Harvard Law Prof. Alan Dershowitz Says Zimmerman Arrest Affidavit in Death of Trayvon Martin is ‘Irresponsible & Unethical’

Well this is rather interesting, during an interview on MSNBC’s Hardball with fill-in host Michel Smerconish, Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz told MSNBC that the Zimmerman affidavit was irresponsible and unethical. So will justice really be served or is the prosecution of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin simply political?

Alan Dershowitz went on to say that the arrest affidavit was thin and that it would not suffice. Dershowitz went on to say, “There’s simply nothing in there that would justify second degree murder.” The famed Harvard law prof went on to further criticize special prosecutor Angela Corey decision to move forward on the case against Zimmerman and accused Corey of making a political reelection speech as well as overcharging Zimmerman.

Dershowitz most telling comment was that if there is no stranger evidence than what appeared in the probable cause affidavit, “the case will result in an acquittal.”

From Mediaite:

Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz appeared on MSNBC’s Hardball where fill-in host Michel Smerconish asked him his opinions of the arrest warrant issued and carried out for alleged Trayvon Martin murderer, George Zimmerman. Dershowitz called the affidavit justifying Zimmerman’s arrest “not only thin, it’s irresponsible.” He went on to criticize the decision to charge Zimmerman for second degree murder by special prosecutor Angela Corey as being politically motivated.

“You’ve seen the affidavit of probable cause. What do you make of it,” Smerconish asked. “It won’t suffice,” Dershowitz replied without hesitation.

“Most affidavits of probable cause are very thin. This is so thin that it won’t make it past a judge on a second degree murder charge,” Dershowitz said. “There’s simply nothing in there that would justify second degree murder.”

Dershowitz said that the elements that would constitute that crime are non-existent in the affidavit. “It’s not only thin, it’s irresponsible,” said Dershowitz.

Dershowitz went on to strongly criticize Corey’s decision to move forward with the case against Zimmerman. “I think what you have here is an elected public official who made a campaign speech last night for reelection when she gave her presentation and overcharged. This case will not – if the evidence is no stronger than what appears in the probable cause affidavit – this case will result in an acquittal.”

Andrew C. McCarthy at NRO’s ‘The Corner’ also finds the affidavit is stunningly weak and wanting.

Read the Affidavit of Probable Cause HERE.

Much more regarding the weak affidavit from Powerline. The question remains, how can such a weak affidavit and the fact that there is little evidence that Zimmerman profiled Trayvon Martin, let alone no one knows, including the prosecutor who started the fight, how does this merit second degree murder? Is this an attempt by the prosecutor to overcharge in an effort to have Zimmerman cop to a lesser charge of manslaughter? However, as stated at Powerline. “But if the prosecutor isn’t even prepared to allege, let alone prove, that it was Zimmerman, not Martin, who started the fight, one wonders what chance she has of convicting Zimmerman of anything”. Agreed.

George Zimmerman’s Defense Attorney Mark O’Mara Says … George Cannot Get a Fair Trial in Central Florida Today (Video)

Following the second degree murder charges brought against his client George Zimmerman, his defense attorney Mark O’Mara stated that George cannot get a fair trial in Central Florida today because emotions are running too high. O’Mara went on to say, “But, we’ll see as we get closer to the point that we’re resolving it, we don’t even know if we’re going to have a trial.”

Mark O’Mara: I think no one would deny the fact that if George Zimmerman were walking down the street today he would be at risk. And, that’s just the reality. That’s just the way things are right now so we need to protect him. And, I’m hoping that the judge will understand that. I’m certain that the prosecutor understands that. I’m hoping law enforcement gives us the assistance that we’re going to need in this case. But I’m hoping that we’re going to keep him safe. I want him to get to his trial so that a judge or jury or the prosecutor and I can figure out a way to resolve this.

Reporter: Do you think you can get a fair trial?

Mark O’Mara: We wouldn’t today. I don’t think. The emotions are just running high in all of central Florida. But, we’ll see as we get closer to the point that we’re resolving it, we don’t even know if we’re going to have a trial.

Who really thinks that George Zimmerman can get a fair trial? When the President of the United States interjects himself in a case without knowing all, if any of the facts, and states Trayvon Martin would look like his son … how could anyone get a fair trial? Then when the MSM purposely produces a deceptive and misleading audio tape that tried to portray Zimmerman as a racist and racially profiling Travon Martin … how does one get a fair trial?

How much a part will racism play in the selection of a jury? Just curious … how are they ever going to be able to find 12 jurors who have not heard about this case and formulated an opinion? Seriously, will he have a jury of his peers and how many will be “white” Hispanics?

There is no way that this case will be held in Seminole county, look for a change of venue motion if case goes forward.

George Zimmerman Charged with Second Degree Murder in Death of Trayvon Martin … Turns Himself In to Authorities

How is justice defined in the death of Trayvon Martin? Will Justice truly be blind?

After 45 days, George Zimmerman has been charged with second degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin. The incident has caused outrage and racial tensions over accusations of racial profiling on one side and the an over-zealous media and bias media that has jumped to conclusions without knowing the facts as well as putting forth to the public an edited and deceptive 9-11 audio tape presenting  Zimmerman in a racist slant. Zimmerman faces a possible life in prison if convicted’ However, second degree murder under Florida law states that a killing was carried out without premeditation but with “a depraved mind regardless of human life.”

(George Zimmerman – Source: Seminole County Sheriff’s Office)

George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot Florida teenager Trayvon Martin 45 days ago, was charged with second-degree murder Wednesday, marking a turning point in a case that has provoked nationwide debate over racial profiling.

