When you work a case, you read the statements and organize the statements of witnesses, over and over again. I have slipped in court and called a witness by their first name because that is how I organized their statements or my cross or direct of them, for example. It's easy to let a name slip out that you don't want to, when you are so immersed in the case.
I did not see the bond hearing. Did O'Mara seem smarmy? Sleazy? Arrogant? So far, he has not seemed that was to me and he has a good reputation. Neither Hornsby nor Nejame liked Baez but they both like O'Mara. So unless he seemed like a jerk at the hearing, I must give him the benefit of the doubt.
Version 6.0.
Bumping.
I'm not. I knew he would make bond. I thought the judge would have to make it high enough to not seem like a joke but low enough that Zimmerman could find a way to be released. He will be released quickly, IMO.
BBM. I don't think that's clear at all. Rapists and murderers often have wounds from their victims or from the struggle. If that photo is accurate and I have no reason not to believe it isn't accurate, at this time, then Zimmerman had minor wounds to the back of his head.
People who are attacked often fight back. Wounds on Zimmerman do not prove who was the aggressor here. But, I think logic does.
There is NOTHING official that hints that Trayvon was an aggressive person. The statement of his girlfriend and the call to LE by Zimmerman indicate Zimmerman pursued a scared teenager and confronted him.
Zimmerman's background suggests he has a propensity for aggression, not the kid he followed.
If a strange man followed me at night, then got out of his car and confronted me, you better believe I would fight back if he put his hands on me, which is exactly what I think happened here. Zimmerman is the one who said these "a$$holes" always get away, while chasing the kid. Trayvon did not get away.
I think injuries would be significant in proving to a jury that at some point, Zimmerman was in fear for his life and pulled the trigger. That would depend on the severity of the injuries and may make the difference as to whether the jury chooses second degree, manslaughter or acquittal. The greater the injuries, the better chance Zimmerman has of getting off.
So far, I'm not impressed. Nothing suggests to me that Zimmerman was getting his tail whooped or was defensively warding off an unprovoked attack from some kid he was following, a kid not involved in any crime, not walking with a band of other kids looking for trouble, etc.
Regardless of my personal feelings, though, I have thought from the beginning that there would be a good chance Zimmerman would walk, or at the most, get a manslaughter charge and spend very little time in county lock up.
Many people have racial biases. Many people feel fear or intimidated, as a result, when they see a black young man, regardless of the circumstances. Many people assume blacks are more aggressive, naturally. Some of those people will be on the jury. The state will have to have a lot in order to get any charges to stick, IMO. Black victims just don't see justice as easily as others.