Good afternoon. Here’s a glance at today’s opinion content:
Caylee’s Law: Editorial
We comment on the development of a New York version of Caylee’s Law, which would make it a felony not to report a missing or deceased child within a timely manner to authorities. The legislation follows on the acquittal of Casey Anthony. We write:
… Public outcry was immediate over Casey Anthony’s murder acquittal. A USA Today/Gallup Poll after the verdict found that 64 percent of Americans believe Casey Anthony definitely or probably murdered her daughter. Within 48 hours of Casey Anthony’s acquittal on most charges, legislation dubbed “Caylee’s Law” began appearing in statehouses from Florida to Texas, spurred on by online petitions calling for such laws.But, a meaningful law has to do more than satisfy angry calls for vengeance.
“What we know is that given the public outcry after the Casey Anthony case, some form of the bill will likely be passed,” Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe told the Editorial Board. “It’s not clear that such a bill would be a deterrent in a case where an individual murders a child, but at least a parent or caregiver who fails to report would not be rewarded when those actions lead to the contamination or destruction of evidence.” He said New York’s statutes, including charges of endangering the welfare of a child, can be employed in cases of delayed reporting.Legal experts have expressed concerns that current versions of Caylee’s Law could be, at best, duplicative , and at worst, ripe for prosecutorial abuse. …
More opinion
Here’s what our colleagues are saying today:
Don’t let abuse limit press freedom: Editorial, Newsday
Let’s gang up: Editorial, Daily News
Life-saving law: Editorial, The Buffalo News
A contract for hard times: Editorial, Albany Times Union