11:01 a.m. EDT, July 7, 2011.
Casey Anthony will be released from the Orange County Jail on July 13. Chief Judge Belvin Perry sentenced Casey Anthony this morning for lying to police, giving her four years in jail and credit for the time she's already served since 2008.
Considering how much time she's already served, court officials have calculated that she will be released from the Orange County Jail July 13. The sentence also includes four, $1,000 fines for each of the four counts of lying to police.
The sentence is the maximum Perry could impose under the jury's decision.
But unhappy Anthony opponents still gathered outside the courthouse to express their displeasure about her acquittal Tuesday on a charge of first-degree murder in connection to her daughter's death.
"I feel she got away with murder and it really irritates me," said Donna Marini, an
Altamonte Springs woman who attended most of the trial proceedings.
Nearby her, though, Casey Anthony supporters chanted for her release. One many stood with a sign asking "Casey will you marry me?"
"I would date her," said the sign's holder Tim Allen. "Everyone deserves a second chance."
Inside the courtroom, Anthony showed no reaction while Perry discussed her lies and imposed his sentence.
Earlier, she arrived in Perry's courtroom appearing relaxed and happy.
All of Anthony's lies
Anthony, who normally wears her long hair in a bun on top of her head, wore her hair down in court today. She huddled with her attorneys, Cheney Mason and Dorothy Clay Sims, while smiling and stroking her hair before the hearing began.
Her smiles disappeared though after she learned Judge Perry's sentence.
Perry disagreed with Lisabeth Fryer, one of Anthony's attorneys, who argued that Anthony's four convictions for lying to police should be consolidated into one count.
That's because all the lies were told in one conversation, Fryer said.
Fryer noted that the concept of "double jeopardy" should be applied. She wanted Perry to sentence Casey on one charge because the false statements Anthony gave law enforcement stem from a single incident on July 16, 2008.
She also noted case law to support her argument.
Assistant State Attorney Linda Drane Burdick disagreed, saying "It is our position that there is a temporal break between the lies.
Burdick says Casey's lies were intended to lead law enforcement "on a wild goose chase."
She says she did have time to pause and reflect about these mistruths and they did not occur in one single instance.
Perry agreed with Burdick that Casey's guilty verdicts represented "four separate and distinct lies" that led law enforcement on months-long search for her daughter Caylee, forcing them to spend "a great deal of time, energy and man power looking" for the child."
Just as the jury spoke loud and clear about finding Casey not guilty of the most serious charges against her, including the murder of her child, Perry said, "the jury spoke loud and clear as to the remaining counts, four, five, six and seven."
Hearing on costs set for Aug. 25
Earlier, Burdick let Perry know about the state's interest in collecting investigative costs from Anthony related to the search for Caylee Marie in 2008.
A hearing on that issue was set for Aug. 25.
Perry also told Anthony that she has a right to appeal his sentence for her lying convictions. Perry said the defense has 30 days to appeal.
Perry says if she does not file timely notice of appeal, she forfeits her ability to appeal.
Court is in recess right now as officials calculate the amount of credit she should receive for time she's already served in jail. That will determine how long she will be held at the Orange County Jail.
Outside the courthouse
Meanwhile, protestors upset with Anthony's acquittal on more serious charges, including murder, are chanting outside the courthouse. Some spectators also expressed support for Anthony, including one man who wants to marry the single woman.
A minority of protesters outside the courthouse shouted: "Free Casey!"
Earlier, at least two deputies were seen at the Orange County Courthouse carrying gas masks in anticipation of a strong reaction following this morning's sentencing.
Other officers are patrolling on horses.
Public outrage has been building since Anthony was acquitted Tuesday of first-degree murder and other serious charges in connection with her daughter's death in 2008.
Crowds gathered around two designated free-speech zone, where several people stood with home-made posters and signs. Several of those expressed disproval of Casey Anthony's verdict.
One poster had a picture of Anthony with silver duct tape over her mouth. One man was wearing duct tape over his own mouth. Other signs were directed at Caylee, such as one that said "We love you."
Other spectators gathered to photograph and videotape the crowd.
Patti Lockwood of Orlando, who said she's followed the Anthony case since day one, stood nearby and watched the crowd.
"I'm down here to see what kind of time she's going to get," Lockwood said of Anthony's sentencing.
Calls to theOrange County Sheriff's Office about its preparations have not been immediately returned.
'I don't feel like justice was served'
About 50 people gathered peacefully outside the courthouse this morning for today's milestone moment.
The scene outside the courthouse this morning seemed relatively normal -- spectators who were lucky enough to get tickets Wednesday lined up as they have for weeks.
Debbie Calderon and her daughter Kristelle Calderon of
Ocoee were numbers 23 and 24 in the line.
They have been to the courthouse a few times before -- Kristelle, who wants to be a prosecutor, was hoping to get a glimpse of Nancy Grace.
The mother and daughter watched the trial regularly.
"She's guilty," Debbie Calderon said. "I don't feel like justice was served."
