Casey Anthony Trial

Hollee ThompsonP. 5

Why I Chose the Casey Anthony Trial and Questions

I chose the Casey Anthony Trial because my mom was really into it when I was little

so i'm very familiar with the topic. Plus it has always sparked my interest so I wanted

to learn more about it.

Main research question:

Did Casey Anthony kill her daughter?

About Casey Anthony

Casey Anthony was born in Ohio on March 19, 1986. She was one of two children

of Cindy and George Anthony, with George’s profession was working in Law

Enforcement.

Casey was described as bright, personable young girl with friends, and many

thought was an ordinary American Family.

Patterns of lying began when Casey was in High School, Cindy and George

attended Casey’s graduation, only to discover she was several credits short of

graduating.

More About Casey Anthony

She had stopped attending classes towards the end of the year, but led her

family to believe she would walk with her graduating class.

When she was 19, Casey started putting on weight, and her parents suspected

she was pregnant. Casey denied it, claiming she was a virgin.

Months into her pregnancy she told her parents the truth.

August 9, 2005, Casey gives birth to her daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony.

Cindy and George Anthony at Casey Anthony trial in 2011 Casey Anthony who was being convicted of killing her daughter

Caylee Marie Anthony who disappeared at age 3

Timeline

June 16, 2008- Caylee Marie Anthony, 3, is reportedly seen alive for the last time.

Casey left her parents home after a major argument, taking Caylee with her.

July 15, 2008- Casey’s mother, Cindy Anthony, reports that Caylee is missing 29 days after her actual

disappearance.

On July 13, 2008, Cindy and George Anthony received a letter saying that Casey’s car was in the tow

yard. When George went to pick up the car, he found Casey’s purse, along with Caylee’s car seat and

toys. George noticed a strong smell, like that from organic matter decomposing, coming from the

trunk.

Casey was later found at her boyfriend's house, and when she was confronted she broke down telling

her mother that she has left Caylee with a nanny, Zenaida Fernandez- Gonzalez in Orlando, and that

she kidnapped her daughter.

Timeline

July 16, 2008- Casey Anthony is arrested for child neglect.

Casey tells police her daughter vanished after she left her with a baby sitter, Zenaida Fernandez-

Gonzalez, who also disappeared.

July 17, 2008- Officers search Casey Anthony’s car.

The cadaver dog picks up the scent of human decomposition.

August 27, 2008- Authorities receive air sample test back.

The air sample from Casey Anthony’s car indicated there were human remains in the trunk.

Timeline

September 24, 2008- Lawsuit filed against Casey Anthony.

A Kissimmee, Florida women with the same name as the one Casey gave to police filed a lawsuit against

her for defamation*.

October 14, 2008- Grand jury.

A grand jury indicts Casey Anthony on capital murder, she pleads not guilty.

December 11, 2008- Skeletal remains found.

Skeletal remains are found in a wooded area near Anthony’s home by a utility worker.

*Defamation- The action of damaging the good reputation of someone.

Timeline

December 19, 2008- Skeletal remains identified

Authorities announced that the remains found near Anthony’s home, was the remains of Caylee Anthony.

April 13, 2009- Prosecutors

Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty, reversing an earlier decision not to pursue capital

punishment.

May 24, 2011- Orlando courthouse

The prosecution and defense deliever opening statements in Orlando courthouse

Timeline

June 6, 2011- Trial

Forensic expert, Arpad Vass, testified that the only plausible explanation for the odor in Casey’s car trunk

is the presence of a decomposing human body.

June 9, 2011- Trial goes into recess

Casey becomes ill and judge Perry calls the court into recess for the day.

June 15 & 30, 2011- Trial

The prosecution rests on June 15th, then on June 30th the defense rests. Casey does not testify.

Timeline

July 5, 2011- Verdict

Seven-women and five-man jury deliberates for 10 hours and 40 minutes before coming back with the

verdict of not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a

child. Casey is found guilty of four misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law

enforcement.

July 7, 2011- Sentenced

Casey Anthony is sentenced to four years in jail for four counts of lying to police. The years will be

consecutively and will include that time she has already served. She is also fined $1,000 for each

count.

Evidence Admitted in Court

Human Hair- There was human hair found in Casey Anthony’s vehicle. The theory is that Casey stored her

daughter in the trunk after subduing Caylee with chloroform. The hair was identified as human hair, but lack

of root or tissue DNA, it couldn’t be extracted for precise identification.

Stained Paper Towel- Adipocere, known as “Grave Wax”, is the breakdown of fat by water in an oxygen

deprived environment. The paper towel was found in the garbage content of the trunk.

Presence of Chloroform- The analysis of the air sample that was taken from the trunk resulted in high levels

in chloroform.

Cyber-Evidence- Via-search warrant, Casey Anthony’s laptop was investigated. There was a recent

searches of “chloroform” and “Self Defense”

Duct-Tape- The duct tape found partially attached to Caylee’s skull was used as the murder weapon. It was

covering the mouth and nasal cavity, leading to suffocation.

Key Terms and Short Answer Questions

Key Terms:

Defamation- The action of damaging the good reputation of someone.

Casey Anthony- 23 year old mother who was accused of killing her daughter.

Adipocere- Known as “Grave Wax”, it’s the breakdown of fat by water in an environment that lacks

oxygen.

Short answer questions:

Do you think that Casey Anthony is responsible for killing her daughter?

Do you think anyone help her kill her daughter?