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Do hope folks realize just how much power they are giving to the media in cases like this. It really would take a judge and jury of extra-ordinary virtue to hear the case on fair impartial and full presentations and not be swayed by the "angry mob" that streches from Hawaii to Maine, that is directed almost completly by the media.

What havoc is unleashed to sell scented anti-static dryer cloths, viagra and vacation get-aways to a people willing to be marketed to, once the marketeers learn the potent draw of human sacrifices to the mob's cries.

I think I see what you are saying about the media. But I also think that the rules that apply to you and me really, really don't apply to the Irish Travellers. These folks are way, way ahead of the legal system.

Don't forget, it was Madelyne's own actions that led to that videocam being trained on her in the first place. Had she not been trying to turn in clothes which the store clearly thought were not from the store, she'd never have aroused any notice. I've tried to return things to stores, and occasionally have forgotten where I actually bought the item, and have been turned away when they checked. I have never raised a fuss as long as I was sure they had checked, and I would just walk out with the merchandise, which I realized I was stuck with unless/until I remembered where I bought it, and/or came up with the receipt.

Most stores nowadays are happy to take back undamaged merchandise; some will trust you w/o the receipt and will give you store credit. They know they're not being cheated, b/c they have the undamaged merchandise right there in their hands. This woman was reportedly insisting on a cash refund--store credit wouldn't satisfy her--but she couldn't show that she'd bought the stuff at that store.

Of course I wasn't there, but I completely believe that Ms. Gorman-Toogood was engaging in a scam of some sort. I've read and heard of the Irish Travellers, as well as seeing some of their group in criminal court, and they do in fact make a living out of cheating people. They would count on the fairness of the average decent American to gain undeserved sympathy--which they would then transform into monetary gain as best they could.

This lady will not spend any appreciable time in jail (I am betting that she never spends one day in jail), and will not be separated from physical custody of her daughter for long. She will get her hands on the little girl, and they will both be gone to where nobody can find them. Also, I'm not sure I believe she was beating that little girl in any extreme way. The video didn't look right to me.

I looked at the still of the little girl, I looked at the pictures of Madelyne and her sister. They all had that same impassive look that I've seen on the faces of people of this group, the times I've encountered them in the flesh. They are of a different world. They are a fascinating people, but they are not to be trusted by any outsider under any circumstances.