Judge rejects Anthony acquittal motion

ORLANDO, Fla., June 15 (UPI) -- Attorneys for Casey Anthony added a new witness to their list Wednesday after a Florida judge refused to issue a directed verdict of acquittal.

The prosecution rested its case Wednesday, opening the way for the defense to begin presenting evidence in the trial of Anthony, 25, accused of murder in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter.

The defense amended its witness list to include Vasco Thompson, who was convicted of kidnapping in 1988, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The defense contends Thompson and Anthony's father, George, talked by phone. George Anthony's attorney said, however, his client does not know who Thompson is.

The trial was recessed until Thursday.

In denying the defense motion for acquittal, Chief Judge Belvin Perry said the case should go to the jury.

"These are strictly questions for the jury to decide," Perry said in Orlando. "The state has presented substantial competent evidence for this jury … to decide this particular issue."

Prosecutor Linda Burdick told the court all the evidence recovered from the scene of Caylee Anthony's remains and her mother's car and computer indicate premeditation. The computer searches involved chloroform, household weapons and other ways to injure people.

"This was an intentional act by the defendant intended to cause the child's death," Burdick said.

Defense attorney J. Cheney Mason countered: "I don't believe there was any evidence whatsoever of poisoning by chloroform.

"How was this child killed? Where was this child killed? Was this child killed at all? Or was it an accident?" he asked, posing a theory that there was no murder at all.