In October
2008, Casey Anthony was arrested and charged with the disappearance and
murder of her two year old daughter, Caylee. She was originally charged
with giving false statements, child neglect, and obstruction of a
criminal investigation – this was later expanded to include first
degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a
child, and four counts of providing false information to police. In
December 2008, Caylee’s skeletal remains were discovered.
After a long contentious trial, on July 5 2011, the jury found Anthony
not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter, and
aggravated child abuse, and guilty on four misdemeanor counts of
providing false information to a law enforcement officer. Jurors cited
lack of evidence directly linking Anthony to the murder.
On July 7, 2011 Anthony was sentenced to
one year in jail and $1,000 in fines for each of the four counts of
providing false information to a law enforcement officer, with the
sentences to be served consecutively. Anthony received three years
credit for time served plus additional credit for good behavior,
resulting in her release date being set for July 13, 2011
Questions: Emotions aside, do you believe the prosecution overcharged the case? Why or why not? Was there enough evidence to convict Anthony as she was charged? Why or why not? What are you thoughts on the evidence presented by the defense?