Casey Anthony - guilty, or not?

[moxie]

I am glad I was not on that jury. I don't know what I would have decided, as from what I have read and seen, which is minimal, it would have been VERY difficult for me to make a decision based on law and not on emotion. And I say that because I was exposed to the media's interpretation of the case, not the facts that were presented in court. I've been a registered voter for 20 years and have never been called for jury duty, and when I think about it, I am somewhat glad I haven't been in fear I would get put on a case such as this.

I am not familiar with Florida law; however, I am surprised there wasn't an endangering the welfare of a minor charge in there.

I fully expect her to walk on Thursday with time served.

[Blade]

JVM just announced that George and Cindy are getting death threats. I can't imagine the kind of life Casey will have when she is freed, if her parents are getting death threats.

[Corkey]

I don't care what kind of life she's going to have, not guilty does not mean innocent, and she is not innocent, just not guilty. My anger is fully on the prosecution and their lousy case.

[AtLast]

Discussing the racial or class implications of this case does not mean that one believes that this woman is not guilty of murder. It is simply a side discussion about how very different POC are investigated, processed, represented, arrested and sentenced in our court systems. It is not equal justice for all.

On the other side of this, I firmly believed OJ Simpson murdered his ex-wife and the young man that was with her. No doubt what-so-ever. Yet, race played a part in that verdict as well (also a circumstantial case). Anyone from the LA area that is a POC can explain how very alive "Jim Crowe" is in the LAPD. And for may POC, that verdict was justified based upon years of biased treatment in the LAPD racially. I don’t agree with this thinking, but I see where it comes from and why.

I certainly had a problem with that verdict in terms of it allowing a psychopath free and I feel the same way about this case. But, I do see race and the media coverage as related- in both cases. POC with this kind of tragedy in their lives are not equally represented. Their missing children, are not subject to the same utilization of resources or support in attempting to find them in most cases.

I wouldn't mind the same thing happening to Casey Anthony that happened to OJ- eventually being convicted of a crime in which time is spent. Getting both of these people off the streets is a very good idea. So is Anthony not having any more children... but that brings me to...

.... the fact that POC have been the populations in the USA that have been subjected to forced/mandated sterilization types of proposed legislation. There is a lot of historical evidence supporting forced sterilization as a means to conduct genocide against POC. I do, however, support certain situations in which women could lose rights to a child/baby such as giving birth to one while being a chronic drug abuser and using while pregnant. But, I also think that under certain rehab situations, this should not be done. That is a whole other subject for another thread.

Talking forced sterilization makes me nervous. I wish Anthony would voluntarily get her tubes tied, but I doubt she will/would. I fear that since her having Kaylee, she was able to play her parents in many ways- it is so obvious to me that that little girl was thought of their "second chance" to raise a child more effectively. She was a very powerful means for Casey to manipulate her parents. This family is desperately dysfunctional. I can see Casey trying to get back in her parents graces by getting pregnant again in the future. That makes me want to scream- but I just can't go with forced sterilization given the history it has in the US in terms of racism.

There is no “excuse” for what this woman did, yet, in the eyes of the law, she was found not guilty. Consequently, the courts can’t do a thing in terms of her having children in the future. Scary.

I wonder now if her parents will attempt a wrongful death suit against her. They might have standing in terms of the care and housing they provided for her. Might be nice for them to get some of the money we all know Casey will be coming into with her “story” publication and donate it to missing children or victims of violent crimes organizations. If Kay lee’s biological father was ever around and cared, he could of brought such a suit. Yes, I am having trouble with this child’s death not having any kind of justice. But this case has a myriad of psychological, social and political implications. I fully expect to see her parents at a later date with Gloria Allred in tow at media events related to this case.

[TickledPink]

I wanted to be pissed off at the jury for being lazy and clueless.

I wanted to be pissed off at the prosecution for not presenting a better case.

I wanted to be pissed off at our judicial system.

I wanted to hurt this mother that could do that to a child, her child, any child!

But.......it doesn't bring this little girl back, does it? None of it.

So what do we do? This is the biggest bunch of bullshit I've smelled in quite sometime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*shaking my head and going to cook dinner*

[cinderella]

Thank you for the explanation, Medusa. I also believe this was something that should have come into play - why wasn't the question asked? Here again, is a missed opportunity on the prosecutor's side...why, I wonder.

