WEATHERAnthony sentence allows her to go free July 17
Jul 08
2011
Casey Anthony looked ready for freedom. For the first time since her trial began, she let her hair down, smiling and playing with it as she awaited the judge's decision on when she would be released.
Then she turned stone-faced as the sentence was pronounced: Freedom wouldn't come just yet. She'd have to spend six more days in jail for lying to investigators about the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.
Late Thursday, Orange County corrections officials said they had ''conducted a detailed recalculation of the projected release date'' and that Anthony would actually not be freed until July 17.
Thursday's actions mean Anthony will go free nearly two weeks after she was acquitted Tuesday of first-degree murder and other charges in Caylee's death.
The extra time in jail did little to satisfy throngs of angry people convinced of her guilt who gathered outside the courthouse. But it could provide time for the public furor over her acquittal to ease somewhat and give Anthony's attorneys a chance to plan for her safety.
Two days after the verdicts, most of the jury remained silent, with their names still kept secret by the court. One juror explained that the panel agreed to acquit Anthony because prosecutors did not show what happened to the toddler.
When she is released, the 25-year-old Anthony must decide whether to return to a community in which many onlookers long ago concluded that she's a killer, or to a home strained by her defense attorneys' accusations of sexual abuse.
Judge Belvin Perry gave her the maximum sentence of four years for four convictions of lying to authorities. He denied a defense request to combine the misdemeanor counts, which could have made her eligible for immediate release.
''As a result of those four specific, distinct lies, law enforcement expended great time and resources looking for Caylee Marie Anthony,'' the judge said.
With time served and credit for good behavior, she is now due out on July 17, her 1,007th day in jail.
Outside the courthouse, a cluster of protesters chanted ''Justice for Caylee'' as they waved signs that said ''Arrest the Jury!!'' and ''Jurors 1-12 Guilty of Murder.'' One man had duct tape with a heart-shaped sticker over his mouth, similar to the way prosecutors contend duct tape was used to kill Caylee. Increased police presence included officers on horseback.
''At least she won't get to pop the champagne cork tonight,'' said Flora Reece, an Orlando real estate broker who stood outside the courthouse holding a sign that read ''Arrest the Jury.''
Anthony's parents were present for the hearing but left without speaking to reporters. Prosecutors and defense attorneys did not comment either.
Anger continued to spread online, with commenters vilifying Anthony on social media networks. Nearly 22,000 people ''liked'' the ''I hate Casey Anthony'' page on Facebook, which included comments wishing her the same fate that befell Caylee.
The potential for Anthony to profit off the case was infuriating to many who said they feared she could become rich by selling her story to publishers or filmmakers or signing a lucrative television contract.
''I would not read the book,'' Jeff Ashton, the prosecutor in the case, told CNN's John King on Thursday. Ashton said he would not believe any version Anthony provided ''unless it's one that accounts for all the evidence.''
''If anybody could find a rational, reasonable explanation for why you put duct tape on a child that died by accident, then I'd love to hear it,'' Ashton said, referring to the defense claim that the child accidentally drowned.
Whatever future she chooses, Anthony's release next week promises to mark the start of a new, probably difficult chapter for her.
Mary Tate, a former public defender who heads the University of Richmond's Institute for Actual Innocence, said Anthony's defense team is probably seeking help from a variety of advisers as they seek to rebuild her fractured life.
''She's going to be bombarded with a lot of financial offers. She's going to be bombarded with random hostility. She's just entering an extraordinarily exhausting two or three years,'' Tate said.
Dr. Phyllis Chesler, a psychologist who authored ''Mothers on Trial,'' said Anthony will have to deal with an ''absolutely primitive blood lust'' that's been unleashed, even though she's been acquitted.
''How is she going to cope with the hatred?'' Chester asked.
At a separate hearing Thursday, Perry also expressed concern for the safety of jurors and postponed his decision on whether to release their names. The judge said he wanted to allow for a ''cooling-off period'' of at least a couple of days. The Associated Press and other news organizations have argued that the jurors' identities should be released.
