2010.06.09 Prosecutors File for 911 Calls to Come into Trial

[TorisMom003]

What makes you think he will say that? He didn't say it in the bond hearing. IMO Why would he say it now?

I went back to watch and listen to Detective Yuri Melich's testimony at Casey's first bond hearing. Below is what he said concerning the smell in the Pontiac.

@3:28 ".....Briefly just before I came into the child abuse unit I was a homocide detective for 2 years with the Orange County Sheriff's Office. In my experience the smell that I smelt inside that car is the smell of decomposition."

Then the testimony goes on to talk about the bag of trash that had been in the trunk of the car and George going with him to find the bag of trash that was left at the towyard. The bag had already been found and the smell was compared to the smell of the car. Then Detective Melich says the following.

@4:42 "The two smells were not the same."

Now, Detective Melich did not come right out and say that the smell in the car was that of human decomposition, however, he did clarify what he meant by stating that he had worked in homicide for 2 years prior. In his experience he was smelling the same smell that he had smelled before. So yes, Detective Melich did say under oath in so many words that the smell in the car was human decomposition. After all, he did not say that his prior job was a butcher or a trash collector.

link for video of the bond hearing on 7/22/08
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLb0RYC1q5o[/ame]

 

[Aedrys]

I can't begin to know how CA felt throughout that fateful day. When she found out that Casey wasn't where she was supposed to be, that the car had many of Caylee's belongings, that Casey never mentioned the car wasn't in her possession, that she hadn't spoken to her own granddaughter for more than a month, AND the car smelled like a dead body, she must have been reeling. Her emotions were probably all over the place. She probably couldn't wrap her brain around it all. IMO, she was going through the motions...not knowing what to believe, not knowing what to do...or where to go. For someone who's used to being very much in control, finding the car and knowing she had been duped must have sent her into a tailspin. Nothing was as it was supposed to be. She knew that Casey was ok, but refused to let herself think that anything could possibly be wrong with Caylee. Casey would have told her, wouldn't she? How does one begin to imagine that their own child could have killed their precious daughter? IMO, Cindy was numb. She did what she could do...clean the car, wash the clothes, go to work. She called Casey. IIRC, it wasn't until she was sent home that she began to start searching for Casey. I think that if she hadn't found Amy's phone number that she would have gone to the police herself to report Caylee missing. But she did find Casey. And when Casey wouldn't fess up, she started to lose it. She was probably unraveling prior to the 911 call. Let's face it...she had a month of trying to keep it together. But, when she heard Casey confirm that Caylee was in fact missing (how cruel Casey was to her family), she fell apart. There is no doubt in my mind that what we hear on that 911 call is a grandmother who fears for the life of her grandchild. She was petrified. She didn't have time to think about anything. She was desperate to find her granddaughter and blurted out what she knew...the car smelled like a dead body.

I think you are SPOT ON here. The thanks button wasn't enough!

And you know what occurred to me? Instead of being that grieving, scared grandmother, she wants to downplay it like Caylee being missing and that smell was not some kind of emergency. HOW CAN THAT NOT BE AN EMERGENCY? How can she sit there with a straight and somber face, and say those things on the day her granddaughter probably died? How can she keep sacrificing her love for Caylee to appear as loving mother to Casey?

I just don't get it. It's like she'd rather that Caylee hadn't existed at all so this whole situation wouldn't have happened in the first place. It's a sick thought, but it's like she's blaming Caylee for putting Casey in jail. How sad and outrageous. Caylee didn't ask to be born. She didn't ask to exist, it was her mother who didn't care to use birth control and make sure an accident didn't happen. So because Casey was careless, Caylee came into the world and made Casey do bad things. I swear that seems to be Cindy's mindset right now. That things were perfect before Caylee came along, and now look what happened.

It wasn't Caylee that caused the problem. Any child born to Casey would have suffered the same fate. Caylee just happened to be that child. The problem is Casey, and Cindy just refuses to see that.

