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You are here: Home / Politics / Domestic Politics / Second Degree Murder Charges

Second Degree Murder Charges

by John Cole|  April 11, 20126:07 pm| 401 Comments

This post is in: Domestic Politics

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The prosecutor just announced he has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder. The prosecutor is giving off a very weird vibe, though smiling creepily as if she was announcing she had one of the winning mega millions tickets instead of announcing someone has been charged with murder. Her mannerisms are really odd.

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Reader Interactions

401Comments

  1. 1.

    shortstop

    April 11, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    Her tone and expressions are totally creepy.

  2. 2.

    MikeBoyScout

    April 11, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    I’ll take the fair and just charge.
    Better late & creepy than never.

  3. 3.

    BGinCHI

    April 11, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    @shortstop: It’s FL. Adjust your set to filter for that state. It’s the orange button.

  4. 4.

    slag

    April 11, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Well, I would think that would be a very awkward position to be in. You don’t want to say it as if you were browbeaten into it. And you probably want to project some element of confidence you’re going to win. That said, I’m not watching, so what do I know?

  5. 5.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    And yet there are others on twitter who are saying that she sounds confident and tenacious.

    It’s all subjective.

    Anyway, so Zimmerman also has a new lawyer who is “more seasoned and more media saavy”…wonder if KKKlanity helped him out with that?

  6. 6.

    tuna

    April 11, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    That is the smile of a woman who has her sight on the governors office…everything is political.

  7. 7.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    So is it true that the max sentence for 2nd degree murder is life in prison?

    Personally, I would be happy to see the DOJ or somebody charging the Sanford PD with something, or totally tearing ’em a new one.

  8. 8.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    April 11, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Reptiles are creepy but they can be lethal when on the hunt, especially Komodo Dragons. Once they bite and poison something, they follow it until it drops.

    I’m happy this dragon has taken a bite of this case.

  9. 9.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    I think what’s behind her almost cheerful demeanor is pretty clear.

    1. The case is an easy win, or I imagine she thinks so.
    2. It’s high profile.
    3. The defendant is demonstrably a moron

    Basically she’s already priced a bigger and fancier house to go with her nice new benz, that will fit quite nicely with her soon-to-be promotion.

    It’s really quite simple, I think. No mystery here.

  10. 10.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    Also, since it’s 2nd degree and not just manslaughter does that maybe mean that the forensics does not support Zimmerman’s story?

  11. 11.

    Groucho48

    April 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    I suspect they’ll use the 2nd degree murder charge for plea bargaining purposes.

  12. 12.

    skyryter

    April 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    @tuna: That is the smile of an evil caprcious women who bullied her way into office – quite a story…

  13. 13.

    Egg Berry

    April 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    It’s a press conference. Meh. It’s all staged. Wait till they get to court. I suppose it will be televised.

  14. 14.

    Corner Stone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    Haven’t read the news on it, are any lesser charges included? The blurb I heard didn’t name any.

  15. 15.

    TooManyJens

    April 11, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    I’m getting a Brenda Leigh Johnson vibe from Angela Corey. She is not playing around.

  16. 16.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    the elements:
    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.

  17. 17.

    gwangung

    April 11, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    @lamh35: and @Groucho48: are not mutually exclusive.

  18. 18.

    Corner Stone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    I’m glad charges have been filed. Hopefully at some point some actual facts will come out.

  19. 19.

    kc

    April 11, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    She just doesn’t strike me as creepy. But she is a little too cheerful. She’s very polished.

    She’s smacking down dumb-ass questions right and left.

  20. 20.

    Cromagnon

    April 11, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    @gaz:

    I don’t think it will be an easy win. I think it will be O.J. in reverse

  21. 21.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    @TooManyJens: agreed. She is obviously not afraid of answering question and shooting down things that may seem to hinder her investigation.

    I dont’ think she looks creepy at all, I think she sound confident.

  22. 22.

    TooManyJens

    April 11, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    Haven’t read the news on it, are any lesser charges included?

    It would be neat if any of these dumbass reporters would ask Corey that question, but alas…

  23. 23.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    @Cromagnon:

    I think it will be O.J. in reverse

    That would explain the white bronco that is going backwards on the 405.

  24. 24.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    John, sometimes you are so full of shit I wonder how you can sit down without exploding. Have you ever worked in a prosecutorial agency? I have, one of the biggest in the world, and I can tell you, this woman is a pro of the highest order and you should consider yourself lucky to live in the same country with her. You don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. This isn’t reality tv, this is actually reality. This is a good day, justice is being done, and she’s an enthusiastic representative of that process.

    Get a fucking clue for crissakes.

  25. 25.

    28 Percent

    April 11, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    I’m not in front of a teevee to see it, but speaking for myself, if I was being seen live coast-to-coast for the first time, I’d be so tongue-tied folks’d confuse me with stock footage of Terri Schaivo. Fucks with your head.

    It’s good that he’s being charged, and 2nd degree is appropriate for what he did. Is she going for Aggravated 2nd Degree, or just the vanilla?

  26. 26.

    General Stuck

    April 11, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    Here smiling didn’t bother me, seemed like someone who really likes her job, and herself. No crime in that, and not unusual amongst the prosecutor class. She is up for reelection soon, as well, and elected prosecutors are also politicians. unfortunately. She did articulate the situation very well, though, and that is what counts. And bringing murder 2 charges, means she will have to prove intent, and gawd help her if doesn’t have the evidence to prove that.

  27. 27.

    Cromagnon

    April 11, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    @pragmatism:

    You mean the 504

  28. 28.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    So Howard Fineman is tweeting that once again FL becomes a hot bead issue in campaign. Personally, I don’t think the case will have any thing on the campaign. I think the people who would hold this against Obama are already people inclined not to vote for him.

    It’s more likely to me to have this case be a bigger problem for the GOP nominee to try to defend without insulting base or ignoring center.

  29. 29.

    Unsympathetic

    April 11, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    Murder 2 is defined as “killing of another human being during the commission of a felony that is imminently dangerous to human life” – and so why in this case wasn’t murder 1 charged? The only difference is that murder 2 means you are NOT the direct contributor to the killing. In other words, murder 2 is the normal charge for everyone else in a bank robbery if one of them shot the security guard.

    Since there was nobody else around.. murder 1 was the only option.

    Murder 2 also avoids a grand jury – and I served on one for 5 months. The only reason a cop ever wants to avoid a grand jury is if they know the case doesn’t meet the evidentiary standard to return an indictment.

  30. 30.

    Craig

    April 11, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    @Cromagnon: The state has a pretty solid case. Eyewitnesses that claim Martin was crying for help, disputed head wounds on Zimmerman, lack of injury to Martin’s hands, lack of criminal behavior on Martin’s part, no character evidence of aggression on Martin’s part, plenty of character evidence of aggression on Zimmerman’s part. Not to mention a girl whose testimony can be used to establish that Zimmerman was the initial aggressor and impeach his credibility.

  31. 31.

    kc

    April 11, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Going out of her way not to criticize the locals

  32. 32.

    JCT

    April 11, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    @General Stuck: Agree re: intent. There’s got to be something in the forensics that hasn’t come to light yet.

  33. 33.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    @Cromagnon: i do believe i just got served. do the kids still say that?

  34. 34.

    jl

    April 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Lord knows what a ‘weird’ and ‘creepy’ demeanor mean in this case, which is itself already very weird and creepy. It could be stress of very high profile high stakes case. Or trying to hide chagrin about, or hyper stress of fallout from lots of hideous crud from certain FL and Sanford officials’ actions in creating this mess. Or as commenter above suggested, flying high from ‘dude I nailed it’, and thinking of what the big professional score means for her professional future.

    We may find out soon, for good or ill.

  35. 35.

    Elizabelle

    April 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    I just hope they don’t get some skunk on the jury who bollixes up the proceedings.

    I also hope that Zimmerman is jailed until his trial.

    Trayvon is in a box. He doesn’t go to his senior prom. He doesn’t get to graduate. He didn’t get to enjoy Easter with the younger kids in his family.

  36. 36.

    BarbCat

    April 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    When I restrain myself, I conclude she is all bidness and what tuna wrote in comment 6.

    She creeps me out because she’s inappropriately boasting about praying over this and has that shit-eating accent that goes with it like a Coke goes with fries.

  37. 37.

    TooManyJens

    April 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    @Unsympathetic: You probably shouldn’t be offering legal analysis.

  38. 38.

    David Koch

    April 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    CNN and MSNBC are airing the presser live, but not Fox. Hmmmm, I wonder why.

  39. 39.

    Jade Jordan

    April 11, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    John Cole of all people should recognize someone under the effects of liquid courage. The red dress was a little too much for a weekday at dinner.

  40. 40.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    April 11, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    @pragmatism:

    Now that is fucking funny.

  41. 41.

    General Stuck

    April 11, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    In other words, murder 2 is the normal charge for everyone else in a bank robbery if one of them shot the security guard.

    felony murder

  42. 42.

    JGabriel

    April 11, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    @Groucho48:

    I suspect they’ll use the 2nd degree murder charge for plea bargaining purposes.

    Possibly, though one would think the prosecutor would have already done the plea dance with Zimmerman before publicly announcing charges.

    I suspect this is, instead, what Corey thinks she can get at trial, and isn’t interested in a plea.

    .

  43. 43.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    @Jade Jordan:

    You got that right. I just didn’t know that Cole was wearing his red dress today.

  44. 44.

    Amir Khalid

    April 11, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    Is murder 2 bailable in Florida?

  45. 45.

    Steve

    April 11, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    Whether or not there is a conviction at the end of the day, if the evidence is strong enough to support charges of second-degree murder the police sure look awful for not even making an arrest.

  46. 46.

    jl

    April 11, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    I have been reading a some news stories about a few of these ‘stand your ground’ cases.

    This Sanford case is, IMHO, by far the creepiest and weirdest out of a creepy and weird bunch of cases that I have read about (because these laws stink to high heaven, and produce creepy weird results wherever they go, whether FL, or OK, or any other state).

  47. 47.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    So Fox News didn’t show the press conference?

    Color me not surprised. I still speculate that KKKlanity had something to do with Zimmerman getting his new lawyer.

    GZ talks to KKKlanity next thing you know he ignores other lawyers and now his newer, more expensive, better lawyer shows up.

    suspicious!!!

  48. 48.

    Corner Stone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    The feed I just found is from FirstCoastNews.com and I don’t think they know what they’re doing. They’re still live on the air and yukking it up.

  49. 49.

    joes527

    April 11, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    @Craig: So, in a court of law doesn’t the whole girlfriend conversation get thrown out as hearsay?

  50. 50.

    JGabriel

    April 11, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    __
    __
    lamh35:

    Also, since it’s 2nd degree and not just manslaughter does that maybe mean that the forensics does not support Zimmerman’s story?

    __
    That’s what I’m wondering, too. I didn’t know if they did extensive forensics or not, but now, with 2nd degree murder charges, I’m thinking they must have.

    .

  51. 51.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    April 11, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    @Thymezone:
    Ah, geez, is this another one of those “i’m a lawyer, so what I say is gold” sorta things? Yay for your fancy law school education and nice salary, I suppose.

  52. 52.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Yes, Zimmershooter can apply for bail.

  53. 53.

    The Bobs

    April 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    @joes527: She was talking to the victim, that’s not hearsay.

  54. 54.

    Elizabelle

    April 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    I’m getting ads for concealed carry weapons and bulletproof vests.

    The Romney thread had an ad for “schoolchildren being taught sex acts” or something and you could sign a petition.

    Imagine the ads that Freepers discussing Zimmercreep get …

  55. 55.

    AxelFoley

    April 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    @pragmatism:

    @Cromagnon: i do believe i just got served. do the kids still say that?

    No, they say you got ethered.

    See Jones, Nasir and Carter, Shawn

    See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ether_(song)

  56. 56.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    @Amanda in the South Bay: ye olde appeal to authority. not as egregious as having esq as a part of your handle, but a bit obnoxious IMHO

  57. 57.

