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After the prosecution rested in the Casey Anthony trial, the judge denied the defense’s motion for acquittal on the Florida woman’s murder charge.

Judge Belvin Perry said the state presented “substantial, competent evidence” that Anthony’s daughter Caylee was slain and she was responsible.

The defense now must proceed with its case on Thursday.

Anthony faces three charges, including first-degree premeditated murder. She had no reaction in the Orlando court when the motion was denied.

Her attorney, Cheney Mason, had argued that prosecutors failed to present evidence that a murder had even occurred, premeditated or otherwise.

“There has been no evidence of premeditation,” the lawyer said. “There has been a stacking of inferences. A stacking of speculation. No evidence.”

 
“There is no evidence to suggest when she died, where she died, how she died, who if anyone was in attendance with her when she died.”

The state, he added, established only that “the child is dead.”

In denying the motion to toss the case, the judge begged to differ and concluded there is compelling evidence Caylee Anthony was murdered.

Her mother, while innocent until proven guilty, is on trial for a reason.

Assistant State Attorney Linda Drane Burdick argues that Caylee Anthony died as a result of “three pieces of duct tape applied to her nose and mouth, as a result of poisoning by chloroform [and] as a result of a combination of the two.”

Gruesome stuff to say the least. What do you think? Casey is