Zimmerman not guilty in Trayvon Martin death: Florida jury

[Lite Beer]

Zimmerman not guilty in Trayvon Martin death: Florida jury
AFP

SANFORD: A six-woman jury late Saturday found neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman not guilty of murdering unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, in a racially-charged trial that has transfixed the United States.

"Obviously, we are ecstatic with the results. George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defense," said his lead attorney Mark O'Mara.

Zimmerman smiled briefly but did not appear emotional as the verdict was read. His family was grinning broadly as they sat behind him in the courtroom.

The family of Trayvon Martin was not present.

Scores of journalists and crowds of demonstrators had gathered outside the courthouse in the dark, awaiting the verdict. Many of the demonstrators were chanting, "no justice, no peace."

Florida Prosecutor Angela Corey argued that the tragic case was a test of Florida's gun laws as well as social boundaries.

"This case has never been about race, nor has it ever been about the right to bear arms," Corey said. "But Trayvon Martin was profiled. There is no doubt that he was profiled to be a criminal. And if race was one of the aspects in George Zimmerman's mind, then we believe that we put out the proof necessary to show that Zimmerman did profile Trayvon Martin.

"But the right to bear arms is a right in which we all believe. I especially believe in that will right. What we want is responsible use when someone feels they have to use a gun to take a life," Corey added, saying: "They have to be responsible in their use, and we believe that this case all along was about boundaries."

The jury had deliberated for more than 16 hours since Friday in the case.

Zimmerman, 29, had been accused of pursuing Martin through a gated community in Sanford, Florida and shooting him during an altercation.

Defense lawyers insisted Zimmerman acted in self-defense after Martin, 17, wrestled him to the ground and started bashing his head into the pavement.

Zimmerman faced possible life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. The jury was also instructed to consider an alternate charge of manslaughter, which carries up to a 30-year sentence.

"Mr. Zimmerman, I have signed the judgment that confirms the jury's verdict. Your bond will be released. Your GPS monitor will be cut off when you exit the courtroom over here. And you have no further business with the court," Judge Deborah Nelson said shortly after the decision was read.

The February 2012 killing ignited widespread controversy after police initially declined to press charges against Zimmerman.

Community leaders on Friday had called for calm regardless of the eventual verdict.

"If Zimmerman is convicted, there should not be inappropriate celebrations, because a young man lost his life," Reverend Jesse Jackson, a veteran civil rights activist, said.

"If he is not convicted, we should avoid violence because it will only lead to more tragedies."

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/zimmerman-not-guilty-in-trayvon-martin-death-florida-jury-40835.php

-- Phuket News 2013-07-14

[junkofdavid2]

If Zimmerman is truly not guilty, justice *not* served until Trayvon's family *pays Zimmerman* for the rigors of a false accusation and ruining Zimmerman's life. Suffering grief (even of your own child) does not absolve you from unjustly ruining someone else's life.

[keemapoot]

We're probably going to see the biggest race polarization since the Rodney King police beating case. On one side, Fox News has already issued an opinion piece that the trial should never have taken place. On the other side, the NAACP is outraged and wants the Feds to prosecute Zimmerman.

Get the popcorn ready....

[NeverSure]

Well, the jury had days to hear the evidence, and 16 hours to deliberate. The prosecutors and defense had every opportunity to present all evidence.

We accept the decision of the jury who under the law is called the "finder of fact" meaning "finder of truth."

[Publicus]

The feds have competent prosecutors. Just as in the state's trial of OJ Simpson, Zimmerman in his state too got a way with murder. All there is now is a federal civil trail, which in Simpson's case found him liable. I suspect, I trust, Zimmerman the gunman gets the same fate.

The Simpson criminal trial jury dismissed its own duty to instead become an OJ Simpson fan club. The Zimmerman trail jury dismissed the reality of the murder, i.e., a guy with a gun initiating action against another who was unarmed.