    Seth Owen

    April 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    If there’s forensic evidence to support a murder charge then the police aren’t the only ones who are going to look bad. There will be quite a hefty number of Zimmerman apologists who will need to eat crow. Especially the ones who warned about a ‘rush to judgement.’

  58. 58.

    JWL

    April 11, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Ka-Ching!

    She hit the lottery. Book deals, movies, the lecture circuit.

  59. 59.

    Craig

    April 11, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    @Unsympathetic: Yeah, that’s entirely wrong. Second-degree murder in Florida also includes depraved-heart murder, where the defendant displays a reckless indifference to human life. That’s the charge on Zimmerman.

    You’re also completely backwards on grand juries. If you want to bring a charge, and you don’t have to go to a grand jury, there is absolutely no gain in doing so. If the case is strong enough to hold up in your professional opinion, there is no value in unnecessarily putting it before a bunch of civilians who can embarrass you with no bill. The only reason prosecutors go to the GJ voluntarily is to punt the case without making it obvious.

  60. 60.

    Elizabelle

    April 11, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    What are the chances that Stand your Ground in Florida gets repealed or massively scaled back?

  61. 61.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    @AxelFoley: LOL. i’m gonna listen to illmatic on my way home tonight because of this. cheers.

  62. 62.

    The Bobs

    April 11, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    They are going to have to depose Hannity. None of the conversations with Zimmerman are privileged, so he will have to talk. This could be very interesting.

  63. 63.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    @Amanda in the South Bay:

    I’m not a fucking lawyer, but even if I were, what the fuck? Seriously, what the fuck are you talking about? This prosecutor is a pro of the highest order, and the people of Florida and the US are lucky to have people like her .. by the thousands .. working their asses off to get justice to work in this country, and John Cole is totally and completely full of shit on this thread. Full of shit.

    That’s a fact and you can like or not, that doesn’t change anything.

    “Weird vibe’ charges from a fucking guy who makes a blog living doing posts about his pets’ bowel movements. Yeah, I got it.

  64. 64.

    Craig

    April 11, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    @joes527: Nope. Excited utterance, present sense impression, and present state of mind can all get it in.

    But not dying declaration, which is what every self-declared legal expert on the internets thinks.

  65. 65.

    JCT

    April 11, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    @Craig: And apparently this prosecutor has a rep for not bothering with Grand Juries when she doesn’t think they’re necessary.

  66. 66.

    Nicole

    April 11, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    I also thought she came across as weird, but she got more relaxed the more questions she fielded. She was very good once she was done with the prepared speech.

    My dad spent his career in criminal law, and he says it’s typical for the state to go for the most severe charge they can, so there’s room to move down- a jury can convict for manslaughter on a murder charge, but can’t convict for murder if the charge is manslaughter.

  67. 67.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    @Thymezone: which part was he full of shit about. the part where it was his opinion that her mannerisms were odd? to paraphrase the dude, it’s just like, you know, an opinion, man.

  68. 68.

    SarahT

    April 11, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    @BGinCHI: @tuna: @lamh35: Yes to all

  69. 69.

    jl

    April 11, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    @Elizabelle: All the trouble they cause, if you are in a state that has a ‘stand your ground law’, start a repeal drive. If some loon introduces one in your state leg, start a recall petition.

    These laws are poisonous and cause trouble.

    Big problem in my mind from the news stories I have read is that the conclusion is not accepted by community because the law often prevents what the public perceives as reasonably thorough and due diligence investigation into what happened. That is just a MHO from what I have read.

    Bad bad hideous laws, mainly designed and backed by the NRA (aka industry front group) to force one way or another, to juice arms and ammo sales. Also, just a MHO.

  70. 70.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 11, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    @Unsympathetic: Oh dear lord.

  71. 71.

    Some Guy

    April 11, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    @Thymezone: Yes. That was an awesome Q and A. She educated and pushed back on pack journalism and sensationalism. Her demeanor was the face of a warrior. She smiled and deflected, using a decorous feminis style to establish whose room that was. She owned that conference and did exactly what she needed to do. She changed the unlock narrative. I would be surprised if everything did not settle down, not just because Zimmerman was charged, but because she set the tone. Her vibe was about deflecting a press corps she clearly finds irresponsible. I was so impressed. Well done Angela Corey. I would, give her a big ‘old hug if I could.

  72. 72.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    @pragmatism:

    Yeah, I know what opinion is, asshole. And mine is that Cole is totally full of shit. I don’t think Angela Corey will be telling him how to drive his fucking tank, or how to wipe his dog’s ass, and I doubt that he will be telling her anything about how to be a prosecutor.

  73. 73.

    MikeJ

    April 11, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    @Unsympathetic:

    Murder 2 is defined as “killing of another human being during the commission of a felony that is imminently dangerous to human life”

    No.
    FL criminal code 782.04 3(02)

    The unlawful killing of a human being, when perpetrated by any act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind regardless of human life, although without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual, is murder in the second degree and constitutes a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life

    Shooting at someone is imminently dangerous.

  74. 74.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    @Some Guy:

    Bingo, you got it exactly right, every word. Good job.

  75. 75.

    Egg Berry

    April 11, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    @Thymezone:

    This prosecutor is a pro of the highest order, and the people of Florida and the US are lucky to have people like her

    So you’ve worked for her, with her, or against her?

    Good to know.

  76. 76.

    Elizabelle

    April 11, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    Trayvon’s mother just spoke at presser:

    I want to say thank you from my heart to your heart.

    A heart has no color.

    It’s not black, it’s not white. It’s red.

  77. 77.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    @Thymezone: his opinion about her mannerisms do not necessarily mean that he thinks she’s bad at all aspects of her job. you have to read a lot into what he said to end up where you did, but you do seem kinda angry so that makes it easier for you to come off as completely unhinged.

  78. 78.

    Narcissus

    April 11, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    She just has gas people jeez

  79. 79.

    lacp

    April 11, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    @Elizabelle: I’d say zero or none.

  80. 80.

    JGabriel

    April 11, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    __
    __
    Unsympathetic:

    Murder 2 is defined as “killing of another human being during the commission of a felony that is imminently dangerous to human life” – and so why in this case wasn’t murder 1 charged?

    From the Website of a Florida lawyer, Richard Hornsby:

    Definition of Second Degree Murder
    __
    The crime of Second Degree Murder occurs when a person commits either: Murder with a Depraved Mind or Accomplice Felony Murder
    __
    Murder with a Depraved Mind
    __
    Murder with a Depraved Mind occurs when a person is killed, without any premeditated design, by an act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind showing no regard for human life.
    __
    The primary distinction between Premeditated First Degree Murder and Second Degree Murder with a Depraved Mind is that First Degree Murder requires a specific and premeditated intent to kill.

    __
    I found this using Google — can’t vouch for Hornsby but it seems accurate enough.

    .

  81. 81.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    @Egg Berry:

    I said what I meant and meant what I said, jerkoff. Take it or leave it, I don’t give a rat’s ass. Cole is full of shit and probably as usual posting drunk, and he ought to take down that stupid shitty post he made.

  82. 82.

    LanceThruster

    April 11, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    Where were the Teahadists and gun rights nuts when the Black Panther’s right to open carry was taken away by St. Ronnie Raygun in the 60’s?

    http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/09/the-secret-history-of-guns/8608/

  83. 83.

    Steve

    April 11, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    @MikeJ: Shooting at someone is intent to kill, or at least intent to commit grievous bodily harm. “Depraved heart” homicide is uncommon, and would be something like firing a gun into the air in a crowded area – you weren’t trying to shoot someone, but what you did was so dangerous that you might as well have been.

  84. 84.

    CynDee

    April 11, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    @jl: How is “standing your ground” the same as chasing somebody down and murdering him?

  85. 85.

    JGabriel

    April 11, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    __
    __
    Unsympathetic:

    The only reason a cop ever wants to avoid a grand jury …

    __
    By the way, cops don’t empanel grand juries. Prosecutors do. And prosecutors will skip the grand jury if they feel the evidence is strong enough to go straigt to trial.

    .

  86. 86.

    Egg Berry

    April 11, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    @Thymezone: are you the designated “fuck you, asshole” troll for this thread?

  87. 87.

    joes527

    April 11, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    @MikeJ:

    when perpetrated by any act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind regardless of human life, although without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual, is murder in the second degree

    Sounds like a good match for “Dude was running around the neighborhood playing cops and robbers while carrying an actual gun, and someone ended up dead.”

  88. 88.

    Spaghetti Lee

    April 11, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    People sometimes smile at odd circumstances. It’s some sort of psychological thing. Like if you’re reading a eulogy and suddenly get the giggles. It doesn’t mean she’s a sensationalist fame-seeker or that she’s thinking of how it will help her run for governor or whatever else people are saying. If anything she should be frowning, because she’s about to find out what it’s like to be wingnut enemy number one, what with Limbaugh telling blowjob jokes about you and Michelle Malkin poking through your trash can.

  89. 89.

    MikeJ

    April 11, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    @Steve: I believe the depraved heart clause in this statute means that you didn’t need to be trying to kill somebody, you merely needed to do something that had a good chance of it happening. If you ran someone down with your car you might not have been thinking “I want to kill him”, but it would be murder nonetheless.

  90. 90.

    shortstop

    April 11, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Maybe one day soon we could have Handymen Screech at Laypeople Who Discuss DIY Projects Evening, or Librarians Take the Piss Out Of People Who Dare to Talk about Books Hour, or something like that. You know, give the same handful of obnoxious lawyers (which doesn’t constitute all of BJ’s lawyers by any means) a day off.

  91. 91.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Clearly, this case has people acting crazy in all sorts of ways today. I got a guy on my FB list who is calling this prosecutor a “crazy conservative lying bitch.” This gentleman is a professed liberal.

    I’m convinced that half of America is drunk half the time.

  92. 92.

    dlnelson

    April 11, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    @Elizabelle: I have sat on three juries, and there is always a problem. Prosecutors and defense lawyers do hard research. It is no fun, and one person or two can throw the whole process. Yes, both sides do it, especially when there is money on the line, or reputations. It is carefully thought through, nothing is left to speculation. It is a done deal. Consultants, for both sides read people. It is a scary deal. Jury duty is admirable, but it is throwing twelve folks together from all different walks of life, it changes your views.

  93. 93.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    @shortstop: i’d like to join your anger management cult. do you have any literature?

  94. 94.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    @Egg Berry:

    Whatever you say, dude. What is your designated role? Language police? Fuck you.

    I’ll tell you the same thing I said to this kind of bullshit post of yours, on this blog, seven years ago: I have never used a word here that John Cole didn’t use first. If you have a problem with the language, contact him.

  95. 95.

    Heliopause

    April 11, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    Her mannerisms are really odd.

    I’m afraid I don’t get that at all. She acted exactly like I’d expect someone in her position to act.

    That aside, you can bet that as we write she is being transformed in some quarters from “tough but fair prosecutor” to “closet liberal with granite countertops.” Or “latest victim of the Obama Chicago Shakedown Machine.” Or both.

  96. 96.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    So anyone else wondering if TPTB at Fox are a little perturbed by how much KKKlanity has become a part of this case, not just from his usual daily racist ranting, but now to know that he actually spoke with GZ and that if what his former lawyers alleged that he was getting some sort of counsel from KKKlanity is true.

    KKKlanity is opionion at Fox right, not news so no privalege is warranted right?

  97. 97.

    travy

    April 11, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    @Thymezone:

    dude, you sound like the drunk.. she seemed oddly happy at the start of what should be a serious presser. that’s a little weird. less weird than you calling everyone an asshole and saying cole is full of shit.

    why don’t you chill the fuck out, asshole?

  98. 98.

    trollhattan

    April 11, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    What are the chances that Stand your Ground in Florida gets repealed or massively scaled back?

    Somewhat less than glaciers galloping forth from the Everglades and scraping Miami into the Atlantic?

    This is Florida we’re talking about.

  99. 99.

    MikeJ

    April 11, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    @shortstop:

    Maybe one day soon we could have Handymen Screech at Laypeople Who Discuss DIY Projects Evening

    I’m in favor of this.

  100. 100.

