George Zimmerman's attorneys withdraw from Trayvon Martin case

[Excon]

Well I'm basing it on a couple things.

1) he hasn't been charged with anything for him to declare a defense yet so I have no idea what it is he will declare innocence to.
2) if in a trial, he most likely won't take the stand to speak.​

I'm interested in getting people under oath and then seeing what kind of answers they spew to questions rather than this media thing. I get the feeling that the answers will flesh out some of this tabloid crap that we are being fed.

I would say that in this case, if it went to trial, he will take the stand.

 

[poweRob]

It flew just fine the first time. And stood up to, what was it, five hours of questioning.

This time though if he is in contact with the special prosecutor, she will be trying to trip him up.

meh... I'm not the kind to trust the cops that much when they have their reputation on media-trial as much as Zimmerman is at this point.

 

[ThePlayDrive]

As has already been pointed out, the defense does not have to prove anything, just introduce enough reasonable doubt.

Oh, you forgot the other part of my post which gives context. Let me help you out:

Well, if the prosecution has a good argument, then the defense better prove something. That's good advice for someone who doesn't want to go to jail, yes?

 

[poweRob]

I would say that in this case, if it went to trial, he will take the stand.

I don't know man. Almost always, lawyers tell their clients not to take the stand.

 

[ThePlayDrive]

I don't know man. Almost always, lawyers tell their clients not to take the stand.

Yeah, that's usually a bad idea and since this guy sounds like he's lost his damn mind, probably a worse idea...for him, not for Martin's family though.

 

[Excon]

Oh, you forgot the other part of my post which gives context. Let me help you out:

Well, if the prosecution has a good argument, then the defense better prove something. That's good advice for someone who doesn't want to go to jail, yes?

Actually no, I didn't forget it. It doesn't matter if they have a good argument or not.
It has no bearing.
The defense doesn't have to prove anything, only introduce reasonable doubt.

 

[Kreton]

Well, if the prosecution has a good argument, then the defense better prove something.

Reasonable doubt is all they need. And two witnesses and injuries provide that. That provides reasonable doubt for a murder case.

Manslaughter might be another story. I think that manslaughter could fly because they then only have to prove that Zimmerman used excessive force. The eye witnesses and injuries would not excuse that.

 

[ThePlayDrive]

Actually no, I didn't forget it. It doesn't matter if they have a good argument or not.
It has no bearing.
The defense doesn't have to prove anything, only introduce reasonable doubt.

Your advice would be HORRIBLE if you were a defense attorney. Is it your opinion that the only thing a defense attorney should do is read his client's statement and just sit down for the rest of the trial?

 

[ThePlayDrive]

Reasonable doubt is all they need. And two witnesses and injuries provide that. That provides reasonable doubt for a murder case.

Manslaughter might be another story. I think that manslaughter could fly because they then only have to prove that Zimmerman used excessive force. The eye witnesses and injuries would not excuse that.

I'm pretty sure manslaughter is what they'll go for since that's the only charge that seems reasonable to prove. In any case, I find it odd that you speak with such certainty. I thought we were supposed to be reserving judgment?

 

[Kreton]

Well I'm basing it on a couple things.

1) he hasn't been charged with anything for him to declare a defense yet so I have no idea what it is he will declare innocence to.
2) if in a trial, he most likely won't take the stand to speak.​

I'm interested in getting people under oath and then seeing what kind of answers they spew to questions rather than this media thing. I get the feeling that the answers will flesh out some of this tabloid crap that we are being fed.

I think when its all said and done things will come out too. But either way people wont like them.

 

[Kreton]

I'm pretty sure manslaughter is what they'll go for since that's the only charge that seems reasonable to prove. In any case, I find it odd that you speak with such certainty. I thought we were supposed to be reserving judgment?

My cockiness comes across as speaking with certainty. I dont know what happened. I try not to pretend I do most of the time.

 

[JasonI]

Wait wait wait. When did you learn all of this? Can you please show me where it says they fired him?

They had a press conference and I heard them say it. He had not returned their calls in two days and Zimmerman was trying to reach the special prosecutor, but they wouldn't talk to him...so he called Hannity instead...

