CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin calls the four-year sentence Judge Belvin Perry slapped on Casey Anthony a surprise but says the judge likely was making a statement in giving her the maximum jail time.
Perry on Thursday sentenced Anthony to one year behind bars on each of four counts of lying to police concerning the death of her daughter, Caylee. She also was fined $1,000 for each count.
“Most people convicted of misdemeanors do not get prison time in Florida or anywhere else," Toobin says.
Despite the sentence, Anthony won't spend much more time incarcerated. She got credit for the time spent in custody since her arrest, almost 1,000 days.
Before the court gave Anthony's official release date, Toobin speculated that she could be free in less than two months once credit for good behavior also was considered. But it appears Anthony got a bigger break - she'll be out in a less than a week. A court spokeswoman said her release date would be Wednesday.
Anthony has served about three years already. And it seems, Toobin said, the judge was intent on making sure some kind of punishment had been handed down in the case.
"This judge was clearly appalled at the nature and content of the lies Casey Anthony told to the police," he says. "We are all reminded about just how sinister and awful these comments were."
Authorities said Anthony lied about whether her daughter was missing. Her other lies included claims that Caylee was in a nanny's custody, that she had a job at Universal Studios and that she had received a phone call from Caylee.
Toobin said that while Anthony's criminal law troubles may be over, she could be involved in civil litigation much longer.
Zenaida Gonzalez has filed a defamation lawsuit against Anthony. Authorities questioned Gonzalez in Caylee's disappearance after Anthony said a nanny by that woman's name had kidnapped the child. Gonzalez denied ever meeting Anthony.
Florida officials also are asking that Anthony repay the state for the enormous cost of investigating the case. A private firm that helped in the child's search wants its money back, too.
Lawsuits could linger for years, Toobin says, but he doubts they'll have much effect.
"I will be surprised if Casey Anthony ever ends up paying anyone," he says.
I do not believe this jury really examined everything presented to them. If they believe Jose B.S. and the killer then they are less intelligent than everyone thought. They came from another county, claiming they claimed they had not watched the case but casually, and I believe so since they came with this dumb verdict. Someone dumped this baby and someone killed her or watched her die and did nothing about it. And that was Casey. She was playing with her stupid witche's hair again this morning, with her lilac sweater ready to party. With who? Lee and Mallory, the idiot. Or her stupid parents that I think they were in cahoots with the defense and agreed to be George to be put under the bus. I believe he put himself under the bus because they all knew the outcome. UGH! poor neighbors, they are hoping this family get the hell out of their neighborhood, they will never be happy. Does Cindy think how long Caylee's hair was when they found it with tape around it? Stupid witch!
Ciny's comments about her daughter and how pretty she looks and her beautiful hair how can she not look at her daughter with contempt, it's disgusting!
YOU and everyone else watching on TV did not examine "everything presented" to the jury. The jurors were not watching the trial on their lunch break, or with a tape delay for television, or through commentators like Nancy Grace. The jurors were actual participants in this trial, and saw all of the evidence FIRSTHAND. You are correct. SOMEONE did kill Caylee, but unless the prosecution proved it was her mother, her mother should not have been convicted. They didn't prove it. End of story. Did you know that nearly 800,000 kids go missing every year? And that homicide is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 4? Why, as a nation, should we care more about this case and all of the other ones that are happening around the country every day? Because the media told you to. Stop letting them tell you how you should feel and what you should think about.
I hate to say it but one would be a fool to pursue civil litigation against her. She's a loser who almost certainly has no meaningful assets, and all she would have to do to get any judgments against her discharged is to file bankruptcy.
She looks like the cat who swallowed the canary. Or someone who got away with murder.
she will never do a book or interview or movie even that would mean she has to tell the truth about what happened and god knows she doesnt know how to do that. oh what will HLN talk about 24 hours a day now. they had a countdown clock like it was new years eve, so you know they will have one now for next wensday, give me a break the media created this whole frenzy
Dan, I disagree, she will do all 3. Telling lies does,t stop Palin and it won't stop this pathological creep, she will anything to stay in the spot light.