George knows, and we can tell it's weighing on him. Yet he still continues to go along with Cindy. How can you do that after those allegations from your loving daughter? How can you not be mad that she took someone you say was your sunshine away from you? How can you and Cindy keep burying Caylee and acting like she shouldn't matter?

I just don't get it. I don't even know Caylee and I'd fight tooth and nail, and risk my life for her if I could. Yet these people keep pushing her away, only using her to promote their "grieving grandparent" facade and to continue to support Casey. Well, your support is going to kill your daughter. It's a shame you don't stop this nonsense and stay silent to actually HELP her. Then again, you've done so much damage, there's no saving her now.

Caylee missing and a dead body smell not an emergency. Of all the lies and mistruths you've told in this case, Cindy, this has to be worst, the absolute worst. You'd rather get those 911 calls thrown out than really listen to them and hear how scared you were and how much Caylee obviously meant to you at one time. How far into the dark you've come now...

 

[Just Jayla]

I can't begin to know how CA felt throughout that fateful day. When she found out that Casey wasn't where she was supposed to be, that the car had many of Caylee's belongings, that Casey never mentioned the car wasn't in her possession, that she hadn't spoken to her own granddaughter for more than a month, AND the car smelled like a dead body, she must have been reeling. Her emotions were probably all over the place. She probably couldn't wrap her brain around it all. IMO, she was going through the motions...not knowing what to believe, not knowing what to do...or where to go. For someone who's used to being very much in control, finding the car and knowing she had been duped must have sent her into a tailspin. Nothing was as it was supposed to be. She knew that Casey was ok, but refused to let herself think that anything could possibly be wrong with Caylee. Casey would have told her, wouldn't she? How does one begin to imagine that their own child could have killed their precious daughter? IMO, Cindy was numb. She did what she could do...clean the car, wash the clothes, go to work. She called Casey. IIRC, it wasn't until she was sent home that she began to start searching for Casey. I think that if she hadn't found Amy's phone number that she would have gone to the police herself to report Caylee missing. But she did find Casey. And when Casey wouldn't fess up, she started to lose it. She was probably unraveling prior to the 911 call. Let's face it...she had a month of trying to keep it together. But, when she heard Casey confirm that Caylee was in fact missing (how cruel Casey was to her family), she fell apart. There is no doubt in my mind that what we hear on that 911 call is a grandmother who fears for the life of her grandchild. She was petrified. She didn't have time to think about anything. She was desperate to find her granddaughter and blurted out what she knew...the car smelled like a dead body.

BBM-I definately agree with you on the range of emotions she must have felt-But I do believe that the thought that Caylee was dead fleeted through her mind during that time. I think that is what caused the panicked state.
It does not take long for our subconcious to connect things in our brain, more quickly than we have time to reason it out logically. I believe CA's knowledge of KC, her recent behavior, their recent fights, tied in her brain with the smell...even more quickly than I just typed it, and maybe not on a level where she could say it out loud or express it logically.

 

[Leila]

Both.

As Judge Perry stated, "Well, you can always ask!" The 911 calls will come in, no doubt about it. Cindy's comments to others about the car smelling like a dead body are attached to her original comment to the 911 Operator.

Also, as far as the Defense's latest Motion today, too bad for them that they didn't phone 911 immediately and have that car inspected. They most certainly should have, but George buried them both with his comment at the tow yard, "Please don't let this be my Caylee", proving that he did, indeed know that car smelled of human decomposition at the tow yard, prior to, Cindy's phone call.

He also admitted it to the FBI. Cindy also told George, "We lost her. We lost Caylee."

There are far too many tangibles to their human decomposition comments for Baez to attempt to play off Cindy's lie that she was "only trying to get the officers to respond quicker".

If it weren't so serious that Caylee lost her life in this mess of a "family", the weakness and desperation of the Defense to get Cindy to lie about this would really be laughable.

I'm just getting caught up with this thread, and wanted to comment about the quote I put in bold...............

The police were already en route to the Anthony home and arrived before the 911 call ended. IIRC, something is said at the very end of the call (by Casey?) to the effect of "they're here now." So, getting the officers to respond quicker just doesn't make sense.

