Closing Arguments Begin in the George Zimmerman Murder Trial in the Death of Trayvon Martin … Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda Blames Zimmerman’s Assumptions (Live Video Feed)

The closing arguments began in the murder trial of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said to the jury that George Zimmerman “tracked” and then shot Trayvon Martin instead of waiting for police to arrive because he made the wrong assumptions and profiled Martin as a criminal.

From CNN:

“A teenager is dead through no fault of his own, dead because a man made assumptions and acted on them, unfortunately, because his assumptions are wrong, Trayvon Benjamin Martin no longer walks on the earth,” prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said as he opened his argument.

“He profiled him as a criminal. He assumed certain things, that Trayvon Martin was up to no good. And that’s what led to his death,” de la Rionda said.

Click on pic for live feed from WFTV

Trayvon Martin is dead because George Zimmerman “tracked” and then shot Trayvon Martin instead of waiting for police to arrive, prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda told the jury at Zimmerman’s murder trial.

De la Rionda, presenting the prosecution’s closing argument, accused Zimmerman of taking the law into his own hands during their February 2012 confrontation. De la Rionda asked the six-woman jury to use “your God-given common sense” and find the former neighborhood watch volunteer guilty of second-degree murder.

UPDATE II: https://twitter.com/jeffweineros

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 43s
BDLR: #TrayvonMartin “was minding his own business” but #GeorgeZImmerman decided “he was up to no good.” #ZimmermanTrial

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 1m
BDLR: #TrayvonMartin went to store, bought Skittles & Arizona drink. “That was his crime.” #ZimmermanTrial #GeorgeZimmerman

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 2m
BDLR: But in this case, #GeorgeZimmerman “profiled him as a criminal… and that is what led to his death.” #ZimmermanTrial #TrayvonMartin

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 1m
BDLR: #GeorgeZimmerman pursued, didn’t wait “for the police to come & do their job.” #ZimmermanTrial #TrayvonMartin

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 1m
BDLR: #GeorgeZimmerman called cops, “then he followed him, he tracked him… in the defendant’s mind, this was a criminal.” #ZimmermanTrial

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 37s
BDLR: Focus on “what she said #TrayvonMartin said, and isn’t it consistent with the evidence?” #ZimmermanTrial

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 1m
BDLR stressing Jeantel’s lack of “sophistication,” asks jurors if they’d disregard her because of that. #ZimmermanTrail #GeorgeZimmerman

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 1m
BDLR: Why mutter “assholes” line, “other than that’s how he feels?” Mentions ill-will, hatred. #ZimmermanTrial

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 1m
BDLR plays #GeorgeZImmerman’s non-emergency call, “These assholes, they always get away.” Doesn’t it show “what he was feeling at the time.”

Jeff Weiner ?@JeffWeinerOS 47s
BDLR: I’d submit, “that there was a fight, there was a struggle.” #GeorgeZimmerman is “the one that’s had MMA traning.” #ZimmermanTrial [editors note, isn't this remarkable that the prosecutor would make such a comment that only George Zimmerman knew how to fight when it was Judge Nelson who unfortunately and I believe incorrectly did not allow Trayvon Martin’s texts messages on his double password protected cell phone that showed that Martin had sent texts about all of his fighting.

https://twitter.com/KBelichWFTV

Kathi Belich, WFTV ?@KBelichWFTV  1m
E6 is not taking notes now.. After taking notes the entire trial. Others are taking some notes. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV ?@KBelichWFTV  1m
The state wants to put a good spin on Rachel Jeantel’s lies about her age, going to the funeral and the changes to her story. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV ?@KBelichWFTV  27s
Juror E 40 is leaning her head on her hand. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV ?@KBelichWFTV  1m
Juror B 29 is avoiding eye contact with the prosecutor. She’s in the front row. #Zimmermanon9

UPDATE II: So far the prosecutions closing argument has been poor and weak.

