Attorneys set to move forward in Casey Anthony civil cases despite bankruptcyBy Natalie Tolomeo, Reporter
Last Updated: Sunday, January 27, 2013, 5:36 PM
ORLANDO -- A new chapter has been filed in the Case against Casey Anthony. It's now chapter 7 after she said she has no money and filed for bankruptcy.
The filing could delay civil cases she’s still involved in since a jury found her not guilty of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.
Court Document: Casey Anthony's petition for bankruptcyhttp://www.cfnews13.com/content/dam/new ... y-0126.pdfHow will this impact Anthony's civil cases?Attorneys could continue seeking litigation in bankruptcy court or ask the bankruptcy judge to allow the civil cases to proceed in state court.
Matt Morgan, who represents Gonzalez, said although Anthony has no money, the recent filing will not affect their defamation case.
"We believe that at some point in the future, Casey Anthony will profit from a book, movie, or other related deal,” Morgan said. “It makes logical sense for her to have all of her liabilities discharged before she profits."
Kronk, the meter reader who found Caylee’s remains, is also suing for defamation."The lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Kronk always realized that collecting money would be difficult or impossible, but it didn't stop (us) from filing suit to prove that Mr. Kronk had nothing to do with the murder of Caylee Anthony," said Kronk’s attorney Howard Marks.
Only certain debts are discharged in bankruptcy court.
However, the attorneys said they are trying to collect damages they hope are not dischargeable in bankruptcy court.
When Gonzalez and Kronk’s defamation cases go to trial, a jury will determine the exact amount of money they would be awarded.
Even if Anthony does not have the amount at that time, but does sign a movie or book deal within 20 years of the judgment, Gonzalez and Kronk will still collect their sums before Anthony.
Anthony's legal team speaksOne of Anthony's defense lawyers, Andy Chmelir, said his client was looking for closure and that she actually feels bad she can't pay her legal fees.
“To some extent she feels, she feels bad that she's having to have all these legal services provided to her and she is unable to compensate anyone. So, she wants closure more than anything else," Chmelir said Saturday.
Chmelir said as for the future, Anthony is not able to make plans, but the pending litigation wasn’t helping.
“She doesn’t know. She can’t make any plans right now because right now she has various lawsuits that are ultimately going to require her presence,” said Chmelir.
Chmelir also said Anthony doesn't not have any book or movie deals.
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