We need to abide by the finding of any jury, anywhere, anytime. However, that doesn't mean we can't criticize the jury. I thought the state trial judge did a good job - she just couldn't in all reality override the jury's mistaken verdict. She certainly didn't have grounds to order a directed verdict.

I'm confident Attorney General Eric Holder will initiate a civil cause of action against Zimmerman and that competent prosecutors will convince a federal jury of Zimmerman's civil liability In this matter of a gross injustice.

[jamhar]

Yep,

Expect a Civil case against Zimmerman soon. Civil cases only requires a preponderance of proof, not a "beyond all reasonable doubt" of proof.

And yes, the prosecutors did not do an adequate job. That happens sometimes.

PS, i'm not a lawyer. Not even close, so if an expert wants to correct me if i'm wrong, by all means do so.

Thanks.

[Jingthing]

The root of this injustice (Zimmerman walking free) is how the laws of self defense are written in Florida. They allow too much room for people to murder the only witness that could really fully implicate them. I expect a movement to change these kinds of laws in many states.

Not suggested that self defense shouldn't be allowed to use as a defense but am suggesting that it should be made harder.

Edited July 14, 2013 by Jingthing

[Loptr]

We're probably going to see the biggest race polarization since the Rodney King police beating case. On one side, Fox News has already issued an opinion piece that the trial should never have taken place. On the other side, the NAACP is outraged and wants the Feds to prosecute Zimmerman.

Get the popcorn ready....

Way too late as the country has been polarized for years, by design. More so than when I was a child during the pre-civil rights years. Why you ask? I have no idea, you need to as the POTUS.

[allalong]

I watched 90 % of this trial and the incredible way the defense spun the trial was sickening .Zimmer profiled and killed a 17 year old kid and them told around 40 lies after the event.Goes on tv and says it was "gods plan" . Florida justice has failed a dead person.

[keemapoot]

We're probably going to see the biggest race polarization since the Rodney King police beating case. On one side, Fox News has already issued an opinion piece that the trial should never have taken place. On the other side, the NAACP is outraged and wants the Feds to prosecute Zimmerman.

Get the popcorn ready....

Way too late as the country has been polarized for years, by design. More so than when I was a child during the pre-civil rights years. Why you ask? I have no idea, you need to as the POTUS.

Clinton was in office when the OJ Simpson verdict was delivered. Most Whites felt he did it, and still do. Are you saying the current POTUS deserves some credit for the racial divide?

[StevieH]

I watched 90 % of this trial and the incredible way the defense spun the trial was sickening .Zimmer profiled and killed a 17 year old kid and them told around 40 lies after the event.Goes on tv and says it was "gods plan" . Florida justice has failed a dead person.

"f***ing punks," Zimmerman told the police dispatcher that night. "These a*****s. They always get away."

expecting big repercussions to this.

[Publicus]

We're probably going to see the biggest race polarization since the Rodney King police beating case. On one side, Fox News has already issued an opinion piece that the trial should never have taken place. On the other side, the NAACP is outraged and wants the Feds to prosecute Zimmerman.

Get the popcorn ready....

Way too late as the country has been polarized for years, by design. More so than when I was a child during the pre-civil rights years. Why you ask? I have no idea, you need to as the POTUS.

Yeah, the anti-Christ himself, the root of all present evils inflicting the United States.

The opposition political party has lost five of the last six elections of TPOTUS. (The Supreme Court skewed the 2000 election by ordering the vote count stopped then by appointing themselves the only citizens who got to vote twice for prez.)

The divisions in the country will fade as the old angry white guys continue to die off, to include especially the nutcakes and a few certain wingnuts on the court itself retire or croak in office.

AG Holder is very likely to bring a civil action against Zimmerman which is likely to some small extent mitigate the erroneous verdict of the Florida jury and the incompetent prosecution.

