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Letter: Judge in Zimmerman case should recuse himself over online collections
The Palm ^ | May 7, 2012 | John Staab

Posted on 05/07/2012 2:33:28 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

I was more than surprised to see where the judge presiding over George Zimmerman's case questioned the source of $200,000 collected online and donated to Zimmerman's defense fund. Given Zimmerman's modest stature in life, there were no donations from money moguls with deep pockets. These donations were from the rank and file of average American citizens with no expectation of reward from Zimmerman should he prevail.

The judge knew this and it is obvious that he sided with Trayvon Martin's parents in wanting to know where the money came from, thereby casting a shadow of its legitimacy. Apparently the judge, a learned man, knows full well the political implications of anything that has to do with the Zimmerman case. There is a tinder box all over the country ready to prematurely explode even before justice wends its way to a conclusion if anything or anybody dares to even insinuate that Zimmerman may not be guilty.

The people donating to Zimmerman's defense fund apparently believe a man is innocent until proven guilty. Zimmerman is a complete stranger to them so they have not expressed their opinions because of love or friendship. They donated because they believe in fair play, justice and the Constitution, and they knew Zimmerman couldn't finance his defense by himself.

The judge's inquiry is not judicial; it is societal in that he believes that siding with the prosecution and Trayvon's parents, he will ameliorate the predilection to violence in this case. Whether he is right or wrong is not the issue. Officially going into where the defense funds came from is none of the court's business.

The donations are also innocent until proven otherwise. The judge must recuse himself.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Conspiracy; Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: florida; georgezimmerman; trayvonmartin; zimmerman
I tend to agree.
1 posted on 05/07/2012 2:33:30 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The source of the contributions doesn’t really matter to the case itself. You might as well as where Zimmerman bought his clothing or his shoes.


2 posted on 05/07/2012 2:38:53 AM PDT by pepsionice
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

>>These donations were from the rank and file of average American citizens

Not only Americans.


3 posted on 05/07/2012 2:44:51 AM PDT by expat1000
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The donations are not “innocent until proven otherwise” Surely someone knows the donations haven’t been charged with a crime and the donations are not a person.

If I were Zimmerman I would want the donations examined because surely there is a risk that something stinky could have been done here to hurt his case. Such as a donation from the Klan or white supremacists. Darn right they ought to be looked at.


4 posted on 05/07/2012 2:44:53 AM PDT by yldstrk ( My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: pepsionice

It’s just one more thing for Ben Crump, Martin’s parents and rest of the racialist industry to complain about.


5 posted on 05/07/2012 2:45:04 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Ich habe keinen Konig aber Gott)
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To: expat1000

I could raise a couple million for him in a month. He has MUCH more support than the MSM, race-baiters and Obama crew even imagine.


6 posted on 05/07/2012 2:47:32 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Ich habe keinen Konig aber Gott)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

When I read that first sentence, I thought the Judge had donated to the defense fund.

Like others here say, what difference does it make where the money comes from?

We don’t know where Obama’s millions came from when he got elected either.


7 posted on 05/07/2012 4:15:35 AM PDT by Venturer
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The judge’s implication about where the money came from is only to pacify Martin’s family. It’s likely they want the money to stop. However, if Zimmerman was a millionare in his own right, he would have the means necessary to defend himself, and the family would complain about the rich affording a good defense. The donations are merely giving Zimmerman a level playing field.


8 posted on 05/07/2012 4:28:32 AM PDT by Jaidyn
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To: Jaidyn

Is there a fund for the Martin family?? Is that the REAL problem....for the Martins and their attorneys??


9 posted on 05/07/2012 4:55:32 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Yeah, well, just based on the facts stated in the article, I tend to disagree. The inquiry relates to a bail question, and the issue is whether Zimmerman had a lot more wherewithall than the poverty he indicated when bail was set. The judge does not need to know who each and every contributor was, but it is significant to know the provenance of the funds - i.e. was Zimmerman just laundering his own stash.
10 posted on 05/07/2012 5:31:46 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Sacajaweau
Is there a fund for the Martin family?? Is that the REAL problem....for the Martins and their attorneys??

I don't know if there is a fund for the Martin family, but assume their expenses, if any, are being covered. The pay-off for them will come from a civil suit against Zimmerman, or even from law enforcement. They will find a way to sue someone or everyone involved.

11 posted on 05/07/2012 6:07:14 AM PDT by Jaidyn
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To: Sacajaweau
-- Is there a fund for the Martin family?? --

Yes. Has been for quite some time. Last I looked, sometime last week, it reported receipts of just under 30 grand.

Justice for Trayvon Martin Donation Website

The Martins don't have to pay a legal defense, as the resources of the state of Florida have been brought to bear against Zimmerman on their behalf.

12 posted on 05/07/2012 6:17:52 AM PDT by Cboldt
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I gave 10 bucks on the old site and 15 bucks a couple of days ago. I wish I could do more.

My right of effective self defense under the 2nd amendment is on trial with George Zimmerman.

13 posted on 05/07/2012 7:07:15 AM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not a Matter of Opinion)
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To: Cboldt

I know the state pays for his defense. Any monies goes into the Martin’s pocket.


14 posted on 05/07/2012 7:11:22 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Is there an implication that the judge would publish the names of people who gave money, perhaps leading to “conversations” between said donors and local supporters of “justice for Trayvon”?


15 posted on 05/07/2012 8:17:40 AM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: Verginius Rufus

No.

I don’t see anything that says the judge wants names and addresses of donors.

His inquiry appears to be general in nature.


16 posted on 05/07/2012 8:38:51 AM PDT by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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To: AndyJackson
I reject the entire premise of an "ability to pay" question in the bail hearing. The stated purpose of bail is to make sure the defendant will not attempt to flee, and will show up for trial. Since he's obviously interested in showing up to clear his name, the bail amount shouldn't really matter, unless it's true purpose is to punish the accused before trial economically, and not to assure the court of his presence at trial.
17 posted on 05/07/2012 9:02:53 AM PDT by zeugma (Those of us who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.)
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To: zeugma
I reject the entire premise of an "ability to pay" question in the bail hearing. The stated purpose of bail is to make sure the defendant will not attempt to flee..

Well, you are not the judge and moreover, you are a fool. Zimmerman's contribution was $15,000 or 10%. That is a lot of money for a poor man, and he might feel bad about sticking his family with it. $15,000 for a rich man's freedom is nothing. $50,000,000 sacked away in offshore accounts and he is gone, and happily so.

18 posted on 05/07/2012 11:16:59 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: AndyJackson
Well, you are not the judge and moreover, you are a fool. Zimmerman's contribution was $15,000 or 10%. That is a lot of money for a poor man, and he might feel bad about sticking his family with it. $15,000 for a rich man's freedom is nothing. $50,000,000 sacked away in offshore accounts and he is gone, and happily so.

I believe you completely misread my post. The point here is that the bond as set in his case is almost certainly ebough to make sure he will show up for his court date. The fact that the judge seems interested in revisiting it seems to be more along the lines of punishing him from having supporters who helped him with these costs, than the stated claim of the purpose of bail.

There is a big difference between this case, and some dude with $50M in offshore accounts. In the latter case, a bigger bond to ensure his showing up for court makes sense. There are also extraordinary cases, where the person is enough of a flight risk, that n amount of bail would suffice.

19 posted on 05/07/2012 9:20:28 PM PDT by zeugma (Those of us who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.)
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