    Egg Berry

    April 11, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    @Thymezone: trololololololol

  101. 101.

    kc

    April 11, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    One thing puzzled me: She kept saying that the investigation was ongoing when she was appointed. But I thought the police chief had made it pretty clear there would be no charges filed against Zimmerman.

  102. 102.

    Groucho48

    April 11, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    @JGabriel:

    Well, she might have decided it was a waste of time dealing with the lawyers that just quit, as, apparently, they weren’t in contact with their client.

  103. 103.

    CraigoMc

    April 11, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    @kc: 1. The police chief had stepped aside when she was appointed.

    2. There’s no percentage in slagging the cops.

  104. 104.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    @pragmatism:

    I’m not reading into it, I am taking it at face value. Your mileage may differ. Good for you. Cole is full of shit. He apparently thinks that all prosecutors look like Hamilton Burger. He will be surprised that some people in the world actually get up happy to be alive and loving their jobs and their work every day, and do it without drinking, and aren’t crazy. Maybe in West Virginia they don’t have that. I don’t fucking know. Cole is a dick, that I know from years of experience. I stand on my posts, and if you have any questions, see my entry at #74. The post I reply to there is the one Cole should have made if he were sober or had a fucking brain.

  105. 105.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    @travy:

    What the fuck does “oddly happy” mean? Seriously, what the fuck? Are you “oddly happy” if you smile when you speak? What are you, a fucking drama coach? Did you want to re-shoot the scene and give her a longer, sadder face so that your impression of the event would be more satisfying to you?

    See post #71 for an intelligent look at what really happened today, and then ask yourself exactly what value mister “you shoulda seen my dog’s turd” blogger is adding to the proceedings.\

  106. 106.

    bk

    April 11, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    @Egg Berry: apparently!

  107. 107.

    Enzymes

    April 11, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    Steel magnolia

    I’m surprised John didn’t see that. After watching the Q&A I’d not turn my back on her

  108. 108.

    JGabriel

    April 11, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    @Groucho48:

    Well, [Corey] might have decided it was a waste of time dealing with the lawyers that just quit, as, apparently, they weren’t in contact with their client.

    Fair point. Corey may have dealt with Zimmerman’s new lawyers though. I don’t know what the timeline is on Zimmerman’s counsel switch. Do you?

    .

  109. 109.

    lamh35

    April 11, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    @kc: exactly what I had read. I think that was just her trying not to have the PD which she will need to talk to more be hostile towards her.

    It’s like basically, she’s saying…”hey, I know YOU did your jobs, but what can you tell me about …”

  110. 110.

    Steve

    April 11, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    @MikeJ: I think you are correct, but honestly, in a situation with two people and one gun it’s hard to think of many scenarios that would satisfy “depraved mind” but wouldn’t satisfy “intent to kill.” There’s maybe a little too much focus on the “depraved mind” aspect of things.

  111. 111.

    Maude

    April 11, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    @kc:
    Perhaps it was CYA for the police.

    @CynDee:
    The snark answer is it’s Florida.

  112. 112.

    gocart mozart

    April 11, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    @Amir Khalid:
    Yes
    @joes527:
    No
    @The Bobs:
    That’s not the reason why it’s not hearsay

  113. 113.

    Martin

    April 11, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    Her mannerisms are really odd.

    Holy shit, this video will be on infinite loop on every news program in the country and no matter what I say, half of the nation will think I’m the progeny of Hitler and Osama Bin Laden and the other half will think I’m bullshitting them. This is a no-win situation. I want to run away, but I can’t. And the mental image associated with my name for the rest of my life will be how I look in front of these cameras right this minute, and I’m not thrilled with this outfit or my hair today. I probably already have a Wikipedia page with this screenshot on it and two paragraphs about how I hate white people. Try to look normal and resist the urge to projectile vomit.

  114. 114.

    travy

    April 11, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    @Thymezone:

    i think a lot of people were probably taken aback by her initial demeanor. she was announcing murder charges, yano?

    clearly you have some previous unresolved issues with this blog so i’ll ignore you now, asshole. :)

  115. 115.

    David Koch

    April 11, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    They’re gonna have to put Zimmerman in isolation, no way he survives the general lock-up.

  116. 116.

    CraigoMc

    April 11, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    @Steve: I don’t know what you mean by “too much” depraved-heart, since it’s an essential element of the crime he’s being charged with.

  117. 117.

    Mark B

    April 11, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    Second degree murder sounds about right to me. If there was premeditation, it couldn’t have lasted more than a few moments. Sure, Zimmerman is a horrible person and it’s a horrible crime, but nothing is to be gained by overcharging him. I hope he spends a long, long, long time in jail.

  118. 118.

    travy

    April 11, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    @Maude:

    not only is it florida, it’s jacksonville which is like florida’s florida.

  119. 119.

    dogwood

    April 11, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    @Some Guy:

    Well-said. She really did control that press conference. Without dissing the press, the police department, or the SYG statute, she made it clear that she was more than comfortable pursuing murder 2 charges. She was very respectful of Mr. Zimmerman’s rights, the sensibilities of the family and her duty to the people of Florida to prosecute crimes. We shall see if she is as effective in the courtroom.

    I think I get what Cole was saying, however. Her demeanor and persona were off-putting to me as well. Fairly or unfairly, I pegged her as a typical right wing Southern evangelical female politician. I know nothing about her, but I also know I’m not going to have a beer with her either. So, if she gets results. I’m good with it. She started well this afternoon.

  120. 120.

    Some Guy

    April 11, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    @Egg Berry: Look,I don’t care for the invective or past posting behavior, but I simply do not agree with the idea that Corey was weird or creepy. She was facing a press pool drooling for headlines and she stuck to her job and she made every effort to teach people about legal process. She could not and should not have attacked Sanford police. That she put the best face on the investigation is a problem? If she started pointing fingers about Sanford process she would have derailed her own prosecution. If she is to pull this off, she has to be utterly scrupulous about process. I thought she did great. So much could have gone wrong and nothing did. I think John’s first reaction is simply unfair. That Zimmerman was successfully charge without adding a shiny bauble of prosecutorial indiscretion is more important than Thymeszon’s brawling language isn’t it? Seriously, would you want your prosecturor getting into trashing the local PD or hamming in up for the camera or would you rather she stuck to process like a life preserver? This is likely the most stressful press moment of her career. Jesus, like you would do better. Give her some props for successfully moving this nightmare into a proper place for goodness sake.

  121. 121.

    JPL

    April 11, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    @travy: this

    When Angela started her news conference, it seemed celebratory and lacked the basic seriousness that often accompanies these events. As she went on, her words told a different story and I praised her.
    I do think the news media played an important role in highlighting the case, because I personally doubt a special prosecutor would be appointed if there was no focus on this case.

  122. 122.

    ThatLeftTurnInABQ

    April 11, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    @Egg Berry:

    are you the designated “fuck you, asshole” troll for this thread?

    __
    Just so you know, Thymezone (and the same person under a few other handles) is one of the longest running commentors still active around here and has been telling folks around these parts that they are full of shit in an abrasive fashion since way before Cole converted from the dark side. So being flamed by them is sort of like showing up at the front during the later stages of WW1 and being told that you have mud on your sh0es, by a grizzled old vet who has been slogging it out in the trenches since November 1914.
    __
    Of course that doesn’t automatically mean that you actually do have mud on your shoes, but it might be worth a discrete look to check and see, just the same. And in any case, you ought to savor the experience of being told off properly by one of the few remaining BJ old-timers. Not everybody gets that any more.

  123. 123.

    ChrisNYC

    April 11, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    @kc: There was an investigation by a state’s attorney going on. The Sanford PD turned the case over after concluding that they would not charge Zimmerman and after the PD news conferences, etc. She replaced the first state’s attorney, who was really aggressive in asserting that there was nothing for the DOJ to investigate. Also, she’s from another jurisdiction so arguably would be best positioned to not be swayed by relationships with local law enforcement.

  124. 124.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    @travy: This.

    The ingrate has plenty of fodder for righteous anger right here on today’s clusterfark of front-page posts.

    We’ve got racism, injustice, the first church of child-rape (and it’s legion of apologists), etc.

    And he gets in a twist over some rather mundane comment made by Cole, which (if my own reaction was any indicator of general consensus here among the sane) barely even registered at first.

    And proceeds to engage in a thread long tirade about absolutely nothing. What a transparent, stupid and obvious troll this moron is.

    I can’t help but believe it’s just another BJ troll regular sock-puppet. maybe MC or Kola. who knows.

    Thymzone. You’re a gobshite.

  125. 125.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    @travy:

    The people who “had issues with her demeanor” have no basis for having those issues. None, zero. That is her demeanor. She’s proud of her team, proud of her work on the case, proud to be delivering some justice into a situation that sucked right up until today, proud, and rightly so, to represent the system and her craft.

    The people who expected something else ought to look at their expectations and figure out what their fucking problem is. They have no fucking clue. They have no idea what life is like inside a prosecutor’s shop. And, to their defense, they don’t have a way to know that without being there. But most people are smart enough to understand that .. or sober enough, in this case.

  126. 126.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    @Thymezone: got it. You’re unhinged and everyone’s mileage may vary except for cole cause you think he’s a dick.

  127. 127.

    Mark B

    April 11, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    I didn’t hear the news conference, I was watching with the sound turned off while I was working out at the gym. Having said that, I didn’t see anything wrong with her mannerisms. Lots of southern women are trained to smile and stand a certain way while speaking. While it may not have been totally comfortable for someone from another area to act that way, it was the most natural way for her to deal with the situation of giving an important speech in front of a room of people. It seemed perfectly normal to me, but I was raised in the south.

    Edit: I can also see the other viewpoint. Having lived in NYC for 8 years, people in the northeast don’t put up that kind of front. It probably looks odd to them.

  128. 128.

    rikyrah

    April 11, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    @TooManyJens:

    NO, YOU DIDN’T bring up The Closer

  129. 129.

    MikeJ

    April 11, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    @Steve: It doesn’t say you can’t have intent to kill, just that it can’t be premeditated.

    That fact he used a gun makes the depraved mind even clearer. Manslaughter is used for normal recklessness. The depraved mind means you did something dangerous that went beyond reckless.

  130. 130.

    slag

    April 11, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    @Steve: I’ve encountered “suspicious-looking” people on the street (almost always white people). At no point did it occur to me to follow them with a loaded gun in my possession. From a standard English perspective, the phrase “depraved mind”, while somewhat antiquated, seems to fit George Zimmerman’s behavior pretty well.

  131. 131.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    @pragmatism:

    I don’t think it, I know it. The guy is a huge dick ,and he is wrong about this matter, full of shit, as I said.

    Compare Cole’s worthless post with #71, and pick the one you think best represents the facts. It’s that simple. Pick the one you like, and go with that, and then go fuck yourself.

  132. 132.

    Some Guy

    April 11, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    @dogwood: I appreciate that. It did not nether me,the southern lady thing,vbscause I see that as her armor, whether sincerely donned or tactically so. If I were Raltted to Trayvon, I would feel really good about my chance of seeing justice after that. Who Corey is personally, meh. So used the Southern matron persona to enact her power. It may not play everywhere, but do you respect her? That is the point.

  133. 133.

    Comrade Scrutinizer

    April 11, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    @ThatLeftTurnInABQ: This. Getting flamed by Thymezone is like getting flamed by Armando in the old days over at the GOS: a necessary rite of passage.

  134. 134.

    Groucho48

    April 11, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    @JGabriel:

    No, I don’t know the timeline. I’m just speculating about the plea bargain part because proving a “depraved mind regardless of human life” for Zimmerman might be tough to do unless there are facts we don’t know…like Martin was shot from a distance, or in the back, or something. Simply following Martin, armed, seems more like reckless disregard, or whatever the criteria are for manslaughter.

  135. 135.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    @gaz:

    Whatever. I’m right, and you can go fuck yourself.

    Again, the reference here is posts 74 and 71. That’s it.

  136. 136.

    Maus

    April 11, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    @Egg Berry:

    Wait till they get to court. I suppose it will be televised.

