Do you think Zimmerman will be convicted of murder?

That's not exactly true.

Sharpton was successful in drawing media attention to this case, and that is what activists do. But I don't think there was a "media drive" to have Zimmerman arrested, if by that you mean the media was the main force behind the public pressure that led to the appointment of a special prosecutor and the subsequent charges against Zimmerman.

The media covers news and anything that would appeal to the public. This was a newsworthy case for a number of reasons, including Florida's controversial Stand Your Ground Law, the fact that the shooter also seems to have been the pursuer, the victim was unarmed and had not been engaged in criminal activity when Zimmerman's 911 call was made, it was unclear who might have provoked the fatal confrontation, or exactly what transpired during that confrontation prior to the shooting, as well as the possibility that some racial profiling might have been involved in both Zimmerman's initial response to his victim and the state attorney's decision not to arrest or charge him or to pursue an investigation.

In other words, what made it of interest to the media, and to the media consumers, were the same factors that make this case interesting to many of us posting in this thread--there are unanswered questions, ambiguities, and some troubling issues--it's controversial.

I'm not quite sure you can appreciate that sort of interest because, for you, this is an open and shut case of justified self defense, and you don't even think Zimmerman should have been arrested. I also think that you feel that there is something suspect about Sharpton's helping to bring this case to the attention of the media and the public, and you have alluded to his just stirring up racial tensions without, in your mind, adequate reason, although you have provided absolutely nothing concrete to support that speculation. But, as I just pointed out above, there were issues in this case that were controversial and important enough to warrant a public reaction, having absolutely nothing to do with Sharpton or his motives. In this particular instance, I am glad that this case did receive public attention and I am not suspect regarding Sharpton's motives.

And to dredge up issues that Sharpton was involved in decades ago, like Tawana Brawley, or Crown Heights, or even the Duke rape case, are totally irrelevant in deciding whether this particular case was worthy of the sort advocacy that Sharpton brought to it. While I have thought that Sharpton was quite wrong regarding certain things he has done in the past, I do think he got this one right. He was influential in getting a special prosecutor appointed, and in getting Zimmerman arrested--he helped to get the justice system to do its job.

But your belaboring whether or not Sharpton is an anti-Semite, could not be more irrelevant in this case. Is Zimmerman Jewish, is that why Sharpton wanted him arrested? No. You seem to have your own ax to grind on that issue, and this thread is not the place to grind it, because it is disruptive of the actual topic discussion, or anything genuinely connected to, or associated with, the topic. And your Nazi lunacy, and referring to posters on this thread as Nazis, simply proves you can be just as adept at inflammatory speech as you accuse Sharpton of being. If you don't like it in him, why do you emulate it?

And finally, the "ex-legal pressure" in this case is not just coming from Sharpton, or just from the black community, even though that's where it might have originated. It is coming from all segments of the public who, upon learning the facts and issues of this case, agreed that Zimmerman should be arrested and that further investigation of this case was warranted. I can't say that I was influenced by Sharpton, at all, in arriving at my feeling that Zimmerman should be arrested, I did a great deal of reading on my own to arrive at that conclusion, just as I'm sure that many other people did. This petition received over 2,217,000 signatures.
http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin

No matter how I look at it, your obsessive preoccupation with Sharpton is unjustified in this thread. Sharpton sheds no light on whether Zimmerman's killing of Trayvon Martin was a legally justified act of self defense--that matter must be determined in court. There are are many people posting in this thread who do feel that Zimmerman should have been arrested, and none of them are saying, "Because Al Sharpton said so," and they have presented the reasons in support of their thinking. Rather than continuing to disrupt this thread with your unnecessary diversions, and basically irrelevant issues, you might better focus on responding to those posters.

So far I haven't seen you offer a cogent argument as to why this case should not have resulted in an arrest, given all the unanswered questions it raises, other than the fact that you, personally, are convinced, by two photos of Zimmerman's head, that you have all the answers, know exactly what happened, and have already rendered your final verdict. If you think that, by attacking and discrediting Sharpton, that you can manipulate others here into sharing your view of this case, you are grossly underestimating the intelligence and thoughtfulness of most of the people you are trying to convince.

