I think it's plausible that the little girl's death was accidental, probably because Casey gave her Benedryl or something similar to get her to go to sleep so she could go out and party, and she gave her too much. And she and her parents then tried to cover it up.
I seem to recall that the jury did not have the option of finding her guilty of a lesser charge, such as manslaughter.
It had to be guilty of first-degree murder or not guilty.
No DNA, no fingerprints on duct tape, prosecution couldn’t come up with a cause of death = Not Guilty.
That's what I think as well. Criminally negligent homicide, or whatever is Florida's equivalent. Not 1st degree murder. A textbook lesson for prosecutors in the perils of overcharging.
Not true. The jury could have found her guilty on 2nd degree, manslaughter, or other lesser charges.
"And she and her parents then tried to cover it up."
There was no evidence of that. There was only evidence that Casey knew the kid was dead and ignored it for a few days while partying.