    Ungh, I really hope it won’t. I’m sure it’ll be a cable news ratings festival, fuck the lot of them.

  137. 137.

    Mnemosyne

    April 11, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    The only thing that worries me here is that one of the ways that Los Angeles County DAs have fucked up multiple high-profile cases is by going for the highest charge possible and not giving the jury the ability to choose to find the person guilty on a lesser charge, so you end up with defendants walking free because the jury thinks they’re guilty of manslaughter but can’t bring that verdict.

    So jumping straight to second-degree murder could easily result in a hung jury or even an acquittal if this prosecutor isn’t careful.

  138. 138.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    @Thymezone: Of course you think you are right.

    Morons always do. It’s called illusory superiority, and you sir, are wallowing in it.

    I’d tell you to go fuck yourself, but I’m not sure you could handle the rejection

  139. 139.

    SarahT

    April 11, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    @Martin: BINGO

  140. 140.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    @Thymezone: They can both be right oldthymer. She can be the bestest evar and cole and others can be put off by her demeanor.

  141. 141.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    @Comrade Scrutinizer:

    Oh right, because my once every couple or three months’ flame is such a big factor around here. You stupid dick. When was the last time I actually flamed anyone here? You can’t remember, I can tell you that much. So kiss my ass.

  142. 142.

    MikeJ

    April 11, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    @Groucho48: No. Shooting somebody pretty much shows that you didn’t care if they lived or died. It is not recklessness. Unless of course you’re arguing that Zimmerman was cleaning his gun and it went off.

  143. 143.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    @gaz:

    I don’t think I am right, I know I am right. Again, 74 and 71. Or Cole’s probably-drunk piece of shit top post. Pick your favorite. It’s that simple.

  144. 144.

    Craigo

    April 11, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    @Groucho48: Reckless disregard and depraved heart are the same thing.

  145. 145.

    Some Guy

    April 11, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    @Some Guy: Typing on iPad and it won’t let me correct misspellings, so sorry about the terrible syntax.

  146. 146.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    April 11, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    @Martin:
    THIS.

  147. 147.

    Egg Berry

    April 11, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    @Some Guy: Look, I don’t watch press conferences for this very reason. But duly noted.
    @ThatLeftTurnInABQ: Thanks for the heads up. I will file this in my medal folder.

  148. 148.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    @Thymezone:

    I don’t think I am right, I know I am right

    Thanks for going through the trouble of underscoring my point about you.

    Saves me the hassle.

  149. 149.

    Quaker in a Basement

    April 11, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    I’m convinced that half of America is drunk half the time.

    OK, who’s letting the side down? We can do better than this, people!

  150. 150.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    Hey, Cole bonesmokers. Zimmerman’s lawyer just smiled on camera. Is he odd too? Your thoughts?

  151. 151.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    @Quaker in a Basement:

    I swagged the number. It’s probably higher.

  152. 152.

    burnspbesq

    April 11, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    @Amanda in the South Bay:

    Ah, geez, is this another one of those “i’m a lawyer, so what I say is gold” sorta things

    You have a problem with people who have relevant knowledge and experience sharing it? If so, why?

  153. 153.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    Oh wow, did you see the facial expression that Zimmerman’s lawyer just made? What is he, ON DRUGS??? OMG!!

  154. 154.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    OH SWEET JESUS. ZIMMERMAN’S LAWYER USED THE WORD “FAITH”.

    ARE WE IN FOR A RELIGIOUS WAR NOW?!?!

    OOPS I SAID JESUS! AM I A RELIGIOUS NUTCASE? WHERE AM I?

  155. 155.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    @burnspbesq: No she has a problem with credentialed cretinism.

    Which you unfailingly bring to the table here.

    Don’t you have to go donate to your priest’s rape fund or something?

  156. 156.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    There were a couple times her smiles were at discord with what she was saying and it was jarring at the moment. What I felt was that a certain amount of nerves may have been involved considering the national press and the implications on local LE that needed to be avoided. It was a very capable presentation over all.

  157. 157.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    Mark O’Mara? Is he Catholic? I’m getting a weird vibe.

  158. 158.

    burnspbesq

    April 11, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    @pragmatism:

    That’s been my email address for 20 years. I should change it because of your tender sensibilities? Not bloody likely.

  159. 159.

    Comrade Scrutinizer

    April 11, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    [email protected]Mnemosyne: z
    So maybe she should charge him with a parking violation and then trade up later? Nah. She should charge him with what she thinks her best case is and then make the case. I wouldn’t be impressed with a long list of possible charges; I’d think the prosecutor was fishing.

  160. 160.

    Some Guy

    April 11, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    @Egg Berry: Totally fair.

  161. 161.

    burnspbesq

    April 11, 2012 at 7:41 pm

    @gaz:

    Just curious: are you good at anything? Because your reasoning and insult skills are non-existent.

  162. 162.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    @burnspbesq:

    I’m offended by your handle.

    Just kidding.

    Or am I??

    Hey, Willie Brown is frowning. What kind of weird signal is HE sending??

  163. 163.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    @Chuck Butcher:

    Chuck, you smirked when you typed that. Don’t thing for a minute that you are getting away with anything here. That smirk sends a weird vibe and it tells us all we need to know about you, compadre.

  164. 164.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    @burnspbesq: I figured as much. It’s a young lawyer thing to do. You can have whatever name you want. And I’m free to mock it. Who is being sensitive here?

  165. 165.

    satanicpanic

    April 11, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    Wow, some people don’t know when to quit

  166. 166.

    Felanius Kootea

    April 11, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    @Thymezone: Hey ppGaz! Been a while.

    I for one am just glad that charges have been filed (I really thought Zimmerman would never be arrested because of Stand Your Ground). I think Cole is too. The demeanor of the special prosecutor is of less importance than what she’s doing – a lot of people would be upset right now if she announced that no charges would be filed because of SYG, in an appropriately mournful tone.

  167. 167.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    That’s right, homes. Not only am I smarter than you, I am funnier than you. By about TEN THOUSAND TIMES. Eat your fucking livers.

  168. 168.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    @burnspbesq: I’m quite good at not supporting the rape of children, if nothing else. Unlike you.

  169. 169.

    burnspbesq

    April 11, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    @Thymezone:

    I’m offended by your handle.

    Not my problem.

    I think your handle is sophomoric. Unless you grow herbs for a living, in which case I apologize for saying that.

  170. 170.

    burnspbesq

    April 11, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    @gaz:

    Your also good at lying. You can spend the rest of your life searching the archives of this blog and fail to find anything I have ever said that can fairly be said as supportive of child sexual abuse. Go ahead, produce it. Take all the time you need.

  171. 171.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    @satanicpanic:

    That’s what Mitt Romney said. Amirite?

    Where did you get that line, off a Magic 8-Ball?

  172. 172.

    AxelFoley

    April 11, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    @Thymezone:

    I said what I meant and meant what I said, jerkoff. Take it or leave it, I don’t give a rat’s ass. Cole is full of shit and probably as usual posting drunk, and he ought to take down that stupid shitty post he made.

    Watch out, we got a badass over here.

    Damn, Cole, you sure do attract some interesting folks here.

    LOL

  173. 173.

    Ripley

    April 11, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    @David Koch:

    They’re gonna have to put Zimmerman Thymezone in isolation, no way he survives the general lock-up next press conference.

  174. 174.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:48 pm

    @Felanius Kootea:

    Back atcha .. except I don’t recognize the name badge. Are you one of the Damned of the Mailing List … or ….somebody I owe money to?

  175. 175.

    Tonal Crow

    April 11, 2012 at 7:48 pm

    I loathe DA pressers. DAs should never say anything beyond “We are investigating”, “We are not investigating”, “We are pressing charges x, y, and z”, or “We are not pressing charges”. Anything else prejudices the case and politicizes the office.

    Back to the main topic, I’m glad they charged Zimmerman.

  176. 176.

    dogwood

    April 11, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    @Thymezone:

    Why are you choosing this fight? I’ve read this entire thread, and not a single person has criticized the prosecutor’s competence or even suggested she didn’t handle the press effectively. Why do you care if a few people, Cole included, found her demeanor off-putting? From what I could gather about Angela Corey from today’s press conference, if she read this thread, she’d feel pretty good, and would probably tell you to chill out.

  177. 177.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    @Felanius Kootea: pretty much this.

    I didn’t expect it either, and am glad it happened.

    He’ll be tried, and I believe (almost to the point of betting) he’ll be convicted.

    And the nice woman who leads the charge (demeanor not withstanding) will probably get some career goodies out of this mess.

    The only one that really loses (and matters) is the Martin family. But at least a conviction will hopefully bring them some small modicum of peace.

  178. 178.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    @burnspbesq:

    I do grow herbs, but not for a living. So I guess I am damned.

    Would you prefer one of my twenty other handles?

    How about Angus The God Of Meat? And no, I am not a butcher. In fact I am not even Chuck Butcher. For that matter, I am not even Flank Steak Butcher.

  179. 179.

    cmm

    April 11, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    @Steve: No that is voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. 2nd degree homicide is where there is an intent to kill but no premeditation. 3rd degree homicide (in Florida, as I get from reading the statute, IANAL etc) is when you set out to hurt but not kill, but accidentally kill someone. Like if you were in a bar fight and you punch someone and they fall over and hit their head on the curb and die. You did something on purpose to that particular person, and they ended up dead.

    Manslaughter is when you kill someone without having any intentions toward a particular person whatsoever. Voluntary would be something like shooting a gun up in the air; you undertook a dangerous act and someone wound up dead. Involuntary is something like you were cleaning your gun and it went off, and someone wound up dead. You weren’t trying to do anything dangerous or reckless but something you did caused someone to die.

  180. 180.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    @AxelFoley:

    Too bad you aren’t one of them.

  181. 181.

    shortstop

    April 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    @burnspbesq: Hmmm, you have (some) relevant knowledge and experience and you still regularly make a fool of yourself on legal matters, with other, more capable attorneys correcting you at every turn. You’re just missing some key pieces of the set we call “expertise.” What’s more, you’re not even smart enough to learn from your ritual humiliations and dial down your arrogance, mistakenly believing that you brazen things out convincingly. So that’s sad for you, but very, very funny for us.

    @pragmatism: Well, no. Twenty years ago he was already middle-aged. So it’s even worse than you thought.

  182. 182.

    AxelFoley

    April 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    @Thymezone:

    LOL, u mad, bro?

  183. 183.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    @dogwood: because he’s a troll?

  184. 184.

    Larkspur

    April 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    Jeez, I had a whole response typed out and finally I realized that this is just ridiculous and that my time would be better spent over at Text From Dog, so having said that, I will now go do that, and don’t even think about trying to discern whether or not my affect is appropriate because you can’t even see me.

  185. 185.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    @dogwood:

    Oh shit, I forgot to submit the DW121 Form, Request for Dogwood’s Permission Or At Least Forbearance. My bad! The form is being sent under separate cover.

    PS – please DO hold your breath for it.

  186. 186.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    @AxelFoley: hehehe

  187. 187.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 7:54 pm

    @Thymezone:
    “smirked”

    Probably grinned like a drunken monkey, showing all kinds of really mean canines…

  188. 188.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    @burnspbesq: Today’s thread.

    You are a member of NAMBLA, errr I mean the Catholic Church.

    There’s no difference. Except one group wears funny hats and obsesses about ladyparts when they aren’t busy raping boys

  189. 189.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    @Chuck Butcher:

    Hey, long time no see.

  190. 190.

    Felanius Kootea

    April 11, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    @Thymezone: Someone you owe money. Lots of it :-). I’ve changed my handle a gazillion times since ’05.

  191. 191.

    amk

    April 11, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    This is not fucking miss america contest, cole. I guess this is your moronic rethug side that’s showing up.

  192. 192.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    @gaz:

    Hold the phone. What? Being a Catholic is support for child molestation?

    Damn, this place really has gone to shit. What kind of nutty BS is that, man?

