Casey Anthony: A Blast From The Past, The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

I’ve been following the case since the very beginning with my friends here at Trials & Tribulations. However, back in 2008, I wan’t a contributor and sent in “guest” articles from time to time. Looking back, I’m sorry I didn’t start covering hearings from the get-go. That facet of my involvement only evolved over time.

As a result, I’ve forgotten so much. This weekend, awaiting the next status hearing, I took the opportunity to go back in time to the first major hearing on the case. Since it was prior to the indictment for murder, it only deals with the child abuse/neglect situation. It is very interesting, however, that the defense was already set to try a murder trial.

This hearing occurred on October 10, 2008, just four days before Casey was indicted by the grand jury. It’s interesting to note that Jonathan Kasen was in court arguing motions in the criminal case along with Jose Baez. There were many motions discussed, including the infamous ones for the tips and for Casey to travel about with her “team” to various places of interest.

Dr. Lawrence Kobilinski “appeared” to give testimony telephonically! He mainly wanted DNA and other biological evidence to be properly preserved and that enough samples be available to the defense for independent testing. This was Jeff Ashton's debut as the science and forensic specialist on the team.

In another motion, Baez was reminded that he needed to notice the appropriate organization when submitting his motion.

Part 4 was very enlightening because Baez asked for all information about Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez. Linda Drane Burdick made it clear here that Baez was asking the State to do his investigation for him and that he was on a “fishing expedition”.Judge Strickland ruled that the State would have turn over all the information they had that wasn’t under investigation, and that they already had provided it to the defense.

All of the motions that the judge did not grant were pretty much rendered moot by the new charges against Casey. Her bail was revoked and she’s been in jail since October 14, 2008. She never had a chance to wander around showing Baez “her” Orlando. The request for tips came up again in the murder case.

It’s amazing to realize how much the defense has changed since the early days. Once Casey was indicted, Terrence Lenamon came on board for a short period of time to remove the death penalty. He had a difference of opinion with Jose Baez and parted company with the defense.

Once the remains were discovered, Linda Kenney-Baden was added to the team. Jonathan Kasen went on to represent Casey in the civil trial. He has since resigned and attorney Charles Green has taken his place.

Hearing

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Motions

Article
Judge Grants Several Motions Requested By Casey Anthony's Attorney (Original title of article)

Video
Jose Baez Laughs
One of Baez’ first encounters with Kati Belich!

The Case Against Casey Anthony: Motion to dismiss denied. More fireworks Thursday

In a brief hearing this morning, Judge Jose Rodriguez ruled against Casey Anthony's motion to dismiss the civil suit filed against her by Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. At the same time, he granted the motion filed by Morgan&Morgan attorney Keith Mitnik to amend the original suit to include punitive damages based on additional information.

Mitnik began by stating that the motion to dismiss was moot since they had a proffer for punitive damages due to additional evidence. I would think that he was referring to Cindy Anthony's deposition in which she admitted that she "published" Casey's statement that she never saw a picture of Zenaida when at the Sawgrass Apartments.

Casey Anthony's attorney, Jonathan Kasen retorted that they were only delaying the inevitable, that the motion to dismiss would be the same whether or not Mitnik amended the motion. He explained that Mitnik hadn't proven that THIS Zenaida is THE Zenaida. He stated that until they could establish that their client is the person connected to the case (Zenaida's name is common) they can't prove she is the one. Later in the hearing, he went on to state that in Orange and surrounding counties, there were 23 people with that name. He also referred to the lack of the letter "z" on the end of her name on the card from Sawgrass.

Mitnik replied that, "No other Zenaida Gonzalez in the history of the world is associated with Sawgrass" and THAT was a defamation to her. Kasen stated that, "we described somebody different. Casey described someone else."

The Judge shut down further argument of the facts of the case by stating that has to look at the case as if every single admission were true. A motion to dismiss doesn't get into the veracity or weighing of issues.

There was also a brief discussion about Casey Anthony's interrogatories during the hearing. Kasen explained that, due to the criminal proceedings and the possibility Casey could "get the needle," she had no choice but to cite her Fifth Amendment rights. Judge Rodriguez pointed out that when the decision to allow the interrogatories was made, the facts were different. (Casey wasn't facing the death penalty at that time.)

At that point in the hearing, it was pointed out that the motions to compel would not be heard until Thursday. I would expect that hearing is going to be the one with the true fireworks!

I have to say that I admire Judge Rodriguez for keeping this hearing on track. He only allowed the attorneys to discuss the motions that were on the calendar for today. Since George and Cindy Anthony were in the courtroom, I would assume they believed the motions to compel would be discussed. They certainly didn't look happy at the end of the hearing.

The best part about the hearing was that we heard some of the arguments that will be discussed on Thursday.

Mitnik will stress the fact that the police were led to Sawgrass Apartments by Casey Anthony. The only Zenaida Gonzalez associated with the apartment was their client. The fact that Casey lied to authorities would not mitigate the effect the accusation had on their client. It was his client who was questioned by police and involved in the case when Caylee was still missing.

Kasen will continue to argue that Mitnik can't prove that this lady is the correct one. He will point to the fact that Cindy and George Anthony both said she was not the woman that was described to them. I think the largest problem will be that fact that their daughter is a liar and nothing she says can be believed. He will probably bring up Cindy Anthony's favorite part, that it was C. Zenaida Gonzale who signed the card at Sawgrass. That was one of her "better" moments in her deposition. Of course, that argument is totally negated by the fact that it was a Sawgrass employee who filled out the card!

Thursday should be quite an experience. Each and every Anthony has been served with a Motion to Compel answers from the depositions and Casey's interrogatories. While I believe that the judge may change his decision about Casey (due to the death penalty), the rest of the Anthony family will be on the hot seat.

Will Lee have to say who he thinks Caylee's father is? Will he have to say who he thinks murdered Caylee?

Will George have to admit to Casey's thieving ways?

Will Cindy have to admit Casey charged up a storm on her credit cards? There is so much more Cindy may have to say. Read her motion for the details!

The answers to these questions will hopefully be answered on Thursday! Stay Tuned!

Zenaida’s Original Lawsuit
Casey’s Suit Against Zenaida
Proffer Of Support For Punitive Damages
Motion to Compel Lee Anthony
Motion to Compel Casey Anthony
Motion to Compel Cindy Anthony
Motion to Compel George Anthony
RAW VIDEO OF HEARING