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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Ron Allen reports on the latest in the Trayvon Martin case, if the current judge on the case will remove herself due to a conflict of interest, Zimmerman's upcoming bond hearing and what the outcome of his arraignment could be.
Given the immense pressure to arrest and try George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, defense attorneys who have worked on other high-profile cases say it will be tough for him to get a fair trial.
The public outcry against Zimmerman, 28, has been intense: More than two million people signed a petition calling for his prosecution; civil rights leaders descended on Sanford, the Florida city where unarmed teen Martin was killed; and almost-daily rallies were held demanding Zimmerman’s arrest.
“There’s no way in the world I think this case could be heard in Sanford. The emotional state there is just too volatile … I don’t think it’s an issue having to deal with media coverage as much as it is local community pressure,” said Jose Baez, the attorney who last year successfully defended Casey Anthony in Orlando, a 30-minute drive from Sanford.
Now that the legal process has begun, Zimmerman will get an opportunity to present his side of the story. But given the intense media spotlight on the case, defense attorneys say it may be hard to find a jury of his peers in this close-knit community who don’t already have an opinion about his guilt or innocence. And even if the trial is moved or jurors are brought in from elsewhere, that may not shield them from public pressure, the attorneys said.
In the trial of Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, jurors had to be brought in from outside Orlando to hear the case. But even though the jury was sequestered during the trial, jurors were left ostracized and some “went into hiding” when their identities were revealed after rendering their decision, Baez said.
“How can a juror feel free to vote their conscience and to place a fair vote when they know, okay, I may be safe in here because I’m sequestered, but once I go out there and once my name is made public, people are going to harass me?” he said.
If jurors face this kind of outcry after delivering “unpopular decisions,” he said, “it may create a chilling effect where jurors are afraid to vote not guilty because of fear for public backlash. Who wants a bunch of media trucks parked outside their house asking them and harassing them as to why they made their decision?”
Zimmerman expected to take the stand in Trayvon Martin murder case
'All that's at stake'
Jeff Deen, a criminal defense lawyer and a former prosecutor who works and lives in the Sanford area, echoed Baez’ comments. He said it would be close to impossible for a jury to be selected in the city where “everybody’s six degrees from somebody.”
“There is some worry about, you know, how this is going to affect the community if you vote guilty or not guilty,” he said. “Is somebody that lives here going to be comfortable acquitting him when they know … all that’s at stake locally?”
AP Photo
Bernhard Goetz, escorted by detectives, leaves New York Police headquarters, Jan. 3, 1984, after his return from Concord, N.H., where he turned himself in and admitted to shooting four youths on a New York subway train in December.
Barry Slotnick, the New York lawyer who has taken on many high-profile defendants, including Bernhard Goetz -- a white man accused of shooting four black teens in 1984 in a case that divided the city -- said he thought Zimmerman, who is charged with second-degree murder in Martin’s death, could get a fair trial but would need a skilled attorney to weed out jurors who may have already decided his guilt.
“In trying Bernie Goetz, one of the newspapers in New York City had a headline, ‘How to get on the Goetz jury,’” he recalled, noting it outlined what they needed to do to accomplish that. “These were not people who were in favor of Bernie Goetz or anything else of that sort, but we survived it.”
Slotnick said Goetz was tried in the city and was acquitted of all charges except for possession of an illegal gun. Slotnick also recalled trying another racially-charged case in which two members of a white Jewish community allegedly beat up a black youth in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights.
He won his clients an acquittal, though he said a juror had struggled with the pressure from her community not to acquit.
“I was in Brooklyn. It was tough, and I knew that if I got any people from the Crown Heights’ area, their decision would be dictated by their race,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether race will be a factor introduced at trial, though the killing of Martin, a black youth, by Zimmerman, who is Hispanic and white, has generated a national debate about race relations.
Slotnick said a potential area of concern in selecting a jury could be African-Americans jurors who have children.
“The president of the United States related to the fact that could have been one of his kids and, you know, is that the way black Americans think? And if it is – I understand it -- but it shouldn’t interfere with the criminal justice system,” he said.
