Zimmerman Affidavit of Probable Cause

[bondai]

I just read the affidavit of probable cause. Geesh, Louise! It's like Deja Vu of the Duke Lacrosse fiasco.


http://www.foxnews.com/us...affidavit-probable-cause/

I thought the prosecutor was to use all facts available and all witness accounts available in determining probable cause. That doesn't appear to have been done in this case.

The affidavit states that Zimmerman was "told not to follow Martin"...but we all have heard the 911 call and know that to be contrary to what is heard in the 911 call.

The affidavit states that he went to a nearby 7-11 store to get skittles and tea, yet his father said he (the father) was gone until 11:00 and had no idea where Trayvon was.

The affidavit makes no mention whatsoever of any violence perpetrated against Zimmerman...no mention of wounds or witness accounts that told of Zimmerman being beaten by Martin.

It seems to me that the prosecutor used only the witness accounts of Trayvon's mother (it mentions her claim that it is her son yelling...and appears to totally disregard Zimmerman's family claiming it was Zimmerman's voice yelling), Martin's girlfriend, and the witness' whose statements did not include Martin on top of Zimmerman beating him.

Do we have a female Nifong in the making here? Or am I completely misunderstanding the responsibilities of a prosecutor?

[yorkietalkjilly]

From the public outcry, constant TV coverage and Google carrying the story top of page almost daily, D.C. involvement, everybody expected she would charge - especially since she eschewed a grand jury - no matter what affidavits or police reports said. You wonder if the story were different and Mr. Martin had killed the older watchman, would the public be equally outraged, most network TV news departments so dedicated in carrying it several times an hour and the President speak on the subject. Now we'll see if it is possible for Mr. Zimmerman to get anything like a fair trial. If it turns out Mr. Zimmerman truly stalked Mr. Martin and then killed because a fight ensued that he'd caused, he's probably going to be found guilty but if there is evidence to believe he backed off and the other man instigated, he may not. But from TV and news articles, most legal "experts" really expected her to charge if there were just the slightest doubt of Mr. Zimmerman's story and let the trial process work. From the frank Tweets out there taking bets on how long Mr. Zimmerman will last in jail and the cavalier way the bounty on him is discussed by one and all - even TV commentators, one wonders if he will live long enough to stand trial. I hope there is a way to find out what really likely happened and this man do significant jail time if he really stalked and killed without a real reason since none of us want to see overzealous police wannabe's free to act out their fears & frustrations. But if it happened differently and he was acting judiciously and did kill for fear of his life, I hope there isn't a rush to judgment and a truly innocent man jailed and hated for life.

I know this - neighborhood watch programs will probably suffer as fewer & fewer people will be willing to expose themselves to all of the things that have happened to one of their own as a result of Mr. Martin's killing whether its deemed justifiable or not from the trial. I know I would be scared to death to be a neighborhood watchman without carrying a gun but now I would be just as scared of something happening and being charged with murder if I had to really defend myself where my life/limb were at risk from a would-be weapon-toting robber or something. So probably we'll have fewer neighborhood watch programs even where none carry guns and have to depend more and more on funds-strapped police departments who often have fewer & fewer officers. Hopefully the neighborhood watches won't be affected for too long and once the story dies down, they will regenerate.

[chachi]

I just hope hes in protected custody if not someones gonna kill him and there wont e a trial. I think with all the media pressure they had to arrest him now I hope he gets his day in court. The reason why I think he was arrested was the prosecuter didnt want to e accountale to if there was a crime that took place or not and she just wanted to leave it in the jurys hands

[bondai]

My own feelings on the situation are that the forensics are going to be a big deal, we haven't heard much about them.I suppose that evidence is pretty closely guarded. How close was Trayvon when he was shot? angle of entry and so on. It should be very telling.

I hate to see the block watch groups take a hit as well but the bottom line here is that Zimmerman should not have been carrying a gun while on block watch. I was involved with block watch myself a few years ago and I was also licensed to carry a gun but I never did. Part of the agreement we signed said that while participating in block watch we would not carry a gun and everyone was OK with that, if they weren't they didn't participate.

