Question of the day: What do you think has been the most compelling piece of evidence so far?

The dog chain. No matter who Anthony and his defense team point the finger at, it always comes back to the chain.

The fact that Marsha did NOT call the fire department after saving her "dog" is a great piece of evidence. Did Calista have life insurance? Also, her "father" is a liar and Calista's birth mother should sue him, Marsha, and all of the other people involved in this case since 1994 and chose to turn their heads and ignore the pleading cries of Calista.

Obviously everyone will say the choke collar and the chain. I'll take it a step further. The teachers had wonderful results simply using positive reinforcement, while the parents lacked the intelligence to do the same. I have a sickening feeling in my gut that these jurors are going to walk these people. Why else the questions about her diagnoses?

This question isn't about compelling evidence but i have been wondering if this question was ever asked.
Being that the father was not home much, did he actually see the so called bad behavior from Calista himself or was the evil stepmom telling him these things were going on?
Also, when the father was asked if Calista had any jewelry, he forgot about that "tight" chain she wore everyday!

For me the most compelling piece of evidence would have to be the used zip tie in the garbage in the parents bedroom. There were 14 ties in the garbage, but the parents claim she was only restrained a couple of days. The 14 ties tell me it has been going on much longer than that, and it proves what liars the parents really are.

As a Mom. Calista smiling and laughing as a little baby totally refutes ALL the evidence for the defense as theSpringers are so obviously lying about her "not being able to smile, etc."

There's been so much compelling evidence, but for me, I don't think she is as blind as she pretends. She didn't need any help to walk through the snow missing snow drifts, but she couldn't try to free that baby from that prison. I think this was a premeditated act , and I believe the fire was planned.
If i was on the jury with all of the evidence, I would find guilty, although, the child is far beyond their torture now.

If Calista was only chained up for 3 days before the fire, which is what her sister and father has said, why were her friends and teachers aware that she was already being chained down back in grade 6. She was 16 when she died. They are definitely lying.

There is not enough punishment that could be layed down for these parents. They are responsible for Calista's death.

I thought I heard on your program that at the time of the fire Calista was still chained to her bed and they say the vaccum did it because it got to hot. How old was this vaccum?And how was the blind mom able to vaccum wouldn't she have left it to someone else? I am not saying disabled people can not do things because I also am disabled I just don't understand why so MANY red flags were missed with this family.

Most compelling has to be the picture of Calista's body with the chain mark and the deadpan testamony of one of the sisters.

The chaining to the bed!No question about it! Who in their right mind, chains anyone let alone a child to a bed or anything at all! If she neede that kind of attention, then she should have been in a facility that's equiped to handle situations like that! And for the record... Calista may have been drinking out of the toilet because she was so thirsty.How long has this abuse really been going on?

the vacuum cleaner.....it bothers me the most because i find it hard to believe that a blind woman was vacuuming???

Dont know if I misunderstood ....Didn't the father testify that he went to workat 6am and didn't get home until 7pm? Was the fire at around 8am? If so, did he leave for work and left Calista chained? Who then chained and UNCHAINED Calista? Did he kiss her goodbye that morning with her chains on.......This is really bothering me....Thanks Vinny

I have 2 family members with far worse PDD and lived in SW MI.

Although, the state hasn't provided much assistance, my family has researched and done everything possible including medications and NEVER ever restrained the family members.

I feel that too much emphasis is placed on the "blind mom's"
concerns and not equal amounts on Calistas' needs.
Why weren't they in a support group for children like Calista?

Also, why were they using a kerocene heater and not the new furnace
that was installed the previous summer?

Tony Springer testified he had to remove Calista from her birth mother due to her being drenched in urine in her crib but he saw nothing wrong with chaining her for years to her bed and forcing her to urinate on herself and then making her clean it up herself. He and his wife are nothing but monsters.

To Vinnie: I would have to say the pictures of the marks on Calista and the home videos of her swimming on her own, the skating well Calista skated better than I did when I was a teen. You can really see in the videos how she was left out of the crowd of the other children, she was a normal child and obviously smarter than the adults, she out smarted them in everything until they put her in a place she couldnt get out of.

The chain was the most important piece of evidence to me because they asked everyone who was called to the stand if they would control their child that way and everyone said no. Not to mention the doctor that said how harmful it could be.

The most compelling evidence;
That the stepmother down to the dog could get out of the house and no thought of Calista was given until AFTER she died.
There are many more parts to consider. This shows that there was no thought of the child chained down until others were present.
Question;
If Marsha is legally blind and can only distinguish between light and dark, how is she able to sew and use a computer?

THE VIDEOS.. They contradict everything the defense has to say about colista. Also, after seeing her playing it makes it so much worse to know what she went through.

The three facts that you mentioned:the picture of the mark of the chain link around her waist, the picture taken of her body after the fire, and the test made on the alarm, it is all so sad, she was treated like an animal, at home we do not treat our pets this way.The family videos from yesterday also show how she was always emotionally detached from Marsha and the other two girls, watch the Christmas video where Calista is sitting on the couch, completely disconnected from the whole happy scene going on.More than the death itself, what breaks my heart is the years of abuse she had to go through.

I agree with Vinnie. That alarm wasn't broken. Calista figured out how to get out of it. This girl who "Was never going to be a rocket scientist" sure wasn't as 'stupid' as the parents would have us believe. What do they want us to believe... That Calista wasn't smart enough to understand anything or that she was smart enough to defeat so many devices used to restrain her, that they had to chain her down with a choke collar?
The chain marks on her body are very haunting too.
- Shirl

Vinnie: I still dont understand why these educated people who saw the marks on her didnt take pictures or video of her. That could've saved her case and life.

I think those pic's of chains and hand cuffs, choke collar etc are just so wrong.
Can you even imagine being chained to your bed when the house is on fire and choking to death from the smoke. That poor little girl, I feel so sorry for what she must of had to endure. I really hope they just rot in prison!!

The most compelling thing was when Courtney testified that Calista was a 'hazard to me and my family', which revealed that they did not feel that Calista was part of or included in that family. They all referred to her in such a venomous manner. Not one expressed emotion at the loss of their daughter, whom they supposedly loved so much.
Anthony was more upset/irked at the fact that Calista could not ride a bike than he was that she is dead.
Teresa
Pen Argyl Pa

The alarm was the most compelling piece of evidence because it show that they lied that it didn't work.

Two things. 1) the fact that Anthony springer fakes his tears and you can tell he's disgusted by Calista 2) the alarm...
It still worked. That shows they were torturing the poor little girl. They should have put her up for adoption if they didn't want her & its obvious they didn't

The most compelling peice of evidence in the Fire,Smoke & Chains trial in my opinion has been the testimony of the daughter on the stand stating about all the times of Calista "inconvienced" her family.With her on the stand pretty much stating that they were fed up with the behaviours,and in a non chalant way could careless about the death of her sister.As well as telling the prosecutor he was the enemy.

the fathers testimony
after his testimony we are all left re-a sured, with out a doubt in our minds. this-(kid) was terrible and he is not responsible for anything he and his wife ever did .let us pray.

The most compelling evidence is the many inconsistencies of what Mr. S. said as opposed to what other witnesses said. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when he was asked why things were not locked up, he indicated she was too blind to use a lock and key. I can use a lock and key with my eyes closed. However, her sister indicated she was a quilter and used pins. As a quilter, I cannot use quilting pins with my eyes closed.

Two things. 1) the fact that Anthony springer fakes his tears and you can tell he’s disgusted by Calista 2) the alarm… It still worked. That shows they were torturing the poor little girl. They should have put her up for adoption if they didn’t want her & its obvious they didn’t

the most compelling evidence has been the people who testified that they heard about the dog choke collar years before the springers say they used it...if it wasn't used how did calista come up with the story that it was...according to the springers she was no rocket scientist in the making...

Jen
Springfield, MA

The evidence that i keep going back to is the fact that Calista was chained sitting up with her back against the wall. If she were sleeping wouldn't she have been lying down? I did think that the father and sister were lying. Even though Calista never said the word "step-mother" in front of her parents, while she was in her room with her step sisters, I am sure she was told by her sisters that this was so. Being a girl who had to share my room with step siblings I can tell you this is a normal occurrence. And last, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS FATHER?????
If my spouce did not try everything in their power to get my child out of a fire, I would not be with that person for one second more. In fact if I were that father I would have brought suit against his wife. Didn't he say the reason he took her away from her real mother is because Calista was LEFT in bed. What's the difference here???

Why was this girl still chained up at 8:30am. I think Marsha kept her chained up a lot more than just overnight. She could have gotten to Calista to release her and if not she should have died trying. They should both be locked away a long time.

The most compelling evidence to me seems to have been missed by most people. If Calista was developemenatally hadicapped how could she have had the abilities to outwit all the alarms, locks and other steps taken to keep her in her room?

Ginny

My think is I think the way this child was treated all the way around the board was wrong alot of us go through the samething and we dont chain our children to beds If she was bad as her parents say she was they would have gotten her help I dont think they loved her anymore after the other two children came along and the fire just gave them a way out so they thought

I think the best evidence are the Body Language experts they were saying both Marsha and Anthony were showing movements proving their guilt

From what was admitted into the trial, the crime scene photos and the home videos. But what about the hole cut at the top of the stairway that I have heard about? So the rescue team would not have been able to reach her through the house? And if they had reach the room, the bedroom door was locked with a dead bolt?

The photos and videos of Callista. They were in total contrast to what her father, her sister, and others testified to her being a problem child. Also noticed that Callista stayed & played by herself. But wouldn't anybody do that when you know that you are not loved and that even the pets are treated better than you are?

Also, the one person that didn't take the stand, Marsha Springer. Was the defense afraid the jurors would see through her lies? Or were they afraid that others would see how much she really hated Callista? After all, Callista was under her control for most of the day.

Anthony Springer's testimony was compelling, but hot in the way that he hoped it would be. HOw can the jury believe his testimony when he asserts that he only used the dog collar for two nights while Mrs. Ganger saw the bruising on Calista's stomach years earlier? Also isn't it ironic that a developmentally slow girl who "couldn;t even learn to ride a two wheel bike" could thwart Anthony Springer's best attempts to restrain her. Sad that he couldn't see Calista's gifts and could only focus on her as a nuisance to him and his family.

The most compelling part to me is the fact that they havent shown remorse, like it was this childs falt, that she deserved to be treated like that. This case is very heart breaking.

Most compelling evidence is Calista's continued request for help and the parents consistent denial of true love and affection for her!
Janet–Texas

I agree with Vinnie. There was a LOT of compelling evidence and heartbreaking testimony in this case, but when I heard the alarm, I thought "aha, the smoking gun."
It proved to me that the Springers are liars and had no compassion or love for that precious girl.
Most girls are "daddy's girls" not poor Calista. She was treated as a problem that had to be dealt with not like a child or even a human being. I hope they are found guilty of felony murder.

The video that the defense showed Calista not acting bad

The fact that Child Protection did nothing to save this child. I live in MN., and was also abused by my mother and Child Protection believed my mother when she said that I was a trouble maker. I had teachers that believed me, but no real help. This country needs to focus on the real abusers in this country and save these kids or we wil keep having cases like these!

The fire occured during the day when the other children were at school, Anthony was not at home even though he was unemployed, blind Marsha was vacuuming and Calista was chained upstairs during the day waiting for her blind stepmother to home school her, prepare her meals and to allow her bathroom use.

Most compelling evidence also Calista's ability to express herself in letters and her journal. The letters show that she was not the disabled child her parents made her out to be. this girl was very smart. She got out of her father many confinements, which took great cognitive ability!
They lied and she died.
Janet –Texas

Mr. Springers own testimony. A well thought out cross examination by the prosecutor would have sealed it. I still can't figure that one out.

MOST COMPELLING . . .the fact that she behaved in school and the teachers recognizied that she was not allowed proper hygiene for school. These teachers brought her clothing, left her bathe and had her change back to her dirty clothing to go home.

Why did the defense dwell on the 1-8 year old Calista. Did she not outgrow some of her problems. Where was the 15-16 year old Calista evidence to restrain her at night and keep her out of school? Where was the evidence that she was a problem in school?

I feel the most compelling evidence would be the pictures of Calista's body chained to the bed and also the notes she herself wrote to people telling of her horrible life.

Anthony Springers own testimony. He contridicted himself by turning over pictures of Calista smiling and interacting with people. He stated Calista only smiled once when she was wrestling with him and her smile was a I wish I could really hurt you smile.

Lisa
BHC, AZ

The photos and videos, because they prove the complete opposite of what Anthony Springer and all the other defense witnesses testified to.

the parents of calista are guilty for one thing they never took that child to the drs or mental health dr to see if she could get new medicine to help her plus anyone would act the way she might have if you were treated like an caged animal ,can you imagine what she was thinking my god she is better off where she is an angel .

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Calista's own words are most compelling. In one letter she refers to her home as "prison" not once but twice. Absolutely! How many images have we seen of prisoners in waist chains? The only difference is that her shackles were litterally etched into her body and subsequently, our hearts.

The fact that Calista, teachers and others described how the dog chain was attached to her ( with zip ties ) years before the Springers supposedly ( 2 or 3 days ) started using it!!!

Calista's own words. The letters Calista wrote.

I think it is so ironic and sad that Anthony "rescued" Calsita from being trapped in a crib soaked in urine when she was a baby and yet he ended her life in almost the same way...chained to a bed unable to use the bathroom.

I think the most compelling piece of evidence so far has been Calistas letters, which state how her stepmom is "digging her grave", it was if she knew something bad was gonna come of that chain.

The fact that they didnt even try to go back and save her when the house was on fire

Marsha Springer did not run to Calista's room to save her when the fire started.

Why do they not show any remorse ? they do not love her . cause they hardly show any affection && they tied her to the bed .

The video of Calista's Christmas...how she was so EXCLUDED, sitting by herself lost in the crowd of others receiving many presents...heartbreaking.

Terry
Kalamazoo

The remarks of the father and the half sister set the tone for the way this whole family felt about her and treated her. Cold hearted an uncaring. Almost as if she deserved to die.

The most compeling evidence is poor sweet calista's letters, and the marks left around her body by that awful choke collar. Hey, not to mention the lack of empathy and love for an innocent child, at the hands of those despicable monsters!!!!

Della, NC

What I would love to hear addressed with Mr. Springer is more elaboration from him on why little Calista was always so desperate for WATER, of all things. He testified that she drank water from a birdbath, was attempting to move across the bedroom while still attached to her bed to get a drink of water from her sister's water bottle and his ex brother in law testified about a 30 minute time out for Calista for getting a drink of water without permission. Prison justice indeed.

The complete lack of compassion & total boredom on the faces of Calista's parents, throughout the trial in general, but more importantly while the Prosecutor is delivering his closing arguments.

The bed alarm and the pictures of the bed. The bed alarm worked well per Tony but it woke up the rest of the family. That is why decided to use the chain instead.

For me, it was the videos. What I witnessed was a little girl who watched her boundaries and it was saddening to see her sitting down quietly looking at a book, while other kids tore open huge presents. I seen one small present being handed over to Calistas that she received from the Soyer Family. That was disturbing to me.

NO child should indore what Calista did Please seek justice...Calista R.I.P.

The most damaging evidence came from Mr.Springer while on the stand. Any normal parent having to talk about the life and horrible death of their child would've been a complete mess up on the stand! But yet he smiled and at least once he laughed! That is NOT how a parent grieving the loss of their child that they love would act!

The videos of precious Calista who supposedly never laughed or smiled.

The most compelling evidence? Taking a "special needs" child out of a school where she could have received the help she needed. Why? if not to hide what was going on at home.

Simply the fact that a parent who loves their child would go to any lengths possible to get their child out safely, before the dog.

The faces of the springers with that not my fault look ,not me I am a good person, it is someone outher then us we are good ask me I will tell you how good Iam. They need to go to prison with no way out!!!

Hearing Calista's own words and hearing from witnesses who she spoke with about what she was enduring. Calista was doing everything in her power to help save herself. "I want to be free from this prison. I want to be free as possible, like any other teenager." God bless the former classmate and mom who saved these handwritten words from all those years ago.

Dog choke collar- sip ties and the cruel and in-human treatment. The main compelling-–Those two people sit there and show no REMORSE when the camera swings to them. Not one Tear. I hope the get FRIED. Not one time have I heard them say. I LOVED CALISTA.

Marsha's sister! You could see and feel the hate, anger that had been going on for years. Calista really didnt have any love at all

No one said they loved Calista...her family only complained about her.
at school she got positive feedback...but "mommie dearest" soon took that away from her. I hope they are found guilty to the full extent of the law,

Sharyn,
Hamilton,Ontario
Canada

I think the parents lack of remorse along with the CHAIN and Pictures of Calista after the fire with marks around her belly is a slam dunk for a guilty verdict !

The chains; you can see them, feel them, and hear them.
Also, the chains fit into the definition of "torment" in that they were used to confine the victim.

I would have to say the lack of emotion from the father when he spoke about his daughter.

I feel Calista's letters are the most compelling. For years this children was letting people know what was happening to her and they did nothing. In her letters she tells about what is life was like, its a wonder that she was able to stay a live for all those year with all the torture and abuse that was going.
I would also like to say that I feel that child service should also be held for the death of Calista's death. Calista isn't the first child that has died in the hand of our child service. I was a foster parent for this system for 14 years and have seen many case go down the drain do to the system failing the child, I report our child service many many times to the State about what was going on. I would really love to give Vinnie my story about our system and why they fail to keep our children safe from all the abuse and torture that goes on in this system. Child service also cause the death of Calista!!!!
Thank you for your time.
Shelly McLaren

The excusing, evasive and obviously dishonest portrayals of the circumstances made by Calista's own family members. Their selfishness explains why this happened the most clearly.

What has been the most compelling piece of evidence so far? Dear Watson, it has been the "letter piece". In the three(3) well written and lucid letters, Calista layed out her treatment by her parents when she spoke of the emotional pain and trauma being levelled toward herself by the step-mother and her father.

The testimony of Calista's sister when she said sometimes her blanket would fall on the floor when she was tied to the bed, "If she wanted her blanket then she shouldn't of kicked it off." That's pure hatred.
Debbie

I don't believe anyone should be chained to a bed I believe the chain was the most important I was also wondering at what time this fire broke out and why Clista was still chained in her bed?

Janice Toledo Ill

Anthony Springer's obvious disdain for Calista during his testimony.

Vinnie: You know I am so glad I DVR tthis case or viewing a bit ahead of time, I actually have to pause it and give myself a break of the torture and cruelty that Calista lived through, yes, suffered through. This prosecutor is amazingly fantastic, I feel the chains around my waist as he speaks about them to the jury.

the alarm going off in the courtroom in working condition sent chills up my spine. showed the parents to be absolute liars. alarm went on she did not even atempt to save calista.she is an angel now .

priscilla ontario canada

Calista's letters telling teachers and friends about her prison. The pain she felt and how she was chained at night. I feel so sad for this beautiful child.

The letters that Calista had written!!!!!!! I don't understand why her teachers or friends didn't tell the police about what was happening to her in her home four years before this cruel and digusting murder had ever happend?
Diana Peters
Chicago Il

The chain is all the most compelling piece of evidence.At the end of the day a parent enters that childs room not to say goodnight and see that they are covered and safe but to chain them and turn out the light and leave.I cannot even imagine what that could be like.

I have watched over the last week and can't believe what I am seeing. I feel that some of the most compeling evidence was the video yesterday. The defense used it to show a happy Calista. I saw something completely different. I saw a beautiful little girl enjoying the activities, but I also saw a child being left out and ignored. In the pool she would swim up to the adults and the other children and they would ignore her and act like she wasn't even there. The only time I saw true interaction was at the skating rink when Calista was skating and her dad was swinging her around. That was absolutely heartbreaking. Why didn't he show that care and affection for her all her short years on this earth? I think the video works more for the prosecution. It is just so sad.

I think everything and they need to go away for a long time.....

I feel that the most compelling evidence in this case so far is the imprints on Calista's Tummy shows how tight they had her chained and also the bed alarm was not broken, it worked fine! we all seen this in court!!!!

The pattern of abuse is consistant with know child abuse cases from the past. Many times one child is abused and mistreated while other children in the same family are treated well. How ironic that the first laws against child abuse came after the laws against animal abuse. And this child was tied down with a dog chain. And Mrs. Springer saved the dog and not her daughter. Sick!

Even if what the parents say is true, surely they should feel remorse for what happened, and I do not see any evidence that they feel anything. Hearing the description of what Calista went through would get to anyone, but the father, aunt and sister all implied it was Calista's fault that she was chained to the bed and so be it.

The most compelling "piece" of evidenece, was Anthony Springer's entire testimonmy. His affect is very, very strange! I would be interested to learn what becomes of his other daughters.

The lack of emotions that the father didn't show for his child. How he kepted called his own flesh in blood "HER" or "SHE". I mean what kind of father is that. Parents are suppose to keep their children save not harm them. At least she's save now in the loving arms of our Lord.

Definitely the choke chain... It would be quite appropriate to see Marsha and Tony being led out of the courtroom in chains.

The chain and the photo of the chain marks on Calistas stomach...I don't think it matters....in my opinion chaining her up one time would be too much.

