walking while black - Trayvon Martin

[Duchess]

I don't know how you can stalk someone & then claim self defense. According to everything I've read regarding this case George did everything that neighborhood watch people are told not to do. They are told not to carry a gun, he did. They are told not to follow people, he did. The guidelines for neighborhood watch to follow describe suspicious behavior as being a person looking in car/home windows, broken windows/doors, things of that nature, there isn't anything in the guidelines that say a kid wearing a hoodie on a rainy night should be viewed as being suspicious. Also, George was a self appointed neighborhood watch person, at no time did his community designate him as a leader or captain, whatever the hell it's called.

I feel George brought this all on himself and like some of the others I think he'll probably walk. It's already been established that he's a liar and everything out of his mouth now is suspect. I can only hope that the repercussions of this case follow him for years to come.

[HairOfTheDog]

You can follow someone down the street, that's not a crime and not the legal definition of "stalking". I've had a couple of different assholes (strangers) follow me down the street for miles, openly doing so. Despite it being irritating as hell to me, they were not committing a crime.

However, if they had confronted and threatened, harmed, or harassed me in some way, there would have been laws broken.

If a jury can be convinced that that George Zimmerman confronted/threatened Trayvon Martin, I think Zimmerman's going away no matter who threw the first punch and who got the better of whom in the physical altercation. In that case, even if Martin swung first and beat the crap out of Zimmerman, it would have been Martin who was acting in self defense before he was shot and killed.

If a jury can be convinced that Zimmerman was actually retreating and walking away without ever having confronted/threatened Martin (even if Zimmerman initially ignored 911 dispatch advice and continued following for a while), I think Zimmerman will walk, despite the fact that his story of how the gun came into play smells like bullshit imo. He had a right to carry.

JMO.

[Sphincter Cop]

George Zimmerman Must Remain In County On 24-Hour GPS Monitor Until Trial

By KYLE HIGHTOWER ~ The AP

SANFORD, Fla. -- George Zimmerman must remain under 24-hour GPS monitoring while awaiting trial in the fatal shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin and must stay in the county despite the defense's concerns about his safety, a judge ruled Tuesday.

The defense presented a lengthy bond modification argument to Judge Debra Nelson that included Zimmerman's probation officer testifying that the former neighborhood watch volunteer was complying with all terms of his release on a $1 million bond.

Following a rebuttal by the prosecutors, Nelson, without explanation, denied the request for modification of the bond terms.

Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 17-year-old Martin following an altercation in Sanford in February. He has pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense under Florida's "stand your ground" law.

Besides dropping the monitoring, the defense also wanted Zimmerman to be able to live outside the Seminole County jurisdiction where the shooting took place in because of what defense attorney Mark O'Mara said were ongoing concerns about his safety.

"I really want to try (the case) in the courtroom, and I'm ready to try it," O'Mara said during his argument. "What I don't want is my client not to make it to that courtroom."

Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda took issue with the contention that Zimmerman had genuine concern for his safety or that he needed to be completely released from monitoring to assist in his defense.

"My recollection is this defendant has appeared on national television...but there are so many threats against him and he's so scared?" De la Rionda said. "He can't have it both ways."

In July, Zimmerman did a lengthy on-air interview with Sean Hannity from Fox News.

Zimmerman was previously granted permission to make limited travel to Orange County to meet his attorneys. That remains in place.

The 29-year-old's bond restrictions were put in place by former Judge Kenneth Lester. Lester revoked his original bond in June after ruling Zimmerman and his wife had misled the court about their finances when his bail was set in April at $150,000. It was eventually raised to $1 million and the additional GPS restrictions were put in place.

Nelson has set a trial date for June 10. She also set a "stand your ground" hearing 45 days before trial where Zimmerman can argue it was self-defense and ask the judge to drop the charges.

The judge also set aside hearing dates in January, February and March for any outstanding pretrial matters.

The bond issue was one of several motions Nelson heard Tuesday. Nearly all of the remaining matters dealt with unreleased documents or depositions the defense wanted the judge to assist it in acquiring.

The documents included FBI reports of its communications with witnesses and local investigators, as well as various investigative reports from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that the defense said it was having trouble obtaining.

Nelson said the defense would have to make its document requests directly to those agencies. Any denials of records they make, however, will require written explanation to the court within 20 days.

The prosecution will also disclose to the defense all witnesses it knows of that have heard a recording of a 911 call from the night of the shooting.

De la Rionda said he will also let the defense know whether or not those witnesses offered an opinion of whether a screaming voice heard in the recording belonged to Zimmerman or Martin.

[Duchess]

Could the wheels of justice grind any slower. This is fricken tedious.

[OnBendedKnee]

Mixed metaphors aside, no- I don't think it can.

[Maggot]

If his eyes get any closer together he will turn into a cyclops.

[Duchess]

Attorneys for the former neighborhood watch volunteer charged with shooting Trayvon Martin to death on Wednesday asked for more time to prepare his case, saying prosecutors had been slow to turn over evidence.