But then again if memory serves Mr.Zimmerman wasn't running a block watch when the shooting took place, he was on his way to Target.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by bondai

My own feelings on the situation are that the forensics are going to be a big deal, we haven't heard much about them.I suppose that evidence is pretty closely guarded. How close was Trayvon when he was shot? angle of entry and so on. It should be very telling.

I hate to see the block watch groups take a hit as well but the bottom line here is that Zimmerman should not have been carrying a gun while on block watch. I was involved with block watch myself a few years ago and I was also licensed to carry a gun but I never did. Part of the agreement we signed said that while participating in block watch we would not carry a gun and everyone was OK with that, if they weren't they didn't participate.

But then again if memory serves Mr.Zimmerman wasn't running a block watch when the shooting took place, he was on his way to Target.

That's where block watchers are much braver than I could ever be. If I were going to be out there where criminals could be, I would want protection. That's why I could never do it & applaud those that do or did.

[chachi]

He may not have been on block watch but he was acting as a neighborhood assoc person when he approached Trayton. He shouldnt have been carrying a gun. I do think there is accountability needed on his part too that is why it is probaBLY best that its going before a jury. I do feel bad for these parents there Son was viewed as a threat that deadly force was needed and all he had on him were skittles and ice tea. Was the deadly force really needed thats for a Jury to decide after hearing all the evidence

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by bondai

I just read the affidavit of probable cause. Geesh, Louise! It's like Deja Vu of the Duke Lacrosse fiasco.


http://www.foxnews.com/us...affidavit-probable-cause/

I thought the prosecutor was to use all facts available and all witness accounts available in determining probable cause. That doesn't appear to have been done in this case.

The affidavit states that Zimmerman was "told not to follow Martin"...but we all have heard the 911 call and know that to be contrary to what is heard in the 911 call.

The affidavit states that he went to a nearby 7-11 store to get skittles and tea, yet his father said he (the father) was gone until 11:00 and had no idea where Trayvon was.

The affidavit makes no mention whatsoever of any violence perpetrated against Zimmerman...no mention of wounds or witness accounts that told of Zimmerman being beaten by Martin.

It seems to me that the prosecutor used only the witness accounts of Trayvon's mother (it mentions her claim that it is her son yelling...and appears to totally disregard Zimmerman's family claiming it was Zimmerman's voice yelling), Martin's girlfriend, and the witness' whose statements did not include Martin on top of Zimmerman beating him.

Do we have a female Nifong in the making here? Or am I completely misunderstanding the responsibilities of a prosecutor?

He was clearly told NOT to follow Martin in the 911 call. He was asked if he was following Martin; he replied YES. He was then promply told "We don't need you to do that."

Looks like he did it anyway.

This whole thing is a shame and probably neither party is 100% negligence-free.

I doubt Zimmerman really intended to kill a minor armed with Skittles but, unfortunately, that was the end result of his playing Cop.

[ladyjane]

Zimmerman imho had no business following anyone. If you think a person is suspicious, you call the police!!! You don't go following people around with a gun in your belt. Period.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

From the public outcry, constant TV coverage and Google carrying the story top of page almost daily, D.C. involvement, everybody expected she would charge - especially since she eschewed a grand jury - no matter what affidavits or police reports said. You wonder if the story were different and Mr. Martin had killed the older watchman, would the public be equally outraged, most network TV news departments so dedicated in carrying it several times an hour and the President speak on the subject. Now we'll see if it is possible for Mr. Zimmerman to get anything like a fair trial. If it turns out Mr. Zimmerman truly stalked Mr. Martin and then killed because a fight ensued that he'd caused, he's probably going to be found guilty but if there is evidence to believe he backed off and the other man instigated, he may not. But from TV and news articles, most legal "experts" really expected her to charge if there were just the slightest doubt of Mr. Zimmerman's story and let the trial process work. From the frank Tweets out there taking bets on how long Mr. Zimmerman will last in jail and the cavalier way the bounty on him is discussed by one and all - even TV commentators, one wonders if he will live long enough to stand trial. I hope there is a way to find out what really likely happened and this man do significant jail time if he really stalked and killed without a real reason since none of us want to see overzealous police wannabe's free to act out their fears & frustrations. But if it happened differently and he was acting judiciously and did kill for fear of his life, I hope there isn't a rush to judgment and a truly innocent man jailed and hated for life.

