O'Mara: George Zimmerman will ask state to cover $200K-$300K of his legal bills

[Old Union Guy]

Source: Orlando Sentinel

George Zimmerman, the Neighborhood Watch volunteer who killed Trayvon Martin, plans to ask the state of Florida to cover $200,000 to $300,000 of his legal expenses, his attorney told the Orlando Sentinel Monday evening.

Because Zimmerman was acquitted, state law requires Florida to pay all his legal costs, minus the biggest one: the fee that goes to his lawyers.

That includes the cost of expert witnesses, travel, depositions, photocopies, even that animated 3-D video that defense attorneys showed jurors during closing argument that depicts Trayvon punching Zimmerman.

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-we-pay-his-bills-20130826,0,7750164.story

---

Well he's officially not guilty of anything, right?

[Scuba]

1. Oh, he's guilty all right.

[Old Union Guy]

3. I said "officially". n/t

[gopiscrap]

2. Yeah and watch the friggin state of Florida pay it

why don't we just buy the bullets for these fucking racist gun nuts!

[my2sense]

4. Money Collected?

So the idiot gets to keep the money he collected. Just sickening.

[JI7]

5. this has to come from Florida Tax Payers doesn't it ?

it can't come from the fed ?

[MADem]

7. They'll need to institute a state income tax if they keep acquitting all these SYG assholes....! nt

[Tom Ripley]

67. +1000

[24601]

184. This case involved whether a Florida resident had broken Florida state law. The State's

Attorney was appointed to the case by the Florida Governor.

The only federal involvement was an FBI investigation that determined that Martin's tragic death [my characterization] was not the race-based. From the

"What's more, charging Zimmerman under federal hate-crimes law would defy the findings of the FBI's own
investigation conducted last year. All told, agents interviewed no fewer than 45 Zimmerman co-workers,
neighbors and other acquaintances — including even his ex-fiance — and found no evidence of racial bias."

[Above quote from the Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/071513-663808-fbi-report-undermines-race-case-against-zimmerman.htm]

With President Obama's & AG Holder's FBI finding no racial motive, the inference I draw is that it's not likely that there is a federal case there.

[hobbit709]

6. Talk about nerve.

Not even OJ demanded CA pay his legal bills.

[Mr_Teg]

34. Did/Does CA law require that they pay for it?

[nolabear]

9. No, you're right. It's the law and he gets it. I think people have trouble stomaching it though.

[branford]

10. I'm certainly not fan of Zimmerman, but I often find many of the comments about him disturbing.

Particularly those that wish him physical harm. I attribute it to the fact that the trial was very emotional for many here on DU, and people do not always react rationally, no less consistent with their liberal values.

[Skittles]

13. the man got away with murder and is a PROVEN THREAT to society

I don't wish him harm but I feel ZERO sympathy for him

[branford]

14. I am most definitely not seeking any sympathy for Zimmerman.

However, I personally believe that all the vituperation and bile directed toward him is unhealthy, particularly from people who claim to be liberals.

I've read everything from wishing harm on him and his family to changing the law to reduce the rights of those charged with a crime. Zimmerman has brought out the worst in us. He may be a murderer, but we should be better than him.

[Skittles]

15. the poor thing has to fear the very thing he was so willing to practice

he can f*** himself

[branford]

16. That is exactly my point.

No one, even Zimmerman, should have to worry about vigilantes.

You and others are abandoning liberal values on account of someone you find contemptible. That is definitely not good.

[Skittles]

17. correct, no one SHOULD

but I will waste NO AMOUNT OF TIME thinking how bad it is for poor Georgie - what is CONTEMTIBLE is making excuses for that piece of garbage - he got away with MURDER

[billh58]

135. Zimmerman apologists

and Gungeoneers will spew their support of "poor Georgie" at every opportunity, and actually believe that they are not being transparent with their real message: gunz are good and SYG is not vigilantism.

I call bullshit, and yes Karma is a bitch.

[Skittles]

145. I am sick of it

they got what they wanted - a sociopathic, paranoid piece of shit KILLER is back on the streets, ARMED - but that isn't enough for them - they want us to FEEL SORRY FOR HIM. It is indeed bullshit all non-gun humping thinking people can clearly see.

[Little Star]

88. "No one, even Zimmerman, should have to worry about vigilantes.".....

Trayvon Martin shouldn't have been shot dead because of George Zimmerman the vigilante either.

Fuck George Zimmerman! Just fuck him and his asshole brother too!

[one_voice]

103. +10000 I was just gonna...

type something very similar.

You saved me the trouble. Fuck George Zimmerman the vigilante. He should have thought about vigilantes* before he decided it would be fun to play one.


*I'm not advocating anything happen to him, but seriously what the fuck did he think would happen? Dumb fuck.

[Little Star]

112. +20000 Thats where I'm at! Fuck him.

[Paladin]

99. Helpful Hint: You've overused the whole "abandoning liberal values" thing.

It's an old tactic, so you're not fooling anybody.

[grasswire]

104. +100 nt

[noiretextatique]

120. +10000

utter bullshit from a zimmerman apologist...how shocking

[JustAnotherGen]

132. +1000000

And since when does being a liberal mean rolling over to injustice?