 

[Kreton]

They had a press conference and I heard them say it. He had not returned their calls in two days and Zimmerman was trying to reach the special prosecutor, but they wouldn't talk to him...so he called Hannity instead...

That does not mean they fired him. Sounds like he dismissed them. Or doesnt feel like he needs them.

 

[JasonI]

That does not mean they fired him. Sounds like he dismissed them. Or doesnt feel like he needs them.

Well, if he dismissed them he forget to tell them...

 

[ARealConservative]

I have never understood this. Why is cooperating a bad thing unless you are trying to beat a charge for a crime you did in fact commit? Everyone should always cooperate fully.

worst advice you could possibly give is to coooperate

 

[Excon]

I don't know man. Almost always, lawyers tell their clients not to take the stand.

There are times when defense counsel wants their client to take the stand. Especially when their story is consistent and the client can't be tripped-up.
If he is speaking with the prosecutor now, without counsel, that is bad, but is an indication of what he would decide in trial.
In the court room, with representation it is a different story. And it would be his choice.

I can not see a lawyer suggesting that he not take the stand in this situation, because the jury is going to want to here what he has to say, not just read the statement he gave to police.
Of course that is unless he has given the prosecutor different info than the original statement.
If he has, then no-go.

 

[Kreton]

worst advice you could possibly give is to coooperate

Why? If more people cooperated things would probably go much much better unless your lying. Zimmerman should be cooperating fully.

 

[Excon]

Is it your opinion that the only thing a defense attorney should do is read his client's statement and just sit down for the rest of the trial?

WTH?
Where are you getting that from?

 

[poweRob]

There are times when defense counsel wants their client to take the stand. Especially when their story is consistent and the client can't be tripped-up.
If he is speaking with the prosecutor now, without counsel, that is bad, but is an indication of what he would decide in trial.
In the court room, with representation it is a different story. And it would be his choice.

I can not see a lawyer suggesting that he not take the stand in this situation, because the jury is going to want to here what he has to say, not just read the statement he gave to police.
Of course that is unless he has given the prosecutor different info than the original statement.
If he has, then no-go.

Well when you go on the stand it becomes more than just the evidence you bring. If you are a direct character in the instance that the trial is about, the jury will look at how you provide the evidence. You can hear them all the time practically saying, "I didn't like the way he..." "He didn't come off as believable because he... twitched, had bad eye contact...." you name it. Much to lose by testifying on your own behalf.

 

[Excon]

Why? If more people cooperated things would probably go much much better unless your lying. Zimmerman should be cooperating fully.

If you choose to do so, that is your choice.

Please take the time to watch the following vid, if you have not done so already.

Professor James Duane (Regent Law School) Former Defense Attorney & a experienced police officer tells you why you should never agree to be interviewed or speak to the Police.​

 

[Excon]

Well when you go on the stand it becomes more than just the evidence you bring. If you are a direct character in the instance that the trial is about, the jury will look at how you provide the evidence. You can hear them all the time practically saying, "I didn't like the way he..." "He didn't come off as believable because he... twitched, had bad eye contact...." you name it. Much to lose by testifying on your own behalf.

I know! :mrgreen:

 

[ARealConservative]

Why? If more people cooperated things would probably go much much better unless your lying. Zimmerman should be cooperating fully.

an honest cop will tell you the same thing. You have nothing to gain and everything to lose by speaking to them.

 

[Kreton]

an honest cop will tell you the same thing. You have nothing to gain and everything to lose by speaking to them.

I know that everyone says that. But if you aren't hiding anything, what could possibly be wrong with it?

 

[poweRob]

Why? If more people cooperated things would probably go much much better unless your lying. Zimmerman should be cooperating fully.

Depends on whether or not you are trying to control the message. If you want it to be seen as best possible in the light you want it provided in, then you probably don't want to cooperate too much.

 

[ARealConservative]

I know that everyone says that. But if you aren't hiding anything, what could possibly be wrong with it?

someone posted a video that will give examples that explain it much better then I can.