Its OK, Bill.
We 'll write u out a pass or something.

David, You really are "that" stupid! I never ever suggested changing the laws of our Constitution. Your imagination runs wild, and create accusations that is based on nothing more than your idiocy.

You're not very sophisticated in your understanding of "racism" or the many subtle and less obvious forms it may take, including racial profiling.

This isn't a case about a "conflict" between a "black skin citizen and a white skin or even semi white skin citizen"--it's about a homicide and the circumstances surrounding that homicide.

And there are questions about whether racial profiling was what made George Zimmerman even notice and be concerned with Trayvon Martin in the first place. Trayvon wasn't doing anything criminal, nor did he even really look like he was preparing to do anything criminal--he was walking around, talking on his cell phone, and looking at the buildings around him. And he had a legitimate right to be in that location.

But, immediately upon seeing Trayvon, alarms went off in Zimmerman's head that made him see this teen, and his behavior, as "suspicious", enough so that Zimmerman called 911. What made those alarms go off in Zimmerman's head? Racial profiling is not a far-fetched possibility. And, given the sorts of comments about Mexicans that we now know George Zimmerman posted on his old myspace page, it seems an even more likely possibility, because he appears to have a pattern of thinking in such ways.

No one but you, in this thread, has jumped to the illogical conclusion that, even if racial profiling set off Zimmerman's alarms, that means he is a white power nut, or hates blacks, or is an out and out racist. That's one of your typical straw-man arguments.

Racial profiling can occur, and can affect perceptions and judgments, in the minds of people who are not otherwise blatantly racist in their attitudes and behaviors, and sometimes those people aren't even aware of such biases. If the state attorney's office decided not to arrest Zimmerman because of their own racial profiling of the victim, they might, or might not, have been out-and-out racist in their thinking, but they would certainly be biased. And that possibility is one reason a special prosecutor was warranted in this case.

Sharpton did not manufacture the racial issues in this case--they have been there all along. And they may have played an important part in George Zimmerman's mind-set in terms of black kid=up to no good. That's why racial issues, in this particular case are relevant in this discussion, and merit relevant consideration in court--racial profiling is part of the state's explanation for what motivated Zimmerman to be so concerned about and "suspicious" of Trayvon Martin.

As for those edited tapes at NBC, those people should have been fired, but that sort of behavior is not reflective of the over-all media coverage of this case. And, if anything, exposing this unfortunate editing showed that Zimmerman did not emphasize that the teen was black--so publicizing the editing wound up being helpful to his image.

Don't you think law enforcement did the exact same thing? Rather than have people speculate about what they thought they heard, it's far better to see if you can get clarity. And they didn't find that Zimmerman clearly uttered any racial slurs--and, again, that helps his image.

You seem to be the one who is clearly trying to spin this story in a certain direction, and you leave out so much information, and engage in so much distortion, that you wind up doing a very poor job of it.

If you're concerned about the media, have you looked at the spin that the pro-gun Web sites have tried to put on this story? You want slanted versions, go take a look.

So no, I don't think that that this "whole sad event is reflecting far worst on the sociality then on Zimmerman." I think the public response and the criminal justice response reflects well on our society. We are a country of laws and, more than anything else, the public pressure, and criminal justice response, was in the direction of making sure our laws are upheld--including the Stand Your Ground law, if it is applicable in this case. The deliberate killing of one person by another should never be totally ignored by law enforcement, without adequate investigation, and without a legal determination of whether that killing was lawful, And the re-evaluation of the problematic and controversial Florida Stand Your Ground law that this case has provoked is also for the good--that law has already had unintended negative consequences because it is not well or carefully written--it should be re-examined.

But, I guess I forget that you view laws, and their enforcement, as indications of a "police state", so you're not exactly in the forefront when it comes to demanding that laws be upheld, and enforced. That's why I'm glad this is now in court and you're not.

