Anthony Lawyer Raises 'Sexual Abuse' As Potential 'Mitigating' Factor - WESH

Anthony Lawyer Raises 'Sexual Abuse' As Potential 'Mitigating' Factor
By the CNN Wire Staff
POSTED: 9:19 pm EDT May 12, 2011
UPDATED: 9:19 pm EDT May 12, 2011

Excerpt:

(CNN) -- While questioning prospective jurors, Casey Anthony's defense team hinted Thursday that "a history of sexual abuse" may have explained their client's behavior after she allegedly killed her 2-year-old daughter then failed to alert authorities.

The comments came during the fourth day of jury selection in the case, in which the 25-year-old Anthony is charged with capital murder in the death of her daughter, Caylee. She also faces six other charges, including aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child and misleading law enforcement.

One of Anthony's attorneys, Ann Finnell, did not state in court that her client killed her daughter. Rather, she raised potential "mitgating circumstances" to try to gauge what would-be jurors might consider if they have to decide whether to sentence Anthony to death if she is convicted of murder.

Read more: http://www.wesh.com/news/27876821/detail.html#ixzz1MEZtMGQA