Zimmerman's new attorney: Who is Mark O'Mara?
In the end, Zimmerman may never stand trial. A judge could rule that his actions are covered under the controversial “Stand Your Ground” law, under which a citizen doesn’t have to retreat before using deadly force against an attacker. In such cases where that defense has worked, defendants are given immunity from prosecution -- effectively dismissing the case.
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Leave a Comment:
Of course he won't get a fair trial.
Florida is a big "yahoo" state, with our "stand your ground" legislation --- which IMHO, is comparable to a "wild west" mentality. All of this has LITTLE to do with a previous comment from someone about it being about "blacks and liberals" ---- again....another YAHOO personality ....but has to do more with common sense, rational thinking. George Zimmerman was told NOT to follow Trayvon....but decided himself to do so anyways. What part of NO did he NOT understand, hmmm? ..... and now a young man is dead.
But....Will that matter in Florida? Absoultely not! Zimmerman will walk....and yahoos all over the state can celebrate with a Jack Daniels and cornbread party.....and continue to carry their concealed weapons. We never seem to "progress" anymore, but are now in a constant and steady march bacwards into our more violent past.
Jack Daniels and cornbread? Something tells me you couldn't find Florida on a map if someone spotted Georgia and Alabama for you.
By the way, Florida ranks in the lower percentages when comparing states based on rates of gun violence per population. Apparently, this wild west mentality makes it a pretty safe place to call home?
I've lived in Florida for the past 37 years....and yes.....when one traverses into central (POLK) and other places in the state, the "cornbread and Jack Daniels analogy" is quite perfect, thank you!
I certainly don't need YOUR thoughts about whether or not I can find Florida on a map either, as I have an I.Q. that puts me in the top 5% of people in the United States, so I'll ask you politely to keep your "personal attacks" on me in the privacy of your own thoughts.
Whether or not, Florida has "lower rates" of gun violence pretty much gets renedered irrelevant if someone in your family is killed by a gun....especially when the person doing the shooting is not an officer of the law; but rather a vigilante on his own personal quest (whatever that might have been).
It's also apparent to me, by your comment, that you're a person quite unable to appreciate a bit of satire about rural southern mentalities.
Most everyone that has posted on here have commented about what color their skin is.......the fact is ,in today's world no body loves anybody anymore.It's all about me,me,me.
Does anyone remember that the legal burden of proof lies on the prosecution? They have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman was responsible. I think he has a shot with a defense, but not with a jury. I understand the unfortunate loss of life here, but I also believe that Zimmerman's actions following the incident are not that of a guilty man.
This case is a farce. It is an everyday case that has been turned into a sensation by the media. Zimmerman may be guilty of negligent homicide (may be) but he's not guilty of "hunting down" this Black kid for the sheer enjoyment of killing someone Black. Treyvon was an unknown in a GATED community. This guy was a neighborhood watch participant. There was no planned "hunt down" of any kind.
Even those who have doubts about his guilt will be afraid to be known as a juror who "let him off". We saw what happened with the Casey Anthony case and this was shown beyond any doubt whatsoever. The Black Panthers will also scare jurors into voting guilty; in-fact, that's what they've already done with their threats on tv.
Why is is that Black terrorists like them Black Panthers can promote illegal activity and nothing is done about it? They ARE inciting violence - NOT just demonstrating. The bottom line is that White "powers" (how's that for a joke) such as cops, politicians, etc. are simply AFRAID to stand up on their own two feet due to political correctness. We watch the TV and all day and night see sex scenes, swear words, etc. ... but when it comes o the "n" word, the media (controlled by WHITE men) is afraid to say it. The only guy who seems to have the guts to say so is a gay Black man on CNN named Don Lemon. The rest of the media should have half the guts this dude has.
LOUIS FARRAKHAN MAKING THREATS OF VIOLENCE OVER
Trayvon Martin
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has been among the vocal voices weighing in on calls for justice for Trayvon Martin.
