I am shocked - Alan Dershowitz chimes in on the Zimmerman case

[Leatherneck 693]

From my experience this is our justice system. Prosecutors trump up charges to the point where whether you are guilty or not, you don't want to even take the chance of going to trial. I believe many innocent Americans accept plea bargins because they cave to the fear of greater charges. Its frankly disgusting! I really question the validity of our entire system.

Not to mention it's unethical to do that as a prosecutor. But hey, judges and prosecutors get away with crime daily in America.

The one group of folks that have total immunity - all wrapped up in a pretty package labeled ' prosecutorial misconduct.'

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This is a political dog and pony show with Barry and Holder involved.

bullsh!t. People get upset when they hear about an unarmed teenager getting gunned down and the killer gets off scott free. It doesn't matter who the players were, it's a travesty of justice. Now granted, Zimmerman's made the claim that he was being attacked, but there's no hard evidence that his claim has any legitimacy. We know that Martin was on his way home and was freaked out that Zimmerman was watching and following him. If Zimmerman cornered Martin and Martin felt that his life was in danger, would he not have the right to defend himself? That's where a lot of the racial bigots show their bias. They sympathize with the idea of a man (Zimmerman) trying to defend himself, but don't apply that same notion to Martin. If Martin perceived that his life was in grave danger, you can bet your guns that Martin would do whatever he could to defend his life, including striking first.

[SMOKE 1,426]

If Zimmerman cornered Martin

but, those pictures you posted in that other thread of the complex show he wasn't cornered. he may have been confronted, but we don't know that either. its zimmermans word w/ a couple 'eye witnesses' ('..' coz it was dark & neither saw the whole thing) and martin's girl friend (who is going from the phone call.)

the prosecutor screwed this up w/ the murder2 charge. a volountary manslaughter conviction is plausible. but, murder2. no way. no video, conficting testimony, 1 single gun shot (if he intended to kill martin, he would have kept firing), the big one...he was walking free for 40+ days....the 2 bolden are a slam dunk for 'reasonable doubt' of intent to commit murder. IMHO: zimmerman is walking & its the prosecuter's fault.

Edited April 14, 2012 by SMOKE

[Leatherneck 693]

bullsh!t. People get upset when they hear about an unarmed teenager getting gunned down and the killer gets off scott free. It doesn't matter who the players were, it's a travesty of justice. Now granted, Zimmerman's made the claim that he was being attacked, but there's no hard evidence that his claim has any legitimacy. We know that Martin was on his way home and was freaked out that Zimmerman was watching and following him. If Zimmerman cornered Martin and Martin felt that his life was in danger, would he not have the right to defend himself? That's where a lot of the racial bigots show their bias. They sympathize with the idea of a man (Zimmerman) trying to defend himself, but don't apply that same notion to Martin. If Martin perceived that his life was in grave danger, you can bet your guns that Martin would do whatever he could to defend his life, including striking first.

You should get your news and information from sources other than MSNBC.

[Leatherneck 693]

I actually agree with Gary! Holy snikey!

I would add though, to me the FL law in some sense contributed to wrongful death or negligent homicide charges. George may be able to plea his way down to those though, time will tell. Of course not having the specific facts I can't say I am certain the right charge isn't being filed.

Reading the FL. statue makes it clear that 2nd degree murder was overkill, pardon the pun. She has to prove all three of the underlined, not one or the other.

(2) The unlawful killing of a human being, when perpetrated by any act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind regardless of human life, although without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual, is murder in the second degree and constitutes a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life or as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Edited April 14, 2012 by Leatherneck

[luckytxn 2,265]

Or looking to be appointed as a judge.

She talked too long trying to justify herself. She wants something for this travesty.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

She talked too long trying to justify herself. She wants something for this travesty.

What "travesty" ?

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

That just means you were a terrible boxer. With that kind of reach to be getting beat up by someone around 5'5 would be pretty pathetic. Hopefully you didn't get hurt too badly

From my experience fighting a tall and skinny guy was hilarious. When we grappled I was shocked at how weak the guy was. You can yank them around like a rag doll.

Your experience won't matter. Can a reasonable man believe he could be severely injured in the circumstances as they developed on that night at that time and that place? Yes or no? Yes? Zimmerman walks.

