Analysis of Casey's Clothes and Body Language

[kageykaren]

OOh, yeah, watching her scratch her palms totally bugged me, whats up with that? Fidgety people drive me nuts, so between the tugging at the jacket and the palm thing I wanted to scream!

Yesterday for the first time I felt the willies while watching her hand gestures and just couldn't figure out why I was so creeped out by them as I have little itty bitty hands as well. It took Techical confusion poster to point out to me that it was because of what her hands have done. That sumed it up for! :furious:

 

[Kat]

I wasn't sure if I could link an article, but I see it's allowed. This is a snip from an online article at Psychology Today...

Judging by Appearance

"Judges and juries can be swayed by more than just a pretty face: the clothing defendants wear and the jewelry they display can sometimes mean the difference between doing time and dodging jail."

The whole article can be read at: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19971101-000019.html

Mods, I apologize if I did this incorrectly. I'm still learning.

Excellent article that illustrates exactly what is being discussed in this particular thread Gypsy Road. Thank you for posting the link to it!

What I found interesting in this article that Gypsy Road gave us is:

"The influence of appearance in the courtroom is so great, in fact, that an entire industry has emerged to advise lawyers, plaintiffs, and defendants on their aesthetic choices. Jury consultants, often trained in both psychology and law, counsel their clients on how to speak, when to gesture—and not least, what to wear. "The jury is going to form impressions of you based on subtle characteristics of personality and attitude, and dress is one important element," says Robert Gordon, a Dallas-based psychologist and jury consultant. "Whether you dress casually or formally, wear a tie or a dress, choose bright or dark colors, all make a difference in terms of how you are perceived." Although consultants are called in only on high-profile, high-stakes cases, their strategies also apply to more mundane matters—the shoplifting charge, the bankruptcy claim, the speeding ticket."

Bolded by me. After the bolding the article goes on to state that consultants are called in only on high profile, high-stakes cases - sounds like this case fits that description.

I also found an interesting article about the attractiveness level of a defendant and it's impact on a jury.

http://www.anselm.edu/internet/psych/theses/2005/scangas/Website.html

"Physical attractiveness is probably the first thing that one notices about another person during their first encounter. People make impressions of people based on their attractiveness, which leads to differences in how they are treated. These impressions based on attractiveness are called cognitive heuristics. Allison et al. (1990) explain a heuristic as a cognitive process which requires little cognitive ability and motivation. The person focuses on some cue from which a rule of thumb is evoked that facilitates the judgment process."

So from what I gather, without using any $10.00 words, is that the presentation of a defendant is critical in the process of defense of that defendant.

Yes attractiveness does come into play I would think, I'm not arguing if KC is an attractive woman. This isn't a personal evaluation of mine but rather an evaluation as she presents to the yet to be selected jury.

 

[Indigo]

A constant barrage of expectations from others is what pushes a lot of people over the edge. Society, in general, is not very compassionate towards strangers--people seem to think that we are all generic clones, with predictable behaviors for every given situation.

If you really want to dig down deep into some of the serious problems of this society, you might want to look at how people react when they are ridiculed for not fitting what someone considers to be "the norm". Many individuals who have commited tragic crimes have experienced this same type of non-acceptance by their peers and/or strangers.

The first step in solving a problem is realizing there is a problem. Maybe if everyone strives to incorporate a little understanding into their exchanges with others, we will not have to deal with the wrath of those who are not able to comprehend that what others think of them is not really all that important. Some very small dig one person makes against the other may be the straw that broke the camel's back to someone who is having a rough way to go. And this does not even involve walking on eggshells, all it involves is restraining ourselves from using someone else as a verbal punching bag--which in itself is disrespectful.

It seems very common for people suspected of crimes to be accused of inappropriate reactions as they go through the legal process. When you think about it, maybe the inappropriate is actually appropriate in that setting--there certainly seems to be a trend that way. Have you ever been involved in a media-focused criminal event as a suspect? Until that day arrives, I don't think you can say with any certainty exactly how you would act.

Grief and anxiety are very personal, and I don't think that people should be chastized for how they deal with it--nor should a lot be read into how they present themselves to the public when going through these emotions. A thorough analysis would involve a lot more than a few statements or photo ops presented by the media.

Picking apart every movement and inflection of the defendant may help the public deal with the situation, but this doesn't really do much towards contributing to finding out what really happened. And that's what this is all about--not US...but finding out what happened and why.

