November 23, 2025 • 20 mins
Reid Carter concludes the Casey Anthony case with the trial that divided America. May 2011: Prosecutors argued Casey chloroformed Caylee, applied duct tape, dumped her body to live the beautiful life. Defense attorney Jose Baez shocked the courtroom—claimed Caylee drowned in the family pool, George Anthony covered it up, sexually abused Casey since age eight. Six weeks of testimony. July 5, 2011: After eleven hours of deliberation, the jury returned—not guilty of murder. Not guilty of manslaughter. Not guilty of child abuse. Guilty only of lying to police. Casey Anthony walked free. America exploded in outrage.
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Join our new FB groups page here. Take the poll!
Join the Celebrity Trials community on social media! We're building a passionate group of true crime enthusiasts who love diving deep into the most shocking cases in America.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram by searching "Celebrity Trials Podcast" on either platform.
You'll get exclusive behind-the-scenes content, breaking news updates on cases we're covering, and early alerts when new episodes drop. Our social media is where Reid Carter's hottest takes live, including reactions that don't make it into the show.
But more importantly, it's where YOU come in. Share your theories, debate the verdicts, and connect with fellow listeners who are just as obsessed with justice as you are. Did the jury get it right? What questions do you still have? Your comments and insights often shape future episodes.
We cover the trials that matter, but our community makes the conversation unforgettable. Come for Reid's signature cynical commentary, stay for the incredible discussions with thousands of true crime fans who get it.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Callaroga Shark Media. Good morning, I'm Reed Carter. Sunday, November
twenty three, twenty twenty five. Yesterday we covered Kaylee Anthony's disappearance,
the thirty one days Casey partied while her daughter was missing,
the lies, the Beautiful Life tattoo, the discovery of Kaylee's
(00:27):
remains in the woods. Today, the trial that shocked America.
May twenty fourth, twenty eleven, Opening statements began in Orlando,
Orange County Courthouse Judge Belvin Perry, presiding Prosecutor Linda Drane
Burdick versus defense attorney jose Baiez. The prosecution's case seemed
air tight, computer searches for chloroform air samples from Casey's
(00:50):
car showing decomposition, duct tape, Kaylee's remains found in trash
bags from the Anthony home. Thirty one days of lies,
Casey's partying behavehavior the smell of death, but Jose Biez
had a bombshell one nobody saw coming. Kaylee Anthony died
on June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, when she drowned
(01:11):
in her family's swimming pool. The courtroom gasped drowned an accident,
then Why the lies, why the cover up? Bias continued.
George Anthony was there, He took Kaylee from the pool,
told Casey she'd be okay. Then he disposed of the body,
made it look like a kidnapping. And he's been lying
(01:33):
ever since. Then, Biaz went further. Casey was sexually abused
by her father from age eight, Taught to lie, taught
to hide the truth. That's why she didn't report Kaylee missing.
That's why she acted like nothing happened. America watched in disbelief.
Was this defense credible or desperate? July fifth, twenty eleven,
(01:58):
after six weeks of test stimony, the jury deliberated eleven hours,
returned with a verdict that stunned the nation. Not guilty
of first degree murder, not guilty of aggravated child abuse,
not guilty of aggravated manslaughter, guilty only of four misdemeanor
counts of lying to police. Casey Anthony walked free. Two
(02:19):
weeks later, America exploded in rage. How did she get
away with it? How did tot mom beat a murder charge?
I'm read Carter, this is Celebrity Trials Today, Part two
of Casey Anthony. The trial The verdict. The outrage that followed.
