06-25-2013, 12:51 PM
Prosecution Witnesses - testimony day 2
Wendy Dorival is the liaison between the Sanford Police and Neighborhood Watch communities.
I think she was just as helpful to the defense on cross as she was to the prosecution, maybe moreso.
She explained her role, confirmed that George Zimmerman contacted her to set up the program at Twin Lakes, explained the contents of her presentation which includes not being "vigilante police" and "not following", when to call non-emergency vs. emergency 911, talked about a woman from Twin Lakes who'd been burglarized while her baby was in the house and terrified she was.
She also confirmed that the program recommended block captains that George was to coordinate/assign, but that never happened.
Dorival said she never advises neighborhood watch participants regarding carrying firearms or not. Watch participants are to call 911 if they see anyone or anything suspicious. If they're not sure whether it's a non-emergency, they should just call 911.
Dorival has a high opinion of Zimmerman, imo. She said he was very concerned and wanted to help; he was always professional, meek and polite.
The defense attempted to have her read a letter that George Zimmerman sent to the Sanford Police praising Dorival's work, but the prosecution objected and the letter was barred.
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Donald O'Brien, President of The Home Owners Association was up next.
He explained that the HOA has nothing to do with neighborhood watch; George Zimmerman went to the Sanford Police to set up the program. (The HOA settled a civil suit with the Martins; O'Brien seemed very sensitive and a little curt in his testimony, imo,)
He was at the NW start-up meeting. It was clear, he said, that community members should call 911 and let police handle it; no following or pursuing.
He explained a situation where a burglar was caught because some construction workers saw him acting strangely, followed him, and called police. He sent an email to the NW members and told them of the capture; George Zimmerman was on the email blast. (I think the prosecution is trying to imply that George wanted that same kind of glory that came with a capture so he ignored the "not following" rules and pursued Trayvon - JMO).
George Zimmerman was the liaison between Twin Lakes NW and Sanford Police. That entailed consolidating community inquires, requests, and such...and interfacing with Dorival.
So far, I think the the defense is having a much better day today than yesterday with cross-examination and making some of its direct and indirect points to the jury,
Court's in recess for lunch.
Wendy Dorival is the liaison between the Sanford Police and Neighborhood Watch communities.
I think she was just as helpful to the defense on cross as she was to the prosecution, maybe moreso.
She explained her role, confirmed that George Zimmerman contacted her to set up the program at Twin Lakes, explained the contents of her presentation which includes not being "vigilante police" and "not following", when to call non-emergency vs. emergency 911, talked about a woman from Twin Lakes who'd been burglarized while her baby was in the house and terrified she was.
She also confirmed that the program recommended block captains that George was to coordinate/assign, but that never happened.
Dorival said she never advises neighborhood watch participants regarding carrying firearms or not. Watch participants are to call 911 if they see anyone or anything suspicious. If they're not sure whether it's a non-emergency, they should just call 911.
Dorival has a high opinion of Zimmerman, imo. She said he was very concerned and wanted to help; he was always professional, meek and polite.
The defense attempted to have her read a letter that George Zimmerman sent to the Sanford Police praising Dorival's work, but the prosecution objected and the letter was barred.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald O'Brien, President of The Home Owners Association was up next.
He explained that the HOA has nothing to do with neighborhood watch; George Zimmerman went to the Sanford Police to set up the program. (The HOA settled a civil suit with the Martins; O'Brien seemed very sensitive and a little curt in his testimony, imo,)
He was at the NW start-up meeting. It was clear, he said, that community members should call 911 and let police handle it; no following or pursuing.
He explained a situation where a burglar was caught because some construction workers saw him acting strangely, followed him, and called police. He sent an email to the NW members and told them of the capture; George Zimmerman was on the email blast. (I think the prosecution is trying to imply that George wanted that same kind of glory that came with a capture so he ignored the "not following" rules and pursued Trayvon - JMO).
George Zimmerman was the liaison between Twin Lakes NW and Sanford Police. That entailed consolidating community inquires, requests, and such...and interfacing with Dorival.
So far, I think the the defense is having a much better day today than yesterday with cross-examination and making some of its direct and indirect points to the jury,
Court's in recess for lunch.