[billh58]

136. But they never

stop trying, do they? They actually believe that people can't see through them, and that is just sad (not to mention embarrassing).

[Skittles]

146. CORRECT

[cpwm17]

25. This is the first time I've agreed with anything you've written

as I'm far to the left of you.

This is tribal. Zimmerman is a gun nut, and not really bright, which makes him guilty around here. The only real evidence is that he suffered an unprovoked and brutal attack. He was probably the original victim. Any other theory on what happened is creative speculation.

The internet tough guys sitting safely behind their computer screens belittle what GZ had to go through during that attack.

GZ then had to go through a trial and now he is viscously hated by much of the country. That's not liberal.

[Skittles]

39. what GZ had to go through?

OMG

[Sheldon Cooper]

42. OMG I literally spit coffee on my keyboard!!

People always say that, but how many actually do it?

[greiner3]

47. "What an embezzle! What an ultramaroon!"

Bugs Bunny

[cpwm17]

53. What a brilliant reply

Oh, it's the ROFL smiley. That's always a good sign of a rational reply – not.

[Skittles]

147. hilarious what offends you

and what does not

[noiretextatique]

124. +1000

trucking froll you know it when they claim they are more liberal than...anyone...ever

[DonCoquixote]

86. COUGH

The only real evidence is that he suffered an unprovoked and brutal attack. He was probably the original victim. Any other theory on what happened is creative speculation.

OK, the attack that he walked towards after being told NOT TO?
The one where he carried a gun even though Neighborhood watch told him NOT TO?
The one where he screamed "F__KING C__ns! They always get away!" as he was running towards the scene!

But that is not provoking, right?

Geezus, no wonder we are about to go to war again, some people are just so scared of anyone with a bit of skin pigment they reach for the guns.

[cpwm17]

111. Nobody has come close to proving GZ provoked the assault

GZ was tracking TM's whereabouts, at least before and during the 911 call. We have no evidence on how the confrontation went down or that GZ approached TM. All we know is that TM was beating the crap out of GZ and GZ was crying for help.

He was carrying a gun, which is unfortunately legal in much of the US.

No, he muttered "f*@king cold" most likely:

As claimed by GZ during the 911 call and afterwards, TM was slowly looking at houses in the rain. In his mind that was suspicious. GZ's known behavior didn't in any way constitute a reason for TM to brutally assault GZ. GZ was not engaging in a crime nor do we have any concrete evidence that he was a threat to TM.

GZ's claims are plausible, considering TM's past: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/26/2714778/thousands-expected-at-trayvon.html

In October, a school police investigator said he saw Trayvon on the school surveillance camera in an unauthorized area “hiding and being suspicious.” Then he said he saw Trayvon mark up a door with “W.T.F” — an acronym for “what the f---.” The officer said he found Trayvon the next day and went through his book bag in search of the graffiti marker.

Instead the officer reported he found women’s jewelry and a screwdriver that he described as a “burglary tool,” according to a Miami-Dade Schools Police report obtained by The Miami Herald. Word of the incident came as the family’s lawyer acknowledged that the boy was suspended in February for getting caught with an empty bag with traces of marijuana, which he called “irrelevant” and an attempt to demonize a victim.

Trayvon’s backpack contained 12 pieces of jewelry, in addition to a watch and a large flathead screwdriver, according to the report, which described silver wedding bands and earrings with diamonds.

TM enjoyed getting into a lot of fights, and he demonstrated his violent behavior by apparently attacking GZ. This probable unprovoked attack indicates that there is a good chance that GZ's suspicions were correct.

[JustAnotherGen]

133. He didn't have that backpack

With him that night. . .

And George Zimmerman enjoyed getting into fights. Takes two to tango.

[cpwm17]

137. Yes, I understand that

There's no evidence that TM was engaged in any criminal activity that day, before the assault. It's plausible that TM was looking for potential houses to hit, based on his activities alleged by GZ. It's all unknowable. TM did have very recent violent behavior, and the only evidence is that TM was violent against GZ.

It was GZ on trial and it is GZ that is facing so much hatred. It's possible as far as we can know that GZ directly confronted TM, but there is no genuine proof that GZ did anything wrong that would justify all of this.

[noiretextatique]

134. whatever

he did or didn't do before he had the misfortune or running into zimmerman, what we know for sure is that zimmerman is responsible for his death.

[cpwm17]

139. It's impossible for us to know that GZ was responsible

We can make educated guesses based on whatever evidence exists and past behaviors of both GZ and TM. Neither were angels.

[Skittles]

148. who cares if they were or were not angels?

one of them was minding his own business while the other was out looking for trouble

[cpwm17]

150. People have a right to observe what they believe is suspicious behavior

in fact, it should be encouraged. Whether or not GZ confronted TM in an aggressive way hasn't been established. All we know is GZ was calling for help while TM was beating the crap out of him.

[noiretextatique]

157. only fools believe zimmerman's story...and racists

you have to believe an unarmed teenager with skittles and iced tea attacked a grown man...with a gun...and beat him so badly he killed the kid because he was in fear for his life. i call bullshit....i don't believe his story, and he is lucky he didn't get a more diverse jury pool. he truly got a jury of his peers, that's for sure.

