Today's cuppa: PG Tips tea
(Originally written during closing arguments; UPDATES at bottom)
Some of the greatest psychodramas in U.S. history have come from high-profile court cases, such as the trials of Aaron Burr, accused Lincoln assassination co-conspirator Dr. Mudd, Sacco and Vanzetti, Al Capone, the Scottsboro Boys, John Scopes (a k a "The Scopes Monkey Trial"), the Rosenbergs, Charles Manson, and all of the various cases that contributed to civil-rights legislation.
Followed by the public in newspapers, newsreels and TV-news reports, most of these cases had large implications for jurisprudence and American culture.
Then, there are the criminal and civil trials of O.J. Simpson, which played out day-by-day on television in the mid-'90s for the American public, with viewers almost acting as super-jurors, privy to both the evidence presented and the commentary of a vast array of experts.
Of course, people watched. Simpson was a celebrity accused of the heinous murder of his beautiful wife, in a racially mixed marriage, in a swanky Los Angeles neighborhood, and the twists and turns of the case defied the conventions of fiction. Some contend the "not guilty" verdict in the criminal trial had a powerful and lasting impact on American race relations.
But shortly before the Simpson trial, there was the trial of Los Angeles police officers accused of beating motorist Rodney King. The lack of a conviction in that trial led to riots in parts of the city which left more than 50 dead.
Involved in one or more of these cases were shocking, brutal crimes, multiple deaths, cultural taboos, celebrity, racial prejudice or even treason.
And then there's the Casey Anthony trial, closing arguments for which are going on as I type
on this Fourth of July weekend. Covered at great length by both HLN and Fox News Channel, it has fascinated millions in the viewing public.
But Casey Anthony is not famous; she's just an ordinary person in Central Florida. Race isn't a factor, nor is wealth, implications for national security, or the culture at large.
(Photo, Casey Anthony | Getty Images North America)
It's all about the mysterious death of Anthony's toddler daughter, Caylee, and banal and horrific secrets which can lie behind the doors of American homes.
Why are we riveted? Murders happen every day; tragically, murders of children happen every day. Why do we care so much about Caylee Anthony and not about all these other children?
It's likely that many other cases of dead children could rivet our attention equally, but the elements in the Casey Anthony trial are many of the same ones that pique our interest in fictional murder mysteries.
Casey Anthony is an attractive young woman (a disproportionate number of those are perpetrators and/or victims in TV crime shows); her daughter was cute and innocent.
Casey comes from a family that's recognizable to many middle-class Americans, either looking a great deal like themselves or their neighbors.
The Anthonys aren't career criminals or drug addicts or drug dealers or gang members or terrorists or bank robbers or gun runners. We're not surprised when these people run into trouble with the law, but this family isn't like that.
Yet, a child in the Anthonys' care died, and whether it was an accident or murder or something in between, it was not natural. There is no quick or easy explanation for her death. She should not have died surrounded by her family on a quiet street.
Many mystery writers have set their crimes in unlikely places and among unlikely people -- whether sleepy small towns or glittering high society -- since the juxtaposition is jarring and unsettling.
On top of this, the Casey Anthony trial is taking place in Orlando, Fla., home to Disney World, the "happiest place on Earth." Little children are supposed to have fun in Orlando, not wind up dead and dumped by the side of the road.
We can also contemplate the loss of potential in both the young mother and the child; the grief of the grandparents; the tragedy of a family forever fractured, whatever the verdict.
We should care as much about every missing and murdered child, but the fact is, we don't. Was the kidnapped Lindbergh baby more valuable in the sight of God than any other baby? Nope.
There is no justice or equality in the choice of cases that grab the public attention, particularly in the age when trials are broadcast in their entirety.
While the Casey Anthony trial will not change the nation or the law appreciably, televised trials like this are not just voyeurism -- although they are that, as well -- it's an opportunity to learn more about the law and challenge our assumptions about the sort of people that wind up in these predicaments.
This case, which has dragged on for years, will soon be over. Sadly, there will be another.
UPDATE WITH VIDEOS: There was a verdict earlier today. Click here for that (after you watch a video, use your Backspace button or arrow to return to this post to watch the others).
As mentioned above, HLN has carried the trial throughout, and legal commentator Nancy Grace had a powerful reaction to the verdict. Click here for that.
Fox News Channel has also tracked this case. Geraldo Rivera snagged an interview with defense attorneys Jose Baez and Cheney Mason. Click here for that.
(Originally written during closing arguments; UPDATES at bottom)Some of the greatest psychodramas in U.S. history have come from high-profile court cases, such as the trials of Aaron Burr, accused Lincoln assassination co-conspirator Dr. Mudd, Sacco and Vanzetti, Al Capone, the Scottsboro Boys, John Scopes (a k a "The Scopes Monkey Trial"), the Rosenbergs, Charles Manson, and all of the various cases that contributed to civil-rights legislation.