Farrakhan has been calling for “justice” in typically disturbing ways.
The Blaze reports that Farrakhan has been using Twitter to send calls for peace, justice and retaliation that could be interpreted as a veiled threat.
Farrakhan tweeted:
“I am deeply saddened by this beautiful young man’s loss of life.”
“Let us see what kind of justice will come for his breaved family and our bereaved community.”
“Where there is no justice, there will be no peace. Soon and very soon, the law of retaliation may very well be applied.”
Tough sh*t if he doesn't get a "fair" trial. He should have thought about that before he shot Treyvon Martin. But rest assured that due to the state of Florida's NRA-approved "stand-your-ground" or "shoot-a-minority-male-get-out-of-jail-free-card" law, and his daddy being a retired Florida Supreme Court judge, George Zimmerman will walk out of the courtroom a free man.
Coyote87111
Your statement is an example of an uneducated statement.
Coyote87111 banned, re-reg of multiple accounter suzy-sunshine.
I have no secret supernatural abilities to know what happened. Only difference is that I know it.
It amazes me how many people blame the media. If it wasn't for the media this case would be closed already. How come there was no chiming in on how the media wasn't covering the story in the beginning? How come it took 46 days for an arrest??? Dolts don't even know why the media was invented, it was invented for times like this when there is obvious corruption in a system and those in charge fail to do their jobs. No one is looking to lynch him (nice term to use since that is what he did to trayvon). People just wanted to see justice done, as justice was being skirted buy Zimmermann's buddies at the state house. If the situtaiton was reversed and the media not covering it, you would all still be crying about how the media is useless. Its pathetic.
Even if Trayvon did attack him. He was following trayvon and if zimmerman had a right to defend himself, then so did Travon, as he was being stalked by this cop wanabee who in the past has only called 911 when a black person was walking around the neighborrhood. White guys walking around were not suspisious to him. Either that or no white guys ever walking in the neighboorhood.
Regardless his trial will be a billion times more fair then the trial trayvon received..
Did Trayvon get a fair trial?
Yes.
So your advice is to saddle our horses and get a rope? Kind of justifying the opinion of those who think Zimmerman won't get a fair trial don't you think?
Coyote all you are doing is showing what an ignorant racist you are...making an ass of yourself in public..
Coyote87111
Where is the blood? Not only when Zimmerman got beating up, but when Zimmerman shot him, Martin would have had to fall on top of Zimmerman. Again where is the blood. Of course you have no way to proof your version of events. Zimmerman first attorney admitted that Zimmerman followed martin.
You are the one that has a problem with the truth. You just make something up and that's what you believe that truth is.
YES MA'AM!
Do you know if he committed a crime?
Is it ever fair to have twelve people sitting in judgment on an event they weren't present for, which happened quite a while ago? It's the way it works. Five'll get you ten he gets 5 - 10.
Our racist President has interjected himself into a local matter. Therefore, Zimmerman will not get a fair trial. Obama showed that Hispanics and beneath blacks in his mind.
he's actually a Mexijew
are you freaking kidding me, nazarite!? now Obama is racist? could you be anymore narrow minded? half this country discriminates against our president, yet you think he is discriminating because he made a comment in favor of Treyvon?
Anna Nazarite is a bigot cant you tell? Read what the president actually said..its nothing like what these right wing scum claim it is..
Another person just making up things to justify their own racism.
There's no way Zimmerman can get a fair trial. The Liberal Media, MSNBC, Al Sharpton, etc. are to BLAME for
that.
Zimmerman's family should SUE MSNBC and every other liberal station that turned it into racism.
congrats for the idiotic suggestion of the day.
Are you saying that Trayvon is completely innocent and has no fault in this which means Zimmerman is guilty no matter what the circumstances? How about waiting for the trail to reveal facts and evidence before prejudging like the lame stream media, Sharpton, Jackson and the NBP has.
Paul says..
Zimmerman's family should SUE MSNBC and every other liberal station that turned it into racism.
Oh thats right,.,calling someone a coon isnt racist,.,.why its a term of endearment!!! Idiot..
