By Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
The chair emeritus for the American Board of Recorded Evidence, Tom Owen, and Ed Primeau, a Michigan-based audio engineer and forensics expert, have independently concluded that the furtive pleas for help clearly heard on the 911 tapes are not George Zimmerman’s. Both acknowledged experts used voice enhancing software, but different techniques, to rate the probability of the voice being Zimmerman’s at no more than 48%. A 90% match is considered scientifically reliable.
In a report published by the Orlando Sentinel, Owen said he derived his conclusions based on biometric analysis. “It basically just means using personal characteristics for identification. A fingerprint scanner is an example of a biometric device. Much as the ridges of a human hand produce a fingerprint, each human voice has unique, distinguishable traits, Owen says. ‘They’re all particular to the individual.'” The expert recently used the technique to identify the accused killer of Sheila Davalloo in a 911 call made almost a decade ago.
Owen, who also served as the chief engineer for the New York Public Library’s Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, said that, “as a result of [the testing], you can say with reasonable scientific certainty that it’s not Zimmerman.”
Ed Primeau agreed but went further, saying that, under the known circumstances, ” I believe that’s Trayvon Martin in the background, without a doubt. That’s a young man screaming.” Primeau used the technique of voice enhancement to reach his conclusion. Unlike biometric analysis, his method does require an in-context sample of the voice for testing.
An article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer published in 2010 describes the 66-year-old Owen and his cohort, Stuart Allen, this way:
[The pair have] more than six decades of experience between them in the forensic audio profession. They’ve worked with the FBI and other federal agencies, police departments, private detectives, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and news organizations. Many courts have designated them as expert witnesses. They’re good friends who sometimes are on opposing sides, but respect each other’s abilities. “Both of us are known as sort of contrarians,” Owen said.
Primeau is a former sound engineer in the movie industry who worked with
pop stars Anita Baker, Bob Seger, and Barry Manilow. Primeau has over thirty years of experience in voice identification and is a registered investigator for the American College of Forensic Examiners. He describes his work in voice identification as:
There can sometimes be differences in speech patterns that can help identify clues in your identification puzzle. I look for several similarities as well as differences, nasal resonance differences, voice tone with regard to inflection both similarities and differences.
The test results seem to present another blow to Zimmerman’s credibility who claimed that it was his voice on the tape — and not the African-American teen — heard crying out for help mere seconds before the fatal gun shot.
It is likely that similar audio testing is being conducted by the FBI’s Digital Evidence Laboratory’s Forensic Audio, Video, and Image Analysis Unit, based in Quantico, Virginia. Should they reach the same conclusions as Owen and Primeau, Zimmerman would almost certainly face charges in the death. An opposite result would go a long way in substantiating his claim of self-defense.
Source; msnbc; Orland Sentinel; Cleveland Plain Dealer
~Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Oh, you think I’m Wesley Owens now.
Because like Queeg, (Mark Esposito reaches into his pocket, grabs his balls and starts audibly shuffling them in front of everyone) you are convinced by your geometric logic that anyone that disagrees with you is part of a conspiracy and most likely the same person.
“Zimmerman’s not in jail – just hiding out like the coward he is and using surrogates and apologists for his very public defense. ”
So let’s take a look at this. A fine admission of self-loathing by an attorney and member of the bar.
I used to read John Grisham, Scott Turow and other novels written by lawyers. The one theme constant in these novels is how much lawyers hate themselves, how scummy and sleazy and corrupt they are, and how they know it.
And here we have a nice fine attorney writing on a civil liberties blog saying that Zimmerman, for not coming forward to the public at this time, and speaking through his defense attorney is a coward.
Bwa ha ha ha ha ha.
You’re such a dope.
Wesley:
Were I Zimmerman I’d be looking more into my criminal defense. Tacit threats don’t make for very interesting commentary but thanks for the advice Wesley. It’s worth about what I paid for it. Conflating what the article says about the opinion of the identitiy of the voice pleading for help with the Zimmerman’s purported slur is about the type of analysis I get from conservative sycophants hell bent on blaming the kid.
As for insisting on trial for this guy, I’d say he’d better get a class action together since everyone from President Obama to the Republican leadership to 75% of the population wants that. That should help the motion to dismiss.
He’s presumed innocent by the court. Like you being a member of the public, I can hold any opinion I care to and express that opinion without fear of suit or chilling effect from commentators like you. We don’t give that right up when we pass the bar. In fact, it’s sort of required since we get to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.
