Day 15 (Week #3) Zimmerman Trial – Witness Discussion Thread

The Conservative Treehouse ^ | June 28, 2013 | Sundance

[Uncle Chip]

Today, June 28th, is DAY #15 (of 3rd week) State of Florida V. George Zimmerman case. [Yesterday] … it was simply not a very good day at all for the prosecution. The primary State witnesses today were Rachel Jeantel, Jenna Lauer, and Selma Mora.

The first had her credibility substantively destroyed, the second was powerfully–almost humiliatingly–co-opted by the defense, and the third provided testimony entirely consistent with the defense’s theory of lawful self-defense. (continue reading)

[Bikkuri]

Likewise, my friend... been awhile since we have ‘chatted’.. but nice to see we are still on the same channel.. although, sadly, our channel id being muted :p

Thank God for FR...

[Uncle Chip]

I don’t think those who have followed this case are really surprised by this stuff coming out. It’s been known by those on the internet but just not presented in court of law format. West and O’Mara have done that masterfully.

I’m trying to figure out who and what the state has left. Will they put Serino, Tracy, Sybrina, Crump on the stand???

[XenaLee]

Watching the leftie idiots on HLN channel (204) squawk and screech at each other over the Zimmerman trial. It’s positively hilarious!

[hoosiermama]

Autopsy/medical report of Ts body
Forensic evaluation of gun.
Any other report from police

[Uncle Chip]

The talking heads in the ‘reasonable’ column are few and far between. Most that I've seen are cheerleading to convict, evidence be damned.

Today was the first day all week that I saw a break in that pattern.

[P-Marlowe]

I think they're going after reckless homicide....reckless manslaughter and not Murder 2.

The problem there is that I don't believe the prosecution charged anything other than Murder 2. So if the can't prove murder then the jury must acquit. They can't convict him of any other crime.

[hoosiermama]

How can they put either of the parents on the stand when they’ve been sitting in the front row.

[xzins]

I’ve read that in Florida the jury can consider a lesser charge automatically. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ve read it on some thread someplace.

[spacejunkie2001]

I bet big bucks they won’t put tracy martin on or he’ll be grilled to kingdom come about saying that was NOT his son screaming.

[Nervous Tick]

>> I don’t think those who have followed this case are really surprised by this stuff coming out.

I guess I knew a lot of the bits and pieces, but seeing them all integrated together is awesome to behold.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and all that.

There was also that nagging question of what the prosecution had up their sleeve; couldn’t figure out what it might be, and yet, if they didn’t have SOMETHING, they wouldn’t bring a case against Z. Right?

WRONG. Pleasant surprise! They have NOTHING!

Thanks again for all your efforts!

[Bikkuri]

I personally see that it is all falling into place... something that has been planned for decades. (destroying what made USA what it is and replacing it with what Hitler wanted.. well, something along those lines... govt. control.......)...

[Uncle Chip]

Well think about it really. Since this trial is televised on all channels and the internet, even if they were barred from court they would still be able to see everything going on in court from their laptop. I’m sure that’s where the Zimmerman’s are watching it.

[Uncle Chip]

What has stunned me is how all of this exculpatory material is coming out during the state’s presentation of their case. We’re not even having to wait for the defense’s case.

[P-Marlowe]

I don't see how a jury can convict a defendant of a crime which he hasn't been charged with. IIRC, The prosecution refused to charge the lesser offenses because the black community wanted " Justice for Trayvon" and a manslaughter conviction would not sit well with the race baiter crowd.

[hoosiermama]

IMO putting either on the stand makes the possibility of opening up TM past

[spacejunkie2001]

Agreed.

[xzins]

I will absolutely defer to your legal background on this one, but I did read it.

[snarkytart]

[[Today was the first day all week that I saw a break in that pattern. Today was the first day all week that I saw a break in that pattern. ]]

What have you noticed today that is different? Sorry but I’m not able to watch TV (working) and most streaming sites are blocked from my office.
Are the talking heads changing their tune?

[VeniVidiVici]

Wow! I may have to go watch the trial now :)

[Cboldt]

If it goes to the jury, the jury MUST be given instructions on all applicable lesser included charges. By my reckoning, the only one that applies is manslaughter. There is no allegation in the information that rings of negligence, so the potential lesser includeds such as culpable negligence are not going to be given.

Jamerson v. State, 3D09-2429 (Fla. 3DCA 2011)

To instruct the jury on a category two lesser included offense, the accusatory pleading must allege the necessary elements of the lesser included offense and there must be sufficient proof to support a conviction. I.T. v. State, 694 So. 2d 720, 723-24 (Fla. 1997); V.C. v. State, 63 So. 3d 831, 833- 34 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011); J.O. v. State, 42 So. 3d 803, 804 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010); Lester v. State, 25 So. 3d 623, 625 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009).

                                      Lesser Included Offenses

            SECOND DEGREE (DEPRAVED MIND) MURDER a 782.04(2)

CATEGORY ONE           CATEGORY TWO                 FLA. STAT.                     INS. NO.
Manslaughter                                        782.07                         7.7
                       Third degree (felony) murder 782.04(4)                      7.6
                       Vehicular homicide           782.071                        7.9
                       (Nonhomicide lessers)        777.04(1)                      5.1
                       Attempt
                       Culpable negligence          784.05(2)                      8.9
                       Culpable negligence          784.05(1)                      8.9
                       Felony battery               784.041                        8.5
                       Aggravated battery           784.045                        8.4
                       Aggravated assault           784.021                        8.2
                       Battery                      784.03                         8.3
                       Assault                      784.011                        8.1