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.
