Out of jail, Casey Anthony faces an uncertain future

A professor of psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz says Casey Anthony likely hides her emotions because prisoners learn to scale back their sentiments quickly, and explains it's one of the strategies developed when incarcerated.

CTV News Channel: Daniel Lurvey, attorney

A criminal defence attorney in Miami says the Casey Anthony trial will be one that stays in the limelight for a while, and explains that Anthony's acquittal has generated a lot of interest, as well as a lot of anger.

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Casey Anthony, front right, walks out of the Orange County Jail with her attorney Jose Baez.

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CTV News.ca Staff

Date: Sun. Jul. 17 2011 1:35 PM ET

Armed guards flanked Casey Anthony as she walked out of a Florida jail and past crowds of detractors shouting "baby killer" early Sunday, nearly two weeks after being acquitted of murder in the death of her two-year old daughter.

Following years in the public eye, the 25-year-old looked straight ahead as she strode past protesters and slipped into an SUV just after midnight. More than 100 people surged against police barricades as the vehicle whisked Anthony away to an unknown destination.

Streets outside the jail were obstructed by mounted patrolmen and police cruisers so Anthony's SUV could drive onto a nearby highway ramp with ease.

"A baby killer was just set free!" protester Bree Thornton shouted at the vehicle as it drove past her.

Somewhere along Anthony's undisclosed route she switched vehicles and eventually boarded a plane to a private location to start her life anew, reported ABC's Jim Avila.

Helicopters trailed Anthony's SUV as it sped off into the night, leaving behind her childhood home and the city where she gave birth to her late daughter Caylee.

People around the world have been transfixed with Caylee's mysterious disappearance since it hit headlines three years ago. Tabloids scrutinized Anthony's every move, criticizing her for shopping and partying after her daughter vanished.

The glare of the public spotlight only strengthened in December 2008 when Caylee's skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area near Anthony's family home.

For two months, the world had front-row seats as the case unfolded in a nationally-televised murder trial.

But when Anthony was acquitted of murder on July 5, the question of how Caylee died was still left unanswered. Hordes of people captivated by the case took to micro-blogging sites like Twitter and Facebook to convict Anthony in the court of public opinion.

Safety concerns

Much of the public's rage has been aimed at lies Anthony told investigators, including early claims that her daughter Caylee was kidnapped by a nonexistent nanny.

When acquitted, Anthony had been finishing a four-year sentence for those lies.

Public ire reached new heights when Anthony was sentenced July 7 for lying to police and the world learned she would only serve 10 more days in jail, after building credit for good behaviour during her time in jail.

Since then, Anthony's legal team has expressed concern over her safety upon release from jail.

Her lawyers said Friday that they had received an emailed death threat with a manipulated photo showing Anthony with a bullet hole in her forehead.

During Anthony's Sunday release, Orange County Jail officials had contingency plans in place in case shots were fired.

Onlookers who flocked to the jail acknowledged that the 25-year-old will find it difficult to return to a normal life.

"She is safer in jail than she is out here," said Mike Quiroz, who drove from Miami to spend his 22nd birthday outside the jail.

"She better watch her butt. She is known all over the world," he told The Associated Press.

Despite the widespread vitriol that Anthony faces, Orange County Jail spokesman Allen Moore said the jail didn't receive any threats before her release.

Supporters gather

Though outnumbered by detractors, a small contingent of Anthony supporters did attend her release from jail.

Braving a Saturday night thunderstorm, many stood outside the jail holding signs in support of Anthony. One fan even carried a "Casey, will you marry me" placard.

Many supporters maintain that there wasn't enough evidence to convict Anthony.

"She's done her time for a crime she didn't commit and that's just the way it is," one man told ABC News.

Regardless of how the public views Anthony, her lawyer Jose Baez said he believes her release signals that a new chapter is opening in her life.

"It is my hope that Casey Anthony can receive the counselling and treatment she needs to move forward with the rest of her life," Baez said in the statement.

Out of the spotlight

Following three years of media scrutiny, it is unclear how Anthony will carry on with her life.

Her relationship with her family has suffered as a result of the trial, where defence attorneys accused her father of molesting Casey when she was young.

Lawyers argued during the trial that the alleged abuse resulted in psychological issues that caused her to lie and act without remorse after Caylee's death.

Her father George Anthony has vehemently denied the accusations.

Though Anthony has been offered multi-million dollar opportunities to turn her infamy into fortune, it is not yet known whether she'll agree to tell her story through a book or movie deal.