I agree with your point about the importance of basic human kindness and seeking to understand others, mes1955. A lot of suffering could be alleviated by those qualities. On the other hand, I'm a firm believer that we learn to interpret human behavior from the moment we're born. Our very lives depend on it and we naturally learn over time what's within the norm and what isn't.

Unfortunately, we've come to value being politically correct over our own safety and "all acceptance" over listening to our own instincts. We drown out these important survival mechanisms with rationalizations and guilt over our "illogical" conclusions. Two great resources on this subject:

The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals that Protect Us from Violence by Gavin De Becker

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell.


In short: I haven't seen one normal response from Casey. And like the proverbial dog that doesn't bite, I believe she'll continue to spring for the closest throat she can find.

 

[seekjustice]

Once again... IMO, I kind of feel like, what else are you supposed to wear to court? You SHOULD be wearing a suit. Your hair SHOULD be tidy. It is a sign of respect.

I dont know what else everyone expects her to wear.

Personally, I could care less about this.

I was reading through this thread with really no comment to make but I read your signature and I lost it. It is well said, and sadly so very true Poor Caylee

 

[EgyptNug]

as much as people want to believe that it's "the clothes that make the man" or the woman in this case..that simply is not true..you cannot judge someone by what they wear but rather, by their actions.

Seriously, I think her appearance and demeanor really matter. She doesn't have a whole lot of defense cards to play.

I can't help but feel every time I see her that in her mind she REALLY believes she is one of the attorneys on her case and tries to act like it. From the jail visit where she tells her mother she has to spend her time looking up things for her trial to today as she made notes and tried to look like she was just there as part of the team.

Try going for a job interview wearing T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. They will turn you down in a NY minute. You are judged by what you wear and your clothes reflect who you are. If you dress inappropriately, it shows you don't think much of yourself, so why should a prospective employer? Or a judge and jury.
I don't mean YOU, personally, I mean you in a general sense.

I agree that it would be a great world if we were all judged only by who we are on the inside. Unfortunately that does not exist. There has been thousands (or more) of scientific studies showing that we humans do make judgements based on what we see. Attorneys know this and work it. If they didn't address it, they would doing their client a disservice. I am sure we all agree that it shouldn't matter, but reality is that it does matter.

I watched the pre-court part too, and I couldn't help but notice that Casey has some sort of strange itch or irritation of her palms.

It sort of reminds me of Shakespeares' MacBeth where Lady MacBeth is constantly scrubbing her hands and saying, "out damned spot!"

Is this a rash, a nervous habit, or a psychological giveaway or body language that should be interpreted somehow?

It was quite striking how she was constantly rubbing and scratching at her palms and fingers. Take a look, and see if you agree.

I noticed that too. I watched to see if she was rubbing where the handcuffs were, but she wasn't, it was on her palm.

But the teasing and smirking with Beaz over the pen, while Nejame was talking of the thousands of people that were actually SEARCHING for her missing daughter, was beyond the pale.
IMO

 

[reeseeva]

When watching KC in court I watch the video inits entirity. Then I go back and watch her eyes only to see where her focus is throughout. Go back again and watch hands, watch again for affect, watch again for her interactions. After your finished, combine your notes into one and you have pulled off a, "Diane Fossy" as I'v called it into human behavior in the most threatning of circumstances the criminal finds herself in. Kind of ironic she didn't seem threatned so far by what lies ahead of her(KC). I love the psych threads but sometimes you must look at what GA has said all along, "It is what it is" You can talk diagnosises till the cows come home to try and understand KC's issues and how she became a criminal. I respect all psych. opinions as I have had many myself, but to be able to see KC front and center in a court of law is the most interesting.

Hi KK, I always follow your drift, & know exactly what you mean....Interesting observations, & I totally agree with your summation, which almost put me over the edge yesterday!!:banghead:

Not to sound Idealistic, but it enrages me when I witness human beings with No emotions, they are, as I'm learning, the scariest of all!

 

[bessie]

Excellent article that illustrates exactly what is being discussed in this particular thread Gypsy Road. Thank you for posting the link to it!

What I found interesting in this article that Gypsy Road gave us is:

"The influence of appearance in the courtroom is so great, in fact, that an entire industry has emerged to advise lawyers, plaintiffs, and defendants on their aesthetic choices. Jury consultants, often trained in both psychology and law, counsel their clients on how to speak, when to gesture—and not least, what to wear. "The jury is going to form impressions of you based on subtle characteristics of personality and attitude, and dress is one important element," says Robert Gordon, a Dallas-based psychologist and jury consultant. "Whether you dress casually or formally, wear a tie or a dress, choose bright or dark colors, all make a difference in terms of how you are perceived."

