Zimmerman Verdict

"Not Guilty," says the jury.

Am I alone in thinking this was a shitty verdict?

I can understand that legally, it may difficult or even impossible to convict Zimmerman of premeditated murder. (The way the law stands, and with no direct witnesses, his claim of self-defence is at least enough to establish reasonable doubt.)

But the fact remains that he instigated the whole chain of events, even ignoring police advice, and that chain led directly to the boy's death. There should be some (legal) consequences for that. Walking scot-free is not right.

The Martin family will be filing a wrongful death suit against Zimmerman. The standard of proof is much lower. Remember that's how the Coleman family finally got O.J. Simpson.

Shitty verdict? Yes. But I did not hear all the evidence, I did not hear the jury instructions, and I realize that sometimes a jury's duty is to apply the law as written, not to mete out justice.

richard09 wrote:

I can understand that legally, it may difficult or even impossible to convict Zimmerman of premeditated murder.

The charge was second-degree murder, which typically does not carry the burden of proving premeditation, and the lesser-included offense of manslaughter does not carry that burden either. I had expected a verdict of manslaughter, which I believe would have been proper.

richard09 wrote:

But the fact remains that he instigated the whole chain of events, even ignoring police advice, and that chain led directly to the boy's death. There should be some (legal) consequences for that. Walking scot-free is not right.

Absolutely. Zimmerman's actions - both in this case and in earlier reported actions - present him as nothing more that a racist bully, all puffed up by carrying a gun. This case shows exactly why these states with little or no restrictions of who can carry a gun are fucking up big time.

NoCoPilot wrote:

Shitty verdict?  Yes.  But I did not hear all the evidence, I did not hear the jury instructions, and I realize that sometimes a jury's duty is to apply the law as written, not to mete out justice.

The jury instructions seem to be at least part of the reason why Zimmerman walked.
Yes, it's a shame that the American legal system does not actively pursue justice, merely the application of sometimes arbitrary or conflicting rules.

All in all, it would seem that WWB is still a capital crime in parts of the South.

_Howard wrote:

All in all, it would seem that WWB is still a capital crime in parts of the South.

That's the real bottom line here.

What was the racial makeup of the jury? I heard it was all women but haven't heard if any African Americans served on it.

Six white women. One married to an attorney (and she has already has a deal with a publisher for a book).

The Justice Dept. is still investigating the case. Maybe they will nail the Zimmer for depriving the kid of his civil rights. That should be a no-brainer.

I think Justice should stay out of it. Our legal system is what it is; if we start 'making a federal case' out of every miscarriage of justice that's a slippery slope.

In that case, would there be any reason to have federal laws?

In that case, would there be any reason to have local laws?

Federal laws should be restricted to interstate matters.

So, you're in favor of bringing back lynchings?

Only federal civil rights laws prevent it.

The Voice of Reason chimes in.

More proof that not all musicians (and I use that word freely) should be allowed to use drugs.

_Howard wrote:

So, you're in favor of bringing back lynchings?

In certain jurisdictions -- such as along Pennsylvania Avenue -- you bet I am.

I may not be completely opposed to that, but there is one problem: the jurisdiction you propose is governed only by federal law. May I suggest that we start with Wall Street?

Why yes, yes you may.

Thank you. Then I shall.

_Howard wrote:

"Not Guilty," says the jury.

Am I alone in thinking this was a shitty verdict?

No. By my way of thinking he was committing murder the minute he insisted on following the boy. He had a truck to get into, a 911 operator telling him to stop and that they had the information and yet, he chose to stalk the teen.