Casey Anthony Opening Statement: Something's Not Right Here
It was a bombshell day in Courtroom 23 of the Orange County Courthouse today, as opening statements got underway for the murder trial of Casey Anthony, accused of the 2008 murder of her young daughter, Caylee Anthony.
The State’s Case: Caylee was killed so Casey could live the “good life.”
During the State’s opening statement, Casey Anthony broke down in tears, as Prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick reminded jurors that Casey did not report her own daughter missing until a month after Caylee’s actual disappearance. Casey Anthony’s time spent shopping and visiting her friends as though nothing was wrong was also brought to bear.
“Where is Caylee Marie Anthony?” asked Burdick, while detailing a very busy and almost cheerful month spent by Casey, while her daughter was nowhere to be found.
Burdick went on to allege that Caylee had been transported in the trunk of her mother’s car, citing blonde hair samples found in the trunk, and witness statements about a foul odor tied to the car.
“Caylee Marie Anthony was not kidnapped. No one else benefited from the death of Caylee Marie Anthony. Caylee’s death allowed Casey Anthony to live the good life, and at the end of this cause you will have no problem deciding that Casey Anthony killed her daughter.”
The Defense: Casey was a victim, and Caylee’s death was both accidental and hidden
Casey’s defense attorney, Jose Baez, alleged in his opening statement that during Casey Anthony’s childhood, her father George Anthony had often sexually molested her, starting when she was eight years old, and that Casey feared her father because of it. Casey broke down as Baez briefly detailed one such alleged incident.
This accusation was expected, as such allegations have leaked out over the three years since Casey’s incarceration pending trial. George Anthony has denied these allegations over the last three years. After opening statements, George took the stand and again denied these allegations.
Baez dropped yet another bombshell to the jurors: That Caylee might be the daughter of Casey and her brother Lee, who “wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps” in also molesting Casey. Baez hints at a paternity test, perhaps to be brought forth as evidence during the trial.
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