The Stand Your Ground law is a wild west law of shoot first, ask questions later. That's not an a priori self defense. It's more often prima facie murder. How many parents in the US can now be comfortable while their children are out of the house, even to go to the nearby convenience store? Especially if you are black.

Edited July 14, 2013 by Publicus

[LuckyLew]

If Zimmerman is truly not guilty, justice *not* served until Trayvon's family *pays Zimmerman* for the rigors of a false accusation and ruining Zimmerman's life. Suffering grief (even of your own child) does not absolve you from unjustly ruining someone else's life.

And if he shot your kid ... how would you react?

[Chicog]

OJ's acquital had to do purely with the fact that the authorities didn't want a repeat of the L.A riots..

He got away with murder ...I don't remember many liberals lambasting the justice system then..

That's codswallop. He got off it because the prosecution's case had more holes than a swiss cheese. A racist cop, faulty handling of DNA evidence, a glove that didn't fit, etc.

It was easy to prove reasonable doubt in the criminal trial.

The civil trial, on the other hand, nailed him, although he was able to squirrel away his assets and cover his arse.

And I seem to remember a lot of people of both political persuasions thinking how absurd and unjust it was that he'd walked. I didn't hear too many people protesting about his last jail sentence. I think most people considered it justice served.

In this case, the prosecution's case was too weak but they had to be seen to try.

Only Zimmerman knows why he chose to ignore the police and follow Marting, and what happened subsequently.

I hope it gives him nightmares until the day he dies, but I suspect it won't.

[Salapoo]

Nothing wrong with shooting someone (if you legally carry a gun) who is attacking you and smashing your head into the concrete as hard as he can.

Edited July 14, 2013 by Salapoo

[Salapoo]

I guess the crime rate in that neighbourhood will drop significantly.

[mopar71]

If Zimmerman had committed 2nd degree murder, he would have had his gun drawn and ready when he and Martin came face to face. Instead, it didn't come out until Martin was on top of him, beating him "MMA style". The jury got it right.

[Jingthing]

I guess the crime rate in that neighbourhood will drop significantly.

Will Zimmerman resume his armed vigilante duties?

[Chicog]

I guess the crime rate in that neighbourhood will drop significantly.

Will Zimmerman resume his armed vigilante duties?

I don't think so somehow, unless he's in WitSec in Iowa or something.

[Jingthing]

I guess the crime rate in that neighbourhood will drop significantly.

Will Zimmerman resume his armed vigilante duties?

I don't think so somehow, unless he's in WitSec in Iowa or something.

I'm curious what he does next. Of course he can now make a fortune on his name but assuming that fortune will be based on his killing a boy, couldn't the Martin family sue him to take that fortune away from him?

I'm also curious is if a man who has killed like this can still legally carry a concealed gun and if he WILL carry one if he can.

Edited July 14, 2013 by Jingthing

[keemapoot]

I guess the crime rate in that neighbourhood will drop significantly.

Will Zimmerman resume his armed vigilante duties?

I don't think so somehow, unless he's in WitSec in Iowa or something.

They don't like Hispanics in white bread Iowa. He might be stalked and killed by some Iowan guy who looks like this:

[Publicus]

George Zimmerman Not Guilty: Jury Lets Trayvon Martin Killer Go

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/13/george-zimmerman-not-guilty_n_3588743.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

It turned out this wasn't Zimmerman's first run-in with the law.

He had previously been accused of domestic violence by a former girlfriend, and he had also previously been arrested for assaulting a police officer.

More controversially, in July 2012, an evidence dump related to the investigation of Martin's death revealed that a younger female cousin of Zimmerman's had accused him of nearly two decades of sexual molestation and assault.

In addition, she had accused members of Zimmerman's family, including his Peruvian-born mother, of being proudly racist against African Americans, and recalled a number of examples of perceived bigotry.

