Latest news with #CaseyAnthony
Miami Herald
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
In the name of media accountability, Florida bill would make it easier to revisit history
A proposed Florida law that purports to hold media outlets accountable would actually make facts 'airbrushable' from history, as Bobby Block, executive director of the First Amendment Foundation, told the Herald Editorial Board. Think of the murder charges against Casey Anthony related to the death of her daughter and those against George Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin's death. Both cases were widely covered in the media before the accused were found not guilty. If Senate Bill 752 is approved by the Florida Legislature, experts say, it would allow former defendants like Anthony and Zimmerman to require media outlets to take down news content about the charges against them because they weren't convicted — even if those stories accurately described the facts at the time of their arrest. That's one bizarre consequence of SB 752 — and it goes even further than that. The proposal would make it easier for subjects of news reporting to require that entire online articles be removed from a website within 10 days 'if any part of the online article is inaccurate' — no matter how small or inconsequential the error — Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, wrote in a statement. That means taking down 'entire articles, even if only one sentence is disputed,' James Lake, a defamation lawyer, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 12. A correction or apology alone would not be enough to avoid punitive damages in court, Miami-based First Amendment lawyer Thomas Julin told the Board. This would affect not only the 'liberal mainstream media' that Republicans dislike, but also the vast network of Florida's conservative news organizations, many of them small, that would be hard-pressed to afford the legal costs of defending themselves from defamation lawsuits. The religious communications group National Religious Broadcasters has warned the legislation would be weaponized against against Christian broadcasters. In the end, if entire articles are taken down or the press ends up self-censoring to avoid legal issues, the public loses its ability to be informed. The bill, filed by Sen. Corey Smith, R-Tallahassee, undermines what's known as 'fair reporting privilege.' Under the law, reporters have legal protections if they report on judicial and public records in a fair and accurate way. That includes statements made during court proceedings, public meetings or a police report when someone is arrested. The bill states that if a newspaper, TV station or other outlet 'publishes a defamatory statement on the Internet with no knowledge of falsity of the statement,' they are required to take down that statement if they 'receive notice that such statement has been found in a judicial proceeding to be false' — a judicial proceeding could be interpreted to include an acquittal from criminal charges — 'or receives notice of facts that would cause a reasonable person to conclude that such statement was false.' If the news outlet fails to do so, they lose their fair reporting privilege. SB 752, and its House companion, have been sold as a remedy for people whose reputations were ruined because of news stories about crimes they were accused of, even when those charges were later dropped or the defendants were found not guilty. Certainly, being accused of a crime shouldn't ruin anyone's life, especially if they aren't convicted. But the problem is how broad the legislation is, and how it revisits what the truth means. When law enforcement charged Anthony in 2008 with murdering her daughter, for example, those were the facts reported in the media at the time. Her subsequent acquittal doesn't change those initial events. '[The bill] would require you to go back and edit history,' Julin said. Another problem is how the legislation addresses statements that 'a reasonable person' would find false. That standard is 'often a matter of perspective or opinion,' the National Religious Broadcasters wrote in a letter to Senate leadership, Fox News reported. These outlets would be at risk of facing lawsuits because they 'often take positions that are at odds with views of certain elites within society,' NRB general counsel Michael Farris wrote. If lawmakers truly want to help people whose reputations have been harmed, then a bill that narrowly addresses that would make more sense. This legislation seems more geared toward a broad and dangerous goal of chilling speech. Click here to send the letter.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
23andMe money woes could expose killers who escaped justice: expert
