# Martin/Zimmerman: humble opinions and speculation thread **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125 "2012-04-18T04:41:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 180
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3582 "2012-07-13T17:58:27Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The lynch mob media, aka Team Skittles, was discussing Recksiedler having mentioned needing to recuse herself several days before O’Mara got around to asking for her to step aside. Which has fuck-all to do with judges bailing willy-nilly to avoid serving on this trial. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3583 "2012-07-13T18:02:40Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Which has fuck-all to do with judges bailing willy-nilly to avoid serving on this trial. Yeah, and recusing yourself from a case over a potential conflict of interest has nothing to do with intentionally risking your professional reputation to somehow force yourself off of the case just because you don’t wanna be there. One is completely routine, the other is just ludicrous on its face. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3584 "2012-07-13T18:03:54Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The lynch mob media, aka Team Skittles, was discussing Recksiedler having mentioned needing to recuse herself several days before O’Mara got around to asking for her to step aside. Team skittles huh? What do you call the other team, team hollowpoint to the heart? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3585 "2012-07-13T18:11:02Z")
I’d like to suggest Team Those Assholes Always Get Away. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3586 "2012-07-13T18:13:22Z")
I prefer Team Fucking Coon. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3587 "2012-07-13T18:15:56Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Which has fuck-all to do with judges bailing willy-nilly to avoid serving on this trial. OH, my! You can use “adult language” to color your question. How uninteresting. Several judges wanted off this case. It was already a lynch mob media circus and generally understood that it would only get worse. What judge would want the extra burden of having Sharpton and Spike Lee fans stalking their friends and families? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3588 "2012-07-13T18:19:54Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Several judges wanted off this case. This is factually inaccurate. No judges wanted off the case. None. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3589 "2012-07-13T18:21:29Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > OH, my! You can use “adult language” to color your question. How uninteresting. > > Several judges wanted off this case. It was already a lynch mob media circus and generally understood that it would only get worse. What judge would want the extra burden of having Sharpton and Spike Lee fans stalking their friends and families? How many judges risked their professional reputation, and their job, by intentionally causing themselves to be thrown off the case? Even one? For any case ever? ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3590 "2012-07-13T18:31:38Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > That’s true; _[because defense counsel O’Mara requested it](http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerman-judge-expected-recuse/story?id=16162592)_:Hardly a case of judges dodging the spotlight, or a case they deemed to be a ‘circus’. No I meant other judges who stated they had conflicts of interest before the were appointed. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3591 "2012-07-13T18:31:43Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I don’t think Lester was being prejudicial in the sense of having some personal bias, but I do think his conclusion that GZ was preparing to flee (and that this was somehow “thwarted”) to be extremely unlikely. > > Not good for GZ at trial. Perhaps the biggest no-no a litigitant can do is to flout a judge’s authority. Judges are paid a lot less than lawyers, but the one thing they have is power. You deceive a judge in his own courtroom and cause him to make a ruling on a false basis and look like a fool when it’s exposed, and you will suffer his wrath. The judge has quite a bit of leeway in his ruling. The fact that Zimmerman surrendered himself twice when police asked him to and the fact that the judge had allowed Zimmerman to leave his jurisdiction could have accounted for something but the FLA judicial system is under a lot of lynch mob pressure. Too bad for Zimmerman. If O’Mara had originally questioned the lack of evidence presented in the charging affidavit, the prosecutor would have been forced to either provide more evidence of 2nd degree or drop the charge to manslaughter. Also, too bad for Zimmerman. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3592 "2012-07-13T18:49:29Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > This is factually inaccurate. No judges wanted off the case. None. According to CBSMiami: \*Circuit Court Judge Jessica Recksiedler has “disqualified herself” from the George Zimmerman second-degree murder case over Trayvon Martin. Instead Judge Kenneth Lester will take over the trial. Judge Recksiedler had previously disclosed that her husband works for the firm owned by Mark NeJame, who is under contract with CNN to provide analysis of the trial. In her order, Judge Reckseidler said, “even though this Court finds that neither of these, standing alone, is legally sufficient for disqualification, the cumulative effect of the events and the totality of the circumstances provides a legally sufficient basis for this Court to grant the Motion to Disqualify.” Judge John D. Galluzzo would be the next in line to hear the case, but he informed Chief Judge Dickey that he would have a conflict due to his prior business and personal relationship with O’Mara. That opened the door for Judge Kenneth Lester.\* > **[New Judge Named In Zimmerman Case](https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/judge-in-zimmerman-trial-could-step-aside-on-wednesday/)** > > Circuit Court Judge Jessica Recksiedler has disqualified herself from the George Zimmerman second-degree murder case over Trayvon Martin. Instead Judge Kenneth Lester will take over the trial. Recksiedler and Galluzzo wanted off the case. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3593 "2012-07-13T18:56:33Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > This is factually inaccurate. No judges wanted off the case. None. As usual, you are wrong. [http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerman-judge-expected-recuse/story?id=16162592](http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerman-judge-expected-recuse/story?id=16162592) > [@](#): > > The second judge picked to preside over the controversial case also stepped aside because of a conflict of interest, sources told ABC News. That was my second hit when I googled it. > [@](#): > > The judge who was originally assigned the case was Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler, one of **four** possible judges to oversee what Zimmerman’s attorneys and the state expect to be a trial process that could last well into 2013. That kind of implies that we might end up with a change of venue because we ran out of judges or could they use a Brevard county judge and keep it in the same Circuit? