Judge rules Trayvon Martin's toxicology report will be allowed into evidence

[hack89]

Source: WKMG Orlando



Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled the jury will learn of Trayvon Martin’s toxicology results showing THC in his system when he was shot and killed by George Zimmerman.

Nelson denied the motion filed by the state to have the toxicology reports kept from Zimmerman’s second-degree murder trial because Zimmerman didn’t know Martin, the THC levels were minimal and there was no evidence it affected Martin’s behavior.

West said the state medical examiner’s change in testimony said the THC could have “some effect” on Martin. West also said in Zimmerman’s statement to the non-emergency 911 dispatcher that it appeared the person was “on drugs.” West said Martin’s behavior is now relevant to self-defense claim so marijuana as well.

Read more: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/judge-rules-trayvon-martins-toxicology-report-allowed-into-evidence/-/1637132/20885320/-/yorrqw/-/index.html

[chuckstevens]

1. George Zimmerman is Guilty, Period

but, the fix is in and mark my words, he will walk. I hope to God I'm wrong, but my gut tells me I will be proven right.

[Stuckinthebush]

11. I don't think it's a fix

I think it is a good defense with not so stellar prosecution. All the defense had to do was show reasonable doubt that Z wasn't guilty of being a cold blooded killer. Under this stupid stand your ground law all they have to do is show that Z felt he was in danger for his life. So, throw out the fact that the turd went after a young kid with malice, throw out the fact that Z has a history of being a loose cannon, throw out racism that predisposes him to think a black kid is dangerous. Nope. All they had to do was put a question in the mind of the jurors that the scream wasn't Travon's and that Travon was actually the final aggressor.

From what I've heard so far, I think an "objective" jury will rule for the defense. Sadly, I agree with your conclusion. He will walk.

It sucks that this asshole will be back on the streets with a thousand Fox news appearances and gun show gigs for as far as he can see.

[AtheistCrusader]

17. The Defense's position is still that this is straight up self defense.

SYG is still not in play.

[Stuckinthebush]

34. Ah

I think he will walk, regardless.

[AtheistCrusader]

37. I fear that may happen.

They may yet raise SYG at some point as well, so it's not totally off the table.

If he DOES walk on that charge, I think they will raise SYG to cut off civil liability. Not sure how it's worded in Florida, but in most cases, if the person who used 'self defense' cannot be convicted of a crime (Sometimes cannot be 'charged' with a crime), they cannot be found liable in a civil case either.

Bad news for the family, as even if he's not found criminally liable for murder, he damn sure engendered the situation in which the kid died, and should be held liable for that for civil damages.

[Duckwraps]

36. "The fix is in." My what a load.

[darkangel218]

102. Your gut is wrong.

He will get at least 15 behind bars.

[AnnieK401]

2. I read somewhere that Zimmerman's medical records show he was on Adderall!

If that is true, why isn't that allowed into evidence also.

[hack89]

3. Because the prosecution did not think it important to the case? nt

[Booster]

7. I hate to say this, but it seems like the prosecution might be trying to lose this case

on purpose, or, at the very least, doing a lousy job. I'm hoping during the next phase that they do a better job of cross examination that they did during their own presentation of the case. If they don't then I think the fix is in.

[Pterodactyl]

50. I don't think they're TRYING to lose.

It is a really tough case for them. The evidence and the law make murder very hard to prove in this case.

[wordpix]

52. hey, no one could be worse than the knock knock Zimmerman lawyer

[littlewolf]

57. I do not think they are trying to lose

this is a special Prosecutor so their backside
is on the line. they lose, it makes moving up
the ladder difficult if not impossible.

trust me they are NOT trying to lose.

[Tom Ripley]

99. I also think the prosecution is taking a dive (n/t)

[brett_jv]

10. Well, they DAMN sure better turn around and ask for it now ...

If they have ANY idea what's good for 'em.

Adderall (and similar ADHD medicines like Dexedrine and Ritalin) is a MAJOR drug of abuse.

It's basically a little amphetamine-cocktail. IOW, in the exact same drug family, with ALL the attendant side-effects and addiction potential ... as (pure) crystal meth. You can stay up on the stuff for days on end, experience hallucinations, become violent, etc.

