Prosecutors in the George Zimmerman trial are facing a collapsing case and renewed question over whether Angela Corey succumbed to the political pressure and overcharged the case. The prosecution’s case has thus far been a disaster and many are now questioning whether charges should have been brought at all, let alone charged as second degree murder. For some inexplicable reason, the prosecutors led with Rachel Jeantel, who was one of the least compelling witnesses that they could have called from earlier perjury to ever-changing testimony. Now Angela Corey (right) and her office appear to be turning toward alternative areas of prosecution involving the daughter of one of the defense counsel.
Don West, who took apart Jeantel’s conflicted testimony on the stand, took his daughter out for ice cream and she posted on Instagram a picture with the caption: “We beat stupidity celebration cones #zimmerman #defense #dadkilledit.”
Prosecutors have asked for an inquiry on the basis that witnesses should be treated with respect. However, such rules apply to counsel not their progeny. West insists that he was not aware of the message.
The photo was actually taken the day before the cross examination.
I fail to see why the prosecutors would not accept the word of opposing counsel, particularly given the fact that this is his daughter.
Given the earlier allegations of withholding evidence in the case, the prosecutors should show a bit more judgment in my view. Of course, they have been busy presenting what appears a case for acquittal.
I have long been critical of Corey’s charging of the case as second degree murder and concerned that this was a case where public pressure influenced the prosecution. The video of Zimmerman’s account and the supporting testimony of these prosecution witnesses were known to Corey before the charges. Yet, she pursued second degree murder in what would be viewed as a difficult case even for manslaughter. I would leave counsel’s daughter alone and focus on the disaster unfolding in court.
Source: ABA Journal
The State of Florida never wanted to indict this case. They were forced to do so by what one witness politely referred to as “political pressure”. It was more like the threat of mob violence similar to the old westerns where the lynch mob storms the jail. Matt Dillon would never have succumbed to such threats. There are times during this trial when it appears that the prosecution is saying, “Hey, you wanted an indictment. You got an indictment. You wanted a trial. You got a trial. Look at the evidence and you can all see why we never wanted to bring this case in the first place. Next time, trust our judgment. Shut up and stay home.”
davidm2575, you’re making me giggle — your analytical powers not being clouded as you interpret evidence and all that. Mentioning the “several polygraph tests” is an example. Not one. He passed a single voice-stress test, administered twice in the same sitting, using the same rehearsed questions, and the voice-stress test is NOT a polygraph. No decent polygrapher would have put any stock whatsoever in that charade. And Z does not feel stress when he lies; he feels stress when he is CHALLENGED about his lies.
But Dog, I finally figured out why you have been unable to see this case clearly when you see so much else clearly. You identify so strongly with Frank Taaffe and George Zimmerman, fussing and fuming all the time about outside punks coming in and taking their stuff. NOW I SEE YOU, Dog. But you confirmed the Murder-2 case in this single bark:
You BITE “FIRST” and ask questions later.
You BITE FIRST.
If you have a gun that first bite might be the last bite, huh?
That is, after all, all that poor George Zimmerman did. And now all these millions of people are mad at him, simply because he didn’t want outside punks sizing up his goods so he bit first! Ain’t fair, I tell you! Boo Barkin Hoo!
Barkin’Dog, say what you like about not caring what race it is but we all know the facts, as the NYC police commissioner had to admit that 75% of VIOLENT crime is black perpetrators. Look up the video – easily found – of the huge black thug home invader in Millburn NJ savagely beating on the young mother – white – at 10:30 in the morning.
Black people of all social levels need to have their noses rubbed in black crime – especially the vicious, violent black crime. And I say that dispassionately. For over 50 years, white people have had their noses rubbed in “discrimination” and “racism” and “white privilege” and whats the result? 75% of violent crime in NYC committed by blacks; similar and higher in other cities. It doesn’t work to rub white peoples nose in something they are not responsible for. I am not responsible for wanting to avoid blacks if at all possible because I know the crime stats. Thats not MY fault. But maybe middle and upper middle class blacks can have an impact on black crime if THEY get told they have a responsibility for the black underclass’ behavior.
