Casey Anthony Theories

Abstract

In chapter 3 of the Crime and Justice in America textbook, Joycelyn Pollock provides information about the three theories of crime. These theories help us to explain the motivation behind different criminal acts. The reasons why one would commit a crime may be due to biological, psychological, or sociological influences. This paper will explore the high profile cases of The State vs. Casey Anthony and The United States vs. Enron, and link them to one the theories of crime causation detailed by Pollock in chapter 3. We will explore the evidence of what motivated these people to commit the crimes they were charged with.

The State vs. Casey Anthony

On July 15, 2008, Cindy Anthony contacted the Orange County Police Department

Casey Anthony. Throughout those six weeks, there were claims that the Anthony family had dark family secrets which included that Casey was sexually abused by both her father and her brother. The defense made claims that Caylee’s death was caused by accidental drowning in the family’s pool. The prosecution told the story of the days after the las day Caylee was seen. They highlighted Casey as a party girl who possessed new found freedom once Caylee was out of the picture. There were also claims that the meter reader who found the body moved it from its original

The Anthony family’s home computer hard drive had searches of “chloroform inhalation,” and “home weapons” on it. Both sides vigorously addressed the location and condition of Caylee’s decomposed body, as well as the odor that came from Casey’s trunk. Casey’s parents took the stand to testify and her father denied all sexual abuse allegations. For closing arguments, both sides pointed out the gaps in the other’s story. On July 5, 2011, after just one day of deliberating, the jury found Casey Anthony not guilty of the murder of her daughter, Caylee Anthony. She found guilty of four counts of providing false information to the police. After factoring in time served, Casey had 10 days of jail time left.

The theory that best fits the Casey Anthony case is the Psychological Theory of Crime. Although George Anthony and his son claimed that the allegations of them committing sexual abuse on Casey were untrue, her behavior mimics that of someone who experienced childhood trauma. Casey’s lawyer, Jose Baez, went more in depth about the abuse in his book Presumed Guilty, Casey Anthony: The Inside Story. David Lohr, a writer for the Huffington Post