FL v. Anthony Todt - Prosecution Opening Statement

A man is on trial for allegedly murdering his wife and kids, and killing the family dog. Anthony Todt, 44, stands trial in Osceola County, Florida. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday, April 11, at 9 am ET.
Todt, a physical therapist who worked in Connecticut and lived in the Sunshine State, allegedly killed wife Megan Todt, 42, as well as their three children Alec Todt, 13, Tyler Todt, 11, and Zoe Todt, 4. He even slew the family dog Breezy.
Federal authorities had been seeking him at the time, saying he charged Medicaid for unworked hours. Naturally, a fraud case pales in comparison to the grisly state prosecution for four counts of first-degree murder, and one count of cruelty to animals. With that in mind, federal prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss without prejudice because they did not want to stand in the way of Florida officials. They can refile later.
The family also faced eviction from their home in a case filed Dec. 22, 2019, just weeks before deputies found defendant Todt at the residence with the bodies.
Booking photo via Anthony Todt.
Anthony Todt.
Investigators say Anthony Todt confessed to the killings in interviews shortly after his arrest. Though a judge suppressed an early portion of that because a detective failed to give a proper Miranda warning, the admission of guilt is ultimately making it to trial because Todt allegedly kept on talking to authorities, repeating the confession in a follow-up interview.
Associate Medical Examiner Jennifer Nara found the deaths to be homicide, though she could not determine “the exact mechanism of death,” and had to rely on the alleged confession and other circumstances in her decision.
Defendant Todt walked back that confession. He blamed his wife for the killings in a letter to his father, according to the document obtained by The Orlando Sentinel from the prosecutor’s office.
[Booking photo via Osceola County Jail]

[@Flowerz__]

Dude she lost me 30 seconds in... she’s talking as if the jury knows these people. She goes right into the family getting worried and doesn’t build anything up at all or set the stage. This was absolutely terrible opening. “They checked the condo to no avail” what condo? Who’s condo? No set up no picture no story and jumping around like crazy. This was a disgrace. She is fighting for the justice of the family here... do better.

[@snowblo1]

Yeah, I agree. It is a little rushed.

[@laradesautel3013]

With all the info I’ve heard on podcasts etc… you’d think the prosecutor would have enough information to paint a very clear picture! Compared to the halderson trial? That prosecutor could paint a picture!

[@daddyboy3546]

No need to spend too much time on opening. It’s not evidence. Jury doesn’t need to know a lot of context here as the evidence and testimony is probably overwhelming.

[@T61APL89]

@@daddyboy3546 i dont think thats the problem, the jury is told by the judge just before opening statements that only evidence and testimonies should be fully considered. the problem is she doesnt seem to be giving the jury a reason to listen for said key points of evidence. hearing a dozen different names of strangers, their purpose towards the investigation and then a very rough summary of the actual crime is just an info dump

[@daddyboy3546]

@@T61APL89 they will connect the dots soon enough. She just needs to set the scene. It’s better to get in and out and not belabor details and explain who is who in the opener. The jury will figure it out. Believe me, been there done that. An opening statement longer than 30-45 minutes in a case like this and you will lose the jury

[@truthseeker2882]

Worst prosecution opening ever

[@stephwiller9089]

Wow this is possibly the worst prosecution opening I've ever heard.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Quadruple homicide case...10 minute prosecution opening statement...WTF?

[@GA-fz2wt]

Opening statements are not proof and are not to be seen as the facts, only the evidence presented later on is proof. She knew she had more than enough proof to get a guilty verdict, plus he confessed to police already, so whether she spends 10 mins or 2 hours talking,it doesn't matter,ultimately its the science, evidence, witnesses that count and she was right.

[@Elvusmiw]

Ok, what's wrong with the prosecutor?

