[Irishiis49]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

The potential of civil unrest if the state looses this one is something the jury should not consider at all. Its a court of law and they are jurors who should only rely on what they have seen and heard in that courtroom. I just hope the 6 jury members understand each of the laws that will be used in their decision.

I really don't see civil unrest as an issue here as it was with OJ...I don't think it will be a factor...

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by DUNNDFRNT

Sadly yes, by choosing to go with a 2nd degree murder as opposed to manslaughter, the state pulled a Casey Anthony. No way of really proving he had the intent, my issue with this case is really more about Florida State self defense laws, the whole "reasonable fear" seems very vague and hard to enforce.

Correct me if I am wrong. but doesn't the jury have the option of convicting on a lesser charge than 2nd degree murder.....which considering TM was technically a minor it still carries 30 years? I thought I heard the analysts state that. I could be wrong though.

[bannedontherun]

Originally Posted by Occifer

Yep. Lets not forget what proof beyond a reasonable doubt means. That doesn't mean that the prosecution might be right or even appears to be right, it means that they have proven the case beyond and to the exclusion of any other reasonable explanation or possibility. I personally believe that Zimmerman was very likely a little trigger happy and put himself in a situation that he shouldn't have, however that doesn't mean that the prosecution has proven a murder case. It also doesn't mean he is innocent, it just means that the legal burden of proof for a guilty verdict doesn't appear to be met.

Self defense is an affirmative defense that involves what a reasonable person believes or should believe. The prosecution did not produce any solid evidence to refute that Zimmerman felt in fear for his life. The bloody pictures of him assert that he was indeed in danger, and the prosecution witnesses haven't done a very good job refuting a valid self defense claim.

I don't know but IMO the State may have overcharged and from what I understand 2nd Degree with a firearm carries a minimum mandatory....25 years. I don't know if there's a lesser charge on the jury instructions and if it also has a minimum mandatory, again, since a firearm was involved. I could be wrong but I don't believe the State anticipated Zman's defense fund was going to enable him to get good representation he is getting.

He's not out of the weeds yet and If I were in his shoes , I wouldn't care for an all women jury with most of them being mothers.....I would've preferred a couple childless men mixed in there as well, IMO.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by bannedontherun

I don't know but IMO the State may have overcharged and from what I understand 2nd Degree with a firearm carries a minimum mandatory....25 years. I don't know if there's a lesser charge on the jury instructions and if it also has a minimum mandatory, again, since a firearm was involved. I could be wrong but I don't believe the State anticipated Zman's defense fund was going to enable him to get good representation he is getting.

He's not out of the weeds yet and If I were in his shoes , I wouldn't care for an all women jury with most of them being mothers.....I would've preferred a couple childless men mixed in there as well, IMO.

I was surprised on both sides that they settled on the jury they did. Not exactly even representation.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Occifer

if you have some preconceived belief that the big, burly black guy with dreadlocks wearing urban style clothes who is walking towards you is dangerous based on his appearance alone, they you ARE racist and prejudiced. I'm sure you won't admit that, but it's true.

I won't answer comments on this subject any more, since you and others are adding words to my comments that I never wrote. I've written over 100 posts in the past year and never accused George Zimmerman of being a racist. Now I'm being told I'm one. Sure, people never judge others by the way they look, especially men.

[Spring Hillian]

Read any social media sites recently?

Originally Posted by Irishiis49

I really don't see civil unrest as an issue here as it was with OJ...I don't think it will be a factor...

[Irishiis49]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Read any social media sites recently?

No too old for the social media sites! If I was on the jury I wouldn't let that effect my verdict...I would take my oath very seriously...but Florida jurrors...maybe I'm giving them too much credit!

[Red3311]

Originally Posted by Irishiis49

I really don't see civil unrest as an issue here as it was with OJ...I don't think it will be a factor...

do you have your hands over your ears, your eyes closed and going "lalalaalala" ????

[jsun556]

I doubt any civil unrest would be widespread. I think only the shopkeepers of Sanford have to worry. Broken windows, looting, etc.

Do insurance companies cover rioting?

[Red3311]

Originally Posted by jsun556

I doubt any civil unrest would be widespread. I think only the shopkeepers of Sanford have to worry. Broken windows, looting, etc.

Do insurance companies cover rioting?

usually covered under either "fire, theft and vandalism"