It's the capital murder case that's held our attention this summer. But has the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Casey Anthony intentionally murdered her daughter? The jury is beginning their deliberations today, and now it's your chance to weigh in. You've gotta watch the most pivotal moments from the defense and prosecution and judge for yourself whether Casey Anthony is guilty or innocent.
Prosecuting Casey Anthony – The state of Florida contends Casey Anthony cared more about partying and having a fun life than being a mother. It's her motive for murder, according to prosecutors. They paint her as a liar trying to live the good life at the expense of her daughter.
[cnn-video url=" http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2011/07/02/natpkg.anthony.prosecution.wrap.cnn "]
Defending Casey Anthony – The defense brought molestation allegations against Casey Anthony's father and brother during the trial. It pointed to George Anthony as the real culprit behind the toddler's death and cover-up. Most importantly, Casey Anthony's defense team relied upon the fact that Caylee Anthony's cause of death is undetermined. It believes that's the real reason there's not enough evidence to convict the Florida mother of murder.
[cnn-video url=" http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2011/07/02/nat.anthony.defense.wrap.cnn"%5D
I have a new favorite word now. Despesiation. Thank you, jill Tee, for making my day. I would really like to play Scrabble with you someday. Whenever youre not too busy editing the dictionary.
@ Deb, Good point about the searching for methods. That could be there only viable options to give a guilty verdict. Good job Debb
@Big Daddy: It's "their" not "there" Big Dummy.
Hey Debb, go play grammar cop somewhere else.
I THINK THE PROSECUTION HAS PROVEN THEIR CASE – THEY PROVIDED LESS DOUBT THAN THE DEFENSE. I DONT BELIEVE GEORGE, CINDY OR LEE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT – THEY OBVIOUSLY LOVED THAT CHILD MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE AND SHOWERED HER WITH LOVE AND AFFECTION. CASEY WAS SO JEALOUS OF CAYLEE (PARTLY BECAUSE OF HOW CINDY AND GEORGE SHOWERED HER WITH SUCH LOVE AND AFFECTION) – LEE TESTIFIED AS TO THE "VINDICTIVE COMMENTS" CASEY MADE ABOUT HER PARENTS AND CAYLEE'S RELATIONSHIP; CASEY ALSO BECAME AFRAID OF THE "LIES" BEING EXPOSED AS CAYLEE BEGAN TO SPEAK AND COMPREHEND HER SURROUNDINGS; AND THE LIES, LIES, LIES AND LIES TO EVERYONE & POINTING FINGERS AT EVERYONE AND NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER ACTIONS IS NOT ONLY CHILDISH, BUT SELFISH AND SELF-SERVING TO ONLY COVER HER OWN ASS. I CANT SAY THAT SHE IS GUILTY OF "CUT AND DRY" MURDER – BUT SHE IS DEFINITELY GUILTY AND RESPONSIBLE FOR HER DEATH. AS I AM AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY I THINK THAT CASEY NEEDS TO SPEND THE REST OF HER LIFE IN PRISON.
I would try the rest of that dumb family on child abuse/neglect/abandonment charges, because none of them seemed to care enough to call the cops until after a month. If my grand child went missing for longer than a couple days then I would call the police. They should all be banished to the phantom zone for eternity.
I believe Casey Anthony will be found guilty, but not of first degree murder. There was not enough full-proof evidence to convict her of that. I believe she will be found guilty of manslaughter.
"THEY PROVIDED LESS DOUBT THAN THE DEFENSE"
Obviously you don't understand the instructions to a jury. The defense has to prove nothing. The burden of proof is on the prosecution, and it is "Beyond a reasonable doubt". The state didn't do that IMO. I would vote not guilty, not because she is, but because the state did a crappy job on this case. I am sure this will end up as a hung jury.
JOJOBEAN: First of all, why are you shouting? Second, your statement that the prosecution provided less doubt than the defense is irrelevant; the defense doesn't need to prove anything. The prosecution has 100% of the burden of proof; if they leave even the slightest, reasonable doubt; the defense wins.
