State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman Self-defense is not a crime: VERDICT WATCH.

annettekblog.wordpress ^ | July 12, 2013 | annettek

[Uncle Chip]

I pray for a fair and just verdict. My support and thoughts go out to the Zimmerman family and the defense team as we wait.

Links to Live Streams (Thanks Carole):

WAT~ http://wildabouttrial.com/trial_videos/watch-the-george-zimmerman-hearing-live/

Local WFTV~ http://www.wftv.com/s/zimmerman-livestream//

Click Orlando~ http://www.clickorlando.com/news/-/1637132/19533480/-/fm5b93z/-/index.html

[supercat]

Because the sentences show a blatant disregard for the 8th amendment,

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, but the fact that a jury would balk at a particular sentence is prima facie evidence that they true fact-finders of the case, whose judgment is supposed to be beyond question, have determined that the prescribed punishment would be cruel and unusual punishment if applied to the case at hand. Note that it is entirely possible for two distinct criminal acts not to differ in any way recognized by statute, but for a jury to recognize one as truly heinous and worthy of life in prison and the other as being worthy of a $100 fine. Without knowing the prescribed punishment, a jury can't know whether the sentence attached to a finding of guilt would be appropriate for the greater or lesser crime. If there's no doubt that the defendant committed the lesser crime (and not the greater one), the jury should convict if the sentence would fit that crime, but acquit if the sentence would fit the greater one.

The only cases I can think of where an understanding of sentences would cause a jury to acquit are those where a jury would likely find that the nature of the defendant's particular criminal act was sufficiently minor that the associated punishment would violate the Eighth Amendment. And in those cases, the jury should acquit.

BTW, I'd like to see a procedure whereby a jury could specify a limit or range of sentences when issuing their verdict, which the parties to the case could either accept or reject (sending the jury back for further deliberations). If the prosecutor doesn't think a sentence is harsh enough, he could send the case back to the jury and gamble on whether it will allow a harsher sentence or acquit outright. In any case, if a jury would find that a particular sentence would constitute cruel and unusual punishment, it would.

[sheikdetailfeather]

I knew it!!! I can spot a liberal a mile away. Judge Alex on Fox got heated with her too.

[dragnet2]

Thanks for all the pings, links and info on this UC.

It’s been interesting to say the least!

I would guess the verdict and what follows will not be any different.

[House Atreides]

Diana Tennis just said they left out some instruction regarding manslaughter—”by act”. Because they charged Murder 2, they apparently couldn’t include “by negligence” as regards manslaughter—again according to Diana Tennis. Ms Tennis seems to be one of the few attorney talking heads who actually knows what she is talking about..

[dforest]

Don’t get too drunk, I doubt there will be any verdict tonight.

What these gals really want to know they are not going to get. Like, if we give him manslaughter as a compromise, how long will he get?

That means they did not think he was guilty, but they wanted to please the crowd by at least giving him something.

[CGASMIA68]

guy in photo

[PapaBear3625]

The killing of a hu man being is justifiable homicide and lawful if necessarily done while resisting an attempt to murder or commit a felony upon George Zimmerman , or to commit a felony in any dwelling house in which George Zimmerman was at the time of the killing.

At this point, an intelligent jury question would be: "could the beating that Trayvon was administering on Zimmerman be considered a felony?"

I don't like the jury instructions at all. The decision should revolve around "Did Zimmerman meet the conditions for self-defense?"

[VRWC For Truth]

Hung jury at worst. If it s 6-0 to convict, we have bigger problems than GZ.

[freedom1st]

"Technically, that’s not the case. They could have reasonable doubt as to an element of 2nd Degree Murder that is not an element of Manslaughter; i.e. Zimmerman’s state of mind. Still, the self-defense issue IS the same, and should trump it."

Exactly, even if manslaughter occurred, if it was committed while providing self-defense, then GZ in not-guilty. It's apparent that the jury hasn't considered self-defense first. If it had then there would have been a NG verdict on both counts yesterday.

[novemberslady]

or more specifically...not guilty

[shalom aleichem]

Judges usually say you will not allow sympathy to enter into your considerations. You are the trier of fact and determine only the guilt or non-guilt of the accused. The Court’s province is to determine the punishment (penalty).

It is a separation of duties thing.

[Lazamataz]

I’m way too sexy to be objected to.

[cajungirl]

Comfused by what Tennis said and what it means

[Toespi]

Ironically, if they go with manslaughter, the jurors are theoretically applying their own child abuse standard. Emotions would be dictating he was a “ child” and they can’t allow a murder if a child to go unpunished.

[WeatherGuy]

I agree. I suspect the jury will get their instructions and then quit for the night.

[Old Sarge]

[CGASMIA68]

He was on CNN all last night,whys fox have him on?

[Sarah Barracuda]

I like Diana Tennis, I follow her on twitter..she knows what she is talking about..same goes for Judge Alex

[CatherineofAragon]

"Me, too. I turned everything off except FR. Thank God for freepers!"

I've been reading along here and not saying much (for a change, lol) but I want to amen that. This thread beats anything on the news, and I'd rather read the verdict here.

May the Lord in His mercy and justice free George Zimmermann.

[Conserev1]

True and Mom explained that to the jury.
There back !