Judge recuses himself from Anthony case

ORLANDO, Fla., April 20 (UPI) -- An Orlando, Fla., judge says he has removed himself from the murder case of Casey Anthony in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

Circuit Judge Stan Strickland Monday said he was recusing himself from the case because Anthony's lawyers accused him of being biased against her in a motion filed Friday.

In his order, Strickland denied wrongdoing, but said accusations of bias would be disruptive to a trial, set for May 2011, The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Tuesday.

"Since the undersigned has now been accused of bias and wrongdoing, potentially each denial of a defense motion will generate renewed allegations of bias," Strickland wrote in his order.

The case has been reassigned to Judge Belvin Perry Jr.

Anthony, 24, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, who disappeared in June 2008. The girl's remains were found near Anthony's home in December 2008.