George Zimmerman Prosecutor 'Prayed' for Him to Testify

ABC News ^ | Monday, July 15, 2013 | Matt Gutman and Seni Tienabaso

[kristinn]

Florida prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda had "prayed that [George Zimmerman] would have the courage to take the stand," he told ABC News in an exclusive interview Sunday, adding that Zimmerman's "inconsistent statements" would have made him the prosecution's star witness.

In the interview with the four Florida prosecutors who fought to convict Zimmerman, lead prosecutor de la Rionda said, "I prayed that he would have the courage to take the stand but, as we all well know, he's got the right not to."

"Anytime you put in a defendant's statements and a lot of those are self-serving, then usually a defendant will make the decision not to testify because you've got his story out. We felt it was important to get his story out because there were so many lies."

De la Rionda, who would have cross-examined Zimmerman had he taken the stand, said he would have been interested to see how the former neighborhood watch captain answered several of his questions:

"Why did you assume because [Trayvon] Martin was wearing a hoodie, he was committing a crime? Why did you assume that because he was walking he was doing something improper? Why didn't you identify yourself? Why did you assume he didn't belong in the neighborhood?"

Zimmerman, 29, was found not guilty in the death of Trayvon Martin late Saturday night. Zimmerman was accused of second-degree murder for shooting Martin, 17, Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Fla. He said from the beginning that he had shot Martin in self-defense.

[Uncle Chip]

Even if he had testified it still wouldn’t have helped the prosecution.

They had a losing hand from the start and should have folded early but kept raising the stakes and betting that they could stack the jury with just one stealth juror — and they lost.

Suck it up Corey

[Elle Bee]

All very chummy

Pam Bondi got political ally Angela Corey on George Zimmerman case
.."..Bondi has been a key part of the scheme to enrich her race-motivated friends, Benjamin Crump and Daryl Parks – Trayvon family attorneys, from the beginning "...

Medical examiner who called Zimmerman injuries ‘insignificant’ no stranger to controversy

An investigator in the Jacksonville, Fla. Public Defender’s office tells the Daily Caller that he is “skeptical” of the testimony given by Dr. Valerie Rao, the medical examiner called by the prosecution to testify in the George Zimmerman trial on Tuesday.

A source close to the state attorney’s office says Dr. Valerie Rao and Corey have a “very, very, very close relationship.” The source, who asked not to be identified, called Rao and Corey “very good friends” and “close allies.”

.

[FrankR]

You and the judge, too!

[ElayneJ]

Absurd. de la Rionda claims he’s lost only two cases of the hundreds he has prosecuted. I find that very hard to believe.

[Guenevere]

....OR the ‘trap’ they set for Zimmerman to be turned against them.....( Haman.)

[anoldafvet]

If he “prayed” in the courtroom will the aethiests bring suit?

[maggief]

Thanks for the ping and cross link.

JMO, but it won’t be long before Team Skittles starts going after the prosecutors.

[longtermmemmory]

so prosecutor is say his own unethical conduct was not the reason for the loss, he lost because the defendant refused to surrender like all his other cases?

It boggles the mind to think of prosecutors this incompetent.

Marsha clark, Nifong, now bernie.

[Uncle Chip]

I hear screams coming from Angela Corey’s office in Jacksonville.

Is there an expert in the house who can identify the screamer???

[Vaquero]

I often wonder what paid liars really feel. Seems they are only happy if they win and not if justice is served.

I try to be non judgmental of the profession, but the more I know of them the more I loathe the whole load of them.

[cyn]

"....OR the ‘trap’ they set for Zimmerman to be turned against them.....( Haman.)"

Hi, Guen!

Yeah -- I'm thinking that'll be when any civil cases fold and blow away and (oh, wishful, prayerful thinking!) the suits are decided against the race-baiters and panderers (NBC, sharpton, et al).

I was going to respond to your post the other night, appreciated them. Stay well, take care.

[PA Engineer]

It seems like the media’s destruction of Zimmerman and construction of the race meme continues. LIVs will eat this up.

[Red in Blue PA]

Should read: preyed on him.

[Nervous Tick]

Behind that pretty, smiling face lies Antichrist-class evil.

[chae]

If people wearing hoods are not suspcious, why are there signs all over the bank telling you if you have a hood on, you need to remove it upon entering?

[Nervous Tick]

Hahahaha! You funny, Uncle!

I’ll take “Lucifer” for $500

[Hotlanta Mike]

Because you could not prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt without attacking his credibility?

[Navy Patriot]

This mob rule scumbag De la Rionda planned to pull a “Scooter Libby” on Zimmerman.

[Hotlanta Mike]

Is this a ‘sore loser’ comment or what?

---

He has his marching orders from the Dept of Injustice to stoke racial hatred...gotta put all that amoo that DHS purchased to use.

[sport]

Who did he pray to? If he prayed to his god, Obama. Obama couldn’t help him. If he prayed to Almighty God of the Bible, the prayer went no higher that the top of his head.