Can George Zimmerman Get a Fair Trail … Jury Selection Begins Today in Sanford, Florida for the Murder Trail of Trayvon Martin

The jury selection begins today in Sanford, FL in the murder trial where George Zimmerman is being accused of murder in the death of Trayvon Martin. On February 26, 2012 Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by George Zimmerman. The media will be out in force as well as spectators in this highly charged, racial trial. The jury selection process is thought to take between 4 and 8 weeks. It has been about a year since the incident took place and with so much racial divisiveness that has taken place during that time, it is going to be interesting to see just how fifficult it is going to be to select a fair and impartial jury. At question, was it self-defense or murder. At greater question, can a jury actually provide a fair trail?

A line up of who’s who in the trail.

There are those on both sides question whether they can get a fair trial. Those on the Martin side have made this an issue of race from the outset, including the liberal MSM that have adopted the designation of defendant George Zimmerman as a “white” Hispanic. The family had questioned why Zimmerman was not immediately arrested following their son’s death. Of course there are those on the Zimmerman side who question whether he can get a fair trial in the midst of all this racial unrest. Also, how does one get a fair trial after the President of the United States, Barack Obama, interjected himself into the case by saying, “if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon Martin”.  Nah, that didn’t taint the jury or make racial issues worse now did it.

Jury selection begins on Monday in the murder trial of George Zimmerman, who shot and killed unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012 and then famously walked free for 44 days, triggering nationwide protests and calls for his arrest.

Lawyers estimate the long-awaited trial will last four to eight weeks. Much of that time is expected to be spent picking a six-person jury that can be open-minded despite extensive publicity about some of the explosive issues, including racial profiling and self-defense, surrounding the case.

“They’re going to have a tough time picking a jury. At this point who doesn’t know who Trayvon Martin is and who George Zimmerman is,” said David Weinstein, a former state prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer.

Zimmerman, a 29-year-old former neighborhood watch volunteer, faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged of second-degree murder.

The American Thinker brings up and important an valid point of pre-trail intimidation. The Martin family attorney is making it crystal clear that nothing less than a conviction will “prove” equal justice. So what are they saying, we can expect protests, riots and activists with an agenda to fan the fires of racism if the verdict does not go their way? That is the idea they are floating to all involved. Can George Zimmerman really get a fair trial? The “race” card is stacks against him.

Before the trial even starts, the Martin family attorney is making it crystal clear that nothing less than a conviction will “prove” equal justice. And soon, we will probably be treated to statements from black leaders warning of race riots if Zimmerman is found not guilty.

This is called “intimidation” and “railroading.” Le’s hope the jury can resist it and come to a considered verdict.

Judge Debra Nelson Considers Allowing Voice Experts in George Zimmerman – Trayvon Martin Murder Case … FBI Speech Scientist Says Current Technology Cannot Determine Voice

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson will be hearing testimony today as to whether or not to allow a voice expert to testify in the George Zimmerman -  Trayvon Marin murder trial. Zimmerman is charged with first degree murder of Martin. In question is whether voice experts will be allowed to testify as to whether the screams on the 911 tape the night of the altercation between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin are that of Zimmerman or Martin.  The hearing will resume again at 9 a.m. Friday, will be whether or not to allow the testimony of a state audio expert who says he heard Martin screaming and saying “I’m begging you” in the background of the same call.

The judge made rulings on other issues and heard other testy squabbling between attorneys. From going by the pre-trail hearings, this is going to be one ugly, ugly murder trial.

For a second day in a row, a Florida judge is weighing whether to allow certain voice experts to testify at the trial of a neighborhood watch volunteer charged in the fatal shooting of an unarmed teen.

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson is listening Friday to testimony from voice experts about whether witnesses with expertise in speech identification should be allowed to testify when George Zimmerman’s trial starts next week.

An FBI speech scientist, Dr. Hirotake Nakasone, a senior audio engineer, testified in court today 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.

