That’s pretty good. I’m not an attorney either. So if I understand you correctly, whether he is convicted of manslaughter or aquitted is dependent upon whether the jury finds he has a depraved mind? The reason I ask is that I remember reading somewhere (Probably FR) that the burden to prove self defense in FL is significantly lower than other states, typically.
>> whether he is convicted of manslaughter or aquitted is dependent upon whether the jury finds he has a depraved mind?
No, the “depraved mind” will decide between manslaughter or murder 2, not between manslaughter and acquittal.
If he’s acquitted, it’s because the jury believed his claim that he shot Skittles in self defense. Period. That, as far as I can see, is the only way he can get acquitted, since it’s undisputed that he DID kill Skittles.
Not to beat it to death, but here’s how I imagine a jury “flow chart” would look:
Did Zimmerman kill Skittles in self defense?
YES: He’s innocent. DONE
NO:
Then did Z kill Skittles with “a depraved mind”?
YES: He’s guilty of 2nd degree murder. DONE
NO: He’s guilty of manslaughter. DONE
(If there are lesser offenses besides manslaughter, then they would fit in as a decision under whatever criteria support manslaughter.)