It is obvious that the most compelliing evidence is the dog chains found on Calista ,such a prescious girl. My daughter has" special needs". Special needs in any person is, an opportunity to examine yourself and your own fear. They don't have the ability to take care of their daily life needs,much less such a special gift gliven to them!

i think it would have to be the chain and the photos of her body was, it just shows the truth that she had been chained years before the fire, it would take longer than 2 day to leave marks like what she had in all those photos .

I feel that the chains were the most compeling evidence, since Calista wrote about them in her letters to her friends. The letters are also a compelling part of evidence.

I meant to say that I don't think it matters how long or how short a period of time, one time is too much

Did anybody catch the fact that Marsha couldn't see to unlock a cabinet where objects were to keep Calista out but could see well enough to unlock Calista from her bed. What's up with that

The most compelling evidence in my mind is the lack of professional experts testifing about her issues while Calista was alive. The family alludes to the fact that they brought her to doctors, but all they offered was derived general conjecture from an expert/doctor, which was an opinion of Calista after the fact......?!?!

The letters Calista herself wrote crying out for help to be saved from her tortured life. Sadly now, the letters can only be used as her voice giving testimony in court to her suffering.

The video of Calista sitting by herself completely dismissed from the group looking at 2 gifts while the other children are being questioned about their several gifts, no one speaks to Calista. Equally so, the video of Calista, at the back of the pack, scrambling like a whipped puppy for candy.

The most compelling evidence is the letters Calista wrote!!! And the fact this was going on for 4 years!! cannot even imagine the pain and suffering this poor girl was going through!

As a high school teacher, I am ashamed of my fellow professionals for not taking Calista's letters seriously and reporting the information. Even if it turned out to be a 'hoax' on the part of the child, I still feel that an effort should have been made to find out the truth of the situation. is this another case of "I don't want to falsely accuse parents and look stupid"? Sad.

The comment about the skating rink was interesting, because I saw it completely, different. I thought her dad was expoloiting the fact that Calista couldn't skate, and taking delight in watching her fall again, and again, and again.

the fact the springer's took her out school.if she was going to school she wouldn't have been in the house.but what hits home are definitly was the letters,in which it shows me she was smart enough to write a cry for

The fact that the dog got out and Calista did not. The pictures of her chained to bed after she died. The parents show no emotion during this trial. NO EMOTION!!!!!!!!!

The most compelling evidence is the lack of professional experts testifing about her issues while Calista was alive. The family alludes to the fact that they brought her to doctors, but all they offered was derived general conjecture from an expert/doctor, which was an opinion of Calista after the fact......?!?!

I have watched this trail almost daily, but I think I must have missed just how the fire started that killed this poor child. Also, they the (parents) knew the child was tied to her bed, you would think that they would try to rescue her right away. They evidently rescued the dog.

I've been watching from the beginning and I haven't seen no real emotion from them showing that they're remorseful or sorry for what happen, but the most compelling evidence is the letters from Calista, the chain, and also the video showing that they wasn't giving her the love, attention, and support she needed and wanted.

I think the dog choke collar is the most compelling piece of evidence. I think the torture they put Calista through....is how they should be punished. We don't even do that to our prisoners.

The fact that Springers got themselves, dog and household items out of burning house except Calista makes other evidence ie pictures, chain and Courtney's testimony that much more compelling.

If Calista was only chained to the bed a couple of days prior to the fire how did she manage to inform all her friends and teachers in one day because as we all know the last day she died in the fire.

The fact that they had been chaining Calista up for years and her sister said it had been only 2 days. I have a special needs child similar to the level that Calista was and would never chain him up or even lock him in a room. If her issues were addressed properly when they started, she would not have the same problems for so many years. Anyone treated that way would have unusual behavior special needs or not.

What loving parent would ever chain a child to the bed except one that abuses. And they all made it out except Calista. SAD SAD SAD.

The fact that she was chained period, but she was not released until everyone in the house but Marsha was awake ate, got ready and left. marsha would get up and have cofee sometime after and when she was ready she would release her, who knows how long she would be chained in the mornings, if that was the first thing that was done in the mornng she would have been able to escape the fire that happened at 830am!

I think the entire trial has been pretty compelling. Child abuse is a serious problem today and so often it goes undetected or people act as if it isn't their business. This poor girl was treated like an animal. Everyone has a right to be and feel loved. If they couldn't handle her why didn't they just turn her over to the state where she could be placed with someone who would love her unconditionally?

for me there isa alot of evidence, but yesterdays video of famiily together clearly shows how they just didnot care about calista. how sad how she treied to ge their attention and yet especially marsha didn't even bother to get her join in along with the other girls.. clearly she just wanted her gone and way it came and the fire was just the perfect case... guilty!!!!

Most compelling was Dr. Henry's testimony that her condition was made worse and/or partially caused by the trauma that the springers subjected her to. How dare they try to make Calista out to be the villian. I hope they both fry!

I can't stop thinking about how the firefighters found her in bed with the chain around her small waist. and the Father had No connection to his own daughter at all GUILTY,GUILTY,GUILTY I wish Calista had live to tell it!!!

The most compelling things I've seen are the dog collar and the complete lack of any remorse (or any other emotion) on the defwendant's faces. If iI had seen a child die THAT horribly, no amount of coaching could remove the emotion I felt.

The lack of emotion from the family. Calista should have been left with her mom.. The social security check was the reason for taking her. They refused to provide her with the love and comfort she deserved.

the springer's should be on trial for arson too! that wasn't a accident just like the chaining her to the bed wasn't

For me it was the picture that showed that there was a chain around her waist...how could any parent do that to their child...this makes me VERY sick to my stomach...no emotion from her parents...what is wrong with these people...if she needed metal help they sould have made sure she got it...how can u talk bad about your child...they need to go through what she went through

1st would be the chocker. How does that fit around the waist of the child?
2nd would be the childs own words describing her situation.

Most compelling evidence are Calista's handwritten letters of anguish, pain and desperation.
JLP

Anthony Springer's own testimony, particularly when he described the time Calista moved the bed to reach water. He was mad at her for trying to escape, not sympathetic for needing water! His story is just not plausible–if it was really a last resort he would have been sad that he didn't know what else to do.

The most compelling evidence to me does not even need to be presented in a court room. Look, instead, at the practices used when dealing with convicted criminals in this nation's prisons. Name one that put a dog collar and dog chain on a prisoner to chain them to their beds. That would most certainly be considered cruel and unusual punishment. This girl was never convicted of a crime, but her parents certainly should be.

This is really bad how can someone do this to there kid also i think that child services should be responsible 4 alot of this also i live in canada and when someone reports parents 4 abuse they look in to it and keep it up 4 at lease one year this should have never happen and these people should go to jail 4 a long time and child services well someone in that department should be repremanded or lose there jobs yes it was wrong with the parents but it was also wrong with what child services did and they r just as mush 2 blame this as to stop all of this abuse that kids go thru it has 2 stop denis

The most compelling evidence was Anthony Springer's testimony.
He described how he chained her up . Who in their right mind chains a child to a bed?

the lettersshe wrote toher frend and the jurnal entery she wrote at school

Sadly, The facts are the facts. Calista could not escape from the fire because she was chained to her bed, No one tried to help her get out. of that house.
It appears that this entire family resented Calista and just let her lay there and die!

I truly believe the most compelling piece of evidence to be the family video tapes. As you can see, the child was very happy-at times, but most of the videos showed how she was constantly alone in all of them. Not only that but there were very few moments where they cued in on Calista in the videos, and talked to her. She was quiet in them because no one payed attention to her.
Biz Grayling, Michigan

The only emotion I saw was with Anthony and Marsha Springer, toward each other, not for poor Calista. No emotion from the entire family.

The letters that Calista wrote begging for help and the pictures showing her chained in bed..

Most compelling – When they took her out of school to silence her. All the teachers cared about was her education – not how the parents felt she should act. From all I heard, she behaved well in school – not any more disruptive that lots of other kids.

The years of being chained to her bed,No normal human being would think of doing such a thing to a child. The Springers as yet have not shown any sign of remore at all!! in fact they look angry, while the prosecution is giveing his closeing argument. They should be ashamed! They show no shame .Every child needs love and Calista never got that from the springers.Mr Springer did not say one good thing about his own daughter,all negative!!!! They are both guilty of Murder in the first degree.

I think some of the most compelling evidence is the fact that both the father and daughter stated that she had only had the chain used on her for two days before the fire, and the father also said that she had to sleep in her jeans because they had to run the chain through her belt loops. If that were true, she would not have had a chain mark on her body years earlier when she showed the neighbor, and when they found her I do not believe that she had her pants on. I just wish that they had the death penalty for both of these parents! I also hope that the grandmother sues everyone that KNEW about what was going on and did NOTHING to help this poor child.

Most compelling?
If the cause of the fire was due to the vacumn, pryor to the fire would have been a smell of something burning. I believe Marsha could have saved Calista. I can't imagine what the dear little soul went through, knowing smoke was filling the house and she couldn't move.

I am a father with three little girls. One of them is not biologically mine but she has called me Daddy since she was 18 months old. I would NEVER exclude any of them or fail to give my life for them. I cannot comprehend of any dad who wouldn't give his life for his kids.

The most compelling piece of evidence came from Calista herself. Colista stated she was being tied up with a dog collar and zip ties. Her father and sister both stated she had been tied up with a dog collar and zip ties but for only a couple of days. Did Colista have a premonition of what would happen to her years later, I think not. Colista's own words from years earlier prove how long it went on and also prove her dad and sister lied.

Anthony and Marsha got custody of Calista because of neglect, a soiled diaper up to her armpits, yet they chain Calista to the bed. Guilty, Guilty, Guilty of Abuse, Torture and Death

That she was still chained to the bed at 8:30 in the morning and everyone in the house had already started their day.

It was said that Calista'a Father had time to get "important" possesions from the home... Well, He had time to get Calista also!!!!! Was she not crying for help? I'm sure he heard her when he was getting the most important things to him .

It has to be there own evidence of the video. There was little if any intreraction between parent and child. That poor girl went through hell at the hands of these people.

Besides the dog choke collar around Calista’s waist at the time of her death and the pictures/videos and the letters. The “SOUND of the CHAIN” Calista heard night after night for four years or longer, seven nights per week.
Her own father’s blatant disregard for his daughter’s safety, total unemotional complaint and exaggeration of his own daughter’s “bad” behaviour.
Trudi

There are so many things as have been mentioned but the image of that poor girls dead body with the chain leaving a mark on her poor thin stomach and the position she was laying in gives a clear picture of her last moments of pure torture after a life of same...when the camera pans to the parents I get physically ill

I'm stunned yet not surprised by Marsha Springer's alarmingly APATHETIC lack of remorse or mere emotion at Prosector McDonough's brilliant closing statement- especially at the part in which he illustrates the fact that THE DOG made it out of the burning house at Marsha's side, NOT her daughter, Calista- the camera zoomed in at that moment on Marsha, NOT a tear, NO REACTION but the SAME malicious smirk, slightly fading.

I would love to see both of the so called parents to go to jail for the rest of their sorry lives. Not only did they make this poor girls life a living hell, they are now continuing to abuse her by tearing down her memory. It is so obvious that they have no emotional attachment to her and the people who knew and did nothing should be procecuted as well. The social worker who used the excuse that she signed off on the case due to her son being injured in Iraq made me physically sick.

The words of Calista sting with pain and desperation, "from the mouthes of babes"...as they say. It amazes me that someone actually saw these cries and this child still was left to die with the parents. As an abused child I wrote many cries for help, but they never reached anyone who would help....ironically it seems I was the lucky one.

I would like to know how Mr.Springer knew how smart his daughter was, he was working all the time, oh wait he had been laid off for a month before, perhaps he paid attention to her school work then. He didn't KNOW his child he abused her.

Calista herself,since she reported that she was chained to her bed with DOG COLLAR when she was in the 6th grade, But the father said he only used it 2 or 3 times when she was 16. She must have been gifted with ESP years earlier!

The first responder and mother or her best friend.Calista's best friend bringing her stuff for school.The panick calista had to show the marks on her body before someone showed up.The apple vs.the banana.

Tony's testimony and the videos. He loved his daughter and tried everything he could to get help. The schools & CPS let him down, and there was no room in the ONE faciility in the state for troubled youth. CPS should be the ones on trial for not doing their jobs, since they were aware of it! In the videos, he was the one who was there to help her get out of the swimming pool floater, and who picked her up when she fell while skating. Also, when the fire broke out, Marsha tried to tell them where the pliers/wrench was to help Calista escape.

Wow! What a great closing argument from Mr. McDanaugh. He was very methodical and through. He knew was he was doing. Any sane jury would believe him and side with him.

The fact that these parents show no remorse for what happened to their daughter. In fact if I was responsible for the death of one of my children I would not be able to live with myself

This is not even some one that I know and I can not keep a dry eye yet these people show no remore whats so ever

i feel like the chain and the fact that the girl died is the most compelling evidence and i feel like the prosecuter showed in his closing statement that the parents are the reason the girl died that to me makes them guilty

So much evidence marks from the chain -alarm that worked after the fire -the dog got out -MARSHA knew the child was chained and should have been the first out . I think she wanted Calista to die, I see no tears from any of this so called family .The whole town should be ashamed. People knew and did nothing SHAME ON YOU. CALISTA is finally at peace !!!!!

I think it is very sad that not one parent was sad os showed any kind of emotion. they need to be put away for a very long time if u cant take care of kids u shouldnt have or adopt them now calista will never know what its like to be a wife or mother or go to college and it sickens me to believe that theres ppl like that out there

There are three aspects, all of which are so compelling: First the difference in behavior between school and home (if they are to be believed). Calista never exhibited the types of behavior that the parents (term used loosly) said they saw.
Second, was the calculated lying that went on from the defense. They said the alarm, which worked fine after the fire, was broken necessitating the need for restraints. Then there was the lie that both Anthony and his coached(?) daughter told about Calista being chained only for a couple of days when Calista showed the restraining marks to a school official months or years(?) before. There was the defense video that showed Calista smiling and laughing, even though Anthony testified he NEVER saw her smile.
Thirdly, while the first two are obvious to the most casual observer; the total and complete lack of feeling (not to mention love) for Calista that was shown by the enitre family is in my opinion the most compelling evidense. This says to me that the charges are correct and the jury should find them guilty but going even further I would like to have the fire investigation reopened. What was taken out of the house to the new location before the fire? Was it the expensive items, which would not seem to make sense since they were still living there. Why was Calista still chained in her bed while Marsha was vaccuming. I wonder if the investigation had dug deeper if first degree murder charges would not have been appropriate.
I can't tell you how sad I feel for Calista. I was raised in the same environment, albeit without the chains. I know what is is like to be, for lack of a better term, the black sheep of the family. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to live like that plus have the physical torture piled on top.
My only hope is that when they are convicted that the prisoners in the jail that they are sent to do the right thing and let them feel what it is to be tortured. I also saw the hatred for Calista that her sister exhibited and hope that what goes around comes back to her.

The most compelling evidence to me was the picture of Calista chained to her bed.

What will truly be sad here in this case will be if even after Calista's death the cries of this child , "STILL GO UNHEARD" !

The chain around her waist and the video that shows she was just an ordinary child that got punished for being there.

that everyone in the family says they are afraid of calista. Then the defense produces a video where they give her a big stick to swing.

when anthony told that lie about calista nut huging him like the other girls I guess he forgot that his wife went to the childs school and told the teacher not to let her hug her anymore because she would expect it at home.that baby didn't have anybody to show her any love and that's all she wanted and none of them gave it to her I hope they never have any peace as long as they live

I pray that the prosecutor & the jury don't let Calista down like everyone else has. Her story breaks my heart!
Joyce

The most compelling evidence is Calista herself, since she reported that she was chained to her bed with with a chain and ties while in the 6th grade. The father said he just used it 2 or 3 times when she was 16. So Calista must have been gifted with ESP when she reported it years before!

I think one of the most compelling evidence, is that the father said that they pulled her out of school because the school was only interested in educating her instead of controlling her. The school is was a safe place where she apparently flourished, could write and learn. At home is where she felt unsafe and so she regressed in her education. When the father said that the letters were not hers, because she could not spell the "complicated words", she probably could spell them in the 6th grade but since no one actually was actually interested in educating her, of course she regressed in her ablitity to do the work. She probably could sign her name in cursive in 6th grade. She regressed in her ablity to do things that a 16 year old because that was what expected from the parents.

The most outragous was the picture of Calista chained to the bed. The most compelling was the fact that the alarm worked. This proves that the Springers are liers and have no credibility. Chained for a couple days, how about several years. I would have done everything and anything to save my child from harm or die trying. At 1st I wasn't convinced of 1st degree felony murder but after hearing the DA explain why I am now convinced. I thought the DA started off a little slow in his closing but boy did he pick up steam. He's good, very good. Please remind me to behave in Michigan, I don't want this guy mad at me.

when anthony stood on the stand and said him self what he and his wife were doing and what they did in result of the death of their daughter should be enough for anyone. If anything they are the ones with the problems and need to be dealt with in the most proper and far matter at least for Calista.

Mr Springer concerned about Calista's behavior when she swung a cat around by tail but no concern about chaining her to bed. S he must have been deprived of water as well as food or would not drink out of toilet stool, He said she was not allowed to eat with family at fast food restaurant so depriving her of food was used for punishment

The dog chain was most compelling to me. I've tried to invision being chained to the bed as she was. Unable to get up, go to the bathroom, or escape in case of fire or an intruder ..........just lay there. That terrified me just thinking of it. I can't even imagine how it would effect me having to indure that every night. How horrible. These people should get the max.......they ARE monsters.

The father's testimony. He portrayed his daughter as an inconvenient mess-maker. He never talked about how much he loved or missed her or that he would have done things differently if given the chance. He came across as cold and calculated. He may have found the dog choke collar just laying around in the garage but he probably had to go out and buy the zip ties since they tried other methods first. That tells me there was thought put into this death trap.

Teachers and others portrayed Calista as a sweet girl. She did well in school. No outbursts or violent behavior. Her father portrayed Calista, his daughter, the victim of a horrible, slow death as a moron. .....drinking out of toilets, breaking things, dangerous, and on and on. How shameful to speak about your dead child as tho' she were some kind of "crazy"; something others did not see in this child. Chained to a bed? Why weren't her cries for help reported by teachers and others who knew? Cinderella Story indeed! They are murderers!!

the chain

The most compeling evidence is....what you DIDN'T see in those home videos! She was there...but that's it! No one was interacting with her...and what "daddy" and "sister" DIDN'T say about her....NO caring, NO real tears....NO positive comments.....Calista was a burden to them....and now....they've just moved on....as if she never existed.......to them she never did.

The pictures of the chain around her lifeless body. I get chills thinking about calistas last moments.. too sad

the bed alarm working after being through the fire the family said the alarm was broke and the chain

IF they were truly loving parent, trying to protect their child from harm, then WHY wouldn't they take the money they got from her Social Security benefits and hire someone to come in at night and watch her. ALL parents can get worn down, but there are so many options as to providing a safe environment for a special needs child.
Marcia and Anthony had time to start a support group for the blind, and they had the time to join the Historical Society, BUT WHY didn't they try first and foremost to find a support group for the disorder their child had??? Everything they did to Calista was trying to "CONTROL" her, NOT positively HELP her to be a happy child.

All of the evidence is powerful. Having 3 kids we have always tried to treat them equally, but the video of Calista sitting on the couch with a cheap book and a package of sox while all the other kids opened lots of gifts was just so sad.

I have only caught bits and pieces of this trial, but I just heard the police investigator explain the origin of the fire. The fact that this fire began with a vacuum cleaner is ridiculous. If my child were in the house, I would make my way to that room, and if necessary hurdle myself while cradling my child out of a window. There is no excuse for leaving a child behind. It appears they never heard Mrs. Clinton's speech about that.

I think the picture of the dog collar being strapped around Calista, and the marks left on her skin is the most compelling evidence. I'm suspicious about how the fire started. Marsha Springer seems to be vindictive, and controlling, and she may have started that fire because the house was in foreclosure. Her story doesn't add up.

If the restraints were really to keep Calista from getting up during the night, why was she still chained after dad had gone to work and while mom was doing tchores around the house? Clearly seems to indicate the restraints were used much more extensively than described.

Anthony said that they had only started to chain Calista to the bed a few days before, but if that was the case why did she have such deep marks from the chain on her waist!

hey Vinnie, the only fire plan I can see isthe plan to set it. cindy lancaster PA

Obviously the chaining of a helpless Calsista, BUT look at her parents; not even a minute look in their eyes of love for Calista or remorse for their actions.

I am a 66 y.o. disabled Vietnam vet, I've seen terrible things. But, Calista has broken my heart and caused me to cry. I'm enraged that "our" society failed to save this beautiful, sweet child from suffering years of horror. She should have been protected, treasured, cultivated as a rare flower, and given a fair chance. Every child has a right to live in a happy and loving family. "Child Protective services" should also be charged here! It's a heinous crime to raise a child without love, and this crime won't be punished here, but the miscreants responsible can!
If there is one blessing here it is that poor sweet Calista has her freedom at last. If I believe there is a God, I have to believe that He has Calista smiling by His side, having "rescued" her from her tormentors.

