Casey Anthony Trial Update: Judge scolds attorneys, recesses court for the day
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - After Judge Belvin Perry threatened attorneys on both sides of the Casey Anthony case with "exclusion," a move that could force a re-start in the trial of Anthony, he recessed court for the day at 11 a.m. with no witnesses being called.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Perry was visibly annoyed with both defense attorney Jose Baez and prosecutor Jeff Ashton for delaying the start of day 23 of testimony in the trial.
Ashton asked the judge to delay testimony from two forensic experts the defense planned to call, saying that he was not given enough information about their qualifications and the conclusions they intended to draw before the jury. Baez urged the judge not to take that action and countered that Ashton was showing his "inexperience" by failing to take depositions from all defense witnesses in the weeks prior to the trial.
The judge asked the attorneys to look at the clock and tell him the time. Ashton said 9:25, while Baez responded 9:26. That prompted the judge to say, "that shows the two of you will never agree on anything."
Perry, in lengthy comments to the lawyers with the jury out of the courtroom, said that he realizes the opposing attorneys don't like each other but he warned that if the lawyers' "gamesmanship" continues, he will issue an exclusion order, bumping witnesses from the trial - even if that means starting the murder trial all over again. Perry also said that he will consider possible disciplinary action against the lawyers once the trial ends and he raised the spectre of filing a report on them with the Florida Bar Association alleging ethical violations.
Before the recess, Perry had ordered lawyers to be prepared to start their days at 8:30 a.m. not 9 and he warned that if the delays persist, he's ready to move the start time even further and cut back on their usual 90 minute break for lunch. Perry told attorneys he had a sequestered jury to think about, a jury which he says is "living under severe restrictions."
On Saturday, the defense called renowned forensic expert Dr. Werner Spitz, who described the initial autopsy that was performed on Caylee as "shoddy." He also said that the duct tape prosecutors claim suffocated the toddler was not applied until after the child's body decomposed, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
Prosecutors have argued that Caylee was suffocated by her mother with duct tape. The defense contends Caylee drowned in her grandparents' swimming pool. Caylee's skeletal remains were found in December 2008.
Anthony, 25, is charged with first-degree murder in the death Caylee and has pleaded not guilty. Anthony could face the death penalty if convicted.
The trial is set to resume Tuesday at 8:30 am.
Reporting contributed by Lisa Meyer-Steinhaus.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."
Complete coverage of Casey Anthony on Crimesider