Posted on 04/02/2012 11:32:37 AM PDT by maggief
SANFORD, Fla. -- FBI agents on Monday were questioning potential witnesses in the Trayvon Martin shooting, confirming to NBC News that the agency had begun a "parallel investigation" that focuses on whether the teen's civil rights were violated.
Agents are seeking information on George Zimmerman's background and whether he was racially motivated when he pursued Martin after calling a 911 police dispatcher about his presence in the community, an FBI official told NBC.
The agents were at the Retreat at Twin Lakes, where Martin was shot dead by Zimmerman, the gated community's neighborhood watch captain.
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.msnbc.msn.com ...
Funny you should mention that. Shortly after being sworn in, Michelle Obama (and I believe Barack as well, but I'm not sure) "surrendered" her Illinois law license. Records are of course sealed so there is no explanation, but it is very curious.
” “the MURDER of Trayvon”!
Even the leftist tv and radio shows never claimed this.
EXCELLENT comment, especially your last sentence.
In my office we were VERY low profile (as we should be). Publicity seeking attorney’s of any stripe, ESPECIALLY Prosecutors, should leave the profession and join the circus.
Well, in my 25 years we never, ever sought prosecution “for show”. We took it very seriously and that would be the quick path to being fired and disbarred (Fairfax County, VA).
However, the more interesting question, would I win? Of course, any comments I make are 100% based upon what I am getting from news sources and then I am going with what seem to be consensus facts:
TOUGH call. While proving probable cause could be performed by a First Year law student, this is not a slam dunk by any means. I for sure don’t think there is probably cause for First Degree murder. I really doubt even for Second Degree. So, wouldn’t seek a charge on either. While I am pretty confident it is more than a coin toss I’d get a conviction, it isn’t an easy case.
But, as a Prosecutor, the test isn’t “will you win”. The test is probable cause. And while you do have prosecutorial discretion, at least in my old office there’d be no question to charge this one.
As for the potential “hate crime”, I sure don’t see probable cause for that EVEN if he used a racial epithet. That alone is some evidence but not enough. The reason is, that EVERYONE, racist or not, has used racial epithets. And if you say you haven’t, either you live in the closet or are likely lying ... or are Mother Theresa. =)
That's the problem, Fairfax.
Scary that someone with 25 years of prosecutorial experience would conduct an analysis of probable cause based on media reports rather than the police report and other official information and documents released by the City of Sanford.
Ah, what a refreshing sensation it is to have left Fairfax County ten years ago and not looked back.
period.
with all due respect to others on this thread, it is not about probable cause, it's about right and wrong and beyond reasonable doubt
I watched it.....MURDER is what they said.....amazing!
” While I am pretty confident it is more than a coin toss I’d get a conviction, it isn’t an easy case.”
How humble of you to say so. If what we have all read can be believed, proscuting him would be abusive. Of course, none of us are privy to what the police have. If you can explain how a man should go to jail for defending himself against imminent peril, I would like to hear it. I don’t give a hoot if you could get away with prosecuting him, I want to know WHY you would pursue it.
Ego, what else. It's why he has taken the contrarian position he has, and even advertises it. Pure, unadulterated ego.
Well, that’s the way NEWS is reported here!
I think that channel is ripe for a lawsuit.
I don’t know how to save that but maybe send that to Rush?
I know people bitch about Wolfinger on a daily basis for NOT taking slam dunk cases to court. I have no idea if that's what happened here but I think the reports of a meeting with him and Chief Lee that same night to discuss it are bogus.
As a side note, folks like to blame the cops and the judges for not putting bad guys behind bars when they should be looking at the States Atty.
The man thinks it is a game....not funny....not honorable!
Send it!
B U M P
” with all due respect to others on this thread, it is not about probable cause, it’s about right and wrong and beyond reasonable doubt “
We got our answer...*crickets*
I’d like to hear a second opinion from another former prosecutor, I think Mike Nifong is available.
OKay.
I’ll do it tonight.
Last night, on the local Jackson, Mississippi Channel 12 News cBS affliate, they called it “the MURDER of Trayvon”!
I followed what they did to the Lax players. It was horrific Leftist race and sex hate.
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