Casey Anthony, charged with first degree murder of her daughter Caylee, earlier this afternoon in an Orange County Court room said, she took “full and complete responsibility” for stealing checks from her former friend Amy Huzienga, and cashing them. Anthony, charged with 13 counts of check fraud, pleaded guilty.
In taking full responsibility for her actions, Anthony offered an apology for what she had done, saying, “I sincerely apologize to Amy. I wish I would have been a better friend.”
Anthony at times broke down during the court proceedings and could be seen wiping tears away.
Circuit Judge Stan Strickland found Anthony guilty on 6 felony charges and withheld adjudication on seven. He also imposed a 412-day sentence which means that Anthony would get credit for the time she has already served in jail. Strickland also ordered Anthony to pay court fees of $348 along with $5,517, for the cost of the investigation. As well, should Anthony be released from jail, the judge ordered her to be on one year’s probation.
Anthony, shortly after her two-year-old daughter went missing, stole and cashed checks forging her friend’s signature, to the tune of over $600 and then went on a shopping spree. She was seen on video tape at the bank cashing the checks and at Target purchasing beer, food, sun glasses, lingerie, among other items. However, Anthony had initially denied the charges.
Now a convicted felon, Anthony has the much more serious first degree murder charges to face. Initially, it was believed that this trial would have commenced in summer 2010, however, that is unlikely to be the case.
Anthony, if convicted for the murder of her daughter, could face the death penalty. She awaits her day in court in the Orange County Jail.
