It’s been a long time since we saw actual reporting from Gutman about the Zimmerman case. Today, poof – he’s back… along with a host of other media types who appeared to fill the courtroom much more than before….. Sharks smelling blood in the water?
ABC Matt Gutman – A Florida judge questioned George Zimmerman today on his decision to waive a hearing under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which means that he is likely heading for a trial this summer in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
The pre-trial Stand Your Ground hearing would have given the judge the discretion to free Zimmerman, eliminating the need for a trial. But the validity of a Stand Your Ground defense would be determined solely by a judge. Zimmerman’s defense team has decided to put their case before an entire jury.
“We’d much rather have the jury address the issue of criminal liability or lack thereof,” Zimmerman’s lawyer Mark O’Mara said. (more…)
We’ve been working feverishly behind the scenes today on some rather remarkable new developments from Miami-Dade (more on that later). In addition we are sourcing the hearing video and will bring it to you asap. However, the post hearing presser by O’Mara brings a startling revelation.
At the 7:00 minute mark – O’Mara begins to talk about the pre-trial immunity decision. What he actually says is quite astounding.
O’Mara claims that George Zimmerman himself was the sole decision maker NOT to seek an immunity hearing. O’Mara claims that George Zimmerman desires to be “released” ONLY by a jury, and not a judge. O’Mara further claiming that once George made the decision to only want a jury release, the immunity considerations became moot. He is putting the absence of a pre-trial immunity hearing squarely on the shoulders of George Zimmerman. (more…)
Screw O’Mara. Want to do something actually relevant to assist the TRUTH…..
……Find out all you can about Miami-Dade Police report: BURGLARY
PD111021-422483
What’s publicly available?
Type of Incident?
Location of Incident?
Geographic Map comparing Incident location to location of Krop Senior High School, and the residence(s) of known TM associations/relatives. (With particular interest in Uncle Steven Martin’s House and N.E.) (more…)
Today, April 30th, the Defense and Prosecution will be back in court to discuss the various motions filed by both the Defense and the Prosecution:
Here are some *possible* Links to the Hearing:
- WFTV http://www.wftv.com/s/news/trayvonmartin/
- Click Orlando http://www.clickorlando.com/news/trayvo … index.html
- Orlando Sentinel (Fox 35 live stream) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc … on-martin/
- WESH http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florid … index.html
- cfnews http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cf … artin.html
- MyfoxOrlando http://www.myfoxorlando.com/category/23 … von-martin
- CNN http://edition.cnn.com/US/
- TruTV/InSession link: http://www.superusvoxtv.com/index.php/speciality/tru-tv
Hat Tip Rumpole for the list.
Zimmerman attorney says if media doesn't stay in the forefront and believable, as opposed to biased bloggers, "then we're all lost." #fapb
— Hannah Sampson (@hannahbsampson) April 28, 2013
https://twitter.com/monicaearle/statuses/328297269092839425
The guest speakers for the Awards Banquet on Saturday April 27th in Orlando will be Benjamin Crump, the attorney for Trayvon Martin’s parents, and George Zimmerman’s defense attorney Mark O’Mara. Crump and O’Mara will explain how social media played a role in the case that led to nationwide protests. (LINK)
On Saturday, April 27th the AP Awards take place at the Wyndham Resort at 8001 International Drive. Keynote speakers will be Travyon Martin Family Attorney Benjamin Crump and George Zimmerman’s Defense Attorney Mark O’Mara.
Media availability takes place from 6:30-6:40pm in the “Jasmine Room” located at the south entrance of the hotel off Sand Lake Road in the convention area. There is no valet parking at the hotel. And there is no charge to park.
The keynote speech starts at 7:30pm. There will be an area in the banquet room for reporters/photographers to stand. (more…)
The George Zimmerman Legal Case defense team has filed additional motions in advance of the April 30th scheduled hearing:
- Defense demand for the details regarding the contents of Trayvon Martin’s phone
- Defense demand for the “enhanced audio” claimed to be in existence by Martin Family attorney Benjamin Crump of the 911 call tapes. Previously Crump claimed a “cleaned up and/or enhanced copy of the calls led to Tracy Martin reversing his original statement about the screams for help NOT being Trayvon Martin.
- Defense notification of additional witness testimony which “might” be used at trial. An enlarged supplemental witness list of unknown persons. M-DSPD (?)
- Defense Reply to States response regarding sanctions for discovery violations and a copy of reimbursement expenses demanded.
- Defense amended Notice of Hearing
Notably absent is any Defense/O’Mara reply to the States response regarding the Writ of Certiorari. Apparently the hearing will continue forward while the substance of the Writ Request looms as an undetermined Appellate Court Decision [regarding the deposition of Benjamin Crump].
Florida Attorney General, and friend of Benjamin Crump, {{*INSERT LOUD CONFLICT OF INTEREST FLAG HERE}} Pam Bondi, has filed the State’s response to the Defense request for a Writ of Certiorari surrounding deposition of Martin family attorney, Benjamin Crump.
AG Pam Bondi has previously outlined, at great length -and effort for political capital- her close personal friendship with Benjamin Crump. During the Martin Lee Anderson Case Pam Bondi worked as prosecutor on behalf of the State of Florida, while Ben Crump was family attorney for the Andersons.
In addition, current special prosecutor, Angela Corey, was a campaign manager and advocate for Pam Bondi during Bondi’s 2010 campaign for Attorney General.
Here is the response pleading filed with the 10th District Court of Appeals: (more…)
After receiving hundreds of pages from the first round of FOIA requests from Miami-Dade, we have a better understanding of the issues which led to the suspension and later removal of Miami-Dade School Police Chief Hurley. We also better understand why the historical activities of Trayvon Martin have been difficult to locate.
The first part of the publicly requested document release shows aspects surrounding an Internal Affairs investigation following the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Within the investigation dozens of witnesses gave sworn statements to investigative officers.
Included in the witness affidavits were six officers accused of leaking information to the media, and their statements reveal a systemic attempt by Chief Hurley to cover-up the instructions by Hurley to his officers.
From their statements, made under oath, it is apparent that sometime around 2009/2010 the police chief gave instructions for his officers to find alternate methods outside of the criminal justice system to confront the behavioral issues of school students.
As officer Tagle affirms, and other witnesses corroborate, the instructions were specifically targeted to young black males within the Miami-Dade Public School system. Targeted to keep their unlawful behavior away from engagement with the correction system and aimed to use school discipline instead of criminal corrections within the justice system. (more…)