Second degree murder charge for Zimmerman
 |
| George Zimmerman's new mugshot |
Attorney Corey was sharp, blunt, and direct with her answers. She spoke of how time and effort went into determining the charges, and of concern about media leaks of evidence.
From a Florida law firm on Second Degree Murder Charge:
In order to convict a defendant in Florida of Second-degree murder, the State of Florida must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The victim is dead;
- The death was caused by the criminal act of the defendant;
- There was an unlawful killing of the victim by an act imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a depraved mind without regard for human life.
Some Tweeters, lamented that Attorney Corey was not very likable. I suppose they did not appreciate her matter of fact approach. As an attorney, I get it, and I happen to appreciate it. There are attorneys who appeal to emotionalism, and attorneys who appeal to common sense. She seems to appeal to common sense. Dry, rational, and dispassionate.
Some people have commented on Zimmerman's appearance. Although his face looks small in this photo, I saw a video of him during the Ed Schultz show, and his body is still rather broad and pudgy.
All the family ever asked for was an arrest and judicious trial. Not once did they ask for an execution or kangaroo court or Zimmerman. Remember former police chief Bill Lee said they could not even arrest Zimmerman with the evidence they had. Most people, who soberly looked at the case, called BS.
The process in Florida is that you have a preliminary hearing when you assert "Stand your ground" as a defense, which means you can be arrested.
I'm not a criminal attorney, I studied Criminal Law in law school, however. I had a feeling that Attorney Corey would charge Zimmerman with second degree murder because it includes an opportunity for him to be convicted of a lesser included offense. In this case, the lesser included offense is manslaughter. The lead homicide detective had suggested manslaughter as the arrest charge to begin with, remember?
Here's to George Zimmerman facing a criminal court instead of the court of public opinion...FINALLY!
