Casey Anthony book released today!
Independence day redefined! On July 5, 2011, Casey Anthony was acquitted of killing her two-year old daughter Caylee Anthony. On November 15, 2011, Jeff Ashton’s book, Imperfect Justice, is being released. Jeff Ashton, the prosecuting attorney in the Casey Anthony trial is being candid as he describes what Casey Anthony told her attorneys, how he felt about the defense team and what he felt upon seeing Caylee’s skeleton.
One of the biggest trials in Florida’s history, this case captured the nation’s attention for three years. To give you some background information on the prosecutor’s case, they argued that Casey Anthony covered up her child’s murder because she was more interested in clubbing, partying and living the “good life” (per a tattoo on her back). Anthony did not show signs of grieving when her daughter was apparently missing. On the other hand, the defense claimed that the toddler died as a result of an accidental drowning in the family pool. They also claim the grandfather helped to cover up the drowning to make it look like a murder. Ashton was quoted as saying this was “absurd”. He also commented that it was highly unusual that a dedicated grandfather would cover up his granddaughter’s drowning (covering her mouth with duct tape to make it look like a murder).
It’s a pretty easy read. The first third of the book is a rehash of the circumstances of the case, so if you are familiar, you can skim. For those who weren’t sure how they felt about the verdict or needed to know more facts about the case, this book will give plenty of information. It becomes more and more riveting as you learn his true feelings about the things that had not been covered on television. For instance, he tells us how he feels about the bounty hunter Leonard Padilla (the “freeloading distant cousin you can’t get rid of.”), defense attorney Cheney Mason (sexist), and of Casey’s lead attorney, he says “I genuinely dislike Jose Baez.” Ashton says he was brought onto the prosecution team as “the case’s resident science nerd.” in their effort to convince the scientist Dr. Arpad Vass to testify. More importantly, he discusses how everyone got caught up in the quest to figure out Casey and her lies. This was at the cost, however, of the memory of the victim, and the crime committed. Caylee was all but forgotten, not just to the public, but to the jury.
Jeff Ashton was an Assistant State Attorney with the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office for 30 years. He retired immediately after the Casey Anthony verdict was released. He starts a book tour today, so will be visiting many book stores and libraries, signing books after each presentation. If you’re in Florida, check with your local library for tour dates.
For Jeff Ashton book tour info go to:
http://www.harpercollins.com/Author/Tour.aspx?authorID=38752
