Judge: Casey Anthony Must Serve Florida Probation
ORLANDO (CBSMiami) - Casey Anthony dropped from public view after she was found not guilty of killing her daughter Caylee, but Friday she learned she must return to Orlando to serve one year probation on an unrelated theft charge. She has two weeks to report, in person.
The ruling was made Friday by Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry, the same judge who presided over her murder trial. It confirms a ruling made by a second judge who removed himself from the case after questions were raised about his impartiality.
The probation charge is related to Anthony's 2010 convictions on check-fraud and related charges. Judge Stan Strickland sentenced Anthony to time served in jail followed by one year of probation.
However, since Anthony was jailed in connection with her daughter's death, some believed she had served that probation while in jail, something Judge Strickland, state law, and now Judge Perry say is not possible.
Judge Strickland amended his original order to require Anthony to serve probation, and ordered her back to the state. Judge Perry's order Friday confirmed that.
While Anthony must return to Florida, Judge Perry ruled that her address can be kept secret. The address of felons serving probation is usually public information.
At a hearing on the issue last week, Judge Perry called the situation "a mess," and said the whole issue was a "legal maze."
Friday's ruling means he believes he's found a way out, but Anthony's attorneys could still file an appeal.
