As I have been discussing the justice system, it seems appropriate to talk about the Casey Anthony case and her acquittal. While most people were convinced of her guilt, there was never a lot of evidence. What should be done in such a case? As Judge Andrew Napolitano said in his Facebook feed: “Our system of justice is set up in such a way that sometimes the guilty go free, but the innocent will not be punished and no one will be punished, even the guilty—without the government satisfying a jury of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
So with this important point in mind, maybe this is the best possible verdict of the charges laid against Ms. Anthony, given the lack of evidence. Let there be no doubt, I am as unhappy with this as anyone, but we live in an imperfect world where perfect knowledge does not exist.
Often the issue is not justice, but winning the case and the prosecutor's future political career. If the prosecutor had instead charged Casey with reckless endangerment, the conviction would have been assured. In fact there might not have even been a trial, as she would have been a fool not to have accepted such a plea bargain. Even innocent people sometimes accept a plea bargain because the consequences of a conviction are so devastating.
It is very clear that Ms. Anthony is guilty of something. Her defense attorney as much as admitted it by saying that her daughter Caylee drowned. Leaving a two year old unattended around a pool is reckless. Since Ms. Anthony cannot be tried again for the death of her daughter, she can never be charged with the crime she unambiguously committed. While this is a needed protection from a rogue prosecutor trying the same person over and over, in this case it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
For a complete discussion of the verdict, if you have not had enough already, click here.