[@MJ69ism]

She looks hung over and shows no passion in what she says, she is in the wrong job and she seriously needs a makeover ffs smh

i really “love” the comments - you’re not commenting her speach but her appearance. she’s not kim wexler, she’s a normal looking lawyer. her opening wasn’t perfect but why are you judging her like THAT? if she was a man you wouldn’t say one bad word. oh and btw she won :)

[@asyablake]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@lydibug51]

She knew that this psychopath already hung himself so she was nice and relaxed 😊

[@alicelaybourne1620]

I don't care about her appearance, but I did scroll down here after she struggled to say de...comp........osition.

[@January.]

To prosecutor: *Please* don't say"gonna" in court.

[@valoriel4464]

Haha, hadn't noticed 🤣 Was so happy she didn't use "umm" "you know "

[@lesleyhughes3174]

Do this grammar 'speak' at every trial, do you?... Only here for that, are you? God forbid if we make mistakes, or we don't check our comments for ph blips, as you have already done to me, at another trial!. Never mind the fact that this trial is about the loss of his family, at his hands!!

[@rlnstn9300]

We're talking "Florida" speak here🙄

[@rlnstn9300]

@@lesleyhughes3174 Grammer is Grammer Miss. It doesn't sound intelligent.

[@lesleyhughes3174]

@@rlnstn9300 good God! Then 90% of the US are totally not intelligent, because they have slaughtered the English language!!

[@leighanne3266]

Terrible opening statement...she didn't talk about who they were...the timeline, how she was as a mother, the husband's behavior...nada.

[@catherine6313]

Holy crap, that was the worst opening statement I've ever seen.

[@nicoles8176]

Hard to listen to the prosecutor opening.

[@novascotiaskater1868]

This prosecutor is really really lucky she had an open and shut case because if his conviction depended on HER he would be stuffing his face at Pizza Hut at this moment…..

[@muchsunshine6037]

Yep. It must be her her first time in a trial.

[@NOmadnesslife]

He confessed to it all. He told all the details of the murders so there is no need to try and convince the jury. After he confessed, he pled NOT guilty so he could have his day in Court. He wants to hear everyone talk about it. I glad she didn’t give him the opening statement he wanted. Sick man.. Have fun in prison!

[@letsgobrandon2722]

That lawyer looks freaking ragidy

[@Ohsolovely2]

jsut like your mom.

[@vickieandrew1010]

He would have popped off this brilliant prosecuter too, given half the chance. His arrogance on insisting he spoke in the witness box was a gift to her.

[@muthuicyrus]

Worst prosecutor ever. She looks bored and disinterested and was in way too much hurry to finish her statement.

[@kristencaputo3836]

I absolutely agree! She looked like she was out parrying the night before, with not an ounce of interest to this case. She’s so monotone. I wish they had someone else to represent the victims. They deserve to have their story told because she’s the one now having to speak for them. Sad set of events…

[@GA-fz2wt]

Maybe it's because she knows she has more than enough evidence & professional witnesses to win this case. Which turns out to be right.

[@Flowerz__]

Wut? 12 min opening statement for a multiple murder?? I’m confused...

[@Faluthe]

Wow, even a dog stood no chance, evil lives here!.

[@novascotiaskater1868]

I find it very interesting how trials can differ so drastically from case to case….this case is particularly gruesome and evil….he slaughtered his wife, his three children and the family dog….yet it’s a 4 day trial? And there are maybe 15 people in the gallery….yet so many other trials last 3-6 weeks and have jam packed galleries…..it’s very weird.

[@derekwhitford5015]

Considering how many witnesses they have and how much evidence they have against him. It's surprising that they even had 4 days for the trial to last

[@shellos8]

The prosecutor sucks. I don't like her. Luckily this is an easy trial.

[@cor-z8m]

Poor opening statement … so much information… poor story telling …

[@JaeZee1268]

Did that guy take a picture of the jury at the beginning of this video?

[@letsgobrandon2722]

Ummm is this prosecutors This lady is not prepared terrible opening statement wtf comb you hair oh my goodness

[@laurarowe8590]

prosecutors have to speak with passion in them…delivering an opening statement is so important to get the jury to feel something. This one just doesnt have it. She’s like a drunk robot.

