Daily Commentary – Wednesday, July 10, 2013 – Judge To Allow Evidence in the George Zimmerman Trial

• Judge to allow evidence that Trayvon Martin had trace amounts of marijuana in his system when he died

Judge Nelson to Rule in morning Regarding Trayvon Martin fighting Texts as Long Court Day Results in Fireworks Between Defense (Don West & Mark O’Mara) and Judge Over Blaming the Prosecution for Withholding Evidence

George Zimmerman Murder Trial: After nearly 13 hours of court room hearings today … the night ended in fireworks!!!

Late last night tensions flared between the defense and prosecution as George Zimmerman’s defense attorney blasted the prosecution for withholding evidence.  The defense stated that there was an ongoing discovery violation against the prosecution. The defense argued that they were mislead and the George Zimmerman’s US and Florida Constitutional rights have been violated.  The defense also argued with the judge of the unreasonable work hours. It ended with the judge walking off the bench and saying court is in recess.

The hearing was highly contentious, with defense lawyer Don West vigorously asserting that failure to allow the evidence would violate Zimmerman’s constitutional rights, and blaming the prosecution for withholding evidence until early June as to the texts.  West argued that it was unfair to hold the defense to strict authentication standards given the prosecution’s tactics.

VIDEO Hat Tip - Legal Insurrection

Broward County Sheriff’s Office released Video Asking the Public Not to Riot in the Wake of the George Zimmerman Murder Verdict … RAISE YOUR VOICE, NOT YOUR HANDS

A note to all “White” Hispanics … from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, no rioting if George Zimmerman is found guilty.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has released a video asking the public not to riot in the wake of the George Zimmerman murder verdict in the death of Trayvon Martin. The Sheriff’s Office released a statement explaining that it was “working closely with the Sanford Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies” to coordinate “a response plan in anticipation of the verdict.” Hmm, I wonder who this PSA is pointed to? If there is a “not guilty” verdict, Sanford, FL better get ready for the Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton race bating show.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office, working closely with the Sanford Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies, has coordinated a response plan in anticipation of the verdict.

Freedom of expression is a constitutional right. While raising your voice is encouraged, using your hands is not. BSO has created a public service announcement with the help of kids from the Jason Taylor Foundation, H.A.N.D.Y. (Helping Abused, Neglected, Disadvantaged Youth) and basketball star James Jones of the championship Miami Heat team urging young people not to let their emotions get the best of them.

“We don’t have information about a specific event that might take place at the conclusion of the trial, but we encourage everyone to keep any protests peaceful,” Sheriff Scott Israel said.

From Breitbart.com:

The video, titled “Raise Your Voice, Not Your Hands,” focuses on attempting to channel reaction into non-violent response. It depicts two youngsters, one black teenage boy, one Hispanic teenage girl. “Raise your voice!” says the girl. “And not your hands!” says the boy. “We need to stand together as one, no cuffs, no guns,” says the girl. “Let’s give violence a rest, because we can easily end up arrested,” says the boy. “I know your patience will be tested,” says the girl, and then both conclude, “but law enforcement has your back!”

“Let’s back up and choose not to act up, and deputies are with us, so no need to act up,” says the boy. “Let it roll off your shoulders,” says the girl, “it’s water off your back, don’t lack composure, because in one instant it could be over.” Both conclude: “So let’s make the choice to raise your voice and not your hands.” Sheriff Scott Israel says, “I’m Sheriff Scott Israel, and law enforcement does have your back.”

Who would be responsible for riots? Couldn’t be the liberal MSM who all but convicted George Zimmerman from the outset and made him a card carrying member of the KKK. Oops, except Zimmerman was a Hispanic. So to keep to the narrative, the MSM made Zimmerman a “white” Hispanic. After all, the libs in the media have to keep the races at each other to make a buck. And let’s not us forget our dear leader Barack Obama irresponsibly interjecting himself into the murder case and taking the side of Trayvon Martin without having a clue as to what occurred.

Reversal of Fortune for Zimmerman Defense Team: Florida Judge Debra Nelson Okays Testimony About Trayvon Martin’s Marijuana Usage Prior to Shooting

A reversal of fortune for the Zimmerman defense team …

Judge Debra Nelson has ruled that the George Zimmerman defense team will be allowed to present to the jury that Trayvon Martin had small amounts of marijuana in his system prior to the altercation that occurred in February 2012 that left Martin dead from a gun shot. Judge Nelson had previously granted a prosecution motion to limit testimony about the government toxicology report, but changed her ruling after testimony by the medical examiner who performed the Martin autopsy.  The importance of this is that during Zimmerman’s call to a non-emergency police line, he told a dispatcher that a person he was observing, who turned out to be Martin, appeared to be “on drugs.” Guess what, it turned out to be Trayvon was.

