USA TODAY Column: …However, the widespread protests and anger over the shooting seemed to have its greatest impact on Corey’s decision to charge the case as murder in the second degree. This was clearly a challenging case even for manslaughter and the decision to push second-degree murder (while satisfying to many in the public) was legally and tactically unwise. The facts simply did not support a claim beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman acted with intent and a “depraved mind, hatred, malice, evil intent or ill will.” Had Corey charged manslaughter, the case might have been closer but would have still been a challenge…
The fact is that we had no better an idea of what happened that night at the end of this trial than we had at the end of that fateful night. Jurors don’t make social judgment or guesses on verdicts. While many have criticized Zimmerman for following Martin, citizens are allowed to follow people in their neighborhood. That is not unlawful. It was also lawful for Zimmerman to be armed. The question comes down to who started the fight and whether Zimmerman was acting in self-defense.
Various witnesses said that Martin was on top of Zimmerman and said that they believed that he was the man calling for help. He had injuries. Not serious injuries but injuries to his head from the struggle. Does that mean that he was clearly the victim. No. It does create reasonable doubt on the question of the struggle… (more)
EDITOR: You shouldn’t send someone to prison for no other reason than he / she is a jerk.
Yes, Zimmerman was overcharged.
The Sanford FL police chief was fired, the lead detective was demoted, a special prosecutor was appointed by the governor and the prosecutions Information Technology director was fired for telling us that the prosecution was withholding possibly exculpatory evidence from the defense.
The media had Zimmerman tried and convicted a year ago. The media went so far as to edit Zimmerman’s 911 call causing the entire context of the call to change, and they still won’t identify Zimmerman as Hispanic which he is. To fit their narrative he must be called a white Hispanic. Zimmerman should never have been charged.
The jury saw it like the first investigators saw it.
I don’t know if Zimmerman is a jerk. I never met him. And anyone had their civil rights violated it was Zimmerman, the police chief, the lead detective and the IT director.
Hopefully the voters of Florida will remember this come election time.