[@DebsMcC69]

I agree! And the the fact she keeps using the word ‘opportunity’ to me that implies something positive…I don’t see anything positive when listening in detail or looking at crime scene photos to how these beautiful children and their mother died. Surely there is a better synonym? Tragic tragic story…💔

[@63IRISH63]

The ending was so awkward. I was waiting for her to look at the jury and say, "Florida Gator football rules!"

[@pleasedpopper4521]

I guess they feel its a slam dunk with conclusive evidence 🤷‍♂️

[@trialgoddess]

I was a prosecutor early in my career and I always made it a point to look my best for trial. She is badly in need of a makeover and stylist. Perhaps that would improve her self-esteem and make her more confident in her delivery. She may be outstanding in the areas of prepping witnesses and organizing how to prove the elements of the crime, but that doesn't mean she should overlook how she presents herself when she knows she has a high-profile case receiving national attention via all forms of media.

[@Holocaustica]

@@Jay-407 I’m imagining that this is what it would look like if Vin Diesel won the leading role in the movie Rockstar.

[@timearl7186]

Who's the guy taking the picture of the jury with his cellphone when they entered the courtroom?

[@pinkfreud62]

Seriously, I saw the thumbnail for this and thought it was the dude on trial.

[@jeanakatherine9369]

😂🤣

[@ritatorrez552]

Worse than Chris Watts , because at least he spared the dog👿👿🖤

[@darrarichardson2897]

I'm surprised by how few people are in the "audience". I would think it would be packed.

[@novascotiaskater1868]

I just commented on that! It’s a brutal case…he slaughtered his entire family and left them in the house for several weeks… this is as brutal as the Chris Watts case….but there’s maybe 12 people in the gallery? This didn’t get the media attention that the Watts case did and it’s very strange….what makes one case so incredibly popular in the media while another- like this one just kind of sneaks into court and quietly goes away?

[@sunnyadams5842]

​@@novascotiaskater1868What determines all this is publicity. The Todts were not a conventionally pretty family. The Watts fam WAS. PERIOD. Which absolutely disgusts me, but that IS the fact of the matter. The media's only reason for existing these days is to make money. Ugly people don't sell news.

[@lindafreudiger8022]

Can hardly hear you

[@foxglovepearls]

I’m sorry, but that is not a flattering look for that prosecutor at all! Nope. Not at all sheesh.

[@spectatorwv1054]

@Char Hudson maybe someone who has to spend 5-10 days as a juror.

[@francesmcmillan7596]

Is it my hearing or is the audio almost non-existent in this thing?

[@PippiLong1]

Did we just witness someone taking a picture aimed in the area of the jurors?

[@queenparrismoore8378]

Absolutely dats what I just said WOW 😳

[@Grey_Duck]

He also has a laptop. I think he might be a journalist.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Rest in Peace 4 innocent people.

[@dragonfire5735]

And one innocent dog.

[@tcccmno]

Rest in peace 1 innocent dog.

[@citrusbloom7504]

Prosecutor needs a little more passion for her case🙄

[@spectatorwv1054]

She needs an elocution class and a make-over.

[@DisDatK9]

Especially when it’s such a serious case involving the murder of children. She speaks about it like as if she’s on a civil suit about a neighbor cutting down another neighbors tree on accident. It’s embarrassing

[@ErikS-]

In communicating the outline of the trail in a effective way, she scores a clear "F". She is acting more like some kind of robot than a prosecutor that is trying to make a personal link with the jury. Being a prosector is more than walking down some procedural list like a computer programmer... "you are gonna hear" #1 "and you are gonna hear" #2 "and you are also gonna hear" #3

[@lesleyhughes3174]

🙄🤔 trial?

[@joshTheGoods]

Agreed. This was a terrible opening statement. Tell the story clearly and concisely, then mention the key things you're going to prove and why those are the things you need to prove to get a guilty verdict.

