In Opening Statement, State Paints Anthony as Liar

Opening statements began today in Casey Anthony’s murder trial, as Assistant State Attorney Linda Drane Burdick painted a picture of a lying mother who refused to answer the question on her family’s minds for the 31 days before her daughter was reported missing: “Where is Caylee Marie?” Burdick pointed out that Anthony’s initial statement to investigators was “filled with lies” and that she even lied to them about her job, as well as the nanny who was supposedly taking care of Caylee.

"You will learn from the evidence in this case there is no Zanny [supposed nanny Zenaida Gonzalez],” Burdick said. “Like Casey Anthony's job, Casey Anthony's babysitter was a figment of her imagination.” The Orlando Sentinel reports that Anthony sat mostly stoic through much of Burdick’s opening, but at times wiped away tears and shook her head slightly when a picture of Caylee, alive, was shown alongside a picture of her skull after it was discovered. At other times she appeared restless, worried, and angry, and after too much chatting with her attorney, her defense team lead apparently had to quiet her. (Click for more on the trial.)