ORLANDO, Fla. — Casey Anthony's most well-known attorney did all he could Thursday to avoid WFTV reporter Kathi Belich (images | video).
CHENEY vs. KATHI: See Images | Watch Raw Video HEARING ON 03/31/11: Full Raw Video Of Hearing CASEY WALKS IN: See Images | Watch Raw Video INSIDE COURTROOM: Images Of Attorneys, Casey MOTION: Claims Perry's Ruling Was Bias VIDEO REPORT: Attorney Avoids Questioning
Right after Thursday's hearing about recently listed defense witnesses, WFTV wanted to ask defense attorney Cheney Mason about his recent accusations that Chief Judge Belvin Perry is biased against Casey. Instead of answering, he hid behind his umbrella and told Belich she was stupid.
"Do you still believe the judge is biased? Are you afraid to show your face? Do you believe the judge is biased?" WFTV reporter Kathi Belich asked Mason.
"You are probably the stupidest reporter on the face of the earth," Mason replied, trying to shield himself from Belich using his umbrella.
"I'm sorry, isn't that what you said in your court filing?" Belich asked.
Mason got feisty with WFTV. But it was a different story minutes earlier in court with Chief Judge Belvin Perry, just six days after accusing the judge of being biased (read it); Mason was subdued.
Thursday, Mason did not address his accusations during or after court. Other than cutting off Judge Perry at the beginning of the hearing, Mason did not address in any way his accusations that Judge Perry was "disingenuous" and flat-out wrong to allow jurors to hear Casey Anthony lie to investigators and to her family during phone calls and visits with them when she was in jail.
Kathi vs. Cheney blurby 033111 CHENEY vs. KATHI: See Images | Raw Video The judge previously rejected defense arguments that Casey was actually in custody and that her parents and brother were acting as agents of investigators, so she should have been told she had a right to remain silent.
Rare for a Casey Anthony hearing, Thursday morning's hearing was over in around 20 minutes.
"The good news is, for the most part, I'm advised the state doesn't have objections," defense attorney J. Cheney Mason told Judge Belvin Perry.
Cheney informed the judge that they have voluntarily removed Sharon Cadieux from the list, saying neither side has been able to get cooperation from her; Cadieux went to the Anthony's home in 2008 to protest and George Anthony, Casey's father, pushed her during an altercation.
"All of the rest of the witnesses have been deposed," Cheney said. "With the exception of doctors Danziger and Weitz, who are scheduled for [state] deposition next week."
State prosecutors then had an opportunity to speak, concurring with what Cheney said about witnesses. Prosecutor Jeff Ashton suggested to Judge Perry that any matters involving the aforementioned doctors, who plan to testify about Casey's state of mind, be reset for discussion after they have completed their depositions.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said he's not surprised by Mason's demeanor in court Thursday.
"What people don't realize is that you file these motions, you make your arguments. Once you get a ruling, you move on. It's not personal, it's business," Sheaffer said.
Prosecutors plan to use 236 photographs at trial, including photos of Caylee's remains, which will be sealed. Casey is charged with murdering her daughter Caylee and dumping the body near their house.
"Get out of my way," Mason told Belich after the hearing.
"I'm not in your way. I'm beside you," she told him.
Both sides are to be back in court at 9:00am Friday morning to go over several remaining motions. WFTV.com will be providing a live video of the hearing and will be live-blogging at our Casey Anthony section.
Previous Stories: March 30, 2011: Document: Casey's Defense Has Billed Fla. For Over $100K March 29, 2011: Motions: Witnesses Unreliable In Casey Case March 29, 2011: State Interviews 'Possible' Witness In Casey Case March 28, 2011: Could Casey's Defense Turn Focus To George? March 25, 2011: Judge Denies Casey Anthony Motion For New Hearing March 25, 2011: Casey Defense To Be Back In Court Next Week
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