[@crystalshaw8744]

The dude who did the Chandler case was EXCELLENT. Plain and simple

[@MatthewStout]

Stop liking these videos until they put some quality audio work into them. Good riddance Im tired of cranking up my high wattage speakers.

[@Grey_Duck]

Well that was perhaps the shortest opening statement I’ve ever heard. Short, sweet, and to the point. Guess I can’t complain.

[@thedaviszone5187]

I was thinking same thing. She should have introduced the family. Told a story about them. Maybe showed pictures of the wife and kids happy.

[@Flowerz__]

@@thedaviszone5187 what’s going on here?? 12 min on an opening statement for a multiple murder? Im confused.

[@thedaviszone5187]

@@Flowerz__ so am i

[@Flowerz__]

@@thedaviszone5187 very weird. She just start jumping right in to talking about stuff and honestly took me a min or 2 to get into what she was saying. Maybe the case is so strong they didn’t feel the need to do a big build up in the opening? Or the case is actually not as good as one would think and that’s all they had to say?

[@abby4027]

Shorter than the Halderson opening statement!!

[@LVThN_von_Ach]

He just made a picture...0:39 Of the jury???

[@mashton6631]

Put your hair up, counselor

[@shiraflax5876]

She’s just hard to listen to. She doesn’t seem prepped. Very hesitant speech

[@pleasedpopper4521]

Compare this prosecuters OS to the one for The chandler Halderson case. You'll find there is no comparison

[@christopheburr2220]

You'll have the opportunity, this is her favorite thing to say

[@Christina4758]

"you're gonna" - oh vey, speak English properly please.

[@diegomadrigal5658]

Requisite to be a lawyer in USA: be a retired teacher from Hogwarts

[@Jack-wc5qj]

I found the tone of the opening statement lacking. Really weird to comment on her appearance though, hope you aren't lawyers.

[@melodieshimon]

First time ever skipping opening even though it’s only minutes I just can’t terrible opening , I’ll go straight to day one and witnesses prosecutor terrible!

[@MsPascalex]

0:40 ?? Taking pictures inside a courtroom ??

[@italianchicky888]

She looks like the guy from Harry Potter🤣🤣🤣

[@tracyd693]

Someone needs to let the judge know about the man who just took a photo. That's absurd. 😳 The prosecutor is scary looking.

[@christoph8616]

She needs to change shampoo brands, looks like she just climbed out of a well.

[@alexblack6421]

She looks like the king of rohans evil side kick in Lord of the rings lol

[@SpicyTexan64]

I thought Marilyn Manson had started a new career 🤔

[@GrizzlyUrsusArctos]

My thought was Addams family

[@anthonybirks7022]

Come on guys we know what we all look like after a Heavy weekend and we have to turn into work Monday morning, 🤢🤢🥺🥺😱😱🤣🤣

[@piyoweb]

@0:37......ummm is that a staff of the court taking pictures or what? Why is he taking pictures? Why didn't anyone stop him or ask what's he doing?

[@Curious-Irish-Angel]

Audio is so low

[@datdudecollins]

That was a really weird and awkward opening statement.

[@datdudecollins]

... especially the ending!?

[@BethMc2d]

I am an attorney and know it’s challenging to give a really powerful opening statement, so I won’t criticize this prosecutor. But if you really want to see an incredibly powerful opening, check out prosecutor William Brown’s opening in the Chandler Halderson trial in Wisconsin. Best ever.

[@lydibug51]

Omg yes!!! That man amazed me. He painted an exact picture of exactly what took place. That was the hook for me. I went on to read up on everything about Chandler Halderson. He had me glued.

[@Loupedelou]

Snape's mum has had a career change then

[@Carrjacked]

Is this lady ok??

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree7912]

Where have we heard about the 'end of the world ' before....he must be friends with Lori and part of the 144k 🙄🤔

[@childofthemosthighyah8145]

She must be new at giving opening statements.

