In a rarely seen deposition, Casey Anthony was asked if she killed her daughter, and if she ordered her attorneys to launch a smear campaign against the man who found Caylee Anthony’s body.
Anthony’s legal team is preparing to defend her from a defamation suit filed by former Orange County meter reader Roy Kronk.
Kronk has been trying to sue Anthony for five years, claiming her attorneys defamed when they said he killed Caylee. Kronk said the comments hurt him financially and emotionally.
Kronk has claimed for a decade he accidentally discovered Caylee’s remains in woods near the Anthony home.
WESH 2 Investigates has obtained a copy of a deposition, in which Anthony testified under oath, in August 2014.
Anthony, with attorney Cheney Mason present, was questioned by Howard Marks, who is Kronk’s attorney.
During Anthony’s testimony, Kronk’s attorney tries to get Anthony to admit that she knew about a media smear campaign that attempted to portray Kronk as the murderer.
Marks: “Is it fair to say… you agreed to allow your attorneys to come up with the strategies for the defense?”
Anthony: “No.”
Marks: “Did you ever object to any strategies that your attorneys were doing?”
Mason: “I instruct you not to answer.”
Anthony did later respond, saying, “I can tell you with full honestly (sic), I never knew the content of what was said. All I knew is that they may or may not have talked on this show or to this paper. That’s it.”
During a 2009 appearance on NBC’s Today Show, Anthony’s defense attorneys, Jose Baez and Andrea Lyon, suggested Kronk was involved in Caylee’s murder.
“The more I think about it the more my gut’s telling me he (Kronk) had something to do with it,” Baez said in the interview.
“He’s the only one who has been with the body. He is the only who magically discovers it. He takes a day off the day before he discovers it again in December,” Lyons told Today.
Marks: “Do you admit that your lawyers tried to portray Mr. Kronk as someone who killed your daughter?”
Anthony: “I’m not making that admission, no, sir. I don’t believe that’s what they were doing.”
Marks: “You would agree with me that if somebody is alleged to have killed a child, or murdered a child, that could hurt that person’s reputation.”
Anthony: “Yes, sir.”
Marks: “Did you understand that your attorneys were trying to change the negative publicity about you?”
Anthony: “I’m aware that they were speaking to the media to some degree but what their intention was, I can’t answer to that.”
Marks also asked Anthony point blank if she was involved in Caylee’s death.
“Do you admit you were involved in the death of Caylee Marie?”
Anthony’s attorney, Cheney Mason, interrupted again saying “I’ll very clearly state, she denies admission.”
“We have instructed her not to answer any questions regarding any knowledge she has or does not have about the death of her child,” Mason added.
Marks: “In August 2008, did you believe your daughter was alive?” Mason interrupts, “I’m going to instruct you not to answer.
WESH 2 Investigates last found Anthony living with the private investigator from her defense team in West Palm Beach. During her sworn testimony, she was asked if she is still living in hiding.
Marks: “Are you still sort of living in hiding at the moment?”
Anthony: “Yes.”
Marks: “Why is that?”
Anthony, “For purposes of security.”
Marks: “There have been some threats, yes?”
Anthony: “There have been some threats, yes.”
The civil case involving Anthony and Kronk was in bankruptcy court in Tampa on Monday. Neither Anthony nor Kronk were present.
Anthony filed for bankruptcy after the criminal trial in 2011.
Kronk’s goal is to stake his claim to any money Anthony might have if he were to file a defamation lawsuit against her.
Anthony’s attorney said getting money from her would be like squeezing blood out of a turnip because she’s so broke.
