Trayvon vs. Zimmerman - The trial

[CF DolFan]

Exactly. They are claiming he had no choice bu to use deadly force. That is an issue the defense must establish beyond a reasonable doubt.
Zimmerman has claimed self defense since day one.

Your still going to extremes. He "only" has to create reasonable doubt that it wasn't murder. The prosecution has to prove beyond reasonable doubt.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Exactly. They are claiming he had no choice bu to use deadly force. That is an issue the defense must establish beyond a reasonable doubt.
Zimmerman has claimed self defense since day one.

Absolutely the wrong standard. I am not sure if in Florida it is clear and convince or preponderance, but it is not beyond a reasonable doubt. 

[bsmooth]

On a side note, the defense lawyers had to apologize for incorrectly labeling video evidence to the media.

[bsmooth]

Today the defense released a video Martin took of two men fighting. It was previously described as Martin's friends beating up a homeless man, but they had to admit that was a lie.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/09/18866221-on-eve-of-zimmerman-trial-in-trayvon-martin-killing-new-video-becomes-public?lite

[Landshark]

Trial begins today.  I wonder how long it will last

[Sunstroke]

If we could go back to the days of "Trial by Combat"...this would already be over.

[CF DolFan]

Tons of media and police. Not so much protesters and gawkers as I guess the checkpoints deter most people.  I just had to go through them to get gas. Then again it's just jury selection.

[Phishfan]

I have been watching our local news coverage of the jury selection this morning. George's brother is giving a press conference (I guess that is what you would call it) and the Latino interest in this case is overwhelming based on the number of questions he has received in Spanish.

[CF DolFan]

I'm surprised no one is talking about this case. I'm also surprised the prosecutors played all those 5 tapes yesterday trying to act like George was a vigilante against blacks. In every call he sounds very relaxed and in fact said when asked about what one guy was doing ... ""I don't know what he's doing, I don't want to approach him, personally," . Seems to me I would have used those tapes for the defense and not prosecution.

On a more personal note and my Facebook is lighting up by my black friends (some of which believe Zimmerman is guilty) that are very happy the girl on the phone isn't from Sanford. As Tracie Turner Jackson put it ... " Trayvon should have called his main chick because this sideline girl don't have it".  As well she makes it very clear that Trayvon "is" a racist with his "crazy ass cracker" comments.

[Phishfan]

I've been contemplating posting some things as I've watched the trial daily. I have not been impressed by a single prosecution witness. Their case is going down the toilet if you ask me but you never know what the jury members are thinking. I was very surprised by how many of the potential jurors claimed little knowledge of the case, or maybe we just had much more discussion here than the general public. It could be loaded with people whose mind was already made up.

[bsmooth]

I've been contemplating posting some things as I've watched the trial daily. I have not been impressed by a single prosecution witness. Their case is going down the toilet if you ask me but you never know what the jury members are thinking. I was very surprised by how many of the potential jurors claimed little knowledge of the case, or maybe we just had much more discussion here than the general public. It could be loaded with people whose mind was already made up.

What exactly is causing their case to go down the toilet? The main point still to be proven is that Zimmerman was acting in self defense. I thought the girl did a good job of showing that Martin was being pursued, and was ultimately confronted by the person chasing him.

[pondwater]

What exactly is causing their case to go down the toilet? The main point still to be proven is that Zimmerman was acting in self defense. I thought the girl did a good job of showing that Martin was being pursued, and was ultimately confronted by the person chasing him.

Was the person chasing or following him? I would think what it boils down to is that the person who initiated physical contact first is to blame.

[CF DolFan]

Was the person chasing or following him? I would think what it boils down to is that the person who initiated physical contact first is to blame.

The start witness confessed it wasn't a "person" following or chasing him. It was a "creepy-ass cracker" and "n*****" following him.

[CF DolFan]

What exactly is causing their case to go down the toilet? The main point still to be proven is that Zimmerman was acting in self defense. I thought the girl did a good job of showing that Martin was being pursued, and was ultimately confronted by the person chasing him.

So let me get this straight. The state produced a tape that has George stating he doesn't want to confront a person when asked for more information from the 911 operator. A witness who showed its difficult to look for street signs and addresses. A witness who doesn't even recognize George in the picture taken immediately afterwards because of his injuries. Then their star witness shows that Trayvon was in a fearful, racist state of mind?

This is the first case where I keep forgetting who's side the prosecution is on.

[Phishfan]

What exactly is causing their case to go down the toilet? The main point still to be proven is that Zimmerman was acting in self defense. I thought the girl did a good job of showing that Martin was being pursued, and was ultimately confronted by the person chasing him.

OK, first of all you are absolutely incorrect in how it works. The main point to be proven is that Zimmerman was an agressor and initiated physical contact. Following someone is not against the law. No one has to prove self defense. As for Zimmerman following him, did you see the operator's testimony (keep in mind I am listening to the entire trial except for when I have work calls)? The defense did a pretty good job of showing that regardless of the operator saying, "We don't need you to do that" in regards to following him (which he has no authority to give an exact order anyway) the operator also kept asking to know what Martin was doing next. You can't have it both ways. You either want to know what he is doing or you want the person to not keep an eye on them.

Which girl? The girl who was on the phone with Martin? Did you watch or are you just getting sound bites? She has very little credibility as a star prosecution witness. #1 She lied about her age #2 she left parts of the story out depending on who and when she was talking #3 She lied about her name at times. Being caught as a three time liar under circumstances related to the trial takes your credibility away if I am on the jury. I will leave out her repated testimony that she does not watch the new before her slip where she admitted to seeing something on the news. She covered that by saying she knew an exact date when she started paying attention.

You can also take into consideration that she definitely sounded influenced by someone if you listen to her testimony. She thought that Zimmerman shooting Travon was racially motivated because Martin called his follower a "Crazy ass cracker" but did not feel referring to anyone as a "Crazy ass cracker" was racially motivated.