17 yo Trayvon Martin Shot to Death by Neighborhood Watch Captain #27

[cityslick]

When I heard the comment from O'Mara again today, I couldn't help thinking, WTF!?! We're not talking about college financial aid being based on the parent's ability to contribute to their child's education, for G-d's sake! We're talking about allowing a man who shot and killed someone to be given freedom while he awaits trial. Zimmerman doesn't deserve to be out of jail doing whatever he pleases. His bond should fit the crime and not determined by what his family can or cannot afford. :moo:

Jumping off this, but does Florida allow one to post bond in a form other than cash? I know for the Michele Young case the defendant's mother was allowed to put up land to pay for the bond but I think it varies from state to state.

 

[cityslick]

The things that were posted and the picture that was used on that website... you better believe Mr. O'Mara would be screaming from the rooftops that it was not George's website. That website is disgusting!

MOO

The justice for zimmerman picture? What else was posted outside of thanking of supporters?

 

[Adrienne37]

When I heard the comment from O'Mara again today, I couldn't help thinking, WTF!?! We're not talking about college financial aid being based on the parent's ability to contribute to their child's education, for G-d's sake! We're talking about allowing a man who shot and killed someone to be given freedom while he awaits trial. Zimmerman doesn't deserve to be out of jail doing whatever he pleases. His bond should fit the crime and not be determined by what his family can or cannot afford. :moo:

I personally think O'Mara needs to stop his interviews. Pretty soon, he is going to rival another defense attorney that we are all very familiar with. Why object to all documents being released and ask for the records to be sealed if you are going to go on every available TV show and try your case in the media before making it to the courtroom?


~jmo~

 

[rotterdam]

Has the court declared GZ indigent? All I can find is Mark O'Mara saying that he is.


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/12/2744193/george-zimmerman-charged-with.html#storylink=cpy

MOM will probably file a motion to have the court declare GZ indigent. Could have been done already but since the records are sealed, we do not know. I assume MOM does want to get paid somehow.

 

[Donjeta]

It would just be nice to have some other verification other than the two guys who called themselves 'his lawyers' when in reality they were never of the sort.

Why wouldn't GZ have shut them up if two nobodies pose as his lawyers when they were never of the sort? Why wouldn't O'Mara clarify that these two former lawyers were just scamming everybody claiming to be George Zimmerman's lawyers? Why wouldn't Zimmerman's family say something given that two weirdos pretended to have been in contact with them?

Lawyers make questionable statements - Not GZ's fault, not his lawyers.
Website makes questionable statements - Not GZ's fault, not his website.

Why?

 

[annalia]

Didn't GZ's best buddy, Frank Taaffe, even confirm that it was his website.

IIRC, FT got into an argument with someone on JVM, someone said it was for his defense and FT said that it had nothing to do with a defense. then someone pointed out that it said defense right on the site?

I'm sure that Taaffe would have been more than happy for yet another chance to make the media rounds denying that it was his.

Why is this even being made into such a big deal?
JMHO

 

[ScubaTwinn]

"In an interview with Bay News, O'Mara did not explain why his client wants the meeting, but said that if it were to happen, it would be private, just Zimmerman and Trayvon's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton."

http://globalgrind.com/news/george-zimmerman-private-meeting-trayvon-martin-parents-details

IMO, nothing good can come of it now and O'Maro, as an experienced attorney, knows that it ain't never gonna happen - it's just an attempt to paint his client as the nice guy reaching out. Then, when the meeting is turned down (rightly so) by Trayvon's parents, O'Mara will use their refusal against them in the media in order to sway public opinion and gain sympathy for George. While O'Maro's campaign may help bolster those who already have, shall we say biased views and, like George Zimmerman himself, O'Mara is underestimating the intelligence of the good and decent people who aren't buying GZ's BS story. JMO~

It is interesting as soon as he has a lawyer representing him, GZ now wants to reach out and talk to them. He should have done this at the very beginning - a lawyer isn't needed to give condolences. He did not need to implicate guilt - just apologize that their child is gone. Anything he has to say now is negated by the fact it's been almost 2 months AND he is sitting in jail AND he has an attorney. Unbelievable in my opinion. What would he possibly have to say to them now that he couldn't have told them 2 months ago?

