Zimmerman Bond Hearing - Media Reaction

Let's follow up our highlights and lowlights of the Zimmerman bond hearing with some media reaction. Here is the local paper, the Orlando Sentinel, which leads with the weak prosecution case:

George Zimmerman granted $150K bond, apologizes to Trayvon Martin's family

SANFORD — At a hearing that legal experts said exposed flaws in the state's case, the Trayvon Martin special prosecutor failed Friday to convince a judge that gunman George Zimmerman should stay locked up.

The judge set bond at $150,000, meaning Zimmerman could be freed from the Seminole County Jail in a few days.

Most revealing in the hearing, though, was testimony by prosecution Investigator Dale Gilbreath, a surprise witness for the defense.

He admitted under oath that authorities do not know who started the fight between Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, and Martin, the black 17-year-old whose death has spurred protests across the country.

Lawyers for Trayvon's family have insisted that Zimmerman tracked down and killed the Miami Gardens teenager because he was black.

But Zimmerman told police he fired in self-defense after Trayvon threw the first punch, knocked Zimmerman to the ground and then began pounding his head against a sidewalk.

In the courtroom, Gilbreath also testified that although the FBI has analyzed a voice heard screaming for help in the background of a 911 call, it has produced no meaningful results [who just wouldn't pipe down about that?].

Trayvon's family says the voice is that of their son. Zimmerman's family says it belongs to the defendant.

Michael Grieco, a defense attorney and former prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, said it appeared Gilbreath "either was unprepared or, alternatively, didn't have a whole lot to hang his hat on" in terms of evidence.

"I expected a lot more from the state," Grieco said. Though others have cautioned that significant evidence is still forthcoming, Grieco said he's not so sure. "You don't usually hold back your evidence in these types of hearings."

A bit of a skip and then this:

A few new pieces of evidence did come out Friday.

How close, asked the judge, was the gun to the victim when it was fired?

So close, said Gilbreath, that there were burns on Trayvon's sweat shirt and skin.

Gilbreath also said the state had a witness who reported seeing the shadows of two people running, one chasing the other, but could not identify who they were.

Although Gilbreath offered little evidence Friday that portrayed Zimmerman as a murderer, he said he did have evidence proving him a liar.

The powder burns will be more important than the shadows. No testimony was offered as to which shadow was black and which White Hispanic.

Their coverage omits the revelations that the lead investigator had not gotten Zimmerman's medical records and could not contradict Zimmerman's claim that he followed the dispatcher's suggestion and was headed back to his car when he was attacked.

The NY Times leads with the apology and gets to this:

As part of his effort to win Mr. Zimmerman’s release on bond, Mr. O’Mara challenged the prosecution’s case, going through the state’s probable cause affidavit line by line, turning the bail hearing into what appeared to be a foretaste of the trial.

He aggressively questioned a state investigator, Dale Gilbreath, about the accusation that Mr. Zimmerman had racially profiled Mr. Martin, and he demanded to know what evidence the state had for the statement that “Zimmerman confronted Martin and a struggle ensued.”

“Do you know who started the fight?” Mr. O’Mara asked Mr. Gilbreath.

“Do I know?” Mr. Gilbreath said. “No.”

Mr. O’Mara then asked Mr. Gilbreath if the state had any evidence to contradict Mr. Zimmerman’s statement to the police that he had been making his way back to his car when he was punched by Mr. Martin. Mr. Zimmerman told investigators he shot Mr. Martin in self-defense after Mr. Martin banged his head on concrete, covered his nose and mouth and reached for his gun.

Mr. Gilbreath responded, “No.”

Here is the AP:

The hearing provided a few glimpses of the strengths — and weaknesses — in the case being built by prosecutors.

Dale Gilbreath, an investigator for the prosecution, testified that he does not know whether Martin or Zimmerman threw the first punch and that there is no evidence to disprove Zimmerman's contention he was walking back to his vehicle when confronted by Martin.

But Gilbreath also said Zimmerman's claim that Martin was slamming his head against the sidewalk just before he shot the teenager was "not consistent with the evidence we found." He gave no details.

That gives short shrift to the defense rebuttal attempt which produced this exchange as recorded by CNN:

COSTELLO: Back live to the bond hearing in Sanford, Florida. Mark O'Mara, who is George Zimmerman's attorney is doing another redirect of the state's attorney investigator. They're talking about what injuries George Zimmerman had to his head that night. Let's listen. 

