# In which Stoid (The Prosecutor) Cross-examines Bricker (George Zimmerman) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 22, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561 "2012-04-22T05:35:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/281 "2012-04-30T13:43:53Z")
> [@BottledBlondJeanie](#): > > Can’t…help…self. Think she’s probably going to attribute some expert-ish oinions Nope. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/282 "2012-04-30T13:57:28Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Put me in the minority here, I guess, but I actually think Stoid is getting somewhere with this. I think this thread is a really interesting idea (and really wish people would stop belly-aching about it - if you don’t like the pace of the thread stop reading it, FFS). I’d like to remind you, counselor, that the courtroom spectators are _not_ on trial here! ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/283 "2012-04-30T14:04:44Z")
**Bricker** , obviously she’s got a reason to ask this: > [@Stoid](#): > > Have you had any training in self-defense, martial arts, or anything related to handling violence? , but would prosecutors normally ask this type of question if they didn’t know? Wouldn’t this be a higher chance of this backfiring, helping the defendant’s case? I can picture that being added to the closing arguments. “So here he is, suddenly attacked with no warning, getting the shit kicked out of him, and without any training in self-defense, martial arts, or anything related to handling violence, he felt that his life was threatened. . .” ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/284 "2012-04-30T14:05:02Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I didn’t ask Stoid to elaborate on her reason for asking, but I can think of several reasons it might be relevant. of course. we’re handicapped here by having no record developed in the prosecution’s case-in-chief and no record from the defense’s direct examination of Zimmerman, but it’s not outside the bounds of credulity to imagine that something came up that makes this question relevant, especially since the prosecution’s case and the direct examination of Zimmerman must have included the description of the physical grappling between Zimmerman and Martin. I am pretending that this thread is all the examination there is, and I don’t see why the defense would have brought up Zimmerman’s work as a bouncer on direct examination. Plus, **Stoid** says she would like to bring in prior bad acts if she can get away with it. IANAL, you are, you obviously don’t need my help. If I were a lawyer, and I knew more about cross-examinations than I do from watching TV, I would be objecting my ass off. She is badgering the witness, mis-characterizing his testimony, and attempting (ISTM) to testify herself. Obviously if it were a real cross, she would have more to work with and not be obliged to go on this fishing expedition trying to create contradictions. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![BottledBlondJeanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/285 "2012-04-30T14:13:58Z")
Let’s see the reason then because if no attempt re prior bad acts or tap dancing on the fine line of expert testimony, then it likely is irrelevant. If too close to non allowable prior bad acts, then more prejudicial than probative. But, just my opinion, so let’s see… ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/286 "2012-04-30T14:27:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Zimmerman followed Martin because he was black > > If you could kill all the little thug black kids who’ve humiliated you through the years just by pushing the button, would you push that button? > > When do we get to hear Trayvon’s side of the story? > > The Martin family must pay Zimmerman fifty million dollars > > What did you plan to do when you found him? Murder him in cold blood. Why waste time with this mock trial bullshit? Let’s hurry up and get to the rioting. There’s a big screen TV in a store window that I’ve had my eye on for some time now. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/287 "2012-04-30T15:13:29Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > Why waste time with this mock trial bullshit? Let’s hurry up and get to the rioting. There’s a big screen TV in a store window that I’ve had my eye on for some time now. Have you checked the dryer? Your robe and hood ought to be done by now. ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/288 "2012-04-30T16:25:05Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Have you checked the dryer? Your robe and hood ought to be done by now. Sheesh! Hoods are sooooo outdated. Hoodies are all the rage now! ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/289 "2012-04-30T16:37:44Z")
Sorry to veer off the topic, but since I was accused of being a KKK member, it’s interesting to note that the KKK were all Democrats. Today, the looters and rioters in their hoodies are all Democrats…just saying. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/290 "2012-04-30T17:41:19Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > Why waste time with this mock trial bullshit? Let’s hurry up and get to the rioting. There’s a big screen TV in a store window that I’ve had my eye on for some time now. Re: that last one, whoosh. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/291 "2012-04-30T18:55:17Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > Sorry to veer off the topic, but since I was accused of being a KKK member, it’s interesting to note that the KKK were all Democrats. Today, the looters and rioters in their hoodies are all Democrats…just saying. How you came by your username, I’ll never understand. Your “just saying” makes 9/11 Truther arguments look like Matlock’s finest work. ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/292 "2012-04-30T21:25:23Z")
The **Left Hand of_Dorkness_** is sniviling about other user names?! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/293 "2012-04-30T21:31:09Z")
Any more of this petty bickering and I will _clear the court_! I will not have this courtroom turned into a circus! Granted, mostly it is because I am afraid of clowns, but nonetheless, I insist this forum be treated with the respect it deserves! And no biting! Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/294 "2012-04-30T22:07:28Z")
> [@BottledBlondJeanie](#): > > I kick ass at objections/evidence and will never be able to run for judge due to, ah, certain youthful indiscretions. 🙂 By far the most interesting tangent this thread has spawned… Unfortunately it’s irrelevant to the premise, so back to snoozing in the jury box. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/295 "2012-04-30T23:01:47Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Any more of this petty bickering and I will _clear the court_! I will not have this courtroom turned into a circus! > > Granted, mostly it is because I am afraid of clowns, but nonetheless, I insist this forum be treated with the respect it deserves! > > And no biting! > > Regards, > Shodan With all due respect sir, I move that this kangaroo court be concluded. The President of the Freaking United States has already told us who is guilty! Every [circus clown in Washington](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/geraldo-rivera-hoodie-comments-spark-prominent-people-to-wear-hoodies/2012/03/27/gIQAOih4dS_blog.html) is posing in a hoody, for Fuck’s sake! A fair trail is not possible in this case, if you think it is, you’ve been brain washed by the news media! So I move we skip the bullshit trials and get on with the looting and rioting. That big screen TV is calling my name… ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/296 "2012-04-30T23:38:22Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > With all due respect sir, I move that this kangaroo court be concluded. The President of the Freaking United States has already told us who is guilty! He said no such thing. He did not weigh in on the guilt or innocence of the accused, only endorsing a thorough investigation into this incident. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/297 "2012-04-30T23:58:37Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > So I move we skip the bullshit trials and get on with the looting and rioting. That big screen TV is calling my name… Can you not wrap your head around how racist this is? ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/298 "2012-05-01T00:27:10Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > He said no such thing. He did not weigh in on the guilt or innocence of the accused, only endorsing a thorough investigation into this incident. He only said that if he had a son, he would look like Treyvon. Sounds kind of like God, sitting in Heaven, saying if I had a Son, he would look like Trevon ! Let’s Rock! That Big Screen TV is crying out for Justice! ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/299 "2012-05-01T00:33:52Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Can you not wrap your head around how racist this is? Yes. It’s all racist. There are none so blind as those who refuse to see what the news media is doing! ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561/300 "2012-05-01T00:40:25Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > He only said that if he had a son, he would look like Treyvon. Sounds kind of like God, sitting in Heaven, saying if I had a Son, he would look like Trevon ! Let’s Rock! That Big Screen TV is crying out for Justice! You’re straying off the topic of this thread **Dufus**. Either stick to the lawyering theme or take your thoughts to the other thread for speculating about the case from other angles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-stoid-the-prosecutor-cross-examines-bricker-george-zimmerman/619561.md?page=16)