 

[LolaMoon08]

The justice for zimmerman picture? What else was posted outside of thanking of supporters?

There were quotes posted --- which basically were to boost his ego of prevailing over evil and his belief that what he did was right and just. His flawed thinking at work again. It was not anything that a person who just killed someone would be thinking --- if they were right in the head.

MOO

ETA: And definitely not someone who should be given any kind of access to his victims family with that flawed thinking.

MOO

 

[Adrienne37]

Didn't GZ's best buddy, Frank Taaffe, even confirm that it was his website.

IIRC, FT got into an argument with someone on JVM, someone said it was for his defense and FT said that it had nothing to do with a defense. then someone pointed out that it said defense right on the site?

I'm sure that Taaffe would have been more than happy for yet another chance to make the media rounds denying that it was his.

Why is this even being made into such a big deal?
JMHO

Oh yes, Taaffe did confirm that it was his website on JVM's program. I remember that now because he states something to the effect that "George wants me to share this information...".

~jmo~

 

[badme102]

Didn't GZ's best buddy, Frank Taaffe, even confirm that it was his website.

IIRC, FT got into an argument with someone on JVM, someone said it was for his defense and FT said that it had nothing to do with a defense. then someone pointed out that it said defense right on the site?

I'm sure that Taaffe would have been more than happy for yet another chance to make the media rounds denying that it was his.

Why is this even being made into such a big deal?
JMHO

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/04/10/george-zimmerman-launches-website-asks-donations

Zimmerman’s friend, Frank Taaffe, told HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell that even though the site is collecting money for a legal defense fund, it doesn’t mean Zimmerman expects to be charged in connection with Martin’s death.

"That has nothing to do with it," Taaffe said.

 

[Donjeta]

Didn't GZ's best buddy, Frank Taaffe, even confirm that it was his website.

IIRC, FT got into an argument with someone on JVM, someone said it was for his defense and FT said that it had nothing to do with a defense. then someone pointed out that it said defense right on the site?

I'm sure that Taaffe would have been more than happy for yet another chance to make the media rounds denying that it was his.

Why is this even being made into such a big deal?
JMHO

FRANK TAAFFE, FRIEND OF GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: Hi, Jane. How are you doing?

I`m glad that, you know, he`s in a safe custody with the Seminole County Department of Corrections right now. He was -- I spoke with him Monday. He was subdued, and he did not appear to be -- to have any frustration. He was very clear and concise what he was delivering to me when he was speaking to me on Monday regarding his Web site.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1204/12/ijvm.01.html

Zimmerman’s lawyers and a friend confirmed the authenticity of the website. The friend, Frank Taaffe, told CNN sister network HLN that while the site is being used to raise funds for a legal defense, it doesn’t mean Zimmerman expects to be charged in connection with Martin’s death.

“That has nothing to do with it,” Taaffe told HLN’s “Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell.”

http://kdvr.com/2012/04/10/zimmerman-launches-website-to-raise-funds-for-his-defense/

FRANK TAAFFE, FRIEND OF GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: Thank you for having me on again, Jane. I miss you. I`m glad to be back.

First of all, I spoke with George at 1:06 today for about a half hour. He -- his tone seemed very subdued. It was monotone. He expressed sympathy for the loss of my son again.

And he went to share with me the fact that he started this Web site, ********************************. And he wanted everybody in the media to know about that. Also he wanted to corroborate my story that on February 2, one of the 911 calls of the 46 that he made regarded my home which was a burglary in progress.

He went on to really elaborate what had happened that night on February 2. And I wrote down some notes as, you know, I was speaking to him, because I, like most 55-year-old men, have a tendency to forget some things. So if you`ll allow me.

