Casey Anthony's Defense Team Denied Access to Autopsy

December 12, 2008

Orange Circuit Judge Stan Strickland has issued a ruling on an emergency motion that was filed yesterday by Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez.

Within the motion, Baez asked the court to grant the defense team access to the current autopsy being conducted on child skeletal remains that were found yesterday, which are suspected of being Casey Anthony's missing two-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony. In addition, Baez wanted permission to have his experts conduct a second autopsy. He also wanted access to the crime scene before it is released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Upon hearing arguments from both sides, Strickland denied the defenses motion regarding the autopsies, citing the fact that a positive identification has yet to be made. Strickland said that the FBI needed to make the identification without interference from outside parties.

"We will have you notified as soon as the final identification is made," Strickland said, adding, "evidence will be preserved for you to look at in any shape or manor."

Strickland said he would reexamine the request once a positive identification is made.

In regards to the crime scene, the prosecution agreed to allow the defense to have access to the crime scene as soon as the investigation is complete; however they were unable to offer a time frame as to when that might occur.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the hearing was the fact that the defense team informed the court that they had been notified that anthropological measurements taken of the skeleton match that of Caylee Anthony. They also said that hair found with the remains matches Caylee's hair color.

Events that have transpired in the last 24 hours were set in motion yesterday morning, when an Orange County water meter reader discovered child skeletal remains inside a black plastic garbage bag near Chickasaw Trail and Suburban Drive in Orlando.

The worker immediately notified police and the area was cordoned off as a crime scene. Sources close to the investigation say that remnants of duct tape were found on both the skull and the trash bag.

Keep checking back for more updates!

Discuss The Caylee Anthony Case

Full Coverage : Casey Anthony Case

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Comments

[BellaG]

Now that a body has been recovered, I am curious as to how Casey Anthony's story is going to change. She stated that she spoke with Caylee on July 15th, however, forensic evidence may be able to pinpoint the time of death to a month earlier. I do wonder what new lies Casey will NOW tell to try to cover up this discrepency.

[Connie]

Its Caylee, Casey even told them in a round about way, that Caylee is close. She also, made a statement during her house arrest to a woman, that was at the Ant. house, that they (meaning the cope) havent even or cant even find her clothes. Clothes? hmmm.. the clothes are close by too, prolly the back yard. I knew she didnt bury her, I mean she was toooooo lazy for that, two that shovel wasnt much of a shovel to dig a big whole with. Ive broken shovels like that, digging to plant a plant in my yard, I mean come on. She buried the clothes. Hope they look in that back yard again.

[Missy in Iowa]

they know it is her. you know it and i know it.

[Beti]

Did the defense team really think that the Judge was going to let them interfere with the FBI and Local investigation?
and better yet... "make suggestions", "let us bring our own pathologist and medical examiner to conduct the autopsy"

Come on... what are they insinuating? That the current Medical Examiner and the FBI is incompetent to perform these tasks?

Sometimes I don't know what to think; the defense team can can be very bright but that sometimes blinds them with stupidity and ignorance.

[Ryan]

David - Is there any truth to what I read about there being duct tape still on the skull? Any idea when a positive ID is expected?

Thanks!

[Barbie Girl]

Well Well, now will George and Cindy Anthony see what an evil daughter they have or does the skull of little Caylee have to be presented to them on a silver platter in order for them to see what the whole world has known since Granny reported Caylee missing.

Thanks for Listening

[Robbie]

BellaG - I don't think Casey's story will change. I think she was planning this story even before she killed little Caylee. I heard in one of the jailhouse recordings that she told her mother that "Zanny" had a key to the Anthony house. Whatever they find to connect these remains to the house, Casey will claim she's being framed by the nanny.

Connie - I've been hearing about this comment made by Casey about "finding the clothes." Where did this come out? Was it something Leonard P. shared with Nancy G. or something?

[helenhudson]

Hard to believe that G&C want to talk to Larry King again tonight instead of spending their time contemplating reality.

[Kim]

BellaG - even if she says the Nanny got in the house and if framing her, to make her nanny story credible a nanny has to EXIST...she might as well should blame the bushy haired man or the one armed man.

There is no nanny, you can't blame a ghost for framing you.

[Gracie]

I watched the hearing today and just wanted to slap that defense attorney insinuating that an FBI lab would not be ethical w/o 3rd party witness to examination... give me a break. Very glad the judge was neutral in that he protected that tiny child's body from intrusion by that wicked mother's defense team until legally necessary. Why would they be worried about the body anyway, isn't Caylee on vacation to North Carolina or Kentucky or Puerto Rico with her Nanny?

George and Cindy... if you listen to any advice, listen up: shut your pie-holes. No one wants to hear what you think (kidnappers, Zenaida, nannies, protection, Casey's secret), we are tired of you spinning Casey's lies. Wake up, people. At least pretend to be good grandparents for Caylee right now and be on her side. My heart hurts for your loss, but if you keep yapping about Casey.... OMG... just keep it to yourselves.

