George Zimmerman Trial ......

[djm99]

The Opening Statements began today.

The state started out cursing using the F word like 6 times (no hyperbole) and HLN (poor babies) missed the curse word 3 of the 6 times. The state was repeating GZs words about TM (on the 9-11 call). They finally got it right after the 3rd F-bomb. Besides that the state laid out their case very clearly.

The Defense

IMO, started out inappropriately. The attorney started with stories about his own life. The Prosecutors objected and the Judge made him stop. He then decided to give a knock knock joke. The joke, knock knock whose there? George Zimmerman George Zimmerman who you are now on the jury. That was his joke. The Defense isn't doing a bad job, but at first they appeared unorganized almost like they were not really prepared today. The Defense is still speaking as I type this so I'm sure they will get better, but they are not starting out strong.

What are your thoughts? Lets keep this civil. Attack evidence not people please.

Here a the following Live Feeds of the trial that I know of. If you know of one. In box me. I'll add it.
NBC's
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/george-zimmerman-trial-day-5-testimony-live-stream/

I believe this is a ABC feed. It was working much better than NBC's
http://www.wftv.com/s/zimmerman-livestream/

This is an ABC News feedhttp://abcnews.go.com/US/video/geor...on-martin-death-live-stream-coverage-19331255

Zimmerman's Video and Handwritten Statements to police

This is the walk through - Zimmerman at the scene I believe the next day.

Zimmerman Interview at police statement

Zimmerman's handwritten statements to police in pdf

George Zimmerman Trial part 2 is here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=48865283#post48865283

 

[MOpGrad2013]

I enjoy watching court cases, but already this one is a circus.

Just because the people involved in the case use this language doesn't mean it has to be used and then with the joking around...A man is dead and another is on trial. Families are torn apart and we have to resort to high school antics ? Ok, maybe younger than high school.

I will keep an eye on the news breaks. Meanwhile, I'll be streaming The Guardian, Judging Amy and The Good Wife.

Pixie dust to everyone!

 

[usnuzuloose]

GZ's attorney is kinda all over the place.

 

[rigs32]

If the words on the 911 tape are used, it's wholly appropriate to repeat them. If they are changed, then it's no longer quoting the person.

 

[usnuzuloose]

If the words on the 911 tape are used, it's wholly appropriate to repeat them. If they are changed, then it's no longer quoting the person.

It is shocking to hear that right out of the gate. But you are correct.

 

[wiigirl]

GZ's attorney is kinda all over the place.

Agreed....surprising actually.

 

[djm99]

GZ's attorney is kinda all over the place.

I agree. I'm shocked that he played the call GZ made that night to police dispatchers. That call kind of lays out that GZ had no intension of going back to his car. He (the attorney) hasn't landed a punch yet.

 

[HSXJedi]

All things considered, I believe that George Zimmerman will be found not guilty based on the evidence regardless of how his lawyer handles the case. I do not like his lawyer though. Seems to ramble and go back and forth. Should have a simple, concise, defense.

 

[chobie]

If the words on the 911 tape are used, it's wholly appropriate to repeat them. If they are changed, then it's no longer quoting the person.

Absolutely, and those words are powerful. It's those words which lead me to think he had no intention of letting this "punk" get away that night.

 

[NY Disney fan]

All things considered, I believe that George Zimmerman will be found not guilty based on the evidence

I'd like to see that magic trick since none of Zimmerman's blood was found on Trayvon's hands and none of TM blood on gun:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-laden-words-moments-shot-Trayvon-Martin.html

 

[Lorelei Lee]

I am not watching the trial.

But if you blow opening statements, you have a very hard row to hoe to get the jury back. From what you have said, prosecution scored points today and defense lost points.


Use of the "f" word may shock you, but in a trial, where Zimmerman's words are going to be analyzed, the prosecutor would have been remiss in his duty if he didn't utter the words for the jury. Being polite is all well and good in a social situation, but we cannot discuss Zimmerman's comments if we're afraid to use the words he used that night.

When I was in law school, one of the cases my Constitutional law professor assigned to us was Federal Communications Commission v. Pacifica Foundation. That was the case involving the radio station that played George Carlin's "7 dirty words" monologue over the air. Before we discussed the legal principles, the professor read the entire monologue out loud. He didn't read it to be humorous, he read it in a monotone. How could we discuss what was or was not obscene unless we heard the words used and in context?

 

[djm99]

It is crazy that the defense made clear that the VERY street that GZ was looking for (to give to Police - according to him - his reasoning to get out of the car) was his VERY own.

 

[usnuzuloose]

How do you shoot someone who is on top of you, and then slide your self out from underneath and Trayvon be flat on his stomach with his arms underneath him? He would have been flat on his back.

 

[ironpig70]

How do you shoot someone who is on top of you, and then slide your self out from underneath and Trayvon be flat on his stomach with his arms underneath him? He would have been flat on his back.

Not necessary he could be found just like he was.

After you shot the person on you push them up off you at an angle, slide out and then let go of them. They fall flat on there face.

Is it likely? Practical? Realistic? Maybe not but it can be explained to happen.


So glad this circus has started.

 

[djm99]

How do you shoot someone who is on top of you, and then slide your self out from underneath and Trayvon be flat on his stomach with his arms underneath him? He would have been flat on his back.

I have no idea. I read months ago, that made sense to me. They did scuffle on the ground. They then broke apart, both got up and George shot TM standing (or as he stood) up - which would make sense. I have always wondered how he claims he was able to get his gun under TM legs if he was on him like he claims.

 

[usnuzuloose]

But even pushing him off how would both of his arms be near his chest? At least one arm would not be in that position. Yes? No?

 

[Lorelei Lee]

On the other George Zimmerman thread, someone posted a link to video made by the police a day or two after the shooting, where Zimmerman explained how the shooting happened as he took the cops through the neighborhood. I didn't buy a word of what Zimmerman said on those tapes. and if I am not mistaken, his story changed afterward.

 

[rgf207]

Here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth (not much )

There are 2 people that know exactly what happened that night and one of them is dead. It's going to be very difficult to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he committed murder and it wasn't self defense.

The prosecution has a very tough job. The defense, not so much since you don't really have to prove anything.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth (not much )

There are 2 people that know exactly what happened that night and one of them is dead. It's going to be very difficult to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he committed murder and it wasn't self defense.

The prosecution has a very tough job. The defense, not so much since you don't really have to prove anything.

I disagree completely. This case belongs to the prosecution based on so much evidence including that daming 911 call which is the centerpiece. The DNA (or lack of) will get the last say.

 

[djm99]

Here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth (not much )

There are 2 people that know exactly what happened that night and one of them is dead. It's going to be very difficult to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he committed murder and it wasn't self defense.

The prosecution has a very tough job. The defense, not so much since you don't really have to prove anything.

I kind of agree with your statement and I kind of can't agree. The defense has to prove it was self-defense. There is no doubt that GZ killed TM. That's not what has to be proven. George has to prove it was self-defense. The prosecution doesn't have to do that. - The prosecution has to pick apart of the defenses case. In cases of self-defense - its a little different. But I do 'get' where you are coming from.