# Anyone following the Casey Anthony trial?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 29, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652 "2011-05-29T12:50:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 13

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**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/241 "2011-06-24T14:50:52Z")

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> [@Max\_Torque](#):
>
> The question is, do you have enough pieces? If you’ve done a puzzle, you know that you can tell what the picture is long before you’ve finished the puzzle. At some point, when enough pieces are put together, you know that the finished picture is a butterfly. Adding a few more pieces isn’t going to transform it into a pancake breakfast.

I’ll bet five bucks you’ve used that in closing argument. 😃

ETA: Or voir dire.

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**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/242 "2011-06-24T15:45:45Z")

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> [@jtgain](#):
>
> This. If you were innocently searching for chloroform three years ago because your dog was eating plants (bullshit ahem) would you really know that it was July 11 instead of June 11 or July 14?
> 
> The coincidences are too much. I defy any Doper here to have a pattern of searches like in this case that indicate murder/cover-up because of ten different innocent reasons. Then have a child drown and you and your father cover up the drowning. The same father who abused you. Who confided in his mistress. Then you make up a 911 call about a fake nanny. And you are seen partying like its 1999 a week after the “drowning.” And the body turns up with duct tape. And your car smells like a corpse.
> 
> Gimme a fucking break.
> 
> I wouldn’t be surprised to see Baez brought up on some ethical charges for presenting some of this testimony.

I was thinking about that too.

Reading the Dope brings up a plethera of… odd and disconnected topics. My Google and Wikipedia search cookies are a confusing mish mash. I looked up chlorophyll on wikipedia myself (as part of a general “history of life on Earth” browse/surf) within the last few months, but without looking at the cookies, I couldn’t say with certitude on a witness stand what date(s) that was, or how many times I called up the same article.

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**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/243 "2011-06-24T16:30:30Z")

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From watching the blogs, I see that there are many people who have a problem defining the point where _any_ doubt differs from _reasonable_ doubt. After all, the standard appears to be _beyond_ a reasonable doubt and that seems to be more than a reasonable doubt.

Does anyone know what the legal definition in Florida is for “_beyond and to the exclusion of all reasonable doubt_.” This surely isn’t left to the jury to define in deliberations, is it?

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**Author:** ![Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ian_D.Bergkamp)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/244 "2011-06-24T17:04:41Z")

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> [@Morgenstern](#):
>
> From watching the blogs, I see that there are many people who have a problem defining the point where _any_ doubt differs from _reasonable_ doubt. After all, the standard appears to be _beyond_ a reasonable doubt and that seems to be more than a reasonable doubt.
> 
> Does anyone know what the legal definition in Florida is for “_beyond and to the exclusion of all reasonable doubt_.” This surely isn’t left to the jury to define in deliberations, is it?

According to [this site](http://andreadreamin.com/2011/04/18/defining-reasonable-doubt/), the Florida Standard Jury Instruction on reasonable doubt is this:

> [@](#):
>
> ```
> A reasonable doubt is not a mere possible doubt, a speculative, imaginary or forced doubt. Such a doubt must not influence you to return a verdict of not guilty if you have an abiding conviction of guilt. On the other hand, if, after carefully considering, comparing and weighing all the evidence, there is not an abiding conviction of guilt, or, if, having a conviction, it is one which is not stable but one which wavers and vacillates, then the charge is not proved beyond every reasonable doubt and you must find the defendant not guilty because the doubt is reasonable.
> 
> It is to the evidence introduced in this trial and to it alone, that you are to look for that proof.
> 
> A reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant may arise from the evidence, conflict in the evidence, or the lack of evidence.
> 
> ```

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**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/245 "2011-06-24T17:18:56Z")

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> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#):
>
> That one person was nobody in the family.

Really, Dio, are you confessing?

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**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/246 "2011-06-24T19:38:48Z")

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NM

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**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/247 "2011-06-24T20:30:21Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> **Wow!!**
> 
> Cindy just testified that she was searching google for Chlorophyll. Because she was worried about her dogs eating plants. That search lead to her searching chloroform. A byproduct of the Chlorophyll process. During prosecution rebuttal it came out that Cindy told the prosecutor this in her 2009 deposition.
> 
> They’ve been blaming Casey for this search.
> 
> The defense has the police computer forensic examiner on now discussing these searches.

Just before Caylee disappears, someone searches for the suspicious term “chloroform” on the computer. Cindy Anthony claims she made the search because one of her dogs appeared ill. Just before Caylee disappears, someone searches for the suspicious term “hydrogen peroxide” on the computer. Cindy Anthony claims she made the search because she received an email warning her against some interaction between hand sanitizer and children. Just before Caylee disappears, someone searches for several suspicious terms about injuries. Cindy Anthony claims she made the searches because one of her friends was recently in an automobile accident.

Three independent events, occurring proximally, just before Caylee’s disappearance, leading to three suspicious internet searches by Cindy Anthony, at times her work records indicate she was working.

