Prosecutor confirms Casey Anthony book

August 29, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

The Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla.

Jeff Ashton, the veteran assistant state attorney who became a national figure during the high-profile Casey Anthony murder trial, confirmed he plans to write a book about the case.

Reached by phone late Saturday, Ashton confirmed what had until then been Internet rumors. Those began when a mysterious listing began popping up on book websites.

The Internet was abuzz after listings appeared on Amazon.ca and bookseller Barnes & Noble’s website, offering pre-orders for “Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony,” with Ashton listed as author.

“I wasn’t aware that it was going to go online today,” Ashton said. He declined to discuss the format or content of the book when reached by The Orlando Sentinel on Saturday.

The book’s listed price is $26.66 Canadian on Amazon.ca, $14.57 American on BN.com. The book was not yet listed on the American version of Amazon on Sunday evening.

Described as a 256-page hardcover set for a late-November release by publisher William Morrow, the book’s listing on the popular sites drew the attention of many on Facebook and Twitter.

Anthony, 25, was acquitted on all major charges in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. Many have speculated since about possible book or movie deals for the high-profile trial’s players.

Casey Anthony was born in Warren in 1986 to George and Cindy Anthony, who lived in Howland before moving the family to Florida in 1989.

Ashton, an assistant state attorney with the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office for three decades, retired days after the verdict in the case was handed down.