Hirotaka Nakasone testified that he dissected the 45-second sample and found only three seconds in which the screams were not at least partially obscured by other sounds.

That’s too little for a proper analysis, he said.

“It’s not really feasible and not possible,” he testified, saying he was “disturbed” that other scientists had made identifications anyway.

Some of those other scientists are scheduled to testify Friday at the continuation of a hearing that will determine whether Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson lets jurors hear anyone’s opinions about who made those cries for help.

Three audio experts have concluded that they either came from Trayvon, the unarmed 17-year-old who Zimmerman shot last year in Sanford, or ruled out Zimmerman.

In other rulings, George Zimmerman defense witnesses have been denied the request to testify confidentially and that they must do so publicly.

The trial is scheduled to begin June 10, 2013.

Florida Police Officer Sgt. Ron King Fired for Bringing Targets Resembling Trayvon Martin to Gun Range … Officer Claims Target Was a ‘No-Shoot training Aid’

The Port Canaveral Police Department has fired  Sgt. Ron King because he allegedly brought targets resembling Trayvon Martin to a gun range and had asked two other officers and a civilian whether they wanted to shoot at the targets. The targets displayed a hooded sweatshirt with a target on the chest, Skittles in the pocket and iced tea in a hand. Sgt. Ron King, who had been with the Port Canaveral police force for two years, owns a company in which he offers firearm training and personal safety coaching and spent nearly 22 years with the Melbourne Police Department.  Port Authority interim CEO Jim Walsh stated, “Whether it was his stupidity or his hatred, (this is) not acceptable.” Hmm, so individuals get fired for stupidity? If that were the case 95% of politicians would be out of a job.

A Florida police officer fired for bringing targets resembling Trayvon Martin to a gun range apologized to the shooting victim’s family “for being used as a pawn in somebody’s political agenda” but said the targets are a valuable training tool.

Police Sgt. Ron King denied claims by Port Canaveral Interim Chief Executive Officer John Walsh that King was leading target practice with two other officers and a civilian earlier this month when he asked the group if they wanted to shoot at the targets.

The Port Canaveral Police Department fired King on Friday following an internal investigation, according to port officials.

Port Canaveral Sgt. Ron King defends himself and proclaims his innocence in the below video claiming that he referred to the targets as a “no shoot training aid”. King refuses to sit by and watch he and the Martin family be used for others political agendas. And there lies the rub. Who knows what was in the mind of  Sgt. Ron King, what he said, or what the complaining parties said, heard or later attested to. One thing is a certainty when it comes to the Trayvon Martin murder case where George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer, is charged with second degree murder in the teens death, it’s highly political and racially charged. Why would anyone even attempt to d something with a Trayvon Martin target whether it was being used for a good or less than honorable thing? Nothing good could come of it as the racial blood is in the water and individuals are just waiting to pounce on it. In today’s PC world and the media bias involved in this case, anyone would be crazy to use any likeness, reference or anything to do with Trayvon, Skittles or Hoodies is job suicide.

Sorry, I find it hard to believe that a police officer of 25 years would publically do something like use a Trayvon Martin poster silhouette to use as a shooting target. Did he have it, yes, King admits he did. However, the lack of judgment and understanding that this would get politically hijacked is on him. Who could not have predicted that this could have come to no good?

USA Today:

“Using real-life situations as a training scenario is not uncommon,” King said.

King apologized to Trayvon’s family and to any law enforcement professionals who may have been embarrassed by the publicity swirling around the incident. He accused an unnamed officer of inventing details of the incident to damage the credibility of the police department’s leadership.

“I remain a professional law enforcement officer and a professional firearms instructor,” said King, who can appeal his dismissal. “I refuse to sit by while others use the Martin family and myself as a way to further their own political and career agendas.”

Trayvon Martin’s family attorney released a statement saying, “It is absolutely reprehensible that a high-ranking member of the Port Canaveral Police, sworn to protect and serve Floridians, would use the image of a dead child as target practice.”