Originally Posted by Medusa

What I meant was that in most states there are very strict laws dealing with the proper disposal of dead bodies and that, in this case, it is clear that even if the jury believed that Casey Anthony did not cause her child's death, she at the very least did not dispose of the body properly if we believe the (bullshit) story about her drowning in a pool.

Had I been the prosecuting attorney, I would have added the "corpse abuse" charge in order to at least guarantee a minimum sentence (1 year I think? with a maximum of 5?) even if the jury didnt find her guilty.

Because clearly, someone threw this child's body in the swamp and duct taped her and wrapped her in a bag. I dont recall hearing if there was ever an explanation as to how or who disposed of the body but I wish that charge would have been added.

[Medusa]

Yeah, it was frustrating watching the defense throw out weird theories about how the meter man must have moved the body or how there was molestation or how she drowned in the swimming pool and not have to provide any evidence that what they were saying was the least bit true. I know this is the very cornerstone of our judicial system but I felt like the authorities finding this baby's body in a swamp less than a mile from the house and all the lies Casey told would have amounted to "Casey Anthoney, the child's mother, at the very LEAST commited manslaughter or child abuse"

I still can't get over the fact that the words "neck breaking" and "chloroform" were searched on the home computer, Casey's mother LIED about being the one doing it AND was busted out by computer forensics, and still? The jury didn't think that was at least some form of pre-meditation.

I dunno. Maybe she really did drown and Casey Anthony panicked and threw her body in the swamp. It still doesn't explain why she made up stories about "Zanny the Nanny" or her brother and father abusing her.

[Rockinonahigh]

CAsey Anthony got lucky,very lucky.At the very least I thought she would get time for child indangerment or child abuse.In my opinion she should be sent to a mental intsatution so she can get help,without it she will do something like this a again.One thing for sure she should never have another child in this lifetime.The only thing she had guilty in was lieing to the police,insted of doing any time for it she could be let go with time served.

[NJFemmie]

Originally Posted by Peach

this is something difficult to keep emotion OUT of. Yes, 12 people had access to evidence, but that whole trial was on tv almost 24/7, so outside of photgraphs that werent shown on tv, I think the public got most of the same info, but I could be wrong.

Fact is, there was a lot of court room activity that the jury did not see and we were privy to it because of live feeds - discussions and arguments (what-have-you) that could have been crucial in the jury's decision making. How that happens is beyond me.

[Dude]

I dont get it.
I expected the death penalty. Now hearing this I am completely
floored.

[NJFemmie]

Originally Posted by Dante

This is so very possible. I have known peeps that are sociopaths. They have no conscience, not capable of feelings for others, unable to control their actions. They use people for their own benefit and then discard them when not needing them anymore. I am also scared and very worried about Casey's future victims! Many people commented on facebook, and reminds us of all of the searches done on the computer. Is it possible that she was planning do kill the entire family??? Someone mentioned karma. Casey, you WILL pay. OJ is now in prison!

I know a few myself, and yes, it is a scary thought. If anyone thinks that she will feel guilt over this - she won't - at least not for a very long time (if ever). The psychology associated with this type of behavior prevents them from having a conscience. They may SAY they have one, but they don't. They are geared to tell you whatever it is they need to get by for their own benefit.

Youtube the Casey Anthony tapes where she was recorded while interviewed by police, etc. Not one ounce of remorse or regret or guilt was found in her voice. Listen to all the lies and how unbelievable they are. Listen to how agitated she gets when Caylee is mentioned. Me Me Me is all you hear.

I doubt she wanted to kill her entire family. Cindy? Hmmm, maybe. She had some issues with her mother and that was obvious in those tapes. But she was close to George. I have no clue about her relationship with Lee.

*sigh* This verdict really bothers me.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I wonder now if her parents will attempt a wrongful death suit against her. They might have standing in terms of the care and housing they provided for her. Might be nice for them to get some of the money we all know Casey will be coming into with her “story” publication and donate it to missing children or victims of violent crimes organizations. If Kay lee’s biological father was ever around and cared, he could of brought such a suit.

And I also hope that the real Zenaida (sp?) Gonzalez...who was interviewed, put on TV and put through some hell......and also the black man (whose name I am drawing a blank on because my brain is mush) who is an ex-convict and currently has the phone number George Anthony was accused of calling both bring lawsuits against her as well.

They both had their personal lives dragged through the media and were connected with this case in a very highly publicized way based solely on Casey's lies.

I'd rather they get whatever money she ends up earning by "telling her story."

