George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin General discussion

[TXSouthern Belle]

I haven't really formed an opinion about this case yet. I wanted to listen to all of the evidence first, but I have to say the defense opening so far is all over the place. I am having a hard time following him.

 

[doubt]

i am SO relieved to see this thread. just came on this morning, so wishing there was a place to discuss the case and not wanting to go elsewhere, and i swear my blood pressure went down 20 points after seeing this had been opened.

i know it's a highly emotional case and understand why the mods were/are reticent about opening this thread, but i can't help but think that down the line, for the sake of history and other reasons, it will be so important that the brilliant and committed folks at websleuths have documented their insights upon viewing the actual evidence in this case. personally, i have learned more from the posters here than i ever have from watching the trials alone. so thank you so very much, mods.

from what i have seen so far...i thought the prosecutor was extremely effective, both in word and mannerism. the information about none of gz's dna being on tm struck me as so important, as did the information regarding the size of both of gz and tm. tm was like one of my sons, size-wise. i call him my tall and lanky one. i had no idea how skinny trayvon was.

the defense opening is not going very well, imo. i did think the atty did a good job of explaining why gz's family was not in the courtroom but the knock-knock joke, mere minutes after we hear how tm was found dead, face down in the wet grass, was cringe-worthy. the other thing is, if i were a juror i'm pretty sure i'd have interpreted that one as: ''whoa...is this guy calling me dumb or what?"

all above is jmo. i SO want this thread to remain open! again, mods, thank you so much.

 

[claudicici]

I'm not impressed with this defense opening statement either but I feel like the way he is delivering this is being done on purpose.

ineffective counsel?

 

[Schuby]

O'Meara is pretty highly well thought of in lawyer circles, even among prosecutors. Alas he's not the one doing the opening statement. I agree that the maps/flipboards are just diluting the statement. Just be concise, to the point.

I have been impressed with him from the day he signed on.

 

[corundogs]

OK...what the <modsnip>

The defense said that he was NOT told to "not follow".

What the <modsnip> did we just hear then??????????????????

If I am on the jury, I am really confused...and very suspicious!

 

[Reader]

Kyle Hightower &#8207;@khightower 45s
West playing #zimmerman non emergency call in which he says he sees a guy in neighborhood "up to no good."

Kyle Hightower &#8207;@khightower 1m
West says a neighbor (John Good) had a good look at incident and will testify.

Kyle Hightower &#8207;@khightower 11s
West is showing jury photos of the scene to show locations if neighbors that made 911 calls during confrontation.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower &#8207;@khightower 4m
West says its "absolutely untrue" that #zimmerman followed #TrayvonMartin and was told not to do so by 911 operator.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower &#8207;@khightower 6m
West says #zimmerman was only liaison and not leader of neighborhood watch. Says he was or never patrolled neighborhood.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower &#8207;@khightower 7m
West describes time of #zimmermsn seeing #TrayvonMartin and getting "sucker punched" as just 10 min.

 

[daisy7]

I'm glad he's at least dispelling the nonsense about the GZ being "told not to follow" TM

911: Are you following him?
GZ: Yes
911: Okay, we don't need you to do that
GZ: okay

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

I just signed on and did not read any other posts but man.. His lawyer??? He has Nurmi tendencies... yes??

 

[sorrell skye]

If I was a juror, I'd be confused & having a hard time following this open statement. It's all over the place.

 

[iluvmua]

OK...what the<modsnip>

The defense said that he was NOT told to "not follow".

What the <modsnip> did we just hear then??????????????????

If I am on the jury, I am really confused...and very suspicious!

Which is correct, Saying "We don't need you to do that" is not the same as "George, please don't follow him" or "George, Please go back to your car''.

It is just a suggestion and 911 operators are not qualified to give orders like LE would be.

 

[Angelina Frost]

OK...what the <modsnip> ????

The defense said that he was NOT told to "not follow".

What the <modsnip> did we just hear then??????????????????

If I am on the jury, I am really confused...and very suspicious!

Perhaps along the same line as Nurmi trying to sell the jury on another Walmart gas can return? It's clear as day on the 911 call. Told not to follow.

West seems like he is improvising here- it's not flowing well. The knock knock joke was a poor choice.

 

[thefragile7393]

Why does that make it harder for it to happen?

Because you need a good solid case before going to trial, which includes facts that will point toward the other's guilt...circumstantial evidence aka dna, ballistics, etc. Yes innocent people have been put in prison because of shoddy work and politics. I'm only saying that in general you have to go to trial with hard stuff or it won't even get to a jury. It is harder to lie...they know the defense can and usually will find ways to get the truth through if their client is innocent.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[daisy7]

You'd think with the large amount of $ donated by random strangers across the country, that they would have a much better opening. I'm not sure why MOM isn't the one doing it?

 

[especiallyheather]

I think that the one thing that I gleamed from that non emergency call is that Shawn asked if Zimmerman was following him, Zimmerman said yes. Shawn then said we do not need you to do that... Then Zimmerman replied "ok".

 

[doubt]

i am SO relieved to see this thread. just came on this morning, so wishing there was a place to discuss the case and not wanting to go elsewhere, and i swear my blood pressure went down 20 points after seeing this had been opened.

i know it's a highly emotional case and understand why the mods were/are reticent about opening this thread, but i can't help but think that down the line, for the sake of history and other reasons, it will be so important that the brilliant and committed folks at websleuths have documented their insights upon viewing the actual evidence in this case. personally, i have learned more from the posters here than i ever have from watching the trials alone. so thank you so very much, mods.

from what i have seen so far...i thought the prosecutor was extremely effective, both in word and mannerism. the information about none of gz's dna being on tm struck me as so important, as did the information regarding the size of both of gz and tm. tm was like one of my sons, size-wise. i call him my tall and lanky one. i had no idea how skinny trayvon was.

the defense opening is not going very well, imo. i did think the atty did a good job of explaining why gz's family was not in the courtroom but the knock-knock joke, mere minutes after we hear how tm was found dead, face down in the wet grass, was cringe-worthy. the other thing is, if i were a juror i'm pretty sure i'd have interpreted that one as: ''whoa...is this guy calling me dumb or what?"

all above is jmo. i SO want this thread to remain open! again, mods, thank you so much.

 

[especiallyheather]

Which is correct, Saying "We don't need you to do that" is not the same as "George, please don't follow him" or "George, Please go back to your car''.

It is just a suggestion and 911 operators are not qualified to give orders like LE would be.

And George Zimmerman said "Okay"

 

[Beyond Belief]

I'm wondering if the opening statement causes you confusion if you'll pay alot more attention when its actually covered to help you clear up that confusion. Opening statement is just food for thought.

 

[cityslick]

If I was a juror I'd be confused as well but to be fair, no trial I've ever followed was won or lost on an opening statement alone. I bet O'Meara does the closing though, which has more impact.

 

[Schuby]

Because you need a good solid case before going to trial, which includes facts that will point toward the other's guilt...circumstantial evidence aka dna, ballistics, etc. Yes innocent people have been put in prison because of shoddy work and politics. I'm only saying that in general you have to go to trial with hard stuff or it won't even get to a jury. It is harder to lie...they know the defense can and usually will find ways to get the truth through if their client is innocent.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

Prosecutors generally reach for the highest possible charge regardless, even when the evidence is better suited to one lesser. They are in the business of persuasion too...just as much as the defense.

 

[Kensie]

Good Morning and Happy Monday.

I said I was not going to follow this tria but I here I am.

I am at work and need to listen to the trial via my IPhone.

Please someone , tell me where /what I need to do to get a live link. TIA.