This is celebrity trials. May twenty fourth, twenty eleven, Orange
(02:43):
County Courthouse, Courtroom twenty three, Judge Belvin Perry Stern and
no Nonsense, presiding over the trial of the century. Prosecutor
Linda Draine Burdick stood to deliver opening statements, confident, prepared,
ready to prove Casey Anthony murder her daughter. The evidence
in this case will show that Kaylee Marie Anthony died
(03:05):
as a result of chloroform, and that she died by
having three pieces of duct tape placed over her nose
and mouth. Burdick laid out the timeline June fifteenth, Father's Day,
the last time George and Cindy saw Kaylee alive. June sixteenth,
Casey borrowed a shovel from neighbor Brian Berner said she
was digging up bamboo. Why does someone need a shovel
(03:28):
the day their child disappears? June sixteenth through July fifteenth,
thirty one days of partying, no calls to police, no
missing person report, just Casey living her beautiful life while
Kaylee's body decomposed in the woods. The prosecution's theory Casey
wanted freedom, wanted to party with Tony Lazarro, wanted to
(03:51):
go to Fusion nightclub without worrying about childcare. Kaylee was
an obstacle, so Casey removed that obstacle mark which two
thousand and eight, three months before Kaylee died, someone using
Casey's computer searched for chloroform eighty four times. Also searched
how to make chloroform, chloroform inhalation and death. The defense
(04:15):
would later claim those searches were for chlorophyll, not chloroform,
that the eighty four number was wrong. It was only
searched once, but the prosecution hammered it home. Casey researched
how to kill the trunk of Casey's Pontiac Sunfire. Cadaver
dogs hit on it, indicating human decomposition. Air samples showed
(04:36):
chemical signatures consistent with a dead body. George Anthony testified
it smelled like death. Cindy Anthony's nine to one one call,
it smells like there's been a dead body in the
damn car. The duct tape, same brand found at the
crime scene and in the Anthony garage. Henkel duct tape
(04:56):
applied to Kaylee's face over her nose and mouth. Prosecution
argued this was how Casey killed her, chloroformed her unconscious,
applied duct tape, suffocated her. The laundry bag came from
the Anthony home. Kaylee's body found inside it, wrapped in
a Winnie the Pooh blanket placed in black trash bags.
(05:18):
All items traced back to the Anthony house. Casey's behavior
after June sixteenth, The Beautiful Life tattoo on June twenty fifth,
the partying at Fusion nightclub, the photos of her in
a tight dress, drinking, dancing, entering a hot body contest
nine days after Kaylee died, not the behavior of a
grieving mother. The lies. Casey told police she worked at
(05:41):
Universal Studios, she hadn't worked there in two years. Told
them Kaylee was with Zanni, the nanny. Zanny didn't exist.
Told them she was at Sawgrass Apartments, the apartment was vacant.
Gave a fake phone number, made up an entire person.
Why lie if your child was accidentally killed. Burdick's closing
(06:02):
argument to the jury Casey Anthony wanted the life she
had before Kaylee was born. She wanted her life back,
and the only way to get that life back was
to get rid of Kaylee. The prosecution rested. The case
seemed overwhelming, damning America watched and waited for conviction. Then
Jose Bias stood up. Good morning, the two worst words
(06:26):
in the English language. I'm sorry. Casey apologizes for her lies,
but she didn't kill her daughter. This was an accident
that snowballed out of control. Bias' opening statement dropped a bomb.
Kaylee Anthony died on June sixteenth, two thousand and eight.
She drowned in the family pool. George Anthony found her,
(06:47):
took her body, told Casey, I'll handle it, and that's
when the lies began. George Anthony, the former police officer,
the grandfather who cried on the witness stand about losing Kaylee.
He disposed of her body. Bias continued, George Anthony sexually
abused Casey from age eight until she moved out. Casey
(07:10):
was taught to lie, taught to hide the truth, taught
to pretend everything was fine even when it wasn't. That's
why she didn't call nine one one. That's why she
acted like nothing happened, because her father told her he'd
handle it, and she believed him. The courtroom was stunned.
Social media exploded, Cable news ran with it for days.
(07:32):
Was this legitimate defense strategy or disgusting character assassination? George
Anthony took the stand, denied everything, denied disposing of Kaylee's body,
Denied the sexual abuse allegations, broke down, crying, I would
never do anything to harm my granddaughter. I loved Kaylee
more than anything. The defense argued George had motive to
(07:55):
cover up Kaylee's death. If she drowned in the pool
on his watch, he'd be blamed. Better to make it
look like a kidnapping, better to point the finger at Casey.
But here's the problem with the drowning theory, the duct tape.
If Kaylee drowned accidentally, why was duct tape applied to
her face? Why wrap her in trash bags and dumper
(08:16):
in the woods? Why not call nine to one one?
