Prosecutors are basically saying, per the affidavit released today, that Zimmerman and his father are lying; it was GZ who profiled, followed and confronted Trayvon, and it was Trayvon who screamed, not the other way around. Hard to argue self-defense when you're not running away from a dangerous HOODlum... Awesome to see racial profiling being put on trial. Should piss off a lot of the usual suspects. The case will probably get dismissed due to SYG/last-man-standing laws though.
For some reason I feel like that guy just somehow thought that, by giving the excuse that he snaped because he was mad about TM, he was going to end up in less trouble. "Gee whiz, I'm sorry mister officer, I guess I was just really upset about Trayvon, ya know?"
Would agree, because they charged him with the wrong crime. The Florida justice system can't seem to get this right (or maybe they're intentionally getting it wrong so that they can acquit people.) First Casey Anthony, now GZ...
Voluntary Manslaughter; at least according to the Florida definition of the crime (see here) I think they would have a much better chance of convicting him of that than of second-degree murder. Specifically, the part about being "provoked" divides 2nd degree murder from voluntary manslaughter, and I think they have a decent chance of convincing the jury that GZ was provoked, but they will have a much tougher time convincing the jury that he was not provoked (which would seem to be a requirement for 2nd degree murder).
I suspect voluntary manslaughter is a lesser included offense of the 2nd degree murder charge; as are plenty of other things. I agree that they probably won't convict on the murder charge, but they can still ring him up for something else.
Ah I suppose that could be true. I guess I didn't read the whole arraignment/report/whateveryoucallit.
It would be an AMAZING demonstration of law enforcement if every single one of those people is arrested, charged with making death threats, and found guilty, and then zimmy is found not guilty and released. Oh god I would LOL all the way to Neptune.
Yep, lesser included offense. They charged him with 2nd degree murder because that's the WORST crime they could actually justify (or rationalize) a charge for. He'll probably be convicted of involuntary manslaughter and receive a >3 year sentence is my guess. Then he'll do his time in PC because there's no way they can put a kid like that in population. He'd be dead on day one in population in the big house.
I thought involuntary manslaughter was completely unintentional killing, like running over a kid while you're wasted out of your mind. That doesn't really apply here.
Manslaughter comes in many different flavors. This would probably be voluntary manslaughter. Most states have a unique charge for vehicular manslaughter, which would be like killing somebody while engaging in some sort of death race. Then there's an intoxication manslaughter which would be running over somebody whilst hopped up on crank, Wild Turkey and NyQuil.
Man Beaten By Mob, In Critical Condition The cops should wait 43 days to charge them. Then it will be justice for Trayvon.
Nothing to see here folks, just another routine chimp out that's all too common in the states nowadays. I'm sure the white man is to blame for all of it as well.
Delmar Attack Over Possible Racial Slurs It is a Hate crime ,and there will be no Out Rage unless enough make this Public,Make sure other news stations carry it, send them the post call ,get the word out, otherwise ,this will be swept under the rug
I just asked one of the attorneys I work for and he said it is almost automatic in most jurisdictions that the prosecution will charge someone with the highest crime they believe they can get a conviction for and then when the jury is instructed prior to deliberations, they will be told of the lesser included offenses that they have available to them should they choose to convict. He believes that at least one flavor of "manslaughter" (probably voluntary) will be included.
Cool, thanks guys for clearing that up. The lines between various forms of manslaughter and the line between voluntary manslaughter and 2nd degree murder all just seem really blurred to me
Basically, "Voluntary" means you unlawfully killed someone with malice aforethought (intended to kill) but there are mitigating circumstances reducing culpability. "Involuntary" is you unlawfully killed someone without malice aforethought - it is distinguished from voluntary by the absence of intent.
It would appear that Florida has no distinction between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Only one manslaughter charge: Honestly, sounds like something of a catchall. This is their fallback position when they can't actually prove the conditions for a legitimate murder charge, but you still have a homicide that wasn't exactly kosher. Here's 782.04 paragraph 2, murder in the second degree: Sounds to me like the distinguishing factor is that the actor was pissed off and wanted to kill him. Don't really see that here, but their might be evidence supporting that which we don't have. And for the sake of thoroughness, here's the provision that the defense will be hanging it's hat on. Chapter 776, Section 12:
Nothing. If it's a lawful act, then it's not a crime and therefore not mentioned in the penal code. It would fit into the group of justifications for homicide, and would probably be referred to as a justifiable use of force.
^Precisely. By the way, those were answers to questions I asked of a lawyer here in MA where I live. I never even mentioned this case.
You live in MA? For some reason I thought you were more like Chicago or Cleveland or Cincinnati. If we do another Boston meetup, you should go.
Anyone know if Dershy is just blowing smoke or if there's any fire here? Granted, this is Fox News, but these are some pretty serious charges he's leveling (apparently more serious than profiling, stalking and killing an unarmed teenager). http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/25/dershowitz-trayvon-prosecutor-overreached-with-murder-charge/
Dershowitz is a liberal, if that helps with the fact that it is Fox. Probably Fox is the only cable news station who delights in hearing a guy like D diminish the case against Z.
Wow, that's quite over the top, but that's typical Alan. Interesting side note here: During the Von Bulow case, my wife worked at a law firm to which Alan was "Of Counsel" and she met him several times. She always referred to him as "The Dershbag" because she thought he was a condescending prick based on their limited interaction. Back on topic: He could be on to something here, but I think we should keep in mind that he's speculating and is not privy to all of the evidence, just like the media is not privy to it.
And yet the same prosecutor sent a woman to jail for 20 years for firing a warning shot near her abusive husband.
Wow, the detectives (prosecution?) have seemed to have done absolutely no work. I can't tell if the defense is making valid points or the detective is just unaware of everything. Did they seriously not get GZ's medical records? I find this hard to believe.
They've been instructed not to. They were specifically hired to fail the case. The plan is that Zimmerman gets out, which will anger the black community into repeating the LA riots. White people who remember the LA riots will react with violence of their own, and the government can declare martial law to restore order. The martial law, once in place, will stay forever to control the population.
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Report: Feds weigh hate crime charge in Trayvon Martin death If you actually believe this, I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you/you're a black pissed off at gay marriage and need to be distracted.
