Day 15 (Week #3) Zimmerman Trial – Witness Discussion Thread

The Conservative Treehouse ^ | June 28, 2013 | Sundance

[Uncle Chip]

Today, June 28th, is DAY #15 (of 3rd week) State of Florida V. George Zimmerman case. [Yesterday] … it was simply not a very good day at all for the prosecution. The primary State witnesses today were Rachel Jeantel, Jenna Lauer, and Selma Mora.

The first had her credibility substantively destroyed, the second was powerfully–almost humiliatingly–co-opted by the defense, and the third provided testimony entirely consistent with the defense’s theory of lawful self-defense. (continue reading)

[Fawn]

So, he doesn’t fit any one of those....

[machogirl]

“My rule of thumb” (before monsoon, during the dry heat) is what-e-vah temp it is at 10:00 am, add 10 degrees as a guesstimate for the high.

As an observation, it’s darn hot out there.

[Elle Bee]

Lay people and clients always find it weird that the warring lawyers can be civil to each other, but is actually the way it is supposed to be. The parties may hate each other, but the lawyers are supposed to conduct themselves professionally. It is not personal to them or should not be at any rate.

I think that's also the rational for hookers not kissing their clients ... not a dissimilar profession

.

[Nervous Tick]

>> It is not personal to them or should not be at any rate.

I imagine it’s easy to keep it non-personal when that “any rate” is, like, $500/hour. :-)

[JohnG45]

Has anyone else noticed the fact that GZ appears to be left-handed as he writes at the defense table?

Yet the holstered gun was on his right side when he offered it to the LEO. Why would a lefty carry a concealed weapon on his right side? Cross draw maybe? But he doesn’t seem to have the body style that would effectively allow a cross draw.

[Nervous Tick]

:-)

[AllAmericanGirl44]

No kidding. If I hadn’t watched from the beginning, I would assume he WAS a witness for the defense.

[Fawn]

In a case like this, there are often "lesser included charges". Manslaughter is a lesser included charge to Murder 2. Murder 2 means you intentionally kill someone with malice, but not pre-meditated (That would be Murder 1.) Manslaughter means you killed someone without a legal justification, but not with malice. Involuntary manslaughter is when you accidentally kill someone.

SO, which one do you think they will try to go for? What is the sentence for that if convicted?

[Fawn]

Ok.....:)

[Bronzy]

So he did have knuckle injuries? I wouldn't know that by reading pro TM tweeters. One would think that he did not have one skinned pinkie.

[Ironfocus]

He could be like me. I write with my left hand, shoot and throw right-handed, and can do most other things either way.

[CA Conservative]

I don’t think there is a chance the prosecution will be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that GZ had NO reason to be in fear for his life. Just the injuries he sustained should be sufficient. The only other way to defeat the self-defense claim would be to show that he attacked TM first. There is absolutely no physical evidence to suggest that, and no eyewitnesses saw the beginning of the struggle. GZ doesn’t have to prove he didn’t start the fight - the state would have to prove he did. With no wounds on TM other than the gunshot wound and the banged-up knuckles, I don’t see how they prove that.

[MNDude]

Yes, I feel so blessed that I wasn’t seriously injured. I grew up in a rather tough small farming community, and I unfortunately had more than my share of fights with other country boys. Fighting with these guys was so different though. It has such a sense of complete cruelty and senseless behind it.

The boy that first hit me in the face was probably about 13 years old. I was lucky I moved my face at the right time because his fist just brushed my scalp. If I didn’t move, I’m sure I would have a huge black eye or worse.

It’s kind of silly asking the question “Was GZ close enough to death to use his gun?”

Believe me, the moment that something like this happens your adrenaline goes into major overdrive. There is no way you can even reason, your body just begins taking whatever self defense moves it can.

[Repealthe17thAmendment]

I think GZ has a good chance of walking on this charge, but you can guess that a federal civil rights charge, and a Martin family wrongful death suit are next.

Poor guy, he helps clean the street and gets nothing but trouble for it.

[Fawn]

I work with a hispanic girl who uses both hands for everything (she gets alot done. :)

[Lakeshark]

Theoretically, a jury could determine that the shooting was not in self-defense, but did not have all of the required elements of Murder 2... In that case, they could convict on manslaughter.

My only jury duty ever was a second degree murder case where one black man shot another at close range with a shotgun and killed him. The man shot was entering the other mans home.

After deliberating for less than an hour, we agreed we could not convict of 2nd degree murder, and before we rendered a verdict sent a note to the judge asking if he could be convicted of manslaughter instead. The judge sent back that we could only rule on the charge brought forth by the prosecutor, could NOT rule on manslaughter, so we continued with our verdict of not guilty of 2nd degree murder.

[CA Conservative]

SO, which one do you think they will try to go for? What is the sentence for that if convicted?

Well, they are TRYING for Murder 2. They jury will get the instruction from the judge that they can also consider manslaughter. Murder 2 is 20 years to life; manslaughter, about 5 years.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

What is this crap? What was he thinking?? Really?

This judge is an absolute souless pos.

[RummyChick]

There is a lot of evidence that could come in with a civil trial about the THUG

[dragnet2]

The prosecution is clearly becoming visibly agitated...