And let’s get this straight, In this case, there’s plenty of evidence to question our fellows motives with the recording being just one. That tape enhancement seemed pretty clear to me but I’ll listen to other evidence if it exists. If it’s doctored or edited then surely its veracity is suspect, but I’ve seen no evidence of that. Also, it seems I can’t listen to Tom Owen who suggests he did not say the offending word because anon and many apologists llike him think his methodolgy is quackery. The FBI doesn’t think so but why let a llittle fact like that ruin their rant. Interestingly, nobodytalks much about Ed Primeau’s opinion but I guess the talking points aren’t out from Fox News yet.
Like I said, bring on the evidence in a courtroom with full right of cross-examination. Unlike most of the folks in defense of Zimmerman, I’m perfectly willing to re-evaluate based on new evidence, but I’ve seen precious little to make me change my mind so far. That Shaken Baby stuff is laughable.
By the way, there’s nothing in the article false or misleading. It’s simply a statement of what the experts found. Like I said at the end, if the FBI sides with Zimmerman, he’s got some room to maneuver. If not, I’d be looking plea since it’s hard to justify shooting an unarmed kid pleadng tor his life or wouldn’t you agree?
Pass this on to anon (but I think that’s who you are), you don’t get to silence opinions you don’t like with threats. Wrong country, wrong tactic.
Mark,
The question is; Did you cross the line? Have you unjustly defamed George Zimmerman (a private figure) via Law Professor, Jonathan Turley’s Blog?
When Professor Turley invited a limited number of his regular visitors to become guest bloggers on his site, he did so without any public disclaimer. The views expressed by his “guest bloggers” became the views of Professor Turley.
Are the views expressed by a licensed attorney held to a higher standard? Is the presumption of innocence Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat a principle no longer recognized by the members of the Virginia Bar?
I’m reasonably certain that you would expect Zimmerman’s attorneys to be looking into all entities that have defamed him during this controversy. Your documented refusal to update your article to include the experts who disagree with Owen and Primeau demonstrate your intent to harm Zimmerman. Your insistence that a jury should be the one to decide will go a long way in crushing your motion to dismiss.
You should probably discuss the current situation with Jonathan and Suzanne. After all, you are also effecting them.
Bdaman:
“In order to be a trial first has to be determined that a crime was committed.”
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Oh, there’s been a crime as the initial investigator and Zimmerman’s scads of sycophants all agree. Either Trayvon Martin slapped our inquisitive, armed home inspector, or Zimmerman ruthlessly shot the unarmed teen in the chest with his 9mm killing him instantly.
We can lett he jury decide? Or can’t we ’cause conservatives can’t handle the truth.
Ah, the (willfully?) blind…
Please, now you want to play the word meaning game. In order to be a trial first has to be determined that a crime was committed. They haven’t done that yet but you are already ready for one.
Bdaman:
I haven’t strayed a moment from that position, but to state the obvious (because I apparently need to) that’s not a conviction. It’s an opinion. A conviction requires a tribunal. Words really do mean things. They are not infinitely malleable to suit your whims.
It’s not even a conviction in the court of public opinion. Only the public can convict and they have in the sense that 75% want a trial. Apologist like you want us to rely on the media (which you occasionally claim–when it suits you,– is agendized by its race baiting members) to exonerate him without a trial. Sorry bdaman, but no free passes for people conservatives like — you know, gun toting buffoons with a god-complex. Try again.
Still waiting for your arguments against a trial on the Shaken Baby Defense. (Hint: Try blaming the media here too.)
You guys really are fun!
Seems the media that supports you is truth and the media that disputes you are race baiters.
The media that supports me report the facts. The main scream media distorts the truth.
You convicted him in the court of public opinion.
mespo727272 1, March 20, 2012 at 9:10 pm
OS:
I heard what I heard and I know what I heard. if the Grand Jury hears what I heard, I suggest Ol’ Watchman George dress up in his Sunday best, bow gentlemanly from the waist and kiss his racist ass goodbye.
Bdaman:
“The truth is coming out and the truth is showing us how powerful the main scream media is at race baiting.”
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Seems the media that supports you is truth and the media that disputes you are race baiters. Not a particularly objective take on the situation, is it? Still waiting for you to agree to a trial for our zealous mall cop.
Thank you for the irrelevancies about Chicago, but we’re not talking about that are we?
If I convicted him, how come he’s still hiding around free? Believe me if I did, he’d be wearing convict orange and cleaning toilets with a toothbrush for 5 cents an hour that he’d promptly pay over to the Martin family.
