Why Casey Anthony?

[happygirl]

There was a couple of boys from Mo that were kidnapped for years and years they were found recently. They made national headlines

Ben Ownby
Shawn hOrnbeck, They are both over 12,

 

[happygirl]

To lighten the mood a little bit, I see tons of all type of people on Judge Judy lol

 

[Planogirl]

I'm always so surprised that people watch this stuff. I don't find it interesting at all even though I certainly do hope that she gets what she deserves.

But to each their own. DH likes true crime stuff too, I just don't get it myself.

 

[Mermaid02]

You have said over and over, that only thing media pay attention to is pretty women who are middle class, How do this women fit into this categories?

These are the things I said:

And I would add because she is an attractive white woman from a middle class family- who had an adorable little child.

The media thrives on this stuff. I've heard complaints from the African American community that missing white children and women get more media attention.

I think you are giving the media and the public too much credit.

I really believe if Casey were a minority from a poor community- we never would have heard of her or Cayley.

Don't get me wrong- the circumstances (the time frame and all of the lies upon lies) are contributing factors- but the" pretty white girl from a middle class family with an adorable toddler" plays into it too.

I don't believe I said ONLY pretty white women.... I said that I think in THIS CASE it is a factor. I also said the circumstances of the case are also a reason- but the fact that Casey is so attractive plays into the HEAVY media coverage.

 

[Kurby]

it's not just that she's young white cute daughter.

unusual crimes have always stood out in medio.

starting 120 years ago with Jack the Ripper.

all those women were poor hookers whos murders still get media attention, movies, books, tv shows etc.

and while serial killers get tons of attention just because of the amount of destruction they do they certainly aren't cute 22 year olds who kill their child.

i think that the amount of coverage IS based on what sells in the media. as with anything. if it's a "good story" "a good cover up" or something that will suck the public into watching they will cover it.

isn't that why all these shows NCIS,, CSI Criminal Minds, Law and Order etc are so popular?

a lot (maybe not all) of their cases are based on real life cases. "ripped from the headlines"

so ya it's 100% what sells be it on tv, newspapers or magazines.

 

[ols386]

To lighten the mood a little bit, I see tons of all type of people on Judge Judy lol

Don't forget Law and Order. lol

 

[happygirl]

And I would add because she is an attractive white woman from a middle class family- who had an adorable little child.

The media thrives on this stuff. I've heard complaints from the African American community that missing white children and women get more media attention.

You said attractive, I used pretty same difference

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

HappyGirl brought up the "selling of the story", I was responding to that.

Yes, the topic in and of itself should be enough to draw public outrage, but as we know, the media is going to go after whatever story brings in the most views and money. And the media DID and CONTINUES to bring this story front center.

Sorry, I wasn't really directing the question toward you, just quoting your post. And I agree with your assessmnet... but it plays directly into my thoughts on the entire thing. That it's being televised as a form of entertainment.

 

[Mermaid02]

You said attractive, I used pretty same difference

I was ADDING what I said to the poster above me. I'm sorry it was confusing.

 

[happygirl]

Don't forget Law and Order. lol

LOL

when I watch 48 Mystery they show all kinda of people that been killed or disappered so they might not make the evening news they do make national news. unsolved mystery also has show different ethincity.

 

[happygirl]

I was ADDING what I said to the poster above me. I'm sorry it was confusing.

Okay, I have been working overnights, I guess my lack of sleep is getting to me

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

LOL, I had a response all typed out, but I am serious that I don't want to get points. I wanted to respond a particular person's post, but my response could have been considered a personal attack. It is impossible for a person to delete their own post on here.

Feel free to PM me.

Anyone who thinks this is not a big national story because she is (in order of importance) attractive, white, and not poor has spent too much time in Fantasyland. Roll your eyes all you want...

It is not "because" of that. There's way more to the interest in THIS case than white, attractive and middle class. It's already been said why, because of the unique and bizarre facts of the case. That's YOUR focus of THIS case...attractive, white, middle class. If you're not interested in court cases and trials, then . I am.

There's obviously a group here that vehemently believes that other cases should be brought to the forefront, and I fully respect that and agree with you. I look forward to seeing the organization of the DISers group that will facilitate that change.

Can I think of a minority case that has gotten THIS much attention? I can't think of ANY other case that has gotten THIS much attention. Except OJ.

There are absolutely cases that are going to intrigue me more than others. Natalee Holloway, for instance. I have 3 kids, all adults now, who have all traveled out of the country without me. Sean Goldman...the boy whose father fought to get him back from Brazil; I have a nephew living in another country and I fear his ex GF is going to take off with their son. My brother is in another country, and married someone "questionable" and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ends up missing or dead; there's a particular case where that happened to an American in another country that did grab my interest. The interest, frequently, in following something is in what we know (how we'd feel if our child went missing) or can relate to (the CT home invasion case...feeling safe in our own homes), or completely not understand (honor killings). It's also about the FAMILY of the victim bringing cases to the forefront.

 

[Mermaid02]

Okay, I have been working overnights, I guess my lack of sleep is getting to me

I should have quoted her!

