The state of FL v. George Zimmerman

[Dancing David]

Some of these state witnesses don't seem to be very helpful for the prosecution.

Did the prosecution call them up just to get their harmful testimony out of the way, to avoid it being fresh when the jury deliberates? Is that a common tactic?

Can the defense call them up again as one of their witnesses?

It is more likely that they are just building their base, about things as a framework, rather than "I saw so and so punch whatshisname", so the timing and relative position, but the main thrust (in my nonlegal opinion) will be based upon what is reasonable for GZ in terms of action. But if they jury is swayed by GZ's testimony, that won't matter.

 

[Dancing David]

This helps the prosecution. I'm not sure how, but I bet it does.

Kind of impeached himself.

 

[Mister Earl]

I'm thinking the main thrust of the prosecution will be something along the line of, "Does the 'Stand your ground' defense still matter if you decide to put the ground you want to stand on under somebody else?"

 

[Bob001]

.....Do you think this is helpful to the prosecution ?
....

One commentator made the point that it is in the prosecution's interest to call all the witnesses, even ones who are not helpful to its case, to show the jury that it is presenting all the evidence in a fair way. Otherwise the defense could could call the witness and tell the jury "Here's a guy the prosecutor didn't want you to hear from."

 

[Unabogie]

Zimmerman called someone besides his wife after the shot and before the police arrived. No info on who he called.

 

[Unabogie]

Manola was out there in 10-20 seconds. Which means the whole swap positions, help me restrain this guy, he was still struggling and cursing at me. None of that happened.

 

[Cylinder]

Manola was out there in 10-20 seconds. Which means the whole swap positions, help me restrain this guy, he was still struggling and cursing at me. None of that happened.

Mr. Manola encountered Zimmerman after he had stood up and walked away. The whole swap positions had already happened.

 

[Unabogie]

Witness just put Zimmerman up by the T after the shooting.

 

[Unabogie]

Mr. Manola encountered Zimmerman after he had stood up and walked away. The whole swap positions had already happened.

Right. Within 10 seconds? Zimmerman claims Martin spoke, sat up, fell over. He got on top, then he tried to restrain him as he struggled. He called for help. No one came. Then he spread his arms out. Then he holstered his gun. Then he walked away. And made it to the T.

In ten seconds.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Yet another "prosecution" witness testifying for the defense.

1:37 p.m. ET: Manalo says Zimmerman told police he was the shooter and he also immediately complied with the officer who wanted to take his gun.

1:35 p.m. ET: West asks Manalo if Zimmerman told him, “This guy was beating me up and I shot him.”

“I was defending myself and I shot him,” added Manalo.

Zimmerman never asked him to take a photo of his head. Manalo says he decided to do it himself.

1:34 p.m. ET: Manalo says Zimmerman asked if he was bleeding. He saw Zimmerman squat down.

"He was breathing hard, he looked like he had just gotten his butt beat," said West.

"Yes," said Manalo.

1:30 p.m. ET: Defense attorney West has started his cross-examination. Manalo says he didn't see what happened before the shot. He describes how he left his house -- walking carefully, not running.

 

[Cylinder]

O'Mara just threw his phone! LOL

 

[eeyore1954]

The fact remains that this witness did not see a single punch thrown.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zim...ns-fatal-fight/story?id=19517236#.Uc3RK_mR8Zk

at 1:25
He did not see "fist meets face" but he did see what his first thought was ground and pound.

Not actually seeing fist meets face is not the same as not seeing a single punch thrown or knowing that punches were being thrown.

 

[Natural Born Skeptic]

O'Mara just threw his phone! LOL

Not watching, can you elaborate?

Also, are there any estimates on how long this trial is going to last?

 

[TheL8Elvis]

Manola was out there in 10-20 seconds. Which means the whole swap positions, help me restrain this guy, he was still struggling and cursing at me. None of that happened.

Right. Within 10 seconds? Zimmerman claims Martin spoke, sat up, fell over. He got on top, then he tried to restrain him as he struggled. He called for help. No one came. Then he spread his arms out. Then he holstered his gun. Then he walked away. And made it to the T.

In ten seconds.

Could all that happen in 10-20 seconds ? Absolutely.

Do you have some proof it didn't happen, other than your own incredulity ?

 

[TheL8Elvis]

Finished with Stacy Livingston (EMT). Not much of interest there.

Officer Tim Smith (husband of CST Diana Smith) on the stand now. First officer on the scene.

 

[Cylinder]

Previously Mr. Manola testified that Zimmerman threw his phone to the ground. The state framed it kind of as callous behavior.

The next witness, OFC Ayala, was the second on the scene, backing up OFC Smith who was alone and with Zimmerman at gunpoint. During cross, O'Mara asked questions about officer safety protocols. O'Mara stood beside the podium with the phone in his hand and asked Ayala how he would order a person to put away the cellphone. First he reached around to put the phone in his back pocket and Ayala said no. Next he put in his jacket pocket and Ayala said no. O'Mara asked how to do it and Ayala said, "drop it." O'Mara tossed his phone to the floor. Funny stuff.

 

[Cylinder]

Not watching, can you elaborate?

Also, are there any estimates on how long this trial is going to last?

My guess is three more weeks. We still have ME, FDLE Firearms Lab, FDLE Biology Lab and experts for the state plus whatever Zimmerman statements. We haven't even touched the detectives yet. Then defense will have a presentation to present and then the state can put on a rebuttal case.

 

[WildCat]

So far the prosecution is doing a great job establishing facts that no one disputes. Not so much in presenting evidence that Zimmerman is guilty of murder.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Also, are there any estimates on how long this trial is going to last?

Some experts say it's already over.

 

[Natural Born Skeptic]

My guess is three more weeks. We still have ME, FDLE Firearms Lab, FDLE Biology Lab and experts for the state plus whatever Zimmerman statements. We haven't even touched the detectives yet. Then defense will have a presentation to present and then the state can put on a rebuttal case.

For those of us who agree that so far the states case is no looking good for them, and assuming that continues to be the case, what do you think the likelihood of putting GZ on the stand is?