GILBREATH: Managed to scoot away from the concrete sidewalk and that is at that point is when the shooting subsequently followed. That is not consistent with the evidence we found. 

O'MARA: The injuries seem to be consistent with his story, though, don't they? [ABC pic]

Dale; The injuries are consistent with a harder object striking the back of his head than his head was. 

O'MARA: Could that be cement? 

GILBREATH: Could be. 

O'MARA: Did you just say it was consistent or did you say it wasn't consistent? 

GILBREATH: I said it was.

I say the AP shortchanged us.

Reuters caught the apology but missed the flaws in the prosecution case.

NBC News, aided by NBC Miami and the AP, led with the apology and found this to say about the prosecution case:

Dale Gilbreath, the investigator, said he couldn't remember who came up with the use of the word "profiling" in the document.

Gilbreath added that Zimmerman had two lacerations on his head, which could have been caused by impact with cement.

Zimmerman claims self-defense in the shooting. ABC News says it has obtained an exclusive photo of the back of Zimmerman's head, which appears bloody and may help substantiate his claims.

ABC News spends a lot of time on their exclusive photo in a story I read as favorable to Zimmerman.  However, on the day in court they offer this on the prosecution fail:

In a dramatic moment during the hearing, a detective, under questioning from O'Mara, admitted that it has no clear evidence that Zimmerman attacked Trayvon Martin first.

I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. America will come away from the Elite media coverage realizing just how weak a case the prosecution seems to have.

Comments

[narciso]

When the Guardian did a better liveblog, than any of the 'usual suspects' you know they dropped the ball.

[daddy]

Caught 4 bits of media coverage on the radio headsets during the dogwalk today.

Brian Williams and the NBC nightly news (broadcast on AM radio) made it sound to the average uninformed listener as if the prosecutors had the goods on Zimmerman, and tho' acknowledging that GZ's team did fairly well in the Courtroom at times today, things were looking decent for the Prosecutors according to Williams. Played a couple sound clips, the last the one about evidence existing contradicting TM's story.

Switching to ABC radio news I was surprised to hear their legal analyst say he was startled or stunned (I forget which word he used) that the Defense was able to show that Gilbraith could not say who started the confrontation, TM or GZ. The analyst seemed to think that fundamental bit undermined the Murder 2 charge, so the casual listener to that radio segment would think things looked good for GZ and half-baked for the Prosecution Team.

Switching to The Rusty Humphrey Show, (some loud mouthed Right Wing Talking head), he kept calling TM a 19 Year Old, proving that he (Humphrey) obviously has not taken the time and effort to acquaint himself with the particulars of the case, and instead was busy recklessly and imprecisely yapping, trying to defend why GZ might have chased after TM. A complete waste of time listening to that moron and his callers.

Switching to Savage Nation (some stand-in host) he wanted callers to call in and tell him if they thought GZ's apology today was sincere or not.

So then I put on some soothing Latin jazz (because my head hurt after the Humphrey hollering and Savage Nation blather) and the dogs and I drove home.

[Danube of Thought]

Bubu? Bubu?

KK?

[narciso]

We have a local version of Rusty, rather Rinoish, how about Glenn Beale, does he do
any non Alaskan News, Savage, is like the real life version of Colbert's parody,

[Danube of Thought]

Zimmerman Granted Bail; Women and Minorities Hurt Most.

[Strawman Cometh]

No testimony was offered as to which shadow was black and which White Hispanic.

There's your lede, and the title of your book.

[daddy]

Narciso,

Glen Biegel rarely dwells much on out of state news unless it effects Alaska. He makes a real effort to try to get his facts straight and frequently admits his biases and welcomes corrections when he is wrong. He did a nice bit today on Sarah Palin's comments poking back at the Secret Service guy and at Obama the dog eater. He had an excellent long segment in the 2nd hour on our gas-pipeline situation, and he had a great caller in the beginning of his very first hour today if I did say so myself:)

[JeremyR]

And on Yahoo, a news line "Zimmerman's Apology Shows Paranoia"

Why Yahoo is so far left is beyond me, Google seems to be the one that is hand in hand with Obama....

[Adjoran]

The "evidence GZ is a liar" can only be regarding his own statements to police in over five hours of questioning - at the scene and at the station - after a traumatic event including at least two blows to the head, all without counsel.

Once again: NEVER talk to the police. It CANNOT help you in ANY way. Even if you are innocent and only tell the truth, your statement can still contribute to convicting you if it conflicts with another witness' statement EVEN if the other witness is giving false or mistaken testimony.

