<u>Casey Anthony case cited in Orange County judicial campaign</u>

Now Casey Anthony?s name has been dragged into a judicial race.

In an unusually strong attack for a typically low-profile contest, Circuit Court judge candidate Fred Schott on Wednesday accused candidate Jim Turner of possibly breaking one of the ?same criminal laws? that put Anthony behind bars.

Turner is outraged that Schott is trying to draw a comparison between Anthony?s check-fraud case and the apparent deficit showing on Turner?s campaign account.

Anthony also is charged with first-degree murder in the suspected death of her daughter, Caylee Marie.
Turner?s online campaign report shows he has spent more than what has been donated to his campaign, which is not allowed under election laws.

The report shows he?s about $16,345 short.

But Turner said his campaign has not written any bad checks and any problems will be fixed soon. Candidates can file amendments to the reports.

In comparison, Anthony is accused of a slew of check-fraud charges for allegedly stealing a friend?s checkbook and spending money from the account for clothes, groceries and other items.

Schott said he mentioned Anthony?s case because that?s the only check-fraud case the public would recognize.

The stakes are high in this race for the open seat, which carries a six-year term and pays an annual salary of $145,080.
The election is Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Schott held a news conference in front of the Orange County Courthouse to say he planned to send State Attorney Lawson Lamar a letter, requesting prosecutors look into Turner?s election finance report.

Turner?s campaign consultant, Stockton Reeves, said called Schott?s attack a ?dirty trick.?

?To compare Jim Turner to Casey Anthony, what is this man smoking?? Reeves said.

Political-science associate professor Aubrey Jewett said it sounds like Schott may have gone over the top by bringing up Anthony?s name even if he may have a legitimate complaint.

?Of all the campaigns, [judicial races] tend to the most civilized affairs,? the University of Central Florida professor said. ?But it?s still an election and it?s still a contact sport ? even to be a judge.?