I also found an interesting article about the attractiveness level of a defendant and it's impact on a jury.

http://www.anselm.edu/internet/psych/theses/2005/scangas/Website.html

"Physical attractiveness is probably the first thing that one notices about another person during their first encounter. People make impressions of people based on their attractiveness, which leads to differences in how they are treated. These impressions based on attractiveness are called cognitive heuristics. Allison et al. (1990) explain a heuristic as a cognitive process which requires little cognitive ability and motivation. The person focuses on some cue from which a rule of thumb is evoked that facilitates the judgment process."

So from what I gather, without using any $10.00 words, is that the presentation of a defendant is critical in the process of defense of that defendant.

Yes attractiveness does come into play I would think, I'm not arguing if KC is an attractive woman. This isn't a personal evaluation of mine but rather an evaluation as she presents to the yet to be selected jury.

respectfully snipped and bolded

Thanks for posting these articles, Gypsy and Kat. They address just the point some of us have made (or attempted to make) regarding perception and judgment.

 

[Shaymus at The Rock]

A constant barrage of expectations from others is what pushes a lot of people over the edge. Society, in general, is not very compassionate towards strangers--people seem to think that we are all generic clones, with predictable behaviors for every given situation.

If you really want to dig down deep into some of the serious problems of this society, you might want to look at how people react when they are ridiculed for not fitting what someone considers to be "the norm". Many individuals who have commited tragic crimes have experienced this same type of non-acceptance by their peers and/or strangers.

The first step in solving a problem is realizing there is a problem. Maybe if everyone strives to incorporate a little understanding into their exchanges with others, we will not have to deal with the wrath of those who are not able to comprehend that what others think of them is not really all that important. Some very small dig one person makes against the other may be the straw that broke the camel's back to someone who is having a rough way to go. And this does not even involve walking on eggshells, all it involves is restraining ourselves from using someone else as a verbal punching bag--which in itself is disrespectful.

It seems very common for people suspected of crimes to be accused of inappropriate reactions as they go through the legal process. When you think about it, maybe the inappropriate is actually appropriate in that setting--there certainly seems to be a trend that way. Have you ever been involved in a media-focused criminal event as a suspect? Until that day arrives, I don't think you can say with any certainty exactly how you would act.

Grief and anxiety are very personal, and I don't think that people should be chastized for how they deal with it--nor should a lot be read into how they present themselves to the public when going through these emotions. A thorough analysis would involve a lot more than a few statements or photo ops presented by the media.

Picking apart every movement and inflection of the defendant may help the public deal with the situation, but this doesn't really do much towards contributing to finding out what really happened. And that's what this is all about--not US...but finding out what happened and why.

I respect your right to post an opinion.

 

[nursebeeme]

LOL agreed! The judge in my hometown makes the front page at least once a week where someone walks into his court in either flip flops, pants below their waste, not tucked in, cleavage showing..etc..He is known to give them community service just for their lack of respect.

:clap::clap::clap::clap:He sounds like a keeper, that judge!

 

[mikeysmommom]

mikeysmommom, I read that Cindy gave the clothes to Baez. It was the article about the bracelet being hidden in the sock. Baez said Cindy gave him the clothes.

I dont trust anything he says but if in fact Cindy gave him the clothes he should have checked them before handing them in.After all he is the lawyer.

 

[Firefly]

I watched the pre-court part too, and I couldn't help but notice that Casey has some sort of strange itch or irritation of her palms.

It sort of reminds me of Shakespeares' MacBeth where Lady MacBeth is constantly scrubbing her hands and saying, "out damned spot!"

Is this a rash, a nervous habit, or a psychological giveaway or body language that should be interpreted somehow?

It was quite striking how she was constantly rubbing and scratching at her palms and fingers. Take a look, and see if you agree.

Sorry, I have not had a chance to view the videos from yesterday but scratching your palms is a sign of wealth or good fortune coming your way. LOL.

But I am leaning toward a fungal/bacterial/yeast malady that she has picked up either in her cell or surrounding areas. Geesh, if she is biting her nails WHILE in her jail cell......*shudder* Do a search on MRSA, Methecillan Resistant Staph Aureus. It is a nasty bad infection to get, and it is rampant in most jails.

http://www.torrentpharma.com/dis_candidiasis.php

Edited to add: If I was in Jail, I wouldn't be buy sweet, carb loaded sweets. I would be buying bleachy, cleaning products!!!!