".............defense attorneys who have worked on other high-profile cases say it will be tough for him to get a fair trial."
At least he'll get a trial, whereas Trayvon Martin will not. Zimmerman appointed himself judge, jury and executioner and as the aggressor he should be judged accordingly.
how do you know? were you there? oh that's right you weren't!
And the only whitness said he saw Trayvon martin beating up Zimmerman.
CASE CLOSED..
"how (sic) do you know?"
I researched the issue. Zimmerman disregarded police orders and stalked the victim.
"were (sic) you there? oh (sic) that's right you weren't!"
And you were? Please share with us your observations of the encounter.
"And the only whitness (sic) said he saw Trayvon martin (sic) beating up Zimmerman."
As would I if Zimmerman was stalking me in a neighborhood I had the right to be in. In any event, eye witness testimony has proven to be incorrect more times than I can count.
"CASE CLOSED.."
LOL. You're just another self-appointed judge and jury. "Stand your ground" laws are just that; they don't give you the right to pursue a person who has not committed a crime, much less a person who has not committed any form of aggression against you.
Teal ..There is no such testimony.. idiot!!
Martin has EVERY to Defend himself. The STAND YOU GROUND law should apply to him as well.
Guilty, not guilty, it all depends on the make up of the jury and how good the lawyers are. What I think and what everyone else thinks is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is what the jury thinks. That's our system of justice, not perfect but there you have it. I think that the stand your ground law will be on trial for months even years to come. I have a concealed weapons permit, and believe that we should have the right to defend ourselves but it only takes an incident like this to give anti-gun advocates grounds to challenge the 2nd amendment. I don't have an answer but I know why I have a gun, it's because this country is a violent and barbaric society.
The Baggers have a new hero - George Zimmerman. First it was George Wallace, then David Duke, now Zimmerman get's em going.
There are so many offensive words that we are not allowed to say, and we know what they are. I don't belong to the tea party, but the term "T" baggers" is right up there with the "N" word. It also shows that you are out of facts, because you have diverted to offensive name calling. Putting it on Facebook demonstrates the way you wish to be perceived. So be it.
Joe, everyone you mentioned (Zimmerman, Wallace, and Duke) were or are Democrats. The Tea Party (assuming this is who your "baggers" term is directed at) typically don't support Democrats.
You really should try to keep up.
Wallace was a "Dixiecrat" a group who all became modern Republicans due to their opposition to the segregation issue, Duke was a Republican and ran for POTUS as such and Zimmerman has spoken with ONE media person, that being Sean Hannity.
Could it be you're a raging moron? Hmmmm.....
Duke was a Democrat up until 1988 (were or are). He was a candidate in the Democratic presidential primaries in 1988 and the Republican presidential primaries in 1992. He was a Grand Wizard of the KKK while a member of the Democratic party. Wallace was and is a lifelong avowed Democrat. Zimmerman is a registered Democrat and worked on the election campaigns for local Democrats.
If, I'm a raging moron wouldn't you be my king?
Kind of stings when someone points out your stupidity doesn't it?
Duke was a former Republican Louisiana State Representative long before he ran for POTUS. Guess that makes him a Republican well before the example you gave - and you a verified moron. Nice revisionist history on Wallace and the Dixiecrats. Perhaps it wasn't revisionist...maybe you're just a clueless blowhard who has no sense of history. That makes a lot more sense. Lastly, assuming Zimmerman is even a Democrat (sorry - given your obvious ignorance I'll require proof other than your assertion) why would he call of all people Sean Hannity? As you know, Hannity is a clown/entertainer on the far right fringe - not exactly someone a Democrat or centrist would turn to as Zimmerman did.
Thanks for the lolz, moron. I realize baggers have no grasp of history and a tenuous relationship with logic, but you take things to a whole new level. Impressive!
My information on Duke comes from his web page. His political history is well documented and easily researched. My information on Wallace came from multiple links off of a google search all of which state that he has always been a member of the Democratic party. I made no comment on the "Dixiecrats". Zimmerman is on record as stating he is a Democrat and his name is listed on the Florida Democratic party rolls.