The recent bankruptcy filing of genetic testing company 23andMe, which allows users to spit in a tube and send away the sample for a detailed DNA analysis, has sparked the possibility that the data could revolutionize cold-case cracking. "The more data you have, the better that data could help law enforcement in solving cold cases," Eric Brown, the founder and CEO of Imperio Consulting, told Fox News Digital. "Where law enforcement didn't have access to DNA before, the potential sale could provide additional genetic information that authorities did not have access to before." In the past, 23andMe generally resisted law enforcement requests for customer data, but it would comply with valid court orders or subpoenas. The company's Transparency Report noted that it received 15 requests from law enforcement but fulfilled none of them. "The sale of 23andMe could increase the database by millions of records that they didn't have access to before," Brown said. "The least sliver of DNA from a criminal could 100% help law enforcement." Protect Your Genetic Data: Urgent Steps After 23Andme Bankruptcy DNA databases gained public attention in April 2018 when the suspected Golden State Killer became the first person to be arrested through the use of the database and a DNA-and-family-tracing method called genetic genealogy. Read On The Fox News App Former police officer and Golden State Killer Joseph DeAngelo was sentenced to life in prison in a decades-old case of a serial murderer and rapist. DeAngelo was brought to justice after detective work was combined with DNA databases and family trees to identify potential suspects. He was charged with the murder of 13 people, the rape of around 50 women, and the commission of burglaries across California during the 1970s and 1980s. In the infamous 2008 case, 2-year-old Caylee Anthony was found dead in Orlando, Florida, and her mother, Casey Anthony, was accused of murder. DNA evidence from the remains found in a wooded area helped confirm the identity of the body. While the DNA was important, the case also involved contentious debates about evidence. Exclusive: Casey Anthony's Father Seen For First Time After Taking Polygraph Test About Granddaughter's Murder A jury found Anthony guilty of lying to law enforcement but not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse after a trial in 2011. Caylee's death remains unsolved. While Casey Anthony was ultimately acquitted, DNA evidence played a significant role in the investigation. 23andMe announced in a statement this week that it had entered the federal bankruptcy process with the goal of finding a buyer to address its ongoing money troubles. Co-founder Anne Wojcicki stepped down as CEO and said in a post on X that she hopes to purchase the company herself. The board rejected an offer she made this month, according to a press release. Former Duke Football Player Confesses To Killing Ex-real Estate Agent Friend In Her Upscale Townhouse: Police Following the company's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the service's more than 15 million users were left asking: What's going to happen to my data? "The loss of data is really an important point to consider here," Darren Williams, the founder of three technology start-ups and the founder and CEO of BlackFog Inc., a cybersecurity company focused on data security and ransomware prevention, told Fox News Digital. "We really need to ensure that it doesn't get into the wrong hands, because that's where they could easily harvest this data and actually use it for ransom." In 2023, 23andMe saw such a data breach. The breach, outlined in an SEC filing, revealed that hackers were able to access the accounts of roughly 0.1% of its user base, or about 14,000 of its 14 million total customers. The attackers were also able to exploit 23andMe's opt-in DNA Relatives (DNAR) feature, which matches users with their genetic relatives, to access information about millions of other users. "Once the data is gone, you'll never get it back again," Williams said. "I mean, after all, we're dealing with cyber criminals." Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X Eran Barak, CEO of MIND, a data security firm, told Fox News Digital that interest plateaued in DNA testing companies following their growth in the 2010s. Barak said the companies' downfall was due to market saturation, fewer consumers interested in recreational genealogy and rising consumer wariness about how their sensitive data is handled. "When your DNA is compromised, it's not just a password reset. It's permanent," he said. "The breach raised alarm among customers concerned about their privacy and how DNA-testing firms handle their data," Barak said. "Genetic data is arguably the most sensitive form of personally identifiable information (PII). It can reveal predispositions to disease, familial relationships and even be used in criminal investigations." The plateauing interest in recreational genealogy services moved many companies towards monetizing customer data through partnerships with pharmaceutical and research institutions. "The 23andMe bankruptcy isn't just about business mismanagement or market downturns; it reflects growing skepticism around personal genetic data, rising concerns over PHI (Protected Health Information) and PII (Personally Identifiable Information) security, and broader shifts in how consumers engage with biotech and digital health platforms," Barak said. Fox News Digital has reached out to 23andMe for comment. Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this article source: 23andMe money woes could expose killers who escaped justice: expert
Fox News
27-03-2025