[Skittles]

163. CORRECT

these apologists do not fool me for one second

[cpwm17]

177. Personal insults do not replace evidence

There a good reason that much of what was said about this case was wrong from the beginning. This actual facts didn't support a Zimmerman conviction:

There is no evidence that Zimmerman assaulted Trayvon.

It was Zimmerman that was crying for help. The claims that Trayvon was crying for help was a deliberate lie.

Zimmerman didn't make a racist slur during the 911 call.

Trayvon has apparently engaged in recent burglary activities.

Trayvon wasn't twelve years old, nor did he look it.


Deliberate Lie

These lies where used to try to strip a potential defendant of a fair trial.

[Skittles]

182. OMG OMG OMG

Last edited Wed Aug 28, 2013, 09:49 PM - Edit history (1)

WHO CARES WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE

ONE WAS UNARMED, MINDING HIS OWN BUSINESS, THE OTHER WAS ARMED AND LOOKING FOR TROUBLE - ONE WAS THE CLEAR AGGRESSOR - NOW I AM DONE WITH YOUR SORRY ASS - FOR GOOD!!!!!!

[cpwm17]

171. A seventeen year old teenager is more likely to attack a man than vis-versa

And the only evidence is that TM assaulted GZ. TM had no way of knowing that GZ had a gun.

You argument makes little sense.

[Skittles]

162. oh PLEASE

people have the right to walk home from the store without being targeted, stalked and threatened by a racist paranoid gun humping COWARD but you don't seem to care about Trayvon's rights.......DONE HERE

[cpwm17]

172. That's some loaded language

probably not reflected in reality

[1monster]

181. No body came close to proving that GZ was attacked. All we had was his word for it...

Trayvon didn't have even a speck of GZ's DNA on him. That alone proves GZ a liar.

[24601]

149. Believe the word was "Goons", not "Coons" as Goons was the moniker of the local gang.

[niyad]

92. what the HELL are you smoking?

an unprovoked attack? HE is the victim? thank goodness I finished my coffee before I laid eyes on this reichwing nonsense.

unless, of course, you forgot the sarcasm icon, because you cannot possibly be serious.

[Zoeisright]

97. That isn't what makes him guilty.

Stalking and killing an unarmed CHILD is what makes him guilty.

Christ on a fucking crutch. The stupid is really strong.

[Skittles]

127. gun humpers got what they wanted and they're STILL not satisfied

THEY WANT US TO LOVE POOR, PERSECUTED GEORGIE!!!

[noiretextatique]

122. there was absolutely ZERO evidence that zimmerman, an ARMED cop wannabee

was EVER attacked by Trayvon Martin. you don't foll anyone, btw. no "leftist" would defend that murdering scum.

[Yo_Mama]

110. I do agree that the revelations are disturbing

But those very disclosures make it more, not less, imperative that the law operate as independently of human vagary as possible.

For me, the worst was the abuse directed toward the jurors, who were utterly innocent person brought into this only by complying with their civic duties. It is clear that many of those in the public have utterly lost all perspective about this case. I'm sure if the jury decision had went the other way that the other side would have behaved the same, but what does it say about our society that this can happen?

[Xyzse]

65. I'd have to agree. Not happy about it, but he was acquitted.

Reading through it. It is hard to stomach and strikes a nerve, but if it is part of the law, he is entitled to it.
I would have thought his backers would have paid for his defense.

I'd be massively upset if he gets to keep what his supporters have raised for him, as well as this.

[branford]

68. The law only covers expenses, not legal fees.

It pays for experts, copying, transcripts and similar actual expenses. Such expenses are usually not this large, but with a national, televised trial, the expenses skyrocketed.

Zimmerman's lawyers' fees, the vast bulk of cost of his defense, is not covered by the law. In fact, I very much doubt that his defense fund will be sufficient to pay the attorneys' fees.

[Xyzse]

71. That's something at least

Still, that's huge!

[branford]

75. I would certainly be curious to read the itemized expense reports.

It's entirely possible that the court will find some of the expenses are inflated, unjustified, duplicative or not covered by the applicable statute, and cut the amount below the requested $200-300,000.

Hope for a hard-ass judge or magistrate to handle the motion for expenses.

[Xyzse]

77. Yeah, itemized expense reports can be interesting sometimes

I have to wonder what inflated those numbers.

[branford]

78. If I had to guess, copies and transcripts for so many lawyers and possibly the press.

The animated re-enactment that was played during closing also probably cost a fortune.

[Xyzse]

80. I would have considered that part of Lawyer fees

[branford]

82. Unfortunately, no.

I used to prepare fee applications when I practiced employment law. Generally, everything but the lawyers' hourly rate is considered an "expense." Experts, such as the company used to prepare the re-enactment, are almost always considered an expense.

You would feint if you saw what large NYC law firms charge for copying. In the late 1990's, it was sometimes as high as 35-50 cents per page. It was quite the profit center.

[shugah]

164. "You would feint..."

and so, it seems, would you.

[Paladin]

167. I hope there were associates with dictionaries at that law firm, reviewing your work.

The DU spell-check feature sure as hell isn't doing you any favors. Kind of undermines your obvious agenda, I'm pleased to say......