I don't dispute the fact that POC are treated differently in our justice system (or "just us" system as I prefer to call it)....but I don't think this case is about race, other than the deeply disturbing accusations and lies....that a Hispanic woman stole the baby and a black ex-con must have been involved.

For me it just feels like a victory for narcissism.

I respect the way our system is set up. It's better that a guilty person go free than an innocent person be convicted. I just don't agree with what's happened here. I know that juries are human and therefore not perfect....I just find this all heartbreaking and disturbing.

[NJFemmie]

The real Zenaida already stated that she will sue Casey for defamation. She was denied employment because she was believed to be a baby kidnapper.

I hope they appeal and file a civil suit. It will keep Casey in the judicial system for a while if nothing else.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

The real Zenaida already stated that she will sue Casey for defamation. She was denied employment because she was believed to be a baby kidnapper.

I hope they appeal and file a civil suit. It will keep Casey in the judicial system for a while if nothing else.

Good! I hope Zenaida wins a great big pile of Casey's future money.

[Corkey]

Civil case yes, but she can't be retried for the same crime in a criminal case, there is no appeal for that.

[Kobi]

Now that the jury is free to speak if they choose too, it will be interesting to hear them explain why they saw this the way they did.

It is disconcerting to see so many people judging them, accusing them, second guessing them without waiting to hear their side of the story. They were there, we werent.

They werent bombarded with the conjecture of every lawyer the media could find, the thoughts of all these legal pundits, the thoughts of anyone who wished to venture an opinion. They just had the facts presented in the court.

But somehow us armchair jurors know better? We somehow know the truth? We somehow are endowed with special powers to know what happened and who was responsible? And we know this beyond a shadow of a doubt?

I understand the anger at a perceived injustice. I understand wanting justice for this innocent child. I understand the many ways in which disappointment can be expressed. I'm also kind of familiar with that can occur after a case like this.

Justice isnt perfect. People arent perfect. Prosecutors make mistakes. Defense attorneys get lucky. It's life. It sucks. But its reality.

Emotions, running amok, in the name of justice leads to things like death threats, assaults, lynchings, war, and other vigilante actions.

Sometimes, taking a step back, and a deep breath leads to a cooler head, calmer emotions, and more rational thought.

Less drama, more thought....what a novel idea.

[The_Lady_Snow]

I'm perfectly ok shedding a tear and mourning the death of an innocent child, and glad we can all come in here together and do so if we wish without fingerwagging.

[Corkey]

And while I have respect for the law, I do mourn the loss of a truly innocent child.

[princessbelle]

Kobi,


With all due respect....

I don't believe people posting here that we feel that a murderer was set free by a "not guilty" verdict is equating in any way to death threats or lynching.

The jury made their decision based on what the law instructed. We all know this. Doesn't explain the why, just the how.

Some of us are upset due to the idea that a woman who killed her child is going to walk. Justifiably so.

Talking about this issues is healthy IMO. Communication with others, and not a singular thought of sadness held within, is how some of us deal with the dissatisfaction of our justice system which failed miserably IMO today.

Nothing unhealthy about discussion.

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by princessbelle

Kobi,


With all due respect....

I don't believe people posting here that we feel that a murderer was set free by a "not guilty" verdict is equating in any way to death threats or lynching.

The jury made their decision based on what the law instructed. We all know this. Doesn't explain the why, just the how.

Some of us are upset due to the idea that a woman who killed her child is going to walk. Justifiably so.

Talking about this issues is healthy IMO. Communication with others, and not a singular thought of sadness held within, is how some of us deal with the dissatisfaction of our justice system which failed miserably IMO today.

Nothing unhealthy about discussion.

princessbelle,

With all due respect, the woman was tried and found not guilty.

Even saying in your opinion that a "murderer was set free" is not healthy discourse. She was not proven to be a murderer. Saying she is one is deliberately inflammatory and drama provoking.

I have seen this dynamic run amok before under the guise of healthy discourse. I saw it when Michael Vick returned to the NFL and was praised by the President. Suddenly a man who was tried, convicted, and served his time needed to be raked over the coals in a very unnice way cuz people were disappointed with Obama's words on Vick.

I saw it with the "victims of the Superbowl". I saw it with bullying, saw it in "a site unexamined".

Ya'll have a thing for drama and anger. That isnt healthy discourse. Thats just drama and rage.

But we can agree to disagree.