Zimmerman could receive 30 years on manslaughter, as opposed to life for murder 2.

[pnwmom]

I'm glad the judge has allowed the lower charge because it would be easier to prove, based on the state's botched case (failing to secure the crime scene, not testing Zimmerman for alcohol, not interviewing witnesses promptly, etc.)

The judge is still deciding on the prosecution request to add possible 3rd degree murder, based on "child abuse" leading to Trayvon's death.

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

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. Judge Debra Nelson did not immediately rule on a prosecution request that a third-degree murder count would be added.

Zimmerman's attorneys had objected to adding any lesser charges, and Judge Debra Nelson held a hearing on the issue Thursday morning. 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.

SNIP

[warrior1]

1. I'm good with that.

[pnwmom]

2. Me, too. Glad it doesn't have to be murder 2 or nothing. n/t

[avebury]

3. Giving the Jury Murder 2, 3rd Degree Felony Murder and

Manslaughter might drive the Jury towards going with Manslaughter.

[Jessy169]

4. 25 years would be good enough for me

I personally don't believe that Zimmerman set out to kill Martin. I'm inclined to believe that Mr. Big Man With A Gun fatboy weakling Zimmerman set out to track down and confront Martin in a "heroic" kind of way, with semi-good intentions of preventing a crime or catching a bad guy. Of course, Zimmerman's mind was warped from the beginning by his racial prejudices, IMO. When Zimmerman confronted Martin or got too close, events must have lead to the point where Zimmerman was on the brink of getting a well-deserved ass kicking courtesy of Martin, and that's when weakling Zimmerman decided to "stand his ground". I have no doubt that Zimmerman feared for his life because I believe Zimmerman is a fucking coward to begin with.

That's my current guess as to what went down. Premeditated -- don't think so. Foolish and reckless -- yeah, and he deserves to serve serious time.

Just IMO...

[former9thward]

5. "defense request to add possible 3rd degree murder"

The defense has made no such request. The defense opposes any addition of charges.

[pnwmom]

7. Thanks for the correction.

[ChiciB1]

14. It Won't Because Any Lesser Included Gives

prosecution more ability to get a conviction FOR SOMETHING!

Defense wants only what's on table now because they think he will walk! Jury may find that what's only table now is too severe and just not convect. This is the reason defense is actually so upset about lesser includeds.

[Just Saying]

6. Although I think this was murder

I'd be happy with a manslaughter conviction. Zimmerman deserves to serve some hard time for what he did.

[riqster]

8. So long as he is convicted and serves a good amount of time

...that will deter further racist vigilantes from acting in a similar manner.

If he walks, look for the murder rate to skyrocket.

[MH1]

11. This. ^^^

For me, actually serving 5 years or more would be satisfactory to acknowledge that he did something seriously wrong. I'd like it to be higher, but am trying to manage my expectations.

If he walks, it will be a terrible precedent.

[DinahMoeHum]

9. For his sake, I hope Zimmerman does at least 10 years hard time. . .

. . .because AFAIC, if he shows a hair of his asshole outside the prison system, he's a dead man walking.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

10. Nine years

I remember another post that suggested he would get nine years for manslaughter.

[pnwmom]

13. The judge could sentence him for up to 30 years, but that gives

the judge a lot of latitude.

[uppityperson]

12. One of my hopes is all the publicity will make them change how things are done, put notice on good

old boy network that they can't simply ignore or do such a shoddy job "based on the state's botched case (failing to secure the crime scene, not testing Zimmerman for alcohol, not interviewing witnesses promptly, etc.) " including not checking that night with the inhabitants of the development to find out if Trayvon belonged to one of them after he was killed.

[Voice for Peace]

15. 10-20-LIFE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-20-Life

I'm still trying to figure this law out, how it applies.
The judge said it applies. This made Mister West
unhappy. From Wikipedia:

The law specifies exactly what categories
of crimes fall under it;
it mandates that offenders be sentenced to
the law's maximum allowable extent for
the committed felony;
and that the mandatory sentences must be
completed consecutively to any additional
sentence an offender must serve.

The law's name comes from three main mandatory sentences:

1) producing a firearm during the commission of
certain felonies mandates at least a 10-year prison
sentence;
2) firing one mandates at least a 20-year prison
sentence; and
3) shooting someone mandates a minimum sentence
of 25 years to life regardless of whether a victim is
killed or simply injured.

The maximum penalty is a life sentence, unless the
defendant is charged with felony murder or first
degree murder in which case the maximum is the
death penalty.

ALSO

Waiver of mandatory minimums

Under Florida law, the prosecutor in a case is the
only person eligible to waive any mandatory minimum.

[joshcryer]

16. I'm just glad manslaughter is in there.

I was misinformed that it was 2nd degree only and they'd have to retry him for manslaughter.

[pnwmom]

17. It started out only murder 2, but they petitioned the judge to add manslaughter and

the judge agreed.

[joshcryer]

18. Thanks, I actually did just see that post in LBN.

This is good news. I've kept out of Zimmerman threads for this very reason. I know it is not a very good opinion around here but I think manslaughter is an easier sell to a jury than 2nd degree murder. I'm glad manslaughter is now on the table, because Zimmerman has a good chance to now serve the time he deserves (25+ years).