Casey Anthony: WFTV asks if Dr. Henry Lee is leaving case over money; defense says it’s just a paperwork issue

Casey Anthony: WFTV asks if Dr. Henry Lee is leaving case over money; defense says it’s just a paperwork issue
posted by halboedeker on December, 20 2010 5:40 PM

Casey Anthony was in court today for a hearing. Photo credit: Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel
WFTV-Channel 9 tonight explored the possibility that forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee might leave the Casey Anthony case.

“It’s all because of money problems,” anchor Martie Salt said in introducing the story at the top of the 5 p.m. newscast. Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee Marie.

WFTV’s Kathi Belich asked defense attorney Jose Baez, “Is that going to be a big blow to the defense if Dr. Lee doesn’t testify?”

Baez walked away.

Later, Baez downplayed the issue when he talked to other reporters. Asked about the travel expense issue with Dr. Lee, Baez said he is getting an accounting of the expenses together for Judge Belvin Perry to review.

“We’re just talking about clerical paperwork,” Baez said.

After today’s court hearing, when asked directly if Dr. Lee will appear at trial, Baez said, “I have no reason to think otherwise. However, you know with any luck maybe we will have a judgment of acquittal and we won’t have to put on any case at all.”

Lee, who lives in Connecticut, wants reimbursement for his travel expenses as well as $7,500 for work last summer, WFTV’s Belich explained.

“Prosecutors can’t even get Dr. Lee to commit to a deposition, which would have to be done before he would testify at Casey’s murder trial in May,” Belich reported. “The defense claimed Dr. Lee helped investigators find hairs in Casey’s car. If Lee drops out of the case, so could that defense claim that investigators weren’t thorough enough.”

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer called Lee “a very powerful tool to raise reasonable doubt.” Lee is best known for his work in the O.J. Simpson murder case.

At a hearing today, Judge Perry wondered if Lee was going to testify. Belich highlighted that the state’s rules for indigent defendants, such as Anthony, require the use of Florida experts to reduce travel expenses. Perry wanted back-up documentation for Lee’s travel expenses. Belich said the defense was working on it — the point that Baez made to other reporters.

WKMG-Channel 6’s Mike DeForest focused on Perry’s reactions at today’s hearing. ”Perry assumed Anthony’s lawyers had already given up on their attempt to paint Roy Kronk as a potential kidnapper and killer,” DeForest said. Baez said no and added that he thought the defense had more time to make that decision. [Kronk was a meter reader when he found the toddler's remains two years ago.]

“Judge Perry, whose patience has already been tested, could not hold back his laughter,” DeForest said.

The defense has 10 days left to address issues about Kronk, DeForest added.

WESH-Channel 2 and WOFL-Channel 35 focused on the defense’s push to keep sealed temporarily its list of witnesses in the death penalty phase of the case. The Orlando Sentinel argued that the list should be made public and that its publication wouldn’t jeopardize Anthony’s right to an impartial jury. The judge made no decision today.

Back on WFTV, Belich studied Casey Anthony’s look and described the young woman as “somewhat disheveled” with a wrinkled shirt. Belich also highlighted that Baez objected that a photographer seemed to be focusing on Anthony when she wrote notes. Perry overruled the objection, and Anthony kept writing notes.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2010/12/casey-anthony-wftv-asks-if-dr-henry-lee-is-leaving-case-over-money.html