There was a thread a few months ago about the odor in the car and people were questioning why LE didn't immediately check the car and impound it right away (it was towed to the LE impound the next day, about 16 hours later). Many here felt that there wasn't time for the 911 operator to relay the "car smells like there's been a dead body in it" to the LE en route as they arrived at the Anthony home before the call was ended.

 

[Leila]

Well I guess we all know why Cindy and George made this last television appearance. So that the defense could file their response. Unbelievable. I don't have any idea how those two sleep at night.

And added to that...........they used the two-year anniversary of Caylee's disappearance to do it.

 

[Cat13067]

Well regardless of what the comment "actually" means to anyone - I think it will and should come in and then the defense can explain it away if they wish, but it should and will be up to the jury to decide - that's our system and it is the right thing to do.

You are 100% correct. I would love the prosecution to play the 911 call at the start of their case against ICA. Just total silence in the court room, and press play, and they can stare at ICA the entire time. Hope the defense has a carton of tissues for ICA,

 

[The World According]

For Cat and Ziggy,

You are right, the 911 calls are just exactly a prosecutor's dream opening, they are compelling, they will get the jurors to sit up straight in their seats. We all remember the visceral reaction we had when hearing the gut wrenching , agony in grandma's voice. Then the utter and complete opposite demeanor of Casey getting on the phone just without emoting anything at all. Yeah....the prosecutors would do well to do as you suggest...just press play.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckEGaIuuwjc[/ame]



Unless of course the jury is in , as Jose puts it to Ms. Belich, "Fairyland".

 

[AZlawyer]

You are both right, from what I could tell by reading the media reports.

It has been a few hours since I read the links, but I recall them saying (paraphrasing) "the defense filed...." . However, TWA is also correct in that previously the defense provided a drafted motion that was NOT file-stamped to a media rep and it was released. We were able to view that doc (I can't recall off the top of my head exactly which motion it was...maybe a motion in re. TES docs?). Then several hours later, if not the next morning, they filed the final draft with the clerk. It differed slightly, from what I can recall.

I feel confident that they will file, if they haven't already filed this motion.

As to the ethics of releasing it to the media before it is filed, I'll leave that one to AZ. Personally, I find it extremely tacky, but not sure if it is considered legally unethical.

I don't think it is legally unethical, although last time when the filed document actually differed somewhat from the one pre-released to the media, I thought it was close to the line.

Hello WS

<respectfully snipped>

Question: did Cindy call 911 first, or the co worker? TIA.

...js...

She made the third 911 call and then called Debbie P after the police arrived and started talking to Casey.

 

[RR0004]

BBM-I definately agree with you on the range of emotions she must have felt-But I do believe that the thought that Caylee was dead fleeted through her mind during that time. I think that is what caused the panicked state.
It does not take long for our subconcious to connect things in our brain, more quickly than we have time to reason it out logically. I believe CA's knowledge of KC, her recent behavior, their recent fights, tied in her brain with the smell...even more quickly than I just typed it, and maybe not on a level where she could say it out loud or express it logically.

I agree...it's kind of like you know, but you don't want to believe what you know. You probably even want someone to tell you that what you know isn't real. The last thing you want to do is accept the fact that someone who you love with your whole heart and being is dead.

 

[RR0004]

You are 100% correct. I would love the prosecution to play the 911 call at the start of their case against ICA. Just total silence in the court room, and press play, and they can stare at ICA the entire time. Hope the defense has a carton of tissues for ICA,

Will the tears be real, though?

 

[RR0004]

And added to that...........they used the two-year anniversary of Caylee's disappearance to do it.

I'm thinking that the calls are no longer coming fast and furiously. IMO, at this point, having them appear on national tv is a PR nightmare.

 

[Kentjbkent]

Hello WS

ETA: I originally posted this on the "co worker" thread but I think it belongs here. Sorry mods. It will be deleted from the other thread.

Cindy spoke to co workers regarding the "smell of a dead body" in the Pontiac. IIRC, she called a co worker July 15th, and was extremely upset as she described the smell in the car as a "dead body." She was also sent home after describing the same thing to people while she was actually at work.

