Jose Baez: "I Saved A Life Today"

Jul 6, 2011, 15:42 by Sarah Long

Lawyer Jose Baez, who defended Casey Anthony in the highly-publicized murder trial, was relieved that his client was found not guilty in a Florida court Tuesday.

After Anthony was declared not guilty of the murder of her daughter Caylee and spared the death penalty, a subdued Jose Baez said in a news conference Tuesday that "while we're happy for Casey, there are no winners in this case," People magazine reports.

"I really do have mixed feelings over the whole situation," Baez continued. "Caylee has passed on far, far too soon, and what my driving force has been for the last three years has been always to make sure there is justice for Caylee and Casey because Casey did not murder Caylee. It is that simple. And today, our system of justice has not dishonored her memory by a false conviction."

He added: "This case has brought on new challenges of all of us. Challenges in the criminal justice system, challenges in the media, and I think we should all take this as an opportunity to learn and to realize that you cannot convict someone until they've had their day in court."

The lawyer went on to say he feels he saved a life by successfully helping Anthony avoid a possible death sentence.

"The best feeling that I have today [is] I know when I go home my daughter will ask me what did you do today? And I can say I saved a life," he said.

Casey was acquitted by the Florida jury of murder and child abuse charges and convicted only of lying to police, according to People. She could be released from jail as early as Thursday depending on what sentence she is given in the lesser conviction.