 

[minniebride]

people that throw race and financial standing into the argument I just gotta roll my eyes.

Not sure if this has already been cited because I haven't read all the pages of this thread, but there is actually a whole phenomenon related to the media favoring caucasian kidnapping:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_white_woman_syndrome

I roll my eyes as well that the reality is, minorities get less coverage in these cases-it's disgusting. But it's sadly true

 

[Teresa Pitman]

To me, the factors that have kept this case in front of the media are:

1. child missing for 31 days before being reported
2. Mom (who had the child) partying, shopping and getting a tattoo that says "The Good Life" in Italian during those 31 days
3. Mom lies about working at Universal Studios
4. Despite being confronted by police with the facts - she didn't work at Universal, there was no nanny, etc. - she doesn't back down! She insists that it's all true

Yes, the fact that Caylee is an adorable child adds to it, and I think the fact that Casey is from a middle-class family also adds to it. She clearly had other choices and options and yet went down this road. You can't help but wonder why.

Teresa

 

[hereyago]

Andrea Yates: not particulary attractive, but white middle class SAHM drowning her 5 small kids, shock value. I still can't wrap my head around her husband, she had severe post partum after 4th child, why help her get pregnant again. let alone if he knew she was having depression, why not have someone come in and "help" her with the kids.

Susan Smith: not attractive, nor middle class I don't think. but here is the shock value: she was in the South claiming a black man car jacked her. several black men were arrested on suspicion. all the while she is in the media, fake crying for her sons to be returned to her.

Diane Downs: this woman freaks me out the most. white attractive young mother. a stranger shoots her and her kids, while she is "sightseeing" in the dark with 3 young kids. now she truly loved the spot light.


Someone mentioned OJ? not white obviously, but very rich, famous man, rich and famous automatic media frenzy.

As for watching it, i think at least for me watching: I try to wrap my head around that a mother would do that to her own kid. I can't even phathom that.

 

[torinsmom]

Feel free to PM me.

Sorry to disappoint, but it wasn't you I was responding to either You explained why you didn't think race or class played a part in this particular case, instead of just saying anyone who thought they ever played a part was delusional. I didn't find that offensive at all The response I first made was just a gut reaction to another post I felt personally offended by. Now that I have time to think, I know that there is no way to change someone's opinion through a message board, so it really wasn't worth the risk.

 

[diznygirl]

I'm always so surprised that people watch this stuff. I don't find it interesting at all even though I certainly do hope that she gets what she deserves.

But to each their own. DH likes true crime stuff too, I just don't get it myself.

Some people like wrestling, some people like knitting, some people like coin collecting. I don't get those people either. But the point is that everyone has different likes and dislikes.

As for why this particular case - for me, as I've said, it't the twists and turns over the course of three years.

 

[2girls4me]

I think because of all the lies she's told. But mostly I think its because of the fact that she didn't see the care about or former child at all. She was so heartless and cold. I haven't and won't watch the trial, but stories that I've seen since that poopr sweet babys death, paint her in that light.

 

[Belle0101]

I consider the Casey / Caylee Anthony case to be high profile. Now what makes it high profile? I defer to this Canadian article -

http://www.crcvc.ca/en/media-guide/part-1/high-profile-cases/

(Some snips from it below)

"These are the cases that attract a lot of media attention, often because of the unique or bizarre nature of the crime, the victim(s) or the offender(s). A case can be high-profile within a particular community, to the entire country or even internationally. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish how one case becomes so high-profile while another, equally tragic case, does not."

"The media obsession with Ms. Holloway’s disappearance cannot be attributed to any one thing. She was a white, attractive, female who came from a middle class family. Her body was never found. Her parents actively pursued media to increase the chances that people would call in tips and they would find out what happened to her."

"These are some factors that may elevate a case to high-profile status:

• The victim an attractive, white, middle class female;
• The offender is a “regular” guy; not someone who people would suspect could commit this kind of crime;
• There are multiple victims;
• The violence was excessive; of a sexual nature;
• The offender was a stranger to the victim;
• The victim was missing for a while before being found; and
• The offender or the victim, or someone closely associated with them, are previously known in the media."

I think it's a really interesting article and well worth the few minutes it would take to read it.

As for my personal interest the Casey Anthony case, it could be anybody. For me it's not because it's Casey / Caylee Anthony but rather it's a case being televised.

I happen to have an interest in true crime and the law. I've read all of John Douglas' books (former FBI agent, instrumental in the early years of profiling). I probably should have went into law or psychology. I find it all quite fascinating.

Not everybody shares that same interest. Example, my DS11 is strongly interested in coding, computer programming and the like. I space out a little when he starts talking about the new things he's learned and the programs he's written. He's excited and I'm excited for him but to be honest, not my cup of tea. And, he sometimes talks over my head.

Back to the case though, with it, or any case, being televised I can see, almost firsthand, the workings of our legal system and from the comfort of my living room. I would otherwise have to commit a crime , or drive an hour to the courthouse in the next town over, to see the workings or our court system.