Circuit Court Judge, Stan Strickland on Thursday, denied the defense motion to bar Leonard Padilla and his team, from testifying in the upcoming murder trial of Casey Anthony.
Padilla, once posted a $50,000 bond for the release of Casey Anthony when she was first arrested and imprisoned, had also provided security, along with the rest of his team, at the Anthony family home.
While there was an agreement between Padilla and associates and Casey Anthony’s defense team, Strickland noted in his ruling that, the various parties were not in complete agreement as to the nature of their relationship and that the privacy agreement itself is susceptible to many interpretations.
Strickland, upon hearing relevant testimony, further concluded that Padilla and his associates were not an extension of Casey Anthony’s defense counsel, and that communications to them are not subject to the right to privacy.
See Judge Stan Strickland’s Ruling here
Casey Anthony’s defense team is concerned with the numerous statements that their client made in the presense of Padilla and his team. Now, the way has been cleared for Padilla to testify. As well, other members of his team, namely, Tony Padilla, Tracy McLaughlin, who lived inside the Anthony’s home when security was being provided, and Dick Roberts, are all free to testify at trial.
Casey Anthony is charged with first degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. Anthony, if convicted, could face the death penalty.