The most compellng evidence is her own words, and the lack of loving emotion from her "parents".

sp

How was it that Marcia had a sewing machine and was able to SEW ye tshe was BLIND ??

With all the recent stories about "bullying" at school – how lucky, for once in her life, little Calista was to have such nice, kind classmates at school who were sympathetic to her!

Calista is her own best evidence. How much more do u need but to find a person wbo is chained to a bed during a fire! Those people who think the parents are innocent watching the same trial I was? Maybe they should try being chained to their bed during a dangerous situation and not be able to escape. There are better and safer ways to keep people safe, whither it's from themselves or others. If calista's parents thought they were doing nothing wrong why did they try go hide what they were doing to her?

The chain! Isn't it possible that Collista was chained not only at night but also during the day...how would her legally blind stepmother "keep an eye" on her during the day? I would have loved to hear how the procedure of the routine chaining went each night....was Collista willing to just lay down and be chained up?

In my humble opinion the most compelling piece of evidence is " the dog choke collar."

As positive as I am that this poor teen's parents killer her, I am equally sure that it should be the state of Michigan on trial as well. How ironic that after numerous calls to child protective services, and even policemen ignoring the obvious signs- and believing the lies these parents told- that the state has the nerve to sue the parents...maybe if the child had been removed when her sixth grade teachers suggested it, Calista would be alive and well today. I understand not taking a child from its parents, but sometimes, parents do not deserve their blessings!

If the authorities did not bother to investagate & save Calista from that abusive home when they were told about what was happening to Calista, then I believe that they are just as guilty as her parents are!!!!!!!!

Wow, that prosecuting attorney was awesome. He stood up for Calista like no one else ever did. All I can say is if I was a juror, they were guility the minute I heard chains. I thought about if I had a child that was so out of control I couldn't care for them,I would put them in a facility that could care for them. After all the evidence I believe she was just a normal child, all children have issues, You never never chain them to the bed. Marsha resented Calista that was very plain. They killed her and to be locked up for the rest of there days i would say is fair and just punishment. Let them experience what Calista did. lets see how they like it. I think Calista would be very pleased just knowing now everyone knows the truth. Thanks to the prosecuter, kudos to him we need a million more like him. Shame on Anthony and Marsha Springer. May God have mercy on there souls:(

I just saw what Marsha said started the fire.. First if she knew there was a problem and where it was coming from, why did she not just remove the vacuum cleaner from the house.. If she could get it out to use it, she could carry it outside and make the home safe.. Knowing Calista was TRAPPED, neither of them care about that child... She did not even try to go up those stairs to save her, it has all been an act since than.. Besides if she was up a cleaning why was Calista still chained to that bed at all. She should also of been up.

The fact that she was still in bed when her mother was vacuuming. How could her mother vacuum when she knew she could not hear her daughter. Calista could of also died from vomiting trying to call out for help.
Trish, NJ

Anthony and Marsha Springer listened to testimony of their Daughter's death. They seen pictures of her lifeless body. There were no emotions, no tears, no sign that they were sorry their young daughter is dead. Anthony himself made it seem as though Calista was a burden on the family. That itself is so horrendous and unbelievable. Anthony Springer even chuckled while on the stand! For goodness sake, his eldest daughter is gone from this world! Never to be held, hugged, or seen again. That would be devastating to me. I would not be able to keep myself from being emotional through such circumstances. The fact that he and his wife can mantain such calm, nonchalant attitudes is proof to me that they are both guilty. My heart goes out to the family memebers and friends who loved Calista and cared for her, the ones who are sorry that she is no longer here.

I am a faithful watcher of in session. I have to say that this is by far the most repulsive case ive seen. All i can say is that Anthony and Marsha Springer will meet there maker one day and it would really suck to be them.

Something else makes no sense if she is so blind, how could she vacuum you have to be able to see the small dust and other objects on the carpet to be sure you've gotten everywhere??? That just doesn't fit, that she's that blind, I think it is more an excuse for their action with Calista...

Mr. Springers testimony portrayed a very resentful father who exhibited no love,respect nor any empathy for Calista.

I think the most compelling piece of evidence is one that no one even mentioned and that's the fact that Calista was still chained to the bed that morning. If her step-mom was still awake why couldn't she have unchained her from the bed? Her parents claim they chained her up when they slept so she didn't get into anything. Well,if the mother was awake and sweeping she would have been able to here Calista if she was causing trouble. Not to mention,I don't know many people who start sweeping their home while their children are still sleeping...

For me it was the sister who showed that they felt Calista was nothing more than a pain to be dealt with. The snotty tone of voice when she said if she wanted her blankets she shouldn't have kicked them off rang to me as something she had heard her mom say and was repeating. The next item would be the dad saying they could think of 100's of 1000s of reasons to do this to her and some they hadn't even thought up yet.

I would love to see the lady who reads body language read the judge while the defense is speaking, his face tells it all with the furrowed brow, head tilts.

By far, the most compelling piece of evidence is the photo of Calista chained to her bed. The defense can argue that Calista was not treated differently from the other children, but all the jury has to do is look at that photo.

The parents are dispickable for what they did no child deserves to be treated like that i dont care how they act.And that jim guy that thinks that they are not responseable for how they treated her is crazy.all i have to say is good thing im not on the jury.
michelle

The pictures show that this poor child was abused and LEFT to die in that fire because they didn't want the responsibility of her anymore. They made sure they got the dog out and some personal posessions, along with the stepmother. She LIED when she said she got a fire estinguisher (sp), one that was never found. MY question is: What TIME of day was it that this step-mother chose to *vacuum* and WHY was this child STILL chained to her bed??!! Did they not CARE that she might have to go to the bathroom?? Eat??? How about that *home schooling*? This is TOTAL abuse and BOTH should be charged with her death and die the SAME way she had to. That child (young lady) did NOTHING wrong to deserve this, nor did she choose what monsters she ended up with for *parents*!!!

The most compelling pieces evidence that really took notice for me, were the choke chain that was too big for the dog, the letters that Calista wrote asking for help, and the videos that the defense used that portrayed a child that was having fun, but so totally ignored. The most compelling evidence from the witnesses? Her family that showed pure hatred of Calista, their lack of remorse, Calista's friends and teachers showing that she was a pretty normal child overall, and also their selfless acts of trying to help her. And, the testimony from the first responders and medical, saying how Marsha acted during and after the fire.

This was such a sad story of abuse and torture, and Calista showed the classical signs of such. Too bad the people that could do something about it, turned a blind eye, and said not my problem : (

The most compelling for me was the fact that they chained this child down and when the fire broke out they left her upstairs when any normal loving parent would have giving their own life to save their child. Also I cant forget that she told her friends mother she couldn't have peanut butter because it would cause gas and her parents would beat her. She was abused for sure and died because of it.

Calista's father and sister showed that she was not loved and was a thorn in the family's side.The video showed the same. She never recieved love. Also, why was Calista still chained in bed while the rest of the family was up and about?

Certainly, the photo. Also, I qestion Marsha's explanation of how the fire started. If one's vacuum cleaner begins smoking, although it has never happened to me in my many years of running a vacuum, why didn't she take it outside, instead of taki ng herself and the dog?

Well i have two things i cant understand.1 if she is blind how can she be using the vaccum ( which is why the fire got started ?? ) and 2 if she wasnt smart or couldnt learn things then how was it she figuered out how to get out of bed alarm.

It's mind boggling how indifferent Anthony and Marsha are to this whole case. The crocodile tears, the "Humm"s and "Haaa"s of Anthony should be more than enough to show how badly his disposition is to Calista is. He has no emotional expression when he was describing her. there is overwhelming evidence against him and I hope that this case is closed justly. Of course on video or when in the presence of others, Anthony and Marsha will not act as they would when alone with Calista. These people, no, these monsteres sicken me.

I also noticed that Mrs. Springer didn't blink as much when the juror's had to leave the court room cause of the side bars. The Springers should get the maximum penalty.

I think Anthony Springer is his own worst enemy!! he showed no compasion or Love for his own daughter who does that . I lost my 9 yr old son in 2004 and what i would do to have him back . Those people dont desreve to be foound Not Guilty > Put them in prison were they belong

The letters most definitely, well written for a child of her age, and written with pain and hurt and anger. Why something wasn't done then. The other most compelling was how many different ways her father (term used loosely) confined her and Calista's intelligence in getting out of those constraints. If he is not punished for what did to a child, his own daughter, what kind of message are we sending to children of abuse.

so your telling me that a grown man and woman does not know it is inhumane to chain a human being to a bed and they say SHE was not ever going to be a rocket scientist

The most compelling to me was the pictures of the chain burned into Calista's skin. The other thing that bothers me is the defense trying to blame the victim. We see this all to often by defense attorney's.

the best part of the whole trial was Tony's testimony on the stand- he
hung himself- That's why the prosecuter didn,t have to do the cross on him. I hope they get the death penalty.- like Colesta did!!!!!

Tony's att. says to look at the home movies and see how Tony treated her wrong I looked at the home movies and I would like to point out how This "loving father"was holding his child while rolling skating. He had her by the upper arm as if removing her from the floor for bad behavior.

Mr Spingers testimony that Calista had no friends and never smiled, was a lie.

I think it would have to be the fact that their special needs child,is being (cared for) by a special needs adult. I thought special needs ment that special care is needed to care for that person. Also, wouldn't it be kidnapping if she is held against her will?

Ray P.

Every piece of evidence that they have is the most compelling. It just blow's my mind how these parent's could be so cruel! They saved their dog from the burning flames but did not even give their daughter a first thought little long a second one! I believe that the parents are most deffently as well as the State!!!!!!!!!!

I feel that Anthony Springer's own testimony burries him. He shows complete distain for his own daughter. In the decision to chain up his child, rather than maybe inconvieniemce his wife with a lock was abuse and torture. Every family witness shows that she was ostrisized. Made to sit alone, on her hands, unable to play.... It's so sad. Marsha clearly disliked maybe hated this poor child. I wonder why she ever adopted her.

The dad and sisters testimony are compelling anyone could hear the didain in both of their voices. The videos are also compelling not one person talked or played with her for the most part. But the MOST COMPELLING to me is the chain with the zip ties still attached to it. Just the thought of this tortured and abused child and what she must have felt every night when she heard the zip ties being locked around her night after night and the lonely feelings that must have engulfed her. YOU ARE FREE NOW CALISTA !!!!!! I can only imagine her running and playing with the angels in heaven but i can picture her crawling in the lap of one of those angels and being hugged and loved. Thats all she wanted and its obvious she did not receive that on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The way they talked about their daughter. The parents or sister didn't seem to care. Some of the stuff they claimed she did, most little kids will do if they aren't watched. Hmm... Did it occur to them that maybe she wanted the attention and wanted to be loved by her own parents the way they did her siblings...I could go on and on...

the video that was showed yesterday really showed Calista did get treated different. at christmas i just seen her open one gift and waiting on more and everyone else was busy tearing open several gifts.at the skating ring her dad wasnt really helping her skate it looked more to me that he would let her fall and pull her up by one arm kinda forcing her.and last at the party she was kept out of the candy that was on the ground.

The video with the pinata shows a different person then what was decribed by the family. Once the pinata broke open if Calista did what they said she wouldn't controled herself and hung back with all that candy on the ground. She would have pushed into the middle of the crowd and not hang back looking for candy on the outside of the circle. They also said she would stuff food into her mouth like she was starving well what would a child like that do when candy was involved not what we saw in the video.

From my experience most parents give the child with a disability more attention almost to point of neglecting the other children I would like to say to Calista, that you are finally free and now you are loved.

Arlene
Idaho

How can a parent even dream about restraining their child with a dog choke collar? The thought of it makes me sick to my stomach. I believe that picture alone is the most crucial pieace of evidence in this case without a doubt.

The parent that Calista's told about her bruses. Social Services should have done alot more. They could have prevented this childs death???

I also feel that CPS should have charges against them as well. If they would have done the job they are suppose to she would not have been in the home to be mistreated and abused like she was. In my opinion they are just as much at falt as the parents.

wow...how unemotional was the defense attny when he said he feels so bad for Calista that this happened to her?

the most compelling piece of evidence for me is the photo's of Calista chained to her bed and the autopsy photo of where the chain had been.
Jeanie KS

The fact that they had transportation for Marsha and Anthony to go to the Blind Support group and the Historical Society, but no transportation to get Calista to physical therapy or any kind of therapy!
They punished her for her disabilities! The fact they used a dog collar.
The size of the dog collar. On and on and on and on!!!!

I have been watchin the whole trial and i believe the letters calista's letters she wrote is very strong evidence also the chain marks on her body are very strong compelling evidence what calista had to live and go threw is such a nightmare no child should ever have to live that .Parents are surepose to protect there child not harm them children look for protecting from there parents and not the parents Torturing them and tieing them down like an animal and thats just what the springers did to calista. Why did the springers not run and try to reach calista and set her free when the house was on fire.?

Give me a break, when is it ever ok to chain a child to her bed???Especially a special needs child??? I believe the parents pulled this child out of school, because she might talk about her abuse.

The references to Calista as the problem of the day was very insulting to me my son may never be any scientist , but I can guarantee to you that he will live a happier life than most geniuses who ultimately go insane look it up1 This couple are beyond cruel they will be dealt with by God himself children are all different if you cannot cope than do not have them remmember she had half of his genes the clever half !! She was smarter than them!

The most compelling evidence to me was the lack of love and affection from these two "people" (Tony and Marsha) show through out the entire trial. I hope no one gets offended by me calling them "people" maybe mosters should be the appropriate word... they should be found guilty and stay in jail for life that way can remember Calista every time they feel locked up.

if marsha was worried about the vacuum being on fire, why didn't she just take it outside? it seems like an easy solution.

The most compelling evidence so far is Tony himself. His lack of emotion, even on the video where he is trying to get Calista out of the float in the pool. Marsha Springer can be heard saying for him to "just flip it over" (with Calista in it). The Christmas video shows other kids opening presents while Calista sat with a book on the sofa. Just look at that child's face! Nobody is including her. The Step-Aunt calling Calista "the kid" just turned my stomach. This parents were very good at putting on a "public" face vs the real them. Most abusers do! They even tricked friends into helping them. What about the condoms in the trash can in Calista's room?! And finally, I feel that this fire was just too "convenient". Put these abuser/murderers away forever. I would actually prefer the Death Penalty. Oh,.... I could go on & on, I'm so angry with these animals!

The most compelling pieces were the dog chain collar, the alarm that worked, the pictures, the letter from Calista, and the statement from the firefighter that found her chained to the bed and described how her skin came off... It breaks my heart to think how this poor girls spend the last moments of her life...

Calista should have always been with an adult. she could have sat with a coloring book while mom vaccuumed! And if they are too lazy as to just tie her up and forget than they should have put her in a hospital. Its not that hard to stay in the same room as a child. I am irate that someone would even take this risk!!!!!

what will stay in my mind is the demonstrate by Mr. Mike Brook and crew of the last moments Caliste experienced in her life.

I think the photos made me loose it...the chains also and how skinny her body seemed she was 16 years old torchered,chained, and starved they need to rot or die!!

The lack of emotion and remorse during Mr. Springer's testimony.
I just started watching the program this morning. What I would like to know is why this abuse went on for so long? Social Services knew about it and did nothing!!! this happ[ens in too many child abuse cases. Social Services should be held responsible. Her teachers knew and did nothing. They to should be held responsible. When do they have their day in court? So many people knew and no one did a damn thing. They should be made to sit in that courtroom during the trial.

I would say calista lived like she was in jail so they need to go to jail.

They spent 50% of their time trying to convince everyone that Calista’s disability made her incapable of comprehending “appropriate” behavior. Then they spent the other half of their time admitting they punished her every time she did something (like trying to get a drink of water) they deemed extremely unacceptable. Sadistic blankity, blanks!!!

Those home movies, which to me, showed a little girl who wanted to be included; but, was on the outside looking into the world she wanted to join. Why did the father not hold her hand the entire time she was skating instead of letting go immediately she was standing up. Why was no one playing with her in the pool. The middle girl was all over the father. The mother had the littlest one close to hand. Calista was playing all by herself. At Christmas, it seemed to me that she was getting all the little gifts while the others were getting much larger gifts.

these people are guilty!!!!!!!!!!! why didnt they let human services take her if she was so bad and such a burden too them? becuse they would have been caught for this very thing only the murder charge would not have been. i hope they get done to them what they did to her

the fact that you had a legally blind woman,giving primary care for a "special needs" child,all kids stick stuff in there mouth,all kids take without asking,kids should be alud to be kids not prisoners,the defense in my opinion is ony makeing the prosecutions case.this jury will do this young woman justice by retuirening a guilty verdict,aso i think the dhs departments needs to be looked at nation wide to prevent this from happening,how many special needs children are going to have to experience this type of abuse and neglect until someone will step in and do something about it,what ever happened to NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND.

I feel Calysta was desparate for water as she tried to drink everything she could, including gasoline, toilet water, birdbath, water hose. If found drinking water, she was punished by having to sit on the floor for a long period. I think they withheld water so she would not wet the bed at night. This is so awful!!

The most compelling evidence to me is that the rest of the family is alive. It was even said that the mother went in for her dog. Why is this true? Simply because these family members were able to get out of them.

As I have watched this trial on and off this past week my thoughts go to how could any living person treat a child in such a way. The defense did a good job in showing that the family had no loving feelings for Calista. Her own aunt called her that kid instead of using her name. Her own sister had a no compasion or sadness that her sister had died in a fire. Her father never said one thing kind of his deceased daughter. It is a parents responisibility to keep our children safe. Chaining a child to her bed will never keep her safe. It will only keep a child out of your way. As obviously shown that her stepmother was vacuming while Calista was stilled chained up in her bed. The pictures of this beautiful child chained to the point she can't even turn over is repulsive!!! I have faith that the jury will come to the conclusion that this child was tortured, abused and murdered!!

The video's showed a little girl that played alone and was withdrawn, her body language showed that she was there but no accepted in the family. The home movies done more damage than some would think. God Bless that child.

The gross neglience of Tony , Marsha, and Courtney have been shown from day one. They finally could not be bothered with Calista so they chained her to a bed with a dog choke collar, that was way too big for the dog, denied her food and water, she only weighed 91 pounds at age 16 sorry that dont compute !!!
Tony, Marsha and Courtney NEVER showed any sorrow or remorse for Calista's death.
The sad truth of the matter is that no one loved this poor child so they took her out of school and try to hide her away from the world. I only wish that the grandmother, Mrs. Langston, could have tried harder to get to the bottom of her abuse and had gotten Calista out of the house of horrs.

I have been watching this trial for the last two weeks and it has been unbelieveable. I think that the video shown yesterday by the defense was not a good thing for them because if I was on the jury I would have taken it as how they never interacted with her. She was mostly alone. And also Maraha NEVER looked or spoke to Calista, that alone showed me that Calista was not treated fairly. And the fire in my eyes would have never happened if Marsha would have just brought the vaccuum outside and I believe that many people would have done the same,it is just using common sense but I think Marsha found her chance to finally get rid of Calista and went with it.

Calista's own words.. A cry fo help! her letters. I will never understand our system & how they didn't listen to this precious child. Isn't it about time we open our eyes & see the wrong? She deserved to live. She was treated worse than a dog, by her own so called parents & how sad is that? This goes beyond abuse & torture in my book.....

Robin,TN.

Just the look on Marsha's face did it for me. Feb. in Michigan, it's cold, no blankets. 8:30 am where were the other children? I saw they had blankets in the photos. What kind of father would leave his child chained, in a house with a blind woman?

Both the father and the daughter and other family members lied about how long Calista had been chained-so they are covering up–therefore guilty of abuse.

Unless I missed something,, This girl would not have had a chance anyway because of her parent's action's...,, even if this poor little girl was not restrained to her bed, Did'nt the father install security screens to her windows so she would not be able to get out???? Did'nt the father install a locked eye hook to the upper part of the OUTSIDE of this little girls bedroom, so she can not get out???? This is so sick what happen to this poor little girl,,, So sad...,

Just to add to my last msg. Calista's letters were huge evidence that the chaining had been going on longer then 2 days.

Hello, my name is Amanda and I have recently (over the last week) began watching this case. The one thing I haven't heard mentioned is if they sought out treatment for her. If she was such a problem why did they not place her in a long-term care facility? Why did they not seek outside services for her in the home?

I think that the most compeling peiece of evidence is the letter Calista wrote to her friends and teachers. The one that stated she needed help when she was in the 5th or 6th grade. I also think that the stepsister and father did nothing but bash Calista on the stand. I think that this may indeed work against them. Also, a loving parent would run to her children in case of a fire, knowing that one of them is chained and cannot get out herself. A parent does not run out to save herself and the dog. You risk your life for your children. Thats how it should be. I think that this fire did the parents a favor becuase Calista had been talking to people and they might have been afraid that the truth was coming out.

