George Zimmerman afraid of being killed in jail: lawyer

NY Post ^ | 4/16/12 | DOUGLAS MONTERO

[Nachum]

SANFORD, Fla. -- George Zimmerman is afraid of being killed while in jail facing charges of murdering Trayvon Martin, his lawyer said today.

“There has been an upwelling of hostility and animosity towards him that can find its way to you in many different ways,” Mark O’Mara said outside the courthouse in Sanford, Fla.

[Gay State Conservative]

On what charge? It's only if Zimmerman is convicted in FL that Federal hate crime laws come into play.

My goodness..I've never even been to law school and I know that that's wrong.Can you tell me what happened to the cops involved in the *original* Rodney King matter after they were acquitted of all charges by a California state jury? I'll give you a hint...the name "Reno" comes into play.

And BTW...we wouldn't be talking *just* about hate crimes...think "violation of civil rights".

[mykroar]

Some of the comments support that view as well. Lock and load fellow Freepers.

[Gay State Conservative]

Poor little crybaby. He is a big man while he has a gun in his hands. Hope he gets just what he gave.

Al Sharpton,is that you?

[Kickass Conservative]

Uh, this is FR, not DU.

Do you have an issue with our God Given Right to Self Defense, or do you like having your face beaten in while you're pinned to the ground?

Looks like you're going to be very popular tonight.

[Jonty30]

If Zimmerman was on the street, the authorities could not protect him from very motivated people interested in that Black Panther award.

Assuming he’s in protective custody, he’s as safe as he can be.

[sport]

This forum has its share of those who want his scalp also.

[Kickass Conservative]

Uh, this is FR, not DU.

Do you have an issue with our God Given Right to Self Defense, or do you like having your face beaten in while you're pinned to the ground?

Looks like you're going to be very popular tonight.

[the_Watchman]

In the Rodney King case the Feds didn’t move in until after the innocent verdict was issued on the local charges. Perhaps the best outcome for Zimmerman might be to have a state case drawn out until after Jan 20, 2013 when Holder won’t be around to use him as a political football.

If a lame-duck Holder; i.e., after an Obama loss, gets impatient and attempts to indict before the state is done, it would be really, really juicy for the incoming DOJ to withdraw Federal charges just like he did in the NBPP voter intimidation case. Of course, I’m just dreaming. :)

[hinckley buzzard]

Politicians appear to face an almost irresistable temptation to jump into any controversy on the side they believe will offer them advantage. A rather unattractive quality, I'd say, but widespread.

[ohioman]

Have you always been a big, f’in idiot. Do us a favor and leave FR. DU will love you I’m sure.

[hinckley buzzard]

Recall the Rodney King police trial. The police who were involved stood criminal trial and were acquitted down the line. The Fedgov stepped in, filed charges of "depriving King of his civil rights," got a federal grand jury indictment, a kangaroo jury to convict them, and they were put away for years--may still be behind bars for all I know.

Zimmerman is screwed, one way or the other. Sad but inevitable.

[lightman]

You completely misunderstood: I meant “Jailbait” to apply to the very, very, very youthful-looking Judge in the picture, not the defendant.

[Ken H]

My goodness..I've never even been to law school and I know that that's wrong.Can you tell me what happened to the cops involved in the *original* Rodney King matter after they were acquitted of all charges by a California state jury?

Yes. I believe they were charged with violation of civil rights under color of authority.

And BTW...we wouldn't be talking *just* about hate crimes...think "violation of civil rights".

So show me the statute.

[CottShop]

[[Isn’t that the white supremacist who stalked and murdered that toddler?]]

no no- it was trhe white supremacist serial killker who was high on crack, heroine, and meth who snatched the toddler out of his mother’s arms in order to kill him in cold blood

[Jonty30]

Then you are quite correct. I can see a few career criminals commit petty crimes just to be sentenced by her.

[CottShop]

[[I have doubts he is going to be killed. At the PRESENT he is too valuable for political reasons]]

you are assuming that hte seething ravenous rabid left are smart enough to keep him alkive for political purposes- especially the left that are in prison and and hwo afre chomping at hte bit to take out htis white hispanic

I’ve said it fro mthe beginning- ‘How hte hell is hem ore safe in a prison full of racists who will be herll bent on destroying the object of their fears’?

[longtermmemmory]

it is fine to know the law, but a judge can spin a case. (just look at kagan acting as a second lawyer during the government’s turn before the USSC oral arguments on healthcare)

I am curious to see what happens during the recusal.

[Ken H]

Zimmerman is screwed, one way or the other. Sad but inevitable.

No, it's not inevitable at all.

As for federal charges, they would have to establish he was acting under color of authority, which makes this case different from the Rodney King case. I'm not a lawyer, but that's my understanding.

[TigersEye]

He probably needs to cut down on the Ripple.

[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

Zimm shouldn’t even be in jail. This is a travesty, along with Angela Corey. She is a coward who did nothing but kick the can down the road. Zimm won’t get a fair trial and REGARDLESS the outcome the blacks with trash and burn Florida anyway. If Zimm ‘loses’, the blacks will go out and riot like they do when their basketball teams win.

[Defiant]

Looks like it was a drive-by trolling.

[Ken H]

After petitioners, Los Angeles police officers, were acquitted on state charges of assault and excessive use of force in the beating of a suspect during an arrest, they were convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 242 of violating the victim's constitutional rights under color of law.

