Death-case mother to be free in days

Anthony, 25, was sentenced by a judge in Orlando, Florida, yesterday to four years for the four counts of lying to police, but she has already served nearly three years in jail and was given credit for good behaviour.

A court official said she would be released on Wednesday.

Judge Belvin Perry also fined her $1,000 (£6,200) on each count.

Anthony was convicted of lying to investigators about working at the Universal Studios theme park, about leaving her daughter with a non-existent nanny, about leaving the girl with friends and about receiving a phone call from her.

The verdict in her trial – which generated anger among many Americans who closely watched the highly publicised case – continued to be the talk of cable and network news after she was acquitted of first-degree murder on Tuesday.

The scene outside the courthouse yesterday highlighted the strong public response. Amid increased police presence, a throng of protesters held signs that said “Arrest the Jury!!” and “Jurors 1-12 Guilty of Murder.”

There was also a handful of supporters, including a man who held a sign asking Casey Anthony to marry him.

Prosecutors said Anthony, then 22, suffocated daughter Caylee with duct tape because she was interfering with the single mother’s social life.

Defence lawyers said the toddler accidentally drowned in the family swimming pool. Anthony’s father, a former police officer, decided to make the death look like a murder by taping the girl’s mouth and dumping the body in woods.

The defence said Anthony was sexually abused by her father. Her father denied the claims of both abuse and a cover-up over the death.