Media Thread - NO DISCUSSION

[fran]

George Zimmerman case: Judge orders to unseal some of state's evidence

Posted: 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012

full article at link .............. http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/judge-orders-some-states-evidence-be-made-public-g/nNNhD/

 

[fran]

George Zimmerman: Defense enters Twitter, Facebook conversation

11:07 p.m. CDT, April 30, 2012

full article at link ................. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/os-george-zimmerman-defense-website-20120430,0,4074860.story

 

[imamaze]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/01/2778234/myspace-page-is-latest-salvo-in.html
George Zimmerman’s Myspace: every Mexican pulled a knife
Just as George Zimmerman’s attorney pushes the envelope of accepted legal practices by launching a social media operation for his client, another site has popped up that belonged to the controversial former neighborhood watch volunteer who now faces a murder charge.
This one is a 7-year old Myspace page called “only to be king again” that makes disparaging comments about Mexicans. The Web page, which his attorney confirmed Tuesday is legitimate, makes reference to 2005 criminal cases and a brush in court with a woman who Zimmerman called his “ex-hoe.”
More...

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...order-second-degree-murder-special-prosecutor
Zimmerman judge: No gag order
The judge in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder case has issued a written order, saying there's no need for a gag order on defense attorney Mark O'Mara, but he also warned that one could be imposed if attorneys in the case say or write anything that's prejudicial.
More...

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/no-gag-order-for-laywers-in-zimmerman-trial/
No Gag Order For Laywers In Zimmerman Trial
The judge in the murder case against George Zimmerman has rejected the request by prosecutors for a gag order prevention discussion of the case, and has ordered the release of all documents filed with the court for public inspection.

The decision, revealed in a Tuesday afternoon court filing, is a victory for journalists who objected to an earlier decision to keep records under seal, a decision they claimed was made without proper justification.
More...

Joe G. MySpace
Myspace page belonging to George Zimmerman

 

[francie]

Sanford picks interim police chief amid Martin controversy

May 1, 2012 - CNN

(CNN) Sanford, Florida city officials have chosen a former Colorado police chief as an interim replacement for the top cop who stepped aside during the furor over February's killing of an unarmed teen.

Richard Myers, the former police chief in Colorado Springs, will take office in Sanford at the end of the week, the city government announced Tuesday. He will take over a department that has been under the microscope since the February 26 killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer.

Full article:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/01/us/florida-teen-shooting/index.html


Former police chief headed to Florida

May 1, 2012 - KOAA NBC Colorado Springs

Former Colorado Springs police chief Richard Myers is heading to Florida. He's been named as the interim police chief in Sanford, Florida home of Trayvon Martin case. Chief Myers retired from the CSPD in October after 5 years at the helm. It had been a troubled year for the department and Myers facing steep budget cuts.

Richard Myers came to Colorado Springs in 2007 after serving for 35 years with the Appleton Police Department in Appleton, Wisconsin. In his last year with CSPD two officers were arrested, both resulting in lawsuits against the city. The Metro Vice and Narcotics Unit was also investigated for improper conduct regarding an underage alcohol sting at a Hooters Restaurant.

More at link:
http://www.koaa.com/news/former-police-chief-headed-to-florida/


Sanford hires interim police chief from Colorado Springs

May 1, 2012 - Orlando Sentinel

..... Oscar Redden, a Sanford resident who has strongly called for Lee's firing, said it's important that Bonaparte and city commissioners listen to Myers' evaluation.

"If this guy has the authority to really look at the police department, then that would be good," Redden said. "But if he's going to be dictated by that whole good-old-boy network, then nothing is going to change."
<snipped>

But controversy surrounded much of Myers' time in Colorado Springs, including the arrest of two officers, one of whom was charged with molesting children. Another controversy involved a botched sting at the restaurant chain Hooters. In June 2011, officers cited a waitress for serving an intoxicated patron. However, a video raised questions about whether the officers had lied in a report. The officers were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Myers resigned in October, and The Gazette, a newspaper in Colorado Springs, reported that Myers was forced out of the job as a result of the mayor's desire to "change direction." Myers then became interim chief in Manitou Springs, Colo., a suburb of Colorado Springs.