And everyone who knows ANYTHING about the effect of drugs knows that amphetamines are way more likely to induce violence than cannabis.

[AtheistCrusader]

21. That phase of the Prosecution's case is over.

I don't think they can return the favor at this point, now that the Prosecution has rested.

[brett_jv]

48. That's pretty lame then ...

How long did the judge have to decide whether or not to admit this evidence? My guess is ... a LONG time. But she WAITS to decide until after the prosecution can no longer 'return the favor' to announce that she's going to admit this evidence? This freaking STINKS.

I was REALLY hoping that this trial was going to at come off as being 'fair', even if ZimZim didn't end up convicted. But the more I hear about it, the more it's coming off like a friggin' reverse-Kangaroo court. At this point, when this asshole is acquitted ... well, obviously it wouldn't justify actually hurting people, but ... I could hardly blame the African-American community if they end up losing their shit over this travesty of justice ... cause it looks more and more like a sham trial with every passing day.

[premium]

62. The cops didn't get a warrant to have him tested that night,

and they probably wouldn't have been granted a warrant due to lack of probable cause to believe he was impaired,
so there's no evidence that he was under the influence of RX drugs.

Can't be admitted in evidence because there is no evidence of impairment.

[Tom Ripley]

101. +1000

[TrollBuster9090]

14. Which would be pretty silly, given that mood disorders (and paranoia) are a side effect of prolonged

usage.

[Voice for Peace]

13. Maybe this will open up a can of worms.

Bring back Dr. Bao to grill him on what the effect
would have been, how minimal. Bring in THC experts
with statistics on this amount of THC correlation to
violence, and compared to amphetamines, bring in
Zimmerman's amphetamine use if in fact he was
using them.. who was more likely to be aggressive
that night?

A little pot, or speed?

Maybe the judge wants all of that on the table?

PS to Premium, I am only guessing and not
presuming to be a legal and law enforcement
expert.

[customerserviceguy]

56. The more time you spend talking about pot

The less the women on the jury feel sympathetic to Trayvon Martin. Unfair, yes, but it's the way the human mind works. People have a natural tendency to want to blame the victim, so they can feel reassured that this doesn't happen to one of their loved ones.

[Voice for Peace]

58. I don't agree. If the defense is raising the issue of pot

the state can show why it is not significant.

The jury attitudes about pot shouldn't be assumed.

[customerserviceguy]

103. These are women

who the prosecution is trying to get to imagine that TM is their son. Having him be a pot-smoking hoodlum is not helping that cause.

[RobinA]

72. For This Particular Woman

not on the jury, and one who generally thinks the evidence points to self-defense per the law, I think this marijuana line of evidence is just stupid for the defense. They want me to buy that pot made Trayvon attack GZ? Um....lets just say that I've been around pot in my day, and if you tell me Martin was high as a kite on pot, I'm going to be LESS likely to think he attacked GZ. In my experience, people on pot don't generally go around starting fights.

[customerserviceguy]

104. No one thinks that pot makes people attack other people

But it plays into the stereotype of the black teenage loser who has a chip on his shoulder, and is always looking to diss an authority figure. It makes him less of a victim, and more of a perpetrator.

If you were on the jury, your views might be of some use to the prosecution. The jury does consist of six women who have chosen to live in Florida, and you might well not be a representative sample of them.

[premium]

63. Ok, I probably deserved that one. LOL.

[7962]

70. This kinda reminds me of the OJ Simpson trial That medical examiner was a train wreck

He looked way too eager to side with the prosecution. It seems they are going the way of the OJ trial. The prosecution lost the case there. That stupid "try on the glove" stunt......

[riverwalker]

49. Zimmerman also on Temazepam

http://newsone.com/2016433/george-zimmerman-drugs/
Temazepam, also known as Restoril, is known to cause insomnia and anxiety, reports MSNBC. But there are more important side effects that were not mentioned.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the drug is also known to cause “aggressiveness” and “hallucinations,” among other problematic symptoms.

[napi21]

54. I know the Prosecution tried to get Z's medical records in, but the judge

said no. Now that Trayvon's med info is in, she MAY change her mind. Since they tried before, I'm sure the Prosecutor will try again.

