Judge In Casey Anthony Case Rules On Motions

Orange County Circuit Judge Stan Strickland ruled on several motions filed by Anthony's defense team during a motion hearing Friday morning.

Casey Anthony, 22, was escorted into the court room around 8:15 a.m. this morning smiling. She was seen taking notes throughout the court proceeding.

Judge Strickland granted the defense's motion to access the crime scene where the remains of Anthony's daughter, Caylee, were found. He said he will rule on the defense's request to obtain the records of Equusearch volunteers who helped in the search at a later date.

Images: Casey Anthony motion hearing ( MyFoxOrlando )

In the issue of a change of venue motion, Judge Strickland said he will set a hearing date when the proper paperwork is filed. Defense attorney Jose Baez requested for that hearing to be held in March, but prosecutors said that the date is premature.

It was also determined that if the trial is not set for the end of the year, a change of venue motion may not be necessary.

Strickland said that it is premature for him to make a decision about change of venue, but Baez disagreed, saying that he would like to know if the case is moving and to what area.

The Anthony's family attorney, Brad Conway, also addressed the judge Friday and said the family has allowed him permission to waive conflict with Mark Nejame, the man who is know representing Texas Equusearch. Conway said this would allow the Equusearch motion to move forward and the Anthony's want the prosecution to speed up the case.

In addition, the prosecution said the state's motion to strike the defense's witness list was moot.

The motion hearing ended just before 9:10 a.m.