Can one family have an impact, economic or social, on an entire state? Sure it can. Even if it is minimal, it is still an impact in the sense. Take the Anthony family in Florida for example. George and Cindy, their son Lee and their daughter Casey. They reside in the city of Orlando. Currently, their daughter Casey is awaiting trial for the murder of her own daughter, Caylee. This investigation against Casey has consumed countless man-hours of following this lead and talking to that person. Combing and sifting through many pieces of evidence equating to tons of lab work. When Caylee was missing and up until the point when she was found, many volunteers searched every wooded lot, all the areas of Casey’s cell phone pings, every park she frequented, just to try and find, according to Casey, a kidnapped Caylee. Many volunteers.

It has been reported that some of Casey’s defense may in fact have to be paid by Florida taxpayers. Florida’s state budget is distributed to every law enforcement agency, in every city. That means all state run facilities. This brings us to the city of Orlando in Orange County. The prosecution lawyers, the OCSD, the city of Orlando PD all are basically paid for by taxpayer funds. Now the state may have to foot some of Casey’s bill? Insane. Yet, Casey is afforded the luxury of such high-priced lawyers? I don’t get it.

The cards are stacked mightily against Casey and it is this writer’s belief that Johnny Cochran wouldn’t even get her off, if he was still alive. But, to make the state of Florida partially responsible in remitting payment to Jose Baez, Andrea Lyon, and Linda Baden is nothing less than idiotic.

Let us not forget, that occasionally civil peace is broken every now and then by some loony act, created by ordinary citizens of Orlando, or the antsy Anthonys, or both. This causes a diversion to real news. Who wants to keep being reminded of what we all knew from the very beginning. The Anthonys are not normal, but neither are the instigators. If people would quit poking sticks at them, we could be afforded the absence on TV or newsprint of these wacky individuals. But, no. More seem to need their fifteen minutes of fame than, lets say, a real missing child.

Yes, one family can have an impact. One that is growing every minute. Every second that ticks by, until the start of the trial, increases the size that will eventually make a big difference upon the city of Orlando, the county of Orange, and finally, the state of Florida.

Jeff Payne

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