Florida special prosecutor Angela B. Corey, who announced the charge in Jacksonville, said that “the search for justice has brought us to this moment.” Zimmerman turned himself in and was brought Wednesday evening to the Seminole County jail.

After a public campaign by the MSM and those who cried racism,managed to some how force the state prosecutor to file charges against an individual who was originally let go. However, the prosecutors have to tough road to hoe as they must prove Zimmerman’s shooting of Martin was rooted in hatred or ill will. This in the face of Zimmerman’s claims of self-defense. This is hardly a slam dunk.

Legal experts said Corey chose a tough route with the murder charge, which could send Zimmerman to prison for life if he’s convicted, over manslaughter, which usually carries 15-year prison terms and covers reckless or negligent killings.

The prosecutors must prove Zimmerman’s shooting of Martin was rooted in hatred or ill will and counter his claims that he shot Martin to protect himself while patrolling his gated community in the Orlando suburb of Sanford. Zimmerman’s lawyers would only have to prove by a preponderance of evidence – a relatively low legal standard – that he acted in self-defense at a pretrial hearing to prevent the case from going to trial.

There’s a “high likelihood it could be dismissed by the judge even before the jury gets to hear the case,” Florida defense attorney Richard Hornsby said.

Read more

Trayvon Martin Case: George Zimmerman’s Attorney Withdraw from Case … Lost Contact With Client … Zimmerman Contacted Prosecutors

The saga continues in the case of the death of Trayvon Martin …

As everyone waits to see if George Zimmerman will be charged with murder in the death of Trayvon Martin there is news from the defense. As reported at the Orlando Sentinel, the defense attorneys of George Zimmerman have withdrawn from the case. According to accounts, the defense team has lost contact with their client and some thing occurred that is much worse. The defense attorneys stated that “as of the last couple days he has not returned phone calls, text messages or emails.” It would appear that Zimmerman had contact with the state prosecutor.

Zimmerman has not talked to or communicated with them since Sunday, said Craig Sonner, one of his lawyers.

Worse, Zimmerman has done two dangerous things, his lawyers said: He telephoned a special prosecutor who’s trying to put together a criminal case against him, and he called Sean Hannity of Fox News.

Both were bad ideas, said Sonner and co-counsel Hal Uhrig.

The call to the office of Special Prosecutor Angela Corey apparently did no harm, Uhrig said.

At the news conference,Zimerman’s former attorneys went on to say that they believed in his innocence and that he was no racist. Also they stated that Zimmerman has gone underground for fear of his safety.

Sonner and Uhrig said that they still believe in Zimmerman’s innocence and that they would probably represent him again if he contacted them and requested it. They said Zimmerman is in the U.S., but wouldn’t say where because they fear for his safety.

They said Zimmerman has been under extreme pressure and is basically alone, having gone underground because of the furor.

UPDATE I: Zimmerman’s family responds to attorney’s withdrawal from case.

Benjamin Crump, the attorney for Martin’s family, expressed surprise over the announcement and issued a statement to TIME.

Trayvon’s family was always concerned that Zimmerman doesn’t try to skirt his legal responsibilities and become a flight risk. We always wanted this before a judge and a jury. We hope that [authorities] will take this under consideration that this a flight risk. If they go to press charges, is he really going to face them?

WTF, CNN Uses the N-Word Again… During Sunday’s “CNN Newsroom” Correspondent Susan Candiotti Used the Term “FU*KING NI**ER in Reporting the Shootings of 5 Black Men in Tulsa, OK … Facebook of Suspect Jake England

ARE YOU SERIOUS … FOR SECOND TIME IN TWO WEEKS CNN SAYS “FU*KING NI**ER” ON LIVE TV.

My how CNN has fallen. The once most trusted name in news is now the one that uses racial slurs for ratings. What is going on at CNN these days? For the second time in two weeks CNN has used a foul racial slur on live TV. First they did it when covering the death of Trayvon Marin. Now they have done the same while discussing the murders in Tulsa, OK.

As we reported yesterday, Jake England, one of the murder suspect in the death of 5 blacks in Tulsa, OK had posted on his FACEBOOK some rather damning comments.  However, CNN took it one step further and decided to actually verbalize the profane racial slur on live TV while reporting the story. Watch the VIDEO at The Daily Caller (warning: adult language).

Warning: Watch at your own rick, profane, racial language

Candiotti used the “n” word while reading aloud what one of the suspects in the shooting, 19-year-old Jacob England, wrote recently on his Facebook page.

“Now, this, according to relatives, has troubled him ever since and CNN has also discovered what police have,” Candiotti said. “There was a Facebook posting made just the other day, written by the suspect in this case, that police are examining.”

“And it reads like this: ‘Today is two years that my dad has been gone, shot by’ — and please excuse the language, it’s very sensitive — ‘Shot by a fu@king ni&&er. It’s hard not to go off between that and [England's fiancée] Sheran.’”

At the end of the segment, “CNN Newsroom” anchor Fredricka Whitfield apologized to viewers for the slur. One has to wonder how that was ever allowed to be said in the first place. WOW! I guess they are going to have to update the late George Carlin’s “The 7 words you cannot say on TV. CNN may want to use the Carlin video below for HR employee/reporting sensitivities training. However, any of you watch, please note that it contains extreme adult language.

Extreme Warning: Adult language – The 7 Words You cannot Use on TV: George Carlin