Maybe this has been answered and I missed it, but why only 6 jurors? I thought 12 was the standard, has that changed? or is this just a Florida thing?

CNN just answered, only Death Penalty cases in Florida get 12 jurors, the rest only get 6.

CNN, Fox, HLN, MSNBC live and die by news events, it is in there interest to publicize and stir up any controversy or angle for a story that they can. They gotta get someone to buy ad time on their networks. Look at how almost every week there is a trial somewhere that they are bending over backwards to cover.

 

Their definitely is a racial slant to this case, do doubt about that. There is no way to get around that.

 

Anyone that says race didn't play a role in this event has their head stuck .....in the ground. Of course it did.

Anyone that says race didn't play a role in this event has their head stuck .....in the ground. Of course it did.

 

see post #445

according to the law that we all should apply GZ had every right to reach for his weapon . case closed . or at least it should be . If you dont like it , then change the law . But in this case he was clearly and without doubt legally able to defend himself with force , even lethal force. The talk about race in this case is background noise to me .

 

Race isn't background noise. It's NOT going to be enough to prove guilt but it's a factor.

 

It's the reason GZ got out of his car. Getting out of the car got this event rolling. Therefore, it's not background noise.

OK this is funny, guy on CNN was just talking about a sign someone had outside the courthouse... "If George was hit, you must acquit", you young folks may not get that reference...but that's funny :lol:

My son and I were talking about what will GZ do if he goes completely free? Can he live in that area? Fear of repercussion?

His attorney said that his life is ruined even with an acquittal. IMO he has to move, grow a beard and change his name if he wants any semblance of a normal life.

How do we know in TM's mind he wasn't acting in self defense. Some people run from fears. Others confront them. How do we know GZ didn't pull the gun out first and was just over powered. We know TM threw the first punch but we don't know why other than to assume it was because GZ spooked him. The media and GZ supporters to paint TM as a troubled child with discipline problems but we'll never find out the whole truth to the story other than GZ followed him and got but with the first punch. I have a really hard time believing that the first punch was thrown with absolutely no conversation taking place between TM and GZ before TM whipped GZ.

 

Your first question is very good and one that is troubling. We don't truly know what happened since there is no video. However, we do know GZ was following TM at some point. It's not unreasonable to think that TM got nervous and feared for his safety. If (and I know we do not know this answer) he felt like he had to take the guy down or risk bodily injury then that seems to be "self-defense" to me. But how do you write a law around it?

Sure there is a racial aspect to this case. BUT, race should not be an issue on the outcome of the verdict. This is an issue of self-defense or not self-defense. That is what needs to be ruled on.

Your first question is very good and one that is troubling. We don't truly know what happened since there is no video. However, we do know GZ was following TM at some point. It's not unreasonable to think that TM got nervous and feared for his safety. If (and I know we do not know this answer) he felt like he had to take the guy down or risk bodily injury then that seems to be "self-defense" to me. But how do you write a law around it?

 

 

To me, this is the crappy thing about this case. Its arguable that both individuals were acting within self-defense. How can we get a verdict on a self-defense vs self-defense case?

Florida State Attorney Angela Corey Fires IT Director Ben Kruidbos After Testimony In George Zimmerman Trial

 

Florida State Attorney Angela Corey fired Ben Kruidbos, the IT director at her office, after his testimony last month expressing concern that prosecutors didn’t give information to George Zimmerman’s defense team in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

In January, Kruidbos used computer software technology to extract photographs and text messages from the source file in Martin’s cellphone. Kruidbos was able to recover more information than the Florida Department of Law Enforcement obtained previously.

 

Kruidbos said he became concerned that lead prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda might not have turned over Kruidbos’ report to defense attorneys. Kruidbos asked White in April for legal advice and described some contents of his report such as a photo of an African-American hand holding a gun, a photo of a plant resembling marijuana, and a text message referring to a gun transaction.

 

Before Kruidbos’ name surfaced in the Martin trial proceedings, he received a pay raise for “meritorious performance,” according to a document dated May 16 in his personnel file.

You keep making the point that we have no idea what started the fight. Isn't that exactly why it should be not guilty? It's not on him to prove the case. It's the responsibility of the state.

 

I know. And I've stated multiple times that the state has left much to be desired in terms of prosecuting this case IMO.

Your first question is very good and one that is troubling. We don't truly know what happened since there is no video. However, we do know GZ was following TM at some point. It's not unreasonable to think that TM got nervous and feared for his safety. If (and I know we do not know this answer) he felt like he had to take the guy down or risk bodily injury then that seems to be "self-defense" to me. But how do you write a law around it?

 

No clue at all. I think that is another aspect that makes this case so unique. Not having both sides of the story is the frustrating part of the story for me.

To me, this is the crappy thing about this case. Its arguable that both individuals were acting within self-defense. How can we get a verdict on a self-defense vs self-defense case?

 

I can't wait to get jury duty but a case like this would have an effect on me for the rest of my life. Two families are forever changed for what very well could be a self-defense vs. self defense situation.

Florida State Attorney Angela Corey Fires IT Director Ben Kruidbos After Testimony In George Zimmerman Trial

 

One of those 'who ya with' type situations. He'll be hired by someone else soon. It's a shame he was fired for telling the truth.