Category Archives: Casey Anthony

July 22, 2012 · 6:58 PM

Why is the Colorado Killer’s Family standing by him???

I have said it before

James Holmes Mug Shot

James Holmes Mug Shot

and I will say it again- FAMILIES ARE THE FORGOTTEN CONSEQUENCES OF CRIME. This is true for families of people at all levels in our criminal justice system. From a small misdemeanor to the horror of the killings in Colorado, families pay the price long after a prison term is served.

I work with families all over the United States. In many of these cases I have never worked for their family member who is incarcerated. I am hired to help families establish boundaries with their loved one while he is inside, help find resources for them and provide the must needed answers of how to move on with their own lives. I also serve as living proof that this can be done, and of course provide my insider’s point of view.

These families live with guilt, shame and many fear retaliation should they decide to in some ways support their family member. Truly guilt by association. Families are the only segment of our criminal justice system that have no representation and are not presumed innocent.

Should we blame the families, especially when they become part of the crimes like Cindy Anthony and George Zimmerman’s wife? Do we blame the family of Amanda Knox and John Hinkley who stuck by their children?

With crimes come consequences. One of the consequences that we read and see little about are the families. Families on both sides- victim and victimizer. Those consequences include the children of incarcerated parents and the cycle that often repeats should the child not have a good support system. This is why many prisons have good protocol in place for family visits and contact. Remember, most people inside a prison today will be released and the majority in less that 5 years. That brings up the problem of re-entry with families.

Many of those incarcerated assume that upon release all will be forgiven and they will automatically be back and bonded with their children. This is rarely the case. Re-Entry takes work and effort and must be very carefully handled. Yet another family consequence of crime.

The past weekend’s mass murders in Colorado saw the media immediately going after the family of the killer Holmes. But, in reality what would one expect these parents to do or say? Especially when they too were just hearing this news and are now victims. Is it possible they knew their son was “off?” Of course, but then what? Should we blame them, or have compassion for them? Families of infamous murder cases are a particular group in that they must also deal with media attention and in many cases fear for their own lives.

If anything good can come out of tragedy it is an open discussion. My hope is that the Colorado case does just that and helps to shine a light on families and crime and what our society can do to learn more about this taboo subject. I for one will continue to write about it and of course work with these families as part of my everyday practice. Think about them before you judge. What would YOU do? And how would you hope to be treated?

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, insider and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, Fox News, NBC News, CNN, NPR and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest in the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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Filed under Casey Anthony, Colorado killings, Criminal Justice, forgiveness, George Zimmerman, perjury

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June 22, 2012 · 9:58 AM

Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman- THE LESSONS

I have written much about both of these cases. Everything from the odd Anthony family jail visiting tapes to my opinion that the Zimmerman case is an example of everything wrong with our criminal justice system. I still believe this, and the arrest this week of Zimmerman and his wife for lying on a bond declaration prove my point. Now the trick will be to use both of these high profile cases to shine the light on many issues.

There remains no doubt in my mind that Casey Anthony and her family will all resurface once Casey’s probation comes to an end. Never underestimate money and MOTIVE. We may see separate interviews and then a “family” one if the price is right. Twisted- Yes- but true.

I have also written a lot about how I viewed the Casey Anthony jail visits from her parents as suspicious. They were and still hold the keys to what really went on in the death and subsequent cover up of Caylee Anthony. The visiting conversations simply were not consistent with a family grieving the loss of a child. The behavior since that time confirms my thinking. There is deep mental illness and criminal thinking by every member of the Anthony family. What we can learn is that the consequences of this are deep. From the abuse and death of a child to the cost to tax payers and how even something as simple as probation was mishandled by the court, jail and MEDIA.

In the case of George Zimmerman and the death of Trayvon Martin, there are also many criminal justice issues. These range from the shooting, the cover up and of course all of the media misrepresentations. And now we have perjury. Wait!!! We also had perjury in the Anthony case- CRIMINAL THINKING.  And of course we also have jail house visits that are very suspicious. For the record: inmates know these visits are recorded. SO, why risk talking in code or anything that will bring negative attention to the case? The negative attention of course. For these types of people the attention is everything. Remember we are not dealing with normal psychological profiles.

