Today is Trayvon Martin’s birthday. If you wanted to wish him a happy day, you could visit his grave and celebrate this occasion with his friends and family.
Today was the hearing in the George Zimmerman criminal case, where Mark O’Mara requested a continuance of the trial date, set for June 10, 2013. THE JUDGE DENIED THAT REQUEST! Mr. O’Mara expressed his disappointment with that ruling and explained that he would not have the ability to procure the expert witnesses that he needs before the current trial date. The Judge reminded the attorneys that the case has been set for trial since October, so that they have had plenty of time to locate and identify experts.
The hearing was broadcast on the internet through a live feed. This was particularly interesting to me as an attorney, as we were able to observe the judge and attorneys in action. My personal observations from the hearing this morning are:
1. The Judge appears to be very aware that everything she says is being scrutinized, and thus she is being very careful. She seems to be working extra hard to not let the defense attorneys twist the record to their advantage, while continuing to appear very fair and even tempered.
2. I was surprised that the attorney for Zimmerman, Mark O’Mara, was not better prepared for the hearing. Several times he seemed unprepared and as if reading information to bring himself up to speed while the hearing was taking place. By way of contrast, the attorney for the state was well prepared, and at one point in the hearing stepped over to O’Mara’s table to show him where to find something in a document to which he was making reference.
3. George Zimmerman was present for the hearing, wearing a coat, tie, and with his hair long enough to comb and part it. Zimmerman did not speak during the hearing. His facial expressions conveyed a different personality than what we have seen in the past. Instead of the cocky neighborhood watch volunteer who seemed almost defiant in his attitude, George Zimmerman appeared somber, scarred and vulnerable.
If Zimmerman’s attorney is having a hard time finding expert witnesses to support their side of the case, perhaps Zimmerman’s concern is justified. I would assume that the experts Zimmerman would need would include at least an expert to do a voice analysis of the neighbor’s 9-11 call where you can hear someone calling for help. The prosecution has experts who will testify that the voice is NOT that o f Zimmerman. Perhaps Zimmerman has had a hard time finding anyone to say that the cries for help were those of Zimmerman. There is also the DNA evidence that the prosecution’s experts have discussed. There is not DNA evidence on Zimmerman’s gun from Martin, and no DNA evidence from Martin on Zimmerman’s clothes. If Martin was on top of Zimmerman when he was shot, it seems likely he would fall forward leaving blood or some DNA evidence on Martin’s body.
The next scheduled hearing will be in March, and I will try to publish the link to the live feed in advance of that hearing.
24 comments
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February 5, 2013 at 10:52 am
GreenTiger17
Happy Birthday Trayvon. Please say hi to my brother, my dad, grandmother, and uncle for I know you all reside together in peace and harmony in our Saviour’s house.
February 5, 2013 at 10:55 am
Belle Starr
Zimmys attorney recently was asking for public to donate money. He will be working pro bono on a very expensive murder trial. Not sure? can he withdrawl from this case because of non payment? Zimmy should have just went with a public defender. The outcome will be the same.
February 5, 2013 at 10:59 am
Belle Starr
RIP Trayvon
February 5, 2013 at 11:00 am
malialitman
Belle,
There was a bald man with O’Mara at the hearing this am, and I don’t know who he is. He is definitely an attorney, so I wonder if there a already been a court appointed attorney assigned that will eventually be the ONLY attorney. Certainly O’Mara’s lack of preparation for this hearing would be some evidence that he is not getting paid, so he didn’t want to waste a lot of time.
February 5, 2013 at 11:20 am
Belle Starr
Seems I have seen that bald attorney somewhere during the last year? Not sure. Did he help in the casey anthony case? Im not sure if Omara can withdrawl after a certain point. Im not sure of rules and procedure in Florida, but would be nice to see omara forced to stay on broke and empty of defense. He would probably advise zimmy to take a plea deal quick if offered.
February 5, 2013 at 11:26 am
malialitman
Belle Starr,
I don’t know the rules either, but Zimmerman is a fool to let O’Mara represent him if he isn’t getting paid. He’d be better off with a court appointed attorney.
February 5, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Belle Starr
Zimmerman is a fool period. He will take what ever help and charity he gets. Omara is getting attention, publicity and TV time. Which is something and worth $$$. Plus the ability to write a book and profit. Which I hope the prosecution will block. Zimmerman clearly qualified for court appointed but he chose to go online and take money from the racist. I hope he and his family are left with a outragous legal bill for the rest of their lifes. Court appointed would have the same defense. NOTHING. They have NO defense. There is NO death penalty so the best is life. A life for a life.
