TAMPA, Fla., April 9 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday heard arguments for and against the idea of selling bankrupt Casey Anthony's life story to pay her debts.
Stephen Meininger, the trustee overseeing Anthony's bankruptcy case, maintains her life story is an asset because it is likely to be of wide interest as a result of her notoriety for being acquitted of murder in the death of her young daughter, Caylee. Selling it could help pay off nearly $800,000 she owe her debtors, including criminal defense attorney Jose Baez.
But Anthony's attorneys oppose Meininger's proposal, contending her thoughts and memory are not a material item that is part of her estate, the Orlando Sentinel reported. They say it would be an invasion of her rights and "private thoughts."
Meininger's attorney, Allan Watkins, said the trustee has been contacted by three people interested in purchasing Anthony's life story, the newspaper said. One offer was for $10,000 and a second was for $12,000, he said. A third offer for an undisclosed amount had just come in recently, he said.
No one can force Anthony to tell her story, Watkins acknowledged.
Debra Ferwerda said her client filed bankruptcy to get a fresh start and requiring her life story be sold would preclude that, the Sentinel said.
While Judge K. Rodney May told the two sides to explore alternative ways of getting creditors their money, he did say there may be merit to Ferwerda's argument that selling Anthony's life story would shackle her "fresh start."