Our youngest son is 5 feet 11" and about 160, maybe a little less, and the same age as Martin, he bench presses 200+ He could bash your head on the sidewalk and kill you or severely injure you with his bare hands.

A person would have to be supremely stupid to believe such 6' 160 lb teenager could NOT inflict severe bodily injury on any normal man. Of course he could. They will just have to find 12 supremely stupid people to unanimously agree that Zimmerman could not have been in fear of severe bodily injury.

Good luck. Oh, and the trial WILL BE in Florida. The state that elected the representatives and Senators that passed "Stand Your Ground" virtually unanimously. Good luck

Thats what TRIALS are for. I am confident in our system

Edited April 14, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Your experience won't matter. Can a reasonable man believe he could be severely injured in the circumstances as they developed on that night at that time and that place? Yes or no? Yes? Zimmerman walks.

Our youngest son is 5 feet 11" and about 160, maybe a little less, he bench presses 200+ He could bash your head on the sidewalk and kill you or severely injure you with his bare hands.

A person would have to be supremely stupid to believe such 6' 160 lb teenager could NOT inflict severe bodily injury on any normal man. Of course he could. They will just have to find 12 supremely stupid people to unanimously agree that Zimmerman could not have been in fear of severe bodily injury.

Good luck. Oh, and the trial WILL BE in Florida. The state that elected the representatives and Senators that passed "Stand Your Ground" virtually unanimously. Good luck

Thats what TRIALS are for. I am confident in our system

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

bullsh!t. People get upset when they hear about an unarmed teenager getting gunned down and the killer gets off scott free. It doesn't matter who the players were, it's a travesty of justice. Now granted, Zimmerman's made the claim that he was being attacked, but there's no hard evidence that his claim has any legitimacy. We know that Martin was on his way home and was freaked out that Zimmerman was watching and following him. If Zimmerman cornered Martin and Martin felt that his life was in danger, would he not have the right to defend himself? That's where a lot of the racial bigots show their bias. They sympathize with the idea of a man (Zimmerman) trying to defend himself, but don't apply that same notion to Martin. If Martin perceived that his life was in grave danger, you can bet your guns that Martin would do whatever he could to defend his life, including striking first.

Guilty until proven innocent? That isn't how it works. The prosecution needs to prove Zimmerman was NOT attacked, was NOT in fear of death or severe bodily injury. Them's the facts, you do not need to like them or agree with them, THAT is the burden the prosecution must meet...to 12 unanimous Florida jurors. The STATE has made the charge and the STATE must prove the charge they made.

I apply the SAME notion to Martin. Martin has the SAME right to defend himself. What does Martin say about this?

[luckytxn 2,265]

What "travesty" ?

Let me drink more coffee and wake up. Then I will figure out what you want.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Let me drink more coffee and wake up. Then I will figure out what you want.

Naw, I just wasn't sure. I mean the only travesty I see here is that Zimmerman got arrested in the first place.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Naw, I just wasn't sure. I mean the only travesty I see here is that Zimmerman got arrested in the first place.

That was what I was saying before....I think. I just woke up though so who knows.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

bullsh!t.

People get upset when they hear about an unarmed teenager getting gunned down and They sympathize with the idea of a man (Zimmerman) trying to defend himself, but don't apply that same notion to Martin. If Martin perceived that his life was in grave danger, you can bet your guns that Martin would do whatever he could to defend his life, including striking first.

I support the right of ALL people over age 18 to carry concealed weapons without permission from the government. Do you?

What would you do to change our system?

Make it "guilty until proven innocent"? Maybe "Trial by NBC"? Maybe a reality TV show?

what you propose is to apply some other burden of proof, or lack thereof, in THIS case and then say someone else does not apply the law evenly when you oppose the ability of ANYone to defend themselves.

Can you even be serious?

[웃 910]

Our youngest son is 5 feet 11" and about 160, maybe a little less, and the same age as Martin, he bench presses 200+ He could bash your head on the sidewalk and kill you or severely injure you with his bare hands.

A water drop can kill you if it hits you enough times. And I am more afraid of a water drop than your 160 pound teenage son!

Edited April 14, 2012 by ☠