Casey Anthony case: More documents, 586 pages, released by state today (5/21/10)

Authorities released 586 pages of investigative documents this morning related to the state's murder case against Casey Anthony.

The records include various inventory lists of DNA evidence and other material found at the site where the remains of Anthony's daughter, Caylee, were found.

Documents also include information on various lab technicians who examined items collected.

The Orlando Sentinel is in the process of reviewing the pages.

The State Attorney's Office released the information in response to the public records laws.

This is the latest in a handful of developments in the case this week.

Her defense team filed paperwork earlier this week to get more details from prosecutors as to why the state is seeking the death penalty against the 24-year-old mother accused of killing her daughter.

Last week, prosecutors filed a one-page notice, stating five legal reasons, such as the victim was younger than 12 years old and the death was especially heinous, atrocious and cruel.

That's not good enough for Anthony's attorneys.

"No facts were cited in support of those aggravating circumstances," defense attorney Jose Baez wrote in the request filed Thursday.

And, Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Baez wrote, ordered the state to include the particulars.

"The state has failed to provide any indication of the evidence it intends to rely on to prove the existence of these aggravating factors," Baez wrote.

Anthony is accused of killing her daughter, Caylee, in 2008. The toddler's remains were found in December 2008 — five months after her family reported her missing. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide but could not determine how she died.

Prosecutors initially announced they were not seeking the death penalty. After the remains were found, the state decided to go for capital punishment.

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Link to documents:
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Casey Anthony: Stations study latest documents, Casey Anthony’s handwriting, car trunk evidence

The 580 pages released today in the Casey Anthony case drew television stations’ scrutiny at noon.

WFTV-Channel 9 anchor Vanessa Echols noted that the documents contained FBI evidence and e-mails.

WFTV’s Kathi Belich explained that the defense wanted the e-mails to look for anything that “could help them attack or eliminate some of the massive evidence against Casey.”

Anthony has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

Belich noted that one photo showed a breach in the packaging of evidence. She speculated that the defense might try to get the evidence tossed, even as she noted that it wasn’t clear what was in the package.

And Belich reported that evidence from Anthony’s car trunk was sent to FDLE and private labs for testing. But the FBI wanted the evidence itself and later learned that the testing never happened elsewhere. “WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer says the defense could try to raise questions about how many people had access to that evidence before it came back to the FBI,” Belich said.

WKMG-Channel 6’s Louis Bolden focused on the state’s interest in Anthony’s handwriting. “They are being very meticulous about verifying that it is her handwriting,” Bolden said. “Anthony wrote hundreds of letters while incarcerated at the Orange County Jail.”

The state sent all of Anthony’s letters to fellow inmate Robyn Adams to be analyzed by the FBI, Bolden said. “They are being compared to known samples of Casey Anthony’s handwriting,” Bolden said. ”But the letters do not contain the most damaging information that Adams claims Casey told her.”

WESH-Channel 2’s Bob Kealing promised reports later today on prosecutors’ belief that there is evidentiary value in Anthony’s letters to jail inmates.

Kealing reported that Chief Judge Belvin Perry had set a June 1 court date for defense motions to seal the jail visit log and to reverse rulings by Judge Stan Strickland, the previous judge on the case.

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Hundreds of pages of evidence in the case against Casey Anthony was released Friday by the State Attorney's office.
WDBO is working through the material, and so far it includes:
A list of Casey Anthony's letters to jailhouse penpals that the FBI is analyzing.
DNA testing reports on samples of soil and hair taken from the trunk of Anthony's car. An analyst says one of the hairs shows signs consistent with decomposition, although it is not definitive. The hair's DNA is similar to Caylee's, but not Casey's.
Clothing taken from the Anthony's home. The FBI was looking for DNA evidence on Casey Anthony's clothes that could link her to Caylee's murder.
A hand-drawn map depicting the spots where bones were found in the woods where Caylee's remains were discovered in December 2009).
An FBI email says one of the hairs found in the truck does not show signs of decomposition, but was discovered in "death or grave wax."
Check back for more details.

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586 Pages Of Evidence Released In Casey Case

Posted: 9:50 am EDT May 21, 2010
Updated: 2:09 pm EDT May 21, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Prosecutors in the case against Casey released 586 pages Friday morning that contain FBI evidence and emails. The documents also contain information about evidence found in the trunk of Casey’s car.

DOCUMENTS: Read All 586 Pages Of Evidence
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VIDEO REPORT:
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The defense team may try to use the FBI emails to raise some important questions. Casey’s lawyers had asked for the communications between investigators, obviously looking for breakdowns in the chain of command protecting the integrity of the evidence or anything else that could help them attack or eliminate some of the massive evidence against Casey.

