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Source: Casey's Attorney Marketing Photos To Media

Posted: 6:03 pm EST February 5, 2009Updated: 6:25 pm EST February 5, 2009

Eyewitness News has learned Casey Anthony is willing to part with more photos of her dead daughter to help pay for her defense. A source told WFTV reporter Kathi Belich that Casey's attorneys have been trying to market the photos to the media again.


TEAM COVERAGE: Caylee Photos For Sale?
LEGAL ANALYST: Discusses Photo-Sale Report
ARCHIVE: Read Previous Reports On Anthony Case

Jose Baez is hiring some very expensive experts to defend Casey on this first-degree murder charge. They are hiring nationally-known experts who don't come cheap. But WFTV's legal analyst, Bill Sheaffer, said Casey's efforts to possibly help pay for them by marketing photos to the media could backfire in the court of public opinion.

There are reports that Casey Anthony sold endearing videos and photos of her daughter Caylee six months ago for almost $200,000.

"It's a drop in the bucket, $200,000 in this case is a drop in the bucket when you take into consideration what Mr. Baez needs in order to devote his time and resources to this case," Sheaffer said (watch full interview).

Sheaffer said that money could be gone or close to gone. He said attorney Jose Baez's fee alone will be six figures in a case like this and the total cost of Casey's defense could hit $1 million, especially because of the high-powered experts Baez has hired: Forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee, who helped get OJ Simpson acquitted, New York defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden, who represented rock and roll legend Phil Spector at his first murder trial that ended in a hung jury, and New York forensic expert Dr. Lawrence Kobilinsky.

"I would say these experts run into the tens of thousands of dollars," Sheaffer said.

The flat fees or hourly fees, Sheaffer said, could run from $500 to $750, plus expenses. But, Sheaffer said, selling her murdered daughter's photos could turn the public against Casey even more. Still, Casey is facing first-degree murder.

"One is going to do what one has to do," Sheaffer said.

Hiring heavy hitters from out of town may also backfire on Baez. Sheaffer said they bring some baggage, because of OJ for example, and Florida jurors might view them as outsiders.


MORE STRANGERS GIVE CASEY MONEY

Casey continues to be well-funded in jail. She had about $300 in her jail account Thursday and spent $12 this week on snacks and a drink. She also received another $75 from complete strangers living in Fort Lauderdale, California and Michigan.


PRESS CORPS ADMITS "TODD BLACK" IS "GIL CABOT"

The public relations spokesman for Casey's defense team finally admitted he's convicted felon Gil Cabot.

A Press Corps Media release Thursday confirmed Cabot was one of several media contacts working under the name of Todd Black.

Cabot was convicted for trying to extort Entertainment Tonight anchor Jann Carl by falsely claiming he had compromising photographs of her. Carl had previously turned down his offer to be her agent.


PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE SET FOR FEBRUARY 10

The attorney for Caylee Anthony's grandparents told Eyewitness News on Thursday that the public memorial service for Caylee would be held on the morning of Tuesday, February 10.

The memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Orlando (see map), attorney Brad Conway told Eyewitness News, and start at 10:00am. No cameras are allowed in the church, but WFTV.com expects to be able to provide a live video feed online of the service.

Dr. David Uth, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Orlando, released the following statement Thursday: "I believe God placed First Baptist Church of Orlando here in Central Florida to make a difference in this community, and to love this community. We believe our purpose is to be a lighthouse, especially in difficult and dark times. One of those times is now as we have all been saddened by the death of Caylee Anthony. As a church, we want to provide hope, healing and the opportunity to experience God's love. We believe that hosting the service will give us the opportunity to minister to a family in need and to a community that is hurting because of the loss of this precious child."

Seating for the public service will start at 9:00am. The church told Eyewitness News no bags, backpacks, purses, cell phones, still photo or video cameras will be permitted. There will be a strong security presence and attendees will have to pass through a metal detector.

The service will be held in the church's 5,000-seat Worship Center.

Caylee Anthony's remains were found in December in a wooded area less than a mile from her grandparent's home. Caylee's mother, Casey Anthony, remains in jail on first-degree murder charges in connection with Caylee's death.

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