George Zimmerman prosecutors file list of witnesses, evidence in Trayvon Martin shooting

[Ian David]

Source: Orlando Sentinel

SANFORD – As the world eagerly awaits the release of never-before-seen evidence in the case against George Zimmerman, employees for Special Prosecutor Angela Corey late this afternoon provided a preview in the form of an eight-page document.

<snip>

Most names were redacted from the document, but six civilian witnesses were listed: Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin — parents of the alleged victim, Trayvon Martin — as well as Trayvon's brother, Jahvarius Fulton; Zimmerman's neighbor, Frank Taaffe; his friend, Joe Oliver; and his father, Robert Zimmerman.

<snip>

According to the documents, prosecutors also have new video evidence from the night of the shooting — both from the 7-Eleven store where Trayvon purchased Skittles and Arizona iced tea, and from the clubhouse of Retreat at Twin Lakes, the apartment complex where the teen was killed.

<snip>

Also included in the evidence, according to the new filing, are phone records — Zimmerman's from Feb. 21 to Feb. 26 and from March 7 to March 22, Trayvon's from Jan. 1 through March 1, and those of an unnamed witness labeled "W8" from Feb. 26 through April 2. Zimmerman's medical records and Trayvon's autopsy report are listed, as are records of Zimmerman's 2005 arrest and domestic-violence injunctions.

Read more: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-14/news/os-george-zimmernman-omara-gets-discovery-20120514_1_special-prosecutor-angela-corey-evidence-rachel-fugate

[Life Long Dem]

1. Forensics expert, and a pair of FBI audio experts.

Sure makes you wonder where this is going.

[tabatha]

2. Covering all bases.

Seems as though the prosecutors are leaving no stone unturned.

[vaberella]

3. The shit that gets me is that there was a video camera at the place Trayvon was killed.

Man...I wonder what that shows.

[Bjorn Against]

5. That is what stuck out to me as well

The big question is where the camera was pointed, if it got images of the shooting then Zimmerman is toast. I would suspect the video from the gas station will probably not show much (unless by chance Zimmerman was at the store as well, which would be a very interesting development) but the video from the apartment building could potentially be a bombshell depending on where the camera was pointed. Even if it does not show the shooting if it provides evidence of the direction they were both walking that could definitively prove who initiated the confrontation.

[EvilAL]

6. I figure if the

prosecution is using it, it doesn't show Trayvon doubling back to confront George. I'd also have to assume it doesn't show Trayvon getting shot.

[JDPriestly]

15. If the video was on Zimmerman when he made his first phone call to 911,

it may show whether Zimmerman set out to find or follow Trayvon Martin. That seems to be what the prosecutor was saying in the charges that she filed. That would be a key bit of evidence to indicate Zimmerman's intention. Remember, the 911 operator told Zimmerman that he didn't want Zimmerman to follow Trayvon.

[csziggy]

8. The clubhouse was where Zimmerman was when he was talking to SPD

Not where Martin was killed. The shooting happened over 400 feet away, a block to the east between a line of townhouses. Not in view of the clubhouse.

Look at the map here: http://marinadedave.com/journal/2012/3/22/the-tragedy-of-trayvon-martin.html#comments

[vaberella]

21. I'm fully aware where the club house is.

I was not sure if there was an error in reporting. I figured anyone who knew the story was aware where the club house was and where Trayvon was murdered. I was thinking it was a misprint since those back sidewalks do sometimes have cameras. I know in the residence my aunt lives in Florida has one.

[csziggy]

23. I wonder if the clubhouse video shows that Zimmerman was lying?

In his call to SPD and in his statements as reported by SPD Z is very specific about Martin's and his own actions. If the video shows that nothing happened that way it would prove Z a liar.

[LACarMan]

4. As the world eagerly awaits..lol

I am sure the World is gripped by this case.

Maybe it will be the tipping point to convince us to stop all the drone attacks. Maybe if some podunk Florida town finds justice, missiles wont rain down on on other countries. USA!

[Iris]

7. Well, I'm gripped by this case.

And was appalled at how so many of my peers were completely unaware what was happening.

[FarPoint]

12. As am I...

I too am shocked at our peers as well.

[Iris]

14. :)

[csziggy]

9. Over half the states have passed Stand Your Ground laws

SYG is what is being used as an excuse for this killing. This is important to those of us who would like to walk our streets safely.

And yes the world is gripped by this case. The United Nations human rights chief has called for an investigation of it. The world is worried about the US descent into near fascism which has something to do with the drone attacks, I think. If we cannot or will not protect the rights of our own citizen, how can the rest of the world expect us to treat them?

If you don't care about this subject, why bother clicking on the thread or posting a message in it?

[slackmaster]

11. The defense has not filed for immunity under SYG yet, and I am not sure that it will

All the talk about SYG means nothing to the court until it's brought up by the defense. That would typically happen in a pretrial motion.

[csziggy]

17. Yes, and this attorney previously said he wouldn't use SYG

But has since backed down on that claim.

Zimmerman has up until his trial for second degree murder begins to ask for a SYG hearing. There is no time limit in the law. The SYG is not part of a pretrial motion, it is a hearing separate from the proceedings concerning the trial, from what I have read.

[slackmaster]

19. IMO Zimmerman's actions make a SYG defense untenable

Stay tuned!

[csziggy]

20. I agree, but Florida courts have been generous when applying it

I'm irritated that the documents were released was today. I had no time to look and I have surgery tomorrow so it will be a while before I can check what there is. Maybe by the time I can look, there will be actual witness statements and Zimmerman's own statements from the first twenty four hours!

[Iris]

22. Generous - except when the defendant is a woman.

n/t

[csziggy]

24. True!

[magical thyme]

10. they must have read your post because they changed the lead in

to "As many eagerly await..."

[Iris]

13. Didn't notice that but I'm really uncomfortable with an "lol"

in a thread like this one.

[JDPriestly]

16. It might cause legislatures to change the Stand Your Ground laws a bit.

[Starry Messenger]

18. FBI may charge George Zimmerman with hate crime

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/fbi-seeks-charge-george-zimmerman-hate-crime/nN5pR/

I never understand the arcane rules in here, so I hope it is ok I put this story here.

SANFORD, Fla. —

WFTV has learned charges against George Zimmerman could be getting more serious.

State prosecutors said Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman, profiled and stalked 17-year-old Trayvon Martin before killing him, so the FBI is now looking into charging him with a hate crime.

Zimmerman admitted to killing Martin in February during a confrontation. However, he claims the shooting was in self-defense. He's facing a second-degree murder charge, which carries a maximum possible sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. But if Zimmerman is charged and found guilty of a federal hate crime involving murder, he could face the death penalty.

FBI investigators are actively questioning witnesses in the retreat at the Twin Lakes neighborhood, seeking evidence for a possible federal hate crime charge.

Good, I'm glad they are pursuing this.