George Zimmerman to be charged in Trayvon Martin shooting, law enforcement official says

[RandySF]

Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey plans to announce as early as Wednesday afternoon that she is charging neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, according to a law enforcement official close to the investigation.


It was not immediately clear what charge Zimmerman will face.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/george-zimmerman-to-be-charged-in-trayvon-martin-shooting-law-enforcement-official-says/2012/04/11/gIQAHJ5oAT_story.html?tid=sm_facebook

[aikoaiko]

1. Manslaughter at most, I think.

[RandySF]

3. I'm betting 2nd degree murder.

If Zimmerman started the fight and finished it with a gun, wouldn't that be Murder Two?

[TheWraith]

5. That depends on the circumstances of the death.

If it were determined that he had a reasonable belief he would suffer death or serious bodily harm (including a serious beating) that would be manslaughter. If it was decided he did not have a reasonable belief, then that's murder two.

A manslaughter conviction in this case is pretty much a lock, since even Zimmerman's own story doesn't get him out of that, but I suspect murder two as well. Too much conflicting evidence. Although obviously it also depends on what the prosecutor thinks they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. A prosecutor might decide that a 100% chance of a manslaughter conviction would be preferable to an 80% chance of a murder two conviction.

[cali]

2. I've been saying he'll be charged with manslaughter since she dismissed the

GJ the other day.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. Yes!

Mobilization, protests, pressure and fighting for civil rights works

Yes indeed!

[Hugabear]

6. Well we know who WON'T be going to track him down and capture him

[Whisp]

7. this had to be done today

or asap after the news of him in hiding.

good.

now let's find that piece of shit.

[RandySF]

8. I have a question about Zimmerman's dad.

How is a magistrate dumb enough to talk to the press?

[Whisp]

9. so many bizarre things in this case.

I suppose the dad thought he was being protected by the Sanford police? and was just drumming up sympathy for his poor misunderstood little boy.

another angle: he must be a repuglican and they lie like rugs, they can't help it.

[Blaze Diem]

10. I hope this is correct..I have so little faith in the Sanford PD system, the Justice system, & the

hate that divides this country by their actions.
Just hope if he is charged it is for the crime of murder & that he actually is found guilty in the end.

I would like my faith in the US Justice system to be restored somewhat. Show some proof that it does exist.

[grasswire]

15. I don't judge the "U.S. Justice system" by FL law enforcement

States administer justice according to the voters who elect each state Attorney General, as well as elected judges, sheriffs, etc.

So I don't think that an egregious miscarriage of justice in any particular state affects the "U.S. Justice system." Because there is really no U.S. system governing murder.

But I know what you mean.

[Blaze Diem]

20. Thanks

I recall when I used to trust that the legal system worked.

But hey, I still believe that the demise of New York's Twin Towers was an inside job, also.

My best to the Martin Family, anyway.

[DCKit]

11. How long to you have to contemplate murdering someone before it's considered 1st degree?

Do you even have to consider any particular individual, or is the intent to murder anyone "of color", at your earliest convenience, applicable?

[RandySF]

12. I have no doubt Zimmerman planned to draw his gun.

The momment he got out of his car, he probably planned to play cop and at least detain Trayvon while aiming his weapon. Proving it, however, would be difficult.

[cali]

14. I think it all depends.

Recently a local school teacher was brutally murdered in front of her two year old son after this married couple lured her from her house by calling her and saying they had car problems on her isolated country road. They bought a cell phone they believed couldn't be traced and there was an abundance of evidence that they had planned this. The local State's Attorney charged them with second degree murder. (btw, the victim knew the couple- they used to plow her driveway. she thought they were weird so she alerted someone that she was going out to help them)

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-03-28/news/31251898_1_snow-plow-driver-school-teacher-science-teacher

[DCKit]

17. It was more of a rhetorical question.

They're either going to charge with what they think will fly, or they're corrupt and looking to get their guy off.

However, in the case you cite, that they didn't go for murder 1 just blows me away. Whether or not they planned to commit a simple robbery, they were also prepared to kill.

[grasswire]

16. Nancy Grace pointed out that the moment when the trigger is pulled...

...is the moment that freezes intent. Doesn't matter whether the shooter regretted it the moment after the trigger was pulled. Doesn't matter if he didn't intend to pull the trigger the moment before it was pulled. What matters is the intent at the very moment the trigger was pulled. That's my understanding.

[DCKit]

18. Nancy Grace is a hack, the Jerry Springer of attorneys.

Not that she's wrong, but she pisses me off.

[grasswire]

23. sure

But she has been on the right side of the Trayvon Martin case.

[Nye Bevan]

13. Don't prosecutors usually "charge up"?

I'm guessing he'll be charged with second degree murder, but there will be a plea deal for manslaughter.

[obamanut2012]

21. That's what I'm betting, too

[obamanut2012]

19. If Corey is smart, the charge will be manslaughter

Which should be able to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Casey Anthony was (rightly) found not guilty because the DA overreached. I'm betting Corey will want a relatively easy trial or even a plea deal, because this is a case full of bad, bad PR.

[Nye Bevan]

22. An OJ Simpson-style circus, possibly followed by riots after the verdict,

would be horrendous. I think the prosecution side would agree to one year in county jail to avoid that kind of spectacle.

[grasswire]

24. George would have to be in protective custody, I believe.

The general population of the county jail would not be kind to him.