Cindy has said since then that when she made the 911 call, again describing the smell of a dead body being in the Pontiac, she did so only to get the immediate attention of LE. (Isn't that misuse of the emergency system, my husband asked, and I wonder too.) TIA

IMO, Cindy did smell the smell of a dead body coming from the trunk of the Pontiac(as did George and Lee), and she was worried enough about it to speak to her co workers. But, she did not think it was Caylee. I think she really believed Casey had been involved in something that could have resulted in a dead body being in her trunk but never in her wildest dreams did she think it was Caylee. (Not because she loved Caylee in that wonderful way, but because Cindy is a narcissist) When Casey(on July 15th after being found at Tony's apt)finally said Caylee had been "kidnapped" and that she(Casey) had not seen her daughter for 31 days: that is when Cindy was in fear that the smell of the dead body in the car was Caylee.

I guess while she thought Casey knew where Caylee was, the "dead body in the trunk" was not alarming enough to call LE but alarming enough to speak to co workers about it. After Casey(on July 15th) admitted she did not know where Caylee was, Cindy made two emotional calls regarding the smell in the car being a dead body. One to 911 and one to a co worker.
IMO, the emotion that is in Cindy's voice is very real, she seems scared for Caylee because of the "smell in the car." I have known about the 911 calls for a year now but just found out about her co workers having knowledge of the smell. To me, for Cindy to have been as emotional as she was in the call, it wasn't because of the smell because she had already spoken about that: it was the information that Casey did not know where Caylee was and that is the reason for the emotion in her voice. I think the 911 tape shows that Cindy was afraid the smell in the trunk was Caylee.

But, I don't think she thought it was Casey, as in "on purpose and with malice", but she asked Casey "What did you do!!?"

Question: did Cindy call 911 first, or the co worker? TIA.

...js...

I think the BBM above is dead on!

 

[beach]

Have you seen the document? I need one of the lawyers to help us here, because my understanding is it is outside of the rules for the defense to make a document public that is not filed yet. Is that correct guys? Is one allowed to fax a document to the clerk there? Does one not have to file the original document, with original signatures with the clerk? If yes, there should be a record of it, right? I know they can file it Monday first thing, or maybe it is filed and the clerk just needs to complete the task, but I do not like reading the news summary of it, I like to review the document.

--respectfully snipped, BBM

Sorry TWA, I missed this earlier.

1. I have not seen the actual document, just the media reports.

2. AZ answered that it is not considered legally unethical, however she expounded on her answer.(see her post #488)

3. In Orange County, faxing documents IS allowed. It could be faxed, e-filed or filed in person at the clerk's office. (sidenote: I have never worked in a county where faxing is allowed. I have only e-filed and filed directly with the clerk's office.)

4. If the doc was e-filed, the clerks office would not need the original document. An e-file signature is as valid as an original ink signature. Since I have never worked in a county where faxing is allowed, I do not know the specific requirements. Not sure if they would need to follow-up with a doc containing original signatures.

5. Not sure of the specifics in re. how quickly the Orange Cty. Clerks office updates and posts recent filings. However, I find it curious that several media outlets posted citing specifics of the motion but none of them posted a copy of it. If it had been filed Friday, I would think they would have immediately requested a copy to provide as an attachment to their stories. So, I dunno. It is possible that it WAS filed and they just didn't request a copy before the clerks office closed on Friday, OR...someone from the defense provided them a copy before it was file-stamped and they didn't want to post a non file-stamped copy, OR...as been alluded to here, the defense provided a copy of a drafted motion that has not actually been filed yet. It could be any of those. I have a feeling we will have the answer tomorrow.

