And in the end: Justice as a small comfort

First of all, welcome back from vacation. Oh, wait. It is I who has returned from vacation, annual leave, if you will. Thank you.

It’s a hot chimichanga outside of where I am parked, under a big box fan, in an air conditioned room. The official temperature for our county is 96 degrees which is reported by the National Weather Service from their gauges and knobs at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport in Nederland, Texas. The heat index is 104.° I don’t know why I feel compelled to give the temperature outside. I suppose that after you read what I am writing you might just think my thoughts are those of a man whose head has been baked by the Texas heat. That is, unless you know me and then you realize that my mind is pretty much like this 24/7.

How about that Casey Anthony verdict?

I learned years ago, while regularly reporting on criminal court cases of all descriptions, that only a fool would try to second guess a jury. I suppose that is why we have so many danged fool lawyers. Har. Har.

One must remember that it doesn’t matter whether one is guilty or not in the criminal justice system, it is what the jury sees and hears and — at least in theory — determines in a verdict after applying the law.

In all honesty, I have only listened and read bits and pieces of the Casey Anthony case that has seemed to captivate the nation as such trials sometimes do. I could voice an opinion, but it would be stupid for me to do so because I have not closely followed the case. I will opine that just reading in the newspaper or online, or watching bits or pieces or highlights on TV, does not make for even close to an educated guess for such a case.

Such a lack of knowledge does not prevent many folks from making snap judgments as to why Anthony should have been found guilty on murder, manslaughter or even child abuse charges. She was found guilty of four counts of lying to the police. Ah ha, we have a smoking gun! If she lies to the police, she’d lie to anyone about anything. Well, no. No she wouldn’t. Why lie to the cops about that fourth, or fifth or sixth or eighth beer or Jello shots? No officer, I didn’t see that “One-Way” sign. But I was going only one way!

Our system of criminal justice wins wide praise among our citizens when a finding is to our liking. When not liked, we promptly proclaim the doctrine of guilty before being found innocent. A trial like Anthony’s, where she is widely dubbed by the talking heads as the cruel killer Mommy leaves many among our populace with a temporary insanity tilting toward mob rule. Look at OJ. Even I think he did it. But, really, what do I know?

In the end, justice is as justice is served. What does that mean exactly? Beats me. But if comeuppance really has some application in life, or death, then perhaps those who go unpunished will travel that route no more at some point in time.

Casey Anthony may not be the first killer to go free, nor in our imperfect system of criminal justice that could be much worse, will she be the last. That is a concept that bears remembering should one find themselves on trial someday for a crime they didn’t commit. That is, even though it is small comfort for that little girl who was named Caylee.