The evidence for the trial of George Zimmerman is slowly taking form. Yesterday, a medical report was disclosed by the family physician of George Zimmerman where the doctor found a “closed fracture” of his nose, a pair of black eyes, two lacerations to the back of his head and a minor back injury the day after he fatally shot Trayvon Martin. While this is the family physician, it would still constitute important evidence in claiming self-defense, particularly when combined with accounts from the paramedics that found injuries to Zimmerman. An autopsy report released today also revealed bruises on Martin’s knuckles, consistent with a fight (though they could be bruises sustained in self-defense). In the meantime, the Justice Department has indicated that it may bring hate crime charges against Zimmerman — charges that would be questionable on the current evidence that has been made public in the case.
The prosecution is likely to explore any differences between the paramedics and the doctor. Some issues are likely to be raise such as whether the paramedics saw a broken nose and whether such “closed fractures” can be easily missed by a paramedic on an street at night. Moreover, such injuries could be sustained by Zimmerman as a result of Martin defending himself.
The leak of possible civil rights charges may be designed to try to get Zimmerman to accept a plea with prosecutors. I have reservations about such a charge based on the evidence that is available — as I have expressed over the overcharging in the case as second degree murder. This case has already raised serious questions of the influence of public pressure on the prosecutors. While there may be additional evidence that would support such a hate crime charge, the current evidence, in my view, falls short of the threshold showing needed for such a charge. The crime is defined as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.” The “in part” component gives some wiggle room for prosecutors but you need to still show clear intent on the race issue. While state courts have rejected the need under state law for race to be the “primary” factor, there remains unease in cases where race appears a secondary issue. The Justice Department has sometimes moved against defendants who were acquitted of the same offense under state law as in the Pennsylvania case involving the death of a hispanic man. These cases raise serious questions of when trash talk reflects racial motivations.
We have seen the same type of claim under “Stand Your Ground” in mixed-race shootings without such hate crime allegations. I have previously express unease over the standard used for hate crime charges and the decision to pursue some cases while refusing to move on others with similar or stronger facts. This is a case that could be explained as a crime-obsessed as opposed to a race-obsessed neighborhood watch captain. Indeed, Zimmerman’s past violent record may indicate that he is prone to violence generally. There has been no new evidence revealed that shows that Zimmerman’s shooting was race motivated. His own mixed race background and injuries from the fight militate against such a charge. They certainly do not rule out such a charge, but more has to be shown in my view.
The case is already over-charged as second degree murder. If the Justice Department is going to bring a hate crime charge, it better have stronger evidence than we have seen from Angela Corey to support a second-degree murder charge. Corey was in my view clearly affected by the public pressure in the case in charging the case as second degree murder rather than manslaughter. I am equally troubled by Attorney General Eric Holder discussing the case in public speeches when his department is supposed to be conducting an unbiased review of the facts involving a man who has not been convicted of a crime.
The combination of the leak on the civil rights charges and Holder’s public statements leave the impression that the DOJ will not accept acquittal as an answer in the case if Zimmerman does prevail. The impression, in my view, diminishes the appearance of due process and fair trial for the accused.
What do you think?
Source: ABC
Well, I think you’re clearly jumping to conclusions re: both men, and then go wildly askew with conspiracy theories, but I don’t think Treyvon was high that night based upon THC in his bloodstream.
“More and more witnesses” wanted to give their information to the police between 2/26/2012 and the time the story hit the press big-time in March. Those witnesses were “guided,” ignored, coerced, and rebuffed. Then when the story hit, the police looked very bad indeed, and Lee had to step aside to let things happen that he couldn’t comment on any more, having drawn too much fire with his commentary. From that time forward, two main directions have led to “witnesses” — many of them coming “forward” to the press rather than to the prosecutor’s folks: Among those who wanted to speak with the press and not necessarily be identified were several “witnesses” who saw Trayvon Martin allegedly winning a fist fight with George Zimmerman and “witnesses” who just had something to say. Then, strangely, cops came up with stuff that they had not put on the record at the time they were allegedly investigating the possible crime.
