Judge Reprimands Casey Anthony's Attorney In Court

Judge Reprimands Casey Anthony's Attorney In Court

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 – updated: 11:11 am EST January 6, 2009
updated: 11:51 am EST January 6, 2009

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A hearing of sorts that Casey Anthony's attorney called for Tuesday didn't happen has he had hoped. Jose Baez had asked for the deposition of Casey Anthony, in a civil defamation suit filed against her by Zenaida Gonzalez, to be delayed.

Casey Anthony's defense team wanted to avoid having her testify in connection with the civil trial, which could then be used against her in her criminal trial.

During Tuesday morning's brief meeting, Orange County Circuit Judge Jose Rodriguez refused to hear the request and scolded Jose Baez's team for personal attacks against Morgan and Morgan, the law firm representing Gonzalez, and said Baez was taking the profession to a new low.

Judge Rodriguez told Baez to stick to the law and said that the request for a hearing didn't follow proper protocol and that there was not enough notice given to make such a request.

Casey is schedule to be deposed by Gonzalez's attorney, John Morgan, on Monday. The judge said a hearing will be held before that time to address Baez's concerns, but a specific date was not released.

Attorney John Morgan is representing the woman named Zenaida Gonzalez, who says Casey has ruined her name and her life after she claimed a woman by the same name had her daughter Caylee.

Morgan would be allowed to question Casey about details of the case during the deposition and any answers she gives could potentially be used against her in her murder trial. However, Casey does have the constitutional right against self incrimination, which means she could plead the Fifth Amendment and not answer Morgan's questions.

Zenaida Gonzalez says she wants to clear her name. Casey Anthony told investigators that it was her nanny, named Zenaida Gonzalez, who took her child, Caylee.

A few days after a detective's interview with Casey became public, Zenaida, a single mother of six, said her boss fired her from her cleaning job because of the intense publicity.

"I didn't ask to be in this position. I like my life the way it was," said Zenaida.

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