Two of four Casey Anthony convictions thrown out; she vows to ‘keep fighting’

Mark Morgenstein, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 10:28 PM EST, Fri January 25, 2013
In July 2008, police in Orange County, Florida, received a call that led to one of America's most high-profile criminal cases: the disappearance and death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony, and the question of whether her mother, Casey Anthony (pictured), was involved.
In July 2008, police in Orange County, Florida, received a call that led to one of America's most high-profile criminal cases: the disappearance and death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony, and the question of whether her mother, Casey Anthony (pictured), was involved.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>Before the trial: </strong>Casey Anthony gave birth to her daughter, Caylee Anthony (pictured here), on August 9, 2005, when she was 19 years old. The identity of Caylee's father hasn't been publicly identified.
Before the trial: Casey Anthony gave birth to her daughter, Caylee Anthony (pictured here), on August 9, 2005, when she was 19 years old. The identity of Caylee's father hasn't been publicly identified.
CNN
<strong>July 15, 2008: </strong>Just a few weeks before Caylee's third birthday, Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony, called police in their hometown of Orlando. Cindy said her daughter and granddaughter had been missing for a month -- and while she'd located her daughter, her granddaughter was nowhere to be found.
July 15, 2008: Just a few weeks before Caylee's third birthday, Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony, called police in their hometown of Orlando. Cindy said her daughter and granddaughter had been missing for a month -- and while she'd located her daughter, her granddaughter was nowhere to be found.
CNN
<strong>July 16, 2008:</strong> At first, Casey Anthony told police that she believed her nanny had her 2-year-old daughter, and that she'd been searching for her. Police quickly determined that there wasn't a nanny involved and that Casey's story about the last time her daughter was seen was false. Casey, 22, was arrested and charged with child neglect.
July 16, 2008: At first, Casey Anthony told police that she believed her nanny had her 2-year-old daughter, and that she'd been searching for her. Police quickly determined that there wasn't a nanny involved and that Casey's story about the last time her daughter was seen was false. Casey, 22, was arrested and charged with child neglect.
CNN
<strong>July 2008: </strong>As police investigated Caylee's disappearance, a key piece of evidence comes into play: Casey's Pontiac Sunfire. When Casey's mother called police to report Caylee missing, she noted that Casey's car smelled like "there had been a dead body" in it. Days later at Casey's bond hearing, a deputy testified that a cadaver dog trained to picked up the scent of human decomposition alerted him to the trunk of the car.
July 2008: As police investigated Caylee's disappearance, a key piece of evidence comes into play: Casey's Pontiac Sunfire. When Casey's mother called police to report Caylee missing, she noted that Casey's car smelled like "there had been a dead body" in it. Days later at Casey's bond hearing, a deputy testified that a cadaver dog trained to picked up the scent of human decomposition alerted him to the trunk of the car.
CNN
<strong>October 2008: </strong>Raising additional questions for police was Casey's behavior during the time she said her daughter was missing. Authorities described Casey as continuing to hang out with friends, partying -- and getting this tattoo, which means "Beautiful Life." On October 14, three months after Caylee was reported missing, Casey was indicted by a grand jury on capital murder and other charges. She pleaded not guilty.
October 2008: Raising additional questions for police was Casey's behavior during the time she said her daughter was missing. Authorities described Casey as continuing to hang out with friends, partying -- and getting this tattoo, which means "Beautiful Life." On October 14, three months after Caylee was reported missing, Casey was indicted by a grand jury on capital murder and other charges. She pleaded not guilty.
CNN
<strong>December 2008: </strong>Many people, both locally and nationally, followed the case and searched for Caylee. On December 11, skeletal remains were found in a wooded area near the Anthony home by a utility worker. On December 19, authorities announced the remains had been identified as Caylee. Pictured here is a memorial for Caylee where the 2-year-old's remains were found.
December 2008: Many people, both locally and nationally, followed the case and searched for Caylee. On December 11, skeletal remains were found in a wooded area near the Anthony home by a utility worker. On December 19, authorities announced the remains had been identified as Caylee. Pictured here is a memorial for Caylee where the 2-year-old's remains were found.
Getty Images
<strong>May 2011: </strong>With prosecutors deciding to pursue the death penalty, jury selection began in the Casey Anthony trial on May 9, 2011. Spectators in the courthouse are pictured here as they wait for the trial's first day to begin on May 24, 2011.
May 2011: With prosecutors deciding to pursue the death penalty, jury selection began in the Casey Anthony trial on May 9, 2011. Spectators in the courthouse are pictured here as they wait for the trial's first day to begin on May 24, 2011.
mct/getty images
<strong>May 2011: </strong>Jose Baez, lead defense counsel for Casey Anthony, presented a different story during his opening remarks: he said Caylee Anthony was not murdered and was never missing. Baez stated she died on June 16, 2008, from an accidental drowning in the Anthony family's backyard pool.
May 2011: Jose Baez, lead defense counsel for Casey Anthony, presented a different story during his opening remarks: he said Caylee Anthony was not murdered and was never missing. Baez stated she died on June 16, 2008, from an accidental drowning in the Anthony family's backyard pool.
Getty Images
<strong>June 2011: </strong>During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Casey used chloroform on her daughter and suffocated her by putting duct tape over the little girl's mouth and nose. They also alleged that Casey put her daughter's body in her car trunk before disposing of it.