[riverwalker]

55. heres the redaction order on the medical records

besides the Adderall and Temazepam, he was also seeing a psychiatrist (according to the PA's testimony). Bet there's a lot in those records.

http://www.flcourts18.org/PDF/Press_Releases/Order_Disclosing_Redacted_Medical_Records.pdf

[DallasNE]

59. Let's Certainly Hope So

And could this also open the door on how Zimmerman came to possess a concealed carry permit and how he passed a background check with his background and treatment for a major mental health disorder. His weight issues are likely at least in part due to the medications he is taking.

[Blue Bike]

98. arent some children prescribed adderal?

?

[felix_numinous]

4. I know he was a minor

but I have not heard of cannabis being linked to violent behavior. He was going out for a snack.

[Just Saying]

5. I don't think it ever has been linked.

Besides the amounts are tiny.

[felix_numinous]

9. People on cannabis

are usually very docile.

I guess no one will ever know if any drugs or booze were in Mr. Z's blood.

This is so sad.

[Just Saying]

27. I know

From uh, personal analysis.

Yes very sad Zimmerman wasn't tested especially since his state of mind should be what is in question since he killed someone.

[bamasher]

28. Horrible, Shoddy Police Work

Unforgivably sloppy, sloppy police work. This case was never, ever treated like a homicide. The police arrogantly formed their own opinions and threw away the rule book.

[John2]

46. This why I

think the whole process, in this jurisdiction has to be questioned. I even question detective Serino's credibility. He seemed to be coaching Zimmerman in pointing out the weaknesses in his earlier statement, instead of just taking a statement from Zimmerman.

That is why some questions need to asked about the entire conduct of the Sanford Police Department and the alleged complaints from the Black community in Sanford. I didn't trust John Good's testimony either, because it was too perfect at the start in Serino's original investigation to fit the theme, but later Good back tracked only to add and clarify again. He did this after being accused of backtracking on the his original statement when it came to who was calling for help. And let me make another point, after listening to Tracy Martin, it seems like Serino, took advantage of a grieving father that was more interested in seeing an arrest.


Another thing about this investigation needs to be bought out here. There was another witness allegedely the Sanford Police questioned. Where is the 13 year old boy and his mother? The same mother that accused the Police of trying to get her son to give testimony fitting their theme supporting Zimmerman's account? Was that witness only a myth?

Where is the police officer or three, Serino accused of pressuring him to bring charges and one supposedly friendly to Tracey Martin? So everything needs to be place into this background. That is why justice may not be served in this jurisdiction, by this judge, prosecution or jury. But like the whole country, everybody is seeing the evidence. As far as I'm concerned, Zimmerman is guilty of killing an unarmed teenager. Zimmerman pursued him. Zimmerman's life was never in danger. Martin's life was from the very beginning Zimmerman saw him that night and decided to pursue him with a bullet already loaded in the chamber of his gun and the safety off. He is guilty of murder period!

[Bjorn Against]

6. I wonder if this piece of film is going to be entered into evidence...

[Voice for Peace]

16. hahahahaa

good one

[QUALITYCONTRoll]

41. really!!

[heaven05]

8. the

fix IS in.

[TrollBuster9090]

12. What a tribute to ZImmerman's amazing skills of perception, that he could just LOOK at

Trayvon Martin and TELL that he'd smoked pot a week before, and that this made him dangerous.

After all, we know how smoking pot almost always makes you violent and dangerous.




Seriously, THIS JUDGE IS AN IDIOT! She refuses to let the prosecution make this case about racial profiling, WHEN IT CLEARLY WAS, but allows to let the Defense cite some marginal levels of pot in Martin's system as proof that Zimmerman was correct in his assessment that Martin 'looked like he's on drugs?' This stupid judge is on drugs, if you ask me.

[Voice for Peace]

19. or maybe this allows more discovery about what Zimmerman was taking for his ADD and weight loss

and a nice tidy comparison of the two drugs
as related to violence.

[TrollBuster9090]

20. If Zimmerman had been smoking crack that night, I doubt this feckless prosecutor would draw

any comparisons.

