# State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman Trial Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 20, 2013, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501 "2013-06-20T20:32:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 96
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1901 "2013-07-13T14:51:31Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Well that’s what I mean. You can’t flat out say zimmerman was the ‘victim of a crime’. Likewise, even with Martin dead, you cannot say Martin was a victim of crime. But in the current case or the hypothetical where Martin survived, there may be enough evidence for the State to bring charges. The defendant can raise justification due to self defense, and it would be up to the State to disprove self defense beyond a reasonable doubt. It is the jury in either instance determining whether a crime has been proven. If a jury determines that the defendant’s actions were lawful self defense then I would not refer to the other party as a ‘victim’ in a legal sense as the jury would by that finding determine that a crime did not occur. However a jury does not necessarily release its determination that a defendant’s actions were found to be lawful. The jury saying ‘not guilty’ usually comes with no explanation as to how that verdict was reached and perhaps each juror could reach that conclusion due to different arguments. ---
**Author:** ![Honesty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1902 "2013-07-13T14:51:38Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Yes its too bad that he didn’t take the stand. That pesky constitution getting in the way again. You must have me confused with someone who wanted to force Zimmerman to take the stand. It would’ve been nice, but I’m not angry, upset, or have emptiness inside because he didn’t. Frankly, him not taking the stand was the best decision for the defense, as he would’ve undoubtedly perjured himself. [QUOTE=BlakeTyner] TL;DR Why would Chewbacca, a 7-foot-tall wookie, want to live on Endor with a bunch of 3-feet-tall Ewoks? That does not make sense! And what does it have to do with this trial? Nothing. It does not make sense! [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Honesty] Here’s a stab: **though, be warned, I doubt you’ll get it**. [/QUOTE] - Honesty ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1903 "2013-07-13T14:59:38Z")
Hey, I was just trying to “diffuse” the situation! ---
**Author:** ![Honesty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1904 "2013-07-13T15:06:08Z")
> [@BlakeTyner](#): > > Hey, I was just trying to “diffuse” the situation! Thanks for catching that, by the way, forgot to tell you that earlier. - Honesty ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1905 "2013-07-13T15:08:06Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > Thanks for catching that, by the way, forgot to tell you that earlier. > > - Honesty Always trying to help a fellow published author. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1906 "2013-07-13T15:13:34Z")
That’s interesting. As usual the reporters are tying hard to inflate this story. > [@](#): > > @SeminoleSO > > Courthouse assembly zone right now: 32 media and 19 demonstrators > Retweeted by Kathi Belich, WFTV > > @WFTV > > MT @KRayWFTV: Have been talking to demonstrators. Many taking a neutral stance calling for peace in their city. #Zimmermanon9 ---
**Author:** ![Tollhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@Tollhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tollhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1907 "2013-07-13T15:23:21Z")
Agreeing w a poster above. Gzs lawyers would sooner drink a can of arizona fruit drink , or die, before they would let gz take the stand, due to his many incon(cough cough)sistencies. Such as stating that tm had been “running away” from him…and then on a televised interview when asked if this could mean tm was afraid of him, he paused and twisted his statement around “well, running, but you know,…more like skipping…like skipping, going along, not afraid”…yes, that makes perfect sense, for tm, a 17 yr old boy to “skip along” …just like little red riding hood…knock knock, who’s there? Georgie telling a bedtime fable ---
**Author:** ![Tollhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@Tollhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tollhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1908 "2013-07-13T15:25:58Z")
Gzs lawyers know that if you give the defendant a little bit of rope, he’ll hang himself. ---
**Author:** ![IgnoranceIsMyExcuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ea666f/32.png) [@IgnoranceIsMyExcuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IgnoranceIsMyExcuse)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1909 "2013-07-13T15:27:41Z")
> [@Tollhouse](#): > > Gzs lawyers know that if you give the defendant a little bit of rope, he’ll hang himself. Please stop; your posts are incoherent at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Tollhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@Tollhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tollhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1910 "2013-07-13T15:51:18Z")
The fact that you don’t agree does not make it incoherent. In that case, I would have to ask you to stop, if I don’t like your opinions. I made it clear, like many people believe, that gzs story was riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities. His lawyers know that given half a chance he would hang himself under cross exam… ---
