Six weeks of testimony. Over 300 pieces of evidence. A trial that cost the state of Florida almost 1/2 a million dollars to try. Eleven hours of deliberation by twelve jurors sworn to uphold the law. One small child dead and a defense team trying to fight for the life of her mother. It's a case that has captivated a nation...and certainly everyone in our house. So when the news announced the verdict was in, I was cautiously optimistic and fairly certain of the outcome. First degree murder would be a stretch, but certainly twelve people could reasonably conclude that if you don't report your daughter missing for 31 days, have a car that smells of decomposition, have blamed everyone else and made false reports to the police who are trying to find her....you must be involved and/or responsible for her death in some way. Apparently not. I sit here tonight, saddened not by our judicial system, but by the people who are taking an oath as jurors. As it was pointed out earlier today by a fellow blogger, people expect a smoking gun, concrete proof. And with all our medical and technological advances, if you don't have one, it must not have happened. Common sense has become a lot less common. Fortunately, a not guilty verdict doesn't equal innocent. She will have to live her life, knowing the truth and waiting for true judgment. It's easy to get wrapped up in the trial. The instant celebrity of those involved and the theatrical performances of both the prosecution and defense. But at the end of the day, when all of the jurors return to their lives, people lose interest, families will begin to rebuild their lives.....a beautiful little girl is still gone far to early.
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