At the same time, Zimmerman's lead attorney, Mark O'Mara, renewed his request for donations to George Zimmerman's legal defense, which he said could cost up to $1 million.

"The state has virtually unlimited resources to prosecute George," O'Mara said on Zimmerman's defense fund website. "To finance his defense, however, George relies on the generosity of individuals who believe he is innocent."

Spokesman Shawn Vincent said Zimmerman's attorneys want his second-degree murder trial to be moved from June to November. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty.

A hearing in which Zimmerman will argue he was acting in self-defense is scheduled for April. The judge has said that hearing will be at least 45 days before the trial.

Prosecutors did not immediately respond to emails and phone calls about the defense request.

O'Mara said prosecutors had been slow to turn over evidence. As an example, he said someone from State Attorney's Office had removed Martin's cell phone from an evidence locker to have it sent to California for analysis, but the state has refused to give him any information about the agency and the type of tests being run on the phone. He also said prosecutors had made it difficult for O'Mara to get answers to administrative questions from a chief investigative agent and had refused to forward them other information on Martin and a witness.

O'Mara also asked the public to donate more money for his defense, saying on the web site that Zimmerman's defense fund has raised more than $314,000 since he was charged. Of that amount, $95,000 was spent on bail, almost $62,000 was spent on Zimmerman's living expenses during the past eight months and $56,100 was spent on security. The pricey living expenses were the result of Zimmerman having to stay at extended-stay hotels until he could find a place to rent after his bail conditions were changed to restrict him to Seminole County, Fla., according to the statement on the website said.

Story

[username]

Yeah, right. They're just stalling so people will get more apathetic about it.

Trayvon who?

[HairOfTheDog]

Could the wheels of justice grind any slower. This is fricken tedious.

Fortunately, today Zimmerman’s lawyer was denied any further extensions. The trial will start in June.

As I understand it, the Stand Your Ground hearing will be first up. Unless the court rules that Zimmerman was justified in killing Martin under SYG and the murder charges are therefore dismissed, Zimmerman's 2^nd Degree murder trial will commence immediately therafter.

Back in October, Judge Nelson granted Zimmerman’s defense access and ability to use Trayvon’s Facebook, Twitter, school and disciplinary records. School records show that Trayvon was on a 10 day suspension from school when he was shot and killed.

The judge in turn granted the prosecution access to Zimmerman’s medical records for the month leading up to the shooting. Records show that on the night that Travyon was killed, Zimmerman had taken Librax and Temazapam, which treat digestive problems, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, also confirmed that Zimmerman was on Adderall, which treats attention disorders.

Easy to see why the opposing attorneys pushed for those records and how they plan to use them to support their cases. I think public emotions are gonna flare again this summer; I don't think that most of the public has grown apathetic - we're just waiting.

[Duchess]

the Stand Your Ground hearing will be first up.

That concerns me so much. I sometimes feel like George is going to walk. :(

[Adub]

Yeah, right. They're just stalling so people will get more apathetic about it.

Trayvon who?

I don't think so user. The attempt to stall is about media attention and how zimmerman can bring in more donations thru social media. He already ran thru the first $350k+ from the paypal account and he needs more for his defense. Seems he spent that 350k+ on poptarts and whatnot. Can you imagine putting on 100lbs in 8 mos? And then having to go on foodstamps because you are indigent? Poor George, has problems.

[Adub]

the Stand Your Ground hearing will be first up.

That concerns me so much. I sometimes feel like George is going to walk. :(

He's not going to win a SYG. No way. Believe me. This is not, and never was, a stand your ground defense. Just listen to the NE911 call. Zimmerman chased after Trayvon. Zimmerman was the aggressor. And he got a bloody nose and two small lacerations on the back of his big fat head. Before pulling out his gun and shooting Trayvon straight thru the heart. The best Zimmerman can hope for is a manslaughter conviction. Which would be 10 years instead of 25 to life.

moo

[Duchess]

He's not going to win a SYG. No way. Believe me. This is not, and never was, a stand your ground defense. Just listen to the NE911 call. Zimmerman chased after Trayvon. Zimmerman was the aggressor. And he got a bloody nose and two small lacerations on the back of his big fat head. Before pulling out his gun and shooting Trayvon straight thru the heart. The best Zimmerman can hope for is a manslaughter conviction. Which would be 10 years instead of 25 to life.

moo

I feel like I've read all the pertinent details and there are many days I think George will pay for what he did but then I recall other cases I've read about in here, namely Casey & Cameo and I realize how fallible the law is, not to mention how retarded juries are. Sometimes it's just hard to have faith.

I don't get the "moo", Adub.

[Adub]

The best Zimmerman can hope for is a manslaughter conviction. Which would be 10 years instead of 25 to life.

moo

I feel like I've read all the pertinent details and there are many days I think George will pay for what he did but then I recall other cases I've read about in here, namely Casey & Cameo and I realize how fallible the law is, not to mention how retarded juries are. Sometimes it's just hard to have faith.

I don't get the "moo", Adub.

Sometimes, I feel like a cow. Blame it on Cracker.