They proved Casey Anthony lied, but tell me what person hasn't lied in their life, especially when they are afraid. I think it's a case of accidental death; the entire family trying to cover themselves. Casey Anthonly certainly was not a good parent, and charges should be neglect, leading to death. She also thought of herself first. The dad seems strange and was willing to throw his daughtger under the bus to save himself. I think the death was known about all along by both Casey's parents, but when there was no way out, Cindy called police. Most of this case is speculation. I would have to say not guilty as there is reasonable doubt! The closing arguements today by Linda Drane Burdick went on and on. She reminded me of Nancy Grace. Both are irritating.
I mean, how could you not know your grand child was missing all that time? Really. Doesn't make sense to me at all. The family had to know, no matter what their daughter was saying. Re the father's suiciden note: he expressed some guilt. I believe there was a cover up for quite a while;, but if they confess to knowing, they too are on the hook. That said, Casey should get life in prison, no chance of parole.
I think she will been found "NOT QUILTY" If she really did it she will have to live with in for the rest of her life. I don't trust George...He seems like a bully...and his girlfriend.../ Time wil tell. Zeno
please turn off your caps lock and quit screaming !
Very well stated! And I agree 200%!!!!!!
Hey Toodle nuts, legal defense absolutely has the burden of proof in regards to their clients whereabouts and actions during the time of the murder and beyond. If the defense asserts a wild accident story coupled with molestation charges, the defense ABSOLUTELY must provide evidence to support those claims. There was no evidence of molestation. There was no evidence of an accidental drowning. The defense did NOTHING to explain Casey's pathological lies in the 33 days Caylee was "missing".
There is a great misconception that the defense does not bear the burden of proof but the defense certainly must prove their client was not able or present to commit the actions they are being accused of. Baez and company DID NOT disprove anything nor did they prove their assertion of and accident was even remotely plausible. They could have easily put Casey on the stand but chose not to, not because of 5th Amendment rights but because she could not, under oath, tell about molestation that never occurred, much less explain her action in the weeks following Caylee's disappearance
Hey Ignorance Prevails..you live up to your name....defense has absolutely nothing to prove, ever. Doesn't even have to prove her own name. Notwithstanding your ignorance, she IS guilty in my view.
Krypton Court–remember that Casey spun a series of lies that at first seemed credible. AND it WAS Cynthia Anthony who eventually did call the police when it started to become apparent to her that Caylee was missing. Give her credit. I think that the parents, while squirrilly, are basically sound on the essentials. The one I doubt is the brother...I think he's her confidant (sometimes) and think he knows more than he's told.
Hey Bill, the defense ABSOLUTELY must PROVE that their clients alibi is concrete. Casey's alibi that an imaginary nanny kidnapped the baby MUST BE PROVED by the defense, and it wasn't because it was lie. Casey's defense that Caylee drowned and she, along with George covered it up, MUST BE PROVED by the defense, and it wasn't because it is a lie. Casey's actions in the 33 days after Caylee's disappearance must be rationalized and they were NOT. The defense MUST PROVE Casey did not perform the internet searches, and they did NOT and in fact, were caught in a lie under oath, which may result in Cindy being tried for perjury, and very possible reprocussions for Baez if he knowingly presented a witness who provided false testimony.
Get a clue. Stop trying to spin these wild conspiracies about cover ups and multiple players. This case is KISS, Keep It Simple, Stupid. The simple explanation is the answer
Bill the mother's name is Cindy, NOT Cynthia. You lack of attention shows you to be a fool, therefore everything you post will be filtered with that knowledge.
To Kryton Court, the grandparents could not call the police and report their granddaughter missing, they have no standing, plus Casey was an adult in the eyes of the law and had the right to leave with her child be it right or wrong.
Yes she was murdered but they didn't show know evidence of how ,when and cause of death so basically its there belief so its really who the jury belief but by law no evidence was shown or given just opinions of experts.
