Editor's note: For more on the jury's finding that Casey Anthony is not guilty in daughter Caylee's death read our full story here.
[Updated at 8:20 p.m.] From the moment word came that Casey Anthony was acquitted of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, online networking sites were flooded with a cascade of amateur commentary. A few big names, including Kim Kardashian, joined the fray. Most condemned the verdict - "no justice for Caylee" was a common comment - which comes after years of the case serving as fodder for cable news, tabloids and the like.
[Updated at 7:55 p.m.] Mourners of Caylee Anthony want you to turn your porch lights on tonight in honor of the slain 2-year-old.
The Facebook event, "Porch lights on for Caylee Marie Anthony," urges people "all over the world" to start participating at "9 pm in your own time zone."
Already, 546,610 have said they're attending, and some say their lights are already on.
[Updated at 7:20 p.m.] Alternate juror Russell Huekler said he agrees with the jury's verdict "wholeheartedly" and surmised that Caylee Anthony's death was a "horrific accident" gone awry.
"The prosecution did not prove their case," said Huekler, who sat through the entire case but did not get to deliberate the charges.
Prosecutors failed to answer the question of how Caylee died, he said.
From the testimony, Huekler said he drew the conclusion that "it was probably a horrific accident" that Anthony and her father, George Anthony, covered up.
"Unfortunately it did snowball and got away from them," Huekler said. "It was such a horrific accident that they didn't know how to deal with it. The family appeared to be very dysufintional and instead of admitting there was an accident, they chose to hide it, for whatever reason."
[Updated at 5:08 p.m.] Attorney Mark Lippman issued a statement on behalf of Lee, George and Cindy Anthony:
While the family may never know what has happened to Caylee Marie Anthony, they now have closure for this chapter of their life. They will now begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.
Despite the baseless defense chosen by Casey Anthony, the family believes that the Jury made a fair decision based on the evidence presented, the testimony presented, the scientific information presented and the rules that were given to them by the Honorable Judge Perry to guide them.
The family hopes that they will be given the time by the media to reflect on this verdict and decide the best way to move forward privately.
The family also wanted the public to know that if anyone wanted to honor Caylee by leaving stuffed animals or other toys at any area near their home, that they would prefer those items be donated in Caylee’ s name to families in need, religious centers, or any other entity where the toys would be appreciated.
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
[Updated at 4:10 p.m.] Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings issues a plea for restraint after Casey Anthony is acquitted of murder.
"As the verdict has been rendered we ask our community to respect the decision the jury and court have made today. We ask for your continued peaceful acknowledgement of that verdict.
[Updated at 3:47 p.m.] The delay in recovering Caylee Anthony's remains worked to the "considerable disadvantage" to the prosecution's efforts to prove Casey Anthony's guilt, Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Lawson Lamar said.
With no "smoking gun" and a victim who was "reduced by time and the elements to skeletal remains," made the case all the more the more difficult to prove, he said. Nonetheless, he said, police and prosecutors did their job - and so did the jury.
"I never, ever criticize a jury; theirs is a task of deciding what to believe," he said. "We're disappointed with the verdict today and surprised because we know the facts and we put in absolutely every single piece of evidence that existed."
He said his staff would return to the task of addressing the 101,00 cases that come to his office each year, including a handful of open child murder cases.
"Child murders, regrettably and terribly, are not rare in America today and those deaths are no less horrible," he said. "The only difference is the news has not highlighted their murders."
He also praised his staff for not talking about the case outside of the courtroom, saying the rush to convict Casey Anthony in the news "led to the great expense" of having to seek a jury "outside the media market."
"So much of the angst and taxpayer expense could've been avoided if others had not succumbed to the temptation provided by quick notoriety," Lawson said.
"For us the case has never been about the defendant in particular. It has always been about seeking justice for Caylee and speaking on her behalf."
THE JURY
[Updated at 3:14 p.m.] Members of the jury in the Casey Anthony case have said they are not interested in speaking with members about the case or the verdict, a court spokeswoman said.
[Updated at 3:10 p.m.] We are waiting on an expected news conference from the jurors in the Casey Anthony trial.
A room has been set up for them to address the media, but none are required to actually say anything if they do not want to.
[Updated at 2:50 p.m.] Defense Attorney Jose Baez said he had mixed emotions about the case and that he had to work hard against media bias that existed during the search for Caylee and the case against Casey Anthony.
"You cannot convict someone until they have their day in court," he said.
Baez said he was happy for Casey Anthony and the decision made by the jury. Now he hopes Casey Anthony can move on.
"I want her to grieve and to grow and somehow get her life back together," he said.
Baez said the case was a true example of a jury doing what they are supposed to - finding their verdict based on evidence and not emotion.
"We have the greatest constitution in the world and if the media and other members of the public don’t respect it, it will become meaningless," he said. "And today and yesterday on the Fourth of July, there was a breath of life."