[John2]

35. She is not on

drugs, she is part of the system in Florida. Trayvon Martin's parents are probably the ones getting the shaft. They had to press even to bring it to Trial. I heard they are pulling some kind of maneuver,from ever preventing the family from filing wrongful death lawsuits against the Zimmerman's, Police Department and the housing complex, by making Trayvon the fault for his own Death. It is up to the Martin's Lawyers to act, because I've seem several mistakes by the prosecution's passivity. Especially with the jury also and way the judge allowed the jury to be stacked with jurors' statements that were prejudicial towards the victim. Trayvon Martin was also on video in the 711 and did not appear to be on drugs. The clerk monitored him and didn't notice anything strange about Martin. So there is clear evidence of Martin before he got killed. THC can also remain in your system for weeks, before it clears out. And if Trayvon was really high, doesn't mean he would have very good coordination or perception in a fight with Zimmerman. In fact Zimmerman would probably have an advantage. Marijuana also makes you giggly. So the Zimmerman supporters can proceed, because this is really getting tiresome, making excuses for this killer.

[QUALITYCONTRoll]

40. This stupid judge is on drugs, if you ask me.

You think the judge is a dumb racist on drugs?

[HolyMoley]

47. That's pure speculation with no evidence to back it up.

"Seriously, THIS JUDGE IS AN IDIOT! She refuses to let the prosecution make this case about racial profiling, WHEN IT CLEARLY WAS".

The defense would introduce counter testimony, chew it up and spit it out.

"Witnesses tell FBI that George Zimmerman is no racist"

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/justice/florida-teen-shooting

"FBI doubts Trayvon Martin killing racist"

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/FBI-doubts-Trayvon-Martin-killing-racist-3703846.php

"No evidence Trayvon Martin's killer is racist: FBI interviews"

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/12/us-usa-florida-shooting-idUSBRE86B1AD20120712

"In Trayvon Martin case, FBI reports no evidence Zimmerman a racist"

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2018674328_zimmerman13.html

[TrollBuster9090]

61. First, I said it was a case of RACIAL PROFILING. I didn't say A) Zimmerman was a racist,

or B ) that racial profiling is necessarily based on RACIAL HATRED. They are two different things which often occur together, but are not necessarily related. Both are a violation of Civil Rights, though.

Secondly, a link quoting Sanford police detective Chris Serino saying he didn't think Zimmerman was a racist, and a bunch of other links quoting FBI agents quoting Serino saying he doesn't think Zimmerman was a racist don't prove anything. Seriously, NOTHING that any Sanford police officer says should be given any credibility in this, given that they treated Zimmerman as the victim and Martin as the offender FROM THE START. From the moment they arrived on the scene and saw a dead black kid, and a cop-wanna-be who was known to the Police, they believed HIS side of the story, and proceeded accordingly. Every bit of evidence or testimony they collected was designed to bolster their original conclusion that Martin attacked Zimmerman, that Martin was 'on drugs' as Zimmerman had reported, and that Zimmerman was the victim. So...can we at least all agree to discount any evidence or testimony the Sanford police department collected as anything but an example of how NOT to do police work? I really don't care what Chris Serino 'thinks.'

The FBI interviews of friends and work colleagues are SLIGHTLY different, though. All of the stories surrounding whether Zimmerman hated African Americans or not were inspired by the 911 call tape, and the claim that he said something that sounded like 'fucking coons,' despite the fact that the recording was unclear. If they went and interviewed friends and colleagues to see if he had a habit of uttering racial slurs, that would be one thing. The fact that no evidence has come forward to indicate the hates African Americans indicates that's probably not what he said, and that he probably doesn't hate African Americans, and that racial HATRED was not a factor. But as I said, RACIAL PROFILING and RACIAL HATRED are not necessarily the same thing, although both are wrong, and both are a violation of Civil Rights if acted upon. The fact that he identified Martin as a black teenager and a "fucking punk", and said that he looked like he was on drugs, and that "these assholes always get away" proved that he had already formed a prejudicial opinion of Martin before he ever chased him down and confronted him.

[Incitatus]

65. Yes

I just listened to record #6 of the interview tonight. It does not make Zimmerman look good at all.

http://trayvon.axiomamnesia.com/audio/george-zimmermans-statements-sanford-pd-audio/

[TrollBuster9090]

68. Thanks for the links!

[24601]

97. There were several cases cited which favors allowing the defense and the judge noted that ruling

against precedent would have created reversible error.