Now, you have people arguing that because Trayvon Martin may have gotten the upper hand in the fight between him and a threatening stranger, he was killed in self-defense. Not one piece of witness evidence has been brought forward to any news media by any anonymous “witness” saying that Martin followed Zimmerman back to his car and jumped him. Not one.
So what seems to be happening is that “witnesses” are very willing to say they saw injury to Zimmerman, and they saw Martin winning a fight. None of them is willing to say they saw Martin either start a fight or follow Zimmerman. The evidence that Zimmerman followed Martin is very clear. He told the police that the “asshole” had “run” and was no longer in sight, and then time passed, and then he shot Martin. Shortly after saying that Martin had “run” Zimmerman admitted to the dispatcher that he was following him. That’s proven by Zimmerman’s own admission.
As to whether people are jumping to conclusions: Some on this thread are always complaining that the rest of us are jumping to the conclusion that Zimmerman is a racist murderer. We have not even said so. But those same “some” who have made this complaint have now insisted that Martin was “high” that night. You can no more conclude that Martin was “high” from the blood and urine tests run after his death than you can conclude that Zimmerman was a racist because he killed an unarmed Black kid. It is certainly within the realm of the possible, not a conclusion, and certainly not relevant.
Zimmerman’s being racist is not relevant to his conduct on 2/26/2012 unless it provided a motive for a crime. Without that motive, you still have the same crime. And Martin being allegedly “high” is not relevant to Zimmerman’s conduct on 2/26/2012 either. If he had waited for the police, the police would not have had probable cause to take Martin in for a blood test, because he was not in possession of any drugs at the time, and the police would not be able to assume that he was “high” by his conduct. Even if they HAD rousted him and made him submit to a blood test, they wouldn’t have had a prima facie case of any crime. So what you have is the same story you had before, with some little insults (against the victim, not the perpetrator, of an unnecessary killing) thrown in.
Those who think Martin’s blood test justifies Zimmerman killing him should think twice; not even the cops would have had the right to shoot him for having a substance in his blood and urine.
What was Georgies original story again?
It’s unfortunate that more and more witnesses chose to collaborate in the conspiracy formed that night between Zimmerman and the Sanford Police.
Manny, The report doesn’t say Martin was high on drugs. It said he had THC in his system, no quantity specified. Even so, it’s my understanding that THC tends to have a calming effect and not known to excite someone to violence.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/os-george-zimmerman-evidence-released-20120517,0,5800646.story
Encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin ‘avoidable,’ cops said in report
Trayvon was shot through the heart, according to autopsy report, and had THC in his blood.
JACKSONVILLE – Newly released evidence in the case against George Zimmerman shows that Sanford Police believed the encounter between Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was “ultimately avoidable,” if Zimmerman had “remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement,” according to hundreds of pages of evidence in the case released this afternoon.
The evidence — released by Special Prosecutor Angela Corey’s office late Thursday — includes a photocopy of a picture taken of George Zimmerman at the scene of the shooting. In it, he has a bloody nose.
Sanford Officer Michael Wagner pulled out his personal iPhone, he wrote in his report, and shot a photo of Zimmerman’s bloody nose. It appeared to him, Mead wrote in his report, that Zimmerman’s nose was broken.
“I also saw that the back of Zimmerman’s head was also bloodied,” Wagner wrote.
Wagner downloaded the photo to his computer but never forwarded it to anyone else, he wrote, not until March 18, when he got word that the agency could find no photos of Zimmerman taken at the scene.
Trayvon’s autopsy report is included in the released documents. In it, there is a diagram that shows the gunshot wound was approximately 3/8 inches across, and the “stippling,” powder burns that come as a result of a gunshot, was approximately 2 inches in diameter.
The bullet went through his heart, according to the report. The Volusia County medical examiner’s office pulled from Trayvon’s body one lead bullet core and two fragments, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab report. The report also showed a scratch on one hand and am “abrasion” on the other hand.
