Casey Anthony Trial Update: Defense to begin case Thursday - CBS News

by mom_in_il Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:05 am

June 15, 2011 6:35 PM
Casey Anthony Trial Update: Defense to begin case Thursday
By Carlin DeGuerin Miller

Excerpt:

CBS/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - The defense team behind Casey Anthony says they will be ready to call their first witness Thursday morning after the judge in the young mother's capital murder trial rejected their motion to dismiss the case, after the prosecution wrapped up Wednesday morning.

Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos

In his argument, defense attorney Cheney Mason attacked the state's case from all angles, but focused on what he said was a failure by prosecutors to show a murder had taken place.

"There is no evidence to establish when the child died, where she died, how she died, or if anyone was in attendance when she died," Mason said, regarding the 2008 death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony.

But Judge Belvin Perry said in his ruling against the defense that a review of the trial's testimony didn't show enough legal precedent for him to acquit the defendant at this point.

"These are strictly cases for the jury to decide," he said.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20071364-504083.html#ixzz1PPsMEjzM