Dude, your counter argument is nothing more than lies and insults.
Your stupidity is beyond explanation. Are you high?
Your ignorance is astounding. Duke was a Republican Louisiana State Representative from day one and blaming your bad sources, while your right, marks you as an uneducated fool. Of course you didn't make reference to the Dixiecrats - you're completely historically clueless like most baggers. Southern Democrats like Wallace were Democrats in name only due to Lincoln being a Republican and (in their opinion) screwing them. Historical context is key here and unfortunately your ignorance is laughable. Still waiting on your "sources" regarding Zimmerman's alleged Democratic status. Nice avoidance of the Hannity connection too.
High? No. You a moron? Yes! Look up the term "pwned" and you'll learn what's just happened to you.
"dead wrong"
"unknown facts"
"their"
"once to be Liberal brain" (??)
LOL...classic bagger!!.
Joe, anyone with internet access or a good memory will recall that David Duke ran for President as a Democrat in 1988. I took no position on the Dixiecrats. Google George Zimmerman political party and do your own research. And I don't care who Zimmerman gets interviewed by, because it is not relevant to his innocence or guilt.
You are either a liar or an imbecile and your comments dumb down the discussion. When someone argues with a fool, it can become difficult for others to tell the difference, so I'm not arguing with you anymore.
Given that you've been owned, I don't blame you. You make up your own "facts", ignore historical context and willfully choose to overlook corroborating evidence.
Imbecile indeed.
Joe, I agree with you completely - you are indeed an imbecile.
Have a nice day.
Joe, Newsvine is informing me that you are trying to send threatening e-mails to my personal e-mail account through my Newsvine profile. I have asked them not to send them through and have advised them to forward your e-mails to the appropriate authorities who will be able to identify you through your IP address.
Grow up.
Wow...first i thought you'd quit "arguing", then you proved you have no sense of irony, now you've sunk to a new low- baseless slander!
Actually I've just been informed by the Secret Service that you've been posting threatening letters to President Obama on the net. Better watch that sort of behavior, big guy. Your IP is being tracked as I write.
Get on some meds - and fast!
Joe Koh fb-honkyjack, a Newsvine member, has added you as a friend on Newsvine.
Sweet Fennel!
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JEEZE Oscar....You ARE a GROUCH!
Received earlier from "Oscar the Grouch". This guy is a piece of work!!! WOW.
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Give him a half white/hispanic-ish jury and he stands a fair chance.
You probably mean half Hispanic/half Hebrew. Since there are only 6 people in the world that would fit that definition, it is not likely they will be chosen and even if they do they would not be enough to exercise their prejudice and find him innocent. Let a random distribution of the community be chosen, surely you dont think racism would dominate the application of law in America?!? LOL
I thought he was white and Peruvian? That's the only reason I chose the "ish". I meant no offense.
At least he will get a trial. It would never have happened if the media many hate so much had not let the world know how inappropriate the legal system in Fla has been. Zimmerman will come out better off whether he is found guilty or innocent. He seems so disturbed, he would have gone through life without knowing if he did the right thing or not. Now, the community he lives in will decide if he is a mindless killer or a victim of his own stupidity.
The black boy did it
This is pathetic what is going on.
The black protestors might as well go outside with torches and pitchforks and yell "HANG HIM!!" This kind of behavior takes us all back 200 years. It seems that common sense isn't something that just automatically comes with FREEDOM, huh?
What the hell do you think EVERYONE was doing during the Casey Anthony trial?
Stan, you are clearly living with a mind stopped in its development 200 years ago. Take off the pointy white hood and look around. Your racism is showing through to the rest of us as you scream "common sense." Common sense applies to all sides of the issue not just to your preconceived, racist-based side.
Nice post Tex.,.and if you are from Texas so much the better!! Love the remarks about "pointy hoods"
That is what white use to do. Give me one statement from any black public official at any rally that called for any violence against Zimmerman.
