14 DAY TRIAL // Attorneys for Casey Anthony, whom the media dubbed “Toddler Mom” during the controversial trial in which she stood accused of the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, will be today in court to appeal the 4 convictions of lying to authorities.
Anthony herself won’t show up, but her team will present the case for her during the brief hearing, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Those who kept up to speed with the trial, which saw Anthony acquitted of the murder of 2-year-old Caylee, know that she was convicted on 4 counts of lying to authorities, to a maximum of 4 years in prison.
She spent 3 years in jail during the trial, to which is added time for good behavior and one year of probation, so she served her time.
Nevertheless, her attorneys believe her constitutional rights were violated when she was convicted on 4 counts of providing false information to police officers, and that her offense should have been considered as just one instance.
During the police investigation triggered by Anthony’s reporting her child missing to the police, she first told cops she’d left Anthony with a baby sitter, a woman who did not even exist.
She also told officers she worked at Universal Studios, took them to her “office” there and told them she’d informed her colleagues of her daughter’s disappearance.
Later on, she also said she’d received a phone call from Caylee.
“The appeal is notable in part because of the effect it has on lawsuits Anthony faces, including one brought by a woman whose name is similar to the fictional nanny,” the Orlando Sentinel writes.
“Anthony has deflected questioning in the suit so far, citing her right against self-incrimination during the appeal, which asks for her convictions to be vacated or for a new trial on the lying charges,” adds the same media outlet.
The hearing today is expected to last no longer than 30 minutes, but the ruling in it could alter the course of other pending cases, as noted above.