With files from The Associated Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Ron
said
0 0

The jury was woefully wrong when they let her off on the lesser charge of child neglect. The kid was missing for 31 days & she wasn't reportly missing? HELLO. Casey was to busy partying. Unbelievable. Why did the jury think she lied? Was this the same jury that let O.J. Walk?

bob
said
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"It is my hope that Casey Anthony can receive the counselling and treatment she needs to move forward with the rest of her life," Baez said in the statement.How much will that cost? A bullet only costs a few cents.

HKP in Vancouver
said
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The Jury was selected and agreed to by BOTH the DA and the defence.....but the real problem in this case was that the State of Florida tried to get a 1st degree murder (capital murder) when the evidence did NOT support a "Capital" case...but they should have gone for 2nd degree and would VERY likely have got a conviction. It is VERY hard to get 12 people to agree to send another person to death....!!!! but in Florida the DA is an elected person...and he wanted to "win" a 1st degree charge....no wonder he quit his job after this case was over....!!!

Mike Bane
said
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She's innocent, get over it.

CYL
said
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I always say: the punishment never fits the crime, but in this case, No Punishment and No Justice for a crime to an beautiful innocent helpless trusting child.

montreal50
said
0 0

Big deal about nothing, there are thousands of children starving that die every day around the world and we have been waisting time energy and taxpayers money on this crap, get a life people..

JC
said
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the jury had a big problem with the difference between REASONABLE DOUBT, and DOUBT.the jury took hardly any notes,that says a lot they said no blood. there is no blood when you get smothered by tape. they had to take all the evidence into the jury room, they didn't/ they were too interested in there pay out to the press

Angela
said
0 0

eventually there will come a day when justice is served when it is her turn to face a higher power...she will never have the opportunity to be reunited with her daughter.

TwoDogGuy
said
0 0

You know, if it were me and I knew in my heart and soul I was innocent, I would want to shout it from the rooftops and mountaintops. I would be eager to testify in Court and I would not accuse a parent of abusing me as part of my defense... even if they did. An accusation like that is an explanation of why I behaved the way I did not an argument of my innocence. Just saying.

Marg in Calgary
said
0 0

The unfortunate victim here obviously is Caylee. She cannot tell us who did this to her and her little life was cut short. I think that if her mother didn't do it, she is most definitely hiding something = she is NOT totally innocent here. The biggest problem the jury had was the lack of evidence. With what was presented, they could not prove "BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT" that Casey did it, and so now, a possible child killer has been set free. I don't believe that she is as innocent as she claims. She is far to smug. As Prof. Py Charrtt mentioned, she showed a complete lack of remorse, lied to authorities, used the "I was abused" card (for the sympathy vote no doubt - this seems to happen far too often), and the prosecution simply did not have enough evidence for a solid case. Casey is the only one who knows, and hopefully, one day she will come clean and Caylee can finally rest in peace.

JC
said
0 0

just another case shoved under the rug. jury did or not listen to the instruction, guilty or not guilty, they included the sentence at the same time. nothing was brought into the jury room either. Casey lied for a reason, and that was to cover up. the pink T-shirt she was found with only Casey had access to it grandparents never seen it b4. Caylee did not take a taxi to the swamp and put herself there. the six phone calls from the home on the 16 says it all. then she went to Tony's. Caylee could of never went to the Zanny's like she said she did.

Marie, Calgary
said
0 0

I know it's hard to believe but she may not be guilty. Who are we to say she is? The justice system has found her Not Guilty. Therefore justice has been served. We were not in that courtroom so really we don't have the right to pass judgement on a woman when we have not heard all the evidence. Personally, I believe she is innocent. She is a young mother and everyone reacts differently when grieving. Hope Casey Anthony can move on with her life without all the hatred that now surrounds her.

Sara
said
0 0

I hope that if any efforts to make money on this, either by book or movie will be squashed, just like the OJ Simpson saga. His ex wife's family saw to it that he didnt earn one cent from his story. She can bleed to death , who will care except for a few dogs out there. ! Anyone who hooks up with her had better keep one eye open when asleep. !!