You have NOTHING to gain, and your freedom to lose.

[JorgXMcKie]

FoxNews in Detroit tonight managed to mention nothing but the apology, which they showed, and the DA's attack on Zimmerman on the stand about whether or not he had apologized when he talked to the police. [I'm at a loss as to why he should have apologized during his interrogation.] That was it.

It was interesting to see how small Zimmerman appears on camera.

[Carol Herman]

In the America I know, Perry Mason was a very big hit. His role was that of a DEFENSE attorney. Always putting the prosecution to shame.

So as far as this story goes ... And, it is an American story! The prosecution will come up lame.

Will it matter in the ghetto? How should I know what matters in the ghetto?

Haven't seen any of the big TV personalities going out of their ways to find the ghetto. To interview people walking about.

Why not?

Why assume (except for the whores like Sharpton), that Blacks aren't aware of self defense? And are only interested in "getting" Zimmerman?

Sharpton and Jesse Jackson don't speak for "the street." They speak for themselves.

Let alone, today, Drudge is running among his headlines the take down of the prosecution done by Dershowitz.

You can't see how this story is turning out?

As to the media, they are lame. And, they are losing their arguments worse than Dan Rather.

[MarkO]

"Zimmerman Granted Bail; Women and Minorities Hurt Most."

I blame Bush. Who will now call out and organize against the Panthers and the other celebrity race baiters? Have we no one/

[MarkO]

/=? Rats.

[BlahBlahBlah]

"I blame Bush. Who will now call out and organize against the Panthers and the other celebrity race baiters? Have we no one?"

We always have Nugent!

Oh, and this guy if it gets to that point...

[MJW]

One thing that surprised me is during the cross-examination of Zimmerman teh prosecutor said:

And tell me, after you committed this crime and you spoke to the police, did you ever make that statement to the police, sir? That you were sorry for what you've done or their loss?

I expected the defense to immediately object to the words "committed this crime." Was it simply such Mickey-Mouse tactic that the defense figured it would make a negative impression on the judge?

[Ron T]

Did a Glen Biegel just comment above about eating dogs? Pass the cream cheese.

[Sara]

Galbreath says when questioned about Zimmerman's injuries that Zimmerman\s injuries are not consistent with the actual evidence. Then at the end of that secion, O'Mara asks him again if he said it was not consistent or was consistent and he says he said it was consistent. Which is it?

[Sara]

On the Fox news I watchedd tonight they called Trayvon a 14 year old.

[MJW]

Unbold

[Sara]

Sorry

[Redbrow]

After all the vilifying and demonizing of Zimmerman as some kind of cross between Charlie Manson and Elmer Fudd, I think many were expecting him to be wheeled out to the courtroom strapped to a hand cart and wearing a face mask like Hannibal Lecter.

Instead they were met with a small stature, humble and unmistakably hispanic looking guy in body armor and chains, who was soft spoken and believable.

I think the tide of public opinion is turning.

[iqvoice]

Two quick points.

Regarding the gunshot. How many here have A) shot a 9mm handgun without hearing protection, B) shot a 9mm handgun in the dark. I have done both at once, and I found it extremely difficult to see where the bullet went, and I was temporarily deafened and slightly disoriented by the flash and bang. I sympathize with Z's claim that he didn't know if or how bad TM had been shot.

Regarding the head wound. How many here have sustained a blunt force trauma that was sufficient to draw blood, ie. punching or banging a part of your body into an unyielding surface. Since DuDa thinks it is no big deal, I will volunteer to slam his head into a sidewalk (with gradually increasing force), so we can come to a scientific determination of just how much force is necessary to draw blood.

Whaddya say, DuDa?

[MJW]

Sara, tonight of Fox there was a parade of dunces. Particularly the dumb and dumber combo of Ted Williams and Bernie Grimm on Greta. Williams thing the hearing today showed Zimmerman was the aggressor. Grimm said Martin was "executed."

[MJW]

Williams said ...

Autocorrect is worse than I am.

[MJW]

...tonight on Fox...

[Strawman Cometh]

Sara,
The consistent - inconsistent - was consistent - wasn't consistent back and forth was getting into who's on 1st territory

[Caspar Weinburger]

The prosecution's case is like a doughnut : after you finish eating around the edges, all you are left with is a hole.

