Posted on 07/15/2013 8:42:23 AM PDT by kristinn
Florida prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda had "prayed that [George Zimmerman] would have the courage to take the stand," he told ABC News in an exclusive interview Sunday, adding that Zimmerman's "inconsistent statements" would have made him the prosecution's star witness.
In the interview with the four Florida prosecutors who fought to convict Zimmerman, lead prosecutor de la Rionda said, "I prayed that he would have the courage to take the stand but, as we all well know, he's got the right not to."
"Anytime you put in a defendant's statements and a lot of those are self-serving, then usually a defendant will make the decision not to testify because you've got his story out. We felt it was important to get his story out because there were so many lies."
De la Rionda, who would have cross-examined Zimmerman had he taken the stand, said he would have been interested to see how the former neighborhood watch captain answered several of his questions:
"Why did you assume because [Trayvon] Martin was wearing a hoodie, he was committing a crime? Why did you assume that because he was walking he was doing something improper? Why didn't you identify yourself? Why did you assume he didn't belong in the neighborhood?"
Zimmerman, 29, was found not guilty in the death of Trayvon Martin late Saturday night. Zimmerman was accused of second-degree murder for shooting Martin, 17, Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Fla. He said from the beginning that he had shot Martin in self-defense.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Because the trial was about Zimmerman's self defense, not Trayvon's neighborhood prowling.
Hell the prosecutor screwed up his own ultra weak case by having GZ testify via various videos where he could not be crossed examined.
Either this prosecutor is a typical incompetent government hack or his heart was not in the case as he knew he had NOTHING.
If I had screwed up that badly, I’d be praying for something too.
He prayed that the defense lawyer would bail him out.
“Hail Satan”?
Maybe your ‘god’ was taking a potty break? And I have no clue what this man’s denomination is, but he has forgotten about the separation from GOD by the state.
Florida Democrats are loving this.
This case and the fallout from their foolish involvement could well cost Gov Scott and Pam Bondi their re-election bids and even their poitical futures.
They more or less took sides with Obama, Sharpton and the idiot, liberal, moocher class.
It's time for them to cut their losses and throw Angela Corey under the bus.
Of course he did.
Kiss my tush, Bernie, you despicable spec of dreck.
lol. Elija and the prophets of Baal. Choose your bull, Bernie.
If he asked those “why” questions, he would have helped the defense considerably. Zimmerman could have shoved those questions down his throat. I think he probably could have testified and helped his case, but with the complete lack of evidence, there was no need to, so why risk it.
What an unprofessional and inappropriate interview. Those individuals were in the courtroom as representatives of the state of Florida. As far as the state is concerned, George Zimmerman is not guilty of any crime involving Trayvon Martin. They should have no personal comments for the media regarding the case.
This group should be reported to the Florida bar and should have their licenses revoked. They should also be prosecuted for violating George Zimmerman’s 5th Amendment rights.
He didn’t screw up on showing the video. He was in a no win situation. If he hadn’t shown it the Defense would have aggressively questioned the police about it’s existance, contents and whether the prosecution had a copy, then allege in front of the jury that the prosecution was suppressing evidence.
I’m glad that the prosecution was forced into that choice ... >:-)
Smile.
This case and the fallout from their foolish involvement could well cost Gov Scott and Pam Bondi their re-election bids and even their poitical futures.
They more or less took sides with Obama, Sharpton and the idiot, liberal, moocher class.
It's time for them to cut their losses and throw Angela Corey under the bus.
Crazy, isn't it. They were totally unprincipled from top to bottom.
What prosecutors like this do is pile on charges so the person charged will be found guilty of something, anything. Look at the “felony child abuse” charge they tried to throw in at the last minute as a fine example of how low they will go for a ‘win.’
They make it almost impossible to defend against, so that defendant cops a plea to one of the lesser charges and, voila!, a ‘win’ for the prosecutor. Not every defendant has attorneys like O’Mara and West, unfortunately.
In the meanwhile there are charges out against the prosecutors for unethically (and possibly illegally) withholding evidence from the Zimmerman defense team. Imagine, if they did that to such top-flight and relatively well-funded attorneys, what they do to less well-funded attorneys and overworked public defenders. AND they have wasted at least $1M of taxpayers’ money pursuing Zimmmerman when there are real criminals who should be pursued. Detestable.
If a prosecution depends upon the defendant testifying, then the case hasn't been made. I've been a juror on a criminal trial covered by network news, so I've seen lengths the State'll go up close.
crazy pink cowboy hat congresswoman from miami is DEMANDING a civil suit. The law does not matter as long as she can stoke fires for her own power.
This is no longer about gangbanger martin, this is just about a two minute hate. (for those in rio linda READ 1984)
This is very inspiring, a deeply Religious man.
I pray that Bernie “The Roach” will be disbarred and sent to prison.
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