Wayne
said
0 0

She will get the same care and compassion that Karla got (PERIOD). Face facts people. We are powerless. All lip service with no real action behind anything. Can we now move on. Were on the verge of removing our higher power because we believe we got all the answers. For all the advancement, progress, and education that we perceive has given us incredible intelligence; we again and again look pretty stupid when cases the this one becomes public knowledge. :'(

chel in the Peg
said
0 0

Uncertain future? Well, at least she has one. The same can't be said for Caylee.

alex
said
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jose baez chose to paint caseys parents as the evil ones, just another string of lies from casey herself. this bitch is a self centered cow. any one or group who pays her for a t.v. appearence, book deal, or movie deal should have the wrath of god heaped on them. i hpoe to god that she is treated like an outcast. and finds no peace in this life time. she wanted to party every night and decided to kill her beautiful little daughter and then goes out to party. now thats cold. and the jury had to be doing drugs to aquit this monster. i watched this trial from beginning to end, and found that the prosecution had proven the guilt of casey. when the jury started deliberations it was a split of 6-6 for guilt you believe their guilty you stand your ground and not cower like a beaten dog with the tail tucked betwen their legs.

Gerald
said
0 0

@@ Dr. Of Psychology...Thank you for sharing your thoughts and big words with us, but after reading your rant 5 or 6 times, I still don't understand what the ???? you're saying and if you in fact did study psychology, you didn't get it at all.

Jak Wilson
said
0 0

I can only hope that where ever she goes, when ever she is identified the public protest and demand better security in the neighbourhood where children are active. The tramp got away with murder. Don't let it happen again. To her mother, I hope you wake up screaming when she tells you she's carrying another one. Jurists, it's called 'reasonable' doubt not lawyer talk doubt. I just hope it never comes back to haunt you --- any more than now.

Nan
said
0 0

As the prosecutor said, and crime scene photos evidenced--the tiny skull of Caylee Marie Anthony was found with three large pieces of duct tape still embedded in her hair; holding her mandible in the anatomical correct position. Suffocation was the cause of death--we can only hope that chloroform was used before hand.

The child's remains were tossed a few feet from the road in a swamp near the grade school her mother had attended in her youth.

During this trial, the prosecutors were not even allowed to say that Casey Anthony was in the bedroom with her boyfriend while her 34 month old daughter was out on the balcony, unsupervised. (They had a witness to confirm this.)

The defense team, however, were allowed to state in the most vivid language possible, a grotesque act that the defendant's father supposedly did to her when she was 13 years old. There was absolutely no proof of this and the judge would not allow the defense to bring this up during their closing argument -- but the damage was done.

There was a ton of circumstantial evidence in this case -- a ton. Why the jury chose to overlook it we will probably never know; but one thing we can all be assured of is that a murderer walked free last night.

ray zavala
said
0 0

casey i will protect you marry me

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
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@ @ Mark, Esq. you're absolutely right!: No need to be angry and annoyed that others dare not to share your "personal" opinion. (These CTV forums are for discussion and debate.) Contrary to your assertion, a determined "cause of death" isn't necessarily critical. Caylee's body was dumped in the woods, and found. That's a fact. Apparently, to you, that seems the plausibly reasonable conclusion to a "drowning accident" directly involving a loving mother (who doesn't report her child missing for 31 days, lies serially, and, by all accounts, was not emotionally distraught) and loving grandfather (an ex-cop). Sure; okay. By the way, some people inform themselves with more than "headlines." Take care. (P.S. Don't let my prolificness bother you so much.)

Davis
said
0 0

The rotten unscrupulous comments of those supporting a sociopath Casey Anthony whom betrayed her child "Caylee" are just vitriolic! Caylee trusted mom Casey and look what she did to her. You people are lucky Casey Anthony wasn't your mother or you wouldn't have lived to post any comments on this site nor see your 5th birthday. You really are a piece of work!

Gerald
said
0 0

I have a feeling that we haven't heard the last of her. I wonder how she would do in a Piers Morgan interview, or even better.... an interview with God. You can't hide the truth forever.

MaisyMac
said
0 0

What is important now is that the public keeps pressure on the media to not make this woman rich by paying her for interviews, pictures, book deals or other rights. She�s refused to take any responsibility for her actions and she is even appealing her convictions on lying. Making this criminal rich would be a true crime. Boycott any media corporation who pays this woman for any type of exclusive rights.

Mot
said
0 0

Why don't people just get on with their lifes and forget about Casey Anthony, she will get hers one day because she is a guilty as can be. And now to have the nerve to appeal the lies she told....I wouldn't blame a police person for letting her get killed by a bystander.

cardinal gal
said
0 0

No one should worry about what will happen to Casey. She is the only one that really knows what happened to her daughter and she will have to live with that for the rest of her life.

