I predict an Arrest in the Horrific Zimmerman case is Imminent

[got root]

This miscarriage of justice needs to put back on the RIGHT track, ASAP!







what's DU's take?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. Including the lead detective who wanted to arrest him that night?

We all want to know who screwed this up and why. Cops, lst SA, 2nd SA, and others are all on the list. I really want to see where the trail leads.

[CreekDog]

30. Yeah, what the hell? (I mean besides the obvious)

Whomever was responsible, it really needs to come out.

[LadyHawkAZ]

2. I'd bet on him killing himself if an arrest really becomes imminent.

Somehow he just seems like the type.

[arcane1]

4. He's too much of a coward for that, IMO n/t

[got root]

6. i bet youre right, and he is probably too arrogant and stupid to even see it coming

[liberalhistorian]

21. He might very well be like Susan Smith or Charles Stuart,

who were genuinely shocked when their "blame the black guy" routine fell apart on them. Because they have such bias and prejudices, they simply assume everyone else does as well. Sadly enough, their raceblaming and manipulation of social and cultural stereotypes and biases worked for awhile, longer than it should have, and innocent black communities who were then raided by police (Roxbury in Boston in the Stuart case, can't remember the name of the South Carolina community where Smith lived where black men were rounded up and brought in) suffered for it.

[ThomThom]

38. he seems more the run and hide type

Does anyone know where he is? Does his family and "friends"?

[RZM]

8. I've always thought suicide was the cowardly way out . . . n/t

[arcane1]

10. Interestingly enough, so have I :)

But it seemed an appropriate sentiment in this case. I doubt he has the guts for it, let's put it that way

[RZM]

14. Why is that?

Let's say he's arrested and takes a deal for 5 years. That's not a particularly long period of time. He's still a young man.

He probably does have reason to fear being stabbed or beaten in prison, but it's possible that he would be placed in protective custody (that decision might even be made for him) due to the high-profile nature of the case and the threats against him. He could also perhaps be viewed as a potential catalyst for conflict between black and Hispanic inmates, which would also argue for protective custody to keep him out of the gang disputes.

I wouldn't want to do 5 years, but it's preferable to dying.

[robinlynne]

25. I don't think he is going to get 5 years. If they let him out in 5 years, he

would be lynched.

[RZM]

27. I kind of doubt that

Though he will probably have to worry about his safety on the outside for the foreseeable future.

But 5 years is probably long enough for things to calm down enough.

Casey Anthony and OJ haven't been lynched and they didn't even serve time. Plus one could argue that their crimes were worse. OJ killed two people in a premeditated act, while Anthony killed a young child. That is if you believe they are both guilty.

[robinlynne]

28. I don't think this is really similar to OJs case. This is about a type of injustice that

is common in our country, and about the authorities lying, covering up, and kowtowing to racism. OJ's murders were personal. This is about a bigger picture.

[magical thyme]

36. the more info that gets out

the closer it gets to murder. He followed him and according to eye witnesses, downed him and shot him in the back in cold blood. And now that the federal government is involved, a hate crime.

He won't be able to plea a deal for 5 years. Of that I feel certain.

[barbtries]

22. yep.

real brave with a gun. not so now. where is he again? oh, yeah, no one seems to know...

[RZM]

9. I predict a normal course of events here

Plea deal probably - trial maybe.

That's if he is arrested. I'm not positive that's going to happen. It's really hard to say, actually. A week ago I would have said probably not. Now I think it's probably slightly more likely than not.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. I thought that at first but it later came out he was a staunch Catholic at some point

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. events unfolding so fast I can't follow them

[teddy51]

5. I'm with you, and think this will be soon! Next thing is how soon this Police

Department will come under serious assault?

[Whisp]

7. the police are probably having meetings

and deciding who is going to take the fall.

someone innocent most likely, the copyboy.

this is really unbelievable how Zim is still out there. o mg.

[got root]

32. yep, lots of meetings will be happening today

I really don't see how this can go on much longer.

before the weekend.

[Bluerthanblue]

11. for everyones sake, I hope so.

what a world, what a world.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I am not sure if imminent

But one is comming.

[got root]

13. before the end of the next news cycle, at least

this travesty needs to be addressed, ASAP.

Shit, even the president has taken notice, it is way past time to stop fucking around on this... will another life have to be lost (god forbid) before the justice folks get their act together, I wonder

:'(

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Since the DA cracked this up

They need to dot them I's and cross them T's.

Why I am willing to go a few news cycles.

But one is comming. This tape of this man in obvious distress : sarcasm: with an obvious broken nose. and a gash that required stitches on the back of his head is not good for the story line.

[slackmaster]

17. You're totally wrong. There can't be an arrest until (and if) the grand jury produces an indictment.

The grand jury will convene on April 10.

[got root]

20. the feds do not need to wait for a grand jury if they feel they have a preponderance of evidence for

a federal crime.

which to any reasonable person would now believe that they do.

[jeff47]

23. Nope. "Special prosecutor: I may need no grand jury in Trayvon Martin case"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101485069

In Florida, the decision on whether to indict someone in capital cases must be made by a grand jury. In all lesser cases the decision to file charges are routinely made by prosecutors. But in highly controversial or difficult cases, prosecutors often defer to a grand jury, leaving the politically charged decision to a panel of citizens...

So the decision to proceed without a grand jury would preclude trying Zimmerman for a capital offense. Corey has earned a reputation for trying a lot of juveniles as adults including Cristian Fernandez.

[robinlynne]

26. not so. the Speical prosecutor said yesterday she may not need the Grand Jury.

[slackmaster]

33. From the Florida state constitution...

...No person shall be tried for capital crime without presentment or indictment by a grand jury, or for other felony without such presentment or indictment or an information under oath filed by the prosecuting officer of the court, except persons on active duty in the militia when tried by courts martial.

http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/docs/c/const/const01.htm

See Article 1, Section 15 A.

[aikoaiko]

34. Putting things together I wonder if this signals a noncapital crime prosecution of Zimmerman.

Is manslaughter a capital crime in CA?

[robinlynne]

35. I think this is murder, not manslaughter. I think the whole world knows it.

[aikoaiko]

37. What we "know" and what a prosecutor can prove beyond a reasonable doubt...

...may be two different things.

[joshcryer]

19. Hope you're right, but remember the DSK case? Character assasination of the victim got him off.

That's why they tried to trash Tryvon's character.

[got root]

24. Considering that this miscaraige of justice is on the POTUS radar, too makes me confident that this

murderer will be taken off our streets soon, and that a real investigation open, and then a trial.

Thank you Mr. President for speaking up on this serious matter.

[chknltl]

29. my first post on this topic.

Because you asked for DUs take and I do have something I'd like to say.

Racism and its evil twin sexism are a severe sickness within our society. However this particular example of that sickness plays out, perhaps all this focus will eventually lead to a measure of introspectiveness and eventual healing.

[got root]

31. agreed, this is a teachable moment, that is bringing good discussion on this horrific problem in USA

so at the very least Trayvon's murder won't be completely in vain, in the sense that awareness is being raised about many evils that seem to plague our society today.

Jessie Jackson spoke some very wise words on the issue tonight, and I am very glad that he is still fighting the good fight.

can you imagine the things they would be saying to MLK if he was still with us today and still speaking up.

what a terrible, horrific tragedy.

thanks for sharing