I have felt a lot of things since I came home yesterday from the zoo and saw the verdict. And I just feel like sharing some of those thoughts...so here goes...
I felt the jury got it wrong, like many here do. I believe, however, that the defense raised enough doubt, and the reality of the Anthony family's 'character', which was brought out on the stand, was what led to the NG verdict. The Anthony's aren't known for their stand for the truth. They are liars. And personally, when I encounter a person that has lied to or about me, I completely discount anything they might say to me in the future. I certainly never trust them. Which makes all of their testimony, whither true or not, suspect. And it must be discounted. Even George - who I do NOT believe would ever cover up the death of his granddaughter and NEVER molested his daughter. He lied too for the past three years.
What would Caylee's life been like, had she lived? That's what I keep coming back to....would Casey give custody to George/Cindy and go on her merry way? NO. She used that little girl to sponge off her parents. Would Caylee grow up to be a mentally healthy woman? I doubt it. Not in that house. As much as she SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE SAME OPPORTUNITY as all of us here, to grow up and have a family of her own, it was ripped from her. But now....she is safe. She is loved. She will never shed a tear or live in fear. And that gives me comfort in this difficult moment. She is safe in the arms of God. And while earthly justice may have failed, eternal justice NEVER will.
Just my thoughts.....
Thank you, Jen. Your thoughts mirror mine. I'll just add a few things: you are correct that Caylee would have suffered. I was just thinking that with this family testifying, we can see how horrific the dynamics in the household were. And with this in mind, poor Caylee didn't have a chance.
If Cindy and George had been halfway normal grandparents, maybe there would have been hope for her.
But they were all locked in to the drama and as my therapist friend often says, "We all play our part".
Here's what I think their parts were/are in the family structure:
Cindy: the rageaholic/controller. She and KC had a volatile relationship that was the central focus of the family dysfunction. She also nagged and yelled at GA and Lee.
George: The wuss. He saw it all and did nothing to stop it. He was a weak non participant. I imagine he "left" the scene alot and most likely, had numerous affairs to escape.
KC: the bad girl, the attention seeker, the mentally unstable, entitled brat. She ran the show, manipulating and conning her way through all the family interactions. She was "the star" and everyone walked on eggshells around her and were terrified of her.
Lee: He knew everything but felt powerless like GA. He tried to "fix" things but couldn't. IMO, he is as culpable and his despicable parents and sister.
So in looking back on this horror show, I believe that short of an intervention from protective services(chances of which were slim because of all their lies and secrets), Caylee didn't have a chance. She was held hostage by those who claimed to "love" her but were too sick to give her what she needed.
So many people tried to make sure that her life mattered and that the perps who mistreated her were brought to justice. Our justice system failed her. her family failed her. But we didn't and God didn't and as you say, she is safe in His arms right now as she is sitting on his lap and singing softly to Him.