The Ballad of Casey
Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 9:05PM It is a well established fact that in America, Casey Marie Anthony is not guilty of murdering her daughter - not yet, anyway, and no matter what we think, it will take a jury of her peers to make that determination. Until then, she is presumed innocent and all we can do is speculate. No matter what the outcome next year, I truly believe her name will be synonymous with Lizzie Borden’s. Lizzie, of course, found her father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abbie, hacked up by a hatchet in their family home in Fall River, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1892. A week later, she was arrested and charged with their murders.
Today, the notoriety of Casey’s alleged criminal act is so vast, there’s hardly a person in the civilized world who hasn’t, at least, heard of her or her daughter, Caylee Marie; whether they follow the story in depth or not. Credit the Internet, where someone in Dogtown, Florida can make headlines five minutes later in Tick Bite, North Carolina. Tick Bite? Yes, Tick Bite. They are almost 700 miles apart, give or take as the flea jumps, but the speed of communication today is just fascinating, it’s worldwide, and it’s mind boggling!
In Lizzie’s time, it would have taken several days to travel from Dogtown to Tick Bite. Today, it can be done in 10 hours. Aside from cars, what the Interstate system did to our roads in the 1950s, the Internet has done to news reporting of the new millennium, only multiplied by a few quadrillion nanoseconds. It’s interesting to note that, while Lizzie’s trial was over in 1893, we still remember her name and what she was charged with. That’s 107 years ago, folks! Why? Because it was a horrible crime? Sure, but it can’t just be that. Granted, there are no “nice” ways to commit murder, but there’s something that sticks in our craw when a daughter kills her parents or a mother kills her child. There’s something more despicable about it and we seldom forget it because there’s no way to explain murdering our own flesh and blood. Spouses and ex-spouses are another story. Speaking of which…
Before the Internet, we relied on TV. An excellent example of television at its finest was the OJ Simpson debacle. How many of us watched the whole thing unfold live before our very eyes? It was the first real crime to hit the tube with such focused intensity, and to most of us, we will never forget the white Bronco. That chase will forever be one of those “I remember exactly where I was” moments. The trial was among the most publicized in American history, while the verdict was watched by more than half of the U.S. population. It was huge.
There have been a few notable murders in our recent history; recent being that there are still people alive who can remember. Today, there’s Casey. Fifteen years ago, OJ was found not guilty. Sixty years earlier, Bruno Richard Hauptmann was found guilty of murdering famed aviator Charles Lindbergh’s infant son and sentenced to death. Both were called “The Crime of the Century.” No one is alive that would remember Lizzie, but in all of these cases, most of the evidence was (and will be) circumstantial in nature. Lindbergh and Simpson were famous before the crimes, but not Hauptmann or Lizzie, and certainly not Casey. It was the murders that mostly shaped their destinies. It is what they were charged with that determined how history would view them. History books don’t teach folklore, though. It’s passed down, and Lizzie’s tale continues to be embedded in our memories. That’s how legends grow, good and bad. Sadly, the murder trumps the murdered.
In the case of Lizzie, no one else was a suspect at the time, and to this very day, people continue to argue over who really killed the Bordens. During the investigation, a hatchet was found in the basement. It was assumed to be the murder weapon, yet it was void of blood. Most of the handle was missing and the prosecution stated it was broken off because it was too bloody to clean. A police officer testified that he found the head of the hatchet right next to the handle, but a Deputy Marshall contradicted his testimony. A forensic expert said there wouldn’t have been any time to clean it so soon after the murders. No blood-soaked clothing was found and Lizzie would not have been able to change her clothes or dispose of any in such a short time. Fingerprinting was relatively new then and authorities chose not to use it. Some considered it the junk science of the day. Despite lots of other incriminating evidence and testimony, Lizzie was acquitted. It’s interesting to note that shortly before the murders, the entire family became violently ill. Mr. Borden was not a popular man and his wife suspected they were being poisoned. Their doctor diagnosed their illness as food poisoning. They believed their milk was spiked, but after the murders, it was tested and cleared. Both victims stomachs were sent to Harvard Medical School and examined for toxins. None were found.