They didn't have to prove how she died. What they were going for was to prove that Casey was the only one who could've done it. I think they did a good job of that.
Brian – you are so wrong it's not even funny. The prosecution has to prove a LOT more than "she's the only one who could have done it". If it was that easy, this trial would have been much less than 6 weeks.
Mike, are you familiar with the criminal justice system in the United States? The prosecution needs to prove that the defendant did it. Simply proving that she is the most likely person isn't enough. It's nearly impossible to prove a negative; that is, it's nearly impossible to prove that no one else could have done it. As such, your argument is faulty.
I'm sorry, I meant to address that to Brian, not Mike.
I disagree with you Mike...they proved how she died–suffocation by application of duct tape to her mouth and nose. I also think they proved that the only person with access to all the evidence in the murder was Casey. AND, I thnk that while they con't have to prove motive, they did–this was a single mother who got tired of being a mother; got tired of the pressure of having a child to care for alone; got tired of a family that expected her to care for that child as a mother should and one that gave her child more attention than she got. I think, like many recent mothers who killed their children, she was otherwise a good mother, but that she underwent some change of mood, mind and heart that caused her to take the simple way out. The only way, because she was really without other options given the web of lies she created before Caylee's death.
CINDY CALLED THE POLICE WHEN SHE FOUND OUT -31 DAYS AFTER CAYLEE WENT MISSING AND CASEY FESSED UP – CASEY DIDNT CALL THE POLICE. CINDY DID AS SOON AS SHE FOUND OUT
agree Jo Jo. She is GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY... I hope she gets the death penalty'
SHUT UP WITH THE CAPS!!!!
Your so annoying but yes shes guilty. Put her in jail for life, or death. Id probally do jail. It will affect her most. Because all she wanted was fun and drinking, not gunna see that behind bars. BUT they evidence was little.
So i believe she is guilty but the evidence is little, should have investegated better, seemed like a mess.
turn off your caps lock and quit screaming !
@ Deb... Your TACK has not been felt when correcting my error, and only surmise that you felt the need to omit it when ever anyone pays you a compliment.
Have ROTTEN 4th 🙂
NOT GUILTY.
You just hope you can do her.
Innocent due to no evidence other than speculation.
It figures Bill Clinton would weigh in, still looking for a chance to score.
People like you remind me of how stupid people can be.
"Innocent" and "Not Guilty" - two different things. May she rot in he**
All you have to do is connect the dots.....most people today are quite capable of that.
I believe she is guilty, but I do not believe the State connected the dots between the death and Casey. Therefore, there is "reasonable doubt" and she must be found not-guilty (at least of murder 1). I believe they will find her guilty of child neglect/abuse and manslaughter.
You obviously haven't been paying attention :"an FBI chemist, Dr. Michael Rickenbach, explained to jurors that there was Chloroform detected on fabric from a spare tire cover taken from Casey's trunk." They proved that her mother could NOT have possibly searched for Chloroform almost 100 times due to the fact that she was at work.
jamieinmn – That does not prove how the girl died, nor does it prove that it was intentional. You have to set speculation aside and look at the way the law is written. She has to be found guilty of the charges, without reasonable doubt. I think we can all agree Casey was responsible for her death, but if no one even knows HOW the girl died, there is absolutely no (legal) way she can be conviced of murder.
It is odd that the family did not go to the police much sooner. You know when youre grand child is not there; you ask questions, especially if your daughter is promiscuous. You did deeper, you report to authorities or ask for help. In any event, if your daughter is sick – disturbed, you also seek help, advice.
The father seems odd, and it seems he and his wife weren't all that close. His suicide note also expressed some guilt. I believe it will be a verdict of neglect leading to her daughtger's death. The states closing arguements this am, were meant to be sensational, but they mostly were irritating and way too long.
I believe they all panicked, knew that Caylee had died. The father admitted it was an accident that had spiraled out of control to his mistress.