The Killing of Trayvon Martin -- A World of Co-Conspirators

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-strauss/trayvon-martin-killing-racial-profiling_b_3586162.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

I don't know what happened the night Trayvon Martin was shot and killed. I know what I believe and what I don't believe, but I wasn't there and I'm not on the jury so mine is just another semi-informed opinion.

But whatever the verdict and however any of us feel about it, this incident is a symptom of a sickness of which we are all a part.

No one should have to carry the burden of his color or gender or features. No one. And as long as we continue to accept racial prejudice or racial profiling in any manner there will probably be grotesque misunderstandings -- and whatever you believe about what happened between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, we can probably describe it as a grotesque and tragic misunderstanding that should have been avoided.

Half a century ago our congress and president had the good sense to purge discrimination from our legal code. How long will it take before we purge it from our hearts?

[jamhar]

I guess the crime rate in that neighbourhood will drop significantly.

Common misconception, but crime rates in ALL of the US have dropped DRAMATICALLY over the past several decades.

But in this case, Death and harm by accidents may go up significantly.

[Ulysses G.]

Zimmerman was found not guilty because the preponderance of evidence supported his version of events. Trayvon attacked him, broke his nose and injured his head and so he shot him in self defense. If it were not for racial politics, he never would have been charged in the first place.
The NAACP will lose, if they try to charge Zimmerman with violating Trayvon's civil rights.
Zimmerman did nothing to violate Martin's civil rights and every attorney I have heard - on both sides - admits this. There is NO evidence that he was a racist and plenty that he is not.
If Travon's parents try to sue him, when they lose - and they will - they will have to pay all his legal fees as well as their own. That will not be cheap. As Don West said, the percecution prosecution of Zimmerman was a disgrace.
Zimmerman has very good chance at winning a case for malicious prosecution. The prosecution withheld evidence about Trayvon's criminal activities and the defense only found out about it because of a whistle blower who was fired for turning it over.

Sanford, Florida (CNN) -- An employee of the Florida State Attorney's Office who testified that prosecutors withheld evidence from George Zimmerman's defense team has been fired.
Ben Kruidbos had been on paid administrative leave since May 28 from his job as director of information technology for the State Attorney's Office. http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/justice/zimmerman-it-firing/index.html

A great article on the FACTS of Zimmerman trial.

Even on the irrelevant question of whether or not Zimmerman “profiled” Martin, the prosecution has struggled, despite enjoying the advantage of getting to leave jurors in the dark about most of Martin’s past. Zimmerman’s monstrous hate crime, it turns out, was that he profiled a juvenile delinquent as a juvenile delinquent. He said that Martin looked like he was on drugs. He was. He said that he was behaving suspiciously. He was. Jurors may hear about the marijuana in his system (the judge has now said that the defense can use a toxicology report), but they won’t hear about his suspension from school at the time, his school’s discovery of stolen goods and a burglary tool in his backpack, and his past fights. http://spectator.org...the-prosecution

Edited July 14, 2013 by Scott
formatting

[Publicus]

Zimmerman was found not guilty because the preponderance of evidence supported his version of events. Trayvon attacked him, broke his nose and injured his head and so he shot him in self defence. If it were not for racial politics, he never would have been charged in the first place.

The NAACP will lose, if they try to charge Zimmerman with violating Trayvon's civil rights.

Zimmerman did nothing to violate Martin's civil rights and every attorney I have heard - on both sides - admits this. There is NO evidence that he was a racist and plenty that he is not.

If Travon's parents try to sue him, when they lose - and they will - they will have to pay all his legal fees as well as their own. That will not be cheap. As Don West said, the percecution prosecution of Zimmerman was a disgrace.

Zimmerman has very good chance at winning a case for malicious prosecution. The prosecution withheld evidence about Trayvon's criminal activities and the defence only found out about it because of a whistle blower who was fired for turning it over.

Sanford, Florida (CNN) -- An employee of the Florida State Attorney's Office who testified that prosecutors withheld evidence from George Zimmerman's defense team has been fired.