We can almost sense a semblance of similarities between the Borden and Anthony cases. Cindy washed a pair of Casey’s slacks. A few days after the murders, Lizzie tore up and burned a dress in the kitchen stove, saying she had brushed it against fresh paint and ruined it. No murder weapon has been found in Casey’s case, and no murder weapon was found in Lizzie’s. The fact that no blood evidence was noted on Lizzie a few minutes after the second murder pointed to reasonable doubt. All of her inquest testimony was barred at trial, as was her attempt to buy hydrogen cyanide, which she claimed she planned to use to clean a seal skin cloak. A lethal poison? You bet. In the end, the jury deliberated a mere hour-and-a-half before handing prosecutors a final whack.
In Hunterdon County, NJ, where I grew up, Bruno Hauptmann’s guilt is still split into two camps and it continues to be debated. I believe he did it. My father doesn’t think so. I believe that’s what keeps the embers burning throughout generations. Will Casey be remembered the same way? Time will tell, but I certainly think so. It’s a big story. In Lizzie’s case, she was memorialized by a popular jump rope rhyme that began circulating in schoolyards and elsewhere prior to her 1893 trial…
Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one.
In truth, Lizzie’s stepmother suffered around 18 blows and her father just 11. Still, the legend lives on. In light of that, I came up with my own little rhyme for the times. I’m not insinuating anything. It is not indicative of Casey’s guilt or innocence. I am not predicting an outcome and I am not pronouncing a verdict. I am not making a joke out of Casey or Caylee, either. This is merely something that popped into my head. By all means, PLEASE take it lightly, tongue-in-cheek, and with a grain of salt.
THE BALLAD OF CASEY
For the rest of her life
Her name will be Mudd
For taking the life
Of her own flesh and blood.
For what lies ahead
Is a brewing storm.
Her daughter now dead
Was fed chloroform.
Samuel Mudd was the doctor who was convicted and imprisoned for aiding and conspiring with John Wilkes Booth, another name that will forever be etched in our minds. He was guilty of being in the right place at the wrong time. He tended to Booth’s severely fractured leg. His role is still in dispute. President Andrew Jackson pardoned and released Mudd in 1869, but his name is still, well, Mudd.
Dave Knechel | tagged Charles Lindbergh, John Wilkes Booth, Lizzie Borden, OJ Simpson, Samuel Mudd | in Casey Anthony, Caylee Anthony, Cindy Anthony, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, Human Interest, Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, Marinade Dave’s Caylee Anthony Posts, marinadedave | Share Article | 1 Reference 
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Reader Comments (90)
I think Cindy watched Casey's every move. Really kept her on a tight leash. She phoned her constantly, and told her to get home and take care of Caylee.
Cindy embarassed her in front of her friends constantly from what I have read. Put alot of
pressure on her, and put her down alot.
Hey Dave..didnt lizzie give her FATHER 41 wacks after she gave her mom 40 wacks?
Good morning. I think self-esteem issues can be argued either way. I think she is certainly a narcissistic egotist, but it's more of a means to subconsciously cover up her low self-esteem. Call it visions of grandeur. There is a woman in California who thinks she controls my life, for example, yet we've never met or had any person-to-person contact. It's her online diversion; a way to pat herself on her back while kicking her ass. Because of it, people like her create so much internal discord, one never knows how they will erupt.
Howdy, Frankie - Yes, it was Lizzie's stepmother. Her biological mother died years earlier. Overkill DOES usually indicate a crime of passion because of pent up emotions. Unfortunately, we will never know if Lizzie did it or not.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post, and especially the poem. Thank you very much.
Well, Jan, it seemed like Cindy did, but it was fruitless. She had no real power over Casey. Even after the 911 calls, Casey didn't soften one bit. She hated her parents.