For more updates, read comments, provide your own and continual Tweets of the accounts of the closing arguments, go to Scared Monkeys Forum: George Zimmerman Murder Trial.

Judicial Bias? Highly Contentious Exchange Between Judge Debra Nelson and Zimmerman Defense Attorney West … Judge Nelson Badgers Defendant as Defense Attorney Objects … “OVER -RULED”!

George Zimmerman Murder trial: A fair and impartial trial, eh?

Yesterday, prior to the conclusion of the defense’s case, Judge Debra Nelson rudely and inappropriate created a highly contentious exchange between herself and defense attorney West. Judge Debra Nelson, prior to the conclusion of the defense’s case asked directly George Zimmerman whether he wished to testify. Defense attorney West objected … he was over-rued by Nelson. Judge Nelson again asked the question and defense counsel objected again. Judge Nelson then decided to act like she was the Gestapo and bully the defense and George Zimmerman. UNREAL. Where are the judicial misconduct charges against Judge Nelson? This was so out of line and improper by the judge.

Sorry, but how can anyone get a fair trial when you have a judge acting like this?  Talking about creating a hostile environment.

From Mediaite:

Have you made a decision as to whether or not you want to testify in this case?” Judge Nelson asked Zimmerman after reminding him of his rights both to remain silent and speak on his behalf.

After two objections from defense attorney Don West, Nelson said rather testily, “Overruled. The Court is entitled to inquire if Mr. Zimmerman’s determination as to whether or not he wants to testify.”

“I assume it would depend on how long the recesses are, your Honor,” Zimmerman said, in one of the only moments he has spoken at his own trial. “At the end of the day…”

“If your attorneys have finished with two witnesses before the end of the day, do you think you would know then whether or not you want to testify?” Nelson said.

“Speaking on Mr. Zimmerman’s behalf—” West tried.

“I am asking your clients questions,” Nelson said, and when West again tried to object, Nelson sounded exasperated. “Your objection is overruled.” She finished by telling Zimmerman, “I will give you more time to discuss this with your attorneys.”

For more updates, read tweets, reason others comments and provide your own, go to Scared Monkeys Forum: George Zimmerman Trial.

Judge Nelson Rules that Jury in Zimmerman Murder Case May Consider Lesser Degree Manslaughter Charges

Breaking … This morning Judge Nelson ruled that the jury in the George Zimmerman murder case can consider the lesser charge of manslaughter. The defense had wanted the jury to only be told in the jury instruction that they were to determine second degree murder or acquittal.  This just further proves that the prosecution did not in any way second degree murder and are now trying to get Zimmerman convicted on a lesser charge hoping that the jury provides a sympathy verdict. In the end, Seminole County Court Judge Debra Nelson said, “The court will give the instruction on manslaughter as a Category One.

George Zimmerman’s attorney strongly objected to a prosecution proposal that third-degree murder be included in the jury instructions.

Defense attorney Don West on Thursday called the proposal “outrageous,” given that it is premised on the idea that Zimmerman committed child abuse since 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was underage when he was fatally shot.

Judge Debra Nelson says she will rule on the proposal later. The judge, however, agreed with the prosecution that jurors could consider manslaughter as a lesser charge.

Sadly, it appears that this court is going to find a way to convict George Zimmerman by any means.

For more updates, read tweets, reason others comments and provide your own, go to Scared Monkeys Forum: George Zimmerman Trial.

