Casey Anthony Verdict: Not Guilty Of Murder
July 5 2011, Published 2:00 p.m. ET
By Amber Goodhand - RadarOnline.com Reporter
Casey Anthony is not guilty of murder.
In a stunning decision, the 12-member jury in the Orange County, Florida, trial of Casey Anthony has found her not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee.
She was also found not guilty of aggravated child abuse and not guilty of aggravated manslaughter of a child.
However, Anthony, 25, was found guilty on all four counts of providing false information to law enforcement officers.
When the verdict was read, Anthony fought back tears before regaining her composure and even broke a smile at one point.
While Judge Belvin Perry spoke, Anthony broke down again in tears before hugging her attorney, Jose Baez.
Casey’s parents, George and Cindy, were present in the courthouse when the verdict was read and they remained calm.
The case went into the hands of the jury on Monday, July 4, after 33 days of often dramatic testimony and a day and a half of passionate closing arguments — with the verdict coming after less than 12 hours of deliberation.
In another shocking twist, the four charges of providing false information to law enforcement officers are misdemeanors, which means Anthony could get a maximum sentencing of four years in prison.
Having already been in custody for the last few years waiting for the trial to occur, when Anthony’s sentencing is read on Thursday, she may get credit for time served and be released on parole that day.
“I want to start of by saying 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 last three years has always been that there be justice for Caylee and Casey because Casey did not murder Caylee,” Baez said in a press conference after the verdict was announced.
“Today our system of justice has not dishonored her memory by a false conviction.”
Throughout the trial, the defense claimed Caylee accidentally drowned and with the help of Casey’s father George, hid the body — although Casey herself never took the stand.
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