Americans were stunned at the murder acquittal of Caylee Marie Anthony's mother. We cried, "Where's justice for the pint-sized 2-year-old girl with the captivating eyes?"
Caylee died June 16, 2008. How? Possibly only one person knows. Someone's hands stuffed her into garbage bags and hurled her into a smelly, litter-strewn swamp. Her body decayed. Rodents gnawed on her tiny bones and scattered them. No carpet of green grass lined with spring daffodils covered Caylee's cemetery.
Had Caylee lived, what might she have become? An author of children's books? Videos showed her pretending to read a picture book. Maybe a singer? She sang the familiar words, "You are my sunshine... Please don't take my sunshine away."
Her sunshine was taken away.
I was outraged about that and incensed about the trial's verdict. To get beyond my spitefulness, I resolved to release my anger in honorable ways, this writing being one.
I have served on two juries at the Maricopa County Superior Court. I know a bit of what goes on during deliberation. Some of it's good. Some is not. At one of the trials, the plaintiff was clearly at fault. Yet, in the deliberations, a juror stated, "We should find in his favor because he has large medical bills." See? Some not so good things happen behind closed deliberation doors. Fortunately, reasonable thinking prevailed. We, the jury, found the defendant not guilty.
My second juror experience, a six-week trial of an attorney accused of taking advantage of the elderly, resulted in a hung jury. Prosecutors retried the case. The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to prison. Same accused man plus a different jury equals a different verdict.
However, in the Florida murder trial concerning Caylee's death, there were no do-overs. The jury's decision was final. The defendant was acquitted of all three major charges against her, murder as well as manslaughter.
In my shock at the verdict, I wrestled with angry thoughts of: Why didn't the jury spend more time with the 300-plus pieces of evidence - physical, circumstantial and behavioral (the defendant's 31 days of living the "beautiful life" after Caylee's death, followed by three years of lying.) Why didn't even one juror oppose the verdict?
With time to think, I've come to acknowledge that my judgment of the jury was misdirected and wrong. I wasn't in that deliberation room. I can't second guess them. Those jurors did their best. It took courage to follow their consciences though they probably guessed the public would react vehemently. I honor them for that and for their service.
We need to move on - to use Caylee's death and her mother's acquittal in positive ways. For example, Americans can "speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Judge fairly. If selected for jury duty, use common sense when considering proven facts whether the victim is represented by defense attorneys or prosecutors. Connect the dots of circumstantial evidence. Let the jury get hung, if necessary.
Judging fairly also means letting Caylee's mother live without public scorn. Give her a chance to redeem her life. Showing respect does not equate to approval of her actions. Those who spew hatred toward her are the vile ones.
Speak up. Intervene for any child being mistreated. Pour your ignited passion into the lives of impoverished children whose situations prick your heart. Volunteer time. Give money. Perhaps teach a child to sing, "You are my sunshine."
Caylee's grandpa carried a Bible on occasion into the courtroom on occasion. Grandpa George's Bible says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:15). I think God cradled Caylee at her death as his precious, valued little one.
As stunned Americans, we can cradle her, figuratively, as we speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves and as we judge fairly. That's where justice for a 2-year-old, bright-eyed, deceased child lives.
• Peggy Morris is a Gilbert resident and former elementary school counselor at Eisenhower and Webster elementary schools in Mesa.
Rich posted at 8:54 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
I guess, when I think about it, why bother? We pay billions, apparently overpaying trillions, to have a justice system. Casey is innocent, it's cost enough already. Why? you've got a bunch of idiots stirring it up. Why listen, why bother? If you think it's wrong, change it. Just let Nancy Grace decide for you. Get over yourself people.
nicole2011 posted at 2:55 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Wow Peggy what an article. I broke into tears as I read your first paragraphs- immeidately the clip of Caylee in her beautiful blue blouse adjusting her little pony tail as she read her little book ( that was also found with her that terrible December day)
talking to her grandma and papa- that precious little voice- and singing "my only sunshine" ran through my head--- i could barely continue to read what happened on June 16th- your description made my blood run cold. I like so many have been attached since this happened. I watched the trial and released my contempt at the verdict = I cried for hrs I stared at the tv and just shook my head as I watched her "mother" squeeze tears of relief and gratitude at the verdict- I flashed back to the ojsimpson case and the reaction he gave when the verdict of "not guilty" was uttered- there wasnt an outburst of relief you would expect truly innocent people to do- both just stood there as if they couldnt believe what they heard.But remembering the cameras in the courtroom- they had to do something. so here came the hugs. Then I saw George and Cindy get up and leave- that was pretty chilling. I listened to the 2 fools masqerating as lawyers held a press confrence and went on to "lecture" the media- * chaney mason,,here is someone who before he beame involved in the case said he believed she was guilty-suddenly he was lashing out at the media for not being proffesional and judgmental- baez tried to look humbled as he said there are no winners. not long after the defense teamm were litteraly partying right across the street from the courthouse- chaney mason flips off the cameras- --etc.. wow- the days following jurors began to speak out- one after another said they thought she was guilty- I have never been summoned for jury duty but its so hard to look at all the evidence and not convict - these days people expect a crime to be videotaped to convict. its terrirble. Its very hard to imagine Caylee's "mother" ever redeeming herself, after all this is someone who know Caylee was gone but partied for 31 days stole checks from friends and decieved her family, the police and the public. --- i dont think she will ever feel sorrow for what shes done- === she doesn't have a conscience . --The anger we all have- its not out of line-- we have to accept this and held our loved ones closer than ever- and of course be the voice of those who dont have one. Thank you for all positive you have done Peggy-
hooligan posted at 1:34 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
As I read the first half of your article, I said to myself here is someone who does not know law, have common sense and does not believe in God. As I read on I was pleasantly surprised and stand corrected. Your thoughts and views should be the norm of that case. I watched the whole trial, not People Magazine or TMZ or thousands of other one liners or headline grabbers to get ratings. Its ashame how easily people are swayed and just plain dumb. Thank You for showing there are normal people in this world.