A few thoughts:
- I do think it can be established when the entry was written. And I'm not talking about the ink. The diary itself probably has some markings that show roughly when it was manufactured, distributed and/or sold in retail stores. If any of those dates are between 2004-2008, the journal entry could not have been written in 2003. The "03" would just be self-serving on Casey's part.
- Some have questioned whether Casey would have actually written things in an old-fashioned journal as opposed to a myspace entry. I think Casey knew that myspace and any electronic format was risky (anyone can see electronic diary entries) and she knew that writing out her feelings on a myspace would bring questions - even well meaning ones (such as a friend commenting....."what decisions are you talking about hon"?) I think she wanted to write out her feelings but she actually wanted them to stay private and you can't do that on myspace. Plus, she knew the entries could be incriminating if anyone saw them. Hence, she used a traditional written journal.
- I do think Casey wanted badly to put out her feelings somewhere - she certainly couldn't share what actually happened with anyone, right? So she chose to use a written diary. She kept things vague-ish as somewhat of a precautionary measure. But...as much as she acted callously during and after Caylee's death (partying and all), Caylee's death was still a huge watershed moment for her. She was now free. Maybe she justified killing Caylee by reasoning she didn't want Caylee being raised by Cindy and George should they obtain custody (she was "saving" Caylee from such a fate.) Who knows what BS justifications she used in her own mind.
But definitely Caylee's death was a big moment in her life -- besides being free to do as she pleased from thereon, she must have felt incredible relief at no longer having to deal with more immediate troubles - driving around with a decaying body in her car. It's horrible to think about but at a certain point, whatever sentiment she may have had for her child at some point in her life, at the end this baby was a stinking corpse that was getting in the way. Clearly, Casey fumbled all over the place in figuring out what to do with poor Caylee. In the end, the relief must have been great. No doubt she wanted to document the relief she felt and keep a journal of things after this watershed moment.
- The journal might have been tucked away somewhere in her bedroom and as to why it was still there for LE to take: Why didn't she throw it away? Because she wanted to keep it. Continue writing in it. All that effort to write out your feelings - who wants to throw that away? It might have been hidden in a spot Casey thought nobody would look through. But just in case, she threw a "03" legend on it and speaks in "code". My sister used to do the same thing in her own diary (I knew where the key was and used to peak all the time). She didn't think I'd ever find the diary but just in case, her entries wouldn't be clear on who she kissed and what parent rule she broke, etc. She used code or would be vague. Just in case. That's what I think the "03" legend is.
Sorry for the long post. I guess we'll find out eventually the date the entry was really written.