The defense claimed the duct tape was applied after death
by someone trying to stage a kidnapping, that George placed
it there to throw off investigators. Prosecutors argued that made
no sense. Duct tape over the nose and mouth of
a drowned victim, that's not staging a kidnapping. That's murder,
(08:37):
Forensic evidence became a battleground. The prosecution's expert testified that
air samples from the trunk showed chemical compounds consistent with
human decomposition. The defense's expert testified those compounds could come
from garbage, food, anything. Doctor rpad Vas, forensic anthropologist from
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, testified about the air samples, said
(08:58):
the chemical signature was unmistakable human decomposition. The defense attacked
his methodology, said it wasn't peer reviewed, said it wasn't
accepted science. Doctor Jan Garivalia Orange County medical examiner known
as Doctor G from her reality TV show, testified Kaylee's
death was a homicide. Duct tape over the face, body
(09:20):
dumped in the woods, not consistent with accidental drowning, consistent
with murder. The defense argued no cause of death could
be determined the body was too decomposed. The medical examiner
was speculating. The chloroform searches. Prosecution expert testified someone searched
chloroform eighty four times in March two thousand and eight.
(09:42):
Defense expert John Bradley later admitted he made an error.
It was searched once, not eighty four times, but the
search still happened. Why search for chloroform at all? Defense
claimed it was a typo. The user meant to search
chlorophyll because Casey was looking up information for her boyfriend's
marijuana use. Prosecutors scoffed, you don't accidentally search how to
(10:03):
make chloroform. Roy Kronk, the utility worker who found Caylee's remains.
Defense tried to paint him as suspicious. Suggested he move
the body, suggested he was involved somehow. Why because he'd
called about the location three times before actually finding the body,
Defense implied he knew where Caylee was all along. Prosecutors
(10:26):
argued that was absurd. Kronk was a good samaritan who
saw something suspicious and reported it nothing more. Cindy Anthony
took the stand Casey's mother, Kaylee's grandmother, the woman who
made that infamous nine one one call. Initially, Cindy supported
the prosecution, but on the stand, she suddenly claimed she
made the chloroform searches, not Casey her. Why would Cindy
(10:51):
search for chloroform? I was looking up chlorophyll for my dog,
Cindy testified, I must have accidentally typed chloroform prosecutors later
proved Cindy was at work when those searches were made. Timesheets,
computer logs, witness testimony all showed Cindy couldn't have been home,
but she lied to protect her daughter, committed perjury, was
(11:12):
never charged. Make it make sense a mother so desperate
to save her daughter from death row that she commits
a crime on the witness stand. Six weeks of testimony,
hundreds of witnesses, thousands of pieces of evidence. The prosecution
argued murder, The defense argued accident. The jury had to decide.
(11:36):
We'll be right back with July fifth, twenty eleven, the
verdict that shocked America, not guilty, and the aftermath that's
still reverberating today. July fifth, twenty eleven, two fifteen pm,
(12:01):
Courtroom twenty three. Judge Belvin Perry received word from the
jury after eleven hours of deliberation over two days, they'd
reached a verdict. The courtroom filled media protesters, George and
Cindy Anthony in the front row, Casey Anthony at the
defense table, emotionless America watching on live television. The jury
(12:22):
filed in twelve people, seven women, five men. They wouldn't
look at Casey. That's usually a bad sign for the defendant.
When jurors avoid eye contact, it often means guilty, But
not this time. Judge Perry asked the four person if
they'd reached a verdict. Yes, your honor. The clerk read
the verdict. Count one, first degree murder. We the jury
(12:46):
find the defendant not guilty. Casey's face crumpled. She started crying.
Jose Biaz hugged her. The defense team celebrated in the gallery.
People gasped. Cindy Anthony collapsed into George's arms, sobbing. Protesters
outside the courthouse screamed. Someone yelled murderer. Count two aggravated
(13:07):
child abuse. We the jury find the defendant not guilty.
Count three, aggravated manslaughter of a child. We the jury
find the defendant not guilty. Three murder related charges. Three
not guilty verdicts, the only guilty verdicts. Four misdemeanor counts
of providing false information to law enforcement for lying about Zanni,
(13:31):
lying about working at Universal Studios, lying about the Sawgrass apartments,
lying about receiving phone calls from Kayley. Judge Perry sentenced
Casey to one year in jail per count four years total,
but she'd already served nearly three years awaiting trial. Credit
for time served, she'd be released in days. Casey Anthony,
(13:53):
accused of murdering her two year old daughter, convicted only
of lying. Maximum sentence four years, actual time served, two weeks,
Your tax dollars at work America exploded, Social media erupted.
Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, screaming for justice. Nancy Grace
called it the worst miscarriage of justice I've ever seen.
(14:15):
Legal experts were stunned. How did the prosecution lose this case?