I totally agree with you. If the media didn't hound this this for 3yrs and treated her like a celebrity (and she will never be one to me. I don't want her autograph.) It might have been a different outcome. This is truly sad for Caylee.
time to move on
I used to like Nancy Grace, but she has profitted off this case. She turned into a nasty, ugly spectator going for shock value. She hung her in the public eye for 3 years. You think the jury that lives in Florida (not Utah or another state) didnt see any of her coverage for the past 3 yrs? How about the media and "entertainers" get out of the court room and let the professionals do their job...nancy grace disgusts me now. She should be so ashamed of herself.
No justice for little Caylee. Caycee will have to answer someday,whether she likes it or not, and so will the whole Anthony family as they DO KNOW what they did or did not do. Also, does this mean the police will be out looking for a "phantom" child murderer? I do not think so.
She will screw up somehow in the future. Don't worry. This won't be her last brush with the law. Forget karma- she doesn't have the personality to stay out of trouble.
I just feel sorry for Caylee. She didn't ask to be born, and could have been put for adoption and still be alive today.
May peace wash down like rain on this entire family, and let the healing begin for everyone.
I agree with you .Even though I hope never to see them again on t.v. They do need lots of prayer and God's grace.
Why do some of you people take this case so personal?
Contacting jurors to harass them is a crime and would be a Federal crime if you are doing it across state lines. Don't be dumb enough to try it.
Because a child died at the hands of her mother.
So you were there to watch her kill the child? Didn't think so.
The jurors found Casey innocent now that won't show their faces in the public or stand-up for the decision they made, that says a lot about the 12 jurors. How possiable is it to have 12 STUPID people in the same room at the same time.
Has it ever occured to you that maybe they dont want to stand up because of the threat of violence? With as many people as outraged over this case as there are, I would be afraid to stand up too. Not to mention the hate they're going to have to face when they face their family / friends.
Here is the thing, Miss Anthony has been found not guilty BECAUSE there wasn't enough evidence to prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt that she killed her daughter.
"But that is because she kept the cops away long enough for it to deteriorate!"
Even if you're right (because this is a possibility), I'm very sorry to say it doesn't matter. Nothing any John-Citizen or Ella-Everybody can say will change the ruling because LIFE ISN'T FAIR. Is it scary knowing that there is a killer running around free and that she may be the one who killed her little girl? Of course it is! Am I troubled? YES, and I would never let her anywhere NEAR my kids.
HOWEVER , I also realize that nothing I can say will get her put behind bars for killing her daughter. So for now all I can do is work towards preventing this from EVER happening again (to my best ability), educating parents and adults on warning signs of a missing child, and try to contribute something to end children suffering in the US and elsewhere at this moment, be it time or donations.
Vent. Complain. Let go, and protect.
Keep calm and carry on.
She was NOT found "Innocent" ... she was found "Not Guilty". There's a big difference between the two ... just go ask any lawyer.
But she was already innocent. Remember...Innocent until proven guilty? She if she wasn't found to be guilty that means she is automatically innocent.
WOW, probably the most ignorant statement I have heard in a while. Just because she wasn't found guilty, does NOT mean she is innocent.
SheJ, please take a deep breath and attempt to understand that the jurors fully satisfied their civic duty. Their obligation to any and all of us ended when they delivered their verdict. They owe no duty to "show themselves in public" or to "stand-up for the decision they made." Perhaps you could direct some of your energy toward making your community a better place as opposed to spending your time on a computer, insulting people's intelligence.
Well if the Jury said they did the right thing by saying " Not Guilty " why did they say they were all crying and feeling sick to their stomachs when they said they knew she was guilty but not Guilty of 1st degree murder why didn't they asked the Judge for coulsutation if they could bring the more lesser Charge of Manslaughter or Child neglect in their conviction
Because the burden is on the prosecution, and they failed to provide the evidence needed. It may be a flaw in our justice system in this case, but its a system of checks and balances that has and will fail from time to time.
She J, first of all, she was not found to be "INNOCENT" she was found "NOT GUILTY"; that's how our court system works – you're either guilty or not guilty and you are PRESUMED innocent until PROVEN guilty. There was not enough evidence to prove that Casey murdered her child. There wasn't even enough evidence to prove that Caylee was murdered at all! There was no cause of death! I'm sick an tired of people who think that people should be convicted based on emotion and feelings of "I believe she did it". The media is controlled and is geared to brainwash you in this way, so that they can profit off of you. If you feel so strongly about child abuse, go donate your time or money to help children that can still benefit from it. Oh wait, its easier to act like you care and are outraged about a child who can't be saved as opposed to those who can....I thought so. Find something better to do with your time....please.
