State to Pay Casey Anthony’s Defense Costs

Orange County Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland ruled Friday that Case Anthony is indigent and therefore the State of Florida is responsible for paying some of the costs associated with her defense.  Casey Anthony stands accused of first-degree murder in connection with the 2008 death of her 2 year old daughter.  The State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty if convicted. 

It had recently been disclosed that Casey Anthony received as much as $200,000 in licensing fees from ABC News for exclusive rights to Casey Anthony’s photos and videos.  According to Anthony’s lawyer, that money has already been spent leaving her with nothing to pay for the balance of her defense.  

Among the costs born on the State of Florida include, expert witness fees, investigators fees, travel expenses for out of state attorneys and deposition fees.  Specifically excluded are the legal fees paid to her attorney. 

In determining Casey Anthony’s financial status, Judge Sriickland reviewed her financial paperwork and affidavit declaring her inability to pay defense costs along with any declared assets.

According to in court testimony, José Baez testified that he had received $89,500 while putting in about 2,500 hours of work. Andrea Lyon, a professor in Chicago, testified that she is representing Anthony for free but had been reimbursed $22,500 for expenses.