Photos of evidence in sealed packages show a breach of the packaging. It's unclear whether the breach goes through and through, but if it does the defense may try to get the evidence thrown out of the case, attempting to argue it has been contaminated, even if there's no evidence to confirm that. It's unclear what's in that package.

FBI documents showing the chain of command of evidence, which was requested by the defense was also released Friday. One set of communications between investigators shows they were working to retrieve evidence from Casey Anthony’s car trunk that apparently had been sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab and then to the Wuestoff lab, which is a private lab for testing. The evidence included soil, trunk liner and carpeting. The FBI wanted to handle all testing of physical evidence and said certain testing could not be done if the private lab or FDLE had started testing the evidence.

In the end, they figured out that testing had not been done by any other lab. But WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer says the defense could raise questions about how many people had access to that evidence before it came back to the FBI and whether it had been contaminated.

Also, a hearing has been scheduled for June 1 concerning the defense team's fight to keep public records about Casey's visitors at the jail private and its request for Judge Perry to review some previous rulings made by Judge Stan Strickland before he recused himself over questions about his conversations with a blogger.

Meanwhile, the foreclosure case involving Casey Anthony's parents, George and Cindy, is headed toward mediation.

An Orange County judge signed paperwork Thursday, ordering the Anthony’s into mediation with Bank of America for their home on Hope Spring Drive.

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I think I had seen most, if not all, of these documents...I am still hoping that the prosecution is holding some solid forensic evidence close to the vest...Not that I couldn't find her guilty with what I already know, but just for that die-hard "reasonable doubt" juror, I hope there is some solid forensic evidence that will seal the deal.

I wonder why they repeat the same doc dumps or parts of them? Or, does it just seem that way?

I was thinking the same thing. Look at all the tax payer money used already. All that paper work in triplicate.

And all the dead trees!!! :scratch: :study:

Casey Anthony: Stations highlight prosecution’s interest in duct tape, Caylee’s shirt

What do the latest release of documents in the Casey Anthony case mean?

WESH-Channel 2 says they offer a look at the prosecution’s strategy.

This afternoon, WESH’s Bob Kealing focused on FBI e-mails about three pieces of duct tape believed to be the murder weapon. Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

The pieces of tape varied from 9 and a half inches long to 7 and a half inches long. “Prosecutors wanted to know the exact measurements so they could do a digital reconstruction of how that tape was applied,” Kealing said. “An e-mail between FBI lab analysts sheds new light on what prosecutors want to know about the duct tape and how they plan to show it was used to asphyxiate Caylee Anthony.”

WOFL-Channel 35’s Holly Bristow also focused on an FBI e-mail about the duct tape. Bristow said, “One expert writes to the other, ‘Prosecutors have been asking investigators for specific measurements on this duct tape they say was found around Caylee’s nose and mouth before it was taken apart by investigators. … They want to know if it would be possible for the tape if it was to cover both the mouth and nose areas.”

Bristow added that the defense has told her that the tape did not cover the toddler’s mouth and nose and “they intend to prove that in court.”

WESH’s Kealing said that other documents released today reveal the state’s interest in Anthony’s letters to jail pen pal Robyn Adams and in authenticating Anthony’s handwriting.

“It’s another indication prosecutors plan to use as evidence the things that Casey wrote and said to her secret friend behind bars,” Kealing said.

Kealing noted that the defense says there is nothing confessional in Anthony’s remarks and writings.

WFTV-Channel 9’s Kathi Belich said the new documents could help the defense, which could use FBI communications to expose problems in the investigation. But she added, “Investigators are being upfront about it, which could defuse any defense argument.”

Belich highlighted a couple of points: A photo showed a hole in a package containing evidence. And the evidence from Anthony’s car went several places before the FBI tested it. WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said the defense could argue that evidence was compromised.

Belich later focused on Caylee’s Big Trouble Comes in Little Packages shirt. It was “the last shirt Caylee ever wore,” WFTV anchor Bob Opsahl said.

“Today’s new documents show the investigators believe Caylee was intentionally placed in this shirt because of what it said,” Belich said.

Legal analyst Sheaffer speculated that Caylee was a pawn in “this power struggle, love-hate relationship” between Casey and her mother, Cindy.

In their foreclosure case, Cindy and George Anthony were ordered into mediation yesterday with Bank of America, Opsahl reported.

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There is no doubt in my mind that precious Caylee was put in that shirt for a purpose...it was a message to CA. Again, my heart just sinks.

So disheartening that in such a high-profile case that involved a child, it seems as though mistakes were made. She better not get off on a glitch. That is what the defense plans...to poke holes and create reasonable doubt. Ugh!

I agree, cherylz...that's how OJ won (along with his plethora of money and famous attorneys).

IMO, the defense, namely Linda Kenny Baden, will poke huge holes in the forensics.