Paul ~ Kitchener
said
0 0

It is over let it rest in peace. This individual was found "Not Guilty" - "Not Innocent". Justice has been served, and the guilt of this trial rests with the Police / D.A., and NO direct evidence, of her involvement as the perpitrator of this crime. If only the press would stop milking this, along with the T.V. coverage - " Illes Est Fini - It is Finished". She joins a fine group of citizens, along with the likes of Homolka / Simpson / now Anthony. History will put her in her proper place.

jimper
said
0 0

well a child was murdered no question i would love to adopt as an ex teacher with no kids, childeren are rare treasure priceless now a innocent little girl is treated like dirt well the good lord knows happened these people will answer to him no hiding from jim

wstrncehnehdeh in SK
said
0 0

Justice will be served by God himself. If she is not guilty of killing her child she will be vindicated. If she is guilty of killing her child then she will receive her punishment. We must remember that we never really get away with any wrong doing. We all are required to answer to God for every action.

@ Mark, Esq. you're absolutely right!
said
0 0

In spite of the rantings and ravings of CTV's resident contrarian, you're absolutely correct. No jury in the world, properly charged and instructed, could have convicted Ms. Anthony based on the shoddy work of the prosecution, especially given this was a death sentence case. We live in an era where hopelessly uninformed people, believing they know more than everyone else, conclude theirs in the only correct opinion. I too would have been chilled by a guilty verdict, based on the absolutely terrible case the state presented, from what I saw in the media. Maybe Casey murdered her child, maybe she didn't, only one person truly knows for sure and she's now free forever. The state couldn't even establish how Caylee Anthony died, if she was murdered or died accidentally. Anyone who believes they know the truth based on information they gleaned from Headline News is a fool, even those who post several comments to several articles every day of the mother loving week.

Dr of Psychology
said
0 0

The preoccupation, even obsession, with this innocuous case speaks to a much larger societal malaise. The gnashing of teeth and hysterical declarations of wrath and hate are so beyond any scope of what would be considered a reasonable reaction that it's indicative of a lot of people with misplaced emotions and psychological investment. Being a mad mother is not a crime, fortunately or unfortunately, and that is what most people are reacting to, that a bad mother is not in jail. The jury found her 'not guilty' and although I have barely followed this case a quick peruse of any news story demonstrates that evidence of killing her child simply is not there. I am curious to see if all this hair pulling and "grief" will exist over every dead child or just the cute white ones.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
0 0

@ Mark, Esq.: I should add that people can be, and have been, convicted of similar crimes in absence of a body and, certainly, the notion that the "cause of death" is a fundamental and unavoidable criminal requisite is false. We know that Caylee Anthony died, in an unnatural way. (Her body was found.) All evidence and testimony at trial, including that of the defense, holds this as factual.

Paula Gabriel
said
0 0

I do not think she will change she wouldn't even admit what she did wrong she killed her daughter so she could have no responsibility. If she wanted a life like that she should of been preventing a pregnancy to begin with or gave her baby up for adoption there are lots of couples who would of loved that little girl. I feel that she is very immature I am a single mom of 4 I know it is hard but I love my kids and they are more important to me then partying and spending time with my boyfriend. I don't feel sorry for her but I know she will have a really hard life good luck getting a job with a criminal record .

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
0 0

@ Mark, Esq.: Your rant implicitly presupposes that juries "KNOW" the truth. Well, they don't. This case and its trial were covered thoroughly and extensively, daily, with all pertinent and influential pieces of evidence reported, broadcast, and analyzed for public consumption, over and over, right to the verdict-end. The notion that "informed" members of the public aren't in any position, or don't have a right, to make an armchair call is silly.

B.J.
said
0 0

She will have a hard time outside, she will no doubt have to leave the country, maybe she should go to Afghanistan where she can be ignored. She is a scum bag, and whether guilty or not she can't have a heart when she didn't report her daughter missing , what mother wouldn't go out of their way to get all the help she can to get help get her daughter. Her daughter was "in the way" for her wild lifestyle. Some crazy sick person will hook up with her and no doubt have more children, God help them.

