Jeff Ashton is about to prosecute the last trial of his career. He is brought on to aid in the prosecution of Casey Anthony, who is accused of killing her 2 year-old daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony. During preparation for this trial, Ashton must deal with circumstantial evidence, unwilling witnesses, and the pathological liar that is Casey Anthony.

Caylee Anthony is reported missing on July 15, 2008, by her grandmother, Cindy after Casey tells hers that the nanny kidnapped her and she has been looking for her on her own for the past 31 days. Turn after turn, Casey lies to law enforcement and leads them on a wild good chase which lands her in jail on child neglect, lying to investigators, and interfering with a criminal investigation. In October 2008, Casey Anthony is arrested and charged with first-degree murder after her hair is found in the trunk of Casey's car which shows signs of decomposition. In December 2008, the remains of Caylee Marie Anthony are found near the Anthony home and confirmed to be Caylee. In May 2011, the trial opens with the defense claiming that Caylee died accidentally in the family pool and that George Anthony, Caylee's grandfather, attempted to cover up the death. In July 2011, Casey Anthony is found not guilty of killing Caylee and will receive a sentence only for lying to police officers.

I have to be honest that I did not read this book with an open mind. I truly feel that Casey Anthony accidentally killed her daughter 31 days before she was reported missing. Casey was in a new relationship with a man who made it clear that he did not want children. I believe Casey became so comfortable with drugging her child so she could go out at night and gave Caylee too much and didn't want to get in trouble. That being said, I think the prosecution did the best they could with the information they had. Casey had a month-long head start and put them off at every turn. The details provided by Ashton gave me a better understanding of what walls the prosecution kept running into and all the ways Casey and her attorney stonewalled them. ( )

Casey Anthony......I wanted so much throughout this whole trial to find something. ....anything....to make me feel she could not have done this crime....she wasn't involved. That moment never happened.
How she threw her friends....family....everyone loosely connected to her....under the bus to make herself look less implicit really was the eye opener for me, of who she was, and why. And mostly, it opened my eyes on one thing she wasnt....innocent. Her litany of lies....two false addresses for Zenaida.... Universal Studios....even where she was at a given moment.....Lying to her then fiancé about being pregnant, and every thing else about her past....
"The havoc one person spewing lies could wreck on the normal lives of so many always amazed me"

Her pattern of bait and switch, changing key facts just as police arrive EVERY time...
I see now why it took so long to find a jury. You would really have to be blind or plain non thinking to not find her guilty. The jurors did not find her guilty if manslaughter, and I can only imagine why. Maybe I do not want to know, seeing the way Casey Anthony treated other people, her family and even those who still supported her.....I just don't want to know. That being said.....

This book by Jeff Ashton is just that....an eye opening look into the fabrications and illusions used by Casey to try to manipulate people into believing her game. Ashton clearly does not like Jose Baez....really who does.....and I enjoyed reading about his take on Baez flagrant use of the court and courtroom.
I really enjoyed this book. I have alot of respect for Jeff Ashton. If you were into this trial, this is a must read!! ( )

got this morning at the dollar general store in town. such a sad story. I believe the mom is guilty as all get out. the only one that has BELLA VITA (A BEAUTIFUL LIFE) is CAYLEE MARIE ANTHONY. for she is at gods side as a very beautiful angel. but such a sad way for a 2 1/2 year old baby to die.
REST IN PEACE CAYLEE MARIE ANTHONY ( )

got this morning at the dollar general store in town. such a sad story. I believe the mom is guilty as all get out. the only one that has BELLA VITA (A BEAUTIFUL LIFE) is CAYLEE MARIE ANTHONY. for she is at gods side as a very beautiful angel. but such a sad way for a 2 1/2 year old baby to die.
REST IN PEACE CAYLEE MARIE ANTHONY ( )

I was eager to read about this case as I hadn't followed it at the time it happened. Half-way in, I decided it was just too wordy. I wanted just the facts! Casey Anthony got away with murdering her little girl and is a pathological liar. There will a 'special' place in hell for her. I don't recommend the read. ( )