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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Casey Anthony trial extends to weekend

Clearwater, Florida (CNN) -- Jury selection in the Casey Anthony trial continues for a sixth day Saturday as the judge pushes to seat impartial jurors quickly amid intense media attention.


Anthony, 25, is charged with capital murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee, 2.


She faces six other charges, including aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child and misleading law enforcement.


In a marathon session Friday, jurors were questioned about everything from their news-watching habits to criminal records. By the end of the day, eight people were considered viable candidates at the selection held at Pinellas County courthouse in Florida.


Twelve jurors and eight alternates will eventually be seated on the jury, which will be moved to and sequestered in Orange County, where the alleged crime happened and the trial will take place.


Jury selection was moved from Orlando to Clearwater amid intense media scrutiny of the case, which could make it difficult to select an impartial jury.


"The cry was pretrial publicity. In a free society, I cannot stop the press from reporting, broadcasting and reporting," said Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. of the Orange County Superior Court.


Perry said Friday that it is imperative to seat a jury as quickly as possible before more potential jurors are swayed by the media coverage.


"The longer we wait, the more dangers there are," he said.


The goal is to have everything finalized for opening arguments Tuesday in Orlando.


Prosecutors have said they plan to show Anthony used "a substance" to kill her daughter. The girl's skeletal remains were found in December 2008 in woods near their home after she went missing for six months.

Anthony has pleaded not guilty.


CNN


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