In the end, Casey Anthony was convicted of being a liar. Intentionally misleading criminal investigators is not the typical MO of a not-guilty suspect, but hardly a capital crime. More like a misdemeanor. Thus, a stern finger-wagging, not the death penalty for first degree murder, will, in effect, be her sentence.
The jury, which did not ask to review any evidence, chose not to meet with the media immediately after deliberating for 11 hours before rendering its verdict. Not surprising, given that the media’s first blind-siding question would have been:
*”Any of you–in your gut–really believe she didn’t kill her daughter?”
*Followed by: “Why do you suppose she misled law enforcement?”
*And then: “Any problem with the defendant not taking the stand — or would the testimony of a proven liar have been of no value?”
*And finally: “Was your six-week cloister a factor in your quick turnaround?”
But the code of silence will be broken. The jurors will tell family and friends about the deliberations and they, in turn, will tell others. The media will keep at it. Why not at least control what would otherwise be second- and third-hand attributed comments? And why not get paid for it?
As deplorable as it is, checkbook journalism was alive and, well, disgustingly on display in the Anthony case. ABC paid Casey Anthony a 6-figure sum three years ago when the case made national headlines for all the obvious reasons. They even coughed up money to interview the witness who discovered the body. The victim’s grandparents were paid by CBS News. And more.
Now the jury will be approached. And re-approached. Even the Chilean miners, who made an existential pact to stay together on their story, experienced splinters. It’s human nature. It’s the marketplace. It’s show biz. It’s appalling. It’s a fitting dysfunctional extension of this case.
Ghost writers and producers are already in the queue.
In the end, Casey Anthony was convicted of being a liar. Intentionally misleading criminal investigators is not the typical MO of a not-guilty suspect, but hardly a capital crime. More like a misdemeanor. Thus, a stern finger-wagging, not the death penalty for first degree murder, will, in effect, be her sentence.
The jury, which did not ask to review any evidence, chose not to meet with the media immediately after deliberating for 11 hours before rendering its verdict. Not surprising, given that the media’s first blind-siding question would have been:
*”Any of you–in your gut–really believe she didn’t kill her daughter?”
*Followed by: “Why do you suppose she misled law enforcement?”
*And then: “Any problem with the defendant not taking the stand — or would the testimony of a proven liar have been of no value?”
*And finally: “Was your six-week cloister a factor in your quick turnaround?”
But the code of silence will be broken. The jurors will tell family and friends about the deliberations and they, in turn, will tell others. The media will keep at it. Why not at least control what would otherwise be second- and third-hand attributed comments? And why not get paid for it?
As deplorable as it is, checkbook journalism was alive and, well, disgustingly on display in the Anthony case. ABC paid Casey Anthony a 6-figure sum three years ago when the case made national headlines for all the obvious reasons. They even coughed up money to interview the witness who discovered the body. The victim’s grandparents were paid by CBS News. And more.
Now the jury will be approached. And re-approached. Even the Chilean miners, who made an existential pact to stay together on their story, experienced splinters. It’s human nature. It’s the marketplace. It’s show biz. It’s appalling. It’s a fitting dysfunctional extension of this case.
Ghost writers and producers are already in the queue.