Casey Anthony Makes First Public Appearance Since Murder Trial For Bankruptcy Hearing

Casey Anthony appeared in public on Monday to attend a bankruptcy hearing after spending the last two years in hiding since she was acquitted in the murder of her daughter, Caylee.

Anthony’s appearance in court had nothing to do with the sensationalized trial that culminated in July 2011. Rather, it had to do with her desperate need to file bankruptcy. In the hearing on Monday, she claimed that she had $484 cash to her name, and has no car or job, according to Orlando’s WESH.

“I don’t pay rent. I don’t pay utilities. I live off the kindness of those I’m living with. I try to contribute when I can,” Anthony said, reported the NBC affiliate.

Anthony first filed for bankruptcy in January, stating that she only possessed $1,000 in assets and owed $800,000 – $500,000 of which is owed to her defense lawyer from the murder trial, Jose Baez. According to her current lawyer, Charles Green, Anthony filed bankruptcy to put a stop to the lawsuits people were filing against her.

“She wants people to just leave her alone,” Greene said, according to NBC. “She’s had multiple opportunities to do tell-all book deals, to do tell-all interviews for a lot of money. That’s not what she’s trying to do. She wants this over so she can finally have the time to mourn, not only about the loss of her daughter, but the loss of her life.”

As Anthony struggled to walk from a car to the courthouse, her lawyer wrapped his arm around her neck to shield her from the onslaught of reporters. When she left the courthouse following the hearing, the alleged murderer found guilty in the minds of many, had ample protection, according to The Detroit Free Press. Ten U.S. Homeland Security officers held position on the courthouse steps armed with guns as she passed.