The defense summation in the Casey Anthony murder trial can neither weave a coherent narrative from the evidence nor appeal to reasonable doubt. All they can do is keep it very, very simple.

Tell the jury what is obvious:

1. The prosecution has not proved Caylee Anthony’s cause of death and therefore can’t prove that her mother murdered her with chloroform, duct tape, or a plastic bag.

2. The prosecution has not proved Caylee Anthony’s manner of death was homicide rather than accident.

3. The defense has presented evidence suggesting the cause of death was drowning and the manner of death was accident—not proof, but evidence, nonetheless.

4. No one knows how Caylee’s body ended up in the trunk of her mother’s car, except Casey Anthony.

5. No one knows how Caylee’s remains ended up in the wooded area, except possibly Casey, possibly George Anthony, and possibly the meter reader.

As a result, all that the prosecution has proven is that Casey Anthony attempted to cover up her daughter’s death and lied to the police.