Quote Round Up: Facebook Reacts to Casey Anthony Trial

When the Casey Anthony verdict was released yesterday I found out on Facebook. Many of my friends had gone to town over their outrage and their incredulousness. Many of my friends are also new parents/have small children in their homes. Many of these friends also have a prior party-girl lifestyle as Anthony apparently did. Still when I put out a call for remarks for this piece, the outrage was markedly muted. I have some very astute friends who had very smart things to say about this verdict. Here is my sifting through of the responses about the verdict and what it means for the justice system.

"The outcome of this trial does not surprise me. Although Casey Anthony has proven herself to be a pathological liar, the bottom line is that the prosecution was not able to present evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she killed her daughter, and so the jury did its job in handing down a verdict of not guilty on the murder charge. The lies, the behavior, even the smell of decomposition coming from the trunk of Casey's abandoned car... all signs point to something definitely sinister, but as damning as that evidence is in conjecture, it was not enough to prove with certainty that she killed her child. The justice system worked the way it was designed to, whether you agree with the verdict or not. It boggles my mind how she behaved and how that beautiful little girl met such a horrible fate, and it is frustrating beyond belief that we may never know what happened to Caylee... but I have a feeling that outside the American justice system, the court of human opinion will ensure that Casey's "vita" is far from "bella", and also that, sadly, she will somehow find a way to trick herself into believing it is anyway." Laura Faraoni, Waynesboro Virginia, HR Generalist Albemarle County Public Schools.

"No evidence of proof of death. No motive. I think that George Anthony being former law enforcement doesn't give his credibility any more weight, or rule out that he may have buried the body for Casey after something happened. Maybe I'm jaded being exposed to the NYPD and their crooked ways, but many officers of the law are morally corrupt. Think of it this way: 1 in 25 people is a sociopath. That is 4% of the population consisting of individuals who have no conscience. I would do anything for my father, and he would do anything for me. But when something terrible happens, well, things can and do spin out of control. It seems Cindy and Lee were out of the loop. I'm just glad the jury listened to the evidence and witnesses presented (and both the defense and prosecution were incredibly thorough). George's reaction when the verdict was read was one of internalized anger. This isn't "going away" for him. Or the family. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear of a future suicide, new charges against someone else and Casey coming forward and talking. The media absolutely DID find her guilty. But the media, as a Pied Piper, manipulates the truth and controls our information and news every day anyway. The entire trial could very well be a "weapon of mass distraction", creating a nation of armchair prosecutors who stopped paying attention to actual events affecting their own freedom and protection of the Constitution." Kiki Valentine, New York City.

"Do you know why they steal less bread in Saudi Arabia? Because they cut off your hands! So... If the penalty for murder was...let's say torture instead of 3 hot meals and a bed, don't you think less crimes would be committed resulting in douche bag defense attorney's would not have to do their jobs?" Profe Porque, Vermont, Farmer.

While greater judgments await us all, Casey Anthony is now, quite literally, yesterday's news.