Family of Trayvon Martin’s Reportedly Settles Wrongful Death Claim Against Subdivision’s Homeowners Association Where Geroge Zimmerman was Neighborhood Watch Volunteer

Settlement with the home owners association in wrongful death claim in death of Trayvone Martin.

As reported at the LA Times, the family of Trayvon Martin has reached a settlement in the wrongful death civil suit of their son with the subdivision’s homeowners association. Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer at the Retreat at Twin Lakes townhomes in Sanford on Feb. 26, 2012. Zimmerman has been charged with second degree murder, meanwhile he is claiming self defense.  According to the Orlando Sentinel, the  settlement amount is believed to be worth more than $1 million. The settlement paperwork filed at the Seminole County Courthouse, a portion of which was made public Friday, had the settlement amount blacked out and the parties agreed to keep the amount confidential. In the settlement, the home owners association did not admit any wrongdoing or liability and Trayvon’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, and his estate agreed to set aside their wrongful-death claim and claims for pain and suffering, loss of earnings and expenses.

The family of Trayvon Martin, the teen who was shot dead by a Neighborhood Watch volunteer last year in an Orlando, Fla., suburb, appears to have settled a civil suit claiming wrongful death against the subdivision’s homeowners association.

Citing Seminole County court records, the Orlando Sentinel reported on Friday that the settlement could total $1 million or more. A few pages of the document were made available to the public, but the amount of the settlement was blacked out. The agreement stipulated that those involved would keep the dollar amount private.

As part of the settlement, the homeowners association acknowledged no wrongdoing.

According to the Sentinel, the association took out a $1-million insurance policy a few weeks after the shooting. A receptionist at the office of homeowners association attorney Thomas R. Slaten Jr. said he would not answer questions.

The attorney for Trayvon Martin’s family, Benjamin Crump, stated that they intend to file a separate suit later against George Zimmerman. The settlement with the HOA spelled out that Zimmerman was not part of this deal.

George Zimmerman Headed to Court Today for GPS Monitoring, Bond, Travel Restrictions and Release of More Records Motions

George Zimmerman, who is accused of second degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, is headed back to court today. Zimmerman and his defense team will be arguing several motions to Circuit Judge Debra Nelson to end Zimmerman’s GPS monitoring, lessening his travel restrictions and get more documents and records from the prosecution. Zimmerman is looking to be able to live outside of Seminole County for his own safety. Also among the motions will be an attempt to reduce Zimmerman’s bond. The court hearing starts at 9 am ET and is supposed to last about three hours.

A slew of motions in the case against George Zimmerman are set to be heard by a judge in Sanford this morning.

Zimmerman, accused of second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, has asked Circuit Judge Debra Nelson to remove him from court-ordered GPS monitoring, and to force prosecutors to turn over more records from state and federal investigations of the shooting.

The hearing is scheduled to start at 9 a.m., and last three hours.

Tuesday’s hearing can be seen on TV on the following networks.

George Zimmerman Sues NBC over Trayvon Martin Edited 911 Call Reports … NBC Doctored Tape to Advance a False Narrative of Racism

When media bias goes from double standard to criminal. Far be it from the liberal MSM to let the facts get in the way of their agenda. NBS sued for the doctored 911 tape that created a hysteria and racial bias against George Zimmerman that he is never going to be able to rehabilitate.

It had been speculated for months that George Zimmerman would sue NBC for defamation with regards to the  . George Zimmerman sues NBC over edited 911 call that made Zimmerman appear to be acting in a racist manner as he described the individual, Trayvon Martin, he was following. The result of the edited 911 tape caused a fire-storm and was ultimately responsibly publicizing this incident that ended in Zimmerman shooting and killing 17 year old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman has claimed he acted in self defense. However, it was later learned that NBC purposely doctored the tape in an attempt to further their agenda and fan the flames of racism that Zimmerman, the “white Hispanic”, acted in a racist manner and racially profiled Martin. Since the broadcasting of the doctored 911 tape, employees at NBC have been fired. However, they were just scapegoats, George Zimmerman and his attorneys look to hold NBC accountable for their bias agenda. Also, the suit against NBC alleges four other instances in which NBC-produced shows aired false and defamatory versions of the same events. Zimmerman claims that NBC did this purposely to boost their lagging ratings.

