George's testimony at trial

[OneLostGrl]

Back to yesterday's gas can testimony, don't mean to beat a dead horse but I was really, really curious about the pictures and GA's state deposition so I did some digging to re-fresh my memory.

State’s prosecutors conducted their deposition of George Anthony on August 5th, 2009. The August 1st, 2008 photograph of the gas can was brought up during that deposition.

Here are the photos of State's Exhibit 3. The first photo is from the deposition, you can see the green exhibit tag on the edge of the photo. The second picture is the same only clearer.

George's testimony clearly states he was shown State's Exhibit 3 and he insists he did not put the tape on the can.

Beginning on page 159…

Q Let me show you the next photograph. Let me show you State’s Exhibit 3. Do you recognize what that’s a photograph of?

A It looks like a gas can.

Q Do you recognize it as being a gas can of yours?

A Yes.

Q …was that one of the gas cans that was involved in the incident on the 24th with Casey taking the gas cans? Was that one them?

A Yes. I mean, this is the gas can. It looks — – looks like the one that was taken on the — the one that I reported taken from my shed.

Q Now, that gas can appears to have a piece of duct tape on it. Do you recognize that?

A I didn’t put the duct tape on there.

Q Do you recognize it, though?

A I recognize this can, but I didn’t put that duct tape on there. I wouldn’t do a sloppy job like that.

Q Okay. Have you ever seen that piece of duct tape on that can before?

A Not this particular size, no. No, sir.

Q Have you seen that duct tape in a different size?

A I put duct tape on there one time myself because the plastic cap that was on there was broken off. But when I did it, it was very methodical when I put it on there because it was very neat.

Q All right.

A I didn’t do that right there.

Q You didn’t do that.

A No. I didn’t.

Q …So at some point you say you had put a piece of duct tape over the vent of the can; is that correct?

A Yes. I did. Yes.

Q …When would you have done that?

A I don’t know when I specifically did that, but I know that I did it. Because whenever I put the duct tape over that particular vent hole that you’ve described or you told me about, I did it very neatly. I would not have put something on there like this. That’s not my style.

Q Okay

A I would not have done that.

Q But you do recall that particular can having duct tape in that particular area; right?

A That would go over the vent; yes.

Q And do you recognize that duct tape that’s on that can?

A No. I mean, to me it’s just duct tape. I never looked at a particular brand or anything like that. No. I never have.

Moving on, George contradicts himself on when he put the tape on the can.

Q This photograph was taken August 1st of 2008, according to our records. When you got this can from Casey on the 24th, did it have duct tape on it?

A Did not.

Q It did not.

A Did not.

Q Did it have duct tape on it the last time you saw it before she took it?

A As far as I can remember, yes.

Q So it had duct tape and then when she brought it back, it didn’t?

A Yes.

Q…Did you use that gas can between the 24th and the 1st?

A No. I did not. I went out and bought new cans.

This is a lie^^^^Simon Burch stated GA used the can to put gas in the Sunfire at the impound lot on July 15, he described the can to a T!

Q Why did you do that?

A Because I needed to get gas for the lawnmower and stuff that I had and I didn’t have these in my possession.

Q Oh, so did you get gas on the 24th, you’re saying or bought gas cans on the 24th?

A I think a day or two after that. I went to — and purchased a couple new gas cans.

Q Okay. Casey brought the gas cans back on the 24th and you put them in the shed. Why did you go and buy new ones if those were in the shed?

A Because I had purchased them just prior to that. When they were gone — I didn’t — I did not see my shed was broken into until the 24th.

Q Right.

A I had purchased cans prior to that, two plastic cans I still have in my possession, Jeff.

Q Okay. But why did you buy them if you did not yet know that these were missing?

A Okay. I’m going to be very, very blunt with you. Don’t try to confuse me.

George uses the "Don't try to confuse me" line when he gets caught in a lie and does not want to answer!

Q Okay. I’m just trying to understand if you get the cans back without the duct tape over the vent hole that you had previously had on them, why you wouldn’t have replaced it.

A Because I didn’t go get any gas in it. I would only replace that if I had went and gotten gas in it.

Q So between –

A The gas cans were — this gas can was empty when I got it back.



Here is the photo George testified yesterday he was shown during the deposition. This is the photo JB could not ask about because it was not admitted into trial evidence. I cannot make out the writing on the green exhibit tag or when the photo was taken (after Caylee's remains were found?) but it must have been after it was taken the first time and fingerprinted because it has fingerprint dust all over it and it was taken on a tile floor (in the Anthony's porch?).

Again, the first photo is from the deposition, you can see the green exhibit tag on the edge of the photo. The second picture is the same only clearer.