Adam
said
0 0

This is what happens when overzealous police and DA's charge forward without being sure of their evidence. Her Lies and disregard for her child's whereabouts is appalling however she has been through the process and now it's time to leave her alone. If you wish to be mad direct it at the detectives and DA's who pressed forward on a trial that had little evidence. There is no statute of limitations on murder wait bide your time collect evidence and be certain then prosecute. The jury came to the only reasonable conclusion based on the evidence. Next time do it right. As for the Media I hope you're happy for your part. I think protection of the press, although important is rapidly approaching a time when politicians and the public may feel the need to curtail it's freedoms due to the rampant abuse of it's "Freedom". Publish the facts not the agenda or eventually the freedom will be lost and that only paves the way for much scarier things. "With great power comes great responsibility"

Mike in Sault Ste Marie
said
0 0

Justice system worked, get over it !!!!

dan darnell
said
0 0

She is perfectly innocent . . . get over it.

Mark, Esq.
said
0 0

I never ceased to be amazed by all you people who think they know better than the jurors. You KNOW she killed her child? Really? You KNOW that? They cannot even establish a cause of death. Certainly something is wrong with these circumstances, but I would be more frightened if she HAD been convicted, because it SHOULD be harder than that to convict someone of such a crime. Idiots.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
0 0

And the public, which comprises juries, still doesn't have a proper grasp of what "reasonable doubt" actually means and constitutes. It does NOT refer to "the existence of any doubt" and translate to a "Not Guillty" threshold founded upon the absence of "any" doubt The key word, obviously, is "reasonable," and it is determined based upon the totality and/or the preponderance of evidence in a criminal trial. The "sweep" of evidence, if you will. When the stakes are high (ie. death penalty) juries often, and understandably, get nervous, overly cautious, and overly concerned, and tend to err by self-broadening or loosening the definition of what is "reasonable." (That's my observational opinion, partially supported by studies conducted by jury consultants and psychologists, and watching an interview with one of the jurors on this very trial.) The jury in the Casey Anthony trial, I would argue, couldn't see the forest for the trees. As is common, as a result, the defense merely provided a "remotely plausible" or "theoretically possible" explanation for what happened, and didn't even need, or bother, to venture to support the claim with "reasonable" evidence. Rather, Casey Anthony's defense was simply an unsupportable "story" with no substantive evidentiary linkage whatsoever. Amazing. (But, of course, the prosecution bears the burden of proof, as an accused is innocent until "proven" guilty.) Oh, well. Not the first time. Not the last.

rose
said
0 0

I think she is going to have a harder time now out of jail then in one. If she don't kill her daughter then she is going to have a hard time mentally . If she didn't do it who did ? There is no end for either the child or mother till the truth comes out.

M.M.B. Ont
said
0 0

Canada has Karla Homolka and the USA has Casey Anthony ! Both are now free and both these women know what they have done and have to live with themselves. Now if the media would just let this alone and drop the name of Casey Anthony permanently off any news item or story, we will all be better off. I do feel very sorry for the parents and brother and what they have been put through over all of this especially the accusations against Mr Anthony and his son. These people did not deserve the hell they were put through by Casey.

Realist
said
0 0

She was NOT found "innocent", she was found "Not Guilty". There is a big difference - don't confuse the two.

Sammy
said
0 0

She was not proven "innocent". The prosecutors could not build a strong enough case to find her "guilty". There's a huge difference.

Lesley
said
0 0

A Monster has just been set free - She will have more babies, get no psychological help, try to reap millions after killing her daughter and live her deranged life out until she strikes again. She will be back on the news for committing another crime. Her eyes look like a snake ready to strike.

Ron
said
0 0

There is something sadly wrong in the American legal system when a baby killer can walk free. I don't understand when the defense could have appealed the verdict but the prosecution can't. She can now tell the whole world how she killed her baby and nobody can do anything about it. I for one won't be buying any books or watching any movie's about her. I'm also positive she will be in trouble again someday.

Dean in Abby
said
0 0

She was acquitted. Leave her alone. In the end, she has to live with whatever happened. Karla Homolka did some bad stuff and actually got out of jail. That should never have happened but she's free too. Anthony will just fade away in a few months and the media will be on to it's next feeding frenzy.

holly
said
0 0

Simon in Montreal may be correct but it doesn't mean this woman didn't do something or several things that were very, very wrong. She may be proven "innocent" of murder but she still lied about her daughter being missing for a whole month and that means something is wrong and she partied hard during that time. She knows way more than she told. No doubt about that. In the end, justice will have it's way; one way or the other.

Ryan
said
0 0

Stop putting this person on the news

simon in montreal
said
0 0

"However, some jurors have told various media outlets that the state didn't prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt as required for a conviction --" AND "If it don't fit, you must acquit"

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