Posted on 04/13/2012 10:55:07 AM PDT by marktwain
Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz made an appearance on on MSNBC’s Hardball to discuss the Zimmerman arrest affidavit, and had some incredibly harsh language for Angela Corey concerning her actions in the George Zimmerman prosecution.
Dershowitz is a well-known Democrat with a column on the Huffington Post, but seemed stunned by how poorly written the affidavit was, going so far as to call it “irresponsible and unethical,” as well as Corey’s actions politically motivated. He also said that if the prosecution didn’t have more evidence for the case than what we’ve seen, “a good judge would throw it out.”
Here’s the interview:
Smerconish: Joining me now, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz. Professor, I’ve really looked forward to this conversation. You’ve seen the affidavit of probable cause, what do you make of it?
Dershowitz: It won’t suffice. Most affidavits of probable cause are very thin; this is so thin that it won’t make it past a judge on a second degree murder charge. There’s simply nothing in there that would justify second degree murder. The elements of the crime aren’t established.
Basically what’s in the affidavit is what’s in the public domain, with the exception of a few little things that were put forward by your previous commentator. But the fact that the mother identified the voice as that of her son, of course, we all knew that was going to happen. There’s nothing in there of course either about the stains on the back of Zimmerman’s shirt, the blood on the back of his head, the bloody nose, all of that.
It’s not only thin, it’s irresponsible. I think that what you have here is an elected public official who made a campaign speech last night for reelection when she gave her presentation, and over-charged, way over-charged. This case will not, if the evidence is no stronger that what appears in the probable-cause affidavit, this case will result in an acquittal.
Very strongly worded statements from Dershowitz, who basically stopped just short of directly claiming Corey engaged in prosecutorial misconduct by her actions.
It better damn not be thrown out or acquittal or the ghetto is gonig ta burn baby burn.
A Democrat accusing another Democrat of prosecutorial misconduct??
Say no more.
LOL! I was thinking along the same lines!
Why is Smerconish on Hardball? Has he totally gone over to the dark side??? I know he voted for Obummer but I thought he was a Republican. I could never stand him anyway...
“Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue.”
Dershowitz does something like this when his hypocrisy becomes even more than he can bear.
So this was all done with a wink and a nod to Zimmerman? Corey, knowing full well the case will go nowhere, is clear to super size the 'compassion' towards Martin's team...since there will be none once the trial starts?
I don't know. There's a little too much evil genius in that..
If it goes to trial, it will depend on who the jurors are. 12 liberal jurors who are already convinced that Zimmerman is guilty could listen to the evidence and pronounce him guilty. Afterwards they would hold press conferences complaining about the fact that “first degree murder” was not an option before them.
Not likely. Now that the world knows Zimmerman is latino.
And WHEN he’s cleared or aquitted, it’ll be on like donkey kong with holders people and all the boys who look like they could be obammas sons. Thats why this story was
brought to the top of the media crap pile.
Maybe they could even move the trial to Simi Valley just
for nostalgic effect.
Be prepared,depending on where your neighborhood is.
And then files a defamation suit against the media, Al Sharpton, the NBPP, and Obama.
Dershowitz stopped following the liberal playbook on Sept. 12, 2001, when he penned an op-ed in the New York Times stating that it was perfectly acceptable and lawful to torture Al Qaeda suspects in order to obtain intel to thwart future attacks.
The media has largely ignored him since that day as well.
He was involved in that group, FIRE, that started a few years ago to protect students’ First Amendment rights on campus against administrators and others. The group has been very effective in protecting students against this overreach. I have liked him ever since.
Your timing is off. How could it have died off if the controversy was already raging to the point the special prosecutor was appointed the same day Obama made his comments?
March 23, 2012 - President Barack Obama comments on the case, saying he thinks the shooting should be investigated and telling reporters: "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon." - Florida Gov. Rick Scott appoints state attorney Angela Corey as a special prosecutor to look into the case.
Yes, but they they will have passed the “hot potato” from Sanford PD to the prosecutor and/or judge. Now the judge is recusing (which it sounds like she SHOULD do)... pass it along.
In his initial statement he expressed concern for “restoring the confidence of the community” and not a single word about the RIGHTS of his client.
I don’t know if he’s working for the prosecution or not but I do know that based on that statement I sure as heck wouldn’t want him to be MY lawyer.
I want MY lawyer talking about MY rights, and his concern for whether my rights have been respected and whether they will be respected going forward.
Who knows. He could turn out to be the greatest lawyer who ever lived, I don’t know. But just based on what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think Zimmerman is in very good hands.
Really uncalled for, woficatZ. Very much uncalled for.
I was expressing my opinion about Zimmerman’s chances in court.
Ok. You be the non-defeatist and go into court and start ordering the judge around. Stomp your foot. Stomp both feet. Make yourself heard. You go, guy!
I’ll watch. And I’ll cheer. And I’ll tell everyone that woficatZ is the greatest thing since John Wayne.
So, when can we expect to see you in action? At the bond hearing?
Dershowitz stopped following the liberal playbook on Sept. 12, 2001, when he penned an op-ed in the New York Times stating that it was perfectly acceptable and lawful to torture Al Qaeda suspects in order to obtain intel to thwart future attacks.
****
Dersh has always been pro-Israel. He wrote a book called, “The Case For Israel”.
http://www.thecaseforisrael.com/
“she brought charges with a royally screwed up affidavit that would then force the judge to dismiss the case on a technicality. Thereby getting her neck out of the noose”
How woul;d that get her off the hook? Trading inaction for incompetence is a lateral move at best. She can cross her fingers and hope the judge get the blame, but I’m pretty sure people won’t forget it was her affidavit that wasn’t strong enough to make it to the jury.
“The affidavit is probably sufficient”
I don’t know, don’t you need something like “mailicious intent” for it to be second-degree? The affidavit cannot possibly argue that, since no evidence exists for it, so far as I know.
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