Which photo was George shown in the deposition? In his testimony yesterday he says he was shown the photo of the dirty can and he insists he did not put the duct tape on the can in that photo. Also, in his deposition he states he does not recall the date he put the tape on the can but in yesterday's testimony he stated he put it on right after Casey returned the cans on June 24.

To me the tape looks to be the same in both photos. Anyone else have an opinion or find a way to measure it or enlarge it to see the details better? I am terrible with images and photoshop stuff, anything would be appreciated.

*whew* I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw the testimony this way.

 

[otto]

Q. So it had duct tape and then when she brought it back, it didn’t?

A. Yes.

... didn't have any duct tape? So what happened to the duct tape that he put there to block the vent or fix the lid, and why is there duct tape on it later? If he didn't put some duct tape on the can, how was he trying to establish that the tape he applies is methodical ... what is the comparison he is talking about"

Q. So at some point you say you had put a piece of duct tape over the vent of the can; is that correct?

A. Yes. I did. Yes.

Q. When would you have done that?

And then ...

A. I put duct tape on there one time myself because the plastic cap that was on there was broken off. But when I did it, it was very methodical when I put it on there because it was very neat.

 

[butwhatif?]

Sure. George said that when he got in the car, there was a smell of decomp that concerned him enough to check the trunk. When he opened the trunk the smell was stronger, but when answering Baez questions, he refused to say that the smell was stronger in the trunk. At that point he was still trying to defend Casey by insisting that there wasn't a body in the trunk - it was only garbage - and he was somewhat relieved.

I think the line and manner of questioning makes a big differences to GA's quality in answers. With JA, the questions are mostly clear and direct. They are not delivered in an argumentative and round-about way.

Unfortunately JA didn't ask GA if the smell was stronger when he opened the trunk.
As referenced below in snips from the direct by JA I see no indication of GA trying to cover up for ICA regarding the smell at all.


JA: Was that the odour of a human corpse?
GA: Yes


JA:When you opened the drivers side door, uhm, was the odour more intense?
GA: Ah, Yes (and nods head)

JA.... Now looking inside the car did you see any blood or any indication of anyone having been injured within the car?
GA: No (and shakes head)
JA: Did that....Did that make you feel better?
GA: It, it relieved me a little bit to know that I could not see anything there as far as my daughter or my grand daughter inside, yes.

JA: Now when you opened the trunk and there was no body in there, and there was garbage there, how did you feel?
GA: Relieved....looked up, thanked God. Uhm, I just felt relieved that what my senses were telling me wasn't true. I mean, it, it wasn't the worst that I was....that I was thinking.

JA: Now when you put gas back in the car and drove it, the garbage bag was already out. Is that correct?
GA: Yes
JA: Was the smell out?
GA: No the smell was still, uhm, very strong.
JA: Did you have to go to an extraordinary efforts to be able to drive the car and stand the smell?
GA: (Nods) I drove ah pretty much home, which is like I said , a mile , maybe mile and a half from our home, with the windows practically all the way down.
JA: Could you haven driven the car with the windows up, because of the smell?
GA: Oh, absolutely not. No. There'd be no way.

 

[Wishbone]

Get ready for GA’s lies to come back and bite him. He has not been honest in answering questions and when he is called to the stand by the DT his testimony will be shown to be full of lies. From being notified by the tow yard to the duct tape on the gas can, not to mention telling SB that the car had been at Amscot for 3 days before being towed(this is before calling Amscot according to his statement on the stand.) It appears to me that good ole GA is intentionally making his testimony contradictory and it seems to me that he is STILL in full cover up mode in an effort to save his murdering daughter even if it makes him appear to be the guilty party.

 

[1Chump]

So everyone thinks it's okay to smell decomp in one's car that has been out of one's hands, is in a tow yard and you have missing persons in your family - girls - and not call the police?

:crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy:

I'm speechless.

Not only did they not call the police but the entire story was off for both of them.

Decompising body smell, missing child....let's try to start the car. Okay, car won't stop, lets walk to my car to get gas. Okay, shock I could see. But they did not discuss it with each other on the walk to get the gas.

The other thing I noticed was they both talked about the "smell" but neither mention a physical reaction to the smell. As strong they said the smell was neither mentioned gagging or dry heaving or even stepping back. I didn't hear either say they rolled down the windows to let the car air out while they left to get the gas.


Then George said he drove him with the windows "partially" down. He could not have driven home with the windows up because of the smell. I kept thinking "partially."

Finally George said he whispered "Please God don't let it be Casey or Caylee." Why would he think it could be Casey? Hadn't Cindy talked to Casey since the time the car was towed?

