By: Gillian Nanton
Tot Mom, Casey Anthony, charged with first-degree murder in the death of her two-year old daughter, Caylee, will have to wait until 2010 to get her day in court.
Judge Stan Strickland of Orange County circuit, who met with prosecutors and lawyers on Tot Mom’s defense team said that, the October 12 trial date would “virtually be impossible” now that it is a death penalty case.
Strickland then set January 2010 for a status/pretrial hearing.
One reason for the delay in Tot Mom’s murder trial is that Andrea Lyon, a defense lawyer with capital case experience, recently joined the team. Jose Baez, Tot Mom’s original lead counsel, does not meet the requirements of a death qualified defense lawyer, as set by the State of Florida.
Little Caylee, Casey’s daughter, was last seen in June 2008. The Tot Mom did not report her missing until one month later.
Tot Mom has said that the child was kidnapped by a nanny called Zenaida Gonzalez. To date, Tot Mom’s claim has not been substantiated.
