Casey Anthony: EquuSearch allowed to join motion in Zenaida case

Will Casey Anthony be forced to answer questions in Zenaida Gonzalez' lawsuit against her?

A judge could rule as early as Thursday on a now joint motion from both of Casey's civil lawsuits.

Monday morning, Judge Lisa Munyon allowed Texas EquuSearch founder Tim Miller asked to join the motion from Zenaida Gonzalez's lawyers to decide if Casey should be forced to answer questions without invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Those questions will come from lawyers involved in EquuSearch's and Gonzalez's separate lawsuits against Casey.

Gonzalez is suing for defamation, saying Casey Anthony ruined her life when she claimed a nanny with the same name kidnapped her daughter, Caylee, in 2008.

EquuSearch wants Casey to repay them for the group's search for Caylee, pointing to claims from Casey's defense team during her murder trial that she knew her daughter was dead.

Casey is also appealing her four convictions of lying to law enforcement, and that could have a big impact on the judge's decision Thursday, because anything she does say in a civil deposition can be used against her in the criminal appeal.

Casey Anthony responds

Casey Anthony's lawyers filed a motion Monday afternoon arguing that she should stay silent.

They said any answers could jeopardize her criminal appeal on charges of lying to law enforcement. A judge could decide Thursday whether Anthony will have to answer questions in Gonzalez's lawsuit.