The autopsy report says there was THC — the active chemical found in marijuana — in Trayvon’s blood and urine.
In a recorded interview with FDLE investigators, Zimmerman’s father, Robert Zimmerman, disputed the assertions of Trayvon Martin’s family that it was the teen heard screaming in a 911 call before the shooting.
“That is absolutely, positively George Zimmerman,” the elder Zimmerman said. “Myself, my wife, family members and friends know that that is George Zimmerman, there is no doubt, who’s yelling for help.”
Robert Zimmerman said he was surprised by the high quality of the 911 audio in which the screams were heard. He said he was certain they were those of his son.
“He sounded like he was screaming for his life,” he said.
According to documents, FDLE crime lab analyst Anthony Gorgone found more than a dozen spots of blood on Zimmerman’s shirt. That blood was Zimmerman’s, he concluded.
Sanford Police investigator Christopher Serino said statements made on scene to officer T. Smith “were corroborated by several witnesses and led to the possibility of this shooting having been in self-defense.”
From the report:
One resident told the investigator that he heard a commotion and when he investigated, “he witnessed a black male, wearing a dark colored “hoodie” on top of a white or Hispanic male who was yelling for help. He elaborated by stating that black male was mounted on the white or Hispanic male and throwing punches “MMA (mixed martial arts) style.” He stated he yelled out to the two individuals that he was going to call the police. He then heard a “pop.” He stated that after hearing the “pop,” he observed the person he had previously observed on top of the other person (the black male wearing the hoodie) laid out on the grass.
In a recording from a March interview with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Sanford Fire Rescue’s Mike Brandy said when he arrived at the scene of the shooting, he “saw [Trayvon] laying on the ground… police were there, they were already doing CPR.”
“We put him on the heart monitor and the heart monitor showed no activity,” Brandy said. “He was basically flatlined.”
David Larry
Z.’s attorney questioned the lead detective at the bond hearing. When he asked the detective if they had any evidence that Z followed M. his answer was no,’ not even to this day? questioned O’mara, .reply ‘ no, not even to this day, I believe those words are almost verbatim. Omara, ” Have you seen the physicians report on the defendants injuries?’, to which the detective replied,’ i have no knowledge of, nor have I seen pics of Z. injuries. ” I am not aware of any requests from the prosecution to obtain copies of said reports.”.
How do you come to a reasonable and ethical decision as to what degree of murder or even manslaughter to charge a person with, if you don;t consider all the evidence, especially in a SYG case, And you don’t even look at what Z.claims to be his defense? I actually discovered something today that changes my opinions, which is the only thing anyone can have at this point, completely about this case. I hope Z. gets a fair and impartial jury that will only look at the evidence and base there verdict accordingly. As far as any media outlet, be it major networks, newspapers etc.. it’s already been proven that they flat out lied. I very rarely depend on the verdicts they so easily reach themselves.
A quote I read from someone today,
“f#@k all the haters, I will kill them all.”
A quote from the next generation. for our kids and grand kids to learn from. Not to mention what ALL teens, 20 somethings…..etc.. is being taught by this whole case..
And while I know marijuana has harmed some kids, I have to defend occasional users in high school because I was one myself.
It is definitely safer than going out with the binge alcohol drinkers in high school, thats for sure….
Manny O., just because there was THC in his drug test does not mean Trayvon was “high”. THC stores in your fat cells and anyone can test positive for 3 months after ingesting marijuana just once.
Zimmerman had no drug test but was on 2 prescription drugs. Was he on those drugs that night and experiencing ‘side effects’?
We will never know because no drug testing was done a man who, no doubt about it, shot and killed someone.
For my part, I have zero opinion on how wrong Zimmerman might have been. We don’t know the facts yet, and maybe never will.
I do happen to be fairly active in my own HOA, and I can say that ‘neighborhood watch’ and board member types, often become well-acquainted with the local cops. To the police, these are generally the trust-worthy ones, until proven otherwise.
