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Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Jeff Ashton (Author, Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,705 ratings
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Filled with explosive new information, this is the definitive inside story of the case that captivated the nation and the verdict that no one saw coming....

It was the trial that stunned America, the verdict that shocked us all. On July 5, 2011, nearly three years after her initial arrest, Casey Anthony walked away, virtually scot-free, from one of the most sensational murder trials of all time. She'd been accused of killing her daughter, Caylee, but the trial only left behind more questions: Was she actually innocent? What really happened to Caylee? Was this what justice really looked like?

In Imperfect Justice, prosecutor Jeff Ashton, one of the principal players in the case's drama, sheds light on those questions and much more, telling the behind-the-scenes story of the investigation, the trial, and the now-infamous verdict. Providing an inside account of the case, Ashton, a career prosecutor for the state of Florida, goes where the press and pundits have only speculated, detailing what really happened during the investigation, showing how the prosecution built their case, and explaining how a woman so shrouded in suspicion was proclaimed innocent.

Moving beyond the simple explanations, Ashton offers an in-depth look at the complex figure of Casey Anthony, a woman whose lies he spent three years trying to understand. And yet this focus on Casey came with its own risks; here he details how this widespread fixation on Casey - both in the media and in the trial - may have undermined the case itself. As everyone got caught up in the quest to understand the supposed villain, somehow the victim, Caylee, was all but forgotten - not just to the public, but more important, to the jury.

Complete with never-before-revealed information about the case and the accused, Ashton examines what the prosecution got right, what they got wrong, and why he remains completely convinced of Casey Anthony's guilt.

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  1. Listening Length
    11 hours and 35 minutes
  2. Author
    Jeff Ashton
  3. Narrator
    Jeff Ashton
  4. Audible release date
    November 15, 2011
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B0067VJD18
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 11 hours and 35 minutes
Author Jeff Ashton
Narrator Jeff Ashton
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date November 15, 2011
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0067VJD18
Best Sellers Rank #40,635 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#42 in Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions True Crime
#80 in Law (Audible Books & Originals)
#113 in Hoaxes & Deceptions

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,705 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the well-researched information and facts presented in an easy-to-understand manner. The emotional content is portrayed with empathy and respect. Readers enjoy the vivid descriptions and candid portrayal of the case. However, opinions differ on the prosecutorial work - some find it insightful and ethical, while others consider it flawed.

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ReadabilityInformation qualityWriting qualityEmotional contentLookProsecutorial workStory qualityAuthor's character
273 customers mention "Readability"251 positive22 negative

Customers find the book readable and engaging. They say it reads like fiction, is well-structured, and keeps them hooked from start to finish.

"A perfect opening to a brilliant book. I followed the trial and the case from day one. However I read the book recently...." Read more

"...I think Attorney Ashton did a great job with the book and at trial, and did it to his best ability...." Read more

"...Good book, Mr. AShton. Thank you for letting us in on your take and things you couldn't say at trial. Enjoy your retirement...." Read more

"...The book is very well structured...." Read more

174 customers mention "Information quality"159 positive15 negative

Customers find the book provides an insightful look into the case. They appreciate the author's clear presentation of the facts and his ability to summarize the information succinctly. The book is well-researched and contains all the details of what really happened. Readers find it a useful tutorial on evidence gathering, fact finding, and logic.

"...If you want to read a personal, insightful, and compelling story about Casey's case from a very experienced and brilliant attorney that knows first..." Read more

"...This book is a tutorial in evidence gathering, fact finding and logic, laying out the only reasonble conclusion: Casey Anthony killed her daughter...." Read more

"...I also gained additional insight into the case. Since there are no spoilers here, here is my take: JURY: Yes, the jury got it wrong...." Read more

"A well-written, informative inside account of the Casey Anthony trial....which resulted in another tragic miscarriage of justice that one can liken..." Read more

147 customers mention "Writing quality"133 positive14 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to read. They appreciate the author's writing style and how it helps them understand the evidence. The words feel relatable and the emotions are understandable. It's an effortless journey for the reader on the shoulders of a prosecuting attorney.

