ABC News has been given a photograph that might make the difference between life in prison and a walk. For weeks, we have been discussing the case and the application of the Stand Your Ground law. As discussed earlier, I think the case was over-charged and I remain doubtful of a conviction. This picture will likely be the single most important piece of evidence in the case. It shows Zimmerman with significant blood on the back of his head — an image that supports accounts from the scene and will be used to corroborate Zimmerman’s account of a struggle with Trayvon Martin where he feared serious bodily injury. [UPDATE: Zimmerman granted bond].
Unlike the photos of Zimmerman at the police station, this photo was taken a few minutes after the fight. Zimmerman’s shaved head could prove Godsend for Zimmerman. Had he had longer hair, the injury would have not appeared so stark.
The photo shows both cuts and a contusion — injuries that would normally be defined as serious bodily injury by many courts in torts cases where head injuries are treated as inherently potentially serious. The original police report said that he was bleeding from the nose and head and that his clothes looked like he had been in a fight. Zimmerman claims that it was Martin who jumped him, punched him, and pounded his head on to the concrete sidewalk.
The prosecutors can still argue that they do not contest the fight but that Zimmerman started it. However, with this photo, the charge of second-degree murder appears even more excessive and undermines Special Prosecutor Angela Corey’s claim that she was not affected by the political pressure to charge Zimmerman. I can understand a manslaughter charge, even with the photo, but no reasonable prosecutor would consider the second-degree murder charge as based on this evidence. Corey clearly must have seen this photo and the reports before her charging of Zimmerman.
The photo should also assist Zimmerman in his efforts to get bail.
Zimmerman, 28, is still being held on charges of second-degree murder of Martin, 17. In my view, a denial of bail would be an abuse and unwarranted given the fact that Zimmerman cooperated at the scene and voluntarily turned himself in.
Source: ABC
Elaine – “And why is it going through the court system?” In my opinion, because of public outcry once the media portrayed a 30 some year old man killing, what looked to be, a 13 year old boy. I personally believe that had the media not done so much “race baiting” that this case wouldn’t have even be heard because the police obviously believed it was a self defense case. I might also add that his parents really seemed heart broken (sense the sarcasm?), so heart broken that they decided to trademark his name. Which, by the way, they can now recieve money every time his name or those phrases (Justice for Trayvon and I am Trayvon) are used.
Dredd – “The same case involved in a book just released that argues the son did it, not O.J. the father?” Didn’t you hear the news? OJ openly admitted to his daughter that he did it when he was drunk. He openly admitted it YEARS ago! Not to mention his OWN book that was provocatively titled, “If I did it.”
I recently heard about that on the radio, Dredd. Interesting theory. I’d like to see more DNA analysis, but the psych profile of Jr. certainly made more sense for the crime than Pops. It also goes a long way to explaining the drawn out low speed chase.
Anonymously Yours 1, April 20, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Dredd,
I have said that for years…..there was something early on in a newspaper account I read that intimated as much….what is the name of the book?
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Here is a link to the LA Times review.
For all of you who keep saying the boy had no injuries, I read that the autopsy showed a blackened eye and a laceration on his upper lip.
Elaine,
Your post at 5:40 pm. That is something that must never be forgotten when discussing this case.
Dredd,
I have said that for years…..there was something early on in a newspaper account I read that intimated as much….what is the name of the book?
Matt 1, April 20, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Elaine – No, Trayvon didn’t get a trial because he was killed by Zimmerman who states that he was attacked and used self defense against Trayvon. This is why it’s going through the court system.
Gene – The OJ trial they had protesters outside of the courthouse saying that if OJ was found guilty they were going to riot. What was the verdict for OJ again? Doesn’t matter about his most recent cases, I’m talking about the trial back in the 90′s
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Oh, that trial where the lead detective bragged on a tape for 20 minutes (the judge would not allow the full hour to be heard) how he had framed many “niggers” by planting evidence on them?
That same police department that was later found to be a “criminal enterpriese” by a federal court that ordered the DOJ take it over to clean out the snakes?
Then the state courts ordered hundreds of victims of those police to be released because they had been falsely convicted?
The same case involved in a book just released that argues the son did it, not O.J. the father?
*jury*
“The OJ trial they had protesters outside of the courthouse saying that if OJ was found guilty they were going to riot. What was the verdict for OJ again?”
Fallacy of simple cause. The reason OJ got acquitted is because he had very good lawyers and a very mediocre judge (and I’m being nice about that) who quite honestly couldn’t control his own courtroom. The defense attorneys were. If OJ had been found guilty, you can count on one thing for certain: the LAPD would have been ready to bust heads of things got rowdy. They (under the auspices of the late D. Gates) invented the very questionable practice of militarized police in this country. The reason OJ lost his civil trial was because the DNA evidence – which should have been enough to convict him at the criminal trial, but “the Dream Team” was jjjjjjjjjjuuuuuusssssttttt able to create enough reasonable doubt with the jury for an acquittal. But the protestors were simply media window dressing. Their impact on the verdict was close to nil. The jurt was sequestered.
Matt,
You have your expectations too high expect if you are expecting an answer from him, reasonable or not, it will not even be coherent.
Matt,
“Elaine – No, Trayvon didn’t get a trial because he was killed by Zimmerman who states that he was attacked and used self defense against Trayvon. This is why it’s going through the court system.”
*****
And why is it going through the court system? If Trayvon Martin’s parents hadn’t spoken out and the media hadn’t reported on Zimmerman’s killing of their son, it is unlikely that there would be a trial.
Elaine – No, Trayvon didn’t get a trial because he was killed by Zimmerman who states that he was attacked and used self defense against Trayvon. This is why it’s going through the court system.
Gene – The OJ trial they had protesters outside of the courthouse saying that if OJ was found guilty they were going to riot. What was the verdict for OJ again? Doesn’t matter about his most recent cases, I’m talking about the trial back in the 90’s
Mespo,
That was a good save……
Mespo – You have no idea who is “packing,” or in less moronic terms, concealed carrying, hence, concealed carry. You could look at me and never know that I even have a gun on me. Second, I never threatened Malisha, you are the only person who saw it that way, which is why I said, “let me guess, you are a womens rights activist?” Even Malisha never thought I was threatening her, or never said anything, but you had to put out your witless little comment out there. So I will say again, I think it’s best if you keep your ignorant comments directed away from me and talk about the actual case.
Tony C.
Right you are. 🙂
Elaine,
lol … quite literally long and loud
@Blouise: Many, many problems can be solved with a simple application of ridiculous excess.
Blouise,
How about a “tongue-in-ear” alert?
😉
“In other cases, sure, use the tactic. ”
No. They use it all kinds of cases, including murder.
“The public says they just wanted an arrest and trial. No, they want him in jail the rest of his life.”
The logical fallacy of composition.
Some wanting that conclusions does not mean all want that conclusion.
“They are going to push this case from outside of the courthouse and anywhere else they want to get a guilty verdict, the same way they did with the OJ trial.”
Except OJ wasn’t found guilty at his criminal trial. He was acquitted. That he lost the subsequent civil suit is another issue as was his later conviction related to stealing memorabilia.
oops … forgot to name mespo