Lately, I have been playing on twitter.

Trent is a treat for those needing a reality check

https://twitter.com/StateoftheInter

Good for a rofl

http://twitter.com/MammaZimmerman

And this one speaks the truth

http://twitter.com/CheWuaWua

[HairOfTheDog]

Aside from confirming June 10^th as the start date for the 2^nd Degree murder trial, Judge Nelson also addressed the following today:

-Nelson approved a motion by Zimmerman's lawyer to subpoena credit card sales records from the 7-Eleven Trayvon visited the night he was killed.

-She also ordered de la Rionda (prosecutor) to reveal tests performed on the phone that investigators sent to California to get unlocked.

-Lawyers also had lengthy arguments about Witness 8, who claims she was on the phone with Trayvon as the confrontation between him and Zimmerman started. Nelson ruled that Witness 8 can be asked about her Twitter handle before she gives a deposition to the defense but that any other questions must be posed during her deposition.

-In addition, a scheduled deposition of Crump (Martin family attorney) was postponed after a lawyer he hired entered into evidence a 15-page affidavit explaining how Crump found and interacted with Witness 8. Nelson said she and the lawyers for both sides will read the affidavit and determine whether any more information is needed.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/natio...y/1892419/

[Duchess]

Sometimes, I feel like a cow. Blame it on Cracker.

Whew. I thought it might be a mating call & you were coming on to me.

[Jimbone]

-Lawyers also had lengthy arguments about Witness 8, who claims she was on the phone with Trayvon as the confrontation between him and Zimmerman started. Nelson ruled that Witness 8 can be asked about her Twitter handle before she gives a deposition to the defense but that any other questions must be posed during her deposition.

-In addition, a scheduled deposition of Crump (Martin family attorney) was postponed after a lawyer he hired entered into evidence a 15-page affidavit explaining how Crump found and interacted with Witness 8. Nelson said she and the lawyers for both sides will read the affidavit and determine whether any more information is needed.

Don't look now, but this witness 8 thing could end up being a really big deal... interesting maneuvering has gone on about her.

Another prosecutor disaster in the making in Florida.

[username]

He's not going to win a SYG.


moo

I wish I shared your confidence, heifer.

[HairOfTheDog]

Don't look now, but this witness 8 thing could end up being a really big deal... interesting maneuvering has gone on about her.

Another prosecutor disaster in the making in Florida.

I get the sense that the girl on the phone with Trayvon, Witness 8, is a big concern to the defense. I don't think the prosecution has done any interesting maneuvering about her, just protecting her like any other witness. The prosecution has done nothing to block the defense from taking her deposition. The defense was however denied their request to depose Mr. Crump, the Martin family attorney, as the judge ruled that he is immaterial to anything that took place the night that Trayvon was killed.

Looks to me like Zimmerman's team is trying again to delay the trial but the judge is not allowing it. JMO based on what's been released thus far.

Here's the latest from 2 days ago.

Snipped:
O'Mara and West (Zimmerman's attorneys) want her address, as well as those of Trayvon's family members, to investigate them before taking their depositions next month in South Florida. That would allow defense attorneys to challenge them then about inconsistent statements, a history of lying or other embarrassing things.

Zimmerman's attorneys made clear Friday that they intend to aggressively go after Witness 8. West pointed out that she was 18 when Trayvon was shot, even though Crump told reporters at a news conference in March that she was 16. Information about the "critically important" witness, West said, has been "cloaked in mystery."

Not so, said Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda. Defense attorneys have known her name since April. They did a mini-deposition earlier this month and also know her date of birth and online handles.

They don't need her home address and shouldn't get it now because her privacy and safety may be at risk, he said. "This witness is scared," de la Rionda said.

It's not clear what the judge will do about an even more intrusive request filed by defense attorneys Thursday: They've asked for all medical records about her for a six-week stretch following Trayvon's death. That's apparently to check a story that she was unable to attend his funeral because she was in the hospital.

Most of the hearing was spent debating what to do with Crump (Martin family attorney). During that hourlong argument, Blackwell (Crump's attorney) confirmed that Crump plans to sue Zimmerman on behalf of Trayvon's parents.

And after West argued that the judge's earlier decision against a trial delay had left defense attorneys "desperately running out of time," she pushed back, lecturing him and co-counsel Mark O'Mara about their deposition schedule.

"Witness 8 has been known to the defense for ten months and that deposition has not been taken," she said.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loca...ory?dasdsa

[Adub]

I just watched the hearing. Appreciated BDLR outing the conservative treehouse nuts. That is where West and O'Mara get most of their bullshit. Most of the Dee Dee mess comes from these nuts. They are a bunch of racist assholes. The Zimmerman Klan comments and thanks them for all the support. And so has Mark O'Mara.

http://theconservativetreehouse.com/cate...on-martin/

And that, BDLR got some of the gzlegal website entered into evidence. That was interesting. The screenshots from gzlegal point right back to the racist treehouse nuts.

Anyways, the motions were Denied, Denied, Denied.