Sorry Firefly Spin master, going by the CDC/FBI numbers of young black men who are kill by firearms yearly the number of black teenagers killed in the US by other black teenagers, since Trayvon death is in the range of a few hundreds and yet the news media is not focusing on those deaths either as a group or as individuals.

Second if Zimmerman had been black and Trayvon white somehow I question that the news media would be painting Trayvon as a victim and Zimmerman as a black racist.

If a black Zimmerman had been arrested Sharpton would had been leading rallies in his defense. Similar to what Sharpton had done in the past when the "victim" and the "offender" had flip colors

You know I feel for the poor judge that going to be hearing Zimmerman self defense hearing as if he dismiss the charges he will know it might be lighting the fuse of a good old fashion race riot in 2012! NO JUSTICE NO PEACE

I shudder at the very idea of Sharpton and his like setting off such a riot just before the next election.

It would be a damn shame if this end up causing Obama to lose the election and we will need to suffer the GOP in power once more.

In any case Firefly this is not about a simple murder charge.

When are you going to learn that other murders/killings have absolutely nothing to do with this case. Every case is tried on its own merits. It's now called "the State v Zimmerman."

You are continuing to promote your own personal obsession with Sharpton, and you are completely off topic.

Yes, Sharpton's advocacy is for the black community, particularly with regard to the criminal justice system. But that's not what this legal case is about or what this thread is about. Nor is it about other problems in the black community, or your personal fears of black people rioting--which mainly reflect your own bigoted views of blacks as violent and lawless people.

This thread is not your personal platform to air any and all irrelevant issues and views that you happen to hold. You succeed only in de-railing and disrupting coherent discussion of the actual topic, and ultimately trashing the thread, and you do that sort of thing time, after time. I refuse to enable you in that endeavor.

This case is about a homicide and the circumstances surrounding that homicide.

Maybe BillRM will learn that if his posts are ignored unless they actually reflect some meaningful connection to the topic, and if they are sufficiently interesting, and thought-out, to warrant a response.

Otherwise, I think we are just feeding his need for attention, and encouraging him to divert the topic, by responding to him when he continues to post irrelevant issues.

You're spot on! I'm otta here.

Sorry this is about a political motivation prosecution that have little to do with the non political working of the justice system.

It is a ticking time bomb in many ways as a result.

I SAID I got the idea, not U!
C.I. is trying to steal MY idea. The NERVE of some people!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/zimmerman-jury_b_1458890.html


Legal legend Alan Dershowitz blasted the special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin case, accusing her of hiding evidence favorable to defendant George Zimmerman and committing perjury.

“If I were this prosecutor, I’d be hiring a lawyer at this point,” Dershowitz said of Angela Cory, the Florida state attorney and special prosecutor who Gov. Rick Scott appointed to handle the case.

Dershowitz leveled his bombshell charges in an interview Wednesday with Fox News' Megyn Kelly. The Harvard law professor, noted for winning an acquittal of Claus Von Bulow in the case that inspired the film “Reversal of Fortune,” said Cory overreached by charging Zimmerman with second-degree murder. And he said the affidavit she filed in support of the charges was illegal because it did not include evidence favorable to Zimmerman.


“If there are riots, it will be the prosecutor’s fault because she overcharged, raised expectations.”
-“This affidavit submitted by the prosecutor in the Florida case is a crime,” Dershowitz said. “It’s a crime.”

Zimmerman, 28, is a neighborhood watch captain who admits shooting the unarmed 17-year-old Martin on Feb. 26 after a confrontation in the gated community where he lives, but Zimmerman claims he acted in self-defense.

ABC News recently aired a photo purportedly taken minutes after the shooting that shows a bloody wound on the back of Zimmerman’s head. That photo appears to support Zimmerman’s contention that he was being beaten by the teen when he shot him.

But Cory made no mention of Zimmerman’s wounds or photos that might substantiate them when announcing the charge on April 11. Dershowitz said she was obligated to include any and all pertinent evidence.