''It's no big secret that some people disagree with their verdict, and some people would like to take something out on them,'' Perry said.
''I doubt you would have had this same uproar if the decision would have been different. But juries aren't supposed to make decisions based on public opinion polls,'' he added.
Anthony's release will come nearly three years after Caylee was reported missing. After the report was made on July 15, 2008, Anthony was interviewed by police and made the statements that led to her conviction for lying.
She lied about working at the Universal Studios theme park, about leaving her daughter with a non-existent nanny named Zanny, about telling two friends that Caylee had been kidnapped and about receiving a phone call from her.
The defense claimed Caylee actually drowned a month earlier in a pool at the home of Anthony's parents, George and Cindy Anthony, with whom the child and her single mother lived.
The defense argued Anthony acted without remorse in the weeks after her daughter's death because she was a victim of sexual abuse by her father, resulting in emotional problems, though her attorneys produced no witnesses bolstering the claim. The defense also alleged that George Anthony, a former police officer, helped cover up the death by making it look like a homicide and dumping the body near their home, where it was found by a meter reader six months later. George Anthony has vehemently denied any involvement in Caylee's death, the disposal of her body or molesting his daughter, Casey.
''I do not believe for a moment that George Anthony had anything to do with disposing of his granddaughter's body,'' Ashton told CNN.
Prosecutors alleged that Anthony suffocated her daughter with duct tape because motherhood interfered with her lust for a carefree life of partying with friends and spending time with her boyfriend.
Jurors have mostly declined to discuss their verdict, though one told ABC News it was an emotional decision reached because the prosecution failed to show what really happened to Caylee.
''I did not say she was innocent,'' said Jennifer Ford, a 32-year-old nursing student. ''I just said there was not enough evidence. If you cannot prove what the crime was, you cannot determine what the punishment should be.''
Near the Anthony home, at the swampy, mosquito-filled site where Caylee's remains were found, several people visited a makeshift memorial to the child Thursday. Two-dozen flower bouquets wilted in the Florida heat, helium balloons swayed in the breeze and hundreds of stuffed animals lay in a pile on the ground. Some mourners attached hand-written notes, many of which disparaged Anthony.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office has erected no-parking signs throughout the area so curious crowds cannot block the roadway. The neighborhood is being patrolled by deputies on four all-terrain vehicles and six patrol cars. Horses were being brought in for mounted officers.
Sheriff's spokesman Jeff Williamson said he could not comment on the number of officers in the area, and there is no estimate yet of the cost to taxpayers.
Authorities ''don't know who will come here or what people will do,'' he said. ''We're here to handle any problems and protect the community.''
Ray DeBattista came with his family of five and said he thought the verdict was ''mind boggling.'' The St. Cloud retiree said he watched his 2-year-old grandson recently and the child slipped away while he answered the door. He said he called 911 less than 30 seconds later.
''My heart was racing, and I ran around frantically looking for him,'' DeBattista said. ''He was playing hide-and-seek under the pool table in a laundry basket. I just cannot understand how Casey went 31 days without reporting her daughter missing.''
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12:27 PM
SarahTonin says
It had to happen! It was just reported that a woman, who bears a resemblance to Casey Anthony was attacked.
To all of you who would spit on Casey Anthony if you ever saw her, I just hope that you can see how wrong it all is. Then again, if you had the capability to tell right from wrong, you never would have been so proud as to say such a thing. The end of this story is not yet written but some do-gooder will surely try to write the final chapter.
