Casey Anthony's uncle, Chuck Eddy, reacts to the not guilty verdict
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Twenty-five-year-old Howland native Casey Anthony is found not guilty of killing her two-year-old daughter Caylee and is acquitted of all of the most serious charges after a jury in Flordia deliberates for approximately 11 hours in a case that's become a world-wide spectacle.
Casey Anthony's aunt and uncle, Kathy and Chuck Eddy, who live here in the Mahoning Valley are in Orlando, Florida lending support to their family, in particular Anthony's parents.
By telephone Chuck Eddy says that while he is shocked by the not guilty verdict, his concern now is for George and Cindy Anthony and the strain the trial and the accusations may have put on their marriage.
In downtown Youngstown one woman who watched some of the coverage said, "A verdict of not guilty, I just think that's unbelievable!" Another woman who only wanted to be referred to as Shiloh, appeared emotional not understanding how the murder of a little girl and what really happened has been lost in this case, "I would have to say the final decision is awful, there's no justice."
When the Florida judge announced that the former Howland woman was acquitted of her daughter's murder she burst in to tears and then hugged her attorney.
But Anthony's uncle, Chuck Eddy, had this to say about the verdict, "It was very shocking, but you know the deal is that God's in control and I think a lot of grace was shown today. Everyone was very surprised. I know how we feel as family members and my prayer is for George and Cindy and their future and Lee and Casey. Whether she (Casey) was innocent or guilty now what does she do with that, how does she move forward as a daughter and a mother who has lost a child? Because what we've seen so far doesn't match a grieving mother and that's what everyone wants to see is a grieving mother. The accusations that her defense team threw at George, Casey's Father -- I think a lot of people and the family are wondering how could she could allow that to happen?"
Eddy says faith has helped the Anthony's get through this trial. But Eddy and his wife Kathy are haunted by a question that still remains unaswered after this 36 day trial what really happened to little Caylee? Eddy says, "If Casey knows or if she was involved I hope someday she can admit to that or she can tell us who did it, and if she truly doesn't know I hope justice is done and they find the guilty party."
Casey Anthony will be sentenced on Thursday on the four guilty charges related to lying to law enforcement. Sources say she could be sentenced to four years, but if she's given credit for time already served in prison she could be free in just a matter of months.