[Beasts of England]

The parents are losing a little bit more of their credibility, and I fear their dignity will soon follow. That's unfortunate for them. They behaved in a far more decorous manner than I would have found possible. Of course, I also called some random troll a 'mother fucker' during my first week at this blog. (Just finished my self-imposed suspension, although there's absolutely no marijuana residue in my baggie...) I don't believe it's their fault, per se, but rather their inundation by some particularly vile cretins during a very susceptible period of grief and confusion.

[Dave (in MA)]

Narciso,
http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/141305/
The big time.

[Beasts of England]

Strawman@1:24 - '...who's on 1st'? What?

[Strawman Cometh]

Response to a Forbian Warmist:

@Steve Zwick: in 1991 I graduated with distinction in climate modelling. I was in the lower ranks of the IPCC already then and could have shot up like a science star. I decided to get out because of the unbearable lightness of this field of science for which I was too young and inexperienced to be able to propose any change from within.

You write:

If 97-98% of all climate scientists have, as the self-described skeptics claim, actually colluded to create an entire body of false research just to ensure their own jobs, then you’re right. In fact, I’d be leading the charge, since I have actually altered my behavior (and reduced my income significantly) in response to their message.

Well, I can confirm that what you describe is actually precisely so. Richard Feynman called it cargo cult science (check on wikipedia).

Well I am very happy then that you will be leading the charge now. Respond here so we can work out some plans together. Great you are joining the fight! You seem the testosteron type of man that just needs the fight for sake of the fight. Well truly: on the sceptical side you have the ethics going for you. The other end truly is eco-fascism. So again: happy to have you on board now. Amazing how little it took to convince you…. that is truly a remarkable mental flexibility that is very rare… you are an exceptional person. With you on board we will win, since the alarmist are loosing anyway. Another reason for you to change sides if the science is beyond your grasp: you wouldn’t want to be the loser on the losing side now would you? Leave that to Al Gore. Join our ranks and you will have the best laughs for many decennia to come…. these people will look sooooo silly and ever sillier. Cheers to you!

[Strawman Cometh]

On 2nd

[Beasts of England]

Dave (in MA)@1:42 - If you think narciso's linked shout-out on Instapundit is impressive, you should see my car (and me) on iowahawk's Cruise-In. You'll never be the same...

[myiq2xu]

Gilbreath sure didn't know very much about the case, did he?

[Beasts of England]

Speaking (improbably) of AGW and iowahawk and Forbes: what the heck happened to Forbes? Weren't they The Capitalist's Tool? When did they become The Marxist's Fool?

Yeah, not terribly clever, just trying to heal my back after another go at it with the perfectly-assed young lady. Oh, crap! I wasn't gonna tell. Another week of self-imposed suspension...

[MJW]

The blog "The Last Refuge" has some interesting information on the tweets of ear-witness DeeDee. Of course, I can't vouch for its accuracy, but it appears valid.

[Strawman Cometh]

Beast, Give us a clue, what are you driving on Iowahawk

[Strawman Cometh]

this was done earlier by another, all props
Gilbreath: I was told there would be no math

[Jetty]

"I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. America will come away from the Elite media coverage realizing just how weak a case the prosecution seems to have."
.
Whatever the Elite media says, the opposite is true.

[MJW]

Gilbreath sure didn't know very much about the case, did he?

Like Will Rogers, all he knows it what he reads in the papers.

[Beasts of England]

Strawman@2:10 - 'Bama

[BlahBlahBlah]

well, thanks to ConservitiveTreehouse, we apparently now know who "DeeDee" is...

Daisha Mitchell aka Daisha Brianne

Twitter handles @iAdoree_Dee (since scrubbed) and @x_FashionObsess

and if they are correct (which it seems they are based off tweets) then she was not in the hospital

(which, seriously, who believes that anyway - she had never talked to the Martin family, they apparently had zero idea who she was, so how would she have been invited in the first place? I dont even understand why Crump would say that nonsense...)

[BlahBlahBlah]

oops, I see MJW mentioned it earlier too - sorry man. Didnt spot it skimming by somehow

[Sara]

Who is paying Crump's fees?

[narciso]

Thanks, I was right to watch the 'Fringe' far future episode which was less strange, then some of what was on offer, in nonfiction
(presumedly)

[Jim,MtnView,Ca,USA]

Legal fees, bing gives these items
http://parkscrump.com/trayvons-mother-trademarks-her-sons-name-as-merchandise-hits-stands-throughout-florida/
The legal team handling the trademarks are completely separate from the firm of Parks and Crump who are representing the family and collecting donations from the public for their legal fees.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/12/v-fullstory/2744193/george-zimmerman-charged-with.html
Speaking with media after Thursday’s hearing, O’Mara said is not taking any legal fees for representing Zimmerman, whom O’Mara described as “indigent.’’

