Anthony does not have to disclose defense payment

Casey Anthony will not be forced to disclose how she is paying for her high-powered defense team, an Orange County judge ruled on Wednesday.

Anthony, 23, remains jailed on first-degree murder charges in the death of her daughter, Caylee, whose remains were discovered in December. Caylee was 2 years old when she was reported missing in mid-July, a month after she was last seen alive.

The state attorney's office said in a motion filed earlier that it wants to know how Anthony went from "a pauper to a princess," asking the court to investigate any possible conflict of interest on behalf of her lead attorney, Jose Baez. The state said that Anthony and her family had little money when she was arrested and questioned how Anthony has secured eight attorneys and a number of high-profile experts to defend her.

Prosecutors wanted to know if Baez is handing his client's financial affairs because they said they were concerned that if Anthony were found guilty, she could appeal the decision based on the motives of her attorney.

Anthony signed an affidavit weeks ago, saying she has not allowed her attorney to sell the rights to her story.

"You say the retainer agreement does not contain any clauses or parts that allow or entitle him to any rights that would allow him to sell my story or that of my daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony. Is that true?" Orange County Circuit Judge Stan Strickland asked Anthony at the hearing.

"Yes," she replied.

"The him that you refer to -- is that Mr. Baez?" Strickland asked.

Yes," Anthony said.

"You say there are no other agreements selling my story. And that's true?" Strickland asked.

"Yes," Anthony said.

It is OK for Anthony or her family to sell her story, photos or videos to fund her defense, but Baez cannot broker the deals on their behalf.

Strickland took Anthony, her attorneys and prosecutors into his chambers to review the retainer agreement.

"I'm convinced that as we sit here today no conflict exists. She is, as well. She did not need to waive any conflict since none existed," Strickland said.

Baez said the state should be more concerned about prosecuting his client than her possible appeal.

While court was being adjourned, attorneys from both sides began bickering back and forth, forcing Strickland to say, "This is getting old. I'm getting tired of this."

Meanwhile, the deposition of a private investigator did not take place Wednesday in the civil lawsuit filed against Anthony.

Private investigator Dominic Casey was not deposed, but private investigator Jim Hoover was questioned at the offices of Morgan & Morgan, the attorney representing Zenaida Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, who has the same name as the baby sitter who Anthony said kidnapped Caylee, filed a defamation lawsuit against Anthony, saying she lost her job and her reputation was ruined by being linked to the case.

Gonzalez is seeking $15,000 in damages.

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