Casey Anthony Trial: Court Mysterious Recess Saturday Morning

Casey Anthony had a short time away from her cell on Saturday. Court was recessed promptly at 9:40AM until 9:00AM Monday morning. (left)

The Casey Anthony trial was abruptly recessed under mysterious circumstances on Saturday at approximately 9:40am EDT.

With no testimony and little explanation, Judge Belvin Perry recessed for the day.

A matter was raised by Prosecutor Jeff Ashton regarding yet another matter pertaining to a defense witness not supplying reports that the court had ordered.  This witness was to be the first called on behalf of the defense on Saturday.  After an exchange between Ashton and Baez, Judge Perry said the matter would be dealt with at a later date.  

Cheney Mason, assistant defense counsel, then requested to speak with Judge Perry at sidebar.  Prosecutors Ashton, Drane-Burdick, and George joined the defense team at sidebar. the defense and Anthony left the courtroom with Perry.  After the sidebar, the court reporter joined Judge Belvin Perry, attorneys Baez, Mason, and Simms, defendant Casey Anthony, as well as the prosecutors, in the holding area of the court.


WATCH VIDEO OF CASEY TRIAL DAY 39:     Part 1 | Part 2

Casey Anthony eventually walked back into the courtroom, clearly upset, and began tearing up and dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She remained at the defense table for the remainder of the meeting between attorneys and Judge Perry.

After about 45 minutes, Judge Perry walked back into the courtroom and said that due to an unrelated legal matter, court was recessed until 8:30am Monday.

Court testimony for Saturday was scheduled for a full day, as opposed to the regular half day of testimony on Saturday. This change was ordered by Judge Belvin Perry earlier this week.

Six to eight witnesses were present to be called for testimony by the defense.


Casey's attorneys have told the judge at her trial that they expect to wrap up in the middle of next week.

Prosecutors say they then need a day or two for rebuttal witnesses.

That means jurors could start deliberations as early as a week from now.

The loss of another day of testimony likely means another delay in an already five-week trial.

On Friday, the defense estimated it would rest its case on Wednesday or Thursday. Perry hoped to send the jury out for deliberations on Friday or Saturday.

Saturday's delay means that timeline will likely be pushed back, and possibly mean the loss of July 4, a holiday.

A court spokeswoman said that court would not take place on July 4, unless the jury already had the case.

Testimony will resume 8:30 a.m. Monday, Perry said.