“He doesn’t have any money,’’ O’Mara said.

[Redbrow]

Who is paying Crump's fees?

The citizens of Sanford and the State of Florida if Crump's con works out.

[Jane]

Jimmy,

Did you say you are in Boston? Til when?

[Bob]

I think we are seeing the very early stages of media walk back. The further the media outfit was into the race baiting and evidence tampering the slower the slower the climb out of the sewer. Media have large legal departments. As long as the focus groups and polling were with them they seemed cool with it all. Now that actual legal proceeding are occurring those corporate legal departments are getting a little nervous. A slow careful walk back to accommodate ass covering is being hatched.

Has anyone else read the comments on the prog news sites? The blow back are numerous and vicious. It must be freaking them out

[Cecil Turner]

Strawman@1:24 - '...who's on 1st'? What?

The sequence of questions, and how they were asked and answered, suggested to me a disconnect. In particular, in the bit quoted by Tom above, O'Mara's "did you just say it was consistent" was asking about the evidence and its consistency with GZ's testimony, but Gilbreath's answer was referring to the evidence being consistent with "a harder object striking the back of his head."

Recalling Gilbreath and de la Rionda are on the same team, it was no surprise Gilbreath was uncooperative with the defense. However, he went so far out of his way to be unhelpful ISTM it was likely counterproductive. Ditto for de la Rionda's apparent fixation on keeping his evidence close to the vest. (I was wondering if, during one of his claims he had more evidence, the judge might suggest something like: "if you want me to consider it, you have to trot it out.")

Finally, I don't see the point of being coy on the point. Even if there is some other hard object that Zimmerman's head hit, it's hard to see how that matters. Unless GZ was beating up TM, which on the face of it is ridiculous, then dwelling on the physical evidence--and any confusion GZ had about it--just emphasizes how thoroughly Zimmerman was getting his a$$ kicked.

[Extraneus]

In trying to explain the ineptness of the prosecution yesterday, I was wondering: Is it possible that O'Mara sandbagged them with his comments the other day about not wanting to talk to Zimmerman until he gets to review all of the state's evidence first, which hadn't happened yet?

[Danny Carlton]

Do you not comprehend the difference between an apology and condolences. Both can include the phrase, "I'm sorry" but an apology is an admission of culpability; condolences are not. Zimmerman didn't offer an apology; he offered condolences.

[cboldt]

-- The blog "The Last Refuge" has some interesting information on the tweets of ear-witness DeeDee. --

Holy shit, if true. I figured DeeDee was actually, you know, on the phone with Martin; and that making up "she was in the hospital" would be too bold of a lie even from Crump.

Press focus is unsurprising - "apology from and bail for the guilty one."

As dishonest as Crump is, he can't hold a candle to the press.

[Heywood]

Apologies or condolences, those are distinctions without a meaningful difference in this situation. Zimmerman has confessed, thereby admitting culpability. What is at issue in the case is the reason for the act.

One can feel deep regret for a completely legitimate and lawful act.

[cboldt]

Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda dismissed any notion that the investigator’s testimony chipped away at their case.

"You have not heard all of the evidence," de la Rionda said after the hearing. "Please be patient and wait for the trial."

[William Demot]

Unusual that Martin would be carrying a flashlight. What teenager goes around with a flashlight in his pocket?

my first thought was - Possible burglary tool?

[cboldt]

I found a twitter account that I suspected might be DeeDee, but the archive doesn't go back before 29 Feb. Selected remarks (and they are more prolific than the twitter handle ID'd by "The Last Refuge".)

To a lot of people "Trayvon Martin" is just a case, but to me he was my friend, he was apart of my daily life . 24 Mar

I cannot imagine what Tray's girlfriend is going thru, cause if i ever lost my baby, i'd LOSE it . 22 Mar

bol. this kid at CC never liked tray cause he used to rank his shoes, bol that's my tray 22 Mar

#IrememberThatMomentWithTray when i used to hug him EVERY morning after 1st period... R.i.p Honey <3 22 Mar

#IRememberThatMomentWithTray when we ALWAYS cheated off of @EatYhurBrainz's papers in Spanish 22 Mar

This is the 2nd friend i've lost within about 6 months.. R.I.P Jeff && R.I.P Tray, i love you BOTH very dearly <3 19 Mar

i cannot stop lookin at Trayvon's number in my phone ... :/ damn i miss you #RIPTRAYVONMARTIN 18 Mar

since he's "supposedly" using his twitter now, ya'll go follow my boyfriend @18twan (: 16 Mar