Judge Debra S. Nelson Rules Two Prosecution Audio Experts Witnesses Will NOT Be Allowed to Testify in George Zimmerman Murder Trial

Prosecution audio expert witnesses denied …

Judge Debra S. Nelson has ruled that two prosecution audio experts will not be allowed to testify in the George Zimmerman second degree murder trial. Zimmerman is charged with the murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin. This is a major blow to the prosecution’s case against Zimmerman. Prosecutors had looked for expert witnesses to identify the screams in the 911 tape, the night that Trayvon Martin was shot by Zimmerman, was that of Martin. As reported at the Miami Herald, the testimony of Tom Owen and Alan Reich, both of whom analyzed a 911 call by a neighbor that captured the sounds of the brawl, was key for the state because it could have painted Zimmerman as the aggressor. However, the defense had sought to prevent the prosecution experts from testifying, arguing that the science used to make such audio identifications was not reliable. In the end, the 911 tape will be allowed to be played at trial as well as the prosecution will be allowed to present any witnesses familiar with Martin’s voice to testify, but the audio experts are out. Previously, an FBI speech scientist, Dr. Hirotake Nakasone, a senior audio engineer, testified that current technology cannot categorically determine whether a voice heard on a 911 tape screaming for help moments before Trayvon Martin was killed was that of Martin or George Zimmerman, the man accused of murdering him.

The ruling by Judge Debra S. Nelson was released Saturday morning after hearings stretching over four days in her courtroom in Seminole County, Fla. The judge was asked to decide about background screams recorded on a 911 police tape and whether the voice could be identified.

The defense had sought to exclude the prosecution experts, arguing that the science used to make such audio identifications was not reliable. The expert testimony, identifying the voice and screams as Martin’s, would prejudice the jury against Zimmerman, defense attorneys argued.

The prosecution insisted the science was valid and that it was up to the jury to decide whose voice was heard screaming

In her ruling, Nelson held that the 911 tape could be played in court, but that prosecutors will not be allowed to use the audio experts to identify the screams in the background as the voice of Martin.

However, the prosecution will be allowed to present any witnesses familiar with Martin’s voice to testify, the judge stated.

NorCal Tea Party Patriots First Tea Party Organization to Sue the IRS

Return of the Jedi …

California-based Tea Party group, the NorCal Tea Party Patriots, become the first to sue the IRS accusing the IRS of violating its constitutional rights due to the “intensive and intrusive scrutiny” it received while seeking tax-exempt status. Let the pigeons loose. Hopefully, this will be just the beginning of the law suits against the IRS that have admitted to targeting conservative and Tea Party groups.  As reported at the Politico, the group alleges it applied for tax-exempt status in March 2010 but didn’t receive approval until Aug. 2 of last year. The lawsuit accuses the IRS of violating the First and Fifth amendments and seeks monetary damages.

A California-based Tea Party group sued the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on Monday in what marked the first lawsuit to stem from an investigation finding the agency singled-out conservative organizations.

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, the NorCal Tea Party Patriots accused the IRS of violating its constitutional rights due to the “intensive and intrusive scrutiny” it received while seeking tax-exempt status.

The lawsuit sought class action status on behalf of all conservative and libertarian groups – such as those associated with the Tea Party movement – that were targeted by the IRS for extra scrutiny from March 2010 through the middle of this month. Tea Party groups call for reduced federal spending and taxation.

Citizens for Self-Governance:

We are sure you were as disgusted as we were upon hearing the news of the top down abuse of power the IRS has aimed at Conservative groups. Today, we are on the precipice of something monumental to correct the balance of power. We are taking the fight directly to the IRS.

Like many of you, we know folks who have been subjected to harassment and abuse by the IRS as they tried to obtain their non-profit status. I have first-hand knowledge because the first tea party group that I was involved with was unfairly targeted.

We are not sitting back and waiting for Congress to fix things. Citizens for Self-Governance (CSG) decided to take matters into our own hands. We found the best lawyers in the country for aggressive litigation versus the federal government and, with our assistance, the NorCal Tea Party filed a class action suit against the IRS Monday in Ohio Federal Court.

Many other small grassroots organizations dedicated to liberty have been damaged or intimidated to the point of giving up, so CSG will provide the guidance and support needed to vindicate their rights in a direct legal battle with the IRS.

If you or someone you know has been harassed by the IRS and are interested in participating in the class action suit, let us know. You can send an inquiry by going to the website SueTheIRS.com. There’s no cost to you…because we are here to help you fight. (more)