Casey Anthony case: Jose Baez quits as legal rep of mom acquitted of murder

Orlando, Fla. - Jose Baez, who was instrumental in Casey Anthony's July 2011 acquittal for the murder of her own daughter, has officially withdrawn from her legal team.

The attorney filed legal documents to withdraw as Casey's legal representative, thus court documents on the Orange County Clerk of Courts Website show his name crossed out as “Lead Attorney.”

Baez has issued a statement regarding the recent move, writing, “My work as Ms. Anthony's defense attorney is finished. It's not my job to answer questions regarding non-legal matters relating to Ms. Anthony and I must attend to my other clients' needs.”

The Los Angeles Times speculates that Baez's decision was prompted by his inability “to secure a lucrative TV interview... or book deal to help out the financially strapped Anthony.” The publication also notes that Baez's statement “...seems terse, and doesn't even toss an obligatory 'best of luck' line to Anthony.”

Casey's daughter Caylee was reported missing by Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony, in the summer of 2008. The girl's lifeless body was found in December of that year in a wooded area near the Anthony family home. During Casey's 2011 murder trial, prosecutors claimed she rendered the girl helpless using chloroform and then suffocated her with duct tape, later dumping her body in the woods. Casey's legal team, however, countered by arguing that no one was murdered and that the child died accidentally by drowning in the family's backyard pool.

Casey walked out of jail a free woman on July 17, 2011, following her July 5 acquittal, and has kept a low profile since then. She is currently on probation for a Jan. 2010 check fraud conviction.

In Jan. 2012, a Casey, currently living in a secret location, released new photos and video diaries regarding her life now. In one of them, viewers can hear Casey proclaim, “I just pierced my nose last night, [I'm] very excited, and cut my hair. Woo! Very, very exciting.”

To see the Casey Anthony video released Jan. 6, 2012, click here.

To see Casey Anthony's video diary released Jan. 5, 2012, click here.

To watch the entire Casey Anthony murder trial, including jury selection, opening statements, court proceedings, witness testimony and closing arguments, click here.

To revisit Casey's case, find links to pages and pages of evidence, including transcripts of law enforcement interviews, court documents, letters, and forensic evidence, by clicking here.

In addition, links to a multitude of videos and photos released in the case including the many men in Casey's life, party photos, and evidentiary images can be found by clicking here.

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