The verdict in the Casey Anthony trial will be read at 2:15 today. – Orlando Sentinel (blog)
Prosecutor Jeff Ashton arrives this morning at the Orange County Courthouse. Photo credit: Brian Blanco/Reuters
The verdict in the Casey Anthony trial will be read at 2:15 today.
WFTV-Channel 9 anchor Greg Warmoth noted that prosecutor Jeff Ashton had popped prosecutor Frank George in the arm and shook his hand.
“There’s no way he knows what’s happening, but he is smart enough to know that it’s good for the state of Florida,” Warmoth said.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer agreed, “He has to believe that this verdict is, in fact, in favor of the state on the charge of murder in the first degree.”
Anthony is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
WESH-Channel 2’s Amanda Ober said that George and Cindy Anthony, Casey’s parents, will be in the courtroom for the verdict.
WFTV’s Nancy Alvarez said that Cindy Anthony yelled “get out of my way” to reporters three times as she headed into the courthouse. Alvarez said prosecutor Ashton was cheered by the large crowd outside the courthouse.
Warmoth wondered if the jury could have reached a verdict last night. Sheaffer said he thought a straw vote was taken last night, then jurors reviewed the decision this morning. Both men saw a sign in the jurors being dressed up today: That was was a sign the verdict was coming.
CNN just send out this alert: “CNNUS, CNNI will go live with the Anthony verdict once its read. CNN.com will take the verdict coverage live on CNN.com/live and on the CNN Apps. HLN is on it of course.”
Why did this case have such appeal? Geraldo Rivera told WOFL-Channel 35 that Anthony probably is “the second most recognizable person in our country right now.” Rivera picked Barack Obama as the most recognizable.
Rivera described Anthony’s “severe, stoic, very pained face” that is “still pretty.” He described Anthony as contemporary and said she probably has groupies, men and women out there, “however sick that might seem.”
What are you thinking?