New documents filed in Casey Anthony case (5/25/10;5/27/10)

New documents that were filed in the first-degree murder case against Casey Anthony were made public today.

One item deals with a hearing scheduling conflict with Mark NeJame, the attorney representing Texas EquuSearch.

Earlier, Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry set a hearing for June 1 to hear arguments on the defense's requests to seal jail-visitation logs and to have Perry reconsidered earlier rulings by the initial judge on the case.

One of those items to be discussed involves documents belonging to EquuSearch, the group that helped organize large volunteer searches for Casey Anthony's daughter Caylee, before the toddler's remains were found.

NeJame stated that Casey Anthony's defense team scheduled the hearing without coordinating with him, and he had a pre-planned family holiday that day.

NeJame stated his office is coordinating a new hearing date with Casey Anthony's defense, and that he was filing the conflict notice simply to assure his portion of the hearing be cancelled and rescheduled.

Also made public today is a filing from the Justice Administrative Commission, the state entity responsible for paying defense costs.

The JAC was responding to Casey Anthony's request to transcribe eight depositions. The JAC stated it does not object to regular paid rates, which are already established.

The latest additions to the Casey Anthony case file follow several from Monday.

One item filed by prosecutors was in response to a defense request asking the judge to order the state to provide certain forensic information, including details about labs that performed tests on evidence.

In his response, Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton said certain items requested by Casey Anthony's defense team are not in the possession of the state or any of its agencies.

Ashton wrote that the state shouldn't be compelled to obtain additional information — known as discovery — that Casey Anthony's defense team can "easily" obtain on their own.

Ashton provided the court with a chart detailing items requested by Casey Anthony's defense. He indicated which items are not discoverable under Florida statute.

Amy L. Edwards can be reached at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or 407-420-5735.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

More documents were filed today in the case against Casey Anthony, the 24-year-old accused of killing her daughter, Caylee.

Prosecutors respond to various motions from the defense that challenge Florida's death penalty. Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton wrote that some of the defense' arguments are "premature as the court has yet to take evidence in the case." He also sites previous case rulings that support the death penalty.

Casey Anthony is charged with first-degree murder. She remains in the Orange County Jail. Her trial is set for next year.

The toddler's remains were found in woods near her family home in December 2008 — five months after the 2-year-old was reported missing.

A hearing is scheduled on Tuesday when Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry will listen to several defense requests, including sealing jail visiting logs and reconsidering prior rulings by a previous judge who stepped down from the case.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]