walking while black - Trayvon Martin

[Lady Cop]

Why are all the news agencies claiming "he will be charged"?

they're speculating. they will yammer away until the presser. nobody KNOWS for sure.

i can even see her bringing a much lesser charge than some people want. she was forced into this position by that lawyer circus yesterday.

i don't know how much political considerations play with her.

[gatorfankim]

Why are all the news agencies claiming "he will be charged"?

they're speculating. they will yammer away until the presser. nobody KNOWS for sure.

i can even see her bringing a much lesser charge than some people want. she was forced into this position by that lawyer circus yesterday.

i don't know how much political considerations play with her.

Thanks LC!
What a debacle!!!!

[ZEROSPHERES]

[Lady Cop]

i've been thinking this over and i'm speculating too...Corey almost HAS to charge him with something. from 2^nd degree downward. and of course a jury could end up acquitting. this thread may get as long as the casey anthony trial thread.

florida has 10-20-life statute. she could prosecute under that.



he could be charged with manslaughter or even battery.

then all the evidence has to prove what really happened. and i am assuming Corey's office knows a lot more than we do. what she decides to do today will be a good indicator of what she thinks she can PROVE in court.

so where is Z? will he turn himself in? has he absconded?

[ZEROSPHERES]

LC, I think he has been in talks with the DA and already knows his sentence to which he has agreed to plead no contest as soon as the D.A. makes her statement.

[Lady Cop]

LC, I think he has been in talks with the DA and already knows his sentence to which he has agreed to plead no contest as soon as the D.A. makes her statement.

that's not possible. her office refused to speak with him w/o legal representation present. that would be completely unethical.

[ZEROSPHERES]

I still think it's a done deal to get it settled and out of public view. The sentence at first will be long but when things calm down he will be out on parole. ---IMO--- This has the possibility to be a social and political firestorm.

[Lady Cop]

Zero: I still think it's a done deal

it CAN'T be a done deal. first of all, he is not yet charged. he is not a defendant. he has no standing to make a deal.

it remains to be seen if the prosecutor would deal. and there is no parole in fla. until 85% of sentence is served.

it does have the potential to be a shitstorm, depending on charges, trial, a jury and mandatory sentencing if applicable. but he needs a jury trial. that will calm the storm if it is public and fair. the facts need to come forward. and a court is the only venue. not the streets.

we are getting ahead here...trial then verdict then riots in the streets. or not.

[ZEROSPHERES]

Thanks LC.. Here I was thinking that powers that be would move to get it out of the public eye thus appeasing those who want justice. Looks like that is wishful thinking of mine and this thread could prove (as you have stated) to be along one.

[Lady Cop]

Zero: move to get it out of the public eye.

on the contrary. it needs the light of day. the open air. and full disclosure. or people will scream star chamber or dirty deal.

[ZEROSPHERES]

I am looking back at the Rodney King Case and how a trial and it's subsequent acquittals did nothing to defuse the brewing firestorm...fifty-three people died during the riots, including 10 shot dead by the LAPD and the National Guard,with as many as 2,000 people injured. Estimates of the material losses vary between about $800 million and $1 billion. Approximately 3,600 fires were set, destroying 1,100 buildings, with fire calls coming once every minute at some points

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots

My wishful thinking is still holding onto the hope this dosen't happen again.

[heartbreaker6713]

a breaking news alert on my phone states the Zimmerman has turned himself in and is being charged with 2^nd degree murder. He also has new representation. I know the press release is suppose to happen soon though right?

[Lady Cop]

prosecutor will speak in a minute.

Z has a new lawyer, Mark O'Mara.

Z is already in custody, he turned himself in to FDLE voluntarily, in Tallahassee.

[Disciple]

APNewsBreak: Murder Charge in Trayvon Martin Case

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: April 11, 2012 at 5:48 PM ET

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A law enforcement official says that the shooter in the Trayvon Martin case will be charged with second-degree murder and is in custody.

The official with knowledge of the case says that the charge against 28-year-old George Zimmerman will be announced at a news conference at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The official says he's in custody in Florida but wouldn't say where. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to disclose the information.

[Lady Cop]

Corey: Zimmerman is charged with 2^nd degree murder.

[heartbreaker6713]

LC i have a question since Florida has the law i believe called the sunshine law that we heard about so much in the Casey Anthony case that allows the public to gain access to the discovery or other facts to the case. will this be the same way even though they used a special prosecutor? If so when will the they become available and what will become available that maybe we haven't already seen so far?

[Lady Cop]

the sunshine law is quite broad, however, some things can be sealed while an investigation is ongoing. like the autopsy. much of what is evidence will not come out until trial.

[Disciple]

Second degree murder cases often involve a death that allegedly occurred because of a heat of passion or act that was so dangerous is warrants a criminal action be brought against the Defendant. The classic example is the spouse who finds their partner having an affair with another person and immediately acts to kill either the partner or the partner's lover. In order to convict a defendant in Florida of Second-degree murder, the State of Florida must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. The victim is dead;
2. The death was caused by the criminal act of the defendant;
3. There was an unlawful killing of the victim by an act imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a depraved mind without regard for human life.

From the Arnold Firm, LLC website

[Lady Cop]

A second-degree murder charge in Florida carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. LWOP.
i expect we'll know whether bond is set within 24 hours.

Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's attny.

[username]

I guess the prosecutor will have to argue that Zimmerman wasn't in imminent danger to disprove zimmerman's defense using the stand your ground law? I'm very interested in the evidence that they've built their case on.