"Let's focus on the important things"

I am not surprised at the response of the response I have seen to the recent verdict in the latest trial of the century. When Casey Anthony was not found guilty of murder or even manslaughter and only was sentenced to four years for lying to investigators. The backlash directed at the jury has been overwhelming. I was reading an article where one of the jurors said, I did not say she did not commit the crime only that there was not enough evidence to convict her of the crime.
At the sentencing hearing there was person outside the court house holding a sign which said "hang the jury", obviously expressing his displeasure at the jury's result.
Let me share a couple of thoughts on these events. First, the death of a child by whatever means is a tragic event. I also was shocked by the verdict but then realized I was not in the courtroom hearing the testimony or seeing the evidence or in the deliberation room. I therefore unable to make a judgement as to the guilt or innocence of the person on trial.
Second, the media blew this case way out of proportion and created a media frenzy. Way too much time and focus was given to this case and everyone involved was tried in the press long before this case ever went to trial.
Third, the jury in a trial with such publicity is under a great deal of stress. To return with an unpopular verdict only subjects them to greater stress. It is easy to see why none of the jurors chose to participate in a post trial press conference. If I was on such a jury I would want to disappear in the crowd and never be heard from again. I also have to say I admire the jury to stand by their convictions and come back with an unpopular verdict in the midst of such a public trial. They did what they were called to do and they followed the law as they understood it. Is it any wonder people do not want to serve on juries when the decisions they are called to make are met with such criticism.
Finally, I believe there are a lot more important issues to deal with today than to rehash the trial in the media over and over. While a child is dead, and what a tragedy it is, we need to remember there are thousands abused each and every day that we never hear about. There are people suffering from floods and droughts and other natural disasters that are pushed to the back pages of the newspapers, when a celebrity gets a hangnail is on the front page.
I guess what I am saying is we spend a lot of energy focusing on the wrong things and not enough energy trying to alleviate the problems.