The jury spoke later, Some gave interviews their reasoning. The
prosecution didn't prove how Kaylee died, didn't prove Casey was
the one who killed her, didn't prove murder beyond a
reasonable doubt. Juror Jennifer Ford told ABC News, I did
not say she was innocent. I just said there was
(14:37):
not enough evidence. If you cannot prove what the crime was,
you cannot determine what the punishment should be. The prosecution's
case was circumstantial, no eyewitnesses, no confession, no definitive cause
of death. The medical examiner said homicide, but couldn't prove
exactly how Kaylee died. Was it chloroform? Duct tapes? Upification? Drowning? Unknown?
(15:02):
The defense created reasonable doubt, not about Casey's character, she
was clearly a liar, clearly a bad mother, but about
whether she murdered Kayley. Could it have been an accident?
George covered up? The jury thought maybe. Juror Russell Huckler said,
the prosecution didn't show us how the death happened. They
didn't show the motive, They didn't show anything that happened
(15:25):
in that household. On June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, translation,
prove she did it, or we can't convict. Welcome to
the American justice system. July seventeenth, twenty eleven, twelve thirty
two am Casey Anthony released from Orange County Jail. Secret
exit suv with tinted windows driven to an undisclosed location.
(15:49):
Free protesters lined the streets, cameras everywhere. Someone threw a
drink at the vehicle police escort. Casey disappeared into the night.
Backlash was immediate and ferocious death threats, online harassment. Someone
created a website tracking Casey's whereabouts. Others called for vigilante justice.
(16:10):
The anger was visceral America wanted Casey punished. The jury
said no. Some jurors later expressed regret. Russell Huckler said,
I think now I would have voted differently, but at
the time I followed the law, I had to vote
not guilty because they didn't prove it. Others stood by
their decision, said the prosecution overcharged, should have gone for
(16:33):
manslaughter instead of first degree murder, might have gotten a conviction.
Prosecutor Jeff Ashton later wrote a book, Imperfect Justice, prosecuting
Casey Anthony. Defended the decision to charge first degree murder,
said the evidence supported it, said the jury got it wrong.
Defense attorney Jose Bias wrote his own book, Presumed Guilty
(16:56):
Casey Anthony. The Inside Story, claimed vindication, said Casey was innocent,
said George was responsible. George and Cindy Anthony appeared on
Doctor Phil said they believed Casey was innocent, said Kaylee's
death was an accident. Said they forgave Casey, but their
marriage deteriorated. They're still together, but fractured. The family destroyed.
(17:28):
Casey Anthony today lives in South Florida, changed her name
legally documents sealed, works as a legal assistant for her
former defense attorney, rarely seen in public, occasionally photographed by paparazzi,
still receives death threats. She gave one major interview in
twenty seventeen to the Associated Press, said I don't give
(17:50):
a shit about what anyone thinks about me. I'm okay
with myself. I sleep pretty good at night. Asked if
she killed Kaylee Casey, he said, obviously, I didn't kill
my daughter. If anything, there's nothing in this world have
ever been more proud of, and there's no one I
loved more than my daughter. But she didn't explain the
(18:11):
thirty one days, didn't explain the lies, didn't explain the partying,
didn't explain the beautiful life. Tattoo just said she's at peace. America.
Isn't The name Casey Anthony still triggers rage. Thirteen years later.
People still believe she got away with murder, still believe
justice wasn't served. The case changed how trials are covered,
(18:35):
intensified the media circus proved that public opinion doesn't determine guilt,
that juries sometimes surprise us. That everyone knows she did
it doesn't mean conviction. Some cases haunt the justice system.
Kaylee Anthony's is one of them. That's the Casey Anthony case.
(18:57):
June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, to your old, Kaylee
Marie Anthony disappeared. Her mother didn't report it for thirty
one days. Spent that time partying, lying, getting a Beautiful
life tattoo. December eleventh, two thousand and eight, Kaylee's remains
found in woods near her home, duct tape, Winnie the
Pooh blanket. The search was over July fifth, twenty eleven,
(19:23):
after six weeks of testimony, jury deliberated eleven hours. Not
guilty of murder, not guilty of manslaughter, not guilty of
child abuse, guilty only of lying to police. Casey Anthony
walked free. Two weeks later. America exploded in outrage. How
did tot mom get away with it? The answer reasonable doubt.
(19:45):
The prosecution couldn't prove exactly how Kaylee died. Couldn't prove
Casey was the one who killed her. The jury said,
not proven, not guilty. Kaylee Marie Anthony was two years
old born August ninth, two thousand and five, found December eleventh, eight.
