After recessing the court abruptly on Saturday and amidst much speculation, Chief Judge Belvin Perry announced on Monday, Casey Anthony is competent to stand trial.
Casey Anthony is on trial for the alleged murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony, who prosecutors argue died from duct tape to her nose and mouth, applied by her own mother, in 2008.
Perry explained that, based on a motion filed by Casey Anthony’s defense team, the court had appointed three psychologists to examine whether she is competent to stand trial. While the outcomes of Casey’s examination are sealed, Perry said that the reports have found the defendant competent to proceed with her trial.
And so the mystery to the unexpected halting of the State v. Casey Anthony murder trial last Saturday, became known.
After Perry’s announcement, the defense began calling more witnesses to testify.
Detective Yuri Melich with the Orange County Sheriff’s office was the first witness called.
Jose Baez, lead defense attorney questioned Melich as to why detectives had not subpoenaed the phone records of George Anthony, Casey’s father, or Roy Kronk, the meter reader who found the skeletal remains of little Caylee in a wooded area near to the Anthony family home, off Suburban Drive.
The defense will continue throughout the day calling their witnesses to testify.
Casey’s defense attorneys have claimed that Caylee accidentally drowned in the family swimming pool around June 15, 2008, and her grandfather, George Anthony covered up the crime.
Casey, if convicted, could face the death penalty.
