General Discussion

Pachamama

(17,565 posts)

28. Special Prosecutor just explained that the evidence supported the charges and that Florida law

Wed Apr 11, 2012, 06:16 PM

Apr 2012

...requires that they hqve the grounds and evidence to support a charge before making it.

This is big news. They arent going to divulge all info publicly now. We will have to wait for it to go to trial to have it all brought out. If they are truly wanting a conviction, they would not risk going in with weak evidence.

I believe however that they can at trial decide to reduce charges to manslaughter. They may have also charged him with 2nd to see if they can negotiate a plea bargain down for manslaughter. They also may have charged with 2nd degree to require no bail or higher bail.

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AP is reporting it will be second degree murder..... Interesting 2nd degree MURDER not manslaughter [View all] hlthe2b Apr 2012 OP

Good call. If you look at his past violent behavior, ecstatic Apr 2012 #1

Past acts are ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2012 #25

Prosecutors seem to overcharge quite a bit Kingofalldems Apr 2012 #2

That was my question too. janx Apr 2012 #6

2nd degree is not overcharging, IMO. nt arthritisR_US Apr 2012 #21

Sounds about right ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2012 #26

something about manslaughter Voice for Peace Apr 2012 #41

Good Point ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2012 #43

My only concern with that is they may have a more difficult time getting a conviction on a 2nd degre gateley Apr 2012 #3

I would certainly like to see a change of venue. Bring him down here to monmouth Apr 2012 #11

In some cases they are allowed to tack on lesser charges SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #39

Sounds like the prosecutor must feel confident in the evidence. TheWraith Apr 2012 #4

Your knowledge is appreciated, Wraith. janx Apr 2012 #8

I agree. HooptieWagon Apr 2012 #24

Special Prosecutor just explained that the evidence supported the charges and that Florida law Pachamama Apr 2012 #28

Technically they're always supposed to have the grounds to charge before doing so... TheWraith Apr 2012 #38

I agree ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2012 #30

something interesting about manslaughter Voice for Peace Apr 2012 #42

A jury would still have a Man One option, right? RandySF Apr 2012 #5

I thought a jury had to decide on the charges presented JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 2012 #14

Let me rephrase. RandySF Apr 2012 #19

Probably; I'm assuming they will charge that The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2012 #18

Nope ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2012 #31

Just got the same alert RZM Apr 2012 #7

I don't understand .... polly7 Apr 2012 #9

See Wraith's post here: janx Apr 2012 #12

Thank you, and thanks to Wraith. polly7 Apr 2012 #15

Murder 1 usually has a "premeditated" clause NightWatcher Apr 2012 #20

i had a feeling it would be murder 2. Algebra Palin Apr 2012 #10

if he had shot him in the back it would be first dgree Solomon Apr 2012 #17

But 1st degree requires proving pre-meditation....that may be impossible to prove even if it was. Pachamama Apr 2012 #33

Yup for a 1st degree charge they would have to prove that Zimmerman SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #40

True. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2012 #34

from what i understand Algebra Palin Apr 2012 #37

Yep. The facts that are known do not support hifiguy Apr 2012 #22

MSNBC just reported the same thing. n/t EmeraldCityGrl Apr 2012 #13

Manslaughter might be a lesser included offense The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2012 #16

Start at the top of what you can charge WolverineDG Apr 2012 #23

Now I'm wondering if he's going to bolt. AtomicKitten Apr 2012 #27

He's in custody.... hlthe2b Apr 2012 #32

Thanks. I'm not in front of a TV so I appreciate the info. AtomicKitten Apr 2012 #35

The DA seems both confident and exceedingly cautious... I feel some reassurance... n/t hlthe2b Apr 2012 #29

I am surprised and impressed with the charges... Spazito Apr 2012 #36