So until I hear otherwise, I tend to think the cops in the Zimmerman case, on the night in question, likely took much of what Zimmerman said, at face value.
I’m not saying it was the “right” thing to do on the scene of a Homicide. But I’m guessing at the time, they simply didn’t see what they thought they would need to see, in order to arrest him.
It is also a good idea to keep in mind, that a quick arrest is not always a bright move.
Now lets all hope this case is extremely well handled in the courts.
Not that I’m holding my breath.
Manny O is back!
Manny, you think you have attacked my “stubborn facts,” right? Here they are:
“Zimmerman, with no authority and no clear motive,”
You say he had authority? Your suggestion of his “authority” is the Community Watch folks? They’re not even registered as a community watch, and they do not authorize armed patrols. NO AUTHORITY. That’s a fact.
As to “clear motive”? He SAID “These assholes always get away.” It is not clear what he means by that. He may mean “these young blacks” or “these would-be burglars” or “these people I do not like” or “etc.” but it is not CLEAR. THat’s a fact.
“and while knowing that he was carrying a lethal weapon,”
You think there is a way to show that he did not know he was carrying a lethal weapon? I don’t think his defense counsel is trying that one.
“actively sought out and produced a confrontation”
Yeah, he got out of his car, followed and found Trayvon Martin. The confrontation followed these two ACTIVE ACTS. Fact.
“with an unknown, unarmed youth,”
Both admitted by the police and by Zimmerman.
“and after seeking out and producing that confrontation, SAYS that he was getting the worse end of the confrontation”
Zimmerman was the source of this fact. He said he was being pummeled and pounded, on the ground. FACT
“so he killed his targeted prey.”
That’s a Q.E.D. by this point. Just as stubborn as it ever was before you objected to it, only now a little more stubbornly set forth.
And welcome back.
Hi Malisha – Regarding your self-proclaimed “stubborn facts”. Not stubborn at all, here I will tear them to shreds
First the latest: Trayvon Martin was high on drugs when this occured….autopsy report just released: http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-documents-released-shooting-george-zimmerman/story?id=16371852#.T7VnM4EufGI
Your asserted facts:
Zimmerman, with no authority and no clear motive, and while knowing that he was carrying a lethal weapon, actively sought out and produced a confrontation with an unknown, unarmed youth, and after seeking out and producing that confrontation, SAYS that he was getting the worse end of the confrontation so he killed his targeted prey.
Regarding Zimmerman’s ‘authority’, He was recognized and appointed as the Neighborhood Watch captain by his own community and by the community Management which referred victims of burglar/robbery to him and his wife for assistance and counseling.
…ehh not so stubborn
Regarding his motive…his motive was to keep his community safe from the criminals responsible for the string of recent burglaries and robberies which happened to be all commited by “young black males”
…ehh not so stubborn
Regarding “actively sought out and produces a confrontation” is simply not a fact. The 911 recording does not support this as fact. If you have something that proves this is fact then cite it.
…ehh not so stubborn in the least
Regarding Martin being ‘unknown’, well not really then and not really now. He was on suspension for drugs, was high on drugs on the night in question, and fit the description of the perpetrators of a recent string of felonies in that community. Just fitting the description of recent perpeators of felonies in the same place move him out of the ‘unknown’ category
…ehh not so stubborn
Regarding “getting the worse end of the confrontation”…thats just speculating on top of the previous confrontation speculation. But the evidence being released now shows ZIMMERMAN didn’t even try to fight Martin. The only mark on Martin was the broken skin on his knuckles from his drug fueled violence against Zimmerman and Zimmermans last resort shot to the chest to save his own life shown to be at close range
Any jury that isn’t coming in with a chip on their shoulder is going to hear the real actual facts minus the racebaiting assumptions and in context of the recent string of felonies perpetrated by “young black males” in that community and they are going to give Zimmerman an acquittal and maybe even a vicarious apology on behalf of that pathetic excuse for a special prosecutor Angela Corey. Just read her affidavit, its so full of holes a truck could be driven through it. She should be fired just for having the gall to submit that sorry excuse for probable cause
Geeba Geeba, Dershowitz likes to say things to get himself a lot of publicity. I have heard him say things that are just plain stupid, but they played well to one or another of “his groupies’ groups” at the time. He knows very well that prosecutors cannot be sued for prosecuting; they are more immune than judges. Read Gershman’s book, Prosecutorial Misconduct. Even more to the point, he knows that the prosecutor has not yet revealed the evidence she had upon which to base the charges. In the medical reports from Zimmerman’s own doctors, we have gone so far, in a few days in the press, from “broken nose” to “closed fracture” to “probable broken nose,” and we don’t have Zimmerman’s x-rays from any time period. Furthermore, the police report indicated the presence of blood, not the presence of injuries.
