To be blunt the Caylee supporters online were going crazy before the airing of this episode of CBS 48 Hours Mystery. The Buzz was in short, the DT is trying to contaminate the jury pool just prior to jury selection. With as much publicity as this case has had, it's pretty hard to contaminate it more.
I watched the show in order to take my own opinion. My verdict is that it was reasonably balanced. What is unbalanced is Nancy Grace's coverage of the case. What is unbalanced is ne arly every person commenting on-line would have had Casey get the needle or old sparky the day after poor little Caylee's remains were found.
As I stated before, I do believe that Casey did murder her daughter Caylee. I have also wanted Casey to have a fair trial and good representation. Wanting a fair trial and good representation means I accept the fact she might be found not guilty or found guilty of lesser charges.
I have never seen this show before. I expected an in-depth look at the two or three major pieces of evidence. Instead it was an hour of sound bites. This case and this trial is not sound-bites. Be that as it may, everything they did was pretty predictable. The Defense, and former Defense Team members, said the State has no case, no evidence, and are misinterpreting the facts they do have. The Orange County Procecutors did not speak. Instead the State's Attorney General spoke to the State's evidence. The State said 31 days, her behavior during those 31 days and strong circumstanual case.
One specific piece of evidence mentioned was the smell in the trunk. Was it caused by trash or the body of a little child? Well I eat a lot of fast-food in my car. I always have lots of empty (mostly) fast food containers with left overs in my car at any one time. In other words--trash. None of my cars have ever smelt like a dead body. Nobody who has ever ridden in my car has claimed it smells like a dead body.
The other big piece of evidence mentioned was Mrs. Anthony's last 911 call. I've heard this call hundreds of times. Last night, however, one thing jumped out while listening to the replay; before making the dead body smell remark, she pauses. When she says those infamous words, her voice is calmer. It was as if she suddenly put two and two together regarding the smell. Call it an excited utterance in legal terms. Excited is what she was before making this statement. Mrs. Anthony was for the most part calm, relatively speaking, when she said it "smells like their's been a dead body in the damn trunk". The calmness, even more than the words, have reaffirmed that she did not, at that second, believe the smell came from trash.
Finally the infamous focus group. All the show really said is that they were presented 4.5 hours of evidence likely to be presented by both sides. Final "verdict" most would not find guilty of murder. Most would convict of involuntary manslaughter. The reason given, as edited, was you could not rule out an accident. Now we don't know what evidence they were given, but I believe involuntary manslaughter, aka accident, is absurd. Only one of thee verdicts, imo, is possible Not Guilty, Guilty of Murder, or Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter.
More likely the verdict on the death of Caylee with either be Guilty or Not Guilty of Murder. You do not risk the death penalty or life without parole when what happened was an accident. You fight to the end if you are innocent in any way shape or form. But's it's not my opinion, or your's that matters in the end. It will be the jury, debating on the evidence that is presented in court.
The focus group may have been given "evidence" that will never make it into court. Or given "evidence" with a different spin than you would expect.
In the end this show was reasonably fair and balanced. If anything it leaned toward the State with the Focus Group convicting of something, even if it was Involuntary Manslaughter. Another potential nail in the coffin of Casey's case.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
It's Time To Be Kind To The Anthony's
With the trial of Casey Anthony for the murder of her daughter Caylee about to begin, I've been reviewing the old stories about the case. One thing has become abundantly clear to me, George and Cindy Anthony have been through more hell than just about any couple in modern American history. Their daughter, the accused killer, has been relatively isolated from the public firestorm storm while in jail. It's been George and Cindy Anthony who have had to endure every sling and arrow in the past three years.
Cindy's famous, it was the pizza, comment is probably what really started the Anthony-hate fest. Consider for a moment that she either had to believe that or that her own daughter had killed their precious Granddaughter and left her to rot in a car trunk. You will probably never convince Mrs. Anthony that the smell was caused by her precious Grandchild's body. I know plenty of people who would cling to that theory if they were in the Anthony's shoes. Then the family was roundly trashed for wanting to find "a live Caylee". While the public by and large knew this precious little child was dead, the Anthony's wanted, and needed, to hold out hope she was still alive. Miracles have happened. Looking back I can't blame them for holding onto that hope.
