George Zimmerman trial

[kgsTitan]

I was telling everyone I know, over a year ago, that this was a clear manslaughter case. Nothing less, nothing more. BUT FOR the actions of Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin would be alive today. And I fully believe that since the jury now has the option to consider manslaughter, he will be convicted of that, and get a light sentence of 2-3 years.

 

Murder 2 was never going to hold up because no one saw who started the confrontation and malice could not be proven.

[N/A]

 And I fully believe that since the jury now has the option to consider manslaughter, he will be convicted of that, and get a light sentence of 2-3 years.

 

On a legal review show, I heard he would get a minimum of ten years, but based on this (see below) he would get a minimum of 25 years.

 

Florida passed a law ten years or so ago, that convicted felons, whose crime was committed with a gun, would get the following minimums sentences based on how the gun was used:  

 

Simply showing a gun during the cime - 10 years;

Firing a gun during the crime - 20 years;

Shooting someone during the crime - 25 years to life. 

 

It is known as the 10-20-life rule:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-20-Life

 

And per the following, manslaughter is a felony in Florida:  http://statelaws.findlaw.com/florida-law/florida-involuntary-manslaughter-laws.html

 

So it seems per Florida law, he will get 25 years minimum if convicted of manslaughter in this case. 

[kgsTitan]

wow, good info. I didn't know Florida had a mandatory minimum for manslaughter. That greatly increases his chances of a complete acquittal then, I'm guessing. I know a ton of people that feel he should pay SOME consequences for what happened, but I think most would think that's a bit steep.

[WG53]

25 years is too much for killing an unarmed kid? Especially when it was entirely avoidable? Bullshit.

[N/A]

wow, good info. I didn't know Florida had a mandatory minimum for manslaughter. That greatly increases his chances of a complete acquittal then, I'm guessing. I know a ton of people that feel he should pay SOME consequences for what happened, but I think most would think that's a bit steep.

 

 

How does it increase his chance of acquittal?  Acquittals are not based on degree of sentences; they are based on if there were errors of law in the court proceedings. 

[kgsTitan]

I understand jury members are instructed not to take sentencing guidelines under consideration in determining guilt or innocence, but would they be aware of it at all? If so, that would have to have some impact on the jury, I would think.

[N/A]

why if its raining would one exit their car? unless to provoke a stupid teen high on weed?

 

Z-Man is a dumb ass, thats what hes guilty of for sure, but the charges against him are too high, he should beat this

 

 

He told police he was looking for the name of the street to tell 911.   This was one of the points prosecution went over in demonstrating Zimmerman's inconsistencies today in its summary. Zimmerman acknowledged that he routinely walked his dog in that area and knew the area well.  As the prosecutor asked the jury, don't most people know the names of their immediate neighbor roads where they have lived for years as Zimmerman had. Zimmerman, who claims to be a watchful neighborhood patrol person, does not know the name of his nearby streets? 

[N/A]

I understand jury members are instructed not to take sentencing guidelines under consideration in determining guilt or innocence, but would they be aware of it at all? If so, that would have to have some impact on the jury, I would think.

 

 

I have no idea.  You would have to research Florida law.  In some states, the judge sets the sentences, in others, the jury.  I have no idea which case is present in Florida, and if the latter, if the jury is told that burden before deciding guilt or innocence. I suspect they are not, as that could taint their objectivism, as you wrote, but that is only a guess. 

[kgsTitan]

Zimmerman's account has so many obvious embellishments and exaggerations it only makes me more sure he knew he had effed up. He circled my car. I was merely walking in the same direction he was. I didn't know the street names. He tried to suffocate me. I thought my head was going to explode. He grabbed my gun......give me a break.

 

It's also a joke that he got to give his entire version of the incident entered into evidence...without any cross-ex.

[ctm]

Too bad this didn't happen in Texas.  Rick Perry would have already fried him, which is what he deserves for profiling, pursuing and killing an unarmed teenager.

[Guest]

It's manslaughter pure and simple. I believe he followed Martin, provoked an altercation, and then used lethal force in self defense.

[Guest]

It's manslaughter pure and simple. I believe he followed Martin, provoked an altercation, and then used lethal force in self defense.

 

Seems pretty simple to me. 

[OILERMAN]

Too bad this didn't happen in Texas.  Rick Perry would have already fried him, which is what he deserves for profiling, pursuing and killing an unarmed teenager.

 

Killing a black teenager in Texas is only a misdemeanor rarely ever upheld. Had Martin lived he would have gotten fried for trespassing in a gated community

[OILERMAN]

 The fact that people think it's ok to arm any idiot to walk around the neighborhood is the real problem here.

[IsntLifeFunny]

All evidence indicates that Zimmerman followed Martin after he was instructed not to and after he expressed "these assholes always get away." Zimmerman also indicated that Martin was running. Does this or does this not imply that he followed and chased after Martin?

 

This much is clear from the 9/11 call.

 

The witness on the phone says Martin initially asked, "why are you following me?"

 

 

As I mentioned before, I don't think George Zimmerman is guilty of murder. What the legal designation of this event is, I'm not sure, but if you approach a perceived threat, and it turns out the person is innocent, especially if you have a concealed weapon. You are not innocent.

 

You know it's the defense team, not the prosecution that didn't want him to face manslaughter. They want it to be "murder" because that's the only way to beat the rap cleanly.

 

So many gun apologists always try to take any fault away from gun owners. I'm sorry, but if you own a gun and discharge it you have been made damn sure it is necessary.

I've stayed fairly neutral or leaned towards Zimmerman's side on the murder 2 rap. Your post though makes me somewhat rethink my position.

The tragedy in this whole thing is the way our media has run with it and framed the whole thing, on both sides, for everyone for their own reasons (money).