State wants Casey Anthony jury to smell can of "death"
(CBS/WKMG/AP) CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jurors in the murder trial of Casey Anthony could be asked to smell a can that prosecutors say contains the odor of the decomposed remains of her daughter, Caylee.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
According to CBS affiliate WKMG, prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick on Thursday asked a juror in the case if he had any qualms about viewing images of the child's remains or smelling evidence. Prosecutors hope to use a novel forensics test of air from Anthony's car during the trial.
Anthony's mother, Cindy, described the car as smelling like death in a 911 call to dispatchers.
Judge Belvin Perry pressed state prosecutors on the issue after jurors were dismissed Thursday evening.
"I wouldn't be counting too much on it," Perry commented according to the station. "Though I am willing to be persuaded."
Perry barred the state from asking jurors about the smell and later said he feared any conviction would be reversed on appeal if he let the jury smell the contents of the can, which contains a piece of trunk liner from Casey Anthony's car.
The state is now seeking a legal precedent to persuade the judge.
Jury selection is taking place outside of Orlando in the Tampa area because of intense media coverage near where the alleged murder of 2-year old Caylee occurred.
Anthony, 25, could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in her daughter's 2008 death. She is also charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child and providing false information to law enforcement. She has pleaded not guilty and maintains a babysitter kidnapped Caylee.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."