 

[otto]

I think the line and manner of questioning makes a big differences to GA's quality in answers. With JA, the questions are mostly clear and direct. They are not delivered in an argumentative and round-about way.

Unfortunately JA didn't ask GA if the smell was stronger when he opened the trunk.
As referenced below in snips from the direct by JA I see no indication of GA trying to cover up for ICA regarding the smell at all.


JA: Was that the odour of a human corpse?
GA: Yes


JA:When you opened the drivers side door, uhm, was the odour more intense?
GA: Ah, Yes (and nods head)

JA.... Now looking inside the car did you see any blood or any indication of anyone having been injured within the car?
GA: No (and shakes head)
JA: Did that....Did that make you feel better?
GA: It, it relieved me a little bit to know that I could not see anything there as far as my daughter or my grand daughter inside, yes.

JA: Now when you opened the trunk and there was no body in there, and there was garbage there, how did you feel?
GA: Relieved....looked up, thanked God. Uhm, I just felt relieved that what my senses were telling me wasn't true. I mean, it, it wasn't the worst that I was....that I was thinking.

JA: Now when you put gas back in the car and drove it, the garbage bag was already out. Is that correct?
GA: Yes
JA: Was the smell out?
GA: No the smell was still, uhm, very strong.
JA: Did you have to go to an extraordinary efforts to be able to drive the car and stand the smell?
GA: (Nods) I drove ah pretty much home, which is like I said , a mile , maybe mile and a half from our home, with the windows practically all the way down.
JA: Could you haven driven the car with the windows up, because of the smell?
GA: Oh, absolutely not. No. There'd be no way.

Thank you! So he said that the smell was more intense when he opened the car door, not the trunk. Then Baez went on to try to get him to say that the smell was more intense when he opened the trunk, and George would not concede. I don't understand what Baez was trying to get at. Even if George had said that the smell was more intense when he opened the trunk, what difference would it make?

 

[1Chump]

I agree and think that George is in bad need of some guidance - sure wish MN was still his attorney. Not sure how much advice JA can give george at this time. I hope he can settle down and just answer the questions because he is going to spend a lot of time in that witness seat.

George Anthony is on his own now. The minute he was sworn in as a witness, he is not allowed to discuss his testimony with anyone including his attorney until he is released by the court as a witness.

Guidance could be considered tampering with a witness.

 

[otto]

Not only did they not call the police but the entire story was off for both of them.

Decompising body smell, missing child....let's try to start the car. Okay, car won't stop, lets walk to my car to get gas. Okay, shock I could see. But they did not discuss it with each other on the walk to get the gas.

The other thing I noticed was they both talked about the "smell" but neither mention a physical reaction to the smell. As strong they said the smell was neither mentioned gagging or dry heaving or even stepping back. I didn't hear either say they rolled down the windows to let the car air out while they left to get the gas.


Then George said he drove him with the windows "partially" down. He could not have driven home with the windows up because of the smell. I kept thinking "partially."

Finally George said he whispered "Please God don't let it be Casey or Caylee." Why would he think it could be Casey? Hadn't Cindy talked to Casey since the time the car was towed?

I see that Baez is trying to imply that George, the former detective, should have responded to the car situation with his detective brain. George, on the other hand, probably wanted to sort things out as much as possible without involving the police. If Casey and Cayley had been fine, the smell in the car would probably have been kept as a family secret. Even though, as Cindy put it, the car smelled like there was a body in the car, both George and Cindy went to work. I suppose that tells us that the family is not entirely above board unless they have to be. It reminds me of the time that Cindy blurted out that the Winnie the Pooh blanket and laundry bag were missing only after Cayley had been found, or giving the dog brush (something like that) and pretending it was Cayley's brush. I see the delay in properly addressing the car in the same context - as something that the family would have kept quiet if there was a way to manage it.

 

[otto]

George Anthony is on his own now. The minute he was sworn in as a witness, he is not allowed to discuss his testimony with anyone including his attorney until he is released by the court as a witness.

Guidance could be considered tampering with a witness.

That's interesting. I thought I saw the two of them (CA, GA) huddled over a note book or binder in court yesterday and I assumed that Cindy was doing her usual note taking. Maybe she was just showing George his transcripts from earlier police statements.

