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'Stand Your Ground' hearing could potentially clear Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin shooting
Fox News / The Associated Press ^ | August 9, 2012

Posted on 08/09/2012 9:35:57 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

George Zimmerman, accused in the shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin, could be cleared of a second-degree murder charge if a judge rules in his favor in a new "Stand Your Ground" hearing.

Zimmerman's defense attorney Mark O'Mara announced on his website Thursday that there will be a "Stand Your Ground" hearing based on his client's claim he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense. A finding in Zimmerman's favor would end the criminal case against him, as well as immunizing him from civil action.

"Now that the State has released the majority of their discovery, the defense asserts that there is clear support for a strong claim of self-defense. Consistent with this claim of self-defense, there will be a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing," said O'Mara in a statement....

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: banglist; florida; georgezimmerman; trayvon; trayvonmartin; zimmerman
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Don’t bet on it. The judge is in the bag, and he’ll have no problem ruling against Zimmerman regardless.


21 posted on 08/09/2012 10:12:47 AM PDT by Tallguy (It's all 'Fun and Games' until somebody loses an eye!)
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To: Kenton
The essence of this law is that that you have no "duty to retreat" from an assault if you are in your house or vehicle; which isn't the case here.

Not exactly. It goes further. While I don't know the specifics of the law state to state as many states now have a form of it, the significance of "Stand your Ground" laws is that it protects a citizen in any circumstance against prosecution where lethal force is used in self defense. They specifically abolish a requirement to retreat in any circumstance when threatened, hence the name "Stand Your Ground."

The courts have always recognized a citizens right to defend themselves with lethal force in the home or in their car when faced with an imminent threat. Laws often trapped citizens because they had to prove what they thought about an attackers intentions (just give them your wallet and you wouldn't have been harmed for example). Then citizens were prosecuted on the decisions they made based on what they should have thought immediately following initiation of the event. Prosecutors argued that they acted before they knew whether the perp had a weapon for example. "Stand Your Ground" makes self defense more objective and less subjective.

This case is relatively unique in that GZ's actions as an attentive citizen led to the confrontation that resulted in the necessary use of deadly force. Had GZ ignored the suspicious individual and went on his way, there would have been no confrontation. But GZ did nothing illegal and should therefore not be responsible for TM's death.

22 posted on 08/09/2012 10:13:12 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (The Click-&-Paste Media exists & works in Utopia, riding unicorns & sniffing pixy dust.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
O’Mara hasn't filed an appeal for Lester's denial of a motion to recuse himself. I wonder why ?
23 posted on 08/09/2012 10:15:40 AM PDT by stylin19a (Obama - Fredo smart and the reincarnation of Mr. Roarke)
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To: Kenton
(Normally, if you are out in public and are attacked, you are supposed to retreat if possible before using deadly force in self defense. Not so now if you are in your house or car).)

Not so under the protection of "Stand Your Ground" laws. You can stand your ground in any circumstance in which you are legitamatly faced with a threat of harm or death.

24 posted on 08/09/2012 10:16:15 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (The Click-&-Paste Media exists & works in Utopia, riding unicorns & sniffing pixy dust.)
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To: Cboldt

ping for your insight


25 posted on 08/09/2012 10:25:29 AM PDT by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: Beagle8U
Riots are the last things RATS want before the election.

Rat tactics don't always work.

I can't predict if riots will swing the election for or against Zero, but I do know the Rats are perfectly willing to have them, and want their base (minorities) offended, and they don't expect the non drone white vote under any circumstances. The drones will always vote Rat.

Nah, they'd easily risk riots.

26 posted on 08/09/2012 10:28:15 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (Join the Democrats, it's not Fascism when WE do it, and the Constitution and law mean what WE say.)
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To: Mr. K
"Just in time for the race riots to begin before the election! "

I looked for, and didn't see a set date for this proceeding- I believe that it will not happen before the election.

27 posted on 08/09/2012 10:29:34 AM PDT by matthew fuller (They'll have to pry my gun, my bible, and my chikin from my cold dead fingers.)
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To: Tenacious 1

Thanks for the clarification, I guess I was wrong. I’m in Ohio, and we have “castle doctrine” which I thought was the same thing. Looks like we need SYG...


28 posted on 08/09/2012 10:34:39 AM PDT by Kenton
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To: karnage
It was not a jest-

Popular votes

Lyndon Johnson's 61.1% to Barry Goldwater's 38.5% in the 1964 presidential election

Franklin D. Roosevelt's 60.8% to Alf Landon's 36.5% in the 1936 presidential election

Richard Nixon's 60.7% to George McGovern's 37.5% in the 1972 presidential election

Warren Harding's 60.3% to James M. Cox's 34.1% in the 1920 presidential election

Ronald Reagan's 58.8% to Walter Mondale's 40.6% in the 1984 presidential election

Theodore Roosevelt's 56.4% to Alton B. Parker's 37.6% in the 1904 presidential election

Electoral votes

James Monroe's 231 electoral votes to John Quincy Adams's 1 electoral vote in 1820. (99.2% margin)

Franklin D. Roosevelt's 523 electoral votes to Alf Landon's 8 electoral votes in 1936. (97% margin)

Ronald Reagan's 525 electoral votes to Walter Mondale's 13 electoral votes in 1984. (95.2% margin)

Richard Nixon's 520 electoral votes to George McGovern's 17 electoral votes and John Hospers's 1 in 1972. (93.3% margin)

29 posted on 08/09/2012 10:39:43 AM PDT by matthew fuller (They'll have to pry my gun, my bible, and my chikin from my cold dead fingers.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Naaah, you don’t think this kids folks have been riding this whole thing for notoriety or monetary inducements now do ya?
And you don’t think fringe crazy groups may be USING them to further their AGENDAs now do ya?