Actually, Melanie... You are right. I had mother in there twice. I fixed it. Thank you for correcting me. I hate it when I do that.
Dave, if you EVER get the chance you have to get to London and take in Madame Tussaud's wax museum- the very best ever. Now if they have to take down Dr. Crippen if he is found to have been innocent it will be a somewhat different experience. The things I remember best from my youthful visit? The moldy chunk of cheese the baby boy had in his mouth when murdered, under glass, and the Brides in the Bath, with I think one of the actual clawfoot tubs...
I'd love to go to London sometime, Karen. Germany would be on my itinerary because I have a niece aus Berlin, but if I could go to Madame Tussaud's, yes, I would definitely do that. Heck, next time I go to New York, I'll go there and see sloppy seconds.
Well written article & poem. Thanks it was good reading over morning coffee.
For me it no longer matters if Caylee's death was an accident. The duct tape, body dump location, 30 days of not reporting daughter missing and then the stories, wow, the stories is enough. None of those actions are the actions of an innocent Mom. I don't give Casey the benefit of doubt however I do want her to have the best defence Florida is able to give her.
I still feel offended by Cindy and her stories of deception. Way beyond a mother defending her daughter.
California is really wet and cold today.
Thank you, cali patti. I like to be a good read in the morning while drinking coffee.
I agree with you, and Cindy did play it to the hilt. Thankfully, her new attorney is keeping her quiet.
Really wet and cold today? That's too bad. It's a little overcast and 75 here. No complaints.
What a nice post Dave, I enjoyed it very much. I had not thought of Lizzie Bordon is years. I agree with your Dad, I do not think Bruno did it but for the life of me, I can't remember why. I remember the movie and I think they tried to make is seem that someone else did it. I guess these two cases are something some will have an opinion about for years. As far as OJ goes, he is finally in prison where he should be. I just hope he is there for many many years.
But the Casey Anthony case may just beat all the records. With so much information not only on TV, radio, but the Internet it has to be the most information filled case and talked about. Sure there are some that do not give a rats a$$ about it but I am sure that they probably know a lot more than they even know they do. I for one will be glad when the trail finally starts and we can finally say that Justice for Caylee was delivered.
BTW, I thought your poem was rather good. I took it as just what it was, nothing more than a poem by someone that has lived this case from literally day one.
Have a wonderful time in St. Louis for Thanksgiving. I am sure you will have a great time. My daughter and her family from St. Louis will be here. The whole family is here and we are also celebrating Christmas too. A busy w/e is planned.
I think a huge number of people have lost interest in this case because it has been going on for so long. Maybe when the actual trial starts in May, people will get more interested.
State's Request Could Undermine Casey Defense Experts
Prosecutors Wants To See How Experts Are Being Paid
Why, thank you, Peggy, I'm very pleased you enjoyed it. And the poem.
Something tells me the Hauptmann verdict is the only thing you and my father would agree on. He's a "fair and balanced" kind of guy, if you get my drift. I think he was guilty mostly because I've read extensively about the crime, having grown up there. Still, it's split both ways.
With Casey, yes, it's the Internet leading the pack, but I have to give a lot of credit to the state of Florida with it's liberal interpretation of open government.
I'm not going to St. Louis after all. I'll be going to my sister's with the rest of the family. My brother and I talked it over. Maybe I'll go right after Christmas. I really like it up there, so I do look forward to going. Thanks for the well wishes, though, and I sure hope you have a nice holiday, too.
I think people are still interested, Jan, but only when something is in the news. I'm sure Casey will have to attend the hearing on Monday. That perks interest.
I am going to try to write about that motion tomorrow, Mary Jo. Thanks for the link.
You are welcome, Dave. I am glad that the prosecution is checking into this stuff. It to me, shows that they are on the ball. I look forward to reading your post about this motion.