I can't believe how many people have commented about "the black community" and the blacks want him lynched, etc. First of all, how racist can this country get? Its sad. Secondly, those of you who have commented with disdain that he won't get a fair trial and using the above phrases I mentioned, (and I'm going to assume most of you are white conservatives) that if your teenager was shot by a black man, you would be so hell bent on prosecuting him it wouldn't even be funny!!
Anna you are so right,..,.i am amazed at the display of bigotry here..and these morons dont even realize it!!
The man has already been lynched by the black community, he has had hits put out on him and his family, then you got selfish idiot racists using this whole case for their Idiot agenda. The man has already been convicted by the news media as usual, seems they do that to everyone today..There was not a media outlet that didn't lynch and hang the man without a trial so how can he even see Justice. Oh but the new black panthers will put out million dollar hits and see no penalty or justice for their criminal acts of stupidity and they again will tell the country that they as being so picked on don't have to live by the laws of this country and it shows in their willingness to fill their city streets with UN Checked Violence's and drug infestation, never confronting the problems with black on black, black on white, killings that accrue every day in their infestation of crimes, crimes that just seem to be swept under the table unless it fits their corrupt agenda.. Zimmerman should walk, guilty or not these idiots made it so the public will have to flip the bill to protect him the rest of his life against selfish idiots who even Dis respected the dead boy. Today America is full of ignorance and has it's men and women of America which is not a Race but a people who work together to make America great and as we see today,, so many are still ignorant from their forefathers past and to any moral standard or any other standards unless it fits their sick agenda...
You win the dumb post of the day award, this must be such an honor for you. Come on Speech, Speech...
The newsmedia and the administration have jumped on this story to distract Americans from the lousy job Obama has done. This kind of unemployment with a republican pres and nothing else would be reported until election day.
Anything to avoid telling the truth about how the Liberals have screwed up the economy.
Can you imagine if there is reasonable doubt (remember that "not guilty" doesn't mean innocent) or other reason to acquit....would you want to be a juror who has to be concerned with Spike Lee, the Black Panthers, and others putting your name and address out there, inciting whackos to do you and your family harm?
This is what happens when the media gets involved in anything. They put their own slant on it based on the producers idea of what happened.. he is not an eye witness but he has the power of the media to effect the minds of the public....that is what happened here. Then you get the black community angered by the Al and Jesse thowing their 2 cents in.
sure a kid died, that is bad for all, however kids die everyday and the media unless it is something that can gain notoriety doesn't give a damn about it. Headlines make money.
He called him a f** coon but now says he really said F Goon and that was a term of endearment...Ya right..
And he did pursue him after being told not to...get your facts straight,,.,.how do you think the confrontation happened?
He was just like the rest of the bigots here..just looking for a reason to kill a black kid...But I guess the prosecutor must be part of the anti while liberal conspiracy!!!
He did not pursue after the dispatcher said he did not need to. Listen to the 911 call, he agrees to meet with the police. Zimmerman could never catch Martin, and never intended to. He was just reporting to police where he was. It's all recorded.
He walked just far enough to get the next house number in order to let police know where he was at...
c-166 has already convicted the guy and has the noose tied and ready...ah nothing like racist justice... eh c?
nice revisionist history. stick to being a greeter at walmart.
Joe, it's all recorded fact.
you don't know any of what you say, "everyone", most of which is false. Zimmerman ask if the police would call him when they got there so he could tell them where he was. If he did return to his truck and was attacked by Martin there as some claim, how did he kill Trayvon Martin nowhere near his truck? There are more holes in Zimmerman's story than in a wheel of Swiss cheese.
Yes Yet and the screams before the shot were Martins..but these people dont give a damn..to them its another black kid hitting the dust and they are cheering for Zimmerman...no matter how flimsy his excuses..
The attack took place on the path back to the truck. If you look at the map, along with the timeline of events, this would be obvious to you. Do you think GZ somehow located TM somehow and caught up with him? Do you think GZ was a track star and could even get close to TM? Look at the facts.