Deliberation In The Casey Anthony Case Has Begun

Following the prosecution's closing argument rebuttal and Judge Belvin Perry's instructions to the jury the Casey Anthony murder case has been given to the jury for deliberations.

I felt that Prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick left the jury with a haunting image, that of a photo of the "Bella Vita" tattoo and asked questions that the jury must answer. "Whose life was better without Caylee? Was Cindy Anthony's life better? Was George Anthony's life better? Mr. Ashton said what George Anthony's life was like as a result of losing his beloved granddaughter. Whose life was better? That is the only question you need to answer in considering why Caylee Marie Anthony was left on the side of the road dead."

Casey Anthony is accused of multiple charges, including the following:

Count One, First Degree Murder: If Casey Anthony is convicted of first degree murder, regardless of whether it is on a theory of Pre-meditated Murder or Felony Murder she will receive at a minimum a life sentence. For many years, a life sentence in Florida is a life sentence, which means there is no parole or early release. A defendant convicted of first degree murder only leaves prison after his or her death. The only alternative to a life sentence is death by execution.

Lesser Included of Count One, Second Degree Murder: (depraved mind murder, not premeditated) The maximum penalty for Second Degree Murder is a life sentence. The minimum sentence is based on the Criminal Punishment Code. The estimated minimum sentence for this charge and other charges which might result in conviction along with this count would be 24 years, 6 months.

Count Two, Aggravated Child Abuse: The maximum penalty for aggravated child is 15 years in prison. The estimated minimum sentence for this charge and other charges which might result in conviction along with this count would be 12 years, 1 month.

Count Three, Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child: If Casey Anthony is convicted of causing the death of Caylee by culpable negligence the maximum sentence is 30 years in prison. The estimated minimum sentence for this charge and other charges which might result in conviction along with this count would be 16 years and 6 months.

Counts Four through Seven, Giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer in Reference to a Missing Person: The charge in these four counts carries a maximum of one year in county jail for each count. As a result if convicted of all four of these counts, Casey Anthony could receive a sentence of four years if the sentence for each count is run consecutively.

The jurors ended their deliberations early on Monday due to the July 4 holiday, however, they will return to the courthouse to deliberate further on Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM ET.

Isn't it interesting that a torrential downpour that happened shortly after the jury was dismissed just as it rained the day Caylee's body was found. Is it a foreshadowing of the outcome?