The judge followed the law.

[AtheistCrusader]

15. Oh no, not weed. Holy shit.

Because that shit turns people into agitated, violent savages all the time!

[kelliekat44]

18. Anyone who smokes weed can tell you that it makes you "mellow" not wanting to fight.

Unless they can show other drugs in his system, the state should be able to use this against the defense. And, it's kind of profiling to see a young black and say he appears to be on drugs. Trayvon was walking along talking on his cell phone...does that make him appear to be on drugs?

[TrollBuster9090]

22. It might to an armed asshole with a system full of Adderall. nt

[Psephos]

66. Bust this, Troll. Adderall is a medication that calms and focuses people with ADD.

I speak from experience.

I'm sick of the bigotry against ADD. Very.

[TrollBuster9090]

69. In what way is pointing out that a specific psychotropic drug has mood-altering side effects

an example of 'bigotry against ADD?'

[sir pball]

74. It's speed. AKA amphetamine.

It does indeed "calm and focus" people with ADD, but like it or not it's also an addictive, potentially psychologically unbalancing substance (emphasis added):

Psychological effects can include euphoria, anxiety, increased libido, alertness, concentration, energy, self-esteem, self-confidence, sociability, irritability, aggression, psychosomatic disorders, psychomotor agitation, grandiosity, repetitive and obsessive behaviors, and paranoia. With chronic and/or high doses, amphetamine psychosis can occur. Occasionally this psychosis can occur at therapeutic doses during chronic therapy as a treatment emergent side effect

[Psephos]

95. Those effects happen with high-dose chronic abuse in non-ADD situations.

When used as a medicine the effects are almost diametrically different.

If I drink a liter of Scotch, the effects on behavior will also be extremely different from if I drink two fingers' worth at dinner. Hell, I can get to irritability, aggression, and paranoia by simply not going to bed for one night.

The original poster tried to insinuate a link between therapeutic doses of Adderall and murderous behavior. Then he tried to disavow it. Garden variety bigotry.

Trust me, it fucking sucks to take meds to make me conform better to an artificial society governed by clocks, mindless paperwork, and minutiae. It sucks further that people continue to spread the ignorant meme that taking ADD meds therapeutically is basically akin to smoking crystal meth.

It's more like taking valium if you have ADD.

I note that Trayvon had THC in his system at death. So will that be our next discussion?

You see my point?

[Redford]

23. It makes my husband agitated

He almost assaulted a taxi cab driver in Amsterdam because he was sure the guy was kidnapping us and not taking us back to the hotel. I had to sit on him he was so paranoid. Only time we ever smoked pot together and will be the last time. Unless it gets legalized here of course.

[LanternWaste]

24. I have few doubts you may even believe that to be the case.

I have few doubts you may even believe that to be the case.

[Just Saying]

26. What else was in his system? N/t

[brett_jv]

31. I will admit you make a good point ...

Pot smoking, can definite make certain people paranoid, esp. if they're novices. And it's pretty textbook/well-known among the populace. It can certainly be 'leveraged' by the defense, and it's likely at least some jury members are going to 'buy' what they're selling ... Trayvon was so 'paranoid' from the pot that he attacked GZ unprovoked. It's almost certainly BS, but that won't stop the defense ... and it will likely help them.

Anything mood-altering has the potential to make some people violent is the truth. Even something that makes MOST people 'mellow' ... can make some other people violent. However, some people are just violent by nature, even when stone-cold sober. And MOST drugs have a much higher likelihood of inducing violence than pot does. Alcohol especially. And adderall.

Honestly I really don't think whether or not TM had some THC in his system is relevant, and that it's LAME that the judge is allowing it to be introduced. If she turns around and DISallows the toxicology report (assuming there's something in it) on Zimmerman, then we KNOW the fix is in.

All that really SHOULD matter in this case is that nobody (ttbomk) is going to testify that Zimmerman had any serious injuries. You shouldn't be able to shoot someone in cold blood, in teh middle of a public place (i.e. not in your home) unless you can *prove* you had a legit reason to fear for your life ... and barring a witness to corroborate your story, the only real way to prove that IMHO is via some semblance of severe injuries (or the other person having a weapon, of course). Somebody punching you in the nose is NOT enough to justify shooting them in the friggin chest.