The many things in common between Anthony and Zimmerman will continue to grow. Maybe we will eventually see a joint FLORIDA jailhouse lessons interviews with all of them. The key thing to remember is not the players but the lesson. We must learn more about our criminal justice system in order to change it, and we must shine a large spotlight on crime, punishment and redemption when it is valid. Neither of these cases will earn that privilege. My motto is “change is possible” but I am very clear that takes work, and these two, and those around them will keep blaming, scheming and looking for the easy way out. Here is hoping that we can learn the lessons and the two deaths will serve as turning points for positive change and build awareness.

 

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, insider and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today, CBS Early Show, Fox News, Judith Regan Show, WNYC and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest in the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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June 6, 2012 · 11:49 AM

The Casey Anthony Interview

Rumors abound that Casey Anthony will be on a major TV talk show once her probation is lifted. Of course the end of probation just happens to be right when the new FALL TV season begins. There are many boycotts and petitions going around to try to stop somebody from doing this interview. Most specifically there is a rumor that Katie Couric and People Magazine will do a major splash together.

Here are my thoughts on this or any other interview with Casey Anthony. I believe an interview WILL happen. Will a network pay? Absolutely. This is where Anthony will get into Federal trouble. Watch for her to under report the fee or “launder” it. Additionally, Casey Anthony has a huge I.R.S. lien that must be paid or settled.

There are many ways the interview can be done in a way as to not highlight Anthony, but highlight the crimes she was CONVICTED of including child neglect. Since the interview will happen, I am hopeful that there will be many aspects of the show that will shine a light on child abuse, manipulating the system, re-entry and of course the consequences of this crime.

As I write and comment about often, the Casey Anthony case is unique in that there is so much attention and very strong feelings. A show that shows where the process broke down and what we can do to make sure this never happens again would be a good thing.

The bottom line is that I suggest everybody channel their energy into making the interview only a small component of a BIGGER picture. If this interview is done “correctly” it will not only validate the strong feelings but also help other families and children. And, again, there is no way Casey Anthony will be able to hold on to any of the money. She simply isn’t that smart and she has a criminal mind. There are eight criminal thinking errors including grandiosity and mollification. Anthony actually has all eight and a serious psychopathy.

Is Casey Anthony guilty? That would never be my question. I would ask how many things is she guilty of??? As we all know, I believe that change is possible in most cases. In this case there is no chance of change as there is no remorse, not even for the loss of her child, and the crime itself is too deep and serious in so many ways.

Networks if you are reading this I urge you to consider the bigger picture and not grant a vanity piece but rather use Anthony as she has used the system and society. What comes around goes around…

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, insider and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today, CBS Early Show, Fox News and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest in the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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May 7, 2012 · 8:37 PM

Casey Anthony + Probation= EPIC FAIL

Here we go again. Another month, another probation report and meeting between Ms. Casey Anthony and her Florida probation officer. Remember, Anthony is on formal probation. That means she has requirements ranging from therapy to financial matters. Casey also has to prove that she has a job or goes to school.

Thus far it has been apparent to me that Anthony has been working the system. Yes, this started when she was first let out on bond and continued while she was in county jail. Then she worked her magic during her trial. Somehow this case became so confused that the Florida Department of Corrections sent Anthony a letter while she was in jail that she had completed her one-year of probation. As I said on numerous media outlets, that would be impossible, and of course when challenged, Anthony was ordered to serve her formal probation in FLORIDA.

What makes Casey Anthony so special? The media attention and the fear that brings the system when there have been grave mistakes made. Yes, I am sure that the Florida Department of Corrections, her probation officer and the criminal court system wishes she would just fade away. How naïve! In fact, Anthony and the attention she brings will only build as we begin summer, and as luck would have it will climax just in time for the upcoming fall television season.

I have written and said numerous times that I thought Anthony had already violated her probation. I stand by this comment. After all, she claims to have no money, no job and no resources, yet she is making video blogs on a NEW computer and of course selling them. Who does she think she is? Is it any wonder that she is delusional and grandiose? Of course not. Did you ever think just who has been paying her bills?