  193. 193.

    shortstop

    April 11, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    @gaz: Now let’s be fair. Burnsy doesn’t openly support pedophilia. It’s extremely rare that he acknowledges it exists at all. Instead, he screams like a little girl about his victimization at the hands of “anti-Catholic bigots” every time the RCC’s institutionalized rape of children is discussed here.

  194. 194.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    @Thymezone:
    I’ve been around a lot TZ but short on comments. You’re still stirring the pot, I see. Not that I mind that kind of thing…

  195. 195.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    @amk:

    Cole thinks that if a woman smiles, she is asking for sex.

  196. 196.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    @Chuck Butcher:

    I gave up pot. My doctor made me.

  197. 197.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    @Thymezone: In a word. Yes. Being catholic means you are pro child rape. You give money to the Catholic church, you are giving money to an organization that systematically rapes kids, and covers for the rapists, and then hires law firms to go after the families of the victims, and intimidate them, or otherwise attempt to silence them.

    This is addressed ad-nauseum in another thread here, today even. You don’t have to go far.

  198. 198.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Wednesday must be boring…

  199. 199.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    @Larkspur:

    No but I hear a tone in your typing. A tone. You aren’t fooling anyone.

  200. 200.

    shortstop

    April 11, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    @Thymezone: Apparently she gave the nod to meth?

  201. 201.

    Dilbatt

    April 11, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    She started off a little bit weird, but she settled in. I thought she did a good job overall.

  202. 202.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    @Thymezone:
    I’ve got 8 Ball League in a few…
    see ya

  203. 203.

    cmm

    April 11, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    @Litlebritdifrnt: Seconded. Plus I imagine she’s been under a metric shit ton of stress for the last couple of weeks and there’s a break in the clouds right after she gets through this one last step.

  204. 204.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    @shortstop:

    I didn’t get that, but my dog jumped up when I read it.

  205. 205.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    @Chuck Butcher:

    Alright, later on man. Good to see you.

  206. 206.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    @Thymezone:
    Apparently I can’t tell time, so I can follow the fun for half an hour yet…

  207. 207.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    @gaz:

    Uh, no. Not buying that line. Sorry. First of all, I know a thing or two about child rape, having been a victim myself many years ago. Second, the church is within its rights to seek legal counsel when there are legal matters before it. Doing that does not make the churchgoer complicit in whatever wrong activity may have been at the basis of the legal action, that’s just stupid. That’s like saying that you support crime because your tax dollars go to pay for public defenders. Get serious. Or are you kidding? Honestly, I can’t tell, and that’s just because of the amount of spoof that goes on around here.

  208. 208.

    cmm

    April 11, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    @Thymezone: Hence the anger.

  209. 209.

    bk

    April 11, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    Some trolls can be entertaining. This idiot is just pure bile – and boring.

  210. 210.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    @Felanius Kootea:

    I used to do the Handle of the Month thing, but it just got to be a lot of work and I am lazier by the day. In fact I am so lazy that I c

  211. 211.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    @cmm:

    Fuck yeah. I’m looking for a new doctor.

  212. 212.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    @Thymezone: google C”atholic Church SNAP” and then get back to me.

    That’s not legal defense. That’s SLAPP style lawyering, and it’s designed to silence.

  213. 213.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    April 11, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    @Larkspur:

    Thanks for the link, that was some funny stuff. “you left the bedroom door open, you want me to pee on the bed right?”

    My life, writ large.

  214. 214.

    dogwood

    April 11, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    @Thymezone:

    Jesus, I actually asked a serious question. You took offense at Cole’s shallow response to the press conference. You argued that Ms. Corey was actually very effective. People agreed with you and yet you are still pissed off. Why do you care if a few people didn’t like her persona? They weren’t dwelling on it, so who gives a shit?

  215. 215.

    cmm

    April 11, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    This thread was worth it for the discovery of “Texts from Dog” alone.

  216. 216.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    @Thymezone:
    The organized cover-up and shuffling pedophile priests around is pretty disturbing behavior on the part of leaders, I’d say. But at the same time, the fact that Bushco were torturing warmongering lying sacks of shit didn’t make the USFS Ranger here one. In fact here was a pretty good guy…

    BTW, USFS – Dept Ag = Executive Branch

  217. 217.

    Mnemosyne

    April 11, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    @Comrade Scrutinizer:

    She should charge him with what she thinks her best case is and then make the case.

    That’s what I’m worried about — can she really make her best case for second degree murder or, as others have said, is she overcharging to pressure the defendant into a plea bargain but won’t be able to prove her case if it does go to trial?

    After the Casey Anthony debacle, can you blame me for being worried?

  218. 218.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    @Thymezone: and here’s a link from the grey lady in case you have trouble working teh google.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/us/catholic-church-pressures-victims-network-with-subpoenas.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1331715602-W

  219. 219.

    Groucho48

    April 11, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    @MikeJ:

    So, you are sayiomng that, even if Martin started the physical fight, and Zimmerman WAS in fear of his life, he would still be guilty of 2nd degree murder?

    I’m not saying that’s what happened, but, you seem to be saying there are no mitigating circumstances if you kill someone with a gun.

  220. 220.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    How long until the media circus trial?!

    If da threat from the skittle, you most vote for acquittal!

  221. 221.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    April 11, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    @cmm:

    Ditto. That was funny.

  222. 222.

    Clime Acts

    April 11, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    My god, why shouldn’t the woman smile oddly? She’s performing in what has become a three ring circus.

    I have no idea what verdict the totality of the evidence would require in this case because unlike most geniuses here I wasn’t at the scene of the crime, but it’s pretty clear this is a kangaroo case now.

  223. 223.

    HRA

    April 11, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    I think Angela Corey handled herself and the press very well. All of us have different mannerisms when standing in front of and speaking to a crowd of people. One can only imagine the pressures she had to deal with in getting to a determination.
    Correction: Being a member of a family with a long line of lawyers and magistrates does allow me to know about some of the pressures.

  224. 224.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:19 pm

    @dogwood:

    Apparently a bunch of people do. I made a post and ten people jumped all over me. If this is so unimportant, why would you be so fixated on trying to argue with me about it? It’s a rhetorical question, dude. I have already made like twenty thousand posts here in 7+ years and I pretty much know the drill, capiche?

    Only Cole could look at the ground-breaking event today and come up with “Why is that prosecutor so smiley?” as his main theme. This from the guy who makes posts about his pets’ waste elimination details.

    People are just different, know what I mean? Now I have been hammering the Intertube keys for 17 years and I have never yet described the effluent from one of my many pets. Never. That doesn’t make me better than you, or anyone else. But it does make a person who can say that I have never done it. And I like that. I like it very much. I really like it. Do you see what I mean? Different strokes for different blokes. Eh?

    Now, when it comes to prosecution shops, the one I worked in was 1000 people. That’s attys and support staff. Intense place, 2000+ felony convictions a month. I have a good feel for such a workplace. Let me put it this way: Angela Corey is one goddam class act, and I wouldn’t want to be George Zimmerman right now. That’s what counts, is it not?

  225. 225.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:
    Cripes,
    TZ & JSF on the same thread…
    let the games begin

  226. 226.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    @Chuck Butcher: The difference with the armed forces of course, is that once you are involved, you are compelled to continue your membership in that service, for fear of legal repercussion. For better or for worse, military service is compulsory once you are enlisted.

    The same is not true of the catholic church. Also, you can totally be a christian without ever even darkening their doorstep.

  227. 227.

    Comrade Scrutinizer

    April 11, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    @Mnemosyne: We’ll see, but from what I’ve read/heard about her, she doesn’t seem the type to overstep.

    And the Casey Anthony thing? Based on the available evidence, I would’ve acquitted her too. The “debacle” was media driven from beginning to end.

  228. 228.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    @dogwood: When I’m praying for Angela Corey tonight, I’m going to say a special little prayer for you and Teez.

  229. 229.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    @Thymezone:

    I have never yet described the effluent from one of my many pets

    I once noted that a winter composed of repeated snows, rains, hard freezes and a 150# Great White Pyrenees meant spring wasn’t going to be nice in that regard. Details unnecessary I thought.

  230. 230.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    @gaz:

    Dammit, I burned one of my free article reads at NYT for that? I already knew that.

    Look, I am not a Catholic. I do not attend any church these days. But there is no way you can brand all Catholic laity with “support for abuse” because the church as an institution is taking a particular course of action. The church is made up of millions of people, it’s an institution, and one that I rant against regularly, but if the institution has some element that is going in the wrong direction, and I am a member, then my first recourse is to work within that organization to fix the problem … not announce that all Catholics are sexual predators. I am not buying your argument.

  231. 231.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    @gaz:
    US Forest Service is a little short in the “you have to stay,” Dept.

  232. 232.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    @Chuck Butcher:

    Chuck, if you talked about a dog’s poop, I’d pay attention, it must be important. If Cole does it, I just have to make (another) note not to eat while reading his posts.

  233. 233.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    @Chuck Butcher:

    JSF owes me money.

    (Just kidding, but hey, it’s worth a shot).

  234. 234.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    @Groucho48:

    So, you are sayiomng that, even if Martin started the physical fight, and Zimmerman WAS in fear of his life, he would still be guilty of 2nd degree murder?

    He’s right, you know, absent SYG laws.

    Bringing a gun to a fist fight is not self defense. It’s murder. Plain and simple. The fact that it was done with the idea of self-defense (possibly) in the defendant’s mind might (and I say this without much certainty) mitigate the sentencing. maybe.

    But if you shoot someone because they punch you, that’s called murder in most states.

  235. 235.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    @Thymezone:

    work within that organization to fix the problem

    I use that excuse as a Democrat…

  236. 236.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    It’s standard procedure in such a case to “charge up” and plea down. Not exactly rocket science.

  237. 237.

    dogwood

    April 11, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    can you blame me for being worried?

    You’re free to worry all you want, but it will just drive you crazy. Ms. Corey, is proceeding with the case. Second guessing her, listening to armchair quarterbacks on the internet, reading amateur analysis, or watching the cable news jocks analyze the case is a waste of time. She will prosecute the case to be best of her ability, and the outcome is out of our hands. Every day cases like this come before prosecutors; sometimes justice is served and sometimes it is not. What makes me most angry about this process is the fact that it had to come to this media circus. Once the political partisans get involved in this shit, justice becomes secondary to winning one for the team.

  238. 238.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    @Thymezone: I’d rather owe it to ya than beat ya out of it. I’m a standup guy like that.

  239. 239.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    @gaz:
    The measure is the subjective one of “reasonable force.”

    SYG doesn’t trump manslaughter if it is provable that Zimmerman instigated the problem. If HE took the actions that led to the killing then HE is the one who acted in reckless disregard.

  240. 240.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    @Chuck Butcher: LOL, I read ranger and automatically read army into it. My little brother is a ranger. Rereading your post, I realize I was incredibly guilty of skimming your post.

    But on second read, I don’t know how the US forest service enters into any of this. They seem mostly harmless to me.

  241. 241.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Dude please.

  242. 242.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Now I feel less guilty about owing DougJ money.

  243. 243.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 11, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    @gaz:
    Sure they are, but they are the EX branch and take the money…

    Paint with too broad a brush and get bad results.

    Now I do gotta go play pool. Considering how I’ve been shooting lately, this may be more fun … but team and all that…

  244. 244.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    @Comrade Scrutinizer:

    Word. The state just did not prove its case. Somebody did something, for sure, but who? When? Where? We will probably never know.

  245. 245.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    @Thymezone: Don’t. He’s the one person it would be cool to stiff.

  246. 246.

    Bnad

    April 11, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    I don’t see weirdness beyond the affect of slightly Jesusy, slightly matriarchal central FL culture. I do see a very effective leader making sure every member of her team is acknowledged and giving a clinic in message control.

  247. 247.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    Chuck, how the hell are ya doing?

  248. 248.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Damn, I wish I had thought of that.

    In a week or two when everyone has forgotten, I will claim that I did.

  249. 249.

    Corner Stone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    @Seth Owen:

    Especially the ones who warned about a ‘rush to judgement.’

    When did this become a bad thing?

  250. 250.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    @Felanius Kootea:

    I should have known. (forehead slap). Another band around my ankle, I suppose?