“If she in fact knew about ABC News’ pictures of the bloody head of Zimmerman and failed to include that in the affidavit, this affidavit is not the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” Dershowitz said. “It’s a perjurious affidavit.”

Even worse, Dershowitz warned that by overcharging Zimmerman, Cory may have planted the seed for riots if he is acquitted, as Dershowitz predicted will happen.

“If there are riots, it will be the prosecutor’s fault because she overcharged, raised expectations,” Dershowitz said. “This prosecutor not only may have suborned perjury, she may be responsible, if there are going to be riots here, for raising expectations to unreasonable levels.”He said it is quite possible Zimmerman was guilty of a lesser charge, but the affidavit does not support a second-degree murder charge.

“There’s nothing in this affidavit that suggests second-degree murder. The elements of second-degree murder aren’t here."

Dershowitz is not the first legal expert to question the second-degree murder charge. The Florida statute requires proof that the defendant acted in a manner that was “evincing a depraved mind.” Prominent Miami criminal defense attorney John Priovolos told The Associated Press the charge was a “huge overreach” and said Corey will be hard-pressed to show Zimmerman had the “ill will, spite, malice or hatred” needed to prove a “depraved mind.”

If convicted of the second-degree charge, Zimmerman could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Cory could still add charges, and a jury could eventually convict him of a “lesser included” charge, such as reckless manslaughter.

When announcing the charge, Cory expressed confidence in her team’s case.

"We have to have a reasonable certainty of conviction before filing charges," Cory said.

But Dershowitz said Cory is the one who should be facing charges, arguing that her prosecution of the case has already taken a political turn.

“She was appointed to get Zimmerman,” Dershowitz said.

Excellent summary, firefly.

Joe(without a single epithet )Nation

If you love reading Firefly you must had been one of those kids that love to spin around until you was completely dizzy and fall down.

Email from Zimmerman's lawyer concerning donating to his defense fund.

The site www.gzdefensefund.com mention in the email is up and running and have a paypal button.

Hello William,



Thanks very much for the support for George and your commitment to help him. Donations can be made through the firm address listed below. We are keeping those moneys in a separate account and they will be used for expenses for George and his legal defense. We have a website up to keep everyone updated on the progress of the case. Please go to www.gzlegalcase.com for information. Please understand, however, that we will not be discussing the facts of the case or the discovery, as that is inappropriate.



Shortly, there will be an active website at www.gzdefensefund.com specific for contributions.





Mark M. O’Mara

O’Mara Law Group

1416 East Concord Street

Orlando, Florida 32803

407-898-5151 office

407-898-2468 fax

[email protected]

www.markomaralaw.com

Here is details of the defense fund from the website www.gzlegalcase.com

=============================================

An independent administrator has been chosen to oversee the George Zimmerman Defense Fund. The third-party administrator is a former IRS agent, and currently works as a CPA with experience managing Chapter 7 Trustee Funds.

The legal defense fund, as initially envisioned by George Zimmerman, as stated on his now-closed website, was set up to provide for living expenses and to fund costs and legal fees associated with his defense. This will also be the purpose of the new legal defense fund.

The fund's administrator will have sole discretion regarding the dispersal of funds, and guidelines will be put in place to define reasonable living expenses for Mr. Zimmerman and his family and to fund necessary legal expenses. Neither Mr. Zimmerman nor The O’Mara Law Group will have direct access to the funds.

There will be a strict level of confidentiality regarding those who donate to the George Zimmerman Defense Fund as their active donating is regarded as a private event and does not open them to public scrutiny.

While we are recommending a level of transparency regarding the use of these funds, that transparency is most appropriately afforded to the donors, as they are the source of the funds utilized.

is this a 501 (c) 3. ?

Sorry I did not see any information one way or another but then I was not looking for it.

You might wish to check the two websites links given in my posting yourself for the information.

Like BillRM, the V.P. of the NRA feels the media has sensationalized the Trayvon Martin case. Unlike BillRM, the President of the NRA feels the case needs to be decided in a courtroom, and that it may have nothing to do with the Stand Your Ground law.

Enjoyed reading this post