What’s that unassailable guardian of the neighborhood afraid of by the way? The truth coming out?
The truth is coming out and the truth is showing us how powerful the main scream media is at race baiting.
They are responsible for getting us the best information they can. The Court’s job is vetting the truth. Common mistake.
The common mistake is you believing what they tell you even though by your claims they only get it half right. Mind you the same could be said about the court system in this country.
You kill an unarmed kid with a gun and some public scorn sort of goes with the territory don’t you think?
What about the record number of 109 people killed in Chicago in the last month. Where’s the public scorn on that one?
And you did convict him publicly.
bdaman:
I’m a little surprised you won’t agree with me that a trial will accomplish both our ends. It will either exonerate Zimmerman or put him where I and a lot of others think he should be. What’s that unassailable guardian of the neighborhood afraid of by the way? The truth coming out?
Bdaman:
“They are responsible for vetting out the truth.”
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They are responsible for getting us the best information they can. The Court’s job is vetting the truth. Common mistake.
I’ve convicted no one. Zimmerman’s not in jail – just hiding out like the coward he is and using surrogates and apologists for his very public defense. He’s not even indicted. He ‘s just being tried in the court of public opinion because the authorities in Sanford didn’t do their job.
You kill an unarmed kid with a gun and some public scorn sort of goes with the territory don’t you think?
“That’s the nature of the media. they get it about half right. It’s not their fault.”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?
They are responsible for vetting out the truth.
“My point is that this case needs the best process we have for getting to the truth. And that’s all we’ve been saying,”
WE ? ah no MESPO you and the we had already convicted him based on the media reports that are only half right but it’s not their fault. Like the Richard Jewel case Zimmerman will not be prosecuted and will receive from millions from NBC for there false reporting hence the reason they now fired the employee. Got to save face somewhere. Shame Shame on all of you.
Bdaman:
That’s the nature of the media. they get it about half right. It’s not their fault. People won’t talk to them. They get taken advantage of by the spin doctors and frankly with shrinking budgets and less talented people getting into print media the whole process suffers. Add that to the dilution form too many outlets and you get less than stellar work.
My point is that this case needs the best process we have for getting to the truth. And that’s all we’ve been saying, the rhetoric notwithstanding.
That all said, how about a little Marvin Gaye this morning to set the mood?
Looking at the ABC video of Zimmerman being led into the station you can clearly see he looks nothing like the 250 lb man of six years ago.
As for the shaken baby syndrome I have not a clue but you can ponder it all you’d like.
Mespo to be honest I’m just catching up on all of it as I’ve been busy as of late. The whole thing stinks to the high heavens from all of the misinformation from the main scream media. The photos, the bad voice analysis and the editing of the 911 calls. Every one of zimmermans calls to the 911 system shows he never offered a description of any person he called into about until asked. A racist would likely say, There’s another suspicious coon walking in my neighborhood.
Bdaman:
“The weight of 250 pounds for George Zimmerman was based on a police report that was over six years old.”
*****************
That’s sort of telling in itself wouldn’t you say. I bet I can’t get your weight from a prior “police report.”
What do you think about his Shaken Baby Huey defense?
Don’t let the facts get in the way of the media.
George Zimmerman weighs 170#; Trayvon Martin 160#
Literally tens of thousands of publications and media outlets have reported that George Zimmerman weighed 250 pounds and Trayvon Martin weighed 140 pounds.
The weight of 250 pounds for George Zimmerman was based on a police report that was over six years old. He has since lost a lot of weight. Newer pictures of Zimmerman show a much slimmer man.
Media outlets have reported several different heights for George Zimmerman. They have ranged from 5’2″ to 5’9″. The Sanford police report from the night of the shooting lists Zimmerman at 5’9″.
The police surveillance video, recently shown on ABC National News shows a fairly slender George Zimmerman the night of the attack. A close friend of Zimmerman, Joe Oliver, says Zimmerman is 5’8″ and currently only weighs 170 pounds.
http://www.examiner.com/charleston-conservative-in-charleston-sc/george-zimmerman-weighs-170-trayvon-martin-160
OS & Gene H:
anon advises OS: “Do they allow anyone that has taken a course in how to fly a plane, fly a plane?”
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No. but they allow anyone with a keyboard to analyze the legal aspects of a case on the internet. Not quite so liberal where it counts down at the courthouse where lawyers and experts get their say. There’s a message there for anon somewhere.
He’s just priceless isn’t he? Refuting is own arguments with every next sentence; sometimes even in the same sentence.