I feel the photos and videos are most damaging. Along with them is the testimony of Anthony Springer and the inconsistencies, lies, and lack of compassion or emotion for his daughter.
On another note: I hope the arson investigation is or was closley looked at. Seems to me his "research" into fire statistics is more than suspicious.
I pray this jury does the right thing and come back with a guilty verdict on ALL counts, the evidence backs it up.
God Bless you Calista, you're free now little one.

I don't care who you are or level of education, chaining a child to a bed is unacceptible-case closed....

The flat sibling without emotion- the parents weren't doing something right and one of those things was murder.

There are so many things that point the worst abuse I have seen in my life! But the whole family's mindset is deplorable...When the stepmother's mother died (she must have been a doozy to raise such a gem as Marsha) the lovely aunt of Calista took her home for a night. And where did the aunt make Calista sleep? On the floor like a dog.
Someone mentioned the judges body language during the defense's closing- he does look like he's going to jump over his desk and throttle the guy!

The home videos because when the dad said she was dangerous and never smiled why would they give her a bat, and she looked pretty happy.

The body of Calista with the chain still attached has to be the most compelling piece of evidence available. There is no argument that can mitigate the fact that the method of "protection" that was chosen by these people resulted in her death. That there is even any question that normal cognizant people would have known that if there was an emergency she was less than safe is a ridiculous notion.

It is abundantly obvious that she was chained for their convenience, NOT for her own protection.

Who in there right mind could think that chaining a child to a bed or anything else help's that child? Could you not just put them in a home that takes care of children with special needs. Look how they both are acting while the lawyers are talking..They really think that they are getting away with Murder . I pray the jury can see this for what it is MURDER!!!!!

The fact everyone but Calista had made it out of the burning house!! I really hope Marsha and Tony get what they desrve!!!

I think chaining her down like an animal is enough. These are sadistic people. I believe in an eye for an eye. I think this couple should be chained down in a burning house then they might have a clue what they did to thier daughter.

Why weren't they in therapy? why, if Calista had special needs, wasn't she in special programs to help her, as a child, get the attention she needed from professionals? Tony Springer, called the police on Calista's friend's mother for abduction to cover his hide. He also called Calista a liar for saying that she was abused.
If I had a child that had any kind of problem, developmentally or physically, I would seek professional help to assist me to provide the safest and most loving nurturing environment possible.........

Courtney testified when asked about Calista bathing, that Calista didn't like water... She loved it in the pool !! Also if Marsha is so blind how could she manage to do quilting,, you have to have pretty good eye sight to sew !!

The video...... if Calista had Pica and was not a "Rocket Scientist" why does the video show her recieving a 1000 piece puzzle at Christmas?

I wonder why nobody discussed the law enforcement person who said the trash can beside her bed contained condoms and zip ties. Calista may have been sexually abused by her father.

the most compelling evidence i see TODAY is the look on the judge's face when the Defense att. is giveing his closeing.. compared to Mr.. Mcdunham..

One of the most telling moments, I thought, was when one of the teachers was relating how she hugged Calista and how l she responded and then Marsha told her not to be hugging on her or she would expect it at home.

The main thing that I got out of Anthony Springer`s testimony was that, judging from his manner in answering questions, was that he was embarassed by his daughters disability. He seemed to have more remorse for that , than the fact that his oldest child is dead.

1. That Marsha Springer did not scream, yell, or call for immediate help to get Calista out of the house. She managed to get herself and the dog out in time.

2. That they did not have a safety plan. That Marsha could put together a vacuum cleaner, but couldn't pull the pin on an extinguisher.
What extinguisher? Duh. They never had one (or two) to begin with. It's a lie.

3. That Calista didn't show emotion or smile. What, were all the pictures and films faked? Again, Duh.

I am listening to Marsha's lawyer and listened to Mr Springers Lawyer and I have just one question. Who is on trial for Clistia's death? Is it Calista or her parent's? I hear them putting Calista on trial for her own death! How appaling. I saw a father on the stand who has no love or compassion for his daughter!

and what about the other girls in the house they had nice clothes and were treated with love now this poor child that is dead now had rags for clothes she was very skinny(skinny enough to have a DOG collar around her WAIST!!!!) come on people its clear what happened here they didnt love her or even care if she was alive I really think they need to be punished for their actions! if they didnt want her they should have put her in a mental home or something at least she would be alive!my heart goes out to the little girl that died! the chain and the supposed smoking vaccum is the key peices in this case,the mother knew that the vaccuum would catch on fire thats why she left it in the house! ugh I feel sick to my stomach!

Why hasn't the father had no emotion when talking about Calista? When the house caught fire, did ANYONE try and unchain Calista or just save themselves, knowing Calista was chained up stairs????

I believe that the defense has provided the most compelling evidence FOR the prosecution by showing those videotapes of a happy, smiling Calista. They absolutely starkly contrast the potrait that the defense has painted of Calista. I think those videos completely dimiss the defense claim that Calista was profounding behaviorally challenged and violent. I don't believe for one second that Calista was some bad seed and that her family was afraid of her. I cannot for the life of me understand the defense's claims that neither parent is responsible for her death, if Calista had not been chained like some animal or removed from school, she would be alive today!

The most compelling evidence is the missing fire extinguishers Marsha said she tried to use. Where did they go?
Shelia/ Maryland

Not allowing Grandmother to testify....

It is clear court testomony paints a picture of suffering for this little girl. However, the empirical evidence proves the fact she was burned up in a bed while restrained is the most compeling. This act cannot be justified or explained away.

John Johnson
San Diego, CA

There are so many compelling elements in this trial that it's hard to pick just one! The parents saying they only chained her for a couple of days prior to the fire in one breath and then saying CPS, whom they had contact with in 2004 to 2005, telling them it was ok. Well they can't have it both ways! Or, the parents saying they didn't use the alarm because it was broke yet when the detective tested it after it was in a fire and even flooded with water in that fire and it worked and finally, of course, the most compelling is the body itself with the chains around it and the crime scene person pointing it out at the scene. The fire may have been an accident but not saving your child first but rather fiddling with a fire extinguisher that was never found or taking a vacum cleaner apart and ultimately saving yourself and the dog...two things she cared about more than her step daughter who was clearly a problem from day one.

While I originally thought that perhaps this prosecutor was misguided by not going after Mr. Springer in cross examination.

I think he gave a heartfelt, detailed explanation, in his closing argument.

Great job!

I have to words to all you think they are inncent " DOG CHAIN" that's all that needs to be said.

The rebuttal testimony of Dr. Henry. He explained what emotional trauma is and how it can cause or exacurbate PDD. It really proved Calista was abused all her life. His testimony was very POWERFUL. Also my heart broke watching the home videos. She just entertained her little self while no one paid any attention to her. My granddaughter is high function autistic and the schools have help her tremondously she improves weekly with her social and talking skills. All the parents had to do was work with the experts to help Calisita.

Not one member of the family or friends said anything kind or loving about Calista. It didn't even seem like Marsha's attorney liked Calista. As a quilter I wonder how Marsha could be legally blind, make quilts herself and teach Calista how to sew blocks together, as Anthony testified. Couldn't she have eaten the pins and needles?

When is the last time anyone heard of a vacuum catching on fire? But, the DOG choke chain screams out-loud and clear!

Why didn"t Anthony go up-stairs and un-chain Calista BEFORE he left for work that morning?????? That way dear Marsha wouldn't have to. That question was never asked this whole time. I have used a vacuum cleaner for a lot of years and never has one EVER caught on fire. If it did, she could have un plugged it and dragged it out side. To cause a fire it must have EXPLODED. LOL. Dumb luck

The most compelling evidence so far to me is the fact that Calista was left to die in a burning house. While there may be no monetary reasons to gain, then what is left is... offing Calista. Plain and simple.

I am wondering why they didn't place Calista somewhere elseif they were so afraid of her and her behavior. The defense and their witnesses has stated several times that she was a danger to herself and others. So if they were so afraid for her and themselves why didn't they have her removed from the home for her and their own safety?

The dog chain was the key in this case and the way she was described and treated – mental illness is NOT evil!

Another question – why wasn't she being seen by a therapist/Psych. and put on medication? There are so many different drugs to help all special needs people.

Lisa Neveu

The most compelling image that comes to my mind is the dog-chain wrapped around the tiny waist of Calista so hard that the skin was protruding through the holes. I wonder how they felt chaining her up so tightly while the dog sniffing at their heels was unchained. I know how they felt. NOTHING!

The most compelling piece of evidence, the fact that Marsha Springer was doing household chores while Colista was still chained to the bed. If the Springer's motive to chain the child was to protect, they would have immediately releaed her when the household woke for the day.

At first it was the dog chain,then when the father got up to testify that did it for me!Every comment that came from his mouth showed a loathing for Calista's every move and zero LOVE!!!!!!!!!

When dad said she never smiled and yet all the pictures show her smiling. The chain marks in her stomach and saying they have been doing it for 2 days. The dog getting out but not calista and marsha saying the dog was a seeing eye dog and it wasn't and making a chuckle when the ent lady said it wasn't a seeing eye dog. Her in the pool by herself without floaties and jumping in like nothing shows she wasn't all that slow and they put her out to be. Also calista writing about her situation shows she had some kind of smarts. Also when the doctor of 30 years saying that when someone was tied up day and night they would start getting mentally off, and rebel with the people around doing it to them fight or flight and the anticipation of getting tied up daily would make you mentally off. You hear about victims of war and being held hostage and how they are not right when they get back . The same exact thing.

I am very, very troubled by something that has not been explored much. Why was Calista STILL chained in her bed, when the rest of the family was up for the day, eating breakfast, gone to work/school? What time was Calista "typically" released each day, to go to the bathroom, eat, etc.?

I have been watching the case of Calista Springer. I believe that the fire was started to get rid of Calista. You have parents that pulled Calista out of school when the Childrens Services inquired too closely-it got too hot for them. I believe that they were afraid of the authorities again coming down on them-they kept their daughter unfed (this was why she was going into the garbage for food), unloved and chained up. The parents could not afford to have the chain revealed to the authorities.
Also, they are liars. Marsha told the emergency woman that the dog was a "seeing eye" dog and when the lady told her that it was not Marsha laughed and came out with the truth. They were forever lying.
With this knowledge of lying about the fire extinguishers and the 'seeing eye" dog and other things I believe that Marsha and Tony planned to get rid of this problem. If it were another couple that did not chain a child up nor lied I would think that the fire was an accident-not these two.

The most compelling piece of evidence has to be the photograph of Calista's small body showing the choke chain around her little body.
At 90 lbs and 16 years old any adult could manage her without chaining her up. They obviously didn't love her and used her condition to benefit themselves. They did abuse, torture and CAUSE HER DEATH...NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

They claim the dog was a seeing eye dog. Sorry fplks that is a lie.
I have a service dog..
In the event of smoke a trained service animal will alert and nudge and warn way in advance of exceleration of a fire.
There would have been time to get this child loose.
did they keep a metal cutter handy in case the chains couldn't be seperated.

I cant believe how uncaring and un-emotional these parents are. they arent niether one of them sorry about what happened to Calista, They only care about theirselves. Thats very obvious.

Everyone on the defense has not referred to Callista by name usually, it's either her, the kid, the child, the problem child. All they have talked about is her problems/behaviors. Is that so we & the jurors won't see Callista as a human being? Is that being reasonable?

I just can't wrap my head around this cat swinging issue, do you honestly think a cat is going to let someone pick it up by the tail and swing it around without scatching and biting the hell out of that person?

Uncle John's knife – because it shows that Anthony & Marsha convinced adults outside their folie-a-deux that it was ok to lie & exaggerate about how dangerous they viewed Calista to be.

The argument that Calista was chained for her good would be more feasable, if they had UNCHAINED her the minute they got up, so she could use bathroom. To wait till THEY ate, went to school, and work, and Marsha cleaned house makes it ABUSE! Plain and simple. No excuses!

Anthony Springer should have NEVER left for work or whatever when Calista was still CHAINED and Marsha the only "responsible" person in the house. He should have made sure that precious child was free from her chains before he left.

No child under any circumstances should be chained.. it is such a shame and yes it is abuse, if she hadn't of been chained she wouldn't of died in the fire. I pray the jury gives them exactly what they deserve.. locked up!

Poor Calista, sounds like she was only fed when they had company. Swallowing a piece of hard candy because her "mother" was coming. Why couldn't she have it.

Tony testified that Caliata had chores. Cleaning the table after dinner and doing the dishes. Wasn't he afraid of her handling forks and Knives?? Her other two chores were taking out the garbage and PICKING THINGS OFF THE FLOOR> wasn't he afraid she would eat the thing from the floor?? What was the other two sisters chores??

Even her sister seemed spiteful toward Calista, blaming Calista for kicking off her blankets & left helpless in the cold. Maybe Calista was throwing a fit for being chained...wouldn't we ALL? By the way, Mr. Springer, are your OTHER children "rocket scientists"? And is that the greedy, theiving little Calista at the broken pinata, standing on the OUTSIDE of the group NOT scarffing up candy while the other, more intellegent children ignore her completely?

Calista's notes to her friend and the journal entry.

When a fire starts the FIRST thing you do is get the children out of the house, then cal 911, then try to put out the fire.
How convienet for a house in forclosure to catch fire.

I found it interesting that the very evidence teh defense presented regarding the loving nature of the parents toward the child, is evidence against the "problematic, unruly, and uncontrolable child they had on their hands. Was she problematic? Their interaction with Calista cannot be evidence of two things: her problematic behavior AND the peaceful, loving interaction they protrayed..

The father showed no love for his daughter – whether in life or after her tragic death. To allow the evil STEP MOTHER to abuse his child should be worth about 25 in prison.

It's got to be the look on the judge's face as he listens to Victor Bland's closing...priceless.

Yes, the chain is the most compelling piece of evidence, so far: however I also believe the one where Aunt Barb & Anthony told about abuse that the biological mother did to Calista in her first 13 months.

Did Auntie Barb do anything about the abuse? Yep, she stopped going there and never did a thing for Calista. And the biological daddy, finally pulled his daughter out of the abuse after 13 months. Anthony admitted that he didn't show affection or care to his child. That whole defense is PHONY!!

I have not heard one excuse – to lie, to steal, behavioral problems, etc.- that would lead me to believe this little girl deserves treatment that would have you in JAIL if you did it to your DOG.
Bad behavior is learned behavior, as is good behavior. Calista was an innocent child.
Her father was frustrated with a child who was ingenious enough to figure her way out of being locked up. He became overcome with anger and finally chained Calista to the bed.
Calista was a very smart little girl. Now she is sadly never going to perhaps find a cure for blindness or behavioral problems...

Jenn
I have been watching this case from the beginning, I too have wondered that myself.
Of all the questions asked that was not one of them.
WHY WAS Calista NOT up with the rest of the family.
Marsha was getting ready to Vacuum the floor and go about her day but Calista was still in bed at 8:30 – 9:00 in the morning.
I'm thinking Calista was NOT cared for like the other children, I also think they kept calista around for her SSI money.

The most compelling piece of evidence to me would be that even the friends of the deffandant stated that Callista did not act up doing the support meeting, or picnic, or when they went out to eat. Why was she good in public and only bad at home.

In Calista's case there is no possible wat to pick one piece of evidence that stands out. But what I want to know is if people knew of the situation why are they not being held responsible as well? Guilty by assosiation. How could you not stand up for the rights of an innocent child!

Is this really happening?!! Now the defense attorney is bashing this poor little child. The evidence of the picture of Calista's body is totally irrefutable. It's there for all to see. The marks on her body tell the story! My son, who has special needs, is the most popular kid in the school. If these people are not convicted, it could send the message that it's ok to do this anytime!!! If this child was so difficult, they should have gotten help. Even if they had to travel to get it!!!

The lack of love from Anthony Springer when on the witness stand, he referred to Calista as girl, she and during his entire time on the stand, he only referred to her as his daughter a couple of times. I am seeing parents as only thinking of themselves, this victim was unloved by them and suffered at their hands and as a result caused her death.
Absolutely love the was the judge is listening to every word spoken by Mr. Bland and when the prosecutor was doing his closing, the judge was so relaxed...I'm just saying...love it. This precious victim didn't have a chance in this life and died so tragically because of these 2 people who are on trial in this courtroom.

The D.A. was too easy. Why not say why she was eating out of the garbage and drinking out of the toilet? Putting things in her mouth when she was little because she was hungry. They gave her little food and water. She had to have permission to get a drink of water or she had to sit in the middle of the room all day and not move.The only time she got to eat a lot is when they had company so she ate as much as she could as fast as she could. She suffered from the time she was 7 months to her death at 16..

I cann't believe the Defense Attorney is trying to blame this young lady for the cause of her death. Mr.V. Bland she didn't chain herself to the bed or beat her body to let others people know that she was being abuse by her parents. She trying telling everyone what was happening to with her at home. and no one wanted to listen to her.Now she is dead and crying out for justice from the grave the whole is listing.

victor bland! blaming the victom. so so sad!

In my opinion, this is one case, that doesn't even need a Closing Argument from either side...It's so black and white!!! Boy, I'd love to be that jury!!!

The home videos the defense brought into evidence. Where was the interaction with her? You can tell she was treated like an outsider in her own family

To Vinny: I think the dog chain and Calista's letters are major compelling evidense. Calista Grandmother sems like a loving and caring woman, I would like to know if it was ever a option for Calista to live with her?

wow,Marsha's defense lawyer has no compasion either, He said ,He didnt have to prove that Calista was awake at the time of the fire. Lets pray that she was. No matter how you look at it, Calista was a human being not a dog. To me the defense only cares about Marsha and her husband.

Regardless of what reason they giving as to why Calista was chained is completely unexcusable. I hope the jury do the right thing n make the father n stepmother pay for what they did. Anthony and Marsha Springer is guilty of all charges. They are liars n should be punished. The letters are fakes. We all know that. Calista was not a troubled child i simply believe in my heart that Calista father and stepmother did not truly want her and felt that she was a strain on them. They put on happy faces for the public eyes. The old saying "whats done in the dark shall come to light". The legal persons that was noticfied should be fined or punished for not doing the job they are payed to do and now it has costed a child her life. And im pretty sure there was plenty of time for Calista to be unchained. If you are a loving parent your child [whether its your child or stepchild] would have been the first thing on your mind to rescue. And then to lie about what you tried to do should hav been an eye opener.

This poor girl was killed by a planed fire using the vacum cleaner. It was not brought up in trial however it is very plain to see if yor consider the facts. They were losing the house, almost all inside items were already moved to new location. Vacum could have been taken outside from time taken to mess with it after smoking started. No attempt was made to remove the girl, and mother was only one home that day.

How insane are these, people, (and I use the term people loosely)
I loved the Uncle saying he had to leave the house because they made Calista sit in the middle of the floor because she got a drink of water without permission. It's just to bad he didn't take Calista with him when he left. I am so glad he is divorcing his witch of a wife, Marshas sister. He needs to get as far away from that family as his legs can carry him.

Calista's letter is the most compelling piece of evidence. However, why didn't the prosecution point out that the evidence presented outlining Calista's problems were years old. Although I have missed some of the trial I haven't seen any evidence of Calista's behavior the year or two before her death. Also if Calista was such a problem it seems her mother would have welcomed having her in school several hours a day and out of her hair. If f Marsha was legally blind how could she provide adequate home schooling. I wish the prosecution would have asked why Calista was still chained when the fire occurred. Nobody was sleeping. I really wonder how many hours a day they kept Calista chained.

When the defense said that Calista's death was "unfortunate", I literally cried.

Unfortunate?!

Not tragic, not terrible, not unthinkably sad....UNFORTUNATE?!

I think part of my comment did not post correctly. This is the complete text. The anger and disgust in Anthony"s testimony, particularly the story about Calista dragging her bed in the middle of the night to get to her sister's bottle of water..where was HER water? He fixed that lickety-split..he put the bunks back together, chained her to the top so she could not even touch the floor. HIS sleep would not be disturbed AGAIN. I think they should both be chained to a bed and a fire built around THEM.

Stepmother, or mother, coming form a family of step and half siblings it doesn't take long for the kids to realize who is biological and who isn't. In the way Calista was treated, Marsha herself more than likely made sure to let it be known she was only a stepmother.

Ever have shoes that were tight you couldn't take them off until home? Remember the feeling, the pain, the annoyance that just drove you crazy.
That is what I imagine Calista was feeling at night.

It was the chaining that forced her to suck in the toxic fumes instead of running out the door. It was the chaining that prevented her from disturbing her parents precious sleep. It was the chaining that made her pee the bed. It was the chaining that killed her... not the fire.

Both defenses say that the child was not abused, I don't know if they ever strike her, however she was abused! It's called mental abuse. She may have been a bit slower then the other two, but, I have no doubts that she could tell that she was not being treated as well as the other !wo! She had to know that the other two were not put into chains at night, the other two were being feed, they were being clothed better the other two were able to come and go as they pleased and go to the bathroom when thy had to answer the call, not have to wait on permission! The ONLY reason the her step-mother wanted to get her was so they would not have to pay child support.

This case makes me wonder How many more Calista's are out there?

Jeanie, KS

I OBJECT!!!!