Then came the protesters. Looking back I'm amazed that nobody was seriously hurt during those demonstrations. I fear that somebody will be hurt is Casey is found Not Guilty. A reasonable accommodation proposed by the HOA was rejected by the courts. Which meant more time as prisoner's in their own home.
How about strangers making the Anthony's home a site-seeing spot? That's started back up now that the trial is about to start.
We forced the Anthony's to endure the spectacle of divers coming up with twigs and reporting that they might be Caylee. Then their was the Memorial Service held before her body was found in violation of their wishes.
When Caylee was found, the Anthony's were generous and held a public memorial. That managed to attract criticism.
The Anthony's started a charity to help find missing children...again they can do no right.
George Anthony tried to kill himself. We all felt sorry for him. But still strangers tried to get 15 minutes of fame from this event.
George and Cindy were forced out their jobs due to this crime. The one thing that might give them some refuge from the big hole in their home and hearts has been denied them. Yes, they did get some licencing fees from Caylee pictures and videos. Instead of pocketing it they put it toward their daughter's defense. While the world criticizes this, they did not do it out of greed. In fact they nearly lost their home to foreclosure. Another thing they have been trashed about in the Caylee Blogosphere. They are criticized for being on disability. I dare anybody in this country to go through what they have and not be on disability.
Now with the trial approaching, protesters and vendors are expected to surround the Court House. Thee drive-by site seers have been driving through the neighborhood. Nasty phone calls and letters have started up.
Their is a huge difference between disagreement and downright nasty. Probably 96% of the criticism at the Anthony's has been nasty. It's time to stop. These people did not kill their Granddaughter. Yes, their has been reason to criticize. But criticism can be respectful.
It's time to show that the people who want Justice for Caylee, show that they are the better people in this never-ending firestorm. It's time to show compassion to the Anthony's. To that end I am asking Caylee supporters make a tangible showing of Christian (or Jewish or Islamic or whatever your faith) charity. The trial is going to be very stressful on this family. The crowds, press, and vendors won't make things any easier.
To this end I am asking Caylee supporters to send the Anthony's a gift card for a local Orlando restaurant. No pizza places please. Restaurants near the Court House would be an even nicer gesture. That way they won't have that added expense during the trial. Remember in a couple of months this story will fade from the daily news with either Casey's acquittal or conviction. Life will go on for us. The Anthony's will be left to pick up what remains of their shattered lives.
If you decide you want to show that you are the bigger person, send your card to their Attorney Mark Lippman. http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32801-fl-mark-lippman-1290414.html
--Inspector Javert
Cindy's famous, it was the pizza, comment is probably what really started the Anthony-hate fest. Consider for a moment that she either had to believe that or that her own daughter had killed their precious Granddaughter and left her to rot in a car trunk. You will probably never convince Mrs. Anthony that the smell was caused by her precious Grandchild's body. I know plenty of people who would cling to that theory if they were in the Anthony's shoes. Then the family was roundly trashed for wanting to find "a live Caylee". While the public by and large knew this precious little child was dead, the Anthony's wanted, and needed, to hold out hope she was still alive. Miracles have happened. Looking back I can't blame them for holding onto that hope.
Then came the protesters. Looking back I'm amazed that nobody was seriously hurt during those demonstrations. I fear that somebody will be hurt is Casey is found Not Guilty. A reasonable accommodation proposed by the HOA was rejected by the courts. Which meant more time as prisoner's in their own home.
How about strangers making the Anthony's home a site-seeing spot? That's started back up now that the trial is about to start.
We forced the Anthony's to endure the spectacle of divers coming up with twigs and reporting that they might be Caylee. Then their was the Memorial Service held before her body was found in violation of their wishes.
When Caylee was found, the Anthony's were generous and held a public memorial. That managed to attract criticism.
The Anthony's started a charity to help find missing children...again they can do no right.
George Anthony tried to kill himself. We all felt sorry for him. But still strangers tried to get 15 minutes of fame from this event.
