# Predict the Outcome of Florida vs. George Zimmerman **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 21, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528 "2013-06-21T01:47:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/61 "2013-06-25T21:31:21Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > If Zimmerman is convicted, what will that mean for Florida’s self-defense laws? Will Stand Your Ground be a dead letter? GZ has not yet opted to request a SYG hearing. This seems to be a self-defense defense. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/62 "2013-06-25T21:43:36Z")
_“GZ is guilty, but the jury will acquit”;_ Trayvon Martin was a young black man, which is practically a synonym for “demon” in this country. The judge and jury will let GZ off, happy that another of “them” is dead before he could rob and rape and pillage and impregnate white women. Republicans across the country gloat over his death and that his killer got off. That’s what I see happening. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/63 "2013-06-25T22:06:22Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > So it is now 2nd degree, or nothing, unless the defense agrees? > Then the prosecution better have some blockbuster evidence that nobody has published yet. My assumption has been that the prosecution overcharged in an attempt to pressure a settlement, which would avoid having to actually make their rather weak case. That is still possible. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/64 "2013-06-25T22:09:28Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > _“GZ is guilty, but the jury will acquit”;_ Trayvon Martin was a young black man, which is practically a synonym for “demon” in this country. The judge and jury will let GZ off, happy that another of “them” is dead before he could rob and rape and pillage and impregnate white women. Republicans across the country gloat over his death and that his killer got off. That’s what I see happening. This case has nothing to do with race, no matter how much people try to spin that. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/65 "2013-06-25T22:16:03Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > This case has nothing to do with race, no matter how much people try to spin that. It has everything to do with race, no matter how hard people try to spin otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/66 "2013-06-25T22:25:15Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > It has everything to do with race, no matter how hard people try to spin otherwise. Nonsense. That was investigated, and there was no evidence to charge him with hate crimes, despite the protests. Martin was killed because he attacked Zimmerman, no other reason. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/67 "2013-06-25T22:45:58Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Nonsense. That was investigated, and there was no evidence to charge him with hate crimes, despite the protests. Martin was killed because he attacked Zimmerman, no other reason. Yeah, _suuure_ he did. This was a gun nut who went off looking for a fight and killed someone. And people are trying to excuse it because Guns Are Holy and because the victim was black, and therefore automatically deserved death. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/68 "2013-06-25T22:50:47Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Yeah, _suuure_ he did. This was a gun nut who went off looking for a fight and killed someone. And people are trying to excuse it because Guns Are Holy and because the victim was black, and therefore automatically deserved death. Yes, sure he did. Try looking at the evidence, rather than bringing your absurd self-loathing prejudice into this. You are the one obsessed with race. Explain why, if he was out hunting niggers, why he called the police before doing so. You can’t, because even in your twisted mind such a thing wouldn’t make sense. Guns aren’t holy, but they certainly are useful if thugs attack and beat you, as this case amply proves. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/69 "2013-06-25T23:42:38Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > It has everything to do with race, no matter how hard people try to spin otherwise. Not according to the FBI investigation that looked into civil rights violations. The FBI found no race-related illegal activity. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/70 "2013-06-25T23:51:06Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Yeah, _suuure_ he did. This was a gun nut who went off looking for a fight and killed someone. And people are trying to excuse it because Guns Are Holy and because the victim was black, and therefore automatically deserved death. No less an authority than the State of Florida permitted GZ to carry a concealed firearm within the state of Florida. You’ll need to contact a (your?) Florida legislator if you wish to change the existing state laws. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/71 "2013-06-26T04:34:10Z")
Since the OP states that there is no need to debate the merits (how’s that going?) I’ll render my opinion of the verdict. I think there is enough reasonable doubt for a not guilty verdict and I think the jury will not convict. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/72 "2013-06-26T12:06:04Z")
I predict the jury will acquit in half a day or less. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/73 "2013-06-26T23:48:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Since the OP states that there is no need to debate the merits (how’s that going?) Better than expected actually. Nothing is going to keep the resident bloviates from their sacred missions, but everyone else is doing well. Just enough chatter to keep the thread from falling completely out of sight so the late-comers and others who want to wait to participate until they’ve picked up some actual information from the trial can find it without much effort. ---
**Author:** ![hmarvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/858c86/32.png) [@hmarvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hmarvin)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/74 "2013-06-27T01:00:28Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > barring something new I voted innocent and jury voting same. > > There should be an identical poll before the verdict is given after the full evidence is given since we only have what was released by the defense. After listening to DD’s testimony today, there’s no hope for this case. Why any prosecutor would bring murder two charges with witnesses that favor the defense more than the prosecutor is astonishing. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/75 "2013-06-27T02:47:22Z")
> [@hmarvin](#): > > After listening to DD’s testimony today, there’s no hope for this case. Why any prosecutor would bring murder two charges with witnesses that favor the defense more than the prosecutor is astonishing. There was a reason why the original prosecutor declined to go forward. But politics guaranteed it. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/76 "2013-06-27T04:27:06Z")
Agreed. It’s pure political theater. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/77 "2013-06-27T14:05:29Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Agreed. It’s pure political theater. Does this mean that the prosecution will move for manslaughter if necessary, to try to at least get some conviction; or will they all-or-nothing on 2nd degree murder and if they lose say they tried and it’s all the jury’s fault? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/78 "2013-06-27T14:17:18Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Does this mean that the prosecution will move for manslaughter if necessary, to try to at least get some conviction; or will they all-or-nothing on 2nd degree murder and if they lose say they tried and it’s all the jury’s fault? If the prosecution included manslaughter in the original indictment, that’s one thing. Explicitly changing it now and requesting manslaughter now would be an admission of defeat. I really don’t expect them to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/79 "2013-06-27T14:59:18Z")
On the other hand, I think it likely that the prosecution over-charged with second degree murder, and would be willing to accept a plea bargain to manslaughter at any point. It appears to have been their goal all along. If I were Zimmerman, I would turn it down in a New York minute - there’s no way the prosecution is going to get second-degree unless they have some bombshell in reserve. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528/80 "2013-06-27T15:05:29Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > On the other hand, I think it likely that the prosecution over-charged with second degree murder, and would be willing to accept a plea bargain to manslaughter at any point. It appears to have been their goal all along. > > If I were Zimmerman, I would turn it down in a New York minute - there’s no way the prosecution is going to get second-degree unless they have some bombshell in reserve. > > Regards, > Shodan The defense has all the discovery. They know the physical evidence. They know the witness list. They have the grand jury testimony. I’m not sure what kind of bombshell there could be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-outcome-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman/661528.md?page=5)