 

[1Chump]

I see that Baez is trying to imply that George, the former detective, should have responded to the car situation with his detective brain. George, on the other hand, probably wanted to sort things out as much as possible without involving the police. If Casey and Cayley had been fine, the smell in the car would probably have been kept as a family secret. Even though, as Cindy put it, the car smelled like there was a body in the car, both George and Cindy went to work. I suppose that tells us that the family is not entirely above board unless they have to be. It reminds me of the time that Cindy blurted out that the Winnie the Pooh blanket and laundry bag were missing only after Cayley had been found, or giving the dog brush (something like that) and pretending it was Cayley's brush. I see the delay in properly addressing the car in the same context - as something that the family would have kept quiet if there was a way to manage it.

I also thought it was strange that both GA and SB were positive they smelled human decomposition yet they never checked the spare tire compartment in the trunk.

GA later testified about a basketball size stained over the spare tire compartment but no one asked him if he ever looked in it.

 

[PaperDoll]

IMO, I really think George is doing the best he can. I truly DO NOT, for one moment think he had anything to do with Caylee's death. I think he was put in this situation, like all the others, by one person and one person only and that is Casey. Not only did he lose his granddaugther, but he has to deal with his daughter as well. I'm sure his emotions are all over the place. To have to take the stand in front of EVERYONE, has to be hard. His own life is unfolding before everyone who is watching this trial. All his secrets are being let out of the bag, and really, who doesn't have hidden secrets? He is NOT the one on trial here, Casey is and somehow the defense is trying to pin it on him. His only crime, is having Casey..lol.. ok, I'm just kidding, I think? :waitasec::crazy:

 

[otto]

I also thought it was strange that both GA and SB were positive they smelled human decomposition yet they never checked the spare tire compartment in the trunk.

GA later testified about a basketball size stained over the spare tire compartment but no one asked him if he ever looked in it.

They could be the type of people that would rather stick their heads in the sand than face difficult situations. We know that when Casey was stealing under their noses they avoided dealing with the situation. When Casey stole from Cindy's parents, Cindy was forced to deal with the situation, but when Casey stole from her, she did nothing. George said that he had to know if there was a body in the trunk before he drove away and that he was relieved that it was just garbage. Maybe he felt he had to open the trunk because he knew that the tow yard guy knew perfectly well that the car smelled like a dead body. After a superficial search to locate the source of the smell, George was probably quite happy to ignore the situation - until it was discovered that Cayley was missing.

 

[jon_burrows]

I see that Baez is trying to imply that George, the former detective, should have responded to the car situation with his detective brain. George, on the other hand, probably wanted to sort things out as much as possible without involving the police. If Casey and Cayley had been fine, the smell in the car would probably have been kept as a family secret. Even though, as Cindy put it, the car smelled like there was a body in the car, both George and Cindy went to work. I suppose that tells us that the family is not entirely above board unless they have to be. It reminds me of the time that Cindy blurted out that the Winnie the Pooh blanket and laundry bag were missing only after Cayley had been found, or giving the dog brush (something like that) and pretending it was Cayley's brush. I see the delay in properly addressing the car in the same context - as something that the family would have kept quiet if there was a way to manage it.

I think Cindy joked about giving the dog's toothbrush instead of Caylee's to LE in an email message. I don't think she actually gave them the dog's toothbrush. She also said (in email I believe) that she gave Casey and Caylee's brush. She had a brush that she only used for Caylee but did not give that one to LE.

They wanted it to establish a DNA profile on Caylee.

IMO

 

[otto]

IMO, I really think George is doing the best he can. I truly DO NOT, for one moment think he had anything to do with Caylee's death. I think he was put in this situation, like all the others, by one person and one person only and that is Casey. Not only did he lose his granddaugther, but he has to deal with his daughter as well. I'm sure his emotions are all over the place. To have to take the stand in front of EVERYONE, has to be hard. His own life is unfolding before everyone who is watching this trial. All his secrets are being let out of the bag, and really, who doesn't have hidden secrets? He is NOT the one on trial here, Casey is and somehow the defense is trying to pin it on him. His only crime, is having Casey..lol.. ok, I'm just kidding, I think? :waitasec::crazy:

Casey may have been a bad seed, but I don't think she could have been so confident pulling the wool over people's eyes if she didn't have a great deal of experience in doing it throughout her life. Some of us would be nervous about sampling a grape in the grocery store, but Casey could walk out of the store with a turkey under her sweater and not blink. I think that comes from how she was raised. Yes George's life is being laid bare, but I think Casey deception was partially nurtured by her parents. It may have been more from Cindy's influence with George the passive parent, but still he does not appear to have been a corrective parent for Casey.

 

[otto]

I think Cindy joked about giving the dog's toothbrush instead of Caylee's to LE in an email message. I don't think she actually gave them the dog's toothbrush. She also said (in email I believe) that she gave Casey and Caylee's brush. She had a brush that she only used for Caylee but did not give that one to LE.