NBC edits out audio to advance  a false narrative that Zimmerman was acting in a racist manner.

Click on pic for VIDEO

Lawyers for George Zimmerman filed suit today against NBC Universal Media over a well-publicized editing error that portrayed their client in racist terms in his pursuit of Trayvon Martin on a drizzly evening in February.

“NBC saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so to set about the myth that George Zimmerman was a racist and predatory villain,” states the civil complaint in its opening salvo against NBC.

NBC has claimed that the tape was not purposely doctored. Really? For what purpose would one ever edit a 911 tape and use it as a news source unless it was to edit names, addresses or profanity? Sorry, but this was willful and purposeful doctoring of audio tape in order to provide the appearance that Zimmerman was racially profiling. Shame on NBC. The following is how NBC News portrayed the audiotape:

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black.

However, the full 911 tape went like this. There is quite a difference in the words and the perception that one takes from the two tapes. It was in fact the 911 dispatcher who asked whether the man who Zimmerman was following was black, white or Hispanic. Zimmerman did not just offer it himself as the NBC doctored tape implied.

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.
Dispatcher: OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?
Zimmerman: He looks black.

Judge Debra S. Nelson Sets Date of June 10, 2013 for Start of George Zimmerman Murder Case in Death of Trayvon Martin

The new judge in the George Zimmerman murder trial in the death of Trayvon Martin has been set. Judge Debra S. Nelson set the date of June 10, 2013 for the start date of the trial. Nelson was appointed to the murder case after an appeals court said that Judge Lester had to step down because he could not be impartial.  George Zimmerman is being charged with second-degree murder for shooting Trayvon Martin. The trial is expected to last about three weeks, some have speculated that jury selection may take longer than that.

Presently Zimmerman is free on bail. Zimmerman attorney Mark O’Mara tweeted, a “self-defense immunity hearing is likely to be requested for April or May.”

George Zimmerman’s murder trial in the death of Trayvon Martin was set for June 10 during a hearing in court this morning.

Zimmerman, 29, is charged with second-degree murder for shooting Trayvon, an unarmed 17-year-old, in Sanford Feb. 26, a homicide that set off civil-rights rallies across the country.

This morning, Circuit Judge Debra Nelson set Zimmerman’s trial for June 10. Attorneys in the case said they estimate the trial will last three weeks. Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said he expected jury selection would take longer than the trial itself.

The hearing, known as a docket sounding, lasted about six minutes. Though the judge set a date, Zimmerman attorney Mark O’Mara was noncommittal about when he’d be fully prepared.

George Zimmerman May Sue NBC Over Edited 911 Tape for Defamation to Make Him Appear as a Racist in Shooting Death of Trayvon Martin

George Zimmerman, the “white” Hispanic who has been charged in the murder of Trayvon Martin may sue NBC for defamation of characterover the edited and misleading 911 audio tape that made him appear to be a racist. NBC initially released the doctored 911 tape that depicted George Zimmerman as a racist as they intentionally deleted certain words and phrases to misrepresent Zimmerman.  In the NBC edited audio, Zimmerman says of Trayvon, “This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black.” The question will always remain why? Who has ever heard of a media outlet editing a 911 tape except for profanity? NBC has fired multiple individuals in the wake of this scandal, calling the edited tape a mistake.

Audio can be heard HERE.

Trayvon Martin shooter George Zimmerman is suing NBC over the network’s botched editing of his 911 tape, Page Six can exclusively reveal.

