Posted on 12/23/2011 11:34:13 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
ORLANDO, Fla (Reuters) - The man who found 2-year-old Caylee Anthony's body in 2008 is suing her mother for damages, saying Casey Anthony defamed him during her murder trial earlier this year.
Former meter reader Roy Kronk said in a lawsuit filed in Florida on Wednesday that 25-year-old Anthony and her lawyers tried to shift suspicion away from the young mother and on to him.
Kronk testified he found Caylee's body in the woods near Anthony's home and called police. Casey Anthony was charged with killing her daughter, but a jury acquitted her in July.
In the suit, Kronk claims the defense variously accused him of involvement in Caylee's death. He said lawyers described him as a killer, a child snatcher and morally bankrupt, and accused him of finding and keeping Caylee's body and then placing the remains where they were found.
But defense attorney Jose Baez also told jurors Caylee accidentally drowned in the family's backyard pool. If that was true, then Anthony and her lawyers knew their statements about Kronk were false, according to his complaint.
Kronk also has sued the National Enquirer tabloid newspaper and bounty hunter Leonard Padilla for defamation.
In a motion to dismiss, the Enquirer claims its article accurately reported Anthony's attempt to blame Kronk and was based on documents filed in court records by her lawyers.
Padilla, who once bailed Anthony out of jail prior to her trial, contends in court records that anything he said about Kronk was opinion and related to a matter of public concern.
Kronk's suit against Anthony is the third she faces in Florida.
She is being sued for defamation by a woman named Zenaida Gonzalez, who claims her life was ruined when Anthony initially told investigators Caylee was kidnapped by a nanny of the same name.
Anthony also is being sued for damages by Texas EquuSearch, a nonprofit group, for expenses incurred during the five-month search for Caylee.
Also on Wednesday, a lawyer for Anthony filed a motion asking that a prosecutor be held in contempt of court for revealing details of her psychiatric evaluations in his new book about the case.
Jeff Ashton, who retired after Anthony's trial, published details from the depositions of two psychiatrists in his book, "Imperfect Justice." The doctors said Anthony claimed she had been molested by her father and her father had drowned Caylee.
Judge Belvin Perry sealed the depositions from public view before the trial began because the allegations were so sensational, according to Ashton, and Anthony's lawyers never called the psychiatrists as witnesses at trial.
Ashton could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
All I can say is I watched her sorry attempt at trying to cry and make people feel sorry for her..One day she will be on trial and then she will get the punishment she deserves..She might do the things that make her feel good while here on earth but she will burn in hell..
Those yahoos in North Korea crying for Kim Jong Il were more convincing than Casey Anthony.
If anyone should be in contempt it should be the crazy Casey and her evil Lawyer..I will read the book and learn what wasn’t told in the trial..All I can say about the jurors is they were pretty stupid for letting that murderer go..and now the murderer will hide out and make money giving interviews..
With The murderer she has always been a liar and thief..and now add murder to it she has no soul.Anyone that can put tape across a babies face and nose and smother it to death should have the same thing happen to them..
With The murderer she has always been a liar and thief..and now add murder to it she has no soul.Anyone that can put tape across a babies face and nose and smother it to death should have the same thing happen to them..
More people trying to milk off of Caylee Anthony’s death
Kronk wasn’t even believed by the prosecution....and he will get destroyed when questioned in a deposition by Anthony’s attorneys
I live in Orlando, and contrary to what Nasty Grace says...the state had a weak case, and the prosecution got handed by a lawyer who was selling lingerie just a few years earlier. And, when a prosecutor has a book out just 6 months after the case...you know he was trying to make money off of Caylee
This is a frivolous lawsuit
Read the book. Ashton should be in contempt
Correct...and Casey Anthony’s attys are going to sue Ashton...and they are in the right
Contrary to what Nasty Grace says....Jeff Ashton was a COMPLETE A-HOLE who got so arrogant that the jurors could not help notice. There is a reason why lawyers retire as Asst State Attys...they are not good enough for a private firm.
If Ashton’s mention of a proposed plea deal w Anthony’s atty was correct....he is in huge trouble. Even in a civil lawsuit you cannot mention any discussion of a settlement or deal....much less one from a criminal case...Ashton should be DISBARRED
I believe Casey Anthony had something to do with the death of her daughter. However, the case was not strong AND the state attys were absolutely pasthetic
I am friends with her lawyer. Not to defend Baez but Ashton crossed the line.
Drugging her and taping her mouth closed so mom could party with friends is child abuse in my mind.
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