 

[beach]

I can't begin to know how CA felt throughout that fateful day. When she found out that Casey wasn't where she was supposed to be, that the car had many of Caylee's belongings, that Casey never mentioned the car wasn't in her possession, that she hadn't spoken to her own granddaughter for more than a month, AND the car smelled like a dead body, she must have been reeling. Her emotions were probably all over the place. She probably couldn't wrap her brain around it all. IMO, she was going through the motions...not knowing what to believe, not knowing what to do...or where to go. For someone who's used to being very much in control, finding the car and knowing she had been duped must have sent her into a tailspin. Nothing was as it was supposed to be. She knew that Casey was ok, but refused to let herself think that anything could possibly be wrong with Caylee. Casey would have told her, wouldn't she? How does one begin to imagine that their own child could have killed their precious daughter? IMO, Cindy was numb. She did what she could do...clean the car, wash the clothes, go to work. She called Casey. IIRC, it wasn't until she was sent home that she began to start searching for Casey. I think that if she hadn't found Amy's phone number that she would have gone to the police herself to report Caylee missing. But she did find Casey. And when Casey wouldn't fess up, she started to lose it. She was probably unraveling prior to the 911 call. Let's face it...she had a month of trying to keep it together. But, when she heard Casey confirm that Caylee was in fact missing (how cruel Casey was to her family), she fell apart. There is no doubt in my mind that what we hear on that 911 call is a grandmother who fears for the life of her grandchild. She was petrified. She didn't have time to think about anything. She was desperate to find her granddaughter and blurted out what she knew...the car smelled like a dead body.

I just gotta say, your post expresses my feeelings exactly, RR0004! Thanks for reading my mind and putting it into words so succintly.


Cindy has obviously used denial as a coping mechanism for years...long before Caylee ever went 'missing'. She minimized the truth (e.g., referring to KC's blatant lies as "half-truths", etc..). She avoided at all costs anyone who tried to make her face the serious reality (e.g., chastizing George when he exposed the non-existant Sports Authority job; she refused to FACE that KC was 7 mos. pregnant when it was obvious to everyone else; ignoring co-workers advice to call the police until she was ORDERED to leave work, etc...). She made things worse and only encouraged Casey's continuing behavior by allowing her to run up credit cards, lie about $4,000 deposits, stealing from her grandmother & grandfather and NEVER ONCE making her face any repercussions. Not to mention, any parent based in reality would figure out if their daughter who lived with them had lied about working for Universal Studios for the past 2 years. Sticking her head in the sand was easier than facing the truth that she could not handle. It was the way she coped. I really believe that Cindy had fooled herself into believing that this was a bad stage and Casey would eventually come out of it and straighten up.

For any of us, going to the tow yard and smelling the car that you KNEW smelled of human decomp (yes, she & GA both KNEW....deep in their hearts, they KNEW) would send us into a tailspin. Even a sane, based in reality grandparent - I think the initial reaction would be "This just CAN'T be what I think it is". It is too much to bear and your brain goes into temporary shock trying to think of another reason...the truth is too much to digest immediately. So, she goes back to work and talks to her co-workers HOPING they could say something...anything...to help reduce her fears. She told them hoping they would offer another legitimate alternative, while at the same time her head is spinning. She knows her only hope is to find Casey and have Casey put her fears to rest. In her mind, she is thinking Casey will tell me something that will help all this make sense. (Her brain is processing all these horrible developments and she can't continue using her denial coping mechanism. Even she knows that by now...) Although, finding Casey only proved to confirm her fears. The minute she heard that Casey had not seen Caylee in 31 days, it was a hard slap in the face - no more denying....it wasn't even possible at that point. That was exactly why the 3rd 911 call was made and explains her hysteria and desperation. Deep in her heart, she knew the human decomp was connected to her granddaughter who had been "missing". It was pure instinct (not really even a conscious choice) to just blurt out to the 911 operator the truth and relay her fears. It was more than she could handle and she needed help immediately at that point.

So, even though she mentioned the smell of decomp to George and co-workers, she really could not process the reality that it could be Caylee. Even if it entered into her psyche for a brief moment (e.g.; "We've lost her..." to GA), it was too painful and horrid, so she HAD to find Casey. Casey could explain and make this all go away. It really is the moment that Casey confirmed she had not seen Caylee in 31 days that it all became reality and therefore, it WAS an "excited utterance".

