Page 39 - Acquit News Today

The way george zimmermans defense chose to defend him. >> did not invoke it as part of the -- >> they absolutely did not. they had a right to do it during the trial even though they waived the stand your ground. where it did come in were in two places. one, george zimmermans knowledge of stand your ground when he gave his story to police. his understanding of it as a defense for himself. the police departments use of it as a reason not to arrest him. third and most bizarrely, this juror whos now...

>> theyre right in the sense that stand your ground was not the way george zimmermans defense chose to defend him. >> did not invoke it as part of the -- >> they absolutely did not. they had a right to do it during the trial even though they waived the stand your ground. where it did come in were in two places. one, george zimmermans knowledge of stand your ground when he gave his story to police. his understanding of it as a defense for himself. the police departments use of it as a reason not ...

Cant do this. the united states supreme court says police cant profile based on race. so how can a citizen with a 9 millimeter gun profile our children? >> now, attorney burris, when you look at precedence of federal civil rights cases, and you and i both have been involved in these, rodney king beating, we saw an acquit until a state court. four police officers were acquitted on state charges. then they were tried on civil rights charges. and they were convicted. two police officers were convic...

Because they have heard both of these sides presented before them in a courtroom and these jurors -- these are not lawyers. these are regular citizens that are tasked with a huge job. >> but it is a regular person test. at the end of the day once properly stated as wendy helped me out -- thank you for that -- is exactly what these two are debating. the idea of was what george zimmerman was dealing with that night enough to justify what he did to trayvon martin. wendy says he doesnt have to think...

What the past 30 minutes have entailed inside that courtroom. judge debra nelson reading this word for word which spells out exactly what is meant by beyond a reasonable doubt. what is meant by burden of proof. what is meant by justifiable self-defense. the actual florida statute. and of course, based on yesterdays very contentious jury instructions, the base inside the courtroom between the attorneys says debra nelson allowing in, which was a victory for the state, a lesser charge, so this jury...

The fact is this, theres both direct evidence and circumstantial evidence that was put forth by the prosecution that really bolsters the prosecutions case, and thats why the judge ruled in their favor and against the defense in their motion to acquit. >> and paul, part of what seema -- excuse me, part of what lisa was saying is that several of the elements here are essentially undisputed. >> correct. >> that the individual is dead and that another individual shot him. so what were looking at wou...

More dialogue with 12 jurors, i think it is fairer. im concerned there is only six jurors. in maryland where my main office is, if you think 91 days in jail, you get 12 jurors. im very concerned about six jurors. >> shannon: explain how it works its possible at the end of the prosecution putting on its case the defense can move, this isnt going to jury, there is no way presented the most basic case. it could be done there. this may never go to the jury? >> if the prosecutions case proving the se...

Is to follow them. >> actually exactly, travis, i was so moved by your response sort of in who you are at how you represent your clients to this question. lets take a moment and see one more piece from the film. >> the judge is going to tell you had the state fails to prove their case. it is your duty, you must acquit. thats the beauty of this system. its set up to give people the presumption of innocence, to give them an opportunity to not just be heard but hold the state accountable. you want ...

Come in with an idea that one way or the other, theyre going to convict or acquit. you dont want that either. you want someone to come in and give your client a fair shake. thats what our system is all about. thats what this is trying to ensure. very difficult, fred, especially in a high profile case like this where the jury will be sequestered. >> in a case like this, high profile, it seems nearly impossible, really, to find impartial juror, so whats i guess the room being made by the attorneys...

Trial. but look what they did to his codefendant. the codefendant got a new trial and the d.a. said, were going toive you a trial and preparing you. >> he didnt kill his wife and her friend either. we saw -- because didnt fit. so they had to acquit. >> right. im sorry. i know. is he being punished for getting away with murder? he is the one guy -- >> shepard: say that again? >> being punished for getting away with murder. >> i dont know. he certain certainly thinks so. >> there could be a little...