08:33 AM
twiz says
How can she even smile when her daughter was murdered. If she is innocent, as she claims, you would think that she'd be VERY upset about the death of her daughter, and would be looking to find out, for herself, who really did do it. That suggests that she is either guilty herself, or knows who had their hands in her murder. I wouldn't be suprised if she writes a 'tell all' book that accuses her mother and father for having a hand in it. And I bet, those ppl who say they won't invest one penny, borrowed or earned, in the publication, will secretly buy it and read it... It's just too tempting NOT to. I don't know all the facts, but from what was presented... there is evidence that suggests she could of done it, hand help doing it, or know who did do it... It's just sad, someone died, and someone in that family killed her.03:53 AM
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04:28 PM
SarahTonin says
Julie, you of all people should know that common sense is NOT evidence in a courtroom! Circumstances point to Casey as the killer, but not the real hard evidence. You may call her guilty and so might others but it's a circumstantial uninformed, emotional call. Do I think she did it, yes I do!Was Caseys behavior strange, of couse it was, in fact it is what makes her look guilty.
BUT
How would you feel about it if eventually the true facts came out and it was Casey's mother that did it and Casey was trying to protect her? What if Casey was willing to take the hit to keep her mother out of jail? Reasonable? It's even plausible with the evidence that the prosecutors presented.
and again, you should know, that common sense is not what a jury is instructed to look at when reaching a verdict. It's cold hard facts. For a girl that spouts courtroom procedures, you miss this one a mile!
01:25 PM
Julie R. says
No evidence? When somebody doesn't report a little two-year missing for 31 days (and it wasn't even her that reported her missing, it was the grandmother) ...... who then comes up with 4 different lies to the investigators including "a nanney kidnapped her" and makes the claim that she was out doing her own investigation for 31 days instead of contacting the police.......yet the prosecution showed pictures of how she was out partying for those 31 days........where testimony was given that the trunk of her car reeked of a body that might have been in the trunk for days if not weeks......where the defense came up with the most ignorant thing ever ---- the little girl accidentally drowned so Casey put duct tape on her mouth and tried to make it look like a murder..........
Ah......I would have to say that common sense alone would know she was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt...........but obviously common sense wasn't what the 12 jurors were told to look for.
12:19 PM
SarahTonin says
Cracked Cherry say: Everyone knows she is guilty
What are you using, a crystal ball? Why don't you tell us how it all happened? I would really like to understand how ANYBODY could say such a thing. Everybody can suspect that she's guilty but "KNOW", without ANY evidence what so ever?
Yes, this gal will go through hell the rest of her natural life but that isn't how our justice system is supposed to work. According to the American Legal System she is flat a$$ed not guilty and she may, in fact, not be! I'm sad to see that there are some very ignorant people who would say something like "Everyone knows she is guilty".
04:11 PM
Julie R. says
Casey Anthony's now famous lawyers sure are some unsavory characters. After the verdict Cheny Mason gave the spectators and the reporters the finger. He also lashed out at lawyers who go on TV and prattle about cases they are merely obvserving from afar --- but as ABC News illustrated he did precisely that in regards to the Anthony case before he joined her defense team. The leader of the defense team, Jose Baez, after graduating from law school in 1997, couldn't even practice for 8 years because the Flordia Bar deemed him unfit. Justices for the Flordia Supreme Court, in a ruling backing the Bar's refusal to admit him, said he exhibited "a total lack of respect for the rights of others and a total lack of respect for the legal system."
10:16 PM
frizzlefrap says
except when she lies .... that'll be a dead giveaway!
06:35 PM
Taxpayer says
It is hard for me to believe a jury of twelve with two alternates can be rigged. But, with the HISTORY of the county court system and the documented performance, it appears there is something WRONG. I always liked and respected our county prosecutor since he started as city attorney and got elected to his current position. He has changed a lot in his career and one case in particular shouts corruption. I am sure he and a few of the judges are trying to save their own skin, but it does NOT enable or fulfill JUSTICE for all. The greatest justice system on the planet can be manipulated, right here in Erie County.
06:47 PM
Julie R. says
Hey Taxpayer, once again do you honestly think that a "jury of peers" can not be rigged? Just by looking at some of the cases in one-horse corrupt Erie County alone I say they sure can!
