Setbacks for Casey Anthony defense

ORLANDO - An Orange County judge has issued a series of key rulings in the Casey Anthony murder trial, denying a number defense motions.

Among other things, Circuit Judge Belvin Perry ruled Thursday that prosecutors can tell jurors about Casey's tattoo and as well as her postings on the social networking site MySpace during her trial set to begin in May. Anthony got the tattoo, which says "Beautiful Life" in Italian, around the time her daughter, Caylee, went missing.

Anthony has pleaded not guilty in the death of her daughter Caylee and said a baby sitter kidnapped the toddler.

Her attorneys had argued the tattoo and her MySpace postings are irrelevant to the case. But prosecutors say they show her state of mind at the time Caylee disappeared.

Jurors will also hear how Casey borrowed a shovel from a neighbor the week after Caylee went missing.

In addition, prosecutors will allowed to provide limited details about Casey's sex life with an ex-boyfriend, who told investigators and never said anything about Caylee's disappearance.

Judge Perry also lectured lead attorney Jose Baez for missing deadlines.

Baez told Judge Perry he's having trouble contacting two of his defense experts.

"If they don't have the reports in by February 15, I guess they will not be testifying," Judge Perry said.

Source:

wftv.com