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customerserviceguy

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38. If there had been no weapon

Sat Jul 13, 2013, 09:23 PM

Jul 2013

and TM had beaten GZ to death, indeed he would have been able to use self defense as his reason. If, ironically, GZ had brought a gun and been unwilling or unable to use it before he was beaten to death, then it would have been used absolutely as a self defense excuse.

Self defense laws are construed very narrowly in some states, where the person claiming it has to have absolutely clean hands in the situation, with no other possibility of avoiding the use of deadly force. In other places (and to me, it looks like Florida is one such place) it could be argued by either party prevailing in a fight that ended in the death of the other one, no matter how the fight started.

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Zimmerman Jury Asks Judge for Clarification Regarding Instructions for Manslaughter [View all] Hissyspit Jul 2013 OP

You forgot the link BainsBane Jul 2013 #1

No I didn't. Hissyspit Jul 2013 #2

I thought "link to source" BainsBane Jul 2013 #5

LBN rules say you can post without link and update later. Hissyspit Jul 2013 #8

I'm not criticizing BainsBane Jul 2013 #12

O.k. Hissyspit Jul 2013 #15

The part that said "Read more: Link to source" is put in there automatically by the DU software Tx4obama Jul 2013 #28

Ohhhh BainsBane Jul 2013 #30

Just turn on MSNBC FarPoint Jul 2013 #6

Thanks BainsBane Jul 2013 #7

Tying together loose ends, FarPoint Jul 2013 #3

AP: Jurors in the George Zimmerman trial have a question about the charge of manslaughter. PoliticAverse Jul 2013 #4

Adding manslaughter gave the jury a way out of aquittal 7962 Jul 2013 #9

Yep it did davidpdx Jul 2013 #18

Manslaughter is still a Felony HockeyMom Jul 2013 #20

Couldnt he get up to 30 years if guilty of manslaughter in FL? DeschutesRiver Jul 2013 #21

Florida - Manslaughter with a firearm: PoliticAverse Jul 2013 #26

Thanks for that info. nt DeschutesRiver Jul 2013 #45

Yeah, that's what I was saying, that it will put him away davidpdx Jul 2013 #40

He won't be able to vote either dragonlady Jul 2013 #41

Yeah. The "depraved mind" standard of Florida 2nd degree murder is pretty hard to achieve. Kablooie Jul 2013 #49

Murdering gun fuck. nt onehandle Jul 2013 #10

evaluating the self defense claim is my guess. Deep13 Jul 2013 #11

I didn't see any jury instruction about self defense allowing reduction of the charge onenote Jul 2013 #14

No? Deep13 Jul 2013 #16

Here is the entire jury instruction... PoliticAverse Jul 2013 #17

The instructions specifically state that self defense is a defense as to both onenote Jul 2013 #19

huh. nt Deep13 Jul 2013 #22

Do you have better link ? jessie04 Jul 2013 #23

Here's a direct link to a .pdf version of the instructions... PoliticAverse Jul 2013 #24

Thank you. jessie04 Jul 2013 #25

exactly maindawg Jul 2013 #37

WDBO-FM News 96.5 has had live coverage this hour alp227 Jul 2013 #13

Legal question about manslaughter Ratty Jul 2013 #27

It is the negligent and/or reckless killing of another. RBInMaine Jul 2013 #29

Thanks Ratty Jul 2013 #33

Zimmerman's case is not based on Stand Your Ground. It's a basic self defense case. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jul 2013 #34

Actually, the difference is that a SYG hearing would be a judge only, not put before a jury. 24601 Jul 2013 #52

But, was HE attacked, or did HE attack Trayvon? Was he in danger of death or serious bodily harm? RBInMaine Jul 2013 #35

Found it. Thanks for the link Ratty Jul 2013 #39

"Recklessness, negligence or 'wanton disdregard for human life' " is the standard in Illinois. n/t ColesCountyDem Jul 2013 #36

Negligence Ratty Jul 2013 #46

I agree. n/t ColesCountyDem Jul 2013 #51

So perfectly said onlyadream Jul 2013 #50

Manslaughter can cover a lot Kennah Jul 2013 #31

What about the argument that Trayvon ALSO had the right to defend HIMself from RBInMaine Jul 2013 #32

If there had been no weapon customerserviceguy Jul 2013 #38

FS 776.041 covers Use of force by aggressor Kennah Jul 2013 #48

It doesn't take a "grave threat" customerserviceguy Jul 2013 #42

Actually it says "imminent death or great bodily harm" Kennah Jul 2013 #47

they are going to scream from the rooftops maindawg Jul 2013 #43

or should I say, 'Z - mas.... maindawg Jul 2013 #44