Judge Fed Up With Both Sides in Casey Anthony Trial

Judge Belvin Perry not happy about delays, threatens exclusion
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 20, 2011 3:18 PM CDT
Casey Anthony Trial: Judge Belvin Perry Scolds Both Sides for Delays
Judge Belvin Perry listens to attorneys' arguments in the Casey Anthony trial before the start of court in Orlando, Fla., on Monday, June 20, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)

Judge Belvin Perry is not happy with the prosecution or the defense in the Casey Anthony murder trial, and he cut court short today while threatening both sides with exclusion, which would mean bumping witnesses from the trial. What seemed to set him off: Prosecutor Jeff Ashton asked Perry to delay testimony from two forensic experts, saying the defense hadn't given him enough info about what the witnesses would testify about. Defense attorney Jose Baez then said the prosecutor's inability to take depositions from all defense witnesses highlighted his "inexperience."

The day's most hilarious moment: The frustrated judge asked both attorneys what time it was. They looked at the clock, and Ashton said 9:25, Baez said 9:26, and Perry said, "that shows the two of you will never agree on anything." If Perry, who accused both sides of delaying the trial with their “gamesmanship,” makes good on his exclusion threat, the entire trial could have to be re-started. Court was recessed at 11am until tomorrow, CBS News reports. The admonishment came after Saturday’s testimony, during which a forensic expert decried Caylee Anthony’s autopsy as “shoddy.” Dr. Werner Spitz used a human skull—not Caylee’s—during his testimony, causing Casey Anthony to break down in tears, the Toronto Sun reports. (More Casey Anthony stories.)

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