(Via GZLegalCase)  In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel posted September 29, 2012, Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump describes race as the “elephant in the room” in the George Zimmerman case.

The term “elephant in the room” typically describes something that people won’t talk about — despite how obvious and apparent it is. This term is misapplied in this case. Mr. Crump has led a chorus of voices in drawing attention to the race factor in the George Zimmerman case, including comments from the President of the United States. While it can be safely argued that it is largely the question of civil rights issues that has made the George Zimmerman case a national — and international — story, there is nothing to support the contention of racism in the Zimmerman case.

The real “elephant in the room,” however, is that race should not be a factor in the George Zimmerman case, and should never have been made one. (more…)

The Florida Evidence Manual:

Section 90.404(1)(b) allows evidence of a pertinent trait of character of the victim of a crime to be offered by an accused; or by the prosecution to rebut the trait; or evidence of a character trait of peacefulness of the victim offered by the prosecution in a homicide case to rebut evidence that the victim was the aggressor. (more…)

Obviously Benjamin Crump does not realize this statement directly contradicts the previous public assertions by his clients Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton.  Or maybe he does, and he is intentionally tormenting his team with his insufferable ineptitude.

Also, considering this essentially boils down to a physical confrontation between a Six Foot two-inch 160 lb 17-year-old, Trayvon Martin, and a Five Foot seven-inch 170 lb 28-year-old, George Zimmerman, how can Benjamin Crump think the only relevent aspect is the behavioral psychology of only one party ? (more…)

Yesterday an interview with Robert Zimmerman aired on KTTV in Los Angeles.   Some of you have already visited the site and watched the video.   Here is the preview segment which also contains the perspectives of the interviewer Robin Sax:

Here is the full 8+ minute interview:

In addition MyFoxLA posts a written letter of condolence from Robert Jr, Robert Sr, Gladys and George’s sister on their site. An excerpt follows:

[…]  The time has come for all to know the truth about our feelings immediately after Trayvon’s passing. (more…)

An avid advocate for the Trayvon Martin family and legal team, Frances Robles, critiques the Osterman book for inconsistencies in George Zimmerman’s account. We previously outlined the short-sighted risk and unintended consequences from misplaced advocacy within the book itself; and as expected every aspect of the Mark Osterman account is being dissected to create an inconsistent narrative.

MIAMI — Trayvon Martin grabbed his killer’s gun just moments before he died and uttered a profanity-laced threat. In a desperate life-or-death struggle, George Zimmerman clutched Trayvon’s wrist, broke his grip on the semi-automatic firearm and shot him once in the chest.

That account appears in a new book written by Zimmerman’s best friend and confidante.

There’s just one problem: Zimmerman never said that to the police.

Now the book, Defending Our Friend: The Most Hated Man in America, and author Mark Osterman’s two television interviews have landed on the prosecution evidence list, as more versions of Zimmerman’s story emerge. A man who wrote a book calling Zimmerman “the kindest and most sincere” person will wind up in court — for the prosecution, experts agree. (more…)

The headlines are screaming with significance these days, and I’ll readily admit my disconnect from reviewing the various nuances of the Trayvon Martin shooting out of an abundance of necessary time management. But something has been on my mind that might help perspective.

George Zimmerman never met Trayvon Martin.

George Zimmerman never met Trayvon Martin; at least not the Trayvon Martin the media has introduced people to.

George Zimmerman never met the 12-year-old pee-wee football player who was described by his teacher as “majoring in cheerfulness”.

That “child” was never in the life of George Zimmerman. The child yearning for Skittles and Iced Tea the media describes, was never present on the night of February 26th 2012.   So who did George meet?

George Zimmerman met a six foot two inch, 160 lb, young man.

George met a 17-year-old troubled teenager who was missing any substantive adult in his life to understand him, engage with him, monitor him and deliver guidance to him. George met the outcome of two detached and divorced parents who choose to view their son, Trayvon, as a task. A task to be managed. (more…)

The anonymous author of the Osterman book deconstruction series requested the opportunity to share their perspective on the outcome of the Mark and Sondra appearance on the Dr. Phil show (air date Sept. 11th).    We present the following summation in their own words.  The following is NOT authored by TCH.

Dr Phil (Hatchet Man) vs. Ill-prepared Ostermans

I am not sure how to post comments about the show because there was so much back-and-forth it was hard to keep it straight. I have decided to address the show comments/discussions in order so that it makes sense.

I had planned on only addressing the Ostermans’ comments but I feel that it is important to talk about the show as a whole because it was exactly what was expected from Dr Phil, an AMBUSH.

It is obvious that the Ostermans had intended to help George through the book release and interview. With that said, those of us that were aware of the pending book and interview gritted our teeth in hopes that the Ostermans didn’t damage George’s case any further. SILENCE IS GOLDEN!

As stated in the Introductory Post last week in the Treehouse, there was ZERO upside for George in providing interviews to the media before the case is complete. There is no doubt that Corey was watching and will likely have the unedited tape in the next evidence dump.

Within the first minute of the show, as the pictures of a young, innocent Trayvon were plastered across the screen, all of us knew what slant the show would bring. When they showed the lightened picture of Trayvon in his hoodie it was confirmed that this would be another media hack job. I felt as though we were taken back to the days in March and April before evidence has been released and current photos were available. (more…)

Only partially tongue in cheek.

Perhaps some of the outer circle Z’s, The Mesa’s, The Osterman’s and various other semi-associated outliers et al  should hold a giant BBQ over the Labor Day holiday weekend and gather together in fellowship.

After lunch they can circle the lawn chairs, break out legal pads and collectively decide who is going to be allowed to “cash in”.    Through the rules process of closed collective bargaining once the “who” is determined they can then draw up a collaborative annual schedule, and timeline, for “cashing-in” activities.

Perhaps Mark O’Mara could be invited to moderate the discussion (I would recommend maybe bring a couple of bouncers) then, after determinations of agreement, he can facilitate and write up the contractual agreements about who can do what, when and for how much.

No need to invite George, he is irrelevent to the process.

(oh, but reminder – the crew would need George to pay O’Mara for his time and trough construction, so keep track of the time and submit the bill for payment…. k? )

Below is an e-mail from Sondra Osterman regarding the position of her and Mark Osterman about their book on George Zimmerman:

But apparently the Osterman Family Does (e-mail below) 

This informational post is independently authored by a guest of the Treehouse.  Part One in a continuing series of independently submitted guest posts:  

“The Introduction”

On the night of February 26th, 2012, the life of George Zimmerman was changed forever.

Since that date he has been saddled not only with the anguish of having to take a life to save his own, but he has needed to endure the obligatory state-sponsored witch hunt to boot.

These are the burdens that few ordinary humans will ever have to bear. In times like these it’s always better to surround yourself with people who you TRUST.

Inevitably, in this day of GREED and SELFISHness, there are many people who use situations like this as a platform to further their own agenda. George Zimmerman has seen this GREED manifest itself in many forms from those he considers his best confidants. (more…)