Jury weighing Zimmerman's fate asks question about manslaughter option

CNN ^ | 7/13/13 | Mariano Castillo and Greg Botelho

[VerySadAmerican]

What if Zimmerman had not done what he did and the black guy acting suspiciously broke into a house and killed someone? Zimmerman was trying to keep Martin in sight until the cops got there. I’m sure if he had it to do over, he’d let Martin do whatever the hell he wanted to do.

[AppyPappy]

If they asked about Manslaughter, it means 2nd Degree is out

[ilovesarah2012]

782.04(2) Second degree (depraved mind) murder Manslaughter — 782.07 Third degree (felony) murder — 782.04(4) Vehicular homicide — 782.071 (Nonhomicide lessers) Attempt Culpable negligence — 784.05(2) Aggravated battery — 784.045 Aggravated assault — 784.021 Battery — 784.03 Assault — 784.011 782.04(3) Second degree (felony) murder None Third degree (felony) murder — 782.04(4) Manslaughter is a lesser included offense for second degree/depraved mind. [RTF] schedule of lesser included offenses - Florida Supreme Court www.floridasupremecourt.org/jury.../schedlesserincludoffens.rtf‎

[Jeff Winston]

I was troubled as to why Trayvon did not have any of Zimmerman’s blood on his hands.

Do you have any alternate theory for why Zimmerman had an obviously smashed nose and multiple lacerations on the back of his head?

And do you have any alternate theory for why John Good testified that he saw a black guy wearing a hoodie on top of a lighter-skinned guy wearing red, with the black guy's arms pumping downward?

If you do, I'd like to hear it.

[VerySadAmerican]

Great post! See my tagline. It’s not just talking about liberals.

[Jeff Winston]

Hands were not swabbed, only one sample was taken from the finger nails.

Pretty darn hard to find DNA evidence on the hands if you don't actually take a swab, isn't it?

[ilovesarah2012]

Do you have an alternate theory for why no DNA on Trayvon’s hands and/or clothing? I just find it strange.

I don’t doubt Trayvon was beating Zimmerman. But what if Trayvon felt threatened by Zimmerman and was defending himself?

[Ray76]

Are you suggesting the GZ wounds were not inflicted by TM?

[atc23]

this obsession with trying to please everybody cannot be done at the expense of individual freedoms.

This works on Orwells Animal Farm

[plain talk]

I would think Zimmerman also wishes he had never gotten out of his car. My concern is what this case means for neighborhood watch in general

[AmericanVictory]

Where is the evidence that Zimmerman sought out a confronation. I must have missed that.

[USS Johnston]

But what if Trayvon felt threatened by Zimmerman and was defending himself?

Defending himself from what exactly? Words? Eyeball-contact? From being "dissed"?

[RedMDer]

[AmericanVictory]

I believe that it was established that the body was left out for three hours. It was raining and the bags that are used for preserving evidence on the hands were not put on the hands. That could have something to do with lack of evidcnce on his hands.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

One of Zimmerman’s friends said on Fox that he has the inside track??? on the jury (don’t know if I believe this), and they are 5-1 for acquittal, 1 holdout for manslaughter, thus the question.

[RobertClark]

They could also be ‘compromising’ between Murder 2 and manslaughter....

It won't make much difference from a sentencing perspective. A manslaughter conviction (with a firearm) is a first degree felony and could garner 30 years with a 9 year + minimum - so it could essentially be a life sentence.

[meatloaf]

Tha was why the defense made an issue of Trayvon’s hands not being covered to preserve evidence.

[USS Johnston]

I would think Zimmerman also wishes he had never gotten out of his car.

Or gotten out of bed??

My concern is what this case means for neighborhood watch in general

It MIGHT mean no neighborhood will be safe from organized thuggery, threats, intimidation, drug sales, open prostitution, and of course, arming yourself in self-defense from all of it.

[PistolPaknMama]

Does anyone know if they have to find him not guilty of murder before moving on to manslaughter?

No, it is one or the other.

[KC_Conspirator]

The LAW should still be on GZs case on the charge with manslaughter, but sadly I doubt they are going with what the law is.