Casey Anthony to ask judge to limit possible damages in civil suit - OS

Casey Anthony to ask judge to limit possible damages in civil suit

By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
6:22 a.m. EST, November 7, 2012

Attorneys for Casey Anthony will be back in court this afternoon in an attempt to limit the amount of money she could be ordered to pay if she loses the civil defamation lawsuit currently set for trial early next year.

In a recently filed motion set to be heard 2:30 p.m. today, Anthony's lawyers ask a judge to throw out Zenaida Gonzalez's claim for punitive damages — basically, an additional penalty meant to punish Anthony.

Based on the evidence and argument in the suit so far, "there is insufficient evidence to support a claim that Ms. Anthony is personally guilty of intentional misconduct or gross negligence," Anthony's defense says.

Gonzalez filed suit after Anthony told detectives a similarly named nanny had kidnapped her 2-year-old daughter in 2008. Authorities interviewed Gonzalez, and she was linked to the high-profile case in the media.

Anthony's defense argues the crux of the suit is a visit Anthony's mother, Cindy, made to her daughter while Casey Anthony was in jail.

Gonzalez's lawyers argue Anthony told her mother Gonzalez had not been ruled out as a suspect in Caylee's disappearance, and Cindy Anthony relayed that information to reporters, adding fuel to a media firestorm.

Gonzalez "has failed to plead or prove that...Cindy Anthony, purposefully or recklessly uttered a false statement about her," Anthony's defense argues. Circuit Judge Lisa Munyon will hear the motion today.

Check back this afternoon for updates from the hearing.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/os-casey-anthony-zenaida-gonzalez-punitive-20121107,0,4907773.story