Sanford officials have scheduled a news conference for Friday morning at City Hall to introduce Myers. He will be the fifth person to act as police chief in Sanford in the past two years.

Much more at link:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-01/news/os-sanford-interim-police-chief-20120501_1_interim-police-chief-bill-lee-law-enforcement-veteran

 

[francie]

City of Sanford selects interim police chief

May 1, 2012 ~ WKMG Orlando

City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. said on Tuesday that Richard Myers, a former chief of police in Colorado Springs, will be the interim chief.
..
Myers will begin leading the police department at the end of the week, according to the news release. Myers will be chief for a few months but will not permanently take the position, because he is retired and doesn't want the full-time position.

Sanford offered Myers, the job with a letter on April 20 outlining:

•$8,996.67 monthly salary

•$1,200 monthly temporary living expenses

•City vehicle & cell phone

•$4,000 professional moving expenses

•$1,000 for lodging/meals, etc.

•$1,500 for airfare for initial trip to Sanford and to search for a home

•16 hours of paid time off a month

A news conference will be held at 11 a.m. Friday to introduce Myers.

Full article at link:
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/City-of-Sanford-selects-interim-police-chief/-/1637132/12376592/-/1sf384/-/index.html

 

[fran]

George Zimmerman judge: No gag order

ORLANDO, Fla. — The judge in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder case has issued a written order, saying there’s no need for a gag order on defense attorney Mark O’Mara, but he also warned that one could be imposed if attorneys in the case say or write anything that’s prejudicial.

more at link .................. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/na..._judge_no_gag_order/srvc=home&position=recent

 

[lauriej]

http://www.cfnews13.com/content/new...ticles/cfn/2012/5/2/city_officials_in_sa.html
George Zimmerman: Emails pour into inboxes of Sanford city officials

News 13 obtained close to one hundred emails, out of thousands sent to Sanford City Commissioner Patty Mahany.

From outrage to empathy, folks from across the country have weighed in on the Trayvon Martin shooting.

From Hawaii, to Arizona, Minnesota and Alabama, emails have flowed into the Mahany and other Sanford city officials.

An investigation into the actions of Chief Bill Lee and the Sanford Police Department is ongoing by the Department of Justice’s Police Misconduct Program.

No timetable has been given as to when the results will be released.

 

[fran]

O'Mara v. Crump

I'm surprised this chat between Mark O'Mara -- attorney for George Zimmerman and Benjamin Crump -- attorney for the family of Trayvon Martin -- on Geraldo Rivera's program didn't get more attention last week.

full article and video at link ................ ...............http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2012/04/omara-v-crump.html

 

[lauriej]

http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2012/05...bout-wifes-role-in-earlier-zimmerman-arrests/

Rob Redding Reports: Judge In Trayvon Martin Case Refuses To Answer Questions About Wife’s Role In Earlier Zimmerman Arrests

May 2, 2012 6:05 PM

ATLANTA, May 2, 2012, 5 p.m. - A Florida judge today refused to discuss his wife, who a newspaper reports worked in the same office that handled previous felony charges that were dismissed against George Zimmerman, the man now responsible for the shooting death of an unarmed Trayvon Martin.

--more@link--

 

[suzihawk]

Is secrecy justified in George Zimmerman case?

Experts question whether evidence can remain under wraps

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Is-...z/-/index.html

 

[francie]

Source: Zimmerman says Trayvon circled his SUV, frightened him

May 3, 2012 6:41pm

George Zimmerman told investigators that while he was on the phone with a Sanford police dispatcher reporting Trayvon Martin as suspicious, the teenager was circling his vehicle on foot, a source familiar with the investigation told the Orlando Sentinel.

The source said Zimmerman's account of events hasn't changed in his several statements to police — in which he said he was so unnerved by the teen's behavior that he rolled up his window to avoid a confrontation. However, he never mentioned any of that while talking to the dispatcher.

The details revealed by the source provide new insight into what Zimmerman said happened in the earliest moments of his contact with Trayvon. And they may reveal the inconsistencies alluded to by prosecutors in the case.

One of those inconsistencies: Zimmerman told police Trayvon had his hand over Zimmerman's mouth during their fight on the night he shot Trayvon.

