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
steve echard 1, April 20, 2012 at 7:32 pm
A police dispather is not authority you have to follow.
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No, but a police dispatcher is a representative of the authority of law.
If they tell you something on behalf of the public authority, then you say “okay”, but proceed in the opposite direction, then you are self-willed, renegade, mavericky, rogue.
Like momma grizzly.
Don’t make her crush you into behaving bybee.
steve,
“A police dispather is not authority you have to follow. ”
How about a neighborhood watchman?
Matt,
“The Chief I’m talking about is Bill Lee.”
And what happened to him? Pray tell.
Mespo – I commemorate your uncle and what he has done. I too am a military veteran and the military is not an easy decision to make or lifestyle to live. However, by saying that “real men don’t need to carry guns” is ridiculous. How many people do you think run around carrying guns illegally? I would much rather be protected myself, legally, than become another victim and statistic. I want you to do me a favor and hop on youtube and type in “armed citizen shoots robber.” Watch a few of those videos and report back. I know plenty of cops (my firehouse is connected to the police station and I have plenty of friends who are cops) who carry guns at all times also, on duty or not. I know plenty of military folks who also carry at all times. Are you saying they “aren’t real men” also? Criminals are everywhere, and I’m sorry that I don’t want to be one of their statistics.
“Detained is pretty much the same thing as arrested.”
Not to someone who has been arrested, I daresay.
Elaine M:
Ten steps above, I would say. 😉
mespo,
That would be about ten steps beyond a Napoleon Complex, wouldn’t it?
Matt 1, April 20, 2012 at 7:11 pm
…
Dredd – I’m sorry, he was “detained” and taken in for questioning. The way Elaine was making it sound was that the police walked up and said, “Oh, you shot him? Ok. Have a good night.” and left. Detained is pretty much the same thing as arrested.
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The “not exactly” commercials come to mind.
Elaine M:
How about adding a mental health screening for “God Complex”?
A police dispather is not authority you have to follow. Also No evidence has been forthcoming that Zimmerman did follow Martin most of this is just conjecture. The attorney O Meara has medical proof of a broken nose and head contusions.Omeara dismanteld the word profiling and presented substantlal proof he is not a racist. This means he was close enough to grab Zimmermans gun. No way this is beyond a reasonable doubt.
Malisha;
Matt,
I wasn’t making it “sound” any way but the way I wrote it. You are certainly inept at comprehending what I write. Stop putting words in my mouth, if you please.
I think Zimmerman SHOULD have been taken to the hospital so his injuries could be examined/evaluated by doctors. I also think the police should have tested him for drugs and alcohol.
If I knew how to upload those links so people could see little video clips, I’d put up James Brown doing “PAYBACKS” and especially the line, “I don’t know karate, but I KNOW Ka-RAY-ZEE!”
To illlustrate my theory that the OJ criminal verdict was a jury nullification because the jury was getting paybacks for the Rodney King case. I’m just saying…
This is why a gross injustice that is perpetrated against the PEOPLE of a state or country will always “make bad law.” As tough cases make bad law, so also do EASY CASES that go south. And south, and south, and they can even end up in Florida, you shouldn’t know from it.
(Gene H, another little face if you will? Bilious green would be great)
Matt:
“First of all, you must really like me, you keep writing to me, I thank you for your continued comments. ”
*********************
I do like you. Who couldn’t? I especially like your obsessions with getting in the last word and packin’. On packin’: my uncle, a decorated Korean combat veteran and the toughest man I know,* always told me that men carry around what they love the most. He never carried a weapon — didn’t need to. As for the last word have at it.
* Eight men went up Pork Chop Hill from his squad. Two came back. One of them carried by my uncle.
DRIVE SAFE! LMFAO
Anon – No…your just an idiot using an iPad while he’s driving home from a bar. Not nearly as dumb as us who aren’t driving. LOL
Ah, but I’m posting this from my iPad as I drive home from the bar, so no, I am not nearly the same as the idiots constantly hitting refresh at their laptops.
Right, you are a model of civilized behavior, posting while driving, presumably after taking on a load at your favorite bistro.
Ok did every body get that. You all need to get a life. So head on over to the pub, tie one one and then its ok to post while you drive home.
Definitely puts you in a different class.
Excuse me while I calculate the odds of getting to heaven.
Elaine – I also just found this little excerpt out of something you posted a little earlier.
“Police brought Zimmerman into the station for questioning for a few hours on the night of the shooting, said Zimmerman’s attorney, despite his request for MEDICAL ATTENTION FIRST.”
Elaine – We all know how trust worthy the media is. He was arrested and taken to the station for questioning. After questioning and the police believed he did in fact shoot Trayvon in self defense they let him go. The Chief I’m talking about is Bill Lee.
“An “outraged” Florida prosecutor fired back on Monday at the family of Trayvon Martin, describing as “outright lies” their account that he and a local police chief met and decided not to follow a detective’s advice and arrest the teenager’s killer.
Earlier in the day, the Martin family delivered a letter to the U.S. Justice Department through attorney Benjamin Crump’s office requesting a federal investigation of the decision not to arrest George Zimmerman after the fatal February 26 shooting.”
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/02/justice/florida-teen-shooting/index.html
Dredd – I’m sorry, he was “detained” and taken in for questioning. The way Elaine was making it sound was that the police walked up and said, “Oh, you shot him? Ok. Have a good night.” and left. Detained is pretty much the same thing as arrested.
anon,
It appears you’re one of us “idiots.”
😉