The March murder trial date for Casey Anthony, who is accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter, remains to be decided following Friday’s hearing when the judge set another hearing for late February or early March to weigh when the criminal proceedings can begin.

During Friday’s hearing, Anthony’s defense team asked for access to more evidence, and permission to inspect the area where Caylee Anthony’s remains were discovered on December 11 near the family home. Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland granted the defense attorney’s requests.

Both sides talked about moving the trial and agreed no matter what, it probably won't happen for at least a year. A defense emergency motion to recuse, meaning state attorneys would be removed from the case, was denied, the judge called the legal basis “thin.”

Responding a different request from the lawyers seeking to have the venue changed, the Judge said he would set a hearing on a change of venue after it will be determined when the trial date will begin. Due to the huge media coverage generated by the case, both locally and nationally, Anthony’s lawyers said it could be difficult to find an unbiased jury, and would insist on moving the trial to another city in Florida.

During a previous hearing on Thursday, Judge Strickland ordered Casey, who is currently jailed on first-degree murder charges in the death of her daughter, to attend all her court hearings, although usually, criminal defendants have the right to choose whether they want to appear in court or not.
 
Prosecutors said they were concerned that she could later change her mind about not attending and file an appeal on the issue.

On Friday, Anthony arrived in court in a gray suit, unlike her previous appearances when she sported a jail garb. Before the hearing began, she smiled and motioned to several people, but mostly sat without emotion.