-- Koon v. United States (94-1664), 518 U.S. 81 (1996)

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/94-1664.ZS.html

[TigersEye]

It appears to post some cowardly screed about once or twice a month. It’s the safe way to troll. lol

[peeps36]

Zimmerman better watch out for the black moslums who are probably affiliated with the panthers. He needs to always watch his back and remember that they can eventually get to him no matter where he is inside the prison.

[Jonty30]

Where do you suggest he be, on the street where he would have no protection whatsoever?

[Jay Santos CP]

Guilty or innocent of 2nd degree murder, Zimmerman has been chosen as a sacrifice to black America. A little less obvious than dragging him up to the top of a volcano, but the same result for him in the end.

The churning black underclass and those in the political class that feed on their energy must be fed.

[berdie]

I think he is in jail..not prison. Of course there are “post trial” convicted people waiting to be moved to prison...but most are more than likely “pre-trial” not guilty until convicted folks.

As sad as it is..he is safer in solitary than he would be with the general population.

The article says there is a bail hearing set that might allow him to bond out.

But what then? He is in serious danger, no matter where he is.

[Ken H]

The police in the Rodney King case were convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 242, violating the victim's constitutional rights under color of law.

What federal statute would apply to Zimmerman if he has not first been convicted in a FL court?

[Ken H]

It looks to me like Zimmerman opens himself up to federal hate crime charges if he plea bargains to a lesser offense. And the lesser the penalty, the more the doj will be pressured to step in.

If I'm in his shoes, I go all out for innocence and let the chips fall.

[TigersEye]

I don’t see how that happens at all. But I don’t think he should plea bargain. The case is pathetically weak and would be even for manslaughter. IMO he should fight it on simple grounds of self defense.

[mkjessup]

It isn't nit picking on your part Mama, it is simply expressing the need for proper and effective communication.

One of my hot buttons here on FR are these bloody idiots who (after decades of opportunities to LEARN) continue to misspell the name of the greatest President of the 20th century, Ronald Wilson Reagan!!

Over and over again, they spell it *REGAN* as if they can't tell the difference between the Commander-in-Chief and the SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, know what I mean?

Let the word go out: RESPECT our 40th President, SPELL HIS NAME CORRECTLY!!

(thank you very much)

[mkjessup]

Poor little crybaby. He is a big man while he has a gun in his hands. Hope he gets just what he gave.

Hope you get what your daddy gave your mama, a brown stain on the mattress!

[snarkytart]

And did you see Scott still blabbering on about “Justice for Trayvon” in an article posted today on FR?
Also saying a task force is looking at the stand your ground and self defense laws in FLA?
This wussy so called Republican trying to be a favorite of the media and liberals will FAIL because he’ll lose his own base. He’s too dumb to realize it.

[tomkat]

I must be gettin' old.
That girl looks like she should be on spring break somewhere.

sigh

[King Moonracer]

The urgency to kill him must be high, rather than risk finding him not guilty. Either way, there will be violence and looting.

[ArmstedFragg]

Two of the 4 officers were convicted. They’ve both served their terms.

[Gay State Conservative]

I'm no lawyer and,I assume,you're not either so...

Are there any lawyers out there who can explain to us what,if anything,Attorney Corporal Holder's Department of Just Us might be able do to Mr Zimmerman in this matter???

[ArmstedFragg]

18 USC 249

[Gay State Conservative]

In the Rodney King case the Feds didn’t move in until after the innocent verdict was issued on the local charges. Perhaps the best outcome for Zimmerman might be to have a state case drawn out until after Jan 20, 2013 when Holder won’t be around to use him as a political football.

I'm no lawyer but it's hard for me to imagine that *jury selection* will even be complete on election day...if not later.

If a lame-duck Holder; i.e., after an Obama loss, gets impatient and attempts to indict before the state is done, it would be really, really juicy for the incoming DOJ to withdraw Federal charges just like he did in the NBPP voter intimidation case. Of course, I’m just dreaming. :)

If Osama Obama loses (Lord,hear our prayer) and Zimmerman has,by some miracle,been acquitted before 1/20/13 it's hard for me to imagine the Attorney Corporal NOT indicting Zimmerman.In fact,I can absolutely see him,under those circumstances,indicting Zimmerman even before the FL case has been completed.Remember,we're talking about pure psychopaths here...disciples of Saul Alinsky and Bill Ayers.

[Gay State Conservative]

I don’t see how that happens at all. But I don’t think he should plea bargain. The case is pathetically weak and would be even for manslaughter. IMO he should fight it on simple grounds of self defense.

IMO (my *very* strong opinion) the bottom line is this...in a state trial,at least...if there's a single Hispanic person on the jury the best the prosecution can hope for is a hung jury.If there's a single black person on the jury the best the *defense* can hope for is a hung jury.

Assuming Zimmerman speaks Spanish I think he'd be wise to get as much coverage as possible from Spanish TV/radio stations all over Florida (in case of change of venue).Jury "tampering"? Probably.But what's the other side been doing since getting their marching orders from Osama Obama Victory 2012 Headquarters????

[Cicero]

And did you see Scott still blabbering on about “Justice for Trayvon” in an article posted today on FR?

No, I missed that one. But it doesn't surprise me after what I've seen so far. I thought he was better than Crist, but evidently he's just another stupid Republican who thinks he can make himself popular by embracing the other side.

As governor, his responsibility is to enforce the law fairly, not to twist it for photo ops. Another RINO to be shoveled out with the garbage.