Ben Kruidbos had been on paid administrative leave since May 28 from his job as director of information technology for the State Attorney's Office. http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/justice/zimmerman-it-firing/index.html

A great article on the FACTS of Zimmerman trial.

Even on the irrelevant question of whether or not Zimmerman “profiled” Martin, the prosecution has struggled, despite enjoying the advantage of getting to leave jurors in the dark about most of Martin’s past. Zimmerman’s monstrous hate crime, it turns out, was that he profiled a juvenile delinquent as a juvenile delinquent. He said that Martin looked like he was on drugs. He was. He said that he was behaving suspiciously. He was. Jurors may hear about the marijuana in his system (the judge has now said that the defense can use a toxicology report), but they won’t hear about his suspension from school at the time, his school’s discovery of stolen goods and a burglary tool in his backpack, and his past fights. http://spectator.org...the-prosecution

So Zimmerman, therefore, can kill Trayvon Martin.

Zimmerman was armed and initiated the events of that night. Martin was unarmed.

After Zimmerman shot Martin, Zimmerman made no attempt to see if he could save Martin's life. Zimmerman ignored the fatally wounded Martin because Zimmerman had done what he set out to do.

Kill.

[jamhar]

From the LA Times

SANFORD, Fla. -- An employee of the Florida state attorney's office who testified that prosecutors withheld evidence from George Zimmerman's defense team has been fired, a spokeswoman told The Times.

Like I said, Not best outing by the prosecutors.

[Ulysses G.]

Zimmerman was found not guilty because the preponderance of evidence supported his version of events. Trayvon attacked him, broke his nose and injured his head and so he shot him in self defence. If it were not for racial politics, he never would have been charged in the first place.

The NAACP will lose, if they try to charge Zimmerman with violating Trayvon's civil rights.

Zimmerman did nothing to violate Martin's civil rights and every attorney I have heard - on both sides - admits this. There is NO evidence that he was a racist and plenty that he is not.

If Travon's parents try to sue him, when they lose - and they will - they will have to pay all his legal fees as well as their own. That will not be cheap. As Don West said, the percecution prosecution of Zimmerman was a disgrace.

Zimmerman has very good chance at winning a case for malicious prosecution. The prosecution withheld evidence about Trayvon's criminal activities and the defence only found out about it because of a whistle blower who was fired for turning it over.

Sanford, Florida (CNN) -- An employee of the Florida State Attorney's Office who testified that prosecutors withheld evidence from George Zimmerman's defense team has been fired.

Ben Kruidbos had been on paid administrative leave since May 28 from his job as director of information technology for the State Attorney's Office. http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/justice/zimmerman-it-firing/index.html

A great article on the FACTS of Zimmerman trial.

Even on the irrelevant question of whether or not Zimmerman “profiled” Martin, the prosecution has struggled, despite enjoying the advantage of getting to leave jurors in the dark about most of Martin’s past. Zimmerman’s monstrous hate crime, it turns out, was that he profiled a juvenile delinquent as a juvenile delinquent. He said that Martin looked like he was on drugs. He was. He said that he was behaving suspiciously. He was. Jurors may hear about the marijuana in his system (the judge has now said that the defense can use a toxicology report), but they won’t hear about his suspension from school at the time, his school’s discovery of stolen goods and a burglary tool in his backpack, and his past fights. http://spectator.org...the-prosecution

So Zimmerman, therefore, can kill Trayvon Martin.

Yes. That is what the court ruled. According to the evidence, Trayvon Martin was the aggressor and the only one who broke the law. Self Defence.

[F430murci]

Correct result based on the evidence. The travesty was the appointment of a special prosecutor and Obama sticking his nose in this and using political presurre to charge second degree murder in case where a crime had not been committed.

Obama's actions were polarizing and caused many to mistakenly believe there was a crime committed. Completely overstepping his bounds and wasted government resources.