Baez said he is thrilled that when he goes home today and his daughter asks what he did today he can say - "I saved a life."
"I think this case is a perfect example for why the death penalty does not work... " Baez added. "Murder is not right no matter who does it."
[Updated at 2:45 p.m.] Dorothy Clay Sims speaking first for the defense team addressed the media.
"I am thankful for today's verdict on behalf of Casey Anthony," she said.
Defense Attorney Cheney Mason also addressed the media, angrily scolding them for their coverage of the case.
"I hope that this is a lesson to those who have indulged in media assassination for three years," he said.
Defense Attorney Jose Baez added that "while we're happy for Casey there are no winners in this case."
"Caylee has passed on far, far too soon, and what my driving force has been for the past three years is to make sure there has been justice for Caylee and Casey," he said. "Casey did not murder Caylee, it's that simple. And today our system of justice has not dishonored her memory by a false conviction."
[Updated at 2:34 p.m.] A room is being prepared for the jury to take questions from the media about their verdict.
iReport: What's your reaction to the verdict
[Updated at 2:31 p.m.] For the first time a wide smile came across Casey Anthony's face. She began to smile and laugh as her team surrounded her and congratulated her on being found not guilty of murdering her daughter.
[Updated at 2:29 p.m.] Casey Anthony took tissues from a court bailiff and wiped her face at the back of the courtroom.
[Updated at 2:26 p.m.] Casey Anthony embraced her attorney Jose Baez and the rest of her legal team before sobbing.
Anthony wiped tears from her eyes as her team of lawyers hugged each other.
[Updated at 2:24 p.m.] Casey Anthony wiped tears from her eyes and clutched her attorneys' hands as the judge addressed the courtroom.
[Updated at 2:23 p.m.] Casey Anthony returned to the courtroom after briefly leaving with a slight smile on her face.
The judge set sentencing for Thursday at 9 a.m.
[Updated at 2:22 p.m.] Casey Anthony has left the courtroom. Her parents also quickly left the courtroom after the verdict was read.
[Updated at 2:22 p.m.] Judge Belvin Perry confirms the jury's verdict.
[Updated at 2:20 p.m.] Casey Anthony cried as she hugged her defense attorney Jose Baez before she approached a podium to be addressed by the judge.
[Updated at 2:20 p.m.] A poll of the jurors showed they all agreed on the verdict for every count.
[Updated at 2:20 p.m.] Casey Anthony has been found guilty of four counts of providing false information to law enforcement in the case of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, who was slain in 2008.
[Updated at 2:19 p.m.] Casey Anthony is sobbing in court as the verdict is being read.
[Updated at 2:17 p.m.] Casey Anthony has been found not guilty of first-degree murder in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee. She was also found not guilty of aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter.
[Updated at 2:16 p.m.] Judge Belvin Perry is reading over the verdict form filled out by the jury.
[Updated at 2:15 p.m.] The jury has entered the courtroom.
[Updated at 2:15 p.m.] Members inside the courtroom have stood up as Judge Belvin Perry prepares to bring in the jury.
[Updated at 2:11 p.m.] George Anthony is sitting with his eyes closed and his hands clasped next to his wife Cindy inside the courtroom as they await to hear their daughter's fate.
[Updated at 2:04 p.m.] Casey Anthony, flanked by her lawyers, is sitting silently, biting her lip and taking deep breaths as she awaits the jury's verdict.
[Updated at 2:02 p.m.] Casey Anthony has just entered the courtroom and was met by two of her lawyers. She is wearing a pink ruffled shirt, her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was biting her nails.
[Updated at 1:57 p.m.] Jose Baez, one of Casey Anthony's lawyers, has just arrived at the courthouse in Orlando, Florida, In Session reports.
[Updated at 1:52 p.m.] The jury deliberated for 10 hours, 40 minutes and 33 seconds before reaching a verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, which included 33 days of testimony and two days of closing arguments, according to CNN sister network HLN.
[Updated at 1:45 p.m.] The jury has reached a verdict in the Casey Anthony capital murder trial, according to staff at the Orange County, Florida, courthouse.
The verdict, reached by the seven-woman, five-man jury, will cap a trial that stretched to more than six weeks and featured allegations of sexual abuse, questions regarding Casey Anthony's competence and various theories on what happened to 2-year-old Caylee.
The verdict is scheduled to be read at 2:15 p.m ET.
Casey Anthony, 25, was charged with seven counts - first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child and four counts of providing false information to a law-enforcement officer in Caylee's 2008 disappearance and death.
Watch Nancy Grace Monday through Sunday starting at 8 p.m. ET on HLN. For the latest from Nancy Grace click here.
Casey should follow the example her father set and try to end her pathetic life. You killed your baby and got away with it..good luck living that "unburdoned" life you dreamt of...
Rot it hell Casey
So Mike VIck can be the CASH COW for dog fighting and serve time, but she can get off for killing baby. Really...? Only in AMERICA! Happy Independence DAY FOLKS!
