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Jennifer, Nancy and Grace

Of all the horrible things I have said about the media, I take two of them back... maybe even three. I am grateful for the interview ABC did with Jennifer Ford, juror number three in the Casey Anthony trial. She answered all my questions in my previous post, found here. I was also grateful for The View having the prosecuting attorney, Jeff Ashton, on their program. And lastly, I was glad to watch Barbara Walters interview Jose Baez, Casey Anthony's attorney. Mostly though, I am grateful for Jennifer Ford.

Ms. Ford was able to give me exactly what I hoped for, the knowledge that finding Casey Anthony not guilty did not mean they believed she was completely innocent, but they could not be convinced by the evidence given to them that she had murdered her daughter, Caylee. Ms. Ford further convinced me that she had paid no attention to the unproven accusations of molestation. I was glad that she was the juror that was brave enough to discuss her opinions regarding the case. I was especially appreciative that she declined to comment about Nancy Grace calling the jurors names, though anyone with a modicum of intelligence could connect the dots by they way she declined.

The interviews reminded me that my normal position is the one I should take, no matter how emotional the case is. The jury is afforded information that the media and commentators are not. It is foolish to speculate. Though like Nancy Grace, I can have a differing opinion. And trust me, I do have my own opinion(s) on this trial. I was serious when I said the only thing this fiasco lacked was a White Bronco being televised live as it was chased down the freeway. The court of public opinion is the worst place to try someone. It will never result in justice being served. For all our advancements in technology we have not advanced in 'common sense' which we all know is uncommon. If anything I would say we have lost ground in manners and etiquette. Which brings me to my last point.

Grace. Whether we're talking the manifold grace of God or the ability to negotiate the difficult parts of life with decorum befitting a woman of God, I need more of it. Lots and lots more. There is a visceral reaction we all seem to have when a baby is lost, in jeopardy or dies what we see as an untimely death. I think it stems from a twisted sense of fairness we have, as if the soul of a child has more value than the soul of a broken down woman like me or the smelly homeless person you pass on the street. Or as if God has lost control of the universe momentarily and had no idea that Caylee was in trouble. It's so easy to let my emotions carry me where my rational thought refuses to tread.


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