Casey Anthony

[penguin31]

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1309896526' post='2263319']
I've met this lady--she lives right down the road from me, and she and her family frequent the Target I work at.

Let me tell you: she did it.
[/quote]

Did she tell you she did it? Did you see her do it? Because if you did, that's probably something the police and prosecutors should have known about. Otherwise, you're speculating, if albeit from a more informed perspective than most. For all I know, you're right, but ultimately that's not the way the justice system works. It's based on the evidence presented, not a gut feeling or speculation not backed by evidence. . Here's the problem with speculation: I can't tell you the number of times in my life I've drawn a conclusion regarding a person, based on what I think is pretty good rationalization...only to be proven flat wrong. The first time I met the person who would go on to be one of my best friends in life, I thought he was doing drugs, based on the way he was behaving. (This turned out to be hilariously false, by the way.)

If I'm being completely honest about it, based on everything I've heard and seen, I'd wager that the baby died accidentally and she went into a panic/denial/cover-up mode. Human beings have proven time and again an amazing capacity for the inexplicable when faced with a crisis. I'm a bit surprised she got off on the negligence charge, but not surprised one bit she got off on murder and manslaughter.

The fact is though, that I can speculate, and you can speculate, but none of us really [i]know[/i] since we weren't actually there. Ultimately, if she DID do it, then she WILL have to answer for it and face judgement for it one day. Until then, all you can do is pray for the souls of ALL parties involved, and hope that justice is found, one way or another.

[FutureSister2009]

I don't support the death penalty, unless it's Charles Manson. However this sick woman should've been sentenced to life in prison without parole. I don't even know the whole trial but I can just say that even if she was trying to protect whoever did kill her, she should be sentenced for that, not reporting her missing daughter just makes no sense. Those jurors are on crack. It's one of those things where we won't know the answer until we get to Heaven. I just hope her mom will be in Hell when we get there. (And I don't say that too often)

[kujo]

[quote name='penguin31' timestamp='1309897377' post='2263324']
Did she tell you she did it? Did you see her do it? Because if you did, that's probably something the police and prosecutors should have known about. Otherwise, you're speculating, if albeit from a more informed perspective than most. For all I know, you're right, but ultimately that's not the way the justice system works. It's based on the evidence presented, not a gut feeling or speculation not backed by evidence. . Here's the problem with speculation: I can't tell you the number of times in my life I've drawn a conclusion regarding a person, based on what I think is pretty good rationalization...only to be proven flat wrong. The first time I met the person who would go on to be one of my best friends in life, I thought he was doing drugs, based on the way he was behaving. (This turned out to be hilariously false, by the way.)

If I'm being completely honest about it, based on everything I've heard and seen, I'd wager that the baby died accidentally and she went into a panic/denial/cover-up mode. Human beings have proven time and again an amazing capacity for the inexplicable when faced with a crisis. I'm a bit surprised she got off on the negligence charge, but not surprised one bit she got off on murder and manslaughter.

The fact is though, that I can speculate, and you can speculate, but none of us really [i]know[/i] since we weren't actually there. Ultimately, if she DID do it, then she WILL have to answer for it and face judgement for it one day. Until then, all you can do is pray for the souls of ALL parties involved, and hope that justice is found, one way or another.
[/quote]

Could you go ahead and give me a thorough explanation of how the judicial system works? I'd like it in 100 words, or less. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1309897395' post='2263325']
I don't support the death penalty, unless it's Charles Manson. However this sick woman should've been sentenced to life in prison without parole. I don't even know the whole trial but I can just say that even if she was trying to protect whoever did kill her, she should be sentenced for that, not reporting her missing daughter just makes no sense. Those jurors are on crack. It's one of those things where we won't know the answer until we get to Heaven. I just hope her mom will be in Hell when we get there. (And I don't say that too often)
[/quote]


well said. if the sentence wasnt the death penalty i'm pretty sure she would have been convicted guilty. without a doubt.
what she was convicted guilty of speaks the whole case, and what she should have been convicted of. it makes me sick.

[Chrysophylax]

This is one of the most horrible news stories I have read in a long time. This is just.........horrible beyond belief and beyond words.

[penguin31]

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1309897691' post='2263327']
Could you go ahead and give me a thorough explanation of how the judicial system works? I'd like it in 100 words, or less. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
[/quote]

The American Judicial System, an Essay in 99 Words:
There’s a prosecutor and defendant. Evidence is collected to try to support guilt (or sometimes, innocence.) Prosecutors must prove beyond reasonable doubt defendant’s guilt using said evidence plus testimony of others. Defense has a chance to counter. Reasonable doubt exists when evidence doesn’t fulfill the charges. If jury isn’t convinced of defendant’s guilt, defendant goes free. If guilty, there’s a sentence. Often times evidence doesn’t support the outcome everyone expects. The media hypes whichever outcome will gain them bigger ratings. This is why jurors are expected to have little to knowledge of the case. Nancy Grace is an idiot.

And with my one remaining word: Gazpacho

(In all seriousness and sincerity, I didn't mean to come out with all guns blazing directly at you. It's just that such an overwhelming number of people have tried to condemn someone to death in this trial when they don't know the facts that that it's made me more defensive than usual, even when dealing with someone who's actually met the new OJ)

[Chrysophylax]

[quote name='penguin31' timestamp='1309899207' post='2263341']
(In all seriousness and sincerity, I didn't mean to come out with all guns blazing directly at you. It's just that such an overwhelming number of people have tried to condemn someone to death in this trial when they don't know the facts that that it's made me more defensive than usual, even when dealing with someone who's actually met the new OJ)
[/quote]

Well, somebody has to play devil's advocate.

Joking! But truthfully, I think the point was well made that we don't know all the facts and we can't do anything about that. And I agree that it is much harder to accuse someone without sure evidence especially when there is a death sentence over their head.

[XIX]

[quote name='BG45' timestamp='1309891800' post='2263298']
I was calling a hung jury at the least after the revelation that the Medical Examiner had been shoddy with the autopsy. The CSI Effect does big things to jurors.
[/quote]
It also has a big effect on people when an attractive twenty-something starts sobbing. Just saying.

I didn't follow the story, but it is tragic that a toddler is dead and the murderer is going to walk.

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

Without a doubt, if the sentence wasn't the death penalty, i'm sure the verdict would have been WAY different. She would have been convicted guilty. I'm against the death penalty, but i'm also against letting a killer get away with murder especially of the victim was an innocent child. It's not fair either way, and unfortunately, there is nothing that can or could have been done. It's just a really sad situation overall.

[rkwright]

[quote name='LinaSt.Cecilia2772' timestamp='1309900269' post='2263346']
Without a doubt, if the sentence wasn't the death penalty, i'm sure the verdict would have been WAY different. She would have been convicted guilty. I'm against the death penalty, but i'm also against letting a killer get away with murder especially of the victim was an innocent child. It's not fair either way, and unfortunately, there is nothing that can or could have been done. It's just a really sad situation overall.
[/quote]

There were other options. They charged her with numerous crimes, including lessor forms of murder - only one carried the death penalty.

[kavalamyself]

Don't forget: Charles Manson was convicted for murders he didn't even ACTUALLY commit. Reasonable doubt does NOT mean that every single thing has to make sense and be absolutely proven - that is impossible criteria. As I said before, I'm not gung-ho about the death penalty and I would have a VERY hard time convicting someone, knowing that would be the punishment. But after watching this "mother" whine and complain in jail, go on her shopping sprees, yell at her parents about HER own needs (never once showing any worry or compassion regarding her daughter) and then throwing her Dad/brother under the bus with her fake molestation story, I think I could pull the switch myself without a problem.

[CatherineM]

Had I been the prosecutor, I would have gone for child neglect and voluntary manslaughter. I don't think it was premeditated. I think she was doping her so she could go out partying. I've seen a lot of single moms who do this so they can work who can't afford babysitters. Sometimes it goes wrong. I think they had a better chance of proving that scenario.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1309904192' post='2263360']
Had I been the prosecutor, I would have gone for child neglect and voluntary manslaughter. I don't think it was premeditated. I think she was doping her so she could go out partying. I've seen a lot of single moms who do this so they can work who can't afford babysitters. Sometimes it goes wrong. I think they had a better chance of proving that scenario.
[/quote]
That scenario hadn't really occurred to me, but it makes more sense than her willfully killing her.

[Cherie]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1309904192' post='2263360']
Had I been the prosecutor, I would have gone for child neglect and voluntary manslaughter. I don't think it was premeditated. I think she was doping her so she could go out partying. I've seen a lot of single moms who do this so they can work who can't afford babysitters. Sometimes it goes wrong. I think they had a better chance of proving that scenario.
[/quote]

GREAT point!

[Chrysophylax]

Wow, good point, but...... Yikes! It's hard to imagine a mother doing that to her child! That is scary! And sad!