George Anthony testifies during the trial of his daughter Casey Anthony at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
On the day when many wondered whether Casey Anthony might take the stand, Jose Baez opened testimony by calling her parents, yet again, to the stand. Casey’s parents, George and Cindy Anthony, and her brother, Lee, have all testified multiple times about the disappearance of Casey’s 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.
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Cindy Anthony testified about having Caylee’s remains cremated but holding out hope, as late as six months ago, that somehow Caylee was still alive. Jose Baez attempted to ask her about an incident where her husband, George, argued with media who were attempting to ask about the theory that Caylee had drowned. The defense has argued that Caylee drowned in her grandparents’ pool and that George disposed of the body. George has repeatedly denied the claims and objections from the prosecution prevented Baez from getting much further with Cindy.
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When Baez called George to the stand, there were fireworks and tears as Baez asked about a range of issues from a gas can Casey once borrowed to whether he had been paid $20,000 by CBS. The network has admitted paying “a standard fee to license a considerable number of photos and home videos from the Anthony family for use in its broadcasts on the case.” When Baez asked George about guilt, George shot back, “I have tried to be nice to you…I did everything I could possibly do to bring awareness about [Caylee].”
When it was the prosecution’s turn, Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton asked about George Anthony’s grief at the loss of his granddaughter. George said he experienced deep hurt and broke down on the witness stand.
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When Judge Perry resumes the trial after the lunch break, George will be back on the stand. Ashton has sought to question him about his purchase of a gun and a suicide note, to which Baez strongly objected. It’s still not clear whether Baez will put Casey on the stand, but given his lack of traction with either of her parents, he may be running out of options. The trial will resume this afternoon.
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