Judge Rules to Withhold Suicide Note in Caylee Murder Case

By Sarah Harper

Published on March 27, 2009

A Florida judge ruled to exclude a note written by George Anthony, the grandfather of murder victim Caylee Anthony, from the murder investigation. (Caylee's mother Casey, who is George's daughter, is accused of killing Caylee.) The note, which was found in the grandfather's car, expressed his despondence and desire to end his life and be with his granddaughter. The judge ruled that the note had no bearing on the murder case, was personal in nature, and, if exposed to the public, would embarrass the Anthony family.

The judge's decision to exclude the note was one of several pre-trial motions; other motions included the defense's attempts to obtain evidence (including access to the crime scene evidence, Casey's ex-boyfriend's computer hard drive, and FBI notes on DNA analysis) as well as sanctions against prosecutors. George Anthony and his wife Cindy attended the hearing, as did Casey.

According to CNN reports, Caylee's remains were found in December near the home of George and Cindy. Police believe Caylee was murdered in mid-June, and that her body was kept in the trunk of her mother's car for "some time". Casey faces seven counts, including first-degree murder.

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