More to the point, Zimmerman’s injuries do not prove anything because Martin is not on trial.
leander, it would not surprise me if the two drugs George was taking are contra indicated. Pharma just wants people to take their drugs for as long as possible, whether or not they help the person taking them.
BurntOffering, well said, dat is sum bull s in Florida going down every day.
Leander, don’t worry, I’ll try to get it this afternoon and report back.
About the inequality of the SYG laws, ALL laws are applied with inequality and corruption (which is more rampant in our justice system than either of the other two branches of govt. even!) BUT look at the inequality of the way it is being addressed within the Zimmerman case itself:
Trayvon Martin did not have the SYG-provided right to PUNCH Zimmerman
but Zimmerman had the SYG-provided right to KILL Martin?
Huh?
How did that happen?
Leander, I will go ahead and get those records.
I was really frustrated yesterday, when I finally thought, I had understood but still didn’t quite get it. At least that’s what it felt like.
If you have a paypal account, I could pay you the fees, but strictly I think you will run into the same troubles. Either mail or give me your credit card details.
As a rule in Germany, which of course you can ignore, you are not allowed to mail money. So none of the ways works for me.
A cousin, ages ago once worked for the German mail (Deutsche Bundespost) when it was still was state owned with no other mail system around. He told me to never send money via mail since he discovered that his colleagues had means to fishing out mails that contained money. He told me a trick how to escape their x-ray like techniques, (as I remember it), but that is ages ago. Although, strictly may be the reason that at least DB/DHL do not allow money to be send by mail.
Regardless, I think that Pierce’s presentation of Adderall and Temazepam
thanks for the hint, anon, I found these two drugs meanwhile. On the surface they feel as if they covered contradictory fields of indication. But maybe–I am associatively speculating–they are related to the fact that he still needed work on specific credits for his exam in associative criminal law. Not sure if I really understood the larger topic by now. My impressions are contradictory: he finished it, but needed to do something still. I may not understand US procedures. Another question mark in my head.
That’s BS because any evidence that was to be collected should have been done at the hospital, by the ambulance driver etc, because those could have been done by someone else AFTER Travone was dead. We all saw the video of Zimmerman being brought in that showed No Broken Nose, No puffed up; bruised or even slightly shut Eyes, No Blood, No problem walking etc…The Family physcians report should be Thrown Out or Not even allowed in the 1st place.
Besides that; What Police Department knowing their was a fight, and a death takes the word of the Adult Shooter over that of a Dead Teenage found with Ice tea and skittles?
I’m still waiting to see What the DOJ has to say; regarding the Inequality of Treatment and Use of the Stand Your Ground Laws. They let Zimmerman go home on his own, but a Woman who shoots off a gun, to protect herself and warn her Abuser gets 20 years! Dis Is Sum Bulll S
Leander, I will go ahead and get those records.
You can check back on the blog tomorrow to see if I have succeeded, OK?
Thanks
Intermediate range means the “middle ground”, therefore there is close, middle, and long range.
In this context, I would say “long range” is the outer limit of the accuracy range of that weapon (~50 feet), intermediate range is ~25 feet, and close range is ~7 feet or less.