Thoughts on the Zimmerman Trial

[rdubwiley]

[Quixote1818]

1. Could not agree more. Spot on.

I really like what you said about working to change the laws. I had a similar post last night.

[freedom fighter jh]

2. But the jury also had the option to convict on the manslaughter charge.

I agree that unfortunately the prosecution could not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt because no one but Zim and Trayvon saw what happened in the actual killing. That's a reasonable explanation for why they acquitted on the murder charge.

But surely Zim bore some responsibility. Let's say that at that moment when he killed Trayvon, he really was afraid for his life and that's why he did it. Still, that confrontation was the inevitable result of Zim's actions from the time he got out of his car, while he pursued Trayvon (who, as far as I know, was not shown in any of this to do anything wrong), and until he killed him. In other words, Zim set the whole thing up. Does that not warrant a manslaughter conviction?

[rdubwiley]

3. Well

I think that's a reasonable argument, but the ability for a jury to drop to a lower charge like manslaughter was so complicated that it probably wasn't discussed by the jury.

But even with that, there's reasonable doubt.

[freedom fighter jh]

4. Why do you say it was complicated?

I believe they did consider it; there was a headline on DU saying they were considering it.

By the way, you have my undying admiration for your courage in posting that video. I checked DU out last night just before the verdict and people who were trying to argue against a murder conviction were getting called lots of awful things, mostly "disgusting." Many DUers wanted conviction regardless of anything else out of a sense of fairness for Trayvon, as if empathy for Trayvon was enough to rule out fairness for Zim. Looks like you've come in after the s--tstorm; I hope you don't get any thrown at you.

[rdubwiley]

5. Yes

They could consider it, but I'm not sure the way it had to be implemented. I'll look more into it.

Thanks for your support. People don't understand what convicting a person when there is insufficient evidence would do to our justice system.

[lark]

7. Plenty of evidence

Prosecutors blew the trial. Murder is murder and Zimmerman is a murderer. Hopefully the Martin family will win in a civil trial.

[rdubwiley]

9. I somewhat agree with that

I think there was enough evidence for manslaughter, but the prosecution didn't have a very good case.

[lark]

11. Good case, presented badly

Biased judge didn't help.

[freedom fighter jh]

14. I think the problem

is that when people feel too much invested in one side they lose the ability to consider that there is more to it than just what they see. Yeah, a criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. (I really kind of fibbed before when I agreed with you, saying there was not enough evidence for that. The truth is that I did not follow the trial closely enough to have a valid opinion on that matter. I was trying to go with what you said because clearly you know more about it than I do.)

The other side? Obviously, racism in this country has a pervasive, ugly history. And the verdict can be seen as a vindication of racism, so of course that is going to raise anger and fear for people who will have to live with the consequences of that verdict -- which could be a certain tolerance of racism.

As far as I'm concerned, though, DU'ers cross the line when they get verbally abusive. After that point there's no dialogue.

[rdubwiley]

15. Well

I'm not sure the verdict was a vindication of racism. The jury has the duty to determine if Zimmerman committed the legal definition of 2nd degree murder and nothing else, and I don't know there's much evidence to suggest that racism caused the verdict.

The racism I see is Zimmerman's pursuit, and that's where I think the law needs to change.

[freedom fighter jh]

16. Even if it wasn't meant that way, it will be.

The next Zimmerman wanna-be will think of it and will feel a lot safer pulling a Zimmerman than he or she otherwise would. And therefore is more likely to do it.

[BootinUp]

6. well done. nt

[heaven05]

8. who

in the fuck is this? He does not know his head from his ass. What the fuck does he know about race except his privileged entitled whiteness.

[rdubwiley]

10. What?

I straight-up said there is a different justice system for black and white people. What more do you want? Should I whip myself because I'm white?

[heaven05]

12. if

you so feel inclined. Anyone with half a mind could make that statement. You just sound like a zimpig apologist/supporter to me. Period. go on with your entitled self.

[rdubwiley]

13. Eh

I just made a comment saying I think Zimmerman should have been found guilty for manslaughter. If you want to address something I said, that's fine, but don't be angry, because I value habeus corpus.