Mr. Bland is really reaching here. He is making Marsha out to be a victim. She is no victim, she is a sadist who reveled in the abuse she inflicted on Calista. I cannot stand to listen to Mr. Bland anymore and object to the way he is using Calista as the scapegoat. There is no defense here.

maybe the chain wasnt the reason that calista is dead, but if she hadnt been been chained up she wouldnt have died in the fire either. and since when is chaining up a child not child abuse?

Is that they chained Calista to her bed. You should never ever ever ever changed a child to a bed, even if they have mental problems or not. There are alot of people out there in the world that have some kids of mental problems like autism, down sedrum and so on. And also it seems that they did not try and go get her out of the house. They just got them self out. They should have put things up that they didn't want her to have instead of chaining her to the bed.

If you choose not to put a seatbelt on a child and an accident occurs you are responsible if injury or death occurs. If you chain someone to a bed an an accident occurs you are responsible. You made the choice to ignor the risk. I live in Indy, not far from Michigan, there is @ least a fire a day here. Sometimes 2 or 3. Almost all are older homes. I hope we have progressed past medevil times where if you were different you were chained in a dungeon. Calista was not a rabid animal, she was a human being and no one deseves to be treated like she was. Maybe she did need supervision, but you don't need a supervisor if you chain someone to a bed. This fire was not @ night, 8:30am...She wasn't asleep, just chained so she couldn't excape. Cage the Spingers like they did to Calista...GUILTY, all counts.

Her sister is allowed to have a bottle of water on her nightstand, but Calista must ask for permission to get a drink.

As a potential juror, saying that the Springers are not culpable because if they are DHS should be, for me is a ridiculous argument.

I would be surprised if a single juror believes that DHS is not guilty of "missing the mark". They are guilty of bad judgement.

However DHS did not chain Calista, Mr. & Mrs. Springer did. They are guilty of torture, child abuse, and murder.

I thought until the defense stated his closing that the most compelling piece of evidence was the letters from Calista her self but once he stated that she in her words stated that she lied and stole he got me thinking that those are no longer the most compelling evidence and now I really don't know what would be. I've been watching this from day one and from day one i believed they were guilty of all charges but once I heard the defenses closing I now have doubts. Im glad im not on that jury. It really would be hard to decide if they are guilty or not. I came in with bias eyes and that makes it hard for me to decide.

The most compelling evidence is after the father testified about how horrible Calista was they show these videos of Calista as being the most WELL BEHAVE child. What were they trying to prove with those videos?! The father TOTALLY contradicted himself!

The defense attorney is making a big deal about Calista calling Marsha her step-mom. I have a grandson who lives with his father and his step-mom since he was a year old. Even though 3 brothers call their mom "mom", he still calls her by her name. When he talks about her, he uses the word stepmom.

The most compelling evidence is the fact that Marsha is alive! If I felt no I had no choice but to tie my child down, I would have been the body found in that room or there would have been 2 bodies. I simply cannot understand how you make no attempt to save your child whom you love so much from a fire.

I fail to see how it makes a difference if Calista died in her sleep.

Lets pray that she did.

The most compelling piece of evidence is Calista STILL chanined to the bed at 8:45 am. If she was chained all night she would have to go to the batrroom at some point in the moring. Was she just left there to mess on her self so they would use that to keep her chained up longer. They said that they also chained Calista so she could not get up and wake everyone at night and the could get some rest., so who would get up in the night to let her go to the restroom. Noone because it would take to long to chain her up again. NOW can a BLIND person take apart AND put a vaccum back together, but CAN NOT see the tool to free her child.Who was more important to save at the time of the fire.
The dog was not chained up so it could get ou on it own. Calista needed to get out in the front yard with the so called loving mother.

The prosecutor,is giveing a great closeing,It gives me goose bumps and made me cry ,He has shown so much compassion. Marion

The most compelling evidence is the fact that she was still changed to the bed at 9:39 AM. I believe that she was changed throughout the day, everyday once she was home schooled.

I am sick about this whole matter....Obviously, Marsha, was not put on the stand because she is a liar. The EMT (female) testified that Marsha wanted her seeing eye dog with her in the ambulance. The EMT gathered the dog for her and said to Marsha that the dog was "not a seeing eye dog" and the EMT said that Marsha laughed at the observation. I have never seen a "blind" person blink the way Marsha does constantly. Looks like nerves or forced action to me.....
The coldness of Courtney (sister) toward Calista on the stand....all of the defense testimony is grasping......the fact remains that this little girl was chained to her bed night after night for years and finally died in that dog choke chain.

The problem that gets me in this case is no one could prove if she tried to get away when the fire happened. It actually shows more proof that she didn't which would make me believe she was sleeping. I am really hating the defense team right now for putting doubts in my head. I really believe these parents were horrible and the chain is what lead to her death but believing and knowing in the case of the law is were they may be set free. Sometimes i hate that we have to decide beyond a reasonable doubt when convicting people. I believe this is were it may become a problem for the Jury.

Is there any proof Calistas birth mother neglected her. Only the testimony of the lying aunt and uncaring father. I think it is unfortunate that perhaps there was not more investigation, so that could have been proven as another lie.The most compelling evidence in this case were the pictures of Calista with the marks from the chain seared into her body as white scars which didn't happen from only one or to nights of chaining.

I wonder if the attorney would allow his child to stay with a step parent and the child end up like Calista, Would he feel the same way defending the step parent ? Would he want the person are persons to be convicted for the dealth of his child ? And last question why Marsha didn"t try to free Calista before the fire got out of hand? There are so many questions to this case that have not been answered. They are really quilty for the abuse and torture that's why they took her out of school.

They obviously did not care about Calista, Its makes no sense to me that Marsha (blind?) was more concerned about her floors being cleaned, running her vacuum and no doubt treating her dog better than Calista who had to lay in wait until someone unchain this poor child. Her father stated "Up to her arm pits in urine"as a baby and he allowed it to continue up thru her teen years.Just how long did they keep her chained through out the day!!! Her neglect started from birth thru her teen years.

None of the people that should have loved Calista has shown any signs of remorse. I think they are only sorry that they got caught and are being held accountable.

Defense seems to me to have a snide attitude, proclaiming again and again " I dont have to prove it ".

According to the letter of the law, no. But according to me, and I believe the jury, a resounding, YES!

The defense seems to me to have a snide attitude, proclaiming again and again

" I dont have to prove it ".

According to the letter of the law, no.

But according to me, and I believe the jury, a resounding, YES!

"Calista's father's lies...on the stand....was the most compelling evidence to me...that DA was very smart not to CROSS"

The thing that I cannot get past or explain away in my mind is the fact that when the mother was shown the suicidal writing by the principal that she had no questions about it or even a reaction to it, but instead, only wanted to ask about if she was working hard enough in school.

The most compelling evidence is the choke chain. But a very telling piece of evidence spoken by Mr. Springer was, when asked if Calista ate well, he said "if it was dead she'd eat it." What parent says that about a loved child?

I never saw or heard of any interaction with the other children.

The prosecutor was fantastic in closing and rebutal. It was like Calista was standing beside him, and the emotion[WOW]!!!!!

I was disgusted by Mr. Springer describing his efforts to restrain Calista by "cleverly" one-upping her each time she figured out how to get loose. It seemed that it became a "hobby" for him to keep inventing new ways to keep his daughter tied to her bed.

The disdain for Calista exhibited by Dad, Sister and Aunt. When Anthony and Courtney indicated Calista had no friends it's clear they are referring to Calista's "family" at home.

I'm flabbergasted by the defense's argument... Victor Bland made me feel sick to my stomach, he showed absolutely no sympathy for the poor girl... same as the parents and sister, they are all such horrible people. They all tried to vilify Calista... That poor girl was not the one on trial, her parents were!

i think he most important evidence was
her being chained to a bed no matter how troubled a child is she or he should neva be chained to a bed just because the simple fact that its abuse and its a safety hazard at that. i think they deserve to go to prison for 1st degree murder

From the start I was horrified by the fact these parents restrained their child, to the extent of a dog chain around her waist, so she was unable to move or sleep other than lying on her back, not to mention the mother was drugging her with allergy meds so she would sleep! I can't imagine the jury will take long on this verdict, child abuse and torture is evident!

The most compelling evidence is the autopsy photos of the chain marks on the body. If it is the contention that this little girl was only chained to her bed for a couple days those marks would not be as evident and since they are then she either struggled to be free or she had been chained to her bed for a very long time.

Calista died in the fire she was KILLED because she was chained to the bed If a Club owner chains his doors and there is a fire is he/she not charge That is whey her father and stepmother (her word) are guilty she could not excapt because of there actions there actions caused her death

It dont matter what anyone says, restraining a child down is wrong. If these two get off or not. They have to live with killing a child all their miserable lives. I think the chain should have never happened. And all that was involved, thaqt did not do anything to help her need to be guilty too. And how did the fire start. The parents may have caused that too.

Marsha Springer on trial for apparently her life, a child is dead, and she sits in the courtroom chewing on gum! How crude and completely disrespectul.She looks like she could care less, again, a child is dead trapped in a burning house.

You know it sure is funny no fire extinguisher could not be found and I don't think the dog took it.

I didn't get to see every episode, but was the fire investigated as arson to cause intentional death?

At the beginning of the trial, I was horrified by the idea of a "chain" on a child, regardless of the reason. But at this point, I truly believe it was a resource of protection. This is the same as when we get into our vehicles everyday and put on out seatbelts. That seatbelt is our safety, our protection from an un predictable accident. But as we know there are several instances where this realm of protection turns on us, when we are in an accident were we need to get out of our vehicle and we can not because the seatbelt was restricting us. This "tool" that we use for our safety, has now turned into the cause of an even more tragic accident.

what is wrong with these people dothey have head problems. i would really like to know . but i really hope these people get what they dserves.if the jury is smart they will. and god will make them pay too.

The choke collar is very damaging to the case also the fact that the parents tried to blame calista.

I am legally blind myself and I don't believe that should even be an issue. I can pretty much do anything a sighted person can do just have to do them a little different. I even watch my grandkids on occassion and they know my sight is limited.

My grandmother was legally blind also and raised 10 children, it can be done and didn't involve strapping her children in.

Anthony's testimony. He was so deadpan, pausing to think what he said through before he answered. It seemed to me as though he thought his pauses would make people think he was overcome with emotion, but there was never any evidence of emotion at all. He had his testimony prepared and rehearsed before the trial even started.

What possible good would standing in your yard, calling for your daughter who is chained to a bed upstairs do?

How can that be perceived as compassion or grief?

This is the definition of RIDICULOUS!

If Calista ate like the defence says she would have been overweight. All of the defence witneses lied.

If the vacum was smoking or on fire the mother couldn't just pick it up or unplug, drag it by the cord and throw it outside!
How often does a vacum catch on fire?

The chain used to restrain the child like an animal to her bed every night! I wouldn't even use a choke chain on my own dog! I'm just heart broken over this. Why didn't someone step in and take this child away from those horrible child abusing parents. They should be chained to their jail cells....Peace be with Calista..

The dog choke chain, when I visualize that on one of my daughters I get sick to my stomack. The verdict needs reafirm our responsibility as people, and parents.

These folks are Guilty in the 1st

Way to go prosecutor, I felt his pain for this child in his closing, I yelled
out because FINALLY someone spoke up for this precios chid.I hope they both rot in jail.
KATHY

The chain and picture of Calista after the fire. Also family video and pictures. Show's Calista trying to be part of a family who really didn't show her love.
As far as Marsha's attorney closing statement, he should be ashamed of trying to convince the jury it was okay to chain her up to protect her from hurting herself. I can't believe anyone could honestly believe this is normal behavior for a parent to do to their child.
Prosecutor did an outstanding job with his closing argument, he didn't have to make up anything the evidence said it all.

How dare the father act like he is a hero taking his infant daughter from her mother due to neglect! Does he really feel that he was the better parent with all his abusive actions? I work with special needs children who don't even compare to Calista's behavior as I have seen or heard in this trial. No way would you ever treat a child like that and especially restraining her to the bed! Who knows there may be absolutely nothing wrong with Calista other than being a normal child heading in those wonderful teen years. The Springers need to stop blaming everyone else, including Calista and own up to their behavior! Why didn't Mrs. Springer testify like her husband? Hope they enjoy behind bars the rest of their life which still doesn't compare to what they did to that poor girl! They show no feelings at all in court – just cold hearted looking!

To me the most important compelling evidence are the Defense Attorneys. Both of them gave me the impression they were trying to blame Calista for her own death!

The chain and the fireman's testimony about her "skin coming off like a sleeve". Calista is NOT on trial, John & Marsha are. No parent should abuse a child, especially a special needs child, as they have done.

They better be glad I am not on the jury.. They are guilty.. plain and simple..Yeah the chain caused her death, let some one chain you to a bed and a fire breaks out. can you escape? NO!!!!!!!!! Wouldnt be no deliberation with me..The verdict is in..Guilty, Guilty, guilty. On all counts. Too bad a little life was lost due to some cruel people.

No question it was the chain and picture of the marks on the skin anyone who has fell asleep with something under them would know that. Be sides if they had a legitimate reason to restrain her at night they could have asked a medical or mental heath professional the proper way to do it my father had a stroke he had severe brain damage and was blind and would get out of bed at night and was at risk of injuring himself doctor sent me home with cloth and Velcro wrist and waist restraint I also used a baby monitor after he recovered a little I was able to use just the waist strap which he could remove himself even though he was completely blind. The second thing is Calistas stepmother did not unlock her the second the fire started going back to my dad we had a small fire even though it was day time and he was not in bed I still got him to safety before I worried about the things in my life I could replace

I'm disappointed that the jury had trouble convicting the Springers of murder. I'll just have to be satisfied with their convictions on child abuse and torture.

I hope you'll discuss the difference in their sentences. While Anthony got 25 to 50 years for child abuse and torture, Marsha got 18 years 9 months to 50 years for torture AND 7 to15 years for child abuse. Why did they separate the two charges on Marsha? Also, are they eligible for parole?

The fact that Anthony and Marsha Springer chose to chain Calista to her bed rather than lock up any harmful items says it all. Whether or not they are guilty or murder does not change the fact that they failed to give Calista the proper care and attention she needed and deserved, which I believe is considered neglect, and a form of child abuse in itself.

Are you kidding me?
Daddy's testimony. Very clear was his attitude that she was more trouble than she was worth. A sick, sick man who simply didn't have time!!!
Her notes and letters to folks begging for help....from way more than 2 or 3 days before the fire?
Her mother's decision "NOT" to release her from her bed. Obviously she would have been in the way while she was doing whatever she was doing.

Mr. Springer blaming his daughter for her own death...They are disgusting people!!!

The most compelling evidence is all the evidence. It's obvious that Marsha never wanted or loved Calista, so she decided to torture and abuse her, but for Calista's own birth father to go along with this is truly sick. If Calista had any mental disabilities and developmental problems it was the horrible sick abuse she was enduring at home!! These monsters Marsha and Anthony do not deserve anything but to be locked up and chained up in a prison cell to always remember what they did to their beautiful little girl. God Bless Calista

The evidence that I find to be the most compelling in this trial would be the comment made by Mr. Springer about not being able to lock up knives because with Marsha having the loss of her eyesight would not be able to get to them easily. Well I find it odd and discusting being able to get to the knives easily was more of a concern then being able to get to Calista to unlock her if there was an emergency. It goes to show a lack of concern for the welfare of Calista. In addition to that, Mr. Springer cried discussing Marsha's loss of eyesight and did not cry during the discription of suffering that Calsita was enduring that eventually resulted in her death.

The most disturbing part of the defenses case for me was hearing how many times and how many ways Calista had attempted to escape from the bondage that her parents had put her in.

Clearly, she felt she was fighting for her life!

Again the most compelling evidence is by first responders vivtim wrapped in chain and has to get tools to free her. He tries to lift victim and skin separates from flesh. This should tell all but autopsy photos and previous testimony from others of chain marks even years previous confirm.

Calista's notes to her friends and her cries for help to the adults she came in contact with while outside of her home.--– I had a very hard time watching this trial. The defense attorneys frustrated me beyond belief. I truly don't know how they could take things that were said out of such context during the closing! If these parents aren't found guilty and serve time behind bars, it will just be another nail in Calista's coffin. The other very sad thing is watching Tony testify and lie on the stand about chaining his daughter to the bed only a few times. His other daughter was encouraged to lie, also. Great example by a parent. May Tony and his Marsha never get their two daughters back. This experience will be with their daughters for the rest of their lives, and will effect them as adults.

The letters prove Calista knew right from wrong. The letters prove she knew what was happning to her and she wasn't as mentally challenged as made out to be by her family and their close friends.

Most compelling evidence? The chain. Parents like this should not even be allowed to entertain the thought of having children! I am sickened to think that poor child reached out to people who should have protected her outside her home. Imagine, even under testimony the father made hurtful comments about his dead daughter...everything negative. And then their lawyer made her out to be evil. These parents need to stay in a 3×5 feet cell for the rest of their lives; maybe let them have a dirty mattress to sleep on. The chilling reality? Think of how many "Callistas" there are going through same things.

It is clear that these parents have their own emotional pathologies, and Calista was their "scapegoat". They didn't listen, nor were they interested in taking advise from professionals, and the fact that they took her out of school (where Calista made accusations against the family) proves to me that when it comes to intentionality these parents are guilty as the prosecutors have charged.
The fire.....the chaining of Calista....all of this raises much suspiciion in my mind.

It is appalling and ironic that Anthony Springer said he took Calista from her birth mother because he came home and found her soaked in urine. YET, while Calista was chained to her bed she had to urinate in the bed while in her teens. How humiliating was that?

I think it's odd everyone got out of house except the daughter who was chain to the bed. The child had no problems in school . The only problem I see was the parents which cause abuse and death of the child. No one should be chain at home , she didn't need to be chain at school , the treachers spoke well of the girl , the father had no good thing to say about his daugther. Both parents are guilty !

Was there any proof that the birth mother abused Calista? I keep hearing Anthony Springer say Calista never smiled until she was a teenager, yet all the picture's I see she had a beautiful smile, even in a family portrait with him in it when she was a baby! I wish her grandmother got to testify, and I wish the prosecution at least asked about her picture's.

Why was Calista still chained while everyone was gone and Marsha was cleaning?

How do we know any of the things Mr. Springer said about Calista are True? She is not here to verify the stories!!!

I believe that Marsha Springer was resentful of this little girl because she wasn't biological, and she had some issues and Marsha and Tony really didn't want to deal with them so they took the easy way out. I feel so sorry for Calista. What a horrible death to endure.

We are wondering what started the fire. In Calista's case she had no protection of any kind; fire, intruders, etc.

Anthony and Marsha was the most compelling to me. All their actions was so cold. And if Marsha is blind why did she look at Anthony like she can see him. CALISTA had no family to turn they all treated her like dirt. I can only imagine how i would act with my family did that to me. I just really hope they get put away and give CALISTA the justice she deserves. And the jury dont torture her any more. And she can rest in peace.

There are so many things about this case that are unsettling. Anthony's testimony made me sick, he showed no emotion and it was so sad that he didn't have a single positive thing to say about Calista. He made it clear that he was lying when he said she had been tied up for only 2 or 3 nights, then in another question states that they had spoken to DHS and others about chaining her up...you're telling me they discussed it with all those people in 2 or 3 days with the last day being the day she passed away? I find that very hard to believe.

The most compelling piece of evidence is not anything physical that they showed, chains, reports or anything else. It was the testimony of the aunt and the cold, unfeeling father who had no remorse or guilt over his daughter dying in the fire. All he could do was point out all of the things that the child did wrong. As for the aunt? Remember her saying what a saint her sister was and that she had to teach Calista how to smile? I saw plenty of pictures of that child with a smile on her sweet face. I'm sure Calista had her share of problems, but had she been in a home where they encouraged her more, maybe she wouldn't have been such a handful.

I am sick thinking about all this poor child had to go through only to die such a horrible death.

The total lack of feeling/remorse from Calista's family and the defense witnesses.

At first I said how could a father get on stand and tell all thoses lies about his own daughter. Because clearly you could tell he was telling lies. But than I had to think he is trying to save his own life. To keep from going to jail. Because he had nothing nice to say about his own little girl. It was so sad watching him on stand talk about her the way he did.

The letters Caslista wrote.

Thank God!, the prosecutor recalled the testimony from the case worker with the wrap-around program. She specifically stated that
Callista not be restrained to her bed and the possibility of a fire was cited as one of the reasons, The chain it's self was good evidence. The fact that the teachers did not witness the degree of bad behaviour
that the parents complained of.

If their daughter was awake at night, Why didn't they get her up when they did at 6:30. Why keep her in her chains till 8:30? Plus he knew his wife would have a problem if their was an accident.

Every aspect of this case is compelling. There are so many should have, would have, could have's. At least this little girl is free from her misery and those horrible people. Sound like the grandmother at least showed her some love too bad they didnt let her have clarista. This case make me so sick to my stomach. Too bad they didnt convict for 2nd degree murder. All I know is that im going to hug my kids a little tigher and hold them closer after watching this.

one of the things that stands out for me is the fact that Calista was still chained to her bed at 8:30 am . Why wasnt she taken out before Marsha started cleaning.

