After exactly six months of living in seclusion, Casey Anthony resurfaced Thursday.
Anthony emerged in a roughly four-minute "video diary" someone placed online, but she made no reference to her high-profile murder trial, her dead toddler, her parents or her whereabouts.
Since she was acquitted of the most serious charges against her in July, speculation has been rampant about how and when she would resurface — and what the payout would be when she did.Instead, the video answered no substantive questions about where Anthony is, how she has been spending her time or what really happened to Caylee Marie.
"It's just a little surreal how much things have changed since July and how many things haven't changed," Anthony said. "But the good thing is that things are starting to look up, and things are starting to change — in a good way. I just hope they stay … that things stay good and that they only get better."
Local legal experts, who have followed the case since it broke in July 2008, called the video a "Casey Anthony classic" and proof of her narcissism.
But one of Anthony's lawyers fired back, calling the video release "unauthorized" and "inappropriate."
Defense attorney J. Cheney Mason said Anthony was "maintaining some notes for her personal use and for future counseling purposes."
He insisted Anthony — who sports a blond bob in the video instead of her long, dark hair — did not release the video. Mason suggested it may have been hacked. It's not clear who uploaded the original video to the Internet, but by midday Thursday, portions of it were on dozens of websites.
Anthony, who remains on probation and under supervision by the Florida Department of Corrections for check-fraud convictions, said the video-recording date was Oct. 13.
In it, 25-year-old Anthony said things are "looking up" and she expects to post more video updates, even though she said she's uncomfortable on camera. She was particularly enthusiastic about newly acquired electronics and an adopted dog.
It's unclear how the video's release will impact the pending civil suits against Anthony — if at all.
She is the target of several lawsuits, including a defamation case filed by Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, who claims Anthony ruined her reputation when she told detectives a baby sitter with the same name kidnapped 2-year-old Caylee.
A judge recently ruled that Anthony doesn't have to answer questions in that case because her criminal appeal on convictions of lying to law-enforcement is pending.
But on Thursday, Fernandez-Gonzalez's attorneys said they will renew their motion to have Anthony testify.
"This video is a preview of everything we predicted she would do in court: speak when it's for profit. She has gamed the system," said lawyer John Morgan. "I guess her objection to filing her deposition with the court for safety concerns due to the disclosure of her appearance was a sham upon the court. I don't think this well-respected and thoughtful judge will be happy or amused."
Anthony, recording herself in a wood-paneled room, said she's excited she can talk to people online via Skype, keep a video log and take pictures.
"It's been a long time since I've been able to call something mine, and now I have something even, you know, as silly as saying that I have a computer, and a camera and a phone …,'' she said.
Anthony also notes she "actually now paid for my own computer. The camera was a gift. But these are things that are mine — that I don't have to — I don't know — that I don't have to give back."
"It's kind of nice, finally, to be able to say that I have some belongings that are mine that I will take with me after I leave here next year."
Anthony said she'll be "here" for "many, many months more."
"I'll still be here at least until February … the end of February," she said, at one point alluding to the possibility that she could get off of probation early. She is scheduled to be on probation until August.
Anthony's parents, George and Cindy Anthony, were made aware of the video diary Thursday, their attorney said.
"They are concerned that the release of this video or any future videos could endanger their daughter," lawyer Mark Lippman said. "Cindy and George hope that Casey remains safe wherever she may be."
Veteran Orlando defense attorney and WFTV-Channel 9 legal analyst Bill Sheaffer called the video a "Casey Anthony classic."
"I think she's narcissistic, and that comes out in the video," he said. "She talks about how she is doing and how her life is taking a turn, and it's all about her. It's not anything about her parents, her dead child or the misery and pain that her actions caused a great number of people."
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Via: ChicagoTribuneNews