I bite first and ask questions later. Particularly if the punks are yakking on cell phones as they size up the goods. You people who think you don’t need neighborhood watch guys will next want to get rid of us dogs. Then the cops.
Because we live in a gated community in Florida and have problems with punks who come in and raid the marina where the dogpac hangs out, and because punks are discourteous to us dogs, we have certain prejudices against punks. These prejudices are not race or ethic because we have black labs and chiwowwows in the dogpac. No, they are age bases. Number one, when dealing with humans, never trust anyone under 30. Some of the old farts in the dogpac who were humanoids in a prior life say that this was some phrase from the 60’s which was used in reverse order. Number two is a dog’s job is to watch punks who come into the community in hoodies and look in windows and yak on cell phones as they size up the goods. Number three is we don’t bite em until they try to kick us.
So much of the ranting on this blog and on CNN about the punk case is related or focused on his race. On previous topics we discussed the use of police relying on the “dog alert”. That is when the guard dog tells coppo that there is drugs in the back seat of the car. We guard dogs do not have prejudice against humans who have pot in the car just when they are of a certain race. To suggest otherwise is to make a good dog mad and one does not want to be around a “mad dog”, particularly and English one.
The dogpac has been watching CNN relentlessly and we have some reviews to relate on the panel of so called experts. That Jeffrey Toobin guy is the same guy who calls Snowden a Clown and a Traitor. He never tried a lawsuit. The pro prosecution lady is goofy. The old fart from the OJ trial is probably having fun. The serious ones who chime in on technical issues are helpful. The moderator laughs a lot. We find that Z is innocent of any of the criminal charges. He is a bit cross eyed. He might have been a liar about some things but his pants are not on fire. The lady prosecutor who is complaining about instagrams needs a face job and a makeover. Perhaps some time in jail for filing these charges and an extra thirty days for not prosecuting the case in court herself.
The dogpac has been extra vigilant, particularly against young punks with hoodies, who invade the gated community and particularly when they walk down the docks here at the marina like they are looking for a boat pal. If we get prosecuted for biting one of these punks we will expect air time on CNN and some space on this blog. Bark.
@Lottakatz
“Carlyle Moulton. Thats a telling quote: Travon: “Get Off” was a damning statement for me.”
Unfortunately the only evidence we have for that conversation is the word of Rachael Jeantel who is not a witness to whose testimony white members of the jury will give much weight. She is clearly a member of the Negro underclass, illiterate, inarticulate, unable to read or write cursive and grossly overweight and since white anti-Negro racism is the dominant determinant of what happens to Negroes she will trigger white disdain to the maximum. In addition she has perjured herself to avoid very minor problems like not wanting to go to the funeral and unlike James Clapper did not do so by lying to Congress for the legitimate reason to conceal from mere citizens the criminal wrongdoing of the NSA.
OOpS, either I totally screwed up a posting and lost it somewhere in the voracious, chaotic maw that is my hard drive as I tried to post it (I have some real and bad problems with my ‘puter) or it got snagged by WordPress but:
Thanks OS for the information on how juries make decisions. After serving on a few juries it is apparent that mentally filing and categorizing the presented information and assessing it in a uncoloured fashion in the jury room, after the case is rested, is not how things work at all. Good info OS.
Malisha,
Doesn’t matter what you or I believe. It’s up to the jury.
P.S. That should read above –Looks like a fun tour guide experience. Zim does not display even a modicum of normal remorse and distress. He appears happy to be on top of his story
I believe that the prosecution are trying to lose the case. It should be very easy to prove bad will toward Treyvon. Zimmerman is a chronic liar. Hence, his testimony easily falls apart on the slightest examination. If he was not motivated by self-defence, then he was motivated by ill will.
It seems highly implausible that a martial arts person, such as Zimmerman would be vulnerable to a slim youth, who he was stalking. Zim says that Treyvon jumped out from behind a bush. However, this was a lie, as there was no bush. He says that Trey attacked him just as he was looking down to put away his cell phone. However, this is a lie. The phone records prove that it could not have happened this way. Zim says that he did not think that the bullet had struck Trey. However, we now know that the muzzle of the gun was pushing into Trey’s clothing. So, Zim knew. Any half clued-in analysis of Trey’s story will reveal that he has no credibility at all. Hence, he may even has caused his own injuries to himself. The entire story seems fabricated. The video explanation of the event looks like a fund tour guide experience, not a man overcome with upset at relating how he slaughtered an unarmed youth for no reason.
