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July 29, 2008
Jail calls in Caylee Anthony case might be kept from reporters
Topics: News Sarah Lundy and Amy L. Edwards | Sentinel Staff Writers
July 29, 2008
The lawyer for an Orange County woman jailed in the disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter will ask a judge today to block authorities from releasing his client's jailhouse phone calls to reporters.
Details from the recorded calls could "chill the public's willingness to report any leads" and compromise Casey Anthony's right to a fair trial, attorney Jose Baez wrote in a one-page motion filed Monday.
The case has gained national attention and "any public records request . . . could irreversibly taint the criminal process," he wrote.
Anthony, 22, remained in jail Monday on child-neglect and other charges as the search for Caylee Marie Anthony continued. The toddler has not been seen since mid-June.
Anthony told investigators that she left her daughter with a baby sitter named Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, who investigators have been unable to find. Caylee wasn't reported missing until July 15.
As part of the search effort, Baez and Casey Anthony's parents, Cindy and George Anthony, have appeared on national television to call attention to the case. Baez was not available Monday for comment about the motion to block the release of public records.
Christina Baez, a college student who works for her father, said the recordings may contain information that might obstruct the search for Caylee, but she wouldn't elaborate.
Last week, Orange County jail officials released a 14-minute call Casey Anthony made hours after her arrest. In it, she cursed at relatives and asked repeatedly for her boyfriend's phone number. Earlier, authorities released several 911 calls, including one in which Cindy Anthony said the car Casey Anthony used "smelled like there's been a dead body . . . ."
The lawyer filed his motion the same day jail officials released a 15-minute phone call Saturday between Casey Anthony and her older brother Lee.
Lee Anthony told his sister, "We're completely behind you," and reminded her that everything they say during phone calls from the jail is public record.
He asked his sister if she thinks Caylee is "OK right now."
"In my gut, she's still OK," Casey Anthony replied. "It still feels like she's, she's close to home. That's still my best feeling at the moment."
Lee Anthony stopped by Monday to see his sister and left without talking to reporters. Her parents are scheduled to visit this morning.
Jose Baez is appealing her bail, which Orange Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland set at more than $500,000 last week. He is asking the 5th District Court of Appeal to direct the lower court to set a $10,000 bond.
The Florida Attorney General's Office, which handles appeals for state prosecutors, has not filed a response. That is due at noon Wednesday, an attorney general's spokeswoman said.
Bianca Prieto of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Sarah Lundy can be reached at slundy@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6218. Amy L. Edwards can be reached at 407-420-5735 or aledwards@orlandosentinel.com.
Posted by admin at July 29, 2008 7:23 AM