He went on to share that on the night of February 2, as he was walking through the neighborhood, ensuring the safety of all the residents at Twin Lakes, that he observed a young black male looking in the front of my house. He called -- he told me that he was walking his 100-pound Rottweiler. And that he was carrying a 9 millimeter with him at that time.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well...

TAAFFE: Of course -- go ahead.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I just want to jump in, because I want to break things down a little bit. I think the big headline tonight is that -- and you brought this up, so it`s something you mentioned -- George Zimmerman has started a Web site, and he is seeking money.

Now let`s just start with that a little, bit because I`m sure that some of our other panelists might have something to say about it. So we`re going to go out to Rolonda Watts, TV personality. She is here on set with me. What is your reaction to that, Rolonda?

ROLONDA WATTS, TV PERSONALITY: I think it`s absurd, absolutely absurd. Now America is a free place; you can do what you want. But I just really think it`s absurd. It just -- it just -- I`m just so outraged by it. But, I mean he has the right to do that.

TAAFFE: He certainly does.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, let me go to Natalie Jackson, specifically, the attorney for Trayvon Martin`s family, because he essentially says -- and I`m quoting here -- "I have created a PayPal account solely linked on this Web site, as I would like to provide an avenue to thank my supporters personally and ensure that any funds provided are used only for living expenses and legal defense, in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment."

He says that he was involved in a life-altering event that has forced him to leave his home, his school, his employer and his family, and essentially go into hiding.

Your reaction to his solicitation of funds, Natalie Jackson, the attorney for Trayvon Martin`s family.

NATALIE JACKSON, ATTORNEY FOR TRAYVON MARTIN`S FAMILY: Well, he has a right to do what he wants to do. I think that he recognizes this case should go to a jury. And I believe that he`s preparing for the charges to be brought against him as they should be so that justice can be found in this case.

TAAFFE: He never said that. He never said that. Nor did he intimate that...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: let -- let...

TAAFFE: ... to me in the conversation. So don`t go there. OK. Please, don`t.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I really would rather have, like, a civilized and calm conversation.

TAAFFE: Thank you.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Just let me say my piece here. I think that this has been a healthy dialogue for America, getting -- I would say you`re only as sick as your secrets, getting some toxic secrets out, airing stuff out.

Hopefully, we have dialectics, argument and counterargument to reach a higher understanding of the given subject matter. But I just ask everybody to just do it in a calm and a manner that`s from a good place and not in an angry, argumentative way.

So Natalie, you just finish your piece and then we`ll let -- and then we`ll let Frank respond. Go ahead, Natalie.

JACKSON: Well, as I`m saying, that if that is what the fund is for, a legal defense fund, I don`t know what other purpose the fund would be for. George Zimmerman, he killed someone`s child. And so he has a right to defend himself in a court of law. And that`s what justice dictates here, that he go to a court of law, Mr. Taaffe.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Frank, your response.

TAAFFE: OK, George -- I was continuing with the story that the young black...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: But wait a second. Do you think it`s appropriate for him to solicit funds? What is the justification for that?

TAAFFE: Your two guests just said, this is America. He can do whatever he wants. I don`t feel either way on this, but...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: It doesn`t mean it`s appropriate. I could tap dance right now, but it doesn`t mean that would be appropriate or applauded.

TAAFFE: What you get paid for.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m asking you why you feel it`s appropriate. I`m just asking why you feel it`s appropriate.

TAAFFE: I have to agree with what they said, this is America.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m actually giving you an opportunity to tell his side of the story. I`m trying to be fair. So do you think that -- is he in hiding? Is he unable to get food?

TAAFFE: You want me to say it`s appropriate? Sure. OK, it`s appropriate. It doesn`t intimate that he`s going to go to a jury, as Ms. Jackson just indicated. It has nothing to do with it. It`s a legal defense fund in the event of. Nothing has been determined yet.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1204/09/ijvm.01.html

 

[Emeralgem]

They didn't change the tape, they just cut a part out. That's way different than actually altering (photoshopping) an image. The comparison would be if they actually somehow changed the 911 tape to make GZ say something that was never said.