Followed by the public in newspapers, newsreels and TV-news reports, most of these cases had large implications for jurisprudence and American culture.
Then, there are the criminal and civil trials of O.J. Simpson, which played out day-by-day on television in the mid-'90s for the American public, with viewers almost acting as super-jurors, privy to both the evidence presented and the commentary of a vast array of experts.
Of course, people watched. Simpson was a celebrity accused of the heinous murder of his beautiful wife, in a racially mixed marriage, in a swanky Los Angeles neighborhood, and the twists and turns of the case defied the conventions of fiction. Some contend the "not guilty" verdict in the criminal trial had a powerful and lasting impact on American race relations.
But shortly before the Simpson trial, there was the trial of Los Angeles police officers accused of beating motorist Rodney King. The lack of a conviction in that trial led to riots in parts of the city which left more than 50 dead.
Involved in one or more of these cases were shocking, brutal crimes, multiple deaths, cultural taboos, celebrity, racial prejudice or even treason.
And then there's the Casey Anthony trial, closing arguments for which are going on as I type
on this Fourth of July weekend. Covered at great length by both HLN and Fox News Channel, it has fascinated millions in the viewing public.But Casey Anthony is not famous; she's just an ordinary person in Central Florida. Race isn't a factor, nor is wealth, implications for national security, or the culture at large.
(Photo, Casey Anthony | Getty Images North America)
It's all about the mysterious death of Anthony's toddler daughter, Caylee, and banal and horrific secrets which can lie behind the doors of American homes.
Why are we riveted? Murders happen every day; tragically, murders of children happen every day. Why do we care so much about Caylee Anthony and not about all these other children?
It's likely that many other cases of dead children could rivet our attention equally, but the elements in the Casey Anthony trial are many of the same ones that pique our interest in fictional murder mysteries.
Casey Anthony is an attractive young woman (a disproportionate number of those are perpetrators and/or victims in TV crime shows); her daughter was cute and innocent.
Casey comes from a family that's recognizable to many middle-class Americans, either looking a great deal like themselves or their neighbors.
The Anthonys aren't career criminals or drug addicts or drug dealers or gang members or terrorists or bank robbers or gun runners. We're not surprised when these people run into trouble with the law, but this family isn't like that.
Yet, a child in the Anthonys' care died, and whether it was an accident or murder or something in between, it was not natural. There is no quick or easy explanation for her death. She should not have died surrounded by her family on a quiet street.
Many mystery writers have set their crimes in unlikely places and among unlikely people -- whether sleepy small towns or glittering high society -- since the juxtaposition is jarring and unsettling.
On top of this, the Casey Anthony trial is taking place in Orlando, Fla., home to Disney World, the "happiest place on Earth." Little children are supposed to have fun in Orlando, not wind up dead and dumped by the side of the road.
We can also contemplate the loss of potential in both the young mother and the child; the grief of the grandparents; the tragedy of a family forever fractured, whatever the verdict.
We should care as much about every missing and murdered child, but the fact is, we don't. Was the kidnapped Lindbergh baby more valuable in the sight of God than any other baby? Nope.
There is no justice or equality in the choice of cases that grab the public attention, particularly in the age when trials are broadcast in their entirety.
While the Casey Anthony trial will not change the nation or the law appreciably, televised trials like this are not just voyeurism -- although they are that, as well -- it's an opportunity to learn more about the law and challenge our assumptions about the sort of people that wind up in these predicaments.
This case, which has dragged on for years, will soon be over. Sadly, there will be another.
UPDATE WITH VIDEOS: There was a verdict earlier today. Click here for that (after you watch a video, use your Backspace button or arrow to return to this post to watch the others).
As mentioned above, HLN has carried the trial throughout, and legal commentator Nancy Grace had a powerful reaction to the verdict. Click here for that.
Fox News Channel has also tracked this case. Geraldo Rivera snagged an interview with defense attorneys Jose Baez and Cheney Mason. Click here for that.
Is life without parole an option that the jury has?
I agree that people are mesmerized by our legal system and with all the lawyer and court programs on TV they have become amateur sleuths, themselves. Hence, the interest.
