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kpete

(72,903 posts) Thu Jul 11, 2013, 10:22 AM Jul 2013

Manslaughter count added to Zimmerman charges [View all]

Source: USA Today

SANFORD, Fla.-- The judge in the Trayvon Martin murder case agreed Thursday to instruct jurors to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter when they begin deliberations.

George Zimmerman had been charged only with second-degree murder.

Zimmerman's attorneys had objected to adding any lesser charges, and Judge Debra Nelson held a hearing on the issue. The jury still has the option of convicting Zimmerman, 29, of the second-degree murder charge that prosecutors sought when the trial began.

The last-minute maneuvering has been seen by some legal experts as an indication that prosecutors were not confident about their chances for a second-degree murder conviction. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, has been portrayed by prosecutors as a wanna-be cop who shot Trayvon, who is black, after a confrontation in a gated residential community in February 2012.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/11/trayvon-martin-charges-george-zimmerman/2508039/

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Manslaughter count added to Zimmerman charges [View all] kpete Jul 2013 OP

well this should help the prosecution. HeroInAHalfShell Jul 2013 #1

Is there a Zimmerman in your neighborhood? nt onehandle Jul 2013 #2

All of his old uncles live in my neighborhood. Baitball Blogger Jul 2013 #10

Dealt an ace! lonestarnot Jul 2013 #3

"Prosecutor Rich Mantei said they decided to not pursue the lesser charge of aggravated assault." Renew Deal Jul 2013 #4

The outcome has been known ... GeorgeGist Jul 2013 #5

They are pursuing aggravated-assault mainstreetonce Jul 2013 #7

He deserves to be in prison for child abuse. reusrename Jul 2013 #40

I read that professional legal opinions expect Zimmerman to go free. Kablooie Jul 2013 #6

Exactly. This gives me some hope he will serve at least some time for his actions. AtheistCrusader Jul 2013 #8

The same expert opinions expected that ACA would be overthrown and that DOMA would be upheld. Mass Jul 2013 #9

And as it happens, Juries are not made up of legal experts. Kablooie Jul 2013 #17

I just don't want Zimmerman anywhere outside a prison for AT LEAST 10 years. DinahMoeHum Jul 2013 #11

George "Dumber Paul Blart" Zimmerman deserves several years in the slammer johnfunk Jul 2013 #12

I'm sure obama2terms Jul 2013 #14

Manslaughter with a gun in Florida Jenoch Jul 2013 #26

25 is mandatory minimum, I think Voice for Peace Jul 2013 #31

And I recently read that it can be 'up to 30 years' for manslaughter with a gun in Florida. Jenoch Jul 2013 #35

I just looked it up and if I'm not mistaken it said mandatory 25 years to life, minimum 25 Voice for Peace Jul 2013 #36

It will be interesting to see what Jenoch Jul 2013 #37

Well that's good to know obama2terms Jul 2013 #42

I sure hope he doesn't walk Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #16

In that case then Zimmerman set race relations back a almost a century lunatica Jul 2013 #22

I don't disagree Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #23

They should have gone with manslaughter charges from the beginning NickB79 Jul 2013 #13

I agree Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #15

My opinion. And he should have plea bargained a lighter sentence. JDPriestly Jul 2013 #20

If they had offered aggravated assault with a sentence of 5 years, Jenoch Jul 2013 #27

What you said, JD... Demoiselle Jul 2013 #29

Does that give prosecutors another attempt at presenting evidence? dickthegrouch Jul 2013 #18

No, they just get their closing argument. SunSeeker Jul 2013 #19

The Other Day When I Presumed There Were 3 Possible Outcomes DallasNE Jul 2013 #25

If I were using your percentages, I'd guess 25% - 15% - 60% Jenoch Jul 2013 #28

What new evidence? marshall Jul 2013 #39

Judging by the many ways in which people here think the Prosecution failed dickthegrouch Jul 2013 #41

they add manslaughter along with 2nd. degree charge in a lot of road rage murders aswell. Sunlei Jul 2013 #21

I Was Surprised To Hear DallasNE Jul 2013 #24

He's going to walk and the shit's going to hit the fan here. geomon666 Jul 2013 #30

Post removed Post removed Jul 2013 #32

You think Zimmerman is innocent? hrmjustin Jul 2013 #33

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2013 #34

I found this interesting in looking at the manslaughter statute. Kennah Jul 2013 #38