Shocked I am.


30 posted on 08/09/2012 10:41:44 AM PDT by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) Hey Mitt, F-you too pal)
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To: Navy Patriot
The drones will always vote Rat.

Lest anyone think we here at FR are being inconsiderate or rude of Rats, or the Rat party by referring to them as Rats, let me underline the point that we generally always try to maintain the proper respect for 'Rats by capitalizing the word 'Rat. This gives them their appropriate and well-deserved dignity and reverence to their cause.

31 posted on 08/09/2012 10:42:43 AM PDT by C210N ("ask not what the candidate can do for you, ask what you can do for the candidate" (Breitbart, 2012))
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To: Kenton
I’m in Ohio, and we have “castle doctrine”

I am not a lawyer (Disclaimer). But you might be surprised to find out what all is in your Castle Doctrine. There are many states that have adopted forms of this law as well. This gives citizens to defend their property with lethal force. You no longer have to call the police and quietly watch criminals steel your truck in the driveway. Castle doctrine allows you to confront the perps in defense of your property. If a lethal situation occurs as a result of the encounter and you are forced to defend yourself with lethal force, Castle Doctrine provides justification for your defense (as I understand the law).

It obviously also provides for your defense of your castle (home). But specifically allows you to defend your property.

32 posted on 08/09/2012 10:46:18 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (The Click-&-Paste Media exists & works in Utopia, riding unicorns & sniffing pixy dust.)
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To: Joe Boucher
Naaah, you don’t think this kids folks have been riding this whole thing for notoriety or monetary inducements now do ya?

Did you see that the parents applied to the crime victim' fund in FL?

33 posted on 08/09/2012 10:48:15 AM PDT by Calvin Locke
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To: C210N

Additionally, the naming of them as Rats began when they complained and whined about having the letters Rats in their name. They brought it to the attention of FReepers who gladly joined in the fun and it has stuck to this day.


34 posted on 08/09/2012 10:53:39 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Present failure and impending death yield irrational action))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
There goes that big, fat lawsuit for Trayvon's parents.

Florida's version of Rodney King.I would like to see George Zimmerman counter sue them for false imprisonment, mental anguish, slander... etc....

I am certain that Alan Deshowitz would love a shot at the prosecutor and Trayvon's parents.

35 posted on 08/09/2012 11:01:01 AM PDT by Hope for the Republic (The 1st amendment is guaranteed by the 2nd amendment.)
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To: Mr. K

One way or the other, they will find an excuse.


36 posted on 08/09/2012 11:01:01 AM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not a Matter of Opinion)
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To: Winstons Julia
-- I thought the person that wrote the Florida Stand Your Ground legislation has said that it doesn't apply to Zimmerman. --

The part of the Stand Your Ground law that says there is no duty to retreat from anyplace you lawfully are does not apply. So, the "stand your ground" part of the Stand Your Ground law is inapplicable.

For reasons unknown to me, people also refer to the statutory immunity for justified use of force in self defense as "stand your ground." I call it immunity. It's wrapped up in the same body of law, Chapter 776 of Florida Statutes, that is commonly referred to as "Stand Your Ground."

Florida criminal law practice allows a person who is charged with the unlawful use of force, to claim the use of force was justified under Chapter 776. This "your use of force was justified" conclusion can be obtained in a hearing before a judge, and even if the judge doesn't grant it, a defendant can assert self defense at trial.

The burden of proof is on defendant to show his use of force was justified. he must produce a preponderance of evidence in favor of self defense. Preponderance means "more likely than not" or roughly 51-49, it was self defense.

If the judge rejects the claim immunity because the force was a justified matter of self defense, defendant can appeal the hearing result. An appellate court will overturn a trial judge, if the trial judge does not have clear and convincing evidence that the use of force was not justified self defense.

Any hearing in this case will come sometime after October 3. I'll be surprised if there is an immunity hearing before next year. All the players are deliberately slow-walking the resolution of the case.

37 posted on 08/09/2012 11:02:15 AM PDT by Cboldt
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Not happening.
Write it on a rock.


38 posted on 08/09/2012 11:02:25 AM PDT by Leo58 (Those who cheer you today will curse you tomorrow, the only thing that endures is character.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I suspect dems fear this case is draining white working class votes away from dems.

Anyone notice how the MSM has dropped this story?

The MSM - New York Times - and all dropped it because higher ups in Dem PR firms quit feeding them stuff to cover. Liberal elites know it’s a loser - just like gun control - it could cost them votes.


39 posted on 08/09/2012 11:03:27 AM PDT by GOPJ (..convinced if you put a compass in the hands of a liberal, it will point south -Fr Neveronmywatch)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

<>A finding in Zimmerman’s favor would end the criminal case against him, as well as immunizing him from civil action.<>

Not only him but the property owners, the HOA and its insurer Travelers. They all have a vested interest in an acquittal at an SYG hearing, because if not then Sybrina and the Crumpers will be coming after them, no matter what happens at a subsequent trial.

This announcement may be connected to Traveler’s filing in federal court to eliminate their liability:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2915460/posts

leaving the HOA and the property owners on the hook as the turnips that a coming Crump lawsuit will try to squeeze blood out of — if the SYG hearing fails to acquit Zimmerman.


40 posted on 08/09/2012 11:06:46 AM PDT by Uncle Chip
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