BCEagle91

I'd think that the defense would get information on evidence in discovery and that the prosecution would have to lay their cards on the table. Of course they could try to bury as Nifong did in a huge pile of paper.

Zimmerman could very well have fled but he did state that he would appear if charged and he did. It will be interesting to see if the prosecution has anything - I'd guess that things will be leaked by the prosecution, police and defense as it usually is in these high-profile cases.

NYMomof2

The new lawyer was clearly hired very recently, maybe even yesterday afternoon. In his first interview, he said that he hadn't even spoken to Z yet. He probably hadn't had a chance to tell Z or his family members to keep their mouths shut.

I can understand why the first set of lawyers didn't want to represent Z any more, but I don't understand why they had to hold an extended press conference to discuss the matter, and then make the rounds of the talk shows. A simple printed statement, released to the press, would have been enough.

Youdon'tsay

^^^^ So they can extend their 15 minutes of fame.

07DAD

BCEagle91--my point is that since the defense can get the SYG issue before the court (and public) early that can cause the prosecution to "put up or shut up." Since Florida judges have dismissed charges under SYG, I would think that the prosecution would go all out. Then, if the judge doesn't dismiss and in discovery stuff comes out that shows the prosecution's presentation at the pre-trial was "not exactly correct" Z gets to have the public and the jurors have an example where the state's case is not to be trusted.

In a lot of states, the ethics rules prohibit attorneys from trying their case in the media. Of course if Z isn't your client (since he said so), that might not apply. To the extent that the attorneys say pro-Z stuff --that does try the case in the media. Nice. Score one for the end run.

07DAD

Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton told the TODAY show Thursday that she believes her son’s fatal shooting by George Zimmerman was an accident.


“I believe it was an accident, I believe that it just got out of control and he couldn’t turn the clock back," she said. "I would ask him, 'Did he know that that was a minor, that that was a teenager and that he did not have a weapon?'” she added.

This is going to get even more weird. Shouldn't she be on the defense's witness list?

NYMomof2

It may be easier for her to believe that her son was shot in an accident than to believe that he was murdered.

BCEagle91

> In a lot of states, the ethics rules prohibit attorneys from trying their case in the media.

Yeah, but stuff gets leaked anyways. The NY case of the IMF guy is a good example of that.

poetgrl

Maybe they will plea out at manslaughter. then, no trial, but a punishment for the death of this boy.

or, and I wonder if this isn't a case of the prosecutor WANTING to argue the SYG law. I think it is a horrible law, personally, and it is partially what put Zimmerman in that situation to begin with, really. He was certainly ready with that defense from the second the cops showed up.

People walking around with guns who believe they do not have to at least attempt to avoid the use of deadly force are walking around with more license to kill than we give to our law enforcement officers, or even our military during war time in other countries.

it is a very curious situation, and makes no real sense.

07DAD

Probably easier for a juror to believe too.

Trayvon had been living in another Florida town with his mother when he had his series of problems at school. As a parent, it would be hard not to come down on yourself--“if only I’d not sent him to his Dad-----. “ Especially if words were spoken--“Trayvon, I’ve had it with you and all these problems at school. I’m not going to have you hanging around here during this suspension.”

Treetopleaf

Sybrina can believe that the shooting was an accident, but Z's chasing her son clearly was no accident.

07DAD

Well, the element of the 2nd degree murder charge offense is the shooting that killed, not chasing. And, if a juror believes Z, he had ceased following Trayvon.

hayden

I have to believe the prosecutor had facts we don't have - autopsy, etc. If a judge tosses the whole case before the trial, that doesn't reflect very well on the prosecutor at all.

Frankly, in addition to having a very big issue with the SYG laws, I also have a problem with electing judges, both criminal and state supreme court. It's never made much sense to have legal professionals subject to political whim of untrained laymen.

hops_scout

But if it were an accident, can you really expect Murder 2 charges to stand up?

07DAD

hayden--both the Florida attorney general and the Florida State Attorney for each District are elected. There is politics at their end as well as in the judiciary.

NYMomof2

Sybrina's belief that the shooting was an accident will have no effect on the trial. She was not there, and she does not have any information. I think she is basing this on her hopes and on a tendency to think the best of everyone, even her son's killer.

I feel much better about the case, now that both sides seem to be very well represented by competent and reasonable people. It seems likely now that there will be justice, thanks to Trayvon's parents and all the others who agitated for a reversal of the original decision not to charge Z.