UNDERSTANDING HOW A CRIME AGAINST A CHILD ABANDONED, IF NOT ABUSED BY HER MOTHER, GOES UNDER PUNISHED IN A JUST SOCIETY...........

One of the news stories, that was repeatedly before us in recent weeks, was the murder trial in Florida of Casey Anthony, whose daughter's disappearance she failed to report for thirty one days, while she party-ed and frivolously enjoyed herself; only to have the young girl's body discovered in a swamp, with duct tape across her mouth, the bizarre, if not highly dysfunctional reality of the entire Anthony Family, is the latest in a long string of notorious American trials of celebrities or quirky persons, not to end in conviction, but a miscarriage of justice.  The prosecution in this case, may not have mounted the strongest case possible in what they brought as a First Degree Murder charge, but for a not guilty verdict on all of the substantial counts, and guilty declarations on only much lesser counts; underscores the brokenness of our American legal system.  If the last person the child was known to be with was her mother, who was indifferent at best for more than a month at her daughter's disappearance; if the grandmother and grandfather of the slain child cannot seem to tell the unvarnished truth about what they know or did in regards to the death of their grandchild; and with allegations of incest between father / daughter, or brother / sister, is not a solid indication that this is a seriously dysfunctional family; so that four years imprisonment is the total sentence, such an irresponsible, careless, even crime committing mother receives, it is more than time we take a long, hard, review of our laws, punishment, and justice.  How many more children have to become innocent crime victims, even die, before the laws, our legal officials, judicial system, and common sense, justice enacting, juries, - continuously reform and renew, the primary purpose of legal proceedings avoiding outcomes like this travesty ?    The judge in this case acted appropriately.  He was not activist, but responded to the dictates of  the law, sentencing Casey Anthony to the maximum term allowed by the verdict the jury rendered.  The Prosecution must be chastened to realize a weak case, or overreaching charges,  doom what would otherwise be a certain conviction.  A week from Sunday, this exonerated, but anything but exemplary, mother will be released from prison, for time served and good behavior, and be free to do as she pleases.  There is word she is contemplating she is thinking of having another child.  Who will assure the safety of that or any other children mothered by this woman, who to date has shown herself to be more interested in her self serving agenda, than the best interests of her child...........Fr.  Troy