  251. 251.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    @Chuck Butcher: I agree, but would like to ask, are you aware of a case where someone successfully managed to defend self-defense with a gun as “reasonable force” against someone with a pair of fists?

    I’m not aware of any cases like that offhand. Certainly it would seem to me that in any case like that, there had to be some sort of extenuating circumstances. And in Zimmerman’s case, Martin was a) a minor, b) substantially outweighed by Zimmerman.

    So it’d be a tough sell, I’d think. Again SYG seems to change this quite a bit – and seems scarily ambiguous. I’m arguing absent SYG, because I don’t think anyone has a clear legal view on what exactly it allows for. I’m thinking that assuming these types of laws stand, we’ll see various cases involving them invariably winding up in appellate courts all the time, and maybe eventually scotus. The SYG laws are nebulous. Not sure if that’s a bug or a feature as far as it’s authors are concerned.

  252. 252.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Good point.

  253. 253.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    @Thymezone: You better make yer move before John G. Cole tweets it.

  254. 254.

    TooManyJens

    April 11, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    @rikyrah:

    NO, YOU DIDN’T bring up The Closer

    Why, is that bad? To be honest, I haven’t seen it in years, since we quit having cable.

  255. 255.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Coffee spit. Another good point!

  256. 256.

    Slowbama

    April 11, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    Ya know, it’s perfectly fine that no one likes me here and I frequently get banned from posting even though I have never once personally attacked anyone or indulged in ad hominem attacks. I get it, life ain’t fair and I ain’t such a big deal.

    But this Thymezone thing. WTF? I mean jeez.

  257. 257.

    stratplayer

    April 11, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    I’m a very experienced postconviction defense attorney, and I see this as a classic case of using excessive force in self-defense, which is voluntary manslaughter in most states, including Florida. I think the special prosecutor is making a very big mistake in going for murder 2 in this instance, unless she is quite certain she can get Zimmerman to admit to using excessive force and pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. People in SYG states have to understand that SYG is not a license to gun down anyone who gains the upper hand in a freakin’ fistfight. A conviction of voluntary manslaughter despite the fact that the defendant was found to have acted in self-defense would be an enormously helpful thing.

  258. 258.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    @dogwood:

    By the way, your handle is disturbing. Sexual references to canines? Even here, that gives me a weird vibe.

  259. 259.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    @Slowbama:

    I mean jeez.

    No, it’s “teez”.

  260. 260.

    El Cid

    April 11, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    The real question is, how many bikes were stolen by black people during this announcement? That’s the real crime.

  261. 261.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    @Slowbama:

    Wow, twenty million FUCKS later and I have only been banned once. How did you manage it multiple times? I have tried everything, for crissakes. All the while keeping to Rule Number One: Never use any language that John Cole has not already used. Which pretty much includes every vile word in the English language, but still.

    I can’t get a break.

  262. 262.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    @El Cid:

    Funny. You must have seen that I Lost My White Guilt thing the other day?

  263. 263.

    Groucho48

    April 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    @gaz:

    So, you are saying that, if the incident happened exactly as Zimmerman said it did, (personally, I think he’s lying), that he would still be guilty of 2nd degree murder?

    What if a guy with a gun is just peacefully walking along and gets jumped and is in the process of being badly beaten? Would shooting in that case still be 2nd degree murder? Just trying to find if there is any situation, outside your house, where shooting someone who is unarmed is not 2nd degree murder.

    I mean, if what you are saying is true, a conviction would seem to be automatic.

    Zimmerman had gun? Check.
    Martin didn’t? Check.
    Guilty of 2nd degree murder. Next case…

  264. 264.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    @stratplayer:

    I’m a very experienced postconviction defense attorney, and I see this as a classic case of using excessive force in self-defense, which is voluntary manslaughter in most states

    Thanks for that. I thought it was still straight murder, not voluntary manslaughter.

    Given what you’ve said, I think you are likely right about the prosecutor overplaying the charge in hopes of niggling the defendant into an acceptable plea (acceptable by the prosecutor’s standards that is).

    Either that, or maybe she’s banking on the 911 call and possibly other minor bits of circumstantial evidence that he had intent to kill a kneegrow. Maybe. Who knows?

    Either way, I’m just glad he was charged finally. And I sincerely hope he has to answer for what he’s done. The Martin family deserves justice.

  265. 265.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 11, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    @Quaker in a Basement: It’s okay; the other half is drunk all the time.

  266. 266.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Well, it’s been a headslap. An oxygen bar. A trip down loss-of-memory lane. An adventure in perversity. A ball of wax.

    But this place is like cigarettes. You buy that first pack after a long quit, and the first few smokes taste so good, and then you think, I can quit right now, and the next thing you know, you bought a carton and you are coughing up bloody phlegm and breathing from a mask attached to a bottle you steer around on wheels next to you.

    So, I am outta here. But don’t get lazy, because I will be back to administer another butt whipping to each and every one of you.

  267. 267.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    @Thymezone:

    Wow, twenty million FUCKS later and I have only been banned once.

    That was over the little blue pill incident right? How could John know you weren’t a spammer but rather a very happy customer?

  268. 268.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    @Groucho48: According to another commenter (h/t stratplayer), I must stand corrected and say it is voluntary manslaughter, not murder 2 as I had thought.

    For sake of argument, let’s replace 2nd degree murder with voluntary manslaughter and play out this post.

    Put simply, the end of your post nailed it. Guily. Next.

    Except for that troublesome SYG law in florida, which as far as I can tell, substantially complicates the situation from a legal standpoint.

  269. 269.

    Comrade Mary

    April 11, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    @Thymezone: That mailing list is still going?

  270. 270.

    El Cid

    April 11, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    @Thymezone: Yes.

  271. 271.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I was pwned, they turned out to be Alleve with the name rubbed off.\

  272. 272.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    @Thymezone:

    I was pwned, they turned out to be Alleve with the name rubbed off.

    lolz

  273. 273.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    @Comrade Mary:

    No, Facebook pretty much killed it. A few of us old list-timers hang out on FB now, email me at ty.emzone at facebook dot com if you are interested.

  274. 274.

    stratplayer

    April 11, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    @gaz: What I’m worried about is if she pushes for a trial on murder 2 instead of voluntary manslaughter. I think she would exponentially increase her chances of securing a conviction by conceding that Zimmerman believed he was acting in self-defense, taking that whole issue off the table and focusing on whether he used excessive force in light of the circumstances. She has a a really strong case for excessive force, and the whole damn problem with SYG is that it encourages people to use excessive force whenever they feel the slightest bit afraid of getting a boo-boo at the hands of another person.

  275. 275.

    Anne Laurie

    April 11, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    @shortstop:

    Maybe one day soon we could have Handymen Screech at Laypeople Who Discuss DIY Projects Evening, or Librarians Take the Piss Out Of People Who Dare to Talk about Books Hour, or something like that. You know, give the same handful of obnoxious lawyers (which doesn’t constitute all of BJ’s lawyers by any means) a day off.

    I’ve tried encouraging them to start their own blog, but apparently WE’RE SMARTER THAN YOU & HAVE THE PAPERWORK TO PROVE IT didn’t test well with the marketing group. At least one of them is convinced they’ll get a front-page slot if only they can harangue the existing posters with sufficient vigor, which to my mind speaks of redoubling effort after forgetting objective, but then of course I Am Not A Lawyer…

  276. 276.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Hey, at least my back pain eased up.

  277. 277.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    @Thymezone:

    No, Facebook pretty much killed it. A few of us old list-timers hang out on FB now, email me at ty.emzone at facebook dot com if you are interested.

    Timeline should kill Facebook.

  278. 278.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    @Anne Laurie: LOL!

  279. 279.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    @stratplayer: I’m gonna go ahead and smile and nod at you – since you actually seem to know what you are talking about.

    I do hope that she secures a conviction in any case. She does seem overall like she’s not a complete nova monkey. Maybe she knows a bit about how to prosecute this – even if she may have miscalculated her initial charge. Here’s to hoping anyway.

    Cheers

  280. 280.

    pragmatism

    April 11, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    @shortstop: lol. Either way it’s a baked in appeal to authority. Which is fine but we can all acknowledge it and speculate on which deficiencies the user is trying to cover up. For burns it may be his love for Liverpool FC.

  281. 281.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:16 pm

    @Anne Laurie:

    I’ve tried encouraging them to start their own blog, but apparently WE’RE SMARTER THAN YOU & HAVE THE PAPERWORK TO PROVE IT didn’t test well with the marketing group. At least one of them is convinced they’ll get a front-page slot if only they can harangue the existing posters with sufficient vigor, which to my mind speaks of redoubling effort after forgetting objective, but then of course I Am Not A Lawyer…

    OTOH, we prolly could use an “I’m a doctor..” commenter for John.

  282. 282.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:17 pm

    @Thymezone: To be clear not all catholics are sexual predators. I did not say that and did not mean to imply it.

    However, ALL CATHOLICS (laity included, nay ESPECIALLY – since they are the lifeblood of the institution, and they pay the salaries through their donations, they show up for mass, they in every way are complicit) are responsible for giving aid and succor to an institution that SYSTEMATICALLY RAPES CHILDREN AND COVERS IT UP. Basically, NAMBLA, with funny hats, more money, and a God complex.

    I’m done drawing distinctions. Instead I’ve chosen to draw a line in the sand. Support the Catholic Church and you support child molesters. Period.

  283. 283.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    @gaz:

    I’m done drawing distinctions. Instead I’ve chosen to draw a line in the sand. Support the Catholic Church and you support child molesters. Period.

    I think it’s pretty clear at this point that it’s a criminal organization.

  284. 284.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: co-signed

  285. 285.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    April 11, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    @stratplayer: I see your point, and how it could be quite problematic. In FL is voluntary manslaughter a lesser included? I have very little postconviction work, but (more years than I will admit) criminal experience for both sides. I don’t know FL law, and have pertinent work things to research instead.

  286. 286.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I think it’s pretty clear at this point that it’s a criminal organization.

    Nah, real criminals would throw those cross-dressing, short-eyed mofos the beatdown of their lives.

  287. 287.

    Groucho48

    April 11, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    @gaz:

    Well, I’m not a lawyer and I haven’t slept in a Holiday Inn in years, but, using your assumptions, it doesn’t appear that there are ANY circumstances that would justify someone with a gun shooting someone without a gun, outside the house and disregarding those Stand Your Ground laws. That just doesn’t seem accurate to me, but, all-in-all, it’s a small point and I won’t pick at it any more.

  288. 288.

    TooManyJens

    April 11, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: Christ, Timeline is eye-gougingly bad.

  289. 289.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    @Groucho48: To be clear, I never actually said there were no circumstances where this could happen. I did say however, that if there’s a successful defense of this type of scenario in case law, I’m not aware of it. Also, I said that it’d be tough sell in Zimmerman’s case particularly, if not universally.

    Long story short: You’re almost certain to get convicted if you shoot someone that punches you. It’s rarely, if ever, considered self defense, as far as I know.

  290. 290.

    stratplayer

    April 11, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    @gaz: Thanks, gaz. I’m no internationally recognized authority but I’ve been around the criminal justice block more than a few times. The way I see it, it’s a waste of time arguing about whether Zimmerman believed he was defending himself from a perceived physical threat. The real problem here is whether “stand your ground” laws supersede the ancient common-law doctrine, applicable in Florida (I’ve done my research), that one cannot use more force to defend oneself than an objectively reasonable person would deem necessary under the particular circumstances of the case. If not, then in Florida and other SYG states one is permitted to shoot and kill another person in order to avoid getting an Indian sunburn or a purple nurple. I do not believe even the imbecilic Florida legislature intended such a thing.

  291. 291.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 11, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q):

    I have very little postconviction work, but (more years than I will admit) criminal experience for both sides.

    Counsel and defendant?

    ::whistles innocently::

  292. 292.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    @TooManyJens:

    Christ, Timeline is eye-gougingly bad.

    I think having your life managed properly by Mark Zuckerberg is just a tiny bit more important than silly aesthetics. :)

  293. 293.