Loved Winnie the Pooh, loved swimming, loved her grandparents called
(20:05):
them chee Chee and Jojoe said, I love you constantly.
She should be nineteen years old today, should have graduated
high school, should be in college, should be planning her future,
should have a whole life ahead of her. Instead, she's
buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Orlando, a small white headstone,
a life that ended it too. Someone has to say
(20:27):
her name, someone has to remember she was a person,
not just the Casey Anthony, case not just tot mom's daughter,
a little girl two years old who deserved to grow up.
Rest in peace, Kaylee Marie Anthony. I'm read Carter. This
is celebrity trials.
Callaroga Shark Media. Good morning, I'm Reed Carter. Sunday, November
twenty three, twenty twenty five. Yesterday we covered Kaylee Anthony's disappearance,
the thirty one days Casey partied while her daughter was missing,
the lies, the Beautiful Life tattoo, the discovery of Kaylee's
(00:27):
remains in the woods. Today, the trial that shocked America.
May twenty fourth, twenty eleven, Opening statements began in Orlando,
Orange County Courthouse Judge Belvin Perry, presiding Prosecutor Linda Drane
Burdick versus defense attorney jose Baiez. The prosecution's case seemed
air tight, computer searches for chloroform air samples from Casey's
(00:50):
car showing decomposition, duct tape, Kaylee's remains found in trash
bags from the Anthony home. Thirty one days of lies,
Casey's partying behavehavior the smell of death, but Jose Biez
had a bombshell one nobody saw coming. Kaylee Anthony died
on June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, when she drowned
(01:11):
in her family's swimming pool. The courtroom gasped drowned an accident,
then Why the lies, why the cover up? Bias continued.
George Anthony was there, He took Kaylee from the pool,
told Casey she'd be okay. Then he disposed of the body,
made it look like a kidnapping. And he's been lying
(01:33):
ever since. Then, Biaz went further. Casey was sexually abused
by her father from age eight, Taught to lie, taught
to hide the truth. That's why she didn't report Kaylee missing.
That's why she acted like nothing happened. America watched in disbelief.
Was this defense credible or desperate? July fifth, twenty eleven,
(01:58):
after six weeks of test stimony, the jury deliberated eleven hours,
returned with a verdict that stunned the nation. Not guilty
of first degree murder, not guilty of aggravated child abuse,
not guilty of aggravated manslaughter, guilty only of four misdemeanor
counts of lying to police. Casey Anthony walked free. Two
(02:19):
weeks later, America exploded in rage. How did she get
away with it? How did tot mom beat a murder charge?
I'm read Carter, this is Celebrity Trials Today, Part two
of Casey Anthony. The trial The verdict. The outrage that followed.
This is celebrity trials. May twenty fourth, twenty eleven, Orange
(02:43):
County Courthouse, Courtroom twenty three, Judge Belvin Perry Stern and
no Nonsense, presiding over the trial of the century. Prosecutor
Linda Draine Burdick stood to deliver opening statements, confident, prepared,
ready to prove Casey Anthony murder her daughter. The evidence
in this case will show that Kaylee Marie Anthony died
(03:05):
as a result of chloroform, and that she died by
having three pieces of duct tape placed over her nose
and mouth. Burdick laid out the timeline June fifteenth, Father's Day,
the last time George and Cindy saw Kaylee alive. June sixteenth,
Casey borrowed a shovel from neighbor Brian Berner said she
was digging up bamboo. Why does someone need a shovel
(03:28):
the day their child disappears? June sixteenth through July fifteenth,
thirty one days of partying, no calls to police, no
missing person report, just Casey living her beautiful life while
Kaylee's body decomposed in the woods. The prosecution's theory Casey
wanted freedom, wanted to party with Tony Lazarro, wanted to
(03:51):
go to Fusion nightclub without worrying about childcare. Kaylee was
an obstacle, so Casey removed that obstacle mark which two
thousand and eight, three months before Kaylee died, someone using
Casey's computer searched for chloroform eighty four times. Also searched
how to make chloroform, chloroform inhalation and death. The defense
(04:15):
would later claim those searches were for chlorophyll, not chloroform,
that the eighty four number was wrong. It was only
searched once, but the prosecution hammered it home. Casey researched
how to kill the trunk of Casey's Pontiac Sunfire. Cadaver
dogs hit on it, indicating human decomposition. Air samples showed
(04:36):
chemical signatures consistent with a dead body. George Anthony testified
it smelled like death. Cindy Anthony's nine to one one call,
it smells like there's been a dead body in the
damn car. The duct tape, same brand found at the
crime scene and in the Anthony garage. Henkel duct tape
(04:56):
applied to Kaylee's face over her nose and mouth. Prosecution
argued this was how Casey killed her, chloroformed her unconscious,
applied duct tape, suffocated her. The laundry bag came from
the Anthony home. Kaylee's body found inside it, wrapped in
a Winnie the Pooh blanket placed in black trash bags.
