Not ever having experienced that in my family, I am among the least qualified to speak to this point. However, I do think that her life does not have to be destroyed. People do come out of these experiences different but functional and happy. It takes skilled help, but it can be done. The second tragedy would be if her family has never sought that help for her.

Partner and spousal abuse is so common in this country that it is likely many members of this board know that trauma indirectly or directly. Some of that involved sexual abuse. It is not only girls and women who are abused. In fact, one out of six boys will know some sort of inappropriate sexual advance before they are 18. I think all of them have good reason for hope if they do not deny themselves the opportunity for help.

Los Angeles Times Aug. 1, 2012 Judge refuses to step aside in George Zimmerman murder trial

Good lord; Zimmerman's parent's website is horrible.

So, their son's "legal fund" is almost empty, Zimmerman's lawyers haven't been paid one cent, and now his parents are begging for money?

George's parents appear to believe that George was quite the Saint before he murdered a 16 year old. Isn't it interesting that none of the groups George "volunteered" with or worked with on community issues have stepped forward on his behalf.

The Zimmermans are liars.


Regarding Judge Lester: I'm glad he isn't stepping down. The idea that a defendant can get a Judge kicked off their case simply because the Judge learned that the defendant broke the law again is batshit crazy.

From Toll's link:


I couldn't remember if Zimmerman had a "Stand Your Ground" hearing scheduled. He does not; his lawyers haven't asked for one yet.



I wonder if O'Mara will even request a "SYG" hearing now. The evidence against Zimmerman shows that he was less than truthful about the events of Feb. 26th. The forensic evidence is damning as well. Certainly there is enough ambiguity that Zimmerman could get off in a "SYG" hearing; "defense lawyers need only "a preponderance of the evidence" to win the case" in a "SYG" hearing. But now that Zimmerman's credibility is shot, would requesting a "SYG" hearing be in Zimmerman's best interests? Had Zimmerman not lied about the money and his passport, I think he would have had all charges against him dismissed in a "SYG" hearing. But now, esp since Judge Lester isn't recusing himself, Zimmerman would be taking a much greater risk if he asks for a "SYG" hearing. He would have to testify (not legally, but he would be stupid not to at a "SYG" hearing).

Lawyers, what say you?


Judge Lester is holding a "Stand Your Ground" hearing today in another case.



The ruling in Smithey's case should be interesting.

If their laywers haven't been paid a cent, what the hell have they been spending their Legal fund on? Fake wigs and moustaces, and false passports?

I had the same problem with the Schiavo family after the whole terri schiavo affair. The father and siblings never visited her in the hospital until way late in the game. The only ones who remained faithful was her mother and her husband Michael. Then when the cameras and press came around the father and siblings came out of the woodwork. They started making up stories and submitting affidavits about how supposedly abusive Michael Schiavo was. They accused Michael of killing her. They sold their donor lists for cash, they sold videos of Terri. The father and brother quit their jobs to started the foundation. They disrespected her by calling her by a name that she never used in life "Terri Schindler-Schiavo" and they milked it for years. This is what it reminds me of.

The blurb at the link said that O'Mara had "scheduled" it, and then (as you see) says that he hasn't announced a date. Not sure if that's actually how it's done, but O'Mara seems to be chest-beating about this. Also, per the link, there is some new evidence just released by the prosecutors, but the news station is still reading it and not quite ready to tell us details.

The Smoking Gun:


Zimmerman Prosecutors In Huge Screw-Up
Photo of dead Trayvon Martin, college docs mistakenly released




remainder, including the documents: (i didn't look at 'em, but links are there)
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/ ... sed-684512

Read the comments. The crazies are out in force.

George Zimmerman will stand his ground

Kendall Coffey, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 1993 to 1996, told me in June that the risk for attorney Mark O’Mara and Zimmerman is that a SYG hearing could expose the defendant to a difficult cross-examination that prosecutors could use against him at trial if the case is not dismissed by the judge. If Zimmerman does indeed take the stand, I would like him to answer one question I posed in June.

How did Trayvon’s arms find their way underneath his body when Zimmerman said he held his victim’s hands “away from his body,” “held his hands up,” “pushed his arms apart,” “moved his arms apart” and “moved his hands apart”?

I have a personal theory on that, and its rather chilling.

Here's the genesis of the theory:

Zimmerman's account also includes a rather elaborate death scene -- according to Zimmerman, he shoots Martin when Martin is bent over him -- Martin then sits UP, proclaims "you got me!" -- and then falls over to the side... whereupon Zimmerman gets up, having recovered fully from bleeding nose* & bashed in head, and stands over Martin to move his hands out to the side. (*Note the apparent absence of Zimmerman's blood drips on the back of Martin's hoodie)

I was suspicious because I thought that when people get shot and killed, they fall down rather than sit up. I thought that they only give dying speeches in the movies. But, having never actually witnessed a person getting shot, I decided to check YouTube for surveillance videos of people getting shot. Unfortunately, this was not hard to find -- as you can imagine, more than one such situation has been caught on tape.

My suspicion was confirmed. In every single instance where a robber or criminal* shot a victim point blank int he chest, the victim immediately crumpled to the ground. (The surveillance photos all seemed to be of robbery scenarios).

But here is the part that struck me: immediately before these victims fell, they put their hands up or out, above their heads, in a position of surrender -- and then they were shot anyway. (

So then it struck me: If Zimmerman was facing a standing or kneeling Martin, holding his gun to Martin's chest -- and if - prior to being shot -- Martin put his hands up and perhaps even said, "you got me" -- and Zimmerman then fired his gun (either in anger or because in his state of agitation he accidentally pulled the trigger) ---- then Zimmerman's last view of Martin before Martin fell would be with hands extended.