I hope the jury has the acumen to work through these shenanigans and dismiss this “testimony”.

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**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/248 "2011-06-26T16:59:19Z")

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She never sheds a tear when her child is missing or the body is found, but breaks down when her brother is on the stand. This woman is seriously warped.

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**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/249 "2011-06-26T17:20:16Z")

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I don’t quite understand how a picture of Caylee being helped up the ladder of the pool at an earlier time is considered proof that she drowned. And IF she had drowned in the pool because someone left the ladder up, wouldn’t George have put the ladder away afters and closed the gate so that it didn’t get noticed?

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**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/250 "2011-06-26T17:45:00Z")

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> [@kittenblue](#):
>
> I don’t quite understand how a picture of Caylee being helped up the ladder of the pool at an earlier time is considered proof that she drowned. And IF she had drowned in the pool because someone left the ladder up, wouldn’t George have put the ladder away afters and closed the gate so that it didn’t get noticed?

And I can’t believe a family would leave an above ground pool standing after a grandchild had drowned in it. I certainly wouldn’t leave it up to remind me of the event every time I looked at it.

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**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/251 "2011-06-26T17:52:47Z")

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Didn’t Cindy testify earlier that the ladder was never left up and that Caylee couldn’t get outside by herself, because she couldn’t open the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard?

I’m curious about what happened early Saturday, before court started. The talking heads were saying that the judge, attorneys, and Casey were called into chambers and that when they came out, the judge ordered a recess until Monday. One TH said that the prosecuting attorneys looked pissed.

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**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/252 "2011-06-26T19:51:30Z")

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> [@AuntiePam](#):
>
> Didn’t Cindy testify earlier that the ladder was never left up and that Caylee couldn’t get outside by herself, because she couldn’t open the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard?
> 
> I’m curious about what happened early Saturday, before court started. The talking heads were saying that the judge, attorneys, and Casey were called into chambers and that when they came out, the judge ordered a recess until Monday. One TH said that the prosecuting attorneys looked pissed.

It’s rumored it has something to do with an “unrelated” legal issue concerning the upcoming testimony of Kenneth Furton, a chemistry expert the defense has called.

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**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/253 "2011-06-26T20:08:51Z")

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> [@Morgenstern](#):
>
> And I can’t believe a family would leave an above ground pool standing after a grandchild had drowned in it. I certainly wouldn’t leave it up to remind me of the event every time I looked at it.

BUT…if you were trying to cover-up a drowning you wouldn’t do anything to the pool. When nobody even knows your grandchild is missing yet, much less dead, how would you explain to your wife that you took the pool down when it was obviously used a lot?

And I don’t think either picture contradicts the earlier testimony, which I didn’t hear. In the ladder picture, someone is clearly standing there helping Caylee, or at least ready in case she slips. And in the door picture…well, we don’t see her tugging on the handle, she’s just holding on to an already opened door. At least, the brief glimpse on the news looked that way. And what if she did testify that Caylee couldn’t do those things? Kids learn things fast, and every day brings new changes. One minute you think your child is safe in bed, and the next they are out the door and down the block riding their Big Wheel in the middle of the street with a bucket on their head!

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**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/254 "2011-06-27T00:21:38Z")

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Has it been decided whether the Casey Anthony show is going to be renewed for another season yet?

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/255 "2011-06-27T00:31:39Z")

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> [@AuntiePam](#):
>
> I’m curious about what happened early Saturday, before court started. The talking heads were saying that the judge, attorneys, and Casey were called into chambers and that when they came out, the judge ordered a recess until Monday. One TH said that the prosecuting attorneys looked pissed.

It’s because the defense witnesses keep testifying about things that they aren’t supposed to and the prosecution hasn’t prepared for. The parties have to disclose the subjects each witness is being called to testify about.

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**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/256 "2011-06-27T01:51:48Z")

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I’m just amazed they have court on a Saturday.

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**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/257 "2011-06-27T03:11:36Z")

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> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> Has it been decided whether the Casey Anthony show is going to be renewed for another season yet?

Yeah, but they aren’t going to resolve the mystery this season.

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**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/258 "2011-06-27T03:20:46Z")

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> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> Has it been decided whether the Casey Anthony show is going to be renewed for another season yet?

I hope she shows her tits for the season-ending cliffhanger…

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/259 "2011-06-27T05:28:05Z")

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> [@kittenblue](#):
>
> I’m just amazed they have court on a Saturday.

Florida courts are not ordinarily open on a Saturday. For some reason, even though the budget has been slashed for every other trial, the Ninth Circuit (FL) has decided they need to be in session on Saturday for the Casey trial.

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**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-casey-anthony-trial/583652/260 "2011-06-27T05:54:13Z")

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> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#):
>
> Yeah, but they aren’t going to resolve the mystery this season.

Rumor is it’s going to end with a mystery witness coming in with a veiled face to be played by a yet-to-be-cast A-list movie star in her TV debut.

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