ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Documents filed Wednesday in the case against Casey Anthony could reveal part of the defense's strategy. They detail what the defense expert witnesses will testify about.
READ: Defense Expert Info | Defense Expert Exhibits
The defense had fought the release of this information, despite having been ordered by Judge Belvin Perry to do so earlier. Instead, the defense had only provided the prosecution with a list of experts and their field of expertise.
After being ordered, again, by Judge Perry to provide specifics on what the defense experts would actually be testifying on, attorney Jose Baez filed a more detailed response that gives bullet-points on 12 different experts and elements of what they'll testify on.
Botanists and forensic scientists will try to prove there's no way state expert witnesses can know how long Caylee Anthony's remains were in a wooded area near her home. Baez plans to use the experts to create a timeline to show that Caylee's remains were moved, possibly while her mother sat in jail.
JUDGE: BOTH SIDES MUST GIVE EXPERT INFO
Judge Belvin Perry wasted no time handing down his order over expert testimony in the case against Casey Anthony, applying the same rules to both the prosecution and defense.
CASEY WALKS IN: See Images | Watch Video HEARING UNCUT: Watch The 12/10/10 Casey Hearing VIDEO REPORT: Rare Evening Hearing Ends Quickly READ: State's Motion For Clarification
Casey Anthony was in court Friday for the 5:00pm hearing in the fight over her defense team's expert witnesses. While 5:00pm was an unusual time for a court hearing, it was the only time everyone could agree on.
Casey smiled as she walked into the courtroom (see images | watch video) just after 5:00pm wearing a striped blue and white long-sleeve, button down shirt and then sat down next to her attorney, Jose Baez, at the defense's table.
Prosecutors say Jose Baez is not playing nice and has refused to give up more information about his expert witnesses. Prosecutors in the case against Casey want to know exactly what expert witnesses for the defense will talk about when they reach the stand in her murder trial.
"I quite frankly don't know why we're here," Baez told Judge Perry after the state put forth their reason for wanting the hearing. "I think this is a huge waste of time that could have been resolved with a phone call."
Last month, Judge Perry ordered Baez to hand over a detailed list of what his expert witnesses would be testifying too, but assistant state attorney Jeffrey Ashton says that list wasn't good enough.
But Judge Perry wasn't going to waste much time on the back and forth bickering over the subject and issued an order that applies to both sides.
"Since ya'll can't seem to agree and can't seem to understand what I meant the last time. This is what I'm going to do," Judge Perry said less than 15 minutes into the hearing. "Where experts have not prepared reports of examinations or tests, both the state and the defense are required to provide the following … the expert's curriculum vitae, qualifications of experts, the expert's field of expertise or medical specialty, a statement of the specific subjects upon which the expert will testify and offer opinions, the substance of the facts to which the expert is expected to testify, and last but not least, a summary of the expert's opinion and grounds for each opinion … All of this must be completed by 3pm on December 23."
WFTV obtained back and forth emails between Ashton and Baez where the prosecutor told Baez to send a more in-depth list. Instead, Baez responded with a condescending tone.
For instance, he wrote next to Dr. Henry Lee: "He inspected the car and was at the evidence inspection and inspected the scene. All of which, you already know".
For Dr. Jane H. Bock, Baez wrote: "Inspected the scene and will testify about botany. Please tell me you knew this."
"This response is almost juvenile in its context and I would expect the court is going to compel Mr. Baez to comply with the court's order," Sheaffer said.
Now both sides are being forced to 'get along' and provide expert reports as ordered.
DEFENSE GETS EQUUSEARCH RECORDS
Casey Anthony's defense received more evidence from prosecutors in her murder case. Among the 119 pages of documents are Texas EquuSearch documents from volunteer Laura Buchanan.
VIDEO REPORT: Docs Handed Over To Defense
Buchanan is under investigation by the Orange County Sheriff's Office for allegedly falsifying documents to help Casey. She claims she and others searched the woods, three months before Caylee's remains were found there, and found nothing.
Investigators say the area was under water at that time.
Also, the defense wants the state commission that monitors its spending to approve a higher rate for copies of deposition transcripts. Apparently it didn't lock in a deal with a court reporter service before hiring it and wants an extra $860.
Previous Stories: December 10, 2010: Judge: Both Sides Must Give Expert Info In Casey Case December 6, 2010: Casey's Defense Gets EquuSearch Documents December 2, 2010: Attorneys In Casey Case Get Into Email Dispute November 30, 2010: Casey's Defense Won't Have To Reveal Expert Costs November 25, 2010: Casey's Defense Wants To Seal Witness List November 18, 2010: Funding For DNA Tests Granted In Casey Case November 17, 2010: Testimony From Key Casey Witness Could Be Falling Apart November 16, 2010: Casey Defense Looking At EquuSearch Docs Again
WFTV
