Casey Anthony Attorney Quits; "Angel of Death Row" Cites Financial Issues

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS/WKMG) Casey Anthony's "Angel" is leaving her defense team. Andrea Lyon, an attorney for the Florida mother accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee cited a lack of funding for travel costs and other expenses as the reason.

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Andrea Lyon, known as the "Angel of Death Row" because of her extensive experience with death penalty cases, practices law in Chicago and teaches law at DePaul University there. She joined the defense team last year when Anthony did not have a qualified death penalty attorney, Anthony's lead defense attorney, Jose Baez, told CBS affiliate WKMG.

Shortly after Lyon joined the team, a local veteran death penalty attorney, Cheney Mason, also joined the team. Baez told WKMG that Lyon would not have stepped down if Mason hadn't joined. Baez added that Lyon will still serve as a resource to the defense team and Anthony, even though she won't be at their side in court.

Lyon said in a statement that she remains committed to a vigorous defense for Anthony.

PICTURES: Casey Anthony Personal PhotosPICTURES: Caylee Anthony: A Life Cut Short

Both Anthony and the defense gave Lyon's departure their blessing, according to Baez.

Casey Anthony's daughter, Caylee, was reported missing in July 2008, a month after Casey claims to have last seen her daughter. Caylee's remains were found five months later in a wooded area near the Anthony family's east Orange County home.

Anthony has pleaded not guilty to murdering Caylee and her trial is set to start in May 2011.

Anthony is set to appear in court on Friday at 1:30 p.m. for an evidentiary hearing in her case.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Casey Anthony Murder Case