Now that Zimmy has been charged with murder in the 2nd degree he will most certainly do some time. The prosecutor has some plea bargain room. Hopefully vigilante Neighborhood Watch Marshall Dillon wannabes will think twice and let the police handle the situation. The Martin family will never get their son back but hopefully have some kind of closure. And the race mongers have had their day in front of the camera. See you soon Jesse, Al, Louis, NBPP, and NBC News.
Seems like if I was Zimmerman, I would have been overseas somewhere. He had plenty of time. Find a non extradition country you can live with and set up a new life. Why face a murder rap?
From what I have read, it sets the prosecution up for a win - win situation. Its a harsh sentence that Zimmy can plea down or, if it goes to trial, the jury can come back with guilty for murder 2 or a lesser charge like manslaughter.
Sadly, I said the same thing about Casey Anthony but she is a free woman. I don't know how he gets a fair trial after the CA trial. All the jurors will be scared for their lives.
If they got in a fight and he pulled the gun and TM was crying and pleading for help and he shot him, that's murder 2. At least that's my understanding. Maybe Bud Lee can teach us something.
It ain't quite that simple. Fair enough, Zimmerman racially profiled Martin before following him, that is certainly a racial issue. But the confrontation and struggle ending in a homicide was a street fight and will be all about the rules of evidence, not about race. This case does not need the race-baiters drumming it up through the media into a national frenzy. It will make it impossible for Zimmerman to get a fair trial and possibly be grounds for appeal if he gets convicted. I think you may be right about it being a tough criminal case to convict, but a fairly straightforward civil case.
Correct Mobius, to show murder two in Florida they have to show that he had a “depraved” mind. The only way they will get it is if they can prove that Zimm pulled the trigger with total disregarded for human life. Thus, if they have witnesses that will testify and can convince the jury that they heard TM begging for his life, or they can prove some element of a hate crime, then they can get 2nd degree. Zimm is still claiming not guilty based on the “stand your ground law.” I have had much interest in this case because Louisiana’s law was basically modeled after Florida’s (at least that is what I have been told). The defense will fail if Zimm cannot show that he (1) was not the aggressor and (2) that he was defending himself from a imminent physical threat. It is important to remember that even though Zimm might have approached TM or even threw the first punch, he still might not be the aggressor. In defending himself TM could of became the aggressor if Zimm was no longer a threat (according to Zimm he was being held down by TM while TM continuously stuck his head on the concrete) then Zimm would have been within his rights to use lethal force (as I understand the law). Even if he is found not guilty of 2nd degree he could still be found guilty of manslaughter. Personally, I think they should have let it go to the Grand Jury first. I they came back “no bill” then they could of continued to put a case together and have a second go at it. I think that they political pressure is rushing them to act. None of the above should considered legal advice…all is simply an internet persona’s opinion on the subject at hand.