February 5, 2013 at 2:18 pm
malialitman
Belle,
You are right…if you have no defense…it doesn’t really matter how good your lawyer is.
February 5, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Belle Starr
OOOOOO My Dear. Paying big bucks for an Attorney does not guarantee good representation. It helps to pay for his/her support staff maybe. I have worked in my lifetime for both Public Defenders and Private Attorneys. Some Public Defenders do not work there for the lower wage or because they are just out of law school. but because they have fire in the belly as some say, and are old timers with lots of knowledge. And enjoy the challenge.
February 5, 2013 at 11:02 am
Sunnyjane
In #3, George Zimmerman appeared somber, scarred (full of scars) and vulnerable OR George Zimmerman appeared somber, scared (frightened) and vulnerable?
February 5, 2013 at 11:07 am
malialitman
Sunnyjane,
Or maybe both!
February 5, 2013 at 11:02 am
Michelle
As a mother I cannot imagine what his parents are going through today. I just can’t imagine it. I’ve read so many things about their son, I choose to believe the good things. I just pray that justice is served and the true facts are exposed through evidence no matter which way it falls. I want justice for that child. My heart aches for his mother who carried him and birthed him on this day. None of this is fair.
February 5, 2013 at 11:06 am
malialitman
Michelle,
My heart breaks for them too!
February 5, 2013 at 11:54 am
Jane
Malia, Thanks for the continuing attention & update. I’ve forgotten – will the eventual trial be televised or webcast?
I just hope public interest swells, again, re: this matter as it represents not only this single sad, sad injustice, but also one that recurs all too often (slipping under the radar.) Here’s the opportunity to re-address the poorly conceived, deviously applied “stand your ground” law. Interesting that Zimmerman’s defence isn’t gelling…
If not for one idiot’s deluded hubris, a young man would be turning 18 today. Heartbreaking, infuriating.
Thanks, always, for the writing, Malia. (PS: Did you catch Ted Nugent on TV last night? Fiddling with his firearms & soul patch… O, Man.)
February 5, 2013 at 1:03 pm
malialitman
Jane,
Yes, I may have to do a story about that later today. I don’t know about the live streaming of the trial, but assume that if they are putting the hearings on the web, the trial will be as well.
February 5, 2013 at 11:33 am
Older_Wiser
Oh, I think they’ve found expert witnesses, just not one who will bend to the defense.
February 5, 2013 at 1:05 pm
malialitman
Older_Wiser,
You are right…I meant experts that would HELP them.
February 5, 2013 at 11:50 am
Elizabeth 44
Thank you for your comments. Its nice to hear what a lawyer has to say. It sounds like Zimmerman’s lawyer is trying to delay, delay. Maybe he thinks that if he puts it off long enough people will forget and it won’t be a high profile trial. Somehow I doubt it.
February 5, 2013 at 1:05 pm
malialitman
Elizabeth 44,
I doubt it too! I think when you are a defense attorney, and think there is a significant chance that your client will be found guilty, that you file as many motions for continuance as possible.
February 5, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Star
Happy Birthday Treyvon..I was reading at The Obama Diary, rumor was that if Hillary doesn’t run Janet Napalitano may run…Wouldn’t that be a hoot..
February 5, 2013 at 12:58 pm
malialitman
Star,
Napalitano wouldn’t get my vote if she doesn’t produce the documents we are waiting for.
February 5, 2013 at 1:29 pm
laurensd1
A prayer for Trayvon today.
And Napolitano doesn’t get my support because she takes too damn long.
February 5, 2013 at 2:40 pm
CIP
I watched this on your feed, Malia, and I whole-heartedly agree with you on all points. Wishing peace of mind and spirit for the Martin family today. May justice be served to Zimmerman on a turkey platter!
February 9, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Anne
I know I’m posting 4 days after what would have been Trayvon Martin’s 18th birthday, but my sympathies are definitely with his family which is still reeling from his senseless and completely avoidable death at the hands of a sociopathic fool who has already gotten away with too much. This issue makes a good case not only for background checks in the service of sensible gun control measures, but also should underscore the folly of expunging a person’s history of violent and confrontational behavior, thus enabling such an unstable individual to legally obtain a gun. George Zimmerman was a ticking time bomb with his propensity for confrontational violence, his sense of entitlement, and his racist profiling of young black boys and men. He is undeniably a fool, and the people continuing to support the real thug in this tragedy are even bigger fools.