Posted on 07/08/2012 4:35:30 PM PDT by marktwain
SANFORD — While publicly saying one thing — that they did not have enough evidence to arrest George Zimmerman — Sanford police did essentially the opposite: filing paperwork saying they had enough to charge him with manslaughter.
It's something the department kept secret for two months, according to documents recently released by the special prosecutor in the case.
Here are their words versus their actions on three key dates, all from one tumultuous week about two weeks after Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black 17-year-old:
At 4 p.m. March 12, Sanford police Chief Bill Lee Jr. stood in City Hall plaza in front of a hostile crowd and dozens of reporters and insisted his agency could not arrest Zimmerman because investigators had failed to establish probable cause, the minimal standard of evidence to justify filing a criminal case.
The next day, however, his agency sent prosecutors paperwork saying it did have probable cause and asked that they charge Zimmerman with manslaughter.
It was signed by lead Investigator Chris Serino and his boss, then-Sgt. Randy Smith, but it was the department's official position and had the support of Lee, said Capt. Bob O'Connor, who oversees the department's major-crimes division and also was part of the investigation.
The request was sent to State Attorney Norm Wolfinger, whose office then took over the investigation.
Three days later, on March 16, Lee and several Sanford officers involved in the case, including Serino, went over some of the details of their investigation with the Orlando Sentinel.
They insisted they were prohibited by law from arresting or charging Zimmerman because they didn't have enough evidence to disprove his claim of self-defense.
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His agency recommended the manslaughter charge on paper, the statement said, because without it, prosecutors would not have taken over the
(Excerpt) Read more at articles.orlandosentinel.com ...
Where is the conspiracy?
So how much credibility do the Sanford police have, either to a judge or to the public?
So how much credibility do the Sanford police have, either to a judge or to the public?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Let me tell you how much credibility they have with me.
From my understanding only one detective, Chris Serino, etermined Zimmerman should be charged.
Recently he was outted as having illegally provided the witch hunt media with protected information on the case including that video of Zimmerman at the police station they used to ‘prove’ he had no damage to his head. Serino was busted for doing this and was demoted to a night patrolman.
The evidence was sent to the prosecutor and he saw no basis to charge Zimmerman as recommended by one detective - Serino.
Remember that Zimmerman gave the police department a hard time over the beating of a homeless man when considering Serino’s rejected recommendation to the prosecutor and his subsequent illegal selective release of police records against Zimmerman.
Thanks for reminding everyone about Zimmerman’s previous run in with the Sanford police on their beating of a homeless man. Central Florida is a scary place, always has been and always will be. I pray that Zimmerman can get justice and doesn’t become the sacrificial lamb on the Altar of that Keeper of the Law, Eric Holder et.al. A person is supposed to be considered innocent until a court determines otherwise, based on the evidence and not a witch hunt. Since when should bail be based on how much money Zimmerman has or doesn’t have??? This is all so sickening and disheartening. The truth should vindicate Zimmerman, from all that I have read so far.
One’s impression is that the Sanford force is loaded with wannabe cops, and their lack of ability will end up getting Zimmerman the verdict he wants. When you hire 2nd-rate cops...your entire force is just waiting for one episode to occur which demonstrates the caliber of protection that the town really has.
The police would always "file paperwork" with the prosecutors whether they believe prosecution is warranted or not. It's not their job to make that determination. It is the prosecutor's job.
The only way the prosecutor knows an incident has occurred that might require prosecutions is from the paperwork the police "file" with them.
Leaving Wolfinger the choice of laying charges, calling a Grand Jury, or resigning.
He chose poorly.
The next day, however, his agency sent prosecutors paperwork saying it did have probable cause and asked that they charge Zimmerman with manslaughter.
With the pressure of the media and the allied racial grievance professionals reaching a roaring crescendo on March 12 - three weeks after the shooting - is it really surprising that they would succumb to the pressure?
Zimmerman version of the events has been vindicated on pretty much every front with the release of documents, audio, video, affadavits, stress tests, eye witnesses, etc. The preliminary hearing made it crystal clear that the most important question of whom attacked whom showed that the prosecuting team admitting they had no evidence to counter Zimmerman's claim that he was confronted, sucker-punched and was fighting for his life.
One of the greatest fibs in this whole episode is the claim by Trayvon's parents that the voice on the tapes crying for help is Trayvon's. NOTHING supports such an assertion and if memory serves me correctly Tracy Martin initially stated that the voice was NOT Trayvon's.
She is referring to Serino's affidavit in which he ignored all the forensic evidence and relied on speculation to request a charge of manslaughter, but was overruled by Chief Lee and wiser heads.
His handling of the crime scene was highly unprofessional, detective skills subpar, and he was the department leak to Matt Gutman and others, probably Rene herself. Since his demotion to night beatcop, all she can do is recycle old hearsay as news.
She is only writing this now because it was an issue referred to in Lester's Order. The city came out and publicly said that they had no evidence to file charges with. All they had was Serino's leaping conclusion that he should have stayed in his vehicle.
Anything that Rene writes has to be taken with a grain of salt. In Seminole County she is known to be a rabid hater of Zimmerman and Crump rear kisser. She's pathetically onesided.
Thank you for the local knowledge.
She is so full of it. They had no more evidence after than before. All they had was the mystical DeeDee and the prefabricating Sybrina, and after the shellacking that the prosecution took on the 29th, they don't even have those two. The state has no case, only an ambitious prosecutor and a prejudicial judge.
THe city claimed “not enough evidence”.....Ok, we’ll prepare another police report and add in a few little details not originally noticed................That should do it for ya.
This is well worth reading as a retired lawyer takes Judge Lester to task for his prejudicial 8 page opinion:
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/07/09/memo-to-the-zimmerman-judge-fr/
We knew this from the first data dump. It’s buried in the 183 page discovery document. The one officer who wanted to charge as is was Chris Serino. The same officer who leaked information and video tape to Matt Guttman. The same Chris Serino who went from being a Lead Detective to being a beat cop on the night shift.
He chose to call a grand jury. Scott side stepped him and brought in Angie.
Hey, Renee, this is for you:
http://pjmedia.com/blog/george-zimmerman-lynching-further-unravels/
Keep writing. Maybe one day you will get your facts right.
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