Why do people take this case so seriously.... BECAUSE she got away with KILLING a child that's why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No you SUSPECT she got away with killing her child. Until you are convicted in a court of law you are innocent. Its how we do things here in America.
Right, we expect 12 morons that are SO Dumb they can’t get out of jury duty make intelligent, informed decisions.
This may be the most illogical comment of the day..
I blame Nancy Grace for all this.
may be how we do it but it certainly doesn't make it right.
Just because there is not enough evidence to PROVE your guilty does NOT mean you are innocent!!!
She did? Based on what evidence?
You have been watching too much Nancy Grace.
If people could be convicted of a crime because they have a bad character – 75% of our population would be in jail.....
The prosecution doesn't even know how the poor girl died.....so I don't see how the jury could have convicted ANYONE for murder.
Prove it Sandy, nobody else can.
Can you prove that Casey did killed her child?
Can you honestly state, without a doubt, she did'nt
THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN CONDEMMED AND BEHING BARS FOR LESS EVIDENCE THAN THAT AND WITHOUT A BODY RECOVERED. THESE JURORS SHOULD HAVE THEIR HEAD EXAMINED.
There are quite a bit more who were sentenced for capital crimes based on situations you describe, who were later acquitted by new evidence.
The jurors don't need their heads examined, nor do they need to be abused by people who got all their third-hand information from people like Nancy Grace. The jurors need to be thanked for participating in the American justice system.
Otherwise, let's bring back the lynch mobs. I'm all for it. Innocent until the media and non-jury public decide otherwise, at which point we take you out and hang you from a tree. The Klan used this tactic quite effectively...
There is no denying she neglected her daughter, now she is dead. She is most certainly guilty of that and should be punished for it. If she had been taking care of her 2 year old who is incapable of caring for herself, she would be alive.
And unfortunately there is a real possibility that some of these people who have been condemned for less evidence may be executed by the state for a crime they didn't commit. Every case is different. This isn't Afghanistan where I saw people who had been found guilty of a "crime" and ten minutes later were dead on the side of the road just on the fact that they possibly could have been involved. Our system is not perfect, but I have seen what happens when group opinions fueled by desire for revenge are the jury, judge and executioner. I thank God every day that in this country we have a system that is designed to prevent convictions on less than a reasonable doubt. The alternative are convictions of innocent people, and that's as much a travesty as little Cayles murder.
Prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
I think what you actually mean is, "because the jury didn't give the verdict that I think that they should have from my access to the media and my watching of the trial."
When are people going to get it through their heads that, despite what they think, a jury needs evidence proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt–the prosecution couldn't even prove it was murder...
Did she? Then please, please, please, provide us the irrefutable evidence that you would use to convict her- aside from a gut feeling, or her lying, or being a bad mother.
If you know for a fact, why did you not offer to be a star witness for the prosecution with your divine knowledge of the utter facts and evidence (or lack there of) in this case.
Only according to you and Nancy Grace and the rest of the brainwashed-by-the-media crowd.
exactly Sandy ! none of us have to be Einstein to know that no slef respecting parent lets their child go missing for over a month and doesn't report & then lies about it! All the while partying! The jurors and prosecution f'd this one up big time!!
Being a bad parent is not a murder charge. These two things are not the same. If they were we would have to start executing a lot of parents.
Not seriously...personally. It's a big difference.
The statement was why do you take it so PERSONALLY? Are you that vengeful over the hundreds of other kids missing/killed in the US? It must be a full-time job for you! Just because Nancy convicted her, doesn't mean that the law does.
I think you murdered a child. Please prove absolutely beyond any reasonable doubt that you have not murdered a child.
Doing so is logically impossible.
This is why people are innocent until proven guilty, with solid evidence, in a court, not on tv news channels.
She did not kill her child. Do you not understand not guilty?? Respect the laws not your emotions, this is whats wrong with this country, everyone thinks they are roight. Nancy Grace might give you a job Sandy.
Verdict or not, you can't actually say that she didn't kill her kid. A jury verdict may be the end of the line as far as the American legal system is concerned, but the Amercian legal system is VERY fallible and the rest of us have just as much of a right to make a judgement as any jury does, even if we haven't seen the same evidence. We've decided that a trial by jury is the fairest way to handle criminal proceedings, and as far as I can tell it is. But it is NOT infallible and to suggest otherwise is stupidity.
