Casey Anthony Trial Day 7: Testimony of Lee Anthony and Yuri Melich

Casey Trial Continues; State Wants Fraud Convictions In

Updated: 6:56 am EDT June 1, 2011

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Day 18 of Casey Anthony's murder trial will begin on Wednesday, and her defense attorneys will try to keep a major mistake from allowing the jury to hear about her criminal past.

During a hearing set for 8:30am, Casey’s lead attorney Jose Baez will have to convince Chief Judge Belvin Perry to not allow Casey's criminal past to be admitted as evidence.

Prosecutors argue that while Baez was cross-examining Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony on Tuesday, he made the mistake of probing Casey's own comments and questioning her credibility in ways prosecutors have not.

So prosecutors cited case law that allows them to tell jurors about Casey's six prior felony convictions.

"The jury, when they hear this, will never look at her the same,” said WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer.

The convictions stem from the shopping spree Casey took with her friend Amy Huizenga's stolen checks.

“Once he places the credibility of his client before the jury in the form of an out-of-court statement he opens the door to have that testimony impeached with her prior felony convictions," argued prosecutor Linda Drane-Burdick on Tuesday.


Sheaffer said he believes Baez has made a novice mistake in a life or death case and that defense attorney Cheney Mason should take a bigger role as the much more experienced counsel.

“It was a terrible blunder on the defense part, we should see more of Mr. Mason, and less of Mr. Baez. Mr. Mason would not have made this mistake,” said Sheaffer.

Read more:
http://www.wftv.com/caseyanthony/28091499/detail.html

Bozo - what a trip. I can't wait to see how this plays out today.

Hey Peeps! Can I watch the trial here and chat simultaneously? kh told me I could.......

You sure can eva. I have been missing you. Welcome home. Did kh tell you how to do this?

Hey Eva! Go to the Forum page and click on link to chat below Caylee's video..........we miss you :)

eva....click here:

http://www.realitychatter.com/h6-casey-anthony-trial-live-chat

then click on the log in.

Lee's testimony is killing me this morning. Dorothy Sims is doing a terrible job with whatever she is trying to accomplish........yikes!!

Lee: Casey Replied "Maybe I Am" To Unfit Mom Accusation




Updated: 1:00 pm EDT June 1, 2011

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Casey Anthony's brother Lee took the stand on day 18 of her murder trial Wednesday.


Casey Anthony entered the courtroom just before 8:30am. She was wearing a white long-sleeved button down shirt and dark grey pants. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

The sight of her brother appeared to shake Casey a bit in court Wednesday morning, as she wiped away a tear.

Lee began his testimony describing how he'd searched downtown bars for her when their mother, Cindy Anthony, couldn't find Casey or Caylee. Lee said he eventually resorted to phone calls.

"Did she hang up on you?" asked prosecutor Frank George.

"Numerous times, yes," replied Lee.

Later, Lee testified that when Casey was finally located, she refused to tell anyone where Caylee was.

"Did you offer to go get Caylee that night?" George asked.

"Yes I did. I said, 'I could go get Caylee,' my roommate at the time could go get Caylee. In my mind there was no reason why someone couldn't go get Caylee that night," Lee said.

"You asked your sister, 'Why won't you allow us to see Caylee?' What was her response?" George asked.

"I told Detective Edwards that she said, 'Because maybe I'm a spiteful b****," replied Lee.

Lee talked about his own frustrations with Casey's lies and her relationship with their mother.

"She told me my mother had numerous times thrown it in Casey's face that Casey was an unfit mother for Caylee and that Casey says 'Maybe I am,'" Lee stated. "I went on to say that my mother had also referenced Caylee as being a mistake, but the best mistake Casey's ever made."

Read more:
http://www.wftv.com/caseyanthony/28091499/detail.html

Day 7: OCSO's House Call; Casey's Brother, Friend

State: We're About Halfway Through Witness List

UPDATED: 6:05 pm EDT June 1, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Prosecutors on the Casey Anthony murder trial revealed Wednesday afternoon they’re about halfway through their list of witnesses.

Prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick said late Wednesday she estimated the state’s case would take up to two more weeks to present.

Drane Burdick cautioned some of the expert witnesses who will be questioned may take up significant time.

One of the primary investigators in Caylee Anthony’s disappearance, Orange County Sheriff's Office Det. Yuri Melich, was called to the stand Wednesday afternoon as the state laid out the events that eventually led to the world finding out about the missing toddler.

Melich testified about the night he was first called to the Anthony home on Hope Spring Drive. He was called after the deputies who initially responded realized they were not dealing with a stolen vehicle call.

Prosecutors played a tape of Casey’s first interview with Melich.

Read more: http://www.wesh.com/casey-anthony-extended-coverage/28099834/detail.html

Witnesses, Recordings Heard In Court Expose Casey's Lies

Updated: 7:19 pm EDT June 1, 2011

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Several key witnesses testified on Wednesday, day 18 of Casey Anthony's murder trial, including her brother Lee Anthony and lead detective in the case, Yuri Melich.

Just before 8:30am, Casey Anthony entered the courtroom. She was wearing a white long-sleeved button down shirt and dark grey pants. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

DAY 18: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
BILL SHEAFFER: Analysis Of Day 18
CASEY WALKS IN: See Images | Raw Video
KEY PLAYERS: Casey, Lee, Lawyers, Witnesses
VIDEO REPORT: Lee Anthony Testifies

Orange County Detective Yuri Melich listened to his first recorded interview with Casey during his testimony on Wednesday afternoon as it was played for the jurors.

Read more: http://www.wftv.com/news/28091499/detail.html