Who is Casey Anthony?

A few days ago, I received a delayed response to a text message with the excuse that they were watching the Casey Anthony verdict.

Me: Who is Casey?

Them: The lady who killed her baby. It’s the only thing on the news in the past 2 weeks.

Me: Oh, is she black?

Them: Never mind. Turn on the TV.

I was no where near a TV so I didn’t watch the verdict, but I had a feeling there was a story out there that had just passed me right on by.

Despite popular belief, I am not a news junkie. Business news and politics I follow, but I don’t have an appetite for crime news, or police dramas, or court TV. I leave that to the professionals and the curious. 

But, it became clear that this Casey Anthony story was a big deal, so I began to do my research.

As I started asking around, all I kept hearing was how the verdict turned out and their opinions on it. But I was trying to catch up. The questions and answers went something like this...

Me: What happened?

Them: She killed her baby and lied about it.

Me: When did it happen?

Them: 3 years ago.

Me: Huh? Why is it big news now?

Them: Just watch TV.

and...

Me: Is she from around here?

Them: No, she’s from Florida.

Me: Huh? Why is a murder in Florida such a big deal? Open the Philly paper and there is a murder-a-day.

Them: Because she didn’t report the child missing for 30 days and was out partying. 

Me: Oh!

Now, I’m trying to pay a little more attention to this story which I have no interest in but I’m tired of sounding like a guy from another planet when it’s brought up everywhere I go.

That’s why I don’t follow crime stories.