For the Future

Whatever you think of Casey’s innocence or guilt, it is clear she is a woman with issues that go deeper than any of us can imagine. Not only does she compulsively lie, but she has become so skilled at it that she made up a whole world of non-existent people, as was shown by her defense attorney Jose Baez. People do not simply decide to do things like this; skilled lying is built up over a long period of time, indicating that she had reasons, whatever they may be, to do it when she was younger. Murderer or not, she is an unstable person and I am suggesting that it is not entirely her fault. We will probably never know for sure, but that is my best educated guess. 

Whatever her problems, whatever she has done, she will be joining us in walking the streets as a free person in a matter of days. The question now is: having been given a second chance at life, what will she do with it? And how will we common folks react to seeing her?

My theory is her life will play out in one of two ways. First scenario: Casey will become a millionaire by either giving interviews or publishing a book. Millions of common folks say they despise her and wish she was dead, but they will read the magazines and buy the book that she puts out, because curiosity will get the best of them. She can then buy herself a nice big house and attempt to try and live an adult’s lifestyle. Some of her letters from jail expressed an interest in having more children or even adopting, so perhaps she can make the most of this second chance. (One could argue that a desire to have more children is a sign of her innocence, but that is an argument for someone else to make.)

Second scenario: Casey is publicly shunned but still becomes a millionaire through interviews thanks to the media making this such a high-profile case. Through either arrogance or shame, she spends the money on booze, partying, and worthless material items. She feels that since no one cares about her, she doesn’t need to bother caring about life. 

Perhaps she will simply keep her head down for a while, and speak to the world when she feels the time is right. Call me a fool or a blind optimist, but I believe she can turn her life into something good. It is clear she needs help from a therapist, but it is much more than that. She will be re-entering the free world as a young woman who is hated by most of the country, hated for a crime she was not proven guilty of. 

I ask you: what good will it do anyone to dwell on their hatred for her? The case is over. There was no evidence of Casey’s DNA at the crime scene. Would it have been different if Roy Kronk’s (the man who found Caylee’s remains in August 2008) 9-1-1 calls hadn’t been ignored and Caylee’s body had been discovered in August rather than December? We don’t know and we will never know. So try to put your hatred to one side and really observe what this woman does with her life from this point forward. How can she make anything good of herself if we don’t give her the chance? If she commits another crime in a month’s time, then feel free to say “I told you so.” I will hold my hands up and say I got it completely wrong. But now, for better or for worse, twelve jurors have given Casey Anthony another chance at life. Let us all find the compassion to do the same.

Page 6: Caylee