The big problem for Casey Anthony case outcome was that the prosecutor over-charged the crime... most likely because of the media involvement, they felt pressure to go after tougher convictions, rather than choosing appropriate charges based on the evidence on hand, and what they could prove. The jury did nothing wrong. In fact, I give them kudos for sticking to the rules and their instructions, when so many hyper-emotional folk wanted them to just ignore the rules. I’d MUCH rather have juries that were dispassionate, than to deal with juries that are at the whims of emotions. Justice is far more likely to result.
The charge is less serious than manslaughter. It carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison for adults, but penalties can be less for juveniles.
[District Attorney] Gill said it became clear in looking at the facts that the teenager's actions didn't amount to murder or manslaughter.
"We did not believe we could demonstrate the premeditation or intent to justify those charges," Gill told The Associated Press. "Those other charges require another type of mental state. We did not believe that type of mental state was present."
The Casey Anthony prosecutors did not follow this kind of wisdom in the face of the media cameras.
Not correct. There were multiple charges in the Casey Anthony case. From premeditated murder all the way down to child abuse. The jury only found her guilty of lying, and that she did not abuse Caylee