John Good, who witnessed part of the fight between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, was called to testify this week by the prosecution. Unfortunately for the prosecution, Good testified that Martin was astride Zimmerman, who was on the ground, and was pummeling him "MMA style".
(Good said he only saw the downward motion of the arms of the person on top but not the actual striking of the blows.)
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/28/zimmerman-defense-grills-witness-for-second-day/?test=latestnews
So why would the prosecution put Good on the stand when his testimony seems to corroborate Zimmerman's version of the incident? It could be that they wanted to prevent the defense from bringing this out in their own case-thus lesson the impact. Good did not see Zimmerman's head being pounded into the pavement-as Zimmerman says. Yet, it is clear that Good did not see the beginning of the struggle, nor did he see the end when the shot was fired.
The updated link above also describes the testimony of another neighbor, Joe Manalo, who came to the scene after the shooting and described Zimmerman's bloody injuries.
How does all this help the prosecution?
It seems that the prosecution is trying to extract parts of the testimony to try and discredit Zimmerman's claims that he was in fear for his life. For example, Zimmerman reportedly told Manalo that he was being "beaten up."
That is not a justification for shooting someone. The question is whether Zimmerman had cause to fear that he was going to be killed, either by head injuries or Martin going for his (Zimmerman's) gun.
All in all, however, the prosecution is not off to a good start. They'd better have more-a lot more.
Obviously I have not seen/heard all the testimony/evidence to date in this goat-rope, and there is more to come. What I do know is beginning to convince me this is most likely a possibly necessary, at least by the prosecutor's lights, but purely political, trial.
ReplyDeleteProsecutors are supposed to have some ethics. Not only are they supposed to be utterly convinced of a person's guilt, they are also supposedly required to believe there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
From what I have seen, that is not the case here. Several prosecution witnesses to date have actually furnished testimony which supports Zimmerman's statements. I tend to believe (and I have my crow rounded up just in case) that unless something startling comes up, the best the prosecutor can get is a hung jury (with he will not retry), or possibly even an outright acquittal.
You have to remember that Zimmerman did not actually need to have been in danger of severe bodily harm or death, but only that he reasonably believed that to be the case.
This reminds me a lot of the Duke lacrosse team case, where the prosecutor is almost certainly throwing Zimmerman to the wolves to satisfy the minority community that he is doing something, while essentially knowing he probably cannot convict Zimmerman, and then make whatever excuses/apologies he has to later. Most unprofessional to say the least, if that is the case.
And let me be frank and seemingly cold here. This thing literally reeks of a racist little gangbanger (actual or wannabe, doesn't matter), who was also a thief and a dope fiend, with an "attitude", who objected to being followed, physically confronted and attacked Zimmerman, and found out what happens when you take your hands and a sidewalk to a gunfight.
Who is to say how much force you can use while you are getting beaten? You don't have a lot of time to ponder the situation after you were told, according to Zimmerman's statements, that it would be his last day alive. You can't rationally assess the pros and cons of all the options that theoretically been available to him. He has stated that Martin was also trying to smother him over his injured nose and mouth. That must have been very painful as well.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the whole case live on the HLN channel. All his statements and interviews have been remarkably consistent from the time it happened to later interviews on TV.
The State has to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. So far the State is making the case for George Zimmerman through the testimony of its own witnesses.
Yes as the police witness said today-consistent.
ReplyDeletebefore this is over they may convict Trayvon Martin beyond a reasonable doubt.