Orange County Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland has set a date for the start of the Casey Anthony murder trail. The trial will begin on May 9th 2011, some two years and seven months after Anthony was jailed.
In issuing the order on March 5th, Strickland also identified other timelines that must be met related to discovery and depositions of expert witnesses by the State of Florida and the Anthony defense team. As well, all other motions that do not require testimony before the court must be filed and heard no later than end January 2011, Strickland has ordered.
There have been a series of delays and missed deadlines in the Anthony case. One such deadline, February 1st, was missed by the Anthony defense team in that they failed to provide their witness list to the prosecution.
There are reports that the Anthony defense team is way behind schedule in preparation of their defense of Casey, owing to lack of funds.
Last Friday, Anthony’s defense attorneys filed a motion asking Strickland to declare their client indigent. A statement issued by the defense, stated that there is extensive costs, associated with defending Anthony. These costs relate to travel, retention of experts and witness depositions, among others. If Strickland grants this motion, Orange County taxpayers would be picking up the tab for some aspects of Casey’s defense, which could run over $100,000.
Anthony, 23, is charged with the death of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee, and has been in the Orange County Jail since October 2008. She has maintained her innocence. She has said that Caylee was kidnapped by a baby sitter. If convicted she could face the death penalty.
