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Prosecutor's quandary: Zimmerman may be indicted, then acquitted
cnn ^ | 4-11-12 | dershowitz

Posted on 04/11/2012 11:06:13 AM PDT by doug from upland

Editor's note: Alan Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter professor of law at Harvard Law School.

(CNN) -- On the basis of the evidence currently in the public record, one likely outcome of the case against George Zimmerman is a mixed one: There may be sufficient evidence for a reasonable prosecutor to indict him for manslaughter, but there may also be doubt sufficient for a reasonable jury to acquit him.

Any such predictions should be accepted with an abundance of caution, however, because the evidence known to the special prosecutor, but not to the public, may paint a different picture. It may be stronger or weaker.

Media reports suggest that police found Zimmerman with grass stains on the back of his shirt, bloody bruises on the back of his head and other indicia that may support his contention that Trayvon Martin was banging his head against the ground when Zimmerman shot him.

We don't know what Martin's body or clothing show, other than the fatal bullet wound. If there are no comparable bruises or grass stains and if the bullet wound and powder residue establish that the gun was fired at very close range, this too might support a claim of self-defense.

Then there is a recorded cry for help, which, if it turns out to be the voice of Martin, would undercut the defense -- if the voice analysis passes scientific muster and is deemed admissible into evidence.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: racehustlers; trayvon; trayvonmartin; zimmerman; zimmermancharged
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To: doug from upland

We have a FReeper making the rounds on these GZ threads that swears he/she prayed a bug into Zimmerman’s head that will cause him to involuntarily give himself up and confess to cold-blooded Murder of a poor helpless teenager.

True stuff, I’m not making this one up.


21 posted on 04/11/2012 12:02:41 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (The only flaw is that America doesn't recognize Cyber's omniscience. -- sergeantdave)
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To: Cyber Liberty; Rooivalk

We have a FReeper making the rounds on these GZ threads that swears he/she prayed a bug into Zimmerman’s head that will cause him to involuntarily give himself up and confess to cold-blooded Murder of a poor helpless teenager.

Is his/her name Rooivalk by any chance? He/she is a member in good standing of the Martin/Zimmerman Fever Swamp Club.


22 posted on 04/11/2012 12:06:19 PM PDT by trappedincanuckistan (livefreeordietryin)
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To: eddie willers

In the end, was it not prudent to wait before charging Zimmerman because of the “clock” that is used in Florida. My understanding is that, in a felony case, the clock starts upon a charge and it lasts 175 days. This case is over 6 weeks old. If you are a prosecutor, wouldn’t you prefer more time for discovery to prove your case?


23 posted on 04/11/2012 12:07:17 PM PDT by cumbo78
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA
Yes, exactly.

And even if the dispatcher had given a clear and unambiguous "order" to Zim (which he did not), it is my understanding that Zim was under no legal obligation to follow such an "order."

You must follow a policeman's order if you yourself are being stopped while under suspicion of committing some legal infraction. However the police cannot otherwise "order" you do to anything. That's my understanding.

24 posted on 04/11/2012 12:10:51 PM PDT by shhrubbery! (NIH!)
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To: Jaxter
I thought that without a grand jury the prosecutor couldn't bring a murder charge?

My speculation is that multiple political forces in Florida have already told her to make sure there is a trial, which is one of the reasons she didn't risk a grand jury. They are kicking the can down the road.

My prediction is a hung jury/mistrial followed by DOJ filing civil rights violation charges (regardless of Obama or Romney winning the election).

25 posted on 04/11/2012 12:11:25 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: doug from upland
Editor's note: Alan Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter professor of law at Harvard Law School.

Felix Frankfurter?

Is that like he is a hot dog and a cool cat all in one?

26 posted on 04/11/2012 12:13:54 PM PDT by going hot (Happiness is a momma deuce)
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To: trappedincanuckistan; Rooivalk
Is his/her name Rooivalk by any chance?

Yeah. Thanks for that so we could get a courtesy ping in. I couldn't remember the name (until I started getting peppered with posts on another thread right after this post I made to DFU).

27 posted on 04/11/2012 12:21:04 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (The only flaw is that America doesn't recognize Cyber's omniscience. -- sergeantdave)
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To: USNBandit
I thought that without a grand jury the prosecutor couldn't bring a murder charge?

I heard that a first degree murder charge couldn't be brought without a grand jury. Second degree murder or manslaughter could be brought.

28 posted on 04/11/2012 12:38:51 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (You only have three billion heartbeats in a lifetime.How many does the government claim as its own?)
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To: USNBandit
1st degree murder was off the table.

Maybe a change of venue to the Tampa Bay area, acquittal to concur with the Romney nomination. I swear they wanna relive Chicago '68.

29 posted on 04/11/2012 12:41:49 PM PDT by gundog (Help us, Nairobi-Wan Kenobi...you're our only hope.)
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To: massgopguy
Will there be a change of venue to ensure he gets an unfair trial?

Perhaps they can find an impartial jury in Bora Bora.

30 posted on 04/11/2012 12:42:37 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: Jaxter
So the DOJ that refuses to enforce laws against NBPP criminal actions, is gonna protect the Zman?

Right.....

31 posted on 04/11/2012 12:59:52 PM PDT by rawcatslyentist ("Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one," Jeremiah 50:31)
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To: Cyber Liberty

That is a FReeper I never want to meet.


32 posted on 04/11/2012 3:18:22 PM PDT by doug from upland (Just in case, it has been reserved: www.TheBitchIsBack2012.com)
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To: doug from upland

Can’t blame you. We’re keeping the troll busy on another thread.


33 posted on 04/11/2012 3:34:33 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (The only flaw is that America doesn't recognize Cyber's omniscience. -- sergeantdave)
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