Posted on 07/11/2013 9:21:37 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
George Zimmerman's prosecutors want to add lesser charges for the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin, including manslaughter and third-degree murder, possibly because they're worried he'll be acquitted. Originally, Zimmerman just faced second-degree murder charges for shooting and killing 17-year-old Martin. He claims self-defense, saying that Martin punched him in the face and smashed his head into the sidewalk.
In the state of Florida, third-degree murder doesn't require proving that Zimmerman acted with some sort of "ill will" or hatred. The new charge, however, does need a felony-basis. In a surprising move, the prosecution argued Zimmerman committed child abuse as the felony required for third-degree murder.
Richard Mantei, one prosecutor in the case, explained, "When one commits ... child abuse, and the child dies — the child being defined as a person under the age of 18 — that can constitute felony murder in the third degree." Judge Debra Nelson noted that child abuse must be intentional. "Shooting is an intentional act. The question is whether is was justifiable, not intentional," Mantei responded.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Well, any doubt we are living in a communists Country ruled by the communists Democrats. The legal system is totally criminal in itself and thousand of judges are the most bunch of corrupt jackasses. America is finished since there is no balance.
Absolutely insane.
This trial is a joke.
Doing everything they can to railroad him. Child abuse was never in the original charges, and Zimmerman’s people didn’t have time to set up a defense. If possible, Zimmerman’s attorneys should appeal this to a higher court even before the trial is over.
Perhaps they should amend charges to include illegal parking as well.
>rollseyes<
Can the defense file a motion for mistrial?
Justice in 0bama’s USSA
They are sure doing everything thing they can to make sure this guy goes to jail. I pray their efforts fail.
Jaywalking? Spitting on the sidewalk? Littering, well, he did take out the trash.
And when will this hatchet-faced judge get a temporary grip on reality, to say nothing of the law?
I just hope those women on the jury are smart enough to see through all this BS.
Gettin on time for the melanin challenged to protest & riot? Oh, wait, they can’t get time off from their multiple part time jobs.
Really bad if parking in a Handicapped Zone!!
I guess I'm really just another sexist, creepy-ass cracker.
Obviously even the prosecution thinks they screwed things up. But to pull this at this late point in the trial?
Yes but can you read cursive?
The prosecution’s law school should revoke their law degree. Without another trial and the opportunity for the defense attorneys to prepare for it, how do you just bring up additional charges in the middle of an existing trial?
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