My thoughts on Casey Anthony, Let Me Share Them...

I had really hoped to avoid this topic but I just can't seem to help myself.  Like many people, I have followed this trial since the beginning.  It almost seemed unreal at times, something that could have only been dreamed up by Hollywood or one of the great masters of Gothic literature.  There was a varied and eccentric cast of characters: a beautiful young woman who appeared overwhelmed by the responsibilities of motherhood, her parents who struggled between wanting justice for their granddaughter and wanting to protect their only daughter, Casey's brother who (it seemed) felt she was capable of pretty much anything, the "is-he-crazy-or-isn't-he-crazy" guy who found the little girl's body, Zenaida Gonzalez- the woman who Casey told police had "kidnapped" her daughter despite having never met any of the Anthony family.  And at the heart of the story, a little girl whose sweet face and squeaky little toddler voice singing in home videos tugged at the heartstrings of people all over the world.

Then there were all of the startling revelations and twists and turns that came to light as the case unfolded.  Cindy Anthony telling police Casey's trunk "smelled like death," the pictures of Casey partying as Caylee was "missing," allegations made by the defense that Casey's father, George, molested her, the fact that Casey had been lying for a year about her employment at Universal Studios (she had been fired but never told her parents), those internet searches on the family's home computer for "neck breaking" and "chloroform," Caylee's body found near the Anthony home with duct tape and stickers over her mouth,  and George Anthony's failed suicide attempt following the discovery of Caylee's remains.

To say I'm repulsed by what's happened today would be an understatement.  I'm not sure what more the jury could have done with the first degree murder charge.  Perhaps had a lesser charge been placed in front of them we would have had a very different outcome.  I found it fascinating that, as Casey was "crying" tears of "joy" listening as the verdict was read, her parents quietly and unceremoniously slipped out of courtroom.  They did not return.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an obnoxiously proud aunt.  We have 3 nieces who I firmly believe are the sweetest, smartest and most beautiful little things ever born.  Our oldest niece, Bella, just turned 5- if Caylee were alive today, they would be the same age.  Our middle niece, Peanut, is 2.  She is the same age Caylee was when she was murdered.  SweetPea, the youngest, is 4 months old.  I am not their mother.  I did not birth any of them.  Yet, I can say definitively and without hesitation, I would take a bullet in a hot second if it meant they would be kept safe.  It would never dawn on me to put my own safety or needs ahead of theirs.  And I'm just their aunt.  I supposed I have a very hard time wrapping my mind around the thought of a mother putting her own wants and needs ahead of her own little girl's and not doing everything in her power to make absolutely certain she was kept safe and happy.

So, now that this is all over, Casey can move on to the inevitable book deals, movie deals, interviews, public speaking engagements, etc, etc.  Perhaps we will gain some new insight, perhaps she'll begin telling the truth.  Doubtful, though.

At the end of the day, a little girl is still dead.  Someone killed her.  Someone put tape over her mouth.  Someone decorated the tape over her mouth with stickers.  Someone put her remains in trash bags.  Someone threw her away like she was garbage.

And someone got away with murder.