P.I. Says He Videotaped Area Where Caylee Anthony Was Later Found

Monday, December 29, 2008

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Deputies want know what a private investigator was doing in the area where Caylee's body was found. They've been told he was videotaping the area a month before Caylee's body was discovered.

The private investigator was apparently working with the Anthony family at the time. It raises questions about whether the Anthonys knew the remains were there a month before they were found.

VIDEO REPORT: Private Eye's Video Being Investigated

The private investigator who works with the Anthonys told Eyewitness News he came to the area the month before Caylee's remains were found and videotaped the area. He says the tape shows Caylee's body was not there at that time, but now investigators want to know why he was there with a camera in mid-November.

Private investigator Jim Hoover says he recorded the wooded area where Caylee Marie Anthony's remains were found about a month before they were found.

"We will definitely look into that, absolutely," said Carlos Padilla, Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Hoover briefly showed an Eyewitness News photographer a short clip of the videotape, which appeared to be authentic; the fence was recognizable.

"They know the existence of the tape and want to look at all evidence that's available," Padilla said.

Investigators also want to talk to the Anthonys' private investigator who works with Hoover, Dominic Casey. The defense wants to intervene, because Dominic Casey used to work for the defense and attorney Jose Baez doesn't want him to divulge privileged information.

Baez said investigators won't let him sit in on the questioning, so he's asking the judge to appoint a special master to protect defense secrets if the private eye agrees to talk. "Investigators have tried to make arrangements with Mr. Casey to speak to him and he's not responded," Padilla said.

The defense's spokesman said they don't want their former private eye to divulge privileged conversations they might have had about where Caylee's remains might be.

ATTORNEY MAY GIVE REWARD TO METER READER

Eyewitness News has learned that an Orlando attorney who resigned from representing George and Cindy Anthony is considering a $5,000 reward for the man who found two-year-old Caylee Anthony's remains.

Eyewitness news reported two weeks ago that Roy Kronk was not eligible for a Crime line reward, but attorney Mark Nejame said that Kronk, "Did something very good and it's only appropriate that something good be returned to him."

VIDEO REPORT: Meter Reader May Get Reward

Bounty hunter Leonard Padilla also says he wants to give Kronk a reward for finding Caylee's remains.

MAN WANTS TO ADD CAYLEE'S NAME TO MEMORIAL

A Leesburg man wants to set Caylee's memory in stone. Don Williams began building a 60-foot wall and waterfall in his backyard three years ago. Over 90 names are painted on the memorial and all the names are of children who were murdered.

Williams says he saved a stone for Caylee and says he hopes the Anthony family will find some peace in making their granddaughter's name a part of the memorial.

"Maybe they'll come over after things calm down and paint her name on it, little Caylee's name on the wall. If not I will do it for them, but her name will be on the wall and she will never be forgotten," said Williams.

The Anthony family says it will hold a private and public service for Caylee, but no dates have been announced.