Criminal Justice

Book by Casey Anthony Lawyer Jose Baez Tells of Doubts About His Client's Mental Health

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Cover from BenBella Books.

A new book by Casey Anthony’s lawyer Jose Baez says his client had built a fantasy world and was a habitual liar, but that doesn’t mean she was guilty of killing her daughter.

Baez says Casey Anthony’s lying pointed to “serious mental health issues” rather than evidence of guilt, the Associated Press reports. Casey Anthony was acquitted in the death of 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, but convicted of four misdemeanors for lying to investigators.

Baez writes in the book that sexual abuse contributed to the mental health issues. Casey Anthony’s father has denied the sexual abuse allegation.

Anthony originally told police that a babysitter took her child. At trial, Baez argued that Caylee Anthony accidentally drowned in the family pool, and that Casey Anthony’s father hid the body.

The book is Presumed Guilty, Casey Anthony: The Inside Story. The prosecutor in the case, Jeff Ashton, has also written a book.

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