Defense Prevails in Casey Anthony Murder Trial

By Wendy Osher

(Updated: 10:17 a.m. 7/5/11)

A jury of 12 today returned a not-guilty verdict for the most serious charges in the high-profile murder case against Casey Anthony.  Anthony was being tried in a case involving the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee in 2008.

Not guilty verdicts were returned for the charges of first degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Jurors, however, found Casey Anthony guilty of four counts of providing false information to law enforcement.  The verdict was reached in a little over 10 hours.

Defense Attorney, Jose Baez, spoke during a press conference that aired on CNN Headline News and other media outlets this morning, saying, “While we’re happy for Casey, there are no winners in this case. Caylee has passed on far, far too soon. What my driving force has been for the last three years has been always to make sure that there has been justice for Caylee and Casey because Casey did not murder Caylee, it’s that simple. Today our system of justice has not dishonored her memory by a false conviction,” said Baez.

State Attorney Lamar Lawson also addressed the press this morning saying, “We’re disappointed with the verdict today because we know the facts, and we put in absolutely every piece of evidence that existed.  Our team did an exemplary job.  I’m proud of them and I stand by their work,” said Lawson.  “The delay in recovering little Caylee’s remains worked to our disadvantage,” he said.

Judge Belvin Perry has set sentencing for 9 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, July 7, 2011 in his courtroom in Orlando, Orange County FL.