ORLANDO, Fla. -- The attorney representing George Anthony released a statement on Tuesday, saying his client had nothing to do with the death of his granddaughter, Caylee Marie Anthony.
George Anthony is the father of Casey Anthony, who is charged with murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
Orlando attorney Mark Lippman issued the statement amid a media report saying that Casey Anthony's defense could suggest that George Anthony was responsible for Caylee's death.
Speculation about some witnesses involved with a scheduled Thursday hearing in the case led up to the suggestions.
Casey Anthony's defense team said it wants a psychiatrist and a psychologist as witnesses to rebut Judge Belvin Perry's claims that Casey Anthony lies to police and family reveal a "consciousness of guilt" about her.
The defense is interested to hear from a woman who had a skirmish with a hammer-wielding George Anthony in September 2008 while Caylee was still missing. The defense also wants to hear from a psychologist specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder.
These two witnesses have fueled the speculation that Casey Anthony's defense team may try to blame her father.
In the statement, Lippman said, "George Anthony had nothing to do with the death of Caylee Marie Anthony. He has been investigated, deposed, examined and cross examined by both the prosecution and the defense, and neither the defense team nor the state of Florida have maintained that he is at fault in any way."
"This incident had nothing to do with Caylee Anthony or the case in chief against Casey Anthony," Lippman said in the statement. "Unfortunately, because of the nature of this case, speculation has been publicly reported as to George Anthony's involvement with the death of Caylee Marie Anthony. This is simply speculation or an attempt at interpreting the actions of the defense and certainly nothing that has been reported about this speculation is a news fact nor should it ever be construed as a news fact."
Lippman classified the report as speculation.
"While we continue to be sensitive to the important role of the news media in informing the public, and we do not wish to dissuade or prevent news media representatives from fulfilling their responsibilities, this line of speculation has necessitated an immediate response," Lippman said. "We assert that we will not engage in idle speculation regarding either the defense strategy or the state strategy but make no mistake that any factual fallacy stated contrary to my client's well-being will be vigorously defended to every extent allowed by the law."
Lippman said, facts aside, that the defense could still use the theory that his client killed Caylee at trial.
"If there's a reasonable scenario that could cater to how the circumstances then turned out later, certainly you present it, it's absolutely necessary if you're going to represent your client zealously," Lippman said.
Lippman said he met last Friday with defense attorney Jose Baez and Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy Anthony, but he cannot say what they discussed.
Casey Anthony, 25, has pleaded not guilty. Her murder trial is scheduled to begin in May.
WKMG