[X_Digger]

168. Oh my, when all Paladin has to say concerns a poster's spelling, I know he's at a loss. n/t

[Paladin]

169. I think if you review this thread really REALLY carefully.....

....you'll find that I had other things to say to that poster. The spelling fuck-up was just a bonus. You're welcome.

[X_Digger]

170. I'm sorry, I should have said, "something substantive". Thanks! n/t

[Paladin]

176. Couldn't agree with you more.

I think you should have said something substantive, as well.

[X_Digger]

178. When was the last time you had something other than snark on this issue? I'm being honest here.

Looking back over your posts on this and other threads, that's all I find.

Bitter snark, one-liners, pointing out typos, 'gotcha' rhetorical flounces (as demonstrated by your reply to me).

When's the last time you actually spoke to someone, rather than tried to score points?

Sad, really.

[Paladin]

179. You keep putting them over the plate, I'm going to hit them out of the park.

If you don't like it, stay down in Gun Control/RKBA. I don't post there anymore---none of my "'gotcha' rhetorical flounces" that seem to make you so sad.

Truth be told, I gave up on establishing any constructive dialog with you Gun Enthusiasts a long time ago. There's just no point to wasting time on such futile efforts.

[X_Digger]

180. Bitter little snark in lieu of actual conversation. *smh* n/t

[Chakab]

20. What do you mean another "run of the mill minority defendant"?

If there were a person whom I believed to be a scumbag who got away with being held responsible for an incident that he instigated which led to another person's death, I'd still believe that he belonged behind bars irrespective of his race.

Whether I like it or not, he was acquitted and is entitled to full protection under the law just like any other citizen. If the state law says that he gets reimbursed, then he gets reimbursed. It doesn't make this entire ordeal any less egregious, and this is far less offensive than Zimmerman releasing pictures of himself smiling during a tour of the factory that produced his gun.

[branford]

23. I was being slightly sarcastic.

The most common demographic for criminal defendants is young, black males. Individuals facing criminal charges often look far more like Trayvon Martin than George Zimmerman.

Nevertheless, you concede that Zimmerman is entitled to the benefit of the law, regardless of how you or I feel about him. We are not in disagreement.

I certainly understand your strong dislike of Zimmerman. I share it, albeit probably in a less angry fashion. However, as I mentioned in other posts in this thread, I fear the hatred of Zimmerman is taking an unhealthy toll on us and our values.

[Hoyt]

24. You keep saying you don't support Zman, yet in every post on him you do.

Fact is he murdered an unarmed kid, pulled his gun - that gave him courage to stalk Martin - and shot him. The change in the definition of self-defense written by NRA as part of stand your ground changes in 2005, judges instructions, sorry assed jury, and now this, have all been in the armed bigot's favor.

[branford]

31. You really cannot be that dense or stubborn?

I do not need to "support" Zimmerman (whatever that really means to you), no less like or agree with him, in order to believe that he should not fear vigilante justice or any other such nonsense. Our laws and liberal beliefs do not change because we hate a defendant, including Florida's law concerning the recovery of legal expenses.

The only thing I support is the rule of law. If you don't like the law, advocate for change.

Everything with you is about the NRA and guns. Get over yourself.

Even if everything you say is true, which I most certainly do not even suggest, Zimmerman was still tried and acquitted. That battle is long lost, whatever your, or my, opinion.

You are welcome to rage every time someone has the audacity to disagree with you or not proffer sufficient outrage on matters you find important. I, however, will continue to calmly and peacefully advocate for my liberal values, without letting someone like George Zimmerman turn me into an angry hypocrite.

[Skittles]

35. rule of law

you had to believe a RIDICULOUS STORY to believe in the RULE OF LAW

*DONE HERE*

[Boom Sound 416]

61. It's obvious

Branford is talking equality within the law

[Skittles]

33. THANK YOU

[PorridgeGun]

70. Fact is? Oh dear..

Fact is, Z is not guilty of murder in anywhere other than your imagination. He never was, and should never have been charged.

Sorry assed jury?

Fact is, you'd rather make defamatory comments about people you don't know and have never met rather than admit that the 6 people who found him unanimously not guilty might have had a more even handed perspective on the thing than you can manage.

Fact is, there is no evidence zimmerman "stalked" Trayvon. Sorry, getting out of your car to see what someone who has just disappeared behind a row of houses might be up to is not "stalking" by any sane definition of the term.

Fact is, it was the unhinged, emotionally hysterical reactions to the case that prompted an unscrupulous but politically cunning prosecutor with a history of overcharging defendants to put on a show trial at enormous taxpayer expense.

Fact is. you are on to something when you cite the self defense laws, but you. like many commenters on here, are unable to get your minds off of demonizing zimmy, the jury and anyone who disagrees with you long enough to have a positive impact on that issue.

Fact is, Zimmy is a mediocrity who represents the attitudes and views of a very large swath of middle american men around his age. He was emboldened SYG to get out of his car when he should have stayed put. These laws create new Zimmermans by the tens of thousands and the focus should have been on them from the beginning rather on ridiculous attempts to paint Z as a "bigot" when, yet again, there is no evidence he is/was and some evidence to the contrary.