I believe the jury has already made up their minds. The media pointed out that NOBODY was taking any notes........Fry the bi@%$
Most likely Not Guilty. Too much speculation. The parents either knew all along, or most of the time that their granddaughter was missing. The father admitted to his mistress that it was an accident that had spiraled out of control. He confideded his thoughts to his mistress, not his wife that was mentioned. They all panicked. Casey was neglectful and focussed mostly on herself, but I would bet there was more going on there with the father than meets the eye.
The state's closing arguements this am, went on too long, and were far too sensational. Anthony is guilty of neglect which led to death. Her whole family has issues.
Guilty. Period.
As far as I'm concerned, she is a cold-blooded murderer, and her parents are as insane as Casey is for not reporting their grandchild missing – they should be locked up and the key thrown away. These are some of the people who walk amongst us...they could be our neighbour and you would think they are as sane as anyone else around. Scary!
The parents believed the lies of her daughter. Casey Anthony was tricking everybody related to this case including her attorneys.
The grandparents could not report Caylee missing, they have no standing, they are not the parents nor did they have guardianship of the child. They could have tried to report Casey missing, but she is a legal adult and has the right to leave at any time. Plus they didnt know Caylee was missing at that time, Casey kept making up excuses for where Caylee was.
Baez won the case. Mason lost it. Tactical error. Gave the pros a fresh morning. Guilty First Degree.
Why is this national news... I would think the debt crisis and various other bits of news are vastly more important then some criminal case in which a mother is being accused of murdering her child. Don't get me wrong if found guilty this is a heinous act, but why is this being covered so heavily. Unfortunately things like this happen, and the media outlets picked this as the case of the year, while things of more importance to the nation are happening...
Hey Kieran, last time I checked, those things you're talking about (debt crisis) are in the news as well. "Various other bits of news" ??? Isn't that what this is??
If it's not news, why are you commenting about it??????
The problem I have is with the media's need to need to push this story and make it a front page issue. I just don't understand what the implications of the outcome of a criminal case have to do with me. Everyday there are cases that involve heinous acts, yet these aren't pushed by every major news outlet. I'm not commenting about the validity or newsworthiness of this case, but the need by the media to sensationalize criminal cases such as this and make a murder case in florida a national issue.
Kieran, parenting a child safely to adulthood is the MINIMUM we human beings can do to ensure the success of future generations. Honestly, the national debt pales in comparison.
The police nor any of the prosecution team or witnesses did not and cannot prove how that beautiful baby girl died. Therefore, NOBODY can prove murder against anyone. Period. Therefore, Ms. Casry Anthony cannot be gujilty of anythiing,. Period.
You sir are an idiot.
Hello, what about the duct tape and choloform??? that is proof in my book...what do people expect, a video showing the murder happening?
Louis-
I would agree with you except:
1) Casey stated (eventually) that her daughter dies of an accident which ties Casey to the scene of death
2) Casey, by stating that her daughter's death was an accident places the decedent in Casey's presence at the time of death
3) Casey, by stating her daughter's death was an accident negated all other statements made of ignorance and negated previous allibis
4) Casey by stating her daughter's death was accident, placing her at the scene in the presence of the decendent at the time of death, negates the prosecution's need to prove a) Casey was present at the scene, b) the death took place in her presence, c) Casey did in fact know her daughter was dead, d) Casey did in fact attempt conceal said death; therefore evidence like finger prints, DNA, footprints, soil samples, fiber, blood, etc that would normally be used to tie a person to a death and a scene were not necessary. Ultimately it was Casey who slit her own throat by asserting a defense she denied in a video-taped visit with her parents while she was in jail.
They dont have to prove how she died. You dont even need a body to convict someone of murder. You need to only prove that a) Caylee is dead and b) that Casey is responsible for her death. How she died is not needed.
Ernest, Excellent set of points, kind of really puts it in persepctive
Ernest – well done