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State: Anthony Chose Life She Wanted Over Caylee

Defense says state never proved the crime beyond a reasonable doubt

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 3, 2011 11:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – Casey Anthony sobbed and glared this morning as the prosecutor painted a picture of her as a devious liar who opted to kill her only child so that she'd be free to go clubbing. "Something needed to be sacrificed, that something was either the life she wanted or the life thrust upon her," said Jeff Ashton in his closing argument. "She chose to sacrifice her child." Ashton reminded jurors of the duct tape placed over Caylee Anthony's mouth, saying, "That tape was placed there for one singular purpose. This murder was premeditated."

As the Orlando Sentinel reports, Anthony's lawyer, Jose Baez, made the case for his client's life by assailing the state for not having met the burden of proof: "I think you probably have more questions than you have answers," Baez said. "How did Caylee die? What happened to her? Those questions were never answered." Anthony could face the death penalty if convicted; the jury could get the case today. Click for more background on Anthony's trial.

Casey Anthony reacts while listening to the state's closing arguments in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Casey Anthony reacts while listening to the state's closing arguments in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Judge Belvin Perry listens during the state's closing arguments in the Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Judge Belvin Perry listens during the state's closing arguments in the Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Casey Anthony reacts as the state presents its closing arguments in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Casey Anthony reacts as the state presents its closing arguments in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Cindy Anthony listens to the state's closing arguments in the murder trial of her daughter, Casey, in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Cindy Anthony listens to the state's closing arguments in the murder trial of her daughter, Casey, in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Defense attorneys Cheney Mason, left, and Jose Baez listen during the state's closing arguments in the Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Defense attorneys Cheney Mason, left, and Jose Baez listen during the state's closing arguments in the Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Assistant state attorney Jeff Ashton presents closing arguments for the state in the murder trial of Casey Anthony in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Assistant state attorney Jeff Ashton presents closing arguments for the state in the murder trial of Casey Anthony in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Casey Anthony reacts as the state presents its closing arguments in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Casey Anthony reacts as the state presents its closing arguments in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Assistant state attorney Jeff Ashton begins closing arguments for the state in the murder trial of Casey Anthony in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Assistant state attorney Jeff Ashton begins closing arguments for the state in the murder trial of Casey Anthony in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
Casey Anthony sits in the courtroom before closing arguments begin in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.
Casey Anthony sits in the courtroom before closing arguments begin in her murder trial in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, July 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, Pool)
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When Casey is faced with a problem her solution is to change her lie. To modify it. Casey is very bright, and her lies are very detailed. - Prosecutor Jeff Ashton

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
TheRealTruth92886
Jul 4, 2011 4:24 PM CDT
The State Prosecutor, Aniston's statment that Casey premeditated her childs untimely death because Caylee was coming to a age where she could tell folks that Zannie the Nannie did not exist was totally hodwash.  He could have left that out of his closing arguments.  The States argument has went from her searching the internet for choloroform 81 times to kill her child and now she needed to kill Caylee because she was going to soon be able to say that Zannie was her mom's imaginary babysitter.  Furthermore, the search for choloroform was only searched once and the other 80 searches were for Myspace.  If you heard the States closing arguments, not once did they bring up the 81 searches for choloroform because it was a straight up Lie.  Maybe if the detectives had given Casey her Miranda Rights and the police had followed up on tips that were called in as to the where abouts of the child's skull they may have had a much stronger case.  I still found it hard to believe that the duck tape stayed on her skull throughout the storms and the body being in the elements for 6 months.
TheRealTruth92886
Jul 4, 2011 3:56 PM CDT
The State Prosecutor, Aniston's statment that Casey premeditated her childs untimely death because Caylee was coming to a age where she could tell folks that Zannie the Nannie did not exist was totally hodwash.  He could have left that out of his closing arguments.  The States argument has went from her searching the internet for choloroform 81 times to kill her child and now she needed to kill Caylee because she was going to soon be able to say that Zannie was her mom's imaginary babysitter.  Furthermore, the search for choloroform was only searched once and the other 80 searches were for Myspace.  If you heard the States closing arguments, not once did they bring up the 81 searches for choloroform because it was a straight up Lie.  Maybe if the detectives had given Casey her Miranda Rights and the police had followed up on tips that were called in as to the where abouts of the child's skull they may have had a much stronger case.  I still found it hard to believe that the duck tape stayed on her skull throughout the storms and the body being in the elements for 6 months.
rjm
Jul 4, 2011 10:15 AM CDT
In addition to Caylee, I feel very sorry for the parents, brother and family friends.

More Newser Stories

Jury Begins Deliberations on Anthony

Meter Reader: I Saw, But Didn't Touch, Caylee's Skull

Casey Anthony Ordered Back to Orlando

George Anthony Attempted Suicide 'To Be With Caylee'

Casey Anthony Deemed Competent to Resume Trial


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