New Theory Emerges on First Day of Casey Anthony Murder Trial
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
By: Nicole Creston

May 24, 2011 | WMFE - The murder trial of 25-year-old Orange County mother Casey Anthony began Tuesday with opening statements...and a surprise from the defense. For the first time, defense attorney Jose Baez offered an alternate theory in the death of Anthony's 2-year-old daughter Caylee.

Baez claimed Caylee was not murdered by mother Casey Anthony, as the state alleges. He said that Caylee’s death was instead an accident, a result of drowning in the family pool after she slipped away from adult supervision.  

Baez also alleged that Anthony’s father George first found Caylee’s body and was largely responsible for covering up her death. Baez also accused meter reader Roy Kronk of placing Caylee’s remains in a wooded area near the Anthony home in December 2008, so he could later pretend to discover them and claim a reward. 

Prosecutor Linda Drane-Burdick said that Caylee died from duct tape being placed over her mouth and nose. They said during opening statements that all the evidence points to Casey Anthony as the killer.

Anthony is charged with first-degree murder. If convicted, she could be sentenced to death.