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.

Daily Commentary – Thursday, July 11, 2013 – Forensic Pathologist in Trial Supports Zimmerman’s Account

• Vincent Di Maio, an expert witness for the defense testified evidence supports Zimmerman’s account of the attack

THE DEFENSE RESTS … George Zimmerman Will Not Testify in his Murder Trial in the Death of Trayvon Martin

The Defense has rested and defendant George Zimmerman will not testify in his own half in his murder trial.

George Zimmerman has officially decided to not testify in his own defense. Zimmerman stated to judge that it was his decision and no one forced him into making the decision. No one was really thinking that he would at this point as the prosecution has basically put on an extremely weak case and the Zimmerman defense team has pretty much made numerous  points for their side. The state had pretty much allowed Zimmerman to testify without cross-examination by the manner in which the prosecution presented certain evidence, i.e. the interview of George Zimmerman with Fox News Sean Hannity and the George Zimmerman reenactment of what happened the night of the death of Trayvon Martin.

Defense attorneys have rested their case in George Zimmerman’s second-degree murder trial after calling 18 witnesses over less than a week.

Prosecutors now plan to call two rebuttal witnesses. Both sides will then work on jury instructions before presenting closing arguments. The case is then sent to jurors.

Zimmerman never testified about the fatal struggle with Trayvon Martin, but jurors saw repeated video recordings of Zimmerman telling his story to investigators.

The prosecution will most likely rue the day they made this colossal mistake.

George Zimmerman Murder Trial: Forensic Pathologist Dr. Vincent Di Maio Testifies that Trayvon Martin was On Top of Zimmerman When Teen Was Shot

Forensic pathologist Dr. Vincent Di Maio may have been the best witness yet for the George Zimmerman defense team to date.

Dr. Vincent Di Maio has an impeccable vitae and credentials. Di Maio’s testimony supported  that the medical evidence was consistent with defendant George Zimmerman’s statement that Trayvon martin was on top of him when he fired the lethal shot that killed the teen. Di Maio also stated, “the clothing [Trayvon's clothing] is consistent with someone leaning over the person doing the shooting.”

Evidence supports George Zimmerman’s claim that Trayvon Martin was on top of him when Zimmerman fired the shot that killed the teen, a forensic pathologist testified Tuesday at Zimmerman’s murder trial.

“The medical evidence is consistent with Mr. Zimmerman’s statement,” said Vincent DiMaio, an expert witness for the defense. The pathologist also found that Trayvon lived no more than three minutes after the shooting and probably was conscious for at least 10 to15 seconds.

DiMaio also testified that Zimmerman’s head injuries could have been caused by coming into contact with concrete and that such injuries can be very dangerous. That testimony supported Zimmerman’s claim that Trayvon was slamming his head into a sidewalk.

More from US News:

“If you are lying on your back your clothing is going to be against your chest,” Di Maio said, according to ABC News. “The clothing is consistent with someone leaning over the person doing the shooting.”

Di Maio also said that Martin could have been able to speak for 10 to 15 seconds after he was shot, but that he most likely died within one to three minutes of the shooting.

In that time, however, Di Maio said Martin could have moved his arms under his body. Zimmerman has said he spread the teenager’s arms after he shot him, but police on the scene said Martin’s arms were under his body.

Di Maio’s testimony regarding the time frame in which Martin died after the gunshot contradicted that of a prosecution witness who testified earlier in the trial. Shiping Bao, the associate medical examiner who conducted Martin’s autopsy, testified Martin likely lived for several more minutes after he was shot. Bao told the jury that Martin could have been suffering for up to 10 minutes and that the bullet wound would have instantly incapacitated him.

“His heart was still beating,” Bao said. “He was still alive, he was still in pain.”