Stories of missing children filter into national headlines and prime time news, sometimes years after the victim has even been located. Many times concrete evidence lacks because of the ability to prove what actually happened because of circumstantial evidence. More frequently these stories are left untold, unsolved and undiscovered.
STORY: Caylee Anthony, The Daughter Of Casey Anthony (PHOTOS)
Not all missing children are created equal. Imagine the many children who come up missing we never hear about; however we have all been introduced and heard about Caylee Marie Anthony.
STORY: Casey Anthony Found Not Guilty (PHOTOS)
Casey Anthony, mother of Caylee, was found not guilty on all counts except four of providing false information to police, Tuesday. This case has been engrossed by a large amount of national media attention, and is regularly the main topic of many news stations and talk shows. After over a month of testimonies, 400 pieces of evidence and more than 90 witnesses, the jury of the case reached a verdict of not guilty.
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Caylee was filed as missing in 2008. After fives months of searching, Caylee’s body was finally found. With rotating witnesses being on trial, the case has been going back and forth in favor of Casey. Throughout the trial, Casey remained detached and plead she did not harm her daughter and that she is innocent of all charges.
Even with evidence such as the laundry bag, heart-stickered duct tape and plastic bags discovered at the crime scene matching what was found in the home where Casey and Caylee resided, apparently wasn’t enough to connect Casey “Tot Mom” to the murder or suspect of child abuse. The jury had no choice but to react to how the facts were presented by the defense and prosecution teams. Apparently, the defense gave the better show.
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Unfortunately, this is the end of the story when it comes to legal cases. The state has a burden and the jury found they did not meet that burden. We cannot forget that our system is not about those of us outside of the courtroom but the ones involved who hear the testimonies and evidence presented daily. Justice was served for Casey but not Caylee. If the state had presented a better case, taken their time investigating and avoided being covetous by asking for the death penalty, perhaps the verdicts would have turned out differently.
At the end of the day, everyone is afforded the right to a fair trial. Before the trial Casey was already painted as a guilty figure by the media. Again, what about Caylee? Even if we don’t agree with the verdicts rendered today, we still have to find a way to balance the justice system and media coverage. Not only media coverage of conjured evidence but the genuine victims. Once more, Caylee.
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Far too often propaganda happens like this within our justice system. Cases such as this thrive off publicity and public opinion – not law. The victim tends to get lost. Like many, I’m still left wondering what about two-year-old Caylee. Where is her justice? Will we ever be able to find her killer? Furthermore, what about the other Caylees out there?
I can only wonder.
Drew-Shane Daniels is a Philadelphia based writer maneuvering through life and graduate school. He’s the creative genius behind the project www.heardhimsay.com, his daily blog where he offers his two cents on lifestyle, sexuality and pop culture issues. His work has been featured on Soul Train, Clutch Magazine, Krave Magazine, theFreshXpress and BET.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @drewshane.
