Casey Anthony Trial Update: George Anthony's alleged mistress takes the stand
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - The Casey Anthony defense team has called Krystal Holloway, who they have claimed was the mistress of Casey's father George, as their first witness on Thursday.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Krystal Holloway said she met George Anthony at a tent during the search for Caylee Anthony in October 2008, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
Holloway testified that she developed an intimate relationship with George Anthony and that he came to her home around a dozen times, reports the station.
Holloway said that during a conversation about Casey Anthony around Thanksgiving 2008, she said George Anthony told her Caylee's death was an accident.
"He said it was an accident that snowballed out of control. I was in shock. By the time I looked up, his eyes were full of tears. I didn't elaborate. I didn't ask him anything further," Holloway said, reports the station.
Holloway said the police came to her for the first time in 2010 asking her if she knew George Anthony and if she had an affair with him.
Holloway said she provided investigators with her cellphone and letters George Anthony had written her. She said she initially lied to investigators about the affair because she was embarrassed, but she eventually told them the truth, the station reports.
Holloway said her relationship ended with George Anthony shortly after Caylee's remains were found in December 2008.
In cross-examination, prosecutor Jeff Ashton accused Holloway of sensationalizing her story to make more money. He accused Holloway of seeking out the Anthony family because they were well known after Caylee was reported missing, the station reports.
Holloway admitted she was paid $4,000 by the National Enquirer to tell her story.
The defense was not allowed to ask Holloway about whether she loaned George Anthony money.
Earlier this week, George Anthony denied having an intimate relationship with Holloway. He said he only went to her home once to console her because she had cancer. He did admit to sending Holloway one text message that said, "Just thinking about you. I need you in my life," but he said he needed a lot of the volunteers he had grown close to.
Anthony, 25, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Caylee's death and could get the death penalty if convicted of that charge. The prosecution says she used duct tape to suffocate the toddler. The defense says the girl drowned in her grandparents' swimming pool.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."