I was wondering why is it a the end of a trail doe's the DA gets a chance to a rebutal after the defence has presented closing arguments?
The DA had a closing argument, shouldn't it stop there? Why do they get to refute the defence's closing argument & evidence?

@jeanie, she was chained up upstairs after the girls went to school so that "MOMMIE DEAREST" marsha could have some "quiet time " before she had to deal with calista !!!! thats why she was still upstairs...

Calista's letters say it all. The defense made a mistake when they placed this poor child on trial.

I guess I could go on and on about the injustice of Calista's death. She wasn't dumb; she wasn't unhappy............until she was at home. The entire family treated Calista with indifference and probably disgust. She wasn't at all stupid...............she outsmarted the family on every turn until they put a chain on her which she COULDN'T do anything about..................It makes me SICK what they did to that child. If they didn't want her, they should have found someone who DID. She deserved so much better in her short life. I hope the jury sees Tony and Marsha for what they are................monsters. And I agree with one of the comments that they probably kept her for her SS checks, but then just got fed up because they probably weren't enough for them anymore.....................This case DISGUSTS me!!!!!

Chains, there is absolutely no good reason, excuse or defense for restraining a human being in this manner. ALSO- the fact that social workers and other phsycologist tried to implement a schedule/plan to adapt to in coping with any issues her parents accused her of .
having – both parents refused and chose not to follow- ALSO- it does not take a specialist to see that this little girl , from early on was most probabally doing anything she could to get attention even negative attention which in a childs mind is better than no attention at all.

I believe Anthony took Calista from her birth mother because he was a control freak and when he had gotten back with Marsha she was jealous that someone else had been with Anthony. so she pretended to want the baby but in all reality hated this poor child from the word go. I doubt she ever showed any affection to Calista. Made up all sorts of lies and her husband believed them or just didn't care. I'm sure Marsha newly married wanted some other woman's child forced on her to raise. The abuse began from the very beginning and never ended, until the hated unwanted child was dead. Besides the chain the most compelling evidence was the father himself. On the stand he showed such contempt for his daughter, not one nice thing did he say about her. Not one nice happy memory. No tears for his daughter who died so horribly in a fire chained to her bed.OH, NO HE COULD ONLY RECALL HOW BAD CALISTA WAS................For her sake, she at least can no longer be abused and hated.

Because she seemed to have a " feeling full sensory" problem in that she could not feel that she had been fed does not mean mentally disabled! Yes the ppl that knew of the abuse/torture & let it be should be held responsible also. How many times did the father LET her fall right back down at the skating rink? That hurts too! Her Heavenly Father allows the devils no more abuse of the prescious child anymore!!

These people are despicable . Too bad Michigan doesn't have the death penalty. I personally believe in the old EYE FOR AN EYE justice. I think they should take a choke chain and put it on both Tony and Marsha Springer and let them live the rest of there lives chained to a bed, because death would be too good for them.

In some states it's illegal to chain your dog up. Why in the HELL would these people think that chaining up their child would be ok?

If Anthony was at work all day, then how can he testify about anything that happened during the day while Marsha was the one who was home with Calista? And why aren't any of the questions from the attornies asked of Marsha? They are both being charged of the same crime! She should be questioned as well! All Martha had to do was cut the zip ties off with scissors or any sharp object..she didn't have to use pliers! She only thought of herself!

this trial has really upset me. as i watch i see nothing but a total lack of remorse and sense of any wrong doing as far as the mom and dad are concerned..from the mom or dad. you would also see forced tears and phony emotions of sorrow. and what really upset me as well was the smirks from the daughter when she was in court.
also i would like to know how the mother could home school the daughter when she is supposedly legally blind.
and where are the other children. my final hope for this poor child who was so brutally treated, is that she is now resting and in a safe place as we all know that she is.

Anthony and Marsha Springer are thier own worse enemies. All the evidence comes from thier own actions and words. Most compelling... his lack of remorse on the stand. No love, no care, just contempt for his own daughter.

Have we forgotten the high dosage of Benadryl in Calistas system. If she was drugged and chained there is no way she could have gotten herself unchained. It being morning and Marsha was up and moving around why didn't she have Calista in the room wiht her so she could keep an eye on her. I also think Marsha should have been put on the stand.

Where are all the pictures and videos of this child being out of control. I see a normal child in how they would act.

Janet G.
Vancouve WA

In my opinion, the most compelling evidence is Calista herself. She cried out for help so many times and different ways, the picture of the choke chain leaving marks on her tummy after the fire, the home movies that showed she was a normal child...smiling, playing. My question is why was it ok for her to pee herself while chained up later in life, but Tony thought he was protecting her when he rescued her from her biological mother after finding her drenched in urine.... Also, I noticed during the Christmas home movie, that the only thing she got as a present was a book while all the other kids were opening presents after presents. If that doesn't tell you that she was not treated different than the other children...there is no question in my mind that this poor girl didn't have a chance and nobody really cared about her....GOD bless her. At least she is at peace and happy in the care of her father in heaven....

The used zip ties in the garbage and Calista's letter

In my eyes there was 3 very compelling parts to this question. Of course there was the dog chain and zip ties. Then there was Anthony's testimony of his daughter never smiling till she was about 15 or 16. Did he never look at the pictures of his child? I did. There was also the way he and his daughter sneered at the prosecutor who was only doing his job and BRAVO to the prosecution! In the end, it all points back to the fact that CALISTA DIED no matter how much of a problem child, they made her out to be a monster when in fact, they were they were the WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING. CALISTA, rest in peace knowing that your pain is finally over and you are finally free of that "PRISON" you were in here in life!

Chained to the bed with a double of Benadryl in her system. Sounds like a nightly bedtime routine to me.

The dog chain is the best piece of evidence. There is no excuse. I hope they go to jail. How sad that this little girl lived and died feeling alone.

if this child was so bad, why did they not put her in an institution where people are trained to help instruct and love a child like this ????? someone would have loved and nurtured her if calista would have been given a chance... she begged to get out of this home, she was happy at school... bottom line- she didn't have a chance around these monsters !!!! and just maybe she was acting out to get some "LOVE"... something the springers could not and WOULD not give her... marsha went to school and told the teacher not to hug her or she will expect the same thing at home !!!! IS THIS A BAD THING ??????

The Springers are the most compelling evidence. Her own father and his contempt for Calista. No love.....

It doesn't matter about all of Calista's supposed "bad" behavior! What it boils down to is this: Marsha was only thinking of herself! And besides, wasn't Calista supposed to be up anyway to be "home-schooled?" And if Martha is "sight impaired" then how did she home-school Calista? So many lies and excuses!

Even taking one part is sickening. Now adding them all together, the obvious lack of emotion from the "parents and sister", the letters written, Calista's friends mother who seen the physical abuse, the teachers, the knowledge of the parents that what if there was a fire, the lies from "dad" and "sister" on only being chained for a few days prior, and etc.

Then "dad" sobbing over being soaked up to the neck in urine. How horrible that seemed to "dad". But its not abuse, or torture to chain his own daughter up. For years.

I sure hope this jury sees these two "parents" pay dearly.

Tony and Marsha lied to dhs and the school system for YEARS always claiming that Calista was the one lying and making up stories about being abused at home just goes to show you that was is done in the dark will be brought to light. They got caught red handed and they are STILL trying to lie their way out of it. They both are the definition of EVIL PERSONAFIED!!!!!!!

It was murder. They would not give up Calista for adoption because everyone would find out about the torture and abuse. The stepmother probably hated her and wanted to be done with her. I hope they get life in prison.

At first I was shocked the Prosecution did not cross examine Mr. Springer But, He sure made up for it in his Closing, allowing Calista to be heard FINALLY.. I hope the jury finds they both are Guilty on all counts.. Now its their turn to get the full effect of life in PRISON and CHAINED

The fact that she was chained to the bed at 8:30 a.m. (time of fire) and had elevated levels of Benadryl in her system. This wasn't the middle of the night which would be bad enough!

during the videos showing the family at christmas, if you notice Calesta receiving a small gift and setting back on the couch turning pages through a book . she did not apear to be apart of what was going on. She also looked a little eratated. the fathers testemony was very telling about how he felt about his daughter. He appeared to show no feeling for her

I would have to say this whole case- story of this poor childs life was heartbreaking to say the least. I think the most compelling thing was the fact that her classmates knew about her getting chained up in the 6th grade and her family getting on the stand after taking an oath not to lie and they POINT BLANK said only 2 days before the fire. Hello that speaks to what kind of parents (people) they are and how they are raising the other 2 girls. Because I doubt the classmates and the people who knew this was going on back then are ALL psychic. Most of us have children who can get out of hand from time to time. And what baby do you know that didn't put EVERYTHING in their mouth. It is things as a parent you have to deal with and I would hope chaining them up isn't something we would ever do- I know I would never.

The most compelling evidence: Calista's voice

Calista, we heard your voice and saw your beautiful smile. We are truly sorry for the way you were treated and that you are praised more now in death than you were on this earth. But, I believe your life has served a beautiful purpose and that is to teach all of us to treat each of our children with love, praise and glory. You will not be forgotten and we will try to make the world a better and safer place in remembrance of you

The fact that Marsha was "vacuuming" while Calista was still chained to her bed. Why didn't she let her come do school work or help clean the house?
Also, why hasn't the fire extinguisher ever been found? I believe they didn't have one, and didn't care to have one. There was NO fire escape plan either....neither parent cared for Calista whatsoever!!!

Also, the fact that Calista was still chained tells me that Marsha or her father started that fire and wanted Calista to die....it's so plain to see!!!

Just the chains in themselves are bad evidence in this case, there is NO excuse to chain a child for anything. I believe IF she did behave badly it was because she was so extremely abused it was her way of fighting back, even if it meant hurting her ownself.
Those so-called parents need to be tortured then electrocuted, they are pure monsters!!!!!!!!

IF the Springers are convicted on ALL charges, as they should be, it won't be because the prosecutor did such a great job! Frankly, I think NOT cross-examining Tony Springer was a HUGE mistake! The only time I saw the prosecutor becoming irate was in his final closing argument! I don't think the defense did such a great job, either, but all in all, the evidence will convict the Springers of what was sickeningly obvious, they DID abuse, torture, and MURDER Calista, who suffered horribly because NOBODY stepped in and saved her! God only knows why she was allowed to suffer so!

Most compelling piece of evidence so far?......This a question very hard to answer, the alarm that was suppose to be broken and wasn't, the chains that binded Callista, the fact that a pet took presedence over your child, that you knew was unable to escape., that Calista had been abusing herself prior to being taken ou...t of school(self mutlation are cries that something is wrong), there are so many things that go into this case it is hard to say what is the most compelling piece!
After watching most of this trial, I would just like to know how many of our children must die before the government inacts more laws to protect our children from abuse and death. It seems that people like the Springers just get looked at lightly until a child in their care dies. The agencies that are in place to investigate possibly could do a little less of notifing people that have been acussed of abuse. It is a know fact that if they know they are being investigated, these type of people will do everything they can to appear to agencies as a stable family environment.

The most damaging evidence would have to be the photographs of Calista after she had died with the chain on her and the imprints of the chain on her skin.
They kept the dog loose and running free and according to the first response team, the dog was jumping on everyone and everything but yet they restrained their own daughter to a filthy bed and never allowed her the same freedoms as the dog. Sick.

The evidence so far shows Calista's home schooling did not have science lessons, or vocabulary The evil step mother is eather blind and Calista was her eye dog or she isnt that blind but uses the blind card alot. I dont want to put the blind down because they can do anything but chaining a child isnt normal and any one that had a child that had that big of a problem s would seek help! love drives parents to seek help, love was not driving Calista's parents. This is a case of gross abuse and murder. The parents acted together. If they get off it will be the perfect murder.

I never heard anything about treatment for pica or PDD. could there be medications to help with the need to eat., and the not sleeping that the family could of used?

Anyone who had to be told via personal visit from child services not to chain a child to a bed should not have access to children.

I think the most compelling defense witness, was Marsha's sister.
She stated that Marsha treated Calista like an angel, and that she was deathly afraid of Calista. Both of these statements conflicted with all of the other witness statements. This just shows how deceftive Marsha and Anthony are. They put on different shows for different visitors to their home. Who are the biggest pathological liars in this house???

I feel chains and Calista's letters were the most compelling evidences.

The most compelling is the fact that 4 years earlier Calista was telling people that she was being chained to her bed, and dad and step sister are telling that it had only been 3 or 4 days. Lies, Calista would not have known 4 years previously that she would be chained to her bed. And she would not have told anyone that long ago. If Marsha Springer could not take care of her because of her "blindness" then she should have not adopted her in the first place.

There was startling contrast between family members' comments and teachers' and friends' comments re: Calista.

The father's testimony revealed that he might be slightly paranoid about Calista when he recounted "play" wrestling with her and she smiled as if " ...she would really beat me up when she got bigger" (or some such words). That is a crazy comment coming from any father.

Courtney, the daughter looked like a beaten and fearful dog. I hope that child doesn't go back to live with Marcia and Anthony; she may also be abused somehow.

Marcia smiled inappropriately throughout the trial and I noticed when she knew the camera was not on her, her eyes moved and focused quite normally. Anthony Springer's testimony went a long way to say, he plain did not like Calista, much less lover her. Of course Courtney, probably out of intimidation, played to her parents' expectations in answer to the questions.

The Springers should not be allowed ever again to care for any children, including the two who are presently in foster care. These are very sick people.

R.I.P. Calista Springer, You are loved by all of us! We'll see you in Heaven where you will be loved eternally!

I'm going to go with the teachers & local parents (of the classmates) testimonies as well. We've already heard clear evidence that Calista told a teacher's aid about the chain & lifted her shirt & showed another student's parent the marks. CLEARLY that was not 3 days prior to the fire... & if that is not enough, the fact that she has any indentation in her skin at all is proof enough that the whole family is lying on the chaining time period...3 days of chaining her loosely enough so that she could turn should not produce marks.
The father accidentally mentioned that Calista escaped her bed alarm only to be caught trying to get to some snack cakes...the one thing that is consistence on both sides is that Calista was clearly HUNGRY.
Lastly (or I'll just go on all day) all of the witnesses for the defense says the girls didn't look any differently & were never treated any differently. It only took me one picture of the 3 girls to see that Calista was more pale & thin than the other 2 & her hair is constantly in the same straight style while the other 2 had actual styled/washed hair. -No I'm not an expert-just a person with 2 working eyes & ears!

oh yeah- & when are we going to hear someone ask about why they never sent her to an institution or some place better suited for these "special needs" they keep referring to. Clearly it wasn't out of ease & love of having her around. Thats probably the proper step to take before thinking to yourself "hmmm...zip cords should do the trick"

I think there is numerous pieces of evidence that points to the EVIL WICKED STEP MOM. But I am really appalled at the father who never once said anything nice about his daughter that he and his wicked wife murdered. I also feel for the Defense attorney to drill on how the damage done to Calista was done prior to them taking the child? Hello they took her at 13 months (1 year and 1 month old). What has been done to her over the past 14 years and 11 months is what killed her. LOCK THEM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY.

These so called parent's are evil. That poor child never stood a chance . A chain?? Come on now!!! What gos around come's around and She isn't living in that hell anymore!

I think that the father is still hurting his child up there lying and putting her down up there how can you be like that to a child.A child is a gift from god and people dont realize what they have untill there gone.So when the dad and stepmom pass away they will have to deal with the lord so its not really over yet. We are all the lords kids and took and harm one of the lord kids.. Plus the stepmom know behind closed doors there is violence in the home go back to 1997..

I am not sure why the show's commentator, Ryan, just mentioned he thought that the defense is doing a great job with what they have to work with. I disagree. Even if you divorce yourself emotionally and look only logically at this case, vilifying the victim as the defense did is not smart closing argument.

When the kids were opening cmas gifts. Calista sat quietly and alone staring at her gifts(what looked like t-shirts, underwear, ect.,) while her sisters were shreiking with joy at their gifts of toys!

The most compelling evidence is Calista herself, her father and Marsha sister claim that when Calista was a baby she never smiled or laughed but in every picture that I saw she was smiling, he claims that the reason he took her from the biological mom was because she was found in urine up to her armpits but yet he chained her to a bed so if she had to go to the bathroom she would have to on herself, and then there was the bed alarm that was attached to the bed they claimed it didn't work and that's why they chained her but the alarm did work. To them it was more convienant to chain her up than to deal with her, these people are 100% guilty to me no one in their right mine would do this to their own children no matter how difficult they are, her own father shows no type of remorse I have not seen him cry like other fathers do that have lost a daughter.... they were tired of Calista and they wanted her gone since he had a new family with Marsha he no longer cared for Calista ...

Rest in Peace Little One. This is so sad and so unnecessary. If you couldn't or wouldn't love her...you should have given someone else the opportunity to do so.
I pray for all concerned and I pray that the hatred I feel for the Springers goes away quickly.

i have to wonder what kind of parents the other two girls will be . the girl that testified show no sympathy toward her sister at all and most probably the oldest child that was chained got blamed for everything that went wrong in the house because they knew who would get punished.

Vinny I am not blind I saw The red marks on her stomach ??? She tried to free herself !!! Was there scatch marks on her arms NO only where the CHAIN WAS ! They say (Firemen) That if you are alive you will wake up and try to get out that ia how they know if someone has been killed and then burned whether or not They tryed to get up and out !!! She clawed the chain But Could not get out !!!Vinny Calista is FREE ATLAST !!! FREE ATLAST !!! Now Are the spinger's going to pay back The money they took from SSI. They Obviously Didn't Use it for Calista ?? Are The Half sister's As DAD CALLED THEM Going to get purgury Charges ??? From Sincerely Sheryllynn. Suisun California

At first I could'nt believe the D.A. did'nt cross examine Anthony. Then I realized he sent a message that everything he said on the stand was lies and Anthony had nothing to say worth listening to. So to answer your question I think Anthony's own testimony was the best evidence. Every word spoken about Calista was dripping with disdain and full of hate. His snarls said it all.

And on a side note I take offense to everytime that Marsha is called Calista's mother. I don't care if she did adopt her. SHE IS NO REAL MOTHER. My child would have gotten out even if I could'nt!!

I am upset with the parents, but more angry with the Head of Social Services for not doing their job, shame on them. This should never, never occur again.

The picture of Calista's stomach with the dog chain marks clearly visible.
That picture says it all.

Let’s hope these 12 people are more intelligent than the OJ Simpson jury. If so, they will come back with the maximum conviction as well presented by the prosecution.

The chain! I wouldn’t chain a dog the way they chained Clarissa.

The sentance About Calista 'If IT's Dead She'll Eat it ? Then He Laugh's THere is NOT one thing About this That is Funny ??? Then Vinny He Collected Road Kill And Boiled it ? Did ne and she Feed her Roadkill While they ate Taco Bell ??? And Why when everyone was doing the hokey pokey Why was Calista STILL on Roller skate's And Nobody else was The jerk was Loving her falling Down !!! These people That make it so poeple should go threw physicalogical testing when they get pregnant !!! People should have aliscence to have a Child .Fishing,Drivers And Parenting Liscence !!! Send Those Half Sister's as dad called them to Juvenile hall and give them Pyscalogical testing and Lock them up to they will do the same to there kid's !!!

The fact that NO ONE in the defense called Calista by her name. She had a name; how about using it?

Forget the 'most compelling evidence' – I just found out that Anthony Springer's hobby was collecting roadkill, boiling it and then reconstructing the animal! He testified that Calista once killed a cat but now I'm thinking he was the one who killed it. Maybe he couldn't find any roadkill at the time...

Something that I find really disturbing is how so many people said that Calista would eat so much. It happened when there were visitors at the house . I think that she was being starved when no one was around and knew that when company was over her parents would feed her and that is why she ate so much. I think that had been going on for a long time. That's probably why she tried to get other people's chewing gum, etc., or at school the other kids gave her crackers from their lunches and she stuffed them all in her mouth at once. Poor girl. Who knows how much she really suffered at the hands of those people . If she really ate so much all the time, why was she so thin at the time of her death?

Vinny I am not blind I saw The red marks on her stomach ??? She tried to free herself !!! Was there scatch marks on her arms NO only where the CHAIN WAS ! They say (Firemen) That if you are alive you will wake up and try to get out that ia how they know if someone has been killed and then burned whether or not They tryed to get up and out !!! She clawed the chain But Could not get out !!!Vinny Calista is FREE ATLAST !!! FREE ATLAST !!! Now Are the spinger's going to pay back The money they took from SSI. They Obviously Didn't Use it for Calista ?? Are The Half sister's As DAD CALLED THEM Going to get purgury Charges ??? From Sincerely Sheryllynn. Suisun California Free Atladddst

i feel very sad hearing about this...

i know that some kids get out of hand but it sounds to me like these people didnt really want her in the frist place and only wanted to get back at her birth mother for her relationship with Tony. The most compelling was the lack of emotion for this child. If they did not want her they should have given her to d.h.s. but then the abuse she had endured all the years befor would have been found out. i say do to them what they did to her

did anybody notice when the defense asked about the chain, the father almost lost control and started to laugh. my god his daughter died because of that chain. i dont fine that funny.

