Reported By Jacqueline Fell
ORLANDO -- The father of Casey Anthony was so unhappy with his former attorney releasing photos of the scene where his granddaughter's remains were found, he stormed into the middle of a press conference Thursday.
Attorney Mark NeJame, along with his client, Tim Miller, held the press conference to talk about the photos. He also wanted to talk about defense attorney Jose Baez's efforts to force Miller, the head of EquuSearch, to make public the names of search volunteers.
In a legal motion NeJame filed Thursday, he said revealing their identities could "cause a chilling effect on future volunteers" who would want to help in searching for missing children. NeJame also released a letter he sent to the defense laying out his arguments for why EquuSearch should not be compelled to release their files.
In the motion, NeJame argues that none of the volunteers searched the area where Caylee Anthony's remains were found. The photos NeJame released Thursday showed the area where the remains were found were under water at the time of the search, on Nov. 7.
Baez has filed a number of motions, including one that tried to get EquuSearch to turn over maps, communications records and other information on searchers and their involvement with investigators. That motion was denied in January.
NeJame told the press he would hand out documents, disks of information and photos regarding EquuSearch's search for Caylee last year. He said the foliage in the search area was so thick, someone could be within inches of an item and not see it.
The defense has also filed a motion to make Miller a material witness. Judge Stan Strickland is expected to hear that motion in court on Friday at 9:30 a.m.
At one point George Anthony interrupted the news conference and demanded to talk with NeJame in private. After NeJame returned, he had no comment on the discussion.
In the press conference, NeJame said he doesn't object to Miller as a material witness, but continues to say that EquuSearch was acting as a private company, and was not hired by the Sheriff's Office.
Miller and NeJame have teamed up before. They recently held a press conference in Orlando to announce they would help in the search for missing Satsuma girl Haleigh Cummings.
During Friday's hearing, the defense wants to delay Casey's criminal check fraud trial until after the murder trial. They also want bounty hunter Leonard Padilla and his associates to not be able to talk about their conversations with Casey Anthony.
News 13 will have live coverage of the Friday hearing.
The Case Against Casey
See News 13’s Extended Coverage for more Documents, Audio and Video released in the case, plus News 13’s story archive of the entire case against Casey Anthony.
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