If people were willing to spend the amount of time and energy getting these laws amended or repealed that they've spent shrieking anti-zimmerman invectives over the internet and airwaves we might have seen some positive change on the issue.

If you're true to form you'll now accuse me of being a Zimmerman supporter despite the fact I've made it clear I believe he f&^ked up by not staying put, which is the problem. If this case has screwed with your mind to the point where you cannot brook any disagreement without spouting hysterical, defamatory drivel, perhaps you should take a break.

[HangOnKids]

90. Ahh looks to me like you need a break

You are getting all worked up in that post. Take a break.

[Kingofalldems]

161. Oh my.

Not this again.

[Carolina]

96. Fact is, PGun

36 poster... you're in the wrong place. Try Freeperville. They'll love YOUR FACTS there.

[HangOnKids]

165. But but but isn't PorridgeGun a cute name?

[RoccoR5955]

143. Fact is....

that at least one of the jurors was railroaded into voting this thing down. She already stated that she made the wrong decision.

evidence is that he was told to STAY AWAY from Trayvon, but he disobeyed an order from police to do so, to me, this is stalking.


Go take your talking points over to Free Republic, where they will be received with the respect they deserve, from all the parrots there.

[billh58]

140. People who support Zimmerman

and then claim that they don't use the same tactics as the Gungeoneers who claim that they support gun control, but really don't. Gunners support other gunners no matter what the circumstances, and then claim to be holier and more liberal than anyone who disagrees with them.

That's okay though, because they are such transparent right-wingers that their pizzas are being made as we speak.

[Paladin]

144. +1000. (nt)

[Skittles]

40. you know, as opposed to the paranoid racist gun humpers who have REASONS for breaking the law

[noiretextatique]

123. well....

i don't buy the bullshit response from the poster to you. i'd say if it quacks like a duck, it is a duck.

[avebury]

36. You are assuming that a minority defendant would

have been acquitted. I probably would not be that optimistic.

[branford]

37. I would never claim it happens very often, but it certainly does occur.

The attorneys in the various Public Defender offices are often quite good. Remember, not every case involves a murder with national attention, minorities make up significant percentages of many towns and counties in Florida where they serve on juries, and minorities are also often both victim and defendant with race not a factor in a case.

Even if acquittals are rare, given the VERY tight budgets that most PD offices work under, the ability to recoup any funds could make the difference for the next, possibly innocent, defendant.

I also find the criticism of the law later in the thread astonishing. This is a law designed to HELP criminal defendants, and it is being criticized simply because Zimmerman may also take advantage.

[yeoman6987]

45. You are assuming that a minority defendant would have been acquitted.

I thought in this case, a minority defendant was acquitted. I am unsure what you are saying here. Zimmerman is a hispanic which in the United States is a minority. Perhaps in your country they may not be.

[hack89]

49. One of the things that came out in our "discussions" about Florida and SYG

was that black shooters were acquitted at a higher rate than white shooters.

[GreenStormCloud]

160. You would be wrong.

For white on white: 32 justified, 25 convicted, 4 pending

For white on black: 6 justified, 1 convicted, 4 pending

For black on white: 4 justified, 2 convicted, 4 pending

For black on black: 16 justified, 6 convicted, 4 pending

http://www.tampabay.com/stand-your-ground-law/fatal-cases

Those are the statistics for all SYG killings in FL since the law was enacted. IF you expand that to include all SYG shootings, even if the shot person doesn't die, the statistics for cross-racial SYG shootings are:

Black on White - 4 convicted, 12 justified, 4 pending
White on Black - 3 convicted, 14 justified, 5 pending

The rates are close to identical for each race. Blacks DO get off on SYG, as well as Whites do, at about the same rate.

[warrant46]

54. Do we have a "Nation of Laws" or do we have "A Nation of Men"

The answer is Blowing in the Wind here. Unfortunately as far as the GZ man is concerned, it appears to be the latter.

“We are a nation of laws and not of men.” John Adams second President

[Skittles]

121. some laws simply seem to favor paranoid gun humping racists

[warrant46]

131. Most of them favor economic expansion and continue the MIC

The government needs weapons factories to support itself being the World's Policeman. When wars wane the companies need to sell their stuff to whoever will buy it. Because there is no war this means the factory can't close. It needs to do something until the next war comes along. Since you were in the AF you should know that.

[Skittles]

141. uhhhhhhhhhh

this is just plain weird - done with you......farewell!!

[warrant46]

156. Sorry

[blueridge3210]

158. I think that means he's putting you on ignore so he won't see anymore of your posts.

[warrant46]

159. That's too bad

There certainly is a lot of tension and rudeness around here. There is also no sense of Community and no respect for the beliefs of others. When someone disagrees, they resort to personal attacks and bullying.

I have watched this site for years because as an elected official I didn't think it was my place to say anything only to listen.

But after retiring more than a year ago I did a little posting the quality of this place has certainly gone down hill in the last 4 years or so--but who knows maybe it will change for the better. At least become a little more tolerant, civilized and respectful of other's opinions.