Note: Updated
Posted: 9:50 am EDT May 21, 2010
Updated: 6:46 pm EDT May 21, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Prosecutors in the case against Casey Anthony released 586 pages Friday morning that contain FBI evidence and emails. The documents also contain information about evidence found in the trunk of Casey’s car.

With mountains of evidence stacking against Casey Anthony, her lawyers are now trying to discredit some of it. WFTV looked through the 586 pages of newly-released evidence Friday.

DOCUMENTS: Read All 586 Pages Of Evidence
VIDEO REPORT: Read All 586 Pages Of Evidence

The defense could use some of the FBI communications exchanged behind the scenes during the investigation to try to expose problems with the work. But investigators are being up front about it, which could diffuse any defense arguments.

Photos of some unspecified piece of evidence show a breach of the packaging. It's unclear whether the breach goes through and through, but the defense may try to get it thrown out or use it to create reasonable doubt.

“The defense will come back and say, 'Look jurors, the evidence was compromised regardless of what testimony you hear from the lab analysts,'” WFTV legal Analyst Bill Sheaffer said.

Sheaffer says the defense might try to make the same argument through FBI communications it specifically requested, which show crucial evidence from Casey Anthony's car trunk, including soil samples, pieces of trunk liner and carpeting, passed through a number of hands before it was tested by the FBI.

First it went to the FDLE lab, which sent it to the private Wuestoff lab in Brevard County, but since the FBI wanted to test all the physical evidence, it was then sent to them first.

“I believe the court's going to admit that evidence and just let the defense argue that it should not be given weight or credibility,” Sheaffer said.

The new documents show the FBI tested Caylee's diaper bag and a blow up bed Cindy Anthony said had been at the nanny's house. The FBI is looking for DNA from anyone other than the Anthonys.

So far, there's no evidence Caylee's unemployed mother ever had a nanny.

WFTV also found something chilling about the last shirt Caylee ever wore. Prosecutors believe Casey could have chosen it to send a message.

Tattered among Caylee Anthony's scattered remains was a shirt with that said "big trouble comes in small packages." Investigators used the tag from her torn shirt to find a brand new one and later found photos of Caylee wearing it.

The new documents show the investigators believe Caylee was intentionally placed in the shirt because of what it read. Sheaffer says it could bolster a possible motive that Casey did it to punish her mother, who supposedly shifted her attention and affection to Caylee.

“That Caylee was almost a pawn, if you will, in this power struggle, love-hate relationship,” Sheaffer said.

Sheaffer said the jury might not hear about that theory during the trial, but if Casey's convicted, prosecutors could use it to argue that she deserves the death penalty because the murder was so calculated, cold and cruel.

“Jurors want to know, especially in a case like this: Why?” Sheaffer said.

The new documents also show prosecutors wanted the measurements of the three pieces of duct tape layered over Caylee's face to make a computerized rendering. The two-inch-wide pieces are 9.5, 9, and 7.5 inches long.

The fact that investigators are so open about whatever happened could diffuse any defense arguments about conspiracy or cover-up.

As of Friday, 14,716 pages of evidence has been released.

Meanwhile, Casey's parents are having financial problems. Thursday, an Orange County judge signed paperwork ordering George and Cindy Anthony into mediation with Bank of America for their home on Hope Spring Drive.

That house is the last known place Caylee Anthony was seen alive.


WHAT'S NEXT IN THE CASE?

A hearing has been scheduled for June 1 concerning the defense team's fight to keep public records about Casey’s visitors at the jail private and its request for Judge Perry to review some previous rulings made by Judge Strickland before he recused himself over questions about his conversations with a blogger.

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I wonder why Bill S. states jurors may not hear about the wording on the shirt unless she is convicted and it goes to the DP phase? Why not use it to help convict her?

The new documents also show prosecutors wanted the measurements of the three pieces of duct tape layered over Caylee's face to make a computerized rendering. The two-inch-wide pieces are 9.5, 9, and 7.5 inches long

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Think about 9-1/2 inches of one piece (and there were three) of duct tape layered over a 2 year olds mouth. That is almost a foot of tape. This is unreal!!!!!

by cherylz Today at 20:52

I wonder why Bill S. states jurors may not hear about the wording on the shirt unless she is convicted and it goes to the DP phase? Why not use it to help convict her?

I don't know. Maybe they are saving that part for the DP phase thinking it can best be used there. IMHO, I don't think it will ever get to a DP phase because the witch will end up asking for a plea deal for life w/out the possibility of parole. I hope the State turns her down. This is just my opinion only.

There is an article on The Caylee Daily that talks about Henry Lee finding several hairs in the trunk when he examined it...The FBI notes that the hairs were found in "grave wax" or "death wax" that is left from the fatty tissue of a decomposing body...It looks like they could do DNA on that "wax" to see what human body it came from, but I guess if they could do that, we would know the results by now...