- Fox News
23andMe money woes could expose killers who escaped justice: expert
The recent bankruptcy filing of genetic testing company 23andMe, which allows users to spit in a tube and send away the sample for a detailed DNA analysis, has sparked the possibility that the data could revolutionize cold-case cracking. "The more data you have, the better that data could help law enforcement in solving cold cases," Eric Brown, the founder and CEO of Imperio Consulting, told Fox News Digital. "Where law enforcement didn't have access to DNA before, the potential sale could provide additional genetic information that authorities did not have access to before." In the past, 23andMe generally resisted law enforcement requests for customer data, but it would comply with valid court orders or subpoenas. The company's Transparency Report noted that it received 15 requests from law enforcement but fulfilled none of them. "The sale of 23andMe could increase the database by millions of records that they didn't have access to before," Brown said. "The least sliver of DNA from a criminal could 100% help law enforcement." DNA databases gained public attention in April 2018 when the suspected Golden State Killer became the first person to be arrested through the use of the database and a DNA-and-family-tracing method called genetic genealogy. Former police officer and Golden State Killer Joseph DeAngelo was sentenced to life in prison in a decades-old case of a serial murderer and rapist. DeAngelo was brought to justice after detective work was combined with DNA databases and family trees to identify potential suspects. He was charged with the murder of 13 people, the rape of around 50 women, and the commission of burglaries across California during the 1970s and 1980s. In the infamous 2008 case, 2-year-old Caylee Anthony was found dead in Orlando, Florida, and her mother, Casey Anthony, was accused of murder. DNA evidence from the remains found in a wooded area helped confirm the identity of the body. While the DNA was important, the case also involved contentious debates about evidence. A jury found Anthony guilty of lying to law enforcement but not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse after a trial in 2011. Caylee's death remains unsolved. While Casey Anthony was ultimately acquitted, DNA evidence played a significant role in the investigation. 23andMe announced in a statement this week that it had entered the federal bankruptcy process with the goal of finding a buyer to address its ongoing money troubles. Co-founder Anne Wojcicki stepped down as CEO and said in a post on X that she hopes to purchase the company herself. The board rejected an offer she made this month, according to a press release. Following the company's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the service's more than 15 million users were left asking: What's going to happen to my data? "The loss of data is really an important point to consider here," Darren Williams, the founder of three technology start-ups and the founder and CEO of BlackFog Inc., a cybersecurity company focused on data security and ransomware prevention, told Fox News Digital. "We really need to ensure that it doesn't get into the wrong hands, because that's where they could easily harvest this data and actually use it for ransom." In 2023, 23andMe saw such a data breach. The breach, outlined in an SEC filing, revealed that hackers were able to access the accounts of roughly 0.1% of its user base, or about 14,000 of its 14 million total customers. The attackers were also able to exploit 23andMe's opt-in DNA Relatives (DNAR) feature, which matches users with their genetic relatives, to access information about millions of other users. "Once the data is gone, you'll never get it back again," Williams said. "I mean, after all, we're dealing with cyber criminals." Eran Barak, CEO of MIND, a data security firm, told Fox News Digital that interest plateaued in DNA testing companies following their growth in the 2010s. Barak said the companies' downfall was due to market saturation, fewer consumers interested in recreational genealogy and rising consumer wariness about how their sensitive data is handled. "When your DNA is compromised, it's not just a password reset. It's permanent," he said. "The breach raised alarm among customers concerned about their privacy and how DNA-testing firms handle their data," Barak said. "Genetic data is arguably the most sensitive form of personally identifiable information (PII). It can reveal predispositions to disease, familial relationships and even be used in criminal investigations." The plateauing interest in recreational genealogy services moved many companies towards monetizing customer data through partnerships with pharmaceutical and research institutions. "The 23andMe bankruptcy isn't just about business mismanagement or market downturns; it reflects growing skepticism around personal genetic data, rising concerns over PHI (Protected Health Information) and PII (Personally Identifiable Information) security, and broader shifts in how consumers engage with biotech and digital health platforms," Barak said. Fox News Digital has reached out to 23andMe for comment.
