Casey Anthony Trial in Effect; Defense claims Caylee died by drowning

The trial for Casey Marie Anthony opened in Orlando on Tuesday. The 25-year-old is accused of murder in the first degree on her daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony.

Opening statements were made to jurors by the state and defense, beginning with Prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick.

“Casey Anthony, Caylee’s mother, appeared to all outward observers to be what her parents thought she was; a loving mother working hard to provide support to her daughter,” said Burdick. ‘But as the evidence in this case and the investigation in the background of Casey Anthony will show, that was an illusion.”

Burdick recapped each of the 31 days prior to two-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony being reported missing, saying Casey was on each day she was either shopping, partying or hanging out with her boyfriend, facts that she lied to her parents about when asked where Caylee Marie was.

“No one knows where Caylee is and Casey Anthony is gallivanting around Orlando,” Burdick said. “It is difficult to understand why a mother would kill her child. There’s no other conclusion that can be drawn … At the end of this case, you will have no trouble concluding that Caylee Anthony was murdered by her mother.”

But the defense had new evidence maintaining Casey did not kill her daughter, however, Casey’s father, George A. Anthony, may have more knowledge on the little girl’s death than he claims.

Jose Baez, defense attorney, stated that Caylee was never actually missing, but in fact, on June 16, 2008, died of an accidental drowning in the Anthony family’s pool and was said to have been found by George.

“We will not say George Anthony killed his granddaughter,” said Baez. “It was an accident. An accident that snowballed out of control.”

George was the first witness to take the stand and denies the allegations against him. “When I heard that today, it hurt really bad,” declaring he would have done everything “humanly possible to save” his granddaughter.

George also denies the presumptions made by Casey of any sexual abuse inflicted on her.

“Casey should have called 911. That’s what she’s guilty of, not murder,” Baez concluded.

Following the court proceedings, Jose Baez did not comment.

The continuation of the State vs. Casey Anthony trial will take place on Wednesday.

(Photography by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)