ORLANDO, Fla.,None — Casey Anthony is firing back at the prosecutor who tried to send her to death row for the murder of her daughter.
Anthony’s lawyers say Jeff Ashton's tell-all book defied the court, and he should be punished for it.
Anthony attorney Cheney Mason filed a motion claiming details Ashton revealed in his book "Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony" violated a court order.
Much of the controversy surrounding the motion and the book has to do with a mental health professional who actually met with Anthony.
In new documents filed in the case her attorneys are asking the judge to consider holding Ashton in contempt of court.
The request stems from sealed transcripts of depositions by doctors who performed mental health evaluations of Anthony. Recently, the Orlando Sentinel asked a judge to unseal those depositions. One reason the paper cited was that the information from those depositions was revealed in Ashton's book. Ashton says the information was taken from his notes and memory. WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer says that Ashton’s argument might work in his favor.
"I'm sure Jeff Ashton would assert the judge’s order sealed the transcript and did not prevent Jeff Ashton from talking about his memory as to those interviews," said Sheaffer.
Anthony’s attorneys also point out Ashton first revealed information from the deposition to George Anthony.
The reason the judge sealed the transcript was to ensure Casey got a fair trial. The only reason it could be an issue now is Casey is still appealing her conviction for lying to investigators.
"However the appeal has nothing to do with any of the disclosures made to the psychiatrist or psychologist,” said Sheaffer.
Casey has several other pending lawsuits: On Wednesday former meter reader Roy Kronk file suit against her for defamation. Also, an Orlando judge will rule soon whether Anthony must answer all questions in a lawsuit deposition filed by Zenaida Gonzalez. Gonzalez is suing for defamation. Also, Texas Equusearch, which spent more than $100,000 searching for Anthony’s 2-year-old daughter Caylee, is suing Anthony to repay those funds.
WFTV
