Charles Blow: The Zimmerman Trial (NY Times)

[Voice for Peace]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/29/opinion/blow-the-zimmerman-trial.html?ref=trayvonmartin

[hlthe2b]

1. Seems to only describe last week's trial testimony...

Will be more interesting to read pundit summaries tomorrow.

[Voice for Peace]

3. agree but I thought it was a really thoughtful article

worth reading.

What I saw of today's trial was kind of depressing.

[CatWoman]

5. why was it "depressing"?

[Voice for Peace]

8. For one thing I missed much of the prosecution questioning

I saw the testimony of the voice ID expert, and
couldn't really make much sense out of it, or understand
the value of his testimony for either side -- and
then I missed most everything else until the defense
was cross questioning Serino, which I found
depressing, as the officer seemed to be corroborating
Zimmerman's self defense claim.

I had an expectation (or hope) that these
officers would be better witnesses for the prosecution.
Hopefully I missed something in that regard.

Googling around in quest of some good analysis
of today's testimony (& the trial in general)
I kept running into opinions that the prosecution is
weak, including on DU. This is a depressing point
of view to me, and I feel affected by it, I'm not even
sure why.

I want the prosecution to be strong and
sharp and thorough and I want to see Zimmerman
testify in person and walk away with at the very
least a conviction on manslaughter with a firearm
of a child. I'm sorry if he's a nice guy but this was
a serious and reckless crime and Trayvon can
not speak for himself. So we speak with our
own hearts but it's hard sometimes.
It's a heartache, when it seems justice
is being overlooked, common sense and fairness,
and that all the lawyers on both sides are starting
to seem inept.

I hope it's not true so if you have another
perspective I would welcome it. The article by
Charles Blow, I think, is really thoughtful. I
posted it earlier. (edit D'OH I didn't realize
I was posting here in that very thread )

[graham4anything]

2. Zimmerman set that night’s events in motion &rendered them still with the ring of a gunshot.

from the above article, last three paragraphs

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/29/opinion/blow-the-zimmerman-trial.html?ref=trayvonmartin

The bar may be high for the prosecution, but the logic is basic: there has been no suggestion or testimony that Trayvon Martin was doing anything wrong the night that George Zimmerman caught sight of him and grew wary of him, pursued him and came into contact with him.

Zimmerman set that night’s events in motion and rendered them still with the ring of a gunshot. Now, as Zimmerman sits in a Florida courtroom, Martin sleeps in a Florida grave. We will never hear Martin’s side of the story, about the level of his fear or the feel of the bullet ripping through his body.

Morally, Zimmerman is by no means without guilt. Legally, it remains to be seen whether he will be found guilty of second-degree murder.

[Voice for Peace]

4. yes and at the very least should be open and shut manslaughter of a child

with a gun, or whatever the standard is.. he is guilty.

I think I asked you in another thread though..
you have been saying he is guilty of first degree
murder and I wondered about your thinking
in that regard, I don't think you responded.
thanks! and if I have mixed you up with someone
else please forgive me, got memory hole syndrome.

[graham4anything]

6. It's only being charged as 2nd.

But I think he left his house that day, looking for a notch on his resume to prove he should have been a real cop
(a position he was ruled not qualified for).

I think he was very hunter like in finding a prey, scoping it out, and doing what he came there to do.

Manslaughter, sure.
2nd degree, (tv says that means depraved mind, which I think indeed he had) definite
1st degree? I am not a lawyer, but to me, he achieved what he set out that morning to do, and it was no accident that he did it.
(Maybe I am wrong in that it would have to have been singular to the one he killed, as opposed to the person he did it too,
maybe that means it can't be premeditated 1st degree).

BTW-I don't buy there was even a fight at all.

[libodem]

7. Same here

I think Zimmerrman intentionally injured himself, to make it appear he had been beaten up.

I only wish Travon had actually jumped out from the non existent bushes and punched him in the nose until it squished on his face and hit him so hard he fell on his back,, while Zim, screamed like a little girl, as he fell on his back, and while Travon had his phone in his Kung Fu grip and was chatting up his girlfriend, grabbed that sniveling shrinking violet, sobbing and screaming crybaby, brandishing his gun laying on his back, with his head on the sidewalk, screaming save me, aggghhhhhhh, wah, wah, kicking his legs(probably), help me, help me, I'm a scared, little baby, help, help, I'm a sissy, wimpy, scaredy cat, FUCKING NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH CAPTAIN, wah wah, help, help, save me I'm so scared. And our guy Travon, doesn't miss a beat as he jumps on top of him and pounds Zimmerman's head ruthlessly into the sidewalk, big blood stains(right?)


And Zimmerman just never quit crying and pleading for his life until after he fires the gun.
(He must have been so frightened) The gun fires. The screaming stops. What a little kitten.

[Llewlladdwr]

10. You have some very disturbing fantasies. nt

[drhobo]

9. what is the minimum verdict you would accept

What is the minimum conviction and/or sentence that would satisfy you? That would make you think 'yes, justice has been served'

Sorry that this somewhat is off topic, didn't quite want to make a new thread.

[Voice for Peace]

11. Personal opinion only..

I think justice would be served with a verdict of
Aggravated manslaughter of a child, using a firearm *

(3)?A person who causes the death of any person under the age of 18 by culpable negligence under s. 827.03(2)(b) commits aggravated manslaughter of a child, a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Aggravated Manslaughter
Aggravated manslaughter is an enhanced charge triggered by certain circumstances. Those include negligently causing the death of an elderly person; negligently causing the death of a person less than 18 years old; and negligently causing the death of fire or rescue personnel. Aggravated manslaughter is a first-degree felony punishable by life imprisonment. If you are facing this very serious charge, you need a Jacksonville manslaughter criminal defense lawyer by your side.

* somewhere I read that there is mandatory 25 years if
aggravated manslaughter using a firearm.. don't know if
that is outdated.