"...It was well written, and a definite page turner. Things I found disagreeable: (coming from a fellow attorney) 1...." Read more

"...His words felt very real to me and his emotions really understandable...." Read more

"I was very impressed by how well this book was written, Mr. Ashton is just as good writer as brilliant lawyer he is...." Read more

"A well-written, informative inside account of the Casey Anthony trial....which resulted in another tragic miscarriage of justice that one can liken..." Read more

20 customers mention "Emotional content"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartfelt and compassionate. They appreciate the right balance of sadness and humor for Caylee, as well as the author's perspective. The book brings closure and a good message to readers.

"...I also really appreciated that in the end he had a good message for his readers. I hope he writes another book!" Read more

"...But, I really did appreciate, his emotion and good sense of humor in right places, in just right amount of doses...." Read more

"...over the loss but I'm sure laying it all out in the book was good for his mental health...." Read more

"...went on behind the scenes with this case - the evidence trail, family dynamics, the witnesses, etc...." Read more

14 customers mention "Look"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging. They appreciate the author's straightforward writing style and vivid descriptions of the murder trial.

"...writing skills and hilarious sarcasm, I thought he was candid and tasteful in his version of the story...." Read more

"...Ashton's impassioned arguments during the trial, you will love his colorful descriptions..." Read more

"...and clues as to how difficult the judicial system is and yet the beauty and ease of how much he loves his job in a natural way...." Read more

"This was an intriguing look and perspective of the trial of Casey Anthony...." Read more

51 customers mention "Prosecutorial work"35 positive16 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the prosecutorial work. Some find it insightful and fascinating, providing an in-depth review of the case from beginning to end. Others feel the case was poorly presented and investigated, with no justice for Caylee.

"...Mr. Ashton seems like a pretty ethical and straight up Prosecutor, which is what you like to see...." Read more

"...Some of the best true crime stories are the ones Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi has written. He sets the bar as far as I'm concerned...." Read more

"...The verdict in this case was so disappointing and I really didn't want to have to think about Casey again...." Read more

"...This description of the heartbreaking case was as good as the best true crime books I've read, written by outstanding former prosecutors...." Read more

40 customers mention "Story quality"23 positive17 negative

Customers have different views on the story quality. Some find it compelling and interesting, with an honest and unembellished account of the trial. Others feel the narrative lacks the storytelling element of good true crime books, and becomes drawn out and disjointed through the narrative of the trial.

"...If you want to read a personal, insightful, and compelling story about Casey's case from a very experienced and brilliant attorney that knows first..." Read more

"...He sets the bar as far as I'm concerned. This book lacks the story telling element that good true crime books have...." Read more

"The disturbing true story of a murder case that enthralled and enraged a nation, as told by one of the prosecuting attorneys...." Read more

"...The details are chilling. ASHTON: I feel for Jeff Ashton as he worked hard alongside Linda and the team for 3 years to get a conviction...." Read more

24 customers mention "Author's character"15 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the author's character. Some find him human and sincere in his work, while others describe him as dishonest and unethical. The book is described as an interesting read with insightful commentary on the author's career.

"...new details on the case that Jeff presents, but I loved reading things from his perspective. Jeff is an author I could very much relate to...." Read more

"...I appreciated hearing Ashton's side but the attitude he has is just awful...." Read more

"Jeff Ashton is a sincere and honest man. Beside being the prosecutor in the case he saw the evidence as it really was...." Read more

"...This book allowed me to be at the trial, see into the characters, and know Jeff's opinions...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars For Caylee, so that no one forgets....
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    A perfect opening to a brilliant book.

    I followed the trial and the case from day one. However I read the book recently. I am one of the many people that are still shocked by the stunning verdict - and still recovering. I was very hesitant to read this book because I was so distraught from the summer, but after so many people encouraged me to read it - I finally did.

