The George Zimmerman Trial- Page 10

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 10:11am

George Zimmerman's business with the criminal court in Florida may be done, but a federal civil rights investigation remains open, and legal experts say he could face a civil suit.
See how mikey never has correct facts?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 10:14am

"NAACP President Ben Jealous said on CNN that the civil rights organization had spoken with Justice Department officials about lodging federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman.

"There will be a federal civil rights phase," Jealous said.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 10:19am

I don't know if this was posted, but David Simon (from "The Wire") echoes my sentiments...


You can stand your ground if you’re white, and you can use a gun to do it. But if you stand your ground with your fists and you’re black, you’re dead.

In the state of Florida, the season on African-Americans now runs year round. Come one, come all. And bring a handgun. The legislators are fine with this blood on their hands. The governor, too. One man accosted another and when it became a fist fight, one man — and one man only — had a firearm. The rest is racial rationalization and dishonorable commentary.

If I were a person of color in Florida, I would pick up a brick and start walking toward that courthouse in Sanford. Those that do not, those that hold the pain and betrayal inside and somehow manage to resist violence — these citizens are testament to a stoic tolerance that is more than the rest of us deserve. I confess, their patience and patriotism is well beyond my own.

Behold, the lewd, pornographic embrace of two great American pathologies: Race and guns, both of which have conspired not only to take the life of a teenager, but to make that killing entirely permissible. I can’t look an African-American parent in the eye for thinking about what they must tell their sons about what can happen to them on the streets of their country. Tonight, anyone who truly understands what justice is and what it requires of a society is ashamed to call himself an American.


Trayvon

[mikey2573]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 1:38pm

"George Zimmerman's business with the criminal court in Florida may be done, but a federal civil rights investigation remains open"

Not sure how this would be possible considering that the Dept. of Justice had the FBI investigate the incident to see if Trayvon Martin's civil rights were violated and their conclusion:

(MIAMI HERALD) — After interviewing nearly three dozen people in the George Zimmerman murder case, the FBI found no evidence that racial bias was a motivating factor in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, records released Thursday show.
Even the lead detective in the case, Sanford Det. Chris Serino, told agents that he thought Zimmerman profiled Trayvon because of his attire and the circumstances — but not his race.
Serino saw Zimmerman as “having little hero complex, but not as a racist.”
The Duval County State Attorney released another collection of evidence in the Zimmerman murder case Thursday, including reports from FBI agents who investigated whether any racial bias was involved in Trayvon’s Feb. 26 killing.

http://www.wnd.com/2013/07/fbi-no-evidence-zimmerman-was-racist/#6mci7hdkPYg6EOBP.99

Also, according to this article in the NY Times on the Zimmerman case, defendants in civil suits involving self defense can be granted immunity to civil action.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/us/in-zimmerman-case-self-defense-was-hard-to-topple.html?_r=0

The only evidence of racism in the incident comes from Trayvon Martin, who, according to his girl friend, called Zimmerman a "crazy ass white cracker".
I think it is in everyone's best interest to simply move on.

Updated On: 7/15/13 at 01:38 PM

[capnkidd]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 1:42pm

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 2:11pm

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 2:16pm

*crickets*

[Icehouse Life]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 3:03pm

No, you absolutely don't move on from this. The nation will be reminded of this in some capacity. It stays with you forever. It DOES and can leave behind a chilling legacy. The pain and suffering from Trayvon's family will endure until they leave this earth, partly over what potential he had. As for George Zimmerman, he will have to deal with that legacy that he himself started.

Liza's Headband, Hendrik, and a few others on this thread mentioned and gave great insights about the quirks in the Florida judicial system and the issue of reasonable doubt. and how the prosecution blundered in key steps. As I made note in another thread, I am a young black male. I am not surprised by the verdict but still very infuriated over this. It seems as though it is now officially open season on young black people and the jury granted tacit approval towards that. Let's get this perfectly clear: Zimmerman, like with police officiers for example, WAS indeed reacting to the negative image of black males in America and failed to check his narrow and arbitrary assumptions. Also, what Martin's right to "stand your ground" . Then again, it is a hideous law. Situations like this reminds time and again that we are less than in a nation that ought to strive to be more socially equal and sustain it. However, I seriously fear we will easily transform into a fascist police state before we reach something into a progressive democracy.

I seriously think that George Zimmerman is nothing more than an arrogant and vicious itchy-trigger-finger-happy cop wannabe sociopath. Never will I be stunned Zimmerman's "inner vigilante" will pull another stunt like that. Guns are highly worshipped here in the US. Trayvon did nothing wrong. But there's an unconsenting and complicated burden in being young and black in America. Makes me sick to see that sight of him smiling in court like an evil serpent. If I had my way, I would've liked to send him to South Africa under aparthied, and let them, like the police and SADF, do whatever the hell they like to him on a daily basis. And he doesn't come out it.


We all should know what a very lovely place it was back then...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:28pm

Owen22 sent me the following PM -

"Subject: Your Avatar
Jordan: Please change it. I'm sure you don't realize how disrespectfully ironic it is for you to replace your alternating plethora of ripped young men with this tragic figure, but believe me, it is. Please take it down."


I'm a bit pissed right now...

[tazber]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:36pm

I would be too. F**k him, it's your avatar and it's not in poor taste, disrespectful, or ironic. It's a tribute to a murdered boy who was denied justice.

If someone doesn't like, they can just scroll past it.

[Jungle Red]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:43pm

How's this one for ya?

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:45pm

I mean really! your avatar is a nice portrait and quite respectful to Mr. Martin.

