Casey Anthony NOT GUILTY & Sentencing Thread 6

[SeniorMoment58]

Yeah, Casey will write a book titled "If I Did It." Oh - that title has already been taken. So I guess now she will search for the REAL killer!

 

[nukephd]

In a way, I think the high profile nature of this case is what set her free. Unlike other cases that have been tried here dealing with the death or abuse of a child, this case took six weeks. Most of the other cases are settled in less than a week. So many experts were brought in to testify that the jury was overwhelmed with varying opinions. In the other cases, very few expert witnesses testify.

In those other cases, there are quick, slam-dunk presentations by the state. Right or wrong, the defense doesn't put much effort into their cases because, normally, there is no money behind the defendants and there is no media coverage. Most of the time, the defendants in these cases are found guilty.

This case was so huge that way too much circumstantial evidence was thrown at the jury and, whether it should or not, having the jury sequestered for so long does play a part in how quickly they want to get things over and done. Also, playing up the death penalty part of the case probably had a large impact on the jury.

If this case had not been so high profile, she could very well have been found guilty.

Exactly! Also, I think people are getting mad at the wrong people here. I blame the state. They went for the homerun with 1st degree murder instead of just going for manslaughter. There was never enough evidence for premeditation, and that hurt the case. What I still don't understand is the not guilty on child abuse. I can understand the not guilty on murder because reasonable doubt exists there. But negligence, IMO, is child abuse.

Lastly, I think this quote is very fitting for this case:

"It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever." - John Adams

 

[momrek06]

she's doing so well

we didn't go until the 9pm feeding. we figured we would spend the days with cassie and the evening with nicole when cassie went to bed.

she fed for over 30 minutes (a great little feeder) and she was off the cpac until 2am for a total of 5 full hours.

the ultrasound results came back and were fine. no more fluid. heart is perfect, eyes are perfect, spleen has a tiny... what she called a skin tag on it shich she said is no problem but i know if it's like a normal skin tag it will grow so i'll ask again if it should be removed. but other then that she's perfect.

Tomorrow I should find out what my grandchild is! Then I'm going to run out and buy baby clothes.

How exciting, MaryAnn!!! Come back and let us all know!!!



DH & I watched too much last night, between Nancy Grace, NBC Nightly News, Piers Morgan, Anderson Cooper …. no one saw this coming AT ALL. AT ALL. CA is guilty and she got away with murder.

I will say quite a few of those interviewed in those segments were DISGUSTED at the defense team partying after the verdict. One atty was even jumping up and down and up and down, she looked like an idiot.

 

[joviroxx]

Exactly! Also, I think people are getting mad at the wrong people here. I blame the state. They went for the homerun with 1st degree murder instead of just going for manslaughter. There was never enough evidence for premeditation, and that hurt the case. What I still don't understand is the not guilty on child abuse. I can understand the not guilty on murder because reasonable doubt exists there. But negligence, IMO, is child abuse.

Lastly, I think this quote is very fitting for this case:

"It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever." - John Adams

But manslaughter WAS a choice. So was Murder 2 and Murder 3.

 

[NAB]

Jeff Ashton is on the View right now!

 

[johnsonet]

“To find aggravated manslaughter of a child, the State must prove beyond a reasons doubt two elements” Perry told the Court. First, the jury must find Caylee Marie Anthony is dead. Second, they must find that Casey Anthony’s acts caused the death of Caylee or that the death of the Caylee was caused by culpable negligence by Casey Anthony."

From what I've read, a verdict of guilty on only this was going to be considered a VICTORY for the defense.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I am so upset over this. I followed the trial and was shocked, absolutely shocked yesterday. This morning I am actually weepy. I feel helpless. I cannot understand the verdict - and that so many seem satisfied with it? There was enough evidence to find her guilty of aggravated manslaughter at the very LEAST. She literally got away with murder.
And I hate that people are going to put money in her pocket.
This is so, so wrong

I don't know the American legal system well enough to know this - can the jury step down the charges from murder 1 to aggravated manslaughter? Or is that only a job for the prosecution? i.e. if the prosecution chose to file a charge of 1st degree murder and couldn't prove it, but the jury thinks it should be manslaughter, can they convict on that? Or can they only answer the charges as filed? Were any manslaughter charges filed in this case? I think it would be harder to understand the jury's decision if manslaughter was an option and they chose not to convict on that charge. I truly do understand the jury being unable to convict on 1st degree murder.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know the American legal system well enough to know this - can the jury step down the charges from murder 1 to aggravated manslaughter? Or is that only a job for the prosecution? i.e. if the prosecution chose to file a charge of 1st degree murder and couldn't prove it, but the jury thinks it should be manslaughter, can they convict on that? Or can they only answer the charges as filed? Were any manslaughter charges filed in this case? I think it would be harder to understand the jury's decision if manslaughter was an option and they chose not to convict on that charge. I truly do understand the jury being unable to convict on 1st degree murder.

The jury was provided instructions for that. So they could have, but for whatever reason chose not to explore those options.

 

[joviroxx]

I don't know the American legal system well enough to know this - can the jury step down the charges from murder 1 to aggravated manslaughter? Or is that only a job for the prosecution? i.e. if the prosecution chose to file a charge of 1st degree murder and couldn't prove it, but the jury thinks it should be manslaughter, can they convict on that? Or can they only answer the charges as filed? Were any manslaughter charges filed in this case? I think it would be harder to understand the jury's decision if manslaughter was an option and they chose not to convict on that charge. I truly do understand the jury being unable to convict on 1st degree murder.

