not what their instructions read.



From the jury instructions:

INTRODUCTION TO HOMICIDE



In this case, Casey Marie Anthony is accused of Murder in the First Degree, Aggravated Child Abuse, Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, and four counts of Providing False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer.



Murder in the First Degree includes the lesser crimes of Murder in the Second Degree, Manslaughter and Third Degree Felony Murder, all of which are unlawful.





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WHEN THERE ARE LESSER INCLUDED CRIMES



In considering the evidence, you should consider the possibility that although the evidence may not convince you that the defendant committed the main crimes of which she is accused, there may be evidence that she committed other acts that would constitute a lesser included crime.



Therefore, if you decide that the main accusation has not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, you will next need to decide if the defendant is guilty of any lesser included crime. The lesser crimes indicated in the definition of First Degree Murder are: Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter or Third Degree Felony Murder. The lesser crime indicated in the definition of Aggravated Child Abuse is Child Abuse.



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VERDICT



You may find the defendant guilty as charged in the indictment or guilty of such lesser included crime as the evidence may justify or not guilty.



If you return a verdict of guilty, it should be for the highest offense which has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If you find that no offense has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then, of course, your verdict must be not guilty.



Only one verdict may be returned as to each crime charged. This verdict must be unanimous, that is, all of you must agree to the same verdict. The verdict must be in writing and for your convenience the necessary forms of verdict have been prepared for you. They are as follows:



More:

In this case, Casey Marie Anthony is accused of Murder in the First Degree, Aggravated Child Abuse, Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, and four counts of Providing False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer. WHEN THERE ARE LESSER INCLUDED CRIMESIn considering the evidence, you should consider the possibility that although the evidence may not convince you that the defendant committed the main crimes of which she is accused, there may be evidence that she committed other acts that would constitute a lesser included crime.The lesser crime indicated in the definition of Aggravated Child Abuse is Child Abuse. VERDICTIf you return a verdict of guilty, it should be for the highest offense which has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If you find that no offense has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then, of course, your verdict must be not guilty.Only one verdict may be returned as to each crime charged. This verdict must be unanimous, that is, all of you must agree to the same verdict. The verdict must be in writing and for your convenience the necessary forms of verdict have been prepared for you. They are as follows:More: http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/04/jury-instructions-in-the-casey-anthony-trial/ IMO I don't think they listened to the judge's instructions or read their jury instructions. They seemed to think they could only opt for the maximum charges, which waswhat their instructions read.From the jury instructions: