Posted on 07/11/2013 9:11:32 AM PDT by Sopater
As expected, the Judge in the George Zimmerman case ruled that in addition to Second Degree Murder, she will instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of Manslaughter, as required by Florida case law.
In a surprise move this morning, the prosecution asked the Judge to drop the Aggravated Assault charge and to instruct the jury on Third Degree Murder, which is murder in the course of committing a felony.
The felony the State wanted as the predicate was Aggravated Child Abuse (Jury Instruction) because Trayvon Martin was 17 at the time of the shooting.
According to Don West, the defense was not notified until 7:30 a.m. this morning.
This surprise is important because the defense did not have time to research the law, while the State presented numerous cases. Generally it is not a defense to child abuse that the perpetrator did not know the age of the victim. This is an unusual circumstance, however, where Zimmerman was punched in the nose and the “child” was on top punching him — to say that excessive use of force in defense of an attack by a “child” is child abuse certainly requires some time to research and argue. I don’t know the answer to that legal question, but the court should give the defense time to research and argue it. (Update 11:35 a.m. — Judge just indicated she will give defense time to research, but didn’t indicate how long until 1 p.m.)
(Excerpt) Read more at legalinsurrection.com ...
I agree. If the judge allows this file a motion immediately for mistrial...
I think that a lot more concealed carry licencees will be carrying revolvers so as not to leave brass on the ground, and that they'll be promptly moving out of the area of whatever incident that the may be involved in. Yes, that's a crime - but it is what TPTB are encouraging by their own lawlessness.
This judge needs to be impeached.
Obviously the ‘justice’ department made a phone call...
Formerly known as "shoot, shovel and shut up."
Winnie Mandela also endorsed it.
Just curious.
Isn’t the crime in Orlando FL, where Disney World is, have some of the highest crime rates in the nation?
If he is aquitted, the ‘justice’ department will accuse him of another crime. They have already found him guilty.
Lets do a FOIA request to NSA
The idea of incorporating 'child abuse' into this case has the STANK OF TEAM OBAMA (PROBABLY THE DOJ) ALL OVER IT.
“The judge already said something along the lines of ‘If I screw this up, you can try again in a higher court’.”
And by that time we all know what will happen to Zimmerman in prison while he is waiting for that to happen.
Sopater said, “Kangaroo Court”
My take would along the lines of a 1936 Stalinist show trial in Moscow with a guilty verdict against the defendant almost inevitable.
This is scary...real scary... because a guilty verdict against Zimmerman will mean the government can put any citizen on trial at anytime for any reason if the Regime wants to underline what is or isn’t politically correct.
It would appear the message here is that whites are not to defend themselves from murder by blacks.
It’s clear he violate the assailants civil right to attack and pummel him.
I don’t know if anyone else of going to do this or not, but I am. It’s not much, but I’ll do what one person can do.
It's also a charge that you did not defend against.
The idea of incorporating 'child abuse' into this case has the STANK OF TEAM OBAMA (PROBABLY THE DOJ) ALL OVER IT. I think someone at the NSA should check the prosecution team's Email to see WHO sent it to them.
They need a conviction on “anything”. Zimmerman already has the news org. editing tapes(crime). He has Martin’s lawyer with several forms of fraud and all felonies. He has Prosecurial Misconduct by withholding evidence. He has judicial bias. He will make a fortune unless convicted of at least a minor crime.
Its legal is many states to down grade murder charges to lower charges. 1st degree to 2nd, 2nd to manslaughter.
Can't disagree. How ironic, given how much Holder has gotten away with. To me, this is essentially an attempted ‘lynching’, and that too is sadly ironic.
One really need not ask the second part. If they voted at all, 95% went for Barry.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.