DAVE----HELP. I try to get on your blogsite and these awful spams that look like a Norton Security warning but tell me if I click on the lock I'll get 100 McDonalds and other foolishness keep popin up. It is really causing me to worry. I'm not sure now if I'm on your site or not. Its' happened for days. I never had issues with your site before. You have my email addy. HELP HELP I'm scared of your site now.
I shall do my best, then. Now, it's time for House.
OrlandoNative - This morning, I spoke with the advertising company about that problem and they assured me it was not going to be a problem. If it still persists, I will take all of that company's ads out. I hope everyone else can help me if you are still seeing those pop-up ads in front of my site.
Casey is now attending court on the 29th of Nov because of this new motion....
I'm sure Jeff Ashton gets a kick out of forcing Casey to attend. Poor thing.
I want to know if when Baez claimed some of his private experts had compleated 50 percent of there work.If he had paid them 50 percent of there fee from the Disney momies.Or is he expecting the J A C to pick up the whole tab now his client is broke?
Ecossie ~ ~you pose a very good question. That has crossed my mind regarding some of the PIs. I wonder if they are billing for hours they worked before Casey became indigent. This is why Baez should have accounted for every red cent of that $275,000. Strickland ruled in favor of Casey's indigency so surely, someone must have audited Baez's account with Casey.
Dave, great article..My late husband was from Fall River Mass. and we visited there many times in our 38yrs. Our kids grew up knowing that Lizzie Borden story from him. We took grandaughter there a few yrs ago and we went to Lizzies house. There is a dress supposedly that she wore hanging in the front room and it has spots of blood all over it..My grandaughter thought this was horrible to show..lol..again, great article..keep 'em comin'
Hi all, just stopping in to see how things are going tonight. Hope all is well with everyone! I tried to comment a few times, but a white screen keeps popping up with an advertistment? I hope this goes through.
I just wonder what Geo. and Cindy's reaction will be when the Prosecution describes little Caylee's death, and the horror she suffered? I sure hope Dave will be there to record it for us.
I don't think that I will ever hear You are My Sunshine without thinking of Caylee.
Cindy won't stay in the courtroom during the prosecution's description of Caylee's death I suspect. This will be presented most poignantly during closing arguments.
Only under heavy sedation will she be able to withstand what she will consider to be the prosecution's slander and malice directed at her daughter.
Justice for Caylee will not be present in the heart of any Anthony, come trial, and it is my extreme desire that each and every one of them are charged with obstruction and prosecuted for the same in the wake.
As far as I know, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I will be there.
I remember being there when Jeff Ashton raised his voice and exclaimed that the last thing Caylee saw was her mother's face. Cindy got up and rushed out of the courtroom.
Dave, I had a difficult time getting to your blog, the pop-up ads just kept coming one after another. I almost gave up several times. Loved you post comparing Casey and Lizzy Borden. As for Casey being difficult to understand, there is a book called "I Hate You, Please Don't Leave Me". The book is about borderline personality disorder, which may be part of Casey's personality disorder. Also the movie "The Bad Seed", could be a clue. She may have been born with her mental disorder.
Rob - I've got 2 ads left from one of the companies I work with. I am going to delete them and see what happens. Hang in there. I'm sorry for the trouble it's been causing, but the ads are safe and malware/virus free.
"I Hate You, Please Don't Leave Me" sounds just like a California woman who begs for my death, but if it happens, she'll have no one to attack. She's an utter weirdo. As bad as Casey.
Hey, Dave- letting you know the dang weird survey is still up (as of, like, just Now)- truly major aggro especially to anyone who's newbie-ish.