The Sentinel's source confirmed that Zimmerman's statements include that allegation. But authorities do not believe that happened, the source told the Sentinel, because on one 911 call, someone can be heard screaming for help. If it were Zimmerman, as he claims, his cries were not muffled, the source said.

Long article:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-03/news/os-trayvon-martin-circles-george-zimmerman-20120503_1_special-prosecutor-angela-corey-source-police-department

 

[lauriej]

George Zimmerman's new defense fund up and running

George Zimmerman's new defense fund is up and running, collecting donations online through the blog-style website set up recently by his attorney, Mark O'Mara.

According to the latest post on the site, GZLegalCase.com, Zimmerman's defense team received registration certification from the Florida Division of Consumer Services on Thursday.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/201 ... fense-fund

 

[belle3]

http://cfnews13.com/content/news/cf...ticles/cfn/2012/5/4/sanford_interim_poli.html

Richard Myers is new Sanford interim police chief

SANFORD --

The new interim chief of the Sanford Police Department wants to rebuild the department's relationship with the community. He admits it won't be easy.
(snip)
"I will study and learn and listen," Myers said. "Most of all I will listen."

Myers also said he wanted to hear from the disenfranchised minorities in the community, to work to heal the rift caused by the George Zimmerman case, calling it "urgent work."

"We don't have the luxury of taking our time here," Myers said.


More at above link

 

[lauriej]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...0503_1_legal-defense-funds-legal-costs-o-mara

Zimmerman gets new legal-defense fund

O'Mara told the Orlando Sentinel that it would never have occurred to him to set up a fund for Zimmerman, had the Neighborhood Watch volunteer not already collected a pool of money.


"There aren't many legal defense funds out there for a criminal," O'Mara said

 

[vlpate]

What Trayvon Martin's Tweets Say About Him

 

[HMSHood]

Source: Zimmerman says Trayvon circled his SUV, frightened him
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/os-trayvon-martin-circles-george-zimmerman-20120503,0,163416.story

 

[imamaze]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/04/2783335/new-sanford-police-chief-to-review.html
New Sanford police chief to review department in Trayvon Martin case
The city of Sanford took its first step toward fixing its damaged police department Friday, when an interim chief took the helm of the troubled force.
Richard Myers, former police chief of Colorado Springs, will be tasked with conducting a sweeping review of the police department to determine if any long-standing problems led to the fiasco that cost the prior chief his job.
More...

 

[vlpate]

Trayvon suspended THREE times for 'drugs, truancy, graffiti and carrying burglary tool' and did he attack bus driver too?

New picture emerges of victim as parents claim it's all a smear...

"Trayvon Martin was suspended from school three times in the months before he was shot dead by a neighborhood watchman, it emerged today.
The new claims, revealed in a leaked report, paint a different picture of a teenager who frequently found himself in trouble with authorities.
It was also revealed that he might have attacked a bus driver, according to a Twitter account that it is claimed belonged to the teen.
The Miami Herald claims that in October, he was caught with a 'burglary tool' - a flathead screwdriver - and 12 pieces of women's jewellery. Martin insisted that they did not belong to him.
Earlier, he had been suspended for skipping school and showing up late to class. And most recently, in February, he was suspended again when officials found a 'marijuana pipe' and an empty baggie with traces of the drug."

more @link

 

[vlpate]

George Zimmerman case causes Hollywood movie to change titles

"Sanford: The George Zimmerman case is now affecting a Hollywood movie.

Fox Studios said a summer film called "Neighborhood Watch" will now be called "The Watch.""

 

[vlpate]

George Zimmerman: Emails pour into inboxes of Sanford city officials

"One woman from New York state wrote:
“This proves that your town is full of racist rednecks!”
Mahany said there are many more emails with a hateful tone.
“It is the tip of the iceberg, I would say all total there are probably almost 2,000,” said Mahany.

As developments in the case came to light, the message changed.
“The tone of the emails started to become more positive as little bits and pieces of the evidence came out,” said Mahany.
One specific turning point, according to Mahany, was when the city commission in Sanford denied Chief Bill Lee’s resignation.
A man from Montana wrote:
“Good for you Patty, thank you for standing YOUR ground”