Judge won't drop murder charge against Anthony

By The Associated Press
Published: October 16, 2009
Updated: October 16, 2009 - 10:15 PM

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ORLANDO --

A judge has dismissed a request to throw out the most serious criminal charges against a Florida mother accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter.

Circuit Judge Stan Strickled ruled Friday that a motion filed by Casey Anthony's attorneys did not meet the requirements needed for a dismissal of the first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges.

In an earlier filing, Anthony's attorneys had said the charges were based on "circumstantial and speculative" evidence.

During a brief hearing Friday, prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick said the defense attorneys' motion was insufficient and riddled with errors.

Anthony has pleaded not guilty and says a baby sitter kidnapped Caylee. The toddler's remains were found in December 2008, months after she was reported missing.