Bug Expert: Casey Anthony Prosecutors Got It Wrong
Tensions rise, fists thrown outside the courtroom
Today’s Casey Anthony murder trial got off to a rocky start, even before the jury was led into the Orlando courtroom for the 21st day of testimony. In the apparent crush to gain a seat and observe the proceedings, fist fights broke out in the line outside of the courthouse.
Casey Anthony is on trial for the first degree murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony, in 2008. Anthony has pled not guilty, and could face the death penalty if convicted of the crime. The case has drawn ever-increasing attention from both traditional and social-based media outlets.
During today’s testimony around a dozen people had to be ejected for falling asleep in the observation areas. As with previous days of this trial, many stayed in line outside overnight to garner a seat. Following the scuffle this morning, court rules have been changed to avoid future overnight waits.
Vasco Thompson makes a public statement
During the morning’s testimony, Vasco Thompson held a press conference outside. Thompson has been recently added to the defense team’s witness list, and lead attorney Jose Baez alleges that Thompson had four phone conversations with Casey Anthony’s father, George Anthony, the day before Caylee Anthony was reported missing.
Thompson told reporters that he had never known George Anthony, nor had he spoken to him, including on the July 14th 2008 date cited by Baez. “I don’t know why they got me involved in all this mess,” said Thompson.
Thompson’s attorney Matt Morgan added that the phone number cited by Baez was not Thompson’s until February of 2009. Morgan went on to say that his client is a “church going man, a great guy” who had served his time, and that this was all a “bad faith attempt to create a scapegoat, a golden ticket to create reasonable doubt” by Baez, in an effort to divert the focus from Casey Anthony.
Morgan stated that Thompson had served time not for a kidnapping charge as reported, but due to a domestic dispute with a former girlfriend. Prison records, however, are cited as stating a 1988 conviction for kidnapping.
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