What time did the fire start? Where were the step sisters at when the fire started. Seems odd that one would vacuum, a child is still in bed, and where were the step daughters? Was she still in the bed when it appears everyone else was up and awake? I think the step mom was trying her best to make sure the child stayed chained to the bed.

One more question. I wish the jurors would ask this: Did clarista cry or object to the chaining up the first time he did it? Did he have to force her to the bed when he chained her up? How many of them did it take to retstrain her while he linked up the chain. If she was wiggling or crying or complaining physically, he had to have some help. ( the first time) then, after that, she was forced to submit. Shame.

The most compealing evidense is the very testimony from Calistas
own abusers....not just the father and mother but the siblings aunts teachers CPS workers ect who stood by and never reached out to love this poor girl.
How in the world are either of these defense attorneys able to even argue that these two individuals are not guily of this poor angels death. Condoms in the trash, what in the world ?!? A dog chain that was admitted to a required reporter and never seen as wrong? Again what in the world?!? The stepmother who couldnt HANDLE a vacumm that was stated to have been on fire but could cook family meals which are more likely to burn then a vacuum !!!???!!! Are they so smug in their lies as to think others wouldnt pick holes in the lies??? The notes and journal entries that screamed for help??!!!??? How did the other adults that knew of these not run to help a defenseless child?? And the social workers that signed off to close the CPS case, they might as well have signed her death ceritificate themselves before Calista ever died.. shame on the system more then the parents !!!! How are your kids today ?? Let the pictures of her burned little malnurished body chained to a bed forever be in your dreams.The videos show so much conflicting evidence to show the parents lied lied lied !?! How dare they fight to look good for the court and the public when they didnt fight for a helpless high needs child !!! And to see you hug one another when you withheld such tenderness from a child. Calista your legacy shall forever be wrought with tears baby girl. May we never ever forget your cries, may we hear your tears forever so that we as a people change the system and hold CPS teachers and such on trail like the abusers that buried you hun. We love you and hold you dear to our hearts.My 13 year old son cried for you Calista someone loves you even in death.

Hey Melinda,

In case you didn't notice, the dad was playing with his other daughter and had to stop to pull Calista out of the intertube as soon as she got of the intertube the dad and daugther were out of the water. Left to play by herself again, did you notice the other people in the pool all gave her thier backs to Calista. Even the kids just waddle around her as thou she didn't exsist in the pool. To me it look like Calista just learn how to play by herself and had gotten use to it and had a GOOD TIME in the pool.

Calista. I will sing and dance on the “titanic” in honor of Calista’s sweet spirit when her parents are convicted. Her sweet smile and unheard cries for help tell me she was cognitive of her powerless incarceration. Whatever issues she may have had, it is obvious that she did not have a family that loved her. The “blind” step-mother’s priority in their fire plan was to can fix a vacuum and save a dog but not Calista! Shame on them and the system that failed Calista.

the most compelling for me, calista pre-seen her death. writing the letters was her voice when it wasn't being heard. i pray her voice will now be heard with a guily verdict.

I had to leave home in the middle of Anthony's testimony but I do recall him speaking about an evacuation plan in case of a fire. What I think it the most compelling fact here is that obviously Calista was not part of that plan. If Calista had been part of the plan, who was responsible for rescuing her? Her blind step-mother? Her absent father? How is it that the family dog was included in the escape plan and that Calista was left to die alone and scared? There is no explanation good enough for not loving a child and abusing her just for being born. These people that call themselves parents are criminals deserve to be behind bars.... and chained down so that they have to wet themselves if they can't hold their bladders through the night...

The dad was at work all day so I don't know how he could testify to what a normal day was with Calista. I believe most of his testimony is from the conversations he has with his wife Marsha. The movies show how alienated Calista was around the family. The Christmas video broke my heart where Calista sat on the couch while the rest of the family shared their presents. What happened to the videos of the last year of Calista's life? All of her inappropriate behaviors should have been captured on video so her parents could have made a case against authorites to force them to get the assistance they needed to raise a child with special needs. Sad, sad, sad.

If Calista was not awake at the time fire it was because she was drugged, and at 8:30 AM she still had 2 to 8 times a normal dose of Benadryal in her system

This is such a sad situation. I am so confused why this poor girl was still in the custody of these people after all the reports made to CPS and other social services, and these reports were proven to be true. I am a single mother to a child with a learning disability. It has been very difficult, but my love for him is so much stronger than any "inconvenience" that may be caused by his disability. If they couldn't take care of poor Calista, they shouldn't have had custody of her. No person in their right mind would EVER chain a child to their bed. No matter how difficult they were. I am disgusted by the treatment that Calista endured in her short lifetime. She is in my prayers and I hope justice prevails. R.I.P. poor child.

Just can't believe that the defense attorneys would play the blame the victim card obviously they know they're clients are guilty and wrong for what they have done they couldn't come up with another defense. I'm a mother of 4 and 2 of my children have special needs, I'm their main caregiver and at times its overwhelming but I and any sane person would never consider restraning a child with special needs or any human being with a dog chock chain or any other device only sick demented person would. Sickening that she was 16 and only 91 lbs and that chain could fit around her waist. How could they all go about their day and forget about Calista chained to her bed, then some how the vacuum caught fire the blind lady runs out then runs back in saves the dog and doesn't get help for Calista, sounds like a planned out way to get rid of "the Problem child". Bless you Calista may you now live free and happy!

the voice of calesta through her letters. i think the defense is crazy for saying that the fire killed this little girl not her parents. this little girls voice spoke load in the courtroom.

i think the most compelling peice of evidence this far was truly missed by the defense attys. The real fact of the issue is we as a society don't put as much thought into mental health as we do medical care. There is not enough resourses or funding for mental help. It sounds like the parents tried to reach out, but when you keep getting the run around or no true help what do you do? I feel so sorry for this little girl and her parents, that they thought they had to resort to these measures because the professionals couldn't give them any sound help. Kim MI

I thought the the prosecuter did a very heartfelt job. I hope they throw the book at both those parents. I have never seen such odious parents in my life. Blood does not make you a parent. The expert witness yesterday was superb.

Christie Gorman
Olympia, WA

i think the testimony of marsha's sister, where she kept referring to calista as 'the kid' was very telling. it showed how calista was referenced among family members, and really revealed a lot about how they felt about her. the def attorney even tried to steer her away from using the reference the first time, i wonder if anyone else thinks he didn't do it again hoping no one would notice.

The dog chain around the childs waist.. Isn't it funny how everyone got out even the family dog?. Shame on them/

I believe the parents are the most compelling evidence here. Their composure, the way Mr. Springer spoke of his daughter and their overall presence. The frustration, disgust and lack of love they exude clearly shows what immoral, untruthful and abusive people they are.

His Crying is a joke. So staged.

They are Disgusting people who deserve to rot in jail.

My thoughts and prayers are with Calista.

It's interesting how the defense attorneys tried to convince the jury that Calista died because of a house fire AND NOT due to anything these so called parents did to her. Uh...DUH!!! This poor child was CHAINED to her bed! At the age of 16, she was old enough to try to escape the smoke and fire and get herself out of that house! She never had a chance! How could she? Her STEPMOTHER was too concerned about getting the dog out and of course HERSELF. To me, the most compelling piece of evidence is the CHAIN HOLDING CALISTA IN HER BED WHERE SHE WAS U N A B L E TO ESCAPE THAT FIRE!!! As the prosecutor pointed out in his closing statement, this whole story reeks of a Cinderella story, with Calista being Cinderella...only in this story of Cinderella, at sixteen, Calista's RIGHT to live happily ever after was murderously taken from her! Bottom line, Calista may not have died at all if she was not chained down and was able to take flight from the fire.

The stinking dog chain, and, the fact that her teachers used positive reinforcement with her, and her HEATHEN parents didn't try at all. Pulled her out of school to shut her up. I hope this jury has some brains.

The home videos show little to NO interaction between the family and Calista. She may have been there, the park, pool or Christmas. But she was off on her own and no one spoke to her, touched her or tried to include her in the family functions.

After being conditoned and treated differently for so many years by her family, she probably did feel different and not worthy of love from the Springer family. Sad, sad, sad. They deserve some punishment for the lack of responsibility and recklessness in Calista's safety, and ulimately, her untimely death. Good Prosecuter!

Marsha should have dragged the burning vaccum cleaner outside into the snow. It looked like it was piled up 5 feet high around the house.

Also, why is a 16 yr old girl chained to her bed at that time of day. Seems convenient just to get her out of the way so Marsha could do her housework????

I love the show but I think this whole case is wrong!! How no one seamed to care about this poor sweet girl. They should fry them both!!

Its really hard to pinpoint just one piece of evidence as most compelling, although I do believe that the letters written by Calista to her friends would be at the top of the list.This was not a mentally challenged girl, this was a girl who, under different circumstances could have been very normal, even if she may have been emotionally behind.Who wouldnt be!.I do have a question though.Do we know for sure that Calista was ever unchained during the day when no one was home except her and the stepmother?I guess there would be no way to prove this, but I'm guessing that she may have stayed in that bed until the others came home.Marsha filed a restraining order against Anthony when Calista was 8 yrs. old, saying that he brought home roadkill, cooked the meat off the bones, then reconstructed the skeleton. She also claimed he was abusive to her and all three girls, yet she later dropped the order.This was very compelling .It tells me that this was truly a house of horror.These other girls may eventually tell the truth about what really went on in that home.Poor Calista, it is just too sad!

A lot of things that I recall myself as a child.
I didn't get chained up but I was still suicidal in my teens due mostly to the mental abuse. I didn't have a step-parent but still know the "Cinderella Syndrome" I too had two younger sisters who were encouraged to treat me the same way my mother did. To put it bluntly I felt hated and had no idea why, and nothing I did seemed to change it. That, alone, was a helpless enough feeling without being chained. Luckily, my father wasn't part of it. In fact he had no idea how extreme it was sometimes. One thing that struck me in this story is how the home videos don't show anything the defense was trying to prove. It was seldom anyone outside the family ever saw me being abused. People like this know how to put on a good show for the public. I'm actually surprised the Springers didn't hide it even better. They must have really hated her to not be able to hide it from some of those witnesses.

This is a trial of a 16 year old being totally being ripped apart t by her "parents", the people who were suppose to protect, take care and love her. Was she taken out of school because she was telling people what was happening at home and they didn't want the truth to come out. I don't under stand why the organizations who are suppose to take care of problems like this did nothing. Calista will remain with me for a long time.

There was no evidence that the two sisters ever had the chain treatment.
There was no evidence that the pin in the fire extinguisher malfunctioned.
The prosecution did a masterful job presenting his case. I hope he gets "Guilty on all counts". That will give Calista some justice for all the negative treatment she had to endure. I am sorry and sad that her cries for help went unanswered. She was a very good and wholesome girl.

Something just occured to me based on something new revealed in the trial.

Someone just revealed that Calista was left handed. I am also left handed and there are a lot of physical and mental impairments that can accompany left-handed-ness. As most people know, lefties tend to be somewhat clumsy and not extremely coordinated. Heck, I had training wheels on my bike until I was well past seven!

Also, left-handed-ness is also associated with dyslexia. A lot of lefties are dyslexic. Not that we all are, but it is a common trait.

I think this should be taken into account if, in fact, she was left handed.

We aren't neccesarily impaired, but there are a LOT of common personality and physical traits that lefties share!

Leissa

Wilmington, NC

All of the made up medical and mental problems this poor child had according to her Father and stepmother... and not to forget the Dog Chain this poor child had around her Small body... under weight body

I don't understand why Courtney and Anthony denied the handwriting on the letters was Calist'a.Who else would write these letters and why ??

the dog chain and the marks that show that it had been used more than 3 or 4 days

The negative comments by defense attorneys and Springers. This child had no chance with such cold uncaring parents. That chain will always be overwhelming to me!!

Hey blind people vacumn.... they know where their boudaries are. Its all about Marsha Not even trying to go upstairs! She smelled the smoke! Any other parent would give it all they had..... even getting burned or Die trying!

there are trying to make her look bad,when shes the one that is no longer with us,god bless her,now we all know shes in very good hands.

The choke collar is going to be the most damning evidence but there were alot of other things that point to these parents being abusive and liars. I have followed the case for days now and am completely angered by the fact Marsha was smiling or smirking several times. I don't care about her reasoning. What parent, that actually cared for their child, would smile at a trial about said child's death. I don't buy that the parents did what they had to to keep this little girl safe. The evidence is not there to back up anything they say. Also being a parent of 2 special needs children, I know there was so many others things they could have done to better her life and protect her safely. I just hope this little girl, who got no justice in life, can finally get some justice in her death. My heart hurts for this child who suffered for so long and no one helped her, even those that heard her cries, failed her. My God have no mercy on those parents and hopefully the jury won't either.

Hi Vinnie, What I find interesting is that the bed Calista was in and also the top bunk were void of bedding, No sheets, No blankets, and no pillows. Was the house an unkept mess?? Did she have to also freeze at night because she had no covers?? If the house was that old, how could it have even been fit to live in. Also Children that are unfed do try to feed themselves, on anything they can stick in their mouth, the survival instinct is strong. She was probably sneaking down at night to eat, and eat anything she could get ahold of. Those people only had one thing on their mind, the check at the end of the month. They look like un educated people, obviously Calista was, if she only went to school till the 6th grade. The step mother definitely was NOT home schooling her, she was probably left in bed all day!!!

I think it's horrible how this "father" had nothing good to say about this child.He made it sound like she was some kind of disgusting animal. I watched the home video and what I saw was more neglect. Everyone was having fun and pretty much ignoring Calista.This poor child was abused for years and how dare he sit up there and lie about her and not take responsibility.I hope they get the maximum punishment allowed and then some.

That father showed no compassion, no sadness for the loss of his oldest daughter, and hopefully he and Marsha will both be found guilty of murder, which is what I feel they are both guilty of. I would have loved to have had Calista in my life, she was a beautiful little girl who was never given a chance. May she be wrapped in Jesus' sweet loving arms, finally experiencing all the love she never felt while on this earth.

First of all...I am not happy the way you are stringing out the verdict!!!!!!
I think the best evidence is what did not get into the trial about the FATHER!
I would say the evidence of the chain alone is the best ....The way the Father had nothing good to say about the daughter says a lot about how she lived and the more he talked on the stand, the deeper he dug himself in a hole. The mother was very cold just sitting there..she had NO EMOTIONS!!

I agree with every comment on this page especially the blind part of Marsha. Is she blind really?? Where is the seeing eye dog and how could she home school Calista if she were blind?? Why didnt anyone look into these things??

It makes me wonder if this child had chains put on her the night before and still was chained when the fire started around 8:30. Poor Calista probably had not been able to be up and use the restroom, see her sisters before they left for school and still had had no breakfast.
In my life time I have NEVER NEVER see or heard of a fire in a vacum cleaner!
Now that the trial is almost over we learn of the fathers past mental problems of his own. The wife had already charged him with abuse. If they get off...it will be an unjust verdict.

The most compelling testimony was the father's. He most clearly showed his disdain for Calista with such statements as "if it's dead she'll eat it," and "the dog didn't do it," and "he saw Calista coming back up the steps with a snack." Since she only weighed 91 pounds at 16 years of age certainly shows that they were able to keep food from her.

And, I don't know Springer dare mention how Calista's birth mother didn't take care of her and that she was in urine up to her arm pits. What did he arrange for Calista: as a teenager that she was still in her own urine because she was chained to her bed.

I have to add one more comment on the bed chaining. Calista, the poor girl had to be on her back the entire night. Her back must have hurt all the time. She couldn't even turn to her side. Who in the world wouldn't think that torture. Even prisoners aren't chained for hours on end.

Question: Is felony murder the same as 1st degree murder and would they have to prove premeditation? Since they might not be able to assert the Springers premeditated Calista's death they{jury} might not find them guilty of that offence. I feel they did. Calista was reaching puberty and that in itself would be a lot for them to hide, or she could have been pregnant if Tony was sexually abusing her. Calista's letters were a most compelling piece of evidence along with the chain. Calista won , she is free! This has filled my thoughts this past week. There are many more children who are subjected to abuse as bad as this or worse. All of us need to be aware of these children around us and take their admissions seriously, and help all that we can. Love is something that does not cost us to give away.

I don't think there is any question about the compelling evidence (that Anthony & Marsha are guilty on all charges)... I would love to see a picture of Calista (smiling, preferably) after 2005, (after being taken out of public school), WHILE being tied up in bed, I will bet her expression would have changed.... I have a child who is 9 years old, diagnosed with almost the exact same "developmental delays" as Calista... As a single mother, I have aggressively pursued help in every "avenue" as possible, and was even told at one point to "remove the eye hook/latch" I had put outside of my son's door, as he would wander out at night, and sometimes outside... I was so frightened, because I was told it was "abuse", and can't even IMAGINE a dog choke chain collar, this case has been intimate, and I can despite my own experiences, CANNOT imagine the HORRIBLE FEAR and HELPLESSNESS Calista must have felt in her last moments, it makes me SAD... there ARE resources available, as I have found out since my own frustrations, and I hope Anthony & Marsha are convicted for their SELFISH actions...

Using the words of some of my 6th graders from a few years ago, I have to say the prosecutor "hooked it up" today! There were days I thought he was so low key and perhaps he wished he were not trying this case. Now, I do respect his skillful presentation and through preparation in this closing argument. He is very convincing and invested in this case.

His rattling that dog chain has made a nervous of me and finally the Springer's are looking a little rattled also.

Rest in peace sweet, sweet, Calista.

I would die in that house with my child before i would leave my child in a house that was burning. And to save your dog before a child is unbelievable To me this whole situation is incredible!!! According to all her teachers and her own Grandmother she was fine with them. This young girl only wanted to be loved and treated like her sisters were treated instead of feeling like the outcast. Anyone could tell by the way Calistas father talked about her that he honestly doesn't think he did anything wrong..He almost came across as if he was embarrassed or ashamed of her. In all the videos that i seen Calista was doing everything on her own because she wasn't included with the rest of the family. This young girl was crying out for help for years and no one was there for her. It makes me sick to think that there were adults that know about what was going on and stood by and did nothing to help her.

Most compelling was Calista's dad lack of emotion for her and picture of Calista's with the chain around her waist. Here is how I think Calista's daily life was. In the morning Mr.Springer goes to work, the 2 girls eat breakfast and go to school. Marsha goes about her daily house chores,even leaving the house to do errands. Calista is still chained to the bed, she was at 8:30am on the day of the fire, Marsha may left her in bed until the girls came home from school. Mr Springer or the girls weren't at home so Marsha was the only one caring (or lack of) for Calista.After dinner she is drugged ( to keep her quiet) and chained to the bed again at bedtime. Day after day and year after year of this routine was TORTURE and ABUSE!

i would say it would have to be here dad not showing any emotions for the fact that he just lost his little girl i know if it was me i would have done everything in my power to try and save her better yet if she wouldnt have made it i wouldnt be able to down her the way calistas father did

If the majority of the comments seen here is a reflection of what we get on a jury, the US judicial system should just go back to the Salem witch trials. It appears that most of you don't have a clue about the meaning of evidence and/or reasonable doubt. GOD HELP AMERICA!!

for me the most compelling evidence in this case was the fact that so many people came forword saying that calista told them in the 5th and 6th grade the she had a chain tying her down at night years before her death. even calista wrote it down in a letter to her friend in the 6th grade. her parents claimed they only just started with the chain we know this is not true so what else are they lying about.

Note: for Vinny,
I turn the channel everytime you interupt or state your opine on the case at hand. I think your opinion has no relavince to the program.
Case in point Calista is a tragic event but your opine of your opinion prior to defense or verdict deflects from my view on the stations unbiased stand. Also is very politically charged in my opinion. Wish this could be curtailed in some way for viewers to form their own stand on the case. Under another forum it maybe be suited but "In Session" should be about the session at hand not the opinion of the host. Ryan moderates much better to me. Just a thought or observation on my part.

The defense for Marsha had a good tone however I feel that the evidence shows abuse but the other 2 charges are lacking in unreasonable doubt.

Anthony Springer...he cooked his own goose with his testimony. When he testified that he woke up one night to find Calista over his bed with a knife in her hand, I was reminded of Paul in the movie, "Misery."

Paul was held prisoner by Annie, a crazy person with a sadistic streak.
He was helpless and at her mercy because he had a broken leg and was locked inside a bedroom. Paul was so terrified of Annie he managed to get into his wheelchair, open the locked door with a hairpin and wheel himself to the kitchen where he got a knife to defend himself.

If Calista got a knife as Anthony claims, she did so to defend herself.

The whole defence case was full of BULL#### !!!!! And the PICTURES tells no lies!!!!! The Prosecution did a great jod in his closing. Thank god he was not the defence attorney for the parents from hell !!!! And was it just me are did Tony Springer give someone the finger when the closing was over.

I found it odd that most of the things Calista did and her family found odd involved eating or drinking something. Most of the time when people do things like that is because they've been deprived of food and drink. I think Calista was deprived of a lot of important things during her short life. So sad!

Listening to the Defense, the Springers should be up for the "Parents of the Year" award instead of abuse/torture/murder charges. RIDICULOUS!!!! They are guilty as sin. Just from what we KNOW (chains) is enough for a guilty verdict.