    What I found is Jeff Ashton called it like we saw it - these jurors simply didn't get it and seemed to lack common sense - If you want to cheat a bit - go to page 262. They were mainly concerned with getting their 200 movies (mostly kids movies) and wanting to know when they would be able to go home! The only question for the judge was 'who are the alternates'. Starting on page 232 - Ashton describes the bio of each of these jurors - who I have come to call the 12 Village Idiots (in my humble opinion). What strikes me here - is prior reading their bio's - Ashton states that they will need educated people to understand the circumstances of this case - and be able to connect the dots.... Well - read these bios - and you will be able to tell - sadly, they didn't get a prize jury. Although the foreman seemed to have an education - it was in PE - and not in common sense. IMO. So I give Ashton credit - he knew what they needed, however it seems Pinellas County (and for those that didn't know this, is Ashton's hometown) either didn't have the jurors - or they simply rushed to sit them. (Which is my opinion). Ashton also mentioned how these jurors never had emotion - through all this testimony - as Cindy was breaking down, looking at the skull with duct tape - nothing - they were all stone faced... Maybe they left their hearts in Pinellas County with their brains... (kidding).

    As a Florida tax payer, I truly feel these jurors are almost as guilty as the defendant. When you read this book - it give you great insight. You will hear about all the evidence - and if you were like me, and listened to all the tapes, audios, everything the jurors heard (yet they obviously ignored or were sleeping - eyes wide open) - there is no way there wasn't one charge you could have found her guilty of. It seems as if these jurors completely ignored the jury instructions - not even finding her guilty of child neglect? They didn't have to choose death - many people are hung up on the "death penalty" charge - but there were lessor charges.

    The fact she didn't report her child missing for 31 days - what is that? Normal? Look at the make-up of the jury, I think only one or two of them had kids..... The way Ashton described CA's lies - as 3.0 to 4.0 to the Nuclear Lie - is so upsetting - upsetting because these jurors couldn't connect the dots - or see these lies didn't fit! It is so infuriating - as many say - we all have "accepted this verdict, but we don't have to respect it". After reading this book, you can't respect it. These jurors just couldn't understand that circumstantial evidence IS evidence - they may just have to think a little bit harder to connect those dots. Outside of Disney movies....

    Then you come to the defense. Baez/Bozo - Seriously - As Ashton points out diplomatically - Baez think he threw so much garbage out there, these jurors actually believed some of it... there were that stoic. Actually - they were that anxious to go home! Oh - read the part where they were also demanding... again, their arrogance is beyond me. I only hope none of them profit from Caylee's death. .

    I totally enjoyed the way Ashton described the incompetence of Baez - however I believe his incompetence is what the jurors mistaken as being picked on by the judge. I also think the judge rushed the jury selection - which is why the got the jury they had. IMO.

    Page 318 - I loved the comment Ashton makes to the juror #3 - "no one showed them how Caylee died" - Ashton's question to her would be - "How hard in those ninety minutes did you look for it?" 90 minutes is all it took them to come back with the verdict - with over 6 weeks of testimony....

    I do hope, like with OJ we see CA someday have her day of reckoning - I also hope the jurors read this book and realize that a little girl is no longer with us - and as that juror #3 went on her free trip to Disney for telling her story of being on the jury - Caylee Marie will never have that trip to Disney again.

    The book is worth the read - Ashton doesn't hold back - though he go further if you ask me, but he calls it like it was. Baez was not professional and the jurors lacked common sense - and little girl will never see justice - it is Imperfect Justice.
    37 people found this helpful
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  • Stuff and Such
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, however don't really agree on some points with Mr. Ashton. From a fellow attorney's perspective.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I just finished reading this book. I appreciate the insight that Mr. Ashton is willing to share from a insiders perspective, and this is why I read this book. Mr. Ashton seems like a pretty ethical and straight up Prosecutor, which is what you like to see. It was well written, and a definite page turner.

    Things I found disagreeable: (coming from a fellow attorney)

    1. I don't think it was very professional to slam another attorney, and in this case attorneys about their work product in a tell all book. Some of the things that Mr. Baez did, left a great deal to be desired. With that said, Baez is a newer attorney, and I would attribute some of his overzealousness to inexperience. If you have a problem with the guy, say it to his face, privately. That's what real lawyers do and should do. I also don't think a Attorney should ever bash a jury in a public forum. Say what you want behind closed doors, but to make venomous comments about them is again not very professional. I came away both respecting Ashton and yet very disappointed in him.