I think that if people talk this up in blogs, there are commentators who will put pressure on the prosecution to make a less feeble effort to win this case and get some measure of justice. After all, Trey cannot be brought back.
Thank God that I found this site. I could not stand the C.N.N. coverage which stated that the prosecution had an impossible burden of proof because they had to show bad will! Thanks Plato’s Cave, Bob Kauten and Malisha. I am sick of the ludicrous comments I have been hearing from the experts. I think that this case is the updated version of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Gene H, I got “depraved mind without regard to human life” and “ill will or malice” from the call Z made to NEN police dispatch BEFORE killing Martin, in which the following quotes appear:
“These a55holes, they always get away” [not wanting him to escape]
“F*cking punks” [later explained that these “punks” referred to people who “victimize the neighborhood”]
“Sh1t, he’s running” [admitting that Trayvon Martin was running away]
“He ran” [clearly admitting that he no longer could see him]
“He’s a real suspicious guy … looks like he’s on drugs or something … looks like he’s up to no good … I don’t know what his thing is …”
In his written statement to the police AFTER KILLING Martin, Z refers to Martin 16 times as “the suspect”
Then he shoots Martin, then doesn’t try to render aid or call 911 for an ambulance, but spends another 3 minutes doing other things including discussing the caliber of the bullet he used.
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OK, to me, those statements taken together show a depraved mind and ill will. The detective commented, “That was not a punk.” On Hannity, Z said he regretted NOTHING about what he did that night.
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How depraved does depraved have to be?
The screams for help told the story. Even Zimmerman said it didn’t sound like him…..but of course his lawyer assured him it was.
If my understanding is correct….. There was no First degree murder at common law… Either murder or manslaughter….
@ Nick Spinelli: C’mon, son.
Try this, my friend:
Two men [one of which was not a man by legal definition, but a child]
both w/chips on their shoulders [assumes facts not in evidence, ALSO irrelevant, incompetent and immaterial]
get into a fight. [Uh… no. One man sees another person, who is a minor child, and the one man decides that he has a bone to pick with that minor child. Therefore he chases him in a vehicle and then gets OUT of the vehicle and chases him on foot. Only after THAT do the two “get into a fight” and the “fight” is about the minor child attempting to flee while the armed man ten years his senior and 50 pounds heavier wishes to prevent him from fleeing. Some fight!
One of them had a gun [the one who would obviously not have chased the other one if he had not been carrying a loaded gun]
and used it [granted]
probably fearing it might be used on him [probables and fears don’t count if you violate the Florida law that says you shouldn’t kill people with a depraved mind and ill will]
Zimmerman had less of a chip but did have a gun… legally [the less of a chip idea is, again, not relevant and the legality of his HAVING a gun does not affect the illegality of his USING it to kill an unarmed child who was not endangering or threatening him]
But I’m not trying to change your mind.
Didn’t Einstein say that one’s hypothesis informs one’s observations?
True bettykath;
A student of Gerry Spence told me you have to be short & sweet with the jury – AND – the judge (we’ve heard tales of justices falling asleep).
Kurt Vonnegut said his writings never worked until he did it straight from the heart and straight to the point. Hitting with each and every line (instead of old school writing theory of holding back & building up).
What we know of this jury is that they are paying attention and taking lots of notes. Exception: West’s extended cross of the DNA expert where he took him through a complete repeat of everything he said on direct. fwiw, he had some of them having trouble keeping awake and some in the audience actually took a nap.
BTW – Otteray Scribe;
For my Civil RICO case, we have to study the way to “counter” the opposing parties (vast team of legal eagles) efforts to obfuscate the issues with babbling B.S.
That is why I’m studying civil juries and how to “inform” them simply…
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/faculty/fulltime/diamond/papers/WhatJurorsThinkExpectationsReactionsCitizens.pdf
Otteray; – I concur, they tend to see much more than we will ever get to know.
lottakatz – great point….
What LK said, CM.
And if it’s any consolation, you did close your tag, but with an “a” instead of an “i”. 😉