Don't YOU understand that "not guilty" does not mean "innocent?" And even if they were synonymous, that would mean that you believe a jury can never be wrong. Innocent people go to jail all the time, and guilty people go free too. Look, I believe she did it too, but I don't know it because of the lack of evidence. She was never declared innocent, she just wasn't proven to be guilty.
Perhaps, but you same people who scream about her killing a child willingly accept abortion, which, regardless of what you THINK, is the same thing. Heck a baby's heart is beating within 8 days of conception... What more do you want to define life? Just because a child lives in the womb shouldn't make it any different than one outside the womb. Period. Women scream "it's my body". No it's not... it's the child's body you are killing, not yours. Foolish, foolish people. Double standards.
Unfenced pool. Time autopsy finds foreign DNA in Caylee's body. I must not allow timely autopsy that might incriminate him for doind to Caylee what he did to Casey! If Casey reports or turns over body to police, Caley will get the dead pet treatment! Case& Cindy must not know where I dispose of body or I might get incriminated.
IF only I used that darn duct tape to hold up my pants! If only I securely fenced and gated the pool, this would not have happened!
To Acaraho....some of us take the case so personal because we love and treasure our children... we consider them a gift from God...why can't you understand that ??
Well said! my thought's and feelings, exactly:-)))
you love and treasure your kids? then why are you on cnnn message board instead of spending quality time with them?
Because my kids have only been missing for 28 days! So for the next for days I have time to spare and read silly posts on cnn!
Glad to see the outrage over the death of this child. How about getting outraged at the death of all the children at the hands of human trafficking, child abuse in your own town, child hunger in American, lack of decent healthcare or dentistry,etc..? Yeah, outrage is easy when it's a media thing, the rest of the time most folks are too lazy to care about the child down the street who suffers in silence, or the child starving in the Sudan. Crocodile tears, I say.
Absolutely, Becks. Seems to me that the people who claim to be so concerned about children are the same ones who refuse to pay an additional cent in taxes to improve the public education system.
Unfortunately, this(all cases) had NOTHING to do with right/wrong/justice.....it's what was presented to the "jury" and how stupid people really are. Again, they were not able to add/subtract/deduct the facts.....Not even video evidence would have helped. Just like the OJ circus.....Casey played her part to a T, so did Biaz, so did the state of Florida.....the "jurors" were too stupid to know &/or accept the truth. Wonder what kind of stance they would have taken if it was "their child". Sad, very sad.
Remember the woman you want executed without any actual proof of guilt is someone's child as well.
Mom is hot and no kids? When can we hook up?
My son just turned 7. In his first 6 years he had 20 surgeries because he was born with hydrocephalus. I have had to rush him to hospitals 2 hours away to his specialists and have almost lost him. I am a single mother with no help and you know what? I am thankful GOD chose me to be his mommy. I would give my life for my son. Casey will get what she deserves when she stands before God and tries to lie it away.
personally
Thank you.
Oh, I am sure people will be though. The Jury made the call. Let them live with it, right or wrong. People really need to get over this and move on. These same people will buy her book and see her movie I suppose...LOL
Really? It's personal to Caylee. It's personal to all other mothers and fathers who love their children unconditionally and do not abuse them. You must've been a juror on the case I'm guessing.
you're the smart ass in class that i want to slap everyday
And now you have to work for him pushing a broom around all day, don't you Goober?
We take it personal because of humanity and regards for human life! A child was murdered and there will never be criminal justice for her. She was a baby who deserved to live her life. And even if it was an accident as the defense claims (which it wasn't), how could any MOTHER throw their child's body into a swamp to rot and be eaten by animals. An EVIL one does that. That is why we are all taking this so personal. I happen to think it is great that so many people have outrage and feelings. In this sometimes terrible world, it shows that there are a lot of good people with caring hearts for what is right.
Again, "personally".
If you have so much compassion, turn off the TV and go feed the homeless or help some single mom trying to keep her family together. Turning on your porch light or posting pictures of angels does not mean you have compassion.
To not show some sort of personal feeling would be to embrace apathy or indifference, and that is simply unacceptable to many people.