USA Today
07-03-2025
- USA Today
Casey Anthony, acquitted in daughter's death, says she's now a legal advocate on TikTok
Casey Anthony, acquitted in daughter's death, says she's now a legal advocate on TikTok Show Caption Hide Caption Casey Anthony joins TikTok launching 'legal advocate' career Casey Anthony, the Florida mom accused – and acquitted – in the disappearance and death of her daughter, Caylee Anthony, seemingly joined TikTok. Fox - 35 Orlando Casey Anthony, the Florida woman dubbed "America's most hated mom" after she was accused and acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter, has launched a TikTok and a newsletter to "reintroduce" herself personally and professionally as a legal advocate. Anthony, 38, gained national notoriety after she was accused of killing her daughter, Caylee Anthony, in 2008 in a case that attracted a media frenzy much like the O.J. Simpson trial. Anthony initially told investigators Caylee had been kidnapped, prompting a massive search for the girl. In 2011, after more than 10 hours of jury deliberations, she was acquitted of murder but convicted of providing false information to law enforcement. She has since admitted lying to police in multiple interviews. Anthony said in a TikTok video recorded Saturday that to continue working as a "legal advocate," she felt compelled to advocate for herself and for her daughter. She said she believes it's important to use her platform this way after people close to her were recently "targeted and attacked." "As a proponent for the LGBTQ community, for our legal community, women's rights, I feel that it's important that I use this platform that was thrust upon me, and now look at as a blessing, as opposed to the curse that it has been since 2008," she said. What was Casey Anthony accused of? Prosecutors said Anthony suffocated her daughter, dumped her body in the woods near her home and didn't report her missing for more than a month. The state argued Anthony tried to resume her normal life after her daughter disappeared, including partying and getting "Bella Vita" − "Beautiful Life" − tattooed on her back. Anthony's attorneys argued Caylee drowned in an above-ground swimming pool and Anthony's parents tried to cover it up. The defense team also accused her father and brother of abuse. Anthony was found not guilty of killing her daughter and guilty of four counts of providing false information to law enforcement, though two were later overturned. After the verdict, a USA TODAY/ Gallup poll found that about two-thirds or 64% of Americans believed Anthony definitely or probably killed her daughter. Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. Perry told Orlando television station WFTV9 in 2017 that he believes Anthony killed her daughter unintentionally. "The most logical thing that happened was that she tried to knock her daughter out by the use of chloroform and gave her too much of chloroform, which caused her daughter to die," he said. Casey Anthony breaks her silence after acquittal Anthony spoke about the case for the first time since her acquittal in a 2017 interview with The Associated Press. She admitted in the interview that she lied to police about her employment, leaving Caylee with a babysitter and receiving a call from Caylee before she vanished but said she was "still not certain" what really happened to her daughter. At the time, The AP reported that Anthony was living with Patrick McKenna, the lead investigator on her case, and "doing online social media searches and other investigative work" for him. Why believe a convicted liar? Casey Anthony documentary director addresses 'understandable' outrage Anthony reentered the spotlight in 2022 upon the release of a three-part docuseries, "Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies," which featured her first on-camera interview since 2011. Anthony, who has been described as a pathological liar, said she began lying to cope with and cover up sexual abuse by her brother and her father, who has denied the allegations. She said in the series that she believes her father was also abusing Caylee. She claimed he brought Caylee's wet body to her, assured her the child "would be OK," took her away and told Anthony to lie to the police. Anthony said that she did not launch her series on TikTok in response to anything that her parents have said or done but said she may at some point respond to them. Casey Anthony promotes legal advocacy on TikTok Anthony said on TikTok that she has worked in the legal field since 2011, though she did not say in exactly what capacity. The now-defunct news website The Messenger reported in 2023 that Anthony was still working for McKenna and had also started a private investigation business. Anthony directed viewers to her Substack, an online newsletter platform, and said she plans to set up an email address where people can correspond with her directly on a limited basis regarding legal issues. She said she still plans to protect her privacy and will "explain in great detail" why doing so is important for public and private figures. "My goal is to continue to help give a voice to people, to give people tools and resources that they can utilize so they actually know where they can turn to." Contributing: Erin Jensen and Sean Rossman
Fox News
06-03-2025
- Fox News
Paul Mauro On Casey Anthony's Return To Social Media
Casey Anthony is back in the public eye after posting a video to TikTok preparing to advocate for herself and her late daughter, Caylee. Meanwhile, Juilliard-trained pianist Zachary Hughes was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison for killing 41-year-old Christina Parcell. And in New Jersey, suspected murderer Matthew Hertgen attempted to commit suicide inside his jail cell. He's been charged with violently murdering his brother and pet cat. Retired NYPD Inspector, Attorney, and FOX News Contributor Paul Mauro provides his analysis of the latest developments within these cases. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: truecrimepodcast@ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