June 2011: During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Casey used chloroform on her daughter and suffocated her by putting duct tape over the little girl's mouth and nose. They also alleged that Casey put her daughter's body in her car trunk before disposing of it.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>June 2011: </strong>Forensics expert Arpad Vass testified on June 6 that the only plausible explanation for the odor in Casey's car trunk would be the presence of a decomposing human body. Pictured here is an evidence photo of trash found in the trunk.
June 2011: Forensics expert Arpad Vass testified on June 6 that the only plausible explanation for the odor in Casey's car trunk would be the presence of a decomposing human body. Pictured here is an evidence photo of trash found in the trunk.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>June 2011: </strong>During his testimony, Casey's father, George Anthony, denied the defense's claims that he sexually abused his daughter and that he was involved in his granddaughter's death.
June 2011: During his testimony, Casey's father, George Anthony, denied the defense's claims that he sexually abused his daughter and that he was involved in his granddaughter's death.
CNN
<strong>June 2011: </strong>Casey's mother, Cindy, also took the stand. Here, she's seen reacting to a photo of Caylee on a monitor during her testimony on June 14, 2011, day 18 of the trial.
June 2011: Casey's mother, Cindy, also took the stand. Here, she's seen reacting to a photo of Caylee on a monitor during her testimony on June 14, 2011, day 18 of the trial.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>June 2011: </strong>Judge Belvin Perry looks at evidence as it's presented during the trial.
June 2011: Judge Belvin Perry looks at evidence as it's presented during the trial.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>June 2011: </strong>Jennifer Welch, a crime scene investigator with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, shows letters from Caylee's T-shirt that were entered into evidence.
June 2011: Jennifer Welch, a crime scene investigator with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, shows letters from Caylee's T-shirt that were entered into evidence.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>June 2011: </strong>Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton holds crime scene evidence during a cross-examination of entomologist Dr. Tim Huntington. The country's interest in every update on the case was voracious; by the time it concluded, it had <a href="https://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/06/casey-anthony-verdict-brings-hln-record-ratings/" target="_blank" target="_blank">yielded record ratings for some networks.</a>
June 2011: Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton holds crime scene evidence during a cross-examination of entomologist Dr. Tim Huntington. The country's interest in every update on the case was voracious; by the time it concluded, it had yielded record ratings for some networks.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>June 30, 2011: </strong>By the end of June 2011, both the prosecution and the defense had rested their cases. Casey Anthony never testified.
June 30, 2011: By the end of June 2011, both the prosecution and the defense had rested their cases. Casey Anthony never testified.
Orlando Sentinel/Pool
<strong>July 5, 2011</strong>: The trial's jury deliberated for 10 hours and 40 minutes before reaching a verdict. Casey was found not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. She was found guilty of four misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law enforcement.
July 5, 2011: The trial's jury deliberated for 10 hours and 40 minutes before reaching a verdict. Casey was found not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. She was found guilty of four misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law enforcement.
Getty Images
<strong>July 5, 2011: </strong>Casey Anthony's defense team surrounded her in a group hug after the then-25-year-old was acquitted.
July 5, 2011: Casey Anthony's defense team surrounded her in a group hug after the then-25-year-old was acquitted.
Orlando Sentinel/pool
<strong>July 2011: </strong>The not-guilty charge divided many people who followed the case. Flora Reece, center, of Orlando is seen protesting the verdict outside the Orange County Courthouse.
July 2011: The not-guilty charge divided many people who followed the case. Flora Reece, center, of Orlando is seen protesting the verdict outside the Orange County Courthouse.
Getty Images
<strong>July 2011: </strong>Others, such as Tim Allen, right, and David Antolic, held signs of a different tone in front of a jail in Orlando on July 16, 2011, the day before Anthony was released.
July 2011: Others, such as Tim Allen, right, and David Antolic, held signs of a different tone in front of a jail in Orlando on July 16, 2011, the day before Anthony was released.
Getty Images
<strong>July 17, 2011: </strong>Casey was sentenced to four years in jail with credit for time served. On July 17, she was released; here, she's seen leaving the Booking and Release Center at the Orange County Jail with her lawyer, Jose Baez.
July 17, 2011: Casey was sentenced to four years in jail with credit for time served. On July 17, she was released; here, she's seen leaving the Booking and Release Center at the Orange County Jail with her lawyer, Jose Baez.
Getty Images
<strong>Aftermath: </strong>Seven years after being acquitted of the death of her daughter, Casey Anthony, pictured here with her attorney Cheney Mason in 2013, resides in West Palm Beach, Florida. In 2017, Anthony told the <a href="https://www.apnews.com/c36cea8e48364edeba200e6e666997a6" target="_blank" target="_blank">Associated Press</a> she's still not "certain ... about what happened" to her daughter. "I don't give a s*** about what anyone thinks about me, I never will," she went on. "I'm OK with myself, I sleep pretty good at night."
Aftermath: Seven years after being acquitted of the death of her daughter, Casey Anthony, pictured here with her attorney Cheney Mason in 2013, resides in West Palm Beach, Florida. In 2017, Anthony told the Associated Press she's still not "certain ... about what happened" to her daughter. "I don't give a s*** about what anyone thinks about me, I never will," she went on. "I'm OK with myself, I sleep pretty good at night."
courtesy Cheney mason
The trial of Casey Anthony