We hear Zimmerman’s attorneys are about to file a complaint against NBC and its top executives, naming news president Steve Capus and correspondent Ron Allen, who was the reporter on the scene for the broadcast on “Today” on March 27. He also remained the reporter for the story on “NBC Nightly News.”

A source tells us, “The suit will be filed imminently against NBC and its news executives. The network’s legal department has put everybody in the news department involved with this incident on notice, telling them not to comment.”

Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. Out, Florida Appeals Court Orders New Judge for Zimmerman Murder Trial of Trayvon Martin

Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr., is out …

An interesting situation just occurred in the George Zimmerman murder trial. A Florida appeals court granted Zimmerman’s attorneys request and ordered that a new judge be seated to preside over the Zimmerman murder trial in the death of Trayvon Mrtin. The 5th District Court of Appeal determined that Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. could not be impartial due to past actions and statements with regards to defendant George Zimmerman. Judge Lester wrote a scathing decision with regards to Zimmerman’s second bond hearing where Lester made the prejudicial comment that Zimmerman, “manipulating the system for his own benefit.” Mark O’Mara, the defense attorney for George Zimmerman previously filed a 17 page motion disqualifying Judge Lester from this case. O’Mara asserted that the judge and court “departed from its role as an impartial, objective minister of justice” and should therefore be removed from the case. It would seem that the appeals court has agreed. Lester is out.

YOU’RE OUT

A Florida appeals court has granted George Zimmerman’s request for a new judge to oversee his trial for second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting.

A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal found that Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. cast doubt on his impartiality when he wrote in his July 5 order setting $1 million bail that Zimmerman showed “blatant disregard for the judicial system” and that he was “manipulating the system for his own benefit.”

I have to admit this decision came as a surprise, although it was the correct one. The Zimmerman-Martin case has been more political than it has been judicial since the outset. However, made this will be the sign that the murder trial will now be based on evidence and the rule of law rather than emotions, misrepresentations, media bias and those with an agenda fanning the flames of racism.

George Zimmerman’s Attorney Mark O’Mara Won’t Use “Stand Your Ground” Defense … Instead will Use “Self Defense” in Death of Trayvon Martin

Mark O’Mara, the defense attorney for George Zimmerman who has been charged with the second degree murder of Trayvon Martin, stated that he will not use the “Stand Your Ground” defense. O’Mara said, “I don’t’ like ‘stand your ground’ because I’m not sure it’s a ‘stand your ground’ case.” Zimmerman’s defense team seems to think that the traditional “self defense” is is appropriate because the facts suggest his client couldn’t retreat from a beating Martin was giving him. The facts that have been released to the media seem to agree with O’Mara’s defense; however, facts and evidence have been hardly the order of the day in this highly controversial case where racial fires have been fanned by the MSM and the usual race-baiters.

Mark O’Mara, who is defending George Zimmerman against a second-degree murder charge in the fatal February shooting, said the traditional self-defense approach is appropriate because the facts suggest his client couldn’t retreat from a beating Martin was giving him.

Zimmerman’s attorneys had said last week that they would use Florida’s controverial “stand your ground” law, which allows people to use deadly force – rather than retreat – if they believe their lives are in danger.

“The facts don’t seem to support a ‘stand your ground’ defense,” O’Mara said.

Zimmerman’s defense team is also filing an appeal to remove Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester from the case. Defense attorney O’Mara believes that his client cannot get a fair trial with Lester because of comments that Lester has made against Zimmerman.

Lawyers for George Zimmerman, the Florida man charged with murder in the death of teenager Trayvon Martin, said Monday that they are appealing a judge’s decision not to step aside in the controversial case.

In a one-sentence order issued August 1, Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester said that defense lawyers’ July request that he recuse himself was “legally insufficient.”

The same team announced Monday on a website they’ve set up that they’d since filed a petition for writ of prohibition asking Florida’s fifth district appeals court to try to remove Lester from the case. The office of lawyer Mark O’Mara later confirmed to CNN that the appeal was filed Monday.