A few jurors have said they think she is guilty and wanted to put her away. Say WHAT? Obviously,it was the EVIDENCE that made them come to that conclusion and believed the state's case.
I have been a juror on 3 criminal cases in my life. In each case I listened to all the evidence very carefully before going into the deliberation room. I had decided how I was going to vote before having to hear the opinions of the other jurors. Anyone who allows themselves to be "bullied" by other jurors to change their opinion is a coward .....and I saw a lot of bullying take place during 2 of the trials. If you don't have the guts to put someone away then you have no business sitting in that jury box. Juror #2 said he thought she was guilty and was holding out. Why didn't you stick to your guns,Mr? Don't vote NOT guilty then tell me you think she IS guilty. If you believe she is NOT guilty then stick with that opinion. Talking out of both sides of your mouth only makes you look foolish.
No your right nobody should be threatening anyone. That is not right. But; they take it personally because like most people; especially people who are parents who are loving, devoted and protective of their own children , it goes so far against everything that they feel about children that they are outraged when a mother kills her own child. it is a pretty normal reaction from any mentally healthy parent or person who loves children. It is normal for the strong to want to protect the innocent. It is normal for the parent to fight for the child. It was Casey's actions that were not normal.
Exactly, the jurors were just doing their job. Blame the prosecution if you want to blame someone.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!!! They failed to prove what most people feel to be the truth. ( including the media )
How about blaming Casey frigging anthny for this whole mess!!!!!!
I totally agree with that. however I think people take it personally because they witnessed epic stupidity right in front of their faces in the judgement.
It's "personally"
And they do it because they are mostly uneducated religious nuts, with to much time on their hands (unemployed, housewives, etc).
If you have never served on a jury of a DEATH PENALTY case then you have absolutely no clue whatsoever what you are even talking about. YOU are the NUT. You need to be careful as to calling housewives uneducated; but then again, you just proved you would never be "fit" to serve on any jury due to your being so stupid.
Agreed, and anyone threatening a juror for a job which was carried out as per the guidelines and law is a complete moron anyway. NONE of the jurors did anything incorrectly!. In a case such as this with the data they had to work with, they acted exemplary!.
. . . coming from someone who just got busted for doing said thing. for shame!
she should be grateful she wasn't tried in texas. and innocent only because no one could say how caylee died? people are convicted EVEN with NO body found!!!!!!!! IDIOT JURORS THAT WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE!!!!!!!! prosecution did an excellent job at proving who did it.......
I think the jury got it right. Lying does not equal murder. And in the end, all the experts pretty much cancelled each other out. Do I think she's guilty? Yup. But if I was on the jury, I'd have to acquit her as there was not enough evidence. There was too much room for reasonable doubt. And what about motive? Not one of her friends ever described her as anything other than a loving mother. My heart breaks for Caylee but I don't see that there could be any other outcome.
Motive to kill children? Lovers, parties, freedom. Susan Smith. Scott Peterson. Casey Anthony. Except Casey gets to walk free and make $$$ while Scott sits on Death Row.
Sometimes I think people were watching a different trial. There was motive and it was to be free of the binds of a child she was constantly telling friends she was frustrated with having to stay home when she wanted to go out, she spent those thirty one days partying and sleeping at Tony's while her daughter is missing How much more motive do you need than that! As for cause of death, she had nothing wrong with her medicaly, she was last seen with her mother, if it was an accident call 911 or Mom. No one who is inocent hides the childs body, she was found in the woods eveything screems cause of death: HOMICIDE!!!!!!!
"Florida officials also are asking that Anthony repay the state for the enormous cost of investigating the case. A private firm that helped in the child's search wants its money back, too."
Anthony may be guiltier than sin, but it's the state that must be required to reimburse defendants in case of an aquittal, NOT the other way around.
The truth and the law are two different things. Sometimes they converge. In this case they did not. But the verdict given the case as presented was right and the sentence too. Justice is a very imprecise instrument, like war. The best way to live is to do so so that legal matters do not rise, though they doesn't prevent them from ensnaring you (I've found out) from people who can not lead their lives that way. I don't envy this wretched person, her life would be hell to me. She will spend it with people just as degraded as she is; no one else will touch her.
reasonable doubt??? whats what. My grandmother went to her grave thinking JFK was still alive on the top floor at parkland "she was there that day". The reason she got off is she is a nice looking white middle class lady... and not some poor lady........