Experts: Fla. conviction possible without body

The Anthony case also has other pitfalls, law professors say.

The defense could emphasize a lack of motive and blame others who could have kidnapped or killed Caylee. Prosecutors would need to convince a jury why a mother would kill her child.

Besides first-degree murder, Anthony is charged with aggravated abuse of a child and aggravated manslaughter and with four counts of lying to investigators. Caylee was reported missing in July, but her mother told police she hadn't seen the girl since June.

A judge denied Anthony bond Wednesday. Dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit, Anthony made no comment during the minute-long hearing. Her attorney, Jose Baez, declined comment afterward. She will be arraigned in about a month.

Rose said the state has done "a very smart thing" in charging Anthony with murder and manslaughter, because it gives the jury a choice.

"You give the jury a place to run," Rose said.

And the defense may have been handed another argument to use.

Grand jury proceedings broadcasted
During the grand jury proceedings on Tuesday, a microphone was inadvertently left open, broadcasting a feed that television trucks were able to pick up. Chief Circuit Court Judge Belvin Perry warned that anyone who relayed the information could be charged with contempt of court. So far no media outlet has.

Experts said defense attorneys could use the audio leak to contest the indictment.

"An inventive defense attorney can make just about anything an obstacle to the prosecution," said George Dekle, a professor at the University of Florida law school.

Jury selection will be crucial, Jones said.

"Forget about reasonable doubt — if there's one mother in the stands she will wonder, 'How did she not know where her daughter was?'" he said.

For neighbors in Anthony's Chickasaw Park neighborhood in east Orlando, the indictment is a relief because it caused the protesters who picketed outside her parents' home to leave.

"Things have been really hard core, especially at night. People come here drinking beer and many of the neighbors get aggravated and start instigating fights," said neighbor Mike Carter, 45.

George Anthony, Casey's father, said he is pleased that things have calmed down for his neighbors. He would not comment on charges against his daughter.

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