They wanted it to establish a DNA profile on Caylee.

IMO

Thanks! I think it still goes back to two parents that were inclined to sweep everything under the carpet if they could. George driving away in the car, knowing that there had been body in the car, was him trying to sweep it under the carpet.

I have sometimes wondered what would have happened if Casey simply left the state and set up life somewhere else. She didn't do that because she couldn't legally support herself and didn't want to leave her new boyfriend, but if she had done a better job of hiding the body (removed clothes and other identifying evidence) and severed all ties with her parents ... I think she would have gotten away with murder.

 

[Leomoon80]

Casey may have been a bad seed, but I don't think she could have been so confident pulling the wool over people's eyes if she didn't have a great deal of experience in doing it throughout her life. Some of us would be nervous about sampling a grape in the grocery store, but Casey could walk out of the store with a turkey under her sweater and not blink. I think that comes from how she was raised. Yes George's life is being laid bare, but I think Casey deception was partially nurtured by her parents. It may have been more from Cindy's influence with George the passive parent, but still he does not appear to have been a corrective parent for Casey.

I don't think it's true in every case, i.e. "nurture and nature", and some are truly born with this disposition into a family. We see many times, a family where 3 or 4 children are raised, in the average type of home and family no issues that are paramount or known yet one will turn out quite badly and the other 3 just fine.

In this case, however, I do think that we can perceive moreso, as outside observers with all the media focus on the family that more was untoward then met the eye. Usually a family's issues are not so focused upon with jaundiced eye as when a child ends up dead and someone is accused of murder within the family.

Then the skill of perceptions becomes far more one that our own biases as well as subtleties in the family itself, becomes pronounced.

We are seeing all of this in this case, imo.

"There but for the Grace of God go I" is what comes to mind .

This could be anyone's family.

 

[mumstheword]

BBM- I think I eventually understood what GA tried, but failed to express:

That his nose told him there was decomp in that car, but once the trunk was opened, his visual senses took over. He couldn't see death, only trash, so the visual sense didn't validate that original sense of smell of decomp.

The fact that the the tow yard guy expressed that the bag was the source of the odour did validate GA's second thought process.......as wishful as it may have been.

He clearly wasn't trying to lie, since he had testified just moments before that the smell was so overwhelming that the windows had to be down- even though it was raining.

All JMO

I'm a long time "lurker" but first time poster. Love reading here! Just feel the urge to domment now about JB's repeated questions about the smell. He pressed and pressed GA to say the smell of decomposition got worse. When GA opened the trunk, he fully expected to find a dead body, but instead, to his relief, he saw only a bag of trash. At that point, in his mind, the smell was from trash, not decomposition. Interesting how the mind can work to protect when the reality is too overwhelming. GA may have seemed to be refusing to answer, but his answer was really, IMO, a glimpse into the workings of his mind.

 

[RR0004]

Does anybody know what time George testified and was cross-examined by Baez yesterday? I'm trying to find the right video...can't seem to find it. I wanted to see Ashton's re-direct. I read he was awesome. TIA!!!!!

 

[Tuffy]

Not only did they not call the police but the entire story was off for both of them.

Decompising body smell, missing child....let's try to start the car. Okay, car won't stop, lets walk to my car to get gas. Okay, shock I could see. But they did not discuss it with each other on the walk to get the gas.

The other thing I noticed was they both talked about the "smell" but neither mention a physical reaction to the smell. As strong they said the smell was neither mentioned gagging or dry heaving or even stepping back. I didn't hear either say they rolled down the windows to let the car air out while they left to get the gas.


Then George said he drove him with the windows "partially" down. He could not have driven home with the windows up because of the smell. I kept thinking "partially."

Finally George said he whispered "Please God don't let it be Casey or Caylee." Why would he think it could be Casey? Hadn't Cindy talked to Casey since the time the car was towed?

I think that is when they were still trying to say that Casey and Caylee were off having mom and me time. That it was no big deal that they hadn't spoken, and Casey wasn't staying at home. I think. I'm starting to realize how long ago some of these things are now.

 

[Kimster]

I'm a long time "lurker" but first time poster. Love reading here! Just feel the urge to domment now about JB's repeated questions about the smell. He pressed and pressed GA to say the smell of decomposition got worse. When GA opened the trunk, he fully expected to find a dead body, but instead, to his relief, he saw only a bag of trash. At that point, in his mind, the smell was from trash, not decomposition. Interesting how the mind can work to protect when the reality is too overwhelming. GA may have seemed to be refusing to answer, but his answer was really, IMO, a glimpse into the workings of his mind.

:welcome:

So glad you came out of lurkdom!!!!!!!!!!!