See the You Tube Videos

 

(You Tube Video) Cindy Anthony Testifies

(You Tube Video) George Anthony’s Testimony

Casey Anthony trial raises the question of mother’s own possible child abuse. 5/14/2011

Casey Anthony’s attorney is asking prospective jurors about child sexual abuse and PTSD. Will it be revealed that Casey was sexually abused as a child. What we do know is that mother’s that kill their children often have histories of childhood trauma. Ths is not an effort to excuse their behavior. It is a plea to move this country toward the protection of children from abuse as the way to end juvenile and adult violence. Are the two are connected?

A decade of research links the maltreatment of children with violent behaviors later in life. As a result of child abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence, skills they need to regulate themselves do not develop adequately. With delayed social, problem solving and self-managment skills, they make many serious errors in judgment.

 

(You Tube Video) Casey Anthony will not testify

 

OPINION

The Casey Anthony trial is going to closing arguments on Sunday, 7/3/2011. She was found competent to stand trial, although raising the competency issue also raises questions about her sanity. The options on the table are that Casey Anthony:

1. Didn’t kill her daughter
2. Was present when someone else killed her daughter
3. Killed her daughter by accident
4. Killed her daughter as part of ongoing neglect
5. Intentionally killed her daughter in cold blood so she could party
6. Killed her daughter as a result of having been sexually abused and living in a dysfunctional family.

I think this:
1. Casey has shown a “cold” demeanor in the Court room.
2. Based on her partying behavior when her child was missing, Casey appears to be a narcissist
3. Narcisists are good at getting their own needs met, but not good at meeting the needs of others, including their children.
4. Casey was raised in a dysfunctional family that did not meet her needs as a child, therefore she had no idea how to meet her own child’s needs.
5. One possible scenario – Casey used chloroform to make her child sleep so she could party. She overdosed the child and she died. Casey panicked and tried to cover up the death of her child.

What do you think?
*****

Closing Arguments in Casey Anthony Trial

7/3/2011. Watching the closing arguments of prosecution and defense.  Prosecution outlines Casey’s alleged lies to cover up death of Caylee Anthony.  Defense says whole Anthony family lies. How can you know the truth?  He is trying to create reasonable doubt in Casey Anthony trial.    Judge admonishes both sides for unprofessi0nal behavior.

Prosecution rebuttal plays recordings of Casey Anthony arguing with family members while in jail where she denies knowing where her daughter is. Prosecutor asks, “Who would have a better life after Caylee was out of the picture?”

Trial Goes to the Jury

7/4/2011. Casey Anthony trial goes to the jury at 11:30 AM.

The Jury returns at 2:15.

Casey Anthony is found not guilty of harming her daughter, Caylee, by a jury oif her peers.
Reactions to the verdict seen here

Casey Anthony released from jail. Picked up by her attorney, Baez. Next chapter: She still faces a civil suit from search team and maybe a book deal.

Did she or the world gain anything from this event watched by millions? I think that one insight is that our criminal justice system needs reform. We have a punishment oriented system, not one that looks at what problems does this person have and do those problems pose a danger to self or others? Does anybody doubt that Casey Anthony has serious problems and is a danger to any future children she may have? With our present system, she goes free. Does anybody doubt that without help she will commit another crime? So, we have not helped Casey or society. England has gone to a treatment oriented criminal justice system and their recidivism rates are lower than in the US. Do we want to punish or prevent future crime?