlines of their expected testimonies in the capital murder case of the young mother accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in 2008.
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In November, Orange County Circuit Judge Belvin Perry ordered Anthony's attorneys to hand over copies of the notes, photos, and videos that their defense experts took while examining evidence. But Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton said Friday that while defense attorney Jose Baez has provided some basic details about the experts, "He's giving us no additional information," according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Perry ordered both sides to provide expert backgrounds, areas of expertise, topics they'll offer opinions on and summaries of their testimony, but only for those experts who have not already provided reports. The judge also reminded the parties that "the trial date is quickly approaching" and that the exchange needs to happen by Dec. 23.
The prosecution states that they need the information in order to conduct the necessary depositions of the defense witnesses before trial. Ashton said all prosecution witnesses who have rendered opinions have also written reports, the paper reported.
Baez called the hearing "a waste of time" saying that the issue could have been handled with a phone call and that he has already responded to Ashton's request and sent additional information according to the Sentinel.
"We're not here to hide anything," Baez said.
Anthony is jailed on first-degree murder charges in the death of her daughter, whose remains were found in December 2008. Caylee 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.