ORLANDO, Fla.,None — Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy, testified on day 16 of Casey's murder trial on Saturday. Cindy was brought to tears as she described Caylee Anthony's baby blanket and bed to prosecutor Linda Drane-Burdick.
Casey walked into the courtroom smiling, wearing a light blue, beaded blouse and she had her hair pulled back into a bun.
DAY 16: Pt. 1 | Pt.2 | Pt.3 | Pt.4 | Pt.5 | Pt.6 | Pt.7 CINDY CRIES: Images Of Emotional Testimony ANGRY CASEY CRIES: See Images | Watch Video BILL SHEAFFER: Analysis Of Day 16 CASEY WALKS IN: See Images | Watch Video IN COURT: Casey, Cindy, Ex, Lawyers, Judge VIDEO REPORT: Cindy Cries During Testimony On Caylee
Cindy Anthony described the layout of the family home Saturday during testimony. She also became emotional when she described a playhouse built for 2-year-old Caylee.
Through most of her testimony, a photo of Caylee remained on display on television monitors along the courtroom, where evidence is displayed for the jury, media and spectators. Cindy eventually interrupted her questioning, asking prosecutors to remove the photo.
"I can't look at my granddaughter without getting upset," she said.
As Cindy tried to keep herself composed, she said, "I'm sorry."
Drane-Burdick asked her if she needed a minute and Cindy said, "Yes."
Casey sat stone-faced as her mother cried and at one point shook her head "no."
Judge Belvin Perry called for a short recess, and as Cindy walked out of the courtroom, Casey became angry and began crying.
Right before noon, Cindy recounted lies that Casey was feeding her after Caylee was last seen alive.
At one point, Casey told her mother she was at Busch Gardens with Caylee. But the court was told by Casey's ex-boyfriend, Tony Lazzaro, in an earlier testimony that she was really hanging out at his apartment. Caylee was nowhere to be seen.
At 9:00am Saturday the first witness called to the stand was Tony Lazzaro.
The prosecution re-focused its case after experiencing its first setback in the murder trial. State attorneys must decide how to proceed after getting rebuffed late Friday in an attempt to introduce instant messages between Casey and Lazzaro, which they say go to her motive.
However, Lazzaro testified on Saturday that Casey sent a text message reading, "If they don't find her, guess who gets blamed and spends eternity in jail."
Prosecutors contend the 25-year-old mother suffocated Caylee with duct tape. Casey's defense team says the child drowned accidentally in a family pool. If convicted, she could be sentenced to death.
The state is portraying Casey as carefree and cheerful in the weeks after the child was last seen alive in June 2008. The defense has suggested that George Anthony, Casey's father, found Caylee drowned and helped dispose of the body. He testified for the third time in four days Friday.
Court was dismissed at 1:00pm even though the defense had yet to cross examine Cindy.
Casey's trial will resume on Tuesday at 8:30am.
Casey is charged with first-degree murder in the toddler's summer 2008 death. If convicted, she could be sentenced to death.
Previous Stories: May 27, 2011: Witness: Casey Anthony's Car Smelled Of Decomposition May 26, 2011: Casey's Ex-Lovers, Friends Testify On Day 14 Of Trial May 25, 2011: Casey Friends Say They Never Knew Caylee Was Missing May 24, 2011: Casey Murder Trial Brings Tears, Blame And Shame May 23, 2011: Legal Analyst Previews Casey Trial Opening Statements May 20, 2011: Casey Anthony Back In Orange County Jail May 20, 2011: Details On Jurors For Casey Anthony Trial May 20, 2011: Casey Jury Sworn In, Opening Statements Start Tuesday May 20, 2011: Woman Yells "She Killed Somebody" During Casey Trial
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