Jeff Ashton at the Casey Anthony murder trial (AP)
Casey Anthony in court (AP)
LOS ANGELES — Actor Rob Lowe has been cast as Florida prosecutor Jeff Ashton in an upcoming Lifetime TV movie about the prosecution of Casey Anthony.
The movie, tentatively named “Prosecuting Casey Anthony,” is expected to be told from the perspective of Ashton, who went head-to-head with Anthony in last year’s court trial and went on to write the book, “Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony,” The Hollywood Reporter reported Thursday night.
“We’re thrilled to have Rob returning to our network, after his amazing star turn as Drew Peterson. He’s one of those rare stars who can do it all, comedy, drama, heroes and villains,” said Lifetime Networks spokesman Rob Sharenow.
“There are very few actors in the history of our business who have been able to have such success on such a broad range.”
Anthony was last year found not guilty of killing her daughter Caylee.
Caylee was reported missing during the summer of 2008, and Anthony offered varying accounts of what led to the toddler’s disappearance.
At her murder trial, her defense claimed Caylee drowned accidentally and alleged that Anthony’s father had played a major role in covering up the girl’s death.
While she was found not guilty of killing Caylee, Anthony was convicted of lying to authorities during the search for her slain daughter. She was sentenced to four years in prison, but with time already served in jail, was released days after the jury delivered the verdict.