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3594 "2012-07-13T19:00:29Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > According to CBSMiami: > > \*Circuit Court Judge Jessica Recksiedler has “disqualified herself” from the George Zimmerman second-degree murder case over Trayvon Martin. Instead Judge Kenneth Lester will take over the trial. Judge Recksiedler had previously disclosed that her husband works for the firm owned by Mark NeJame, who is under contract with CNN to provide analysis of the trial. > > In her order, Judge Reckseidler said, “even though this Court finds that neither of these, standing alone, is legally sufficient for disqualification, the cumulative effect of the events and the totality of the circumstances provides a legally sufficient basis for this Court to grant the Motion to Disqualify.” > > Judge John D. Galluzzo would be the next in line to hear the case, but he informed Chief Judge Dickey that he would have a conflict due to his prior business and personal relationship with O’Mara. > > That opened the door for Judge Kenneth Lester.\* > > [New Judge Named In Zimmerman Case - CBS Miami](http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/04/18/judge-in-zimmerman-trial-could-step-aside-on-wednesday/) > > Recksiedler and Galluzzo wanted off the case. Because of the circus aspect of the trial? Don’t see that anywhere here listed as a reason. Also, is this the same as doing intentionally wrong things on the bench to get yourself thrown off the trial, as was speculated about what Judge Lester said about Zimmerman in his bond decision? If not, then what do two judges recusing themselves due to a potential conflicts of interest have to do with the ridiculous assertion that Judge Lester’s statements in that decision were an effort to get himself thrown off the trial because he really doesn’t wanna be there? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3595 "2012-07-13T19:12:06Z")
Just to throw out random facts that came out in discovery yesterday: - Martin had been wearing a button on his hoodie. It displayed a photo. (As you may recall, GZ made mention of this on his infamous call.) - GZ’s best buddie is an air marshal who used to be the SPD Deputy until he was fired a while ago for some kind of malfeasance involving a con man. Interestingly enough, this guy claims Shellie called him to the scene after the shooting, and when he got there, he spoke with GZ and the officers before GZ was taken to the station. -GZ apparently stayed with this guy (Osterman) for 6 weeks after the shooting. He accompanied GZ to the reenactment the next day. - The SPD is being investigated for violating Martin’s civil rights in the handling of this case. (hallelujuah) - The hole in Martin’s hoodie does not line up with the hole in his chest or shirt. Who can guess what this might mean? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3596 "2012-07-13T19:28:20Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Because of the circus aspect of the trial? Don’t see that anywhere here listed as a reason. Judges wanted off this case and they recused themselves. Is there anyone who doesn’t believe that this trial will be circus? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3597 "2012-07-13T19:31:40Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > - GZ’s best buddie is an air marshal who used to be the SPD Deputy until he was fired a while ago for some kind of malfeasance involving a con man. Interestingly enough, this guy claims Shellie called him to the scene after the shooting, and when he got there, he spoke with GZ and the officers before GZ was taken to the station. > > -GZ apparently stayed with this guy (Osterman) for 6 weeks after the shooting. He accompanied GZ to the reenactment the next day. This kinda blows a hole in the idea that poor Georgie wasn’t smart enough or trained enough in the law to come up with his story that ostensibly, if taken at face value, indicates self defense. His buddy coached him the whole time, and made sure he knew exactly what to say in his story and reenactment, and exactly what to leave out, such as any attempts to keep Martin from getting away before the police arrived. > [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > - The hole in Martin’s hoodie does not line up with the hole in his chest or shirt. Who can guess what this might mean? Maybe George had grabbed a hold of Martin’s hoodie preventing the asshole from getting away before the shot was fired. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3598 "2012-07-13T19:34:34Z")
Having a conflict of interests is hardly the same thing as wanting off the case because of some “lynch mob” bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3599 "2012-07-13T19:41:47Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Judges wanted off this case and they recused themselves. > > Is there anyone who doesn’t believe that this trial will be circus? Two judges recused themselves due to conflicts of interest. Which is I’m sure the most common reason for recusing oneself from a trial one was to be presiding over. Do you have any cite whatsoever about judges declining to sit for this trial because it would be a circus? Any cite at all? Just your own speculation? So we’ve gone from “Judge Lester said these harsh things about Zimmerman in his bond hearing because he’s trying to get himself thrown off the case.” to “Is there anyone who doesn’t believe that this trial will be a circus” Backpedal much? You guys should just really drop this ridiculousness. The judge said what he said in that decision because those are the facts as he sees them. There’s an easier explanation for why you don’t agree with the Judge, and it isn’t because he’s trying to intentionally bumble his way into getting tossed off the case. The much more likely scenario is that he is just calling the events as they are, and you guys are too biased from your Zimmerman love to see things clearly. But I suppose its easier for you to just assume that the Judge is engaging in some sort of career suicide 3-dimensional chess gambit, rather than just accept that you have a skewed perspective on how great a guy Zimmerman is. If you have this irrational of a reaction just because someone dare point out that he misrepresented his ability to pay bail and failed to mention that he kept a valid passport in a safety deposit box to the court, then maybe its time to reevaluate your perspective on things. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3600 "2012-07-13T19:56:29Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > So we’ve gone from “Judge Lester said these harsh things about Zimmerman in his bond hearing because he’s trying to get himself thrown off the case.” > > to > > “Is there anyone who doesn’t believe that this trial will be a circus” > > Backpedal much? Who are you talking to? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/3601 "2012-07-13T19:58:57Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Who are you talking to? Haven’t you been sticking up for your buddy JoelUpchurch in these responses? If not, then what was the point of your responses regarding this issue? Just obfuscation then? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125.md?page=179) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125.md?page=181)