Day 29: More Surprises

Judge Belvin Perry wants this trial to end.

Today's testimony lasted until after 7 p.m., making up for time lost after Saturday's proceedings ended abruptly to make way for a competency hearing for Casey Anthony. She was deemed competent, and so the trial rolls on.

I've been going to great lengths in past blogs to report every significant twist and turn of this trial. I might instead be doing readers, of which I value tremendously, a disservice. If they want every single fact of the trial, they can just switch on the TV or follow the live stream online. From hear on out, I'll just touch on the highlights and interject more of my own opinions, sparing you the boring details.

Nevertheless, the biggest thing to come out of the afternoon testimony was the motion filed by the defense to declare a mistrial, citing a recent Federal court ruling in a Florida case that said the state's death penalty statute was unconstitutional. The motion, presented by defense attorney Ann Finnell, asks Judge Belvin Perry to start the whole process over.

Here's a recap of the afternoon testimony.

On Dec. 15 and 26, 2008, private detectives Dominic Casey and James Hoover searched the wooded area for Caylee's remains. Casey was working as a private investigator for the Anthony family and Hoover was acting as a security guard for the family. Jurors were shown a video shot by Hoover of the pair searching the woods. The search, according to the defense, was conducted near the spot where the body was ultimately found, lending credence to its theory that the body was planted at a later time, presumably by Roy Kronk, the meter reader who found the skull.

Hoover returned a third time a few days later, searching closer to Hopespring Drive, the street where the Anthony home is located. They never entered the woods.

The State believes the two investigators didn't search in the location where Caylee's body was found, and that they had no direct knowledge of the location of the remains, but were instead relying on a psychic.

And why not a psychic? We've seen just about everything else in this trial, including the California bounty hunter, Leonard Padilla, whom everyone is trying to distance themselves from. Padilla bailed Casey out of jail from check fraud charges under the premise that she would help in the search for her daughter. She never lifted a finger, so he revoked her bond.

We've also seen what's been called 'voodoo science,' with the State hanging its case partially on air samples to extract chemicals possibly used in Caylee's murder. We've had fistacuffs among those scrambling for one of 50 ringside seats to this trial. and of course, there's Roy Kronk, who has yet to take the stand, who the defense believes planted the body for the reward money.

We've seen accusations of accidental drowning and subsequent cover-up by George and Cindy Anthony. We've heard allegations of sexual abuse being the reason for Casey's bizarre behavior. and we of course have Casey herself, who's personality can only best be portrayed through the five hours of jailhouse tapes presented as evidence.

I still don't think Casey will be convicted of 1st degree murder, but rather aggravated manslaughter. If Caylee didn't drown, then something horrible happened that cannot be described as an accident. The only real, concrete evidence the State has that possibly connects Casey to the body however is one fly leg.

Lead defense attorney Jose Baez, despite any misgivings one might have about his ability to defend Casey, has made some major strides in casting doubt on much of the circumstantial evidence presented in this case. Still, the defense, although not obligated to prove anything, has yet to come through with substantial evidence of its own to support Baez's opening statements. That is, until Roy Kronk takes the stage, which could be Tuesday!

This trial might be over by Independence Day. How ironic for Casey, if she is convicted.

More to come.