Casey's Defense Team Gets Legal Victory In Civil Suit

Casey's Defense Team Gets Legal Victory In Civil Suit

Thursday, January 8, 2009 – updated: 12:12 pm EST January 8, 2009

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Lawyers for Casey Anthony won a legal fight Thursday to keep her from giving a deposition under oath. An Orange County judge ruled that Casey will not have to give a deposition next week in a defamation lawsuit filed by a woman named Zenaida Gonzalez.

The 11:00am hearing was one of two hearings set for Thursday in separate cases against Casey Anthony.

ZENAIDA ATTORNEY: Interview After Court Hearing
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Casey Anthony's defense team filed a motion regarding the civil case with Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez, who is suing Casey for defamation of character.

The motion Thursday was the defense's effort to keep Casey from having to attend a scheduled deposition on Monday. The defense didn't want Casey to speak about the civil case until after her criminal murder trial, because Casey could potentially say something incrimination.

Zenaida Gonzalez, her attorney John Morgan and Casey's attorney, Jose Baez, were all in the courtroom. Zenaida's attorneys claim delaying the deposition delays clearing Zenaida's name.

"The only hope of trying to recapture one's reputation is to move at the speed of light," attorney Keith Mitnik argued on behalf of Zenaida.

After nearly an hour of hearing arguments from both sides, the judge ruled that only questions in writing could be submitted, not a video deposition under oath as had been scheduled. The judge said it would be a more efficient way to determine what questions were appropriate to ask.

The defense now has 30 days to respond once the plantiff sends over written questions.

The second hearing is at 1:30pm, which has to do with evidence in the murder trial. Defense attorneys have objected to a prosecutor's request to put restrictions on x-rays and photos needed for a second autopsy.

Prosecutors said they don't want the pictures sold to the tabloids.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18436005/detail.html#-

Interview with Zenaida Gonzales' Attorney, Keith Mitnik, Following Hearing

http://www.wftv.com/video/18439635/index.html