On Tuesday there was a hearing in the Orange County court in the civil suit brought by Zenaida Gonzalez against Casey Anthony, the mother charged with first degree murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee.
Gonzales’ lawyers are suing for monetary damages as they say their client’s reputation was ruined after Anthony insisted Caylee was kidnapped by a baby sitter named Zenaida Gonzalez who she claimed baby-sat the child from time-to-time. Caylee had disappeared from her home in Orlando, Florida in July 2008 and her remains were later found near the Anthony family home by a meter reader, Roy Cronk.
No decision was made as to when the civil case would be heard, but there are news reports that Gonzalez’ attorneys expect it could be in early 2011. This would mean that the defamation suit would take place before Anthony’s first degree murder trial which is expected to commence in May 2011.
While Anthony has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges, it is not clear what she subsequently said regarding the kidnapping of her child by a baby-sitter named Zenaida Gonzalez.
Meanwhile, Casey’s parents, George and Cindy Anthony said during stormy depositions several months ago, the Zenaida Gonzalez who has filed the defamation suit is not “Zanny the nanny” their daughter had referred to.
Detectives early on never believed the “kidnapping and babysitter” story and viewed it as one among the many lies Anthony told investigators.
Casey Anthony was indicted by a Grand Jury in October 2008 and remains in an Orange County jail. If convicted she could face the death penalty.