(05:18):
All items traced back to the Anthony house. Casey's behavior
after June sixteenth, The Beautiful Life tattoo on June twenty fifth,
the partying at Fusion nightclub, the photos of her in
a tight dress, drinking, dancing, entering a hot body contest
nine days after Kaylee died, not the behavior of a
grieving mother. The lies. Casey told police she worked at
(05:41):
Universal Studios, she hadn't worked there in two years. Told
them Kaylee was with Zanni, the nanny. Zanny didn't exist.
Told them she was at Sawgrass Apartments, the apartment was vacant.
Gave a fake phone number, made up an entire person.
Why lie if your child was accidentally killed. Burdick's closing
(06:02):
argument to the jury Casey Anthony wanted the life she
had before Kaylee was born. She wanted her life back,
and the only way to get that life back was
to get rid of Kaylee. The prosecution rested. The case
seemed overwhelming, damning America watched and waited for conviction. Then
Jose Bias stood up. Good morning, the two worst words
(06:26):
in the English language. I'm sorry. Casey apologizes for her lies,
but she didn't kill her daughter. This was an accident
that snowballed out of control. Bias' opening statement dropped a bomb.
Kaylee Anthony died on June sixteenth, two thousand and eight.
She drowned in the family pool. George Anthony found her,
(06:47):
took her body, told Casey, I'll handle it, and that's
when the lies began. George Anthony, the former police officer,
the grandfather who cried on the witness stand about losing Kaylee.
He disposed of her body. Bias continued, George Anthony sexually
abused Casey from age eight until she moved out. Casey
(07:10):
was taught to lie, taught to hide the truth, taught
to pretend everything was fine even when it wasn't. That's
why she didn't call nine one one. That's why she
acted like nothing happened, because her father told her he'd
handle it, and she believed him. The courtroom was stunned.
Social media exploded, Cable news ran with it for days.
(07:32):
Was this legitimate defense strategy or disgusting character assassination? George
Anthony took the stand, denied everything, denied disposing of Kaylee's body,
Denied the sexual abuse allegations, broke down, crying, I would
never do anything to harm my granddaughter. I loved Kaylee
more than anything. The defense argued George had motive to
(07:55):
cover up Kaylee's death. If she drowned in the pool
on his watch, he'd be blamed. Better to make it
look like a kidnapping, better to point the finger at Casey.
But here's the problem with the drowning theory, the duct tape.
If Kaylee drowned accidentally, why was duct tape applied to
her face? Why wrap her in trash bags and dumper
(08:16):
in the woods? Why not call nine to one one?
The defense claimed the duct tape was applied after death
by someone trying to stage a kidnapping, that George placed
it there to throw off investigators. Prosecutors argued that made
no sense. Duct tape over the nose and mouth of
a drowned victim, that's not staging a kidnapping. That's murder,
(08:37):
Forensic evidence became a battleground. The prosecution's expert testified that
air samples from the trunk showed chemical compounds consistent with
human decomposition. The defense's expert testified those compounds could come
from garbage, food, anything. Doctor rpad Vas, forensic anthropologist from
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, testified about the air samples, said
(08:58):
the chemical signature was unmistakable human decomposition. The defense attacked
his methodology, said it wasn't peer reviewed, said it wasn't
accepted science. Doctor Jan Garivalia Orange County medical examiner known
as Doctor G from her reality TV show, testified Kaylee's
death was a homicide. Duct tape over the face, body
(09:20):
dumped in the woods, not consistent with accidental drowning, consistent
with murder. The defense argued no cause of death could
be determined the body was too decomposed. The medical examiner
was speculating. The chloroform searches. Prosecution expert testified someone searched
chloroform eighty four times in March two thousand and eight.
(09:42):
Defense expert John Bradley later admitted he made an error.
