Closing statements.....a big thumbs up to a strong woman who took control of this trial

The six ladies who served on the jury, to all the lawyers who did an excellent job with the exception of one, and to a judge who I have grown to admire as to her intelligence and toughness.....a big thank you.....this was as good as it gets.....the American justice system actually working......not a half a year to try a murder case where dilatory tactics were rewarded.....no a tough woman always gets slandered as a bitch.....but this judge is the type of judge who puts her priorities in the right place....justice delayed is justice denied, and a jury who is taken advantage of and abused will respond in a very negative manner and perhaps not do their duty.

The lesser included offenses are going to be critical, and I hope everybody can hear the court instructing the jury...........those jury instructions and the lesser included offenses have always been the goal line for the state.

She seems to be fair minded, she keeps things rolling along, and she sticks to the rules.

Yeah she does okay for a frickin dingbat. Her blubbering about how anyone could have sent messages on Trayvon's phone was laughable.

TEOTWAWKI wrote:Yeah she does okay for a frickin dingbat. Her bubbering about how anyone could have sent messages on Trayvon's phone was laughable.

But she was right on that. As much as it makes little sense that anyone else sent them (and I sure think he sent them), you cannot say with 100% certainty that those messages were sent by Trayvon. So I see why she ruled the way she did. Unfortunate and probably unfair for Zimmerman as it may be.

There's really no logic in saying that. I could say that about a lot of evidence. Like OJ walked because Mark Furman was a racist and "could" have planted evidence...bull-hockey.

TEOTWAWKI wrote:There's really no logic in saying that I could say that about a lot of evidence. Like OJ walked because Mark Furman was a racist and "could" have planted evidence...bull-hockey.

I know, Teo. Part of me agrees with you, but I understand her ruling.

I understand she's biased as hell because she doesn't want to get shot by a racist black.

TEOTWAWKI wrote:I understand she's biased as hell because she doesn't want to get shot by a racist black.

 

I admit that I would not want to be in her shoes right now. But I don't think the text ruling was about her being afraid.

I didn't care much for her badgering Zimmerman also on whether he had made up his mind to testify in his own behalf. Overruling his lawyers trying to stop Zimmerman from putting his foot in his mouth. The lawyer is there to protect his client not to submit to some dingbat judges ranting.

She is supposedly known for being "pro-prosecution" so I don't know that she is showing any bias in this case that she usually doesn't show.

That one defense lawyer, West, is a jerk. I can understand why she doesn't like him. I think the prosecution attorneys are jerks too..but they don't try to argue with the judge.

I like Omara.

Nekochan wrote:She is supposedly known for being "pro-prosecution" so I don't know that she is showing any bias in this case that she usually doesn't show.  

Great Zimmerman got a hangin judge in a trial that should never have been held in the first place. Now that's justice.

I really think he'll be acquitted. And if he is, no one can rationally say that the judge was biased in favor of him or his attorneys or that the state's hands were tied when trying to make their case. I would rather he be acquitted with a tough judge than with a wimpy defendant-loving judge.

TEOTWAWKI wrote:I didn't care much for her badgering Zimmerman also on whether he had made up his mind to testify in his own behalf. Overruling his lawyers trying to stop Zimmerman from putting his foot in his mouth. The lawyer is there to protect his client not to submit to some dingbat judges ranting.

That irked me as well. The lawyer is your mouthpiece. Judge hasn't been a lawyer for awhile, maybe she forgot?

She was tough on West. Probably a little too tough but West is a jerk and she's probably losing patience with him.

PACEDOG#1 wrote:

TEOTWAWKI wrote:I didn't care much for her badgering Zimmerman also on whether he had made up his mind to testify in his own behalf. Overruling his lawyers trying to stop Zimmerman from putting his foot in his mouth. The lawyer is there to protect his client not to submit to some dingbat judges ranting.

That irked me as well. The lawyer is your mouthpiece. Judge hasn't been a lawyer for awhile, maybe she forgot?

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I believe she was covering her bases (CYA) regarding future appeals by addressing the defendant directly and getting his response on the record. The defendant was given as much time as he needed to consult his attorneys prior to making this decision and by doing so removes ambiguity regarding appeal(s) should he be convicted.

The prosecution attorney seems exasperated this morning. Even though the judge granted their wishes for a manslaughter conviction being included in the jury instruction.
West is being very measured and careful (so far) this morning. This is good.

Knot, it's the manner in which she spoke to West.  I think she was unnecessarily rude.  But then, West is an ass....so I get that she doesn't like him.  But hell, she deals with asses all the time.  

Zimmerman has a lawyer because he is not a lawyer. Why have a lawyer if the judge can tell him to shutup and sitdown and make you say something which might get you jammed up ?

Child abuse?  Geez.  Now this is going too damn far.  I hope the judge denies this one.  I guess Zimmerman was supposed to ask Trayvon how old he was when he broke his nose and was banging his head on the concrete.

I think it shows how desperate the prosecution is to convict on ANY thing.

They are backing up their child abuse instruction request by citing cases where 6 year olds were murdered.  

I really just do not understand all the hyperbole around the judge's method of keeping control of the process. Teo calls her a 'hangin' judge' and others simply say she is biased but I say that is nonsense. Frankly, I'm impressed with her no nonsense approach and her grasp of the facts . . . . she knows the law and she will apply it without regard to extraneous issues, isn't that what the system is supposed to do? She has no obligation to 'play nice' with either the prosecution of defense but when Mr. West pushes too hard and becomes irascible when he senses his arguments are going nowhere SHE gives unmistakable signals that SHE is the judge . . . . I don't have a problem with that whatsoever, I just don't . . . . frankly admire it.

As to the judge allowing lesser charges, this is typically done across the state each and every day . . . . the jury will have options not because of exterior forces but because that is typically the approach commonly used by prosecutors.

Yes, lesser charges are typical.  But child abuse?  C'mon now!

Oh God, West is talking now. I hope he keeps his composure.

Nekochan wrote:Child abuse?  Geez.  Now this is going too damn far.

West is no longer measured and careful, is he?

boards of FL wrote:

Nekochan wrote:Child abuse?  Geez.  Now this is going too damn far.

West is no longer measured and careful, is he?

LOL. I cannot blame him.
I mean really, Boards...child abuse? Do you think this was child abuse?

Nekochan wrote:

boards of FL wrote:

Nekochan wrote:Child abuse?  Geez.  Now this is going too damn far.

West is no longer measured and careful, is he?

LOL.  I cannot blame him.  
I mean really, Boards...child abuse?  Do you think this was child abuse?

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It is allowable under the statue . . . . the State cited the circumstance and applicability . . . . a stretch? maybe . . .