BTW, there's an interesting book written by an excellent researcher on the Borden case that promotes an alternate scenario- that an illegitimate son of Borden's came that day to shake him down (Borden may well have been sitting on that sofa, not lying down on it for a nap, as has always been posited)- in this alternate version, the son came in, quarreled with the Stepmom, followed her into the bedroom when she summarily dismissed him, killed her, then waited for Borden to show up from his business. Lizzie was in the barn, staying away from the drama that was to ensue. Bridget (maid) went about her business cleaning the windows on the first floor, unawares of what went on above- maybe other side of the house. Borden comes home, sits down to listen to the "proposition"- they argue and he's killed by the son who then flees down the street, where he was seen on the same block hurrying away by another Irish maid who thought he might actually be the devil and would not come forward at the time. Lizzie was def. of what passed then for Upper Crust, Falls River style, and was genuinely shocked at her arrest. She had lied about other things (perhaps trying to protect her father's reputation), was a known shoplifter, had ordered the poison and was caught by her sister burning a dress, supposedly stained with menstrual blood. This scenario becomes a bit more plausible when the "son" was identified and turns out, had attacked and killed someone else, later, with a hatchet. Interesting possibility... It's a "good" case...
Karen - I just removed the last ad from the company I think the problem came from. If you get it again, please let me know. I'm going to the doctor now, but when I come back, I finish your comment about the alternate scenario. Yes, I'm very interested in it.
Thanks.
Arnold R. Brown- "Lizzie Borden: The Legend, the Truth, The Final Chapter"; posits that a William Borden, natural son of Andrew, was the perp. A very well-researched and plausible book- very detailed, you can almost smell that nasty leftover oatmeal.
I like how this was written but would like to add that in most respects trials are like claims (in a simplified way). As a claims expert it is my job, in some cases, to show preponderance of causation. Take for instance one on my claims as I argued with the company. I can show that on the date of claimed loss the utility company shows a damage occurred and the “at-fault” party was on site (collaborated with dailies and as-builds). A damage call was generated and the “at-fault” party was listed as the party involved. A discussion with the supervisor confirms that a discussion took place at this location with the “at-fault” party. The customer of the job was also on location during the incident. However the “at-fault” party is arguing that he was not at-fault for the incident but has no documents disputing the allegations. So looking at KC’s defense, the “preponderance of evidence” showing she didn’t do it is lacking.
As to the OJ case, that is an animal all its own. One of the main problems with this case was the prosecutions inabilities and effectiveness which includes their refusal to enter key evidence into trial or Ms. Clark’s refusal to using Mr. Vinson’s expertise in jury selections. But there were many things that were at issue with this case and sadly it wasn’t that the evidence showed otherwise it was the ineffectiveness of the prosecution. I think this case set precedence of what not to do. I think its important that when you are at the “trial of the century” you are not playing poker so show your hand.
DAVE! WOW! like everyone else I must sing praises to your latest post. Very nice how you compared the most notorious murders with yesterday and todays technology as well. And you hit a chord about how it strikes us when a Mother kills her own innocent babies. I mean when a father does it we can easily hate him but at the same time not be so shocked but when a Mother does it - we are incredibly shocked and more than anything we want to know her psyche and why she did it..... I love how you always get me thinking....
Ecossie Possie - I don't think I've ever heard of the tale of Dr Crippen. But you definitely piqued my interest.
Snoopy - I got chills at the end of your post when you talked about how we will probably never know the truth - in fact just yesterday I was thinking about poor little JonBennet Ramsey, and how we will never know what really happened that night. That was such an extraordinary case. Christmas day or night she is killed and all the drama that went with finding her body dressed in her pageant gown after going to bed in her pj's. I think Patsy did it. Why was Jon Bennet dressed that way? What about the very wordy and bizarre ransom note that made no sense demanding $118,000.00 the exact amount of John Ramsey's company bonus to himself and his executives? Why such a small amount? Afterall, he was a billionare. It also had words that were the same from a novel found the in the Ramsey home. And Patsy Ramsey's over zealous bible scripture screams - falling on her knees - "Raise Lazurus"! when they carried up JonBennet's body from the basement? Those are not the words that would normally come to mind from a mother who just discovered her daughter is dead.... Why would kidnappers bother to write a note if they killed her and left her in the home? Why would they dress her in her pageant dress? Didn't Patsy Ramsey fail a polygraph test too? And what about the fact that JonBennet's autopsy showed vaginal scarring which would indicate she was sexually abused over a period of time or how about the 11 trips to the ER in the 2 years before her death for vaginal rashes and yeast infections??? Those kinds of things don't happen to 6yr old girls unless....
