Page 21 - Manslaughter Case News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Wondering, after you got your jury instruction on that murder charge how did you work it down to a manslaughter conviction? >> well, it was a lot -- of deliberation among our jurors. we read over the instructions from the judge. we read it word for word to make sure we understood each and every charge that was presented to us. and it took us a while to finally come to an agreement. but what we did is make word that was written in the instructions given to us. and that was probably the hardest part, making sure we followed the law and abided by the instructions. and that was probably the toughe...

To show a culpable negligence. it is really a disregard for human life. and when he places the kid in the corner, who has to defend himself, who has to stand his ground and fight back for his life that is when zimmerman decides to pull the trigger. and that is why really it is a very strong argument for culpable negligence for a manslaughter, lesser included crime, which is a very serious conviction. >> it was actually the easiest part of the case to prove. you have him on tape minutes before, calling him an f-ing punk, do we think he grew fonder of trayvon martin? immediately after at the sta...

To quote the defendant, and pardon my language, he was one of those [ bleep ] that get away. pardon my language. he was one of those [ bleep ]. >> quoting george zimmerman's own words, the prosecution today said those words helped prove that he is guilty of second-degree murder. but now the jury will also be allowed to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter, and that could prove crucial to the verdict that they reach in this case. back with me is our legal panel. lisa, let me start with you, because you have to leave in a minute, and we'll see you later in the show. how important is second...

Prosecutors do. the evidence here really does support a manslaughter charge. you know, this -- it's always seemed better to me as a manslaughter case than a murder case. and i think prosecutors are completely within their rights to say this is an option presented to the jury. i think it's somewhat awkward making the argument to the jury, to argue in the alternative. but just in the interest of justice, i think this is an option that should be available to the jump because the evidence is potentially supportive of that. >> this brings up another controversial issue. remember, this jury, when th...

>> why, why would you ask for a lesser? just because prosecutors always overcharge doesn't mean that that's right or that's just. if you bring a charge, you're supposed to -- isn't the definition or a prosecutor to be that you brought the charge because you thought you could bring it beyond a reasonable doubt. >> that's right. >> you don't believe that. >> then offer it. >> jeff, as a former prosecutor, don't prosecutors do this all the time in order to maybe get the person to the bargaining table? >> sometimes they do. i think, mark, as usual, has somewhat a cynical view of what prosecutors d...