---- seems lot of pickup in Trayvon tweets 15 March

Only reason I went to bed last night is because I got locked up :/ 14 Mar

MY BIRTHDAY IS EXACTLY 6 MONTHS FROM TODAY (: 14 Mar

Happy 24th birthday to my older brother @Kenfolk305 , love u and i wish u A TRILLION more 14 Mar

i'm able to truly say that my boyfriend IS my best friend as well ... 12 Mar

thinkinq about chanqin my twitter name ... 11 Mar

Me and my best friend @Dashinqalldaway have been qoin for almost 12 years now, I love my Ace <33 7 Mar

@RIP_TRAY9 hi, is Tray's viewinq qonna be tmrw ? 1 Mar

@JetMan_Twin hey, when is Tray's funeral and viewing gona be ? 1 Mar

:/// i miss that man,, so much ... 29 Feb

smh ... i'm takin this really hard tonight ... :/ 29 Feb

Fingers crossed that the formatting comes out okay. One line in there is my remark about "lots of pickup in Trayvon tweets 15 March"

Nique Johnson @_LoveThyLondon

[Extraneus]

If that's really Dee Dee, it's hard to imagine that she'll ever take the stand unless the defense is able to call her.

[Sara]

Mark Geragos and another attorney, both said on CNN last night that the prosecutor tied his own hands yesterday. By testifying under oath that they do not have evidence that contradicts Zimmerman's account on 2 key items, they will not be able later to introduce anything else or they are guilty of perjury, If true, this seems pretty major.

[AliceH]

the difference between an apology and condolences

Danny Carlton @ 7:13: Exactly right - I've been thinking the same thing.

I ascribe the incomprehension to the debasement of the whole concept of what an actual apology looks like, given the rising popularity of the non-apology e.g. "I apologize if anyone was offended" construction.

[BlahBlahBlah]

"You have not heard all any of the evidence," de la Rionda said after the hearing. "Please be patient and wait for the trial. us to find some"

...there, fixed that for him...

[cboldt]

-- By testifying under oath that they do not have evidence that contradicts Zimmerman's account on 2 key items --
They testified under oath that they do not have any evidence for "Zimmerman disregarded the police dispatcher and continued to follow Martin," which is an assertion in the sworn affidavit.

[BlahBlahBlah]

"By testifying under oath that they do not have evidence that contradicts Zimmerman's account on 2 key items, they will not be able later to introduce anything else or they are guilty of perjury, If true, this seems pretty major."

It might just mean the entire case is dismissed at Immunity.

I mean seriously, why waste anyones time if they concede Martin may have stated the fight? Doesn't really matter what Zimmerman did prior, if Martin did in fact jump him. And since they stated under oath that could have been the case...

[cboldt]

-- If that's really Dee Dee, it's hard to imagine that she'll ever take the stand unless the defense is able to call her. --

Defense has the right to depose her, and to material in the prosecution's file that pertains to DeeDee's testimony, as used to justify and support the murder charge. I don't know if the prosecution has transcriptions of their deposing DeeDee, but if they do, that must be produced to Zimmerman.

[Jay]

Speaking of media reaction, CNN now calls Zimmerman hispanic

Critics have depicted the Hispanic neighborhood watch volunteer as a racist who profiled Martin because he was African-American.

Wow.

[cboldt]

-- Doesn't really matter what Zimmerman did prior, if Martin did in fact jump him. And since they stated under oath that could have been the case... --

At the immunity hearing, defense produces evidence that Martin started the physical fight, jumped Zimmerman. The prosecution has no evidence to the contrary, other than to call Zimmerman a liar as a matter of general principle. If the case hinges on the finding that Martin jumped Zimmerman, the judge can't rule in prosecution's favor. Zimmerman has a preponderance of the evidence, and then some, by a fat margin.

The prosecution's case is based on conjecture.

[jimmyk]

Did you say you are in Boston? Til when?

Just till tonight.

I didn't see the hearing, but from what I've seen of the reporting, did Zimmerman "apologize" or say "I'm sorry for the loss of your son"? The latter is not an apology (for doing something wrong), it's an expression of sympathy. I was wondering why he would apologize, which would be seen as an expression of guilt, and the media seem to be using the word "apologize", but that's not my take. Am I missing something? He has nothing to apologize for if his story is true.