 

[ThinkTank]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TheLaw/ex...aylees-disappearance/story?id=10911174&page=2

Exclusive: George and Cindy Anthony Speak on 2nd Anniversary of Caylee's Disappearance
Grandparents Call Time 'Unbearable,' Say Casey Anthony Is Innocent But 'Anything Can Happen' in Trial
By ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, KAITLYN FOLMER and LEE FERRAN
June 15, 2010
excerpt:
"A Florida judge has yet to rule on whether the 911 tapes will be heard during the murder trial, but Brad Conway, an attorney for George and Cindy Anthony said today he doesn't doubt "for a second" the tapes will be entered into evidence."

 

[Horace Finklestein]

Yeah, I remember the accusation, but I also remember the defenses response. I am not sure what the point is unless they never file it. Its late Friday, I wonder if the Clerk updated the website. The defense would be pushin their luck to do such a thing. Can't see it. sorry I hope they have it updated and time stamped by morning.

They've done it before. What are you talking about?

 

[ThinkTank]

You're right. Debbie P was deposed by the defense on June 11 but I haven't found anything on Charles C's deposition yet.

Do you have a link for the info that Debbie P. gave a deposition on June 11th?
TIA

 

[The World According]

I can't begin to know how CA felt throughout that fateful day. When she found out that Casey wasn't where she was supposed to be, that the car had many of Caylee's belongings, that Casey never mentioned the car wasn't in her possession, that she hadn't spoken to her own granddaughter for more than a month, AND the car smelled like a dead body, she must have been reeling. Her emotions were probably all over the place. She probably couldn't wrap her brain around it all. IMO, she was going through the motions...not knowing what to believe, not knowing what to do...or where to go. For someone who's used to being very much in control, finding the car and knowing she had been duped must have sent her into a tailspin. Nothing was as it was supposed to be. She knew that Casey was ok, but refused to let herself think that anything could possibly be wrong with Caylee. Casey would have told her, wouldn't she? How does one begin to imagine that their own child could have killed their precious daughter? IMO, Cindy was numb. She did what she could do...clean the car, wash the clothes, go to work. She called Casey. IIRC, it wasn't until she was sent home that she began to start searching for Casey. I think that if she hadn't found Amy's phone number that she would have gone to the police herself to report Caylee missing. But she did find Casey. And when Casey wouldn't fess up, she started to lose it. She was probably unraveling prior to the 911 call. Let's face it...she had a month of trying to keep it together. But, when she heard Casey confirm that Caylee was in fact missing (how cruel Casey was to her family), she fell apart. There is no doubt in my mind that what we hear on that 911 call is a grandmother who fears for the life of her grandchild. She was petrified. She didn't have time to think about anything. She was desperate to find her granddaughter and blurted out what she knew...the car smelled like a dead body.

:Benny_monkeysmilies:Benny_monkeysmilies
Emotional numbness
Yes I think you nailed it!!!
When you read Charles C.'s police interview what really jumped out at me was how truly delusional Cindy was about Jeff. She had an entire fantasy story going on with daily updates to them about he was wealthy, going to make a life with Casey, such a gallant hero in her life, didn't want Casey driving home late, alone, etc... boy you see where the apple does not fall from from the tree!!!
http://www.wftv.com/news/18530380/detail.html I am not surprised she changed her story about the 911 calls, changing stories at short notice ..that is a Cindy and Casey specialty!! Zanny and Jeff were wholly fictional characters. I wonder if Casey was planning to run off somewhere and tell mom and pop she and Jeff ran off into the sunset and cut off all contact? That is O/T sorry. It is just a pathetic read, those co worker accounts to the police. WOW.

 

[ExpectingUnicorns]

Do you have a link for the info that Debbie P. gave a deposition on June 11th?
TIA

I am so sorry, ThinkTank; I have searched and re-googled and can't find it again. I apologize!

 

[wonders]

How would one go about asking a LEO how he came to be at the Anthony home if not for the calls that Cindy made to 911?

Q: How was it that you went to the Anthony home?
A: Ummmm, huhhh I had a premonition. Yeah that's it I had a premonition.

I just don't see how the 911 calls can be tossed out.

BTW WS'ers you are the most caring and smartest people ever.