It was searched once, not eighty four times, but the
search still happened. Why search for chloroform at all? Defense
claimed it was a typo. The user meant to search
chlorophyll because Casey was looking up information for her boyfriend's
marijuana use. Prosecutors scoffed, you don't accidentally search how to
(10:03):
make chloroform. Roy Kronk, the utility worker who found Caylee's remains.
Defense tried to paint him as suspicious. Suggested he move
the body, suggested he was involved somehow. Why because he'd
called about the location three times before actually finding the body,
Defense implied he knew where Caylee was all along. Prosecutors
(10:26):
argued that was absurd. Kronk was a good samaritan who
saw something suspicious and reported it nothing more. Cindy Anthony
took the stand Casey's mother, Kaylee's grandmother, the woman who
made that infamous nine one one call. Initially, Cindy supported
the prosecution, but on the stand, she suddenly claimed she
made the chloroform searches, not Casey her. Why would Cindy
(10:51):
search for chloroform? I was looking up chlorophyll for my dog,
Cindy testified, I must have accidentally typed chloroform prosecutors later
proved Cindy was at work when those searches were made. Timesheets,
computer logs, witness testimony all showed Cindy couldn't have been home,
but she lied to protect her daughter, committed perjury, was
(11:12):
never charged. Make it make sense a mother so desperate
to save her daughter from death row that she commits
a crime on the witness stand. Six weeks of testimony,
hundreds of witnesses, thousands of pieces of evidence. The prosecution
argued murder, The defense argued accident. The jury had to decide.
(11:36):
We'll be right back with July fifth, twenty eleven, the
verdict that shocked America, not guilty, and the aftermath that's
still reverberating today. July fifth, twenty eleven, two fifteen pm,
(12:01):
Courtroom twenty three. Judge Belvin Perry received word from the
jury after eleven hours of deliberation over two days, they'd
reached a verdict. The courtroom filled media protesters, George and
Cindy Anthony in the front row, Casey Anthony at the
defense table, emotionless America watching on live television. The jury
(12:22):
filed in twelve people, seven women, five men. They wouldn't
look at Casey. That's usually a bad sign for the defendant.
When jurors avoid eye contact, it often means guilty, But
not this time. Judge Perry asked the four person if
they'd reached a verdict. Yes, your honor. The clerk read
the verdict. Count one, first degree murder. We the jury
(12:46):
find the defendant not guilty. Casey's face crumpled. She started crying.
Jose Biaz hugged her. The defense team celebrated in the gallery.
People gasped. Cindy Anthony collapsed into George's arms, sobbing. Protesters
outside the courthouse screamed. Someone yelled murderer. Count two aggravated
(13:07):
child abuse. We the jury find the defendant not guilty.
Count three, aggravated manslaughter of a child. We the jury
find the defendant not guilty. Three murder related charges. Three
not guilty verdicts, the only guilty verdicts. Four misdemeanor counts
of providing false information to law enforcement for lying about Zanni,
(13:31):
lying about working at Universal Studios, lying about the Sawgrass apartments,
lying about receiving phone calls from Kayley. Judge Perry sentenced
Casey to one year in jail per count four years total,
but she'd already served nearly three years awaiting trial. Credit
for time served, she'd be released in days. Casey Anthony,
(13:53):
accused of murdering her two year old daughter, convicted only
of lying. Maximum sentence four years, actual time served, two weeks,
Your tax dollars at work America exploded, Social media erupted.
Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, screaming for justice. Nancy Grace
called it the worst miscarriage of justice I've ever seen.
(14:15):
Legal experts were stunned. How did the prosecution lose this case?
The jury spoke later, Some gave interviews their reasoning. The
prosecution didn't prove how Kaylee died, didn't prove Casey was
the one who killed her, didn't prove murder beyond a
reasonable doubt. Juror Jennifer Ford told ABC News, I did
not say she was innocent. I just said there was
(14:37):
not enough evidence. If you cannot prove what the crime was,
you cannot determine what the punishment should be. The prosecution's
case was circumstantial, no eyewitnesses, no confession, no definitive cause
of death. The medical examiner said homicide, but couldn't prove
exactly how Kaylee died. Was it chloroform? Duct tapes? Upification? Drowning? Unknown?
(15:02):
The defense created reasonable doubt, not about Casey's character, she
was clearly a liar, clearly a bad mother, but about
whether she murdered Kayley. Could it have been an accident?
