Day six of the Florida murder trial of Casey Anthony began with the prosecution calling Cindy Anthony, Casey's mother to testify.
Cindy stated that while cleaning out Casey's abandoned car, she found Casey's "work purse", and inside was Amy Huizenga's resume. Huizenga was at the time a close friend of Casey's. Cindy then called Huizenga to help her confront Casey at Tony Lazzaro's apartment. Cindy testified that this ruse was necessary as Casey was avoiding her parents.
The plan was that Amy Huizenga would meet Cindy Anthony in Mr. Lazzaro's apartment complex parking lot, and take Mrs. Anthony upstairs, where Cindy would then wait outside while Amy Huizenga asked Casey Anthony to step outside and talk, so that Cindy could actually talk to Casey in person.
Amy knocked on the door, was let in and asked Casey to come outside. She said what happened between Cindy and Casey Anthony was like an "explosion of mother-daughter anger".
Cindy concedes that the two women exchanged heated words, Casey relented and finally agreed to take Cindy to the nanny's residence to retrieve Caylee.
Cindy Anthony's First Call to 911
Cindy Anthony led a hushed courtroom through her memory of the confrontation that took place between herself and her daughter, Casey, on the night of July 15, 2008.
Cindy stated that after the argument at Tony Lazzaro's apartment, she drove Casey to the nanny's to retrieve Caylee. When Caylee didn't turn up, Cindy pulled her car over at a nearby Orlando Police sub-station, and demanded that Casey tell her immediately exactly where Caylee was and who she was with. When Casey did not comply, Cindy dialed 911.
On the recording, you can hear Cindy telling Casey as the phone rings, that "this is your last chance". To which Casey Anthony responds, "give me one more day". Cindy tells her that she has given Casey "a month" to let her see Caylee or at least know where she is. Cindy tells the dispatcher that she has had a car stolen and money stolen by her daughter, who is in the car with her now. After a discussion as to jurisdiction in which the crime occurred, the dispatcher transfer Cindy to the Orange County Sheriff's office, Cindy is heard repeating to Casey, that this is her "last chance" before the call disconnects.
The Second Call For Help
The next call to emergency services was made that same night, from the Anthony's home, again by Cindy. This time, Cindy calls 911 and tells the dispatcher that she needs deputies sent to their home, she wants her daughter, Casey Anthony arrested and that they have a possible missing child.
Cindy hangs up again, and waits. By this time, Lee Anthony has come to the house to help interrogate Casey about her daughter's whereabouts. As Cindy is pacing the home, waiting for the deputies to arrive, she overhears Casey sobbing to Lee in her room, that Caylee is indeed missing, and has been for 31 days.
Cindy testifies, through sobs, that she went into the room, slammed her fist on the bed and asks her daughter, "what did you do".
Missing Person Report
Cindy Anthony is in her driveway, crying hysterically on the phone with 911, yet again, when her husband, George Anthony returns home from work.
This time, she knows Caylee is missing. Cindy is inconsolable, and barely understood by the dispatcher on the recording. She repeats that "our Caylee is missing", she tells the operator that little Caylee Anthony has been missing for thirty-one days, and her mother, Casey, never told them.
The dispatcher asks to speak with the child's mother. Casey Anthony takes the phone. She answers the operator's questions in a calm and collected voice. Casey tells the operator that Caylee was not reported missing because she was using "other resources" to find Caylee.
The Defense Dredges Up the Past
Under cross-examination, Cindy had to answer questions about Casey Anthony's many lies over the years, including lying about and hiding her pregnancy.
Cindy was asked by Jose Baez, the defense's lead attorney, questions about Casey's mothering ability, Casey's menstrual cycle and even Casey's promiscuity.
This portion of the testimony showed Casey's aptitude for lying and her penchant to make up relationships with imaginary people.
The State Calls Amy Huizenga
Huizenga was a victim of Casey Anthony's lies as well. Amy Huizenga was a one time close friend of Casey's. Amy was supposed to be moving in with Casey Anthony a few months before little Caylee disappeared.
Huizenga was the victim in the fraud case that Casey Anthony pleaded guilty to in 2010. Amy described her relationship with Casey and Caylee. She described Casey's bitterness at being left at home on weekends taking care of her daughter, instead of going out to Orlando area clubs with her friends.
The state asked Huizenga to read transcripts of text messages between herself and Casey Anthony. She also told the jury about Casey Anthony's explanation of the rotten smell emanating from her car. There were two separate stories, in fact, of the origination of the stench.
The defense will be questioning Huizenga tomorrow.
Sources
- State of Florida VS. Casey Marie Anthony Live Televised Trial on HLN Wednesday May 31st 8am-4pm CST
Brandi Williams - I have been married for ten years, we have two sons and one dog. I grew up on a farm in rural Oklahoma, 45 miles from my current home. I ...
Join the Conversation