[Yo_Mama]

44. Yeah, for a few people that is a known side effect

If it happens twice, he shouldn't use it even if it is legalized.

[blackspade]

25. What rank bullshit.

[AngryOldDem]

29. That's bullshit.

Also -- and I'm no lawyer -- I'm having a mighty difficult time with this taped scream. To me, having people give their impressions as to who they think it is, is really skirting the hearsay line. But I know shit about the law.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: George Zimmerman created this situation. He lost all right to self-defense by stalking, and then confronting Trayvon, who (from where I sit) had every right to defend himself.

[marble falls]

30. Good. Then Zimmerman gets to explain a violent pot head.

[brett_jv]

33. Outlandish as that may sound ... this whole thing is NOT good for the prosecution

At least not unless they also get to admit GZ's tox report as well (and there's drugs in it).

Nearly everyone knows of the stereotype of pot making people paranoid. It's not hard to imagine the defense arguing that the pot made TM so 'paranoid' that he attacked GZ, thinking he was a rapist because his friend on the phone suggested it.

You and I know that pot rarely makes people violent, but the jurors, well ... who the hell knows what they 'think' about pot, and/or its effects on people. All that matters is what *they* believe, not actual reality.

[demwing]

32. "Pot makes you lazy" - how many times have we heard that?

How many times will we now hear how Martin was on drugs when he attacked Simmerman?

Misspelling intentional...

[QUALITYCONTRoll]

39. paas the douchie on the left hand side

Misspelling intentional... !! Whew you had me worried

[QUALITYCONTRoll]

38. Look out !!

Beware of the stoner zombies...

[QUALITYCONTRoll]

42. Exhibit #101

[allin99]

43. Maybe it made him paranoid and he thought some big creepy dude with a gun was following him.

[Voice for Peace]

60. ++

[gopiscrap]

45. Fucking asshole judge

she is doing everything she can to get Zimmerman to walk

[wordpix]

51. Terrible defense-- so what if Trayvon was high? He was being followed, he was unarmed & he was shot

by Zimmerman. I guess that's Trayvon's "fault." geesh

[davidpdx]

53. The defense is now going to start referring to Martin

as either a druggy or a drug dealer after the toxicology report is admitted into evidence. You can be every time they get a chance they are going to throw in one of those terms. That's why they wanted it admissible.

[DaDeacon]

64. This is a two question cross examine...

Does Mr. Martin's THC content cause Mr. Zimmerman to follow him after he was order by law enforcement to stop dong so?

No.

Did THC Shoot and kill the unarmed teenager Trayvon Martian?

No.

No further Questions.


You are welcome!

[Egnever]

67. Good!

Anyone with half a brain knows pot doesn't make you violent.

[eilen]

73. It has been noted that there are many women on the jury

and that traces of pot might make them look at Trayvon differently.

I am middle aged, female and what happened to Trayvon made me concerned about my own son who is recently past his teenage years, a college student presently. The fact they are of different color is not pertinent. The incident happened at night and it was raining. My son wears hoodies and walks often because he does not have a car. I could see him becoming nervous and scared that someone is following him and he is a smart ass who would mouth off to some jerk questioning his right to walk in public. He would push back.

I am soooo glad we don't live in Florida. But... my MIL lives in a gated community there and often wants my son to visit. There are lots of gun carrying rich old jerks likely on seraquel, haldol, aricept and Scotch whiskey trolling around in golf carts there who are always reporting if they think someone is driving too fast etc. One of them actually pulled a gun on some youths in a grocery store parking lot. Gated communities are paranoid constructs anyway, people who live in them see themselves as targets.

[Myrina]

75. The Prosecutor, when questioning whoever presents it -- should ask ...

something like:

"And where are the results of Zimmerman's toxicology tests? (Mumbo jumbo bs response)
"Oh, he wasn't tested?" (Mumbo jumbo bs response)
"He shot & killed someone and wasn't tested for drugs?" (Mumbo jumbo bs response)
"Why not?" (Mumbo jumbo bs response)

[hack89]

77. Highlighting a piss poor investigation may not be in the state's best interest

as it then brings into question the entire investigation and all their police evidence.