    Lojasmo

    April 11, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    @Thymezone:

    Taxes are required by law. Tithing is voluntary. When yu tithe to the catholic church, you voluntarily commit funds to an instituiption that supports and actively excuses child rape.

  294. 294.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    @stratplayer: At this point, I won’t put any act of stupidity past the FL legislature.

    that one cannot use more force to defend oneself than an objectively reasonable person would deem necessary under the particular circumstances of the case

    This to me, is problematic. IANAL, but it strikes me as fundamentally ambiguous, much the same way obscenity laws are (community standards and whatnot).

    Roughly speaking, I think they put WAAAY too much in the hands of the jury the way that’s worded.

    The circumstances are that a white guy shot a kneegrow who threatened him with a pack of skittles, apparently. (slight snark). And he was menacing, because you know, he was wearing a hoodie. And blackity black, of course. Here’s to hoping the jury isn’t stocked with crusty old tea-billy racists. But this is florida after all. *sigh*

  295. 295.

    eemom

    April 11, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    dammit, didn’t I tell y’all I wanted the HORSE thread for a flame war? Sheesh.

    All good though. I only briefly skimmed the comments, so now I get to play a little guessing game with myself about how a simple post reporting an event that just about everybody here except Wilde Racist approves of devolved into some kind of all purpose brawl with the Catholic church dragged in again.

    Hmmmm……

  296. 296.

    stratplayer

    April 11, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Yes, voluntary manslaughter is a lesser included of second-degree murder. If the trier of fact finds that the defendant acted in self-defense but used excessive force, then self-defense is a mitigating factor rather than a complete defense and reduces the offense from murder 2 to voluntary manslaughter.

  297. 297.

    TooManyJens

    April 11, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: Silly me, you’re right. That’s what I get for missing too many indoctrination sessions.

  298. 298.

    eemom

    April 11, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    oh and fuckie is back! Yay! Hi fuckie! [blows kiss]

  299. 299.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    April 11, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    @Chuck Butcher:

    That’s what I thought but I knew that she would have a ‘rough start’ anyway. This story isn’t some local or state thing, it’s international. In my post above I called her a Komodo dragon, making a play on the stereotypical Repub being a cold-blooded reptile and the fact that she sounds (and looks) like a tough prosecutor. Listening to her and watching her in action in that press conference made me glad I’m not the person in her sights.

    She looks and sounds effective. Very effective. Let’s hope that’s the case.

  300. 300.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    @TooManyJens: I’m making our discussion here a life event, to symbolize its importance.

  301. 301.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    April 11, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: LOL.

    @stratplayer: That was my assumption, but I was too lazy busy actually working to look.

  302. 302.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 11, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: What an interesting life you must lead. OTOH, I am commenting on yours which doesn’t say much for mine. I guess my secret identity as a super hero is still safe.

  303. 303.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Thanks for ruining my life event, asshole.

  304. 304.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Blankman, is that you?

  305. 305.

    stratplayer

    April 11, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    @gaz: For better or worse, the “reasonable person” standard is used in the criminal and civil law all the time, and it wouldn’t be a bad thing for it to be brought to bear in judicial application of the SYG laws. It would help greatly if people were to understand that SYG does not excuse them from any semblance of reason and prudence.

  306. 306.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    ceeb.. you still taking it to The Business Editor of The Atlantic Monthly?

  307. 307.

    jnc

    April 11, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    The NYT reports that the special prosecutor had met and “prayed with” Martin’s family.

  308. 308.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    @gaz

    Absolutely not buying it. To call what you are doing a “logical fallacy” would be like calling what George Zimmerman did a “substandard Neighborhood Watch shift.”

    I would imagine that if you looked at the annual contribution of the average member and then figured the amount of that which goes to whatever activity you don’t like you would find out that the subject activity would amount to a few coins worth of contribution for the average churchgoer. Let’s call it 75 cents just for starters. Let me put it this way, I think you have more than used up your 75 cents worth of agita over it. A mass (no pun intended) witholding of contributions is neither practical nor likely. You are demagoguing the thing in my view, and not very well, either. And keeping it in a little box next to your computer to throw it into a totally unrelated exchange here just to score a BJ point doesn’t do much to gloss up your position on this. It’s called a cheap shot, and as cheap shots go, it’s pretty damned cheap.

  309. 309.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:46 pm

    @stratplayer: In case you haven’t noticed, the well of reason and prudence in this country is running pretty dry these days. Especially when it comes to teh big bad blah man. =)

    I mean shit, I didn’t see this level of screaming bigotry and racism in the public sphere, even in the 90’s.

    Makes me wonder what they are putting in the water.

    In seriousness though, it’s our shameful remnants of our once honorable 4th estate that’s responsible for poisoning the well.

    Reason and Prudence need to be added to the endangered species list. Maybe I should have short sold on these when Dubya got elected…. Twice =)

  310. 310.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 9:46 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: Nah, haven’t heard back from her lately. Maybe getting hit upside the head with a $150 Ceramic Pig knocked some sense into her.

  311. 311.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    @cbear: Hehe, doubt it.

  312. 312.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: One does what one can.

    @gaz: Nah, more like the Blue Raja.

  313. 313.

    stratplayer

    April 11, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    I’m going to bed now. I have to say I’m thankful for the high quality of the commenting community at Balloon Juice. I’ve been making similar comments at another blog questioning the practical judgment of the special prosecutor from the point of view of someone who would prefer a conviction to a moral victory, given the political and public safety issues involved, and too many people there think I’m some sort of stealth apologist for Zimmerman. You guys are the best. I love this place.

  314. 314.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    @Thymezone:

    would amount to a few coins worth of contribution for the average churchgoer.

    That’s a few coins too many, in my book.

    FTR, I don’t care if you buy it. I’m not selling it. I really don’t give a shit what you think. About anything.

    Although I gotta say, for not being a Catholic, you sure are devoting a whole lot of screen space to defending them.

  315. 315.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: You’re probably right, it’s damn near impossible to beat the stupid out of someone as dense as the Megster—but one does what one can.

  316. 316.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    @cbear: Kinda reminds me of the old saw “Never rassle with a ceramic pig..”

  317. 317.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: “…cause the pig likes it and you end up with pottery shards in your ass”?

    Yeah, I heard that one too.

  318. 318.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    April 11, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    OT: I just saw the shot of Zimmerman being taken into the jail and from the back shot he looks like a big guy.

    Especially when compared to a 140 pound teenager.

  319. 319.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    @Odie Hugh Manatee:

    Especially when compared to a 140 pound teenager.

    Don’t believe the pics. Black makes you look smaller.

  320. 320.

    eemom

    April 11, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    @Anne Laurie:

    I’ve tried encouraging them to start their own blog, but apparently WE’RE SMARTER THAN YOU & HAVE THE PAPERWORK TO PROVE IT didn’t test well with the marketing group. At least one of them is convinced they’ll get a front-page slot if only they can harangue the existing posters with sufficient vigor, which to my mind speaks of redoubling effort after forgetting objective, but then of course I Am Not A Lawyer…

    Well sheeyit, I’ve never been encouraged to start my own blog. Who could she possibly mean?

    Typical passive-aggressive chickenshit from Charlie Pierce Echo, Inc. At least we know you’ll never start your own blog.

  321. 321.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: ROFL

  322. 322.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    @eemom: Why don’t you start your own blog?

  323. 323.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    April 11, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I forgot about that. No fashion sense here, that’s for sure.

  324. 324.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    @gaz:

    Jesus, man, you are a walking cliche. You fixate on this thing, bring it up out of nowhere, and then claim that you don’t care what someone else thinks. But you care enough to chide me for “defending” … what? Catholics, as in laity? Seriously? All those millions of people are wrong, just wrong,unless they … what? Leave the church? Withhold their contributions? Personally flay the abusive priests? What are you looking for?

    Well, we know. You are looking for a rhetorical device you can throw at a BJ poster to score a point on a thread that has nothing even remotely to do with your big important principle. That’s how much you think of it, it’s a throwaway weapon in your BJ fight.

    You’re just an ass, bud. Get over yourself. I hope some Catholic priest shoves his hig hard one all the way up your ass and into your throat. So the lesson for you here is, if you are going to throw a cheap punch, don’t throw it like a girl, throw it like you mean it. Right? Amirite? You know I am. Now apologize and act like a man.

  325. 325.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    @Thymezone:

    Would you mind checking your Kindle please? See your FB for info about what I want to do next.

    :P

    Having fun?

    <3

  326. 326.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    You gonna take that, gaz?

  327. 327.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    @Rome Again:

    This guy is so bad he has me defending Catholics. I have been bashing the church for two months over this contraception thing and now I have to defend their laity over child sexual abuse. Me, a victim of child sexual abuse, barely hanging on by a fingernail here.

    Meanwhile I get hit on by Bigfoot who flashes my secret ID and then runs into the woods … to do what? WHAT? Eat another bunny, or kill the baby Jesus? Why? Why?

  328. 328.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I think he’s you, doing a DougJ.

  329. 329.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    @Rome Again:

    I answered your inquiry. I would rather not introduce two variables on the same day. Thx. We can try that other experiment later.

  330. 330.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    @Thymezone:

    I think he’s you, doing a DougJ.

    I’d never laugh at my own joke. You wound me.

  331. 331.

    eemom

    April 11, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Nah, I’m too busy redoubling effort after forgetting objective to have any time for blogs.

  332. 332.

    jnc

    April 11, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    I just saw the shot of Zimmerman being taken into the jail and from the back shot he looks like a big guy.

    Yeah, he had, like, a hundred pounds of muscle on that kid. I read that somewhere.

  333. 333.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    You wouldn’t? Ask Rome, nobody laughs at my jokes better than I do. I have to set an example …..

  334. 334.

    MildGyrate

    April 11, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    Aw, look at the white lynch mob congratulating itself on getting its human sacrifice. Not a goddamn one of you lily-white jackasses could make it through a single evening of eating jalapeno-spiced entrees with George Zimmerman, much less tip the mariachi band. Fucking hypocrites. While you sit around blaming white southerners for your own sins, three black guys just robbed three black-owned liquor stores. Fuckwits.

  335. 335.

    eemom

    April 11, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    @jnc:

    I just saw the shot of Zimmerman being taken into the jail

    kinda late in the thread to go OT, innit?

    Oh wait….

  336. 336.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    @Thymezone:

    I cannot tell a lie. It’s true. :P

    And by the way, I can see what you’re trying to do, goading me into getting involved in this discussion, but there’s over 300 posts on this thread and it would take me far too long to figure out what’s happening. So, have fun! <3

  337. 337.

    dww44

    April 11, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    Without reading the comments, I agree with you, John. Her whole set of mannerisms and facial expressions were a bit off. Now, elsewhere on the teevee, she’s getting plaudists for the professionalism of her press conference.

  338. 338.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    @MildGyrate:

    Somebody has got their spooftroll on tonite!! That’s pretty good, I must say.

    By the way, ease up on the lily white stuff. My skin is so white you have to look at me through a piece of smoked glass. I am very sensitive about it.

  339. 339.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:36 pm

    @dww44:

    Yeah, you know why? BECAUSE OF HER PROFESSIONALISM.

    Yes, the caps aid in comprehension, it’s a proven fact.

  340. 340.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    @Thymezone: No, it’s really not professional to go off on a tangent about prayer like she did. It’s Bush league.

  341. 341.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    @Thymezone:

    Blinding…

  342. 342.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    @Thymezone: Damn TZ, you could have left the bait in the water just a little longer, bro. It’s always fun to see which new fish will bite.

  343. 343.

    shortstop

    April 11, 2012 at 10:41 pm

    @cbear: Six or seven more still will. ;)

  344. 344.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 11, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    @shortstop: Yeah, some people never recognize a joke post when they see one.

  345. 345.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    @cbear:

    I’m out of practice, what can I tell you? I don’t do flame wars any more, they are too much work and the competition is just shit. Not like the old days when he had our Darrells, our Stormys, our Rick Morans. These new people are puffballs.

