Maryville IL

2009-03-08T13:08:00.005-06:00

A senior pastor who was shot multiple times at a Maryville, Illinois church has died from his injuries. The shooting happened around 8:55 a.m. at First Baptist Church at 7110 State Route 162, which is about 20 miles northeast of St. Louis.

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George Anthony Threatens Suicide

2009-01-23T16:37:00.006-06:00

George Anthony, father of Casey Anthony, was reported missing, early Friday morning after threatening suicide. He was later found at a Daytona Beach motel.

The Anthonys' attorney, Brad Conway, said George was okay. He was taken into custody under Florida's Baker Act, which allows the state to hold people involuntarily pending a psychiatric evaluation.

The lead investigator in the case and several Orange County sheriff's deputies responded to the house of George and Cindy Anthony late Thursday night. His family had grown increasingly concerned when George missed a scheduled meeting Thursday afternoon.

Sheriff’s officials and Conway said George Anthony left his home early Thursday morning and hadn't been seen since. Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood said George sent what were described as "disturbing" text messages to family members.

The 911 Call -

"George is okay, thank God," Conway said. "Had it not been for a cooperative effort between Orange County and Volusia County, I don't know what the outcome would have been. George is now safe."

George Anthony was found in Daytona Beach at the Hawaii Motel (see map). Deputies used GPS and signals from George's cell phone to track his car. Eyewitness News has learned a half-written suicide note was found inside his car.

"When they arrived on the scene, George was talking to them and was fine," said Conway. "We're having him checked out to be sure." George was taken to Halifax Medical Center for observation. He could be held for up to 72 hours.

Chitwood, who took George to the hospital, described him as "melancholy." Chitwood said no weapons and no medications indicating suicide was imminent were found.

George's car was returned to the Anthony home just before 6:00am, but George was not in it.

Casey Anthony was told what happened by a member of the Orange County jail's health services staff, according to a jail spokesman.

The Anthonys have been part of a drawn-out saga involving their daughter, Casey, who is charged with the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. Caylee was first reported missing over the summer. Her decomposing remains were found just a few blocks from the family home in December.

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MESSAGE BOARD: Justice For Caylee

Casey's parents, George and Cindy, spent months insisting their granddaughter was alive and their daughter would be proven innocent. They have steadfastly supported Casey, despite mounting evidence gathered by investigators in the case.

At times, the stress of the case seemed to weigh heavily on George. On several occasions, he angrily confronted protestors who gathered outside the family home in east Orange County as they protested against his daughter, and at the media.

Baez said he was urged to make a statement and said he wouldn't have done so if that hadn't been suggested. "I don't care how much criticism I face. I don't care what type of speculation is out there. However, if it gets to the point where it's defamatory ... I want to be remembered as someone who fought for his client through the highs and lows ... not someone who is the subject of constant insinuations and unsubstantiated rumors," Baez said. "There are those of you who have much more integrity than others and those of you who just don't care."

Baez then addressed allegations that he was profiting from the case.

"I have no book deal or entertainment deals or any contingencies of any kind and any insinuations of that is simply a false rumor," he said. "That can be put to rest. I have nothing to hide … It is absolutely untrue."

Baez ended the press conference saying he is working to get the trial venue moved, but that he would not disclose where he wants the trial moved.

Hourly Buzz

Maryville IL

George Anthony Threatens Suicide