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Defense: Zimmerman made a “mistake” in not disclosing money at bond hearing
miamiherald.com ^ | 4 June, 2012 | Scott Hiaasen

Posted on 06/05/2012 4:34:09 AM PDT by marktwain

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To: Beach_Babe
'Ignorance of the law is no excuse' is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because he or she was unaware of its content.

We'll all try to remember that the next time we enter a law library and see how many books of federal, state, and local statutes there are on the shelves, especially the ones that are selectively enforced -- like perjury.

Why didn't Judge Lester ask Shelly Z the name of the Paypal account's Trustee when he had her on the phone??? Was he ignorant of the law or did he know from her answer to his question that they were already over their head in this matter and had no trustee??? And if he suspected that they had no trustee as yet, then why didn't he instruct GZ's counsel accordingly??? Isn't that what a judge is for or is he just a "potted plant"???

It would have saved him a hissy fit later on.

21 posted on 06/05/2012 6:34:46 AM PDT by Uncle Chip
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To: Beach_Babe

But wouldn’t the funds have to be used for his legal defense, which means he couldn’t use the funds for other purposes?


22 posted on 06/05/2012 7:33:33 AM PDT by aimhigh
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To: Cboldt
"..to omit disclosing that you have access to an uncertain amount,but over a hundred thousand dollars, is a significant omission."

But she did admit having access to an uncertain amount. She just failed to assign a number to a rapidly changing sum, a portion of which, they would not have access to. Imagine if she approximates, 'we have 135k', then the prosecution uncovers another 20,30 or 50. This was a damned if you do/damned if you don't.

The fault is not with the witness, the fault is with the prosecution for not framing the question better, which leads me to believe it was a set-up.

23 posted on 06/05/2012 7:50:26 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: moehoward
-- Imagine if she approximates, 'we have 135k', then the prosecution uncovers another 20,30 or 50. This was a damned if you do/damned if you don't. --

We can second guess Q&A till the cows come home. At some amount of money, nobody cares. At 100 grand, it matters. The court understands uncertainty, and the state's arguments are mostly bull. She could say "We had 135K last week, I don't know how much we have now. The funds are to pay our living and legal defense for George, and right now we don't think they will cover that."

-- The fault is not with the witness, the fault is with the prosecution for not framing the question better, which leads me to believe it was a set-up. --

O'Mara and Lester have voices too, FWIW.

I do agree that the state is framing Zimmerman with bogus witnesses, and that the state will use every dirty underhanded trick it can think of. But I think the state was surprised (and pissed) that Zimmerman is more popular than Martin. I don't think they had a clue Zimmerman had that much public support, before O'Mara made the amount of money public during a CNN broadcast on April 26th.

24 posted on 06/05/2012 8:09:20 AM PDT by Cboldt
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To: Pollster1

Stop trying to make Zimmerman some political leftwing operative because he registered as a dem. BIG DEAL..this is about the politics of the race hustlers and gun grabbers, dummy.

I’m sure the Duke Lacross player’s parents where nice upper middle class liberals considering where they lived and worked, yet it didn’t make being railroaded for rape okay.

Same goes here with Zimmerman.


25 posted on 06/05/2012 8:29:38 AM PDT by snarkytart (http://www.freerepubli224%2C1)
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To: aimhigh

Yes that’s my point as well. A defense fund is for the defense not bail or living expenses. Legally it could be trouble if they’re used for something else. I guess...who knows..there are a gazillion laws out there ready to make any citizen a criminal. Yet real crime is not punished properly.


26 posted on 06/05/2012 8:33:10 AM PDT by snarkytart (http://www.freerepubli224%2C1)
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To: Cboldt
"At 100 grand, it matters."

The amount is completely subjective. The prosecution's knickers might twist at $10k "undisclosed". I agree the funds should have been better addressed, and by O'Mara. Rather than forcing the prosecution to look petty, he served up some red meat.

27 posted on 06/05/2012 9:11:18 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: moehoward
-- The amount is completely subjective. --

My point was that as some level, everyone will agree it matters. I'm not sure if 100 grand is across that threshhold, but it sort of feels like it to me.

28 posted on 06/05/2012 9:25:02 AM PDT by Cboldt
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To: Publius Valerius

You are right also, however I find it hard to believe that any juror would not know that a defendant was in jail, and particularly in this case.

But here`s praying he gets out. If this judge acts badly we can appeal his decision


29 posted on 06/06/2012 6:40:26 AM PDT by Friendofgeorge (SARAH PALIN 2012 OR BUST)
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To: Cboldt

I believe you are correct!


30 posted on 06/06/2012 6:42:11 AM PDT by Friendofgeorge (SARAH PALIN 2012 OR BUST)
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