Zimmerman Not guilty

[Formaldehyde]

Tell me, what compels you to believe in evolution?

Unlike you, I have no beliefs. I actually go out of my way to not have any.

Instead, I have facts and opinions based on facts. Both suggest that this "narrative" is quite likely true, just like the current theories of evolution and gravity, and that OJ is also a murderer. But my opinions can easily change given that the facts no longer support them. I have yet to find a single fact or compelling argument that would cause me to reject this particular "narrative".

 

[Berzerker]

so people predicted a Zimmerman acquittal but compare the jury with those in the OJ and Casey Anthony trials?

How does that work?

 

[JohnRM]

From a legal standpoint, the jury had no other choice than to acquit George Zimmerman. The prosecution made sure of that.

Beyond that, there is no evidence whatsoever that proves George Zimmerman followed Trayvon Martin and shot him in cold blood. In fact, all of the evidence supports Mr. Zimmerman's story of what happened that night.

 

[kramerfan86]

so people predicted a Zimmerman acquittal but compare the jury with those in the OJ and Casey Anthony trials?

How does that work?

Its silly, I think the physical evidence in those two cases was much stronger than this one. While I personally believe Zimmerman is to blame for instigating, based on the actual case that unfolded in the court room I cant disagree with the jurors for acquitting. The evidence wasnt great, sure Zimmerman was inconsistent but so was the evidence for the prosecution. If there isnt much hard evidence and about all you have is opposite accounts from multiple witnesses that definitely doesnt satisfy beyond reasonable doubt to me.

 

[JohnRM]

The moment it became clear that there was evidence tampering and racism involved on the part of some investigating officers, it put the prosecution's whole case in doubt. Also, the sheer length of the trial damned it.

I did not watch the Casey Anthony trial, at all, but I know that a lot of smart people who did were shocked that she was acquitted.

 

[MobBoss]

Sorry, but Zimmerman's own statements and "fluffy" memory were so inconsistent, I don't know how anyone could have actually believed him.

Again, the forensics expert testified in court that his finding confirmed Zimmermans account of what occurred that night. Does this mean nothing to you?

And also, other expert testimony indicated that 'inconsistent memory' is often associated with such incidents and trauma.

Its not a matter of believing Zimmerman, its believing the expert testimony at trial that backed up his account.

 

[civver_764]

I wish people would stop acting like they knew what happened between Zimmerman and Martin.

 

[Miles Teg]

Well, I guess we'll never know what drove Trayvon Martin to hunt down an innocent man while he was fetching his little brother some skittles and lemonade to watch the big game.

 

[metatron]

Did the prosecutor react to the verdict by calling the US legal system "the best in the world"?

Aren't you guys the tiniest bit embarrassed by that?

You know "the world" is going to read that?

 

[MobBoss]

Did the prosecutor react to the verdict by calling the US legal system "the best in the world"?

Aren't you guys the tiniest bit embarrassed by that?

You know "the world" is going to read that?

No legal system is perfect; but all things considered, ours is indeed far better than most.

 

[Mise]

a reverse OJ, pretty sweet

I dunno, I don't know the full details of the case but I'm surprised the jury didn't go for some manslaughter since the judge allowed them too

I mean, don't people get manslaughter all the time? Normally plead guilty I assume ("yes I hit that person with my car") and settle out of court but something kind of irks me that you can just shoot someone by getting out of your vehicle running errands

Yeah, I'm not sure why he didn't get manslaughter. From what I've read, this sounds exactly like manslaughter.

 

[Lone Wolf]

Well, I guess we'll never know what drove Trayvon Martin to hunt down an innocent man while he was fetching his little brother some skittles and lemonade to watch the big game.

Racism. Martin hated white people and was racist against Zimmerman

 

[Quackers]

It's because in Florida law there is license to defend yourself if you're attacked, which means you can use deadly force. Its why the police let him go in the first place.

 

[El_Machinae]

What's the burden of proof tradition in this pro-active Self Defense defense? The justice system has a few ways the burden of proof goes.

 

[Kyriakos]

http://news.yahoo.com/protesters-zimmerman-acquittal-march-calif-091855459.html

Seems like there were some small-scale riots, following the result of the Z trial.


Link to video.

Same crap, different day. It seems these days all the news are negative.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Did the prosecutor react to the verdict by calling the US legal system "the best in the world"?

Aren't you guys the tiniest bit embarrassed by that?

You know "the world" is going to read that?

It's not anything "the world" doesn't already know.

And many are clearly embarrassed by it. But don't expect the George Zimmerman wannabes to be so. They would have reacted in essentially the same way by racially profiling an innocent black kid and chasing after him armed with a gun ready to be discharged the moment they pulled the trigger. They also wouldn't want him to "always get away" with merely walking while black.

And this jury of six white women who don't read newspapers or watch the news did take about 16 hours to arrive at this verdict. So at least one or two of them apparently had to be convinced to vote the same way as the others did.

Analysis: The race factor in George Zimmerman's trial

They did not believe it was just about a 17-year-old named Trayvon Martin being shot on a rainy night.

They believed it was about generations of young black men targeted, stalked, suspected and brutalized by police, security guards, neighborhood watches and courts.

"It's something bigger because Trayvon Martin is all of our sons. He's the son of all people who are African-American and of those who are conscious of what it means to be black in America," said Maurice Jackson, a Georgetown University associate professor of history and African-American studies.

After the verdict, his message was somber.

"I feel for his parents," Jackson said. "This is a sad day for democracy and for justice."

ColorOfChange.org, an online civil rights group, said it highlighted a deep-seated issue.

"This is another tragedy for black families. .. the verdict sends a clear message about the minimal value place on the lives of young black men and boys everywhere," the group said.

So with the verdict, the winning side felt that justice was served. And the other? Georgetown's Jackson summed up his thoughts.

"Like Trayvon Martin's father, my heart is broken. I am sad to say that I expected this verdict," he said. "There is much to love about our country, but there are also things that happen to black people every day that make you want to put your head down and cry."

Again, I think the lesson is clear. African-Americans need to arm themselves as they did in the 60s, and as those who are so fearful and paranoid of young blacks now do. That is really the only think that will make the George Zimmermans fearful enough to not stalk them.

 

[JollyRoger]

Agree with almost everything but I don't think "probably" is really a fair interpretation of the evidence.

Just compare closing arguments.

Closing arguments are not evidence and the jury blew off O'Mara's plea to come back immediately with an acquittal.

 

[Kyriakos]

Well, i am sure in the large scale of things, sending Z to prison (ie to his brutal death the same night) would not really help the "cause" of afro-americans at all. I suspect they are so much associated with violence due to the streetgang culture, and not due to their ancestors being slaves or anything else.

 

[useless]

At least we now know if you kill a black person whilst "standing your ground" (even if you're the one harassing said black person) you'll be let off.

 

[bhsup]

As others have repeatedly said over and over, useless, the stand your ground law had nothing to do with this trial.