George Zimmerman Trial Live Streaming

[KWSS1976]

Interesting article

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/10/justic...html?hpt=hp_t1

[Subdued]

Originally Posted by crakjak

The judge is required to let GZ know that he can testify and that it is his decision not just his attorney's.

Right, but when the judge asked GZ the question(s), West objected repeatedly. Could GZ have remained silent (not answered at all); thus, in a way, forcing West to have to speakon GZ's behalf?

[Subdued]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

This is so dishonest, it makes me furious.

In part of the text messages, TM was asked something like, "What is your full name?" The response was, "Trayvon Benjamin Martin." So, the judge was 100% WRONG!

[Originalist]

I hate to say it, but I still predict a guilty verdict . The joke of a prosecution says to me that they were told not to worry about this one, that strings had been pulled behind the scenes. The men in black have already instructed the jury. They will vote guilty and will zip their lips. It might be years before any of them give interviews.

Rick Scott is a joke. He should be impeached.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Originalist

I hate to say it, but I still predict a guilty verdict . The joke of a prosecution says to me that they were told not to worry about this one, that strings had been pulled behind the scenes. The men in black have already instructed the jury. They will vote guilty and will zip their lips. It might be years before any of them give interviews.

Rick Scott is a joke. He should be impeached.

I hope you are not right, but last night when the Defense had the heated discussion close to almost 10:00pm, I am understanding the argument was because the Defense is preparing for an appeal.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I hope you are not right, but last night when the Defense had the heated discussion close to almost 10:00pm, I am understanding the argument was because the Defense is preparing for an appeal.

And this Judge has given the Def a huge amount of supporting reasons for appeal. She has acted and ruled in a way she believed would help the Pros, but in the end, an appeals court should be able to overturn any guilty verdict. As long as pressure wasn't applied to them as well.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Subdued

Right, but when the judge asked GZ the question(s), West objected repeatedly. Could GZ have remained silent (not answered at all); thus, in a way, forcing West to have to speakon GZ's behalf?

I didn't see it, however I don't think this judge as been impartial. She has a tough job, I know.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Subdued

Right, but when the judge asked GZ the question(s), West objected repeatedly. Could GZ have remained silent (not answered at all); thus, in a way, forcing West to have to speakon GZ's behalf?

She was totally out of line badgering GZ because all the evidence wasn't in and the Defense had not rested. She can't put the jury's comfort over due process. These exchanges with this Judge are hinting toward appeals court.

[n david]

SOURCE LINK

Does anyone know...what are legal recourse's against Judges who behave in the manner in which she did yesterday?

A hostile exchange took place in the courtroom today where George Zimmerman is on trial for second degree murder as Judge Debra Nelson questioned the defendant about his plans to testify.

Nelson reminded Zimmerman that he has the “absolute right to remain silent” if he so desires and proceeded to ask him whether he was prepared to testify. Defense attorney Don West twice objected to the question, but was overruled by Nelson, who explained, “The court is entitled to inquire if Mr. Zimmerman’s determination [sic] as to whether or not he wants to testify.”

The judge then began asking Zimmerman how much time he requires to determine whether or not he would like to testify. West again objected to the question and asked for more time to speak with his client, prompting Judge Nelson to raise her voice and exclaim, “Your objection is overruled!”

The tension escalated as another of Zimmerman’s defense attorneys, Mark O’Mara, was overheard asking under his breath, “What is going on?”

After Crakjak posted that the Judge always asks the defendant that question, I thought I may have over-reacted, but still felt she was well over the line in her response to West and seeming badgering of GZ. After reading some responses online, I wasn't alone.

Kathi Belich, a journalist following the trial for a local news channel, tweeted her surprise at the line of questioning, writing “I have never seen that in more than 30 years of court reporting.”

This Judge should be censured if she can be; or otherwise reprimanded for her conduct. It was unbecoming her role, which is supposed to be as a fair and impartial 3rd party. She has not been, and she most definitely was not yesterday. It was a horrid display she put on, though in a way I'm glad it happened, because anyone watching was able to see what the defense and GZ has been up against. It's been an uphill battle against the defense from the beginning. The Judge put the burden of proof on the defense instead of the state.

I hope never to see this Judge preside over another murder case again.

[n david]

The George Zimmerman investigation was hijacked "in a number of ways" by outside forces, said the former police chief of Sanford, Florida.

Bill Lee, who testified Monday in Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial, told CNN's George Howell in an exclusive interview that he felt pressure from city officials to arrest Zimmerman to placate the public rather than as a matter of justice.

"It was (relayed) to me that they just wanted an arrest. They didn't care if it got dismissed later," he said. "You don't do that."

Why didn't O'Mara ask either Serino or Lee about this? This was crucial and the Jury didn't hear any of it.

"The police department needed to do a job, and there was some influence -- outside influence and inside influence -- that forced a change in the course of the normal criminal justice process," Lee said. "With all the influence and the protests and petitions for an arrest, you still have to uphold you oath."

"That investigation was taken away from us. We weren't able to complete it," he said.

"I upheld my oath," Lee said. "I'm happy that at the end of the day I can walk away with my integrity."

SOURCE LINK