I thought the opportunity for the case to be dismissed was at the hearing they just had. Is there still a possibility that the judge could dismiss the case before it goes to trial?
That's what I heard on one of the talking head shows. I believe what just happened related to whether there should be bail. The original statement of charges really never dealt with the self-defense issue at all. Corey claims she will present evidence that it wasn't self defense, and the judge went ahead and let it proceed. But as I understand it she will have to present the rest of her evidence before the trial starts, and the judge could simply rule there is a prepondernece of evidence that is was self-defense. That would be the same as a not guilty verdict. It would prevent charges from being brought against Zimmerman in criminal or civil court (not Federal court though).
I think this was only a bail hearing.
I've read that under Florida's stand your ground law, Zimmerman is entitled to another hearing before a judge (no jury yet), who will decide if the case should be dismissed on SYG grounds.
If Zimmerman loses in that hearing, he then gets another chance with a trial before a jury. That's my understanding anyway.