**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:** [July 13, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1911 "2013-07-13T16:16:42Z")
> [@Tollhouse](#): > > Agreeing w a poster above. Gzs lawyers would sooner drink a can of arizona fruit drink , or die, before they would let gz take the stand, due to his many incon(cough cough)sistencies. Such as stating that tm had been “running away” from him…and then on a televised interview when asked if this could mean tm was afraid of him, he paused and twisted his statement around “well, running, but you know,..more like skipping…like skipping, going along, not afraid”…yes, that makes perfect sense, for tm, a 17 yr old boy to “skip along” …just like little red riding hood…knock knock, who’s there? Georgie telling a bedtime fable Actually having the defendant testify is generally the last thing that any defense attorney wants. No one wants to expose their client to cross. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1912 "2013-07-13T16:21:51Z")
I’m concerned that the jury will be tricked into picking manslaughter. It’s not really a _lesser charge at all_. Most people think of manslaughter as an accidental death and just a few years in prison. Thats not true in Florida. The jury has no idea what type of sentence could be given. [http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/breaking-down-charges-and-sentences-zimmerman-faci/nYpC6/](http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/breaking-down-charges-and-sentences-zimmerman-faci/nYpC6/) > [@](#): > > Second-Degree Murder > > ``` > The state must prove Zimmerman killed Martin and it was an intentional killing that was not premeditated or planned. > If Zimmerman convicted of second-degree murder, he will face up to life in prison. > If the 10-20-Life Law is taken into consideration, a second-degree murder conviction means Zimmerman will have to serve a minimum 25 years in prison. > > ``` > > Manslaughter > > ``` > The state must prove Zimmerman committed an act that caused death. > If Zimmerman is convicted of manslaughter with a firearm, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison. > Under the 10-20-Life Law, a manslaughter conviction means Zimmerman will have to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison and face a maximum of life in prison. > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1913 "2013-07-13T16:22:21Z")
> [@Tollhouse](#): > > The fact that you don’t agree does not make it incoherent. In that case, I would have to ask you to stop, if I don’t like your opinions. I made it clear, like many people believe, that gzs story was riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities. His lawyers know that given half a chance he would hang himself under cross exam… Riddled with inconsistencies, like someone claiming they saw a television show on some channel that they can’t remember, that included a claim that Zimmerman had only one friend? Is that the kind of inconsistency you mean? ---
**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:** [July 13, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1914 "2013-07-13T16:23:08Z")
Broke for lunch with no verdict. Those predicting a quick verdict were wrong. ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1915 "2013-07-13T16:27:34Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Broke for lunch with no verdict. Those predicting a quick verdict were wrong. I predicted 2 hours or under. I ate my crow last night! I had to use some cocktail sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1916 "2013-07-13T16:46:15Z")
> [@BlakeTyner](#): > > Always trying to help a fellow published author. But you said nothing about “onerus”? ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1917 "2013-07-13T16:47:43Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > But you said nothing about “onerus”? I’ve learned to choose my battles. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1918 "2013-07-13T16:49:02Z")
The jury announcement will be announced on twitter @PIOFLCourts18 (Public Information Officer for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit) Although I’m sure the news feeds will have it out within minutes too. ---
**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:** [July 13, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1919 "2013-07-13T17:03:15Z")
> [@BlakeTyner](#): > > TL;DR > > Why would Chewbacca, a 7-foot-tall wookie, want to live on Endor with a bunch of 3-feet-tall Ewoks? That does not make sense! Rule 34. Also tangential while we await the jury. Has anyone heard anything about Zimmerman’s suit against NBC for the edited 911 recording broadcast? [NBC issues apology for edited Zimmerman 911 call](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/03/nbc-issues-apology-edited-zimmerman-11-call/). Fox news, but it was the best summary article I could find. tl;dr version on [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/us/florida-zimmerman-nbc-lawsuit) if you would prefer. [QUOTE=Fox News] NBC’s “Today” show ran the edited audio of Zimmerman’s phone call to a police dispatcher, seeming to show Zimmerman saying, “This guy looks like he’s up to no good … he looks black.” A transcript of the complete 911 call shows that Zimmerman said, “This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.” The 911 officer responded saying, “OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?” “He looks black,” Zimmerman said. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501/1920 "2013-07-13T17:06:06Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Rule 34. :mad: **Do not want!** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501.md?page=95) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-florida-vs-george-zimmerman-trial-thread/661501.md?page=97)