07-10-2013, 06:31 PM
The attorneys and judge will meet tomorrow morning to go over witness issues and jury instructions. Some significant issues will be decided then.
Regarding the charges:
The prosecution wants the jury to be able to consider lesser charges of Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault.
The defense objected. The defense likely doesn't want the jury to have the option of anything but Murder 2 because it doesn't believe that the prosecution has met the burden of proof for the jury. They want all or nothing; IMO.
Justifiable Use of Deadly Force - Stand Your Ground issues/instructions will also be addressed tomorrow morning.
Rebuttal Witness:
The prosecution wants to call the law enforcement officer who was assaulted by George Zimmerman several years back (defense said the charges were dropped to misdemeanor quickly).
This witness may not be available to testify tomorrow. The prosecution really needs this witness, imo. Not only to challenge the defense's claim that George was too soft to get physical, but also to let the jury see that George not only assaulted someone, but an LEO no less. That serves to indirectly challenge the image of George as the most law abiding citizen ever and Trayvon as therefore a thug for engaging in altercation with him. IMO.
Regarding the charges:
The prosecution wants the jury to be able to consider lesser charges of Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault.
The defense objected. The defense likely doesn't want the jury to have the option of anything but Murder 2 because it doesn't believe that the prosecution has met the burden of proof for the jury. They want all or nothing; IMO.
Justifiable Use of Deadly Force - Stand Your Ground issues/instructions will also be addressed tomorrow morning.
Rebuttal Witness:
The prosecution wants to call the law enforcement officer who was assaulted by George Zimmerman several years back (defense said the charges were dropped to misdemeanor quickly).
This witness may not be available to testify tomorrow. The prosecution really needs this witness, imo. Not only to challenge the defense's claim that George was too soft to get physical, but also to let the jury see that George not only assaulted someone, but an LEO no less. That serves to indirectly challenge the image of George as the most law abiding citizen ever and Trayvon as therefore a thug for engaging in altercation with him. IMO.