[cboldt]

O'MARA: You advised me that you wanted to make a short statement, is that correct?

ZIMMERMAN: Correct.
I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. And I did not know if he was armed or not.

He responded to cross examination on the statement.

[jack moss]

Back from Sanford. http://macsmind.com/wordpress/2012/04/more-forensic-analysis-of-the-zimmerman-case/

[Ignatz]

If the prosecution has nothing more than a compromised phone witness, Martin's mother's claim that the voice was his, some voice analysis and a bunch of speculation then Corey should be impeached, if that method of removing her is available.

[Ben]

When Zimmerman gets off the and race riots start, I hope NBC and the rest of the media take responsibility for their lies, and I hope the prosecutor takes responsibility for overreaching by choosing a criminal charge the evidence couldn't support. Because the property damage that will result will be the fault of those parties, as well as the Sharptons and Jacksons of the world, and the rioters themselves.

But somehow I'm sure it will all get blamed on George Bush and/or conservatives.

[Captain Hate]

Has anyone else read the comments on the prog news sites? The blow back are numerous and vicious. It must be freaking them out

I'd rather put salt on slugs or torch ants with a magnifying glass than give those vermin a web hit; at least I'm eradicating something that's on my lawn.

[Freedom1st]

Common sense says the person with the gun would not be the one to initiate physical contact. If the gun-holder was the aggressor, he would have brandished the weapon first as an act of intimidation. There is no plausible way he would have started a fist fight. If murder was the intent, the shot would have been fired from some distance. I see no way the prosecution can win this.

[AliceH]

Freedom1st: It would not be a first time for a prosecutor to lose on pounding the facts, lose on the pounding law, but still win by pounding the table.

[Cecil Turner]

Common sense says the person with the gun would not be the one to initiate physical contact.

To anyone who knows the first thing about firearms, this is too obvious to bear mention. But the Trayvon® excitable types appear to be mostly rabid gun control advocates with little clue on the subject.

I'd also point out that a person of Zimmerman's diminutive stature should be especially concerned about getting into close quarters (where the weapon belongs to the stronger combatant). One of the many facets of the prosecution's proffered scenario that makes zero sense.

[Extraneus]

If you want to see what the lefties are talking about without going to their sites:

http://politifeeds.com/

[AMac78]

> I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. America will come away from the Elite media coverage realizing just how weak a case the prosecution seems to have.

The answer is "No".

Try talking to acquaintances or family members who don't read Right or Alt-Right blogs, then see if you agree.

On Friday's "CBS This Morning," anchor Charlie Rose framed developments in the case in terms of how they were affecting the progress of TM's family's quest for "justice." Presumably, railroading to a 25-to-life plea deal would suffice.

[boris]

"I'd also point out that a person of Zimmerman's diminutive stature should be especially concerned about getting into close quarters (where the weapon belongs to the stronger combatant). One of the many facets of the prosecution's proffered scenario that makes zero sense."

Perhaps it goes toward showing Zimmerman had a deprived mind.

[PaulL]

The stuff at TheConservativeTreehouse is devastating to the DeeDee story as manufactured by Crump.

From the site:

The reason the prosecutor Angela Corey didn’t go to the Grand Jury was because she would have either had to introduce DeeDee’s testimony, or avoid it completely. If she included the lies and the manipulations DeeDee would have been forced to bear witness at trial and O’Mara would be able to pull the lies out. That is why no Grand Jury was used. They wanted the media evidence of “DeeDee” to exist, but not the legal evidence, because it doesn’t exist.

and

It would appear Zimmerman was overcharged based on constructed evidence in an effort to get him to plead down to a lesser charge and avoid trial. One thing is certain, you will not see anyone named DeeDee or Daisha Brianne anywhere near a court room, EVER.

[AliceH]

--Perhaps it goes toward showing Zimmerman had a deprived mind.--

Hah! Nice.

[DebinNC]

some voice analysis

IIRC, one of Gilbreath's astonishing admissions was that the FBI analysts couldn't tell which of the two was screaming.

[Cecil Turner]

Perhaps it goes toward showing Zimmerman had a deprived mind.

Heh.

IIRC, one of Gilbreath's astonishing admissions was that the FBI analysts couldn't tell which of the two was screaming.

It would've been more astonishing if they'd claimed they could. [And I wonder if a broken nose will affect the pitch in which someone screams? Inquiring minds . . .]

[Clarice]

Reposting from other thread.