And after reviewing and posting I saw that the person now apparently ignoring me was apparently having a real bad day

[Boom Sound 416]

57. +1

[onehandle]

11. Time for a taxpayer riot. nt

[Skittles]

12. f*** that murdering piece of shit

let him get his gun humping racist paranoid supporters to pay off his bills

[Boom Sound 416]

62. This is just a vile post

Don't reduce yourself and force us to read it please.

We can articulate ourselves better than this

[Skittles]

115. LOLOL

AW YOU POOR THANG!!!!

[Boom Sound 416]

118. Hey Stella!

Guess you got your groove after getting smacked down by the fella you called a racist.

Way to get back on the horse little doggie

[Skittles]

119. UM NO

NEITHER ONE OF YOU FOOL ME

and I did NOT call him racist - I simply believe he cares more about gun humping than he does about the civil rights of minorities (or ANYONE)

[Carolina]

98. I agree with you, Skittles

Don't back down, either. Your description of that POS and his ilk is right on target!

[Dreamer Tatum]

106. No, Skittles, let Florida pay his legal costs.

Because, you see, that is the law. It's a progressive law meant to incent the state to only bring valid cases
with appropriate charges.

I'm sorry you don't like it.

[Skittles]

116. THEY DID BRING APPROPRIATE CHARGES

the jury simply chose to believe a RIDICULOUS STORY

[noiretextatique]

125. most appropriate response

i concur.

[Deep13]

18. One has to be indigent for the state to pay attorney fees...

...and usually that is done through the public defender's office, not high-priced private counsel and their A/V show.

[The Wizard]

19. No wonder they have

a public relations plan.
In normal states they'd be disbarred.

[Marie Marie]

22. Yes and it looks like Georgie's little visit to the gun factory

really f-ed up their "PR" plan. The guy is a complete tool - a murderous one at that, what did they expect?

[Maraya1969]

21. Oh Fuck Him!

[yeoman6987]

46. I agree

Wait until he sues the state of Florida. Instant millionaire. Disgusting.

[jberryhill]

26. I find the reactions here odd

First, people wanted to somehow punish the state of Florida.

It seems that Zimmerman's attorneys have found a way to do that - specifically to get the state of Florida to part with a raft of cash. But the same people who profess support for an economic boycott of Florida, and whose personal part of that would not approach $30, much less $300k, don't want to see the state suffer any financial harm now.

[Isoldeblue]

27. The guy is a vile coward

And karma can be a bitch.
I won't feel bad if anything happens to him. It will never be anything as close as to the fear Trayvon felt when he was shot for no good reason. And the grief his family will go through the rest of their lives.

If that kind of thinking isn't liberal, that's too bad.

[DallasNE]

28. So Zimmerman's Total Defense Costs Could Exceed $2 Million

If I read the Orlando Sentinel article correctly and another nearly $1 million for the prosecution. According to O'Mara he worked 40 hours a week for 16 months on this case. Must be nice to bill out your work at $400 an hour. Just the wages for O'Mara and West during the 5 week trial comes to $150,000. That is more than most couples, both working full time, earn in an entire year.

[Blue_Tires]

95. Yeah, being an attorney is a license to steal

even the Pentagon is jealous over this much bill padding...

[jwirr]

30. Maybe Florida will wake up when they have to add this to their budget!

[branford]

32. Most defendants in Florida are young minority men.

Ultimately, they, or more often the Office of the Public Defender, are the people who benefit from Florida's law that allows them to recoup legal expenses in the even of an acquittal.

Do you really want to see Florida eliminate such a law? Is the hatred of George Zimmerman so strong that we would hurt those we claim to want to help and protect?

[Skittles]

41. so, you really care about minorites

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

[branford]

43. I care about the rights of all defendants, regardless of race.

I've been interested in and advocated for the rights of the accused, as well as prisoners and former felons, since my time interning at the National Institute of Justice at the DOJ in Washington, D.C., while attending college. I continued my advocacy in various clinics during law school, and focus on related political advocacy today in NYC.

These individuals comprise a minority group at best ignored, and more generally hostilely received, by the general public. The fact that the vast majority of individuals in the criminal justice system are also minorities only exacerbates their already very bad situation.

You appear to imply that since I do not openly share your self-righteous hatred of George Zimmerman, that I do not care about minority defendants. You could not be more wrong.

The blind hatred of you and others toward Zimmerman has rendered you incapable of seeing far larger, more liberal concerns and sadly turned many into hypocrites. I tire of reading how no one would, or even should, care if Zimmerman, or his family or attorneys, received some "street justice." The attitude has even extended to members of his jury. I read comment after comment that because of Zimmerman, we need to remove the protections against self-incrimination, give prosecutors more discretion, lower the standards of proof in criminal trials and other similar, extremely right-wing, nonsense. How will these positions that are informed solely in response to the rage induced by one man help the primarily young, minority men in the criminal system.

The OP article and many responses are proof of my point. The article describes a very liberal law that permits reimbursement for legal expenses of those acquitted of crimes. I would not be surprised to learn that many Public Defender offices in Florida with very tight budgets benefit from this statute. Nevertheless, simply because Zimmerman may also benefit, it now deserves irate criticism. How will eliminating a law which seeks to help those who are acquitted of crimes benefit the minorities that those same posters smugly claim to want to protect?

I cannot ameliorate your rage (or even your continuous sarcasm) and care little of your opinion of me. The simple fact is that I will likely still be actively advocating for the forgotten, primarily minority men, in the criminal justice system long after some new issue or person has become the subject of your ire.

[Boom Sound 416]

114. Is there a smiley for crickets?

I guess he's done calling you a racist

[Skittles]

117. LOLOL

neither one of you fool me!!!

and by the way - crickets? HELLO!!! Some of us are not here 24 X 7!!!!!

[Boom Sound 416]

126. LOLOL

Really, over compensate much

[Skittles]

128. not NEARLY ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BYE BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boom Sound 416]

129. You rang the bell

I just came to the door

[blueridge3210]

152. hmmm

All caps bye bye w/ exclamation points. Is this where you sell you computer and go live in a cave? :-0)

[Boom Sound 416]

154. That was some reaction.

A bit transparent I might add. Coincidently my ignore went up one. Go figure.

[noiretextatique]

130. oh please...it is not "blind hatred"

it is rightful outrage. an armed man murdered an unarmed teenager (unless you buy the ridiculous notion that the sidewalk was his "weapon&quot and he did not get arrested or charged immediately, as he should have been. people are outraged because it is OUTRAGEOUS that he crafted a completely implausible racist fantasy, with himself as the victim, and half this braindead country bought is hook, line and sinker, and the idiots on the jury bought it. he story wasn't at all reasonable, unless you are a racist nut.

[jwirr]

69. I was not referring to that law I was referring to the gun laws that encourage actions like those

taken by Zimmerman.

[Boom Sound 416]

59. Florida has a balanced budget amendment

And this is hardly the only case they lost this year.

[blkmusclmachine]

38. Savvy!

[NickB79]

44. What a clusterfuck this entire trial turned out to be

And he'll probably get the $300K to boot, because the state has no legal argument to deny it to him now that he's been found not guilty.

[leftynyc]

48. I guess Casey Anthony

will be next to recoup her money. In fact I think every single person that has been found not guilty in Florida should sue the state. Why not?

[blueridge3210]

52. Because the law only applies to extra-legal expenses (not attorney's fees)

for defendants who are acquitted after claiming self defense. Anthony made no such claim and is, therefore, not eligible to request reimbursement.

[leftynyc]

56. As long as the morons

in Florida keep voting for assholes who write these ridiculous laws, I seriously couldn't care less if they wind up paying the tab.

[branford]

66. Respectfully, what about the law is ridiculous?

It provides for payment of legal expenses by the State in the event of an acquittal. It is designed to prevent the State from bringing a weak case and bankrupting a defendant. Moreover, as the vast majority of defendants are young minority men, they are the ones most likely to benefit from the law.

Does the fact that Zimmerman may benefit really invalidate an otherwise very liberal law?

I understand the frustration that Zimmerman may recover his legal expenses, but repeal of the law could ultimately hurt minority defendants in Florida's criminal justice system. The issue is far larger than Zimmerman.

[leftynyc]

74. Find me one minority defendent

who recouped their money using this law and I might agree with you - these are still moron Floridians who will be making that decision. In this case, not only does Zimmerman get the Floridians to pay his tab, he also gets to keep the money he fleeced from his supporters (that SHOULD be a basis for refusing to reimburse him, but it wont). I simply cannot get myself to care about a state that voted in someone who defrauded Medicare - they're morons.

[hack89]

72. Curbs on overzealous prosecutors are a good thing

especially in places where the justice system is rift with racism.

[leftynyc]

76. These are the same racists

that will be deciding who should get reimbursed, aren't they?

[hack89]

79. The law as written is pretty straightforward.

I don't know if it would be an issue or not.

My only point is that such laws are a good thing.

[leftynyc]

81. I agree the law is a good thing

but when you have fallible (and maybe racist) people deciding who and who does not get reimbursed, I'm sure you can see the problems with it. It's like getting to decide when something is a hate crime or not. Good law - opportunity for problems are massive.

[branford]

83. Expenses are itemized and the body of law is generally straightforward.

Except for some arguments about inflation or duplicative expenses, there really is not much discretion on the part of the court.

Even if the judge, who usually is the only party to consider an expense application, was racist, it could have very little effect on the outcome.

Note that my opinions are based on my experience preparing fee applications in employment law and bankruptcy matters. Although I've never dealt with the this Florida statute, I cannot imagine that the law or procedure significantly differs.

[leftynyc]

85. I have found that when fallible

humans are involved, the chances for things getting screwed up multiply quickly. I would think it would be straightforward but I doubt very much it turns out that way.

[branford]

87. That has not been my experience. Some huffing and puffing, but really just a formality.

Also, unlike Zimmerman's acquittal, the State is able to appeal an expense order. That, by itself, is a significant motivator to get it right the first time.

[Blue_Tires]

93. The funny thing is criticism of "overzealous prosecutors" never gets mentioned

with black defendants...

You don't live in the south, do you?

[hack89]

108. I have lived a lot in the South

my roots are in Tennessee. I am very familiar with the region.

I think the prosecutor in Z's case was overzealous - the fact that she completely bypassed the grand jury to get an indictment tells me that she knew her case was very weak.

[Blue_Tires]

173. or the more likely reality is that she intentionally threw the case

I've seen plenty of people sent to death row on "weaker" cases than this...I'm not even a goddamned attorney and I could have gotten a conviction...Of course the police weren't a big help either, pretending to investigate something they'd already covered up...

And my earlier question wasn't answered -- WHY does so-called "overzealous prosecution" never come as an issue up with black defendants? We as a people are guaranteed to get harsher sentences across the board...

[kiawah]

109. Actually, Casey Anthony was covered by the same law...

Casey Anthony, Accused Baby Killer, Declared Indigent Despite $200,000 Pictures Payoff

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS/AP) The state of Florida will be saddled with much of the bill for defending Casey Anthony, accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in the summer of 2008, after a judge ruled that she qualifies as indigent, despite having been paid $200,000 for her personal photographs by ABC News.

....

The judge's ruling means the state will cover defense costs, but not lawyer's fees. Those defense costs will be submitted to the court to make sure they comply with caps on spending, the judge said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20000907-504083.html

[24601]

153. Doesn't apply in her case since she was convicted - just not of murder.

[Boom Sound 416]

63. He's not getting any of it

He just doesn't have to pay it

[andlor]

50. Audacity and stupidity.

[Snake Plissken]

51. I wonder if the Zimmerman nuthuggers think California owes OJ a few hundred grand too.

[Boom Sound 416]

55. The law is designed to keep the state

From bringing weak charges against people and bankrupting them for having to prove their innocence.

On the whole it's a good law

[Paladin]

58. Does that cover the expensive tactical shotgun he was looking to buy the other day?

The visit to the gun manufacturer that produced the image of Zimmerman's newly slimmed-down physique and ear-to-ear victory grin? The visit that his defense attorney was griping about, because it fucked up the PR campaign?

Happy donating, Florida taxpayers.....

[Bradical79]

60. It sucks, but it seems to be the law

The only real hope is that they find he's overstating the costs somehow and pay less.

[Boom Sound 416]

64. Good post

[Sunlei]

73. that's the law. I bet his lawyers can't wait to get paid and dump him before he strikes again.

[EC]

84. Should the lawyer

be charging him that much and then that same lawyer sueing the state for it? It sounds crooked somehow to me.

[Sunlei]

101. 200k-300k is just the part the state has to pay. the bells, whistles, media campaigns..Z pays for

(probably out of his 'donations' bonanza on that paypal beg for money website Z put up.)

Lawyers will place a lien on any property/bank accounts to get their full money. If the advance deposit didn't cover the extras the state won't pay.

[Marrah_G]

89. Well the jury found him innocent

I don't agree with their decision, but it was their decision. State law requires the state to pay the bill.

[Nye Bevan]

94. I wish people would not use the phrase "found him innocent".

The jury did no such thing, and it was not their job to determine whether he was innocent. What the jury did conclude was that the prosecution did not prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Zimmerman was guilty.

[niyad]

102. juries cannot find people "innocent", they can only find "not guilty" slight difference.

[tarheelsunc]

91. That whole "personal responsibility" thing...

seems like it would include not hiring a defense team beyond your means, doesn't it?

[KamaAina]

100. Huh? What about the George Zimmerman Legal Defense Fundf?

Oh, right, it's probably all in Confederate money.

[Deny and Shred]

105. The incentive here is for Florida to stop prosecuting

murder trials. The State either pays for a jail cell if guilty, or pays the defendant's bills if acquitted. Don't prosecute, and save the money. No new taxes! There, problem solved. What could go wrong?

[Duer 157099]

107. Perhaps it should be taken from next year's DA budget

Maybe then they'll be more motivated to prosecute cases well.

[valerief]

113. Florida, the turd dropping out of the South's butt. nt

[RoccoR5955]

142. That's so arrogant.

He should pay DOUBLE from his own damn pocket!

[Myrina]

151. Typical Teabilly: gov't can pay his bills,

But not anyone else's.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

155. By the time it's all over, Z will be the governor of Florida

Why not? Rick Scott is guilty as hell too.

[Rebellious Republican]

166. What, the NRA and his friends in the fire arms business won't help?

Lawyer: George Zimmerman should not be visiting gun factories

http://news.yahoo.com/lawyer-george-zimmerman-should-not-be-visiting-gun-factories-174609071.html

http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/2RRg6SWGlbQWH_WWkscuFg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTQ1MA--/

[mountain grammy]

174. Just when you think this story couldn't get any worse..

The justice system sure has worked well for George Zimmerman. In some places in America, he could be elected to office.
Can we ever get back on track working vigorously for a more equal, just, educated, and sane society?

[lynne]

175. It doesn't pay his attorney's fee -

- only related expenses which - in this case - was a lot. As that's the law in Florida, then he's entitled to it.

[W T F]

183. State would have paid for his defense is he took a public defender, but

If he wants F.Lee Bailey, he can pay with his own damm money.......Fuck him!

[ehrnst]

185. That takes some brass ones. Walk away with your not-guilty verdict and SHUT UP, Georgie! (nt)