Trial Coverage and Discussion ONLY ~ Opening Statements ~ May 24, 2011

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Baez says George Anthony was handing out flyers even though he knew his grand child was dead. #caseyanthony -fell
15 seconds ago
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TrialNotes Trial Notes
Aug 1-2, GA at Publix handing out flyers of Caylee, who he knows is dead, and asking for donations. He gives interviews. #CaseyAnthony
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VinniePolitan Vinnie Politan
George framed Casey to cover up abuse... That's the story
49 seconds ago

TrialNotes Trial Notes
Apparently, Geo also set her up with distinctive duct tape on missing gas can & on Caylee, according to Baez. #CaseyAnthony

TrialNotes Trial Notes
"Kronk morally bankrupt - took body and hid her." Anything on Suburban Dr. is unreliable for that reason.

OSCaseyAnthony Casey Anthony News
Judge Perry said witness should not be discredited for talking to lawyer before his testimony

george denies allegations of sexual abuse, denies being present at the alleged drowning, etc.

Casey Anthony Murder Trial: The Top Five Bombshells
BY STEVE HELLING

Tuesday May 24, 2011 06:20 PM EDT

For nearly three years, the death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony remained a mystery. But the first day of the murder trial of her mother, Casey, brought a series of surprises that left the Orlando courtroom in stunned silence.

The most shocking claims by lawyers during their opening statements focused on competing theories of how Caylee died – and who really knew what happened.

1. Caylee drowned in swimming pool, says defense
Casey had always maintained that Caylee was kidnapped by a babysitter named Zenaida Gonzalez. For the first time, defense attorney Jose Baez admitted the story was untrue.

"Caylee was never missing," Baez told the jury. "On June 16, 2008, she drowned in the family swimming pool. It was a horrible tragedy. A common tragedy."

2. Casey was sexually abused, says defense
Just minutes into his opening statement, Baez got the jury's attention by alleging abuse when Casey was 8 years old.

"Her father came into her room and began to touch her inappropriately," he said. Sitting in the courtroom, Casey's father George Anthony sighed and closed his eyes.

It's an allegation that George disputes: During his testimony, prosecutors asked whether he sexually abused his daughter. "No sir," George said loudly. "I did not."

3. The murder weapon: duct tape?
Prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick discussed the duct tape that was found over the nose and mouth of Caylee's skull.

"The tape was put over the hair," said Burdick. "She (Casey) never intended to take if off."

Burdick repeatedly referred to the tape as the murder weapon. "At the end of this case, you will have no trouble concluding that Caylee Anthony was murdered by her mother."

Meter reader hid Caylee's body, defense claims
Roy Kronk, the meter reader who found Caylee's body, has long maintained that he stumbled across the remains while relieving himself in the bushes.

Not so, claims Casey's attorney. "He put her remains there," said Baez. "This was his lottery ticket. There was a reward for Caylee's return."

How did Kronk get Caylee's remains? Baez gave few answers. "We may never know."

5. Caylee's grandparents knew she was dead all along, defense says
Baez told the fascinated jury that George Anthony was home when Caylee died and that he angrily confronted Casey about her negligence.

"He got in her face," Baez told jurors. "He was screaming."

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20497341,00.html

George and Cindy Anthony are shocked and appalled that the defense would resort to lies about them in today’s opening statement. Baez’s idle speculation today certainly are not facts. The only result achieved by the Defense in this statement was to further hurt this grieving family. George Anthony maintains that he never had anything to do with the death of Caylee Marie Anthony including what happened to her remains after she allegedly drowned. The sworn testimony given today shows that he has never wavered about his knowledge regarding these events He, like the rest of the Anthony family, only seeks the truth about what happened to their granddaughter," Lippman stated in a news release issued Tuesday evening.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/28008941/detail.html

credit our mom in il

BILL SHEAFFER: Analysis Of Casey Murder Trial Day 12 (12:01)

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer spoke one-on-one with reporter Kathi Belich after day 12 of Casey's murder trial on Tuesday. (05/24/11)

http://www.wftv.com/video/28012028/index.html