George and Cindy were forced out their jobs due to this crime. The one thing that might give them some refuge from the big hole in their home and hearts has been denied them. Yes, they did get some licencing fees from Caylee pictures and videos. Instead of pocketing it they put it toward their daughter's defense. While the world criticizes this, they did not do it out of greed. In fact they nearly lost their home to foreclosure. Another thing they have been trashed about in the Caylee Blogosphere. They are criticized for being on disability. I dare anybody in this country to go through what they have and not be on disability.
Now with the trial approaching, protesters and vendors are expected to surround the Court House. Thee drive-by site seers have been driving through the neighborhood. Nasty phone calls and letters have started up.
Their is a huge difference between disagreement and downright nasty. Probably 96% of the criticism at the Anthony's has been nasty. It's time to stop. These people did not kill their Granddaughter. Yes, their has been reason to criticize. But criticism can be respectful.
It's time to show that the people who want Justice for Caylee, show that they are the better people in this never-ending firestorm. It's time to show compassion to the Anthony's. To that end I am asking Caylee supporters make a tangible showing of Christian (or Jewish or Islamic or whatever your faith) charity. The trial is going to be very stressful on this family. The crowds, press, and vendors won't make things any easier.
To this end I am asking Caylee supporters to send the Anthony's a gift card for a local Orlando restaurant. No pizza places please. Restaurants near the Court House would be an even nicer gesture. That way they won't have that added expense during the trial. Remember in a couple of months this story will fade from the daily news with either Casey's acquittal or conviction. Life will go on for us. The Anthony's will be left to pick up what remains of their shattered lives.
If you decide you want to show that you are the bigger person, send your card to their Attorney Mark Lippman. http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32801-fl-mark-lippman-1290414.html
--Inspector Javert
Monday, April 4, 2011
Go Bulldogs
Guys you've already beaten the giants of the tournament! Now bring home the final win!!
INDIANAPOLIS LOVES YOU!
INDIANAPOLIS LOVES YOU!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Casey Anthony Trial: It's Time To Get Civil
I intend to write many posts about the Casey Anthony murder trial. Before getting started I want to state for the record that I do believe that Casey Anthony is responsible for the death of her daughter Caylee. Even though I believe in her guilt, I equally believe that she deserves the best, most fair trial possible.
A Trial is not a popularity contest. A Trial's result is not determined by what the majority of those following the case want to happen. If that were the case Casey would have been hung from a yardarm July 17, 2008. That is not how civilized people have chosen to dispense justice. An advocate for the State, an advocate for the Defense, an impartial Judge, and an open minded Jury of one's peer's is America's design for the fairest possible trial for every defendent. We may bristle when we "know" a defendent is "guilty". Yet I'd rather an occasional "guilty" person go free, then to railroad an "innocent" person.
While our trial system strives to be 100% impartial and fair, it is a human endevor. Human endevor's tend to be imperfect or go off on an unexpected tangent.
Which means CASEY ANTHONY MAY BE FOUND NOT GUILTY. The Defense Team has to only create one golden nugget of doubt to tip the scales in favor of their client. The State has to spot-on in everything they present to the Jury to get a conviction.
Remember the OJ trial? (Yeah, like anyone who was around will forget that.) At the time I was shocked that he was found Not Guilty. With the perspective of time, I have come to realize that OJ's Dream Team ran circles around the key witnesses, the State, and Judge Ito. The Court allowing OJ to handle the glove was a slam-dunk for the Dream Team. It should have been the Bailiff who put the glove on. Still you have to give them credit, they did their job and did it very, very well.
So what will happen if Casey Anthony is found Not Guilty? Think the protesters back in 2008 were bad? That will be nothing if the discussion doesn't get civil, NOW. The Bozo, Sindy, Killer Casey comments, depersonalize the people involved in this case. When you depersonalize them, it's easier to attack them and not just on the web. I'm talking flesh and blood violence. I'm talking damage to the Anthony's property. I'm talking about a mop swarming Casey and her family as Court adjourns. I'm talking about setting fire to Jose Baez's law office in the middle of the might. I'm talking about cars being overturned in the street. I'm talking about Jurors being threatened. This is not the best of America. Yet with all the hate that's been expressed toward everyone on the Defense side of this story, this could very well happen. Do the people who have fallen in love with Caylee want her to look down from heaven and see this? Caylee will be a little girl forever. Little girls should not be exposed to this type of hate.
