Casey defense: Kronk should be a suspect

The case against Casey Anthony is heating back up.  The Anthony defense team commenced, but did not complete, the deposition of Roy Kronk in the State v. Casey Anthony case.

Kronk is the man who found the remains of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony in December of 2008.  Casey Anthony has pleaded not guilty on charges that she killed her daughter, Caylee, claiming a babysitter kidnapped the toddler. Caylee was last seen in June of 2008, but she was not reported missing until a month later.  Her remains were found in woods near the family's home in December.

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While Kronk wrapped up a day of questioning by the defense, lawyers for Casey Anthony were busy filing motions suggesting Kronk should be considered a suspect in the death of Caylee Anthony.

According to the motions, Kronk's ex-wife, Jill Kerley, told Casey's lawyers in sworn statements that, "Mr. Kronk used duct tape on at least two different occasions to restrain her in the course of physical abuse and that Mr. Kronk liked to brag about the particularly heavy duct tape he used."

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Evidence has shown that when Caylee's remains were discovered, there was duct tape wrapped around her skull.

Responding to mention of the use of duct tape on his ex-wives, Kronk's attorney David Evans told FOX 35, "It's just not true," adding that there have never been any kind of allegations made against his client like this before. "What we find, is that we have some ex-spouses with various axes to grind who are making uncomplimentary statements to him."

The defense points out that Kronk called police three times in August claiming to have found something suspicious in the woods near the Anthony home. Then, he called again on December 11 of 2008, saying he found a bag off Suburban Drive, and that a skull rolled out, but the defense points out that each time Kronk called, his description of what he found was different.

The defense team also interviewed Kronk's son, Brandon Sparks, who said his father called him in November of 2008 saying he, "found the skull of a little girl," and that he "was going to be on television."

Kronks attorney replied, "perhaps the person who gave that statement was confused about the timing or confused about what Roy said."

According to a motion filed by the defense, Kronk had "monetary interests in finding Caylee." The defense also points out that "Mr. Kronk took a 'personal day' from where he used to work on December 10, 2008, providing him with an opportunity to possibly stage his discovery of Caylee Anthony's remains."

"No member of law enforcement from the FBI to the Orange County Sheriff's Office to the State Attorney's Office has ever suggested to my knowledge that Mr. Kronk is a suspect in any wrongdoing in this case," said Evans. "I think that speaks volumes."

On whether money motivated Kronk to do what he did, his attorney told FOX 35, "He has gotten some compensation for appearing on 'Good Morning America.' He received a Crimeline award. He received a ... you know, basically a gift from Mark Nejame ... as a token of appreciation for finding the remains." Evans went on to say. "If you were to ask Roy whether, if he had it all to do over again, he would've looked in that area and called it in, he'd never do it," adding that Kronk's life has been "turned upside."

"Mr. Kronk is a witness, not a suspect," said Evans. "He has cooperated fully with law enforcement from day one. He has nothing to hide, and has hidden nothing." It is the nature of criminal defense to attempt to "find someone to blame for a crime other than the person charged," Evans added. He said Kronk "vehemently denies the allegations against him and is confident that he will be vindicated."

FOX 35's Holly Bristow, Tom Johnson and Stuart Campbell contributed to this report.