 

[tasylshari]

I just wanna know how I can get me one of them "velcro buns" like monster mom donned. Gee, her hair wasn't seriously long enough to make a bun that matronly size, was it? Nice:sick::yow::leia::nerves::iamashamed0005::shamrock::square:ropeller::rant:

 

[aprilshowers]

I can read lips some .. I'm almost deaf in one ear and losing it in the other.

Would somebody provide a link for me, to the best and largest video there is of the part where she is talking?

I'll see what I can do.

 

[nursebeeme]

Totally agree.

An orlando station did a great newscast about her body language today. [I heard it on the radio at 5 o'clock or 5:30 broadcast.] A body language expert sat down with the reporter and went step-by-step and frame by frame analysing her actions/reactions.

The expert said that there are X hundred of "universal" body language indicators (that all cultures recognize the action as the same emotion). I'm probably not explaining this well...

The expert said that Casey does a lot of smiling with one side of her mouth going down (uneven smiling). She said this is contempt. Contempt was mentioned A LOT in her evaluation.

The times Casey rubbed her hands together as anxiety (wetness on hands).

The expert found lots of ANGER. Apparently, Casey thins her lips a lot, tightens her mouth, and makes a lot of fake smiles (there was a technical term for it).

The expert did NOT see REMORSE.

The expert thought she saw a little depression.

[That's all I remember but it was fascinating. I hope someone recorded it or a link appears.]

I am bumping this one up because I think it is what her appearance is really about.....which is her body language. No matter what set of clothing you put her in her face will flash those contemptuous signals just like from the very start of all of this and the jury WILL see it.

JB's bun choice pulled all the hair away from her face and it was like a big ole' contemt flashing light...the looks coming from her face.

Best part...JB cannot control those facial images any more than she can and they WILL be there at trial no matter if she tries to do a second chair atty look or a Mary Winkler flowered dress and church lady sweater. .

The hand rubbing....
it also gives away what she is really thinking and made me think of Macbeth and "out dam spot"!!!

 

[BuzzieCat]

She doesn't seem to be able to manage even looking like a mother who has lost her child, at all, ever. Not even a little. I haven't watched the video but did look at the slide show and to me, when she's not smiling, her eyes look empty or spaced out. Maybe that's how she deals with things when it's not going her way and she can't stomp out and make threats like she probably used to do to her parents.

Not sure if she's so good at deceiving herself that she doesn't realize what kind of consequences she's facing, but to me she doesn't look like someone who understands that. Maybe she has decided that Jose will get her off so she doesn't have to worry about it, whereas at first IMO she expected her parents to get her out of it.

 

[nursebeeme]

I can read lips some .. I'm almost deaf in one ear and losing it in the other.

Would somebody provide a link for me, to the best and largest video there is of the part where she is talking?

I'll see what I can do.

April, the wftv one is best as you can full screen it...
http://www.wftv.com/video/18603229/index.html

 

[aprilshowers]

April, the wftv one is best as you can full screen it...
http://www.wftv.com/video/18603229/index.html

I'm not finding the piece where she talks with the blond woman, sorry, forgot her name.

 

[Gypsy Road]

I just wanna know how I can get me one of them "velcro buns" like monster mom donned. Gee, her hair wasn't seriously long enough to make a bun that matronly size, was it? Nice:sick::yow::leia::nerves::iamashamed0005::shamrock::square:ropeller::rant:

I noticed the size of the bun, too. Did her hair actually grow THAT much in a matter of months? I'm thinking "velcro bun" as well, :waitasec: or uh...maybe she made a hair piece out of one of those squirrels she rain over with the Ponitac. Just sayin':crazy:

 

[Ezryder9]

I'm a far cry from a body language expert, but I do enjoy people watching. What I thought was interesting was it seemed like most of the times that LKB was talking to KC, KC looked to be leaning away from her. And she seemed to be sitting closer to JB than to LKB.

What I found most repulsive was when MN was arguing for TES, and the camera showed KC pointing to something Baez had written and smirking. Kinda like kids in school. During a discussion of where her child's remains were found? Come on!

 

[BuzzieCat]

Outside of her facial expressions, I just think they made a mistake with that ill-fitting suit jacket and the white socks with dark shoes didn't look right, either. I don't think prettier or better-fitting clothes will be able to hide what she's done, and JB is not going to be able to fix her haughty/smirky expressions, but he really should try to do a better job for her with clothes. He's supposed to be representing her and guiding her through the process as best he can. That jacket was just a disservice! It made it look like they didn't have time to get her dressed, even though they knew ahead of time that she would have to go.