I know this - neighborhood watch programs will probably suffer as fewer & fewer people will be willing to expose themselves to all of the things that have happened to one of their own as a result of Mr. Martin's killing whether its deemed justifiable or not from the trial. I know I would be scared to death to be a neighborhood watchman without carrying a gun but now I would be just as scared of something happening and being charged with murder if I had to really defend myself where my life/limb were at risk from a would-be weapon-toting robber or something. So probably we'll have fewer neighborhood watch programs even where none carry guns and have to depend more and more on funds-strapped police departments who often have fewer & fewer officers. Hopefully the neighborhood watches won't be affected for too long and once the story dies down, they will regenerate.

I'm confused by these statements. My neighborhood has neighborhood watch, I would move out if people were walking around carrying guns. I mean would you really want your neigbors to carry guns? I thought neighborhood watch meant you were supposed to look for suspicious activity and call the police if you saw something suspicious.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Zimmerman imho had no business following anyone. If you think a person is suspicious, you call the police!!! You don't go following people around with a gun in your belt. Period.

100 % on target here Unless someone enters YOUR home uninvited or just attacks you out of the blue you Do Not follow a suspicious looking person or any other person for that matter, you CALL the Police.
Now if they enter MY home uninvited , they better be prepared to die or be left seriously injured because I'm gonna shoot 1st & IF they are still breathing after I shoot'em, then the questioning will begin.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I'm confused by these statements. My neighborhood has neighborhood watch, I would move out if people were walking around carrying guns. I mean would you really want your neigbors to carry guns? I thought neighborhood watch meant you were supposed to look for suspicious activity and call the police if you saw something suspicious.

I thought the same thing. I personally think it was ludicrous that he was driving and walking around with a gun like that. I can see it in your home or even IN your car......but out looking for people carrying a gun and getting out with the gun? No way can I see that as justifyable.

[yorkietalkjilly]

One of Mr. Zimmerman's former lawyers said the dispatcher asked him to give the address where he last sighted the young man and he was going back to look at the block marker when Trayvon Martin thought he was after him again & took exception to it. Said that part was edited out of the 911 call. Don't know if that is true but he said at trial entire call would be played & all could judge for themselves.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lillymae

100 % on target here Unless someone enters YOUR home uninvited or just attacks you out of the blue you Do Not follow a suspicious looking person or any other person for that matter, you CALL the Police.
Now if they enter MY home uninvited , they better be prepared to die or be left seriously injured because I'm gonna shoot 1st & IF they are still breathing after I shoot'em, then the questioning will begin.

Totally agree.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

One of Mr. Zimmerman's former lawyers said the dispatcher asked him to give the address where he last sighted the young man and he was going back to look at the block marker when Trayvon Martin thought he was after him again & took exception to it. Said that part was edited out of the 911 call. Don't know if that is true but he said at trial entire call would be played & all could judge for themselves.

I don't believe him period. As soon as he admitted he was following that kid, it told me enough about him and his motives. Call the police and LEAVE and let them handle it. Get out of your car with a gun in your waistband? No way. You can drive around and get addresses...not to mention the fact he should have known where he was if he lives there.
Probably a good thing I will not be on his jury.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I thought the same thing. I personally think it was ludicrous that he was driving and walking around with a gun like that. I can see it in your home or even IN your car......but out looking for people carrying a gun and getting out with the gun? No way can I see that as justifyable.

I agree with the fact he shouldn't be confronting them even if he is the neighbor hood watch. Call the police and watch them but don't confront them. Now, if the person showed up at someone's house and a gun is brought out that is a different story. I don't know who is at fault here. I have been seeing this but not truly following it. So, I am not taking sides. But do feel he should not have confronting anyone.