Casey Anthony's father says at trial that car smelled like corpse
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - George Anthony took the stand today testifying that the odor he smelled in his daughter Casey Anthony's car, when he picked it up from a tow yard, reminded him of the smell of a human corpse.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
George Anthony said that within three feet of the car, he smelled a very strong odor that "concerned" him. He explained that he had smelled a similar odor previously and it was very distinct - the smell of a human corpse, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
Because he had not seen Casey Anthony or his granddaughter, Caylee, for a long time, he worried the smell could be one of them.
"Please don't let this be Casey or Caylee," George Anthony said he said to himself when he opened the trunk of the car, reports WKMG.
George Anthony said he found a white bag with a pizza box and maggots in it.
The smell was so intense, he could not drive the car without rolling down the windows, he said. When he returned home, he opened all the windows and sun roof and put the car in the garage.
When asked specifically, George Anthony said he saw a subtle stain on the spare tire cover in the trunk of the car, the station reports.
Later that same day, George Anthony's wife, Cindy, called 911 to report Caylee missing. She told the 911 dispatcher, "It smells like there's been a dead body in the damn car."
Tow yard manager Simon Birch testified earlier Friday that Casey Anthony's car smelled of human decomposition when it was towed in June 2008.
He testified that he had towed vehicles which had had bodies in them on six or seven occasions, the station reports.
Anthony, 25, has pleaded not guilty. If convicted of first-degree murder, she could be sentenced to death.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."