Casey Anthony is expected to appear in court tomorrow, Friday, for the first time before Chief Judge Bevin Perry.
Perry who took over Anthony’s death penalty case from Judge Stan Strickland is convening a case management hearing with the prosecution and defense teams to discuss several issues including a review of trial dates and other time lines; specific rules for the respective sides to follow in the court and other house keeping matters.
There is also one motion the Anthony defense team is continuing to pursue–the removal of the death penalty. They argue that the prosecution requested the death penalty knowing that Anthony would not have the resources to defense herself appropriately or be in a position to select her counsel of choice.
Perry, described by most as a “no nonsense” judge, has handled death penalty cases for about 10 years and in only one instance has been partially over-turned. He has been on the bench in Central Florida for 21 years.
Meanwhile, Strickland who had presided over the case from the inception, removed himself April 19th following a defense motion accusing him of showing bias toward the prosecution.  The defense charged that Strickland had developed a too-close relationship with a blogger/journalist who blogged extensively on the case, most of which they claimed was pro-prosecution.
Anthony is charged with first degree murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter Caylee. She has maintained her innocence. If convicted she could face the death penalty.
Anthony’s trial is expected to begin in May 2011, although there could be some slight modification of dates with a new judge on the case.
Be careful what you ask for.