Story highlights

An appeals court invalidates two of Casey Anthony's convictions, upholds two others

She was convicted of four counts of lying to authorities during an investigation

The investigation was into the disappearance of Anthony's 2-year-old daughter, Caylee

Anthony's attorney said his client wants to "keep fighting" after hearing about ruling

One of the most infamous defendants in U.S. trials of recent years took two big steps Friday toward clearing her name, and she vowed to “keep fighting.”

Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal threw out two of Casey Anthony’s four convictions of lying to authorities as they investigated the disappearance of Anthony’s 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

The appeals judges agreed with Anthony’s argument that the multiple convictions amounted to double jeopardy. But the judges upheld the other two convictions.

In an internationally publicized and emotionally charged case, Anthony was tried in 2011 and acquitted of murder charges in the death of Caylee.

The child was last seen June 16, 2008, but was not reported missing until July 15, 2008, when Casey Anthony’s mother tracked her daughter down and demanded answers regarding Caylee’s whereabouts. Investigators searched for the child for five months, eventually finding Caylee’s skeletal remains in woods less than a mile from her grandparents’ Orlando home.

While she was acquitted in the death of her young daughter, Anthony was convicted of the four counts of lying to authorities. Those charges arose from statements Anthony made on July 16, 2008, to Orange County Detective Yuri Melich, who was investigating the disappearance of Caylee.

According to Friday’s court filing, the appeals judges rejected Anthony’s claim that statements she made before being read her Miranda rights should not have been allowed in the trial. And they rejected her argument that the state statute she was convicted of violating is unconstitutionally vague.

Anthony’s lawyer, Cheney Mason, said when he called his client to share the ruling that two of the four convictions had been overturned, she said, “We keep fighting.”

Anthony could appeal the remaining two convictions to the Florida Supreme Court next.

Read how Anthony’s prosecutor has no regrets

When questioned early in the investigation, Casey Anthony admitted to police that she hadn’t seen Caylee for more than 30 days, and on July 16, 2008, she was arrested on suspicion of child neglect, filing false official statements and obstructing a criminal investigation. At that time, she made the statements to Melich, which led to her convictions.

After nearly three years of legal maneuvers, Anthony’s capital murder trial began on May 24, 2011.

Prosecutors alleged that she killed Caylee by using chloroform and covering her nose and mouth with duct tape, and that she put her body in the trunk of her car before dumping it in the woods.

Defense attorney Jose Baez argued that Caylee drowned in the Anthony family pool on June 16, 2008, and that Casey Anthony and her father, George, covered up the death.

Watch: A year after trial, where’s Anthony?

On July 5, 2011, a jury found Anthony not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child, while convicting her on the four “false information” counts.

Anthony was sentenced to four years in jail, to be served consecutively. But with her time in jail as she awaited trial counting against the jail terms, she was released 10 days after her sentencing, on July 17. Even though she exited shortly after midnight, about 1,000 people jeered her as police guards and Baez escorted her to a waiting SUV and drove away quickly.

Anthony still faces a defamation lawsuit from Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, of nearby Kissimmee, Florida.

During Anthony’s disputed July 16, 2008, statements to Melich, she said the last time she had seen her daughter was when she dropped Caylee off at Gonzalez’s apartment.

Gonzalez filed suit in September 2008, claiming that Anthony ruined her reputation.

Last April, a judge ruled that the suit needed to go to trial by jury and denied Gonzalez’s request for a summary judgment.

In Session correspondent Jean Casarez reported for this story, and Mark Morgenstein wrote it in Atlanta.