George covered up? The jury thought maybe. Juror Russell Huckler said,
the prosecution didn't show us how the death happened. They
didn't show the motive, They didn't show anything that happened
(15:25):
in that household. On June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, translation,
prove she did it, or we can't convict. Welcome to
the American justice system. July seventeenth, twenty eleven, twelve thirty
two am Casey Anthony released from Orange County Jail. Secret
exit suv with tinted windows driven to an undisclosed location.
(15:49):
Free protesters lined the streets, cameras everywhere. Someone threw a
drink at the vehicle police escort. Casey disappeared into the night.
Backlash was immediate and ferocious death threats, online harassment. Someone
created a website tracking Casey's whereabouts. Others called for vigilante justice.
(16:10):
The anger was visceral America wanted Casey punished. The jury
said no. Some jurors later expressed regret. Russell Huckler said,
I think now I would have voted differently, but at
the time I followed the law, I had to vote
not guilty because they didn't prove it. Others stood by
their decision, said the prosecution overcharged, should have gone for
(16:33):
manslaughter instead of first degree murder, might have gotten a conviction.
Prosecutor Jeff Ashton later wrote a book, Imperfect Justice, prosecuting
Casey Anthony. Defended the decision to charge first degree murder,
said the evidence supported it, said the jury got it wrong.
Defense attorney Jose Bias wrote his own book, Presumed Guilty
(16:56):
Casey Anthony. The Inside Story, claimed vindication, said Casey was innocent,
said George was responsible. George and Cindy Anthony appeared on
Doctor Phil said they believed Casey was innocent, said Kaylee's
death was an accident. Said they forgave Casey, but their
marriage deteriorated. They're still together, but fractured. The family destroyed.
(17:28):
Casey Anthony today lives in South Florida, changed her name
legally documents sealed, works as a legal assistant for her
former defense attorney, rarely seen in public, occasionally photographed by paparazzi,
still receives death threats. She gave one major interview in
twenty seventeen to the Associated Press, said I don't give
(17:50):
a shit about what anyone thinks about me. I'm okay
with myself. I sleep pretty good at night. Asked if
she killed Kaylee Casey, he said, obviously, I didn't kill
my daughter. If anything, there's nothing in this world have
ever been more proud of, and there's no one I
loved more than my daughter. But she didn't explain the
(18:11):
thirty one days, didn't explain the lies, didn't explain the partying,
didn't explain the beautiful life. Tattoo just said she's at peace. America.
Isn't The name Casey Anthony still triggers rage. Thirteen years later.
People still believe she got away with murder, still believe
justice wasn't served. The case changed how trials are covered,
(18:35):
intensified the media circus proved that public opinion doesn't determine guilt,
that juries sometimes surprise us. That everyone knows she did
it doesn't mean conviction. Some cases haunt the justice system.
Kaylee Anthony's is one of them. That's the Casey Anthony case.
(18:57):
June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, to your old, Kaylee
Marie Anthony disappeared. Her mother didn't report it for thirty
one days. Spent that time partying, lying, getting a Beautiful
life tattoo. December eleventh, two thousand and eight, Kaylee's remains
found in woods near her home, duct tape, Winnie the
Pooh blanket. The search was over July fifth, twenty eleven,
(19:23):
after six weeks of testimony, jury deliberated eleven hours. Not
guilty of murder, not guilty of manslaughter, not guilty of
child abuse, guilty only of lying to police. Casey Anthony
walked free. Two weeks later. America exploded in outrage. How
did tot mom get away with it? The answer reasonable doubt.
(19:45):
The prosecution couldn't prove exactly how Kaylee died. Couldn't prove
Casey was the one who killed her. The jury said,
not proven, not guilty. Kaylee Marie Anthony was two years
old born August ninth, two thousand and five, found December eleventh, eight.
Loved Winnie the Pooh, loved swimming, loved her grandparents called
(20:05):
them chee Chee and Jojoe said, I love you constantly.
She should be nineteen years old today, should have graduated
high school, should be in college, should be planning her future,
should have a whole life ahead of her. Instead, she's
buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Orlando, a small white headstone,
a life that ended it too. Someone has to say
(20:27):
her name, someone has to remember she was a person,
not just the Casey Anthony, case not just tot mom's daughter,
a little girl two years old who deserved to grow up.
Rest in peace, Kaylee Marie Anthony. I'm read Carter. This
is celebrity trials.
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