I couldn't believe some of the stuff Tony was making up about the things Calista did.... Killing the Cat??? they didnt think that was something that needed to be told to a professional?? And if he did catch her drinking from the toilet....It was because she was so thirsty from them depriving her from water. remember the ex brother in law said she got punished for getting a drink of water. And why is it her sisters had water bottles by their beds and she had to steal theirs?
little things like that on top of the horrific evidence is the most compelling to me

GULITY GUILTY GUILTY!!!!!! Marsha and Tony Springer may not have caused the fire but they were the reason that poor little Calista was not able to get out from the fire and caused her to DIE!!

Why was Calista still chained to the bed that morning of the fire? Marsha was vacuuming and the sisters were at school? It seems that Calista should have been up having breakfast or something, not still chained to her bed. Disgusting

I Think They are guilty on first degree murder

in anthonys questioning he said something about the fire and the there fire plan not Calestas and its funny how there was a fire days later . the mother had time to take apart vacuum and put back together... i think they planned that fire and acted on it ... they are both guilty and need the death chamber

these people are animals, in my opinion, it was their attitudes about clista..

ask vinnie, guilty on all accounts. on 2nd murder charge because of being chained.

Vinnie, If Calista was still chained to the bed at 8;30 am, when should we think she was going to be unchained.For all we know she may have spent most of the day there. Also, if Marsha was so "blind" how could she pull up Calista"s school work on the computer and print it out. Answer, she didn't. Calista was pulled out of school because she was telling people what was going on at home. I wish I was on that jury.

The jury should finally grant Calista her wish!! The Prosecutor has proven his case beyond reasonable doubt and then some!!

Beth Ganger's testimony stands out to me. She was so horrified by what Calista was telling and showing her and was so angry no one did anything. And the prosecuter's passion for this case. He was FIGHTING for Calista.

On the day of the fire, everyone was out of the house except Marsha and Calista. Wouldn't you think that a devoted mother would get her
CHAINED

Child Abuse: Guilty
Torture: Guilty
First Degree Murder: Not guilty
I do not believe there was premeditation and they meant to murder their daughter and it was an horrible accident. Perhaps a sentence of voluntary manslaughter. Since they did admit to chaining Calista to the bed.

It seems that Calista went through great lengths to get water. Drinking from the toilet, dragging her bed to her sister's water. I wonder if the Springers withheld water from Calista so she wouldn't wet herself in bed? Also I can't believe the family could sit and eat tacos in front of that child! What a punishment. I could never have done that.

I grew up with a sister who had a disability. She would cut herself, burn herself, she once drank bleach, drank out of the toilet. She ate anything on the ground. Tissue, paper, rotten food, dirt and so on. She once had a cut so deep in her side a chunk of flesh was missing and we had no clue how she did it. She would drink out of a glass cup and crush the glass cup in her mouth. She ate anything. If she was out of sight.. for a few seconds she was a danger to herself. They used a harness and strapped her down at all times at school. She once figgured out how to relase herself from the harness on a school bus and when the bus came to a stop she fell out and slit her mouth to cheek wide open. required many stitches. My mother had to sit with her 24-7. and at night she slept in my mothers room for her entire life. I understand the deperation the parents had. I lived it. Until you live it , you really dont know. People are quick to say.. Put her in a home. Give her up. You cant hande it. But if it was your child, a child you loved, birthed. Why should You give her away??
My mother tried everything,. Just like these parents. I hope they get justice. and the verdict be NOT GUILTY!

Justice needs to be served for this poor child who didn't get a chance for a decent life. It may not be in this life but in God's court it will be served!!!!!! God help everyone who knew this child and did nothing to help her when she cried out for it. GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY should be for all counts.

That poor child!! I feel everyone is guilty, the parents and especially the system [dhs]. What does it take before dhs takes action? This entire case makes me sick. I'd find the Springers guilty without a doubt.

I think the chain marks around her little waist was the most compelling piece of evidence. Also when she was cared for by Marsha- she came out of the frying pan and into the "fire". I don't care for it being described as "someone dropping the ball" - Clarista was dropped and noone saved this poor child. It seems as she lived in the Charles Dickens era. Pat Goley

The FACT Springer stated, together, they figured out the "mathematical percentages" for the possibility of a fire and where it most probably would start tells me they figured out how best to get rid of Calista!

i think the most compelling things are the chain letters and the video in the video you can see they did not pay attention to her and she could have spent all day chained to that bed i think these monsters are gulity of all three charges and the lies Anthony told are unbelievable my daughter had lead when she was young and she had to have it checked by blood test every week this child was abused and neglected from a very young age

If they did not have her chained to her bed she would have made it

For this whole case they should be found guilty of all charges . as a parent even if my daughter acts up i rather stay up 12 hours up and my wife stay 12 hours so she is supervised , its their daughter not a dog . the biggest evidence is that the fire alarm worked , a parent that loves a child will rather die trying to save their child not do nothing about it . So guilty for all charges !!!

Ask Vinny

Are the parents guilty of abuse, torture and murder?
On all counts guilty. They need to be given the greatest sentence allowed and that is still a better life than Calista had. Calista testified from the grave, God Bless her true friends. Anthony Spreinger lied on the stand. Maresha can obviously see better that she alledges as she used a computer, sewed and allegedly took the vacume apart. The bed alarm worked, there was no reason to confine her to the bed.
I stay with an elderly man and am up and down during the night when he is sick. There is and was no excuse for their actions.

THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE TIED HER UP!!!! She is not an animal!!They knew before hand that she had a few issues. Severe or not they knew. If they felt they couldnt handle her then they should have did the proper thing and put her in placement outside the home. She looked like avery happy child and no one deserves to be treated that way! I think he should go to PRISON and they should tie him DOWN EVERY NIGHT WITH THE BIGGEST DOG CHAIN they can find. And as for the social worker they need to start speaking up on case loads. Im ssoooooo tired of it coming out later that they where over whelmed by work. SPEAK UP. YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO BE THE VOICE OF OUR CHILDREN IN AND OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

The piece of evidence that convinced me of a guilty charge on all 3 counts was when Anthony was asked about the chain he laughed for a second. I think that showed how sadistic he is and made it seem like he has no remorse for what he did, which he confessed to chaining her. I think if the Prosecutor proves either 1st degree Torture or Child Abuse then murder would also be proven since they comimitted a felony and someone died as a result of it. Grant Calista her dying wish!!

In my current job i hear many excuses on why adults hurt children but this is just beyond my comprehension. Chaining a child to her bed. Why was she tied to her bed at that time of the morning? Most children are up and about! Was she allowed to use the restroom and if she was, why did she need to be tied up again for ? So many questions and so much sadness, How did these two people think they would get away with this? This is there punishment for hiding their evil deeds and not they must pay for their wrongdoings! I have a hard time even calling them her parents. Because TRUE parents do not do this to their children! They should be found guilty in all 3 charges and pay for their unrighteousness! END...c

i have a child with severe and profound m.r. and severe and profound autism. i would have NEVER chained to bed to restrain.If you cant handle the child you can place in a group home .GIVE THEM THE MAX!!CHILD ABUSE TORTURE AND 1ST DEGREE MURDER!!!!

in the home movies, they showed that they did'nt interact with calista like they did with the other children, except the skating rink. also she was eating tooth paste and stealing food at night, because she was being starved. it's seems to be the practice to miss use the "step child" by the parent thats not the biological parent.

The letters written by Calista. I think she was her best defense. The letters not only told the truth of the horror that poor girl had to endure on a daily basis, but also showed that she was not as mentally challenged as the parents allege. I've worked with people with mental retardation for years and there is no justification for chaining anyone to a bed. This child was moderately challenged at best. I hope these "parents", and I use the term loosely, get exactly what they deserve...quilty of all charges!

I am a deputy court clerk and have seen many trials. After watching this one daily...all I can say is...if I were on that jury, I could ONLY vote GUILTY!!!! across the board. Talk about a cinderella story..too bad, Calista didn't live long enough to find her prince!!

Question on MI v Springer–

I might have missed this, but was Calista on any prescription medications for any of her "disabilities"?

The Springers are guilty,guilty,guilty. Why didn't they make some attempt to rescue her. As a family therapist I can think of many other ways to control children that are mentally and emotionally problematic.
Sharon
Georgia

What I find most compelling is the fact that Anthony Springer was not cross examined by the Prosecutor. This decision is inexplicable. I think that the Prosecutor over-thought his "TRIAL TACTICS". After he missed the chance to cross examine, his rebuttal portion of the trial started falling apart. A trial of this importance, not to cross examine is letting down "THE PEOPLE" which the Prosecutor is supposed to represent. I feel it is the duty of the Prosecutor to go after this defendant and represent the "STATE" . I have to repeat, the decision not to cross examine Anthony Springer was not a smart thing to do. This decision effected the outcome of this trial, in my humble opinion.

IMPORTANT!;(I believe the parents just wanted the social security money, thats why they kept her) We have a child with PDD. Why didnt the prosecuter show how PDD children can be very intelligent with the proper education. He could have showed examples of children with PDD who have succeeded in life. My child is 8 years old and passes her state tests with perfect scores. Needless to say they do get into things, for example: she constantly puts things in her mouth. You as a parent must reinforce her in letting her know not to do that. You cannot be blind and watch a child with PDD and expect to be succesful. You have to understand the condition before you can undersdtand the child.
We do not have trouble with her sleeping, some of my friends have children with a sleeping problem. They get a prescription from the doctor to help them sleep at night so they dont get into anything.
Their maturity level is very low, but they are very loving and intelligent children.
Our child has been in school since she was 2 years old when we noticed there was a problem. This program that helped her was early intervention. Most public schools have special education classes. We consider it a blessing having her in our life.

Hi Vinnie,
You are my favorite. I agree with you that it is all child abuse. The most important factor is that the alarm worked, it showed the parents lied and where so disconnected with this child. I wish someone had been successful in saving this girl, enough people where aware of the situation. Thank you, Debbie

This whole case disgusts me! Calista's parents must be found guilty on all counts and be punished accordingly. So many people let this child down. I don't think she was a special needs child at all! She was obviously very negleted and unloved....any child would "play up" under the cicumstances in that home. We all know how far some kids will go to get some love and attention. Those letters Calista wrote to her friend broke my heart. I wish her Grandma could have stepped in a long time ago and perhaps taken her out of that horrible situation where she would have had a much better "normal" life.

I hope that someone has thought about the psychological damage that has also been done to Calista's sisters and gets them some help. They were the lucky ones in that they were not tortured but I believe they were psychologically abused by having to watch the torture to Calista and that they may now think that what their parents did was correct.

the alarm worked?!?! guilty of abuse? no. maltreatment or neglect yes. guilty of torture? nope, guilty of murder? possibly. my question is this, what were Calista's self preservation skills? if she wasn't chained to the bed would she have been able to get out if she knew how? the fire would've happened if she were chained to that bed or not.

the pictures of her body with the chain and the one of the mattress where the imprint of her is forever etched into it. just heartbreaking as a parent to see this level of abuse and yet NO ONE did anything to stop it!
I feel that the social worker should have been sitting next to the parents because she could've prevented this death if she would've done her job!

For me, there are two. The fact that the fire happened around 8:30 and Calista was still chained in her bed without going to the bathroom, so that Marsha could "unwind", shows a complete disregard for her. The other evidence is the two separate instances where no one was allowed to hug her. These small facts, for me, totally back up all the other evidence.

They are guilty they knew what was going to happen if there was a fire and they didnt care.

something that was not mentioned in all this, the Springers had unsupervised visitation every weekend with the other 2 kids. They had 2 years to get there story together. Cps was not involved with this, judge Shumacker and 2 of Marsha's friends were. One of the friends was paying for her layer, and had no education in child services. I believe the other one was president of the historical society.

we going to be able to see the sentencing , i watched it on you tube , seems like the verdict didnt bother the springers but the sentencing sure brought them to tears

I think Marsha Is Guilty on all counts!!! As for Anthony Springer I think he Is guilty Of abuse but not guilty of murder and torture. He said he was at work at the time of the fire so the blame would shift I think to Marsha Springer. When she first smelled smoke she should have went directly upstairs and freed that precious soul Instead she thought of herself and the dam DOG and freed themselves. I think this case is sickening and I think Marsha should be tied down to a prision bed to see how It feels, As for Anthony I trully don't think he did anything wrong but try to protect his family and her at night.

There are places they could have put her, where she would have been treated like a human being not an animal. My animals are treated a lot better than she was. I cringe at the thought of that child going through all this and WHY didn't the social service people help her. I know of a lawyer whose daughter is like Calista and she hired aides to help and they did keep her in her bedroom but never chained and never ignored her. Who is to say that she wasn't like she was mostly due to the way she was treated. It is apparent the mother didn't want to be bothered by her and her dad and siblings are just as guilty as the stepmother. There was NO reason this child should have died like this. I say they all are guilty and the people who knew how she was being treated like this are just as guilty. When I see child abuse I speak out to the family and the authoritys. I don't care if they get mad but I know that it is my responsiblity to get the children help. They can't help themselves and sometimes we are all they have. The only good thing about Calista is she is in a place where she won't be abused anymore. It is a shame that she won't have the chance to live a good normal life with family and friends, which she had neither. I say they are all guilty of all charges. Its a shame her father and sister can't be charged with aiding and abetting.

Try laying on your bed, on your back and close your eyes. Now imagine not being able to roll over or move and you have to go to the bathroom, but you can't get up so you go in the bed and lay in it all night. Now imagine smoke is filling the room and it gets hotter and hotter, there's no one to help you. These parents are SICK and need be prosecuted to the fullest. In most States it's illegal to tether any animal, but if an animal is tethered at least the animal can get up and move around, move to a spot to do its business, then go to another spot to lay down. The Springers think it was to protect Calista, give me a break.

From Anthony, Marsha, her sister and their daughter Courtney never have I witnessed a group of people who have absolutely NO SOUL!

Itjink there guilty on all charges. I don't think Celesta would have acted up if she felt safe at home. I do believe she acted up in hopes she might be removed from the home if they got tired of her actions, and as a child she fought back the only way she could by acting out at home where she didn't feel safe protected, or loved. If she was such a problem why didn't the seek some other way of life for her.

The credibility of the fathers testimony and the sisters testimony is out the window.
They killed this girl a long time before the fire..killed her spirit and her soul and tried to hind her mind from the others around her.
The authorities failed Calista, yet common sense should dictate that their behaviors towards this child are wrong and if parents need to be taught how to love ,be compassionate they should not have any.
There is still no awareness made by either of them that what they had done is wrong..there is no sadness, no sorrow for what they have done...Have they all been brainwashed by Mr.Springer...are they all victums of this man..guilty,guilty guilty.
Now i am just listening to the charges Marsha made against him...now we see why they are being charged together....
Picking up road kill and boiling...he told Marsha that he will have to kill her if she left...this is horrid.. :-0

I wonder if they chained their pets... I bet not.

both of the parents are guility of all charges and children services should be held accountable too those videos didnt show me nothing just that she was a normal child and it saddened me cause in the videos it showed calista off to herself no one paying any attention to her as usual that breaks my heart i hope calista GETS JUSTICE

god bless calista

terri
ohio

The lie's he told on the stand.

When Tony said, "Well the dog didn't do it!"

Seems Calista was always blamed and considered wrong, bad, guilty. I hope justice will prevail for her and her "parents" are found Guilty. They're the true guilty ones.

The Springer's are guilty of MURDER, if the out come of a person is death while a fellony is being committed it is first degree felony murder. If the jury finds then guilty of abuse and torture then a felony has been committed (chaining to the bed) as Anthony himself testified to which is the most compelling evidence. Even if they did not know that death would be the outcome, anyone involved in committing the felony is guilty of murder. This is the way the law was written.

As soon as Marsha realized there was a problem with the vaccum, she should have went directly to Calistas room to unchain her. I would find them guilty on all 3 accounts . I also believe Calista might have been treated better around people , as a front . When visitors said how much she ate , could it be , she wasn't being fed on a regular basis !!?? She was no bigger than a minute . Also I believe there was no love in that home for Calista , I have seen more compassion from people outside the home .

The discovery of this protective order absolutely confirms my belief of this entire situation. I know that Mike Brooks has had questions about "where is the fire extinguishers?" But I am more concerned about what Marsha 'believed" was the fire extinguisher that obviously wasn't. I believe that Anthony was the sole wrong-doer and ultimately responsible for precious Calista's death. God help him! What a HORRIBLE Tragedy and injustice of a father.

The Judge should give Anthony Springer LIFE without even flinching!

Mostly the chaining the child. This is a special needs child. I have a special needs child. I never thought of chaining him to the bed. It takes alot of work, tears, your very tired and would just want to run away from your own home. But when you get that one smile, a hug. You know all the years of work really is paying off. Those parents should not be allowed to touch another living thing. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to watch. It really made me sick. Then they turn to each other and hug one another. For what? Not getting the death penalty. What a pair of sick freaks. I can not believe the jury did not give them more than that. Shame on them. They killed that little angel.

I think the most important was the burned bed with the chain still attached to the bed.

martha cooke buffalo ny

Calista didn't respond to the fire (by moving or trying to get up) because she was "out" with Benedryl. I think their giving her that constitutes murder. The chain was horrific but, even without the chain I think she would have been killed by the fire.

Finally, Anthony & Marsha Springer are going to feel what Calista felt for years: being confined to a small, locked room with nothing but a bed in it. Maybe they can pick the paint of the walls when they are bored.
The only difference is that Anthony & Marsha will get 3 meals a day and they wont be chained to the bed.
"What goes around; comes around."
Karma's is a $#@!% !!

Now that Marsha is going to prison,will she get special treatment or protection because she is blind–maybe she should get the same protection they gave Calista.

The CHAIN – I'm sickened that someone could even fathom that idea and why was the chain still on? Marsha wanted to drink her coffee??? My son has seizures every morning when he wakes at 6:00am so I get up at 5:30 to have my coffee!!!!

Child Abuse: Both are GUILTY

Torture: Both are GUILTY

2nd Degree Murder: ABSOLUTELY Both GUILTY!

The imprint of the chain that was burned into her tiny waist will never leave my mind. How hot that chain had to be to scorch her skin like that.. How scared she had to be as she smelled the smoke and felt the heat. That is compelling. Calista's journey thru hell is over.. May her "parents" live the rest of their lives as prisoners in chains. How fitting and end for them.?

The chain of course can't leave my mind. However, the picture I still see over and over is the scene in the pool and the Christmas scene. In the pool she is stuck in the intertube and for her dad it was such an inconvenience. The way he treated her sticks in my mind. This could have been turned into a funny, laughing experience.She was always seemed to be treated as such a bother, a pain, not a joy as every child should be treated. In the Christmas scene she is left out . These clips were supposed to be scenes that looked good for their defense. To me, they showed even more the silent abuse she received daily. My friend has an autistic child and always had to be watched but he was never treated as a nuisance. We loved him all the more because of it. The other thing that stays with me is that people knew of her chaining and didn't do anything to stop it. I keep thinking how horrible it would be to have a chain while trying to sleep, remembering long car trips and trying to fall asleep with them around your waist. I think the whole family ended up with the same feeling towards Calista. They all thought the way they treated Calista was "normal" which is the biggest crime.

The picture of the imprint from the dog chain on her poor dead little body.

I think the timing of the fire – in the morning after the other girls were in school and before a move to live in a basement because of foreclosure is one of the most compelling pieces of evidence. I think Anthony and Marsha Springer planned it and should have been found guilty of murder, arson, child abuse, and torture.

Child Abuse: Guilty

Torture: Guilty

2nd Degree Murder: Guilty They both wlllfully restrained Calista knowing her life was in danger in the event of a fire

Both defendants are equally guilty!

The parents should have been found guilty for murder. Why... went they INTENTIONALLY chained her to the bed, they demonistrated INTENTIONAL harm, however it may come, by preventing her ability to defend herself. Rather it be from an intruder (possible Rape-murder) to a home fire. It was futher demonistrated by them NOT having taking any action of counteractions of emergencies. IE. A tool, a key in the room, for her immediate release to save her in case of emergency. In addition Marshas failure to even attempt to save the child.

Guilty across the board!!!! In some states it is illegal to even chain up an animal so why would it be ok to chain up a child??? It just does not make sense why a parent would think its ok to chain up their child!!!

The classmates that testified and had letters from Calista that she was chained to the bed. Mr. Anthony said that they had just before the fire statrted to chain her. He is a big lier!!!!

Crocodile Freaking tears!!!

From the start.....[ the chain]
I would hate to live in Michigan, The community still fails this little girl
even after she is dead. These parents are guilty of... Murder
These Jurors let her down too

no matter what the situation is,you do not chain a child,i don't even like to chain a dog.when a death occur during a robbery,you are charged with murder. the same should be imposed in a torture and child abuse case.

This is tragic that Anthony Springer can sit there after being found guilty of torturing his daughter and then call himself and the public victims also and he blames all these other people for what has happened. This shows me and hopefully the judge that he has no remorse for his daughter's death. He acts as if Calista never existed while complaining about everyone else and unrelated issues that he seems to think were more important than Calista's death.