Side note here's a link to an interesting analysis and breakdown of the ransom note:
http://www.statementanalysis.com/ramseynote/
What got me the most (besides the ransom note) was the letters Patsy had written to various friends and pageant people prior to Jonbennet's death. Those letters were very telling about Patsy's need for Jon Bennet to LOOK perfect - god she bleached Jonbenet's hair a platinum blonde when she was only 5 yrs old! Why would you take that kind of chance on ruining your baby's scalp & hair? And then there was Patsy's cancer she had for almost 2 yrs. There was a woman who was a former Miss America or USA beauty queen, who was also an incest survivor and she worked as a consultant on the case because she was educated in psychology and incest. I remember her talking about one classic scenario of incest between a father & daughter when the mother is too sick for sexual relations..... It all made sense to me. I think the mother & father kept each others dark secrets - one of them is already in the grave so I think John Ramsey will remain silent even to his own death. One thing I'm positive of - there was something very sick going on in that home with Jonbennet before her death. I'm still upset that no one was ever charged with that crime. What do you all think?
Happy day after Thanksgiving Day to one and all. Chained to the stove as I was, there wasn't a moment to say that yesterday.
MysticalPippin, I agree with you regarding the Ramsey's. Very odd.
JonBenet- that is a weird one. But the autopsy didn't show long-term sexual abuse, although it did show rape at time of death. There was a panel of various experts arguing back and forth on the point. The yeast infections/rashes, etc. could easily come from wearing tights and pantyhose too much, especially on an active little girl. And to my mind JonBenet certainly appeared to be a well-adjusted little girl, who went to school, had friends, was verbal and outgoing- not at all a withdrawn victim of parental abuse. Also, she was found wearing her pajamas, that's what is shown in the crime scene and autopsy photos and in the reports. They are out there for those with a strong enough stomach. Main thing is, there is a footprint not a match to anyone in the house in the basement, and the DNA of the perp did not match the Ramseys. And the local PD did every single thing they could to hang it on them, we didn't hear about the DNA not matching for YEARS. Only hope now of an arrest would be if the perp is sloppy at another scene someday or gets busted for something else, like kiddie porn.
I agree Patsy's "hobby" entering her daughter in all these creepy Little Princess beauty pageants ultimately led to the girl's death, but it seems to have been way more her thing than something John showed any interest in. The odd statements Patsy made about rising again and Lazarus, etc.- Well, here in SC I'm surrounded by Born Agains who would likely do exactly the same thing; I had a friend who prayed to Jesus when she ran out of gas for well over an hour. Jesus did not fill her gas tank, much to her chagrin. She totally expected him to!
I do think the ransom note is the oddest thing in this very odd case, and really is inexplicable. I do think that this was personal (the note), and not at all random, and it's hard not to think that someone in their general circle had to have done this- and it's a huge shame that the experts couldn't absolutely rule Patsy in or out as being the writer. But the girl was raped and the DNA is not a match... Could there have been two scenarios playing themselves out, one during the night (murder) and the other (fake kidnapping/note) during the morning? I know, too bizarre- but really odd things have happen
Silly Hubby just distracted me- "have happened before". Thinking about Christie/Evans case, also known as "10 Rillington Place" case, where you had two killers living at one address at the same time, unknown to each other evidently. That was a situation where the landlord (Christie) was a serial killer, primarily for financial reasons iirc, and his tenant Evans who killed his daughter and wife right there too. Fairly large house... everyone (total of 8 victims, at least!) all buried or hidden there...