Long but compelling refutation of Crump fairytale about Dee Dee:http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/04/21/update-10-part-2-the-trayvon-martin-shooting-deedee-reveals-the-false-truths/

Short version--her tweets for the day of the shooting and the following day make the story exceedingly unlikely.

[Cecil Turner]

I don't know what the earwitnesses add, anyway. It's not like any of 'em saw anything, or that anything they heard tells us much about who hit whom.

[Clarice]

True enough, Cecil, but the linked cite does an excellent job on Crump's invention of Dee Dee to compell a criminal charge against GZ.

[Slandering MoFrog.]

Provided he's freed, can Z-Man sue Crump for false statements?
===========

[jwest]

I think we need to hold off judgment until the shadow analysis experts weigh in.

[Clarice]

True,jwest..that's real solid forensic evidence all right.

[derwill]

Re the possible inconsistencies in Zimmerman's various statements (which seem to be what the prosecution is going to end up resting their case on).

I read somewhere that the neighbor that took the photograph of Z's head also said he was visibly staggering. And during the hearing the investigator admitted on the stand that they'd not seen Z's medical records. So . . .

I would imagine that the hospital checked Z out for a concussion when he went there to get his head wounds treated. So what if he did have a concussion? Would the defense then be able to challenge and possibly get thrown out all the statements he made that night on the grounds of diminished capacity, or whatever? That he wasn't of sound enough mind to understand the consequences of waiving Miranda?

The one time I had a concussion I not only couldn't walk a straight line for three days, but my thinking was all fuzzy around the edges.

[It was not severe.]

He had a concussion. The severity of it would have been difficult to evaluate if there was much delay in getting him to the hospital.

A concussion can be sub-clinical. I've little doubt that he had some signs initially.
=================

[derwill]

More on concussions . . . I remember when Steve Young suffered one of his concussions during a game, the docs on the sideline asked him what city he was in and his answer was the city that he'd played in two weeks earlier.

[He saw stars, and it was cloudy.]

Furthermore, those lacerations are over the optic cortex. I'd bet he initially had a little trouble processing images.
==============

[jwest]

Toss up for the legal experts…

What is the threshold for legal/ethical repercussions against Corey or the investigators for bringing charges when the evidence doesn’t support the assertions? Is there an affirmative duty to investigate what could be exculpatory evidence if it was part of the suspect’s statement (medical records)?

[Mild, though, because he talked good sense afterwards, as far as I know.]

Fore and aft, nose and back of skull. That's a shaken baby.
==============

[GMax]

From MJW link I note after a fairly exhaustive review this synopsis was on point:

A couple of things are certain:

DeeDee and Trayvon did not talk for 400 minutes on 2/26 the day he was shot.

DeeDee did not go to the hospital on 3/2 and 3/3 and that was NOT the reason for not attending the viewing or memorial.

DeeDee and Trayvon were not Boyfriend/Girlfriend. They were close, platonic best friends.

DeeDee was not devastated, destroyed, or an emotional wreck. She was sad that her best friend was shot. She notified others, including her cousin who is also a prolific tweeter, but did not know immediately who Trayvon was.

DeeDee did not miss school.

DeeDee did not contact anyone because there was no reason to.

Did DeeDee actually hear anything that night? Who knows. However, the mere fact that Benjamin Crump can be proven to have falsely constructed more than 80% of his press conference in order to plant false misleading misinformation in the media sure brings the entire narrative into question.

[GMax]

What are the odds on Angela Corey getting the Mike Nifong reward for her outrageous behavior her? Sadly, I think it low. Governor Rick Scott should have some splainin to do as well.

[jwest]

“Governor Rick Scott should have some splainin to do as well.”
Posted by: GMax | April 21, 2012 at 12:01 PM

This is true. If Corey was under direct or implied instructions from the Governor to make sure Zimmerman was arrested regardless of what the evidence showed for political reasons, even if it he had the best intentions of simply cooling the racial situation, it would be enough for me to work to have them both removed from office.

[Would Trayvon have shot him had he controlled the weapon?]

I think it's pretty damn lucky that Zimmerman is alive.
============

[Danube of Thought]

By testifying under oath that they do not have evidence that contradicts Zimmerman's account on 2 key items, they will not be able later to introduce anything else

I'm not so sure. Galbreath could attempt some salvage work by saying that he personally wasn't aware of A, B, C etc.

Pretty weak, but I don't think his testimony gives rise to a preclusion of evidence.

[Chubby]

did I read cthse right that T's mother who resides in Miami did not attend his funeral in Ft. Lauderdale? I cannot believe that I read that right.