I missed some big chunks today, and you filled in the gaps. Thanks.
I wish you had spent some time explaining the arguments about barring evidence. I understand the judge reversed an earlier decision, and will now allow testimony about the toxicology report (a big win for the defense).
You’re welcome, BykrBayb. By the time it got to that point where they had finished with the witness testimonies and were hemming and hawing over all that stuff, I was already focused on getting down the meat of my write-up and I saw those details as more of a sideshow. If they do wind up striking Donnelly’s testimony, the jury already swallowed & digested it so it’s out of the barn, etc. As far as the toxicology/pot thing, I think I had already finished by the time that word came through, plus I just don’t see it as a big deal at all, not even relevant really except as pertaining to Zimmerman being accurate in his perception/report to police dispatch that Martin seemed to be on drugs.
If you want in-depth coverage go to Legal Insurrection ... the author of a book on the law of self defense, Andrew Branca, is covering the trial live via twitter and two summaries (mid- and end-of-day) daily. That is the best coverage I’ve seen on the web!
The judge originally barred any mention of the MJ in opening statements as it went to character testimony, which (in my understanding) isn't admissible unless someone says what a great guy he was. Then the opposition can bring in evidence of bad character to refute it.
Also, the ME originally said that the low level of MJ wouldn't have any effect on TM. During testimony last week, the idiot ME (thank you, God) changed his mind and said it might have an effect.
That opened the door for the defense to bring in the MJ use, not as a character defect, but as possible evidence of TM’s behavior that night.
For those who know more about this than I do, would the low level of MJ in Trayvon be significant if it was evidence that he was in withdrawal since his usual suppliers were back in Miami?