Reuters reports:
A Florida jury on Tuesday found Casey Anthony not guilty of murder in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, a case that riveted millions since the child was first reported missing three summers ago.
The verdict spares the 25-year-old from facing the death penalty, which prosecutors planned to seek if Casey had been found guilty as charged of first-degree murder.
She faces possible jail time after being found guilty of lying to police and will be sentenced on Thursday at 9 a.m. local time.
“Casey did not murder Caylee. It’s that simple,” defense attorney Jose Baez told reporters after the verdict was announced at about 2:15 p.m. local time.
Casey appeared visibly nervous ahead of the verdict, downcast and biting her lip.
She sobbed after the jury’s not guilty finding on the murder count was read, and finally broke into a broad smile when the proceedings ended, hugging the defense team.
The prosecution said Casey smothered Caylee with duct tape on June 16, 2008, drove around for several days with Caylee’s body in her car trunk and then dumped the remains in woods near the Anthony family home.
The defense argued that Caylee died in an accidental drowning.
Twelve jurors, sequestered away from their homes for the duration of the trial, deliberated nearly 11 hours over two days. They declined to speak with reporters after reaching their decision.
Here is Anthony’s reaction as the verdicts were read.
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