[romantico]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:48pm

I'm just curious but did Zimmerman's lawyers do his case for free? Do we know what Zimmerman's financial status is? For a while there he was taking donations. I would imagine bodyguards alone would cost a fortune for this guy.I've even heard he is considering law school after all of this,which is not cheap. If he is offered a job at Fox and signs a book deal I am sure he can make a fortune off this tragedy.

Oh, and for the record Jordan I like the avatar.I think most people here get it and applaud you for it.

Updated On: 7/15/13 at 05:48 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:51pm

I heard (I think it was Joy Reid) say today that Zimmerman ran out of money so they ended up doing the case for free and that's probably why those lawyers are now doing so much "publicity", getting the word about themselves out there to hype up business.

[javero]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:56pm

I can't get over how much Trayvon looked like a much young Denzel Washington, Jr, except the nose.

[romantico]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 5:57pm

I just found this. $61,000 for living expenses? WTF! He sure as hell ain't starving!

O'Mara: We've spent $300,000 on George Zimmerman and are desperate for more donations
January 30, 2013|By Rene Stutzman, Orlando Sentinel

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara and client George Zimmerman have spent their way through more than $300,000 in donations and are desperate for more funds.

"The case is out of money," O'Mara said Wednesday, just hours before he filed court paperwork asking that the trial, currently scheduled for June 10, be delayed.

Zimmerman's defense fund has raised $314,099.17, O'Mara disclosed, but its balance is currently less than $5,000.

The defense cannot finish preparing for trial, for example hire needed audio and gun experts and private investigators, without more cash, he said. He and Zimmerman need about $30,000 a month, according to his website.


From the same article: Where has the money gone?

George Zimmerman and his lawyers have spent nearly $314,000* in legal defense fund contributions.

Bond $95,000

Zimmerman's living expenses 61,747*

Bodyguards, security 56,100

Law firm spending 40,648

(more office space, computers, software, etc.)

Case expenses 35,588

(law office security, website hosting, etc.)

*Does not include more than $64,000 that Zimmerman took in and spent before the creation of a trust to oversee the fund.

Source: Zimmerman Legal Defense Fund

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-01-30/news/os-george-zimmerman-defense-fund-update-20130131_1_george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-defense-fund

Updated On: 7/15/13 at 05:57 PM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 6:22pm

Jordan, who does Owen22 think he is? His fake pearl clutching is more offensive. You have every right to honor an innocent boy who was unfairly blamed for his own murder when Zimmerman was found "not guilty." Shame on Owen22.

Romantico, we are in complete agreement about the end result of this case but the incessant political talk is really unnecessary at this point. If he ever signs on with a conservative news station or becomes the spokesman for the NRA, I'll be there in the front with you protesting and yelling. But in the meantime, let's not contribute to the civil unrest with inflammatory behavior. That's not the way to honor Trayvon. In my humble opinion, this case is about God given common sense - not Left vs. Right. I know you feel differently and I apologize if I'm reading into your posts more than I should be. To each his own!

Another clarification: Jordan, the lawyers are definitely doing a victory lap on the media outlets right now and this will boost their profile in Florida but O'Mara and West were already very prominent figures in the lawyer world. I do not personally like them and the fact that they called this prosecution a "disgrace" is incredible disrespectful, but they have had an exceptional reputation in Florida for many years.

[romantico]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 6:29pm

No apology necessary. I see the political talk as just being realistic.Look who a majority of his supporters are.Sean Hanity was the only one who interviewed him.

I have been very happy there has been no riots or acts of violence as a result of the verdict.I think The Martin family has really shown a lot of class.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 6:30pm

"Look who a majority of his supporters are.Sean Hanity was the only one who interviewed him."

Yes, true. This is a fact that cannot be denied!

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 6:33pm

Even the Onion seems to hit the nail directly on the head.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/zimmerman-found-not-guilty-technically-but-cmon,33124/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview%3A1%3ADefault

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 7:02pm

I just glanced at this ... why is his bond still being counted as an expense? I admit my ignorance here, but isn't his $95,000 bail bond returned after the trial? That's in case he skips out.

Or am I missing something here (like $95,000)?

As for his $61,000 living expenses, perhaps that explains the rapid weight gain before the trial. Seriously, though, that's a whole lotta living going on.

[Icehouse Life]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 7:26pm

Very beautiful Huffington Post article from a young black female on the verdict and what it means to be young and black in America. I still stand by my Aparthied South Africa fantasy for George--we saw no remorse or regret for his actions, but sometimes I wonder like in the essay what if George Zimmerman, instead of viewing Trayvon Martin as a threat, offered him a ride home to resume watching the NBA All-Star Game as a kind neighbor in the rain. On the other hand, Trayvon may rejected it out of "don't get rides with strangers". There are were many ways for Zimmerman not to set the stage for the fateful encounter. Sad that society still does not value the lives of youth of color as equally as whites.
Omnia Saed's Great Read

[dented146]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 8:30pm

Unfortunately, Zimmerman, now not guilty legally can make a lot of money. PLUS, In the original broadcast by NBC they reported that Zimmerman said in the 911 call," He's black." NBC later admitted publically that they doctored the report by omitting the fact that the 911 operator asked the race of the man he was following. To that question, Zimmerman answered," He's black." That bit of journalistic immorality may be quite expensive.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/15/13 at 11:44pm

Actually, best12, on a million dollar surety bail bond, a bond fee of 10% is paid and it is nonrefundable. Had Zimmerman been able to raise the entire amount in cash without relying on a bail bondsman, then the entire amount would be refundable.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 12:14am

Apparently protestors have stormed a Wal-Mart in Crenshaw. What is the point of this?