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Jury's verdict: Casey Anthony not guilty of murder
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.
ALTERNATE JUROR SPEAKS
[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."
CASEY ANTHONY'S FAMILY
[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.
THE PROSECUTION SPEAKS
[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.
THE DEFENSE SPEAKS
[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.
THE REACTION
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.
THE VERDICT
[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.]Â 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.
THE DELIBERATION
[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.
soundoff (7,331 Responses)
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@cnnbrk on Twitter
Can't agree with this jury!! This woman is so guilty and her attorney's played the system for and with her!
WOW....I guess Caylee's life did not mean a thing....what a jury...there was so much proof...hope none of their kids get murdered and then the killer gets let go...this is not justice....she better change her name...
this is as bad as the OJ Simpson trial...I wonder if her family will ever speak to her again...hopefully NOT!!
Here come the book and movie deals, an offer from some p o r n outlet for a starring role. Athletes and other idiot celebs will want to date her. Only in America....
Casey Anthony the Anglo O.J.
I know this will get deleted but I hope Casey is killed while in jail or right after she gets out and I hope that every one of those jurors loses a family member in a murder and the person who killed them is found not guilty. they all deserve to be punished for this
White in America...
Why wouldnt' they, they've backed her the entire time even as she's accused them of horrible things. There's a special place in hell for these people. ALL of them!!! Poor little Caylee. I guess she'll never see justice now.
I do not completely agree with verdict. But I really hope this shuts up Nancy Grace and her whining! I am almost glad because Nancy has been whining about this for 3 years and pushing guilty. Unfortunatley, she will find more to complain about, but I do not think she should be on HLN!
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
& Jury finds Casey Anthony not guilty of murder!
Completely shocked, disappointed in the justice system – again! What kind of mother doesn't care her daughter is missing? Doesn't say a word? until her MOM calls her out on it? A GUILTY one! disgusted...
This is a Sick world we live in she will Rot in Hellllll !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow...i can't believe she got off....no justice for the poor girl...give her a week, and she'll be out partyin' hard again.
A week? She'll be out tonight.
I guess there is hope for all those horrible people in the world who commit crimes that they too can get off scott free
She'll be out parting tonight!
Are you freaking kidding me? Who puts duct tape over the mouth of a child who is already dead from drowning? It's the OJ jjury all over again.
Exactly!
YES
Educated people know theres a good chance she MAY have done something bad. But no evidence means no evidence. Nancy Grace and the other clowns make CNN look foolish
This is just terrible. Even if she didn't kill her own daughter she knows exactly what happened to her. I think she was
jealious of her own daughter so she got rid of her so she could get all the attention. She did it, she knows she did it and she just out witted the court system.
Does everyone calling for the heads of the jury not realize how little evidence there was? This case should have never even gone to trial. All they had was some duct tape and people saying her car smelled bad. If that was the case, there would be alot of plumbers in jail these days.
I challenge the Jury to hire her as a babysitter, when they go on a long vacation.
Unemployment, struggling economy, corrupt politicians, and now child murderers on our streets...this is America Charlie Brown.
You're an idiot
You make a good point, although you typed "alot," which is not a word. It never has been. It's two words: "a lot."
Wrong, Wrong, Wrong....open your ears and listen to the evidence. NO JUSTICE FOR CAYLEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree. I'm not saying that I don't think she was involved, but the fact of the matter is you have to be proven beyond a REASONABLE doubt. I dont think there was enough direct evidence and in a twisted way the prosecuter did his job in creating reasonable doubt.
Boomer – I have been saying the same thing all along. Sure I think she killed Caylee but after watching a lot of the trial, if I was in the jury room, there is no way I would have voted Yes on any of the murder or abuse counts.
I didn't know plumbers vehicles smelled like dead bodies.
Nobody wants to hear it. Everybody is talking about "common sense." Whatever that is. There wasn't enough evidence to convict and the DA did a crappy job of putting together the case. Justice was served today. That is the way the legal system works. People are innocent until proved guilty. There is nothing in the legal code about common sense.
If you don't like it, wait until you stand accused of a crime of which you are innocent and some judge convicts you based on his gut feeling and "common sense" instead of the evidence.
Baez must be the best attorney of all time!
If lawyers had stock, his would be going through the roof right now.
Im sick to my stomach at the not guilty verdict.
That's exactly what I just said. My only consolation is that she will pay someday for this. There's a special place in hell for people like Casey Anthony.
i wanna smash that smile off her face
AGREED.
THIS is Exhibit A in my case of why our country is going to @#$!
AGREED!
I couldn't agree more!
FAIL, Clearwater, land of Scientologists. You fail miserably. Everyone who has watched this is now dumber for having done so. May God have mercy on your shriveled, heartless souls. You must have sent some real winners up there. Now, in the interests of clearing this up, the heifer should tell us how she did it.
I might be willing to believe she didn't do it, but I do NOT believe she doesn't know what happened, ans that makes her guilty in my mind...can they bring her back and charge her with accessory to murder or manslaughter or something?
Double jeopardy, buddy. She's been aquitted, she could come out and say she did it for all she cares.
No she cannot be tried for the same crime. Its the Law. And if you see she was found NOT guilty of Manslaughter also.
I sure hope so!
That deputy helped her cover it up real good. No matter what she would have NEVER reported her missing and is still living a lie and hope Karma reaps her soull! RIP Kaylee
This is a travesty. What mother neglects to tell ANYONE her daughter is missing, then when questioned about it, makes up a nanny who was taking care of her?
This is *explitive* ridiculous. Guilty of everything. Five years my bum.
Emotion, Nancy, and Jane aside, the prosecution did not prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution did not acheive this.
Broken system; have to have common sense in that equation as well.
"Reasonable" doubt. "reasonable". REASONable. Sure its possible an alien came down a committed this crime and then left it to look she did it, but is it "reasonable"?
OJ Simpson all over again. What is wrong with this system? Throw all common sense out the window.