Judge rules defense can show Trayvon Martin died with marijuana in his system

Fox News ^ | July 08, 2013 | (Joshua Rhett Miller, Serafin Gomez and The Associated Press)

[Olog-hai]

Defense lawyers will be permitted to show that Trayvon Martin had marijuana in his system when he and George Zimmerman had their fateful encounter in a gated community in Florida last year, the judge in Zimmerman’s murder trial ruled Monday.

Judge Debra Nelson denied a motion by prosecutors to keep toxicology results showing THC in Martin’s system from the jury, paving the way for Zimmerman’s lawyers to argue the drug may have influenced the teen’s behavior. Defense attorney Don West noted that in Zimmerman’s statement to the non-emergency 911 dispatcher that it appeared the person he was observing in the Sanford, Fla., community was “on drugs.”

Nelson’s ruling came after the jury was dismissed following a day of conflicting testimony about whose voice could be heard screaming on a subsequent 911 tape. …

[caver]

Hey, why not, aren’t most criminal charges enhanced because the perp had illegal substances in their system?

[Diogenesis]

Any PCP?

[Vince Ferrer]

They should also be able to testify as to what Skittles and Arizona Watermelon drink are used to make.

[BluH2o]

This should help exonerate the defendant Zimmerman, in fact it should now be an open/closed case. Of course the jury can pull an OJ and ignore hard evidence like DNA ... as in ‘what is dat s**t’?

[colorado tanker]

Actually, drug use is usually ruled inadmissible because it is an attempt to convince the jury that the defendant committed the crime because he has committed other bad acts. That isn't relevant to the crime at issue.

Here, drug use is relevant because it bolster's Zimmerman's credibility when he told the 911 dispatcher he thought the guy was on drugs.

[Jeff Winston]

Can’t speak for the existing jurors, but if I were on the jury, when the toxicology evidence hits, I’d be thinking, “Wow. Just when I thought this case was totally unraveled, it unravels some more.”

[shhrubbery!]

Finally, a significant ruling in favor of the defense. But I don't think the THC evidence if really necessary anymore.

The whole trial has been a stunning blow-out. The defense has won every single day -- overwhelmingly. The air went out of the prosecution's sails on Day 1; and each succeeding day just gets worse for them.

I hope when Zimmerman is acquitted, he sues the pants off of Matt Gutman of ABC news, and all the other press-titutes and race-hustlers who conjured up the fraudulent pursuit-and-murder story.

[caver]

I’m not disagreeing with you, my only point is that something like a auto accident with an impaired driver, the charges are further piled on.

[Ann Archy]

Saint Skittle smoked Marijuana?????? But....But....he’s just a little innocent 17 year old CHILD!!!

[WellyP]

This is a very interesting part of the TRAYVON MARTIN story that is not getting a lot of press. But it was widely reported that the young lad was simply buying “Arizona Ice Tea and Skittles” from the 7-Eleven store.

Turns out that we parents are unaware that there is a drug drink made from Arizona Watermelon drink and Skittles candy and then mixed with OVER THE COUNTER cough medicine (Robitussen and similar brands) that makes a very potent drug.

Not only is there now all sorts of evidence popping up that Trayvon Martin was abusing drugs, but it also is a warning to parents all over America that simple combinations of commonly available goods can be some serious drugs in the hands of our kids.

The drug is called LEAN or PURPLE LEAN. It is very likely that Trayvon Martin was on his way to make some more LEAN the night he was shot, the coroner’s report shows that his liver was damaged in a way that is consistent with the use of LEAN/PURPLE LEAN.

Keep an eye on your kids and grandkids. Those seemingly innocent items they are toting around or buying at the store may be a lot more dangerous to them that you think.

[Ann Archy]

HUH??? What do they make??

[JennysCool]

See #11.

[Vince Ferrer]

HUH??? What do they make??

Update #26 Part 2 – Trayvon Martin Shooting – A year of drug use culminates in predictable violence…

[colorado tanker]

something like a auto accident with an impaired driver, the charges are further piled on

I agree. In Colorado a THC level was just established by the legislature, although I have no idea how they might go about enforcing it.

The other day I was doing an errand in a strip mall that also has a "medical marijuana" shop. A good looking and very healthy girl hopped out of a late model SUV and scurried into the shop. After just the few seconds of her door being open my car smelled like weed for the next hour. They must go through a lot of "medicine."

[centurion316]

Saint Skittle smoked Marijuana?????? But....But....he’s just a little innocent 17 year old CHILD!!!

Choir practice must be alot different than it was in my day.

[dblshot]

It would seem that law enforcement is well aware of what AZ T and skittles are used for not to mention they were obviously aware of the coroners report. In a fair trial it is incumbent on the DA to bring all facts to the case regardless of whether the facts support the prosecution or not. Suppressing facts with the OK of a judge would seem to say that a person can not get a fair trial in court if the prosecution and judge are holding back from the jury germane info. The defense has done a very good job of getting info to the jury that the Prosecution did not want them to hear. Basically the prosecution in this case boils down to we think this happened and we think that Zimmerman was thinking this so Zimmerman is guilty.

On CNN after todays trial it was pointed out that one of the witnesses who said it was Zimmerman yelling for help has a monetary motive in that they have a book out about the death of Travon. They did not go on to say what monetary motive the Martins might have in a future lawsuit of course. I expect Crump laid that out for them at their first visit.

[Catsrus]

Did you expect CNN to report the monetary reward for the Martin family? Surely, you don’t think they are fair and unbiased do you?