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« SOCTUS on juries and criminal fines | Main | "Why Can't We Be Like France?" »

Unusual move in George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin

Posted by David Hardy · 21 June 2012 07:46 PM

Story here. His attorneys have released to the media, and , posted to the internet, his videotaped re-enactment, written statement, and audio interviews.

I agree with my friend Don Kates: a defense attorney's impulse is to silence his client, because he's generally guilty (of at least something) and speaking out just gives the prosecution more ammo against him. If the defense is passing out the defendant's statements here, it means they are sure that he is clearly innocent and there are no flaws in his story, and if it goes to trial the result will be a prosecutorial debacle.

4 Comments | Leave a comment

Sarah | June 22, 2012 4:54 AM | Reply

The defense clearly feel they have the strong case. After reading everything, I'm still not sure as a juror that I'd be able to agree with the prosecution, without reasonable doubt, that Zimmerman didn't act in defense. And so far one of the biggest statements I've seen was the "Martin didn't have more than Skittles and $40 in his pockets." That means nothing, he may have been stopped before he actually broke into a house.

Either way, I have this feeling that with either verdict there are going to be riots and/or protests to follow.

Jim | June 22, 2012 1:01 PM | Reply

My friends and I are still trying to figure out how this even gets as far as a trial.

Fiftycal | June 22, 2012 3:23 PM | Reply

I want to know why Zimmerman's lawyer didn't immediately go for an immunity hearing? There are plenty of witnesses that Martin was about to or ALREADY HAD inflicted serious bodily injury on Zimmerman and the shooting was justified. I wonder if the lawyer is just delaying things to milk more billable hours out of the funds Zimmerman now has avaliable.

Harold | June 23, 2012 6:03 AM | Reply

Fiftycal: there's a very strong strategic reason to skip the immunity hearing if you don't think it's likely the judge will rule in your favor (which is very likely give the notoriety of the case and the personal stakes for the judge).

It give the defense a preview of how you will claim and defend the claim of self-defense. If you think it's likely you'll just have to repeat this at a trial when you can claim it as an affirmative defense, then you don't want to give the prosecution an early bite of the apple.

One other thing that's happening behind the scenes is causing all sorts of mischief, the felony perjury charge against George Zimmerman's wife. George's decision tree has now become a lot more complicated, and who knows how many other family members this prosecutor will go after. I'm pretty sure the Rule of Law is not particularly in play at this time.

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