So when Zimmerman is doing the walk through -- he has 2 memories that need to be woven into the story: Martin's statement ("you got me") which someone may have overheard and will need to be explained; and the fact that Martin's hands were outstretched, which is inconsistent with the punching/suffocating scenario. Zimmerman does not remember or did not notice that Martin's hands were in a different position on the ground (probably because Martin's last dying move was to clutch at his chest as he fell).

This is only my speculation, of course -- and I don't think that Zimmerman has an answer to give under cross-examination, because Zimmerman's own "memory" probably is of a Martin with outstretched hands, because he is remembering the living Martin & not the body.

O'Mara has changed his strategy



Lawyers, is this change as substantial as it appears? Esp after announcing that the Zimmerman legal team was going with the "SYG" defense just 3 days ago?

I'm very curious about the forensic evidence in this case. Does anyone remember; was Zimmerman's blood on Martin's clothing? None of Zimmerman's DNA was found on Martin's hands.

Martin was murdered. The forensics is going to have to be very, very compelling if I am to change my opinion.

Curious Blue, you make some interesting points. Thank you.

Another question: will Zimmerman still get a hearing before the Judge if he doesn't use the SYG defense? My understanding is that a SYG hearing is different than a self-defense trial. Has O'Mara decided to take this case to a jury rather then the Judge?

If I understand it correctly, in order to use 'stand your ground' Zimmerman would have to take the stand and try to convince the judge he feared for his life, etc., and if the judge rules against him, the prosecution could use his testimony in that hearing against him in trial. So it seems to me that O'Mara wants to keep George from testifying at all costs, even if it means taking his chances with a jury. That doesn't sound like he believes George has a convincing self-defense case, but that the prosecution doesn't have enough to convict.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but self-defense is an affirmative defense which only becomes relevant after the prosecution has made a prima facie case. The burden falls on the defense to prove an affirmative defense. You don't get a hearing before the trial to have the case dismissed based on an affirmative defense. You have to prove the facts supporting it.

O'Mara can try to spin this all he likes, but the "stand your ground" statute gives a tremendous advantage to the defendant for whom it is applicable, that is, the ability to get the case thrown out before trial. No defendant with a good case on this issue would bypass the chance to get the case thrown out pretrial without compelling reason.

The fact is that George Zimmerman would be crucified on cross examination, and that is something he cannot afford. My read is O'Mara is desperate to keep his lying, slithering murderer of a client off the stand, enough so that he is foregoing a chance to get the case thrown out without a trial.

I concur in Loh's observations. Abandoning a SYG chance of getting rid of the whole case means that Zimmerman's lawyer knows he's a lying sack of shit. Since Zimmerman's credibility would be the main issue at the SYG hearing, and Zimmerman no longer has any, defense counsel is doing the safe thing.

On the other hand, had Zimmerman not blown his credibility with the bail hearing lies, he would still have faced a fierce cross-examination at a SYG hearing based on the "inconsistencies" in his statements when aligned against the facts.

Zimmerman now has to rely on a sloppy investigation as his means of acquittal. The blame the cops defense. It worked for OJ.

George Zimmerman's lawyer: George is nearly broke, wants public to pay his legal costs



In April, Zimmerman raised $64,000 in one day. Zimmerman hoped that his appearance on Fox would stir up more donations. It did not. Perhaps the "God's will" comment was a bit of a turn off to potential donors?

O'Mara has filed an appeal against Judge Lester's refusal to recuse himself. O'Mara is also going to ask Judge Lester to allow Zimmerman to move out of the county, and possibly out of state.

I can't wait to see an accounting of the money spent from the "pay off all my debts legal fund".

Thanks, Loh and Stern. I wonder what happened this weekend. On Fri, O'Mara claimed that he and Zimmerman were going forward on a SYG hearing. Monday afternoon, the entire defense has changed strategy.

I wonder if some kind of new forensic analysis was released between Fri am-Mon am.

What the hell happened to all that money? If the lawyers haven't been paid yet (and apparently they haven't) what the hell did the money go to?

If you're begging for money, pal, you had better start telling us where the quarter of a million you had 2 months ago walked off to.

Any taxes waiting to be payed, the IRS breathing down his neck soon?

^^^ this

Security and life in undisclosed locations does not come cheap. It was his paranoia that got him into trouble in the first place. Now, he has to hide out from everyone and worry about real threats. Plus, a lot of psychiatric help and Rx bills.

As the Joker once said "I'm crazy enough to take on Batman, but the IRS?! No thank you!"

George Zimmerman Judge, Kenneth Lester, Ordered By Court To Disqualify Himself



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/2 ... 41293.html

Daddy’s influence?

Surprising decision in my view. I wonder if the state is interested in seeking review in the Florida Supreme Court. I think there is a good chance of reversal.

What does Paul Lentz say?

While I cannot speak to Florida specifically, generally a dissent on an intermediate appellate panel is an open invitation to an appeal to the court of last resort. In some jurisdictions, a dissent guarantees an appeal as of right (as compared to discretionary).

The prosecution may be concerned that even successfully challenging this ruling may lead to avenues for appeal by Zimmerman (never mind delaying the trial while evidence deteriorates and memories go dim).

I'm sure Paul Lentz has better and more jurisdiction-specific information.

In Florida, it is either the prosecution, or the defense who enters a motion to recuse the judge. The judge signs the order recusing himself. The article was a little off. It appears one of the parties did file a motion to recuse the judge, the judge apparently denied the motion, so it was appealed. The appellate court ruled he should recuse himself, so an order will be prepared, signed by the judge and filed. Whether that decision can be appealed, I can't say.