WHERE IS THE JUSTICE FOR CAYLEE??? http://t.co/ZQNQwdO #caseyanthonyverdict #notguilty
Will all the legal experts who think our legal system prevailed today please explain to me and others their opinion or explanation as to if Casey is innocent, HOW COME CASEY DID NOT REPORT HER TWO YEAR OLD CHILD MISSING FOR 31 DAYS? My apologies for shouting; but I need an answer. Since Casey will never tell us herself, and since there are people posting who believe in her innocence, I was wondering if somebody, anybody could offer up a plausible, opinionated, explanation. I believed and still believe to this day that OJ was guilty of double murder because of one thing: He did not meet his lawyer at the police station like he promised; instead he led police on a slow speed car chase and he was saying goodbye. I don't care about the glove thing. That car chase had me convinced of OJ's guilt and it still does. Casey did not mention nor report the disappearance of her little girl for a whole month! If foul play was not involved, why didn't Casey say something immediately? We'll probably never know the answer. Casey got away with murder today. I don't care if it was proven – that doesn't mean she didn't do it or know about it.
The system in a jury trial is only as good as the people on the jury. Common sense is unfortunately not a requirement to be in the jury. I think each jury member should stand by their verdict and hire Casey to watch a lil one that they love and care about. Doubt that would happen.
1) She did not report her daughter missing for 31 days. 2) When asked, lied about a fake nanny having her. 3) NO nanny. 4) Odor of chloroform/and death in trunk of car. 5) PC shows evidence of research of 'how to make chloroform' 6) Out partying while child is missing (lying in woods) 7) Body found not far from home. 8) Tape over child's face, body in bag. 9) Emotions shown in court were for herself, not the death of her child,
That's proof enough for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Florida, state of idiots.
What do you expect? This was the state and it's corrupt government that gave the 2000 election to W
Evidently, Florida is not where you should raise children. Unless, you want to get rid of them.
A just decision, based on the facts presented in the case. Nancy Grace and her posse can now grieve over her drop in ratings. No blood to spill, no mass hysteria to exploit. Sorry Nancy. Find another cause celebre.
Since when is this about Nancy Grace. If you don't like her why were you watching her????????????????????
to all those that think she is innocent – why don't you let her babysit your young child when she gets out. Also, why isn't lying and not reporting your child missing for 31 days at least considered child abuse! The defense says she drown, I guess that's ok too. Makes no sense to me. I just want to puke. Its a sad day for America. Another murderer will soon be on the streets. Hide your kids and hope she doesn't have any more!
"I just don't understand what else the jurors need to at least convict her of manslaughter!!!!"
The jury cannot convict someone of something they are not charged with!!
Perhaps the prosecution bit off more than they could chew?
All you armchair quarterbacks astound me. Unless you've been a juror on a murder trial, you have no right to judge how the jurors behaved. You can't just find someone guilty based on whether or not you "think" she did it. There are strict rules you must follow for each of the counts.
What do you guys have to say now Jane and Nancy? I've been hearing ya'll bad mouth Baez this forever now! The prosecution didn't have anything!!! Good job Baez! I knew you could do it!
Remember: Scott Petersen was convicted. Guilty all over the media. Where were all the people who wanted proof beyond a reasonable doubt then? Casey's more guilty than he was.
Apparently this is all beyond your (& many other people's) intellectual capacity. It doesn’t matter why YOU (or I) “think” she's guilty. The justice system is designed this way so idiots can’t convict people based on their ignorant OPINIONS (vs provable facts).
There should be a separate blog for the mentally handicapped like you, Nancy DisGrace & Vinnie.
GAFC!
I have watched this case from day 1. I wanted to volunteer to search for Caylee. The problem for me is that I'm not sure who was responsible or why Caylee died. This is a huge tragedy. God bless that little Angel. This is my last comment i'm over it.
CNN, why are your reporters seeming to insight unrest at this time? Does anyone else notice this??
Could it be them trying to justify the "reporting" they have put out over the past 3 years? Hmmmmm
When left up to man, true justice does not exist. Casey Anthony will be judged correctly with time. God Bless you Caylee, we all love you and know the truth.
Let us all remember Caylee Marie Anthony. This is who this was all about. Although she does not have any justice, let's pray that the little angel is resting in peace.
All I can do ......I will BOYCOTT any publishing house who will pay her for her story, studios who will pay her to make a movie, any sponsors who will take any part of a made for tv movie, I will not see a movie from any actresses who will be willing to portray her , I will never buy a ticket from the studio,buy any book , or any product from sponsors. In the memory of Caylee this murder momma will not get a dime from me. I will not reward her Caylee for killing you.
I second that – not a penny of my money will find its way to her in a book or movie or magazine
Oh please, get over yourself! Geez!
Like you both won't watch the Lifetime movie when it comes out. Please..........