So disagree with the Defense Team. Disagree with testimony from Casey's family. Argue technique and the value of witnesses. Give kudos when the State makes a point you agree with. Do not be so keyed into "Casey is Guilty" that you miss when the Defense hits a home run. Don't be so sure that the State has everything right, that you miss when they come up short. Remember nothing is 100% sure in a trial. That's why we have trials. It's possible that Casey will be found Not Guilty because she wasn't responsible for Caylee's death. Remember the Dingo Stole my Baby Case from Australia? Turns out a Dingo did take the child.
I don't expect anyone to suddenly love Baez, Chaney, Cindy, George, Lee, the rest of the Defense Team, and Casey. By keeping the discord civil and being willing to 100% accept any verdict that comes down from the jury, we afford this trial the dignity every trial deserves.
Remember Casey M. Anthony is considered innocent until found guilty by a Jury of her peers.
And please don't throw slings and arrows at me. Inspector Javert
A Trial is not a popularity contest. A Trial's result is not determined by what the majority of those following the case want to happen. If that were the case Casey would have been hung from a yardarm July 17, 2008. That is not how civilized people have chosen to dispense justice. An advocate for the State, an advocate for the Defense, an impartial Judge, and an open minded Jury of one's peer's is America's design for the fairest possible trial for every defendent. We may bristle when we "know" a defendent is "guilty". Yet I'd rather an occasional "guilty" person go free, then to railroad an "innocent" person.
While our trial system strives to be 100% impartial and fair, it is a human endevor. Human endevor's tend to be imperfect or go off on an unexpected tangent.
Which means CASEY ANTHONY MAY BE FOUND NOT GUILTY. The Defense Team has to only create one golden nugget of doubt to tip the scales in favor of their client. The State has to spot-on in everything they present to the Jury to get a conviction.
Remember the OJ trial? (Yeah, like anyone who was around will forget that.) At the time I was shocked that he was found Not Guilty. With the perspective of time, I have come to realize that OJ's Dream Team ran circles around the key witnesses, the State, and Judge Ito. The Court allowing OJ to handle the glove was a slam-dunk for the Dream Team. It should have been the Bailiff who put the glove on. Still you have to give them credit, they did their job and did it very, very well.
So what will happen if Casey Anthony is found Not Guilty? Think the protesters back in 2008 were bad? That will be nothing if the discussion doesn't get civil, NOW. The Bozo, Sindy, Killer Casey comments, depersonalize the people involved in this case. When you depersonalize them, it's easier to attack them and not just on the web. I'm talking flesh and blood violence. I'm talking damage to the Anthony's property. I'm talking about a mop swarming Casey and her family as Court adjourns. I'm talking about setting fire to Jose Baez's law office in the middle of the might. I'm talking about cars being overturned in the street. I'm talking about Jurors being threatened. This is not the best of America. Yet with all the hate that's been expressed toward everyone on the Defense side of this story, this could very well happen. Do the people who have fallen in love with Caylee want her to look down from heaven and see this? Caylee will be a little girl forever. Little girls should not be exposed to this type of hate.
So disagree with the Defense Team. Disagree with testimony from Casey's family. Argue technique and the value of witnesses. Give kudos when the State makes a point you agree with. Do not be so keyed into "Casey is Guilty" that you miss when the Defense hits a home run. Don't be so sure that the State has everything right, that you miss when they come up short. Remember nothing is 100% sure in a trial. That's why we have trials. It's possible that Casey will be found Not Guilty because she wasn't responsible for Caylee's death. Remember the Dingo Stole my Baby Case from Australia? Turns out a Dingo did take the child.
I don't expect anyone to suddenly love Baez, Chaney, Cindy, George, Lee, the rest of the Defense Team, and Casey. By keeping the discord civil and being willing to 100% accept any verdict that comes down from the jury, we afford this trial the dignity every trial deserves.
Remember Casey M. Anthony is considered innocent until found guilty by a Jury of her peers.
And please don't throw slings and arrows at me. Inspector Javert
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