Casey Anthony trustee withdraws plan to sell her life story in bankruptcy - OS

Casey Anthony trustee withdraws plan to sell her life story in bankruptcy
Casey Anthony's lawyers opposed the plan, which would have sold her story to highest bidder.

By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
4:32 p.m. EDT, May 7, 2013

A trustee has withdrawn his plan to sell the rights to Casey Anthony's life story as part of her Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

The trustee overseeing Anthony's bankruptcy, Stephen L. Meininger, had filed a motion in March seeking permission to sell "the exclusive worldwide rights in perpetuity to the commercialization of Anthony's life story," including her daughter's death and her high-profile murder trial.

However, on Tuesday the trustee filed a one page notice indicating that he was withdrawing that motion.

No explanation was given for the abrupt about-face, but a recent joint filing indicated that the trustee and Anthony's attorneys were "discussing potential resolutions of the issue," at U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May's suggestion.

The next hearing in the bankruptcy is set for Wednesday afternoon. Calls to Meininger and his attorney weren't immediately returned.
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Meininger's motion in March indicated that there had already been an offer on the rights: $10,000 from a man who wanted to prevent Anthony from profiting off her story. The trustee said he anticipated other offers, and he asked May to authorize him to take bids.

Anthony's bankruptcy filing did not list her story as an asset, but many have speculated since her trial that it is likely the only substantial one she has. Rumors of a book, movie or interview deal have been rampant.

Meininger's interest in liquidating Anthony's life story as an asset was apparent at a creditors meeting March 4: The trustee repeatedly questioned Anthony about whether she had received any offers or agreed to any deals to publish or sell her story.

She said she had not.

Anthony's legal team vigorously opposed the plan to sell her story, calling it an "unprecedented invasion" of her "private thoughts and First Amendment rights."

At a hearing on the motion last month, May expressed skepticism about the trustee's proposal, but didn't rule on it. He gave both sides more time to file legal argument, and granted an extension when the parties jointly indicated they were hashing out the issue.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/os-casey-anthony-life-story-no-sale-20130507,0,4391768.story