[Cboldt]

The way Florida criminal procedure works, the prosecutor has to "discuss" every element of the crime, as recited in the criminal statute, in the indictment/information, and any supporting affidavit.

There is no mention of self defense in Florida's murder statute, but there is mention of self defense in the manslaughter statute. If Corey had charged manslaughter, she would have had to "negative" Zimmerman's self defense claim. That difference between the murder and manslaughter statutes is, in part, why she didn't charge manslaughter.

[DallasSun]

The prosecutor’s office is backed up by the law and has been every step of the way.

[Chewbarkah]

Thanks for that info. That sounds devious enough, and smells of misconduct, but explains the overcharge, when nothing else really does. Is there ever an opportunity for the defense to question the prosecutor under oath about the charging process?