Even so, there were reprimands even for that.

I suspect tapes are edited everday in newsrooms, in fact I know they are...
And to think they claim to have fired two people, one being the producer because a tape had been edited..I have my suspicions as to WHY that fiasco may have taken place..JMHO

 

[m00c0w]

Last try... Owning/having the gun IN ITSELF is not the issue (to me), rather, the fact that THE GUN WAS JUST USED TO TAKE THE LIFE OF TRAYVON would, IMO, make it especially important to record/document ALL information pertaining to that particular gun - that would include legal ownership, permit to carry license, etc. Done~

I never said the gun was the issue. The permit is already recorded in a state database. It's already documented to exist and having been issued. Documenting that Zimmerman showed a carry permit would have exactly no bearing on the investigation. It could have been written down... but I'm not seeing this whole "great importance" thing. He either has one or he doesn't. He has one. Any LEO in the state of Florida can look it up. It's not some great mystery.

 

[gxm]

The view from the fence is that each side's supporters' opinions change when it comes to whose website and/or money-raising and/or PR efforts are being discussed. IMO, websites, charity outreach, and national interviews do not affect that way I view the case evidence. Personally, I'm really try to avoid the noise machine as much as possible. It's a distraction IMO.

JMO, OMO, and :moo:

 

[kimpage]

GZ's lawyer has better and more important things to worry about than to ambulance chase some internet nobody trying to scam people into giving money based on pretending to be GZ.

My only point is just because it has GZ's name attached to it doesn't automatically make it GZ's. And because the only verification is two people who IMO were never directly involved with this case anyway, doesn't prove anything either.

But Frank Taaffe said on Nancy Grace that GZ wanted the public to knoe it was his site...Do not have link so will say IMHO JMHO and all that

 

[tehcloser]

I refuse to discuss diapers or depends since GZ did not make that claim.

But, I will go with you on the sake of discussion:

Have you ever watched boxing?
From what I have heard, this was a punch throwing fight. Not really a wrestling match.
One of the biggest advantages is arm reach. Plain and simple.

And 40 pounds less weight and longer legs would make a fellow like Trayvon much quicker in this imaginary or real match.

If it had been a "punch throwing fight" we would not have 6786543 pages trying to figure out who was on top during the "wrestling match"..........

 

[LynnM]

It would just be nice to have some other verification other than the two guys who called themselves 'his lawyers' when in reality they were never of the sort.

The reason I believe them about that is because they were so indignant about it, having arranged for the creation of a website on his behalf as they thought he'd been asked to do and then finding out from a family member that George had created his own website. They initially said the "real George Zimmerman" site was fraudulent when contacted by reporters and then had to call back and say it was genuine.

The site is so damaging to the image that George should be trying to project, that I cannot believe his father or brother wouldn't tell the media if it was fraudulent.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

If it had been a "punch throwing fight" we would not have 6786543 pages trying to figure out who was on top during the "wrestling match"..........

Well, I have been reading for weeks here and have not missed many posts, and I have never viewed it as a wrestling match.

I have viewed it as a sucker punch, a fall back, a person on top beating, and a shot.

Not much wrestling.

JMO

 

[Emeralgem]

<modsnip>

Personally, I'm not believing too much of any of this BS being released NOW...I just see alot of people attempting to cover their backsides...JMHO

 

[HiHater]

It is interesting as soon as he has a lawyer representing him, GZ now wants to reach out and talk to them. He should have done this at the very beginning - a lawyer isn't needed to give condolences. He did not need to implicate guilt - just apologize that their child is gone. Anything he has to say now is negated by the fact it's been almost 2 months AND he is sitting in jail AND he has an attorney. Unbelievable in my opinion. What would he possibly have to say to them now that he couldn't have told them 2 months ago?

I tend to agree with you, but I think an apology does in some ways imply guilt. I got into a car accident with a police officer, and the fault was in dispute. My insurance company asked me did I make any statements at the scene, to include any sort of apology or statement of regret.

:moo::twocents: