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In reply to the discussion: Tweet from Jay Smooth on Zimmerman.. [View all]Cha
(295,899 posts)60. I saw that "not found innocent" in all the chaos yesterday.. but,
have seen no more about it. Not sure what that means? Wait... I did find something..
Sat Jul 13, 2013 at 08:06 PM PDT.
George Zimmerman Was Not Found Innocent Tonight
With all of the disappointment in the jury's verdict, it is important to keep in mind what the jury did not find. They did not find that George Zimmerman was innocent of killing Trayvon Martin.
In our system of justice, the State cannot get a conviction unless it proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant is guilty of a crime. This means that even if the jury believes that the Defendant is probably guilty, they must find him not guilty if they have a reasonable doubt. In other words, if the jury believed that it was 75% or even 99% likely that George Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin, they must find George Zimmerman not guilty as long as they have a reasonable doubt that he might not be guilty.
As much as we don't like the result in this particular case, we should keep in mind that the legal principle articulated by English jurist William Blackstone is important. He stated:
In our system of justice, the State cannot get a conviction unless it proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant is guilty of a crime. This means that even if the jury believes that the Defendant is probably guilty, they must find him not guilty if they have a reasonable doubt. In other words, if the jury believed that it was 75% or even 99% likely that George Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin, they must find George Zimmerman not guilty as long as they have a reasonable doubt that he might not be guilty.
As much as we don't like the result in this particular case, we should keep in mind that the legal principle articulated by English jurist William Blackstone is important. He stated:
"It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer",...as expressed by the English jurist William Blackstone in his seminal work, Commentaries on the Laws of England, published in the 1760s.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/13/1223420/-George-Zimmerman-Was-Not-Found-Innocent-Tonight#
It was totally manslaughter to say the least.
I also saw in a NBC article that Zim bulb is suing NBC Universal for defamation of character.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/13/19441838-jury-finds-george-zimmerman-not-guilty?lite
I am hoping that something good comes out of this.
mahalo angry chair for inspiring me to search for the dkos article
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beautiful child. Florida needs to repeal its human hunting license. that is what this thing is
roguevalley
Jul 2013
#52
100% on the money. My biggest fear. As if shooters really need even more encouragement.
marble falls
Jul 2013
#54