No matter the outcome, the truth may never be known and it won't bring that little girl back. Let's pray for her. Irish45
The OJ Simpson murder trial should never have come to pass because evidence suppressed by his own lawyers, cooperating with prosecutors and 2 judges in an unholy alliances produced phony stipulations in both the criminal and civil proceedings for crucial evidence. New evidence discovered by OMIG (ocean medical investigative group) indicated that OJ Simpson was riding in the backseat of a limo traveling to LAX at 11PM while his wife Nicole was allegedly talking to her mother on the telephone. The Simpson case, with all of its lies and cover up, was elevated to special attention because of the interracial factor first and celebrity social status a distant second. see http://youtu.be/Bk3Muy_MgJA or read http://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Exhibit-Simpson-murder-trial/dp/1456313169/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297179994&sr=1-1or
U know, we know a chid has lost her & nothing will bring her. y no allow our Lord to judge her insted of haveing these so called adult (ex, jane reporter,etc..) yelling likr freakin' idiots. they to just da heck up & allow this already tormented individual to have her space to talk to the true advocat, Jesus. cuz u who r as ucall it, doing ur job ( ur all ovrpad 4%nyway) will be judged ever so harshy on that wonderful day which s @ hand. repent & stop casting da first stone. so wwut if people lie t save themselves- who does'nt or hase'nt. so screw off & give the chance, space to repent. & stop acting like u know wut that young woman s feeling. just cuz she does not give u da face which u want to see does not mean she feels nothing. so f u & all ur f up judgements. i pray u repent for being a judge towards this Godmade sister
U know i this media **** would stop. get f ou w ur fed upcomments. u dont know ****. when did God die & give perfect heisight-- He has not so stop ur judeing casey. this betweeen her $ our lord
I don't agree with these people that say there is no evidence that Casey was not guilty of Caylee's tragic death. How would you like to have a mother that didn't report you for missing for 31 days? If my 3 year old was missing for 15 minutes and I couldn't find her, I would be calling the cops! How would you like a mother that lies, lies, lies and lies to her mother about where YOU ARE? How would you like your body to be in a trash bag thrown off the side of the road. George didn't kill his granddaughter. Cindy didn't kill her granddaughter. In fact, CINDY WAS THE ONE THAT CALLED 911, NOT CASEY! If you see nothing wrong with a parent that acted as Casey did, PLEASE DON'T EVER HAVE CHILDREN. There is definetly something wrong with your moral compass. This is a circumstantial case. The WAY CASEY ACTED IS YOUR EVIDENCE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. SHE ACTS JUST LIKE SCOTT PETERSON, WHO LIED AND PLAYED GAMES. He sold Stacy's car 2 weeks after she died. You don't think that is evidence either probably. You people really have a screw loose. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF YOU HAVE ANY AT ALL and figure out that Casey was the last one who saw Caylee while Caylee told Cindy she was in Jacksonville and all over the place. What on earth did she tell her mother those lies for? Wake up!
Casey is guilty as they come.
1. ALL the lies she told her family and law enforcement
2. The fact that she can sit through court as smug as she was showing no emotion when her family breaks down. The only time she broke down is when she feels she has been wronged. Casey is a VERY selfish individual for if she wasn't she would have not lied over and over without emotion.
This is very sad all the way around her poor parents having to go through this a daughter accusing you of ungodly things because she did something wrong and can not assume responsible. Here again a selfish act! Will her parents marriage survive this(?) Was that fair play on a marriage of theLord(?) What about the fact not only did they lose a grand daughter they lost their daughter. A family home of how many years that a neighborhoood is to now in distress. I feel so bad for her parents & how many years later is can sit there in front of all America like she has been wronged how so very selfish she is. It is to bad that the truth will never come out.
I feel so sorry for george and cynthia anthony and what there daughter has put them through. Casey is such a cold, heartless, individual I still can't imagine what that poor little girl went through the last moments of her life. And how srared little caylee was. Casey anthony doesn't deserve the air she breaths.I only hope that the jury finds her guilty of all charges and she gets the death penaly.
So who raised Casey? What failed there? Not at all convinced about this
This trial is a great example of how the media convicts and quite honestly refreshing to see that they don't always have to power to convict.
Personally I can't believe they let her off, but then again I had Nancy Grace explain the motive to me...
4 years time served seems like a weak sentence. Regardless though she was given a life judgement by the media, this trial is something she will never escape.
I am completely embarrassed to live in Pinellas County. This jury completely did not do their duty during this Caey Anthony trial irregardless of the final verdict they returned. They didn’t take hardly any notes during the trial, they did not pay attention to the evidence and testimony during the trial, and they didn’t ask any questions or ask to see any evidence during deliberations. I say shame on each and every of them for their entire lack of diligence with such an important responsibility and right that is afforded to citizens of the United States. I find it somewhat ironic that the prosecutor’s case was based on the fact that Casey was tired of living up to her responsibilities as a mother, and the jury that set her free was just as lacking in living up to their responsibilities as jurors. Apparently theyjust wanted to go home. It seems that Casey Anthony really was judged by a jury of her PEERS….Both the accused and the jury were equally irresponsible, un-intelligent, paid more attention to how they felt rather than the TRUTH, and now….oh gee I wonder how much money I can make off this horrible tragedy. I definitely can see how they could relate so well with the defendant….PATHETIC!!!!
Peter Singer, an "ethicist" at Princeton, has advocated for the parent's "right" to kill a child up to the age of two. He is taking the logic of abortion,especially late term, to its ultimate conclusion.
I was shocked that they had court over the weekend and on the 4th of July. Maybe the jury had enough and refused to deliberate.