7 Things You Didn't Know About Casey Anthony

Casey Anthony's 2011 trial captivated the nation, with people glued to their screens as the controversial case unfolded. The Florida woman was accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony, and though she was acquitted of murder, she remains a highly polarizing figure. While many know the basics of the trial, there are numerous lesser-known details about Casey Anthony's life and the case itself. Here are seven surprising facts you may not know about one of America's most infamous trials.

1. Acquitted of Murder, Convicted for Lying

The jury acquitted Casey Anthony of the murder of her daughter after more than 10 hours of deliberation. However, Anthony was convicted on four misdemeanor counts of giving false information to a law enforcement officer. This prompted the state to pass new legislation which would increase prison time for someone who knowingly makes a false statement to police when pertaining to a missing child. Several other states would eventually introduce similar legislation.

2. Possible Mental Health Issues

Casey Anthony's defense team submitted evidence suggesting that she had been struggling with mental health issues at the time of her daughter's disappearance. During her psych evaluations, Anthony claimed that she had been sexually abused by her father, George Anthony. Although George denied these allegations, they became a central part of the defense's strategy, raising questions about Casey's behavior and state of mind. While these claims were never fully substantiated, they played a role in the defense's attempt to explain her actions.

3. Casey Got a Questionable Tattoo

One of the most shocking revelations during the trial was that Casey Anthony got a tattoo while Caylee was still missing. On July 3, 2008, she had the words "Bella Vita" (Italian for "Beautiful Life") tattooed on her left shoulder. This behavior, which appeared to show a lack of concern for her missing daughter, became a focal point of the prosecution's case. They argued it illustrated Casey's disinterest in finding Caylee, further casting doubt on her innocence.

4. The 'Accidental Drowning' Theory

During the trial, Casey's defense team presented a surprising theory: they claimed Caylee had accidentally drowned in the family's swimming pool, and that Casey's father, George Anthony, had helped cover up the incident. This theory created significant doubt in the minds of jurors, especially given the lack of physical evidence tying Casey to Caylee's death. Although George Anthony denied any involvement, the defense's claims succeeded in creating reasonable doubt.

5. Judge: Casey May Have Killed Caylee Accidentally

In an interview nearly six years after the trial, Judge Belvin Perry said he believes Casey did kill Caylee, but not on purpose. He even speculated on how it might have happened.

"The most logical thing that happened was that she tried to knock her daughter out by the use of chloroform and gave her too much of chloroform, which caused her daughter to die," he said, as reported by USA Today.

6. A Shocking Verdict

Despite Casey's guilty verdict in the court of public opinion, the jury acquitted Anthony of first-degree murder, manslaughter, and aggravated child abuse. The public outcry following the verdict was intense, with many expressing frustrations at the perceived miscarriage of justice. In the years since the trial, jurors have spoken out about their decision, with some stating that while they believed Anthony was involved, the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to convict.

7. Life After Acquittal

Five years after her trial, Casey Anthony emerged from hiding, starting her own photography business. Though she wanted to reinvent herself with her longtime love of photography, the news was met with criticism, with responses on social media such as, "Can you imagine hiring a photographer to take your precious baby's photos and she shows up?" as reported by Yahoo News. In 2022, the Peacock^® docuseries "Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies" was released, where she sat down to share her side of the story for the first time on camera.

Casey Anthony's trial remains one of the most polarizing and controversial legal cases in recent U.S. history. These lesser-known facts about her life and the trial reveal a complex web of lies, family dynamics, and a legal defense that shocked the nation. Even years after her acquittal, the public remains fascinated by Casey Anthony and the questions surrounding her daughter Caylee's tragic death.

References: 9 Things You Didn't Know About Casey Anthony| 9 Facts You Never Knew About Casey Anthony | Things to know about the Casey Anthony case 6 years later | See Casey Anthony at Work As She Sets Up Photography Business