(sorry CRD/ID guys, I just can't get over people that turn into media $%^& when stuff happens.)

Gracie

[jen]

Could someone who helped Casey, have put the body there, while the Anthony's were out of state.

[Gracie]

I am putting myself on time-out.

I didn't realize how frustrated and angry I was after watching the Larry King interview w/ George & Cindy - didn't realize how shrill my previous post was. I sincerely apologize for being so rude and demeaning to them... how can I know what they are feeling, or are not feeling at this point?

I did not realize that Baden's wife was on Casey's team... am I reading this right? Was she the one in the interview outside the courthouse (or press conference?) where she confirmed it was believed to be Caylee's body and Baez committed to no such statement other than his court recorded remarks?

jen, I would think that as much scrutiny has been on the area (remember, this is less than a mile from the Anthony house, and within the same neighborhood), I doubt there would be much movement into or out of any woods without the whole place being on high alert. (The 911 operator said as much to the utility customer service rep, to tell the meter reader not to bring attention to the area.) I also think, if there was help, they would've had to store then transport. (Was that the day a neighbor said they saw her jogging? Was she checking on the location? Adding to the disposal? Checking on how hidden it was?) I would think it highly possible/probable that she would have help dumping "a bag", but not one with the degree of malodor that tainted the trunk of her car ... I don't think she trusted anyone enough in her little world to do that.

[Demelza]

Hmmm, maybe the grandparents did it and have put the fall on their psychologically unstable daughter? Sounds to me that's what they've done. Of course, I'll wait until I see what comes up in the case. If it is Caylee, I just praise the Lord that He's helped her be found so that justice can be served at last.

[AnnMarie]

Casey will get what she deserve. I hope the DA can find charges to bring against Cindy she and her daughter should be sharing a cell together. I have never seen two people who can lie like that. The apple dont fall far from the tree.

[Colin]

Well, it looks as though Leonard Padilla isn't exactly batting a hot average when it comes to his theories. Every time he opens his mouth, his credibility meter goes lower and lower.. Someone should question his credentials.. maybe he's a good bounty hunter, but other than spending some time in the household and talking about toothbrushes.. he's got little meaningful to give.

On the find, I actually believe it was likely buried in a shallow grave (contrary to Padilla, worlds foremost authority and Tim Miller) and the ensuing water loosened the soil. The combination of existing air in the bag combined with the gases emitted through decomposition gave it buoyancy and it rose to the top and floated around the area, ultimately settling in the area where it was found. But what do I know.. I'm no bounty hunter!

As for the accompanied examination of evidence by the defence (if it is done truly in tandem with the prosecution) this is actually a blessing. If they are given the opportunity and refuse, they basically cannot dispute the conclusions. If they DO, I am sure they are ethically obligated to correct error. It wouldn't even provide opportunity for a dispute of continuity (unless the FBI give them the key to the lab).

On the whole clothing thing. I am hearing conflicting reports.. one says items of clothing were with the body and another says there was none.

[jenny rice]

What I would like to know is this:

How can duct tape be found taped to a SKULL? Wouldn't it have been found on a FACE and not a SKULL? Do they have duct tape that maybe fell off the skull with skin on it???

I just want to know how duct tape would be stuck to a SKULL and not FACE??????

[Colin]

Jenny

I wondered that too, unless it's firmly wrapped AROUND.. I can't imagine how it would stay there.. unless the tape preserved soft tissues as you mentioned (also a rumour.. I guess we wait).

The biggest thing will be what is on the adhesive side of the tape. Duck tape has remarkable preserving qualities, particularly fingerprints, assuming she would not use gloves.. Hair and fibre too.. To find Casey's hair on the adhesive side would not be a big find though.. If you have kids, your hair will likely be on them right now and vice-versa.

[Roberta]

Colin

The face is part of the skull, the whole head is the skull. The duct tape was over the mouth and around the skull aka head. Duct tape would stick, there wa hair and skin still in the tape. Hope this helps.

[R. est in peace]

Casey wanted to give up her baby and Cindy stopped her, that is the real tragedy, something that expectant "grandmother's to be" should consider, if their daughters want to give the child up, as this case should be a real eye opener for them. Unfortunately Cindy A. will have to live with this for the rest of her life. "You can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." Most men don't want to raise other mens children, casey's boyfrend Lazzarro mentioned he didn't want daughters they are too troublesome. Basically sending a message to casey he didn't want her daughter. Another Susan Smith tragedy.

[400,000 dead Iraqi children to USA bombs.]

And all anyone cares about is 1 kid in Florida because Nancy Grace yaps her big mouth all day long about it on TV.

Pathetic.