Here are my thoughts- Some based on rumor, some based on non published yet factual information:

Casey Anthony has had a series of benefactors ranging from crazy fame whores to people who think she is innocent.

Anthony has been selling her information to various outlets like Radar Online. There is NO such thing as “leaked” information in this case. Everything has been potted and planned.

Anthony has received cash payments from other media outlets and “friends” of hers have also filtered some of this money to her. In the real world this is called money laundering.

Anthony does not have a job and still provides her probation officer no source of income. After all of these months a regular person on probation would be called to task. In this case we even have Anthony flaunting her success in front of the world and still no action by the judicial system.

The Federal Government is looking into this matter because Anthony has I.R.S. tax liens that she is making no payments on.

SO, what to conclude and what’s next????? I still maintain that at some point Anthony will be called on all of this illegal behavior. The problem may well be that the probation department has made errors just like the Department of Corrections did and like the court itself did. They are embarrassed.

As anybody who follows my work and me knows, I am a believer in EQUAL JUSTICE. Nothing about the probation of Casey Anthony has been equal or fair. This I know having been on probation myself. I urge everybody to demand more while keeping our eyes on the bigger picture of child abuse and use this case as THE example to make positive change. Do not let the initial success of Casey Anthony take the focus off the fact that a child is dead and 5 children die EVERYDAY in the U.S. from abuse or neglect. We must stop child abuse.

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, insider and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today, CBS Early Show, Fox News and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest in the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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April 25, 2012 · 9:12 PM

Is Casey Anthony jealous of George Zimmerman???

As my readers know I have written much about Casey Anthony and her family. I have been very careful to note that the jury has spoken and while that verdict must be respected, there will no doubt be much more to this story. That said, I have been very outspoken about the crossing of the probation line that Anthony has blurred with her video blogs and that in my opinion those “diaries’ have put her in legal jeopardy. This because she like everybody on probation has financial requirements. In her case she also owes money to the State of Florida and to the I.R.S.

One must be very careful while on probation to follow all rules and requirements. I was the ONLY media commentator who insisted that Anthony would in fact have to serve probation, and that she did not serve probation in jail. After all the term probation means “testing period.” Casey Anthony, her family and her legal team all capitalized on the death of Caylee. George and Cindy Anthony never acted like grandparents who were operating without an agenda. I have taken much criticism about this and while I sympathize with them as people, they did have many questionable actions. Not the least of these is the foundation that now finds itself in financial peril. While John Walsh and Mark Klaas turned the murders of their children into crusades to help other victims, the Anthony family has yet to do this and they have had ample opportunity.

Now today comes word that Jose Baez has released a statement to the media that he no longer is representing Casey! Poor Jose. This is the problem with the case, the media and the loss of the bigger picture- THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT CHILD.

But, word on the street, and yes there is a such a thing in cases like this, is that Casey is desperate to get her story out- no doubt this is a story of fiction based that is best played out in Fantasyland and Disney World. Why all of a sudden is Casey unable to sit still and hold tight until the end of her probation? George Zimmerman and all of the attention his case is getting right in her own neighborhood. The fact of the matter is that Anthony will wait until her probation is over yet she will continue to release- aka- SELL her video blogs- Then, as would figure, she will sell her story to cable or network television and that will be the bonanza that all are looking for. Plus it will correspond with the new fall TV season. #winning.

I will keep a close and skeptical eye on this as it develops and urge everybody to not support Casey or her family. Yet, we must look at the bigger picture and channel this energy into preventing child abuse. Get involved, take action and make a difference. There are organizations like Childhelp.org that care. As for Casey, there is no doubt that she has not changed nor will she. It is all about her. How sad, twisted and sick.

Yes, I believe that change is possible for most people. But, for some it is not in the cards. Change takes work, humility and honesty. Some people are just plain evil. Families are truly the forgotten consequences of crime and in this case so is the victim.

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Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, insider and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today, CBS Early Show, Fox News and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest in the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 


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