    Give me a raging Stormy, drinking her way through thread after thread and eventually collapsing in a heap of incoherent sobs, hiccups, and tears. God, those were the good old days.

  346. 346.

    shortstop

    April 11, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: That’s funny, but not for the reason you think it is. Layers!

  347. 347.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    God will decide, in the fullness of time, how to wield His mighty power.

  348. 348.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    April 11, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    @MildGyrate:

    You’re not ‘Myld’ enough. ;)

    He’s crazier than that. Good shot though.

  349. 349.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Jeebus, just because TZ opened the bag don’t mean you have to kick the cat out.
    This is why we can never have any fun here anymore. A little restraint please.

  350. 350.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:49 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Do tell.

  351. 351.

    MildGyrate

    April 11, 2012 at 10:49 pm

    @Odie Hugh Manatee: Well, hell, six or seven fuckwits fell for me yesterday. Time to retire? Anyway, he skedaddled after I showed up, so my work may be done. If I drank, I’d crack a 40 on a curb to celebrate, toasting the complex character of Nathan Bedford Forrest.

  352. 352.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 10:49 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Why do you care if a prosecutor said a prayer with the victim’s family? Is that prayer going to change the outcome of the case?

    Look, I totally understand the separation of church and state and I agree that churches/prayer shouldn’t be forced upon little children, but, fully consenting adults in a private home who are involved in a criminal trial doesn’t bother me at all. Are prayers completely outlawed? You had better tell that to Congress, they pray a lot before their sessions.

    Is there a complete and all out war on prayer? I will not support that. Democrats win the prayer argument because we HAVEN’T STOPPED PEOPLE from praying, only in coercing others to pray with them.

  353. 353.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    @cbear:

    I think you meant “A little more Jack, please. Neat.”

  354. 354.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    @Rome Again:

    Not me. When I hear someone praying I yell “Shut the fuck up!” You’d be surprised how often that works.

  355. 355.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:54 pm

    @dww44:

    Why couldn’t she look like this?

  356. 356.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 10:54 pm

    @Thymezone: I know what you mean. It used to be good clean fun—now it’s like putting a mentally handicapped kid in a round room and telling him to go sit in the corner. There’s not much sport in it.

  357. 357.

    handy

    April 11, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    Feel the flava…of the ppGAZZZ!!!

    Funniest thread in weeks.

  358. 358.

    jnc

    April 11, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    @Rome Again:
    Praise be!

  359. 359.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    @handy:

    Hey, enough of this blowing my secret ID. Or id, if you prefer. Works either way.

  360. 360.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    @Rome Again: I don’t give a fuck who she prays with. But to announce in the press conference that she’s receiving a lot of prayer and wants more is just ridiculously unprofessional. Do yer fucking job, leave the magic to the soothsayers.

  361. 361.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    @cbear:

    Right. It’s like taking candy from those trick or treaters who get separated from their parents and just stand there stunned when you grab their whole bag of candy and walk off.

  362. 362.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    The DA shop that prays together, preys together? Heh.

  363. 363.

    MildGyrate

    April 11, 2012 at 11:03 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: Yep.

  364. 364.

    dww44

    April 11, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    @Thymezone: Yeah, by now I’ve read enough of the comments to know that you rule this thread. I’m not an attorney, but I am a lifelong Southerner and she was a bit “fakey”. Attribute it to “nerves” or whatever, but her mannerisms were a tad contrived. Just my opinion. And, by the way, my conservative relatives use that ALL CAPS ALL THE TIME crap a lot. Doesn’t aid my comprehension. Actually decreases it.

  365. 365.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Well, your outrage is your own and you’re certainly entitled to it, but it’s lost on me. Sorry.

  366. 366.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    @cbear: These kids today. We should show them what for. Oh, my lumbago. Teez, pass the alleve.

  367. 367.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    @Rome Again:

    What’s really great in this? For years and years, the righties have pimped Victims’ Rights as a way to rev up the conveyor belt to the slammers.

    It never occurred to them that it would turn on them like this. Now their prey, Trayvon, is the victim, and his family is the victim, and their lying coward homeboy George is going to have to eat shit and bark at the moon for it.

    Too bad you righty motherfuckers!

  368. 368.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    @Thymezone:

    Well, I certainly agree with that.

  369. 369.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    @Rome Again: I’m not outraged. I’m just pointing out it’s unprofessional.

  370. 370.

    Karen Finan

    April 11, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    @TooManyJens: Google Angela Corey Christian Fernandez. She is currently charging a 12 year old boy with first degree murder. She is a horrible, terrible awful person. But perhaps she will work hard to convict Zimmerman.

  371. 371.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    @dww44:

    Hey, you’re a Southerner? No wonder everything works backward for you.

    I’m surprised you don’t recognize Angela’s demeanor: It’s your basic Southern “Hiya hon, welcome to the Hotel Law and Order, y’all!!” And she sells it, and sells it good.

  372. 372.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Is it going to change the outcome of the case?

  373. 373.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    All kidding and backstabbing aside … no. When it is “unprofessional” to mention prayer then we have crossed a stupid line. Don’t argue with me on this, there is not a stronger advocate for Church and State Total Separation than me, here or anywhere else, and I don’t have any problem with what she said. She didn’t say she went to the Bible for guidance, she said she went to Florida law, and that is the right answer in this case, no? So she prayed. Good for her. I pray every time I try to pee. Everything is relative.

  374. 374.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    @Rome Again: Why does that even matter? It can still be unprofessional.

  375. 375.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    @dww44:

    It seems to me for you to know if she was “fakey” you would have to have seen what she was like without a shitload of national television cameras in her face.

  376. 376.

    eemom

    April 11, 2012 at 11:18 pm

    I guess I will need to watch this thing now in order that I may render my lawyerly opinion as to the lady’s demeanor.

    Also too, maybe I will change my name to esquette.

  377. 377.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    @Thymezone: We don’t have to agree. I’m perfectly fine with you being wrong. It’s not professional in a staff meeting at work to answer “Did you get your (work) done?” with “I know you’ve all been praying for me for weeks and I need more of your prayers..”

  378. 378.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    @eemom:

    Please do render. I am quite interested.

  379. 379.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:23 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I think it makes about as much sense to be uptight about mentioning prayer as it does to be uptight about not mentioning prayer. Prayer is just prayer, it’s not snake handling or speaking in tongues or making a human sacrifice.

    But now that I think of it, I have been in staff meetings where a snake or a human sacrifice would have been welcome.

    Also, I will not claim to have never been wrong, just that you have never seen it.

  380. 380.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    @Thymezone: Will you give her back that candy if you like her synopsis of the event?

  381. 381.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    @Thymezone: .. and it’s a wrap.

    Gotta hit the sack.

    Let’s do this again in six months?

  382. 382.

    handy

    April 11, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    I finally watched Corey’s presser. Cole, you are high man.

  383. 383.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Is it illegal to cite prayer as an activity when discussing a case? Some people take their faith very seriously. I realize that religion cannot enter into the court proceedings, or into a piece of legislation, but I think if you told people they could never speak about prayer that sounds like a totalitarian hammer.

    Democrats have been very careful in trying not to wield that kind of weapon, and we shouldn’t be pushing for the desire to do it now.

  384. 384.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    @cbear:

    Ee is pretty smart. I’d have to use all my powers of deception to pretend that I could win an argument with her over this.

  385. 385.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:26 pm

    @Rome Again:

    Also too, what about taking an oath on the Bible and finishing it with “So help me God.” Is that out now too? Unprofessional?

  386. 386.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    @Rome Again: What part of “unprofessional” are you not understanding? Unprofessional doesn’t mean illegal. Gotta crash. We’re just gonna have to leave this up in the air with you making every other possible case.

  387. 387.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    So soon? But seriously, the sooner the better.

  388. 388.

    Thymezone

    April 11, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Also, you should get a real bed. The sack is going to cut down on your REM sleep.

  389. 389.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: It was nice having the old band together, even if it was only for a jam session.
    CYA

  390. 390.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:31 pm

    @cbear: Yep. We should do it again sometime, maybe somewhere more private like an AL thread.

  391. 391.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    April 11, 2012 at 11:31 pm

    j/k AL..:)

  392. 392.

    cbear

    April 11, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: Ah man, that’s just wrong.

    @Thymezone: Good to see you, bro.

    I’m out.

  393. 393.

    Rome Again

    April 11, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I’ll tell ya what’s the big deal. Half the country has been screaming for an entire three weeks to get Zimmerman under arrest and now that he is, you need to present sour grapes. Talking about prayer is NOT prayer. You are pushing the envelope on what is acceptable and what isn’t and you’re going to run into a very slippery slope that way.

  394. 394.

    gaz

    April 11, 2012 at 11:45 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: I’m going to ignore it.

    1. a hope from a supposed rape victim that I get raped. Classy.

    2. he’s mad

    3. hit like a girl? I know quite a few girls that could kick his ass.

    LOL

    I’ve spent more time on him than he’s worth already.

  395. 395.

    John's Minions

    April 11, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Jesus, I miss the days when this blog was just a few dozen people bitching about Bush. Does anybody remember “the two dirts?” I do.

    Now we have a crap-ton of people who don’t know the facts spouting off. Look, I read your responses on the last post. Sure I’m a concern troll all of the sudden, why not? But maybe let’s hope for the facts to win, right? I think Zimmerman is guilty as hell, but a lot of the comments here are hoping for violence, and I feel like I must oppose that, poor spelling and all.

    John’s Minions +5 (or +7 if you count Founder’s KBS as 3, and you should.)

  396. 396.

    Thymezone

    April 12, 2012 at 12:29 am

    @gaz:

    Just one word for you bro:

    Whoosh!

    Enjoy your evening.

    Oh, and I forgot: All Catholics are child molestors. Got it. Thanks for the tip.

  397. 397.

    Thymezone

    April 12, 2012 at 12:36 am

    @gaz:

    I know quite a few girls that could kick his ass.

    No doubt, but you aren’t one of them.

  398. 398.

    dopeyo

    April 12, 2012 at 12:54 am

    @Thymezone: meds taken?
    Hillary: take ’em

  399. 399.

    Death Panel Truck

    April 12, 2012 at 1:15 am

    @dogwood: Ed Schultz tried to goad one of his guests into proclaiming the upcoming legal proceedings as “the trial of the 21st century.” I wanted to reach into the teevee screen and cock-punch the fat fuck.

  400. 400.

    Internet Dragons

    April 12, 2012 at 1:54 am

    I just watched the press conference (long day at work; couldn’t catch it live).

    Wow. She’s fantastic. I doubt very much that she is over-reaching with that second degree murder decision. I don’t think she’d have made that choice if she wasn’t very, very confident in the evidence she and her team have accessed.

    I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that some see her smiles as being odd, but I’m disappointed that some of you feel that way.

    As a woman of her generation, who also works in a highly competitive field not traditionally welcoming to women (at least it was non-traditional when I grew up), I feel pretty damned confident in saying that her smiles and nods were meant to be courteous…they were meant to be a recognition of the family, of the victims she supports, even of the reporters asking questions. She was trying to be gracious. She was a little nervous sometimes, so the smiles and nods were a bit stiff sometimes..but her intent seemed quite genuine to me.

    A few of them were also “fuck you, you idiots, for asking such stupid questions” type smiles. I loved that.

    Anyway, it bothers me that some of you were actually put off by her affect. I’d certainly want her on my side.

  401. 401.

    AA+ Bonds

    April 12, 2012 at 2:11 am

    The prosecutor is giving off a very weird vibe, though smiling creepily as if she was announcing she had one of the winning mega millions tickets

    I agree that perhaps someone in this office should be able to control herself enough to hide what I would consider the correct reaction to Zimmerman going to jail, that is, “smiling creepily as if she was announcing she had one of the winning mega millions tickets”

    I almost sic’d that ‘was’ but blogs aren’t for that shit

    If I were the one dropping the hammer instead of just someone happily watching you better believe I would have my creepy he’s-fucked smile on, if only On The Inside

    After all, for that moment she was as famous as the principal figures in the case and she didn’t even have to shoot someone or get shot, and we are a country of narcissists

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