[JustAnotherGen]

76. Well of course

And he will be sentenced post humously to three years in prison for that toxicology report. Because it's who we are and mandatory sentencing and whatnot.

[WovenGems]

78. The jury

If the jury views this a relevant then the defense scores points. The danger, and it is big one, is that the jury views this as a vain attempt to vilify the victim.

[hack89]

79. They are trying to paint him as a violent drug using thug

it depends what kind of attitudes the jury has towards young black men.

[WovenGems]

82. Yea but...

This ranks right up there with "she deserved it because she was wearing a skirt". A female jury may not be a good bet when blaming the victim.

[hack89]

83. Women can be just as bigoted as men

we will have see how it plays out.

[WovenGems]

87. Indeed

The defense should have let them come to their own conclusions. By trying to lead them they may get smacked.

[PDJane]

80. Who is on trial? Why should Zimmerman get one ounce of leverage from Martin's posited drug use?

If I had ever believed he might be guilty, his behaviour and that of his witnesses at trial would have sent that little thought into the trashbin. This is a pitiful excuse for a human being, and it's really obvious that his witnesses are determined to get him off....and they are, in my opinion, lying.

[hack89]

81. Because trials are skewed towards the defendant.

they really do mean that "innocent until proven guilty" thing. The defense was able to convince the judge that the report was germane - the judge could have said no.

[PDJane]

84. It was a rhetorical question.

I've seen too much of this shit in one way or another.

[Duer 157099]

85. Then I hope the state will find some of Martin's friends who can testify about how pot affected him

Maybe he's one of the (many) ones that just melts into a giggling-cartoon-watching-Skittles-eating lump in a beanbag chair?

If so, I hope they'll find a friend of his that testifies as such.

[hack89]

88. The danger of course is what else they might say under cross examination

the prosecution has been burned plenty of times by their own witnesses - putting a bunch of teenagers on the stand is playing with fire, especially if they don't have spotless backgrounds themselves.

[Duer 157099]

89. Who has a spotless background? Nobody, especially teens (and GZ)

and those 6 jurors understand that, imho.

I'd take the risk.

[hack89]

91. The defense would love to put Trayvon's entire social and school life under the microscope

drug use, school suspensions, texts about fighting, drugs and guns, being kicked out of his mom's house - the prosecution has fought the introduction of such evidence tooth and nail. They are not going to open that door by putting people that know that information first hand on the witness stand.

[Duer 157099]

94. I think that is a mistake

Like I said, I accept all of those things (potentially) about TM and yet still would find GZ guilty.

Hiding it, imho, makes it worse, especially if in so doing, they also hide info that could help prove their case, eg, how TM behaves under the influence of THC.

[Politicalboi]

86. Has the prosecution used GZ own words against him

If TM was covering GZ mouth, blood would have been smeared on asshole GZ face. GZ DNA AKA spit, blood would have been on TM hands. And since TM's hands were underneath himself, that evidence should have been there. I hope the jury sees this for what it is. A defense team blaming the victim. Fuck them and GZ. I hope they find him guilty, and he gets thrown in with GP.

[Tippy]

90. Who is pulling the strings

There is a whole lot of cover up going on I don't know who is the problem...Is it the county, city, or state. this trial is a joke...Zimmerman had to have the blessing of someone..to do what he did and get away with like he is...at first I thought the Judge had some sense but she must have lost it...A crime has been committed, the trial is now a joke, and my bet is Zimmerman's friend will write another book.....

[hack89]

93. The lack of eyewitnesses was always an issue in this trial

the problem is that the state should have gone for a plea bargain instead of risking it all at trial.

[yurbud]

92. unless he was on some drug that makes bullets fly out of his fingers, it's irrelevant

If an unarmed guy is high on crystal meth, PCP, or bath salts, and I get out of my car and chase him down, get in a fight, and shoot him, then I am guilty of murder.

[Mr.Bill]

96. If he was seriously stoned,

those Skittles would have already been eaten. Seriously.

[Tom Ripley]

100. Yet THE KILLER was not drug tested. Just who is on trial?