Jurors in the George Zimmerman murder trial will be able to hear defense testimony that Trayvon Martin had small amounts of marijuana in his system at the time he was shot to death in February 2012.

In a ruling this afternoon, Judge Debra Nelson rejected a prosecution request to bar a portion of a toxicology report that revealed Martin had been smoking pot at some point prior to Zimmerman killing him with a single gunshot to the heart.

Nelson, who previously granted a prosecution motion to limit testimony about the government toxicology report, reversed herself in the wake of last Friday’s testimony by the medical examiner who performed the Martin autopsy. Zimmerman’s lawyers will apparently introduce findings from the toxicology report through the testimony of a defense forensics expert.

Many will say that all pot does is make one mellow and get the midnight munchies. However, that is the stereotype of pot use and what happens to most. Others say that the use marijuana actually get paranoid, irritable and aggressive. I have actually seen both happen.  In this case I hardly think that Trayvon Martin’s pot use is the “smoking” gun, but it does give credibility to Zimmerman’s account that Martin appeared to be on drugs.

Even Bias News Media Forced to Admit the Obvious … ABC Admits There Is Not Enough Evidence To Prosecute George Zimmerman in Murder of Trayvon Martin (VIDEO)

From the outset, the liberal MSM has sought to put forth a false narrative with regards to the death of Trayvon Martin at the hands of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Thanks to the race baiters and those in the MSM that would do their bidding to further the race card agenda, the case against Zimmerman for murder has been questionable at best. The media is completely invested in making sure that Zimmerman is guilty because he was a “white” Hispanic targeting a black boy. President Barack Obama, who has claimed that he did not get involved in making any phone calls to China or Russia with regards to NSA leaker Edward Snowden because he did not have to. Snowden’s actions have been called one of the greatest security breaches in American history. But some how that is not Obama’s job, but what is his job is to interject himself into a legal matter of which he knew nothing about and said, “if I had a son, he would look like Trayvon”. But Obama did not want to impair any investigation. Not at all Mr. President.

Now the prosecution’s case is imploding and after they have rested their case against George Zimmerman. Many, even those on the LEFT and who initially thought Zimmerman was guilty of murder, are left scratching their heads at the lack of any substantial evidence. It is the prosecution that legally has the burden of proof to prove that Zimmerman committed murder or manslaughter. However, after seeing what the prosecution presented against George Zimmerman, all anyone can say is, That’s it? Where is Barack Obama’s rebuttal to his previous prejudicial comment to Zimmerman that, there is no there, there?  Along comes ABC News forced to admit that they do not see how George Zimmerman convicts him of second degree murder or even manslaughter in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Watch the video of ABC’s Dan Abrams Explains Why Zimmerman Is Likely To Be Acquitted.

Based on the legal standard and evidence presented by prosecutors it is difficult to see how jurors find proof beyond a reasonable doubt that it wasn’t self defense.”

Now that the prosecution’s case against Zimmerman is in, as a legal matter, I just don’t see how a jury convicts him of second degree murder or even manslaughter in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

So what happened? How can an armed man who shot and killed an unarmed teen after being told by the police that he didn’t need to keep following him, likely be found not guilty of those crimes?

I certainly sympathize with the anger and frustration of the Martin family and doubt that a jury will accept the entirety of George Zimmerman’s account as credible. But based on the legal standard and evidence presented by prosecutors it is difficult to see how jurors find proof beyond a reasonable doubt that it wasn’t self defense. [...]

For a moment, lets put aside the fact that many of the prosecution witnesses seemed to help Zimmerman in one way or another. [Translation: Let's ignore that the prosecution witnesses support Zimmerman's testimony]

As a legal matter, even if jurors find parts of Zimmerman’s story fishy, that is not enough to convict. Even if they believe that Zimmerman initiated the altercation, and that his injuries were relatively minor, that too would be insufficient evidence to convict. Prosecutors have to effectively disprove self defense beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Gateway Pundit adds the following video of the Rush Limbaugh Show who pretty much nails it in presenting the bias of the MSM and their need for Zimmerman blood or there will be riots. So much for innocent until proven guilty. I guess that is only for cause celeb cases that the MSM agrees with.