    Attorney Ashton makes a big deal over Beaz making money on this case, yet he's writing this book and appearing in the media. Which I don't have a problem with him doing, but fair is fair. Did I like some of the things the defense did, no. In short I didn't like where the case went with bashing the parents and the sex claims. However, I respect the fact that the defense attorney's professional duty lies SOLEY, and to the exclusion of everybody else, to his or her client. As long as it is responsible and ethical. I will say that some very thin tight ropes were walked on by the defense, with this case, but the constitution gave the attorneys that tight rope to begin with. All American citizens need and must respect that.

    From a fellow attorney's perspective it looks like Attorney Ashton has some sour grapes with the verdict. Do I personally think it could have come out differently sure, but I am one of those that think it could have been presented differently (more later). Clearly Attorney Ashton has an issue with what he felt was an inferior foe, and losing to that foe must be killing him. Enough said about that. To say that Beaz's strategy all came from Casey, or diminish what he did is really unfair, and sour grapes.

    2. The biggest issue, and one which is made often by prosecutors is not seeing the big picture with their case. I think Ashton acknowledged the glaring problems with the State's case, but still made excuses for them, and instead bashed the jury.
    The book makes the case that the jury could have chosen a lesser charge, while totally overlooking the fact that the case was delivered around a premise that the death of Caylee Anthony was a result of an intentional act. The jury did in fact follow their duty, and if they didn't believe that the death was intentional, then they would not have been following their duty if they came up with another verdict. The State did not deliver much, if any evidence as it related to a possible manslaughter charge. No doubt something happened, and Casey probably was the reason, but if you don't have a lot to go on, build your case totally around the angle that Casey had a role, but take out the aspects of "intential killing". There was no bridge between the lies, partying, and the death of Caylee. When you don't have that bridge, just go with a lower murder charge.

    Good question: would the family have taken up the fight, if they knew Casey was only at risk for serving time. We will never know. I don't think the family's words were totally to blame. I think their testimony was pretty obvious and untrustworthy.

    Here is another aspect. The jury was death qualified. They knocked out fifty percent of the people off the top because of publicity, and conflicts. Next they took a portion out for cause. Then they got what became the jury in this case. In a death penalty case, you have to work with a very specific type of juror, in order to seat them. That juror has to accept the death penalty in order to be acceptable. That means that in some cases, jurors were probably settled on, rather than actually chosen, and I think Attorney Ashton probably said as much. The jurors chosen are who they are. I can actually see why they came up with the verdict they did. The jury instructions in Florida (as most jurisdictions)are very specific, and actually don't allow for a great deal of gray. If its a square peg, it must go into a square hole.

    So where does the blame fall. The State of Florida absolutely overcharged this case, and I will beg to differ with contrary opinions.

    Again, I bought this book. I enjoyed the book and thought it was a very good read. I think Attorney Ashton did a great job with the book and at trial, and did it to his best ability. I am just sharing some thoughts I had while reading the book.
    10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jacinda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read recommended for anyone even non hardcore Anthony case enthusiasts
    Reviewed in Australia on June 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I read it in a day and have re read it several times justice for caylee unfortunately did not come from the court system hopefully she will receive it from the one judge that matters
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  • Weezie From Dartmouth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony
    Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is extremely well written. It moves along fast and there were no boring sections to the book, at all~!! One wonders how on
    Earth Casey Anthony ever got away with it. It's plain (to me, anyway) that she was guilty. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes true crime~
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, well written book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this account of the murder trial of Casey Anthony. I followed the case from the time Caylee disappeared. The book was very well written by one of the prosecution team and I felt that he wrote it very much with Caylee in mind. It was a fascinating account of the Anthony family dynamics and the psychological games played by Casey. The author led the reader through the events of the case with very good explanations of the scientific evidence presented by the prosecution team. I think he was let down by the jury who couldn't seem to use their common sense in this case. Much of the evidence put forward was circumstantial, however, I feel that evidence was there to secure a conviction if the jury had truly taken on board what was presented to them. A very informative and well written account of the story of a little girl who was failed by the system.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars I found the book repetitive in terms of evidence and the prosecutions case but I enjoyed reading it nonetheless
    Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting read. I found the book repetitive in terms of evidence and the prosecutions case but I enjoyed reading it nonetheless.
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  • K. Morin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I thought I had read everything there was to read about this case, and even though I didn't learn that many things new, I still learned a lot, and it was very interesting to see that point of view. Excellent book.
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