02:37 PM
jas says
I still wonder why this case got so much media attention when there are so many other murders with multiple victims and more heinious acts than this case. It shows me that too many people watch Fox News which is really scary to me. The biggest lies we see on TV every day are "fair and balanced." Any one with half a brain can see the barrage of half truths and total lies on Fox News. The Daily Show did an excellent segment showing the Fox News lies. They consistently win the awards for the biggest lies on TV. If your view of this case is based on what you saw on Fox News, it is probably wrong and definitely not "fair and balanced." Let us hope and pray that Rupert Murdoch does what he did to the long time tabloid in Great Britain and shuts Fox News down. It certainly would reduce air pollution in the United States significantly.
12:58 PM
gordon2424 says
im sure she is going to change her name and her apperance...and nodody will ever know!!
12:08 PM
Cracked Cherry says
She will have a tough life outside the jail for the rest of her life. Everyone knows she is guilty and she will be harrassed for the rest of her life. Then she will meet her maker some day and burn in hell!!!
11:44 AM
Julie R. says
"If anybody could find a rational, reasonable explanation for why you would put duct tape on a child that died by accident, then I would love to hear it," Ashton said, referring to the defense claim that the child had accidentally drowned.
All that testimony and the jury only deliberated for 11 hours? They never even asked to review any of the testimony during deliberations? Something doesn't sound right. It's probably why they are trying to get the judge to release the names of the jurors.
10:22 AM
gordon2424 says
People need to move on with this....the jury couldnt find her guilty cause there wasnt enough evidence...the prosicution didnt do its job good enough and now she is going to be set free....need move on theres more to life in just Bit$$$$ and complaining bout this....if somebody out there is stupid enough to try anything dumb than there no different than she is!!!!
10:17 AM
SarahTonin says
Ya know, there's little doubt that she had something to do with it but there's a lot of unanswered questions. I don't like the outcome either but let's face fact. "Something to do with it" does not make a criminal conviction! You guys can be all up in the air about it but let's put the blame where it belongs ... the prosecutors! It's not the jury, they did the thing they were supposed to do, not convict because there was no evidence. Hell, nobody would even step up and say what the cause of death was. Her lawyer did what he was supposed to do, made sure that the jury recognized "reasonable doubt". The damn prosecutors brought the trial forward knowing that they didn't have their crap together and knowing full well that if they didn't get a conviction, they would invoke double jeopardy. You can't just bring someone to trial and hope that the jury sees it your way? The ones to hang are the prosecutors!
09:04 AM
Blowfish says
99 problems but the daughter ain't one.
01:32 AM
R_u_serious says
Maybe her justice will be served before July 17th....you know people in prison don't like people that hurt children...ya know!!
12:32 AM
FST says
And the village idiot has spoken again.
11:08 PM
Taxpayer says
Now WHY are you crybabies all upset over this VERDICT by the JURY of her peers?? Come on! I am simply happy I do not have to see this idiotic trial on Fox News anymore. The PEOPLE of this county should NOT be surprised or upset at all. Like I have posted before, all it takes is ONE liberal person on the jury. Just ONE! In this child homicide case, the jury was unanimous. After all, YOU are going to hear this AGAIN, "NOT GUILTY, YOU are FREE to GO." Sound familiar??
12:32 PM
sweetcheeks says
I sure hope this CRAZY B**CH gets a chance to pay for what she has done to a little girl that DESERVES JUSTICE!!!! What in the hell happen to your justice system??
11:45 AM
24productions says
i think anyone whom spends one, even borrowed penny, on anything this trash has to say, is as evil as the author
11:02 AM
Raoul Duke says
Justice is overrated. But if everyone would just turn their backs on her, so called “justice” would be served.
09:41 AM
Julie R. says
Had the jury not found her guilty of lying to the investigators ~ which made up for the time she spent in jail ~ she could have easily filed a lawsuit and won it. She can even write a book now or have a movie made and make millions off of it. I'm beginning to think this whole country has gone nuts. There's no justice at all anymore. Everything abnormal is normal. They say the system is the best but I don't believe it. I say the system is broke beyond repair.
08:11 AM
Raoul Duke says
Now, who is this?