The had various option. For Count 1, they could have chosen Murder 1, Murder 2 Murder 3 or Manslaughter

For Count 2 they could have chosen Aggravated Child Abuse or Child Abuse

For Count 3, they could have chosen Manslaughter of a Child or Manslaugher

Here is the verdict form: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/07/04/verdict.forms.pdf#

 

[Conservative Hippie]

“To find aggravated manslaughter of a child, the State must prove beyond a reasons doubt two elements” Perry told the Court. First, the jury must find Caylee Marie Anthony is dead. Second, they must find that Casey Anthony’s acts caused the death of Caylee or that the death of the Caylee was caused by culpable negligence by Casey Anthony."

From what I've read, a verdict of guilty on only this was going to be considered a VICTORY for the defense.

Well I know exactly what happened. The jury doesn't think Caylee is dead. They think she's out at Universal with Zanny the Nanny.

 

[johnsonet]

I guess since the crime wasn't caught on tape, the jury just didn't feel it would be fair to convict her. I hope they can sleep at night. I know Casey can!

 

[diznygirl]

Exactly! Also, I think people are getting mad at the wrong people here. I blame the state. They went for the homerun with 1st degree murder instead of just going for manslaughter. There was never enough evidence for premeditation, and that hurt the case. What I still don't understand is the not guilty on child abuse. I can understand the not guilty on murder because reasonable doubt exists there. But negligence, IMO, is child abuse.

As other posters have pointed out, this is WRONG.

The jury had lesser charges to choose from. They chose to find her not-guilty of ALL charges.

THAT is what is completely and totally inexplicable.

And the amount of erroneous information is mind-boggling.

 

[LisaR]

Exactly! Also, I think people are getting mad at the wrong people here. I blame the state. They went for the homerun with 1st degree murder instead of just going for manslaughter. There was never enough evidence for premeditation, and that hurt the case. What I still don't understand is the not guilty on child abuse. I can understand the not guilty on murder because reasonable doubt exists there. But negligence, IMO, is child abuse.

Lastly, I think this quote is very fitting for this case:

"It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever." - John Adams

Nope, sorry, but I disagree completely. I agree that murder 1 was a stretch. I was never of the belief that they would get that. However, the state gave the jury plenty of other options. They had the choice of manslaughter, murder 2 and murder 3 plus two different neglect charges. They found NOT GUILTY on ALL of those charges. My anger is at the jury and sorry, but I think I am right to be angry at them and believe they did a great disservice for Caylee. They had plenty of options but chose NONE of them.

 

[Julylady]

Does anyone know what is happening with Lee Anthony? I realized last night that I hadn't seen him at the trial for several days. Does he still live at home with George and Cindy? Is he still engaged? Was he at the courthouse yesterday? Has he been seen since the verdict was announced?

Just curious. For some reason I feel the most sympathy for him. It seems like he was caught in the middle of something that he had no part in.

 

[joviroxx]

Nope, sorry, but I disagree completely. I agree that murder 1 was a stretch. I was never of the belief that they would get that. However, the state gave the jury plenty of other options. They had the choice of manslaughter, murder 2 and murder 3 plus two different neglect charges. They found NOT GUILTY on ALL of those charges. My anger is at the jury and sorry, but I think I am right to be angry at them and believe they did a great disservice for Caylee. They had plenty of options but chose NONE of them.

Im with you!

 

[joviroxx]

Casey has been subpoenaed for a deposition July 19 at the Morgan and Morgan law firm. Zanaida Gonzalez is suing her for defamation. And she cannot plead the fifth as she was already tried and no longer needs the protection....

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Yes but she is truly a psychopath. She has no remorse. She is probably happier than she's ever been. Sick, sick, sick.

She has to be a psychopath. And they can't show remorse. That's why as horrific as the Andrea Yates case was, she HAD to have been really sick. The insanity plea is a valid defense for someone like her. Not for Casey. I think she was more aware of what she was doing. Andrea Yates was in a trance like state, I think.

Oh, and another person on here said something about "Now we can search for the real killer". How wrong was it that I laughed at that???

 

[Wadecool]

Well I know exactly what happened. The jury doesn't think Caylee is dead. They think she's out at Universal with Zanny the Nanny.

That might not be too far from the truth. I gotta give it to Baez, he is one heck of a snake oil salesman.

 

[ols386]

But manslaughter WAS a choice. So was Murder 2 and Murder 3.

This ^

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

In a way, I think the high profile nature of this case is what set her free. Unlike other cases that have been tried here dealing with the death or abuse of a child, this case took six weeks. Most of the other cases are settled in less than a week. So many experts were brought in to testify that the jury was overwhelmed with varying opinions. In the other cases, very few expert witnesses testify.

In those other cases, there are quick, slam-dunk presentations by the state. Right or wrong, the defense doesn't put much effort into their cases because, normally, there is no money behind the defendants and there is no media coverage. Most of the time, the defendants in these cases are found guilty.

This case was so huge that way too much circumstantial evidence was thrown at the jury and, whether it should or not, having the jury sequestered for so long does play a part in how quickly they want to get things over and done. Also, playing up the death penalty part of the case probably had a large impact on the jury.

If this case had not been so high profile, she could very well have been found guilty.

The Scott Peterson trial was as high profile (if not more so), less evidence, he was convicted and is sitting on death row.