In the discussion thread: Trayvon Martin was shot at 7:16 in the evening [View all]
Response to grantcart (Reply #124)
Sun Jul 7, 2013, 01:34 PM
Voice for Peace (13,141 posts)
126. it was the prosecution who convinced me.
(This may be wordier than you requested..)
(edited ----> to correct the name: I've been posting that it was John Guy but it was Richard Mantei, asst da. John Guy did the opening statement for the prosecution. Both VERY good.) ............. The ADA Richard Mantei, in appealing to the judge not to dismiss the case, made such a powerful presentation of the facts, and the circumstantial evidence, and the innumerable blatant inconsistencies in Z's stories. He cited precedents for 2nd degree murder convictions, in one case where the simple act of pointing a gun and shooting someone was considered evidence of a depraved state of mind. I felt he made the case simply and precisely, and blew all the defense bullshit out the window. Originally I thought this was involuntary manslaughter, ie that there had not been any original sinister intent. I was skeptical that he profiled because Trayvon was black. As I learned more it seemed less involuntary and more sinister, and I believed he could be found guilty of aggravated manslaughter (in this case specifically, murder of a child, using a gun -- for which sentencing in FL is nearly the same as for 2nd degree.) But I didn't see how they could prove his ill will, or depraved mind -- until I listened to Richard Mantei's presentation on Friday. It was a thing of beauty. He laid it all out, piece by piece. There was nothing new -- it was how well he presented the case. The case is already proved, my opinion. He just needs to repeat himself in his closing statement. The defense has nothing. If you're not watching the trial you're maybe not aware that the defense is really horrible to watch and listen to. I can't imagine the jury feels much differently. They are whiny, hostile, disrespectful, boring, and they waste a HUGE amount of the judge and jury's time with unproductive nitpicking. The judge REALLY doesn't like wasting the jury's time, she seems quite protective of them. She doesn't seem to like the defense lawyers very much, but I don't think it's political or pre-trial bias as some are claiming. It's just that they just act like assholes and are frequently annoying and argumentative with her. The clincher for me, like I said, was Richard Mantei's presentation. It gave me great confidence in the prosecution's competence. My opinion now is that they have a very strong case, pretty well backed up by forensics or lack thereof. ........ http://frederickleatherman.com/2013/07/06/will-the-defendant-testify-or-not-testify/ Someone on DU just posted that this blog is excellent, and I agree so I'll refer you. They are liveblogging the trial but also providing daily summary and analysis. He's also got some good info about what "reasonable doubt" means.
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