You dont have to like it

Let’s be honest, forcing Casey Anthony to return to Florida at a pre-arranged time and location has the potential to be a disaster.  Considering how personally invested many became during her trial, the anger they feel toward her has not yet abated to a point where they will act rationally and not emotionally.  Consider this, after her not guilty verdict was announced approximately 500 people were standing outside the courthouse chanting “Justice for Caylee” and “Baby killer!”  Celebrities including Joy Behar, Star Jones, Roseanne Barr, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Jason Biggs, Sharon Osbourne and Kim Kardashian expressed their outrage at the verdict on twitter, facebook, etc.  The Talk’s Julie Chen burst into tears and had to be assisted by her also dismayed co-hosts.  This trial has spawned facebook groups dedicated to Caylee’s memory and proposed legislation titled “Caylee’s Law” that would make it a felony for a parent or guardian to not notify law enforcement of a child going missing within 24 hours. 

What is it about this trial that has captivated the nation so thoroughly?  Many have compared the national coverage to the O.J. Simpson trial, which riveted the country in the 1990s, except now up-to-the-minute information is even more accessible.  While O.J. was a beloved athlete, Casey Anthony was portrayed as a heartless baby killer and convicted in the media before the trial even began.   The most vocal opponent of Anthony was/is Nancy Grace.  Nancy Grace seems to have almost a personal vendetta against Anthony and managed to whip her followers up into frenzy, further fanning the flames of fire.  Since the trial ended, her coverage of the case has been widely condemned as a flamboyant ratings ploy, but she insists it was not necessarily personal against Anthony, just anger at what she perceives as a miscarriage of justice.

At this point it is irrelevant whether or not Casey Anthony killed her daughter.  She was tried, found not guilty and released from prison.  There is no need to harass the jurors or judge in the case.  They did what they believed to be right and that’s what our judicial system is based on.  However, the threat of retaliation looms.  We are not a vigilante society.  It is important to remember she is innocent in the eyes of the law.  I’m not suggesting everyone forgive and forget, pretend this whole ordeal never happened, but at least remember that harming Casey will not bring Caylee back.  

Personally, I think the media played the biggest role in turning this trial into a circus.  Was it necessary for the trial to be broadcast live?  How are those who loved Caylee supposed to find closure if the hunt for Casey continues to be breaking news every time she is “sighted.”  It’s time to move on.  Fixate on something else; perhaps something a little less macabre?