Saturday, July 13, 2013

Jury reaches a verdict of Not Guilty for George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin

Article Mirror

July 13, 2013
By 

Co-authored and researched by Admin Genix.

At about 9:45 a verdict was reached.In the George Zimmerman trial and at 9:57 the judge explained the rules, requesting no outbursts as the verdict is read. 



The jury had a question for Judge Debra Nelson which came about nine hours into the first full day of deliberations in the case. The jury of six women weighed evidence in the Seminole County, Florida courthouse for more than three hours on Friday.

The jury on Saturday afternoon wanted clarification on manslaughter.

The jury had to reach a unanimous verdict of second-degree murder, manslaughter or acquittal for Zimmerman, who alleges he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in self-defense.

The question over Zimmerman’s self defense claim and  if he felt death was imminent has been scrutinized by the six jurors.

The law if a manslaughter verdict had been reached:

According to Florida law, it states in part,”The killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or culpable negligence of another, without lawful justification…, is manslaughter, a felony of the second degree.” That is the definition currently used in Florida based on a decision of the Florida Supreme Court.

To be convicted of the act of manslaughter, intent to kill is not required but a determination of an intentional act that causes the death of the victim is necessary according the state’s laws/definition.

Find Law  states in part:'

"Voluntary manslaughter describes a homicide intentionally committed while in the midst of a provocation. The prosecutor must show a sudden, unexpected event or circumstance serving as a provocation. As a result of the provocation, the defendant must have felt a temporary anger, heat of passion, or emotion that immediately resulted in an intent to kill or an intent to commit the act that resulted in the victim’s death"

A description of manslaughter as per the source provided by our admin:

“Florida state laws establish the criminal offense of manslaughter when a homicide, the killing of a human being, does not meet the legal definition of murder. Manslaughter, unlike murder, does not require evidence of the defendant’s premeditation or “depraved mind” with disregard for human life; instead, the state requires proof of either voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.”

Manslaughter via Richard E. Hornsby, PA:
  1. Manslaughter by Act (Voluntary Manslaughter): Committing an intentional act that was neither excusable, nor justified that resulted in the death of another person.
  2. Manslaughter by Procurement (Voluntary Manslaughter):Persuading, inducing, or encouraging another person to commit an act that resulted in the death of another person.
  3. Manslaughter by Culpable Negligence (Involuntary Manslaughter): Engaging in “Culpably Negligent” conduct that resulted in the death of another person.
Manslaughter with a Weapon or Firearm

While not a specific element of Manslaughter, if the jury determines a weapon or firearm was used in the commission of the Manslaughter, the crime will be reclassified from a felony of the second degree to a felony of the first degree.

I’m keeping my personal opinion out of this post.