[@HopelessSinner]

Prosecutor lady looks like Samara from 'The Ring'..........!!

[@pickels5184]

The prosecutor looks like she should be on trial

[@cassiewall3519]

Why is there even a trial if he confessed to it all

[@gertiealba4453]

A detective failed to give a proper Miranda warning.

[@chriswick7987]

They got the conviction, but honestly, she’s not the best at speaking

[@Rae_777]

I understand that this is Florida where humans are very different, but deciding to half-heartedly phone in this crucial opening statement is still such a weird call. Yeah, the evidence is stacked, but the victims and community deserve so much more respect than this. Maybe it’s more difficult with only ONE prosecutor for a massive case, but why is Orange County only appointing one prosecutor to begin with? Megan, Zoe, Breezy, Alek, and Tyler, and their families deserved more, and the public deserves more.

[@xmilk74]

That guy took a pic for a reason I bet he knows the defens.

[@Sabina_B17]

I thought he took a pic of the jury ...is that even allowed?

[@NOmadnesslife]

Sad case.

[@kimward5746]

It is so sad. That kids and mom photo kills me. Their smiles are so gorgeous and sweet. Not to judge by attractiveness, but how could something so evil happen to such sweetness....? And he probably stabbed the dog to death. Poor dog.

[@muchsunshine6037]

Needs more ads.

[@lydibug51]

Wow...just wow.

[@pattistroup933]

Why is there a trial? He confessed. What more can you prove? This should be going before the judge or jury to give him the death sentence...uhm I meant the penalty phase.

[@jozsefhor]

pleaded not guilty, that's why

[@littlepieceofleatherbossem7651]

You have to gather evidence baby how many people admit to killings they NVR committed. You have to have the evidence proven guilty beyond. You gotta understand how the law works it's not easy as you guys think. You have to gather everything to see does his blood match . Baby you can't just throw lives away as dis guy did ok .

[@sallyfoxboro1902]

The Constitution, specifically the Sixth Amendment. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.

[@stellawilkerson7579]

For the Prosecutor’s opening statement, who authorized this debacle? I feel the monotone voice of Lally puts me to sleep! How did he get the job prosecuting this case? He sounds like the most boring person in the room! Dude, at least sound like you care!!

[@kingsagenda]

That made me sick to my stomach

[@Bsquaredplus2]

The guy taking pictures as the jury walked in was super suspect.

[@GA-fz2wt]

Can you Imagine what life must have been like for the kids having him as their father! I can imagine they were ruled harshly & miserable, he's an absolute monster & lunatic.

[@TedBackus]

janine garaffalo here sure likes blabbing on & on

[@queenp9549]

Exactly. LOL

[@joanie7107]

Wow for all the money this lawyer makes spend a little coin for a glow up . Yikes 😬

[@asyablake]

Why would you as a woman comment on another woman’s appearance? She’s a FL prosecutor my god are we all supposed to be good girls and make peoples eyes happy?

[@littlepieceofleatherbossem7651]

Stress and guilt has gotten to this guy see how small he's gotten? It be nice had he lost weight for good health he lost weight for committing murders!!

[@designerdiva87]

She needs more passion. Surely there are better prosecutors

[@weemaggiejiggs8832]

You might have had a shower doll 🤢

[@kimward5746]

I GOTTA KNOW about this prosecutor (whose opening statement was excruciating btw). The lankiness of body and the skinny pin-legs and cro-magnon face and greasy metal-dude hair.... She's a dude, right?

bro. she’s not a model she’s a lawyer she doesn’t need to look hot like kim wexler from better call saul.. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@Paperscubs]

Murderer’s rapt attention is creepy. He’s enjoying listening to the details of his murders.

[@graemekatting5239]

Jumbled presentation but she ģot there in the end

[@sjordan9586]

She was not at all prepared.

[@raw6460]

I love a dickie bow

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Is the prosecutor one of those transwoman thingys 🤔