Tickle Thy Thoughts

"ORLANDO, Fla (Reuters) - A Florida jury found Casey Anthony not guilty on Tuesday of murder and other felony charges stemming from the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, a case that riveted millions since the toddler was first reported missing three summers ago.The verdict surprised both legal analysts and spectators and spares the 25-year-old from facing the death penalty, which prosecutors planned to seek if Casey had been found guilty as charged of first-degree murder.She faces possible jail time after being found guilty of lying to police, but will get credit for the nearly three years she has spent in jail since her arrest.Sentencing is set for Thursday at 9 a.m. local time."Casey did not murder Caylee. It's that simple," defense attorney Jose Baez told reporters after the verdict was announced at about 2:15 p.m. local time.State Attorney Lawson Lamar praised prosecutors' efforts and conceded that their circumstantial case was not enough to remove reasonable doubt for jurors."We're disappointed with the verdict today and surprised because we know the facts," Lamar said."This was a dry bones case, very, very difficult to prove. The delay in recovering little Caylee's remains worked to our considerable disadvantage."The prosecution said Casey smothered Caylee with duct tape on June 16, 2008, drove around for several days with Caylee's body in her car trunk and then dumped the remains in woods near the Anthony family home.The defense argued that Caylee died in an accidental drowning.Twelve jurors, sequestered away from their homes for more than six weeks during the trial, deliberated nearly 11 hours over two days. They declined to speak with reporters after reaching their decision.They found Casey not guilty of the felonies of aggravated child abuse or aggravated manslaughter of a child.She was found guilty of four counts of providing false information to a law enforcement officer, amisdemeanor charge that carries a maximum of one year in jail per count.Casey initially told detectives Caylee had been kidnapped by a nanny, triggering a nationwide search that ended on December 11, 2008.That's when Caylee's skeletal remains were found in woods near the Anthony family home with duct tape dangling from her skull.Casey, who did not testify at the trial, appeared visibly nervous ahead of the verdict, downcast and biting her lip.She sobbed after the jury's not guilty finding on the murder count was read, and finally broke into a broad smile when the proceedings ended, hugging the defense team.She had no immediate contact on Tuesday with her mother and father, who left the courtroom without speaking to her.Her parents' attorney issued a statement on their behalf afterward, calling the jury's verdict "a fair decision" based on the evidence and testimony provided."While the family may never know what has happened to Caylee Marie Anthony, they now have closure for this chapter of their life. They will now begin the long process of rebuilding their lives," attorney Mark Lippman said.The defense team addressed the media but did not take any questions."While we're happy for Casey, there are no winners in this case," Baez told reporters. "Caylee has passed on far, far too soon.""I'm ecstatic for (Casey) and I want her to be able to grieve and to grow and somehow get her life back together," Baez said.The trial caught the attention of much of the nation, with curiosity fed by live coverage of testimony on cable news. The notoriety of the case has prompted comparisons to the murder trial of O.J. Simpson."