This what happens when political attempts to improperly infuse itself into the judiciary.

Yes, there will civil suit and family's civil lawyers had the nerve to compare Martin to Emmett Till. Are you kidding. Emmett Till was taken out of his bed in the middle of the night by a bunch of white Mississppi red neck clan guys, tortured and ultimately killed for saying a white women was attractive.

Martin attacked someone and attempted to pound his head into the pavement. Martin a poster boy for civil rights, give me a break.

[F430murci]

Zimmerman was found not guilty because the preponderance of evidence supported his version of events. Trayvon attacked him, broke his nose and injured his head and so he shot him in self defence. If it were not for racial politics, he never would have been charged in the first place.

The NAACP will lose, if they try to charge Zimmerman with violating Trayvon's civil rights.

Zimmerman did nothing to violate Martin's civil rights and every attorney I have heard - on both sides - admits this. There is NO evidence that he was a racist and plenty that he is not.

If Travon's parents try to sue him, when they lose - and they will - they will have to pay all his legal fees as well as their own. That will not be cheap. As Don West said, the percecution prosecution of Zimmerman was a disgrace.

Zimmerman has very good chance at winning a case for malicious prosecution. The prosecution withheld evidence about Trayvon's criminal activities and the defence only found out about it because of a whistle blower who was fired for turning it over.

Sanford, Florida (CNN) -- An employee of the Florida State Attorney's Office who testified that prosecutors withheld evidence from George Zimmerman's defense team has been fired.

Ben Kruidbos had been on paid administrative leave since May 28 from his job as director of information technology for the State Attorney's Office. http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/justice/zimmerman-it-firing/index.html

A great article on the FACTS of Zimmerman trial.

Even on the irrelevant question of whether or not Zimmerman profiled Martin, the prosecution has struggled, despite enjoying the advantage of getting to leave jurors in the dark about most of Martins past. Zimmermans monstrous hate crime, it turns out, was that he profiled a juvenile delinquent as a juvenile delinquent. He said that Martin looked like he was on drugs. He was. He said that he was behaving suspiciously. He was. Jurors may hear about the marijuana in his system (the judge has now said that the defense can use a toxicology report), but they wont hear about his suspension from school at the time, his schools discovery of stolen goods and a burglary tool in his backpack, and his past fights. http://spectator.org...the-prosecution

So Zimmerman, therefore, can kill Trayvon Martin.

Zimmerman was armed and initiated the events of that night. Martin was unarmed.

After Zimmerman shot Martin, Zimmerman made no attempt to see if he could save Martin's life. Zimmerman ignored the fatally wounded Martin because Zimmerman had done what he set out to do.

Kill.

What was supposed to do, perform emergency surgery on the sidewalk. He was a security office not a thoracic surgeon.

What he set out to do. What? If he wanted to off him, he could have gun out and offed him immediately. I doubt he set out to get his ass kicked, have nose busted and have his head pounded into the pavement so he could then have a excuse to shoot him. That's retarded and exemplifies the irrational thought process that causes racism on both sides.

[F430murci]

NAACP calling for justice department now to charge him for an intentional killing . . . This causes huge racial divide because many hear this and are too ignorant and too angry about their own short comings to understand and grasp the truth. Seems that a non racially motivated president would acknowledge the justice system and outcome of the "fair and impartial" trial he presumably called for. I would expect nothing less from people like Sharpton, but for pres to call for prosecution and then say "we are staying out of this state criminal matter" now is very disappointing.

Something like 11 black children killed and 40 black children injured by violence in Chicago last weekend. Why aren't Obama, Sharpton and Jackson focusing on the real humanity crisis unfolding on American streets. Is it because this is black on black crime?

Apparently, the special prosecutor is the one that suppressed evidence or withheld evidence from defense side so implications that Defense side was inappropriate by making certain arguments to the jury against just ignores the real wrong doers here.

Edited July 14, 2013 by F430murci